Even though I didn't understand all the nuances, it was clear to me that this so-called Yin-Yang master was up to no good. I'd heard stories back in my hometown—ghosts that stay rooted in one place are always the most dangerous. Instead of resolving grievances, this Yin-Yang master was only deepening the ghost's hatred for humans, clearly with malicious intent.
Zhu Wantao explained that Yu Zixin didn't know any better. With the Yin-Yang master's help, she secretly moved the corpse back to the school at midnight and buried it in a small grove. However, she soon realized that An Shengzhe, the man she wanted, wasn't interested in her at all. Instead, he pursued Xiao Ying at first, then shifted his attention to Xiao Xiang, reigniting Yu Zixin's murderous rage.
Yu Zixin sought advice from her hometown acquaintance and hatched a plan to use a ghost to kill. This way, they wouldn't be directly implicated in any deaths, and even if Xiao Ying and Xiao Xiang died, their ghosts wouldn't come seeking revenge. They approached the Yin-Yang master again, asking him to release Feng Lan's spirit. The master agreed, but only after the Mid-Autumn Festival.
At this point, Wu Long interjected, "After the Mid-Autumn Festival, the ghost fetus will have matured!"
Everyone shivered in unison, especially Xiao Xiang and Xiao Ying, who looked pale as sheets. I couldn't help but feel suspicious. Knowing An Shengzhe's shameless ways with women, how had he not succeeded with Xiao Ying? And had he already done something terrible to Xiao Xiang?
Zhu Wantao continued, explaining that Yu Zixin came up with a plan to use ghost stories as a way to lure Feng Lan's spirit. Knowing Xiao Ying and Xiao Xiang's penchant for such tales, Zhu Wantao encouraged Liu Bin to tell Feng Lan's story that night. To no one's surprise, it worked, and Feng Lan appeared. Everything that happened afterward was a direct consequence of that plan.
That night, after I used Liu Yan's ghost to scare that wretched woman Yu Zixin, the Yin-Yang master sensed it and rushed over to summon Feng Lan, consuming Liu Yan's spirit in the process.
When Liu Bin heard that Zhu Wantao had encouraged him to tell Feng Lan's story on purpose, he exploded in anger and lunged at him again. This time, I stepped in and held Liu Bin back, turning to Zhu Wantao and asking, "So you're the real mastermind, Yu Zixin's hometown acquaintance, aren't you?"
Zhu Wantao quickly denied it. "No, I'm not her hometown acquaintance! I once pursued her, but she rejected me. One time, she got drunk and spilled everything to me. When she sobered up the next day, she threatened me. If I told anyone, she'd have Feng Lan kill me. I only agreed to help her to save my own life!"
"Bullshit! I overheard your conversation with Yu Zixin in the new building last night. You did all this for Xiao Ying and Professor Qiu, didn't you?" My patience snapped, and I slapped him hard across the face, twice.
"That was just a side benefit!" Zhu Wantao muttered, cradling his swollen cheek.
"Don't argue with me!" I barked. "Who's her hometown acquaintance?"
"I don't know. She never told me where she's from."
It seemed Zhu Wantao had confessed everything he knew, and he genuinely didn't know who Yu Zixin's hometown acquaintance was. Just as I was about to ask about the Yin-Yang master, the soul-snaring bell outside suddenly began ringing frantically, as if it might break. We all instinctively turned to look out the window.
A strange ghostly face appeared on the other side of the glass. It was a male ghost with a thin, sharp face, long, pointed front teeth, and a small braid hanging over one ear—a surprisingly stylish look for a ghost.
Wu Long gasped, "Not good! They've finally sent out a ghost fighter!"
"What's a ghost fighter?" I asked curiously.
Wu Long explained that a ghost fighter, or "Ghost Qi", is a battle-trained ghost raised by members of the Ghost Sect. Like people raising fighting crickets, these individuals pit ghosts against each other in a macabre game. Originally, these fighters were seasoned old ghosts with advanced ghostly techniques, hence the name "Qi," which originally meant "elder." Over time, however, the term evolved to refer to any powerful and aggressive ghost fighter, most of whom are now young ghosts.
Wu Long whispered this explanation to me, not wanting the others to hear.
I was stunned. People actually trained ghosts to fight like this? What kind of twisted person comes up with these ideas?
"Quick, use your spirit communication technique and persuade this ghost fighter to turn against Feng Lan," Wu Long urged.
I stared at the sharp-eyed ghost fighter and swallowed nervously. "This guy looks cunning. Do you really think I can convince him?"
"Ghost fighters are raised to love combat. Use your wits, and you'll be able to get him to fight Feng Lan."
Easier said than done. What if I failed to persuade him and ended up getting torn apart by both ghosts instead? But there was no time to hesitate. Closing my eyes, I formed a hand seal and recited an incantation. Soon, I found myself surrounded by black mist. Two ghostly silhouettes emerged—Feng Lan and the ghost fighter.
Seeing their menacing forms made my stomach churn, and I felt a sharp pain in my bladder. Great, I was about to wet myself.
"Well, well, looks like you're still alive and recovering fast. But this time, you won't escape!" Feng Lan's sinister grin sent shivers down my spine, making me break out in a cold sweat.
The ghost fighter sneered, hands clasped behind his back. "Why waste time? Let's just eat him!"
"Wait!" I shouted. "I have something to say."
The ghost fighter paused, and even Feng Lan looked intrigued. "If you're begging for your life, don't bother!" she snapped.
I shook my head. "Not at all. I wanted to ask the esteemed ghost fighter—do you think you can defeat a Fu Shou Ghost? The ghost standing before you is one of the rarest and most formidable Fu Shou Ghosts. Wouldn't you want to test your strength against her?"
The ghost fighter narrowed his eyes. "So, you recognize me as a ghost fighter? Seems like you know your stuff. But your provocation won't work. I only follow my master's commands—I never act on my own."
Damn it. Wu Long's plan wasn't working! This ghost fighter was way too sharp to manipulate. Watching the two ghosts exchange glances, clearly preparing to attack, I quickly shifted tactics and turned to Feng Lan.
"Hey, I was just joking with him. Actually, I have something important to tell you."
Feng Lan scowled. "I'm not interested in hearing it!" Her face began to enlarge like a balloon, becoming horrifyingly distorted.
"Wait! The breakup letter back then—it wasn't written by An Shengzhe!"
My quick and desperate statement immediately deflated Feng Lan's grotesque visage, like a balloon losing air.
"How do you know about the breakup letter? I never mentioned it," she asked, her tone a mix of shock and curiosity.
Gotcha. If I couldn't handle the ghost fighter, perhaps I could win Feng Lan over instead.