The phantom world automatically dissipated, and Lin Feng and the Headless Ghost simultaneously returned to the funeral home.
Lin Feng noticed a new entry under the Ghost Guard section in his system:
Headless GhostDescription:Executed by decapitation. After death, wandered into the ghost city, now a close guard of the Ghost King. Strong in defense, skilled in illusion-based attacks.Level:20Position:Ghost SoldierSkills:Decapitation Technique, Flying Head Technique (New)Overall Evaluation:Battlefield wraith, resilient willpower, fiercely loyal. A tanky spellcaster, perfect for leading the charge.
Level 20 Ghost Guard? Awesome!
Lin Feng didn't know why the Headless Ghost had chosen to pledge loyalty to him at the last moment, but it didn't stop him from basking in the glow of his own charm.
Inside the coffin hall, Niu Meng and the Wailing Ghost were locked in an intense fight, while Nie Chuxia and her yellow-armored general were steadily gaining the upper hand against the Starving Ghost.
As Lin Feng regained his senses, he suddenly realized that the Tongue Ghost was missing.
The next moment, a long tongue pierced through his chest.
Splat—
Lin Feng's eyes glazed over, staring in disbelief at the tongue impaling his chest.
"Lin Feng!!"
"Brother Feng!!"
Nie Chuxia and Niu Meng repelled their opponents and rushed toward him.
Lin Feng felt dizzy for a moment but quickly snapped back to clarity. Blinking in confusion, he muttered, "Weird… it doesn't hurt."
Both Nie Chuxia and Niu Meng froze, and so did the Tongue Ghost.
Lin Feng looked at the wound in astonishment. It really didn't hurt.
Then his vision blurred. A hazy figure appeared on him, like a doppelgänger. The Tongue Ghost's attack had pierced this figure's chest.
From atop a coffin, the Flaying Ghost, now restored to its bloody, skinless appearance, crossed its legs and sneered, "Of course it doesn't hurt. That's my human skin."
Lin Feng watched as his doppelgänger blurred further, transforming into a disheveled youth with indistinct features. The youth then crumpled into a heap of skin filled with straw.
"Flaying Ghost! How dare you interfere?!" the Tongue Ghost fumed.
Yawning, the Flaying Ghost's face turned cold. "Interfere? Hah. Back when I led you lot, you followed me around like a dog. Now you dare yell at me?"
The Tongue Ghost faltered, then sneered darkly, "Since the King disappeared, the Dragon Cypress Guard has disbanded. Stop pretending to be important! You're just a stray dog now!"
The Flaying Ghost's face twisted with fury. The stark contrast between his past and present, coupled with being openly disrespected, was a crushing blow to his pride. Always loyal to the Dragon Cypress Ghost King, he had refused aid or alliances from the city's ghost lords, sustaining himself by depleting his own strength. Meanwhile, the Tongue Ghost had thrived through flattery and political maneuvering, now even surpassing the Flaying Ghost in power.
"Tongue Ghost, come and try me! Let's see who's the real dog!"
The Tongue Ghost cackled, "You? Your human skin puppet is destroyed. What can you fight me with?"
"How about adding me to the mix?"
Lin Feng stepped forward, locking eyes with the Tongue Ghost.
The Tongue Ghost grinned wickedly. "Boy, you got lucky thanks to the Flaying Ghost. Do you really want to die? Neither of you stands a chance against me. Come on, try me!"
"How about… I join in as well?"
A new voice spoke.
The room fell eerily silent as all eyes turned to the Headless Ghost.
The Headless Ghost… had spoken?!
From a corner, a one-eyed old ghost chewing on a pig's head gave a low whistle and remarked, "Advanced to fierce ghost rank? Not bad."
Fierce Ghost?!
"You blind old fool! Say one more word, and I'll rip your tongue out! Wailing Ghost, Starving Ghost, get over here and help me teach them a lesson!" the Tongue Ghost barked.
Lin Feng eagerly awaited the One-Eyed Ghost's response, anticipating the Tongue Ghost's awkward comeuppance for daring to insult such a fearsome entity.
But the One-Eyed Ghost merely glanced at the Tongue Ghost before returning to his meal.
The Wailing Ghost and the Starving Ghost didn't move either, blocked by Niu Meng and Nie Chuxia. With three opponents, the Tongue Ghost was under mounting pressure.
"Headless Ghost, we've been brothers for years. You'd betray me now?!" the Tongue Ghost roared.
The Headless Ghost replied sluggishly, "You… were good… before. Now… too reckless. Last time… the mass grave… those little ghosts… you ate them… didn't you? No wonder… you've grown… so fast."
The Tongue Ghost stiffened. How had he found out?
The Wailing Ghost and the Starving Ghost stared at the Tongue Ghost, stunned.
Ghosts devouring other ghosts! A forbidden taboo even among spirits. Cannibalism was abhorrent to all ghosts.
After a moment of silence, the Tongue Ghost let out a sinister laugh. "Yes, I ate them. So what?!"
His malice spread through the air as he continued, "We're all pitiful wretches. Stop pretending to be saints! Headless Ghost, didn't you do good deeds in life? Yet your family was destroyed, and you died without even a proper burial. Haven't you thought about gaining strength to avenge yourself?
"I endure this wretched existence outside the cycle of reincarnation for revenge! Kill him, and we'll have the resources we need to grow stronger. Headless Ghost, Flaying Ghost, what are you waiting for?!"
The silence returned, heavy and tense.
The Tongue Ghost was skilled in manipulation. Lin Feng didn't believe the Headless Ghost or the Flaying Ghost would turn against him, but he couldn't let the Tongue Ghost gain the upper hand in this war of words.
Back in his street-brawling days, there was always someone responsible for taunting the other side and undermining their morale. In his crew, that role was his.
"I say… Big Tongue, are you done talking?"
Lin Feng pursed his lips and looked at Long Tongue Ghost as if he were an idiot. "Even I don't believe that killing me would provide cultivation resources. Aren't you tired of wagging your tongue and babbling nonsense? On the other hand, if you follow me, I can bring you endless cultivation resources. Think about it—your cultivation resources come from offerings burned by humans, right? They're incense offerings! And I, Lord Lin, am a living human from the mortal realm. Just use your imagination—how much incense and offerings could I access?"
As Lin Feng's words fell, even the one-eyed old ghost gnawing on a pig's head was stunned.
What the—?
They had been living in Ghost Town for so long without any offerings from the mortal world, relying on odd jobs for rich ghost lords just to scrape by. None of them had ever imagined that humans could be so useful.
Peeling Ghost's eyes lit up. Crying Ghost's eyes lit up. Starving Ghost's eyes lit up. Even the one-eyed old ghost in the corner had his eyes brighten.
They all turned to look at Headless Ghost. This guy didn't have a head and usually seemed dull, but his decision to pledge loyalty to Lin Feng was suddenly seen as exceptionally clever.
Crafty!
Headless Ghost felt the jealous gazes around him. While he was secretly shocked, he couldn't help but feel smug.
The main reason he had sworn loyalty was because he believed Lin Feng's ghostly flames would greatly aid his cultivation. Who would've thought there'd be such unexpected perks?
Long Tongue Ghost suddenly felt regret, as if his intestines were tied in knots.
This guy—he's the real jackpot! The ghost lords of the city? Nothing compared to this!
"Peeling Ghost, would you like to follow me? Food and drink guaranteed," Lin Feng offered.
Peeling Ghost laughed slyly, his laughter dripping with cunning. "I'd be delighted!"
Ding! Peeling Ghost is willing to pledge loyalty to you. Accept?
Lin Feng didn't hesitate and chose yes.
Peeling Ghost
Description: A soldier in life, skinned and stuffed with straw to death.Rank: Ghost CadetSkills: Skin SubstituteOverall Evaluation: A down-and-out ghost soldier who was once a fierce ghost. Though his cultivation has declined, his skin—crafted into a ghostly artifact—is nothing to underestimate.
With two ghosts now under his command, Lin Feng felt confident.
"Capture Long Tongue Ghost and his group. Someone among them knows how to enter the mortal world. Interrogate them and find out."
The system had mentioned that there were ghosts causing trouble in the mortal realm. Destroying them would suffice.
But after the Green Willow Manor incident, Lin Feng had become cautious. Since these ghosts had traveled to the mortal realm, it meant there was something of value there. Why not interrogate them and learn the method of travel?
After all, he was destined to deal with ghosts often in the future. Establishing a connection here could lead to unexpected benefits later!
Lin Feng couldn't help but admire his own emerging business acumen.
Following Lin Feng's orders, Peeling Ghost and Headless Ghost got to work.
Though Headless Ghost had the highest cultivation, his attacks were limited. But with Peeling Ghost's help, they quickly subdued Long Tongue Ghost and his companions.
"Interrogate them. Anyone who's been to the mortal realm, I'll personally perform a purification ritual later."
Stretching, Lin Feng felt the battle was finally coming to an end...
Morning in Nanyang City. The sun was barely rising, and workers were just starting their day at the International Trade Building. Employees arranged goods on counters while janitors cleaned the floors.
Suddenly, a shriek echoed through the first floor.
"Security! Somebody help! There's a pervert here!!!" screamed a cleaning lady.
Outside the women's restroom on the first floor, Lin Feng's face twitched. Why on earth was the Ghost City's portal to the mortal realm located here? Could someone explain?!
Lin Feng tried to leave but was blocked by a group of enthusiastic citizens.
"You sicko! How dare you peek into the women's restroom!!"
The cleaning lady covered her face, sobbing. "My dignity is ruined! I'm taking this to court!"
The concerned crowd cast sympathetic glances at her. Lin Feng nearly lost it and wanted to yell back: I didn't do anything! Besides, didn't you see Nie Chuxia was with me?!
A security guard arrived and shouted at Lin Feng, "Who are you? What unit are you with? Do you know where you are?"
Helplessly, Lin Feng glanced at Nie Chuxia. She stepped forward and spoke coldly, "Call your supervisor here. I am Nie Chuxia!"
The security guard sneered, "I've never heard of you! Do you think you're some kind of celebrity?"
Nie Chuxia clenched her fists tightly, fury bubbling within her.
The cleaning lady pointed at Nie Chuxia and said tearfully, "She's with him! I saw her with a phone outside the women's restroom, clearly filming for him! My reputation, my dignity—oh, how could this happen…"
With that, the cleaning lady started crying again.
The security guard snorted, "You look so well-dressed, young lady, but you stoop to such disgusting behavior? Both of you, come with me!"