C23 When the Ghost Contract Was Used

On my way home, I couldn't stop pondering why Bai Xiaoxiao was able to see the true form of Grandma Land while I couldn't. Despite racking my brain, I came to the conclusion that Bai Xiaoxiao was nothing more than an ordinary ghost, and I decided to drop the matter.

Unaware of her unique ability that even I lacked, Bai Xiaoxiao continued driving, oblivious to the significance:

"Wow, Wang Xu, Grandma Land's chest is slightly larger than mine, and it's so well-shaped—like the bamboo shoot type that men in the legends are said to fancy! What do you think? Are you tempted? Maybe you should buy some roses and go back to see her. I'll step aside this time, how about that?"

I chuckled at the ghost who had clearly developed a crush, replying:

"Grandma Land would knock the daylights out of me!"

Upon arriving back at the village chief's house, I was met with peculiar looks from his family, particularly his wife, whose face was a deeper shade of red than Wang Dali's. I understood their reaction; after all, the task I had set for Wang Dali was quite sensitive, and he was likely the only one in the village who could manage it.

Regardless, I, Wang Xu, knew I didn't have the nerve for such things.

Despite the awkwardness in the air, the village chief approached me with urgency:

"Xu, you must check on Lele. Shortly after you left, she began to shiver and cough, and it looks like she's on the brink of falling ill again. What are we going to do?"

The news of Wang Lele's condition sent a shiver down my spine. The equilibrium of the golden chicken life scale was already delicate, and after I had placed the souls of the old ghosts on the copper plate, it had become even more precarious. If that balance were to be disrupted, Wang Lele would be in grave danger.

"How's the scale? Is it still standing?"

The village chief asked, his face lined with worry.

"Well, the scale hasn't tipped over, but it has started to wobble. Xu, what can we do now?"

I hurried to Wang Lele's room, and just as the village chief had described, she was continuously convulsing and coughing. But the most alarming issue was the golden chicken life scale swaying from side to side, with the rooster in the copper plate standing up, looking around nervously, as if sensing the impending peril.

The situation was dire. Wang Lele's convulsions and coughs were manageable, but if the balance tipped, it would be the end. Thankfully, I made it back just in time.

I hastily retrieved a Yang Talisman and affixed it to the rooster's head. With the talisman in place, the rooster settled down, and the scales stabilized significantly. Next, I pulled a willow leaf and some clean water from my bag, wiped my eyes, and opened my spiritual vision, only to feel my heart drop.

The ghostly contract entwined around Wang Lele had swelled to several times its original size and was no longer dormant. It writhed incessantly, like a venomous snake ready to strike. Despite being suspended by the golden chicken scale, part of the contract remained attached to Wang Lele, causing her unbearable agony.

After assessing the situation, I let out a sigh. The village chief, beside himself with worry, was nearly in tears as he clutched my hand and pleaded,

"Xu, you know I've always been good to you. What on earth is wrong with my Lele? Please, you have to save her!"

Explaining the situation to the village chief would be futile at this point. I offered a few words of comfort before proceeding to set up a protective array inside the house.

Bai Xiaoxiao, being a ghost, could see the ghost contract's transformation. She asked meekly,

"Wang Xu, what's happening? Why has the ghost contract on her become so terrifying all of a sudden? It wasn't like this before..."

I sighed again and explained,

"This is a sign that the ghost contract is nearing fulfillment.

Such contracts are incredibly domineering, draining a person's life force while promising to grant a deal—be it wealth, treasures, or a final meeting with a deceased loved one. The ghost will deliver on its promise.

But once the deal is done and the person's wish is granted, the contract will consume their soul entirely. At that point, not even the most powerful immortals could save them.

Judging by the timing, the ghost contract is close to completion. Our only option now is to prepare by setting up a defensive array in the house, ready to repel whatever comes our way and prevent the contract from being fulfilled."

Bai Xiaoxiao gave a small nod before watching me intently as I set up a series of formations in Wang Lele's room designed to thwart any malevolent spirits. The formations gradually pushed Bai Xiaoxiao outside.

I surmised that Wang Lele's wish was unlikely to be for gold or silver treasures. It probably had something to do with ghosts or dreams. Regardless, it was up to the old ghost to grant the wish. My job was simply to keep the old ghost at bay.

In the midst of arranging the formation, Bai Xiaoxiao's voice called out from outside, "Wang Xu! Wang Xu! Come quick! Why is there such a heavy ghostly presence out here?"

Upon hearing her, I quickly joined Bai Xiaoxiao at the entrance of the village chief's house. But everything was serene, not a stir in sight.

"What's going on? Why are you causing such a fuss?" I asked, frustrated.

Yet Bai Xiaoxiao looked genuinely distressed. She pointed into the distance, her lips pursed as she said, "Over there... there's definitely a ghostly aura approaching. Are you blind? Can't you feel it?"

Truthfully, I sensed no such thing. The area before us was clear, and I was eager to get back to Wang Lele's room to continue my work on the formation.

But Bai Xiaoxiao's demeanor didn't seem deceitful, and her pout suggested she felt deeply wronged.

After a moment's thought, I decided to check out the area she indicated. A brief detour wouldn't significantly set back the formation work. Seeing my agreement, Bai Xiaoxiao's expression softened, and she accompanied me.

We walked a couple hundred meters when I sniffed the air and, to my surprise, detected a faint trace of ghostly aura. It seemed distant, but it was there.

I pulled out my compass, and sure enough, its needle quivered slightly, pointing towards the direction Bai Xiaoxiao had mentioned.

"It looks like your eyes and nose are exceptionally attuned, Xiaoxiao..." I remarked, impressed.

Bai Xiaoxiao had seen the Earth Grandma's true form when we borrowed the ghost soldiers. Now, her ability to sense a ghostly aura from afar far surpassed my own. It was clear that I should heed Bai Xiaoxiao's insights more in the future.

I shielded Bai Xiaoxiao behind me, applying talismans to my shoulders and forehead to hide our presence. We cautiously made our way toward the source of the spectral energy.

Before long, I spotted the ghost that was drifting toward Wang Lele's home.

The spectral aura emanating from the ghost was weak, a pale mix of green and white. It moved with a rigid gait, its eyes vacant and mouth slightly agape, seemingly devoid of consciousness, like a marionette being pulled toward Wang Lele's residence.

The sight of this ghost took me aback, not because of its state, but because I recognized who it was... This ghost was Wang Lele's grandfather.

"It looks like the ghost contract was just for her to see her grandfather one last time," I mused. "Who would have thought all this trouble stemmed from him? I guess I'll have to deal with you now."

Bai Xiaoxiao fixed her gaze on Grandfather Wang's apparition, blinked, and then suddenly exclaimed,

"Wang Xu, don't touch him!"