Chapter Ninety-One: The Shameless Couple

Chapter Ninety-One: The Shameless Couple

The Thunder Fiend was not without weaknesses; its vulnerabilities lay in its rear and its wings. If struck there, it would crash to the ground, losing its ability to harm.

Understanding this, Song Nianqiang’s lips curled into a smile as he looked up at the Thunder Fiend circling overhead. An idea suddenly sparked in his mind. He formed seals with his hands once more, and the Samadhi True Fire appeared at his fingertips, gradually taking the shape of a lotus flower. Song Nianqiang gently released the fiery lotus.

At the same time, he swiftly pulled a talisman from his pocket, holding it quietly in his hand. The Thunder Fiend, seeing Song Nianqiang wield the Samadhi True Fire again, dodged to the side as usual. But just as it moved, the unexpected happened—the lotus burst into an explosion, flames scattering and raining down upon the Thunder Fiend.

Even after the explosion, the Samadhi True Fire’s power remained formidable, bathing the creature completely, including its rear and wings. Struck at its vital points, the Thunder Fiend faltered in midair and plummeted, crashing headfirst into the ground. Seeing it fall, Song Nianqiang hurried over and slapped the talisman onto it with lightning speed.

A hiss of white smoke rose rapidly from the Thunder Fiend, and then it vanished without a trace. Song Nianqiang glanced at the talisman in his hand and grumbled, “What did I say? It finally landed in my hands!” With a snort, he handed the talisman to the Fat Man.

Whenever they caught a ghost, the Fat Man would conduct a collective exorcism on the fourteenth day of each month. Their method differed from other Taoists, who would typically set up altars and perform elaborate rituals. Instead, they used a large basin treated with red thread and cinnabar. The Fat Man would burn the talismans inside, reciting the Rebirth Mantra all the while.

“I didn’t expect so much trouble right at the entrance. Looks like tonight won’t be easy!” Though he said this, Song Nianqiang’s expression remained relaxed as he swaggered into Huaxia Vocational High.

The dim moon hung high overhead, shadows of trees flickering faintly. The school grounds were eerily silent, not even the chirping of insects. Walking along the concrete path, only their footsteps and breathing could be heard.

“Damn, it’s quiet enough to hear a pin drop!” The Fat Man carelessly pulled out his phone, glanced at it, and played a song. Its haunting melody echoed softly. Song Nianqiang nearly choked on his own saliva when he recognized the track. “You must be bored out of your mind. If you play the Great Compassion Mantra now, no ghost would dare approach us!”

The Fat Man chuckled, “Just a mistake, I’ll change it right away.” The tune shifted to a lively song, but before it could get far, a blood-curdling scream pierced the air. The two exchanged glances and shouted in unison, “Someone’s here!”

“Damn it! Who’s wandering around here in the dead of night? They’re begging for trouble!” The Fat Man was furious. Song Nianqiang frowned. Since fate had thrown them together, he couldn’t ignore the situation. Yet if they went to help, all their preparations from earlier that day would be for naught. The two were caught between difficult choices.

“Let’s go! After all, it’s a living person—we can’t just watch them get killed by ghosts!” With a helpless sigh, Song Nianqiang led the way toward the source of the scream. When they reached the base of the teaching building, the Fat Man involuntarily stepped back.

At this point, their Yin-Yang Eyes were open, allowing them to see ghosts. But they hadn’t expected the teaching building to be so packed—ghosts swarmed like yellow ants, filling every corner.

There were all kinds of spirits, most still bearing the marks of their deaths. The sight of them gathered together was enough to make one’s scalp tingle.

“How are there so many?” The Fat Man’s brow furrowed deeply. Song Nianqiang didn’t reply. He looked up toward the source of the sound, shouting upward, but heard no response—he figured the ghosts had smothered the noise.

By the faint moonlight, Song Nianqiang could see a man and a woman frantically running up and down the stairs between the third and fourth floors. Fortunately, his vantage point was good; otherwise, it would have been nearly impossible to spot them.

“Let’s go. I’ll clear the way—you watch our backs.” From their movements, Song Nianqiang could tell the couple had been trapped for some time; their stamina was clearly depleted, and the psychological strain was immense. That they hadn’t yet collapsed was remarkable.

With one hand forming the Thunder Bureau seal and the other free for emergencies, Song Nianqiang stepped onto the Exorcism Path and charged into the building. The ghosts here were the lowest kind; even someone with strong yang energy would force them to keep their distance, and Song Nianqiang’s exorcist stance only made them more fearful.

The spirits reacted as if confronted by something terrifying, fleeing madly to the sides. Some couldn’t escape in time and were purified on the spot, allowing Song Nianqiang to reach the second floor unscathed.

Ghosts on the second floor were fewer, but clearly more advanced. Still, they were so afraid of Song Nianqiang that none dared to approach, and the two men easily reached the third floor.

Here, the spirits were considerably stronger; Song Nianqiang’s hand seals and steps no longer had much effect. A few little ghosts tried to attack, but the Fat Man finally took action—holding a yellow talisman, he shook it, igniting it, and pressed it against the wall.

The yellow glow flashed, and the little ghosts screamed. Some were struck directly by the light and vanished in a puff of smoke; others hit by the glow collapsed and rolled on the floor before quickly dissipating.

The wounded or unharmed ghosts, terrified, ran downstairs like startled rabbits. Some carried traces of yellow light, which, though faint, acted as a death mark to those below, and the glow spread, filling the lower floors with cries.

“Let’s see if those two are still alive.” After dealing with the third floor, Song Nianqiang proceeded to the fourth. But the couple seemed not to notice him and rushed straight toward him. “Looks like they’ve been caught in a ghost wall. Ha!” The Fat Man pulled out a talisman, waved it in the air, and the pair snapped out of their trance, tumbling down the stairs in their confusion.

They stood, looking around in bewilderment. When they saw Song Nianqiang and the Fat Man, they screamed again. The Fat Man, startled, barked, “Stop yelling!”

His shout silenced their cries. The couple clung to each other, trembling, their eyes filled with terror.

“What the hell are you doing here? Are you tired of living?” The Fat Man cursed, pointing at the couple. Realizing the two before them were living men, the couple’s relief was palpable; the boy clung to the Fat Man’s leg, pleading, “Please get me out of here! Name your price!”

Seeing his groveling, the Fat Man’s face twisted in disgust. He kicked the boy aside, then drew a circle in the corner with cinnabar. “Stay inside the circle tonight and you’ll be safe. If you want out, wait till morning.”

For reasons unknown, the Fat Man felt nothing but revulsion toward the couple. Having spoken, he turned and left without looking back.