Chapter 185: Chapter 185: Ghost Catching Method

Translator: 549690339

“Alright.” Zhang Qiuying and Zhuang Qingsui quickly responded, hurriedly going to the backyard to fetch everything they had prepared yesterday.

Mrs. Cao went to fetch a small square table and carried it outside.

She asked people to make some space, once the table was positioned, she placed an incense burner on it, and set up a peach wood sword.

Such action stunned those who were gathered around the tofu shop to watch the spectacle.

Even Xiao Liuzi was taken aback, staring at the items on the table with wide eyes.

Were these not the usual items of Mrs. Bai? Could it be that Zhuang Qingning was planning to perform a spiritual ritual?

Xiao Liuzi had this suspicion and others in the crowd did too, leading to a flurry of discussion. Some bold individuals even raised their voices to ask. “Hey, what are you planning to do? This looks like a Taoist ritual- are you trying to exorcise the ghost?”

This question stoked the lively discussion further, reminiscent of throwing a hot stone into a boiling pot, causing an even louder clamor among the crowd. “No way, arc they attempting to exorcise a ghost? Not everyone can do that! Only someone with real spiritual prowess can. I’ve never heard that the tofu shop owner has such abilities.”

“Well, I heard that the tofu shop’s owner is really tough. Maybe he can suppress this evil spirit with his strong willpower?”

“Exactly, we can’t be sure, perhaps they’ve invited an expert to help with the ritual? The presence of a ghost can definitely affect their business.”

“Their audacity is impressive! They’ve remained silent so far, yet they’re undertaking such a massive task now, let’s wait and see, it could be quite a spectacle!”

The crowd was abuzz, each holding different opinions. The mounting excitement drew more spectators.

Even the ones who were selling goods at the town’s market couldn’t resist the spectacle and came to watch. Now, the tofu shop was completely surrounded. So densely packed it was, that only those standing on benches could peek over the crowd and see what was happening.

Zhuang Qingning noted that the preliminary setup was about complete. She moved a bench next to the table and stepped on it. Clearing her throat, she announced, “Neighbors and passersby, uncles, aunties, ladies and gentlemen, please quiet down for a moment while I say a few words.”

The crowd, engrossed in the spectacle, suddenly hushed. All eyes were on Zhuang Qingning, waiting to hear what the young girl had to say.

Finding the crowd had quieted down, Zhuang Qingning straightened up to her full height and spoke louder.

“You’ve all seen it; our tofu shop has been open for a while and it’s been peaceful until recently when someone mentioned the presence of a ghost. This ghost hasn’t just taken up residence but is also said to affect the fortunes of all those around it and those who shop at our store.”

“Since this ghost is bringer of bad luck and could potentially hurt more people, I will capture and kill it today to ensure everyone’s peace of mind.”

Capture and kill the ghost?

Upon hearing these words, the crowd gasped in disbelief and stared at Zhuang Qingning.

“You are young, yet you dare make such a bold claim? Capturing ghosts is no small matter, not everyone can do it. Even the half-immortal Mrs. Bai wouldn’t make such a claim easily.”

An elderly man stroked his graying beard and stared at Zhuang Qingning, his words laced with mockery.

“By the way, isn’t it a joke for you, a yellow-haired girl, to say such things in broad daylight?”

“Are you perhaps trying to trick us?”

“Whether I am trying to trick you, we will know in a while.” Zhuang Qingning replied loudly, “Just wait and see. You will see if I am bluffing.”

Having finished speaking, Zhuang Qingning looked at the sky remarking. “It’s about time. Please step back everybody. We don’t want anyone being affected by the ghost’s malicious energy.”

Her serious and solemn demeanor made it difficult to believe that she was joking or lying. Those who were initially skeptical were compelled by Zhuang Qingning’s composed aura to retreat a few steps back along with the rest of the crowd.

This created a large empty area around her.

Zhuang Qingning glanced seriously at the crowd, nodded briefly, then picked up a stick of incense and lit it, placing it in the incense burner on the table.

Kneeling in the direction of the tofu shop’s entrance, and therefore the reported location of the ghost, she bowed solemnly. Then standing up, she picked up the peach wood sword from the table.

With the peach wood sword in hand and chanting under her breath, she walked around the table three times. Zhuang Qingning suddenly shouted, pointing the sword towards the roof of the tofu shop.

“I thought of your plight, wandering the world because you had found nowhere to reincarnate and I chose not to interfere. I never expected you to push it this far and harm people’s fortunes. I can’t let you off the hook after what you’ve done!” Zhuang Qingning, with wide eyes, shouted furiously.

She held her peach wood sword aloft, pointed straight at the roof of the tofu shop without wavering.

The crowd, all holding their breath, watched with great anticipation, waiting to see if the rumored ghost would appear on the roof.

But despite their concentrated effort, they saw nothing.

Just as they were expressing their surprise, Zhuang Qingning let out another furious shout, forcefully wielded the peach wood sword down, its tip now pointing at the table in front of her.

The table, which only had an incense burner on it before, now had a small doll the size of a palm!

The doll was a pale yellow color, featureless, with no facial details. It looked like a faceless man. Knowing that this doll was a manifestation of the ghost that had lingered on the roof for so long, there was a hair-raising fear.

Among the spectators, some gasped in shock, some closed their eyes, and some even turned to leave. But the majority were carefully observing the doll and Zhuang Qingning, her face grim.

Zhuang Qingning pulled out a long needle from the incense burner and forcefully stabbed it into the doll’s abdomen.

White smoke started rising slowly from the doll’s body, and the doll seemed to be in great pain, trembling non-stop for a long time without calming down..