Chapter 143: The Mountain Spirit

Page (1/3)

Yet, when it came to her true nature, Qian Sheng did not utter a single word. In the end, she clung tightly to Zhang Shouzheng, employing coquettish charm and cuteness until he agreed to take her to the hospital. However, just after they returned to the room, a knock sounded on the door.

Qian Sheng’s expression shifted slightly. Tugging on Zhang Shouzheng’s sleeve, her face showed fear as she whispered, “They’re here. Someone important from this hospital has come looking for us, Shouzheng!”

“Don’t worry, it’s nothing,” Zhang Shouzheng replied calmly.

He walked to the door and opened it to find Qing Yutong standing there. Her gaze swept inside and landed on Qian Sheng, a cold glint flashing in her eyes. Her nostrils flared slightly as she said, “Young mistress, where did you bring back a mountain ghost from?”

“A mountain ghost?” Zhang Shouzheng was taken aback and looked at Qian Sheng in surprise. Though she had said she was not human, he hadn’t expected her to be a mountain ghost.

“You actually know what a mountain ghost is? The aura of death around you is so strong—it must have reached the Bronze Corpse realm,” Qing Yutong remarked coolly.

Qian Sheng gripped her staff tightly, staring at Qing Yutong as if facing a formidable enemy.

Mountain ghosts were not spirits or demons; in legends, they were divine beings residing in the Mountain and Sea realm. Some called them mountain gods, but they were actually a very unique race. They had the power to control plants and thrived in forests just as fish did in water.

Zhang Shouzheng had only read about mountain ghosts in ancient texts and knew little of them. Now, at Qing Yutong’s words, it all made sense. No wonder Qian Sheng could summon vines to attack without forming seals or casting talismans—it was all innate power.

“Little girl, why have you come here? Are you here to harm the young mistress?” Qing Yutong pulled out a scalpel from her pocket, adjusting her glasses, her tone icy.

Pouting in displeasure, Qian Sheng placed one hand on her slender waist and raised her staff with the other. “I’m just seeking refuge. Our mountain ghost clan is kind by nature. Don’t think badly of me. Besides, I know he plans to go to the Three Realms Market—that market is run by my grandfather. If he encounters trouble there, he can come to me; I will certainly help, because I am the law enforcer of the Three Realms Market. No one can cause chaos there.”

Page (2/3)

“I see. Your mountain ghost clan is powerful. If you’re fleeing enemies, they must be formidable. As long as you can guarantee the young mistress’s safety in the Three Realms Market, I, Qing Yutong, can help fend off your pursuers. Think carefully—your clan’s bloodline descends from ancient gods. Both demons and spirits covet your flesh and blood,” Qing Yutong said with an expressionless, cold voice.

Qian Sheng bit her lip, thought for a moment, then nodded. “Of course.”

“Then I’ll leave for now. You stay here these days and don’t go out,” Qing Yutong said decisively and left.

Once Qing Yutong was gone, Qian Sheng gasped for breath, sitting on the bed with one hand supporting her chin, glaring at Zhang Shouzheng angrily. “Shouzheng, you lied to me. The powerful being in this hospital is actually a Bronze Corpse. Did you know? I was like a wolf entering a tiger’s den. She could have killed me and devoured my flesh.”

Zhang Shouzheng rolled his eyes and said, “Miss, if you don’t know idioms, don’t use them. It’s a lamb entering the tiger’s den, not a wolf. But your description fits well since you’re a mountain ghost, not some meek lamb. Also, you hid your identity—you’re a mountain ghost.”

Qian Sheng blushed, lifting her head. “I was afraid of scaring you. Our mountain ghost clan is kindhearted and helpful. Don’t judge us by a villain’s heart. Besides, I’ve seen how you practice your cultivation—you're a righteous person. But why do you have dealings with a Bronze Corpse? Although she’s not as bad as I imagined, and unlike those low-level zombies who only bite and feed on human flesh.”

“Don’t ask too much. Just rest here. By the way, can’t you heal your own wounds? I’ve heard your clan’s healing abilities are unmatched,” Zhang Shouzheng said, pointing to the wound on her arm.

Qian Sheng’s face turned pale. “I don’t know. I’ve tried hard, but I can’t dispel these strange energies. Or maybe my power is too weak to command the greater forces of nature to heal the wound.”

“Let me try. Don’t worry, I’m familiar with the aura on your injury; I think I’ve seen it before.” Zhang Shouzheng approached, staring at her wound. Though Qian Sheng carried a faint fragrance, near the wound one could smell a stench of decay, strangely familiar. He gently grasped her soft, fair arm, carefully inspecting the injury with a thoughtful expression. Qian Sheng’s cheeks flushed, biting her lip; her ears turned bright red.

“Ah... I remember now. What kind of demon was chasing you? Was it that creature wrapped in bandages with green eyes?” Zhang Shouzheng suddenly looked up and asked.

Page (3/3)

“You… you know about that corpse demon? Yes, that one. I was playing in the nearby mountains when I unexpectedly encountered that strange creature. I was careless and got scratched by it,” Qian Sheng said with a hint of grievance. She was embarrassed to mention it—after all, it was rare for a mountain ghost to be harmed in the forest. It was her own fault for recklessly approaching the corpse demon, relying on her ability to move freely in the woods; otherwise, she wouldn’t have been injured.

“No wonder Shao Hua didn’t come after me; he was after you. But he’s become a corpse demon? That’s troublesome,” Zhang Shouzheng muttered to himself, then looked at Qian Sheng and said, “This corpse demon aura is filthy and evil. I want to try if talisman fire is effective. But since you’re a mountain ghost, will the talisman fire harm you?”

“Idiot, of course it will. Talisman fire not only burns yin energy but also harms non-humans. Besides, it doesn’t work against corpse demon aura. We’ll have to find another method,” Qian Sheng said worriedly.

“If that’s the case, I’ll use my pure Yang blood to cleanse this corpse demon aura,” Zhang Shouzheng said, gritting his teeth. He drew a broken sword from behind him. Qian Sheng was startled, thinking he intended to attack her. But the next moment, he sliced his palm with the broken sword, and pungent blood flowed out. Clenching his fist, drops of blood fell onto Qian Sheng’s arm. The blood was scorching hot; as it touched the wound, white smoke rose instantly. Qian Sheng cried out in shock, tears welling and falling from her eyes.

Seeing this, Zhang Shouzheng quickly withdrew his hand and gently asked, “Does it hurt?”

Indeed, the corpse demon aura on her arm dissolved by nearly half from the pure Yang blood. It seemed quite effective. If he added some of it into silver sand clay to make a thunder talisman, its power would likely increase another level. Thinking of this, he forgot the pain in his own wound and chuckled to himself.

Yuhuo strives to update after midnight. If there are drafts, the day’s quota is completed; if not, updates happen during the day. Having released dozens of chapters these days, Yuhuo’s drafts are depleted, so he stays up late writing. Though subscriptions aren’t great, Yuhuo tries to maintain five chapters daily this week. Next week, he plans to slow down. Sigh.