Volume One, Chapter 12: Just Made Some Money, and the Boss Quits

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There were too many ghosts at the scene.

Chuguang broke out in goosebumps, staring at the crowd of spirits as if they were lunatics staring back at her.

Instinctively, she stepped back a little.

When a lost soul touches a living person, the living one’s life force is drained.

So she dared not make direct contact with the ghosts.

“Do you want to try?” Chuguang’s voice lowered as she looked toward the Court of the Underworld ahead. “You know this is the Court of the Underworld. I can’t stay long; I have to leave soon.”

She took out some white rice and said gravely, “A ghost made a deal with me for this rice. I have to deliver it.”

The elderly spirit hesitated. It didn’t believe her, but the aroma of the steaming white rice was enticing.

It was food for the living, but she had it.

Hurriedly, Chuguang said, “I don’t have enough money. I just died recently, and I only have about fifty red spider lilies. Delivering messages is expensive…”

Thinking of the cost, she paused for a moment. “I remember your grandson is a living person. How is his financial situation?”

“Not good. I’m his only family left. I just died a few days ago and am anxious.”

If she had died only a few days ago, where did she get so many red spider lilies?

Chuguang was puzzled. The old lady noticed and quickly explained, “These flowers are legitimate. Newly dead souls are strong, but I exchanged that energy for red spider lilies, which made me so weak.”

“Are you connected to a Taoist in the living world?”

Chuguang was startled. “Sort of.”

The spirit’s expression brightened. “As long as I can see how my grandson is doing, no matter the cost, I’ll pay you. I’ll work to repay you… just let me know how my grandson is now.”

The spirit tried to reach out, but Chuguang stepped back several paces.

“Don’t come near me. Someone left a signal on me. I have to rely on it to contact the living. If you get too close, the energy might disappear.”

The elderly spirit quickly retreated.

There were simply too many people around.

Chuguang looked toward the alley. “Alright, come with me. There are too many ghosts here.”

Together, they headed into the alley.

Looking at the distant ghost, Chuguang said, “To send a message to your grandson, he has to believe it’s from you. How will you make sure he knows it’s you?”

“He’ll know. I taught him how to write since he was a child. He’ll definitely recognize my handwriting,” the old lady said hurriedly. “If you show him my letter, he’ll know it’s from me.”

“Then write it first. I’ll come back to pick it up.”

Chuguang planned to sell the rice she had first.

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After parting with the ghost, she arrived at her old shop. Searching for opportunities, she surveyed the alley. Aside from an eerie atmosphere, it was no different.

This absurd world seemed endlessly bleak.

Since arriving in the Underworld, Chuguang had been wandering this alley.

She had no idea what other places were like.

But this world was always monochrome, like a light ink painting—no pleasing flowers or scenery, no warmth, only a lifeless gray.

Chuguang stood before the coffin shop and realized it was much like a pawnshop in the living world.

Both sold things belonging to the dead.

Stacks of golden paper shaped like ingots hung gloriously from the storefront.

“Boss.”

The owner lazily peeked out from his chair. “It’s you. You’ve been coming quite often lately. Didn’t the Taoist you traded with tell you? Dealing with ghosts is very harmful to your health.”

Chuguang raised her eyes. “She’s alive.”

But she owed thirteen million.

The boss slowly asked, “What did you bring this time?”

“Rice, and some homemade notes.”

“Oh, that’ll be ten copper spirit coins.”

Chuguang had no objection. After selling her goods, she took the coins and was about to leave when the boss called out.

“Hey kid, when did you die?”

“Three months ago.”

Chuguang hadn’t truly died but knew the underworld’s rules. For seven days after death, a soul remains like a living person. After that, their energy fades and they become transparent.

But she had looked the same all this time, which aroused suspicion.

The shop owner sized her up before looking away. “You took so many things but only managed to keep your form? Strange.”

He muttered, then said, “You brought so many things from the living world. You must have a way to get them. Could you get me something else?”

“For example?”

“There’s a green gem called ‘Green Sea’ at the auction house in Qing City. Get someone to bring it to me.”

“I’ll try, but no promises.”

The boss didn’t mind. “Just do your best. If you succeed, the reward won’t be small.”

Chuguang nodded, holding the ten spirit coins as she left the coffin shop.

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Soon, she returned to the main street.

The old lady from before was nervously looking around the alley.

“Finished writing?”

She nodded and took the spirit coins from Chuguang. The paper was covered in black ink.

“Where do you live? What’s your grandson’s name?” Chuguang asked, slipping the coin into her pocket and handing over a new one. “This is a deposit. Keep it safe. I’ll return it next time.”

“If this works out, my payment won’t be low. Be prepared.”

The spirit smiled bitterly. “If you can bring news of my grandson, I’d go bankrupt without complaint.”

The elderly ghost composed herself. “My grandson’s name is Ru’an. He just graduated from college, passed the civil service exam, and now lives at…”

Chuguang noted down the address without saying more, then took the letter to the gate.

She exited the Underworld.

She ran toward the pawnshop.

The pawnshop boss was plump and called “Fat Boss” by many.

When Chuguang returned, a cold aura hit her. She pulled out a hat and mask from her bag, covering most of her face before entering the shop.

Fat Boss recognized her immediately. “Back again? Short on money?”

Chuguang didn’t waste words. “Ten copper spirit coins. Exchange for energy metal.”

Fat Boss tossed her a small square piece of metal. “I’m closing shop soon. Don’t come by for a while.”

“What’s going on?” Chuguang was startled and shivered. “Could it be related to the oppressive aura around your shop?”

“You felt it too.” Fat Boss shuddered. “Qing City’s ghost energy is heavy lately. Many in our business have sensed it. We think a big ghost has appeared, causing panic. I’m scared too, so I’m shutting down for a while.”

“You should be careful too. Big ghosts mean death or injury.”

“The first to suffer are those of us who deal in the dead. It’s best to pause for now.”

He handed her an address and a string of numbers. “If you have a big shipment soon, come here. Lots of peers there; it’s safer. Here’s my number. I’m off.”

He hurriedly gathered his paper money and, surprisingly nimble for his size, left quickly.

Chuguang stared at the address, nearly blacking out. “No, I was counting on making money, and the boss just up and leaves. Fate’s against me.”