Otherworldly Merchant

“Right!” The old man said, “That year, your grandfather and I worked together many times, taking on some very incredible jobs. Anyway, your grandfather wasn’t a low-key person. That’s why he died so young. The only reason I could survive up till now is my humble way of living. Haiz! And yet, now I feel as if I would rather be dead than alive...”

I suddenly remembered one thing. Among the belongings my grandpa had left me, there was a photo album. In that album, a large portion of the photos inside included my grandpa and a young man. 

At that time, my grandpa was pretty young and enthusiastic. With how he presented himself and what he wore, he looked like a rich, youthful individual. 

The other person was even more well-dressed than my grandpa. In fact, after looking at this old man again, I felt that both men bore some resemblance to one another.

Could this old man be the young man in those photos? 

I couldn’t believe it. If this was true, such a change was shocking.

The old man smiled, “So? Do you now recognize my familiar face?”

When he asked this, I was sure my hunch had been true. This dirty, wrinkled old man was that vibrant person in my grandpa’s photos. 

I looked at him disbelievingly, unable to find my voice for quite a long time. 

“There’s no reason to be surprised.” The old man stated frankly. “In fact, my wealth is enough to buy ten towns such as this. I have a lot of money, but I can’t afford to spend it. Working in this business, one must have such wisdom. It’s good to stop early.”

I gulped, looking at him. “Sir, what do you need help with?”

“It’s simple,” the old man answered. “I’m giving you an opportunity.”

“What is it?” I looked at him, clueless. 

“My grandson is dead.” The old man’s emotionless face finally changed. “You must help me take revenge.”

“Revenge? Your grandson?” I was startled. “One of the two who died at the graveyard was your grandson?”

“Indeed,” the old man said. “The first person to die there was my grandson. That otherworldly item killed him…”

I couldn’t believe it. “Who are you kidding? That kid looked exactly like any other rich guy. If your family is that wealthy, why would you have to stay in this shabby lodge?”

The old man sneered. “Little kid, didn’t you listen to me? I told you, my money is enough to buy ten towns like this. I’m here because I need to lay low.”

I took a deep breath. It seemed the old man wasn’t just shamelessly boasting. 

Yet, what was he scared of to make him hide here? 

I tried to suppress my emotions and clear my head to analyze what the old man had told me. 

“Okay.” The old man sighed. “My grandson is dead, and it’s somewhat my fault, but I can’t do anything about it. Once I take action, my life will be over. That’s why only you can help me!”

I kept pestering, and eventually the old man told me the details all the way from the beginning. 

The grandson’s family had established their business in a few nearby cities with the investment from the old man’s wealth, choosing to work in the antique business. 

The old man understood it better than anybody that there wouldn’t be any major profits if his family stayed in this business. Thus, he didn’t want his grandson and children to get involved with otherworldly items trading. 

However, perhaps because it ran down in the family, the old man’s grandson had a special interest in otherworldly items, and he was really talented on top of that. As he had shown an immense interest in his grandfather’s old stories, he devoted himself to becoming an otherworldly merchant. 

The old man was helpless, and he had no choice but to agree with his grandson. He also informed the young man that there was an otherworldly item located in the remote graveyard of this town. 

The old man knew that the otherworldly item located in the grave was really evil. He had continuously warned his grandson that, before he had mastered the necessary skills, he shouldn’t take the risk and dig up that grave. 

However, young people these days were all reckless. To seek a thrill, he went and dug up the grave without taking the proper precautions. 

The consequence was clear. He had provoked the otherworldly item, and he was frozen to death. 

When the old man arrived at the scene, he accidentally saw the three of us. 

The old man recognized me. The community of otherworldly item trading wasn’t very notable. Counting back several generations, one could link everything to the same teacher. 

As the old man couldn’t take action himself, he’d planned to utilize us. After finding us, he proceeded to stalk us to the small hotel and left his phone number. 

I took a deep breath and thought about the whole situation. “Anyway, why do we want to deal with that otherworldly item? Could we not just bury it right back in the grave? Do you really want to make other people take revenge for your grandson? I’m sorry, sir. I haven’t mastered my skills, so I can’t help you end this grudge.”

The old man sneered. “You think I expect you to help? Even if we had ten guys like you present, it would not be enough to deal with that golden quilt! I just want you to help the evil spirit dwelling in that quilt ascend. I’ve done bad things for my whole life, I guess I should do something good to atone for my sins. Or else, when I go to Hell, I’d be dipped in a boiling oil wok.”

“Besides, do you think that everything would be fixed if we buried the golden quilt? You’re too naïve. The evil spirit residing in the golden quilt has been awakened, and I’m sure it would keep hunting for more prey. The second death is a good example of that,” explained the old man. 

I smacked my tongue. “I understand.”

I asked the old man, “How much do you know about that quilt? The more we know about it, the easier it will be to get the job done.”

The old man shook his head reluctantly. “I haven’t had any direct encounters with that quilt, so I don’t really know the answer to your question. Anyway, from the conditions of the bodies, I assume the spirit could be from a prostitute in ancient times.”

A prostitute. 

Right, how could I not think of that? I immediately felt enlightened. 

Who would hate the rich and noble that much? What person would feel so cold to the point where even a quilt couldn’t warm their cold heart? Of course, it had to be a prostitute. 

This was especially true of prostitutes from the late Ming Dynasty and early Qing Dynasty. In those cases, this situation would be the most serious. 

In that era, officials encouraged prostitution. Whenever a man’s house was investigated, his wife and daughters could be put in a whore house. The poor, out of their hunger and poverty, would sometimes sell their daughters to brothels. 

That was how the place famous for its fragrant beauties was formed: Qinhuai River. 

Qinhuai River had prostitution houses and even flowery ships cruising alongside the river and almost everywhere surrounding it. This place gathered all the best prostitutes in the country. It also happened to be the favorite gathering place of the boys from the noble and rich families. It wasn’t hard to imagine how much stories of hate and love had been generated there… 

The prostitutes had their dignity, but life had forced their hand and made them decide to sell their bodies. 

However, in their hearts, they had always yearned for love and happiness. 

So many men had used their sweet words to deceive these women, disappearing after they got what they wanted from the prostitutes. 

The moment their hearts were shattered into pieces, the prostitutes could only gaze upon the golden silk quilt left upon the bed where they had such intimate moments with their lovers, their tears washing their faces…

Then, they dried their tears and got in the bed with another man. 

Their love and their resentment had all accumulated in the quilts on their beds. 

It was no wonder that this sort of quilt had turned into some otherworldly item! 

The old man looked at me in surprise. “Young man, you feel bad for those prostitutes, don’t you?”

As the old man hit my soft spot, I felt a bit abashed and waved my hands. “No, no. Sir, it’s better that you tell me your plan now!”