Chapter 51

Chapter 51

The ash figure struggled desperately, but it could not overcome the white paper figure clinging to its back.

At last, it was dragged directly over the basin of clean water.

I thrust my hand downward. “Substitute–drop!”

The evil entity plunged into the basin with the little paper figure.

Although a Dry Immortal could attach itself to a person or animal and drive its host to drink water madly, its true body was terrified of water.

The human-shaped mass of ash dispersed across the surface the instant it touched. The Dry Immortal began dissolving too, releasing shrill, monkeylike screams until it vanished completely.

Silence returned to the room.

I collapsed onto the floor, drenched in sweat and gasping for breath.

My first solo encounter with an evil entity had ended without mishap, but it had taken everything out of me. Both body and mind were far more exhausted than when I helped carry the coffin at Duan Family Manor.

Back then, true experts like Old Cao, Yuan Fei, and Big Bull had done most of the work. I had merely tagged along. Though I earned credit by killing the female corpse in the end, the opportunity had simply fallen to me.

This experience was nothing like that one.

“Brother Wu, you’re incredible!”

Zeng Jin scrambled over to me, his face still terrified and his forehead soaked with sweat.

I honestly admired him. He was loyal, and he had guts.

I had already survived so much and could be considered initiated into the esoteric arts. Zeng Jin was only an ordinary middle schooler. It was impressive that what he had just seen had not made him faint or wet his pants.

I patted his shoulder. “It’s over. Wang Dachun should be conscious again. Come on, let’s check the sofa.”

I got up and walked over. Wang Dachun lay sprawled across the sofa like mud, mouth opening and closing as he gasped like a fish on land. The fear and lingering horror in his eyes showed that he was himself again.

“Quit panting!”

I kicked him once more and sneered. “Saving you nearly killed me. You did nothing, so why are you lying there like a dead dog?”

“Come on, Brother Wu. Brother Chun has suffered enough. Don’t hit him or yell at him anymore,” Zeng Jin pleaded.

It was not just that I had a sharp tongue. I still did not like the guy. We no longer had a grudge, but saving a classmate was one thing and finding him obnoxious was another.

Of course, I knew Wang Dachun had suffered more than either of us. Spirit possession was no joke. Even though the Dry Immortal had not occupied him long, it had forced him to drink over a hundred pounds of water. Zeng Jin had rammed a basin of ash into his mouth, and I had kicked his stomach with all my strength.

After that ordeal, his vitality had to be badly damaged. He would probably remain listless for a week or two and need plenty of nutritious food.

What I never expected was for him to struggle off the sofa and drop to his knees before me, tears and snot streaming down his face.

“Wu Zhong… no, Brother Wu! Thank you for saving my life. I was blind to your greatness and mistook a good man for an enemy. I swear I’ll repay you.”

He prostrated himself on the floor.

What?

My expression froze. I was baffled and astonished. I had never imagined he would admit his fault, much less bow so deeply to me.
By then, apart from kneeling to one’s grandparents during rural holiday observances, ordinary people almost never did such a thing.

Deep down, I was gratified. At least I had not nearly worked myself to death for nothing.

Outwardly, I said coolly, “What century is this? Knock it off. Did you learn that from some costume drama or Hong Kong movie? Get up.”

Wang Dachun might be a spoiled rich kid who sometimes bullied people, but apparently he was not rotten to the core.

I nodded to Zeng Jin, who hurriedly helped him back onto the sofa. Then Zeng Jin began gesticulating wildly. “Brother Chun, you have no idea what Brother Wu–”

Wang Dachun cut him off with a nod. “I do. I was conscious the whole time, except when that ghostly thing suppressed me. Especially at the end, when Brother Wu worked his spell… How do I explain it? It was incredible. Like watching television, except I was the person on the screen.”

Only then did I learn that some victims remained aware during spirit possession.

It also proved that the Dry Immortal was merely a minor forest sprite, not anything powerful. A fiercer evil entity could completely suppress its host’s mind. Even after being rescued, the victim would remember nothing from the possession.

Wang Dachun regarded me reverently. “Brother Wu, why didn’t you tell me you were this powerful? If I’d known, I never would’ve dared… I’m such a blind fool. From now on, you’re my boss. Whatever you tell me to do, I’ll do it.”

Hong Kong gangster movies were popular then, so middle schoolers often pledged themselves to a “boss.” They were melodramatic teenagers, after all.

To me, it was childish.

“No need. I only want to study hard and rank first in our grade. From now on, behave yourself. Stop looking down on students from the countryside and stop causing trouble.”

The usually arrogant boy nodded meekly. “Yes, Brother Wu. You’re right. I’ve learned my lesson.”

Then I asked what mattered most: how had he encountered an evil entity normally found only in remote forests?

He sighed. “It’s all Second Zhao’s fault. Yesterday, he and I made a bet…”

His story gradually unfolded.

Second Zhao’s real name was Zhao Zheng. He was the self-styled king of the eighth grade at Lianghe Town’s district middle school. Like Wang Dachun, he neglected his studies and spent his days acting like a spoiled delinquent.

Their fathers worked at the same organization and were rivals, so the boys naturally hated each other. They often traded insults and occasionally blows.

On Wednesday, another dispute led them to fight on the roof. It ended in a draw, so they called each other cowards until Zhao Zheng proposed a wager to prove who was braver.

Middle schoolers were rebellious and hot-blooded. Neither was willing to back down. Wang Dachun agreed before even hearing the challenge.

Zhao Zheng told him about a dirt road leading into the hills, across the paved road that turned from the school toward Lianghe Bridge. Follow it to the end, turn left onto a trail, and in about ten minutes you would reach a hill covered in graves…