Chapter Thirty-Three: The Drowned Spirit

Chapter Thirty-Three: Drowning Ghost

"What big trouble!?" Zhang Yu was still lost in confusion, unable to comprehend what Song Nianqiang meant. Rolling his eyes at Zhang Yu, Song Nianqiang explained, "Just now, your soul nearly left your body and entered that corpse. Your momentary thrill has drawn all the ghosts within a hundred miles to us, just like blood attracting sharks in the sea. Your soul leaving your body is an irresistible lure to the spirits."

"I see, my soul left my body for a moment. No wonder I felt dazed. But why are they coming after us?" Zhang Yu asked, bewildered. Song Nianqiang felt like strangling him. "A corpse freshly dead, in weather like this, don’t you think it’s tempting to those solitary ghosts desperate for a new vessel?"

He spoke with a forced smile, and with Song Nianqiang’s reminder Zhang Yu finally realized the gravity of the situation. He pulled a long face and said, "Their target is probably me. I'm no expert at catching ghosts. Brother, it's all up to you now~~" Thinking it might be disrespectful to call Song Nianqiang "little brother," he quickly corrected himself, "You're my big brother, my real big brother!"

"Let's hurry. In mountains like these, it's easy to find a ruined temple. Once we do, we'll be safe. A derelict temple is our only refuge." Song Nianqiang took the lead, striding forward, and the others followed without delay. Zhang Yu shook the bell, guiding the corpses that trailed behind Song Nianqiang.

Many horror films feature temples in desolate wilderness, but Song Nianqiang knew for certain that a temple remains a temple, even if its incense has long faded and its walls have crumbled—ghosts dare not approach. As the elders said, these places were once homes of immortals, and spirits wouldn’t dare draw near.

All Song Nianqiang needed now was to find a ruined temple. Perhaps luck was on their side, for after only a few steps they really did come upon one. The two middle-aged men who had come with Zhang Yu hurried toward it, but just as they were about to step inside, Song Nianqiang shouted sharply to stop them.

"Don't go in! That's an illusion conjured by ghosts!"

Indeed, the temple looked almost real. If not for the slightly ajar door and Song Nianqiang’s keen eyes catching the rain falling inside—just like outside—it might have fooled him. Step through that temple door, and you could say goodbye to your life.

Such lonely ghosts only need a substitute; tricking even one person into the temple suffices. Thankfully, Song Nianqiang’s shout snapped them out of it, though only briefly. Soon they seemed entranced again, their bodies moving involuntarily toward the temple entrance.

"Damn!" Song Nianqiang cursed, then formed a seal with his hands, unleashing the Five Thunder Spell upon the temple. Immediately, the wails of vengeful spirits echoed—evidently the spell’s power was formidable. With that scream, the two men jolted awake, scrambling back toward Song Nianqiang.

"Stay behind me, and don’t get separated!"

Now Song Nianqiang and the fat man led the way. The heavy rain rendered the fat man’s talismans useless, but he still had a trump card—every ghost catcher has a secret skill reserved for moments of crisis.

The situation was dire. The hordes of spirits hadn’t yet arrived, but there must be plenty within a hundred miles. Most ghosts were unwilling to venture out in the rain, but there was one type Song Nianqiang was certain would be abundant.

Drowning ghosts, also called water ghosts, are spirits of those who died by drowning. Their eyes are either green or red; their strength in water is astonishing, though less so on land. If Zhang Yu hadn’t briefly left his body, these water ghosts wouldn’t have crawled out of their lairs.

But water ghosts are terrified of fire and warmth. Yet in this downpour, where could one find warmth, let alone fire? The only sensible course was to hurry on.

The ghost that conjured the illusory temple vanished after being struck by the Five Thunder Spell—likely seeking refuge to heal its wounds.

They pressed on along a mountain path toward the summit. Water ghosts reside in water, so their aim was to distance themselves as much as possible. Once Zhang Yu’s soul stabilized, the spirits would lose their target, allowing the group to proceed safely.

Their luck, however, seemed poor. Not far ahead, they encountered another monster with red eyes, its skin slick and shiny as if coated with oil, but still vaguely human in shape—clearly a water ghost.

The water ghost, upon seeing Zhang Yu, rushed toward him like a child toward a parent, accompanied by thunder in the rain. Song Nianqiang quickly blocked its path, hands forming seals as lightning flickered and danced between his fingers, momentarily intimidating the water ghost.

"Fatty, lead Zhang Yu and the others ahead! Leave this one to me!"

Without looking back, Song Nianqiang called out. Zhang Yu was their main concern; if a spirit got close, his soul could be replaced, and a modern case of possession would unfold before their eyes.

The fat man said nothing, steering Zhang Yu and the others around Song Nianqiang and the ghost. The water ghost, seeing its prey about to escape, fretted anxiously, but was too afraid of Song Nianqiang’s lightning to act. In the end, it gritted its teeth and, with a swift "whoosh," leaped overhead, flying straight toward Zhang Yu.

"Five Thunder Spell!"

At the critical moment, Song Nianqiang unleashed the Five Thunder Spell. The blue lightning, amplified by the rain, struck the ghost, causing it to stagger and collapse. Song Nianqiang strode over, muttering under his breath, then touched the ghost’s forehead with a seal. Its form quickly faded and vanished.

Having dealt with the water ghost, Song Nianqiang hurried after the others, worried that a larger group of water ghosts might confront them, and that the fat man alone would be overwhelmed. Fortunately, when Song Nianqiang caught up, Zhang Yu and his companions were unharmed. The fat man was using the Purify Heaven and Earth Spell against another water ghost, and it looked like he was about to finish.

About thirty seconds later, the ghost was completely dealt with. In this crisis, they could disregard the usual rules of ghost catching, and act as they saw fit. Frankly, Song Nianqiang and the fat man were no saints—perhaps even rogues—but their rank was high.

"Quick, move!"

Song Nianqiang’s expression suddenly changed, and the fat man’s face was grim as well. At least a dozen water ghosts were rapidly approaching from behind. "Leave the corpse here. Survival comes first!" Song Nianqiang snatched the bell from Zhang Yu’s hand, tossing it aside, and the five of them raced desperately toward the mountain peak.

Even with Bolt's speed, they couldn't outrun the water ghosts. Soon they were surrounded, but not far away stood a ruined temple—a real one this time. If they could reach it, they would survive this ordeal.

"Find a chance to rush into the temple. Don’t worry about us!"

As the crisis peaked, Song Nianqiang tore off his raincoat—it hindered his movements too much. He formed hand seals, this time the left and right thunder formations, summoning heavenly thunder to repel evil. The fat man murmured the Purify Heaven and Earth Spell, staking everything on this moment.

"Run!"

Song Nianqiang shouted, charging directly toward the densest cluster of water ghosts. The fat man stayed close to Zhang Yu, guarding him from possession. Even so, a water ghost seized its chance, darting into Zhang Yu’s body. Thankfully, the fat man’s Purify Heaven and Earth Spell struck it hard, or else Zhang Yu would have become someone else entirely. Still, things were not looking good—Zhang Yu immediately collapsed, unconscious.