Chapter Forty: The Dual Yin-Yang Corpses (Part Two)

I immediately reached out and drew a Soul-Breaking Talisman in the air.

Run? Let's see where you think you can escape!

But just as I struck toward the red-clad female ghost, Tu suddenly flew out of my body and pulled me back sharply.

"Master, be careful!"

Only then did I realize I was already standing at the edge of the window ledge. If I'd completed that strike, I would have fallen straight down from the fifth floor.

"Damn it!"

I cursed under my breath and quickly took two steps back.

At that moment, Nie Xiaoke in her red dress drifted away, floating toward the distant glow of fire.

Tu, too, emerged from my body, gazing toward the blaze.

"Master, this is bad..."

I stopped Tu mid-sentence because my phone rang—it was Chen Chuyi.

"Xiao Dong, did something happen on your end?"

"Of course something happened, I almost died. And that female ghost got away!"

"Ah, this is terrible! Why didn't you keep her there?"

I was speechless. Given the situation just now, was that even possible? If Xiyue were here, she could fly through the air, but I can't.

"Xiao Dong, you must chase after that ghost's soul right now. I just did a divination—something major will happen tonight."

"What major thing?"

"If my calculation is right, tonight a Dual Yin-Yang Corpse will be born!"

"Dual Yin-Yang Master?"

"That's right. A so-called Dual Yin-Yang Corpse is when a body brimming with yang energy consumes the souls of two female ghosts who died resentfully, both born in a yin year, month, and hour. Such a corpse is terrifying—once it forms, nothing will survive within a five-mile radius whenever it appears!"

A chill ran through me. Hearing this, I wanted to curse out loud. I had meant to tell Chen Chuyi about this, but I'd missed the chance during our first call.

"What's wrong, Xiao Dong? Are you still listening?"

I grunted in response.

"My calculation points to somewhere near the school. This Dual Yin-Yang Corpse must not be allowed to form, or there will be big trouble. You’re the only certified Yin-Yang master left in Chengdu. I’m in Shanxi right now and can’t get back in time!"

"Me—"

"Don’t just 'me'—isn’t Xiyue your woman? If anything happens, find her. Her powers are profound; she can handle these lesser ghosts in no time."

"Alright, that’s settled. I still have a client here to deal with. Remember, you must stop the Dual Yin-Yang Corpse, or you’ll bear a heavy sin if people die!"

"I—"

Before I could say more, Chen Chuyi hung up.

I was left frustrated. Just then, a chilling voice rose from the direction of the firelight.

"After all these years, I never expected I’d finally complete this ritual—hahahaha..."

"Master, hurry! If that Dual Yin-Yang Corpse is completed, there’ll be real trouble!"

I nodded and dashed down the stairs.

Along the way, Tu explained the terror of the Dual Yin-Yang Corpse. The ritual to create one was extremely exacting—ordinary people could never succeed.

First, you needed a corpse heart that had existed for over a hundred years, serving as the core heart of the Yang Corpse. The corpse itself must be of purest yang constitution—meaning a child born during the hottest days of the year, usually in midsummer. Moreover, this body had to have accumulated enough hidden virtue.

These all relate to altering fate and geomancy—the old saying goes: fate, luck, geomancy, accumulated virtue, and study. Virtue, geomancy, and luck all affect one’s destiny.

Once such a yang corpse was found, two special souls were also required—not just any spirits. These two souls had to have had direct physical contact with the yang corpse when alive, forming a bond. This allowed the souls to merge into the body without rejection.

As for the souls themselves, they had to be of purest yin—female spirits born in a yin year, month, and hour, who died with great resentment. Only such souls could perfect the Dual Yin-Yang Corpse.

The more Tu explained, the more I was shocked.

Suddenly, I wondered—could Li Hongbo be that yang corpse? I didn’t know exactly when he was born, but he had accumulated virtue and seemed to have had relations with both women who fit the criteria.

While thinking, I sped up, and when I reached the blazing fire, I spotted Nie Xiaoke, the red-clad ghost.

"Nie Xiaoke, come back! Or you’ll be doomed for all eternity!"

I didn’t hesitate. I stepped forward and drew a Soul-Locking Talisman, sealing her instantly.

"Who dares to disrupt my magic?!"

Suddenly, an aged voice sounded—the same one I’d just heard.

"Master Wuwang, save me! This Yin-Yang master is trying to capture me!"

Nie Xiaoke was immobilized by my talisman, but still able to speak.

I moved closer and saw the scene before me.

A monk in yellow robes stood before a corpse, holding a crystal ball in his hand. Inside the ball, a red-clad female ghost circled endlessly.

Master Wuwang?

So this was Master Wuwang?

I felt a wave of speechlessness. He looked every bit a monk, but his eyes now glinted with ferocity.

"Who are you to interfere with my ritual?"

I stared at him. Before the corpse, he’d arranged countless little yellow paper figures, each one infused with spirit energy—I could tell at a glance they were spirit-possessed talismans.

And the corpse—shockingly—it was Li Hongbo.

I glanced at the murky sky above, sighing inwardly. Was this fate?

"So, you’re Master Wuwang? Today, I will not let you complete the Dual Yin-Yang Corpse ritual!"

As I spoke, perhaps out of anger or something else, I bit my finger and drew a Blood Soul-Breaking Talisman in the air.

"Heaven and earth, yin and yang, ten thousand souls to extinction!"

"Break!"

With a thunderous shout, the blood talisman shot forth, enveloping the nine yellow paper figures before me...