Chapter 42: A Major Transformation of the Haunted House

“We followed your idea and plan to divide this ominous mansion into two parts, separating the front and rear courtyards with a high wall. The only entrance will be through the main hall of the main building, so we are going to create the most comprehensive design for this area.

Look, this is our blueprint for the main building. We intend to build three stories above ground in the style of the Yellow Crane Tower, and excavate one subterranean level beneath. All the malevolent and eerie energies within the house will be channeled here, then redirected and dispersed into two side wings built along the left and right walls.

These two side wings will serve as external chambers, backed up against the red walls. Each wing will have two stories above ground and one below, with twenty rooms per floor. The guided malevolent energy can then provide nourishment to spirits or demons wishing to reside here.

Near the main gate, we’ll construct a row of single-story houses, all facing backward. These will serve as gatehouses, kitchens for the front courtyard, and quarters for some outer servants.

Behind the high wall, there will be another row of backward-facing houses for the inner servants’ quarters, as well as the inner courtyard kitchen. Further back are the inner side chambers and the main inner rooms.

Since all the mansion’s feng shui flows toward the main building, I haven’t built the inner chambers too high, to avoid disrupting the energy—each is just one story above and one below ground.

Lastly, I’ll construct a row of rear auxiliary rooms for you, and I’ll leave the back gate in place, though it will usually be locked tight. You can open it whenever you wish.

Then, I’ll use a grid layout to partition the surplus land into thirty-six courtyards of varying sizes, arranging them with the Heavenly Gang Energy Gathering Array to absorb the essence of sun and moon.

I have also planned several extra doors for you, transforming the mansion into the Eight Gates Golden Lock Array.”

When the architect finished, the grand feng shui master stepped forward to explain his arrangements. The dried-up pond in the front yard would be utilized and a feng shui bridge constructed; in the rear courtyard, there would be a well and a garden.

Wang Liang watched intently, noticing that as the grand feng shui master gradually laid out his plans, the mansion seemed to come alive.

Next came the mechanism master and summoner.

The mechanism master designed an automatic gate and, reminiscent of what Wang Liang had seen on the sand barge, a Seven-Treasure Light Tower. Yet this master’s skill far surpassed Wei Ban’s. The Seven-Treasure Light Towers he built could automatically lock onto intruders and attack. With seven towers in total, combined with the grand feng shui master’s Eight Gates Golden Lock Array, most external threats could be deterred.

As for the energy source for the Seven-Treasure Light Towers, Wang Liang need not provide it—the malevolent energy from the mansion’s feng shui would suffice.

Each courtyard and several places in the main building had other arrangements. Wang Liang hadn’t expected that murals and street lamps would also count as mechanisms—an unexpected detail.

The summoner then began to provide the basic staff needed for Wang Liang’s mansion. First, all eight gates required guards.

The summoner said directly to Wang Liang, “It’s not impossible to assign human servants, but it’s unnecessary. Here’s my suggestion: for the main gate, I’ll summon two Stone Lions, each with five centuries of magical power—one male, one female.

The male can bite and also use a brocade ball for a meteor strike; the female can bite and summon a lion pack to charge, thus ensuring the gate’s security.

The two side gates are for entry and exit. At the entrance, I’ll assign dog spirits—the souls of deceased dogs—to guard; I’ll summon five, so outsiders cannot enter. At the exit, I’ll summon three eagle spirits to prevent anyone from stealing things out.

For the side and corner gates, used by the servants, I’ll assign locust spirits and willow spirits to keep watch, tirelessly around the clock.

At the back gate, I’ll arrange a pair of Door Gods; since the gate is normally closed, no one will notice its existence.

Additionally, I’ll summon ten black cat spirits for the mansion. They’ll clean the rooms and rid the house of snakes, insects, rats, and pests.

Is there anything else you need?”

Wang Liang thought for a moment. “A carriage for travel, and a coachman.”

No sooner had he spoken than everyone turned to look at him, and Wang Liang felt somewhat puzzled by their gaze.

“Did I say something wrong?”

“Of course not, Young Master Wang. Whatever you say is right. But you probably haven’t gotten used to being a player yet. Players’ mounts are always at their side and can be summoned at will, so most mansions don’t have stables.”

Wang Liang realized he’d made a fool of himself, and didn’t ask whether summoned horses needed to eat hay or anything—he simply nodded to accept the summoner’s arrangement.

They continued discussing, adding several smaller arrays in addition to the Eight Gates Golden Lock Array and Seven-Treasure Light Towers. Most of these minor formations were for feng shui, some for the buildings themselves.

But Wang Liang noticed that every formation had a unified requirement: whatever its function, all must be under the control of a single, central core.

That central core was the three-story main building at the heart of the mansion. Only with the main building intact could the mansion exist; otherwise, everything would be destroyed and vanish.

With everything settled, the grand feng shui master turned to Wang Liang.

“All right, now we need something that represents you, to serve as the mansion’s foundational talisman.”

“What’s required?” Wang Liang wondered, realizing he had nothing particularly suitable.

“A seal or a lock of hair—something that signifies your presence.”

Wang Liang thought seriously, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a personal seal he’d carried since before leaving for the capital exams. Even in exile, he’d kept it close.

By now, the once-plain seal had acquired a rich patina.

He took up the seal, wielded the Life-Cutting Blade, and easily sliced off the part bearing the old name.

Then, using his fingernail, he carved a new inscription at the base.

“Wang’s Dragon Seal.”

Wang Liang had skill in carving stone and metal, and after finishing the seal, he turned it over in his hand, growing increasingly satisfied.

He also felt the seal had somehow fused with him.

Handing over the freshly inscribed seal, the grand feng shui master took it and examined it.

“Dragon King’s Seal—what a bold and commanding name.”