CMWKSD -Chapter 90 The Ghost Story in the Abandoned Temple

Although more people were traveling now, the journey was still unbearably boring.

The snow made the carriage move even slower, and Jiu Yue kept sighing all the way.

Traveling far in ancient times really wasn’t easy!

No wonder those high-society ladies never left their homes—given these conditions, why would anyone go out? Better to just stay home and grow mushrooms.

As night fell, the group couldn’t find a place to stay. Along the roadside, a run-down abandoned temple appeared once again.

Jiu Yue rolled her eyes; she had stayed in several ruined temples already.

These dilapidated temples were everywhere!

Resigned, she followed the others into the temple.

The Shen family soldiers immediately sprang into action, tidying up the broken-down temple efficiently.

To be fair, ever since the Shen soldiers joined, the Ji family brothers had far less work to do.

Sometimes, Shen Zongnian would watch the Ji brothers busily setting up tents and preparing food, while Master Jiu Yue sat on the side like a lord, occasionally throwing in a comment or two.

At first, it was novel, but over time, everyone got used to it and just followed along.

It almost felt like everyone was serving Jiu Yue.

And Jiu Yue…

She was enjoying it immensely.

Today, they stopped earlier than usual. No one could be certain they wouldn’t have to stay in a ruined temple again if they went further ahead.

Dinner wasn’t late, but going straight to bed now felt a little dull.

Jiu Yue glanced around. She saw three or four small fire pits with people sitting scattered around, bored out of their minds.

Her eyes lit up as she looked at the chubby little Ji Weizhou, happily munching on a sesame cake.

“Fifth brother, shall I tell you a story about a scholar rushing to take his exams?”

Everyone’s attention immediately turned to her.

Ji Weizhou shivered at Jiu Yue’s mischievous look—it smelled of mischief.

“Second sister-in-law, can I choose not to listen?” he asked pitifully.

Jiu Yue tilted her head, smiling faintly. “Brother, what do you think?”

Ji Weizhou sniffled, swallowed the almost-choking cake, and enthusiastically clapped his hands. “A story told by Second Sister-in-law must be enthralling, unforgettable. To hear you tell it is my greatest fortune in three lifetimes!”

Jiu Yue waved her hand dramatically. “You flatter me so much, I almost feel embarrassed to tell a ghost story.”

But of course, that was impossible…

“Strong winds whipped up the swirling yellow dust, and suddenly the sky darkened. Scholar Ning Caichen, traveling on the road, was momentarily terrified. If one had to rest outside in such weather, who knew what might happen?”

“Ning Caichen quickened his pace, hoping to find a place to stay safely.”

“Turning onto a small path, Ning Caichen’s face brightened. At the end of the path appeared a ruined temple. He hurried forward and saw a stone stele inscribed: Lanruo Temple…”

Jiu Yue intentionally lowered her voice as she spoke. At first, no one paid much attention. But as she continued, the story grew more immersive.

That feeling of stumbling upon an abandoned temple in the wilderness—it mirrored their current situation almost exactly.

Yet everyone didn’t think much of it.

Jiu Yue noticed their expressions, and even the Shen soldiers gathered around, drawn by her storytelling. A group of people huddled near the fire, eyes fixed on her.

Ji Weizhou even forgot to eat his cake.

Then Jiu Yue continued the story, describing the beauty, Xiao Qian, inside the deserted temple.

All the men’s faces flushed—they were talking about a beautiful woman, after all.

To meet such a beauty in the countryside was a rare stroke of luck. Everyone assumed the plot would follow the typical route: the scholar and the beauty instantly fall in love and confess their feelings.

But Jiu Yue’s voice grew darker, slower, as she described Xiao Qian’s increasingly eerie behavior.

The Ji brothers’ expressions shifted. Something about this felt… ominous.

Was this really a romantic tale? Would it really end with a passionate night between Ning Caichen and Xiao Qian?

Clearly not.

Jiu Yue’s story took a sharp turn: both the old woman and Xiao Qian were ghosts, seeking Ning Caichen’s yang energy.

Moreover, Jiu Yue, having seen enough corpses, described in chilling detail how Xiao Qian and her companion lured villagers to their deaths.

Everyone’s hearts jumped.

Bang! The door was blown open by the wind. Screams erupted as people scattered in all directions.

Jiu Yue didn’t spare anyone—she raised her voice over the chaos.

Ji Weizhou grabbed Ji Chaomian tightly. “Big brother!”

Seeing everyone’s terrified faces, Jiu Yue laughed heartily.

Ancient people’s fear of spirits was far stronger than a modern person like her.

Especially now—the temple door was blown open, but no one dared close it, afraid they might encounter the Black Mountain Granny.

The group huddled together, trembling.

Fun achieved, Jiu Yue no longer felt bored.

But the many men were scared half to death.

Especially the Ji brothers—they were scholars rushing to exams!

Ji Weizhou sniffled. “Second sister-in-law, is this true or not?”

Jiu Yue leaned in, the flickering fire casting shadows on her face, her voice deliberately deep and ominous: “Guess.”

Ji Weizhou screamed and dove into Ji Chaomian’s arms. “Big brother, save me!”

Because of Jiu Yue’s story, that night the tents were unusually crowded.

Jiu Yue and Ji Yiqing shared one tent; other tents were packed with several people each.

Several tents remained empty.

Shen Zongnian, after all, was a young general, so his soldiers could not share his tent.

But seeing the broken door banging in the wind and hearing the howling wind outside, Shen Zongnian, undefeated on the battlefield, wrapped himself in a blanket and stood outside Ji Chaomian and Ji Weizhou’s tent.

“Ji Gongzi, tonight is cold. Would it be possible to share your tent? A few people together would be warmer.”

Realizing it was unworthy of a general to admit fear, he added, “We’re used to sleeping together on the march. It’s nothing.”

Ji Chaomian blinked. Well, he was a bit scared too. He stepped aside. “Young General, if you don’t mind, you’re welcome.”

Shen Zongnian tossed his blanket inside, fearing they would change their mind. “Not at all, not at all.”

He squeezed in between Ji Chaomian and Ji Weizhou.

“You, sister-in-law, is truly quite amusing.”

He absolutely would not admit he had been scared by Jiu Yue’s ghost story.

Ji Weizhou and Ji Chaomian were silent. Amusing? Sure, the kind of amusing that could get you killed.

They couldn’t contradict their sister-in-law, so they forced a laugh. “The Young General speaks wisely.”

Ji Yiqing nearly tangled herself around Jiu Yue, as if wanting to crawl into her arms for warmth.

Jiu Yue, tangled up by him, protested: “What are you doing?”

Ji Yiqing paused awkwardly. “It’s warmer this way.”

“Warmer, my foot!”