Something strange has been happening recently on Underground Street. Every night, after everyone has fallen asleep, they dream of an unknown insect covered in white hair, gnawing on the roots of wild plants in their dreams.
When morning comes and everyone wakes up, they always feel like they've forgotten something, like a drunk with memory gaps.
This bizarre phenomenon prompted someone to suggest going to the temple to find an expert who might be able to figure out what's wrong.
The widow from the Incense and Candle Shop wasn't pleased when she heard about chipping in to pay for the ritual.
Among the sermonizers and shamans, nine out of ten are just charlatans putting on a show.
Giving them money for rituals is like throwing a meat bun to a dog with no return.
Boss Cheng was irritated but couldn't argue with the neighbors, for that would seem petty and inconsiderate.
"We can't hire a mage!"
When the head of the group looked over, Boss Cheng blurted out, "What would we need a mage for? Can't you see the real talent? Shopkeeper Xu at the Funeral Shop is quite the mage himself. I've seen him perform rituals; it's more convincing than those so-called masters at the temples. He might actually have some real skills. Besides, he's a Scholar, with a scholarly aura that deters evil spirits and ghosts. With such a candidate right here, why go looking for some master far away?"
"In my opinion, the masters in the temples might not even be as effective as Shopkeeper Xu."
What kind of person is Cheng Caiyun? She's a small-minded woman who counts her eggs carefully. When it comes to anything affecting her small stash of money, her mind spins faster than a wheel!
"That's reasonable! Let's each pitch in a bit, wrap a red envelope, and send it to Shopkeeper Xu to ask for his help."
"Why chip in at all? We're all neighbors here, seeing each other all the time. We don't really have to send money; Shopkeeper Xu might not even accept it. Don't forget, scholars are the proudest."
"Then according to Boss Cheng, what should we do? We can't go empty-handed..."
"I suggest we give some eggs instead."
...
At the Funeral Shop, Xu Qing looked puzzled at the basket full of eggs on the counter.
"You say at night, in your dreams, you see a white-haired worm taller than the city gate tower gnawing at things in your dream?"
"And then you wake up feeling you've forgotten many things, with a terrible headache?"
The coffin maker at the street's end, the widow from the Incense and Candle Shop, and some neighbors all chimed in about how strange the situation was.
But upon hearing Xu Qing's question, they were startled, "Hasn't Shopkeeper Xu had this dream?"
Xu Qing glanced at the questioner and replied casually, "I haven't been staying at the shop at night these past few days, I only come during the day to mind the shop. When I don't close my eyes, naturally I don't dream."
"Alright, let me take a look into this matter for you. Perhaps it's because our street deals in funeral businesses that some unclean things have been attracted here. No need to worry, it's just a hairy worm. I'll catch a rooster to ward off evil, perform a ritual, and take care of it."
"Thank you, Shopkeeper Xu."
"That's too formal, isn't it? We're all neighbors and will keep interacting in future, no need for formalities."
"..."
Interaction? The group of neighbors didn't think much of it, as everyone's business is related to funerals, interactions are inevitable. But upon seeing Xu Qing's smiling expression, they felt uneasy.
The look in Shopkeeper Xu's eyes was somehow more intense than a lecher looking at a decent woman!
After sending the neighbors off, Xu Qing reached for an egg from the basket.
With Corpse Teeth extended, he pierced the eggshell, savoring the slightly strange flavor of the raw egg liquid.
But as Xu Qing finished one egg and picked up the second, he remembered something:
Almost forgot, now that he's the Hidden Corpse, he no longer needs to eat raw food or drink blood.
Leaning against the counter, Xu Qing didn't rush to perform the ritual and cleanse the evil atmosphere.
He kept his left hand hidden under the counter, silently channeling the magical power of Forest, Black Water, and Yin Fire to nurture the bones in his hand.
Only when he saw Xuan Yu returning from a walk did he stop his actions.
"Xuan Yu, come here!"
Xu Qing beckoned to Xuan Yu and asked, "Where is that white insect you raised?"
Xuan Yu jumped off the counter, fetched the Gu jar, and Xu Qing took a look.
Well! That big white worm was still asleep inside.
Where did it get that much sleepiness from?
Xu Qing waved Xuan Yu over and whispered.
Xuan Yu's cat ears twitched with a tickling sensation.
The conversation between man and cat, whispered and secret, was unknown to others.
Whatever they said, the lazy white worm sleeping in the Gu jar was soon grabbed by a large hand, leading to an interrogation.
Xuan Yu's expression was serious. As the owner of this insect, if it indeed caused trouble outside, it wouldn't bode well for this cat's reputation.
Xu Qing, driven by curiosity, started thinking about the lazy white worm in the Thousand Insect Gu Jar since the neighbors mentioned a giant white worm in their dreams.
In witchcraft, there are many dream-related Gu insects like the Dream-Stealing Spider, Love Gu, and Dream-Making Gu...
The Dream-Stealing Spider uses spider silk to invade dreams, replicating others' dreams by vibrating the silk to cause disruptions.
The Love Gu transmits emotions through dreams where reality and illusion are hard to distinguish.
The Dream-Making Gu weaves dreams, trapping people in a dream loop from which they cannot awaken.
While assisting the Great Witch at the Child-Giving Temple, Xu Qing learned a lot about Gu insects.