Ghosts were also divided into greater and lesser ghosts.
The ones before Nan Zhi were the weakest kind of lesser ghosts.
Normally, they couldn't even bear the sun, melting the moment its rays touched them. Let alone having the power to harm people, even moving a fallen leaf took considerable effort.
【Niu Xiaomei】
【Niu Zhu】
【Niu Liu-shi】
【Niu Wang-shi】
Upon seeing a person, the spirits huddled together like startled birds, glaring furiously at Nan Zhi, the “uninvited guest” who had barged into their home.
Nan Zhi paid them no mind. She simply took out the yellow paper ingots left over from performing the memorial rites for Chen Ping, lit them with a fire striker, and placed burning incense and candles before the tablets.
“Smells so good.”
“So hungry, so hungry...”
“It's delicious, hurry and eat.”
“Hungry...”
Upon seeing this, the ghosts crowded forward in a frantic rush, as if starved for an eternity, sniffing desperately at the smoke drifting from the incense.
“Pardon me. This junior did not mean to disturb your peace, but today I have a matter of life and death concerning many people, leaving me no choice but to come and seek your help.”
Nan Zhi waited until they had inhaled a few whiffs and their souls condensed slightly—seeming capable of communication—before she cupped her hands and spoke aloud:
“There is a white tiger haunting the mountains, blocking roads and devouring people. Over the past dozen years, countless souls have perished in its maw.
This white tiger has attained spiritual wisdom, refined the transverse bone in its throat, and become a demon. If it is not eliminated, it will surely grow into a catastrophic menace.
Yet this beast is extraordinarily cunning. Not only does it raise chang ghosts, but it has also cultivated its hide and flesh into iron armor. Only an arrow stained with its mother's blood can shoot and kill it.
I heard that years ago, an elder of the Niu family shot and killed the mother tigress with a bow and arrow. Thus, I have come specifically to ask for your aid in finding that arrow's whereabouts.”
The spirits gathered together, seemingly discussing the matter.
After a moment, one spirit, resembling Chunsheng's mother, waved to Nan Zhi and pointed at a spot on the ground.
“Here?”
Nan Zhi dug where she indicated. Sure enough, in a pit roughly half a meter deep, she unearthed a metal arrowhead.
Too much time had passed.
The arrow shaft had already rotted into dirt, leaving only a rust-encrusted diamond-shaped iron arrowhead still intact.
The arrowhead was made of iron. Having been buried underground for years, its surface had completely discolored, making its original appearance unrecognizable.
Nan Zhi had some doubts about whether this arrowhead was still useful after so long.
Under the present circumstances, however, she could only pray that a trace of spirituality from the mother tigress's blood still lingered on it.
Having obtained the arrowhead, Nan Zhi bowed once more to the memorial tablets before turning to leave.
Before departing, she saw the ghost that looked like Chunsheng's mother suddenly mouthing words to her, as if saying something.
Nan Zhi recognized it.
She was saying:
【Chunsheng.】
【Come home.】
...
【You have entered the Level 40 Dungeon “The Tiger in the Mountains”】
【The Tiger in the Mountains: Wenshan possesses spirituality. A mother tigress stumbled upon fortune, devoured spirit herbs, and gave birth to a white-browed cub...
...over a hundred dead souls, with five chang ghosts trapped for eternity, unable to find release.】
【Recommended Cultivator Realm: Foundation Establishment Level 1 – Foundation Establishment Level 5】
【Dungeon Clearance Reward: ...】
Nan Zhi's second time entering Wenshan was noticeably far more familiar than the first.
Silently darting into the dense forest, she skimmed across the underbrush and glided straight toward Constable Zhang and his men.
At this hour, night hung high in the sky, and only one spot within the forest flickered with firelight.
The injured yamen runners were complaining loudly in small groups, while Constable Zhang stood before them, loudly berating one of the runners:
“...Are you all still worthy of your consciences?”
“I think this place is quite good. Set up camp and cook dinner right here. I'll search through the woods to see if I can hunt some game back...”
Just in time.
According to how things developed next, Constable Zhang would act alone, encounter the fierce tiger while chasing a rabbit, and fight with it.
Next, Chunsheng would jump out and accuse Constable Zhang of being a ghost.
Terrified and panic-stricken, the group would fall straight into the trap of the other chang ghosts.
Nan Zhi glanced at Nan Yi, who was sitting beneath a tree gnawing on a pancake. Instead of rushing over to reveal herself, she quietly faded into the woods, following behind Constable Zhang.
...
Constable Zhang went by the moniker Zhang Long. Originally a man of the martial world, he had washed his hands in a golden basin and returned home to become a constable once his aging parents grew elderly.
Yet though he had returned, the Jianghu air about him could never be washed away.
This time, regarding the mountain hunt for the tiger, Registrar Hu had brought wine and food to the Zhang household, laying on lavish praise.
Phrases like “loyal and righteous” and “the heart of a chivalrous hero” had made Zhang Long blush red, puffing his beard and glaring with pride, prompting him to accept the task on the spot.
Second, when Zhang Long studied martial arts, he had sworn an oath with his master: martial arts were not meant for fighting and bullying, but for punishing evil and aiding the good.
Therefore, he had volunteered to come forward, intending to eliminate this fierce tiger for the sake of the common folk around Wenshan who suffered from its rampage.
Yet who could have foreseen that luck would be against them? Before they could even clash with the beast after entering the mountain, the hunter guiding them had been carried off by the tiger.
That damned beast!
Once caught, he would surely skin it, rip out its tendons, and slice open its belly so the hunter could be properly laid to rest.
Thinking of this, Zhang Long couldn't help but feel a surge of anger. He drew his bow and nocked an arrow, aiming straight toward a rustling bush:
“Whoosh—”
Though the forest was dim, the released arrow struck a grey-footed rabbit dead center.
A faint look of joy appeared on his face.
Yet before Zhang Long could step forward to retrieve his prey, a shadow dropped down from a tree, snatched his rabbit, and bolted.
Zhang Long's eyes widened instantly. Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined someone would snatch prey right in this deep, desolate forest.
And right in front of his face, stealing the rabbit he had just shot dead!
If word got out, wouldn't his title of “Crossing River Dragon” turn into “Crossing River Worm” by tomorrow?!
Unable to stomach this, Zhang Long kicked off the ground and gave chase in hot pursuit:
“You little thief! Halt right there!!”
The figure didn't look back, only running headlong deeper into the forest. Seeing their broad shoulders and sturdy build, Zhang Long assumed it was a passing thief, shouting angrily in warning as he chased:
“Have you lost your mind?! There's a man-eating tiger on this mountain! Stop running! I don't even want the rabbit anymore, just stop—”
Before he could finish his sentence, just as the last word left his lips, the person ahead whipped around. Looking up, he was met with a familiar face.
“Isn't this the eldest daughter of the Nan family—why is it you?”
Zhang Long was left utterly dumbfounded.
In the dead of night, in a desolate, dense forest.
Where on earth had the Nan family's eldest daughter popped out from?
“Constable Zhang, it's me. That place wasn't suitable for talking, so I had to use this method to draw you over.”
Nan Zhi looked up, tossed the dead rabbit onto the ground, and whispered to Zhang Long:
“Time is short. I'll speak, and you listen. If you have questions, ask after I'm done.
Listen well. What's blocking the road and devouring people on this mountain is no ordinary fierce tiger, but a white-browed tiger that has already become a demon and refined the transverse bone in its throat.
What you saw during the day was merely a glamour it conjured to deceive you.
This tiger is exceptionally cunning. Those devoured by it turn into chang ghosts, confusing travelers on the tiger's behalf and luring them into the mountains to feed the beast.
Chunsheng, the hunter who guided you, was originally surnamed Niu, living in the third house beneath the crooked-neck locust tree on the west side of Wenshan Village.
In truth, he was devoured by this tiger over a dozen years ago and turned into a chang ghost that lures living people for it.
Right now, Chunsheng has received the white tiger's orders and is about to transform into human form to infiltrate your group, sowing discord so you kill one another.”
“A-a monster?”
Zhang Long's mind spun, and he subconsciously retorted:
“Chunsheng is a ghost? But when I saw him during the day, he was clearly alive...”
“That's an old ghost that has lived for over a dozen years, manifesting through the tiger's demonic power. Who knows how many lives he has helped take? What's strange about him pretending to be human in broad daylight?”
Watching the time, Nan Zhi said urgently:
“Under the white tiger, there are eight chang ghosts in total. They conjure gold, silver, treasures, and beautiful women to tempt the living.
As the saying goes, ‘humans fear ghosts by three parts, but ghosts fear humans by seven.’ You possess official uniforms and official sabers; as long as the inner fire in your hearts does not extinguish, that pack of chang ghosts can do nothing to you.
So shortly, Chunsheng will return in human form, claiming he wants to lead you down the mountain.
You must absolutely not expose his identity. Act as if you know nothing and just follow along with him.
Also, no matter what Chunsheng says, do not believe him. Above all, you must never act alone.
Once I find an opportunity to slay these chang ghosts one by one, you will need to assist me in hunting down and killing this man-eating white tiger.”
“So Sister Nan is telling me not to alert the enemy?”
Zhang Long understood, but a hint of hesitation showed on his face as he stared at Nan Zhi doubtfully:
“Then how am I to know you aren't transformed from a chang ghost to fool me?”
Quite cautious.
“Does Constable Zhang still remember the red fox that pranked the night watchman that day?”
Nan Zhi offered an enigmatic smile:
“If you don't recall, how about I help Constable Zhang reminisce about what that fox did to you in the latrine...?”
“I believe you! I believe you! You're Sister Nan, I believe you!”
Was it the matter of having his rear poked with a sorghum stalk by the fox?
Or the matter of getting a basin of filth splashed right in his face?
Recalling the events of that day, Zhang Long's face turned green.
He wished he could give himself a resounding slap.
He really had to go and ask that superfluous question.
Rate on N.U.
