Because Ryan Clark had truly inherited Old Brooks's teachings, the The Brooks Family was well aware of this, and knowing the wonders of Daoist arts, they did not come to cause trouble after the funeral when Ryan Clark politely declined their invitation. However, they also maintained a stance of indifference.

“Senior Brother Brooks, it's been a long time. Have you been well?” Although Ryan Clark was a bit surprised, he quickly composed himself.

Lucas Brooks looked a little embarrassed, but soon covered it up and said with a smile, “Junior Brother Foster, I've been wandering the martial world these past years and rarely at home. But you have been practicing behind closed doors all this time, so I imagine you've made great progress.”

Seeing that Lucas Brooks seemed to have something on his mind, Ryan Clark said, “If Senior Brother Brooks doesn't mind, let's go inside and have some tea.”

Lucas Brooks let out a slight sigh of relief. “I'd be delighted.”

The two entered the small courtyard. Since Lucas Brooks was a fairly familiar person and knew the place well, Ryan Clark led him to sit at the stone table in the corner of the courtyard, then went to the kitchen to casually brew a pot of tea before returning.

After filling their cups, Ryan Clark smiled and said, “Senior Brother Brooks, your reputation in the martial world is impressive. Even a little Daoist like me, who never leaves home and pays no attention to outside affairs, has heard of you.”

“Oh, not at all, it's just friends in the martial world giving me some face.” Although Lucas Brooks spoke modestly, the proud look on his face did not diminish in the slightest.

“How could that be? In the taverns, it's common to hear tales of Senior Brother Brooks chasing the 'Pink Swallow' Hang Sanliu for two days and nights, and finally slaying that lecherous villain.”

As if his itch had been scratched, Lucas Brooks immediately became excited and recounted the story—which Ryan Clark had already heard several times—once again. But hearing it from the person involved gave it a different flavor.

Ryan Clark deliberately steered the conversation, and the two chatted enthusiastically about Lucas Brooks's adventures in the martial world. When the topic turned to the other guests who had come with Lucas Brooks to Xia'an Prefecture this time, Lucas Brooks once again showed that slightly awkward expression he had at the door. After hesitating for a while and seeing Ryan Clark just smiling and sipping tea, he finally spoke up.

“Junior Brother Foster, I actually have a favor to ask of you this time. If you help me, I will definitely repay you well.”

Ryan Clark smiled and said, “Oh? If it's something Senior Brother Brooks can't handle, how could a little Daoist like me manage it?”

Lucas Brooks grinned apologetically. “Junior Brother Foster, you learned great skills from the old master, and this matter is just right for you.” Then, before Ryan Clark could reply, he continued, “This time when I came home, I was accompanied by a few friends from the martial world. Who knew that after we returned, that annoying fellow from the Xia family in the north of the city found out and started coming around Emily every day, often provoking me. Junior Brother Foster, you don't know how hateful that William Carter is. If it weren't for the fact that both our families are members of the same organization and secretly do business together, and our clansmen forbid us from fighting each other, I would have taught him a harsh lesson long ago.”

The Xia family was originally a major martial clan in Xia'an Prefecture, representing the influence of the famous Jiangnan and Huainan gang, Drizzle Pavilion, in the area. It was said that the Xia family was one of the founding families of Drizzle Pavilion, but since they hadn't produced any top experts (those who achieved the Houtian Great Cycle) in a long time, they had gradually declined. After the The Brooks Family made a name for themselves in the martial world, they quickly aligned with Drizzle Pavilion. Since the The Brooks Family had quite a few first-rate experts, Drizzle Pavilion valued them highly and entrusted the local private salt business to the Xia family and the The Brooks Family to manage together.

Taking a sip of tea and a breath, seeing Ryan Clark still smiling and listening, Lucas Brooks continued, “But these past few days, that bastard William Carter actually set me up, and while I was agitated, made a bet with me. Whoever loses has to say three times in front of Emily, 'I was wrong, I'm not a man.' Privately, the loser also has to give the winner a thousand taels of silver. The money isn't the main thing—what I fear most is losing face in front of Emily. Sigh.”

Ryan Clark, who had recently been troubled by money, was a little tempted when he heard about the thousand taels of silver at stake. But it was only a fleeting thought—he still kept his reason, so he gestured for Lucas Brooks to continue, thinking it wouldn't hurt to hear the whole story before deciding.

“Our bet this time is to go to that haunted house by the Qupei River north of the city in three days. Each of us brings two people, and we have to spend the night there. Whoever gets scared and runs out of the house first loses. Junior Brother Foster, I know your Daoist arts are extraordinary, and you're especially good at dealing with ghosts and spirits. Besides, the ghost in that house has never harmed anyone—usually it just scares people out of the house, or at most frightens them unconscious and throws them out. Junior Brother Foster, whether I win or not, after this is over, I'll pay you five hundred taels of silver as a reward.”

“Uh, Senior Brother Brooks, since when did people start saying there were ghosts there? What kind of stories are usually told?” Ryan Clark was a bit excited to hear about ghosts—this could be the first time in both his lives that he might actually see a ghost. Although he knew that now he was on the path of cultivation, in the future he would probably often hear about and see ghosts, monsters, and demons, it was still a novel experience for him. Old Brooks's teaching to Brian Foster had always been that cultivation was the foundation, and exorcising ghosts and evil was just a minor detail, so he had never taken Brian Foster to actually deal with ghosts before.

Of course, excitement aside, he still needed to find out all the rumors about this ghost, so he could accurately assess its strength. Otherwise, if he got too excited and went to exorcise the ghost only to be exorcised himself, that would be a real joke.