Chapter Five: The Lost Soul

  At night, Da Yun left the guest room and quietly walked around the deck, then found a sheltered spot to observe the movement on the river. The two had already agreed that Ji Yun would guard the third floor and Da Yun would guard the deck. They had also informed Rui Wang, who anchored the boat by a small island in the middle of the river at night, so as long as they guarded the river, they could detect the evil spirit's arrival.

  For several nights in a row, the two of them still hadn't discovered anything, but Miss Mingyu's condition was getting worse and worse, her face already showing signs of being on the verge of death. Wang Yu's heart was burning with anxiety, while Mo Yu sneered coldly from the side, and Ji Yun Dao Ren also became anxious. However, no matter how hard the two of them tried to guard the flower boat, they still couldn't detect any trace of evil spirits.

  Although the life and death of Miss Mingyu had little to do with him, Dabao's heart couldn't help but feel some anxiety. He thought back and forth, always feeling that something was off, especially every time he saw Mingyu, the woman seemed indifferent to his own life and death, and was very cold to himself and Jiyun Daoist, and even seemed somewhat disrespectful to King Yu.

  After a moment of deep thought, he felt annoyed in his heart and couldn't help but push open the window to gaze outside absent-mindedly. After looking for a while, Dahu's eyes suddenly stopped moving, it was the big monk who had just arrived, sitting by the road begging for alms. Dahu's heart moved, he left the guest room, made an excuse, and left the painting boat.

  Pretending to stroll casually on the dock, seeing no one noticing him, he quickly walked up to Dahe Shang and said in a low voice: "Master, I am incompetent and not only failed to catch the evil spirit, but also didn't see its shadow. Please help me with your great power."

  The Grand Master's mouth curled up in a cold smile as he said in a low voice, "I've already told you, Daozhang, this trip is futile. It's better to leave quickly."

  "With a deep frown, he said: 'I have come on this journey only to eliminate evil and protect the Tao. If I do not get rid of the wicked spirits, I will never leave.'"

  The monk's eyes rolled over, and he didn't bother with Da Bi anymore. Da Bi begged in vain, suddenly sneering: "You monks, do you know what is called compassion, what is a good fate? The evil spirit has already killed three people, and you are so indifferent to your own selfishness, what kind of Zen do you practice, and what Buddha do you worship?"

  Dahuo listened, still not speaking, but his face changed slightly. Dabao took the opportunity to say: "If you are willing to help me, I will also agree to do something for you, and I won't let you suffer a loss, what do you think?"

  The monk's face changed again, and he finally said: "Alright, I'll fulfill your wish."

  The big monk walked to a hidden place, took out several talismans, and said in a low voice: "These are several hiding talismans. You go to the bedroom of the eldest sister of the Rong Wang Fu, find something for me, this is what I want you to do."

  He nodded after a moment of contemplation: "Alright, what do you want me to fetch?"

  Dahuo said: "That is a jade called Kunlun stone, it belongs to the eldest sister of King Yu's mansion."

  He was taken aback for a moment, then said: "Alright, I'll do my best to help you with your matter. So, what about the favor you owe me? How are you going to help me catch the ghost?"

  The Grand Master slowly said: "I have a yin-yang mirror, you take that jade, and I'll lend you the yin-yang mirror for one use, but after you're done using it, you must return it to me."

  He sank into deep thought for a moment and said: "I believe in Master, but I don't know how to address you?"

  The Grand Master said: "Little monk Fahua, you can come find me again tomorrow."

  Dai Yu nodded and left, but returned to the dock after a while. When she boarded the boat again, Dai Yu suddenly found that Mei Yu was peeking out from behind the window, seemingly observing her movements.

  Returning to his room, Da Yi found Ji Yun Dao Ren and said: "Brother Dao, there has been no progress in several days. With my low magical power, could it be that I failed to guard the river?"

  "Brother Dao, it's indeed a bit strenuous for you to guard such a wide river surface yourself. Why don't I take over guarding the river, and you go guard San Lou instead? How does that sound?"

  This was exactly what Daxia wanted, so he nodded and said: "Then I'll fully obey your orders, Daoist friend."

  Zi Yun Dao Ren nodded and instructed: "If you encounter an evil spirit, remember to shake the bell as a signal, I will arrive immediately."

  After discussing with Jiyun Dao, it was late at night, and Dayan left the guest room and went up to the third floor attic. Listening carefully, Jiyun Dao first walked back and forth downstairs, and finally quieted down. Only then did Dayan activate the stealth charm, applied it to himself, and quietly walked to the outside of Mingyu's residence.

  Dai Wu took out a short sword, slowly moved the door bolt inside, after a while, Dai Wu opened the door bolt and pushed the door to enter. The sound of opening the door still startled a maid. The maid held a lamp, came out to check, saw the door open for no reason, and was very surprised.

  Dai Yi took advantage of the opponent's closure, sticking to the side of the opponent and walking past, in front of him was the outer room, with only a small bed, it seemed that except for this maid there was no one else. Dai Yi hid in the corner, watching the maid return to bed and lie down, after waiting for the maid to fall into a deep sleep, Dai Yi quietly walked to the door of the inner chamber.

  She pushed open the beaded curtain and then opened the door, and quietly walked into the inner room. This was Mingyu's boudoir, filled with a fragrant scent, with a large bed in the center surrounded by curtains, and Mingyu lay on the bed, occasionally turning over, seemingly not yet asleep. Looking around at the furnishings of the room, they were quite luxurious, including a dresser and a standing bronze incense burner.

  Dahui thought of the jade that Dajue wanted him to take for himself, and scanned the room in a circle, but didn't see it.

  At this time, Mingyu suddenly moved, slowly sat up on the bed, got out of bed, and walked straight to a small window. Seeing the woman take down the ghost-driving charm from the window, put it in the dresser, then Mingyu slowly pushed the window open a crack, and lay back down on the bed.

  After a while, the window seemed to be blown by the wind and closed gently again. Da Yan was startled in his heart, he suddenly realized that there seemed to be something more in the room, although he couldn't see anything, but he could feel the existence of a breath.

  "A faint and delicate voice suddenly sounded: 'Yuer, Yuer.'"

  The soft and weak voice of a woman, with a hint of urgency and intimacy: "Zhou Lang, come quickly, I miss you so much."

  The mosquito net swayed gently, and the woman let out a soft sigh of satisfaction, saying in a low voice: "I wait for you every day, I live one more day just to be loved by you once more."

  The bed creaked and groaned, and the woman was seen naked, one hand embracing herself, the other constantly caressing her own body. Gradually, the woman began to pant, emitting a faint moan.

  As the woman shook slightly, Dabai sensed that a strand of true yuan was being extracted from her body. Dabai suddenly became alert and realized that a ghostly creature was absorbing the woman's yuan energy, and it was time for him to take action. Dabai hastily mobilized his spiritual power and grasped the short sword by his side.

  At this moment, the bed curtain suddenly fluttered violently, as if something had run out. The thing ran all the way to the window. Da Yi was startled and looked at the window again, which shook slightly, but the ghost had already disappeared.

  After a while, Mingyu made a faint sound from the bed: "Zhou Lang, have you left? I still want to talk to you."

  Dai Wu carefully examined the window, this small window outside was suspended in mid-air, and jumping down would be the first floor deck. This ghost came from here, indeed able to avoid Ji Yun Dao Ren, and Ji Yun Dao Ren probably wouldn't think that this ghost had an insider.

  At this time, Mingyu had already fallen asleep. Dabai went forward and examined her carefully. Mingyu's breathing was already very weak. The ghost that just appeared had sucked away some of her vital energy again. Dabai remembered the records in the classics. The ghost from earlier should be a Lost Heart Ghost. This kind of ghost is best at bewildering people, taking advantage of when people are extremely frightened or confused to suck away their vital energy.

  Dai Yi took the opportunity to carefully search the room again, but still couldn't find anything. Suddenly, he remembered that the concealment charm was given to him by Fahua and Shang, so he must have come before. If the jade was so easy to find, why wouldn't he come himself?

  Also thinking that Fahua and Shang might have some connection with Mingyu, and there's Mo Yu beside King Wei, who seems to have a past with Fahua. Da Yun couldn't help but think, why bother getting entangled in all this, as long as he informs Ji Yun Dao Ren, tomorrow night when the lost soul comes again, just kill it and be done with it.

  Dai Yi quietly left his residence and dispersed to hide. That night, the bright moon was full, hanging right in the middle of the night sky. Dai Yi walked a few steps on the third floor, just about to find Ji Yun Dao Ren to discuss this matter, when he faintly heard a clear and pleasant sword hum. Dai Yi turned his head to look, and saw a beam of light rising into the air in the distance, transforming into over ten long swords, emitting blue halos, and swooping down towards the ground below.

  A fine move of the Sword Technique, Dabai's eyes lit up, and it seemed that Jiyun Daoist was fighting with someone. Dabai hurriedly got down to the deck of the painting boat, saw that there were still ten or so zhang away from the shore, took a deep breath, ran a few steps tightly, jumped out from the boat, when he was about to fall onto the river surface, Dabai urgently activated his footwork and made a forceful tread. Dabai stepped on the water and walked, but unexpectedly after running for several steps, his footwork suddenly stagnated, and he fell into the water, he then moved his hands and feet, and finally managed to splash onto the shore.

  Recognizing the location of Jiyun Daoist's fierce battle, Dabai hastened his pace. Leaving the dock behind, a small village appeared in front of him, seemingly near the village. After walking a few more steps, he could already see the sword aura emitted by Jiyun Daoist. At this moment, the sky suddenly darkened, and Dabai felt a tightness in his chest, his whole body trembling with a chill. He immediately stopped in his tracks, witnessing a flash of bloody light before all signs of life ceased.

  After a while, Dabai cautiously walked over to the abandoned courtyard. On the empty ground in the yard, he saw Jiyun Dao Ren lying motionless on the ground. Dabai had already unknowingly broken out in a cold sweat, his hand gripping the short sword even tighter. He took a deep breath and still mustered up the courage to quickly walk over.

  He saw Jiyun Daoist's flying sword, which had already been broken into two pieces. Jiyun Daoist stared with wide eyes and was dead. Dabao took a closer look, then didn't dare to stay any longer, quickly leaving and hastily returning to the painting boat. After changing his clothes in the guest room, Dabao still felt frightened and apprehensive. Jiyun Daoist's death was too suspicious, as if he had died instantly, without even having time to resist. Especially Jiyun Daoist's expression, there was no sign of pain, just a dull face.

  What's going on, who killed Ji Yun Dao Ren, and what about after that? Will someone come looking for me? Thinking of this made his scalp tingle. He paced back and forth in the room, but finally gritted his teeth - no matter what, he couldn't give up like this. The Heavenly Punishment Order was set by the Heavenly Court, with extremely rich rewards, but also extremely difficult. If he gave up this time, what about next time?

  Dai Yun thought for a moment, and decided to seek the help of Fahua Dahe Shang again. Jiyun Dao Ren was already dead, and if things went on like this, Mingyu would not live for more than a few days either. She couldn't delay any longer. Dai Yun left her room, walked down the corridor, preparing to go to Mingyu's boudoir once again. But just as she had taken only a few steps, she suddenly heard voices coming from inside a room. The first floor of Huafang Building only had guest rooms and servants' quarters, so Dai Yun didn't pay much attention to it.

  As they passed by the door of that room, the voice suddenly grew louder, and someone said in a hurry and anger: "Have you forgotten how Zhou Xiutai died?"

  "Speak softly, don't let others hear, that matter of Zhou's can't be mentioned..."

  The voices of the two people grew softer, but they were still arguing about something. Dabai had not paid attention to it at first and walked a few more steps before suddenly having an idea. The surname Zhou, Mingyu had also called that careless ghost Zhoulang, wasn't he also surnamed Zhou? Dabai hastily turned back and used his magical powers to listen in on the conversation at the door.