Da Liang Year 641, the 7th day of the 6th month.

    Nanyang Prefecture, Shanglin Neighborhood. An old wooden house by the river.

    A mass of constantly swirling black smoke was churning in mid-air.

    The next moment, it plunged into a water jar by the wall, then immediately flew out and dove into another jar nearby.

    The fish, rendered fierce from the nourishing of Secret Medicine, seemed to sense danger and frantically jumped about.

    The slapping against the water jars made a banging sound. One even leapt two meters high with ease, escaping the water jar.

    The black smoke, like a greedy snake, deftly reached into the air, and the high-jumping fish vanished without a trace.

    In just five breaths, all the fish in the seven big jars had disappeared.

    Chen Mu fixated his gaze on the Ghostly black smoke.

    However, his attention concentrated on the Five Ghosts Bag. A mass of red mist, the size of a mung bean, emerged.

    "This time it''s much easier," Chen Mu sighed in relief and dispersed the black smoke.

    Feeding with Secret Medicine, the fish had abundant qi and blood, which refined more essence.

    With Ghost Locking Curse perfected, Chen Mu''s ability to snatch food with his ghostly mouth had grown stronger.

    "Finally, they''re no longer the size of sesame seeds."

    Though they were still mist, far from condensing into liquid, they had grown to the size of mung beans at least.

    "After several... a dozen more times, I should be able to refine a drop of ''Palace-illuminating Red,''" Chen Mu nodded with satisfaction.

    "Time to catch more fish."

    Chen Mu brought out the bait of inebriation, followed the usual routine of casting bait, waiting, and catching fish.

    He filled the seven water jars and half the vertical shaft until the pool was nearly depleted of fish before he stopped.

    "Let''s nourish them for a bit." Chen Mu stared at the large water jar, contemplating, "Should I buy some live pigs?"

    "Forget it, let''s first clear the debt to Jie Jia," Chen Mu shrugged.

    With Soul Locking Curse perfected and Palace-illuminating Red close to achievement, feeling cheerful today, he headed to Chunfeng Tower... Hmm, to inquire about the latest news in the world.

    ...

    North Market, Chunfeng Tower.

    In a secluded compartment, Chen Mu disdainfully ate the full table of dishes.

    With his cooking skills improving and his sense of taste becoming more sensitive, the dishes at Fan Tower that used to taste alright now revealed all sorts of flaws. Continue your adventure at mvl

    Though not as delicious as the ones he made, Chen Mu nevertheless cleaned out the dishes one by one.

    Not wasting food was a habit cultivated by his parents in his previous life.

    No matter how much rice was in his bowl, he had to finish it unless he couldn''t stomach it. His parents always felt he hadn''t eaten enough, piling his plate high and even tamping it down, so...

    He naturally went from being a chubby kid to a fat adult.

    "It''s better now, no matter how much I eat, I don''t gain weight," Chen Mu chuckled as he watched the enchanting figure of Yu Tao on stage.

    Five paper ghosts scurried around the hall.

    In the dim light, amidst laughter and joyful chatter, the paper ghosts lurked in the shadows, creating a sense of a wild dance of demons.

    Chen Mu, however, reveled in this, effortlessly controlling the paper ghosts to eavesdrop on conversations he was interested in.

    "Nanyang Prefecture City isn''t peaceful either," Chen Mu sighed inwardly.

    "Why did I have to end up in such chaotic times."

    He changed his appearance along the way, switched his clothes, altered his route, and strolled leisurely towards his home in the Shanglin Neighborhood.

    ...

    Just as he entered his own alley, the swaying Chen Mu couldn''t help but be startled.

    What was once a pitch-black street now had a dim yellow glow.

    In the mansion across from his house, there were two large lanterns hanging on either side of the door.

    A carriage stopped in the middle of the road, filled to the brim with wooden boxes, big and small.

    Little lanterns hung on all four corners of the carriage, lighting up the dark alleyway.

    Four or five sturdy men dressed like servants were continuously moving wooden boxes down from the carriage.

    Chen Mu''s heart skipped a beat, and he immediately thought to turn around and run.

    But the man who seemed to be the master, standing at the doorway, had already turned his head and looked over.

    The sturdy men moving the boxes instantly stopped in their tracks and turned their heads, silently placing the wooden boxes down and reaching their hands into the gaps between the boxes on the carriage.

    Their forearms bulged with muscle, as if they were gripping something. A glint of black light flashed across their arms in the shadow of the lantern light.

    Then they all stared at Chen Mu expressionlessly.

    The alleyway fell into silence for a moment.

    Chen Mu''s face involuntarily twitched.

    Wandering Souls?!

    Is it still possible to run now?

    "May I ask, young brother, where are you coming from and where are you headed?" Chao Fang asked with narrowed eyes and a cheerful smile as he looked at Chen Mu.

    Don''t panic, and definitely don''t run!

    Feeling the Five Ghosts Bag tied to his chest, Chen Mu suppressed his shock.

    Bluff my way through first.

    Don''t be too enthusiastic, it can arouse suspicion.

    Nor too cold, as it can also raise suspicion.

    Right, act like an introverted, antisocial homebody?

    Having made up his mind, he pointed indifferently at the gate across from him and said with a touch of impatience, "From Chunfeng Tower, going home to sleep."

    Chao Fang''s eyebrows rose slightly, glanced at the round-faced man next to him, and immediately responded with a laugh, "Then we''ll be neighbors."

    Chen Mu''s brows furrowed slightly, seemingly not too welcoming, "I like it quiet, just to be clear. Don''t cause any disturbances normally."

    Chao Fang laughed, "What a coincidence, I like it quiet too."

    Chen Mu nodded noncommittally and continued to his door to take out his keys and unlock it.

    "Renting this house isn''t cheap, right?" Chen Mu glanced at the other party and casually asked.

    "Indeed, not at all. The landlord is greedy, charged me quite a lot," Chao Fang agreed.

    Chen Mu paused in the motion of opening the door, giving the other party a deep look...

    You haven''t given me a cent though.