Zhang Chenglou was truly divinely insightful.
I hadn't said a word,
Yet he knew everything—about my lost soul, about being haunted by ghosts!
No wonder the security guard had said Uncle Ma's skills were mediocre.
Truly, there are always people more capable beyond the known, and mountains higher beyond the visible.
I immediately said: "Master, you know everything—you must have a way to save me!"
Zhang Chenglou was covered in sweat, and his clothes were stained with dirt,
As if he'd been working hard outside.
He waved at me: "Since I waited specifically for you, I naturally intend to save you.
But before I do, you must agree to one condition."
"What condition?"
I felt a little uneasy, fearing he'd demand a huge fee.
After all, even heroes are stumped by a single coin.
But Zhang Chenglou's next words shocked me.
He said: "You must become my disciple."
As soon as he spoke,
Before I could respond, the young man beside me couldn't hold back.
"What? Master! You're going to accept this kid in fake AJs as your disciple?" He huffed, pointing at my feet.
I looked down at my shoes—
Bought for 45 yuan at a street stall.
I didn't care about AJs or not; they were comfortable enough to wear.
Zhang Chenglou corrected him: "You're not my disciple, so stop calling me 'master.'"
The young man's eyes turned red: "I've been by your side for a year—why won't you accept me?"
Seeing the young man was about to cry, Zhang Chenglou softened,
Sighing: "Xiao Han, your face shows abundance in fortune, luck, and longevity. Your birth chart has a full treasury of wealth, and you'll have many children and grandchildren in old age.
You're destined for a life of prosperity.
But those in our 'ghost-sending' trade are plagued by fierce misfortunes in our fates.
We only enter the mystical arts out of necessity, or our lives would be in danger."
Seeing Xiao Han's disbelief, Zhang Chenglou pointed at me:
"Look at him—sunken, dark brows, a dull gray nose tip, and a thin chin.
His palms are large, fingers thick, and the tips are blue. Doomed to a life of poverty, with endless disasters and hardships.
Moreover, he'll bring misfortune to his wife and children, and have no relatives to rely on.
Someone like him is suited to be a ghost-sender."
After Zhang Chenglou finished speaking,
Xiao Han stopped crying,
But I was stunned.
Though his words were literary,
I understood some of them:
A lifetime of poverty, endless calamities…
And bringing misfortune to wife and children?
He could say I was poor,
But accusing me of dooming my wife and kids made me unhappy.
I retorted: "Master, you've only looked at my face—no need to paint me as completely worthless, right?"
Zhang Chenglou wiped his sweat with a towel and asked: "Were you abandoned by your parents as a child?"
"Uh… yes. I was born with a strange illness, so they left me."
Zhang Chenglou continued: "You're not married yet, but all the girls you've liked, who've been willing to get close to you—have any of them met a good end?"
I froze, thinking of Ye Manman.
Then I remembered a middle school classmate—
I couldn't recall her face,
But we'd had a crush on each other back then, stealing glances,
She'd slipped me snacks after class,
I'd given her a butterfly hairpin…
But a month later, she'd been in a car accident, lost a leg, and dropped out of school.
Thinking of her and Ye Manman, I felt as if someone had dumped a bucket of cold water over me—
Cold,
So cold.
But I still refused to admit it,
Saying: "But I don't have children!"
Zhang Chenglou's face was expressionless: "Have you ever raised a pet? Pets you've truly cared for are also counted in the 'children palace' in numerology."
I was about to say I could barely support myself, let alone a pet—
But the next second, I fell silent.
Because I remembered two years ago,
On a rainy day.
I'd fallen while delivering food that night, embarrassed and disheveled.
Pushing my bike, limping home,
I'd found a dying stray cat in the grass.
In that moment,
I'd felt a kinship with it—two souls adrift in the world.
On a whim, I'd taken it home to try to save it.
Unexpectedly, I'd managed to keep it alive.
Over time, I'd grown attached.
Then it disappeared.
The next time I saw it, it was by the community trash can—
Its eyes gouged out, limbs broken, covered in blood.
Clearly killed by a cat abuser.
The neighborhood was run-down, with cheap rents, so there were no surveillance cameras.
I still don't know who did it.
Thinking of that cat, my lips felt dry.
Could it be… that I really…
In that moment, I had no rebuttal.
Seeing I'd stopped talking, Zhang Chenglou went on:
"Become my disciple, learn the art of sending ghosts.
Cross over wronged spirits and evil ghosts, accumulate virtue and blessings.
It can resolve the bad luck in your fate.
Otherwise, even if I help you find your soul this time,
Countless disasters will await you in the future.
Think it over."
I'd lost my soul and was close to becoming a fool.
Ye Manman was still suffering.
What was there to think about?
I immediately said: "I'll learn! Master, I'm willing to be your disciple!"
Zhang Chenglou's face lit up with joy. He laughed: "Excellent! Our lineage finally has a successor!"
With that, he grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the back of the shop,
Saying as we walked: "Kid, I know you have many questions.
After we pay respects to the ancestors, I'll tell you everything.
The hour of You (5–7 p.m.) has arrived—we mustn't miss the auspicious time.
Oh, and… what's your name?"
"Zhou Yi."
"Good, good! From today onward, you, Zhou Yi, are my personal disciple, Zhang Chenglou's!"
As we spoke, we reached a room at the back of the shop.
Against the wall stood a shrine,
Holding a dark statue dressed in official robes, with a fierce face, glaring eyes, and a large guillotine under its feet.
"Is this… the ancestor? He looks a bit like Lord Bao (Justice Bao)?"
I stared at the crescent moon on the statue's forehead, confused.
Zhang Chenglou smiled: "That's right—our ancestor is Lord Bao. Kneel."
I knelt immediately.
Zhang Chenglou lit two sticks of incense,
Handing one to me while keeping one for himself.
Then he knelt with the incense, bowing reverently to the statue:
"Ancestor on high,
Disciple Zhang Chenglou has happily encountered a destined person, Zhou Yi.
I wish to accept Zhou Yi as my disciple. I respectfully ask for the ancestor's approval!"
After speaking, Zhang Chenglou offered his incense respectfully and gestured for me to do the same.
The two sticks of incense were inserted one after the other.
Something strange happened:
The incense burned at a visible speed,
The smoke twisted into one, then split into two streams,
Floating toward me and Zhang Chenglou.
The fragrance was refreshing.
Zhang Chenglou's face lit up: "The incense burns out, the smoke brushes the face—ancestor approves your entry! Hurry, kowtow three times to the ancestor."
I kowtowed immediately, making loud thudding sounds.
When I finished, Zhang Chenglou looked pleased, patting my shoulder:
"I know you have no family left.
From now on, your master will be your family."
His words made my heart tremble.
"Master," I called.
"Ah! Good disciple! Come, there's one more ceremony."
My master led me happily toward the back door.
Behind it was a small, square courtyard.
On a stone platform in the center sat a clay jar.
My master pointed at it: "Go over there and spit on it!"
Huh?
I had thought that apprenticing would involve rituals like offering tea or kowtowing.
But instead, I was supposed to spit on a clay jar?