(The new book recommendation will be available on the 5th, that is, Sunday...
Blame myself for delaying the signing procedures, so I'm still running naked...)
Chapter Seventeen [A Supernatural Ceremony] (Happy New Year 2025!)
"Hmm, sir, what's your surname? How should I address you?", Chen Yan was quite polite, but also somewhat curious—he didn't know what his peers in the city were like, having never dealt with them before.
The middle-aged man with white hair assumed a posture and slowly smiled: "Young man, since you are President Fang's tenant and have some connection to this house, just call me Uncle Qing like Assistant Yan."
When the middle-aged man with white hair said this, Chen Yan felt very awkward.
It was the kind of tone that carried an air: I'm very impressive, I usually wouldn't acknowledge you, but I'm approachable, so I'll eat a loss and allow you to call me uncle.
Hmm, that was basically the feeling one got.
But... Chen Yan wasn't happy.
"Sorry, I don't have many family members, no uncles or aunts, so I haven't called anyone uncle since I was a kid," Chen Yan said blandly.
He didn't know who his biological father was, where would an uncle come from?
Hmm, this was a point in Chen Yan's personality that might make some people feel awkward.
He always thought it was right to show etiquette and politeness to strangers.
To strangers, you say "sir" or "madam", and to older people, you call them "old gentleman" or "old lady"...
But, calling someone uncle, uncle, aunt, grandpa, grandma, that's not something he liked to do lightly.
If you're my family relative, then calling you uncle or aunt is fine.
If we have a relationship, you've helped me or looked after me, and you're older than me, calling you uncle or aunt as a token of respect is justified!
Or if you're highly respected, like that person who invented the hybrid rice, bowing and calling him grandpa, Chen Yan would be willing—even feeling he wasn't qualified enough.
But otherwise... if you're just a stranger?
Just because you're ten or twenty years older, and you come to my home, sit down and expect me to call you uncle?
Who do you think you are?
Just because you're older, you expect every younger person to call you uncle?
Go tell Principal Wang, and see if he'll accept your "approachable" offer to call him uncle.
Does he have the face to say that?
—You could say on this point Chen Yan is a bit pretentious, a bit quirky.
But there's nothing to do, that's just his temperament.
The middle-aged man with white hair was somewhat embarrassed upon hearing this, seemingly not expecting this young man to be so blunt, he cleared his throat, his composed demeanor cracking a bit, then muttered:
"Uncle Qing is an expert, his dojo is at Qixia Mountain North of the River, he is the Pavilion Master of Luoyun House," Assistant Yan quickly supplemented, seeing the situation being a bit awkward.
Chen Yan's face remained unmoved.
On a smaller scale, whatever Luoyun House, even if you were a Celestial Master from Dragon Tiger Mountain, it wouldn't matter to me.
This is the house I rented, this is my home. If there's any connection, it's that this Assistant Yan is related to the landlord, and Chen Yan deals with him. This Luo person is just a stranger.
On a larger scale, whatever Luoyun House, could it compare to my grandma?
Can you make the deities Black and White bow to you?
"Hmm, so Mr. Luo, what instructions do you have?" Chen Yan asked the middle-aged man with white hair indifferently—thinking he should be named Luo Qing.
Luo Qing, having just been put off by Chen Yan, now showed a cold face, saying coldly: "You should know about the case that happened in this house."
"Hmm, although I don't understand the specifics, I've heard about it," Chen Yan nodded, his tone very calm.
"A murder occurred in this house, so President Fang hired me to perform several supernatural ceremonies. Exorcising evil and warding off malice... you wouldn't understand as a young man. In short, after the ceremony, this house can be safely inhabited long-term, dispelling bad luck."
Chen Yan nodded: "Then? Didn't you already perform the ceremony?"
"Prayer and exorcism, such supernatural ceremonies are very complicated, one session isn't enough. So... young man, you're not in this profession, you wouldn't understand. In short, President Fang's intention is to conduct another ceremony here.
It's the end of the year, let's drive away evil and bad luck again, as this house has had such a case with persistent evil, if not eradicated, you won't feel secure living here," Luo Qing tried to scare Chen Yan with his words at the end.
When he first moved in, he used his Celestial Eye Qi Observation Skill to thoroughly inspect the house inside and out.
He also used a compass to check the Feng Shui.
Moreover, he meticulously calculated using the Destiny Cycle.
This house has no problems at all.
Chen Yan no longer paid attention to Luo Qing, looking at Assistant Yan: "Understood, you mean to perform another ceremony in this house?"
Assistant Yan nodded: "Yes, that's the intention."
Chen Yan thought for a while... it didn't seem like a big deal, he could also see how his peers in the city conducted their ceremonies.
However, Chen Yan's pondering made Assistant Yan misunderstand.
He quickly said: "We understand, you've just moved in, and we come for such matters, it's certainly unpleasant and unsettling. As compensation, we can waive one month's rent for you... you can deduct this amount in your next semi-annual rent."