Chapter 68: Salvation or Oblivion?

While they were talking, Ling Qiu sent subtle threads of energy into the fat man's palm, which then coursed into his body. Ling Qiu was altering him—more precisely, he was slightly adjusting the man's constitution. Originally, Zhao Dezhu's physique made him prone to attracting sinister spirits, but it was unpredictable; he might encounter something while dead drunk, or during a bout of insomnia or nervous exhaustion. It was highly unstable. In the eyes of a ghost, his body was like a flickering flame, sometimes visible, sometimes not.

But after Ling Qiu's adjustment, Zhao Dezhu's constitution became much more regular. From now on, he would only attract such things during the hour when yang energy was weakest and yin energy most potent—midnight. That is, around one o'clock in the morning. It wasn't that Ling Qiu was being malicious; even if he hadn't intervened, Zhao Dezhu's special constitution would eventually bring him all sorts of trouble.

Those who are prone to attracting evil spirits have fortunes that fluctuate wildly. The good never lasts, and when things go bad, they go truly bad. Over time, it would affect his luck as a whole—even his health. But with Ling Qiu's intervention, Zhao Dezhu would only be vulnerable at midnight; at any other time, he would be just like a normal person.

And since they were friends now, Ling Qiu couldn't simply light a fire without putting it out. Over time, this might even toughen up this fellow's nerves. Perhaps Ling Qiu would teach him some skills in the future—after all, that's only fair!

“Hey? Why do I suddenly feel a chill running all over my body?” Zhao Dezhu seemed vaguely aware that something had changed. He shrank his neck in surprise, then looked around nervously, like a startled fawn.

“What’s wrong?” Ling Qiu asked, pretending not to know.

Zhao Dezhu took a deep breath, and after confirming that all was quiet, he spoke in a serious tone: “Brother… do you believe there are ghosts in this world?”

Ling Qiu just smiled and didn't answer.

Zhao Dezhu quickly laughed it off, “Ha, just kidding. But please, don’t think I’m crazy…”

But before he could smooth things over, Ling Qiu suddenly said, “I believe.”

Ling Qiu's gaze was earnest.

“You… you really do?”

“Yes, I do.”

“Then… do you believe in the Yin-Yang Eyes?”

“I do.”

“Then, if I told you I have Yin-Yang Eyes and can see ghosts…?”

“I’d believe you.”

“Damn!! A kindred spirit!” Zhao Dezhu suddenly gripped Ling Qiu’s hand, deeply moved. “Do you know, in all my years, you’re the first person who’s ever believed me!”

Truth be told, Ling Qiu found Zhao Dezhu more and more interesting. He was a good judge of character, and regardless of whether the chubby fellow really had such a constitution, he was worth befriending.

After all, Ling Qiu never chose friends based on their abilities—no matter how talented someone was, they could never surpass him.

Ling Qiu smiled, “Because I’ve seen them too.”

“Really?”

“Really.” Ling Qiu nodded, thinking to himself: not only have I seen them—in all my years before my resurrection, I never saw a single living person. It was nothing but ghosts!

“Kindred spirits, indeed! If only we’d met sooner!” Zhao Dezhu grew more excited. “Military training doesn’t start until tomorrow afternoon. Tonight, dinner is on me! Brother, what do you like to eat? Just name it!”

“Ghosts.”

“What??” Zhao Dezhu was stunned.

Ling Qiu smiled and stopped teasing him, though he was being perfectly honest.

“Anything’s fine. By the way, have you been to the dorm yet?” Ling Qiu suddenly asked. This was important. Since Zhao Dezhu would be most vulnerable to sinister things at midnight, it would be most convenient if they lived together.

Ling Qiu had been considering renting a place, but now there was no need.

“Not yet! I’m in Dormitory 6, Room 317. What about you?”

Ling Qiu pulled out his new student ID and glanced at it. “By coincidence, I’m in the same room as you.”

Perfect—everything had fallen into place. Things would be much more convenient from now on!

Just then, a gust of wind blew by.

Zhao Dezhu suddenly stopped talking and quickly turned his gaze to a group of art department girls chatting nearby. The wind blew their short skirts up.

Zhao Dezhu’s eyes were glued to the scene, but after a moment, he just looked disappointed.

Ling Qiu couldn’t help but chuckle. This guy, even with such a constitution, was still such a lecher? If he ever encountered a seductive female ghost, wouldn’t his yang energy be drained dry?

“Ah! The times are getting worse!” Zhao Dezhu sighed. “Why wear safety shorts in this weather? They’re meant to guard against scoundrels, but they even keep gentlemen like me at bay!”

Yet, that sudden gust of wind was anything but ordinary.

Ling Qiu slowly turned his head toward the west. Not far away, in the shade of a tree, a faint spirit stood gloomily. It seemed to be a middle-aged woman, dressed in purple, head hanging low and lifeless, hair damp and disheveled, her whole body filthy. Her dull eyes stared fixedly at Zhao Dezhu.

But she did not approach. It was now just past noon, the hour when yang energy was at its peak. Most likely, the turbulence between Zhao Dezhu’s three souls and his yang energy during Ling Qiu’s adjustment had drawn this wandering spirit.

Ling Qiu observed her. The female ghost seemed to have just entered the wild ghost stage—she had some strength. She didn’t dare act now, but at midnight, she certainly would.

“Let’s go check out the dorm,” Ling Qiu suggested.

“Sure! Let’s go!”

…

They tidied up the dormitory, and in the evening, Zhao Dezhu kept his promise and treated Ling Qiu to dinner. They had a few beers together.

After eating and drinking their fill, they returned to the dorm. It was only ten o’clock. For now, only Zhao Dezhu and Ling Qiu had moved in; the other two beds were empty. Perhaps the other roommates hadn’t arrived yet, or maybe those spots were left vacant. Either way, it didn’t matter.

What mattered was that Ling Qiu was waiting for midnight.

At that hour, ghosts were at their peak, and he could absorb the most soul energy.

“Snore… snore…” Zhao Dezhu was already sleeping like a log, his snores echoing loudly.

Time ticked by.

Finally, as a cold, eerie wind slipped in through the crack beneath the door, Ling Qiu checked the clock and smiled faintly. He knew—

The female ghost had finally arrived.