Chapter Sixty-Four: Treachery (Please keep reading, please keep reading)

“Hmph! Seeking death!”

At that moment, the middle-aged Daoist let out a muffled grunt, stamping his foot hard on the ground. He swiftly pulled three sticks of incense from his robes, and, without any discernible technique, they ignited instantly. With a forceful flick of his wrist, the incense sticks hovered around him, suspended as if controlled by some mysterious power.

He began to rapidly form hand seals. As his fingers danced, the incense burned quickly, half consumed in the blink of an eye, releasing a thick, pungent mist. He pointed toward the malevolent ghost. The incense mist shot forth like arrows, piercing toward the ghost.

A wretched scream echoed as the specter’s form dimmed to its utmost, its menace vanishing. It stood there, dazed and motionless, and, with a gust of wind, dispersed entirely—dead.

Meanwhile, Manager Su had already rushed to Qian Qian, his martial prowess overwhelming. Compared to Qian Qian, he was far superior. Even though Qian Qian’s strength had increased after being possessed and he felt no pain, he was powerless against Manager Su, easily subdued.

It all happened so quickly. Both sides clashed with breathtaking ferocity. Chen Yushu was stunned, especially by the middle-aged Daoist, whose succession of techniques opened his eyes to a world beyond his own.

Single-handed seals summoned spirits to possess bodies.
Three incense transformed to arrows, banishing evil with a single strike.

By comparison, Chen Yushu realized how far he lagged behind. Yet he was not discouraged—his cultivation was still shallow. The Daoist with one stick of incense could hardly compare to one with three.

“Are you alright?” the middle-aged Daoist asked, then flicked his horsetail whisk toward Qian Qian, whom Manager Su had subdued. The malevolent ghost possessing him was immediately forced out.

“I’m fine.”

Wu Hong shook his head, his face pale. The repeated injuries left him weak, unable to muster much strength.

“Manager, come help! It’s too fierce!” Steward Zhou shouted urgently. He looked truly battered, his clothes torn, bruises covering his body, all from the struggle with his foe. The ghost possessing that man was a blood-red specter, whose strength surged after fully merging. Each attack carried a chilling force, much like the hidden power of a martial artist, corroding Zhou’s vitality and flesh.

Had he not trained his body, reaching the internal refinement stage with robust qi and toughened flesh, he would not have endured so long.

“Alright.” Manager Su nodded and stepped forward swiftly. With a single motion, he pressed upon the possessed man, who felt as though crushed by a boulder, unable to move. Taking advantage, Steward Zhou kicked him into the air, and Manager Su yanked him down, slamming him to the ground with a resounding thud.

Just then, the middle-aged Daoist dealt with the last malevolent ghost and rushed over. Sensing danger, the fierce ghost instantly withdrew from its host, darting out. But since Manager Su and Steward Zhou couldn’t see its form, they continued attacking the man, while the ghost seized the opportunity to latch onto Manager Su’s back, attempting to possess him.

Manager Su’s expression changed instantly. Yet his martial skills were formidable, his qi vigorous. He summoned his strength, his blood and energy surging like smoke, burning the ghost as if by fire, producing sizzling sounds. The ghost howled, but dared not continue, retreating hastily and letting out a piercing shriek.

The sound was deafening and sharp. Manager Su, Steward Zhou, and the third man were hit first, their faces turning pale, their eyes briefly vacant. The ghost's eyes flashed with a red light. In an instant, Manager Su and Steward Zhou’s gaze became empty, as if lost in an illusion, and they lunged at the middle-aged Daoist, as though he were their enemy.

“Ghostly enchantment!” Chen Yushu immediately recognized the technique. Compared to the lesser ghosts he’d encountered before, this fierce ghost’s spell was far more potent, simultaneously controlling two people.

“Ghostly enchantment!” The Daoist’s expression changed. He knew Manager Su’s strength was unmatched in Jianghuan Town. Although practitioners like them had methods to strengthen their bodies, they couldn’t compare to true martial artists, relying more on their arts in battle.

Their true foes were spirits, ghosts, demons, and monsters.

He quickly retreated, spitting a fiery sword at the ghost. The ghost dodged effortlessly.

“Su Ming, wake up!” The Daoist knew his fiery sword could not harm the ghost; the attack was merely to distract, his true aim to awaken Su Ming. He shouted, tossing a talisman that struck Su Ming with a smack.

Su Ming’s eyes cleared immediately. With his powerful martial prowess and strong will, the talisman’s interference brought him back to his senses.

Yet while Su Ming awoke, Manager Zhou did not. He swung his hand, striking the Daoist. About to attack again, Manager Su intervened, stopping him.

At that moment, the fierce ghost lunged forward, its hands transformed into sharp claws, swiping viciously at the Daoist.

At the critical moment, Wu Hong acted. He’d been watching closely, and now pulled an ancient little sword from his coat, hurling it at the ghost. The sword struck, sizzling, but its spiritual light quickly faded. After all, it was an old artifact—effective against lesser spirits, but struggling against a fierce ghost.

Still, the interference allowed the Daoist to recover. He swung his whisk, knocking the ghost away, then, despite chest pain, threw out three sticks of incense once more.

The incense flew, burning rapidly. With a pointed gesture, they shot toward the fierce ghost.

“Ah!” The ghost howled, its red glow dimming greatly. Seeing its best chance lost and its allies defeated, the ghost spun and fled away from the group—toward the apprentices.

“Watch out!” Wu Hong shouted.

The apprentices, though unable to see the ghost, understood the danger, crying out and rushing toward the back courtyard.

Chen Yushu did the same. Yet as he turned, his foot was suddenly tripped, and he looked up to see someone retract their leg, dashing toward the back courtyard.

“It’s him!” Chen Yushu’s face changed, recognizing the figure.