Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Haunted Land of Extreme Yang

Shu Tiantian was so moved she couldn’t find the words to speak, only nodding her head over and over again.

“Lu Jia was the calamity of life and death in your destiny. Now that you’ve overcome him, your life from here on will be peaceful and smooth. And besides, we’ll even be in the same profession one day!”

Though Shu Tiantian had lost her status as a recent graduate, she would ride the wave of this live broadcast’s popularity to become a beauty influencer with a million followers!

“Thank you, Master Diao Qiu! Thank you so much!” Shu Tiantian’s eyes brimmed with tears as she repeated her gratitude.

“You’re welcome. Make sure you get proper psychological counseling. We’ll be waiting for your return.”

“We’ll be waiting for you.”

“Sweet Tiantian, we’ll be waiting for you.”

“Hang in there!”

“Oh, right, Master Diao Qiu.” Before leaving the voice chat, Shu Tiantian hesitated and said, “Lu Jia once said when he was drunk that he had a celestial being helping him from behind the scenes. I’m not sure if it’s true, but I hope you’ll watch out for anyone with ill intentions.”

Shu Tiantian’s gaze was earnest and sincere. She knew Master Diao Qiu most likely wouldn’t be afraid, but she couldn’t help but offer the warning.

Qin Yu smiled and nodded, “Thank you for the reminder. I’ll be careful.”

“Sister Tiantian really is so kind and polite.”

“Master Diao Qiu is so gentle yet powerful.”

Pink Hairdryer sent a kiss emoji x3.

So Handsome sent Eternal True Love emoji x9.

“Whoa, the Young Master is really generous!”

“Guys, who can relate? I’m an exposé blogger and now I’m stuck in this streamer’s room!”

Qin Yu glanced at the sea of gifts flashing on the screen and estimated the total—it was nearly fifteen thousand.

“The final lucky draw of the night will be sent out in three seconds. Three, two, one…”

Nan Qiao sent True Love Descends.

Qin Yu invited him to join the video call, but he declined.

Qin Yu: ?

Nan Qiao: “Host, I can’t talk or I’ll wake it up. Can you come to my place?”

“Ah, I’ve got goosebumps!”

“Thank goodness it isn’t midnight, otherwise I’d be too scared to sleep.”

“Don’t go, honey! I’m afraid this person doesn’t have good intentions.”

Qin Yu frowned, her voice cool, “Address?”

Nan Qiao: “72 Lujiagou Highway.”

“That road sounds familiar…”

“Isn’t that the road that was all over the news for being haunted recently?”

“You mean the one where anyone who goes there at midnight never comes back?”

“Oh my god! Hearing you say that is terrifying.”

“Host, you’re a girl—maybe you shouldn’t go? It sounds scary.”

Qin Yu looked at the chat, her curiosity piqued.

A ghost to catch!

Though her heart was already racing in anticipation, her expression remained calm. “I’ll take your case. But catching ghosts costs far more than this.”

Nan Qiao: “As long as you can catch it, we’ll pay whatever it takes!”

“Host, I’ve never seen a ghost in my life. Will you livestream it for us?”

“I want to see too!!!”

“What do I do? I’m scared but I still want to watch, waaah…”

“Do you really want to see?”

“Yes!!!”

“Yes!!!”

The chat was filled with unanimous, excited agreement.

“If you want to watch, send me a pinwheel. I’ll give you all a protective talisman.”

A pinwheel only cost a hundred—an extremely fair price.

“Her fox tail is showing? She’s just finding another way to get us to send gifts.”

“She could have just asked for gifts directly, but she’s even giving us a talisman. She’s actually really nice!”

“Don’t say that, I think the master has her reasons! I’m in!”

Sister Juan sent a pinwheel.

Society Brother Lei sent a pinwheel.

…

“There’s a reason for it. Ordinary people usually see ghosts when their luck is at its lowest. While livestreaming blocks most of the ghosts’ energy, some discomfort is still possible. The talisman isn’t mandatory, buy it if you want, no pressure.”

Qin Yu formed hand seals as she explained, sending spiritual energy through the internet to the buyers.

“Thank you, Master Diao Qiu, for clearing things up. I instantly feel so much lighter.”

“Same here.”

“You guys must be paid bots!”

“Anyone want to meet the host in person tonight? Let’s go together—I’m a little scared on my own.”

“Me, me, me! I’ll go!”

…

“Tonight’s event will have some danger. I advise everyone to put away your curiosity, or take responsibility for the consequences.”

“If you haven’t followed yet, make sure to do so—you’ll get a notification when I go live.”

“My phone’s out of battery, I’m going to charge it. I’ll start the livestream again tonight at Lujiagou.”

“See you all later.”

——

Qin Yu’s place was over a hundred kilometers from Lujiagou Highway and there were no direct buses. So she ordered a rideshare on her phone.

The car would only arrive at eight. Qin Yu had plenty of time to eat dinner at a restaurant.

Passing a street stall, she also bought a tripod.

By the time she arrived at Lujiagou, it was nearly eleven.

Deep in Lujiagou, at the edge of Dijin, nestled between mountains and rivers, the scenery was beautiful.

Standing on the empty highway, even the slightest whisper of wind echoed through the mountains.

Qin Yu looked up at the sky. Tonight, the moon was especially round. Under the stars, the highway seemed to be gilded with silver.

She kept her gaze locked on the ground.

This was a place of extreme yang energy. It shouldn’t be haunted.

Her phone screen lit up.

Nan Qiao was contacting her.

Nan Qiao: “Master, is that you at the entrance, wearing a white T-shirt?”

Qin Yu: “Yes, that’s me.”

Nan Qiao: “Master, please wait a moment. I’ll come get you.”

While waiting for Nan Qiao, Qin Yu started a livestream.

“Wow, she’s live! She’s live!”

“My first time seeing a ghost—I’m nervous. What should I be careful about?”

“Babe, please be careful since you’re alone.”

“Host, why did you take so long? I’ve been waiting for you at Lujiagou for ages.”

…

As soon as the stream began, the viewer count shot up to three thousand.

Qin Yu wasn’t sure what kind of ghost she’d encounter tonight, so she didn’t dare speak and instead typed, “I don’t know the situation yet, so I won’t talk for now.”

Just after she finished typing, the glare of a flashlight dazzled her eyes from a distance.

She squinted and saw a middle-aged man in his forties, followed by two young men looking excited.

One of them, upon seeing Qin Yu, lit up with excitement, and without waiting for the guide, rushed forward.

“Wow! Master, it’s finally you! You’re even more beautiful than I imagined!” The first young man blurted out in excitement.

His sudden action made the middle-aged man’s face go pale.

He glanced anxiously at the silent highway, muttering prayers in his heart: Please let nothing happen, please.

The first young man realized his mistake and immediately covered his mouth, making a shushing gesture.

The second young man was also happy, just less obvious about it.

Qin Yu looked at the two, her brow furrowed, and typed on her phone: No matter what happens, don’t leave my sight.

The first young man nodded eagerly, wishing to stay as close to Qin Yu as possible for the chance at more clout.

The second young man felt uneasy, but seeing his friend unfazed, he reassured himself and shrugged it off.

“Wow! I wish I could see my wife up close too!”

“So happy, it feels like meeting your idol in real life.”

“Don’t keep the joy to yourself, you two start your own livestreams! I want to see the beauty too!”

…

With the chat’s encouragement, the two young men got Qin Yu’s permission and opened their own streams for a third-person view.

“Wow, stunning!”

“The host could have made a living off her looks, but she insists on relying on her talent.”

“I regret not going in person to see her. I’m missing out—sob!”

…

The two young men were busy interacting with their viewers and didn’t notice the guide had stopped in front of them until they bumped into him.

They dared not speak, asking with their eyes: What’s wrong?

The guide’s face was growing paler and he glared at the first young man, his tone resentful, “It’s your fault! You woke it up! Now we’re stuck in a ghost trap and can’t get out!”

Only then did the two realize that the edges of the highway had grown indistinct—they couldn’t see the sides anymore.

“So, what do we do now?” they both asked, voices trembling.

The guide ignored them, sitting down on the ground in frustration. “That depends on its mood.”

Before they could process what he meant, a soft but calm voice spoke from behind them, “It’s stalling for time.”