Chapter 22: Magical Duel, the Embarrassed Taoist

“Master Daoist, please stop talking and think of a solution quickly.”

Sensing the tense atmosphere, a tall, upright young man beside Zhou Bo stepped forward.

He was Zhou Bo’s eldest son, Zhou Hong.

The second son, Zhou Ziping, born to a concubine, was nothing but a useless fool. After his disappearance, Zhou Bo was somewhat worried, but not overly anxious. Zhou Hong, however, was different—talented and capable, he was the hope of the Zhou family’s future!

Seeing his eldest son speak up, Zhou Bo immediately echoed, “Yes, Master San Dao, hurry and drive away the evil and catch the ghost!”

The fat Daoist showed a peculiar smile and said, “Sir Magistrate, the money you paid only covers dealing with minor demons and ghosts.”

“This time, we’re facing something far from ordinary!”

Zhou Hong’s face darkened with anger. He barked, “Our Zhou family has fed and clothed you well, giving you money every month for nothing. Now trouble comes and this is your attitude?”

Zhou Bo, seeing this, stretched out his hand to stop his son and, with a face as dark as water, addressed the Daoist, “Master San Dao, just tell us plainly what you mean.”

Having spent years navigating the bureaucracy, Zhou Bo was a shrewd man; he could tell there was a hidden meaning in the Daoist’s words.

Sure enough, the fat Daoist chuckled and rubbed his hands. “Sir Magistrate, I am but a small cultivator at the fourth stage of Qi Refining. Facing such a powerful ghost is very risky—I could lose my life.”

“So… I’ll need more payment!”

“You—!”

Zhou Hong’s forehead pulsed with veins, his finger trembling as he pointed at the Daoist in rage.

But the Daoist ignored him, his gaze fixed on Zhou Bo.

Zhou Bo’s face was grim, but he did not lose his temper. He drew a deep breath and said slowly, “Fine! I’ll give you an extra hundred taels each month!”

“Haha! Sir, you are generous!”

Upon hearing of the increased payment, the Daoist’s expression changed instantly. First, he laughed heartily, then his face grew solemn. He took out an eight-sided copper mirror from his robes.

“Since you are so generous, I will risk my life and fight the ghost!”

“Mirror of the Way, reveal!”

With the Daoist’s incantation, the copper mirror floated in his palm, spinning rapidly and emitting a streak of azure-blue spiritual light.

Holding the mirror, he directed the light to sweep across the County Magistrate’s residence, searching for traces of spirits.

But after a flurry of activity, he found nothing.

The onlookers’ faces changed, some secretly doubting him.

Could this fat Daoist be nothing but a charlatan?

“Ahem! The ghost is well hidden. It seems I must use greater power.”

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The Daoist coughed awkwardly, and with a low incantation, the spiritual light in the copper mirror grew denser, shifting from azure to deep blue.

Sure enough, as the light swept certain spots, faint gray traces appeared—previously undetectable.

The Daoist’s spirit lifted. Pointing at the traces, he announced, “I’ve found the ghost’s trail—it hasn’t left, it’s lurking in the residence!”

“I’ll seal the house with a spiritual talisman and draw it out!”

He prepared to cast his spell.

But suddenly, the corpse of Liu Yong, the guard, sprang up violently, flesh peeling away to reveal a skeletal ghost that lunged for Zhou Bo!

Rotting flesh and foul blood sprayed everywhere as it rushed forward. The skull’s mouth gaped open at a grotesquely wide angle, terrifying to behold.

The horrifying scene stunned Zhou Bo; his obese body shook like a sieve, and he even forgot