Chapter 33: Ambush and Coercion

“Not good, the ghost’s breath!”

Zhang Shouzheng instantly understood the danger. If an ordinary person had a ghost breathe into their ear, they would be rendered completely helpless. But he was different. After Qingya breathed on him, he only felt a bone-chilling cold and was paralyzed, but his mind remained his own. As a practitioner of the Dao, his soul was far stronger than that of ordinary people. The soul is the root of a person; even in death, a cultivator’s spirit is more formidable than most.

“Zhang Shouzheng, do you still think I can’t kill you? But if I do, your vital energy will dissipate—hardly worth the trouble. Instead, I’ll drain you dry and then kill you. Once your pure yang energy is gone, you’ll die on your own; I won’t even need to lift a finger. Hahaha…”

Qingya clutched a fresh, bleeding heart in her hand and licked it with a crimson tongue. At that moment, the spirit monkey Kongkong bared its teeth at her from his shoulder, swiping at her face with sharp claws. Qingya gave a startled cry and, with a sudden motion, sent Kongkong flying.

Deep bloody gashes appeared on her face, so deep the bone showed, and white maggots writhed in the wounds. Yet as black ghostly mist spread, her wounds began to heal.

“You filthy monkey, I know you can hurt me, but you’re still too young. You’re no match for me yet. If you know what’s good for you, run along.”

Qingya roared at Kongkong, her flesh splitting and something writhing beneath her skin. Her mouth stretched open in an unnatural grimace, exposing rows of gleaming white teeth—a terrifying sight. Kongkong moved far more slowly than before, but still waved his arms, pointing at Zhang Shouzheng and then at the door.

Zhang Shouzheng clenched his fists. He understood Kongkong’s intent perfectly: the monkey wanted Qingya to spare him. But how could she possibly agree?

Ignoring Kongkong, Qingya turned to him, gave a wicked smile, and opened her mouth to inhale sharply.

Zhang Shouzheng’s mind grew even more clouded. He wanted to use the Qianyuan Pearl, but it could only be used when Qingya was completely off guard. If he tried now, he’d never hurt her; she was a clever woman, and wouldn’t fall for the same trick twice. That’s why, even in such a dire situation, he still hadn’t made his move.

“Grandma!”

Er Niu, seeing his grandmother’s tragic death, burst into tears. Gripping the broken sword, he charged at Qingya. But before he’d taken more than a few steps, countless strands of hair snaked up from the ground, wrapping tightly around his feet like vines. He hacked at them, but the hair was endless, impossible to cut away completely.

Suddenly, a baby’s wail echoed from within the house, piercingly loud. Yet none of the neighbors came running, as if the place was cut off from the world, its sounds unable to disturb the outside.

Zhang Shouzheng’s eyes rolled upward, his face grim. The void was shrouded in black mist; not a single sound from the outside could penetrate. Clearly, Qingya had long since isolated the courtyard with her powers. Even if they all died here, no one outside would ever know.

“Heh heh, a baby, I have a baby now!”

Qingya let out a manic, ferocious laugh and turned to rush inside. Zhang Shouzheng’s heart sank. He bit the tip of his tongue, the metallic tang of blood filling his mouth, and suddenly regained movement. Reaching into his pocket, he grabbed the Qianyuan Pearl, pressed it between his palms, and began chanting rapidly.

“Power of Qianyuan, awe the spirits and ghosts! With my pure yang blood as a guide, grant me the power to slay evil!”

He popped the Qianyuan Pearl into his mouth. It grew scorching hot, like a bomb about to explode. Stirred by his blood, the pearl’s immense pure yang power was unleashed. He spat, sending a streak of golden light shooting straight at Qingya’s back.

A bloodcurdling scream burst from Qingya as her body began to split apart, unable to maintain its human form. She dissolved into black mist and dissipated.

Zhang Shouzheng breathed a sigh of relief as Kongkong scampered over and retrieved the Qianyuan Pearl. He was exhausted, nearly collapsing, but finally, Qingya was scattered.

Yet just as the black mist faded, a wisp of it slipped into the house. The hair binding Er Niu’s feet vanished. Stumbling, he picked up the heart from the floor and put it back into Guo Guixiang’s chest. Her face was ashen and lifeless—she was gone. Er Niu collapsed onto her, sobbing uncontrollably.

The baby’s cries rang out again, startling both Er Niu and Zhang Shouzheng. If everything was over, why was the child still crying?

They exchanged a glance and rushed into the house. What they saw stunned Zhang Shouzheng: Tingting was strangling the baby, her face twisted in rage. Er Niu tried to pull her away, but Tingting shoved him aside with surprising force. He crashed into the wall and fell unconscious.

“Restless spirit, leave Tingting’s body at once!”

Zhang Shouzheng gripped the Qianyuan Pearl between two fingers and said coldly. With their arrival, Qingya—now possessing Tingting—temporarily loosened her hold, glaring at Zhang Shouzheng with hatred.

“Zhang Shouzheng, you’ve gravely injured me and thwarted my vengeance. I will not rest until you pay!”

“So many generations have passed. The Sword Severing Sect has long been wiped out. How many more must you kill before you’re satisfied? You brought this on yourself.”

Zhang Shouzheng looked at her with exasperation, but since she possessed Tingting’s body, he dared not act rashly. She was no ordinary opponent.

“Only death will quench the hatred in my heart. If you don’t put away the Qianyuan Pearl, talisman, and peachwood sword, I’ll crush his skull!”

Qingya gave a cold snort, her hand gripping the baby’s head, ready to squeeze.

“Stop! I promise!” Zhang Shouzheng gritted his teeth and stowed away the Qianyuan Pearl and peachwood sword.

“Good, very good. Come here.”

Qingya smiled darkly and beckoned him over. Zhang Shouzheng hesitated, but seeing the baby on the bed, he stepped forward. Qingya seized him by the neck, released the baby, and said icily,

“Thanks to you, I’m too weak to leave this body now. I’ll take your vital energy instead. Come with me.”

Her tone brooked no refusal. Forced, Zhang Shouzheng walked outside with her hand still around his throat, ready to snap his neck at any sign of resistance.

Tingting, having just given birth, was weak and depleted, making her easy prey for the weakened Qingya. Now that the baby was safe, Zhang Shouzheng could finally relax, hoping Er Niu would wake soon to care for the child.

As they walked through the village, every door was shut tight. It was the Ghost Festival, and the middle of the night. The village was silent but for their footsteps, and Kongkong followed close behind. Yet as they reached the edge of the village, a tall figure suddenly emerged from the shadows and fell in step behind them.