Wielding the Thunders Across Two Worlds-Chapter 62: The Fair Maiden of the Ghost House
Typically, Ghost Houses have crooked trees and are overrun with weeds. Inside, you’d find torn window paper, half-open doors, scattered furniture, thick layers of dust, and cobwebs everywhere.
Of course, if an ordinary person were to enter a Ghost House, the Ghosts inside would use Magic to transform it into an exquisite, beautiful estate. They would serve delicious food and drinks to lower the visitor’s guard.
However, this is all just a Blinding Technique. Once the Magic is broken, the true Ghost House is instantly revealed. It might even be built right next to a graveyard.
Therefore, Gu Zhao immediately suspected this was an Illusion Technique created by the house’s Ghosts.
However, despite channeling power to his eyes to inspect everything carefully, and even extending his Divine Sense to cover the area, he couldn’t find the slightest trace of Magic.
"Not an Illusion Realm?" Gu Zhao asked in surprise.
"It’s not an Illusion Realm!" Taoist Yan Song patted the corridor pillar beside him. "Unless their Magical Power is far greater than ours, there’s no way they could prevent us from noticing any abnormalities."
"But it’s also possible they’re an expert in Illusion Technique." Bai Ke hopped out of the Silk Embroideress’s backpack and onto her shoulder. "If we run into a Fierce Ghost who has mastered Illusion Technique, we’ll be in big trouble."
You can fight an enemy with weaker Magical Power. But if you’re trapped in an inescapable Illusion Technique, your life and death are no longer in your own hands.
The Silk Embroideress glanced back. Seeing the main gate of the estate was still open, she asked fearfully, "Are we still going in?"
Taoist Yan Song also looked at Gu Zhao, waiting for his decision.
"Of course, we’re going in." Gu Zhao nodded. "We’re already here!"
’Of course, it’s right to be cautious, but once a decision is made, you have to forge ahead. If a mere Ghost House in a county town can make us hesitate and stop in our tracks, how will we ever make our way in this world?’
A look of approval flashed in Taoist Yan Song’s eyes, and he took the lead, walking forward.
The three of them entered in single file and soon arrived at the central hall.
Just as they had seen from the outside, the tables and chairs were arranged neatly, and the calligraphy and paintings were clean and free of dust. Even the Incense Burner on a side table had a coil of incense burning within it, sending up faint, curling smoke.
Taoist Yan Song sniffed. "The incense has pollen in it. The owner of the house is a person of refined taste."
The Silk Embroideress looked at a vase on a side shelf, which was decorated with images of various birds and flowers. "It’s so beautiful!"
Gu Zhao raised his head to look at the portrait hanging at the front of the main hall. The painting depicted a middle-aged Scholar in a Confucian robe and a square cap, holding a scroll. With a refined and amiable expression, he gazed forward.
Gu Zhao looked at the eyes of the man in the Confucian robe, feeling as if the man was also looking at him.
As Gu Zhao studied the portrait, a thought flashed through his mind. ’Could this be another one of those things, like a Painting Demon or a Painting Ghost?’
’Painting Demons don’t cultivate physical bodies, only their Divine Souls. That would explain an expertise in Illusion Technique.’
But before Gu Zhao could test his theory, footsteps came from behind the hall, and then a clear, cold voice suddenly rang out, "To come uninvited and enter unannounced is to be an unwelcome guest."
The group whipped around and saw a white figure slowly walking into the hall.
The newcomer wore a moon-white gauze dress embroidered with silver thread in cloud and flower patterns. Her jet-black hair was coiled and held in place by a single, simple, carved ebony hairpin. She wore no other jewelry, but it only served to highlight her snow-white skin and exquisite beauty.
Despite her serene and gentle features, she carried an air of fragility. At the same time, a distinct coldness was visible in her eyes. "You didn’t send a calling card, nor did you knock. You’ve trespassed on private property. May I ask your intentions?"
Instead of attacking, she questioned them about trespassing. Gu Zhao was taken aback for a moment and asked subconsciously, "This is your home?"
The woman frowned. "Of course this is my home."
Faced with her accusation, Gu Zhao felt a little awkward, because the Five Thunders Order in his Sea of Consciousness wasn’t reacting at all.
’There are only two possibilities. One is that her Cultivation is far superior to mine, allowing her to conceal her aura so the Five Thunders Order can’t sense it. The other is that, like Bai Ke, she has never harmed an innocent, so her Divine Soul carries no Evil Qi.’
Gu Zhao quickly recovered, however, and offered a respectful salute. "We apologize for the intrusion and any offense we may have caused."
Since they had just used their Magical Power, Gu Zhao figured the woman already knew their identities. He didn’t try to hide it. "We are all Mages. We’re new to this and rather inexperienced. We noticed waves of Yin Qi coming from this place, so we decided to come in and see what was going on."
The woman nodded. "And now you’ve had your look."
Gu Zhao said admiringly, "Yes, and your home is truly beautiful!"
The woman: "..."
Before she could respond, Gu Zhao continued his praise. "For you to live here alone in such elegant and refined seclusion... it seems we’ve found the right person."
The woman frowned. "What are you trying to do?"
Gu Zhao didn’t answer, instead bringing up another matter. "When we first entered the city, we met a butcher shop owner who was selling human flesh."
The woman knew of this person. She said coldly, "Zhu Da. Every seven days, he kills a living person, absorbs their blood for his Cultivation, and then processes the human flesh to sell as mutton."
"He tried to kill us, so now he’s dead," Gu Zhao said.
The woman glanced at the three of them, unsurprised. The Magical Power Taoist Yan Song had revealed during his investigation was considerable, and the White Fox on the Silk Embroideress’s shoulder was clearly a Demon. Yet, it was Gu Zhao who led the group.
Then she heard Gu Zhao continue, "Miss, you have a kind heart and have never harmed anyone. You would certainly not associate with such evil beings. So, may I ask if you know of any other Demons and Ghosts in this city who are out there causing harm?"
Although the Silk Embroideress and Bai Ke didn’t know how Gu Zhao had determined that the Female Ghost before them had never harmed anyone, the Silk Embroideress trusted Gu Zhao completely and naturally wouldn’t voice any doubts.
The Thunder Seed in Taoist Yan Song’s Sea of Consciousness originated from the Five Thunders Order. Since it was capable of Eradicating Evil and Accumulating Merit, it naturally had a similar detection function. Thus, he simply stood aside to see what would happen and remained silent.
"Hmm?"
Only the woman didn’t understand. She looked at Gu Zhao, a sneer appearing on her lips. "And how would you know I’ve never harmed anyone?"
’How do I know? Because the Five Thunders Order didn’t react to you, of course!’
That was what Gu Zhao thought, but it wasn’t what he said. "We trespassed in your home, our actions were brash, and our words disrespectful. Yet, you show no anger and speak no insults. This speaks to your excellent upbringing."
The woman’s faint, mocking smile vanished from her lips.
"Evil Ghosts who prey on others only use Magic and Illusion Realms to cause harm; they would never bother to actually tidy their lairs," Gu Zhao continued. "You, Miss, have kept this estate spotlessly clean. It feels warm, peaceful, and elegant, with no trace of gore or anything sinister. It’s clear you truly cherish this place."
Seemingly recalling something, the woman’s gaze grew distant for a moment.
Gu Zhao gestured to the portrait at the front of the hall. "If I’m not mistaken, the gentleman in the painting is a relative of yours. You keep the home clean and hang a family member’s portrait in the main hall. It shows that your heart is still full of affection."
"You are not only well-mannered and tidy, Miss, but your heart is also filled with true human feeling." Gu Zhao stepped forward, offered another salute, and smiled. "That is how I can tell you are kind-hearted and have never harmed another soul."
The woman stared at Gu Zhao, silent for a long time.
