Volume One: The Soul-Guiding Gourd and the Flame of the Spirit Lamp Chapter Seventeen: The Immortal Maiden in the Painting

Time flew by, and before he knew it, midnight had arrived. Gu Mo, wrapped in the cool embrace of night, walked along the road to the Fragrant Candle Shop, carrying a large bag of snacks under the starry sky.

The air was thick with the chill unique to the darkness. Gu Mo’s expression was gloomy as he made his way, yet the King of Hell who possessed him was all smiles and laughter.

With a sudden gust, Jiang Jingxue, the King of Hell, floated out from Gu Mo’s body, her laughter like silver bells echoing in the night.

"My little assistant, why are you so downcast?"

Gu Mo forced a bitter smile.

"I was supposed to go to the building materials market to buy a new door, but you spotted the food plaza instead. Not even eight oxen could drag you away! Now my stomach is full of all sorts of snacks—how could I possibly feel happy?"

Jiang Jingxue just smiled, paying no mind to such trivialities.

As they spoke, Gu Mo looked up and noticed a suspicious figure lurking at the entrance of the candle shop.

He paused in surprise, thinking, ‘Well, isn’t that something—a thief causing trouble!’

At the same time, Jiang Jingxue’s voice reached his ear.

"My little assistant, this—"

Before she could finish, Gu Mo whispered,

"I know!"

With his words barely spoken, he held his breath, crouched low, and crept forward.

Just as Gu Mo prepared to kick out, the shadowy figure opened the wooden door of the candle shop.

In a flash, a paper figure with blush painted on its cheeks leapt out, startling the intruder so badly that he collapsed backward on the ground, shrieking like a frightened pig.

"Mother of God—there’s a ghost! Help!"

Gu Mo smirked wickedly and pressed his foot onto the thief’s shoulder.

Instantly, cold sweat broke out over the intruder’s body.

Still trembling, the shadow clung desperately to Gu Mo’s ankle with mud-caked hands. Gu Mo increased the pressure, making the thief howl in pain.

"Ouch—let go! It hurts!"

Gu Mo’s smirk deepened.

"You’re so broke you’re resorting to stealing from a candle shop?"

The thief grimaced and pleaded,

"Brother, I’m the one who bought incense and offerings here earlier today. Please, take your foot off!"

Gu Mo glanced at him, half skeptical, and eased his foot away.

"You bought offerings during the day—why are you here again at night?"

The figure on the ground forced a bitter smile, moving the paper figure off his body.

"Brother, something dirty followed me!"

Gu Mo was taken aback, murmuring,

"A spirit from a painting?"

The man sat up, shivering as though electrified.

"You know about that thing?"

A mysterious smile played on Gu Mo’s lips.

"If you’re being haunted, why come to my shop? Aren’t there fortune-tellers nearby?"

---

The man, who looked about fifty, gave a bitter smile.

"Brother, there’s a famous old lady in Niulou Village nearby. I just came from her. She said the old master at the candle shop could help me…"

Gu Mo was puzzled. ‘The old lady from Niulou Village? How does she know about the candle shop? Could she be referring to my grandfather?’

After a sigh, the old man began recounting his strange experience.

"My name is Li Gang. I’m only thirty. About a month ago, I came across an astonishing ancient painting at an antique stall by the overpass.

The moment I unrolled it, the beauty depicted in ancient dress took my breath away!

The craftsmanship was exquisitely detailed.

A graceful woman, clad in flowing red gauze, stood beneath blossoming peach trees, holding an oil-paper umbrella. Her delicate face was beyond description—truly a peerless beauty. Words like ‘drop-dead gorgeous’ don’t even suffice!

Most striking of all, the beauty’s head dipped as she turned, her pink cheeks filled with sorrow. Her eyelashes and hair were so finely drawn they seemed alive. No man could resist such allure!

As I admired the painting, the beauty in it actually winked at me.

I was nearly scared out of my wits, but a seductive voice in my head urged me to buy it.

The stall owner at first refused to sell, but I offered three hundred thousand, and he relented.

At home, I eagerly unrolled the painting to admire it more. Unconsciously, my mind grew hazy and I fell asleep.

Then…"

Li Gang’s face twisted into a lewd smile, hinting at secrets.

Sllurp—

He wiped the drool from his mouth and continued.

"From that night on, I dreamed every night of a grand manor. The ethereal beauty wasted no time—she pushed me onto the bed, and soon we were entwined in passion… hehehe—"

Gu Mo understood at once: the spirit in the painting was draining Li Gang’s vitality.

Otherwise, how could a thirty-year-old look so aged?

Gu Mo cleared his throat and asked, eyeing Li Gang’s cloudy gaze.

"And then?"

Li Gang shuddered, his body exuding a foul stench.

"For days, it was always like this. I used to own a seafood shop, but I became obsessed, neglecting my business, living in drunken dreams. Until a few nights ago…"

Li Gang trembled again, as though what followed was deeply unsettling.

"In the dream, I was with the ‘painting spirit’ as usual. After our passion, she began to sob softly in my arms.

Curious, I asked what was wrong.

Through her tears, she said she’d soon vanish.

Alarmed, I asked what to do.

The painting spirit told me to drip fresh blood onto the painting so she could remain for a while.

In a moment of impulse, I agreed. When I woke, I did as she asked, dripping blood onto the scroll. After that, the beauty became even more alluring. Strangely, the peach blossoms in the painting began to bloom!

Every night, I met the painting spirit in my dreams.

Yesterday, she told me she was about to return to the world by possessing a body. All I needed was to buy incense and offerings, drip blood onto the painting, and we could be together forever.

Blinded by desire, I thought I’d lucked out with a wife, so I bought offerings from your shop.

After preparing everything, I lit the incense and candles, then sliced open my finger.

That’s when—"

Li Gang shuddered again; his white hair stood on end, even his arm hairs bristling.

"Suddenly, a disheveled head emerged from the painting and bit my finger, sucking my blood."

---

"I was terrified—I kicked the head and ran straight to Niulou Village.

There, Granny Niu told me to find Master Gu at the candle shop."

Li Gang showed Gu Mo his bitten finger as proof.

Gu Mo was now filled with questions.

‘First there was Daoist Xiao, now this Granny Niu from Niulou Village. It’s as if they all know me.’

After a moment’s thought, Gu Mo sighed.

Li Gang slumped in despair.

"Brother, am I beyond saving?"

Gu Mo, regaining his composure, smiled at Li Gang.

"Lust is a dangerous thing. You managed to spend a night with the painting spirit—that’s impressive!"

Li Gang managed a weak smile and offered Gu Mo a cigarette.

They lit up and chatted amid the smoke.

"Brother, what should I do with that thing? I’m still scared to death."

Gu Mo inhaled deeply, exhaling a cloud.

"Honestly, if my grandfather were here, dealing with that evil spirit would be no trouble. But he just passed away, and I’m only half-trained."

Li Gang seemed resigned, gazing at the desolate night, visibly older in that instant.

Gu Mo stood and spoke calmly.

"But I can go with you to take a look. Don’t get your hopes up too high."

Li Gang, desperate, seized on this like a lifeline. A spark of fighting spirit lit his dull eyes.

"Really, brother? You’d come with me?"

Gu Mo nodded quietly, though Jiang Jingxue’s voice echoed in his mind.

"My little assistant, there’s an ancient oil lamp under your counter. Don’t forget to take it!"

Gu Mo entered the shop and searched beneath the counter.

Sure enough, he found a pitch-black, ancient oil lamp. Its shape was simple, without dragon or phoenix motifs. It felt cold to the touch, but otherwise unremarkable.

Gu Mo couldn’t believe it was some mystical artifact.

Yet both his grandfather and Jiang Jingxue claimed it was precious, so he carefully packed it away—losing it would be a disaster.

After tidying up, he pressed the paper figure against the closed door.

Li Gang, still shaken, broke out in cold sweat.

"Brother, why put the paper figure by the door? Opening it nearly scared me to death!"

Gu Mo smirked.

"No choice—I haven’t fixed the door yet, so I’ll make do for now."

With that, he followed Li Gang to the scene.

After half an hour’s walk, Gu Mo reached a secluded grove. The trees were lush, the air fresh.

Advancing a few more steps, Gu Mo and Li Gang saw an incense burner and spent red-and-white candles on the ground.

A cold wind blew, moonlight flickered, and there stood the female ghost in red gauze, her hair wild and loose…