Chapter 109: A Colossus

"Laugh while you can, because you’ll be crying soon enough!"

The green-robed ghost’s blank, featureless face wore neither sorrow nor joy, appearing profoundly eerie and terrifying as she let out a series of hissing, ghostly laughs.

Suddenly, the pile of bones before them began to shift slowly. All the fragments and debris gathered together, gradually interlocking to form a monstrous, horrific titan!

ROAR! ROAR!

The massive bone-beast slowly rose to its feet. It possessed thick, heavy limbs and dragged a tail covered in bone spurs. Its entire body was encased in thick, armored bone, yet it sprouted three enormous heads from its neck. It glared at Huo and Cui, emitting a low, guttural roar.

"Look! W-what is that thing?"

Cui Yue pointed at the gargantuan creature, his voice stuttering.

Old Man Huo’s expression was equally grim. He muttered under his breath, "Would you believe me if I said this thing is the green-robed ghost’s pet?"

"I don't believe a word of it! Come up with a plan, fast!"

Old Man Huo hurriedly channeled his energy, sending his Golden Armor Guardians flying forward. Three streaks of golden light transformed into meteors, slashing toward the bone-beast!

ROAR!

Despite its massive size, the bone-beast was incredibly agile. Its bone armor rattled as it moved; with a single stomp, it pinned one Golden Armor Guardian to the ground, then snatched another, swallowing it whole and crunching it to pieces.

CLANG!

The final remaining Guardian swung its broadsword with all its might, striking the beast’s leg, but it didn't even leave a scratch.

ROAR!

The bone-beast seemed enraged. It whipped its thick, heavy tail around, instantly knocking the last Guardian away. With a sharp crack, the impact shattered the magical construct, turning it into a spray of golden stardust in the air.

The bone-beast tilted its heads triumphantly. Its three maws opened to reveal jagged, interlocking teeth, and it brought its massive palm down with crushing force!

With a soft *thud*, the Guardian pinned beneath its foot was flattened into a puddle of mush.

"This strength is simply heaven-defying!"

Huo and Cui exchanged horrified glances.

"Can you conjure a bigger Golden Armor Guardian?"

"No!"

"Then what do we do?"

"Run!"

No sooner had the words left their lips than a massive shadow loomed over them. Had they not scrambled away in time, they would have been ground into paste just like the guardians.

***

Old Man Huo panted heavily, gesturing toward the bone-beast. "I’ll handle this one! You go and take care of the main culprit!"

Cui Yue hesitated, clutching his wooden sword. "Can I not go over there?"

If the pet is this overpowered, isn't going over there just asking for death?

"Fine, we can swap. I’ll go there, and you stay here to deal with this big-footed monster!"

Old Man Huo turned to leave. Cui Yue hurriedly grabbed him, shouting, "I see that either way is death. I’ll go deal with that faceless freak; maybe I can at least land a few stabs on her!"

Cui Yue thought that if things went south, he still had the last talisman left behind by the kid with glasses in his pocket. It might just be enough to severely injure the ghost at a critical moment, and he would rather leave this giant monstrosity to Old Man Huo.

ROAR! ROAR!

The bone-beast went berserk and charged at them. Old Man Huo shoved Cui Yue aside and sprinted in the opposite direction, shouting as he ran, "Hey, Big Foot! Come chase your grandpa! I’ve got something good for you right here!"

The bone-beast lashed out with its tail, the whip-like appendage whistling through the air, but Old Man Huo narrowly dodged it.

Cui Yue stared at the green-robed ghost not far away, his heart sinking.

"May the Supreme Lord Lao protect me. By the urgent order of the law, strike down this faceless freak!"

Cui Yue babbled incoherently, hoping that even if it added only a sliver of power to his peach-wood sword, it would be something.

"Oh, Pei... can you hear my heart's longing?"

The green-robed ghost twisted her form, her blank face turning toward Cui Yue, as a florid, operatic melody reached his ears.

*Big sister, can you change your tune? You’ve been repeating those same two lines over and over—it’s making my teeth chatter!*

Wait, "Pei"? Could there be a connection between Pei Yusheng and this ghost?

"Do you know of Pei Yusheng from Yunshan Village?"

"Oh? So you actually know of Pei Yusheng! Hmph, have you found the remains of that little bastard?"

The words drifted from the ghost, accompanied by a chilling, mournful wind.

Cui Yue’s mind raced. It seemed this ghost was not on good terms with Pei Yusheng. Could the "Pei" she spoke of refer to his father or grandfather?

"That’s right, we found his remains, and we also know that your 'Pei' betrayed you long ago!" Cui Yue said deliberately.

***

Upon hearing the name "Pei," the green-robed ghost’s form shuddered violently. Her emotions fluctuated wildly, and she swayed as if about to collapse.

"What? What did you say? What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"You haven't read the journals Pei Yusheng wrote, have you? It’s all written there in black and white!"

"Say it again!"

The ghost’s tone had completely shifted. Her spectral form trembled intensely, as if she had received a massive shock.

Cui Yue saw his opening and continued to spout nonsense. *If I can’t talk you to death, at least I can buy time until Old Man Huo gets here.*

"Your Pei had a change of heart long ago; he was only ever playing with you!"

"Shut your mouth!"

Upon hearing this, the ghost lost all control. The black mist that had been receding suddenly surged into the sky and lunged straight at Cui Yue’s face.

Cui Yue felt his breath catch. Before he could react, a ghostly claw was pressed against his skull, its long, sharp fingers poised to pierce his scalp and drive directly into his brain.

"You lie! Say one more word and I will drain your soul dry!"

To say he wasn't afraid would be a lie. In this life-or-death moment, cold sweat dripped down Cui Yue’s forehead. He decided to gamble—to gamble on the history of their grievances.

"Why would I lie? Pei Yusheng wrote down all the old secrets. It’s a pity, really—you were trapped by love, only to end up meeting a heartless man!"

The ghost grew even more furious at these words. As she pressed her claws down, Cui Yue winced in pain.

Suddenly, the green-robed ghost retracted her claws and let out a cold laugh.

"Tell me, what else was written in those journals? What else did that little bastard with the surname Pei say?"

The pressure on Cui Yue eased. He wiped the cold sweat from his brow and said purposefully, "You want to hear it? Well, I, your grandfather, don't feel like telling you anymore!"

"Hmph, you’re going to die today regardless, it’s only a matter of time. It doesn't matter if you don't tell me; I’ll just drain your soul dry and take my time finding out everything myself!" The ghost sneered, preparing to strike again.

"Fine! Fine! I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you, alright? Since I can't escape anyway, I’ve never been one to die a fool. I’d rather clear everything up so I can die without regrets!"

Cui Yue rushed to stabilize the situation with words. No matter what, dragging this out for even a moment was worth it. *Old Man Huo, you’d better hurry up!*

"Very well. I shall let you die with clarity today, if only because you are the first people in many years to find this place!"