Chapter 004: Exorcism After School

Qiao Qiao was a registered exorcist. In other words, a registered exorcist was someone who had officially recorded with the Exorcist Association of Wa Country and received official certification. They were nothing like those charlatans and frauds who peddled their tricks on the streets.

At first, Qiao Qiao had considered making a name for himself and becoming an independent exorcist, free from any regulations. But after trying for a while, he eventually chose to register obediently.

Exorcism itself was simple, but getting clients was a troublesome matter. Imagine this: you’re walking down the street, minding your own business, and suddenly a high school student approaches you with a mysterious air and says, “I see a dark shadow looming over you; within seven days a bloody misfortune awaits. I have a method that can help you avert disaster and ward off evil.” Would you believe them? Qiao Qiao certainly wouldn’t.

The Exorcist Association didn’t just provide official certification; they also accepted requests from ordinary people and distributed them to the registered exorcists. As for payment, it was settled between the client and the exorcist, which was quite convenient.

“Ah, Qiao-kun, you’re here early today,” one of the receptionists at the association’s front desk, Miss Sakura, greeted him warmly as he entered the building. She was quite young and had a baby face. Rumor had it she had once been an apprentice shrine maiden but, for various reasons, ended up staying with the Exorcist Association to handle logistics.

There were many other receptionists like her in the service hall.

“Miss Sakura, I’m here to submit a commission report,” Qiao Qiao said with a smile, handing over a document.

“Thank you for your hard work. I’ll get this confirmed right away.” Miss Sakura smiled through the glass and began typing on her keyboard, verifying the completion of the commission.

“It’s confirmed, but…” She frowned slightly, looking troubled. “Qiao-kun, next time you should go a little easier. The client complained that you damaged some rare trees in the park.”

“I had no choice. That cherry blossom tree had absorbed too much negative energy and had already half-turned into a demon, feeding on vengeful spirits nearby. Simple exorcism wouldn’t have resolved the root problem,” Qiao Qiao replied seriously.

He wasn’t someone who lacked common sense. He wouldn’t spend half a million yen just to blow up a cherry blossom tree for show. He had made his decision after a thorough investigation—using a fuel-air explosive to deal directly with the tree’s core. Simple, clean, and no lingering traces.

“Qiao-kun, you’re joking again,” Miss Sakura said, unconvinced. Cherry trees turning half-demon were hardly common. Besides, the client had been troubled for nearly a month—if it really was a demonized tree, it was a remarkably mild one. Even if it was, it wasn’t something a novice exorcist, only six months into the profession, should be able to handle.

“Miss Sakura, are there any new commissions today?” Qiao Qiao asked, pausing before adding, “Preferably ones involving vengeful spirits.”

“Vengeful spirits again? You really like them, don’t you?” Miss Sakura teased, but her fingers kept moving over the keyboard, searching for commissions.

After registering, Qiao Qiao had started accepting exorcism jobs, but he always took on cases related to vengeful spirits. These were the most common spirits—those who had died with regrets, unfinished business, or overwhelming obsession.

Especially in modern society, the number of people who died with grievances was staggering. Exorcising vengeful spirits was troublesome; you often had to learn about their lives and tailor a purification plan accordingly. For all that, the reward was low—between fifty and one hundred fifty thousand yen. Most junior exorcists started with vengeful spirits but after three or four months, moved on to more powerful monsters. The renowned exorcists rarely took on such cases: the pay was low, and occasionally, a vengeful spirit could be surprisingly dangerous. If a famous exorcist failed to deal with a minor spirit, it would be a laughingstock for ages—provided he survived.

But Qiao Qiao specialized in vengeful spirit commissions, regardless of the reward. As long as it was a vengeful spirit, even if it was Kayako herself, he would take care of it.

Over time, he even earned the nickname “Vengeful Spirit Slayer” in the Shinjuku branch.

Qiao Qiao’s exorcism techniques didn’t fall under Onmyōdō, Shinto, or Buddhist traditions, nor did they bear any resemblance to Catholic or Daoist methods—making him quite a curiosity. As he put it himself, he used “special exorcism arts with Chinese characteristics.” Traditional exorcists found this amusing, and since he only took on weak spirit commissions, some thought he was simply timid.

Qiao Qiao paid no attention to such talk. The vengeful spirits that the famous exorcists scorned still needed someone to deal with them. Every job he completed might bring happiness to a family. If so, then his work was meaningful.

There’s a saying in China: “Never neglect a small good deed.” Besides, vengeful spirits were exactly what Qiao Qiao was researching. The more he encountered, the better for his studies.

“I’ve got one. In Nakano Ward,” Miss Sakura said, printing out a document and handing it to him as Qiao Qiao pondered.

“By the way, Qiao-kun, how do you usually spend your weekends?” she asked casually.

“Studying, exercising, exorcising,” he answered without looking up, eyes on the document.

“I see. Still, sometimes you should relax a little. Speaking of which, I heard a new Chinese restaurant opened in Ikebukuro—it’s getting great reviews,” Miss Sakura said with interest, watching his serious profile.

“Chinese cuisine in Wa Country is actually quite different from the real thing, especially Sichuan food. Honestly, Mapo tofu at Chinese restaurants in Tokyo is basically just tofu stir-fried with meat; it doesn’t capture the essence of true Mapo tofu at all,” Qiao Qiao replied earnestly. “I wouldn’t recommend you try the Mapo tofu here; it might ruin your impression of Chinese food.”

Miss Sakura was momentarily at a loss for words. Was there something wrong with her approach? While she pondered this, Qiao Qiao had already finished reading the material.

“I’ll take this commission. Please inform the client—I’ll head to the site tonight, around nine,” he said after checking the time.

If possible, Qiao Qiao still hoped to catch the last subway train. Tokyo’s taxis were daylight robbery. If he only had a driver’s license, he’d consider moonlighting as a taxi driver and exorcising spirits on the side—he’d probably make more money that way.

“All right,” Miss Sakura replied hesitantly, watching Qiao Qiao leave before sighing softly.

Nakano Ward.

Near Four Seasons Forest Park, in a family-style restaurant with a Chinese theme, high school students who had just finished club activities were dining together, and families with children sat around tables. Songs from the last century played in the background, giving the place a nostalgic feel.

Qiao Qiao finished his rice with Mapo tofu and drank a bowl of miso soup, finally feeling full.

“As expected, the Mapo tofu isn’t authentic,” he muttered, then pulled out the materials Miss Sakura had given him.

The client’s name was Shin’nosuke Arai, an ordinary office worker. Two months ago, Mr. Arai bought a secondhand high-rise apartment and, after moving in, began having nightmares. In his dreams, a man kept crying for his house to be returned, his voice full of anguish. When he awoke in the night, Mr. Arai felt as if he was being watched.

After some investigation, he discovered the original owner of the apartment had been a small business owner. After his company went bankrupt and he was left in debt, his marriage fell apart, and he eventually hanged himself in the apartment. Perhaps due to a lingering spirit, three tenants in a row had moved out soon after moving in. For this reason, the apartment was sold at a low price, which attracted Mr. Arai.

This commission was to determine whether a vengeful spirit was involved, and if so, to perform an exorcism.

As for other possibilities, Qiao Qiao didn’t consider them. In this world teeming with supernatural phenomena, if something inexplicable occurred, it was almost certainly the work of a spirit or monster.

After confirming the address, Qiao Qiao took a plastic bag from his backpack. Inside were assembly parts of various lengths, made of high-strength plastic.

He began assembling the pieces with care, attracting the attention of a child no older than five at the next table, who watched with fascination, probably thinking he was building a robot.

A few minutes later, Qiao Qiao examined the large, long-barreled revolver in his hand and nodded with satisfaction.

The child stared at the weapon in shock.

Noticing the child’s gaze, Qiao Qiao put away the revolver, pressed a finger to his lips, and gave a soft “shhh.”