“Chapter Twenty-Five”

"Chapter Twenty-Five"

"Shen Wang didn't take Liu Zhengyi seriously, merely crossing himself silently and praying for him."

"The next day, Shen Wang received another call from Liu Zhengyi, this time with a sobbing, trembling voice: 'Master Shen, save me, please save me...'"

Shen Wang was very puzzled: "Save what life?"

From Liu Zhengyi's chaotic cries and howls, Shen Wang managed to piece together the truth of the matter.

It turned out that Liu Zhengyi, remarkably efficient, had found a certified Taoist priest from somewhere, paying two hundred thousand for ghost-catching assistance.

Thinking he had struck a bargain, little did he know the priest was inept, failing not only to capture the ghost but also getting severely beaten by it, vomiting blood on the spot, while his apprentice fell into a coma, unresponsive.

Now, both priests had lost their fighting ability, barely sustaining themselves with some magical instruments, but even an outsider like Liu Zhengyi could tell they wouldn't last much longer.

"Master Shen, two million! I'll pay two million! Please save me, I don't want to die!"

Liu Zhengyi, emotional and desperate on the phone, Shen Wang's eyes twinkled: "Two million was yesterday's price, today it's gone up."

Faced with life and death, Liu Zhengyi no longer cared about how hard-earned his money was, agreeing immediately: "No matter the cost, I'll gather it, even if I have to sell everything, as long as you, Master Shen, can save my life, money is no object!"

"Three million," said Shen Wang.

"No problem!"

Lured by the call of money, Shen Wang sprang from his bed, grabbed his talismans and cinnabar, and left the house.

Arriving at Liu Zhengyi's, his house was already shrouded in increasingly dense black resentment, oppressively hanging in the air like storm clouds, causing an unsettling feeling.

To ensure the Taoist priest could perform rituals undisturbed, Liu Zhengyi had already sent his wife and children away; now, the empty living room only had three men lying askew on the floor.

As soon as Shen Wang stepped in, the dense black resentment surged towards him, but before it could get close, a soft white light shone, keeping all the ominous black mist at bay.

"Like standing in a glistening bubble, a huge bubble radiating soft white light burst through the black fog, approaching the three people on the ground."

"Well, if it isn't that someone," Shen Wang laughed upon recognizing the faces on the ground, "Last time we met, you were as aggressive as a fighting cock. How come today you're like a capon?"

"The Taoist priest hired by Liu Zhengyi for two hundred thousand turned out to be Qian Liangjun."

"Qian Liangjun's mouth still had traces of blood he hadn't managed to wipe off, lying on the ground unable to move, his expression ugly, eyes wide with anger."

"We've only met three times in total, and each time you're worse than the last," Shen Wang sighed genuinely, "Ancient martial clans, all like you…"

Speaking, Shen Wang gave Qian Liangjun a meaningful glance, as if saying everything without saying anything.

"Shen Wang!" Qian Liangjun struggled to stand, like a salted fish trying to flip over, comically pitiful, "Don't think just because you've learned a bit of superficial magic you're invincible, doing whatever you please. The world of ancient martial families is full of capable people…"

Shen Wang scoffed lightly: "Capable people like you?"

Liu Zhengyi watched the exchange between Shen Wang and Qian Liangjun, glancing from one to the other, then eagerly approached Shen Wang: "Master Shen, given the urgency of the situation, when will you show your great powers and subdue this evil spirit?"

"By now, the surrounding black fog had grown so thick that it was almost impossible to see the furnishings in the room, the negative energy and resentment almost tangible, oppressive."

Shen Wang looked around, pinching a triangular talisman between his fingers, and casually tossed it forward, the sound of crackling and lightning momentarily opening a small gap in the black fog."

"A Five Thunder Talisman! How do you have a Five Thunder Talisman!" Qian Liangjun's pupils constricted in shock.

"The Five Thunder Talisman is one of the most powerful attack talismans, extremely difficult to draw, requiring high-quality talisman paper and cinnabar. Only a few elder-level figures in the metaphysical community can make them."

"Shen Wang, a rogue practitioner without a school or lineage, without a master or a teacher, how could he have a Five Thunder Talisman!"

"Shen Wang paid him no heed, pulling several small yellow triangles from his pocket and tossing them out all at once."

"After a chaotic mixture of breezes and flames, the black fog ahead thinned considerably, but Shen Wang showed no joy. His gaze hardened, fingers pinching several talismans, vigilantly eyeing what lay ahead."

"Shen Wang's casual use of so many talismans left Qian Liangjun staring in disbelief."

"Qian Liangjun, priding himself on his noble heritage as a descendant of an ancient martial family, was just one of many in his sect, competing with his fellow disciples for cultivation resources."

"With only mediocre talent, Qian Liangjun received little, and today, to combat this vengeful spirit, he had nearly exhausted all his magical instruments, barely managing to stay alive."

"If I had so many powerful talismans..." A flicker of greed crossed Qian Liangjun's eyes as he fixated on the talismans at Shen Wang's fingertips.

"Shen Wang stood silently confronting the black fog, then suddenly, under Liu Zhengyi's terrified gaze, stepped into it."

"'Master Qian, Master Shen... he's gone in!' With the only master capable of resisting the evil spirit gone, Liu Zhengyi was trembling with fear, nearly in tears."

"Why is he so unlucky, each master he found more unreliable than the last? Was he destined to die here today?"

"Qian Liangjun also frowned deeply, gritting his teeth and struggling to send a message on his phone."

"The vengeful spirit, hidden in the pervasive gloom, watched Shen Wang advance step by step into its territory, calculating how to drain the Taoist's magical powers."

"Then to drag him into its realm of resentment, leaving him unable to live or die!"

"The next second, Shen Wang pinched his fingers, and the talismans in his hand ignited without fire. The flames, sensing the surrounding negative energy, began to greedily devour it."

"In an instant, the vengeful spirit felt a significant portion of its negative energy being devoured, as if a large bite had been taken out of a cake, clearly noticeable."

"What is this thing?! The vengeful spirit, driven only by obsession and resentment even after death, was shocked, hurriedly withdrawing the black fog around Shen Wang back into itself."

"Heavenly Fire Talisman, really effective. Shen Wang was quite satisfied with the effect of the Heavenly Fire Talisman. Heavenly fire, being yang, encounters yin energy as if it were paper, able to burn it cleanly in minutes."

"But heavenly fire, drawn from the sun, not only burns negative energy but can also ignite objects. If not controlled well, it could easily start a fire... Once Shen Wang was sure he could keep the range of the heavenly fire within the room, he had no more concerns."

"As for the furniture in Liu Zhengyi's room, it was all down to luck now."

"Shen Wang felt no guilt, ready to activate another Heavenly Fire Talisman, when the elusive vengeful spirit finally revealed itself."

"The vengeful spirit, with its blazing red eyes, stared at Shen Wang, full of resentment: 'Taoist, there is a cause and effect between him and me. This is what he owes me, why are you obstructing me?'"

"This ghost's resentment was so intense that it showed signs of evolving into a more powerful spirit. Shen Wang frowned and said, 'What's the cause and effect between you two? Tell me, maybe I can help you.'"

"The ghost, swirling in black fog, hesitated, its pale ghostly face full of confusion: 'Why is this Taoist not following the usual approach?'"

"After a two-minute standoff, the spirit, overpowered by the Heavenly Fire Talisman, reluctantly started to speak."

"The ghost, named Jiang Lin, had died by suicide half a year ago, and the cause was a report by Liu Zhengyi."

"Chengnan Daily is a nationally renowned newspaper that successfully transitioned to a digital media platform after the decline of print media, gaining tens of millions of online followers with astonishing credibility and influence."

"In life, Jiang Lin was a doctor who treated a patient from a not-so-wealthy family. After surgery, he recommended a cheaper alternative to an expensive medicine, less effective but more affordable. His hospital didn't stock this alternative, so he advised the patient's family to buy it from a pharmacy outside."

"This should have been a commendable act, and the patient was very grateful. Liu Zhengyi learned about this and proposed an interview with Jiang Lin."

"Unsuspecting, Jiang Lin agreed."

"Days later, a news story titled 'A third-grade hospital doctor insists patients buy drugs he recommends, exposing the dark dealings between doctors and pharmaceutical reps – when will this end?' erupted."

"Liu Zhengyi twisted Jiang Lin's interview, hitting hard on the public's anxiety over doctor-patient relationships."

"The news dominated the trending searches for days. Jiang Lin was relentlessly vilified, suspended by his hospital. Even at home, his relatives and friends would mockingly ask him how much money he made from recommending a drug…"

"'I thought of proving my innocence through death.' The previously calmed resentment surged again, a blood tear sliding down his pale face, shockingly and tragically, 'But after my death, the news vindicating me only got a few thousand shares. No one cared about my death, only my patient spoke up for me.'"

"Meanwhile, Liu Zhengyi, riding the wave of this news story, reaped substantial traffic and clicks, grinning ear to ear every day. Even after learning about Jiang Lin's death, he merely remarked casually, 'How could a good person just die like that.'"

"'I hate!' Jiang Lin's gaze fixed firmly in one direction, piercing through layers of black fog to see Liu Zhengyi's unrepentant face, 'He instigated this cyber violence, he caused my death! I want him to pay with his life!'"

"Over the past six months, Jiang Lin followed Liu Zhengyi, watching him disregard the truth to fabricate one false story after another, triggering netizens' sensitivities and causing innocent parties to be cyberbullied. Even when the truth was later clarified, no one paid attention anymore."

"From a mere earthbound spirit to now a more powerful vengeful ghost, Jiang Lin's sole obsession was to see Liu Zhengyi dead!"

"As he spoke, Jiang Lin's ghostly aura grew even denser."

"Shen Wang sighed, knowing Jiang Lin had sunk deep into obsession, turning demonic."

"The stronger the ghost, the easier it is to lose oneself. Ordinary earthbound spirits can reincarnate after resolving their obsessions, but vengeful and fierce ghosts disperse their obsessions after completion."

"Now, Jiang Lin only wants Liu Zhengyi to pay with his life. Once Liu Zhengyi dies, Jiang Lin will follow the internet wires to those who cyberbullied him, making them pay too... Eventually, he'll become a mindless, murderous fierce ghost, killing anyone he encounters."

"'Death is nothing,'" Shen Wang clicked his tongue, advising Jiang Lin, "'For some, living is the true torment.'"

"The darkened Jiang Lin, shrouded in black mist, paused, looking at the peculiar Taoist in front of him."

"After an uncertain wait, Liu Zhengyi and others heard footsteps coming from the black fog, drawing nearer to the living in the room."

"Liu Zhengyi knelt on the ground, where faint yellow stains spread: 'I haven’t lived enough, I have a wife and kids, I don’t want to die…'"

"Qian Liangjun’s face was pale, but as a cultivator, he managed to keep his composure, unlike Liu Zhengyi, who had wet himself in fear."

"'What’s that smell, so unpleasant,' the person emerging from the black mist pinched their nose in disgust."

"Upon a closer look, Liu Zhengyi burst into tears again: 'Master Shen, you’re alright! Don’t scare me, I’m faint-hearted.'"

"Shen Wang, with a smile not quite a smile, looked down at Liu Zhengyi and asked, 'Do you remember Jiang Lin?'"

"Instantly, Liu Zhengyi’s face drained of color, trembling, 'He’s the ghost? He’s come back for me... It’s not my fault, he was just mentally weak, that’s why he committed suicide! It has nothing to do with me!'"

"Liu Zhengyi continued to wail and incoherently defend himself: 'I just published a news story, I didn’t do anything, it was the netizens who insulted him. Why come after me and not them? I’m innocent...'"

"As Liu Zhengyi’s excuses grew louder, the faint ghostly aura in the air suddenly turned into a deep black, like angry thunderclouds ready to strike him."

"Shen Wang glanced at Jiang Lin hidden in the black fog, then coldly said to Liu Zhengyi, 'What you think doesn’t matter. What matters is, Jiang Lin wants your life.'"

"As Liu Zhengyi trembled with fear, Shen Wang asked, 'Do you still want to live?'"