Faced with Chu Feng's question, the Black driver was visibly embarrassed. Fortunately, his dark skin provided natural camouflage, so it wasn't noticeable.
"That was just something I made up to sell crosses. In reality, Exorcists in the United States are extremely rare. At least, I've only heard about them online."
Having anticipated this, Chu Feng wasn't too surprised. After all, according to the records in the Demon Hunter Chronicle, the awakening of Spiritual Power was actually very difficult. Perhaps not even one person in a hundred thousand might awaken it.
"Of course, I wouldn't ask you to do this for free," the driver continued. "Although he's going through a tough time financially, he's still willing to offer a reward of 5,000 US dollars to an Exorcist who can solve the problem."
The implication in the Black driver's words was clear: the emphasis was on "solving the problem." Without a solution, there would naturally be no 5,000 US dollar reward.
Chu Feng, nearly out of cash, naturally wouldn't refuse this opportunity.
Their taxi set off again, but the destination had changed.
"Chu, my friend's house is just ahead!"
The two men, having reached an agreement, exchanged names in the car. The taxi driver said his name was James. His main job was driving a taxi, but he also moonlighted peddling fake exorcism tools.
The yellow taxi stopped outside an old house in Queens. James went straight into the yard to call his friend, while Chu Feng began to size up the house.
It was a typical American wooden house, appearing to be two stories from the outside. The white exterior paint was peeling from years of neglect.
While Chu Feng was still observing his surroundings, James had already brought his friend out. The two of them stood looking in Chu Feng's direction, whispering to each other.
Just as I suspected, Chu Feng thought. The Spiritual Power around the house is much denser, but the homeowner is still alive and well. It probably hasn't turned into an Evil Spirit yet.
Sensing no malicious Spiritual Power around the house, Chu Feng was somewhat relieved. If it had been an Evil Spirit, given my current Strength, I really would have hesitated to come!
"Chu, this is my friend. You can call him Bowman."
The Black driver's friend was, naturally, also Black. Though he had the same dark complexion, Bowman's build was clearly much more robust than James's. Looking at Chu Feng, who appeared somewhat frail in comparison, skepticism flickered in Bowman's eyes. Still, clinging to hope, he extended his large right hand.
"Hello, Mister Exorcist," Bowman said. "James must have told you about the situation at my house. My family and I have been tormented for over a month. I hope you can help us!"
After a brief handshake, Chu Feng responded with a confident smile, "Mr. Bowman, I took a quick look just now. It shouldn't be a big problem; I can resolve it."
"Then I'm counting on you!" Hearing Chu Feng's words, a glimmer of hope lit up Bowman's eyes.
Without further conversation, Chu Feng walked alone towards Bowman's house. Bowman's home was currently empty. His family had temporarily fled to a friend's house as the strange incidents within grew more intense.
Just as Chu Feng opened the door and entered the house, he received an unfriendly welcome.
"Get out of my house! Damn yellow monkey!"
An ear-piercing screech resounded directly in Chu Feng's mind. Simultaneously, various items on a nearby cabinet were flung towards him by an unknown force. Fortunately, the force wasn't great, so it caused no harm.
However, the shriek in his mind clearly enraged Chu Feng.
"Yellow monkey? I see you're courting death!"
His face suddenly grew stern, his eyes flashing with a cold light, utterly devoid of warmth.
"System, open the shop."
Low-Level Spirit-Seeking Compass: Detects Bizarre occurrences below Evil Spirit Level within a fifty-meter radius.
Price: One thousand US dollars.
He selected "Purchase."
Feeling his wallet rapidly lighten, Chu Feng's anger intensified. With a flip of his palm, an exquisite, palm-sized compass appeared in his hand. Looking at the direction the compass needle pointed, Chu Feng gave a cold, mocking smile.
He turned and entered Bowman's kitchen. After scanning the kitchen, his eyes lit up. He quickly stepped forward and grabbed a jar of pure white salt. As the Spiritual Power within him surged, invisible streams of it slowly seeped from his palm, infusing the jar filled with refined salt.
Finally, after he had consumed most of his Spiritual Power, the refined white salt in the jar emitted a faint white glow before returning to stillness.
"Done!" Chu Feng muttered with satisfaction. He looked at the jar in his hand, then took out the compass, its needle still wavering.
"Just you wait! I'm coming to send you on your way!" Chu Feng revealed his stark white teeth in a grin.
The strange occurrences in Bowman's household, according to the records in the Demon Hunter Chronicle, were typical signs of a Bound Spirit's presence. These spirits were usually trapped in a specific location, unable to escape. Over long periods, they would either dissipate under the vast power of time or transform into Evil Spirits and begin to harm living beings.
Luckily, less than a year had passed since the world began to change. Otherwise, given the state of the Bound Spirit in this house, it would have inevitably become an Evil Spirit.
"What's this? Trying to play hide-and-seek with me?" Chu Feng mused as he drew closer. As he advanced, the compass needle kept shifting. It seemed the salt in his hand, now charged with Spiritual Power, was putting considerable pressure on the foul-mouthed Bound Spirit.
He gently opened a small slit in the jar, allowing the refined white salt to slowly spill onto the floor. Following Chu Feng's movements, it wasn't long before the Bound Spirit, which had just revealed its foul mouth, was sealed within a first-floor guest room. It was about to experience the "ultimate pleasure" Chu Feng had in store for it.
"Thinking of running?" Chu Feng sneered. "Can you even escape?" He watched as an illusory figure, dressed in clothes from a bygone era, suddenly appeared after he had sealed the door with salt. As it began to frantically crash around the room, Chu Feng's lips curled into a smirk.
He tossed the remaining quarter of the refined salt from the jar into the room, forcing the Bound Spirit into a corner.
"Exorcist, please! Spare me! I just wanted my house back!"
"No, no! I don't want the house anymore! Just spare me, and I promise I'll never appear again!"
Cornered and desperate, the Bound Spirit fell to its knees, begging for mercy.
"Hah! You're only scared because you know you're about to die again," Chu Feng scoffed. "I preferred your attitude when I first walked in!"
With that, Chu Feng ignored the Bound Spirit's pleas. With a flick of his hand, a flint wheel lighter appeared. After striking it, he channeled Spiritual Power into the flame. Soon, amidst agonizing screams, the Bound Spirit's figure was completely engulfed by fire. Within moments, it was reduced to a pile of ashes.