Chapter 1: The Haunted Forest of Demons (Part 1)

  Jiangshi, a malevolent spirit that has existed since ancient times, often appears in slaughterhouses, morgues, battlefields, and other places where lives are taken. It feeds on the flesh and blood of the dead, especially enjoying fresh human blood and flesh. It is particularly interested in the menstrual blood of deceased women, making it a vengeful and formidable spirit that is difficult to deal with.

  Ding Ling's hesitant gaze was because if the corpse's disappearance was indeed due to the evil deeds of a flesh-eating ghost, it wouldn't be difficult for him to deal with in his current state of physical well-being. However, he was currently in a period of recuperation, his spiritual energy scattered, and facing off against a powerful ghost like this one would still leave him with more heart than strength.

  "What's wrong......" Luo Yuan also noticed the change in Ding Lingxiu's expression.

  "It's all right, you go on."

  "And this eaten corpse, surprisingly, was also an unclaimed body. This is a bit strange, two lost bodies with no one claiming them, it's clear that someone is doing this on purpose, and probably someone familiar with the environment." The director paused for a moment before continuing: "I first suspected Old Wang who guards the morgue, I reported to the police but when they came, there were no leads, just taking photos and making records. This second case of body loss was also dismissed."

  "Now that there have been two instances of bodies going missing, doesn't your hospital plan on taking any measures?" Zhang Shanyi said.

  "Of course, I had secretly placed a DV in the morgue and replaced the old lock with a new crab-claw lock to prevent another incident of lost bodies. However, just less than half a month later, in the week before you arrived, five bodies went missing within a week, including four unclaimed bodies and one that had been in the morgue for less than a day. I was shocked when I heard the news and rushed to the scene, only to find that the crab-claw lock had been opened and all the missing bodies were like the second one that disappeared, seemingly gnawed by something and scattered in the freezer. I immediately had someone retrieve the DV to see what happened on the recording." The director's brow was furrowed as he gazed at Ding Lingxiao through the smoke. "As a result, when I looked at it, I found that the DV's storage space was full, and judging by its capacity, it should have been full just before the bodies went missing, which is really not a coincidence."

  "It seems that this corpse-eating thief is in the hospital." Zhang Shanyi said, looking at Ding Lingshu.

  Ding Lingxiu pinched out the cigarette butt without saying a word.

  "Yes, I thought so too. But after the police came, it was still the same as last time, and there were no leads. However, this time is different from before, one of the missing bodies had a special situation. Just two days ago, the hospital received a notice that they had found the residence where one of the deceased lived before, and asked the hospital to contact the funeral home for transfer. Today is already the third day, if we still can't find it... Ah, this hospital's reputation will be ruined." The director clasped his hands together, looking worried.

  "So you suspect this thing is not man-made?" Zhang Shanyi said.

  "That's right, Daozhang. You also know that last year, the little girl was possessed by a yin spirit in this hospital. This hospital is not peaceful." said Luo Yuanzhi.

  Ding Lingxiu looked at Zhang Shanyi and couldn't believe that he actually knew Luo Huaiyu.

  "Oh? Has your daughter ever been possessed by a yin spirit?" Ding Lingxiu was very interested in this matter.

  "Yes." The principal seemed reluctant to mention this matter again.

  Ding Lingxiu thought to herself, no wonder she had a feeling that Luo Huaiyu was somewhat cold and elegant when she first saw her, as if she had an air of proud independence, but in reality, she was very lively and lovely. It turned out that this girl was born with a yin body.

  What is meant by congenital yin body is that some people are born with an imbalance of the five elements, a loss of balance between yin and yang, which makes them prone to encountering ghosts or being possessed. Such people generally have eyes that are slightly farther apart than usual, a short chin, small nostrils, and pale, cold skin. They appear aloof, yet give off an icy beauty that moves people.

  "Oh, I see, Zhang Zhenren, what's today's lunar date?"

  "April 21st..." Zhang Shanyi had just finished speaking, when he suddenly realized something. "April 21st, then a week before you came it should have been the beginning of April on the lunar calendar, Director Luo, what was the exact date that the body was abandoned?"

  "May 8th." The principal said with certainty, because this matter was still fresh in his memory.

  "On May 8th, lunar calendar April 14th." Ding Lingshu smiled and looked at Zhang Shanyi, who also understood his meaning.

  "On the fourteenth of April, Peng Zu's hundredth anniversary is said to be auspicious for collecting wealth but inauspicious for burial. If the wind and water at the temporary resting place are not good, it will inevitably provoke ghosts and monsters." Zhang Shanyi muttered.

  "No doubt, it's clear that this ghoul has been lurking in this hospital all along. On April 14th, it couldn't hold back its desire and entered the morgue to feast. If I'm not wrong, we'll catch him tonight."

  "I'm truly grateful." The principal said, shaking Ding Lingxiu's hand.

  "Our duty is like yours, saving lives and healing wounds." Ding Lingxiu smiled and nodded.

  "Alright, Zhao, you just go ahead and do it, if you need anything, just let me know, I'll definitely help you."

  "Cheng, hand over the spare key of Taiping Inn to me, then you just need to prepare the medicine I need to take, after tonight, I will set off." Ding Lingxiu said.

  "No problem."

  Ding Lingxiu didn't exchange pleasantries with Dean Luo again, stood up and walked out of the consulting room, heading straight to the hospital's underground floor.

  "Shall we go to the mortuary now?" Zhang Shanyi asked.

  "That's right, let's go see Old Wang first," said Ding Lingxiu.

  "Then he has the key, why do you need a spare one?"

  "It has its own wonderful uses."

  Two people rushed downstairs, and many people cast strange glances at them. Ding Lingxiu originally thought it might be because the bandage on his neck looked a bit weird, but when he took another look at Zhang Shanyi beside him, he suddenly understood.

  This man in Northeast China's early spring, wearing a T-shirt, shorts and slippers, is as cool as ever wherever he goes.

  "Zhao Linxiu... where are you rushing off to in such a hurry?"

  A clear voice entered her ears, and when she turned around, Luo Huaiyu was holding an iron tray with a medicine bottle on it.

  "Go to the toilet." Ding Lingxiu smiled and replied, continuing on his way.

  "A big man like him still needs a companion when going to the toilet?" Luo Huaiyu muttered, gazing at Ding Ling's departing figure.

  Ding Lingxiu and Zhang Shanyi hastily arrived at the first floor, searched around for a while, and finally found the entrance to the basement after several turns.

  The passageway leading to the basement was a slope, designed for easy transportation of corpses. The entrance was blocked by two iron gates, which Old Wang opened after receiving a signal from Luo Yuanzhi. He stood at the door waiting for Ding Lingyu and his companions.

  In front of them, the old man with a weathered face was probably over fifty years old, with a messy head of hair, holding a dry cigarette, and a full beard. He wore a faded military coat that had lost its original color. Although Old Wang looked disheveled, his eyes were bright and spirited, and he seemed to be in high spirits. It could be seen that he was also a man of strong character, otherwise he wouldn't have been able to stand alone here watching the corpse.

  "Hello, sir, we were called here by the principal." Ding Lingshu said with a smile.

  "Alright, follow me." Old Wang seemed taciturn, glanced at Ding Lingxiu, then opened the door and let them go down.

  As soon as the two entered the passage, they heard a humming noise similar to a fierce beast's roar coming from below, making their hearts feel suffocated. The further down they walked, the more a chill spread throughout their bodies. Ding Ling had an injury on the back of his neck and was even more sensitive to coldness, so he couldn't help but pull his collar up a bit. Zhang Shanyi, however, seemed to have no reaction at all, which didn't surprise Ding Ling too much, since he had already mixed and matched summer clothes in early spring, making this chill utterly insignificant.

  They arrived at the mortuary door, and a strange smell began to spread in the air. In front of the mortuary door was a small house with dim yellow lights, where many wine bottles and miscellaneous items were scattered around. On the bed was piled up a large green military blanket, several places had already exposed broken cotton, and there were some dry ** on top. Inside the house, there was an old-fashioned broken table, on which two thick notebooks were placed, one of which was open, with a neutral pen lying on it. The small TV above the table was playing a palace drama, and Old Wang would occasionally glance at the TV after coming down, clearly their arrival had disrupted his interest in watching TV.

  "Is this the morgue, old man?" Ding Lingxiu said.

  "Well, you go in and take a look yourself, I'll finish watching this." The old man handed the key to Ding Lingxiu, staring intently at the TV.

  Ding Lingxiu helplessly shook his head and walked towards the mortuary door with a black key in hand.

  The door of the mortuary was very old and frozen, so it wasn't easy to open. Ding Lingxiu pushed for a long time, but the door only budged slightly. No matter how hard she shook it, the door stood still like a stubborn child.

  "Grandpa, it can't be opened." Ding Lingxiu asked.

  "Ah, kick it," said Old Wang.

  Ding Lingxiu kicked the door with a loud thud, and the ice flowers fell down with a rustling sound. The lock's latch also made a crisp sound, and the creaky door opened with an unpleasant screech.