Chapter Seventy-Seven: Continue Fighting the Skinning Demon

“Heh, Brother Flayer, how have you been lately?” Song Nianqiang was startled for only a moment before regaining his usual calm demeanor. He took a seat at the other end of the long table, casting a sidelong glance once more at the ancient castle around them. “Imposing, elegant—though the only flaw is that the aura of death here is simply too thick.”

“Oh? So you’ve noticed as well, Brother Nianqiang. Heh, if this place weren’t so saturated with deathly energy, I’d be in real danger. Hahaha…” At the moment, the Flayer Ghost had taken the form of a refined scholar, unwilling to reveal his true appearance to outsiders. Perhaps it was a matter of pride.

“I might have a solution, if you’re willing to try it, Brother Flayer.” Song Nianqiang smiled as he looked at him, his tone suggesting a business negotiation. The Flayer Ghost’s expression grew interested. “Please, Brother Nianqiang, speak freely!” He fell silent, waiting for the proposal.

“Very well. Here’s my suggestion: you surrender quietly, and we’ll conduct a ritual to send you safely back to the Underworld. While you settle in below, we’ll pull some strings on your behalf to ensure your peace and safety. What do you think of this arrangement—” Song Nianqiang’s words hadn’t finished before the Flayer Ghost interrupted with a laugh. “I have always trusted only myself. If something is beyond my own power, handing it over to others won’t make it possible either.”

Though the ghost had not directly refused, Song Nianqiang understood his meaning. “So, Brother Flayer, you insist on walking your own path?”

The Flayer Ghost nodded. “Ah! I had hoped to resolve our grievances peacefully, but it seems fate will not allow it. Hahaha…”

Song Nianqiang laughed, and across from him, the Flayer Ghost joined in. Both men knew perfectly well: a battle to the death was fast approaching.

The laughter ceased abruptly. Both Song Nianqiang and the Flayer Ghost stopped almost simultaneously, then quickly drew back. The Flayer Ghost’s form shifted rapidly—long, sharp claws and blood-red lips reappeared, his face turning instantly deathly pale. His hair billowed in the wind, and he emitted a chilling, ambiguous laugh, neither male nor female.

Finding a spot in the corner, Song Nianqiang’s soul slipped out of his body. A large, golden blade began to take shape in his hand, while his body sat cross-legged, silently chanting.

“Dividing your soul, eh? Hahaha…” The Flayer Ghost burst out laughing, for if he could seize Song Nianqiang’s body, his own power would immediately break through to the third class of ghosts. Then he could freely slaughter that mother and child, escape to the horizon or the depths of the sea, and no one would ever find him.

In his soul form, Song Nianqiang understood exactly what the Flayer Ghost intended. “Hmph! A cunning plan, but are you truly capable of pulling it off?” He stepped forward, twirling his golden blade, eyes fixed on the Flayer Ghost like a tiger waiting to strike.

“Ha! Boy, you overestimate yourself. With just this trick of splitting your soul, you’re no match for me. Watch how I torment you to death, piece by piece!” As he spoke, the Flayer Ghost moved, his body flickering left and right, making it impossible for Song Nianqiang to lock onto his path.

A cold gleam flashed—the Flayer Ghost’s long claws slashed down toward Song Nianqiang’s head in an instant. Fortunately, Song Nianqiang’s reflexes were quick; he instinctively retreated, so the claws only shredded his clothes, leaving his flesh unharmed.

A peculiar toxin coated those claws. Without the detoxifying talismans Big Fatty had provided, Song Nianqiang dared not take the risk. “If only I’d asked Fatty for a few more detoxifying talismans—now I’m stuck on the defensive!” But regret was useless now. Even in soul form, with his resistance greatly increased, a few more strikes from those claws would be disastrous.

The shredded clothing soon mended itself, for in his soul state, all his attire was condensed from spiritual energy. Realizing he’d missed, the Flayer Ghost’s claws suddenly grew even longer, stabbing rapidly toward Song Nianqiang.

But this time Song Nianqiang was ready. He swung his golden blade horizontally before him, then shoved it forward. A golden wave surged forth to meet the ghost’s claws. The Flayer Ghost clearly dreaded this golden energy, pulling his claws back and darting away.

“Hmph! With skills like yours, you dare covet my body? In your next life, perhaps!” With that, Song Nianqiang pressed the attack, sending blade after blade slashing down at the Flayer Ghost’s head. The strikes were fierce, but failed to harm him—though they did keep him firmly on the defensive.

Step by step, the Flayer Ghost retreated, nearly driven into a corner. Song Nianqiang seized the opportunity, pouring power into his golden blade until its radiance erupted, engulfing the Flayer Ghost entirely.

Yet the strike hit nothing—no sign of the Flayer Ghost beneath his blade. Suddenly, Song Nianqiang felt a violent chill rise behind him as waves of deathly energy surged close. Whipping around, he saw the Flayer Ghost floating just behind, watching intently.

Now the Flayer Ghost had returned to his true form—half his face was a bloody ruin, one eyeball dangling by his mouth, his nose nowhere to be seen, teeth clicking grotesquely, long claws pointing straight at Song Nianqiang.

“So this is what you really look like? I recall your file said your chest was sliced off, and a few steel pipes were inserted into your lower body. Where are those pipes now? Hahaha…” Song Nianqiang was clearly trying to goad him, for he realized he was no match for the Flayer Ghost, whose overwhelming aura made his heart tremble with fear.

“Trying to provoke me? Useless. Once I kill you and devour your soul, let’s see if you can still laugh!” The Flayer Ghost’s body split into several phantoms, all lunging for Song Nianqiang. With his soul power limited, Song Nianqiang could not distinguish the real one.

Helpless, Song Nianqiang raised his golden blade and unleashed all his remaining power. The golden glow blazed, lighting the entire castle, and the ghostly phantoms vanished one by one. When only a single Flayer Ghost remained, he was already at Song Nianqiang’s side. The claws slashed down, severing one of Song Nianqiang’s arms.

He grunted in pain but forced himself to retreat quickly, for the next strike was already incoming. Gripping the golden blade with his remaining hand, he raised a shimmering golden shield before him.

The severed arm regrew instantly. Yet Song Nianqiang’s face had grown ashen—he hadn’t just lost an arm; the ghost’s toxin was now invading his soul.

“You’ve been poisoned. If you don’t reunite with your body soon, you won’t last much longer.” The Flayer Ghost watched him coldly from afar, unhurried. But Song Nianqiang managed a grim smile. “You think I’ll surrender so easily? Dream on!”

With that, he poured the last of his soul power into the golden blade. The blade’s radiance flared, then contracted into an intense layer of energy. Satisfied, Song Nianqiang wasted no time—he hurled the golden blade straight at the Flayer Ghost.

The dazzling golden blade shot forward, but to his surprise, the Flayer Ghost caught it in one hand and sneered.

Yet Song Nianqiang did not look surprised; instead, he smiled slyly, as though his plot had succeeded. He opened his mouth and uttered a single word: “Detonate!”

With a thunderous boom, the golden blade exploded in the Flayer Ghost’s hand, engulfing both in a blinding golden light.