Chapter 37: A Resounding Slap at Lanruo Temple!

Xu Wang ignored Ning Caichen, walked back to the counter, tapped on it, and asked the shopkeeper, "Do you buy these things?"

"Yes, yes, yes! Of course we do. Sir, please take a seat for a moment while we inventory them."

The shopkeeper couldn't quite gauge Xu Wang's background. However, seeing that this man possessed the ability to conjure items out of thin air and was dressed so strangely—and given that the world was in chaos—the shopkeeper decided that the less trouble, the better. He instructed his staff to serve tea to Xu Wang and his companion, then gathered up the pile of long swords and armor and hurried into the back.

Before long, just as Xu Wang finished his cup of tea, the pawnbroker returned. He carried a tray laden with silver bullion, which he presented to Xu Wang with deep reverence. "Sir, please count it; it’s all here."

Xu Wang glanced at the silver. He had no idea what the cost of living was in this world, but judging by Ning Caichen's reaction, it was a significant sum. Satisfied, Xu Wang accepted it.

"Let's go. We'll buy some food, and then we’ll head to my ancestral home." Xu Wang stood up and signaled for Ning Caichen to follow.

Ning Caichen hurried after him, asking curiously, "Brother Wang, where is your ancestral home?"

"Lanruo Temple," Xu Wang replied as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

No sooner had the words left his lips than two heavy "thuds" sounded behind them, followed by cries of pain. Ning Caichen turned in surprise to see the pawnbroker and his clerk sitting on the floor, faces pale with terror. It was unclear what had frightened them so badly.

"Quick, quick! Close the door! Oh, heavens! How did I get mixed up with Lanruo Temple? This won't do, I'm closing the shop for a few days!" The terrified pawnbroker ordered his clerk to shut the doors immediately.

"What's wrong with them?" Ning Caichen asked, looking back at the shop with a mix of curiosity and unease.

"I don't know. Maybe his wife is about to give birth," Xu Wang offered what he considered a reasonable explanation.

"Oh." Ning Caichen quickened his pace to keep up.

The two toured Guobei County, purchasing staples like steamed buns, mantou, and flatbreads. Xu Wang even bought a roast duck. The scent of the duck was so rich that the greaseproof paper couldn't contain it. Driven by hunger, Ning Caichen began eating while they were still shopping. They say that he who eats another's food loses his voice, and he who accepts another's favor loses his edge. Since Ning Caichen was now both eating and planning to sleep at Xu Wang's expense, he couldn't bring himself to be anything but compliant.

"Let's go. We need to reach Lanruo Temple before dark," Xu Wang announced while walking down the main street of Guobei County. His words caused the entire street to fall silent instantly.

Everyone around them clamped their mouths shut and cast strange, wary glances their way. This was the second time this had happened. Feeling the odd atmosphere, Ning Caichen was filled with questions but had no one to ask.

"Do you know the way to Lanruo Temple?" Xu Wang asked directly.

The crowd looked terrified, but a young man selling coffins spoke up, "Just head three and a half miles east from here."

Xu Wang got his answer and smiled politely, "Thank you very much! I wish you booming business!"

"Hey, hey! Don't say things like that, young man!"

"A wish for 'booming business' is not something to be said in this trade!"

The surrounding townsfolk were immediately displeased. The coffin seller’s smile grew awkward. His profession, after all, was taboo; he didn't even dare to display a God of Wealth statue in his shop, only daring to pray to one in private, lest others think he was cursing them.

"Let's go, let's go!" Ning Caichen pulled Xu Wang away, terrified that he would provoke the crowd and get them killed.

As they walked, Ning Caichen asked curiously, "How can your ancestral home be a temple? Are you a monk?" He glanced at Xu Wang’s short hair as he spoke.

"No, my family ran a pharmacy. My ancestor once saved a white snake. To his surprise, the snake transformed into a human and married him. This Lanruo Temple was the dowry of the White Lady." On the way to the temple, Xu Wang recounted the story of the *Legend of the White Snake*.

Ning Caichen sighed in amazement, "To think your ancestor married a white snake! I suppose that’s a case of true love finding its way."

"You aren't doing so badly yourself, no need for self-deprecation—one of us rides a snake, the other rides a ghost," Xu Wang said, patting Ning Caichen on the shoulder. Ning Caichen didn't understand what he meant, and Xu Wang offered no explanation.

By the time they reached the outskirts of Lanruo Temple, night had fallen. The moon hung low, casting dappled, ethereal light upon the ancient stone steps. Xu Wang used the flashlight on his personal terminal to lead the way; the beam brought a sense of security to Ning Caichen.

"Brother Wang, this treasure of yours is far more useful than a lantern," Ning Caichen remarked, marveling at how clearly he could see. Even though they were in the middle of a deep, dark forest facing a dilapidated ancient temple, being by Xu Wang's side made it seem less frightening.

"The power of science, kid," Xu Wang chuckled and led the way into the temple.

The courtyard was overgrown with weeds, and the ruins showed no signs of the incense that once burned there. The doors and windows were shattered, and the gold leaf on the Buddha statues had peeled away, revealing the earth beneath. The statues’ eyes were dull and filled with sorrow, a sight that chilled the heart.

"Brother Wang? Is this really your ancestral home?" Ning Caichen followed, looking around in doubt.

"Just settle in. There’s a talent show tonight," Xu Wang replied, acting as if he were truly home. He pulled a broom from nowhere and tossed it to Ning Caichen. "Don't be lazy, help me clean up."

"Oh, right." Ning Caichen didn't hesitate. Since he was staying in someone else's home, it would be rude not to help. He set down his wicker trunk, rolled up his sleeves, and began cleaning with Xu Wang. They planned to clear two rooms for the night.

"Brother Wang, look, there’s a copy of the *Analects* here," Ning Caichen said as he pushed open a door, noticing signs that someone had lived there previously.

Xu Wang leaned in to look and nodded. "The *Analects*—I know it, I like it. This book must have been left by a scholar who stayed here. The person is gone but the book remains; he’s likely dead."

"Ah?!" Ning Caichen was startled. He turned to look at Xu Wang, "You're joking, right?"

Xu Wang wore a mischievous grin. "I see you don't understand anything." He then explained seriously, "Books are expensive these days. Someone who ends up staying at Lanruo Temple wouldn't just throw away a book. They must have met with an accident."

Ning Caichen realized this made sense. The temple was in a remote wilderness, and in these chaotic times, meeting with a misfortune was all too common.

Just then, from near and far, a faint, ethereal melody began to drift through the air. It sounded heavenly, yet it made one’s blood run cold.

"Eh? Who is playing the zither?" Drawn by the music, Ning Caichen turned his head.

Behind them, out of nowhere, a graceful figure appeared. Behind a veil of soft white silk, a dim candlelight flickered. A woman in a white dress sat like a fairy under the moon, playing the zither. Ning Caichen was instantly captivated and began to walk toward her.

Xu Wang moved faster. With a few long strides, he reached the woman.

"Young master..." The woman in white smiled, her eyes brimming with a bewitching charm, and slowly looked up at Xu Wang.

Without a word, Xu Wang backhanded her across the face!

*Smack!*

The crisp sound echoed through the midnight air. The woman in white clutched her stinging left cheek, stunned—even a ghost could be caught off guard!