The Price of Exorcism

Chen Ran found Nishiki’s intelligence quite credible.

This was, after all, quite obvious.

For Nishiki, aligning himself with Chen Ran now surely offered far more prestige than sticking with “Brother Wolf.”

Chen Ran was convinced he knew exactly what was going through Nishiki’s mind.

What he didn’t realize, however, was…

****

Crouching in the toilet stall, Nishiki gazed up at his towering “new big brother,” his mind consumed by a single, fervent thought: ‘I must cling to his coattails with all my might!’

For the young man, it was abundantly clear.

Chen Ran was no ordinary man!

Of course not.

Merely recalling the sight of Chen Ran single-handedly pummeling seven or eight burly men, then effortlessly punching through a wall, made it impossible to believe such feats belonged to a normal individual.

Therefore…

Nishiki was now utterly convinced that Chen Ran was a member of some clandestine organization.

Perhaps a “God of War,” an elite special forces soldier from the military.

Or a powerful figure from a state-affiliated special organization, akin to the [Dragon Group] (TL Note: A fictional elite government agency often found in Chinese web novels.) mentioned in novels.

He could also be a brilliant young scion from a hidden, ancient clan.

Or perhaps even part of a heroic organization secretly dedicated to safeguarding global peace.

Furthermore, Nishiki had just informed Chen Ran that the Six-Pattern Society was eyeing the old street in Linshi City, intent on causing trouble—and that very night, the street had become haunted.

This incident only solidified Nishiki’s conviction.

Chen Ran was, a thousand percent, no ordinary individual!

With such a powerful figure before him, how could he not seize the opportunity to align himself?

The boundless imagination peculiar to youth instantly swept Nishiki’s thoughts into a world of profound fantasy, or perhaps even Xuanhuan (TL Note: A genre of Chinese fantasy literature that blends elements of mythology, martial arts, and cultivation.), where he felt the gates to an entirely new existence were about to swing open for him.

Perhaps.

Once he earned Big Brother Chen Ran’s approval, he too could step into that extraordinary realm, a world utterly distinct from that of ordinary Muggles!

Thus, Nishiki’s current loyalty to Chen Ran as his subordinate was absolute; he was so devoted he practically wanted to shout “Father!” or bark “Woof woof woof!” in his eagerness.

“Big Brother,” Nishiki began, “I asked my relatives to do some digging. The ghost-exorcising monk the Six-Pattern Society invited truly isn’t ordinary. He’s a highly revered monk from Tenryu-ji Temple (TL Note: A famous Buddhist temple, often associated with powerful monks in Japanese folklore and fiction.) in Kyoto, brought here specifically! They say he’s subdued countless demons and specters back there!”

“Hm.”

Chen Ran couldn’t fathom why Nishiki was looking at him with such a profoundly worried expression.

‘Why?’

‘Even if they’re genuinely here to catch ghosts, I’m certainly not one.’

‘Besides, feudal superstitions are to be avoided.’

‘A ghost-exorcising high monk? Could there truly be ghosts in this world?’

Chen Ran, without a doubt, did not believe it.

Waving a dismissive hand, he signaled Nishiki that he was free to go.

Chen Ran stroked his chin, pondering what course of action he should take that evening.

****

Late into the night.

Around eleven o’clock at night.

The old street in Linshi City, home to the Jiang family, lay as hushed and still as ever, with only the faint glow of streetlights barely piercing the profound darkness.

Thick, layered clouds obscured both stars and moon.

When Saburo and his men once again drove to the center of the street and halted, he found himself almost reluctant to step out of the vehicle.

After all, this place was genuinely haunted!

Rumors claimed that the old street possessed a guardian spirit, one that had manifested to protect the area precisely because their yakuza members had come to stir up trouble.

‘What nonsense!’

Saburo had never been one to believe in such things, but with events unfolding directly before him, he had no choice but to accept them.

Initially, the specter had merely sought to frighten people.

Yet, in just a few days, it had broken the limbs of several of his comrades and utterly wrecked two vehicles, seemingly as a direct warning to him.

[Return again, and lives will be lost.]

At this thought.

Saburo couldn’t help but shiver, though a faint voice drifting from behind him offered a measure of reassurance.

“Are we there?”

“Yes, Master Tenryu.”

The car door opened.

Saburo disembarked first, then respectfully moved to the rear door, pulling it open. Bending at the waist, he ushered the great exorcist, specially summoned from Kyoto, out of the vehicle.

Master Tenryu appeared surprisingly young.

Roughly in his thirties or forties.

Saburo had initially assumed, upon hearing that headquarters had summoned a master exorcist, that an elderly monk would arrive. He had certainly not anticipated such a youthful figure.

Furthermore, his physique was remarkably robust and towering, nearly two meters tall. His face, smooth as white jade, was framed by sharp, sword-like eyebrows, and his star-bright eyes exuded an inherent authority even without anger. He was, in essence, a reincarnation of the mighty Vajra (TL Note: A Buddhist deity, often depicted as a powerful guardian or warrior.).

Even Saburo.

He found himself hesitant to gaze at the great master for too long, an inexplicable sense of awe and trepidation always rising within him.

It was said that only a Buddha or their direct disciples could truly claim the title “Master.” Yet, the young Master Tenryu before them had already inherited Kyoto’s renowned Tenryu-ji Temple, establishing himself as a highly celebrated and powerful figure in the region.

In short, he was incredibly formidable.

Tales of his demon-slaying and evil-purging exploits were numerous enough to fill millions of words—and indeed, they had.

The “Tenryu Demon Subduing Record,” a series penned with Master Tenryu as its inspiration, had already reached its tenth volume, each selling over a million copies and garnering widespread acclaim.

“Indeed, a pervasive ghostly aura,” he murmured.

Stepping out of the car.

Master Tenryu, clad in golden-threaded monastic robes, clutching an ancient bronze alms bowl and a pure gold Zen staff, let out a disdainful snort.

Yet, his brow immediately furrowed once more.

Leaning on his Zen staff, he took a few steps, then abruptly spun around, his large eyes, wide as brass bells, fixed on Saburo.

“You claimed,” Master Tenryu thundered, “that the malevolent spirit here is the guardian of this place?!”

“Ah…”

Startled by the sudden intensity, Saburo felt his legs turn to jelly under Master Tenryu’s piercing gaze. ‘Truly a master, indeed formidable,’ he thought to himself.

Simultaneously, he stammered out, clearly flustered.

“The… the rumors claim as much.”

“Incorrect!”

“Huh?”

“The entity lingering here,” Master Tenryu declared, “is a malevolent spirit!”

Sniffing the air.

Master Tenryu chanted an utterly incomprehensible incantation, something akin to “Om Muni Muni Ma,” before his brow furrowed deeply as he spoke.

“And a malevolent spirit of profound cultivation, no less! Good heavens, I never expected to encounter such a formidable fiend on my first visit to Xijing…”

As he spoke, Master Tenryu began to clamber back into the car.

He muttered indignantly.

“You misrepresented the situation! This malevolent spirit,” he declared, “cannot be subdued now!”

“Huh?”

Saburo was utterly bewildered. ‘What’s happening?’ he wondered.

He rushed forward, attempting to reason.

“Master, this… we truly had no idea what the situation was,” Saburo pleaded. “How could we discern the difference between a guardian spirit and a malevolent one?”

“That is true. You mortals are indeed incapable of discerning the subtle distinctions between spiritual entities, but…”

Master Tenryu’s brows remained tightly knit as he sighed and shook his head.

“The malevolent spirit currently haunting this place is truly perilous. It cannot be subdued, it simply cannot. Patrons, I suggest you seek out someone more adept…”

“Master, can it truly not be subdued?”

“It cannot.”

Watching Master Tenryu shake his head with such resolute finality, Saburo was utterly flummoxed.

Fortunately.

After the Master settled back into the car, he left the door ajar and subtly shifted the conversation.

“The malevolent spirit you have provoked,” he explained, “has no connection to this street. Rather, it was formed from the accumulated grievances you yourselves have amassed over many years… Hm…”

He gave Saburo a knowing look, one that clearly conveyed ‘you understand.’

The bald, imposing yakuza boss instantly seemed to grasp the implication: the ‘dirty thing’ before them was a manifestation of the Six-Pattern Society’s long reign as Xijing’s largest yakuza gang—all the limbs they’d severed, the people they’d forced into hostess work, the debts that had driven families to ruin, and countless other atrocities.

Was this what they had provoked?

So…

“This malevolent spirit, then, is born from those past…”

“Precisely,” Master Tenryu confirmed.

Master Tenryu nodded slowly.

“Therefore, the situation has become exceedingly complex. However, Heaven is benevolent and cherishes all life, and this poor monk cannot simply stand by and watch you benefactors perish tragically at the hands of a malevolent spirit. So…”

“So what?” Saburo pressed, his voice strained.

Saburo asked eagerly, clearly now genuinely terrified.

Master Tenryu, still seated within the vehicle, merely uttered “Amitabha” before smiling faintly and speaking.

“So…”

“The fee will need to be increased.”