23: The Real and Fake Master Yunsong

Suddenly, a cold wind blew, making the leaves rustle. Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing shivered and hugged each other tightly.

"Tathagata Buddha... Guanyin Bodhisattva... and the Three Pure Ones, save us!"

Just then, a dark shadow flashed across the roof and disappeared into the grass.

"Ah!" Jiang Nan screamed and collapsed to the ground in fear. Du Wenqing's face turned pale as she stared in terror at where the shadow had vanished.

"Don't be afraid, maybe it was just a black cat!" Du Wenqing forced herself to suppress her fear and comfort Jiang Nan.

"Don't black cats usually represent warding off evil in movies and TV shows?"

Jiang Nan stood up tremblingly, and the two continued walking inside. When they reached the main hall, they found it empty, with only a few candles flickering in the air.

"Why is there no one here?" Jiang Nan asked suspiciously.

Du Wenqing frowned and looked around. "I don't know. Maybe Daoist Master Yunsong isn't here."

"That's not right! Qingyun Temple is very popular in C City. There are over a hundred registered Daoists."

Just as they were feeling confused, a low voice suddenly came from behind them: "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing were startled and turned around to see an old man in a Daoist robe standing at the door. His face was covered in wrinkles, and his eyes were sharp and cold.

"Are you Daoist Master Yunsong? We were introduced by Jiang Yi and would like to stay at your temple for two days," Du Wenqing explained quickly.

Daoist Master Yunsong sized them up and then nodded. "Come in."

Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing felt as if a heavy burden had been lifted, following Daoist Master Yunsong into the room as if they had found a lifeline.

A faint scent of sandalwood filled the room. This unique aroma allowed their tense nerves to gradually relax, giving them a strange sense of peace.

Daoist Master Yunsong gestured for them to sit and spoke gently, "Jiang Yi told me you've encountered some trouble. Can you tell me more about it?"

Jiang Nan took a deep breath and recounted the series of bizarre events that had happened recently to Daoist Master Yunsong—her constant nightmares, the unsettling darkening of her glabella, and even the eerie shadow she had just seen in the courtyard.

Every detail made her face grow paler, her fear plain to see.

Daoist Master Yunsong listened quietly, his brow furrowing slightly with a hint of worry in his eyes. After Jiang Nan finished, he remained silent for a moment.

"Based on your description, you have indeed encountered something unclean. But don't worry, this old Daoist has a way to help you solve this problem."

Hearing this, the heavy weight in Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing's hearts finally vanished.

Daoist Master Yunsong continued, "Stay here tonight. Tomorrow at noon, I will personally perform a ritual to exorcise the evil spirits for you."

Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing nodded in agreement immediately, having no objections to Daoist Master Yunsong's arrangement.

Then, Daoist Master Yunsong got up and led them to the guest room next door, preparing beds and daily necessities for them. He instructed, "Try not to wander around the temple. Just rest peacefully."

"Alright, Daoist Master!"

...Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing had been tired for a long time. They washed up quickly and lay down on the bed together.

Although Daoist Master Yunsong's words had reassured them, they still couldn't completely calm down when they thought about those eerie events.

Du Wenqing tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Then, as if remembering something, she suddenly sat up.

"Nan Nan, don't you think something is strange?" Du Wenqing's voice held a hint of unease.

Jiang Nan was dazed and half-asleep. When Du Wenqing asked her this, she woke up instantly and asked with sleepy eyes, "What's wrong, Student Qing Qing Du?"

Du Wenqing frowned and lowered her voice, "Brother Jiang Yi said Daoist Master Yunsong is a good buddy of his! Could it be a friendship across generations..."

Before Du Wenqing could finish, Jiang Nan sat bolt upright, her eyes wide with terror. "We're doomed! We've been blinded by a ghost."

At the same time, a faint scratching sound came from outside the door, accompanied by a low hissing sound, as if someone was whispering.

It was hair-raising. Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing's heartbeats quickened instantly.

Jiang Nan quickly grabbed a pillow and held it in front of them, staring nervously at the door. The sound grew closer, lingering just outside, creating an invisible sense of dizziness.

"It couldn't be that unclean thing coming, could it..." Jiang Nan's legs trembled.

Du Wenqing quickly grabbed her hand and comforted her, "Don't be afraid, I'm here!"

However, the sound did not stop; instead, it became clearer.

A cold touch came from Jiang Nan's hand. She looked down and saw a skeletal hand covered in maggots.

Jiang Nan almost screamed in terror. She covered her mouth tightly, not letting herself make a sound.

Du Wenqing was also disgusted by the sight and pinched her thigh to stay calm.

The skeletal hand gripped Jiang Nan's arm tightly, pulling and tugging to drag her out of the door. Jiang Nan screamed in terror, trying her best to break free, but her strength was insignificant compared to the skeletal hand.

Just then, Du Wenqing finally snapped out of it, quickly pulled a Heart-Calming Talisman from her backpack, and stuck it on the skeletal hand without hesitation.

The skeletal hand seemed to feel sharp pain and suddenly retracted. With a clatter, the two fell heavily to the ground.

The temple vanished instantly, replaced by a dense thicket of bushes.

Only then did they realize that everything they had just experienced was merely an illusion created by a ghost.

Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing panted heavily, wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads.

"Qing Qing, you actually had a talisman! Why didn't you take it out earlier?" Jiang Nan complained.

Du Wenqing replied with a bitter smile, "I was so busy writing my thesis that I forgot. I managed to snag this talisman in the Underworld's livestream room last time, and it's the only one I have."

Jiang Nan was filled with regret. "Oh no, why didn't I buy more?"

"It's all your fault for only caring about watching the Underworld Ghost Emissary brothers dance and show off their muscles last time. You forgot to place an order," Du Wenqing said helplessly.

Jiang Nan started to cry in anxiety. "Waaa~ Are we really going to be eaten by ghosts? I'm sorry, Qing Qing, it's my fault for involving you."

Du Wenqing composed herself. "Don't be afraid, Nan Nan. I heard Miss Star say that the Heart-Calming Talisman works on psychological ghosts. Let's wait and see for now, and wait for the nearest Ghost Emissary to come to our rescue."

As soon as she finished speaking, a sharp cry came from behind.

Jiang Nan and Du Wenqing looked back and saw a figure slowly walking out of the bushes. With the help of the faint moonlight, they saw the other person's face—it was the fake Daoist Master Yunsong!

Now, his face was hideous, his eyes glowed with red light, and he was muttering something.

"Birth dates and times... newly married..."