Spirit Reaper - Chapter 36

Chapter 36: Saving the Day — “Sorry, I’m late.”

“Boss, take a look at the fresh goods I’ve brought you this time. Is she to your liking?”

In the haze of semi-consciousness, Yu Wuyi heard rustling voices. The two sounded like a leader and a subordinate; the one speaking first had a tone full of fawning flattery.

Dazed, Yu Wuyi felt a draft of cold air sweep over her as someone leaned in to sniff her repeatedly. A stench like rotting fish and decaying shrimp lingered at the tip of her nose, refusing to dissipate. A wave of intense nausea surged from her chest, and she nearly vomited. She tried to move, only to realize she was bound hand and foot, hanging upside down in mid-air.

“A natural fragrance… one bite leads to longevity, and devouring her entirely allows one to leap straight to the rank of Ghost Immortal.”

“Could this be the legendary ‘Extreme Yin Body’?”

“Well done. When the time comes, I’ll give you a sip of this Extreme Yin blood to taste.”

“Thank you, Boss! Congratulations, Boss! Then your servant shall take his leave.”

“You’re awake.”

“What kind of spirit are you? State your name.” Yu Wuyi opened her eyes and met a pair of blood-red pupils hidden deep within a mass of black mist.

“Hahahahaha! Since you’re about to die, there’s no harm in telling you.” The spirit let out a sinister laugh and extended a hand made of black mist, gripping the top of Yu Wuyi’s head. The inescapable stench grew even stronger.

“I am but an obscure Wangliang (mountain demon) of these woods.”

“However, after today, I shall ascend to the ranks of the Ghost Immortals and become a power to be reckoned with.”

“A water monkey is a water monkey. Stop calling yourself a Wangliang to make yourself look good.” Yu Wuyi spat at it, her bound hands simultaneously groping toward her pocket.

“You blind wretch! You dare call me a water monkey?” The water ghost clearly loathed the title. The grip on Yu Wuyi’s head tightened violently, as if it were a watermelon it could crush at any moment.

“$The$ $Power$ $of$ $the$ $Crimson$ $Sky,$ $swift$ $as$ $lightning$ $and$ $wind.$ $Great$ $God$ $of$ $Decrees,$ $wielding$ $needle$ $and$ $hammer…$“

“Quickly, as the Law commands! GO!”

A lightning talisman with gold characters on a red background flew out, sticking to the water ghost’s hand. Thunder suddenly erupted. The water ghost let out a pained wail and instantly lost its grip.

Having been struck by lightning, the water ghost was clearly severely injured. The illusory shackles vanished instantly. After a second of weightlessness, Yu Wuyi plunged headfirst into the water.

There’s actually such a large natural lake in these mountains?!

Her feet couldn’t touch the bottom, leaving her feeling utterly ungrounded. It was pitch black. The sound of her splashing was incredibly clear, and she could even hear an echo. She needed to get to shore, fast.

“In the water, this is my domain! Don’t even think about escaping today!” Once in the water, the ghost regained its advantage and became arrogant once more. It lunged forward, grabbing Yu Wuyi’s ankles and dragging her down.

Having already exhausted a massive amount of energy, Yu Wuyi was now nearly at her limit. Like a bottomless black hole, the immense gravitational force pulled her down. A loud ringing began in her ears, like a demon’s whisper dragging her toward purgatory.

Glub, glub—

Lake water poured into Yu Wuyi’s mouth. Clutching her last shred of hope, she screamed toward the sky: “Qin An! Save me!”

“Still calling for reinforcements? I’m telling you, even if the King of Hell comes today, he can’t save you! Hahahahaha!”

Rustle, rustle— A movement came from the distant bushes, followed by a loud, sharp bark. A snowy white figure appeared in the darkness.

“Woof! Woof!”

“Xiao Tuan?”

“Woof!” The white Westie didn’t hesitate. It dove into the water and swam toward Yu Wuyi. Ripples spread across the surface.

“Hahahaha! This is the reinforcement you called?”

“AH! You damn dog! How can you hurt me?!” The triumphant laughter was replaced by shock. The water ghost thrashed its illusory tentacles, sending waves crashing across the surface. “Let go! Let go! You damn dog!”

As the water ghost thrashed, Xiao Tuan’s figure was tossed between the air and the water, hanging onto the tentacles.

“Sorry, I’m late.” Qin An’s voice suddenly rang out in her mind.

The familiar voice, the familiar tone—she had finally appeared again. Yu Wuyi couldn’t describe the feeling; her nose felt prickly, and she almost burst into tears.

“Qin An…”

“I’m here,” Qin An replied softly. But before Yu Wuyi could get emotional, she added, “Are you a child? Crying already? How will you carry out great responsibilities in the future?”

The tears that hadn’t quite fallen yet were forced back. Yu Wuyi sniffled and sobbed, “This water ghost wants to eat me. Xiao Tuan appeared suddenly and bought me enough time for you to arrive. My whip can’t hurt it.”

“I know.”

“A blind wretch. Staying in the mountains too long has made it arrogant. It doesn’t even see whose person it’s touching.”

Qin An let out a contemptuous, cold laugh. “Things like this are barely worth my time, even if they’ve gained some power. Throw the jade pendant toward it. I’ll have a little snack today too.”

With Qin An’s command, Yu Wuyi didn’t hesitate. She immediately pulled the jade pendant from her neck and hurled it toward the ghost in the center of the lake. The moment the pendant touched the thrashing black tentacles, the ghost grabbed it and pulled it underwater.

The water ghost mocked loudly: “Is this your secret wea—”

Before it could finish, it was sucked down as if by a powerful vacuum. In the blink of an eye, it was dragged to the depths. Xiao Tuan was thrown far off, and Yu Wuyi was quick enough to catch her firmly.

The puppy in her arms was soaked through, like a water-logged mop. If her chest hadn’t been rising and falling, Yu Wuyi would have started CPR. This was the baby Xu Li had cherished, but now, the dog was so thin Wuyi could feel every bone. It was a miracle she was still alive.

Struggling to bring Xiao Tuan to shore, Yu Wuyi settled her under a tree and returned to the lakeside, anxiously waiting for Qin An.

Since the water ghost had been pulled under, the lake had returned to a deathly, silent calm.

“Qin An? Qin An?” Yu Wuyi crouched down, calling softly toward the surface.

A red light flashed beneath the mirror-like water. Through the glow, Yu Wuyi could vaguely see two figures—one red, one black—entwined in a struggle. The surface broke with a splash as a mass of black mist surged out, attempting to flee into the forest. But suddenly, long red silk ribbons shot out from beneath the water, blocking all its paths.

“No! Stop! I’ll let her go, just let me go!” the mist struggled and pleaded, its previous arrogance gone.

“Too late.”

The red silk wrapped into a cocoon, trapping the black mist tightly. Piercing screams vibrated through the silk, grating against Yu Wuyi’s eardrums. As the cocoon tightened, the screams grew faint until a flash of red light signaled total silence.

“Water ghosts taste terrible. Smells like fish.”

The red cocoon slowly unraveled, revealing Qin An. She let out a disgusted “Pah,” then turned with a completely different expression and floated toward Yu Wuyi.

“My little Emissary, you did well today.” Qin An smiled lightly, placing the jade pendant back around Yu Wuyi’s neck.

“But… if it weren’t for you and Xiao Tuan, I would have been eaten.” Receiving praise for free made Yu Wuyi lower her head, her mood dropping.

“Not true.” Qin An reached out to cup Yu Wuyi’s face, forcing her to look into her eyes. She said word for word: “If you hadn’t wounded it first, I wouldn’t have been able to devour it so easily. You’ve made great progress since we last met.”

“N-no, I haven’t.” Yu Wuyi’s eyes darted away, her previously downcast mouth now uncontrollably curving upward. “By the way, the wounds on your body…”

“What? Wanting to ‘offer yourself’ again?” Qin An chuckled. Her right hand slid down, gently stroking Yu Wuyi’s neck. “I’m afraid you’d lose too much blood.”

“What are you saying!” Yu Wuyi’s cheeks turned bright red. She pushed Qin An away and ran back to Xiao Tuan.

“My Emissary is so easy to tease,” Qin An followed slowly, laughing playfully.

“Stop teasing me and look at Xiao Tuan!” Yu Wuyi held the dog, her voice breaking. “She only has one breath left.”

The snowy dog’s tongue was lolling out, her pupils beginning to dilate, and her breathing was so faint she seemed ready to pass at any second. If it hadn’t been to save her, Xiao Tuan wouldn’t be dying. The guilt peaked at that moment—Xiao Tuan was Xu Li’s final wish, yet she was dying to protect Wuyi.

“Are you made of a wet sponge? Tears coming out just like that?” Qin An frowned slightly and wiped the tears from Yu Wuyi’s face. “This dog has a fate with you. I can save her, but she must sign an agreement with me. Are you willing?”

“Woof,” came a faint sound from the dying dog.

“Then I’ll take that as a yes.” Qin An conjured a piece of parchment and a box of red ink, holding them before Xiao Tuan. “Sign this. You must help my Emissary well in the future, do you hear me?”

Yu Wuyi hesitated, but seeing Xiao Tuan use the last of her strength to lift a front paw, she sighed and helped the dog leave a bright red paw print on the paper.

As the contract was signed, the parchment glowed with gold light. Qin An tucked it away with satisfaction and told Yu Wuyi to lay Xiao Tuan flat on the ground.

“$When$ $the$ $lamp$ $of$ $the$ $heart$ $is$ $not$ $extinguished,$ $the$ $fires$ $of$ $karma$ $cease.$ $Yin$ $and$ $Yang$ $reflect$ $each$ $other,$ $granting$ $softness$ $to$ $withered$ $bones.$” Qin An placed her palm on Xiao Tuan’s brow and recited an incantation.

A red light flashed at the dog’s brow. Her white body began to grow; her flesh sounded like it was being roasted, cracking inch by inch. Her blood and flesh were replaced by glowing molten lava, her white fur turned charred black, and her brown almond eyes became blood-red.

But the transformation lasted only an instant. When Yu Wuyi rubbed her eyes and looked again, Xiao Tuan was back to her original form—pure white and harmless. Seeing Yu Wuyi, she wagged her tail happily, walked to her side, and tugged on her pant leg to lead her forward.

“Follow her, my Emissary. Complete your mission well.”

“Wait, Qin An.” Seeing Qin An about to leave, Yu Wuyi called out. “You… you’ve been inside my pendant the whole time, haven’t you?”

“Mm.” Qin An turned back, raising an eyebrow. “What? Afraid I wouldn’t make it in time to save you?”

“No.” Yu Wuyi bit her lip. “Will you… always be by my side?”

“Mm.”

“Then… then when can I see you again?” Yu Wuyi steeled herself and blurted it out. Realizing how foolish the question sounded, she wanted to bury her head in the dirt. Yu Wuyi! What are you saying? Do you really want to see your boss that badly?!

“Pfft—” Qin An laughed out loud. She tilted Yu Wuyi’s chin up, teasing, “So my little Emissary misses me very much. Don’t worry, when you’re in danger, I will appear. But don’t let your guard down. Practice your cultivation well… what if one day I can’t make it in time?”