Chapter Fifty-Three: Confession

According to Zheng Qiuying, in the era of spiritual energy resurgence, some grudges would manifest as ordinary wraiths. These wraiths, aside from frightening people, were not truly dangerous. Thus, when Qin Jing heard Wang Shouren mention the haunting next door, he paid it no mind.

He had inspected the neighboring room during the day; there was nothing unusual there. But at night, using the "recovery map," Qin Jing easily located the ghost Susan had spoken of:

Name: Grudge of Ge Xiaoyou
Status: Wraith (Blue), Resident

Qin Jing cared nothing for the story behind this grudge, nor did he have any interest in who Ge Xiaoyou was. In the age of spiritual energy, such phenomena were common. Having encountered a supernatural entity, the first thing Qin Jing did was protect himself. He casually summoned an alchemical golem, spending a magic stone so the golem could seize the bronze treasure chest and collect the wraith.

That was the entirety of what had just happened—simple and clean.

At that moment, a line appeared on his phone screen:

"Supernatural abilities available for extraction and recovery: Wraith Essence (Blue), Level Two Wraith's Mental Power, Fragments of Wraith Memory."

Compared to Wang Keng, this recovery yielded only three items. However, this time Qin Jing possessed the "General Knowledge" skill, allowing him to glean information about each.

Among them, the blue wraith essence was Qin Jing's ultimate choice. Ordinary wraiths could only wander mindlessly, visible to the naked eye only in special circumstances. Blue wraiths were different; through a series of coincidences, they had ascended, essentially becoming level two supernaturals, possessing some intelligence and immunity to physical harm. In other words, modern weapons had no effect on them.

The wraith essence was the core substance of the wraith, and General Knowledge made it clear: it could enhance the soul's foundation.

The soul and mental power are distinct; mental power is an expression of the soul, a special emanation, so to speak. Legend has it that the "Shadow Hound" chapter of the "Six Strategies" specifically discusses the soul, and as the final chapter of the "Six Strategies," it is knowledge accessible only in the advanced mythic realm.

Wraith Essence (Blue): Enhances the foundation of the soul. Estimated value: 100 magic stones.

This small cluster of blue light was worth as much as all the "miraculous snacks" combined. Having obtained it, Qin Jing immediately chose to use it.

A surge of blue light entered his body, and Qin Jing felt an indescribable, subtle change within himself.

"Mr. Qin... are you all right?"

Susan's timid voice came from outside. She was still gripped by the terror of what she'd just witnessed; as an ordinary person, seeing a ghostly woman with loose hair left a deep impression.

"I'm fine. It's over now. Sorry, I should have been more careful about the room."

Qin Jing spoke, full of apology. He hadn't expected a level two wraith to appear—such a being could, if things went awry, possess Susan and endanger her life.

"Just now..." Susan hesitated, but finally asked.

"It was a minor ghost, now eliminated."

Susan breathed a sigh of relief and thanked him profusely.

Qin Jing raised his eyebrows. There was nothing remarkable, except that as Susan thanked him, he felt a hint of genuine sincerity in her words.

Was this the benefit of enhanced soul foundation? The ability to sense others' feelings toward oneself?

"It's late. Let's rest. Goodnight."

With the "crisis" past, Qin Jing realized it was already deep into the night—an unmarried man and woman alone, with Susan dressed only in her nightgown. The situation was a little "awkward."

"Wait, Brother Qin... can I stay in your room tonight?" Susan hurriedly grabbed Qin Jing, pleading softly.

Knowing the girl had been badly frightened, Qin Jing thought it over and relented: "All right. You sleep over there; I'll stay on this side."

Susan looked troubled. Seeing Qin Jing's puzzled expression, she spoke hesitantly, "Brother Qin, I won't hide this from you. The reason I'm here tonight is because Boss instructed me."

"Oh?"

Qin Jing understood at once. That made sense—otherwise, why would she come for no reason? And it didn't seem like a seduction.

"After Boss advanced to the fourth supernatural level, she drew the attention of her enemies—an organization from Jinling. They have a foothold in Cold Sea and have noticed she advanced using magic stones. Boss is worried their people might discover you, perhaps even come looking, so..."

"So she sent you to monitor me up close?"

Qin Jing sneered, his goodwill toward Hathaway dropping sharply.

"No, no. As someone close to Boss, I can tell—she respects and fears you, but bears no hostility. She wanted me to keep an ear out and notify her if anything happened. She's afraid you'll make a deal with her enemies. She said she'd pay any price to win you over."

There was honesty in her words. Qin Jing nodded. "So you think that supernatural group will try to test me tonight?"

"Yes. I'm just an ordinary person. If I stay in your place without your protection, they'll certainly catch me. Brother Qin, I swear, everything I've said is true."

Now Qin Jing felt a bit stuck. He asked, "You're just an ordinary person—why get involved in all this? Doesn't Hathaway have any capable people?"

Susan forced a smile. "If she sent a skilled agent, it would truly be surveillance. Someone like me poses no threat, so you feel safe letting me stay near you."

She added, "I've undergone cultivation tests. My constitution is like a 'stone fetus' or spiritual insulator from novels—born unable to cultivate. So even if I stay close long-term, I could never threaten you."

What kind of logic was that? The fact you pose no threat has nothing to do with me.

A thought struck Qin Jing, and he asked, "What do you mean?"

Susan composed herself, gazing at Qin Jing with a trace of hope. "Boss has sent me to you. Will you accept me?"

Before Qin Jing could respond, she quickly recounted the whole story.

It was much as she'd said before, but with one difference: Hathaway had strictly forbidden her from telling Qin Jing, yet after tonight's encounter with the ghost, Susan realized that as an ordinary person, she had no place by Qin Jing's side. Continuing the assignment was impossible.

Everyone has a survival instinct. Susan thought, given the circumstances, she might as well seek refuge with Qin Jing. So she concealed nothing, revealing everything she knew—even...

Susan pressed herself against Qin Jing, saying, "I'm willing to be your woman, absolutely loyal to you. If you refuse, I will never reveal anything about you!"

As she spoke, she boldly reached out, slipping her hand into Qin Jing's robe...

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Thanks to Purple East Emperor for the generous reward.