Chapter 97 Part 2
The ghost, completely subdued, villains really did die from talking too much.
Seeing its silence, Wu Heng continued, “So, what position was he promising you?”
The headless ghost was as quiet as a quail. Shi Xuan said, “It has no mouth. Can’t speak.”
Wu Heng gave it permission, and the ghost, picking up a head and placing it on its neck, finally spoke, ‘J-judge.’
Wu Heng was shocked. “You actually believed that?!”
What a big, fat lie!
The ghost, avoiding Shi Xuan’s gaze, muttered defensively, ‘It… seemed plausible, I’m… quite capable… qualified…’
Wu Heng took out the pyramid, releasing the charred, blistered ghost inside. The headless ghost, terrified, wondering if this was a demonstration, then heard Wu Heng’s question, ‘And what position did he promise you? Besides helping him steal eyes?’
The ghost, its eye sockets empty, its tongue burnt, unable to speak, wrote two characters in the mud:
‘Judge.’
The headless ghost: ‘……’
Wu Heng chuckled, “See? Same lie, everyone a judge, are judges so common now?”
Seeing the headless ghost almost crying, he offered, “I can help you find your head, sew it back on,”
Then he added, “New Year’s Eve, Southern Gate of the underworld, wait there, cooperate with a Yin messenger named Yang Xing.”
The ghost asked hopefully, ‘Can I… still be a judge? If I do this?‘
Wu Heng’s lips twitched slightly, fixated on that position, he looked at the pile of heads, then said coldly, “A reduced sentence, perhaps,” punished, nonetheless.
The ghost, after a moment of hesitation, its desire for its own head overriding its ambition, agreed.
Wu Heng had Shi Xuan stamp the ghost’s arm with the unmarked seal, a warning, to ensure good behavior.
‘Found the bag. I’ll put these heads inside. Why are you wearing one again?’ Lai Jun, dragging a nylon bag, saw the headless ghost wearing Old Man He’s son’s head and was annoyed.
The ghost quickly explained it was Doctor Wu’s permission and reluctantly removed the head, carefully placing it inside the bag.
‘So I’m taking these two to the underworld’s main office?‘ Lai Jun, trapping the eyeless ghost, then grinning at the headless one.
Wu Heng, “We had a chat. It’s turning itself in, just this one, for you.”
As they walked towards the underworld’s central region, they saw countless ghosts, some ordinary, some shackled, queuing for the ferry to cross the River of Forgetfulness.
Wu Heng stopped at the riverbank, turning to Shi Xuan, his voice soft, “See you on New Year’s Eve.”
Shi Xuan suddenly pulled him into a tight embrace, Wu Heng enveloped by his cold aura and Yin qi.
He remembered being repulsed by his Yin qi when they first met, now feeling a strange sense of… loss… when it was gone.
He wanted it around him, intertwined with his own, his Yang energy and his power, a harmonious blend.
Shi Xuan looked down at him, his gaze lingering on his lips, his cold fingers gently tracing his jawline, a spark igniting in his heart as Wu Heng’s blush deepened, his heart racing, but Shi Xuan’s lips only brushed his hair.
Shi Xuan, his voice husky, his arms tightening, “Yes, we’ll celebrate together.”
He didn’t like New Year’s, when his father would reluctantly allow Wu Su to return home, his family’s silence a stark contrast to the other joyous celebrations, but this year was different.
Wu Heng hugged him back, then as he let go, secretly slipped the stone seal into his pocket, so Shi Xuan wouldn’t be targeted anymore.
He knew that little headless ghost wasn’t worth a trip to the underworld, he came for Shi Xuan,
He watched as Shi Xuan stepped onto a small, single boat.
A small boat, yet surprisingly fast.
As he watched him disappear, Lai Jun, having obtained boat tickets for the ghosts, arrived and asked, ‘Huh? Where did he go? VIP treatment, a private boat?’
Looking at the distant boat, he reminded Wu Heng, ‘You know that once they cross the river, their memories will fade, only their strongest desires remaining, right? Sending him alone? Shouldn’t you bring him back?‘ And then the Naihe Bridge, a complete erasure of their past lives.
Wu Heng’s gaze fixed on Shi Xuan’s direction, smiling faintly. “Others forget, he remembers.”
Wu Heng returned through the well. Dawn was breaking.
Lai Jun had stayed behind to escort that eye-stealing ghost. As Wu Heng reached the clinic, You Jin and the others came rushing out.
“Xiao Heng, why are you alone? Where’s Shi Xuan?” You Jin asked, taking the nylon bag, his gaze searching.
Wu Heng, “Don’t worry about him,” he said, You Jin, about to ask something, swallowed his questions. “What’s in here? The village chief is making his rounds, telling everyone to buy firecrackers, I thought it was… Woah,” he opened the door, “Time to open the clinic.”
Su Da Yi, who had been running laps, peeked in, its voice filled with disgust, “So ugly. Why ruin a perfectly good head?”
Wu Heng, sitting down, called the police, then said to the fox, “Those victims, their heads stolen, have some respect. Let them be cremated with dignity.”
Su Da Yi, puffing its chest, its tail held high, proudly replied, “Of course, my illusion magic is unparalleled! Just give me a few hairs!”
The He family arrived before the police, their faces wet with tears, looking at their son’s head.
They called a local practitioner to place it back on his body for a proper burial later.
But the severed neck…
A white hair drifted down, landing on his head, and the wound, the jagged edges, disappeared. A smooth, unbroken surface, not even a scar.
Then, to their horror, the head smiled gently.
The He parents: “!!!”
Their son… was smiling.
Wu Heng, seeing this, turned to the fox spirit, slightly annoyed. “And this is your idea of dignity?”
Su Da Yi retorted, “Smiling, isn’t that dignified?”
Wu Heng, not wanting to argue, gave the other heads to Wang Jun, the police could find their families, reunite them for cremation.
Wu Su, waking up, went to buy firecrackers, his favorite were the pop-snaps, no lighter required, so fun.
He looked around, surprised, “Where’s Shi Xuan? He’s done with his exams, isn’t he? Back at school?”
Wu Heng didn’t reply, saying instead, “Dad, many will be celebrating Lunar New Year here this year.”
“The He family, Li Hao, Wang Dong, they’ve already contacted me, they’re coming as soon as their exams are over.”
The CEOs, sensing the increasingly volatile supernatural situation, figured Nan Nuo, close to Wu Heng, was safer than their own large homes, potential hiding places for spirits.
And with the new high-speed rail line opening soon, it was a convenient trip, a flight then a train.
And with their sons being Wu Heng’s friends, they had a good excuse to impose.
Wu Su was overjoyed, “Wonderful, there are guest rooms at the clinic, and we can also borrow rooms from the villagers.”
He glanced at the second-floor bedroom window, “Xiao Heng, what kind of firecrackers does Shi Xuan like? He’s never had any.”
Wu Heng, understanding his intentions, “Let him choose.”
Wu Su relaxed slightly, “That’s good. Then I’ll buy a lot. I’m going now.”
He had a feeling this wouldn’t be a peaceful new year, but might as well enjoy it while they could.
The sun would rise eventually, no matter how dark the night.
After Wu Su left, Wu Heng entered the clinic.
As soon as he stepped inside, the phone rang, You Jin saying it was Chen Zhao.
He answered, and a panicked, almost crying voice, “D-Doctor Wu… Master and I… are back at Xuanmen… the… the signal is terrible…”
Chen Zhao was miserable, back at the Xuanmen.
It felt like prison, no festive atmosphere, he could almost feel Nan Nuo’s vibrant New Year celebrations.
That’s where he belonged!
Then he got to the point, his voice a dramatic whine, “Doctor Wu, when are you coming to get me? You didn’t… lie, did you?”
Wu Heng, “I’m on my way.”
