Chapter 55: Who Are You?
Ghost Constable?
Ling Qiu smiled faintly.
This fierce ghost’s strength was decent… but its mind was terribly dull.
Why hadn’t it noticed the Yama Ring on his finger?
Too lazy for words, Ling Qiu raised his Ghost-Whipping Whip and lashed down with force!
A sizzling crack tore through the air, flames split across the ghost’s form!
That whip stung fiercely!
The fiery gash burned for a long time, making the ghost howl in agony!
Bang, bang...
The ghost’s malevolent aura swirled and collided, bouncing wildly around the storage room!
“Kid… you’re tough, I’ll give you that!”
The ghost spat a threat, then crashed through the storage room door and fled.
“Trying to escape?”
Ling Qiu smiled coldly, his whip snapping out!
A whistle cut through the air!
The long whip, like a serpent darting from its den, twisted and slithered forward with speed!
Ling Qiu pulled sharply!
A rush of chilling wind rolled back!
In the instant the whip chased after, it looped around the ghost like a lasso, dragging it straight back!
Bang!
The door slammed shut!
Ling Qiu pinned the ghost beneath his foot, and with a flick of his wrist, wrote a spell in the air, slapping it hard onto the ghost’s forehead!
“Aaaargh!!!—”
The ghost shrieked in torment!
Ling Qiu raised his whip and lashed again with a sharp crack!
“If you don’t want more pain, keep quiet.”
Honestly, whether in the past or now, what Ling Qiu hated most was the screeching wails of these spirits…
This wasn’t a human scream, but an excruciatingly piercing shriek—
Like a mischievous classmate dragging fingernails across a chalkboard in the classroom, but several decibels louder!
“Mmmph!!!—”
The whipping inflicted unbearable pain, but the ghost used all its strength to stifle its screams!
Ling Qiu said, “Speak. Who sent you?”
“Mmmph…”
Another lash!
“Aaaargh!!—”
“Answer me.”
“Aaaargh… I… I don’t understand what you’re saying, sir! I just happened to notice the fellow behind you… a Bull-Nosed Ghost… wanted to devour him…”
“Quite stubborn, aren’t you?”
Ling Qiu wrote another spell in the air, pressing the spiritual imprint to his palm and moving it slowly downward. “This spell is the Ghost-Refining Talisman. Ever heard of it?”
“No, no, please!!”
The ghost’s aura scattered in panic!
“Answer me.”
“Sir… I… I was indeed sent by someone, aaah!!”
Ling Qiu’s brows lifted. “Who sent you?”
“It was… it was… Aaaargh!!!—”
But—
Just as the ghost was about to confess—
Suddenly! A powerful force exploded from within it!
A tortured howl, and the next moment—
Its body dissolved into countless wisps of black malevolent fog, shattering apart!
Whirlwinds of gloom twisted through the air!
In mere moments—
The ghost—
Had utterly disintegrated, soul and spirit annihilated!
The once chilling storage room returned to its oppressive heat…
Ling Qiu: …
Skeleton: …
No need to wonder what happened.
Clearly, someone had set a spell within the ghost’s body, so if it ever tried to reveal forbidden truths… it would be destroyed, soul scattered!
“My guess… is at least half correct.”
After three seconds’ contemplation, Ling Qiu gently turned the Yama Ring. With a low hum, the Ghost-Whipping Whip vanished from his hand.
He didn’t idle; instead, he rotated the Yama Ring again…
A powerful suction issued from the ring!
The black fog of the ghost’s dissipating aura gathered, swirling, and was drawn entirely into the Yama Ring!
After several minutes—
The last traces of the ghost’s soul energy were finally absorbed!
Ling Qiu tapped the ring lightly, a stream of energy entered his body through his breath…
After a while, he smiled in satisfaction.
Wonderful!
This ghost was delicious!
Moreover…
The Yama Ring still held a great reserve!
The soul energy of this fierce ghost alone would keep Ling Qiu from hunger for two or three months!
With past experience, Ling Qiu was no longer eager to use this ghostly energy to boost his cultivation; after all, filling his belly was most important!
As for cultivation, Ling Qiu could progress by conventional means. Though slower, it was better than starving!
Ling Qiu firmly believed that as opportunities increased, and the days of perpetual hunger ended, it would not be too late to use soul energy for cultivation!
Otherwise, for the newly appointed King of Yama to be reduced to scrounging for food every day—how disgraceful.
He sat cross-legged.
Ling Qiu extracted some reserve energy from the Yama Ring and transmitted it to the skeleton.
The skeleton gradually felt strength flooding its body!
Ling Qiu said, “This energy isn’t enough to restore your former strength, but it lays a solid foundation for your continued cultivation. I appreciate your loyalty—cultivate well, and you’ll serve me better.”
Moved to tears, the skeleton knelt and kowtowed to Ling Qiu, sobbing, “Thank you, Lord Qiu, for your great kindness! Thank you for accepting me! I shall risk life and limb for you forever, never shirking!”
Ling Qiu nodded lightly, stood, and walked out.
“Lord Qiu, where are you going?”
Ling Qiu replied without turning, “To South Street.”
“Huh?”
The skeleton hurried to rise. “No! South Street is an ominous place—I’ll go with you…”
“Stay put.”
Ling Qiu tossed back, “With your current strength, you’d only be a burden.”
Then he added, “By the way, this will likely be my last visit here. Soon I’ll head to the provincial capital. From now on, manage things yourself. If you encounter evil spirits, deal with them if you can, gather their energy, and give it to me when I return.”
“Yes!!”
...
South Street.
Sky Garden Club.
Ling Qiu entered the hall, stood in the center, and announced loudly, “I’m here to see Sister Gardenia.”
At his words, the staff paused in surprise.
Seven or eight burly men in black, faces fierce, strode over. “Kid, do you know what you’re saying? Sister Gardenia isn’t someone you can see whenever you please!”
Ling Qiu scanned them coolly, ready to act, when suddenly—
“Mr. Ling?!”
A figure hurried over.
It was Wang Bao, the man he’d beaten senseless before!
Mr. Ling???
The black-clad men were stunned, then bowed respectfully to Wang Bao. “Brother Bao!!”
Wang Bao raised his hand and slapped each of them. “Open your eyes! This is a VIP of Sky Garden—Mr. Ling! What was that attitude just now?!”
“S-sorry, Mr. Ling!!”
They all jumped in fright, bowing repeatedly to Ling Qiu in apology!
Ling Qiu looked at Wang Bao with calm eyes.
So, this fellow had learned his lesson.
“Where is your Sister Gardenia? I wish to see her.”
Wang Bao grinned, showing a mouthful of broken teeth. “Sister Gardenia has been waiting for you, Mr. Ling. This way, please.”
Hmm?
Waiting for me?
Ling Qiu narrowed his eyes, amused.
It seemed Sister Gardenia… knew he would come?