When I woke up, I found the pillow beneath my eyes soaked—whether from tears or drool, I couldn’t tell. The dimming light outside made it hard to gauge the time. Little Rascal, seeing me awake, opened his mouth and began licking my face.
I picked up Little Rascal and glanced at Bai Yueming, who had just opened his eyes. He was staring at the wooden ceiling, where a few spiders were crawling.
Setting Little Rascal down, I lifted Bai Yueming and went to find food for him—and incidentally, for myself. Xie Lingyu’s wooden cabin was connected to mine, separated only by a plank in the middle.
As I carried Bai Yueming and led Little Rascal over, Xie Lingyu was lost in thought, staring into a mirror. The reflection showed her not as flesh but as gleaming white bones, pale as moonlight…
Noticing my approach, Xie Lingyu quickly put the mirror down. “You’ve slept enough. I’ve prepared food for you—eat.”
On the table lay a plate of roasted wild boar, sliced and seasoned with fennel. It was delicious. I devoured the entire plate. Xie Lingyu added gently, “I also fed some plain porridge to the girl who came with you. She should be fine.”
Grateful, I looked at her. “Grandpa really knew how to pick a wife.”
Xie Lingyu sighed and shook her head. “I’m just bones—a gust of wind could scatter me. That girl who came with you, though—she’s got a good figure and a nice backside. She’ll surely bear you several children someday.”
Her tone suddenly turned sour with jealousy.
I quickly changed the subject, asking if she’d ever heard of Zuo Shan. Xie Lingyu shook her head. “Never.”
I cursed. “That bastard claims to be my martial uncle, the successor of the Ghost Sect before Long Youshui. He set blood spiders on me—I nearly died. Luckily, my grandmaster foresaw his treachery and placed a powerful curse on the jade ruler, which took care of him. When I saw him again recently, he pretended to repent, only to blast me with a rocket launcher!”
Xie Lingyu listened to my cinematic tale. “Xiao Qi, you’re too kind-hearted for your own good. Since Zuo Shan failed to kill you with that rocket, you should’ve learned your lesson.”
The sky darkened further, threatening another downpour.
Just then, Zuo Shan and Yu Kun staggered in, supporting each other. Having eaten my fill, I was ready for revenge. I rushed forward in three quick strides.
From another cabin, Ruan Nan emerged, dragging Zeng Jie behind him. I sneered, “Zuo Shan, didn’t expect me alive, did you?”
Ruan Nan kicked Zeng Jie’s rear. His face was swollen like a melon, and he burst into tears at the sight of Zuo Shan.
Ruan Nan spat, “You’re here, huh?”
Yu Qian, shocked to see me alive, instinctively gripped the two grenades at his waist, ready to go down fighting.
Zuo Shan’s heart ached at the sight of Zeng Jie. He clasped his hands. “Hatred breeds more hatred. Why live in the past? Let’s walk hand in hand toward tomorrow.”
As he spoke, a blood spider leaped from his bag onto his head.
Yu Qian shouted, “Commander! I’ve brought someone who can suppress the cursed land on the back mountain!”
Dai Hao emerged with a squad, raising a hand. Guns were instantly trained on us from all sides. Though I didn’t recognize the models, the sheer number of barrels was oppressive.
The killing intent from modern weapons was no less deadly than ghosts or zombies to a mortal.
Dai Hao said coldly, “Whatever grudges you have, you’re guests here. I won’t tolerate fighting. If you must, wait until my business is done.”
His stance was firm.
Ruan Nan slapped Zeng Jie. “Scram!” Zeng Jie shuffled to Zuo Shan, whimpering, “Master, you came to save me…”
Zuo Shan helped him up, caressing his bruised face with tears in his eyes.
Dai Hao looked at me, waiting for my response.
I forced a smile. “General Dai, you’re the host—what can I say?” Zuo Shan chuckled. “Sect Leader, no need for anger. We share the same roots—let’s serve the general wholeheartedly.”
I stormed back to Xie Lingyu’s cabin, shaking with rage. She took my hand. “Dai Hao is ruthless—a small-time warlord who clawed his way up. He’ll stop at nothing.”
I seethed. “Zuo Shan’s injured now, but once he recovers, I won’t stand a chance against his blood spiders and rockets.”
Xie Lingyu called over the Jade Corpse to guard me closely.
As we spoke, a scream erupted from the infirmary. Wu Tieqing, clad only in underwear, bolted outside barefoot, howling like a madman. He vaulted over the fence with startling agility.
I shouted after him, “Wu Tieqing!”
Bullets chased him as he dashed into the poppy fields. Two female soldiers shouldered a rocket launcher, firing. The explosion sent flames skyward.
Yet when the smoke cleared, Wu Tieqing—now pantsless—sprinted even faster into the forest, vanishing like a ghost.
The rocket had only incinerated his underwear. The man, once near death after shedding dozens of pounds, now outran Olympians.
The whole spectacle lasted under two minutes, leaving us speechless.
Xie Lingyu murmured, “What on earth possessed him?”
I grinned. “If he dies, I swindled him out of fifty grand.”
“And you got a free peep show.”
“Uh…”
At noon, Dai Hao hosted a banquet. Zuo Shan smiled at me, all trace of malice gone. Ruan Nan, seated beside me, simmered silently.
As wine was poured, Ruan Nan angrily raised his glass. Sensing trouble, I shoved him. The spilled liquor hissed, releasing black smoke and two spiders.
Ruan Nan slammed the table. His Seven-Star Bugs shot toward Zuo Shan.
Zuo Shan feigned innocence. “A misunderstanding! I merely wished to test my nephew’s skill.”
His blood spider bristled on his forehead, challenging the bugs.
Dai Hao laughed. “Such talents! Truly enlightening. Now, let’s toast.”
The man was a master at smoothing things over. Furious, Ruan Nan stormed out, his bugs buzzing after him.
Zuo Shan raised his glass. “Youth today—so temperamental. General, a toast to your hospitality.” Zeng Jie watched Ruan Nan leave, his eyes tinged with sorrow.
Dai Hao drank. “They say you’re renowned in Thailand’s dark arts, Master Zuo. That blood spider of yours—a king among its kind, no?”
Zuo Shan extended his left hand (his right maimed), and the spider skittered to his palm. “Would the general care for some… entertainment?”
Intrigued, Dai Hao nodded. Yu Qian dragged out a female prisoner—disheveled, gagged, but still striking.
Zuo Shan murmured, and the spider leaped onto her.
My stomach turned. Was this a death show? That spider could dissolve her into blood.
I flung my wine, dousing the creature. It scuttled to the floor, then lunged at me.
I yanked the woman aside. “If you want a show, use a goat! Or I’ll give you one myself!”
The spider scaled my shoulder, weaving webs that rotted my clothes. I spun, forming a protective seal. The jade ruler at my waist glowed blue.
The spider raced up my body—legs, waist, chest—then into my mouth.
Zuo Shan shrieked, “Come back!” Terrified I’d harm his “pet,” he paled.
Like hell I’d let it go…
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