Zhi Baichuan never imagined that even he, the undisputed top genius, would be looked down on by someone. Oh, not someone: a ghost.
In the tenth year of the Tiande era, the realm of ghosts had clearly established its boundaries with the human realm. Neither side intruded on the other, and ghosts with profound cultivation rarely stayed long in the human world. Zhi Baichuan, a once-in-a-century genius, enters the foremost sect and then... gets mercilessly mocked by a ghost on the road.
The ghost says it’s very unhappy to see Zhi Baichuan, then declares: “So this is what a human genius looks like?”
Unable to beat it, Zhi Baichuan puts up with it for now.
Knowing that only Zhi Baichuan can see him, the ghost takes the liberty of starting one-sided conversations. Zhi Baichuan’s response: I’m deaf.
The ghost is shocked. “So you can talk after all?”
Zhi Baichuan: ?
Whatever. I’ll put up with it.
Later, the ghost tries all kinds of tricks to get Zhi Baichuan to talk. Zhi Baichuan: Deaf, blind, and mute. Do not disturb.
So the ghost diligently flies around by his ear, calling him every name under the sun.
Ghost: Darling, sweetheart, Zhizhi, Baibai, little Chuan...
Zhi Baichuan feels a chill of disgust.
Zhi Baichuan: I take it you’ve eaten your fill?
Ghost: I’m so glad you’re worried about me...
Zhi Baichuan: Otherwise, why would you have nothing better to do?
Ghost: ...
Ghost: I was wrong. You’re the greatest genius under heaven. Could you please pay attention to me?
Zhi Baichuan tells him to watch his words, then kindly advises him: “You’re a hundred-year-old baby. Please don’t talk.”
Ghost: I can be ten years old too.
Zhi Baichuan, embarrassed: I don’t want to get shocked.
The ghost flies into a rage and, in his fury... makes Zhi Baichuan’s favorite food.
Content warning: Because of the author’s worldbuilding, humans and ghosts reach adulthood at different ages. The main couple have an age gap of roughly 100 years or more, though the gong hasn’t really been alive for over a hundred years.
Theme: Be humble.
