C79 The Unmarked Common Graves

Ever since I absorbed the Yin Qi of the Ghost Soldier at Hundred Ghost Slope, my Yin Yang Eye has truly been opened, allowing me to see actual ghosts.

Now, though, I wish I couldn't see ghosts at all, just like before when I was blissfully unaware and not so terrified.

Looking up from the ghastly pale hand, I was horrified to see a face, half of which was a bloody mess, with maggots crawling around the mouth that was now flashing me a sinister smile.

I couldn't use the Pond Collecting Talisman that Deaf Zhang had given me before he left, nor could I use the strength in my right hand. All I could do was swear at the top of my lungs.

As a child, I heard from a woodcutter that swearing could scare off ghosts, but now I think that woodcutter probably never encountered a real ghost in his life.

As it turned out, my cursing did nothing but enrage the evil spirit even more...

The ghost's face twisted into an even more grotesque and terrifying expression as it reached for my head.

But the moment its ghostly hand touched the top of my head, a burst of golden light expelled it, vanishing the spirit in an instant.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I gazed at the stars and felt a wave of gratitude; my foster father was still protecting me, even in death.

Maybe it was the protective golden light within me that had been stirred, but no other ghosts bothered me that night. I glanced at Xiaodieh, who was sound asleep, and eventually drifted off again.

This time, I slept until the break of dawn. Before I could even open my eyes, I heard the sound of a car approaching in the distance.

Three people stepped out of the vehicle: Boss Wu and his two henchmen. I snorted and addressed them, "Boss Wu, I see you've still got a shred of decency."

Boss Wu paced back and forth beside us and said, "Kid, I don't want a murder case on my hands. You're lucky this time. Get them out," he ordered his men.

I exhaled deeply, but my breath caught when I looked at Xiaodieh.

Her face was deathly pale, her mouth slightly open with her tongue peeking out. I could no longer sense any life in her...

I was suddenly struck by the memory of Xiaodieh's state when the evil spirit appeared last night, and a sense of dread washed over me. She might have already been dead at that moment. Otherwise, how could she possibly have slept so soundly with an evil spirit present?

"Xiaodieh! Xiaodieh!" I called out loudly.

"Hey, quit playing dead, girl. You're a member of the Thief Sect. You've only been buried for a day; what could possibly have happened?" Boss Wu said dismissively, even giving her head a kick.

But then, Xiaodieh's head lolled to the side, her face turning a ghastly shade of purple.

Boss Wu finally sensed that something was terribly wrong. He turned around in a panic and yelled, "Quick, dig this girl out!"

We quickly unearthed Xiaodieh, and to my astonishment, a skeleton emerged along with her body.

All of us on the scene were stunned. Xiaodieh's legs were being tightly held by two skeletal hands, their fingers digging deep into her flesh.

Boss Wu's hand shook as he checked under Xiaodieh's nose. Frowning, he exclaimed in disbelief, "How... How is this possible? Old Sixth, what kind of place did you pick? Why are there skeletons here?"

"I... I heard there's a graveyard around here..." Old Sixth, one of the subordinates, stammered in response.

Enraged by the answer, Boss Wu kicked him to the ground and cursed, "Damn it, why did you choose this place!"

Soon after, I was dug out and the chains on my limbs were removed. I shook off the dirt and addressed Boss Wu with a cold tone, "Xiaodieh is dead. What are you planning to do now?"

"What can I do? Might as well not waste the hole; just bury her here," Boss Wu replied nonchalantly, puffing on his cigarette.

"Don't you have any remorse? That was a human life!" I raised my voice in accusation.

Boss Wu scowled, flicking his cigarette away, and retorted, "Are you suggesting I should pay with my life? It was just a worthless life. That girl was nothing but a scammer, a tomb raider, a grave robber. She got what she deserved!"

"You! I'm going to report this to the police, sue you for murder!" I said, my fists clenched in anger.

Boss Wu just gave a cold laugh, "You're going to report me? That girl didn't even have an ID. I'll get rid of the body and all evidence soon. And if you don't keep quiet, I'll make sure you're next!"

Boss Wu had repeatedly crossed the line with me. Reflecting on Xiaodie's tragic circumstances, I lost all composure and threw a punch!