The bench was ice-cold, and the damp air was nearly suffocating.
Lin Feng's forehead was drenched in sweat, streaming down like a waterfall. On closer inspection, tiny maggots were crawling over Huang Chaoxian and Ning Yan.
"Why aren't you speaking?"
Lin Feng realized they were getting closer, nearly pressing their faces against his. His body felt as if it were pinned down; he couldn't move a muscle.
Ning Yan leaned in, extending a long tongue from her mouth, licking Lin Feng's cheek before sliding it into his mouth.
Ugh—
Lin Feng felt something like days-old rotting flesh wriggling into his mouth. He tried to scream, but the tongue shot straight down his windpipe.
"Don't look at what you shouldn't; don't meddle in things you can't control."
Huang Chaoxian whispered close to Lin Feng's ear, his fingernails digging into Lin Feng's neck and slowly tightening.
...
Pain, faintness, suffocation; Lin Feng felt like he was drowning, his throat crushed bit by bit.
"Niú Měng… Niú Měng…"
Lin Feng murmured, unable to make a sound.
In a daze, he felt his body grow light, as if he were floating. His mind grew foggy, and a bright white light filled his vision, replacing the park scene. But he hadn't floated far before a pair of large hands grabbed him, shoving him back down.
"Moo—"
A loud cow's moo sounded from above, echoing in his ears. Just as he was about to lose consciousness, it jolted him awake. A powerful slap landed on the center of his forehead.
"Ah—!!!"
Lin Feng sat bolt upright, gasping for air as if he'd just been pulled from the water. The ghostly figures of Huang Chaoxian and Ning Yan had vanished. Beside him was Niú Měng, looking at him with worry.
"Feng, you're finally awake!"
Lin Feng felt around him; there were no maggots, no foul taste in his mouth, and his throat was intact.
The mountain breeze chilled him, and he shivered, realizing it had all been a dream.
"Niú Měng, what happened?"
Niú Měng replied, "You suddenly fell asleep and wouldn't wake up no matter how I called you. I thought you were just tired, but then you started sweating profusely; your soul nearly drifted away! Luckily, I was quick enough to pull it back!"
What?!
Lin Feng was shocked. Had he nearly lost his soul just now?
"What's going on, Feng? How did you almost get your soul snatched?"
Murder by ghosts?
Lin Feng shuddered. He didn't know what had happened, but it seemed he'd been cursed.
"Did you see that couple leave?"
Niú Měng shook his head. "Their presence is still there. Should I go check it out?"
Lin Feng gave a wry smile. Still there?
It seemed there was a powerful spirit in the Yuetan Mountain. When had he fallen under its spell?
"Go take a look; they're probably already dead."
"Dead?"
With a mix of doubt and curiosity, Niú Měng jogged off.
Less than a minute later, he returned, wide-eyed. "Feng, you were right! Over there, only two walking corpses remain, embracing each other. Their souls are gone."
The once-peaceful Yuetan Mountain was now shrouded in mystery. The mountain breeze felt chilly, tinged with the scent of blood.
Lin Feng thought to himself: This park's been here for almost three years. How could such a spirit appear out of nowhere?
Recalling the ghost's sinister methods, he decided immediately, "Let's head down the mountain!"
...
At 5 a.m., Lin Feng and Niú Měng arrived back home, grateful to have survived the ordeal.
Lin Feng took a shower and collapsed on the couch, his heart still racing like a drum.
If Niú Měng hadn't been by his side tonight, who knows if he'd even be alive now.
Come to think of it, how did Niú Měng manage to wake him up?
That cow's moo had been strangely soothing, dispelling his fear as if it purified him.
Lin Feng glanced at Niú Měng. This guy might look simple-minded, but he was quite capable. A true descendant of the ox-headed underworld warriors, born to be a ghostly guardian. If that were true, his counterpart, the horse-faced warrior, would likely be equally formidable!
For the first time, Lin Feng wanted to find the horse-faced warrior even more than Niú Měng did!
Reflecting on last night's ambush and seeing no trace of the ghost, Lin Feng sighed with regret.
"They say scholars are the least afraid of ghosts, but sadly, I didn't study enough. Otherwise, I might've found more clues…"
The atmosphere turned somber, his expression melancholy. Just as Lin Feng was lost in his sighs, Niú Měng looked at him wide-eyed, admiration evident. "Feng, you studied?!"
Lin Feng was about to continue his musings, but Niú Měng's words completely ruined the mood. He nearly choked on his words!
What do you mean I studied?
Lin Feng roared internally: I made it to sophomore year in high school before dropping out, okay? Back in junior high, I even came first in my county exams!
Lin Feng shot Niú Měng a glare. "What? You don't believe me?"
Niú Měng grinned. "Of course I believe you! I'm just in awe! Scholars are highly respected in the underworld. Feng, when will you come back with me? I want to brag about you! My parents would be thrilled to know their son serves a scholar as a ghostly guardian!"
Geez! So this is what they call 'killing with kindness!'
"Go back with you? I'd have to die for that to happen!"
Seeing as you only want to boast about me, I'll let it slide.
Ignoring Niú Měng's excitement, Lin Feng lay back on the couch, feeling the weight of his brush with death. It was a harsh reminder that some ghosts were truly untouchable. He had thought finding clues would mean just interrogating a few harmless spirits, but this "blue mission" was truly deadly.
Then again... the Fierce Ghost Containment System never said anything against getting external help, did it? So, maybe I could find someone to assist me?
Lin Feng pulled a business card from his pocket.
It was a finely crafted wooden card, with a simple layout.
Qixing Temple, Nie Chuxia.
Revisiting the events of the previous night, Lin Feng realized that this ponytailed woman's appearance was intriguing. She'd arrived just as he released Mi Shihong's spirit, seemed to be searching for something, then left.
If this wasn't just coincidence, it could mean… this ponytailed woman could sense the presence of ghosts!
Lin Feng twirled the card in his fingers. If she really could sense ghosts, she'd be a powerful ally.
...
Once he'd finished his work that afternoon, Lin Feng spent the rest of his time debating whether to call her.
He'd looked online, and there wasn't any "Qixing Temple" in Nanyang City, making him even more curious about her background.
After pacing his office for a while, he finally picked up the phone and dialed her number.
After a few rings, a woman's voice answered.
"Hello, who's calling?"
Since he intended to ask for her help, Lin Feng figured he'd better be polite.
Clearing his throat, he said, "Hello, is this Miss Nie Chuxia?"
The woman replied, "Yes, speaking. And you are?"
"It's me… the guy you cursed with the 'grieving hand'…"
She let out a quiet "Oh," sounding slightly less cold. "Oh, it's you. Why are you calling? Did something happen to your family?"
Something happen to your family!
Lin Feng cursed silently.
"Actually, there's something I'd like your help with."
"Hm?" She sounded skeptical. "You're asking me for help?"
She emphasized the "me" heavily.
"Yeah."
Taking a deep breath, Lin Feng asked, "Miss Nie, if I may ask… do you believe… in ghosts?"
There was a long silence on the other end.
Lin Feng felt nervous, almost thinking she wouldn't answer. But finally, Nie Chuxia's voice came back on, "I believe."
Lin Feng breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as though he'd heard a heavenly choir.
"Then… are you able to sense the presence of ghosts?"
Another silence followed, during which he could only hear the sound of his own heartbeat.
At last, Nie Chuxia replied, "Yes."
Just as I thought!
Lin Feng's heart raced. His hunch had been spot on. Nie Chuxia was clearly no ordinary person.
Then she asked, "Why are you asking this? Have you been haunted?"
After she finished speaking, Lin Feng went quiet.
After a moment, he chuckled wryly, "Not exactly. But if I told you I'd like your help in catching a ghost, would you believe me?"
"Catching a ghost… helping you?" she said, sounding as if she were testing him.
Before she could say more, Lin Feng confirmed, "Yes. My name is Lin Feng, part-time ghost catcher. Before you ran into me last night, I was indeed in the company of a spirit."