We’re standing dead center at this three-way crossroads, surrounded by barren land. The elevation here is higher, so you get a full view of the village from this spot.

　　“Gouwa, go light a fire and burn some paper!”

　　“On it!”

　　I quickly set down the metal basin and struck a match to get the fire going.

　　Master wasn’t just standing around either. He grabbed a stick from the ground and started drawing something in the dirt. When he finished, I realized I was smack in the middle of the pattern he had sketched.

　　By now, the paper was almost burned up.

　　He walked over to me and said, “Gouwa, step aside!”

　　I quickly jumped back a couple of steps, moving closer to Li Xiaoniu.

　　I watched as Master stood before the fire basin, facing west. Suddenly, his hands moved in a flurry of gestures, and with a swift motion, he flicked a talisman into the flames. He stomped his foot three times, chanting, “Heaven’s gate, Earth’s gate, the gate of life is closed. Spirits from all directions, open the gates. I now humbly request the return of the three souls of [Name], open the way to the underworld, let the ghostly messengers appear!”

　　Just as his words hung in the air, the yellow talisman flew into the fire basin, catching fire with the paper. Out of nowhere, a strong wind whipped up, and the burning paper swirled into the sky, scattering sparks everywhere.In an instant, a swirling vortex appeared before us out of nowhere. The vortex spun backward, pulling in the bits of paper debris from the air with an eerie, howling wind.

　　Niu Niu and I stood silently to the side, our eyes fixed on the scene. The wind continued to whip around chaotically, and I felt the temperature drop, a chilling draft settling over us.

　　“The ghostly messenger has arrived!” Niu Niu suddenly pointed at the vortex.

　　I turned quickly to see, and sure enough, a figure emerged from the swirling darkness. Clad in ancient garb, the figure’s face was as stern and pale as Niu Niu’s. In his hand, he carried a long, white staff.

　　This staff, known as a crying stick, mourning stick, or filial stick, is traditionally wrapped in white paper and used in funerals to convey mourning and respect for the deceased.

　　There are various interpretations of the crying stick. It not only honors the dead but also serves as a means to clear the path for their journey, symbolizing the removal of obstacles. Another view is that holding the staff signifies profound grief. Most notably, it is a weapon frequently associated with ghostly messengers in folklore.

　　The ghostly messenger before us held a staff adorned with white chrysanthemums, and his form emitted a ghostly green glow, filling the air with a palpable sense of dread.“Liu Guoxing?” The ghostly messenger eyed my master with surprise. “It’s been ages. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

　　My master withdrew the spell seal, shook his head with a wry smile, and replied, “Yeah, I didn’t see this coming either.”

　　“So, what’s this all about? Why did you call me here?”

　　“There’s a young girl who missed her time to enter the underworld. I was hoping you could take her.”

　　“A young girl?” The ghostly messenger glanced at Niu Niu and me, but his expression remained neutral.

　　“Do you know this little ghost?”

　　“Sort of. She’s Li Xiaoniu from Yao Village.”

　　The ghostly messenger hesitated for a moment before saying, “You know, this isn’t standard procedure. It’s going to be tricky…”

　　“I get it!” My master replied, discreetly making a money-counting gesture behind his back.

　　I was momentarily caught off guard, not immediately understanding. But when I saw him give me a knowing look, it suddenly clicked.

　　“So that’s the deal. Understood!”

　　I quickly moved aside and set fire to the paper money and gold ingots.

　　It turns out my master had anticipated that things wouldn’t go smoothly, which is why he brought these items.

　　As the saying goes, “Money can make even ghosts grind millstones,” and it seems this saying isn’t far from the truth!

　　The ghostly messenger, upon hearing my master’s words, gave an eerie smile. Although his smile was a bit unsettling, it seemed he understood what my master was implying. They shared an unspoken understanding.

　　“Brother, you know these things require some under-the-table dealings. Don’t think I’m just greedy!” The ghostly messenger said with a sly grin.

　　“Not at all, I wouldn’t dare say that. After all, we’re the ones who broke the rules. Besides, this isn’t something a regular ghostly messenger can handle, so I had no choice but to ask you. Please overlook any offenses!”

　　My master showered the ghostly messenger with flattery, and the ghostly messenger nodded, smiling.

　　“Gouwa, this ghostly messenger is different from the one I saw last time,” Niu Niu floated over to me and said.

　　“Different? Aren’t they all ghostly messengers?” I asked, curious.

　　“This one seems much more formidable,” Niu Niu replied.

　　“Of course! He’s someone my master summoned,” I said.

　　That’s what I assumed, but I had no idea who the ghostly messenger really was. From what Niu Niu’s comments suggested, he must be quite significant!

　　“Your master is impressive!” Niu Niu said with a smile.

　　I smiled back at her and looked at the now burnt paper money and gold ingots. I hurried over to my master and said, “Master, they’re all burned!”

　　My master nodded and then glanced at the ghostly messenger.

　　The ghostly messenger turned to stare at me for a moment and then asked, “Who is this kid?”

　　My master quickly stepped in and said, “He’s my new disciple, just a kid from Yao Village!”

　　“Kid, aren’t you afraid of me?” the ghostly messenger asked.

　　I composed myself, though I was sweating from his intense stare. How could I not be afraid?

　　My master, probably concerned that the ghostly messenger might focus on me, quickly added, “It’s getting late. Brother, you should take Li Xiaoniu now!”

　　The ghostly messenger finally tore his gaze away from me and waved his hand, conjuring a large stack of ghost money and gold ingots.

　　“Don’t worry. I’ll handle this,” the ghostly messenger said, waving his hand again, and the money disappeared as if by magic.

　　“Thanks a lot.”

　　“Mm.” The ghostly messenger turned to Li Xiaoniu and said, “Let’s go.”

　　Li Xiaoniu drifted over slowly, giving us a hesitant nod, her face reflecting her reluctance.

　　“Gouwa, bro…”

　　“Don’t worry, Niu Niu. I’ll visit your grandfather when I can.”

　　“Okay.”

　　With that, the ghostly messenger began leading Niu Niu westward. But after only a few steps, he suddenly stopped, turned back to my master, and said, “Your disciple is quite something!”

　　My master gave a rueful smile and remained silent, merely returning a respectful fist salute.

　　The ghostly messenger showed no further reaction, resting his mournful staff on his shoulder. A few more steps, and he and Li Xiaoniu vanished into the distance, leaving everything as it was.

　　I stood there, gazing vacantly in the direction they had gone, still processing the event.

　　“Let’s go,” my master said to me.

　　I looked at him, reflecting on the day’s events. Within a single day, I had seen off two spirits: my grandfather and Li Xiaoniu. And it was my master who had handled everything.

　　I hurried to catch up, walking silently beside him. We didn’t speak a word.

　　After a while, my master broke the silence. “Gouwa, remember, you must always keep your promises to spirits. You can’t deceive them. Do you understand?”

　　I nodded, “Yes, Master. I understand.”

　　I knew what he meant—if I promised Li Xiaoniu that I’d visit her grandfather, I would do it, no matter what.

　　“Master.”

　　“Hm?”

　　“Niu Niu mentioned that the ghostly messenger we saw earlier was much more powerful than anyone she had encountered before. Who was he?”

　　My master paused for a moment before answering, “The ghostly messenger is Jiang Yongkui, one of the Ten Great Yin Commanders and a subordinate of the Night Wandering Deity.”