CHAPTER 422: CHAPTER 422: CATCHING GHOSTS IN SNOW BAMBOO TOWN

Dingshan County, Snow Bamboo Town.

This town is located in the northwest of Dingshan County, fairly close to Tonglin County, known for its Snow Bamboo covering nearly a hundred square miles behind the Dingshan branch.

Besides the agricultural sector and some service industries, the rest of the town consists of small and large workshops using Snow Bamboo as raw material.

Usually, Snow Bamboo Town is quite lively because the Snow Bamboo products find ready markets. Many merchants come to the town for procurement, and if one wants to earn more, they can go to the county or even the state capital to sell.

However, in recent days, the atmosphere in Snow Bamboo Town has noticeably shifted; people no longer smile upon meeting, as if a shadow looms over their hearts.

"Did someone die yesterday?"

"Haven’t heard any news yet."

"Has anyone reported to the mayor?"

"Don’t know."

Five days ago, a worker on night watch at the Dazhu Workshop died in the workplace. People in the town reported it to the county, and the coroner concluded it was a natural death due to unexplained causes.

Thus, no one paid it much mind, assuming he died of an ailment, and continued with their lives as usual.

However, on the next day, another caretaker from Li’s Bamboo Workshop died, and everyone felt something was wrong.

Once again reported to the county, the government officials brought the old coroner to examine, yielding the exact same conclusion.

Not only the townspeople, but even the officials and coroner began to doubt their conclusion, consequently reporting the matter upward.

Nonetheless, it takes time for the report to be reviewed by higher authorities, leaving the Snow Bamboo Town residents waiting.

On the third and fourth days, two ordinary townsfolk died unnaturally.

Today marks the fifth day.

However, it’s already the afternoon of the fifth day, and no reports have been made to the authorities.

"Could it be that no one died today?"

Just as this question arose, a townsperson hurriedly ran from afar, shouting, "It happened! It happened!"

"Who! Who died?"

"Not one person, but two; Li Dahe and his wife, they didn’t go to work all day and were found dead at home in the afternoon."

"Two!"

"Oh my god!"

"It’s increasing in number!"

"What should we do!?"

"I don’t know, why hasn’t the court sent anyone yet?"

"Some town elders have already gone to Xuanhe Temple east of the county, heard that the temple priests are quite skilled in exorcising demons!"

"Really! When will they arrive then?"

As the few discussed in panic, two Daoists had already reached the vicinity of Snow Bamboo Town.

"Brother Yuan Jing, the matter of Snow Bamboo Town will trouble you this time."

"Oh no, exorcising demons and saving lives is the duty of those entering the mortal world like us."

These two Daoists, one appearing not yet thirty, wore the blue Daoist Robe of White Cloud Temple, namely Yuan Jing.

The other was younger, donned a robe of alternating black and blue, with a black crane embroidered on the sleeve, known as Spiritual Daoist from Xuanhe Temple, a direct disciple of the contemporary Temple Master.

Xuanhe Temple is a small Daoist Temple, skilled in crafting Talisman Water and chanting curses to ward off ghosts.

Though limited to dealing with weaker spirits, for stronger ones, they have to go to Yizhou Prefecture’s major Daoist Temples.

In recent decades, seeking aid from White Cloud Temple of Tonglin County became possible, as Yuan Jing had supported Dingshan County several times.

But this time it’s different; this incident was detected by Yuan Jing first at Xuanhe Temple, preparing to inquire whether anyone had felt drained of Yang Qi or endangered, when Snow Bamboo Town people came requesting aid.

Thus Yuan Jing did not hesitate, left behind those slow-footed townsfolk, and sped to Snow Bamboo Town.

Xuanhe Temple could not ignore the matter since those townspeople actually sought their help, instantly dispatching the Temple Master’s top disciple, Spiritual Daoist, to assist.

The two journeyed vigorously, arriving at Snow Bamboo Town at 5 p.m. of the fifth day, stepping into Snow Bamboo Town before dusk settled in completely.

Both walked along the central street of the town, Ling He expressed concern, "It’s getting dark; who knows when will that ghostly apparition appear?"

Yuan Jing glanced at the sky, then scanned around, pointing to the five-story square building at the town center, "Let’s observe from that tavern; if the apparition acts, clues should manifest."

Ling He followed Yuan Jing’s finger, his expression slightly frozen.

"What’s wrong?" Yuan Jing noticed Ling He’s unease.

Ling He hesitated, saying, "That’s the largest brothel in Snow Bamboo Town."

Yuan Jing, "..."

Why is the largest building in a town a brothel? In Tonglin County, the largest building is Bright Moon Building, not Chunfeng Building!

Yuan Jing sighed, "It’s fine; we won’t enter, just go to the rooftop."

Ling He nodded repeatedly, "No problem then."

By late afternoon, twilight had half descended; the sun already set, enveloping whole Snow Bamboo Town in night, people retreating home, leaving the streets deserted.

Even more than just the streets...

"Is this a brothel?"

Yuan Jing stood before the building, looking up, only a few rooms dimly lit, with most rooms, including the first and second-floor halls, shrouded in darkness.

Ling He blinked, "Perhaps because of the daily deaths lately."

Everyone hid at home, dared not venture out.

But facing such an apparition, merely hiding at home seems self-deceptive, doesn’t it?

"Let’s go! Up!"

Yuan Jing lightly gathered Qi, leaping onto the second floor, then floating up layer by layer to the rooftop.

Ling He is far behind Yuan Jing but not troubled by such rooftop leaps, arrived at the rooftop in moments.

However, he made some noise, drawing startled cries from the rooms, followed by suppressed panting.

Ling He shyly glanced at Yuan Jing, who ignored him, intently observing the town’s surroundings.

Ling He composed himself, glanced around carefully, and cautiously asked, "Can we detect that apparition?"

Yuan Jing shook his head, "Unknown."

If the opponent’s Dao Practice is robust, it wouldn’t leave much leakage, evading their detection.

Yuan Jing stood at the town center, hoping not only to sense but to catch sight of the apparition.

...

Time slowly ticked away.

Just as midnight approached, following the late evening, magical energy surged from the town’s east end.

"Someone engaged!"

Ling He barely uttered when he realized Yuan Jing already soared over.

"Brother, wait for me!"

Ling He hurriedly followed.

Yuan Jing descended swiftly, supported by white clouds, swiftly traversing rooftops, reaching the scene quickly.

At the courtyard center stood an apparition, clothed in white, with disheveled hair, surrounded by three women dressed in pink peach-patterned embroidered spring cloud skirts, holding weapons or forming seals.

Within mere rounds, the three women effectively vanquished the apparition.

"Peach Blossom Celestial Maiden!"