Chapter 122: Jianzi Disappears

After the four of us had a simple meal, we each returned to our rooms to sleep. The night view here was rather pleasant, but I couldn’t fall asleep, so I stood on the balcony, lost in thought as I gazed outside.

Earlier in the afternoon, my second uncle had called me, and I told him about the events I’d encountered today. Everything at home was fine, and if nothing unexpected happened, I’d be able to return tomorrow.

Around eleven at night, I was already sitting cross-legged by the window, beginning to cultivate. I had just entered a meditative state when there was a knock at the door.

I got up to open it and found Chen Chen standing anxiously outside.

“What’s wrong?” I could tell something was off and had already started putting on my shoes.

“Jianzi—he’s missing!” Chen Chen seemed exhausted, sweating profusely and stammering as he spoke.

I quickly changed clothes and hurried after him.

On the way downstairs, Chen Chen told me that he’d wanted to ask Jianzi for something, but no one had answered the door despite his knocking for a long time. Realizing something was wrong, he forced the door open, only to discover Li Zijian was gone, the window left wide open.

He and Old Li had searched the area around the inn for a while to no avail. Then Old Li went off to look for Jianzi himself, sending Chen Chen to come fetch me.

Having learned the details, I immediately sensed something was amiss. Li Zijian would never have left on his own; if something had come up, he would have come to me first. That left only one possibility—Li Zijian had been taken, controlled by someone!

I clenched my jaw. Peace was never meant for us, it seemed.

When we reached the street, we first questioned an old woman selling snacks by the roadside. She confirmed that she’d just seen someone dressed similarly to us heading down the road ahead.

Not far away was a small village, and the main road led straight there, so the old woman couldn’t have been mistaken—Li Zijian had most likely gone to the village.

But what could possibly have attracted him there?

Then, as if recalling something, the old woman added, “I’ve heard that recently, someone died in that village up ahead—a young girl. People say she’s the cause of the recent hauntings and has killed many already.”

At last, I understood the reason behind all this. Thanking the old woman, Chen Chen and I dashed ahead at full speed.

Chen Chen, knowledgeable in these matters, even drew his spear as we ran.

The road wasn’t long, and soon we reached the village. It should have been shrouded in darkness, yet tonight every household had lanterns or electric lights burning brightly.

The village was small, barely a hundred families. Its name was carved into a large stone at the entrance: Jin Xing Village.

I couldn’t help but marvel at the name as we walked in.

From a distance, I saw a crowd gathered outside one of the homes—clearly the scene of the incident.

I tried calling Li Zijian several times, but there was no answer. Chen Chen had already said back at the inn that Jianzi’s phone wasn’t in his room.

Worry gnawed at me, and I quickened my pace.

As we approached, I spotted Old Li, who was trying to force his way into the yard but was being blocked by the villagers, some of whom had even raised weapons.

Yet Old Li hadn’t used his spiritual energy, knowing that for ordinary people, such a display would disrupt the fragile balance. There was also an unspoken rule in our world: never harm the common folk.

I hurried over to him. “What’s going on?”

Old Li turned to me, eyes brimming with tears. “Li Zijian is inside, but there’s a vengeful spirit in that house. The fake Taoist outside doesn’t dare go in.”

I glanced at the so-called Taoist standing in the courtyard: he wore simple robes, was rather portly, and I could sense not a trace of spiritual energy from him.

Balance or not, I couldn’t hesitate any longer. I broke into a run and leapt straight into the courtyard.

The crowd behind us erupted in shouts as Chen Chen and Old Li followed me inside.

Seeing us, the fake Taoist thought we were ghosts, trembling as he raised his peachwood sword, stammering, “I warn you, I—I—I’m a master ghost catcher... Surrender now!”

I ignored him, keeping my gaze fixed on the house.

“Uncle Li, are you sure Jianzi is inside?” I asked.

“Absolutely. I saw him with my own eyes,” Old Li replied, nodding.

The fake Taoist, realizing we were ignoring him, tried to jab at us with his sword. I grabbed the blade, gave my wrist a twist, and the peachwood sword shattered into pieces.

“I told you, the three of us aren’t ghosts.”

As I spoke, I revealed my fifth-grade spiritual flower cultivation.

Though devoid of spiritual power himself, the fake Taoist was not ignorant. Realizing we were masters, he dropped his broken sword and fell to his knees with a thud.

“I failed to recognize greatness—please, honored ones...”

I had no patience for his groveling and cut him off. “Go. Leave this to us. And if you took money from the villagers, return it. From now on, pursue the true path.”

My words struck him like thunder. He nodded repeatedly, stole a glance at me, and seeing I wasn’t about to pursue the matter, gathered his things and left.

I shouted toward the house, “No evil spirit can be allowed to run amok in the human world! Surrender now!”

But there was no response from within, though I could sense two spiritual presences inside.

Li Zijian was still alive, and the ghost hadn’t made a move.

Given the circumstances, I dared not enter recklessly and could only observe the house from outside, waiting for the right moment.

It was a well-built house with tiled walls. I’d heard the entire family had been killed by the vengeful spirit, leaving only a baby less than half a year old.

I couldn’t wait for the spirit inside to act. Forming a lightning incantation, I leapt into the air.

“See that? If you don’t come out, I’ll destroy you utterly!”

This time, a voice finally echoed from within.

“You? Alone?”

The voice was hypnotic, as if pulling me into a bottomless abyss.

“Me, alone!” I retorted without fear.

Then, a figure flashed out of the house, robes trailing behind, stopping in the air a dozen meters from me.

The villagers had never seen anything like this, and chaos erupted as people screamed and scattered—only a few brave souls remained.

The female spirit was beautiful in a way, but deathly pale, her presence radiating malevolence.

“Why do you torment the living? Tonight, I act as Heaven’s agent to end you!”

I flicked my Snowblade, its shining form materializing instantly, and shot Old Li a glance. He understood at once and slipped around behind the house.

The female ghost’s nails were long, sharp as daggers—truly fearsome.

She laughed, a chilling, hollow sound, but before she could finish, I swung Snowblade at her head.