The Not-So-Haunted Warehouse, Yum!

You mean that warehouse over in the corner of EverSpring? Mr Tianlan rented it as a storehouse some time ago. Why bring it up now?

Mr Tianlan hasn't returned since he last set sail. The batch of incense he bought beforehand has been sitting in that warehouse for months.

I don't quite follow. If the goods are simply sitting there, then let them sit, the rent's paid through next year. What's the harm?

That's not the issue, Miss Wangchun. Everyone in EverSpring's saying the place is haunted!

Wh, What!?

Some clerks went in to check the stock, but the moment they stepped inside, they felt dizzy. Before they knew it, they'd already wandered back out without ever seeing the goods.

Others still didn't believe it, so they sent in a few bolder hands, only for every one of them to be gently guided back outside, as though by unseen forces.

I see. No one's been harmed, but it's trouble nonetheless. Very well, I'll arrange for someone to inspect it as soon as I can.

Hey, Little Minion... doesn't this place feel kinda weird to you?

Not really. You're probably just imagining things.

You think so? But it's definitely colder here than the rest of EverSpring... and I keep hearing these strange little noises...

If you're that curious, we can come back tonight. Too many people around to poke around properly right now.

I'd barely taken a few steps inside when I thought, hang on... why do these crates look so familiar? So I kept one hand on the wall and felt my way along. And guess what happened next?

Out with it already. Don't leave us hanging.

Yeah! You're the only one who actually made it inside that creepy warehouse. Come on, spill it.

You young lads have no patience. Fine, listen carefully then, I kept my hand on the wall, felt along the crates, and shuffled forward bit by bit.

I had a candle in my hand, right? Suddenly I'm thinking, huh? Why's the flame wobbling like that? There wasn't even a breeze in there. Then, just as my mind wandered for a moment...

Waaah!

Idiot! What are you shrieking for? It wasn't scary until you yelled and made me jump! Go on!

The candle... went out~!

Uwaaaah!

Uwaaaah!

Ha! You totally jumped as well!

I was scared by you! Anyway, what happened after that?

After that... with no candle I couldn't see a thing, so I just felt my way back the same route. Funny thing is, going back was strangely easy, not a single hitch.

Sounds like that place really is a bit uncanny... Nothing followed you back, right? Best go pay your respects to Lord Argent, just in case.

That's horrible... I walk past that warehouse every day on my way home. If something follows me home too... aaah!

Haunted? In Huaxu, ghosts are all just Wishen, aren't they? So... is it a Wishen messing with people in there?

Ghosts or no ghosts, Mr Tianlan left that warehouse in our care. That means he trusts us to handle whatever comes our way!

Enough talking. Tonight the three of us go in together and clear out whatever's hiding in there! What do you say?

...

...

Oi, why so quiet? Cat got your tongues?

Hey! What's with you lot? What did Mr Tianlan tell us before he left? Are you really going to let him down?

I've already been there... It's your turn...

I, I really don't have the nerve to go...

Fine! Suit yourselves! If none of you dare go, I'll find someone else! Don't tell me I can't find two people with a bit of backbone in all of Huaxu!

Hey... you two! Outlanders, you're coming with me tonight. How about it?

Huh!? We were just watching. How did we suddenly get dragged into this?

What, scared already? I thought the pair of you were proper warriors, but it turns out you're just as cowardly as these two idiots!

Who are you calling cowardly! It's only a Wishen. Little Minion and I have dealt with more of them than we can count! Just don't pass out and slow us down!

That's more like it! Knew you had some guts! Then it's settled, tonight at the warehouse door. Right... we'll need a watchword. Let's use the most famous line of all!

The most famous line? Testing me, are you? Hmph. The Demon King knows everything. Tonight it is, you'd better show up!

(Why does she even know that...?)

After listening to Wangchun and the others last time, I went and asked Lunocarp. If she got her facts straight... this should be the haunted warehouse!

If it's causing trouble for EverSpring, we'll deal with it! Phoxhunters' after-sales service, we never let a client down!

Is this the place we walked past earlier?

Mmm... I left a stone by the door as a marker... Yup! This is the one!

Then let's head in and see what we find.

Mm-hmm! Let's go!

There you are. The watchword?

Huh?

Forgotten already? Royal Noctar Brew...

Two-eighty a pot!

That's the most famous line?

Ha~ Little Minion, you know far too little about Huaxu. Not like your Demon King, who knows everything before it even happens!

You pestered Lunocarp into teaching you that, didn't you?

How did you know!?

Haha. Before you got here, I'd already done a couple of laps round this place. Didn't see anything weird, just a bit more moss on the eaves, that's all. Once you're ready, we'll head in.

Alright, let's go.

That's the spirit. Knew I picked the right people. Let me just, huh?

Wait... don't tell me... I forgot the key...

You're so careless! How are we meant to get in now?

Gaah...!! It's actually haunted!

Wait, what? He's the one who dragged us into this, and he ran off before we even got inside? After how he acted at the docks today, I really thought he had guts!

Think about it, Snow. If he were really that brave, he wouldn't need other people to tag along.

Huh... fair point. You really are sharp, Little Minion. So what now, do we still go in?

Guess it's my turn to show I do know Huaxu. There's a saying around here, we're already here, so we might as well.

Why are there Wishen wandering all over the place...? It feels like they're guarding something deeper inside.

These marks on the floor... (sniff sniff)... smells nice. Is this incense? Why's it spilled everywhere, did the Wishen do this?

Given how cautious they are, getting spotted likely leads to serious trouble. We should move carefully.

Snow, down. Quick.

More incense... looks like it's forming a trail further in. Oh! And a whole crowd of Wishen up ahead!

Why's that one floating back and forth like that...? How about we sprint past before it spots us?

Aha! Gotcha! Be good and surrender, you little thief!

Chirp?

Lord Geniemon! Hmph Shen shall shield you at once! What brazen wretches dare creep so near to our lord?

Ha Shen shall stand with you as well!

Chirp, chirp~

No, no, that's just a regular Geniemon. Since when did it get promoted to "Lord Geniemon"?

Silence! Can you not feel the wind stirring through the air? That is Lord Geniemon's might made plain!

Oh, please. It's just a Geniemon with a bit of anemo magic. Out with it, why are you lurking in someone else's warehouse, trying to scare people into thinking it's haunted?

Chirp, chirp! Peep, peep!

Lord Geniemon says this place lies under their dominion. You are to depart at once, lest you force our hand, and matters turn... unpleasant!

"Unpleasant"...? You sure about that?

Peep...

L, Lord Geniemon!? Why bid us withdraw rather than strike?

Could it be... these two command power surpassing even our noble lord? Has Ha Shen been blind to such might!?

Chirp, chirp~

Lord Geniemon says that, in the land they hailed from, they caught a most enticing fragrance and, entranced, followed it all the way aboard a vessel...

So this little thing stowed away on one of the Starweavers' ships and snuck into Huaxu!

Chirp... Peep, peep, peep!

Lord Geniemon says the incense here is pleasant, strangers seldom come, no scary Geniemon hunters stalk these grounds, and friendly Wishen linger nearby to keep them safe.

Ah, I get it, so this "haunting" was just you wanting the place to yourself, teaming up with the Wishen to scare people off.

(sniff sniff)... Ah! This incense smells just like the treats we feed Geniemons! No wonder it's been sitting here and refusing to move.

EverSpring already knows about your little "haunting" act. Give it a few days and someone will be along to catch you.

Chirp... Peep...

What!? Lord Geniemon, you would have us leave... and face this peril alone!?

No! We stand with our lord in life and in death... oh. Wait. We're already dead, aren't we...?

Alright, enough with the mushy drama. Pack up and clear out of here.

Chirp~

As for you...

You've got two options. One: keep wandering around Huaxu until you manage to sneak onto a ship home. And the other...

I've got some Yum Treats too. How about sticking with me from now on?

Peep...

Peep!

Looks like it's agreed to come with us~

Lord Geniemon, our meeting must have been fate. If you choose to depart today, then we, too, should take our leave. Only... remember us, that is all we ask. Visit when time allows!

My lord... (sob) Please don't forget us. Without you, we won't even know who to talk to anymore...

Peep, peep...

Whew~ Finally got those two Wishens on their way. Who would've thought they'd be so loyal and sentimental... Now...

Little Minion, did you bring any Yum Treats? Go on, try feeding this Geniemon!

You mean that warehouse over in the corner of EverSpring? Mr Tianlan rented it as a storehouse some time ago. Why bring it up now?