Zhao Ci hesitated for a moment before saying, "Ordinary ghosts, even spirits, can't do anything to her. But this time, Bai Xin is not someone she can handle."

I asked curiously, "Is Zhao Yuezhu also a術士 (shushi, Daoist priest)?"

"No, she's not!" Zhao Ci shook his head. "She minored in folklore at university. If you classify her according to the術道 (shu dao, Daoist arts), she should be considered a *ye xiansheng* (unorthodox practitioner)."

*Ye xiansheng*? It had been years since there had been a *ye xiansheng* in the *shu dao*.

In the old days, the term "先生 (xiansheng, master)" in the Northeast didn't necessarily refer to a術士 (shushi, Daoist priest). People who were respected, literate, or even knowledgeable could be called "先生 (xiansheng, master)."

This wasn't because people in the Northeast randomly addressed people as "先生 (xiansheng, master)," but because of the limitations of the times.

Just like now, it's difficult for people with only compulsory education to find jobs, and even graduates struggle. In the old days, someone who had studied for nine years was considered educated. Even if they didn't have any status, they would be looked up to.

However, "先生 (xiansheng, master)" were respected not because they had studied, but because they could help villagers solve problems.

In the past, if a village had a *xiansheng* (master), it was a big deal. Villagers would go to the *xiansheng* (master) for advice on any difficulties they encountered, including encounters with ghosts and evil spirits.

*Ye xiansheng* were people who could help villagers solve problems, but they were not recognized by the術士 (shushi, Daoist priests) because they had no secret method inheritance.

Some people could read faces and calculate auspicious days, possibly because they had read books on face reading.

Some people could read graveyards, possibly because they had spent a few days with a Feng Shui master.

*Ye xiansheng* who didn't know secret arts or martial arts were considered by the術士 (shushi, Daoist priests) to be no better than the Yao Men (rumor mongers) who specialized in deceiving people with their mouths.

Could *ye xiansheng* exorcise ghosts and ward off evil spirits?

The answer is: yes.

Although *ye xiansheng* didn't know secret arts, they knew what could ward off evil spirits!

People in the *shu dao* all knew that since Heaven arranged mountain spirits and water monsters in a place, it would definitely arrange their nemesis nearby.

A skilled *ye xiansheng* knew what mountain wandering souls were afraid of and could often suppress ghosts by grabbing something at random.

As long as they were bold and careful, it wouldn't be difficult for them to deal with mountain spirits and water monsters.

In the old days, *ye xiansheng* often had a higher status in rural villages than real術士 (shushi, Daoist priests). However, with the development of the times and the increasing flow of information, *ye xiansheng* gradually disappeared.

I never expected that Zhao Yuezhu would be a *ye xiansheng*!

I was silent for a moment before saying, "You said that Zhao Yuezhu is disgusted with術士 (shushi, Daoist priests), but she knows how to ward off evil spirits herself. Isn't that contradictory? Aren't people who are disgusted with術士 (shushi, Daoist priests) all atheists?"

Zhao Ci was silent again before saying, "Yuezhu is not only not an atheist, but she is also very interested in ghosts and monsters."

"Her curiosity probably stems from me."

"As a術士 (shushi, Daoist priest), I didn't want her to enter the *shu dao*. Apart from some self-defense martial arts, I didn't teach her anything. But she found a way to connect herself spiritually, so she is quite unique."

"Of course, I didn't tell Yuezhu that I was a術士 (shushi, Daoist priest) either. I was afraid that she would ignore me because I was a術士 (shushi, Daoist priest)."

Zhao Ci didn't say some things, and I didn't continue to ask.

Now, the problem facing me is how to approach Zhao Yuezhu.

Feng Ruoxing said, "The best way to approach Zhao Yuezhu is to disguise yourself as an intern and work with her. It would be best if you could pursue the same news leads as her."

As soon as I nodded, Feng Ruoxing added, "I can't go. Zhao Yuezhu has seen me. If I go, I'll be exposed."

I quickly said, "I can't either! I didn't even finish high school. My education level is too low. I definitely won't be able to get into the newspaper office."

I was purely talking nonsense. I didn't finish high school, but that doesn't mean I can't handle the work of a newspaper office. Besides, an intern is purely doing odd jobs. I wouldn't need to handle any technically demanding work.

I didn't want to get into the newspaper office. I simply didn't want to deal with someone who was disgusted with術士 (shushi, Daoist priests).

It's like eating your food while scolding the cook, not eating any less, and still being picky. Serving the other party is disgusting. Unfortunately, there are many such people.

Just thinking about it gives me a headache!

When Feng Ruoxing and I turned to look at Ye Yang, he said, "Let's kidnap her! It's only for seven days anyway. Zhao Ci won't call the police. It's not a big deal!"

I almost fainted, "Are you speaking the language of the living? Who has ever seen kidnappers desperately protecting their hostage? Wouldn't that expose us immediately? No way!"

Ye Yang said expressionlessly, "Then you go! If I go, it'll be kidnapping!"

Ye Yang is playing rogue with me!

He said that he would listen to me on all missions.

I'm asking him to go, so he can't refuse, but he gave me a good reason.

This guy must have been born a fox. He's extremely cunning.

Feng Ruoxing was also helping Ye Yang, "Ye Yang's personality is indeed not suitable for going to the newspaper office. He's too cold and not suitable for approaching Zhao Yuezhu. I think you're the most suitable."

I was so angry that I was fuming. "Fine, I'll go. You're all my ancestors! I can't beat you guys. I'll go, alright!"