Chapter 105: One death a day—as a neighbor, lending a hand is only right, isn't it?

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A malevolent spirit!
This old man was possessed by a fierce ghost.
However, what surprised Chen Yushu was that the spirit had gained no advantage.
It seemed there was a special protective layer surrounding the old man. The ghost kept clawing at him but couldn’t break through this shield.
“What is this...?”
Chen Yushu quickly employed his Qi-perceiving technique and immediately noticed a special iridescent glow enveloping the old man.
“It’s the Honor Glow.
This is the Honor Glow.
No wonder Elder Zhong said that after studying and passing the imperial exams, one need not fear ghosts.
Because those who have earned official titles are protected by the imperial aura. For a child candidate, the glow is faint; for a scholar, it is thicker; for a successful candidate, it becomes even more substantial—layer upon layer stacking up.
Because of this, ordinary spirits cannot approach, let alone harm them.”
Chen Yushu gazed at the thick iridescent light and suddenly understood.
The Honor Glow repels ghosts and deities.
This old man was none other than Elder Instructor Li Wenshu, a genuine Jinshi graduate officially appointed by the emperor. Though demoted and returned to his hometown, his title and the Honor Glow remained intact.
Even this fierce ghost before them could not scratch through this thick layer.
Yet Chen Yushu also noticed that as the spirit clawed relentlessly, the thick Honor Glow was gradually being worn down.
If this continued for a day or two, the protective layer might eventually be broken.
“You’ve come.”
Seeing Chen Yushu, Li Wenshu’s eyes brightened. He quickly stepped forward and handed over some books. “These are materials likely to appear in the child candidate’s preliminary exams. I’ve selected them for you. Study them well.
With your knowledge, passing should not be difficult.”
“Thank you, Teacher Li.”
Chen Yushu bowed slightly, his gaze falling upon the books—most he had seen before, but classics and historical texts were his weak points, requiring careful study.
“All right, familiarize yourself well.”
Li Wenshu knew Chen Yushu disliked interruptions once engrossed in reading and wisely prepared to leave.
“Wait.”
But Chen Yushu called him back. “Teacher Li, have you offended someone recently?”
“Huh? Why do you say that?”
Li Wenshu was taken aback.
“Don’t you feel something amiss about yourself?” Chen Yushu asked.
“Lately, I do feel somewhat fatigued. I guess I really am getting old. I used to read all day and night without tiring, but yesterday, after just a little less sleep, I was utterly exhausted.”
Li Wenshu sighed.
“Having someone clinging to you, how could you not be tired?” Chen Yushu explained.
Li Wenshu’s expression changed. He wasn’t just a bookworm; he’d heard and seen many ghostly matters in this world.
He quickly responded gravely, “Are you saying there’s something behind me?”
Chen Yushu nodded. Li Wenshu’s rare solemnity deepened. “Do you know what it looks like and why it’s clinging to me?
I, Li Wenshu, have a clear conscience and fear no ghost’s knocking.
Moreover, with the Honor Glow protecting me, how could it possess me?”
“A middle-aged man, pale-faced... As for how it possesses you, there are many reasons. First, the spirit is a direct relative; only such kin can ignore the Honor Glow and harm you directly.
Another possibility is that you carry a possession of theirs.
That would allow it to appear openly without being repelled by your Honor Glow.”
Chen Yushu described and explained.
These insights came from the “Li Chao’s Record of Ghost Encounters,” where Li Chao helped a scholar plagued by haunting. In that case, the scholar cruelly starved his sick mother to death, and her spirit came back to torment him daily, prompting Li Chao’s intervention.
It was said that even those with titles weren’t immune to spirit possession and torment under certain circumstances.
“Could it be this?”
Li Wenshu was startled, then quickly removed a hairpin from his head.
It was a jade hairpin with a simple design, a favorite accessory among many scholars.
Chen Yushu took it, feeling its icy chill and a dense aura of yin energy. He nodded, “This is almost certainly the spirit’s possession on you.
When I saw you yesterday, you weren’t wearing this.
Who gave it to you?
This jade hairpin’s coldness isn’t natural; even ordinary people would feel something wrong holding it.”
As he spoke, Chen Yushu took out a talisman and pressed it onto the hairpin.
Sizzle...
Instantly, the talisman darkened completely.
This indicated a severe concentration of yin and malign energy.
At the same time, the fierce ghost behind Li Wenshu bared its teeth menacingly, as if warning something.
“This hairpin was given by my student Ziming, and he personally helped me wear it... I felt something was off about him then.”
Li Wenshu’s face darkened. “I must find him.
I never expected that even after being demoted and sent home, some still wouldn’t leave me be...”
Chen Yushu hurriedly stopped him, “Though it’s not a grave threat immediately, over time it will be dangerous.
If it can’t harm you, perhaps it can hurt your family?
Since you’ve helped me so much, I’ll help you get rid of it.”
“Wait!
Aren’t you just an apprentice at the pharmacy?
How do you know how to deal with such things?”
Li Wenshu suddenly realized and asked in surprise.
“I know a little.”
Chen Yushu waved his hand and swiftly entered the shadow realm.
“Do you want to leave on your own, or shall I escort you?”
The fierce ghost suddenly lifted its head, exuding a chilling aura, eager to attack Chen Yushu.
Entering the shadow realm is like a person emitting a strong life aura stepping into the netherworld, like a firefly in the dark, irresistibly attracting ghosts.
Many spirits approach out of curiosity; if the target seems easy prey, they indulge. If not, they hesitate and prefer to communicate.
At this moment, Chen Yushu’s spiritual cultivation was at the ‘One Incense Stick’ level, but martial training made his life force far stronger than ordinary shadow walkers, his aura far richer.
The fierce ghost mistook him for a delicious meal.
“Don’t refuse the invitation and then force me to act!
If you don’t behave, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
Chen Yushu growled sharply, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.
“Little brat, you asked for this.”
The ghost finally spoke, its eyes glowing red as it tried to drag Chen Yushu into an illusion.
But Chen Yushu remained unmoved, even smirking with disdain.

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Having reached the advanced meditative state of Great Stability, Chen Yushu could resist even demonic illusions, let alone this fierce ghost.
He then waved his hand, flinging out a spiritual talisman.
This was a Demon-Slaying Talisman!
The spirit before him was a fierce ghost; ordinary protective talismans were useless against it.
Hence, Chen Yushu struck with the Demon-Slaying Talisman.
Sizzle...
The ghost’s face twisted in pain, and the bloodthirsty aura around it flickered.
One talisman after another, Chen Yushu threw out five in total.
Sizzle...
“Ah...”
The ghost could no longer hold on and burst from Li Wenshu’s body. Its claws seemed to tear the very air as it lunged fiercely toward Chen Yushu.
But Chen Yushu seemed prepared, quickly forming hand seals and pressing down hard.
Boom!
The ghost immediately felt a terrifying oppressive force from heaven and earth, crushing it to the ground.
Chen Yushu then flung out another talisman.
Crackle!
Boom!
A thunderous sound echoed as the talisman struck, causing the ghost’s form to waver.
“Spare me, Immortal Master! I won’t dare again...”
Now frightened, the ghost begged for mercy, surprised by Chen Yushu’s true power and his ability to suppress it.
“You’re not afraid; you just know you’re going to die.”
Without mercy, Chen Yushu flicked his Broken Soul Staff fiercely.
Whoosh!
A gust swept through.
The ghost instantly dissipated.
Chen Yushu scanned the ground but found no soul pearl left behind.
“Is it dead?”
Li Wenshu, hearing the commotion inside the Wen Chang Pavilion, asked suspiciously.
“Dead.”
Chen Yushu nodded, slightly dissatisfied with his cautious approach.
He had wasted several talismans and should have struck directly with the Broken Soul Staff to forcibly expel it. After all, although the ghost was on Li Wenshu, it could not harm him.
Unlike the previous situation at the pharmacy where he had to consider the life of the possessed martial artist.
“Head Instructor Li, was that thunder just now? Are you all right?”
At that moment, a fellow instructor guarding the Wen Chang Pavilion entered, curious.
“Nothing, it was just the bookshelf falling.”
Li Wenshu waved off the concern and quickly dismissed the instructor, his gaze lingering on Chen Yushu. “So, you’re a shadow walker?”
“Circumstances forced me.”
Chen Yushu replied.
“I won’t dissuade you from your path, but study is the righteous way.
I think you should devote more effort to reading.
Whether martial arts or books, nothing surpasses a scholar who rises above all others.”
After speaking, Li Wenshu did not linger. Since someone had attacked him, he must respond accordingly.
First, he needed to clear his surroundings...
His expression darkened at the thought.
“Of course I must study.
But how and why I study is something I need to clarify myself.
Is it just to become an official?”
Chen Yushu shook his head.
Rather than seeking an official position, he looked forward to the Honor Glow that came with the title.
Because that truly repels ghosts.
Fierce ghosts are strong among spirits, yet this one could only gradually weaken Li Wenshu’s Honor Glow after one or two days of constant assault before it could harm him.
With this protection, one would be nearly invincible against spirits.
“As for this hairpin... The ghost is gone. After removing the lingering malign aura, it’s actually quite valuable.
I could probably sell it for several dozen taels of silver...”
Chen Yushu looked at the jade hairpin and pocketed it.
Then he resumed his studies.
...
In the following days, Chen Yushu settled into a routine: pharmacy, Ningjing Academy, home—repetitive but steady.
Li Wenshu had not appeared for several days since the incident.
Chen Yushu was secretly pleased, as it gave him more time to study.
His reading skills improved rapidly.
He estimated that in another day or two, he would advance again.
Of course, much had happened in these days.
First, the Qian family village suffered a string of deaths.
On the first day, hunter Qian Hu died; the second day, herb gatherer Qian Jiawang was found dead hanging from his own beam, like Qian Hu, bitten on the neck and completely drained of blood.
Upon hearing this, Chen Yushu felt relieved—they weren’t the same Qian villagers who had climbed the mountain with them.
But on the third day, when he heard that Qian Yungen had died, a chill went down his spine.
This couldn’t be coincidence.
With a death a day, in a village of over a hundred, two people he knew who had come up the mountain were dead.
Through Qian Qian’s inquiry, he learned that Qian Jiawang had also visited Tianyuan Mountain that day—
This fit the pattern.
That day, Chen Yushu asked his master and others about the whereabouts of geomancer Lv Yizhi.
He felt it necessary to coordinate with them.
But he learned from his master that they had left the day after returning.
Liu Qingyan, Lv Yizhi, and Liu Hexuan had all departed, claiming their mission was complete and needing to prepare to treat Elder Liu.
“...”
Chen Yushu was stunned.
Hadn’t Lv Yizhi asked for his help to deal with the evil spirit plaguing the Li family massacre?
Why did they leave silently?
Though his master mentioned they talked once before leaving, it was in the late afternoon when Chen Yushu was already at Ningjing Academy reading.
“So, the most dangerous now are me, Qian Qian, Ji Xiong, and Wang Zheng.”
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Chen Yushu’s mind raced.
By proximity, whatever this ‘thing’ was, following its scent, it would likely trouble them first.
An intangible sense of crisis filled him with urgency.
He racked his brain for solutions.
“That thing is probably connected to the ghost bride.
After discovering the ghost bride’s death, it sprang from the mound.
It first found Qian Hu, then Qian Jiawang, Qian Yungen... at one per day, next would be us in town. Of course, it could be other villagers continuing to suffer misfortune... since it’s a two-hour journey from Qian village to town, but I can’t gamble.”
Chen Yushu knew his abilities.
He no longer feared fierce ghosts.
But above fierce ghosts? No.
The threat from the ghost bride still haunted him.
The current ‘enemy’ was far stronger, as he had clearly sensed near the mound, much more so than the ghost bride.
“I have to prepare or I won’t even know how I died.”
Chen Yushu murmured, then quietly looked toward the last house.
He knew two occult practitioners lived there.
One was a corpse caretaker, Zhao Yufeng, whose aura was thick and shielded, even his Qi-perception couldn’t penetrate clearly.
The other, Qi Jichuan, a sword-bearer, was a true master at the ‘Three Incense Stick’ level and a martial artist with internal energy—undeniably powerful.
With little hope relying on his own strength, his only thought was to seek help.
As a good neighbor, lending a hand was reasonable.
Before, he only thought to escape.
Now, he saw that neighbors should support each other. One’s odd habits or affinity for corpses shouldn’t cause estrangement.
That made no sense.
Besides, he had worked hard recently.
First, in talismans.
Ordinary spiritual talismans were ineffective against those possessing objects, so he focused on Demon-Slaying and Thunder-Attracting talismans.
Though he wanted to learn the other talisman types from the second volume of the Morning Sun Talisman Techniques, time was scarce.
Creating new talismans took hours to days.
He had no time.
Better to draw more Demon-Slaying and Thunder-Attracting talismans.
Also, he re-pasted protective talismans around the courtyard, to detect any approach from the enemy and respond promptly.
As for Xiao Yin, he now carried her everywhere, not daring to let her stay home alone.
Jianghuan Town was unstable.
With many wandering martial artists, assorted social classes, and daily silent fights, trouble was constant.
Beyond that, there were tomb raiders, itinerant performers, grave robbers, and ghost tamers—those versed in secret arts.
Chen Yushu never underestimated anyone.
Better to be cautious than reckless.
In martial arts, his progress was significant.
Daily he drank Vitality and Qi Nourishing Decoctions, along with Red Cloud Lingzhi mushrooms, his internal energy and strength improved rapidly.
His Eighteen Continuous Blades and Eight-Step Cicada Escapes reached mastery; the Wild Wind Blade technique reached the intermediate level.
“Still not enough.
Luckily, today I’ll reach full ‘One Incense Stick’ cultivation, then I can ignite the Earth Fire and start the second incense stick phase.”
Chen Yushu glanced at his status panel.
Immortal Cultivation: One Incense Stick (97/100)
He sighed in relief.
One Incense Stick was still low; his techniques’ power was limited.
At Two Incense Sticks, his cultivation would enhance his techniques greatly, improving his safety.
Arriving at the pharmacy, Chen Yushu saw the hall filled with people.
Apprentices bustled about, gathering and preparing herbs.
Medical apprentices followed doctors to assist with wounds.
Feeling awkward about going upstairs alone to practice, Chen Yushu joined the work.
Though excused from chores, he helped when busy; after all, he was still an apprentice.
“Brother Xu, what’s going on? Why are there so many injured?”
While preparing medicine, Chen Yushu asked Xu San.
“Early yesterday, a somewhat renowned martial hero led a group to storm Water Curtain Gorge.
They suffered heavy casualties.
They were bewitched and killed each other.
Fortunately, some experts broke the spell, and these people sobered up, returning to town for treatment.
That was lucky.
Those who didn’t wake up reportedly died—over ten already, even the hero didn’t make it out.”
Xu San had been busy since yesterday afternoon and heard much from wandering Jianghu folk.
“This is the third wave recently.
Each time, more people die.
No one knows what’s attracting them.”
An apprentice named Lu Yuan shook his head.
“That’s the Tomb of the Great Martial Master, a figure more powerful than the shopkeeper in life.
A notorious pirate, said to have buried vast treasure and martial arts manuals inside.
Who wouldn’t be tempted?
It’s no surprise so many come.
Just don’t know when it will end.”
Lu Yuan joined the discussion.
“Soon, I heard from Steward Zhou that officials arrived, planning to organize everyone to explore the tomb.
Maybe they’ll open it soon.”
Xu San looked toward Lu Yuan. “What about your Qian family village?”
“Don’t know.
It’s been reported, and the Yin Division has been sent to handle it. Hopefully, they’ll eliminate the thing...”
Lu Yuan shook his head.
Chen Yushu was silent, realizing Jianghuan Town was truly chaotic.
Amid the bustle, he noticed Qian Qian at the backyard gate waving anxiously. He hurried over.
“Master Qian, what’s wrong?”
“Trouble!”
Qian Qian whispered, “Ji Xiong is missing.”