I Am Your Natural Enemy

He led the group forward, and after walking only a few hundred meters, he sensed the presence of the Burned-to-Death Ghost.

He pointed at a courtyard by the side of the road.

”Right here. He hasn’t gone far.”

Wen Yan looked over in that direction. As he drew closer, he didn’t even need a warning—he could already faintly hear sounds that were equal parts wailing and oddly pleasurable.

This courtyard seemed to be a farmhouse inn. When they reached the back door of the kitchen, the chaotic sounds inside grew louder. Peeking in through a small window—

He saw a figure, pitch-black and charred all over, twisted into an agonizing pose, burrowing deep into the restaurant’s roaring stove, enduring the fierce blaze.

The wailing sounded like someone at a bathhouse, politely asking the masseur if he’d eaten yet.

There was a certain pain and a hot, searing pleasure mixed together.

The Burned-to-Death Ghost howled wantonly inside, not the least bit concerned about being heard.

Wen Yan hadn’t expected the Burned-to-Death Ghost to end up in a place like this.

He gave it a glance, and a prompt appeared.

”Burned-to-Death Ghost.”

”In rare instances, people who are burned alive by intense flames have a very small chance of becoming Burned-to-Death Ghosts.

Just as Water Ghosts are unafraid of drowning, Burned-to-Death Ghosts are immune to fire, but still require the burning of flames to sustain and boost their power.”

”If a ghost can’t be burned to death, it just means the fire isn’t strong enough.”

”Temporary Ability: Jade Pivot Fire Mansion Authentic Talisman.”

This Jade Pivot Fire Mansion Authentic Talisman had appeared once before.

For those who aren’t cultivators and don’t know the related secret techniques, only the basic abilities remain.

Unafraid of fire, and can set things on fire.

This fire immunity definitely isn’t the same as the Burned-to-Death Ghost’s flame resistance.

No matter how basic the ability is, its upper limit is definitely higher than this Burned-to-Death Ghost’s.

Wen Yan glanced at Tong Si.

”Can you keep others from noticing us?”

”That’s pretty easy, but—are you sure we should do this?” Tong Si was extremely cautious.

”As long as there are no lingering effects.”

”Then it’s simple.”

Wen Yan pushed open the back door and entered the kitchen. Tong Si manifested his grim-eyes, and the moment the kitchen staff looked their way, he had already confused them.

Wen Yan rolled his sleeves up, walked over, thrust his hand directly into the stove, grabbed the Burned-to-Death Ghost—twisted up inside in a weird way—and yanked him out, immediately turning to leave.

The Burned-to-Death Ghost was in the middle of enjoying his fiery scrub-down in the stove. In the blink of an eye, he was already being dragged out.

The Burned-to-Death Ghost flew into a rage, his charred body erupting in flames, but before he could do anything, Wen Yan landed a heavy slap across his face. Sparks exploded, and the just-ignited flames were instantly snuffed out.

Wen Yan tossed him to the ground, reached behind, and Gray Cloth unwrapped the Celestial Sword Master, handing the sword hilt to Wen Yan.

Wen Yan gripped the sword and set the tip before the Burned-to-Death Ghost.

”I ask, you answer. Lie once, and you die on the spot.”

Tong Si edged closer, nervously adding,

”For your own good, you’d better tell the truth. Seriously.”

Wen Yan started grilling him with the questions he’d previously asked Tong Si about the crack on the other side. The Burned-to-Death Ghost’s responses didn’t pose any problem—pretty much matched what Tong Si had said.

These ghosts, stronger than your average Ghost, were still bottom-feeders over there—living off Night Vigil Deity’s protection in his territory.

Because over there, there are quite a few things that like to eat ghosts.

The interrogation nearly done, Wen Yan pressed on with more questions.

”After you came out, did you run into people who put out fires? Yes or no?”

”Yes.”

”Did you set them on fire?”

”Didn’t manage to...”

”Yes or no?”

The Burned-to-Death Ghost hesitated, but before he could respond, Wen Yan plunged the Celestial Sword Master straight into his mouth, pinning him to the ground.

The Burned-to-Death Ghost flailed his arms and legs, flames beginning to spew from his body.

Wen Yan directly blessed the Celestial Sword Master with Yang Energy, then released his grip and stepped back a few paces.

With Wen Yan’s blessing, a rune lit up on the Celestial Sword Master, a low whisper echoing softly.

The flames that had just begun to gush out were immediately suppressed, reversing and shrinking back inward.

The Burned-to-Death Ghost struggled a few times, then slowly dissipated—leaving only a charred mark and the Celestial Sword Master sticking out of the ground.

Wen Yan stepped forward and pulled out the Celestial Sword Master. Not a speck of black soot marred its blade.

Even if he couldn’t wield any of its deeper secrets, as a physical exorcism sword, it worked perfectly well.

Truth be told, he had intended to draw the Chunjun Mace just now, but Gray Cloth shoved the Celestial Sword Master into his hand instead.

Wen Yan double-checked—no issues—then turned to go.

”Let’s move.”

Tong Si shivered at the sight of the scorched mark on the ground.

So quick. Said he’d kill, and killed. Not a hint of hesitation.

The way Wen Yan looked, you’d think he was rushing home for dinner, just casually killed a Ghost on the way.

Thank goodness he defected quickly, didn’t give the man any excuse to kill him.

Wen Yan hurried everyone back to the Nether Path, wasting no time in making their exit.

When he sent a dream-message to the Water Monarch, he could act tough, sure—but now, so close to the Huai River, his skin felt tight with tension all over.

If he actually met the Water Monarch here, and the Water Monarch just flicked his hand and wiped him out, who’s he gonna complain to?

Better run for it.

Wen Yan bolted as fast as he could. Meanwhile, at the bottom of the Huai River, the Water Monarch grew puzzled.

He had clearly sensed just now that the bracelet was getting close to the Huai River.

But then, suddenly, nothing. It was far away again.

Did the current Scorching Sun come here?

Didn’t that guy say he was busy lately, nowhere near enough time to visit the Huai River?

Or did something go wrong?

Hope this guy hasn’t ended up like Thirteen, offed by someone else. Promised me a drink; still haven’t seen a drop.

Elsewhere, at Cloud Sea Cliff, the Old Celestial Master and several Purple Robe Taoists were intoning the Yellow Court in meditation.

The Old Celestial Master opened his eyes and glanced in a certain direction.

”Celestial Master, is there something wrong?” a Taoist immediately asked.

”Nothing.”

The Old Celestial Master closed his eyes again, sighing silently to himself.

His magic sword—they didn’t even bother to return it.

Still using his magic sword like some ordinary blade, stabbing ghosts at random.

The sword he’d nourished for so many years, imbued with endless blessing—being abused like this...

To kill just one Ghost, was all this really necessary?