Chapter 7: Old Wang Has Been Unfaithful

With the Heaven-Sealing Divine Talisman in hand, Su Muhua’s expression grew solemn as she declared, “Well then, Fei, I’m off to the Ghost Domain!”

“Go on, go on,” Jiang Xiaofei nodded eagerly—even more so now that his wife was in danger within the Ghost Domain. The sooner the talisman was delivered, the sooner he could ease his mind.

Su Muhua gave a small nod, then vanished from Jiang Xiaofei’s sight.

Once she was gone, Jiang Xiaofei also left the Underworld.

Back at his clinic, he finally felt a weight lifted from his chest. Just moments ago, he sensed the seal he’d placed on the Heaven-Sealing Divine Talisman had dissipated, which meant Su Muhua had already delivered it to his wife.

“Hah, ten million yuan!”

He gazed at the black crystal card in his hand, barely able to hide his delight. Who would’ve thought that a quick trip to the Underworld would yield a windfall of ten million? True, the money wasn’t earned in the most straightforward way, but it was the fruit of his own labor.

He carefully set the black crystal card aside, then opened the door—immediately, a shaft of harsh sunlight poured in.

It was already noon, and the sun was blazing.

Shielding himself from the fierce sun, Jiang Xiaofei got to work. Since his clinic was tucked away in a secluded alley, there were hardly any passersby. The few eccentric neighbors who lived nearby were probably lounging in their homes, enjoying the breeze from their electric fans and the comforts of leisure.

His odd activities attracted no curious glances.

Soon, he had set up a large cauldron and kindled a roaring fire—though not with wood or coal, but with Netherflame.

Only pills forged with Netherflame could be truly effective; otherwise, no matter how precious the ingredients, they would be wasted.

With everything ready, Jiang Xiaofei opened his universe pouch and poured all the ingredients into the cauldron—without the slightest worry that it would overflow.

For this was no ordinary iron pot from the market, but the Xuanming Cauldron, custom-forged for him by a master craftsman in the Netherworld.

It had cost him a million ghost coins.

At the time, Jiang Xiaofei thought he’d been fleeced—who spends a million ghost coins on a pot? But afterward, he realized there was more to it than met the eye. The cauldron was like a universe in itself, able to store anything, and could even withstand attacks.

He owed his life to this cauldron. Six years ago, when his powers were still weak, he’d tried to save a female ghost but was discovered by an old Taoist priest. It was this very cauldron that shielded him from the priest’s deadly blow. Without it, he might not be alive today.

So, in a way, this cauldron was his lifesaver. If not for the sheer quantity of pills he needed to make, he would never have taken it out.

Before long, the cauldron began to boil, emitting thick, dark smoke. This scent was alluring only to ghosts; to humans, it was downright putrid.

Luckily, Jiang Xiaofei had long since grown immune to the stench, or he would have been retching on the spot.

Soon, the black smoke dissipated, signaling that the process was nearly complete. Jiang Xiaofei got busy again, for now came the final and most critical step—the condensation. Only by succeeding in this would the pills truly form.

“From the Underworld I call, disciple steps forth, all things take shape, Underworld Ghost Doctor, show your spirit! Urgent as a command, urgent as a command!”

As he chanted the incantation and formed seals with his hands, a black beam of light shot from his fingertips into the cauldron.

Bang! Bang!

The cauldron erupted—not the vessel itself, but the contents within. Jiang Xiaofei, however, was overjoyed. These explosive sounds didn’t mean failure; they signified success.

“At last, it’s done!” Jiang Xiaofei wiped the sweat from his brow and exhaled deeply.

Truthfully, he’d been somewhat anxious—this was his first time making such a massive batch of pills. But hard work had paid off; he’d succeeded!

“Jiang Xiaofei, what the hell are you tinkering with now? You woke me up!”

Oh no, not Madam Bao again. Jiang Xiaofei’s heart skipped a beat, and he turned his head.

There, leaning out a window across the alley, was a woman in a white top with permed hair, glaring at him with fury.

Sophie—his landlady. Despite her youthful appearance—she looked barely twenty-something—she was in fact pushing forty.

She was stunning, but her nickname, Madam Bao the Hog, struck terror in everyone.

Great, he’d disturbed her again.

“Haha, Sophie, I didn’t realize you were home napping! I thought you were off traveling. Just as well, I was about to pay this month’s rent.” Jiang Xiaofei scratched his head, grinning awkwardly, and waved two hundred yuan as if he were genuinely about to pay.

Sophie glared at the money and barked, “Who the hell wants your cash? I’ve had enough of you! Every time you cause a racket like thunder. Forget the rent this month—just get out! The sooner, the better.”

Jiang Xiaofei frowned. No one had ever spoken to him like that before. Still, nowhere else on Market Street was as cheap—or as private—as Madam Bao’s rooms.

He forced a smile. “Sophie, you’re the most beautiful and kindhearted person in the world. Please don’t kick me out, all right?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Jiang Xiaofei felt a wave of disgust—how had he managed to say such things?

Once upon a time, flattery would have made Sophie laugh behind her hand. But ever since her husband’s affair, she’d stopped believing in men’s sweet talk.

“Get out! I know exactly how attractive I am, I don’t need you to remind me! Liar, get lost—I don’t want to see you again!”

Jiang Xiaofei was puzzled. Didn’t Sophie used to love being complimented by men? Why wasn’t it working today?

“Sophie, do you have something on your mind these days? Is that why you’re taking it out on me?”

She sighed deeply, saying nothing.

So he’d guessed right! Pleased, Jiang Xiaofei pressed, “Sophie, what’s really going on? Tell me—I might be able to help.”

She glanced at his scrawny frame and replied, “Do you really think you’re up to it?”

“What do you mean?” Jiang Xiaofei was momentarily taken aback. “What happened, Sophie? Spell it out, or I’ll start imagining things.”

Sophie snapped, “Old Wang cheated on me. Jiang Xiaofei, can you help me beat that little hussy to death?”

“What? Old Wang cheated on you?” Jiang Xiaofei was stunned. “He’s always seemed so honest—how could he cheat? Sophie, are you sure you’re not mistaken?”

“No mistake.” She shook her head with a bitter smile. “I saw it with my own eyes. Every night, Old Wang sneaks out to meet that little vixen. I don’t know what she has that I don’t, but now he has no interest in me at all and wants a divorce.”