Chapter Four: Brothers Turned Foes

After watching Shi Jun board the boat, Six Qing quickly fled the House of Horrors, her heart pounding with anxiety as she walked. This place was truly terrifying, she thought, and she couldn’t fathom why Shi Jun insisted on investigating it—had he discovered some clue? But it was far too risky. She didn’t know how he was faring inside now. No, she must hurry back and at the very least find a way to notify Hu Hai and Moto, urging them to come help!

With her plan decided, Six Qing increased her pace, but as she floated out of the amusement park, she was startled to see the little boy who’d called himself "Baobao" and led them inside earlier, now back at the gate. He was hugging his ball, playing alone, and didn’t even look up when he spotted her, as if he’d forgotten everything that had happened.

Suspicious, she was about to approach him when she saw a young couple walking by with a toddler who had just learned to walk. The child tottered along, his parents crouched beside him, beaming with delight.

At that moment, Baobao approached, his innocent smile bright as he pointed toward the amusement park and softly asked, “Uncle, Auntie, will you take Baobao inside to play?”

“Of course!” The young couple hesitated, but a look of affection spread across their faces.

Baobao nodded, waved his hand, saying, “Follow Baobao!” He turned and headed toward the park gate. The couple, as if entranced, rose and followed him without so much as a glance at their own child.

The toddler, bereft of his parents’ support, lost his balance and fell, bursting into tears and calling, “Daddy, Mommy.” But the couple ignored him completely.

“No!” Six Qing cried out in desperation, but immediately realized that as a ghost, ordinary people couldn’t see her, and anxiety gripped her heart. She had nearly confirmed that this amusement park was a trap designed for humans. If the couple entered, disaster was sure to follow. Seeing them at the gate, powerless to intervene, she resorted to the water spell "Dragon Wave" that Chishang had just taught her, regardless of her inexperience. Without hesitation, she formed the seals, recited the incantation, and flung her hands forward, sending two blue energy clusters flying straight at the boy.

Though Six Qing had trained for only a short time, the Red Essence Fruit she’d consumed had greatly increased her spiritual power. When she cast "Dragon Wave," its force surpassed even Hu Hai’s. The blue orbs paused in midair, transforming into two azure water dragons that lunged at Baobao, their claws swinging to strike his sides.

Splashes erupted as "Baobao" shrieked, fell, and vanished without a trace.

The entranced couple, doused by the scattered water, were soaked to the skin and shivering from the cold. But the spell’s effect jolted them back to their senses. Dazed, they looked around, finally hearing their child’s cries. They rushed over to lift him, exchanged bewildered reproaches, but found no answers and could not understand why they were suddenly drenched. No longer daring to linger, they hurriedly gathered their child and left in a panic.

* * *

Six Qing exhaled in relief, smiling faintly and preparing to depart, when a dazzling, multicolored figure suddenly appeared before her, blocking her path. A chilling, high-pitched laugh echoed in her ears, loud and piercing yet tinged with a sorrow so deep it stirred memories of heartbreak and filled her with an inexplicable discomfort.

The newcomer appeared to be about thirty, pale and slender, with refined features and a handsome, scholarly face. Yet his short stature, dwarf-like build, and a yellow robe embroidered with countless threads of gold and silver, depicting flowers, birds, and fantastic beasts, rendered him strangely sinister.

His expression was venomous, a twisted smile of cruelty on his lips as he stared intently at Six Qing.

Before she could react, he raised his hand, and a chilling spiritual force enveloped her, binding her so tightly she couldn’t move.

“Well, well, this is a surprise,” he said, scanning the terrified Six Qing and calmly extracting a small vial from his sleeve. He took out a pill, popped it in his mouth, and sneered, “You’re a new ghost, aren’t you? Why haven’t you reported to the Underworld? Judging by your state, you haven’t been dead long, but your spiritual power is impressive. Why are you mingling with a mortal?”

Trapped by his sudden spell, Six Qing knew things were dire. When he mentioned a "feast," her heart raced. Was there truly a creature in this world that fed on ghosts? Did he intend to devour her, or was he merely threatening her? As the dwarf toyed with her, referencing the Underworld, a glimmer of hope arose. She quickly said, “I’m a friend of the Nether Marshal, here investigating something. May I ask who you are? Why have you captured me?”

“I despise being questioned, you know?” he shook his head, his face regretful. “And I dislike answering the questions of my food even more. But since you’re about to die, and you’re the most nourishing meal I’ve found since arriving in the human realm, I’ll tell you. My name is Soul Devourer—devourer as in devouring, soul as in soul. All my spiritual power comes from the souls I consume, and soon you’ll be my next meal. Now you understand why I caught you, don’t you? I bet you taste wonderful.” He smiled triumphantly, his expression as cruel as a cat toying with a mouse.

Six Qing closed her eyes in despair, then suddenly opened them and asked, “Are you responsible for the mass suicide in the Mid-levels?”

“Curious to the end, aren’t you? Asking irrelevant questions when you’re about to die.” Soul Devourer ignored her, saying leisurely, “What use is knowing? Do you want to avenge those dead? Don’t bother. They died unjustly and became resentful spirits—I ate them all. But their flavor was mediocre; those untrained souls don’t benefit me nearly as much as you will.”

“You…” Six Qing struggled, shouting, “If you kill me, Shi Jun won’t let you get away with it!”

“Shi Jun?” Soul Devourer chuckled, thinking for a moment. “You mean that mortal boy from earlier? He won’t let me get away? That’s funny—soon he’ll be my meal, too. But I’m more interested in you, so I let him amuse himself with Fourth Brother for now.” He then affected a scholarly air, reciting, “The autumn wind rises; it’s time to nourish oneself. But don’t worry, you won’t be lonely. That boy who came with you will soon join you.” His smile faded, and he began chanting an incantation. His right hand transformed into a massive beast’s head, eyes glowing green, mouth gaping, and he drove it toward Six Qing in a vicious bite.

* * *

“Stop!”

Just as Six Qing, eyes closed in resignation, awaited death, a sharp shout rang out. She opened her eyes to see Chishang, Wang Li, and Mei Jue rushing toward her.

“Second Brother, what are you doing?” Chishang, swiftest of all, flew in front of Soul Devourer, demanding loudly.

Moments later, Wang Li and Mei Jue arrived, panting. Wang Li clearly had issues with Soul Devourer; they exchanged disdainful glances and both snorted. Mei Jue seemed afraid of Soul Devourer, hiding behind Wang Li and timidly calling, “Second Brother,” then falling silent.

“Little sister, did you send them to find me?” Soul Devourer withdrew the beast’s head but did not release Six Qing, glaring at Mei Jue. “So my words are just hot air to you? You dare disobey me?”

“You said it was hot air yourself—why should the girl listen to your stench?” Wang Li sneered.

* * *

Soul Devourer ignored Wang Li and turned to Chishang. “Fifth Brother, you’re here too? Do you know her?”

“Yes, Second Brother. Her name is Six Qing—she’s our friend. Please, let her go,” Chishang pleaded sincerely.

“Impossible,” Soul Devourer replied firmly. “I’ve been unwell lately, fought alongside First Brother and was injured. If I don’t eat her, I’ll suffer.”

“First Brother was injured too? Who could be so formidable?” His words startled the three.

Wang Li frowned. “No need to ask—it must be him causing trouble. All he ever does is hunt resentful spirits. Finally, he escapes to the human realm, but he still can’t change his ways. This time, he dragged First Brother into trouble. First Brother spends his power healing him, but he’s so ungrateful!”

“Third Brother, stop!” Mei Jue tugged Wang Li’s sleeve.

“Why? I’ll say it! The girl told me you and Fourth Brother conspired to kill those mortals so you could devour their souls. You scheme endlessly to heal yourself, dragging Fourth Brother down with you! Your illness was caused by the Nether Emperor, not others. Why take revenge on mortals? After you harm them, their souls can’t reincarnate, trapped in your body, suffering eternally! They may be weak, but they deserve a chance at life. If the girl hadn’t told us, we’d never know how much evil you’ve done!”

Soul Devourer sneered, his face darkening. “You can’t bear to see mortals die, so I must suffer endless torment as Second Brother? Why should these useless beings live comfortably while we endure misery? Why am I alone in pain while you’re all fine? Have you tasted such agony? Look at me now—I was once seven feet tall, but the ceaseless torment shrunk me to three feet—a dwarf, ha! If I don’t eat them, I’ll die in agony. Is that what you want?”

“I…” Wang Li softened, a look of pity crossing his face. “You can’t eat this one. Let her go.”

“No!” Soul Devourer insisted. “I must eat her. The human realm is dangerous. If I don’t strengthen myself, even if the Nether Emperor doesn’t hunt us, what if we face celestial experts again? Do you think you lot can resist them? In my view, not only should I eat, but all of us should eat—more is better!”

Mei Jue quickly interjected, “Second Brother, if you eat her, the Nether Marshal won’t let you off.”

“Nether Marshal?” Soul Devourer paused, then sneered. “You mean the mortal boy? Is he more formidable than the Nether Emperor? Enough—go check on First Brother. I have no time for your nonsense.”

“Second Brother, you don’t know—Nether Marshal isn’t ordinary and is always reasonable,” Chishang, unwilling for his brother to provoke Shi Jun, struggled to explain. Finally, he resolutely declared, “If you must eat her, you’ll have to get through us first…”

Soul Devourer’s expression darkened, about to object, but seeing Chishang and Wang Li’s determined faces—and Mei Jue now standing beside Chishang—he hesitated, biting his white teeth and smiling fiercely, cutting Chishang off: “Fine, your unity is impressive, even if it’s against your own. I’ll give you face—this time, I’ll let her go.” He waved his hand, releasing Six Qing. “But only this once. Don’t interfere again, or even First Brother won’t save you!” He glared at Six Qing, then vanished toward the amusement park.

Six Qing patted her chest, exhaling in relief. “That scared me…”

“What are you doing here?” Chishang, most familiar with her, asked, seeing her pale and shaken.

Six Qing suddenly remembered, exclaiming, “Oh no! Come quickly—Shi Jun is in danger!”

* * *

Shi Jun stood at the bow, surrounded by darkness. Silence reigned—even the gentle flow of the river was inaudible.

In such darkness, he couldn’t anticipate where danger would come from, so he heightened his vigilance, attuned to every subtle movement. Upon witnessing “Baobao’s” demise, he’d resolved to uncover and punish the mastermind behind these horrors, for the sake of the innocent souls lost.

The boat, guided by an invisible, sinister force, soon arrived at the shallows of a small island. Suddenly, a heart-wrenching cry echoed from ahead, as if someone had suffered the most tragic fate in the world.

Shi Jun leaped ashore and hurried to the sandy edge of the island, scanning the darkness, but saw nothing despite his efforts.

His shoes were soaked by sandy river water, sharp pebbles pressing painfully against his feet, but he hardly noticed. Countless doubts clouded his mind, confusion and accumulated fury tearing at his reason, tempting him to howl.

Suppressing his anger, he then heard the anguished voice nearby: “Heavens, I don’t want to live. Let me die!”

A familiar voice, cheerful and coaxing, responded: “Excellent, excellent—since you’re willing, go ahead and die.” With a faint hiss, a candle flared to life dozens of meters away.

By its weak light, Shi Jun saw that a pebble path led from where he stood to a giant oval stone platform. Atop the platform, inside a pavilion, a blood-soaked figure crawled on all fours like a dog, sobbing and muttering.

Before Shi Jun reached him, a sharp clang rang out—a gleaming dagger was tossed from the shadows to the man’s feet. The familiar voice resumed, low and seductive, instilling a wicked urge: “Use this—stab yourself. One stroke and all your pain will end.”

“Wuuu…” The bloodied man, trembling, picked up the knife and, without hesitation, plunged it deep into his chest.

* * *

Rage surged through Shi Jun at the sight, though he knew he must stay calm in this environment. But he could not restrain himself, and shouted, “Stop!” as he bounded toward the platform.

He was still half a step too slow. As he arrived, a jet of blood shot from the man’s chest; he cried out and collapsed, unconscious.

“Bastard!” Shi Jun landed, gnashing his teeth at the dying man and shouted angrily, “Who’s lurking in the shadows? Come out!”

The familiar voice expressed surprise, then erupted in wild laughter: “Interesting! Very interesting! Such a small place, and yet there’s someone unafraid of death—how exhilarating!”

Shi Jun peered into the shadows, but saw no one. Yet his keen senses detected a powerful spiritual presence in the pavilion. Realizing he faced a formidable foe, he grew calm, feigning casualness as he searched. Then he laughed, “How odd—I thought I heard a dog barking. Too bad I forgot yesterday’s leftover buns, or I could shut that beast’s mouth.”

“Bold brat—won’t believe till you see your coffin, eh? When you fall into my hands, you’ll know what it means to beg for death yet never find it!” With a sinister tone, the pavilion’s air surged—the hidden figure, provoked, finally struck.

Shi Jun, though outwardly calm, had been on guard. Sensing the shift, he abandoned activating his protective “Ice Shield,” instead pouring all his strength into his own creation—“Soul Binding.”

It was a risky, mutually-destructive tactic, but necessity drove him. The enemy was shrouded, possibly with allies; delay would be fatal. Shi Jun baited him into revealing himself, then attacked with all his might.

A burst of blinding white light flashed in the pavilion, followed by crackling explosions. A ghostly gray figure appeared in the white sphere, writhing until the light’s pressure forced it into form, suspended midair by the “Soul Binding” spell.

Shi Jun’s attack succeeded, but the enemy’s strike hit his body. A frigid force invaded him silently, spreading to his mind. His head buzzed, hallucinations blooming: pain, sorrow, anger, despair—these emotions alternated, threatening to drag him into an endless abyss.

Negative emotions surged, his repressed anxieties and troubles became painfully real—betrayal by spirits, the tragic deaths of loved ones, the rupture with Chiyang—scene after bloody scene flashed in his mind. He felt isolated and disheartened, longing to leave these battles behind forever.

He was powerless, unable to move, grief and resentment solidifying in his chest like a physical lump, stifling his heartbeat and breath. Blood welled in his throat, his body seemed ready to burst with agony…

* * *

After spitting blood, Shi Jun’s mind cleared. Though weakness and the shadow of the hallucination lingered, his rational mind held onto a thread of clarity.

He realized his opponent was a master of dark spiritual arts, so he needed utmost calm and reason to prevail. He kept reminding himself not to be fooled by the illusion, and gathered his remaining strength to unleash all his spells on the pavilion.

“Ice Three Feet,” “Dragon Wave,” “Disorder Spirit”—he even tried the “Brahma Soul Search” he’d glimpsed while fighting Mei Jue, launching everything he knew. Brilliant spiritual lights flashed in the pavilion, and the suspended gray figure was struck by this barrage, sent flying and crashing heavily to the ground.

Seeing the enemy battered and helpless, Shi Jun paused, catching his breath before approaching to examine the figure.

The man evidently hadn’t expected Shi Jun to be so powerful, nor to use such a risky, mutually-destructive attack. As a result, he was quickly subdued by “Soul Binding” and forced into his true form.

At first, he wasn’t overly concerned, confident that his dark spiritual spell—“Resent Heaven and Others”—would incapacitate his foe, giving him time to recover. But Shi Jun’s immense mental strength foiled his plan. Within moments, Shi Jun recovered and, spurred by fury, struck hard. Under relentless assault, the enemy was badly injured, with no hope of escape.

He lay on the ground, bewildered: when had the human world gained such a master? How could Shi Jun use so many underworld-exclusive water spells? Why did his own ultimate move fail against this youth? Was he sent by the Nether Emperor to deal with his brothers? The more he thought, the more frightened he became, and began to call for help.

* * *

Shi Jun quickly approached, ignoring the man’s shouts, and bent down, using the lingering glow from his spells to scrutinize the figure’s face.

He saw a hideous visage: a long face with high cheekbones, small deep-set eyes, and a catfish-like mouth with a long, forked tongue. Most bizarre was the yin-yang face—left side pale as lime, right side charred like coal. His hair, disheveled from the fight, hung over his face, adding to the terror.

Below the neck, the man had no corporeal body—only half a torso writhing on the ground, like the legendary hanging ghost, but even more grotesque, as if he’d just been cut in half.

The sight stirred a sense of déjà vu in Shi Jun—where had he seen this face before? Why did it seem so familiar? He pondered, then a flash of insight struck him, and he froze as if sculpted from clay.

After a moment’s hesitation, he seemed struck by lightning and exclaimed, “You’re Chishang!!!”