Chapter 101: Unsavory Spirits Beyond the Stage

Many people believe that a child can’t possibly have any real pressure. They say that any stress they feel comes from living such carefree lives. They claim that only when they step into society, start working, and take charge of their own lives will they understand what true pressure really means. I don’t agree with this.

In my view, pressure comes from all directions, not just from life itself. When studying, for example, failing an exam and fearing the teacher’s scolding is pressure. Sometimes, promising someone to do something but repeatedly failing leads to anxiety—that too is pressure. Even more so, when parents have excessively high expectations, the seemingly caring and protective words they speak often become an invisible weight on their children.

This kind of pressure can be fatal. When it becomes overwhelming, everyone subconsciously seeks relief in a way that comforts them. I don’t know about others, but for Xu Yiling, her rebellious nature is a form of release. She seeks a world without constraints, proving her long-held belief that she’s trapped by someone—most likely her mother, Xu Nan.

“Yiling! Whatever happens, you must tell me! If anything happens to you, how is your mother supposed to live?” Xu Nan said tearfully and sniffling, completely unaware of Xu Yiling’s eye-roll.

I cleared my throat and said, “Aunt Xu, it’s better if I talk to your daughter alone.” I glanced at Song Zhong and gave him a look, signaling him to escort Xu Nan out. Although Song Zhong complied, he soon returned, holding the fruit knife I had brought in. He glanced at me and said, “I have the right to know about this too.”

Looking at Song Zhong’s expression, I smiled faintly. Since he was here, there was nothing he shouldn’t hear.

I stood up from my chair and stretched, not directly asking about the fortune-teller. “Do you really dislike your mother that much?” I said, glancing at Xu Nan crying on the sofa. “She cares about you.”

“So what if she does!” Xu Yiling’s reaction was instinctive. Seeing this, I knew my guess was correct.

Before I could speak, Song Zhong immediately started persuading Xu Yiling to listen to Xu Nan, insisting that her mother only wanted what was best for her. Watching Song Zhong’s earnest pleas, I sighed deeply.

I patted Song Zhong on the shoulder and said, “Instructor, maybe it’s best if you stop. If she could listen to her mother, we wouldn’t be in this mess now.”

Without explaining further, I interrupted him and turned to Xu Yiling. “Everyone expresses love differently. She’s not trying to control you; she just believes you’ll appreciate what she arranges for you. If I were you, I’d choose to communicate.”

Before Xu Yiling could respond, I abruptly changed the subject. “Alright, if you don’t want to end up like your classmates, you answer my questions honestly.”

I reached out my hand. “Hand over the photo.”

Xu Yiling’s face twitched, but she quickly shook her head. “I... don’t know.”

“Then I’ll have to search myself.”

I rolled up my sleeves and slowly reached toward her. Just as my hands were within ten centimeters of the blanket covering her, she slid the photo from beneath her and handed it to me.

“That’s better. If you kept this photo hidden, you wouldn’t survive past midnight tonight.”

I held the photo up and examined it. It depicted a performer in costume, holding an oil-paper umbrella with one hand, the other hand forming a delicate gesture. Hanging from the umbrella’s handle was a wooden plaque. I leaned closer and read the three large characters on it: Xu Yiling.

Taking a deep breath, I immediately recognized what this photo was about. I hadn’t expected that in this day and age, someone would still use the Four-Phase Soul-Seizing method.

The so-called Four-Phase, also known as the Chimei-Wangliang, involves sealing these spirits into four photos. Upon selecting a target, the caster entices the victim to use their essence blood to make a pact with the spirits in the photo.

In other words, the victim makes a wish, and the spirits supposedly help fulfill it, only to later devour the victim’s soul to sustain themselves.

Of course, these spirits have no real power to grant wishes. They only create illusions in the victim’s mind, letting them experience what they desire in fantasy.

My grandfather said these spirits aren’t all that powerful—at best, they can cast illusions. But for someone with strong will, they have no effect.

Instead of wasting energy cultivating such things, it’s far more practical to strengthen oneself.

Grandfather once told me that during wartime, they encountered someone using these spirits to serve the enemy, even trying to use these little demons against him.

But grandfather never intervened. Just an ordinary man, Gu Dongfeng, defeated this sorcery.

Because Gu grandfather’s will was so strong, he ignored the spirits’ illusions and simply beheaded the caster.

Looking at the photo again, I glanced at Song Zhong. I shifted the photo into his hands and said, “Instructor, you’ve always wanted to truly exorcise demons and uphold righteousness, right? I’ll leave this matter to you. How about it?”

Song Zhong trembled all over; he hadn’t expected this day to come so soon.

Before he could speak, I put my arm around his shoulder and led him outside. “Don’t worry, I’ll be right beside you backing you up. No need to be afraid.”

“I... can I really do this?”

I gave him a disdainful look. “What’s there not to do? You’re the commander of the 800,000 Ghost Soldiers! Believe in yourself. Everyone has a first time. You’ve even dared to perform rites for wandering souls before. Now that I’m here, are you really scared?”

“I’m not scared! I’m just afraid I might mess up and harm Xu Yiling!” Song Zhong looked at me seriously, took a deep breath, and said, “Alright! I’ll take care of this!”

Chapter 101: The Unsavory Chimei-Wangliang—Free to Read