Chapter 5: Renting a House

Translator: Tim; Editor: Tehrn/Carolin

Ye Mo pointed at Wang Peng and said to Su Jingwen, "You two can leave. I won't sell my things to you; this guy is annoying me."

Su Jingwen, deeply troubled by her mother's illness and disillusioned with the hospital, had heard that her mother might be afflicted by an evil spirit. She'd been told a spirit-repelling artifact could help, so she'd bought many, to no avail. Hearing Ye Mo claim his charm could awaken her mother, she couldn't pass up the chance. Even if it was a scam—a few tens of thousands of dollars were insignificant to her family—she wouldn't give up on even a sliver of hope. Deep down, she suspected it was a fraud, but she had to try.

Worried by Ye Mo's words, she quickly said, "Master, I'm sorry, I have no connection with him." Turning to Wang Peng, she added coldly, "Mr. Wang, you're free to leave. Don't follow me, or I'll call the police."

Wang Peng glared at Ye Mo, silently vowing revenge for the perceived swindle. He planned to have Ye Mo's arms and legs broken. However, Su Jingwen's intervention left him no choice but to leave. Ye Mo, aware of Wang Peng's threat, wasn't concerned. He planned to leave the area soon and wasn't afraid.

"I want all your spirit-cleansing charms. How much?" Su Jingwen asked desperately after Wang Peng left.

Ye Mo presented two charms. "I put my heart into these. There are only two; you only need this better one. Keep the other in a jade bottle; it should remain effective for ten years. Thirty thousand dollars for both." He handed Su Jingwen the higher-quality charm.

Su Jingwen offered a 50,000-dollar check. Ye Mo, unwilling to overcharge, added a protection charm and a fireball charm. "Since you gave me an extra 20,000, consider these a gift." He explained their use: "The protection charm goes in a pouch, worn close to your body. The fireball charm is for self-defense. Throw it and say 'Lin'[1] if you're attacked."

Impressed by Ye Mo's honesty, Su Jingwen's hope soared. She asked, "Master, how do I use the spirit-cleansing charm?"

Ye Mo took the check. "Just like the other; throw it at the patient and say 'Lin'."

Su Jingwen, feeling calmer and more confident, said, "Master, what's your surname? Could you come with me to see my mother? I'll double the check as a commission."

Ye Mo refused. "I don't need to go. This charm will work!" Su Jingwen and Xiao Yue left, taking the charms.

Ye Mo packed up, intending to deposit the money. He urgently needed funds.

"Sister Jing, he wore sunglasses; we couldn't see his face," Xiao Yue said, echoing Wang Peng's suspicions. "I think he might be a fraud."

Su Jingwen sighed. She suspected Ye Mo was a scammer, but desperation drove her to try.

Xiao Yue, understanding her employer's plight, remained silent, sharing her sadness.

Ye Mo's first priority after receiving the 50,000 dollars was finding a place to live. He needed herbs for his serums, and his university dorm was unsuitable. He valued his privacy and secrecy.

Finding a suitable place in Ning Hai was easy with money, but he needed living conditions conducive to martial arts practice. He couldn't neglect his physical training.

Ning Du district and Ning Hai University were far apart (over 30 kilometers). He arrived in Ning Du near midnight. He wanted to live far from the university to maintain secrecy and also to run to school for training.

As he was about to give up, he spotted a small yard with faint traces of spiritual energy. A "For Lease" sign was displayed. The spiritual energy confirmed his decision to rent.

He knocked, and a woman in her fifties appeared. Ye Mo, distracted by the presence of Silver Heart Grass (an unexpected find), initially forgot to respond. The woman only understood when he stated his reason for being there: renting the property.

He learned the yard had two rooms (east and west) and a living room. The west room was occupied, and the owner was moving to Ning Bei. The east room, the owner's former residence, was available. Surprisingly, Ye Mo paid a year's rent upfront (1100 per month).

[1] The “Lin” here literally means “arrival/arrive.”