Chapter 36: The Curse of the Hungry Ghost
During the ensuing banquet, Fang Yue found the food tasteless. Only when the burning sensation in his stomach gradually faded did he finally feel at ease.
As the feast came to a close, Fang Yue thanked Wang Zhizhi and Tian Yangzi once again for their help in removing the mark left by the woman in red’s ghost. Wang Zhizhi smiled warmly, “It was a trivial matter, not worth mentioning. We’re all family here.”
Fang Yue felt a strange unease. Her words were odd, and so was the way she looked at him—almost as if he were a pet. A chill ran down his spine, and he hurriedly excused himself.
Wang Zhizhi suddenly remarked, “Your blood and energy are robust—unlike a frail scholar. Did you ever train in martial arts?”
Fang Yue replied with patience, “I’ve learned a little, just for health. I wouldn’t call it mastery.”
Her gaze lingered on him, scanning from head to toe, missing not a single inch. “You look sturdy. Martial arts may be a minor path, but they’re excellent for tempering the body.” As she spoke, it seemed she wanted to reach out and squeeze his arm, testing for muscle.
Only when Tian Yangzi coughed softly at her side did she refrain from actually touching him.
“My good disciple, let’s go,” Tian Yangzi said, casting Fang Yue a meaningful glance before leading Wang Zhizhi away.
Fang Yue felt unsettled. He sensed something was amiss, but couldn’t pinpoint what. “Could there have been something wrong with the wine Wang Zhizhi gave me just now? But I bear her no grudge, and there’s no reason for her to harm me.”
He couldn’t figure it out, and beyond the initial burning discomfort, the wine had left no lingering effects.
Returning to his rented courtyard, Fang Yue used the “Revelation” divine power to summon the mirror. In its reflection, the pallor on his face had completely disappeared.
Overjoyed, Fang Yue realized the blood wine had indeed worked, ridding him of his hidden affliction.
“It seems I misjudged Wang Zhizhi. Her odd behavior must be the manner of cultivators—unconstrained by convention. I was too quick to suspect her.”
With the mark removed and the imperial experts having witnessed it, Fang Yue began to contemplate leaving the county town and returning to the countryside.
“The county is plagued by demons and ghosts, creatures that heed no reason. If I’m entangled again, I might not be so lucky.”
He had no intention of staying to witness Tian Yangzi’s battle against evil—such matters were far too dangerous. Without power to protect himself, he’d rather not intervene.
Returning to the countryside, he could pursue small inventions to earn money, use his wealth to do good deeds and gain merit, and then use that merit to strengthen himself.
Only with strength could one survive in a world overrun by demons and ghosts.
With these thoughts, Fang Yue summoned the merit system in his mind.
Fang Yue—
Merit: 301 points
Divine Powers: Deduction, Revelation
Martial Arts: Enlightenment Fist (First Level)
Today at the county market, he had caught two petty thieves and dealt with several rogues who tried to take advantage of the chaos wrought by the ghosts to rob shops. He had handled them as well.
Along with other good deeds, he had earned another 25 merit points, bringing his total to 521.
However, running the merit divine power and deducing the Enlightenment Fist consumed merit points with each moment. From last night until now, a full day and night had passed without completing the deduction, and he had already spent 220 points.
Fang Yue estimated that by midnight, the deduction would be finished, costing about 300 merit points in total. He would still have over 200 left, enough to inherit the newly deduced martial arts and transform his body.
“The last time I inherited martial arts and transformed my body, the physical toll was immense—I needed to eat a lot to recover. This time, the inheritance will likely produce internal energy within me, leading to even greater changes. I wonder if the physical exhaustion will be as severe, and whether I can withstand it.”
Fang Yue went to the kitchen to inventory the food he had prepared.
Several large hunks of pork leg, all braised, as well as roasted beef and mutton—over a hundred pounds in total, ready to be eaten straight away.
There were also buckets of dishes, all delivered from the tavern that afternoon. While others ordered by the plate, he ordered by the bucket.
The dishes were cold by now, but Fang Yue didn’t mind. He cared only for the nutrition, to replenish his strength after transforming his body; taste and texture were irrelevant.
Returning to his bedroom, he checked the medicinal herbs he had prepared: ginseng, deer antler, angelica, and others to strengthen the body and replenish blood and energy.
This time, the deduced Enlightenment Fist would generate internal energy. Fang Yue worried that ordinary food might not supply blood and energy fast enough.
To avoid harming his body or suffering hidden injuries, he had prepared medicinal herbs to quickly restore his strength and blood.
With some silver at hand, Fang Yue spared no expense in enhancing his power.
…
In the county town, at the rear courtyard of a wealthy household.
This was the residence arranged by Magistrate Hu for Tian Yangzi and Wang Zhizhi.
The house belonged to a wealthy man who offered it up willingly, currying favor with both Magistrate Hu and Tian Yangzi.
Now that the town was beset by ghosts and demons, people were fearful—the protection of someone like Tian Yangzi was sorely needed.
At this moment, with the moon high overhead, Tian Yangzi and Wang Zhizhi lay naked in the luxurious bedroom, entwined in passionate dual cultivation.
The two were master and disciple, but also Dao companions.
Two thick wax candles burned brightly, illuminating the room as if it were day. This was Tian Yangzi’s preference—he liked to cultivate in the light.
There were also seasonal fruits arranged for their enjoyment.
Outside, several maidservants awaited, all sent by the town’s prominent families to attend to Tian Yangzi and Wang Zhizhi.
These families, established in Anyuan County, had suffered greatly from the rampage of demons and ghosts. Desperate for Tian Yangzi’s intervention, they spared no expense to curry favor.
Tian Yangzi accepted all the gifts and servants without hesitation.
The sounds of passion continued deep into the night, leaving the waiting maidservants blushing.
When the storm finally subsided, Tian Yangzi held Wang Zhizhi in his arms and said, “My good disciple, bear me a child.”
Female cultivators could sever the Red Dragon; unless they wished it, intercourse would never result in pregnancy.
Wang Zhizhi’s face was flushed, her eyes closed as she savored the lingering pleasure. She opened her eyes slightly at his words, “You promised not to force me.”
Tian Yangzi’s palm glided gently over her tender body. “I know bearing children will harm your cultivation. Rest assured, I’ll find some young and vigorous men for you to replenish yourself. In this chaos, with demons and ghosts rampant, a missing person or two is of no consequence. We’ll linger here a while—long enough for you to absorb enough yang energy and offset any loss.”
“You cast the 'Chang Ghost Curse' on that scholar today. I know you fancy him. I permit you to indulge in pleasure with him, to draw out his blood and absorb his yang energy.”
The “Chang Ghost Curse,” inspired by “acting as a tiger’s accomplice,” would cause anyone afflicted to lose themselves and become the caster’s servant. It was a vicious spell for controlling others.
Wang Zhizhi laughed, “That’s your word, old green-haired turtle. If you’re so generous, I won’t be stingy either. Feel free to replenish yourself from those little maids outside.”
She paused, licking her rosy lips, “That scholar is gifted—he didn’t succumb instantly to the curse, which now lies dormant. Clearly, his body and blood are exceptionally strong. I’m quite looking forward to it.”
Tian Yangzi slapped her rounded hips and laughed, “Don’t worry—guided by your spiritual blood, he’s just a mortal. He won’t withstand the curse for long, not past tonight.”