Chapter Fifty-Five: A Rare Beauty in the Mortal World

As they spoke, the woman in the front row tilted her head gently, brushing her long, lustrous hair with her hand. Her hair cascaded like a waterfall, captivating all who watched. She stood, straightened her clothes, and walked toward the aisle, her beautiful eyes smoldering with allure, a smile lingering at her lips as she glanced toward Cui Yue.

Cui Yue’s heart stumbled, his face flushed with heat, and he dared not meet her gaze, quickly dropping his head in embarrassment. In the dim light, he could make out her shapely figure, the black, form-fitting outfit accentuating her perfect lines, her style bold and modern.

As she passed Cui Yue’s seat, she deliberately paused, her soft laughter barely audible, yet to Cui Yue it sounded like celestial music, sending his heart adrift. Her long hair brushed lightly across his nose, fragrant and delicate, leaving him intoxicated.

Unconsciously, Cui Yue glanced up, and what met his eyes was a face of unrivaled beauty, a smile at her lips like a budding flower, enchanting and soul-stealing.

At last, the woman walked away, leaving the three of them in their seats, still entranced as they gazed after her departing figure, reluctant to let go.

A true goddess among mortals.

The three exchanged glances and nodded vigorously.

Cui Yue quickly tore off a piece of toilet paper and stuffed it in Zhang Hao’s mouth, thoroughly disgusted.

Would you kindly wipe the drool from your mouth?

Zhang Hao glared at Cui Yue and wiped his mouth carelessly.

“Hmph, you’re all pretending you didn’t see anything, acting so high and mighty. She’s a gift from heaven, and such a beauty is my greatest love.”

Cui Yue and Da Zhuang sighed.

“We’re appreciating beauty, all right? Unlike you, acting all lecherous.”

Zhang Hao stared wistfully in the direction the woman had disappeared, shaking his head and sighing repeatedly.

“What a shame, what a shame.”

Cui Yue asked curiously, “Why are you so upset?”

Zhang Hao pointed at the man’s back, lamenting, “All the best cabbages get eaten by pigs.”

Cui Yue couldn’t help but laugh at this, realizing that Zhang Hao was actually bemoaning this fact, and offered comfort.

“Don’t worry, don’t lose hope. If you wield your hoe well, there’s no wall you can’t topple. The organization believes in you—you can do it.”

Zhang Hao kept sighing, heartbroken, but suddenly stared at the man’s back in confusion.

“Hey, Cui Yue, what do you suppose that woman went off on her own for?”

Da Zhuang couldn’t take it anymore. Who cares where she goes? Why meddle in other people’s affairs like you’re worrying about matters of state?

---

“Wait, don’t you find it strange? That man has been in the exact same position, not moving at all.”

Zhang Hao pointed at the man’s back, whispering.

With Zhang Hao’s reminder, Cui Yue realized that ever since he’d seen the woman’s face, the man hadn’t made a sound or moved, sitting like a statue—peculiar indeed.

Cui Yue and Da Zhuang were curious, but didn’t dwell on it. Zhang Hao, however, couldn’t contain his curiosity and insisted on investigating. Cui Yue and the others tried to dissuade him, but to no avail; Zhang Hao was always up to something.

He crept over, glancing around as if he were on some clandestine mission behind enemy lines.

Standing behind the man, Zhang Hao had already concocted an excuse, pretending to need a light for his cigarette.

“Hey, buddy, got a light? Lend me one.”

He gently nudged the man.

But the man remained motionless, as if he hadn’t heard.

Zhang Hao felt a chill. The man seemed devoid of any presence, lifeless and unnaturally still. The dim light in the room made Zhang Hao’s imagination run wild with terrifying images—his legs felt shaky, but he’d come this far; turning back would only invite ridicule from the other two.

Summoning his courage, Zhang Hao thought, damn it, I’ll see what sort of pig managed to win such a goddess.

He leaned forward, fully prepared to flee if anything spooky happened.

Squinting in the darkness, he stared at the man’s face.

Whew...

It was a plain face, neither ugly nor remarkable, just unexpectedly ordinary.

The man slowly turned his head toward Zhang Hao, his eyes dull and vacant, staring at him. His lips moved slightly, but no sound came forth. He slumped in his seat, utterly lifeless.

He turned back to the big screen, his gaze fixed, completely ignoring Zhang Hao.

Zhang Hao stared at the odd man, unsure what to say, and retreated, his face full of suspicion.

Cui Yue and Da Zhuang, seeing him return, were instantly curious and pressed him for answers.

“So? Did he spit all over your face? Ha ha ha!”

Zhang Hao waved them off, muttering, “No, the guy’s... I can’t say what’s wrong, just...”

“Just what?”

“He’s really weird. Can’t explain it. He’s got none of the energy of a living person, like a lump of clay slumped there.”

---

“Hmph, what nonsense. You’re just making things up,” Cui Yue and Da Zhuang said, unconvinced, sure that Zhang Hao was just being dramatic.

Suddenly, Zhang Hao slapped his thigh in surprise.

“I know, I know why!”

“What do you mean?”

“I figured out why the man is like that.”

Cui Yue and Da Zhuang stared at him, tense with anticipation.

“What? Tell us already!”

With a smug smile, Zhang Hao uttered a few words.

Spent to death!

Cui Yue and Da Zhuang’s faces darkened, both collapsing onto the table.

You degenerate!

You can’t go three sentences without reverting to your old ways...

Da Zhuang waved his hand, “Come here, I promise not to beat you to death.”

After some commotion, they finally calmed down.

Cui Yue stared at the man’s back for a while longer. Though strange, nothing seemed particularly out of the ordinary. Perhaps Zhang Hao was exaggerating, as usual.

Later, Zhang Hao slipped out to buy a few buns for everyone, filling their stomachs for the evening. He insisted they stay until the end, clearly unwilling to leave without seeing something exciting.

They watched for who knows how long, but the scene Zhang Hao anticipated never appeared. Suddenly, the screen flashed, and bold characters appeared across it.

“The Tomb of the Desolate Hermit”

Heavy footsteps echoed, and eerie, bizarre background music reverberated throughout the hall, ghostly voices swirling.

A gust of cold wind swept through the previously airtight screening room, rattling the skylight.

Cui Yue and the others exchanged glances, their scalps tingling. They swallowed nervously—so this was the indescribable scene Zhang Hao had promised. Damn, it really was intense.