Chapter Nine: The Ghost Who Refuses to Leave

“Qiang, why are you still not up on the first day of school!” At eight o’clock sharp, Song Nianqiang’s mother came to rouse him from bed, for today was a momentous day for him—the start of high school, the day he would enter No. 1 High School. “I’m getting up now!” Song Nianqiang replied, climbing out of bed.

After meeting up with the chubby fellow in the county town, they headed towards No. 1 High School. Observing the busy students along the road, the two seemed utterly out of place, strolling leisurely and humming tunes, occasionally laughing and joking together. Those who made it into No. 1 High were either top students or from wealthy and influential families; Song Nianqiang was unquestionably an exception.

Standing before the grand school gate, Song Nianqiang nudged his rotund companion. “The tragic chapter of high school life is about to begin. Any last words?” The chubby friend looked at Song Nianqiang, contemplated for a moment, then suddenly burst out, “To hell with high school life! I’m here to muddle through and pass the days!”

He spoke the truth. Neither he nor Song Nianqiang was cut out for academic excellence; their entry into high school was merely to bide their time. Yet Song Nianqiang had a more compelling goal: to win the heart of Jiang Ningzhi.

Both Song Nianqiang and his chubby friend were assigned to Class 23. When they entered, the classroom was already bustling with people, and at the teacher’s desk sat a newly assigned instructor—their homeroom teacher.

“Let me see if there’s any beauty in here!” The chubby fellow craned his neck and, to his delight, spotted one. But she was evidently already spoken for, chatting animatedly with a handsome young man. “You two new classmates, are you boarding or commuting?” the homeroom teacher asked as Song Nianqiang and his companion walked in.

“We’re commuting. Is there anything else? If not, we’ll be off—the environment here isn’t exactly to our liking,” Song Nianqiang replied to the homeroom teacher. “No, nothing else. Just remember to attend evening self-study at seven tonight.” With that, the teacher resumed chatting with the nearby students.

As they watched the hurried figures on campus, Song Nianqiang said to the chubby fellow, “We shouldn’t keep saying ‘ghost’ in school. From now on, let’s call them ‘breeze.’” The chubby companion nodded. “That’s our secret code now. I’m thinking of starting a ghost-catching studio, right in our rented place. What do you think?”

“That’s a great idea. Let’s get started.” With that, Song Nianqiang and his friend went to the print shop and made a poster, which they affixed to their door. The chubby fellow also bought a pile of materials for drawing talismans and catching ghosts—his father had given him plenty of money this month.

Thus, a simple studio was established. Of course, their funds were limited, and they could not afford any real equipment, but Song Nianqiang thought it was just fine.

That evening, at five minutes to seven, the two arrived at the classroom with the bell, only to discover, to their dismay, that all seats were occupied except for one next to the trash heap. Song Nianqiang gave a wry smile. “Looks like I really am fated to be near the rubbish pile.”

After class began, the homeroom teacher asked each student to introduce themselves. There were indeed a few pretty girls in the class, but Song Nianqiang’s heart was already devoted entirely to Jiang Ningzhi. Though the girls were attractive, to him they were no different from wilted flowers.

“This class is so boring.” Song Nianqiang simply lay his head on the desk and fell asleep. He wasn’t the only one dozing off on the first day; in another corner, the handsome young man he’d seen earlier was also sleeping.

That young man’s name was Li Runze. Originally from Luancheng County, Shijiazhuang, for some unknown reason his family had moved here. Li Runze’s temperament was much like Song Nianqiang’s—not suited for studying. Yet he was gifted with a talent—the ability to see things invisible to ordinary people. Of course, Song Nianqiang and his chubby companion shared this ability, after spending over a month in the ghost-catching high school, interacting with ghosts to open their spiritual eyes.

Song Nianqiang didn’t wake until school was dismissed, by which time only the two of them and Li Runze remained in the classroom. Tonight would have passed uneventfully, but Li Runze climbed off his desk, approached them, and said, “I need your help. Last night I accidentally saw the passage of the ghost soldiers. Tonight, the Soul Rejector will come for me.”

Hearing this, Song Nianqiang and his companion exchanged a smile. “Spiritual sight!” they said in unison. Li Runze nodded in resignation. “Haha, we’ll handle this. Tonight, come with us!”

He hadn’t expected to land his first job so soon. The three returned to Song Nianqiang’s rented room and began preparations. The chubby fellow pasted talismans all over the door, for tonight’s ghost was no ordinary one—it was an emissary, and if things went awry, both Song Nianqiang and his friend could lose years off their lifespan.

They placed an incense burner at the entrance, with three unlit sticks of incense, and laid out some ghost coins before it. Once everything was ready, Song Nianqiang and his companion surrounded Li Runze, who was covered in talismans, and handed him a peachwood sword for protection.

At the hour of the Ox—around 2 a.m.—the incense at the door suddenly ignited. Song Nianqiang knew then that the Soul Rejector had come. After taking the ghost coins at the entrance, it drifted towards the interior. Perhaps the chubby fellow’s talismans were too crude, for they had no effect on the Soul Rejector.

The Soul Rejector looked no different from an ordinary person, favored purple robes, and often acted in pairs—this time was no exception. “Damn it! Your talismans are useless, fatso! Run!” Though Song Nianqiang could recite the Five Thunder Incantation, it was hardly enough against two Soul Rejectors, so the three wisely chose to run.

If the Soul Rejector called out Li Runze’s name, he would surely die. So, the three flung open the back door and fled like the wind. It was deep into the night; not a soul was on the road. Despite Li Runze’s refined appearance, he was no slower than Song Nianqiang when it came to running.

“We can’t keep running like this!” The chubby fellow, the slowest, was growing anxious. “Head for the army barracks! The yang energy there is strong!” In a moment of crisis, Song Nianqiang’s mind grew extraordinarily sharp, and he quickly thought of a place the Soul Rejectors dared not enter.

Half an hour later, the three, panting and exhausted, arrived at the barracks gate. The sentry recognized Song Nianqiang—he’d been instructed by the colonel himself that Song Nianqiang was always to be allowed entry. The soldier saluted and resumed his post, and Song Nianqiang hurried straight to the duty room, knowing there would always be a patrol inside.

The Soul Rejectors followed them to the barracks, but within ghostly vision, the barracks shone like a blazing sun, radiating boundless golden light. Unless granted special armor by the King of Hell, Soul Rejectors could never set foot in such a place, saturated with yang energy.

The Soul Rejectors paced anxiously outside the gate. If they missed their chance tonight, they would have no way to take Li Runze. Applying for special permission wasn’t an option—it would take too long.

The colonel, hearing that Song Nianqiang had arrived, got out of bed and, seeing him sitting breathless on the floor, was puzzled. “Robbery?” he asked, taking a swig of water. Song Nianqiang replied, “You won’t believe it if I tell you—we ran into Soul Rejectors. They came for him,” he said, pointing to Li Runze.

“Haha! Just a pair of Soul Rejectors—nothing to fear!” The colonel laughed aloud and, saying, “Follow me,” strode toward the barracks gate.

“Forgot to tell you, I’ve got spiritual sight too. Your father saved my life and arranged for me to join the army.” As the colonel spoke, he, Song Nianqiang, and the others reached the gate. He immediately spotted the Soul Rejectors pacing outside. “Get lost!”

Like a thunderclap, the colonel, shining gold from head to toe in the Soul Rejectors’ eyes, resembled a living Buddha. His command struck through their very essence, nearly scattering their souls.

The Soul Rejectors dared not linger another moment, diving underground and vanishing instantly. “Soldiers in the barracks can all cultivate golden bodies—invulnerable to a hundred ghosts.” He glanced at Li Runze. “You seem to have a solid foundation. Ever considered joining the army?”

To everyone’s surprise, Li Runze agreed without hesitation. “Tomorrow, I’ll call my parents—I want to enlist.”