Chapter 40.3: Deployment of the Reincarnated Childhood Friends
Deployment of the Reincarnated Childhood Friends:
It was the eighth day of the third lunar month, at the first quarter of the Hour of the Rabbit.
Fully dressed, I checked my belongings one last time.
Various talismans, Buddhist beads, several bags of small beans, talisman water, and a few peaches… Just in case, I also brought a cross and garlic.
All necessary preparations had been made.
Because time was tight, the preparations were not thorough… I don’t know if these things will be enough.
Although it might seem exaggerated, it’s crucial to be prepared for the worst and not be careless.
After all, today is the Qingming Festival… one of the three major ghost festivals.
On this day, the gates of the underworld are always open, allowing ghosts to roam the human world.
Although most of the ghosts that appear during the Qingming Festival are benevolent or ancestral spirits, making it slightly more peaceful than the other two ghost festivals, it is an undeniable fact that ghosts’ powers are enhanced, and their emotions become unpredictable.
Especially now, in this city, a vast number of spirits have gathered for unknown reasons, making the situation quite dangerous.
The recent dismemberment murder cases are likely the work of ‘ghosts’… Those restless spirits will definitely make their move today.
However, the commotion these ghosts might cause is not my concern; that’s the job of the Ghost Extermination Squad, and it has nothing to do with me.
I only care whether ‘she’ will do anything excessive.
The young girl named Jiang Xueqing, who is always by Lord Juncheng’s side, has a pale complexion, remains silent, is entangled with karma, and emits an extremely strong aura of bloodlust.
Judging by her appearance and the aura she exudes, she is undoubtedly possessed by a ghost.
Especially the unnatural gray hair is undoubtedly a side effect of being possessed by a ghost for a long time and recklessly using its power.
When her gray hair completely turns white, her pupils turn completely scarlet, and her body radiates a fierce aura, that young girl will transform into a true ghost…
By then, she will surely lose control and become a ferocious ghost that only kills and devours people without reason, even harming Lord Juncheng.
And the most likely time for this transformation to occur… is today!
For this reason, I have dedicated all my energy to finding a solution during this period. I’ve searched my memories from my past life for ways to deal with ghosts, temporarily practiced some Taoist magic, and prepared some props… But I still feel it’s not enough.
The ghost possessing Jiang Xueqing is a very powerful one. I cannot guarantee that the power and items I’ve acquired through last-minute training will be enough to stop her…
But I can only do my best.
No matter what, I must protect Lord Juncheng.
Even if it means sacrificing my own life, I must ensure Lord Juncheng’s safety.
Having resolved myself once more, I set out from home to Lord Juncheng’s mansion to wait.
About half an hour later, Lord Juncheng, with a panicked expression, pushed open the door and ran out.
It seems a bit late to be leaving now. Lord Juncheng, who is always punctual, overslept? It seems something happened yesterday that I don’t know about… Hmm, although I want to be by Lord Juncheng’s side at all times, I’ve been neglecting this aspect lately due to practicing Taoist magic… I can’t help it.
I’ll investigate after today.
Today, Lord Juncheng is attending Ji Lianbing’s birthday banquet. I don’t know what will happen when he goes, so I must follow him throughout to ensure his safety.
In this life, Lord Juncheng seems to be fated for romantic entanglements, not good fortune, but rather a romantic calamity.
Unconsciously, many young women have gathered around him, each one beautiful and possessing heavenly charm.
However, as the saying goes, beauty spell trouble… These women cannot bring Lord Juncheng happiness; they will only bring him endless misfortune.
Especially since many of these women are “red-faced skeletons” (beautiful but dangerous women). Once their “painted skin” is removed, their true faces are terrifying, comparable to demons.
Take the woman named Ji Lianbing, with whom Lord Juncheng is currently involved. She appears to be smiling and cheerful, but is actually filled with murderous intent.
Such murderous intent stems from suppressed dissatisfaction due to being unable to obtain what she desires and fulfill her own cravings.
From this, I can deduce that she probably wants something from Lord Juncheng, and this is her true motive for approaching him.
It’s not about romance, but merely about satisfying her own desires.
I must find a way to make Lord Juncheng understand this woman’s true nature. It would be best if they broke up immediately and never interacted again, then I could… um…
I, I… this is for Lord Juncheng’s safety, not for me to monopolize Lord Juncheng.
However, speaking of which, having me accompany Lord Juncheng is the best choice. With me, who understands him best, by his side, I can not only protect him closely but also allow him to live this life in peace and happiness, which should also be what Lord Juncheng wishes.
But there is also the woman named Lanhua who is fixated on Lord Juncheng… she also poses a potential danger.
And some demons and ghosts have also latched onto Lord Juncheng…
Furthermore, his half-sister is too close to him, showing signs of an incestuous inclination…
Thinking of these troubles, each more difficult than the last, I couldn’t help but frown.
This life is truly full of hardships… Before even reaching the age of twenty, he is already entangled in so many karmic ties. Does this mean Lord Juncheng’s life is destined to be extraordinary?
Is that why the heavens have allowed me to meet him again, so I can help him overcome these tribulations?
… Yes, it must be like this.
All these matters must be resolved, but I am stretched thin and can only handle them one by one.
Considering the urgency, Jiang Xueqing is the top priority.
I don’t know when she will choose to appear, so I must remain vigilant!
By casting an invisibility spell on myself, Lord Juncheng will not sense my presence.
Lord Juncheng did not take the subway or a bus, but instead ran in the opposite direction of his intended destination.
Where is he going?
Considering Lord Juncheng’s character, he wouldn’t break a promise? Hmm… But this is good, it helps to avoid contact with Ji Lianbing as much as possible.
Finally, Lord Juncheng arrived at the park he frequents and then took two laps around a secluded path. What is he doing?
He seems to be looking for something… but it’s not going smoothly, and he sighs to himself.
Just then, a beggar resting on a bench called out to Lord Juncheng and offered to take him to a place called Black Street.
Black Street, huh…
I’ve heard some rumors, but I thought they were just exaggerated tales. Did they actually exist?
And judging by Lord Juncheng’s appearance, it seems he has been to that street before.
The beggar led Lord Juncheng back along the small path. Then, at a certain spot, he rudely kicked Lord Juncheng, and Lord Juncheng disappeared…
I see, so it’s another “small world”?
No, in this era, it should be called the “Underworld.”
It has also been called “Secret Realm,” “Peach Blossom Spring,” and other names. People in different eras have different names for such places, and specific Underworlds have their own special names.
And each Underworld has a unique method of entry and exit. This one, named “Black Street,” should be the simplest, invitation-based type; as long as one obtains the qualification to enter or is led by someone who is qualified, one can enter freely.
Although, if I knew the connection point, I could forcibly break in… However, that would drain my strength and be quite disruptive.
To be safe, it’s better to choose a more cautious method.
I silently walked behind the beggar and poked his shoulder with my finger.
“Take me in.”
This beggar is not an ordinary person… He showed no signs of panic when I suddenly appeared behind him.
The beggar turned his head, raised an eyebrow, and said.
“Black Street is off-limits to idlers these days, and outsiders are also not allowed.”
“Then why did you let that boy in just now?”
The beggar scratched his head, showing a troubled expression.
“That’s a trade secret… I can’t reveal the details of the commission. Besides, I’m just doing this for money, and I don’t really know why I let that guy in…”
“Then let me in too, otherwise… I’ll have to ‘bring you in’ myself.”
I narrowed my eyes, glaring at the beggar, conveying a threat with my gaze: ‘If you don’t let me in, I’ll tear you to pieces.’ Although it was just a last-minute skill, it was more than enough to deal with ordinary people.
Sometimes, using force directly can resolve problems faster… Lord Juncheng taught me that once.
“Uh, no, I’ll take you in, okay?”
“Lead the way.”
This beggar is indeed just an employee; he prioritizes his own safety.
“However, young lady… don’t say I didn’t warn you, Black Street is very dangerous right now.”
“…Dangerous?”
“Yes, the organization is planning a large-scale crackdown soon, and the time is today. As for the location… I don’t need to say more, do I?”
“A large-scale crackdown… Ghosts?”
If we’re talking about the source of recent trouble, it can only be those ghosts. Is the organization referring to the Ghost Extermination Squad? Hmm… it doesn’t seem to be the same.
“Heh, as expected, you’re not an ordinary person either. That’s right, those ghosts have been too arrogant lately, the serial dismemberment murders… Oh boy, causing such a huge mess and still not knowing how to restrain themselves, so the organization has decided to suppress them. They anticipated that on the ghost festival, the ghosts would make their move, so they deliberately moved all personnel out of Black Street in advance, planning to use an empty city stratagem to catch them all in one go.”
It seems Black Street is the base of operations for that organization, and this organization had already foreseen the ghosts’ actions and emptied Black Street?
What a calculation.
“So, I advise you, young lady, not to get involved in this mess.”
“…Why are you telling me this? Aren’t you afraid of leaking information?”
When I asked this, the beggar suddenly froze, then said with great annoyance.
“Uh, I don’t know either. Sigh… If I talk too much this time, I’ll be expelled from the Troupe… Where will I find such a lucrative job again…”
The beggar grinned and scratched his head, looking very troubled. Finally, he shouted, “Ah, forget it!” and then said to me with a serious expression.
“I can’t explain it myself, maybe I owed you in my past life! In any case, I don’t want to see you get hurt! Black Street is too dangerous right now, leave quickly!”
This person… did I have a connection with him too?
“…In that case, I must go even more.”
“Why?!”
The beggar… no, the scruffy uncle looked astonished.
“Because the person you just let in is the most important person to me.”
“Uh… this is really…”
The scruffy uncle wore an apologetic expression. I don’t blame him; he just did his job… and I just need to do mine.
“Thank you for your kindness, but please let me in.”
I bowed to the scruffy uncle and pleaded with him.
“Sigh… I understand! Please be careful!”
The scruffy uncle patted my shoulder, saying with concern.
With that pat, I was granted the qualification to enter Black Street. I no longer delayed and immediately passed through the gap. Just as I was about to completely pass through, I looked back and smiled at the scruffy uncle.
“Perhaps… you really did owe me in your past life, who knows? Hehe.”
“Ah?”
I arrived on the other side… Just as the scruffy uncle said, there was no one on the street.
Lord Juncheng, please be patient, I’m coming to your side now…
I will definitely ensure your safe departure from this dangerous place!
