Chapter 178: Why isn’t this over yet?

Chapter 178: Why isn't this over yet?

The enraged monster was fast, but Zhou Xun was faster.

His ethereal hands swiftly tied the monster's elongated neck into a knot. One hand solidified to reach for his phone, muttering, "What's Chi Shen playing at? Kill it? Eat it... Nah, it's too grotesque to swallow..."

Suddenly, a golden light shot from the couch's direction, knocking the phone from his hand. Looking up, he met Wen Qin's curious gaze: "You're a ghost."

The statement was made with utter certainty.

Zhou Xun hesitated, his hand instinctively caught the phone, and then he noticed a new message from Chi Shen. He quickly pocketed it and shifted his gaze back to Wen Qin.

He didn't answer Wen Qin's query, his expression filled with suspicion.

Wen Qin chuckled, "Not answering? Then I must've guessed right. No worries, I'm your friend. Look, that ghost is my buddy too. I've always coexisted harmoniously with ghosts. Plus, I know you and Chi Shen hail from the same place. I'd love to visit; can you take me there?"

Zhou Xun hesitated, seemingly wanting to say something. But he remained silent, watching Wen Qin warily, refusing to reply.

"If you guide me, we can avoid many troubles." Wen Qin reclined on the couch, producing a glimmering talisman in one hand and a pitch-black bead in the other, "Which one do you choose?"

The moment he presented the bead, Zhou Xun felt a sudden hunger. The monster, with its tied-up heads, opened its mouths, drooling profusely.

Zhou Xun gulped but quickly averted his eyes, pretending not to notice.

Wen Qin gazed at him kindly, "Silent? If you don't speak up, I'll assume you've chosen the path against me."

The glistening golden talisman took effect swiftly. Zhou Xun perceived Wen Qin as if he was glowing, so dazzling that he couldn't bear to look straight at him. The brilliance felt almost scalding, threatening to burn Zhou Xun. Unaware of the talisman's true power, he felt that if its effects persisted, he would surely be incinerated right there.

Thus, he initiated an attack.

His body underwent a transformation, expanding rapidly. He then morphed into a black ethereal shadow, enlarging several times over. Yet, even in the room engulfed by his aura, he managed to stand tall. The surrounding walls seemed nonexistent, not restricting him in the slightest. With a swipe of his massive hand, he aimed an attack at Wen Qin.

Wen Qin's gaze towards him was filled with sorrow and regret. Retrieving another talisman from his pocket and holding it delicately between two fingers, he effortlessly blocked Zhou Xun's strike, "I've communicated with others who came from 'that side' too. I know of you and your kind. Sadly, none willing to cooperate with me possess the capability to open that door. What about you, do you?"

Zhou Xun felt as if his palm had struck a searing hot iron pan. Not only could he not harm Wen Qin, but his hand also felt a scorching pain. He swiftly pulled back, glancing perplexedly at Wen Qin's hand holding the talisman, then at his own deteriorating palm.

"No answer?" Wen Qin lamented, "You've never encountered a genuine exorcism technique, have you?"

Wen Qin positioned the talisman vertically in front of him, forming a seal with his other hand while muttering incantations. With every chant, Zhou Xun felt the talisman's luminance intensify, as did the searing sensation. Within mere seconds, the multi-headed creatures beside him screeched and rapidly disintegrated, dissipating as dark mists.

Although Zhou Xun was a ghost, it was evident that he wasn't of the same caliber as those cobbled-together monsters. Without hesitation, he bolted towards the exit.

However, Wen Qin's response was swift. He slapped a talisman towards the balcony, its golden aura expanding in the air. Zhou Xun ran straight into an invisible barrier. Trying to slip away as a shadow, he realized another talisman had sealed another exit.

He was trapped.

Four talismans floated mid-air, encircling him. The emanating golden light made Zhou Xun feel as though he was roasting inside an oven, akin to a sweet potato just starting to bake.

Wen Qin's gaze towards him was now filled with compassion and affection, resembling an elder tolerating a child's missteps, "Based on the entities I've encountered from 'that side', you all seem to lack this capability. I reckon neither you nor Chi Shen have it."

Zhou Xun stole several glances at Wen Qin, seemingly wanting to speak, yet remaining silent.

"Your silence serves no purpose, only demonstrating your insignificance," Wen Qin said with a kind smile, gesturing to dismiss the encircling talismans, "I'll offer another chance. Would you prefer 'candy' or the 'whip'?"

Zhou Xun eyed a black bead, swallowing hard. He glanced at Wen Qin and whispered, "Chi Shen warned me not to converse with you. He said you'd deceive me."

"Hmm?"

His voice was soft, prompting Wen Qin to lean in. Seizing the moment, Zhou Xun swiftly shrank into a shadowy pool and slid rapidly towards the balcony.

"Disobedient child," Wen Qin's previously benevolent expression vanished, replaced by cold, stern eyes. Raising his talisman, he declared, "You ought to be disciplined!"

The golden talisman rose in his hand, one sealing Zhou Xun's escape route while another was about to strike him.

"Wait."

Suddenly, a blood-tinted spectral energy burst forth from Chi Shen's bedroom, quickly filling the living room and blocking the golden talisman. A blood-soaked hand emerged from the dense spectral mist, writing two dripping words: [Daddy.]

Gazing at those two characters, Wen Qin broke into a comforting smile, "What's the matter? Feeling wronged? Want to talk to Daddy about it? I'll let your mother know when the time is right."

The bloody characters swiftly morphed: [I know what you desire.]

From within the bedroom came the sound of chains. Ji Xingchen's ghostly figure emerged amidst a red and black miasma. Standing at the bedroom entrance, he seemed distantly far even though he was so close. Beneath his glasses, his eyes remained tranquil and reserved as they rested on Wen Qin.

—[But you should know, you no longer control me.]