C12 Ghost Dragon King

"Changsheng, what's gotten into you? You're staring with such wide eyes; it's quite unnerving," Old Master Jiaang said, instinctively glancing back with a look of confusion. "There's nothing behind me, is there?"

I took a deep breath. Just a moment ago, I had seen the shackles behind Old Master Jiaang abruptly shorten, a sign that his death was imminent. Yet, what truly astounded me was the sight of a dark and fearsome figure behind him, tugging on those very shackles.

Typically, the figure that appears before someone's death, holding the shackles, is the person themselves. But if it's not, it indicates that the person is likely to be murdered soon. Like Sunn Xingwang, who the day before his sudden death, had a ghostly dead infant appear behind him, a victim of a cruel transformation.

Hold on!

Reflecting on this, I realized that Sunn Xingwang's death wasn't a twist of fate but a consequence of my actions. By unearthing the dead infant and freeing it, I had inadvertently set the stage for Sunn Xingwang's demise.

This meant that my words had led Old Master Jiaang to make a decision that now foretold his death. I swallowed hard. I had a foreboding feeling that retrieving the body would end in disaster, not just for Old Master Jiaang, but possibly for me as well.

"Chang... Changsheng, what's the matter? Did you see something?" Old Master Jiaang asked, his voice tinged with alarm.

"Grandpa Jiaang, I've seen the harbinger of your death. A monster has appeared behind you, and it's very likely that this creature will take your life soon," I said, my voice distant.

As soon as the words left my mouth, Old Master Jiaang's complexion turned ashen, and he collapsed to the ground, murmuring, "What... What kind of monster? Does it have scales all over and horns on its head? Is it a towering figure over two meters tall?"

"Yes, exactly, but the shape was somewhat indistinct; I couldn't make out the scales. Could it be that the wounds on your arms and face were inflicted by that monster?" I exclaimed.

Old Master Jiaang took several deep breaths and nodded. "Twenty-three years ago, it was this thing in the water that nearly cost me my life. If not for the jade talisman Half Immortal Zhao gave me, I would have been devoured by that creature."

"The water monster... Grandpa Jiaang, could you describe it in more detail?" I suddenly thought of something and quickly pressed for more information.

Old Master Jiaang described the creature's features to me, and with that, I was certain about the identity of the ghostly entity in the water.

"Grandpa Jiaang, my father once told me that the creature in the water is called the Ghost Dragon King because of its horns and scaly body. The Ghost Dragon King is immensely strong and vicious, preying on the living from passing ships," I explained.

"Ghost Dragon King..." Old Master Jiaang clutched the corner of his garment, clearly terrified and unsettled.

"Grandpa Jiaang, maybe we should call it off this time. I'll figure out another way to make some money," I suggested, not wanting to put the kind-hearted Old Master Jiaang in harm's way.

But Old Master Jiaang gave a wry smile and shook his head. "My life was already spared by Half Immortal Zhao. Besides, even if I don't go corpse fishing this time, I don't have much time left. Reaching seventy is already considered a long life in our line of work. You, Changsheng, are still young; don't risk your life."

Despite my attempts to dissuade him, Old Master Jiaang's premonition of death remained unchanged. He had made up his mind.

I sighed and said, "Grandpa Jiaang, if you're set on going, I won't stop you, but we must stick together. I may be young, but I've learned a thing or two from my father. I know some ways to counter the Ghost Dragon King."

"What methods do you have?"

"Well, my plan is..."

After hearing my ideas and strategy, Old Master Jiaang gave a reluctant nod, though he wasn't fully convinced.

We agreed to go corpse fishing at noon the day after tomorrow when the yang energy would be at its peak.

My foster father's condition had been poor over the last couple of days, with him lying in bed, listless and dazed. In a way, it was a relief; at least he wasn't worrying about us.

I had to gather some items, so I accompanied Old Master Jiaang to town. We purchased South Mountain wood, high-quality leather, a big red-crowned rooster, and some cinnabar.

Before we knew it, the day was upon us. Old Master Jiaang and I had been working since early morning, transporting all the prepared items to the boat.

Glancing at the time, I noted we had an hour left until noon. Both Old Master Jiaang and I were fraught with nerves. He fixated on the pair of paper dolls at the boat's bow and inquired, "Changsheng, why haven't you drawn the eyes on this paper doll?"

"There's a taboo and a belief in Grandpa Jiaang's craft of paper making," I explained. "You must never draw the eyes before burning the paper doll. Doing so would endow it with a soul and turn it into something malevolent. I'm saving that final touch for the crucial moment."

Old Master Jiaang tapped his pipe thoughtfully and nodded in agreement. I then asked, "Grandpa Jiaang, after twenty-three years, do you think you can still locate that female corpse?"

He furrowed his brow slightly and responded, "Certainly. The body was submerged in a stagnant body of water that hasn't flowed for centuries. It's the same 'weak water' I've mentioned to you before."

The thought stirred something within me. That body of water held the same allure and fear for me as the Bermuda Triangle.

Old Master Jiaang and I went over our plan once more. For the safety of the villagers, we agreed that if we were successful in retrieving the female corpse, we must not bring it ashore at West River Village.

Once everything was in place, Old Master Jiaang began to row the wooden boat. As the dazzling sunlight beamed down upon us, I noticed an alarming transformation in the ominous sign that loomed behind Old Master Jiaang.