Director of a Suspense Film

Without the disturbance of unknown creatures, Zong qi’s sleep was much better than before. It was only at 10 did he slowly start waking up again. 

　　He usually didn’t sleep this long, but there were really too many things that happened yesterday. In addition to his emotions experiencing an all-time high and low, his mind was also stretched taut and could only be released through the form of exhaustion after everything was dealt with. 

　　As he finished washing up, Zong qi slung on his bag and brought his fully charged phone downstairs. 

　　“This matter has finally been solved. Thank you so much, Master! Thank you!” 

　　The boss downstairs wore a whole body of cheerful red, waving as he smiled when he saw him, “How was your sleep last night, customer?” 

　　“Pretty good, the room was cool even without an air conditioner.” Zong qi answered honestly. 

　　The Qi Ningzhou sitting at the side drinking soy milk almost didn’t choke. (t/n: yes the raws said this. Do i know why?? nope) 

　　After paying his room fee, the boss turned around and handed the ten-dollar note to the Celestial Master.

　　Zong qi watched from the side, feeling that something wasn’t quite right. 

　　“Why did the boss give you the money?” 

　　“This is the additional fee.” 

　　Qi Ningzhou dug out a cloth bag from his Taoist robe, carefully inserting the money, “The thing from yesterday was a bit hard to deal with, so I require an additional fee.” 

　　Adding money could be understood, especially under yesterdays dangerous situation. 

　　But… only ten dollars? 

　　Zong qi recalled Jiang Zhou’s commodity prices, “How much do you charge for each exorcise?” (t/n: so exorcise may sound better than practice i dunno) 

　　“That… depends on the situation.” 

　　Qi Ningzhou recalled his own quotation sheet, “I usually charge 20, not including the travel fees.” 

　　“But the city management has been strict recently, many of my advertisements were torn down after I put it up, so my orders also became fewer and fewer.” After saying this, the Celestial Master felt a little depressed. 

　　He usually looked for jobs by pasting advertisements on the streets, he didn’t know what was going on these days, but the number of people looking for him decreased, most of his customers now were introduced by old clients of his. 

　　Zong qi fell into silence.

　　He recalled the times he had interned at the theatre group. 

　　Although he did not know whether the ‘masters’ sought after in the entertainment world were real masters or not, Zong qi knew that these people were paid at least five digits at a time.

　　Even Zong qi himself, as long as he reached the minimum view count, could get 50 dollars every day. The Qi Ningzhou who seemed to have some skills had it even worse than he did. A generation of Celestial Masters would actually go as low as to paste advertisements everywhere, living like a slave. (t/n: the raws showed me □□ these, and i have no idea what its implying/censoring so im just hoping slave is right)

　　Zong qi said in a roundabout manner, “Or maybe it isn’t the orders that’s the problem, you could think about raising the price.” 

　　Although price didn’t equal quality, high prices will obviously give people a sense of reliability in their hearts. Especially the ones working as Celestial Masters, who would go to advertisments and spend 20 dollars for someone to exorcise ghosts!!!

　　“It’s not that, this is the rules of our shimen. If we want to practice, we must integrate with the world first. We must use hardship to urge ourselves on.” 

　　Qi Ningzhou said with a straight face, “Plus my shifu said he used to charge 20 dollars and could rest a whole bunch after just one job. It was completely enough for use.” 

　　“When did your shifu go down the mountain?” Zong qi had an ominous feeling. 

　　“30 years ago.” 

　　Zong qi: ……

　　How can the price range of 30 years ago be the same as today? 

　　However, Zong qi turned around and thought that whether Qi Ningzhou was a liar or not had no impact on what he wanted to ask next.

　　“Master Qi, where are you going later?” 

　　“Take a little break. I have to go to someone else at night.” 

　　Qi Ningzhou was also rather surprised about Zong qi’s unique constitution. 

　　He has only ever seen this magical constitution of invincibility from ghosts in ancient books, he never expected that he would meet one in person. (t/n: invincible form ghosts: ghosts cant harm/posess them) 

　　“I see,” Zong qi said, “Then how about we add each other as friends?” (t/n: im assuming he means adding each other as friends on wechat)

　　“Add- Add friends?” 

　　The Celestial Master suddenly started stuttering, his face heating up. 

　　But Zong qi didn’t notice this oddity. He heard the other party’s hesitation and assumed it was unwillingness, thus politely shifting the topic, “It’s actually not that big of a deal. I just wanted to ask if Master has ever received requests about haunted houses. It’s fine if Master doesn’t want to.” 

　　Qi Ningzhou: ?

　　In the face of the other party’s questioning gaze, the black-haired youth took his time to open his mouth, “It’s like this, I’ve been preparing to rent a place recently but I’m a bit tight on money. After hearing the Master say something about my constitution, I thought about this.” 

　　The haunted houses that could get shifu to look at them were usually the houses that were decorated pretty well. Otherwis,e the original owner would just sell it to someone else or abandon it instead of going through the trouble to get someone to practice in it. (t/n: practice as in work ur magic) 

　　But for these kinds of houses, even after practising magic in it, the house value would definitely still be lower than before, not to mention whether or not anyone would dare to live in it is another question. 

　　Other people are scared but Zong qi isn’t! Now that he had sufficient funds, he was completely capable of renting a house that he was satisfied with. Haunted houses that have had their ghosts exorcised were definitely the best choice. (t/n: im confused why is the best choice) 

　　Surprisingly, Qi Ningzhou really did have one of those. 

　　The commissioner had said it was a high-grade apartment. Rumours has it that ever since it was rented out to someone and they died in an accident, it kept getting haunted. 

　　Jiang Zhou was separated into the new city and the old city. The new city was in the north while the old city was in the south. Besides these two places were the western suburbs and the eastern district. 

　　The western suburbs, which were a little desolate, was the city’s place for urban development and expansion, a large part of it was buildings currently under construction. On the other hand, the eastern district was the authentic ‘rich people district’, which was comparable to the upper east end of New York and Kensington in London— any rock you threw would land on either a rich man or a noble one. 

　　The address given by the commissioner was a high-grade international apartment in the eastern district. 

　　Back against Qinglian mountain, facing Yueliangwan, close to mountains and rivers. In front is the city, behind is a scenic tourist resort. When you open the curtains at night, you can see the small white sails blowing by the sea in the distance. The geographical conditions are so superior that it’s amazing. But a horrifying murder case unfortunately occurred.

　　Qi Ningzhou had gone to take a look before, the resentment energy within the apartment was too heavy and the ghost was probably already a fierce ghost. In addition, when the house owner committed suicide, she wore a red dress, which directly doubled her ferocity after turning into a fierce ghost.

　　That bastard really overdid himself this time. Qi Ningzhou tested it through a wall and already knew that unless he got shifu down the mountain, he definitely wouldn’t be able to kill it. 

　　But the commissioner really offered too much, offering 5 digits. 

　　So although he had accepted the commission, he kept it on indefinite hold, planning to find a time to go back to shanmen and ask for extra help. 

　　Then Zong qi appeared and this was much easier to solve. 

　　After hearing the other party’s thoughts, Qi Ningzhou originally wanted to reject it, but after thinking carefully, felt that there was no reason not to try it out. 

　　Zong qi may not understand anything but Qi Ningzhou knew very well. 

　　The black-haired youth’s passive skill was an overpowered weapon against ghosts. If it was an earthbound spirit who’ve never hurt people before, they would be fine. If it was a fierce ghost who’ve hurt people touched him, it could just kneel down and call ‘daddy’. 

　　The two hit it off immediately. Heading straight to the eastern district after leaving the inn, successfully arriving at the apartment. 

　　This apartment was high class in the way that everyone that lived here was either a rich man or a noble one, the high security was also well received by the big bosses of various industries and the people from the entertainment circle. 

　　Most importantly, it wasn’t sold to outsiders and could only be bought through a long term rent. 

　　[Minor Plot ‘Haunted Apartment’ has been unlocked, activation condition unknown] 

　　[You have entered recording range, plot exploration has automatically been switched to ‘Haunted Apartment’, current progress 0%] 

　　After looking around, Zong qi was quite satisfied with the environment around the haunted apartment, asking painfully, “Master, may I trouble you to help ask the owner how much the rent costs each month?” 

　　He thought that even if it was a haunted house, it wouldn’t be that cheap considering its location. He might as well have the Celestial Master say a number and give up early. 

　　“It’s not out for rent. After the suicide case, the 3 consecutive owners that moved in died in an accident so this haunted apartment was truly famous. Don’t mention renting, it couldn’t even be sold. The owner was also afraid of bringing in trouble.” 

　　“Also… don’t be so polite.” 

　　Qi Ningzhou felt a little awkward, “My surname is Qi, you can call me Qi Ningzhou.” (t/n: peeps in cn introduce themselves sometimes by saying their surname then their name cuz surnames come in front for chinese names) 

　　“Oh, Qi Ningzhou.” 

　　Zong qi quickly changed his ways, not noticing the complicated expression on the other party’s face. 

　　The Celestial Master dug around his pocket and passed him a key, “The commissioner just handed me the key. We agreed on dealing with the vengeful spirit within half a year, lucky you’re here, I won’t need to go back to shanmen and get shifu anymore.” 

　　He paused before asking carefully, “We can be considered friends now, right?” 

　　Before Qi Ningzhou went down the mountains, besides the quest of exorcising ghosts, his shimen had also given him a few other side quests to complete, one of which was to meet a friend of the same age. 

　　It was unfortunate but, as the da shishiong in his generation, Qi Ningzhou has shown great talent ever since childhood. He had many shidis and shimeis, but had no friends his age.

　　But Zong qi had saved him this morning, he will always keep this in his heart. 

　　Most importantly, he even asked to add him as friends. 

　　Qi Ningzhou was thinking about this question the whole way here. Does adding each other as friends count as him wanting to be my friend? 

　　“Yes?” 

　　Suddenly hearing such a question, Zong qi almost didn’t react. 

　　But he quickly revealed a wide smile, “I thought we were already friends.” 

　　The local tyrant friend who would hand over the key without a second word, hungry hungry food food! (t/n: apparently its a meme which means u got rich friend so u be lazy and they give u whatever u want— im hungry! *gives food*) 

　　Just like this, the two people whose chats weren’t even on the same channel somehow became friends. 

　　But besides this, there was another thing that was worth paying attention to.

　　Zong qi had a serious face, “Wait friend, did you say there was a ghost inside?” 

　　“Didn’t you say you wanted a haunted house?” Qi Ningzhou was confused. 

　　Zong qi: …… 

　　He had meant to find a haunted house that had already been exorcised, he never wanted to live with a ghost okay!

　　Besides, his recording time ended in 2 hours, by the time he didn’t have the rights protecting him who knew how the ghost would kill him. 

　　Unfortunately, Qi Ningzhou didn’t know the complicated thoughts in Zong qi’s heart. 

　　After realising that the problems created were due to communication errors, the Celestial Master immediately reassured him, “I wouldn’t say this if it were other people, but you’ll definitely be fine after moving in. With the Yang energy in your body, in less than two months, the fierce ghost would definitely ascend itself.” (t/n: ascend as in released from its vengeance and sins or whatever)

　　“Besides, even if you had an abundance of Yang energy, you’ve never opened your Third Eye so you won’t even be able to see the ghost.” 

　　You can’t even see it, so what’s there to be scared about?

　　Qi Ningzhou can already predict the fierce ghost’s future, it definitely wouldn’t be any better than the one on the third floor of the inn. 

　　Zong qi, “It’s not that… Sigh, if I could slack off, who would want to work hard, you don’t understand.” (t/n: slack off is internet slang in chinese lmao apparently it means a person who doesnt pay but eats the largest most expensive meal)

　　He looked at the key in his hands, eyes full of unwillingness. 

　　If only the director rights also included immunity to ghost attacks, then even if Zong qi activated his Third Eye, he could also live under the same roof with fierce ghosts without objection. 

　　Slacking off and getting a high-grade duplex apartment for half a year! What’s wrong with looking at ghosts for a while?!

　　So be it if you hurt your eyes, it’s not like you’ll lose any meat! (t/n: hurt ur eyes as in looking at something ugly)

　　The Celestial Master stood at the same spot, lost in thought. 

　　Shifu had told him that, if friends were in trouble, you should definitely help them. What’s more, this was Qi Ningzhou’s first friend. 

　　“Then how about this, if you’re really afraid of living with a fierce ghost, I can help you draw a few talismans. You just need to figure out a way to stick it onto its body, perhaps it’ll get exorcised this way.” 

　　The Celestial Master mumbled, “But I can’t guarantee that the talismans I draw will work.” 

　　Zong qi glanced at the remaining time of his recording and quickly cut him off, “Let’s go!!!” 

　　Qi Ningzhou: ……

　　He felt like he might have had a misunderstanding about the black haired youth. He had thought that the other party was afraid of ghosts but now that he brought up going in, he had been happy like a 125kg dimwit. 

　　“Okay, but before that, you have to give me a bit of your blood.”

　　The Celestial Master said helplessly, “I don’t have enough talismans saved up so I have to write it right now.” 

　　Zongqi waved his hand generously and donated a few millilitres of blood.

　　“The inheritance of Taoism in recent years isn’t good. Since the end of the last century, there has been an inexplicable imbalance between Yin and Yang and ghosts began wreaking havoc across the earth. Shifu said talismans used to be made just by dipping some cinnabar in those years. Now cinnabar doesn’t work, you have to add something rare, ordinary Celestial Masters can’t afford it at all.” 

　　Qi Ningzhou dug out yellow talisman papers and pen from his pocket as if he was performing magic, laying them onto the ground, mumbling formulas as he drew words that Zong qi couldn’t understand. 

　　“As expected of a constitution of pure Yang…” 

　　After carefully drawing two talismans, Qi Ningzhou’s gaze when looking at Zon qi was like looking at a walking mountain of treasure, making the back of said person feel oddly cold. 

　　Zong qi quickly changed the topic, “But I can’t see ghosts, how do I stick this on its body?” 

　　“Don’t worry, your constitution naturally attracts ghosts. Even if you don’t do anything, it would come and find you.” Qi Ningzhou said, “You only need to keep holding these two talismans in your hand… but because of my poor skills, you’ll have to wait for the fierce ghost to attack you and weaken it like today morning, you let go and the talisman will stick on it automatically.” 

　　Zong qi nodded, suddenly looking like he had remembered something, digging out a selfie stick from his back, waving it in his direction. 

　　“That, if you don’t mind, can I start a stream?” 

The author has something to say: 

77: friend friend, hungry hungry, food food[1]!

Urban legend: As long as you stay a virgin for 30 years, you will become a big magician (whisper

The five-star town colourful, its light shining onto dark. Thousands of gods and saints shall protect my true spirit. The giant beast subdues the five soldiers. The monster made in five days loses its form and dies. Wherever it is, all gods welcome it. —Taoist Exorcism Mantra

[1]  text: rich grandma, hungry hungry, food food

t/n: school’s starting, i offered to help someone else edit their translation so im an editor of two novels and a translator of one

ill prolly only be able to update once a week now but ill try my best!!!