Just A Daoist Who Occasionally Kicks Ass-Chapter 21: The Beheading Ghost

Li Yanchu said, “It’s likely we’ve entered a place similar to the ghost villages or ghost markets spoken of in old folk tales.”

Head Constable Wang's hand trembled slightly at those words.

Li Yanchu continued, “Head Constable Wang, it’s best if you take your men and withdraw for now. Stay with the carriages. I’ll go investigate alone.”

Head Constable Wang opened his mouth to speak, but Li Yanchu cut in,“This place is stranger than I imagined. If it weren’t for the need to save someone, retreating would absolutely be the wisest course.”

Head Constable Wang sighed. “In that case, take care, Daoist Master Yanchu.”

Old Wang wasn’t the kind to act rashly. Even Zhao Wuzhu had fallen, becoming a corpse possessed by a paper effigy spirit. His own martial ability was on par with Zhao Wuzhu’s, but he lacked any means to handle supernatural forces. Forcing his way in would only create more problems.

Song Sanlang clasped his hands and said solemnly, “Daoist Master Yanchu, your righteousness is admirable. I’ve dabbled in some minor Daoist arts and am willing to lend you my aid.”

Li Yanchu nodded in approval.

The corpse-bearer trade came with many taboos, and the ability to handle fierce or cursed corpses required real skill. He didn’t refuse the offer.

Head Constable Wang led the officers away, while Li Yanchu and Song Sanlang headed in the direction where the mysterious footprints had disappeared.

By now, the world they saw was completely different from reality. And just like that, after walking only a few more steps, the two of them vanished from sight, right under everyone’s noses.

Head Constable Wang swallowed hard and took a deep breath. With a firm wave of his hand, he commanded, “Move! Withdraw quickly. We must not let Daoist Master Yanchu’s efforts go to waste.”

The others followed swiftly, retreating from the area.

Meanwhile, Li Yanchu and Song Sanlang advanced deeper into the “village.” Though the place looked full of life, they still hadn’t seen a single living being. In fact, that only made the place feel even more unnatural.

Footsteps echoed again. At this time, Li Yanchu and Song Sanlang exchanged a look, then dashed after the sound.

This time, they were determined to see exactly what was hiding behind the illusion.

***

“Daoist Master Yanchu,” Song Sanlang said with a frown, “it’s strange... I clearly saw a thin, frail man, so why has he vanished now that we’re here?”

Li Yanchu shook his head. “This place is steeped in evil. Stay alert no matter what.”

The two walked side by side into a courtyard. To their surprise, someone was there!

A man clad in a pale moon-white scholar’s robe stood in the center. Upon seeing the two of them, the scholar greeted them with a loud, pleasant laugh, “What a joy to have friends visit from afar. Please, do come in.”

Seeing this, Li Yanchu exchanged a glance with Song Sanlang. Both were clearly surprised.

Li Yanchu cupped his hands and said calmly, “Greetings, sir. Might I ask your esteemed name?”

Song Sanlang’s mouth twitched slightly. He hadn’t expected Li Yanchu to remain so composed under these bizarre circumstances.

The scholar smiled and replied, “I am Zhang Jian, courtesy name Yunzhi. May I ask how the two of you are addressed?”

Zhang... Is he from Zhang Family Village?

Li Yanchu replied smoothly, “I am Li Si. This is Wang Wu. We’re looking for an outsider. He’s around fifty years old and has only one eye. I wonder if you might have seen someone like that?”

This matched the description Song Sanlang had given of the missing corpse-handler.

However, the scholar shook his head and said, “I’m afraid I haven’t.”

Hearing this, Li Yanchu said simply, “Then we’ll take our leave.”

With that, he turned and made to leave, and Song Sanlang was caught off guard by the abruptness.

But the scholar chuckled. “Since you’re already here, why not stay for a few cups of wine?”

Li Yanchu turned his head slightly and sighed, “You’re like the God of Longevity hanging himself[1].”

The scholar furrowed his brow. “Sir, what do you mean by that?”

Li Yanchu sneered coldly, “Tired of living, are you?”

In a flash, he charged forward. His fists, wrapped in lightning-struck wood knuckle dusters, crackled faintly with lightning.

Seeing this, the pretentious scholar’s eyes filled with terror. Lightning techniques were the purest yang force under heaven and the bane of all evil spirits.

Li Yanchu’s movement was lightning-quick. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of the scholar.

“Ahhh!” the scholar shrieked.

In an instant, he was immediately knocked to the ground.

“Love reciting poetry, huh? How about you eat dirt with that mouth of yours instead!”

Li Yanchu’s fists slammed down like the hammer of lightning itself. It was charged with scalding blood qi and crackling lightning.

The scholar quickly broke down and began begging for mercy. “Please, Daoist Master! Spare me! I’m just an unfortunate ghost trapped in this place. I’ve never harmed anyone!”

Li Yanchu stomped him underfoot, his voice icy. “What the hell is going on in this village? I’ll ask once. Fail to answer, and I’ll scatter your soul to the winds.”

The scholar covered his head with both arms, all traces of scholarly grace gone. He spoke rapidly, “There’s a powerful ghost here, it loves cutting off people’s heads! Years ago, the villagers of Zhang Family Village were all slaughtered by it. I was one of them. After I was killed, I was bound here ever since. That old man you’re looking for... I saw him! He was lured in and decapitated by the ghost. His corpse is in the woods behind the village!”

Li Yanchu’s eyes narrowed. “A beheading ghost?”

Behind him, Song Sanlang let out a miserable cry, overcome with grief.

Li Yanchu pressed further, “And what about the corpse he was carrying? Did you see it?”

The scholar was stunned. “Corpse? I... I never saw any corpse.”

Hearing this, Li Yanchu glanced at Song Sanlang but said nothing.

Just then, a fierce wind suddenly howled outside, thereafter the scholar’s face changed drastically, and he began to tremble in fear.

“The ghost is here. Run! Hurry and run!” the scholar shrieked.

No doubt about it: the final boss always made a dramatic entrance. A moment ago the sky had still been clear, but now it was blanketed with dark clouds.

A violent wind howled. From within a swirl of black miasma, a powerful ghost came flying toward them while gripping a massive broadsword in its hand. Just then, the surrounding air dropped several degrees in temperature.

Terror flickered in Song Sanlang’s eyes. Li Yanchu glanced at him, then turned calmly back to the threat.

The hulking ghost, wrapped in black fog, growled in a low voice, “The scent of the living...”

Still, Li Yanchu remained unshaken. He didn’t reach for talismans or his peachwood sword, and instead his unarmed right hand reached to his waist. At his side hung what appeared to be a butcher’s knife. At least, that was what His master always called it.

The blade had a thick spine and thin edge. It was just less than two chi long, but it exuded a razor-sharp qi. The hilt was bound in fine hemp cord, and it was sturdy and comfortable in the grip.

Li Yanchu knew well this was no ordinary blade. The murderous qi infused into it was heavy, and it felt ice-cold to the touch. It was a true blade of slaughter. When hung in a home, it could even ward off evil and subdue malicious spirits.

Li Yanchu drew the blade, which looked more like a broken sword than a proper one, paying no mind to the looming ghost enshrouded in gloom. Instead, he turned his gaze on the deathly pale scholar nearby.

“Enough with the cheap theatrics. You’re one nasty ghost, you know that?” Li Yanchu sneered.

The scholar froze, then suddenly let out a small laugh. The air around him shifted completely, becoming cold, sharp, and sinister.

“How did you figure it out?” the scholar asked.

Li Yanchu chuckled coldly. “This whole village, and you’re the only ghost here? And still had the leisure to spout crap with us? Yeah, nothing suspicious about that.”

In an instant, the scholar’s face darkened. “It’s been so long since I’ve met someone as interesting as you...“

Li Yanchu’s voice rang like lightning as he said, “Enough talking. Let’s put an end to this!”

With that, his blade surged forward. His moves were swift and fierce as he sliced toward the scholar with the force of wind and lightning.

1. The phrase "God of Longevity hanging himself" implies that even the God of Longevity is tired of living and wants to end his life, because his lifespan is too long. It's typically used to criticize someone, suggesting they’re fed up with living or courting death, often by acting recklessly or foolishly. ☜

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