The First Volume of Folk Strange Stories: The Witch Ancestor of Miao Township, Chapter 13, Section 4, Signed a Contract

"Every time the 'third eye' reopens, it attracts ambient spiritual energy like a magnetic field. If luck isn't on your side, encountering water spirits or other disturbances isn't unusual. Moreover, the power of the 'third eye' will grow stronger over time. In the future, places like hospitals and cemeteries will be off-limits for you. During festivals like the fifteenth day of the seventh month or Qingming, remember to stay at home, don't open the windows, and avoid looking around randomly. Otherwise, you'll just frighten yourself. Oh? Xiao Shen, you don't look too well. Never mind, I've said too much. Go home and rest early." Even the childhood incident with the water spirit was known. However, the things I've been encountering recently are truly bizarre. I was even thinking of buying a black dog after registering today to take a bath at home...

Director Gao Liang was still smiling at me with narrowed eyes. Director Hao Wenming walked over to me and seemed like he was about to put away the contract. I no longer hesitated, gritted my teeth, grabbed a pen, and signed my name with two flamboyant characters: Shen La.

"Director Gao, I've figured it out. If not me, then who will join the Bureau of Folklore Affairs Research?" I said, handing the contract to Director Gao Liang.

"Are you sure you want to reconsider? Don't force yourself." As he looked at me, Director Gao Liang's expression held a hint of amusement.

"Heh heh." I chuckled awkwardly. "What's there to consider? I'm already part of the Bureau of Folklore Affairs Research. Director Gao, now that we're family, can you help us with our troubles?"

"Dealing with troubles is simple," Director Gao Liang extinguished the cigarette in his hand and continued, "There's an old saying you should have heard: 'Evil spirits fear wicked people.' In reality, those who usually encounter ghosts are the elderly, children, and women. Their Yang energy is weak, making them vulnerable to spiritual possession. If a person has strong Yang energy, even malevolent spirits and demons will keep their distance."

"What's considered strong Yang energy? Are young virgin boys considered?" My chubby companion widened his eyes and asked seriously.

"Oh? I didn't expect that. Xiao Sun, you're still quite innocent," Director Gao Liang said with a playful smile. Even the usually cold Hao Wenming's expression became more animated at this moment.

My companion seemed a bit flustered, his face slightly reddened as he explained, "I'm asking for someone else. I'm not..."

"I understand, I understand," Director Gao Liang's smile grew broader.

"Director Gao Liang, do you have paper and pen here? I'd like to take some notes." I shifted the topic for humane reasons and gave my companion a way out.

"You don't need to remember these things. With experience, you'll understand." Director Gao Liang continued, "Virgin boys don't exactly have a characteristic of strong Yang energy. Determining the strength of Yang energy relies mainly on one's current fortune. A person's fortune can be divided into three declines and six ascendancies. When fortune reaches its peak, Yang energy within the body is also robust. This state can be described as impervious to evil."

"Because of their inherent conditions, women have a naturally stronger Yin energy and weaker Yang energy, so we don't need to consider them for now. Children under sixteen haven't experienced the six ascendancies of fortune. As for the elderly, they're in a situation of going from ascendancy to decline, basically heading downhill. As for middle-aged men, not all of them possess strong Yang energy. There are many ways to deplete Yang energy: anger, blood loss, foul language, lust, excessive drinking, and even catching a cold or fever—all of these are instances of Yang energy depletion. Moreover, due to inherent limitations, some men have less Yang energy than the average woman."

My companion wore an expression of helplessness. "So, there are hardly any men with strong Yang energy left?"

"Let me finish speaking first," Director Gao Liang shot a glance at Sun Desheng, then continued, "I've just mentioned innate conditions. There are methods to compensate as well. For instance, Taoist and Buddhist practices mainly revolve around cultivating an extreme Yang path. Not to mention, there are various tools and artifacts for exorcism and dispelling demons."

Hearing this, I felt something was off and asked, "Director Gao Liang, are you implying that after joining the Bureau of Folklore Affairs Research, we need to become monks or Taoists? As for Xiao Sun, I don't know, but I'm from a traditional family. I'll need to discuss this at home."

"Both of you have a bad habit. Can't you let me finish talking?" Director Gao Liang said with a hint of frustration, "Anyway, I won't go into details now. In short, the Bureau of Folklore Affairs Research has its own ways of dealing with issues. Alright, Hao Wenming, take them along now."