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墨書 Inktalez
Chapter 103: It's You Again
Since the child said he wanted to use that Board as his coffin, if I didn't comply with his wishes, it might upset him.
Father nodded and then took me to their yard to find that Board. However, when we saw the Board, we were both stunned because there was a human-shaped watermark on it, wet under the blazing sun!
Child's Father was quite frightened and asked me how this could happen. I told him not to worry about it and just use that Board to make the coffin. In fact, I knew why there were water stains on the Board; it was because the child still harbored Resentment, unwilling to let go, and the Killing Intent was too heavy.
Child's Father didn't press further, so he started working with the Board. The Board wasn't large, so we didn't have enough material; in the end, we used three or four pieces of Board to piece together a small coffin.
I don't know what happened afterward because after giving my instructions, I left. After all, I had fulfilled my promise; the water ghost's Corpse could finally be buried. Whether it would be reborn depended on Heaven's Will, which not everyone could assist with.
After leaving the child's home, I returned to my shop. However, I was startled when I was still some distance away from the store because the door was wide open. I immediately felt a shock and thought, could it be that a thief had come in? Or did I forget to close the door when I left?
I hurried my pace, and as soon as I reached the entrance, I saw a large red paper posted next to the door. On it was written in ink: "Good news, good news! Our store is launching a big promotion for Mid-Autumn Festival Ghost Worship. All Wreath, Paper Figurine, and Paper Horse are 30% off! The Spirit House Ghost Sedan is no longer 998 or even 668; it's only 588! Yes, you heard right—only 588! You won't regret buying for 588; you won't be fooled for 588! The Spirit House even has a big bed inside. For 588, you can't buy a house or a car, but for 588, your home ghost will have a new house. Address..."
I was shocked at that moment; this advertisement was way too trendy! And at the end, there was a big line asking: "Kid, did you buy a Wreath today?"
My first reaction was that this must be some prank by that little brat who had come up with something ridiculous aimed at me. These days everything is about advertising, but I've never seen a Paper Craft Shop doing promotions like this. Who would buy a few Wreath, Paper Horse, just for cheapness?
I looked at the address and store name left at the bottom of the advertisement; it clearly stated my shop's name. Furious, I ripped down the promotional ad and walked into the store, only to see someone sitting behind my long table playing Landlord Fighting on my computer.
I thought to myself who this person was to barge into my shop in broad daylight. So I shouted at him, "Who are you?!"
The person turned around immediately, and upon seeing him, I couldn't help but freeze: "What are you doing here?!"
The other party was also surprised and somewhat embarrassed, saying, "Uh, well, I really apologize for last night. I actually wanted to compensate you for some emotional distress, but I ended up having no money on me. Uh, I didn't expect you to find me here at the store. Buddy, tell me how much you want me to pay, and I'll give it to you right now."
This person was none other than the one who had ambushed me last night and kicked me into the river. I immediately said, "I'm not asking you for money; I'm asking how you ended up in my store."
The other party was taken aback and asked in confusion, "What are you talking about? This... this is your store? Buddy, can we not joke around like this?"
I was also puzzled and thought maybe he was trying to mess with me again. I replied, "If this isn't my store, then is it yours? Let's get to the point; if there's nothing else, I have to ask you to leave."
However, the other party showed no intention of leaving. He stood up and said, "Buddy, this really is my store. How could it be yours?" After saying that, he muttered under his breath, "Could it be... could it be that Master has taken on another disciple?"
Hearing his mumbling, I was also taken aback and thought, could this person be a disciple of Master Ma, the one called Cao Qilong?
With that in mind, I curiously asked him, "Are you a disciple of Master Ma?"
He nodded and asked me back, "Are you also one of his newly accepted disciples?"
I was both surprised and delighted; it turned out this person really was Brother Cao. After waiting here for a month or two, he finally returned. I quickly nodded and then shook my head: "My Grandfather is Master Ma's senior brother; so you're indeed his disciple, Brother Cao?"
Seeing someone from the same circle made Brother Cao pleasantly surprised as well. He smiled and reached out to shake hands with me, saying he didn't expect there would be someone like me in this world.
At that moment, I took a good look at him. He had an honest and naive appearance. His outfit was different from yesterday; now he wore a white Long Robe, smiling foolishly at me.
With Brother Cao here, I couldn't help but feel excited. However, seeing him also brought some disappointment; I never expected that the Brother Cao I had been eagerly waiting for would turn out to be him. Just think about it—Master Ma is such a sharp person! As his prized disciple, he should also be somewhat clever. But looking at this guy in front of me with his silly demeanor and recalling what he did—kicking a living person like me off the bridge without even distinguishing between human and ghost—how foolish could that be? What if the person he kicked down couldn't swim? Wouldn't that lead to legal trouble? Moreover, the advertisement I just saw outside must have been written by him; coming up with such an ad only shows he might be a bit simple-minded.
Cao Qilong asked me where Master Ma had gone.
Mentioning Master Ma made me feel somewhat sad, so I told him about Master Ma's situation and handed him the jade pendant that belonged to Master Ma.
I never expected that Cao Qilong's feelings for Master Ma would be so deep. After learning of Master Ma's passing, he cried for a long time, unable to be consoled no matter how hard anyone tried.
Later, when he calmed down a bit, he told me that he was an orphan who had been taken in by Master Ma since childhood. Master Ma had taught him skills and provided him with books, so in his heart, Master Ma was like his own grandfather. He never imagined that after being away in the world for over a year, he would return to find that Master Ma was no longer there. He hadn’t had the chance to properly show his filial piety, which is why he felt such deep sorrow.
After hearing his words, I understood a bit more. Perhaps to normal people, it seems natural for parents and elders to care for their children; it is their duty. Children may not think much of it when they are treated well, but they often complain when they are not. However, for someone like Cao Qilong, who was adopted by Master Ma, it was different. They wouldn’t see Master Ma’s adoption as an obligation; even a meal or a piece of clothing would be appreciated with gratitude. After all, Master Ma had raised him his entire life, which is why he cried so heartbreakingly.
I also knew that the reason Master Ma took in this orphan might be due to his kind heart or perhaps because he himself was once an orphan raised by Liu Lao Er's father.
That day, because of Master Ma's passing, Cao Qilong was in low spirits, so I didn’t immediately ask him about the paper boat.
With the sudden addition of a relative in this world, my mood also soured. Cao Qilong had no relatives either, so there was a hint of kinship in his gaze towards me; indeed, we were two lost souls.
That day, we closed the shop early and found a restaurant where we ordered a feast to welcome him and celebrate our newfound relative.
The meal lasted quite a while as we shared stories from our years apart. He talked a lot, especially after having some drinks; he couldn’t stop sharing. It was clear that he had encountered many things over the past year and helped resolve many troubles—he was a good person worth getting close to.
The next day, we both woke up late due to last night’s drinking. We each had our own sorrows: he mourned for Master Ma while I felt more sorrow for Lin Xiaoqi.
After spending the night together, we became more familiar with each other and lost the initial awkwardness. After breakfast, we opened the shop and started doing business. Like Master Ma, he enjoyed playing Landlord Fighting on the computer. I told him that Master Ma liked playing it too. He proudly informed me that he had taught Master Ma how to play Landlord Fighting; however, once he taught Master Ma, the computer no longer belonged to him.
With our spirits lifted, I couldn’t help but ask him: “Cao Shixiong, have you heard of paper boats that can cross the Underworld’s Wangchuan River?”
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