Chapter 102: The Realm of the Dead (4)

Wu Zui, influenced by the singing of the Lantern Ghost Spirit, seemed to focus all his attention on the path beneath his feet. As for whether there was anyone or any other ghosts beside him, Wu Zui appeared to have long since forgotten.

After hooking his arm around Wu Zui, the Lantern Ghost Spirit’s singing softened, the melodious voice now whispering only in Wu Zui’s ear. The mountains were teeming with spirits, many of similar strength, and it had no desire to attract powerful ghosts to share this prize.

Wu Zui, with the Lantern Ghost Spirit holding his arm, felt his eyelids twitch involuntarily...

The Lantern Ghost Spirit led Wu Zui to a cave, its burial ground and old lair. It had been ruthlessly killed and discarded there; after a thousand years, the cave was saturated with intense resentment energy.

Once inside, even if Wu Zui could still resist, the magnetic energy within him would be suppressed by the vengeful power inside, making it the Lantern Ghost Spirit’s safe moment to enjoy the fruit.

Wu Zui merely listened to the song as it gently pulled him toward the cave’s entrance. The cave extended downward, the uneven mouth making it seem bottomless.

Just as they were about to enter, Wu Zui’s foot slipped, and he suddenly fell forward. The Lantern Ghost Spirit, already somewhat relaxed in its lair, was momentarily distracted, causing its singing to falter.

At that instant, Wu Zui pivoted on his right foot, spinning his body to the right and behind him. Flames of karmic fire flickered on his right hand, the remnant energy newly transformed. With a fist, he struck the Lantern Ghost Spirit’s body, the karmic fire piercing through.

The Lantern Ghost Spirit staggered backward, red flames seeping from its body.

Raising its lantern, the ghost unleashed a fierce crimson glow, drawing wisps of the karmic fire from its body into the lantern. But now, using all its strength to manipulate the lantern, it was rooted to the spot, unable to move.

If the Lantern Ghost Spirit dared to lose focus even for a moment, the karmic fire would burn it to black smoke!

“Now even a random ghost can withstand karmic fire?” Wu Zui frowned slightly, his voice tinged with surprise, but he did not relent.

Though his internal magnetic energy was nearly depleted, he still had several high-explosive magnetic bombs on him. Aside from training, one of his primary pastimes in the underground office was charging these bombs.

He pulled one from his backpack and hurled it at the Lantern Ghost Spirit’s face.

Boom—

The high-explosive magnetic bomb detonated, unleashing a torrent of karmic fire.

The Lantern Ghost Spirit, unable to dodge, was instantly engulfed. Soon, the flames coalesced into a red vortex, drawing the fire back into the red palace lantern the spirit held...

“Damn!” Wu Zui cursed upon witnessing this.

Reaching again into his bag, the struggling Lantern Ghost Spirit suddenly pleaded, “Master, I was but momentarily confused. Might you spare me?”

Wu Zui paused his movements.

Still, he produced two more high-explosive magnetic bombs but held them in his hand. He then asked, “I might spare your life, but where did the lantern come from? How does it absorb my flames?”

To save its life, the Lantern Ghost Spirit revealed all.

“This item was bestowed by the Ming Emperor as part of my dowry when I was married off. I was born of a palace maid favored by the Ming Emperor, though a concubine’s child. When foreign envoys came seeking marriage alliances, I was sent abroad to marry.

But during the journey, disaster struck. Over a hundred in the delegation were killed, and I was dismembered and thrown into this cave. My life was so bitter! Wuwu...” The Lantern Ghost Spirit’s voice quivered as memories surfaced, tears flowing.

After hearing this, Wu Zui was not moved but instead questioned, “The Ming Emperor lived over a thousand years ago. If you are his daughter, why are you only at the Three-Star realm now?”

“You are astute, Master. I was trapped in confusion within this cave until recently. I've only been fully conscious for about a month.” The Lantern Ghost Spirit hastened to explain.

[Only a month to reach Three-Star?] Wu Zui’s curiosity grew. Was this spirit unique? Or had all ghosts been advancing so rapidly since that voice sounded?

Still skeptical, Wu Zui pressed on, “You claim to be from the Ming Emperor’s era. Do you have any proof?”

“There is! Master, look closely at my palace lantern; it bears the Emperor’s inscription.” The Lantern Ghost Spirit, fearing disbelief, urged him to examine it.

Wu Zui cautiously inspected the lantern and found two lines of small characters:

“Yingying heads north, leaving the capital behind,
Sparks of incense in place of parents’ prayers.”

Seeing Wu Zui read, the Lantern Ghost Spirit said eagerly, “Yingying was my childhood name, written by the Ming Emperor himself. Master, I truly speak no falsehood!”

[It does seem genuine.]

Considering this, Wu Zui continued, “I’ll believe you for now. Those ghosts that followed me with you earlier—are they your subordinates?”

“No, most were people sent with me as part of my dowry to the frontier, others were foreign escorts. The rest are wandering ghosts I’ve never met.” The Lantern Ghost Spirit sighed in relief and shook its head.

[This Lantern Ghost Spirit is special indeed, growing so fast in just a month! But those other ghosts cannot remain. This place borders the realm of the dead; hundreds of growing ghosts would be a disaster.]

Though a princess, the Lantern Ghost Spirit’s status as a concubine’s offspring made her more perceptive than many servants.

Seeing Wu Zui’s murderous intent, she quickly begged, “Master, please spare us. We are but pitiful souls. In life, we were sent away for peace under the guise of marriage. Even in death, we were discarded in the wilderness. We have wandered aimlessly so long—please, show mercy!”

Her voice trembled with tears. If not for the lingering resentment energy in her body and the stalemate with the karmic fire in the palace lantern preventing movement, she might have already knelt in supplication.

“Have you ever fed on humans?” Wu Zui asked, glancing at the dark, thick aura hovering above her—a clear sign of malevolence.

“...Yes, I have. It was to survive. The mountains hold many restless spirits, neighboring the realm of the dead. Without feeding to strengthen myself, I would have become prey to others. If you will take me away, I swear never to do it again and to obey your commands.” The Lantern Ghost Spirit hesitated but chose honesty.

“Honest enough. Have you ever devoured other ghosts?”

Wu Zui nodded but did not pursue the topic further, instead asking again.

“What? Ghosts can devour each other?” The Lantern Ghost Spirit’s eyes widened in surprise, then hurriedly replied, “I have never done that.”

“In that case, you’ll start devouring ghosts from now on. If I find you feeding on humans again, you know the consequences.” Wu Zui toyed with a high-explosive magnetic bomb as he spoke.

“I understand, I understand!” The Lantern Ghost Spirit repeated quickly.

[Heart-Truth Sword, time to act.]

A red chain shot forth from Wu Zui’s heart, swiftly binding the Lantern Ghost Spirit. It was then pulled into the Heart-Truth Sword, which absorbed all the karmic fire Wu Zui had converted around them.

[As expected! Since it is Divine Transform Iron, changing form is no problem. With the Heart-Truth Sword’s chains, controlling powerless ghosts is much easier. Unfortunately, to suppress the karmic fire body, I can’t unleash full firepower.]

Wu Zui muttered inwardly.

[Hopefully, this Lantern Ghost Spirit and the driver ghost can provide more intelligence about the realm of the dead.]

As for the one- and two-star ghost groups, Wu Zui avoided provoking them. His magnetic energy was almost depleted, and high-explosive magnetic bombs were insufficient against so many.

He resolved to rest and return later to deal with them or have the bureau send reinforcements. Other stations likely had issues too; he’d check on them then.

After absorbing the fire from one high-explosive magnetic bomb for self-protection, Wu Zui dodged the ghostly minions and successfully exited the deep mountains, arriving at the highway.

Yet no vehicle stopped beside him. With no choice, Wu Zui began walking slowly along the road, using his own 11th route. Unexpectedly, instead of a vehicle, a slow-moving figure approached.

In the next moment, Wu Zui vanished from the highway and appeared inside He Ping’s shop.

He Ping’s expression was dark, like clouds before a storm. Seeing Wu Zui, he spoke gravely, “Something’s gone wrong in your world! The human race’s fortune has been stripped. You are no longer the protagonists of that realm.”

“Protagonists of the realm? What use is that? You’re already opposing the Dao—it doesn’t scare me.” Wu Zui shrugged, unconcerned.

“You don’t understand! Losing that status has massive consequences. The first to suffer is the power of causality. It once granted merit to aid humans and brought misfortune to those who harmed them—all benefits of being the realm’s protagonist.

Without it, humans are nearly helpless. If the new protagonists bear great hatred towards humanity, slaughtering humans will be seen as a righteous act, gaining the world’s approval and reward.”

“That terrifying, huh!” Wu Zui straightened up, realizing the gravity of the information.