Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation
Old Master Ye, frustrated after losing a chess piece to Ye Nanshen, became even more irritable when he heard the butlerâs report about the arrival of a high monk.
âJust let him come, do I have to welcome him? Whoever invited him should do the greeting,â said Old Master Ye.
While speaking, Ye Nanshen strategically placed another chess piece, blocking Old Master Yeâs move.
Old Master Ye huffed in annoyance.
The butler continued, âThe monk said he wasnât invited by anyone from our family. He came on his own after sensing something amiss here. Master, should we send him away?â
âAmiss? How come only he senses something amiss? Iâm done playing; I donât want to play with you anymore, you disrespectful rascal. Rong Qi, your turn.â âMe?â Rong Qi pointed at herself, shaking her head, âNo, no, Iâm not playing.â âI told you to play, so play! Stop dilly-dallying!â Old Master Ye pushed Ye Nanshen away, insisting Rong Qi take his place.
Rong Qi clung to Ye Nanshenâs arm, âI really donât want to play.â
Ye Nanshen responded, âDid you hear that? My wife said she doesnât want to play chess. Take the board away.â
Though Old Master Ye protested, he eventually had the servants remove the chessboard.
âNo fun,â he grumbled. âLetâs go see that bald monk. I want to see how he tricks people with his sorcery.â
Rong Qi was eager to join, âIâll come too.â
She stood up, following Ye Nanshen and Old Master Ye.
In the front courtyard, a monk was being received by Mrs. Ye Sr. and Madam Liu.
âHigh monk, did you truly sense an ominous presence in our house?â Mrs. Ye Sr. asked.
Madam Liu, looking pale and weak, added, âI heard from the servants that this monk is quite powerful. There was a family with a situation similar to ours, and it was only after his intervention that they all recovered.â
âIs it really that miraculous?â asked Mrs. Ye Sr.
âYes, indeed. The servant who went out to meet him even saw the monk scaling walls effortlessly. Itâs rare to see such abilities these days. He must be highly skilled,â said Madam Liu.
Hearing this, Mrs. Ye Sr. felt reassured and greeted the monk respectfully.
âI am Crescent, a disciple of Master Zenith from Cloudsurf Temple,â the monk introduced himself.
âAh, youâre Master Zenithâs disciple. Welcome,â Mrs. Ye Sr. greeted him with a bow.
âMaster Crescent, please, can you determine what is plaguing our house?â asked Mrs. Ye Sr.
Master Crescent, holding a compass-like instrument, followed its needle before it settled in one direction.
âEastward, there lurks an evil spirit. It has been troubling your house recently, and itâs the cause of your poor health, Madam.â
Mrs. Ye Sr., having witnessed the crows over the eastern villas, believed his words immediately.
âCan this evil spirit be removed?â Mrs. Ye Sr. asked.
Master Crescent hesitated, retracting the compass, âIt can be removed, naturally. However, there is someone more sinister than the evil spirit protecting that place, making it difficult to approach..â