Chapter 472: Why Have You Stolen My Bamboo Staff?
A ruined temple in a mountain village, a rainy summer night.
This region had been restless of late—an evil ghost was causing havoc, disturbing the mountain roads and bringing disaster to the Yangjiang River below.
The mountain roads were not too concerning; few people traveled at night, and those who did had been further deterred by the ghostly disturbances. At worst, some unsuspecting traveling merchants from out of town, delayed on the road or eager to reach the market ten li outside Yangdu City in one go, might fall victim when passing through. But even then, the ghost did not always succeed—it depended on luck.
The waterways, however, were another matter entirely.
Merchant ships often sailed at night.
And when it could not find victims on the mountain roads or the waterways, the ghost would pick a nearby village to haunt, peering through windows and stirring fear among the people.
It was said that skilled exorcists would always investigate a ghost’s background before attempting to deal with it. Even the original owner of the treasure in his hands—who was now in Yangdu City—had followed this practice. So, following their example, Huo Erniu had inquired about the ghost before setting out.
The nearby villagers all said that it was the first ghostly wail they heard at the foot of the mountain during this year's jingzhe.
It was as if the spring thunder had awakened it.
Yet for some reason, Heaven had not taken it away. It had escaped its fate and, after just a few days of lying low, had begun wreaking havoc.
This ghost was particularly vicious.