I, Xia Bing, and Brother Moyan arrived at a nearby café. Though not crowded, we booked a private room. If others overheard our talk, they’d either call us lunatics or have their entire worldview shattered.

“Can you explain your identity now?”

Brother Moyan opened his narrow eyes. His smile stayed, but it didn’t reach them. He’d called me here for this alone.

“I’m just a student. Not a sorcerer.”

“Oh? If you’re not a sorcerer, how do you see ghosts—even talk to them? Does ‘ordinary high schooler’ really hold up?”

I’d thought Xia Bing’s spirit sight was her secret alone. Yet her brother believed too. How could anyone trust what they couldn’t see? Unless he had spirit sight himself—or was a Taoist Priest. That’d explain the red gourd pendant around Xia Bing’s neck.

“I’m truly no sorcerer or Taoist Priest. My situation’s complicated—you wouldn’t believe it anyway. If you fear I’d harm Xia Bing, I swear I never would.”

Brother Moyan and Xia Bing exchanged glances, then stared at me. I felt like a prisoner under interrogation.

“Still, you resurrected the dead. How can I trust you? The Taoist Path follows nature’s flow. All things have their fate. Defying heaven like this—it’s not a Taoist Priest’s deed. Only shady sorcerers reanimate corpses for selfish gain. Why did you revive that ghost?”

“Just a small favor. I couldn’t bear seeing such a young girl die. That’s all.”

I really was just helping! They clung to me—I had no choice! Why stare at me like I’m a monster?

“Do you know what resurrecting a corpse causes? She becomes a zombie! She’ll crave human flesh and blood, needing fresh blood daily! You’ll endanger countless lives!”

No… impossible! My method was a three-way pact with the Celestial and the Goddess of Life—a high-tier revival with no side effects. Nothing like a sorcerer’s crude puppetry!

“Brother Moyan, relax. My method’s unique—no harm done. And I won’t use it again.”

So I shouldn’t tamper with this world’s laws? Even if the Father God and Goddess of Life turn a blind eye, others will condemn me, stirring chaos.

“Brother Moyan, don’t trust him! He claims to know our true identities. Why sit here calmly if he has no ulterior motive?”

“Xia Bing, what motive could I have? You have spirit sight by birth. Brother Moyan’s a Taoist Priest hidden in society. Don’t worry—I’ll never reveal your secrets…” Why gawk at me like that? “Did I guess right? No need to be so shocked! I’d get embarrassed!”

“You… truly think that?”

“Yes. What’s wrong? Did I guess your identities wrong?”

“Uh… not exactly. Haaah… what’s happening? Xia Bing, I’m getting a headache. Anyway—your aunt at home…”

“She’s ordinary. My parents too. My case is special—I was born this way.”

“Born to resurrect the dead? Who do you think you’re fooling! Brother Moyan, let’s just—”

“Stop. It might be a misunderstanding. I’ve learned enough. You’re on probation. Xia Bing will monitor you. If you harm her or commit evil deeds…”

“You’ll eliminate me?”

“Someone will.”

…So you fear me after all? What a pathetic Taoist Priest. Quit while you’re ahead.

“Heh… but after all this, you still haven’t revealed your identity. Can’t you satisfy my curiosity?”

“Please, Brother Moyan. I’m harmless. Why pry? Even if I told you, you wouldn’t believe it. I won’t answer if you insist.”

“No hostility, please. I won’t force you. Just look after my sister. Time’s up—we’re leaving. Can you get home alone?”

“Of course. Thanks for understanding, Brother Moyan. I’ll go now. Xia Bing, remember dinner tonight.”

“Ah? Oh, sure.”

I left the café and headed home. Not much useful info gained, but misunderstandings lessened. Best to sleep early—I barely rested last night.

===============Divider=========

Xia Bing’s Perspective:

“Brother Moyan, do you really trust him? I still don’t know how he resurrected a ghost. Is he Yuanshi Tianzun or something?”

Moyan sipped his coffee, added two sugar cubes, and stirred slowly.

“I don’t know what deity he is. But he can resurrect ghosts—he didn’t deny it. We’ll monitor him. You’ve met that ghost. Give me her details. I’ll watch her to prevent tragedies.”

“Heehee~ For your wife?”

“Chatty today!” Moyan flicked my forehead. Even grown, he punished me like a child. “She’s due soon. I won’t allow any threat near her or our child. Stay cautious. He might be pretending ignorance about our identities.”

I tugged his sleeve, embarrassed. “If you’re so worried, just give me more allowance. Then I wouldn’t need to cook for him daily.”

“No. Trials are trials. Grandma sent you to experience human life for a reason. I won’t interfere. Find another job if you’re scared.”

Another job? If Cute Teacher hadn’t taken me in, I’d still be peddling myself on streets. As a maid, I can’t be picky.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll end up as the meal there someday?”

“Oh, absolutely. If that happens, I’ll gladly join the fox stew feast. Work calls—I’m off… By the way, his aunt seems ordinary. She might shield you.”

I nodded. I truly hoped it wouldn’t come to that. Qiuyuchen—who are you? Your identity’s impossible to pin down.

That evening, I arrived at Qiuyuchen’s home as usual. Rushed, I’d brought simple ingredients. After a heavy lunch, dinner could be light.

Knock knock knock… No answer. No one home? It was nearly six—dinnertime.

I grabbed the spare key under the flowerpot and let myself in. Cute Teacher was out. Qiuyuchen lay sprawled on the balcony lounger like an old man, fast asleep. Anger flared—I’d knocked so hard! Even as a maid, I deserved basic respect.

“Wake up, lazybones! I told you sleeping all day wouldn’t fly. No excuses now!”

I shouted to rouse him. No reaction—he was faking sleep?

I marched over, plotting mischief: drawing on his belly button, lighting matches on his soles. But up close, he clutched a drawing, his breath shallow, fading like a dying ember.

What’s happening? His yang energy is slowly draining!!?