“Are you speaking the truth?”
The middle-aged male ghost, who seemed to be the leader, appeared to believe Shui Miao’s words.
In their eyes, a young kid couldn’t possibly fabricate such convincing lies.
Shui Miao scoffed and retorted, “Why would I lie? You’ve seen it yourselves—I’m a straightforward person. I dislike people sneaking around behind my back, doing things to me. Even if you claim it’s for my own good, I still hate secrecy. If you’d been honest with me, I would have appreciated it. But if anyone presumes to use me as a pawn and manipulate me, I’ll never forgive them.”
Shui Miao knew in his heart that he was merely a pawn, but weren’t these ghosts pawns as well?
That’s just how the world worked—there were always those who thought themselves clever, eager to use others as pawns while wrapping themselves in the false guise of good intentions. In truth, they were selfish and dark-hearted, too cowardly to live honestly.
“You sure have your father’s temper!”
The ghost of the middle-aged man suddenly spoke, his tone growing serious.
The other ghosts also furrowed their brows.
Seeing their reaction, Shui Miao’s heart jolted. Could it be that his father had been killed by the thousand-year-old female ghost?
“My father—what happened to him?” Shui Miao asked, his voice trembling with emotion.
The ghost of the middle-aged man nodded at Shui Miao solemnly. “Don’t worry. Your father truly ascended to the Immortal Realm and joined the Yuxu Sect. He’s now a genuine ghost immortal. Your father was loyal to the Lady, so she favored him greatly. She even specially sent us to assist in your growth, to help you truly understand the mysteries of the Dao of Heaven and Earth. However, you were too suspicious and destroyed the treasure the Lady gave you—the Wheel Mirror. It could not only reveal past lives but also subdue demons and ghosts…”
The middle-aged ghost rambled on about the mirror’s many benefits, expressing deep regret over its destruction.
Shui Miao remained silent. He didn’t regret using the mirror to smash through the truth—it had been worth it.
Deep down, he greatly doubted the thousand-year-old female ghost’s special care for his father. He had offended the Yuxu Sect in what he thought was a dream. Regardless of whether those events were real or not, her motives were questionable. Naturally, Shui Miao wouldn’t easily believe the words of someone who had never been honest with him.
“Senior, there’s something I don’t quite understand. I beg you to tell me the truth,” Shui Miao said, furrowing his brow and bowing respectfully to the ghosts. “I’d like to ask—does the Wheel Mirror have the ability to monitor my thoughts and suppress my thinking? And more importantly, is this world I’m in right now real?”
Shui Miao’s nature was direct. Though he currently lacked the power to suppress these ghosts, he couldn’t help but voice his suspicions.
“This…”
“…”
The four ghosts were momentarily speechless.
The leading ghost hesitated before replying, “Shui Miao, your father was our fellow disciple. Some things are better left unspoken. It’s better for us, and for your loved ones. Even if you knew everything, what could you really do? Besides, the Lady has truly treated us well. Please stop your wild suspicions.”
Their failure to deny his suspicions was, in itself, an admission.
Shui Miao’s heart trembled.
Yet the ghost’s words made sense too. The thousand-year-old female ghost could threaten his loved ones at any moment. That was something he had to be cautious about.
This matter couldn’t be rushed. He had to handle it carefully.
Still, Shui Miao wanted to know whether he was currently dreaming.
After a moment’s thought, he nodded heavily. “Alright then, respected elders. I won’t pressure you further. I promise I won’t cause trouble. But please, at least tell me—what state am I in now? Am I dreaming, or am I trapped in some special magical formation?”
“…”
The four ghosts fell silent again.
They exchanged glances for a while before the middle-aged ghost finally sighed. “Fine, to hell with it—I’ll tell you…”
“You dare reveal heavenly secrets! Your crime is unforgivable!”
Suddenly, a thunderous shout shattered the silence.
A muscular monk, his upper body bare, descended from the sky. He wore golden robes and carried a golden bowl that radiated brilliant light. Chanting fiercely, he bellowed, “Mighty Heavenly Dragon, Buddhas of Prajna, World-Honored Earth Store, Great Luo Spell, Infinite Golden Bowl—seize them!”
“Ahh!”
“It’s Chi Buddha!”
The four ghosts turned pale at the sight of the descending monk.
“Help us!”
“Don’t capture us!”
In the blink of an eye, the golden bowl had sucked in three of the ghosts.
As the monk turned the bowl toward the leading ghost, Shui Miao suddenly darted forward, blocking the bowl and throwing a powerful punch at the monk’s chest. But the punch felt like it had struck a stone wall—the monk didn’t flinch, while Shui Miao’s fist throbbed in pain.
“Foolish mortal! I’m helping you banish evil spirits, and you dare strike me?”
The monk was brutal—he grabbed Shui Miao by the collar, nearly choking him.
Shui Miao fiercely gripped the monk’s throat. “What kind of bastard monk are you? You attack innocent people without asking questions. You’re no monk—you’re a demon!”
“Dare you call me a demon!?”
The monk headbutted Shui Miao, slamming his forehead into his. Stars exploded in Shui Miao’s vision as he staggered backward, dazed.
“You’re not a demon? What else could you be?”
Shui Miao kicked the monk hard in the lower body, only to feel like he’d kicked a stone. His leg throbbed with pain.
At that moment, the middle-aged ghost fell to his knees before the monk, pleading, “Chi Buddha, spare us! We’ve always been loyal to the Lady! We didn’t say anything wrong! He is the one she’s cultivating for a special purpose. If you harm him, the Lady will not forgive you!”
“Fools! Have you not revealed enough heavenly secrets? Watch me destroy you!” the monk roared.
He shoved Shui Miao aside and raised the golden bowl again.
Shui Miao quickly stood up, blocking the monk once more. “Mad monk! This has nothing to do with them. I was the one who pressured them to speak. If you have the guts, deal with me alone. What kind of hero picks on weak ghosts?”
“Hmph!”
The monk snorted coldly. “Ignorant mortal! To me, right is right, and wrong is wrong. They committed a crime—they must die. The only reason I haven’t destroyed you already is because of—hmph! I should’ve erased you long ago!”
“Hmph, you Chi Buddha! You want to wipe them out, do you? Fine then! Don’t blame me for revealing the truth—it’s all because of you!” The middle-aged ghost, cornered, shouted, “Shui Miao, the Lady possesses your placenta and hair from birth. She can summon your soul anytime. The world you’re in is real, but many of the people you see were created using the Phantom Demon Mirror. You can see them, but ordinary people cannot. Your physical body is still in the Rakshasa Realm. To return, you must kill this Chi Buddha and reclaim your placenta and birth hair.”
“Hahaha!”
“Are you speaking from the heart?”
The middle-aged ghost who seemed to be the leader appeared to believe Shui Miao’s words.
In their eyes, a young person couldn’t possibly fabricate such a convincing lie.
Shui Miao sneered and retorted, “Why would I lie? As you can see, I’m a straightforward person. I don’t like it when people sneak around behind my back, even if it’s for my own good. I’d rather you be upfront with me—I’d appreciate your kindness. But if anyone arrogantly tries to manipulate me like a pawn, I will never let them off.”
Shui Miao knew all too well that he was a pawn, but weren’t these ghosts also pawns?
That’s how things often are in this world—some people, thinking themselves clever, enjoy using others as pawns, disguising their actions with the false pretense of caring for you. In reality, they are selfish, sinister, and too cowardly to act openly and honestly.
“Your temper truly resembles your father’s!”
The middle-aged ghost’s tone suddenly turned grave.
The other ghosts also furrowed their brows.
Seeing their reaction, Shui Miao’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that his father had been killed by the thousand-year-old female ghost?
“What happened to my father?” Shui Miao asked, unable to contain his agitation.
The middle-aged ghost nodded at Shui Miao. “Don’t worry, your father truly ascended to the immortal realm and joined the Jade Void Sect. He is now a bona fide ghost immortal. Your father was utterly loyal to the Lady, so she took special care of him and even sent us to assist in your growth, helping you truly comprehend the mysteries of the universe. However, your skepticism is too strong—you destroyed the treasure the Lady gave you. That Reincarnation Mirror not only revealed past lives but could also capture and vanquish demons and ghosts…”
The middle-aged ghost listed numerous benefits of the mirror, expressing deep regret over its destruction.
Shui Miao remained silent and felt no remorse. Using the mirror to uncover the truth was worth it.
Deep down, Shui Miao harbored great suspicion toward the thousand-year-old female ghost’s special treatment of his father. He had previously offended the Jade Void Sect in a “dream,” and regardless of whether any of it was real, her motives were questionable. For someone who had never dealt with him sincerely, Shui Miao naturally wouldn’t easily believe her lies.
“Elders, there’s one thing I don’t quite understand. I ask you to speak honestly and tell me the truth.” Shui Miao’s eyebrows twitched as he clasped his hands in a solemn gesture, looking intently at the ghosts. “I’d like to ask: did that Mirror of Reincarnation also have the ability to monitor my thoughts and suppress my thinking? And is the world I’m facing now real?”
Shui Miao was straightforward by nature. Even though he currently lacked the power to subdue these ghosts, he couldn’t help but voice his doubts.
“This…”
“…”
The four ghosts fell into an awkward silence.
The middle-aged ghost, after a pause, said, “Shui Miao, your father was our fellow disciple. Some things are better left unasked—for our sake and for the sake of your loved ones and friends. Even if you knew everything, what could you do? Besides, the Lady has truly been good to us. Please stop overthinking it.”
Since they didn’t deny it, it was as good as an admission.
Shui Miao’s mind reeled.
But the ghost’s words also made sense. The thousand-year-old female ghost could threaten his loved ones and friends at any time, a point he had to consider carefully.
This matter couldn’t be rushed; it required a gradual approach.
Still, Shui Miao wanted to clarify whether he was currently in a dream.
After a moment’s thought, he nodded firmly. “Alright, uncles, I won’t make things difficult for you. I promise I won’t act recklessly. But please, you must tell me: what state am I in right now? Am I in a dream, or am I trapped in some special magical array?”
“…”
The four ghosts fell silent once again.
They exchanged glances, and after a long while, the middle-aged ghost sighed. “Fine, I’ll risk it and tell you…”
“Audacious evil spirits! How dare you reveal the secrets of heaven? Your crimes are unforgivable!”
Suddenly, a sharp shout shattered the silence.
A robust monk, half-naked and clad in a kasaya, wielding a golden alms bowl, descended from the sky. His body gleamed with a reddish-gold hue, and the golden bowl radiated a brilliant light. In a resonant voice, he chanted, “Mighty Heavenly Dragon, Prajna Buddhas, World-Honored One Kṣitigarbha, Great Luo Mantra, Immeasurable Golden Bowl—capture them!”
“Ah!”
“It’s the Obsessed Buddha!”
The four ghosts turned as pale as death at the sight of the descending monk.
“Ah! Save us…”
“Don’t capture us!”
In the blink of an eye, the golden bowl absorbed three of the ghosts.
Just as the monk turned the bowl to capture the middle-aged ghost leader, Shui Miao suddenly stepped in front of it and threw a fierce punch at the monk’s chest. However, the punch felt like hitting a solid wall—the monk was unharmed, but Shui Miao’s hand throbbed with pain.
“Insignificant mortal! I was helping you by exorcising these evil spirits, and you dare strike me?”
The monk, enraged, grabbed Shui Miao by the collar, choking him until he could barely breathe.
Shui Miao, in turn, gripped the monk’s neck and snarled, “What kind of damned monk are you? You kill indiscriminately without even asking for the truth, and now you’re resorting to violence. I think you’re nothing but a demon!”
“How dare you call me a demon!”
The monk headbutted Shui Miao fiercely, leaving him disoriented, his vision swimming with stars.
“Damn it! If you’re not a demon, what are you?”
Shui Miao suddenly kicked the monk between the legs, but it felt like striking stone, sending a sharp pain shooting through his leg.
At that moment, the middle-aged ghost dropped to his knees and begged, “Obsessed Buddha, please spare us! We’ve been utterly loyal to the Lady! We didn’t say anything out of line! He’s someone the Lady intends to nurture—if you harm him, she won’t forgive you!”
“Fool! Do you think you haven’t revealed enough of the divine secrets? Watch as I capture you!”
The monk, furious, shoved Shui Miao aside and raised the golden bowl to capture the ghost.
Shui Miao scrambled to his feet and once again shielded the middle-aged ghost. “Mad monk, this isn’t their fault! I tempted them into speaking. If you have any courage, deal with me alone. What kind of true skill is it to bully lesser spirits?”
“Hmph!”
The monk snorted coldly. “Ignorant mortal! In my eyes, right is right, and wrong is wrong. They committed a wrongdoing, so they must die. If it weren’t for the fact that you’re… Hmph! I would have already destroyed you!”
“Fine, Obsessed Buddha! You want to wipe us all out, is that it? Very well, don’t blame me for revealing the truth. You brought this upon yourself!” The middle-aged ghost, pushed to the brink, exclaimed, “Shui Miao, the Lady possesses your placenta and birth hair. She can summon your soul back anytime, anywhere. The world you’re in now is real, but many of the people you see are illusions created by the Phantom Demon Mirror—visible to you but invisible to others. Your physical body is still in the Rakshasa Realm. If you want to return, you must kill this Obsessed Buddha and reclaim your placenta and birth hair!”
“Hahaha!”
Upon hearing this, the Obsessed Buddha laughed arrogantly. “You think you can kill me? I am a naturally born Buddhist infant, protected by diamond-like invincibility, impervious to blades and spears, and immune to all evils! How could a few mere mortals like you ever hope to kill me? What a colossal joke! When the Lady was battling the Spirit Commander in the immortal realm, it was I who broke through the encirclement to rescue her. How dare you, insignificant specks of dust, boast such arrogance?!”
“Haha! Obsessed Buddha, you’ve said something you shouldn’t have!”
The middle-aged ghost suddenly grew excited. “You’ve broken the precepts! The Lady will never forgive you!”
“…”
The Obsessed Buddha froze for a moment, but then his face darkened. “Old Ghost Wu, after I destroy you, I’ll erase this segment of his memory. Do you think the Lady will still blame me?”
“What!”
The middle-aged ghost was stunned.
Shui Miao’s heart also skipped a beat, and tension surged within him. What should they do now?
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