Chapter 108: The Ghost Marriage

"Daoist Feng Yang, what is happening?"

Feng Yang came to a sudden halt, listening intently to the sound of the ghost bells. In the knowledge of an exorcist, this was known as "listening for spirits," a method used to pinpoint the location of ghosts.

*Jingle, jingle...*

The sound of the ghost bells was crisp, yet it grew increasingly frantic. At that moment, Feng Yang grabbed me and pulled me into a corner.

"We truly didn't check the calendar before heading out today. We’ve actually run into a ghost wedding!"

"A ghost wedding?"

My heart gave a violent tremor. After all, hearing those three words immediately reminded me of the encounter I had on the Ghost Road—wasn't that exactly what a ghost wedding, or a marriage of the dead, was?

*Thump, thump, thump...*

Not far away, a bizarre rhythmic pounding echoed. The sound was grating, but to my ears, it now took on a voice, seemingly warning the living to keep their distance. I looked up at the sky; a sliver of a waning moon hung there, casting cold, pale light upon me. I could feel an icy chill, enough to make my scalp crawl, washing over me in relentless waves.

"Hold your breath! These are corpse-ghosts, not your average spirits!"

Hearing Feng Yang’s words, my face turned deathly pale. I looked up and saw a woman dressed in white sitting inside a palanquin. The carriage was ancient and rustic, carried by eight figures, with a young girl standing beside it—clearly serving as the lady’s handmaid.

As I caught a glimpse of the person inside the vibrant red bridal palanquin, my body trembled violently. Through the swaying curtains as the eight bearers marched, I realized that the person sitting inside was, in fact, Xiyue.

I could hardly fathom what was happening. I stared unblinkingly at the palanquin, and as the curtains fluttered, I saw her more clearly. It was Xiyue—the same Xiyue who had entered Huamei Village with me. But hadn't she told me to wait for her at that eerie inn? Why was she sitting in a bridal palanquin now? What on earth was going on?

"Hey, what’s wrong with you?"

Pushed by Feng Yang, I finally snapped out of my daze. Ignoring him, I dashed toward the passing palanquin. Seeing my recklessness, Feng Yang lunged forward and grabbed me just before I could reach them.

"Kid, are you trying to get yourself killed?"

Feng Yang dragged me into a dark corner, avoiding the attention of the wedding procession. My suspicions deepened. Why would Xiyue be in that palanquin? Could it be that Chen Chuyi and Zhao Shiwu had arrived as well, only to remain hidden? The thought made me even more desperate to follow them and uncover the truth.

"I know the person inside that palanquin!" I whispered to Feng Yang, explaining how Xiyue and I had arrived together and how she had asked me to wait at the inn. I mentioned she was an exorcist as well.

Feng Yang’s expression turned guarded. "You’re certain you know her?"

I nodded. Seeing that my concern was genuine, he whispered for me to follow him. We would infiltrate the procession, and once they reached their destination, the truth would be revealed. I agreed, though I knew the risks. I didn't have a "Ghost-Passing Talisman" on me. Wearing one would disguise our physical forms as corpse-ghosts, allowing us to blend in, but the talisman carried unknown dangers. At this point, however, I didn't care.

I took the talisman from Feng Yang, pressed it against my chest, and hurried after the procession. Moments later, Feng Yang caught up, looking just as anxious as I felt. We trailed behind the group, and I could sense the presence of countless restless souls. It was a massive procession.

Along the way, I overheard the chattering of minor spirits. Because we wore the talismans and were perceived as corpse-ghosts, we held a higher status than the common ghosts, who scurried out of our way. After all, a corpse-ghost could easily devour them, absorbing their yin energy and scattering their souls into nothingness.

With my "Yin-Yang Eyes" open, I followed the procession deep into Huamei Village. After several minutes, we reached a mountain forest. The moment I stepped into the trees, I felt a familiar gaze fixated upon me—a gaze so familiar it sent a chill down my spine.

What was happening? Why did I feel such terror? Whose eyes were these? As we delved deeper into the mountains, I felt countless eyes staring at me from the surrounding wilderness, including the lonely, wandering spirits. It was a bone-chilling sensation. I knew for certain that a powerful ghost had set its sights on me.

"Lower the palanquin!"

Suddenly, a booming voice rang out. I heard the sound of giggling women, and the procession was led into a nearby cave by a group of female ghosts. The mountain, which had seemed unremarkable, suddenly felt vast and imposing. I felt as if something were summoning me from within; my entire body shook.

Feng Yang, standing beside me, seemed to have truly become a corpse-ghost; he offered no resistance as a female ghost pulled him into the cave. I had no choice but to bite the bullet and follow suit, allowing the beautiful female ghosts to lead me into the mysterious cavern.

To my shock, as the female ghost touched my arm, she suddenly shuddered. Her perfectly formed hand dissolved into a wisp of black mist, and her entire body gradually evaporated into the same dark vapor.

At that moment, all the corpse-ghosts and spirits nearby turned their heads to look at me.

"I..."

I didn't hesitate; I spun around to run. But as I turned, I realized someone had been standing behind me the entire time.

It was none other than the proprietor of the nameless inn—the man who looked exactly like me, as if reflected in a mirror.

At that moment, I froze in absolute horror.