"So Xia Bing only injured her hand after entering my room? But why would she do that? There’s nothing valuable in there."

"But master, I truly saw her sneak into your bedroom searching for something. I was hiding in the wardrobe then, so I saw everything clearly. She first felt around your desk, then under your bed. When she heard noise, she quickly left."

Mengze wouldn’t lie to me—it benefits her nothing. Besides, the box holding Mengze’s skull has not just a lock but a magic array too. Anyone touching it gets repelled and burned…

Ah, so that explains Mengze’s hand injury. But what was she searching for under my desk?

Tiny yellow paper scraps clung to one desk leg—remnants of Shen Yufeng’s Yellow Talisman from last time’s ghost expulsion. Why would Xia Bing collect this? Ordinary people might glance curiously or ignore it entirely. Lately, Xia Bing kept asking the same thing as Shen Yufeng: "Haven’t you been having a rough time?"

Could Xia Bing also be a Taoist Priest? Are they that common now? One school, one class, sitting on both sides of me—what rotten luck!

"Master, should I spy on your female classmate?"

I considered it but refused Mengze’s suggestion. If Xia Bing really is a Taoist Priest, she’d spot Mengze instantly—ruining the fun. Worse, she might be far stronger than that idiot Taoist. If she captures Mengze, trouble’s guaranteed.

"What are we doing tonight?"

I eyed Mengze floating in the air, puzzled. What can one human and one ghost do? Her expectant gaze screamed lovesick—probably itching to see that basketball guy again.

"Play ball? Today’s been messy enough. I’m tired and need early rest. And no sneaking to Heide School to see your ‘someone’ without my permission."

"Huh? Why? I finally move freely in sunlight! You’re jailing a minor—that’s illegal!"

"Damn! If I hadn’t taken you in, you’d still wander construction sites! Now you blame me?"

Mengze floated into the nearby wardrobe, clearly angry. Maybe I’d gone too far—shouldn’t have hit her sore spot.

Whatever. As the world’s laziest Doom Dragon, I’ve overworked lately. Tonight’s for rest. Tomorrow, back on track.

Next morning, Shen Yufeng hammered my door before six. Mengze fled outside in fright. Has he lost his mind? Never seen him this diligent.

"Who is it? Ruining sleep! Yuchen, handle it—I’m napping."

Don’t let Cute Teacher’s kindness fool you. Her morning grumpiness matches mine—we refuse to rise before our time.

"Yo! Doom Dragon bro, still looking rough? Did my ghost expulsion fail? Down this bowl of Yellow Talisman water?"

"But Dog Egg, what’s the cost?"

"Complimenting my looks over Wu Yanzu?"

"Buzz off! I’ve seen shameless folks, but none like you. Spit it out—why here so early?"

"Obviously to wake my future wife. Where’s Cute Teacher? Still in bed?"

I shot Shen Yufeng a warning look—no extra moves, or consequences turn dire.

"Old lecher, quick question: how many types of people see ghosts?"

"Why ask now? Methods exist, but all demanding. Beyond Taoist Priests with special tricks, five ordinary types see ghosts easily."

Shen Yufeng poured water and lectured.

"First: born with it. Their spiritual constitution’s light as a feather—maybe one or two per ten thousand. They have yin-yang eyes from childhood. Rare, and usually carry talismans to suppress it."

"Second: blood on hands. Butchers, burdened by animal karmic debt. Their killing aura scares ghosts off. In old age, aura fades—they get sick, maybe see ghosts."

"Third: kids. Newborns carry yin energy, so they see ghosts. But it fades with age, and memories vanish—negligible."

"Fourth: us."

I shook my head, confused.

"Everyone has unlucky days. Bad luck spikes then. In yin-heavy places like mass graves, you spot wandering spirits. Just don’t get bored and dance on graves there."

"Fifth: those with life debts."

"Got it—like in movies."

"Correction: not ordinary murder. It’s pushing someone step by step to a dead end, driving them to death. Hence the saying: ‘Always leave a way out; you never know when you’ll meet again.’"

So which type is Xia Bing? Not a kid or butcher. Unlucky lately? Impossible—she’s too calm, not like a first-time ghost-seer. Only the first type fits: born light, with yin-yang eyes!

"Hey! Daydreaming? Want to be a Taoist Priest like me? Don’t. My old man… never mind. It’s grueling work. Nowadays, people think we’re just jump-rope performers. I learned it for self-defense."

"Fine. If danger strikes, Master Shen, save me."

"No way! I don’t want you haunted again. We’re friends, but I’ve got few lives to spare. Remember how terrifying that night was? Seriously, how’d you attract that evil ghost?"

"Whoa—it’s late! Breakfast time. Heads-up: no food for you here."

"Damn! So stingy! I didn’t charge for exorcising your house! One breakfast? My Seven-Star Sword costs a fortune! Those talismans too…"

If I didn’t divert him, his grilling would corner me. Still, Shen Yufeng gave useful info—I helped cook breakfast (mostly because Cute Teacher insisted).

"How thick-skinned! A polite invite, and you actually came!"

"Don’t sweat details! How could I refuse Cute Teacher?"

Polite invites mean nothing. I’d have kicked you out. Now I’m sleep-deprived—catching up in class later.

---

"Morning. The bell-rider’s early today—broken school bell?"

"Drop the sarcasm, Xia Bing." I nodded at Shen Yufeng. "This guy stormed my house at dawn. Huh? Pretty red gourd pendant—new?"

"Oh, this? Had it ages ago. Just started wearing it. I’ll put it away."

I waved it off. But Shen Yufeng’s morning words echoed: "usually carry special talismans to suppress yin-yang eyes."

My guess was right. A long-owned talisman—Xia Bing’s the first type, born with yin-yang eyes.

I slipped a note to the old lecher: Is Xia Bing the first ghost-seeing type?

‘Not the first type. Focus in class—stop jumping at shadows.’

His eyes hinted it wasn’t that simple. No clues meant no more questions. Another dull day~~