Chapter 11: Resentment Surging Like a Flood

That night passed without incident.

But the next morning, dozens of dead rats were found scattered on the stairs leading to the second floor.

The local rats were quite large, lying sprawled across the floor in a disordered mess, making the sight rather terrifying.

Uncle Yong asked me what had happened. I calculated and said, “That hanging ghost must have sucked the blood of those rats, planning to take revenge tonight.”

“Are you sure? Should we get some help?” Uncle Yong asked worriedly.

“No worries. I’m not afraid of him at his prime, so why fear him now when he’s barely hanging on? Just trust me!” I said confidently. After last night’s trial, I was fully convinced of the methods in the book.

The day of security duty passed quickly.

At night, I told Uncle Yong and Xiao Wen to stay in their own rooms and gave each of them a talisman to hold tightly. I warned them not to leave their rooms no matter what noises they heard, and that I would come to them once I had everything under control. I emphasized repeatedly that if they left and were invaded by the vengeful energy, it could cause illness at best, or death at worst!

At this point, at least in ghost catching, they still listened to me.

Chen Jianjun and I stayed in a room. I held a peach wood sword, and seeing he had no proper weapon, I went to the kitchen and brought him a kitchen knife.

He held the knife uncertainly and said, “This will do?”

“Ghosts may float, but they fear kitchen knives,” I reassured him.

Time ticked by slowly, the silence outside was eerie.

The clock on the wall ticked steadily; neither of us felt sleepy as we sat quietly.

Finally, around midnight, the sound of a woman crying came from outside.

The cries were very close, accompanied by the distinct clicking of high heels growing nearer. In an instant, the hanging ghost had arrived at our door.

Knock. Knock. Knock.

The knocking sounded. Chen Jianjun’s face went pale, his whole body trembling like a leaf. Holding the kitchen knife, he said, “She’s here! You better chant the spell now!”

“Why won’t you restless spirit leave?” I shouted at the door.

The knocking continued, and the ghost said, “I died... so tragically...”

I stood up and opened the door directly.

At the doorway stood a hanging ghost in a red dress, hair disheveled and hanging over her face, with a blood-red tongue nearly reaching her chest. Though I was mentally prepared, seeing her still sent chills down my spine.

I swung the peach wood sword at her, but she grabbed the blade with both hands. Her ten black nails were several centimeters long.

I pulled my hand back and seized her long tongue with the other hand, pulling hard as if ready to fight to the death. At the same time, I called back to Chen Jianjun, “Cousin! Strike her!”

Seeing the situation, Chen Jianjun raised the kitchen knife and roared, “I’m going all out!”

With that, he charged like a killing god. The ghost, intimidated by his fierce aura, turned and tried to flee. I wouldn’t give her the chance—I dropped the peach wood sword and grabbed her.

Just as Chen Jianjun’s knife was about to strike the ghost’s head, she let out a mournful growl: “Damn it, who uses a kitchen knife to fight ghosts?!”

I quickly used my body to block the enraged Chen Jianjun, preventing him from actually hitting her. With my other hand, I pushed the ghost aside, causing Chen Jianjun’s strike to miss. He looked shocked and asked, “Cousin, what did she just say?”

The ghost ignored us and tried to run again. I began chanting a spell: “Who summoned you here to serve as an envoy?”

The ghost suddenly stopped, as if immobilized by the spell. She turned back and chanted in return: “What is your master’s honorable name?”

I cupped my fists and replied, “My honored surname is Fang.”

She asked again, “What is your origin?”

I answered, “Pure lineage.”

She continued, “What proof do you have?”

I recited: “The ancestral master left three treasures behind; disciples of all halls receive the true transmission. Heaven and earth harmonize, yin and yang unite; fame spreads across rivers and seas.”

She responded: “Damn!”

Chen Jianjun was utterly confused, and after hearing her curse, he shone his flashlight on her face and yelled, “What the hell are you cursing for?”

The ghost shielded her face with her hands, complaining, “Stop shining that damn light! It’s making my eyes hurt!”

Then, she reached up and yanked off her own hair.

“Cousin, you should go inside and stay put to avoid being harmed by her vengeful energy,” I advised.

Chen Jianjun cursed, “Cut the act! I’m just cautious, not stupid!”

I hurried to comfort him, “Cousin, be patient. I’ll explain everything soon.”

Grumbling, he went inside.

I led the ghost upstairs to the rooftop. She removed her head covering, revealing a delicate-faced young girl, about eighteen or nineteen, with freckles that oddly made her look more playful and cute.

Sitting on the rooftop, she clearly carried bitterness. Lighting a cigarette angrily, she said, “Since you know I’m a fellow disciple, why did you ruin my plan?”

I felt a bit embarrassed and said, “At first, I didn’t know what was going on. Sorry about that.”

She snorted coldly, “Don’t pretend. That’s not manly. I worked hard to set the trap, but you little rat cleaned it out.”

“Seeking money?” I asked.

She shook her head, sighing with sorrow in her eyes. “The dead Zhou Xiaoli was my sister. She was driven to death by that bastard, who acted all big and tough but was really a coward. I barely used two moves before he was scared silly.”

“I see. Since you’ve avenged her, why scare people here still?” I asked.

“My sister was beaten every day, covered in wounds. If anyone in this building had helped her even once, or comforted her, she wouldn’t have taken her own life! Those who ignore it are accomplices. I’m just scaring you all a little,” she said.

“Family matters are complicated. Anyway, sorry for breaking your trap. Here’s two thousand yuan from the homeowner—take it. The homeowner’s not easy to deal with. I scared him into staying home; if he notices anything strange and catches you, it would be trouble,” I said.

The young girl stubbed out her cigarette and said coldly, “Who cares about this lousy money? I’m Zhou Shuting. What’s your name?”

“Zhang Zhicheng,” I cupped my fists.

She pointed at me and said, “I remember you now! Goodbye!”

Just as Zhou Shuting reached the stairwell entrance, she stepped back again.

“Why aren’t you leaving?” I asked.

“I can’t,” she smiled bitterly.

At that moment, Uncle Yong and Xiao Wen came up the rooftop stairs.

They had effectively cornered Zhou Shuting.

And I, standing on the rooftop, was trapped as well.