“Well - ” In the back yard of  Zhuge Lishi’s shop, a place that should be spacious but most space was occupied by boxes and shelves, the shop owner pulled a zombie mask out of a half-full canister with a long metal tong: “I can’t say this is the weirdest way someone tries to neutralize something with bad omens, but this is definitely up there and it sure will make the vengeful spirits inhabiting it really mad.”

“So - there ARE evil spirits on there?” Wu Xiaoming asked, frowning and nervously rubbing his hand: “I - I’m sorry. Hope it’s not too much trouble - ”

“Eh, but looks like whatever was there is now gone. This thing is pretty clean - energy wise.” Zhuge Lishi put it on the ground and walked around it: “All in all, black dog urine is not that strong a kind of evil repellent, but soaking it this way is probably enough to kill most basic vermin.”

“Whew, okay, so it’s good now?”

“Seems like so. But if you’re still worried, we can burn it with salt, incense ash and maybe put the ash under bright sun for a few days. ” Zhuge Lishi shrugged, then fixed his eyes on Wu Xiaoming: “But I gotta ask - are you sure this thing is - what do you young people call it - haunted?”

“Yeah, I’m pretty sure.”

“How? Why?”

“I - I’m sorry I can’t tell you.” Wu Xiaoming shook his head. It was no secret to this shop owner that he was involved with the paranormal business. But he just did not want to expose too much. “But - I know.”

“Okay.” Zhuge Lishi nodded: “If you know, you know. Like I said, no refund even if this one is clean.”

“That’s good. And please burn it the way you said? I want to watch, if you don’t mind.”

“Yeah off course not.” Zhuge Lishi went back into the store: “Wait a bit, I’ll get the burner."

The “burner” was actually a big old enamel bowl. Zhuge Lishi threw the zombie mask inside, poured some barbeque lighter fluid all over it and sprinkled half a jar of salt and some incense ashes on top before lighting it up. The fire gave off a pungent smell like one would imagine from burning rubber or silicone. Before long, the mask turned into a few charred pieces in the flame.

“Alrighty. Next thing I will put the ashes in a box and put it on the roof for a few sunny days - since you said you wanna be safe.” Zhuge Lishi stretched: “And that should be it. ”

“Thank you very much.” Wu Xiaoming nodded and let out a breath of relief: “Can you let me know if there’s - if there’s anything wrong with it?”

“Yeah, sure - sure.”

“Also - that black dog urine, it’s still good, right?”

“Nah, I wouldn’t recommend it.” Zhuge Lishi shook his head: “The thing loses its effectiveness really fast once you open it. And now that you have something soaked in it for a whole night, it’s practically just regular dog piss now. ”

“Do you have some more?”

“No, but I may have some soon.”

That concluded a $300 visit to Zhuge Lishi’s store. A bit expensive, but considering it was somewhat of a “specialist” service, it was still an acceptable price for Wu Xiaoming.

 “Hey Xiaoming, where are you?” Just as Wu Xiaoming stepped out of the shop, he got a text from Douglass Kirkland.

“I am out and not home, what’s up?”

“They just told me they might start tomorrow, did they call you?”

“No.” Wu Xiaoming responded: “But yeah I am ready anytime.”

“Okay, they may call you soon, I’ll try to confirm a pick up time and location for you. Will you be home tomorrow or the day after? I can pick you up and drop you off then.”

Wu Xiaoming thought for a while before replying: “I’m actually staying at the Sproutlinger Hotel for research. I planned to stay for a few days, but I guess I can check out early.”

“Okay, did you bring enough clothes and stuff? It’s in the woods, so - I guess they will prepare some regular supplies. But if you need to bring anything personal, you’d have to bring your own.”

Wu Xiaoming recounted the things in his luggage, then replied: “It’s completely fine. I brought a lot of things already.”

“Alrighty, I’m off to a meeting. Text me if you have updates.”

Before Wu Xiaoming could reply “Thanks”, his phone began ringing. It was an unknown number. 

“Hey, Xiaoming?” It was Tammy, assistant to the director: “Not sure if you’ve heard, but we just had a plan for the next episode, are you available tomorrow?”

“Yeah I am available. ” Wu Xiaoming answered without any delay or even hesitation: “When are we going?”

“Oh?” Tammy sounded like she was not really expecting this straight an answer: “Oh! Then - good! Okay - we’ll meet up first and then go there. Tim’s rented a shuttle for us - and a van to carry the extra equipment. Do you wanna ride with us? Or - ”

“Yeah that’d be great. I can take the time to prep.” Wu Xiaoming responded: “Where and when will we meet? ”

“I’ll text you the details in a bit. And I will send you the homework you’ll need, so don’t worry.” Tammy chuckled: “That’s great! Thank you! And, um - do you need anything specific? Like supplies, I believe your agent should have told you already that it’s a house in the woods, and the plan is to stay there for three or four days, in and around the house, without having to leave the site unless you have to, because Tim would like as much authenticity as possible.”

“Okay? And just me alone in there?”

“Nonono, of course not. You will have - three people with you. Jake will come with you, and then our new cameraman, because our previous guy has other arrangements. And then we’ll have a specialist on site to help you get settled, and who can help you deal with onsite logistics, bug proofing, among other things. So in total, you’d have four people in the house.”

“Sounds - sounds good.” Wu Xiaoming nodded. He actually would prefer if he would be alone, at least on the first or second night. But he wouldn’t try to push it - there were definitely benefits to have someone to keep watch while he ventured into the ethereal realm.

“Okay! Great. I will send you the details in a bit, and please let me know if you have any concerns or questions. ” Tammy let out a not-so-unobvious whew: “Thank you for being so flexible. And - if you need to delay or cannot meet with us to go together, please let me know, okay?”

“No problem.”

The receptionist did not give him any trouble when he told her he would need to check out early. Not even a “cancellation fee” or “convenience fee” was charged.

He had a very late lunch, or maybe a very early dinner, at a chain restaurant near the hotel. Steak, coffee, omelette, corn bread muffin, and some ribs. All oily, yet all really filling. When he was done, it was still 4:35PM, for many in Los Angeles, the day had barely started.

Tomorrow would be the day, he already had all of his personal effects with him. So for the rest of the day, it would probably be wise of him to spend it making preparations and “doing homework”.

The document from Tammy was quite a big one, with screenshots of old newspapers and online tabloids. There was even a link to a video with barely over ten thousand views and a few dozen comments, titled: “The Most Creepy Haunted House Your Probably Don’t Know … ”