Wu Jing was terrified upon seeing the IOU in his hand, especially since it was for a debt of thirty years of life.
He dropped the IOU in shock.
Scrambling, he fled the dilapidated building.
He had always come at night before.
Only now, in broad daylight, could he clearly see the entire appearance of the run-down building.
It was an old, dilapidated structure, overgrown with moss, seemingly abandoned for years.
It was nothing like a mahjong parlor.
Wu Jing finally understood that he had encountered ghosts.
The people he had been playing cards with were ghosts.
And they were the ghosts inhabiting this entire building.
Overwhelmed with fear, he rushed back to his rented room.
He initially thought that as long as he escaped and returned, he would be fine.
But that very night, he was jolted awake by a nightmare.
In his dream, the mahjong parlor owner came to collect the debt.
He said that paying debts was only right and just, and no matter where Wu Jing ran, it would be useless if he didn't repay.
He was given one more day.
If he didn't pay,
or if he didn't introduce a new person to play mahjong in the parlor tonight, his life would be forfeit.
After death, he would have to serve them as a slave for thirty years…
Upon waking, Wu Jing found
that the IOU had mysteriously reappeared in his hand.
Wu Jing was utterly terrified and sleepless all night.
By ten o'clock that morning.
Wang Kai, his team leader, called to ask why he hadn't come to work.
Wu Jing, feeling dejected, subconsciously mentioned his encounter with ghosts.
Wang Kai, having had his own experiences with the supernatural, didn't find it amusing. Moreover, he had enjoyed many free meals from Wu Jing previously.
He then inquired in detail about the reason.
Upon hearing that he had gambled with ghosts and lost decades of his life, Wang Kai was also shocked and incredulous.
However, he pointed Wu Jing towards a way out.
He told him to come find me at No. 81 on the Path to the Underworld, saying I could save him…
Thus, Wu Jing felt like he had grasped a lifeline.
After hanging up, he didn't even eat lunch and rushed to my shop.
At this moment, I held the "IOU."
It was actually a detailed statement of debt, showing six instances of borrowing.
Each time, it was for five years of life, with an annual equivalent of ten thousand RMB.
A total of thirty years.
It also included Wu Jing's birthdate and time, as well as his signature and fingerprint.
After understanding everything, I didn't speak immediately.
This was because I had never encountered such a situation before.
Gambling with ghosts and losing one's life?
And the ghosts even had his signed and thumb-printed agreement.
Was there something more to this, some kind of taboo?
Could this be a transaction to escape karma, a peaceful buy-and-sell?
What would be the most appropriate method to handle such a matter?
If it were simply a vengeful ghost or an evil spirit seeking life, it would be easier to resolve.
I could just eliminate them.
But this time, it was clearly different.
There was a written IOU…
Seeing that I remained silent for a long time, Wu Jing anxiously said:
"Daoist Priest Qin, I am truly at my wit's end.
If I had known they were ghosts,
and that the money I borrowed was measured in lifespan, I would never have borrowed it.
Now, what should I do?
I, I really don't want to die!"
As he spoke, tears welled up in Wu Jing's eyes.
With a "thump," he knelt on the ground, begging me to save him.
Seeing him kneel, I quickly helped him up.
"Mr. Wu, please, please don't.
I was just contemplating how to handle this.
Since you're here, I'll take on your case.
Humans have their path, and ghosts have theirs.
There must be a way to resolve this.
How about this, you come with me to the place across the street…"
"To the place across the street?"
Wu Jing looked confusedly at the Wanshou Hall across the street.
I smiled:
"Across the street is my uncle; we're family.
More business means dominating the market!
Besides, he is a highly skilled Daoist priest. I should also seek his opinion to ensure everything is handled perfectly."
Wu Jing paused for a moment, then replied with an "Oh," nodding repeatedly.
Following that, I took Wu Jing and walked towards Wanshou Hall.
I had experienced the terror of being haunted by ghosts, so I truly understood Wu Jing's feelings.
The reason I sought my uncle's help was that a life was at stake.
I wanted to provide the best possible assistance to help Wu Jing resolve this karmic debt.
A moment later, I brought Wu Jing to Wanshou Hall.
As soon as we entered the shop, I saw Old Mo coloring a paper effigy, but I didn't see my uncle.
"Old Mo, where's Uncle?"
I called out, inviting Wu Jing into the shop and gesturing for him to sit down nearby.
Old Mo saw me bring someone, and put down his colored pens:
"Oh! Master is inside."
After speaking, he pulled me forward a couple of steps and then whispered to me:
"Old Qin, who is this?
His spirits are so low; did he encounter ghosts?"
I nodded slightly:
"He's my client. He gambled with ghosts and lost his lifespan.
He even wrote an IOU.
I couldn't make up my mind, so I'm here to ask Uncle for his advice."
Old Mo looked somewhat surprised upon hearing this.
Then he said:
"Alright, I'll go get Master."
After speaking, Old Mo walked towards the inner room.
Wu Jing was visibly nervous.
I took out a cigarette and offered it to him:
"Mr. Wu, have a cigarette.
Ghosts aren't as terrifying as you might imagine.
Apart from being invisible to the naked eye, there's nothing particularly special about them.
Once my uncle comes out, your matter will likely have a resolution soon…"