Chapter Ninety-Six: The Ants

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I carefully secured the Earth Talisman Scroll close to my body. Everything was neatly arranged. The Death Talisman was placed together with the Earth Talisman Scroll. After finishing these preparations, I neither drew more talismans nor dwelled on anything further; I simply lay quietly on the ground, closed my eyes, and rested.

Escaping from here was the only thing that would give all this meaning. If I couldn’t get out by nightfall, I would be buried in the Qianshui River, and thinking about anything else would be pointless.

Soon, my consciousness slipped into sleep.

Any form of rest was ineffective for me without sleep. During this time, peaceful slumber had become a luxury.

I was awakened by Li Yue’s call.

Opening my eyes, I noticed that her face was no longer streaked with tears. Her complexion had improved greatly, yet there was an indescribable heaviness lingering on her face.

At the entrance of the manor, Wang Gongming stood silently. The main gate was open, and outside, the mist hung thickly.

Only then did I realize—it was almost dark.

I quickly rose from the ground, handed Li Yue the seven prepared Tremor Talismans, and said gravely, “These talismans, together with the Fusion Talisman, should protect you for a while. Don’t die following us. If you get a chance, escape.”

Li Yue bit her lip tightly, as if wanting to refuse.

I took a deep breath and said, “Remember what I told you? If I don’t make it out, you must help me finish those things.”

Closing my eyes briefly, I whispered, “If possible.”

Turning away, I didn’t look at Li Yue’s expression.

Instead, I walked directly behind Wang Gongming.

This time, it was no longer me trailing behind Li Yue; it was Li Yue following me.

Wang Gongming’s pace was slow. After we left the Wang family manor, I realized the mist wasn’t coming from the town but from the manor itself. Once outside, it gradually faded away.

It was like when my mother was in our courtyard—other ghosts and people couldn’t see inside our home.

Walking down the main street of the town, Wang Gongming seemed to be reflecting on the many changes Qianshui Town had undergone over the years.

Though slow, the path was bound to end eventually.

Qianshui Town was small—so small that even at this slow pace, it only took ten minutes to reach the end.

Ahead, I saw a river roaring with turbulent water, waves crashing against the banks.

Along the riverbank stood over a hundred ghosts, all clad in black robes, standing on tiptoe—their backs facing us, a sea of dark heads.

My pupils contracted sharply. I grabbed the prepared talisman brush without hesitation and quickened my pace behind Wang Gongming.

At that moment, the ghosts suddenly turned their heads!

Their faces were fierce, and they opened their mouths simultaneously, emitting four words filled with resentment and hatred:

“Undying. Unrelenting!”

“Undying! Unrelenting!”

“These ghosts have long lost their own will. They obey that thing completely. They seek revenge and will stop us without rest,” Wang Gongming said calmly—so calm it was frightening.

I sharply flicked the talisman brush forward!

A Dou Talisman transformed into a black sword and shot out!

Immediately, over a dozen vengeful ghosts lunged at us!

This time, the Dou Talisman did not kill any of them but severely injured them.

“Don’t attack. Preserve your best energy and spirit. Wait for that thing to come,” Wang Gongming said.

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The moment Wang Gongming finished speaking, his body suddenly became ethereal.

Beneath Qianshui Town, a vast amount of yin energy surged forth, enveloping the vengeful ghosts.

The ghosts howled fiercely and screamed in pain but were almost powerless to resist.

“As long as the Town Ghost is inside that Judge’s Hat, he is nearly invincible. He can even repel the Yin Messengers. How could these vengeful ghosts harm him? The main problem is he is injured, and then there’s the ghost he mentioned. They must possess something strong enough to deal with Wang Gongming. That’s why he wants to leave Qianshui Town and confront them outside the town,” Li Yue spoke rapidly.

I was deeply unsettled.

In just a moment’s time, these hundreds of vengeful ghosts had been completely subdued by the yin energy. Though they hadn’t dissipated, they had lost the strength to stop us.

Wang Gongming was near the riverbank. A hint of ruthlessness flashed in my eyes.

He was a good man—he saved Li Yue and me and offered his help.

But I couldn’t rely entirely on his soul.

Without advancing immediately, I grabbed one struggling vengeful ghost and fiercely absorbed its essence.

A wisp of black energy drifted toward me.

My soul gained some reinforcement.

I quickly seized another ghost. This time, before the black energy reached me, I absorbed yet another.

Li Yue’s face was full of terror.

“Xie Yuan, are you reckless?” Clearly, Li Yue had heard everything. She had said nothing when I absorbed the first two ghosts, but now seeing my actions, she clearly understood what I was doing.

“There’s no such thing as life now. I want to get out too.”

Suddenly recalling what Li Cangshui said—that I might not live to leave Qianshui Town—had he already seen through something?

The souls of ten vengeful ghosts collapsed.

Four had already entered my body. I felt my soul begin to swell and ache, and I could no longer absorb another ghost.

Then six more souls surged into me, penetrating my soul.

In an instant, I felt as if my soul was being torn apart.

I groaned and nearly fell to my knees.

Li Yue hurriedly came to support me.

I gasped and pushed her hand away, my voice hoarse: “Don’t get too close. These ghosts are under control. You need to leave now—stay as far away as possible.”

A hot flow surged from my nose; my eyes burned slightly; my ears felt like something was leaking.

My vision blurred red. I knew clearly that I had absorbed too many ghosts. My soul barely held, but my body could no longer bear it.

At the riverbank, Wang Gongming’s aura suddenly weakened considerably.

He remained powerful but no longer exuded that sense of omnipotence.

“You’re struggling hard. I didn’t misjudge you. I hope you can survive,” he said.

Without turning, he stared deeply at the river’s surface.

“They’re coming?”

His low voice carried a hint of resolve.

My eyes were bloodshot. Downstream, more than ten coffins floated—rotted and eerie.

Beneath the moonlight, I could even see countless hands grasping the edges of the coffins, as if pushing them forward or pulling them upstream against the current.

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As the waves crashed, I clearly saw beneath the surface: dense clusters of hands accompanied by a throng of human heads pressing together!

This was no simple upstream coffin procession!

It was a procession of a thousand ghosts carrying coffins!

The lead coffin was the only one not decayed.

Its color was unique, suffused with a deep crimson hue.

“Red coffin buries wicked souls. If the coffin drips blood, the soul within is as fierce as a vengeful spirit. Are you afraid?” Wang Gongming suddenly said.

I did not shake my head.

Any movement now caused me bone-deep pain.

All seven orifices of my body were bleeding.

Pulling open my chest clothing, I pressed the talisman brush soaked in blood against the wound. Concentrating all my will, I struck the spot between my eyebrows and drew a horizontal line there.

This time was much easier than before; my soul directly pierced through my body.

However, I did not collapse.

My soul only partially emerged—half outside my body.

Moreover, this soul was so solid and substantial it was almost like a physical form, scarcely distinguishable from my body.

Controlling my soul, I bit my tongue.

The blood was purple, and this time I saw it clearly.

I spat the blood onto the talisman brush, my gaze filled with unprecedented determination.

The scarlet coffin neared the shore.

A man dressed in bright red shrouds silently appeared atop the coffin.

Wang Gongming suddenly raised his hand.

The river’s surface seemed to freeze, motionless.

The coffins could not advance.

The man smiled faintly, his voice lifeless: “Wang Gongming, you’re injured.”

“You’re hurt, so today, you’re doomed.”

Wang Gongming stood still beside me.

The man narrowed his eyes and said, “Don’t you plan to perish together with me here in the Qianshui River?”

“Or have you accepted your fate and come to escort me into the town?”

“Perhaps then, I could spare your life—and let your daughter out to see you.”

“Begin.”

Wang Gongming’s voice suddenly turned hoarse.

I could no longer endure; my soul began to ache and tear.

The ghost’s gaze suddenly fixed on me. His voice grew colder and more resentful:

“You are the one who swallows ghosts. Today, you will die here, too. In my eyes, you are all mere ants!”