C48 Chase after Him!

Deaf Zhang and I saw this as a golden opportunity and decided to set out for Hundred Ghost Slope immediately to nip the problem in the bud.

As we finished packing our bags and reached the village road, a shared thought struck us simultaneously: how were we going to get there? We couldn't possibly walk; Hundred Ghost Slope was over a hundred kilometers away. Even without sleep, a day and a night's march wouldn't get us there.

It made me wonder, how could the Evil Taoist, despite his severe injuries, manage to run so fast? Then it hit me – he was being pursued by two ghostly enforcers. If he had slowed down, he would have lost his life.

Deaf Zhang and I went back to the village and, after paying a hefty sum, purchased a motorcycle. Though, I couldn't help but think that a hearing aid for Deaf Zhang might have been a more prudent investment.

When Deaf Zhang, tipping the scales at over two hundred and thirty kilograms, mounted the bike, the entire frame sagged noticeably. Once I took my place on the pillion, the tires gave out completely.

But with time pressing us, we couldn't dwell on these setbacks. We revved the engine and sped off toward the mountain roads leading to Hundred Ghost Slope.

The road itself was surprisingly smooth, a freshly paved highway, yet our ride felt like we were traversing a neglected dirt track, bouncing and jolting all the way.

Approaching within thirty kilometers of Hundred Ghost Slope, we spotted a village flanking the mountain road. Oddly enough, from a distance, the fields appeared overrun with weeds, the houses mostly in ruins, and not a soul in sight.

An hour later, we reached the vicinity of Hundred Ghost Slope. Beyond this point lay a serpentine mountain path strewn with loose stones, impassable by motorcycle.

Deaf Zhang and I secured the bike in a safe spot, and as soon as our feet hit the ground, we were struck by a wave of dizziness, as if stepping off a roller coaster, struggling to find our balance.

Opting to take a breather, we sat down and I surveyed the landscape. The undulating peaks, over a dozen in total, formed a continuous chain that stretched into the distance, resembling a verdant, slumbering dragon.

The surrounding mountains were resplendent and verdant, a stark contrast to the ominous moniker 'Hundred Ghosts'.

Once Deaf Zhang and I had caught our breath, we set out towards a gap between two towering peaks. He had mentioned that beyond the mountain before us lay the fabled Hundred Ghost Slope.

Our journey to Hundred Ghost Slope wasn't solely to confront the Evil Taoist. Deaf Zhang sought to fulfill his master's dying wish by subduing the Hundred Ghosts, while I was on a quest to uncover my origins. The third letter from my foster father had explicitly directed me to seek answers at Hundred Ghost Slope.

We quickly reached the base of the mountain. Looking up, I noted its daunting steepness, despite not being particularly high. The real challenge was the lack of any trail; we had no choice but to blaze our own path.

After more than half an hour of strenuous climbing, I was gasping for air. Deaf Zhang, however, seemed unfazed, scaling the incline with ease.

Exhausted, I signaled for a break and asked between breaths, "Mr. Ergou, are your ghosts still keeping an eye on the Evil Taoist?"

"Yes, the Evil Taoist hasn't strayed from that cave, which is close to Hundred Ghost Slope. We'll see it once we're there. Hang in there, Changsheng. Night is drawing near, and we must reach the summit to find a safe spot to spend the night," Deaf Zhang replied.

Acknowledging the setting sun, I nodded and resumed our ascent. But as we reached the mountainside, we were enveloped by a thick fog.

The fog grew denser with each step, eventually shrouding the entire forest and obscuring all sense of direction. Only the fiery sunset clouds remained faintly visible above.

Fortuitously, we stumbled upon a relatively smooth trail, though its destination was unknown.

With no other option, we pressed on, the area's heavy aura of Yin Qi suggesting unseen perils.

As dusk settled in, Deaf Zhang and I each pulled out our flashlights. But when the beams hit the middle of the road, I was startled to see a pitch-black figure materializing before us!

I jumped, nearly dropping my flashlight. It was inconceivable for anyone to be out here in the desolate wilderness, and besides, if it were a person, I wouldn't be staring at a dark apparition.

The ghost, provoked by the light, lunged at me. In a panic, I ducked behind Deaf Zhang and yelled, "Mr. Ergou, it's time for you to work your magic!"

Deaf Zhang let out a sly chuckle. Poised and ready, he brandished his horsewhip and with a swift motion, sent the specter scurrying away.

"Mr. Ergou, you truly live up to the legends of Li Kui, no, Zhong Kui. Just the crack of your whip was enough to send it fleeing," I said, laughing.

But Deaf Zhang, who would normally bask in such compliments, gave a wry smile and cautioned me, "Changsheng, don't get too ahead of yourself. We may have scared off one, but now there are over ten. We're completely encircled by ghosts."