Wang Xiaohe’s body was stiff, and his tone of voice was extremely wooden. With effort, he bent down, picked up the old woman’s head, and slowly placed it back onto her shoulders, muttering under his breath, “Elder, it’s so late, try not to make a sound!”

“Understood, Flesh Body Master, you should go back to sleep. I won’t disturb you again; I’m leaving now!” The old woman spoke with what sounded like deep sincerity. Dongzi, listening and watching from the stairs, felt cold sweat break out uncontrollably.

Not long after, Xiaohe closed the study door, then slowly ambled toward the staircase. His gait was rhythmic, each step solid and measured. The sound of him ascending the stairs was profoundly steady. Seeing Dongzi huddled fearfully to the side, staring blankly, it seemed as though she hadn't noticed him at all. That rigid yet composed expression sent not just the initial shock of terror through Dongzi, but caused his internal defenses to rapidly crumble.

“Dongzi, go back to sleep. There’s nothing for you to do here now.” Xiaohe spoke, then slowly climbed the stairs, turned the corner, and headed toward her room.

Dongzi found the earlier image of Xiaohe even more terrifying. Under the upstairs light, the greenish hue cast upon Xiaohe’s face was deeply imprinted on Dongzi’s mind. He breathed in short, sharp gasps. Finally seeing Xiaohe disappear from his view, he scrambled up the stairs, switched off the landing light, replaced the lightbulb he had brought up, and then bolted back into the room like a gust of wind.

“Hah, hah!” Upon entering, Dongzi’s exhalations became rapid, and the cold sweat on his forehead poured down in unstoppable rivulets.

“Dongzi, what’s wrong?” Da Luobo asked from his deep sleep.

Dongzi managed a strained reply: “Nothing, you go back to sleep. I just need a moment to settle down.”

“Knock, knock, knock!” Three sharp raps. The string of fear in Dongzi’s mind snapped taut once more. Only after a long pause did he ask, “Who is it?”

Seeing Dongzi’s state, Da Luobo didn't know what had just occurred, but he felt Dongzi was being overly dramatic. He mumbled and swayed over to open the door himself.

When the door opened, Dongzi sucked in another sharp breath. He saw Zhou Huan standing at his doorway, his expression terribly grave, utterly motionless. The moment Da Luobo opened the door, Zhou Huan immediately sidestepped and entered the room. First, he fixed Dongzi with a fierce, unwavering gaze, uttering only one sentence: “Dongzi, what did you just see?”

Dongzi stammered, “I, I just now—”

“Speak! Why is talking so difficult for you!” Zhou Huan’s tone finally made Dongzi feel that at least Zhou Huan wasn't quite as frightening; he seemed somewhat normal. Only then did Dongzi let out a breath of relief, dissipating the preceding tension.

“Brother, you scared me half to death. I saw Sister Xiaohe just now, she went into the study.” Just as Dongzi began speaking, Zhou Huan immediately clapped a hand over his mouth.

“You’re saying you saw Xiaohe just now?”

“Yes, absolutely true!”

Zhou Huan fell into deep thought. After a long silence, during which Da Luobo returned to his sleeping bag, Zhou Huan finally spoke: “Alright, I know what happened. I saw and heard everything that just transpired between you. Remember, for now, tell absolutely no one about this. I fear there is a deeper issue here. Here is what we’ll do: you get some proper sleep. Place a few ghost-warding talismans around your room as is customary, and I will handle the rest.”

“Brother, did something happen? Sister Xiaohe wasn’t acting right at all!” Dongzi mumbled, but noticing the sudden ease on Zhou Huan’s face, Dongzi felt reassured. He listened to Zhou Huan, stripped off his clothes, and prepared for bed.

But just then, Dongzi’s door swung open. Standing in the doorway was Xiaohe. She had shed the rigid demeanor from before, adopting instead the delicate mannerisms she only showed to Zhou Huan. “Brother Huan, what are you doing here in the middle of the night?”

“Oh, I’ll be right back. Why are you up?”

“I just had a dream, I dreamt I went to the study, and then I dreamt of some unclean things, which frightened me awake. When I opened my eyes, you weren't beside me, so I went looking for you. I walked over here and saw the door open, guessing you must be in here.” Xiaohe’s tone was perfectly normal, which allowed Dongzi to finally exhale and settle back onto his bed.

“Dongzi, go to sleep now. I’ll head back. It’s nothing, sleep well. Make a little extra food in the morning; your Sister Xiaohe might be pregnant again. Adjust the diet a bit; take care of the expectant mother, ha!” Zhou Huan said, a smile plastered on his face, as he turned and left Dongzi’s room, taking Xiaohe back to his own.

That night, Dongzi slept fitfully, caught between waking and slumber. Recalling Zhou Huan’s mention of Xiaohe being pregnant again, though he was still terrified by the thought of her sleepwalking ordeal, he felt a touch of joy regarding the potential pregnancy. At least he knew he would soon be an uncle.

Waking poorly rested, Dongzi rose early the next morning and specifically modified the menu, preparing a specialized pregnancy meal set for Xiaohe. Zhou Huan entered the dining room leading Xiaohe by the hand, with Xiaoling trailing close behind. Before the meal was fully ready, Dongzi placed a chair he had specially prepared for Xiaohe in front of her: “Sister, this chair is just for you. You are a priority protection subject now.”

“My goodness, what a fine chair. Since when did Dongzi pick up such skills? Could you prepare one for me tomorrow too?” Hong Kun emerged and immediately began teasing Dongzi, joking with him.

Dongzi laughed, “What do you know? Eat your meal quietly. There might be work for you later!”

“Alright, alright, everyone eat quickly. After we finish, we have the ribbon-cutting ceremony outside today; the mission is important. Xiaoling, is the restaurant ready? After the ceremony, Dongzi will guard the house, and the rest of us should certainly treat them to a meal over there,” Zhou Huan asked Xiaoling.

Xiaoling smiled, “Brother Huan, don’t worry about that. No matter how many people show up today, we can certainly take care of them.”

The morning passed, and following the ribbon-cutting, Zhou Huan took Mr. Lao Wang and some of the notable figures Mr. Lao Wang had brought along to Yang Xiaoling’s hotel to be seated for the banquet.

As they were eating, someone delivered a large gift package to Zhou Huan.

“Don’t couriers take any rest? Delivering large gifts today?” Zhou Huan asked casually, but the courier’s attitude and expression made him profoundly uneasy. He sensed this great gift carried some peculiar significance.

“We don't rest today. As long as the client requests it, we will deliver the item to its destination.” The courier spoke. Zhou Huan found the words reassuring, but after taking Zhou Huan’s signature, the courier shot a malevolent glance at Xiaohe and swiftly departed.

Zhou Huan looked at the large gift before him. He felt no sense of unease, but rather warmth, comfort, and an inexpressible sense of anticipation.

In front of everyone, he opened the box, which was about sixty jianfang (a measure of size), and upon opening it, he saw a hard plastic container wrapped with an extremely elegant design. When he opened that, a very ancient bronze mirror was revealed, upon which appeared to be carved some Sanskrit incantations from India.

“Ah!” As if possessed, Xiaohe, seated next to Zhou Huan, saw the mirror and suddenly cried out.

Witnessing Xiaohe’s reaction, Zhou Huan’s assumptions from the previous night were immediately confirmed. This Xiaohe must have been afflicted by something, yet even with Zhou Huan’s profound mastery as a Shoushi (Master of Life/Spirit Arts), he couldn’t discern what it was—this was what felt wrong to him. However, seeing Xiaohe’s extreme reaction, and with so many people around, Zhou Huan could only put the mirror away. He then noticed a letter inside the box. Upon seeing the handwriting, Zhou Huan was instantly overjoyed; it was a letter from his old friend.

“Gentlemen, please excuse me for a moment while I read this letter. Xiaohe, please entertain everyone. Xiaoling, take me to your office.” Zhou Huan stood up, bringing Shi Bingyuan and Yang Xiaoling with him to Yang Xiaoling’s office. Once inside, Zhou Huan asked Shi Bingyuan to close the door securely, then he tore open the envelope to reveal a piece of very ancient paper, still retaining the method of writing in reverse.

“Dear Brother Zhou Huan, your disciple Tianxiong has already taken his vows and become a monk under my care. The bronze mirror I send you today will certainly be of use in the future. Place it in the bedroom you share with Xiaohe. No matter what happens, you must keep it there. Even if Xiaohe or others feel a dying sensation upon seeing the mirror, pay them no mind; let them rage and make a scene as they will. Your limit of power is approaching, and a major event may be imminent. Be extremely cautious. Remember not to rush things, or if the karmic connection breaks, you might lose everything!” The letter was signed by Zhou Huan’s old friend.

Reading this, a multitude of thoughts arose in Zhou Huan’s mind. Could this incident truly be aimed at Xiaohe? What exactly was the entity causing trouble, that he couldn't perceive it at all? Even his old friend had to send a warning; this newcomer must be extraordinary, no ordinary foe. He needed to be careful. Thinking of this, he suddenly remembered Xiaohe was still at the table entertaining the guests. He quickly burned the letter and returned to the table, where he saw the bronze mirror already in Xiaohe’s hand.

“Boss Sun, if you like this mirror, I will give it to you on behalf of my husband Zhou Huan!” Xiaohe said, offering the mirror still in its wrapping to Sun.

Zhou Huan immediately rushed forward upon returning, snatching the item back. “Xiaohe, what are you doing? How can Boss Sun be satisfied with such a simple trinket?”

“Oh, Master Zhou, that’s not quite right. This mirror of yours must be an antique from some ancient year. It seems Master Zhou is also a man who loves money, eh?”