After exchanging pleasantries, we got straight to the point.

Chen Jianmin sat across from me and said, "I heard about you from Old Qian. He encountered a ghost recently, and you helped him solve it in one night—very efficient."

"I need someone with real skills, the pay is negotiable, but if someone tries to deceive me, I won't let them off easily," he added with a smile.

It was clear he was warning me: if I didn't have the skills, I should leave right away, or I might face some serious repercussions.

I just smiled and remained silent, waiting for him to continue.

"Do you know any Taoist feng shui?"

Chen Jianmin asked.

I replied honestly, "I don’t know much about feng shui, if it’s about finding tombs, I can't help."

"Then, what can you do?" he pressed.

"I’m familiar with ghost-exorcising and demon-catching techniques, as well as talismanic magic."

"Old Qian mentioned that when you were having dinner, a headless ghost appeared, and you casually pulled out a talisman, lit it without any tools, and drove the ghost away. Can you show me that?"

Chen Jianmin asked, intrigued.

I took out a yang talisman from my pocket and said, "It’s a basic skill, every legitimate Taoist practitioner knows how to do it. It’s not that impressive."

As I spoke, I effortlessly lit the talisman.

Chen Jianmin nodded with appreciation. "Not bad. You really have skills. Although you’re young, you’re not arrogant, you speak honestly and humbly. I like you, kid. I’d like to meet your master, if possible."

I lowered my voice, "My master passed away a year ago."

"I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to bring up painful memories."

"It’s okay."

I continued, "Vice President Chen, it seems you’re planning something important. I’m concerned I might not be up to it, so I think I’ll excuse myself."

It was clear what he meant—he thought I was too young and inexperienced, so it might be better for me to leave now before they had to kick me out.

"Wait."

Chen Jianmin called out, "Kid, to be honest, I’m not satisfied with your age and experience, but I do like your personality. You don’t talk much, and that’s a good thing. I’ve decided to hire you!"

"But let me make one thing clear: what we’re doing this time is highly secretive. When we return, you must not tell anyone about it. If anyone does, the Chen family will make sure they disappear."

"I’m sorry, I don’t want to go," I said, standing up and walking towards the door. Inside, I sighed, promising myself that I would never deal with people like him again—always threatening others like that felt awful.

Besides, if they were really trying to keep things a secret, they might just kill me to keep my mouth shut. That was no small matter.

"Wait."

Chen Jianmin called again, "I just wanted to make sure everything’s clear. I know you’re worried, but there’s no need to fear. The Chen family isn’t made up of maniacs. We’ll hire many people, including some big names. We wouldn’t kill everyone just to keep a secret."

"If you agree, I’ll pay you a 1 million advance. If everything goes well, I’ll give you another 2 million as a hush money bonus. How does that sound?"

I thought about it for a moment. He was right, and with that much money, I couldn’t refuse.

Still, even though he had money, he wouldn’t offer that much without a good reason, and I suspected that the work ahead would be difficult!

But hey, only in adversity can a person grow. If I didn’t dare to face challenges and only dealt with small ghosts, I would never become a true master.

So, I gritted my teeth and said, "Alright! I agree! When do we leave?"

"How about tomorrow at 2 PM? I heard you don’t have a phone, so it’s hard to reach you. I’ll lend you one."

"No need, someone gave me one yesterday."

I took out my Sanlu Galaxy S phone.

Chen Jianmin said, "Give me your phone number, so I can contact you. I’ll also call the finance department now to transfer the 1 million."

After exchanging numbers, I said, "No need for the advance. Let’s settle everything when I return. I’m sure you won’t cheat me, right?"

I chuckled, turned, and left the meeting room.

When I got home, I told my mom, "Mom, I found a job. Huaxia Group is building a laboratory in a mountain range, and they’re hiring workers. I signed up and got selected! The salary is 10,000 a month."

"Son, are you being scammed? You didn’t even finish high school. Why would they offer you 10,000 a month?" she asked skeptically.

I was speechless for a moment, then I continued, "It’s true, mom. I signed up with Huaxia Group. The salary is high because the conditions are tough. I’ll be working as a laborer, no need for education."

She nodded, "Where exactly is this laboratory being built?"

"I’m not sure, it’s a secret. But I heard there’s no signal coverage in the mountain range. Once we’re there, the phone won’t work."

Mom seemed worried, "Son, don’t go. What if we can’t contact you and don’t know where you are?"

I reassured her, "Don’t worry, mom. The company leader said it’ll only be a month. It’ll be hard work, but I’ll earn in a month what I would make in ten months as a waiter."

When she still looked worried, I added, "Mom, I’m grown up now. It’s time for me to go out and try on my own."

When my dad came back, he also supported me going, just reminded me to take care of myself.

So, I packed my things: the Chengying Sword, makeup kit, several talismans, two ginseng roots, half a bottle of cow’s eye tears, yellow paper, cinnabar, chicken blood, ink, and other tools. I even brought a shirt, a set of sportswear, two pairs of underwear, a spare phone battery, and a charger. If the talismans ran out, I could draw more on the spot.

While packing, my phone rang. It was Xu Xiaoling.

I answered, "Hello?"

"Cousin, what are you doing?" she asked with a laugh.

Slightly helpless, I said, "Packing. I’m leaving tomorrow for a trip."

"I was about to call you and let you know, the place I’m going doesn’t have any signal, so I won’t be reachable. I’ll be gone for about a month."

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I’m not sure. The Vice President of Huaxia Group asked me for help, but he didn’t tell me the location."

After a pause, Xu Xiaoling murmured, "Huaxia Group… Vice President Chen Jianmin?"

"Eh? How do you know?" I asked, surprised.

She was silent for a moment, then said, "Xiaolong, you don’t even know where you’re going. You really shouldn’t go."

I laughed it off, "Don’t worry, I’m an adult now. I’ll be fine. When I get back, I’ll treat you to a meal!"

The next afternoon, I arrived at the Huaxia Group’s main entrance at 2 PM, and called Chen Jianmin.

"I’m here."

"Mm, I see you. Walk toward the yard. There’s a white Camry on your left, license plate SB945. Get in that car, the driver will take you to the destination."

With that, he hung up.

I got in the car, and the driver, a man around thirty, didn’t say a word. The car drove nonstop for two days and nights. I even started wondering if he was mute.

Of course, I didn’t speak to him either, except when I needed a break.

For meals, there were biscuits and milk in the car.

Finally, in the afternoon, he stopped.

We were in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by mountains. Not far away, there were large tents. I had no idea where I was, and my phone had no signal.

The driver gestured for me to get out.

I grabbed my bag and got out of the car, watching the driver turn around and drive off.

He might really be mute.

I turned to look at the tents. About twenty people were gathered there—some men, some women. Most of them were bodyguards in black suits, but four were dressed casually, two men and two women, all around twenty, good-looking and exuding a confident aura.

I walked over to them, and one of the men asked, "Zhang Xiaolong?"

He was around twenty, 5'9", thin, and handsome with an unmistakable aura of elegance.

"Yes," I replied.

"You’re so young?" he sneered. "How can you help us?"

The man behind him, a short-haired girl, responded, "Chen Ershao, watch your words. What’s wrong with being young? You look down on young people? If so, I’m leaving."

Another man calmly said, "Jiang, don’t mind him. Haozhe’s just blunt."

The short-haired girl huffed at Chen Ershao, "Learn from your brother."

Then, Chen Ershao's eyes flashed with a cold light as he turned and walked into another tent, with the long-haired girl following closely behind.

The calm-faced man spoke up, "My name is Chen Haotian. The one you just saw is my second brother, Chen Haozhe. The long-haired girl is his girlfriend, Shasha. The short-haired girl is Miss Jiang. The rest are bodyguards, but I won’t introduce them all."

"I’ve already heard about you from Chen Jianmin. You seem quite capable."

"Since not everyone has arrived yet, you’ll stay with me in the same tent for now."

With that, he led me into one of the tents.