"It's under the elevator shaft. Without a basement, the elevator pit is the closest place to the earth's energy. Choosing this spot is clever."
Although Lu Zhiqiu was discussing something serious, there was a trace of madness in his eyes as he spoke—a predatory glint that made me uneasy.
"You mean it's beneath the elevator shaft? How do we get down there?" Without professional tools to stop the elevator, there was no practical way for the two of us to access the shaft.
"If we can't go down, we'll bring it up!"
He pulled a small black bottle from his pocket. I couldn't see what was inside. He opened it and poured out a bit of its contents. Suddenly, a blood-curdling scream came from below. I felt a rush of cold wind, and before I could react, Lu Zhiqiu yelled, "Chase!" and disappeared down the corridor. By the time I gave chase, he was already gone.
"Even if you want to take off, at least bring me along!"
Left staring at the empty hallway, I panicked. I wanted to go find him but hesitated, afraid he might return to look for me and not find me in my original spot.
While I was torn, Lu Zhiqiu reappeared, visibly relieved to see me. "Why didn't you follow when I told you to?"
Hmph, as if you'd even given me a chance to catch up.
I grumbled silently.
"This time, stick close. If you get separated and that little ghost takes advantage, your life isn't my responsibility."
Walking one behind the other down the corridor, I noticed something odd—though I could see him stepping on the ground, I couldn't hear his footsteps. My own steps echoed through the hall, no matter how lightly I treaded.
"Why don't your footsteps make any sound? Even when I try to step as softly as possible, there's still noise. How do you manage to walk silently?"
He kept moving forward. "Once you delve deeper into this field and experience more, you'll be able to do the same."
His dismissive tone made me feel like I'd stumbled upon some secret technique he wasn't willing to share, so I didn't press further. I followed him until we stopped at the crematorium doors.
"Aren't we chasing that ghost? Why are we here?" When Lu Zhiqiu took off earlier, he'd been pursuing the child ghost. Even if he came back to fetch me, shouldn't we continue the chase? What were we doing here?
Something felt off.
"This is the area with the heaviest yin energy in the entire funeral home. The ghost will return here on its own. No need to chase—it'll come to us."
Lu Zhiqiu turned to face me, a sinister smile on his face.
My unease grew. This person might not be Lu Zhiqiu at all. I'd only met him tonight, but I was certain his icy demeanor didn't include such unsettling smiles. Moreover, tonight, I had asked him multiple questions. He either ignored me or answered as concisely as possible, as if speaking more than necessary physically pained him.
Frantically, I thought of ways to deal with the situation. All I had on me was the triangular talisman Lu Zhiqiu had given me earlier and the Yongle Tongbao copper coin given to me by the master.
The talisman, according to Lu Zhiqiu, allowed him to locate me wherever I went. As for the copper coin, I wasn't sure how to use it, but the last time the female ghost encountered it, her yin energy had dissipated. Hopefully, it would be effective here as well.
Feigning ignorance, I slipped the copper coin into my palm, sweat beading on my hand as I gripped it tightly.
"Do you have a plan to deal with it?"
He nodded, not even turning to look at me. His eyes were fixed impatiently ahead, as if waiting for something. Following his gaze, I saw nothing but empty space. The eerie atmosphere made my mind race with possibilities. Was he waiting for an accomplice?
I hadn't forgotten the Mother-and-Son Ghost Duo we encountered in the basement. The master had severely injured the female ghost but hadn't killed her. It was possible the child ghost was now waiting for his mother.
Dealing with the child ghost alone was challenging enough. If his mother joined him, I'd be doomed.
No, I needed to act before the female ghost appeared.
Summoning my courage, I walked up to 'Lu Zhiqiu.' "What are you looking at? Is the child ghost already here?"
"Almost," he replied, his sinister smile widening.
I swallowed hard, forcing myself to remain calm. I couldn't afford to slip up. If the real Lu Zhiqiu didn't arrive soon, I'd be finished.
"Do you need me to do anything?"
"You don't have to do anything. Just stand there." Stand there and wait to die, apparently.
This wasn't working. I extended the copper coin toward him. "This is what you gave me earlier. You should take it back—it might help you."
'Lu Zhiqiu' hesitated briefly before reaching out to take it.
As soon as the copper coin touched his hand, the yin energy surrounding him began dissipating rapidly. Realizing what was happening, he kicked me hard in the chest, sending me flying several meters.
"Cough, cough—"
The force of the kick left me gasping for air. My chest felt as if my organs had shifted, and the taste of blood rose in my throat.
Unable to maintain his disguise any longer, the child ghost reverted to his true form.
Though I'd been calling him a "child ghost," the being before me stood taller than I was, and my worldview shattered once again.
If this was a "child ghost," what did a "grown ghost" look like?
Stabilizing his waning yin energy, he fixed his hollow eyes on me. "So you knew I wasn't that man all along. But knowing doesn't matter—you won't escape tonight."
"Thirty years as a ghost, and your mother never taught you not to underestimate anyone? Arrogance never ends well."
"Not too stupid," came a voice from behind him.
The real Lu Zhiqiu stood there, holding a seven-foot wooden sword. Though his face was smeared with dirt, it didn't diminish my overwhelming relief at seeing him.