《Otherworldly Merchant》Chapter 481: Lu Dongbin Versus the European Ghost
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When I entered the meandering path, my surroundings instantly turned dark. However, I saw a dark shadow moving a little farther ahead of me. I knew it was Li Mazi, so I picked up my pace.
At maximum speed, I was able to shorten the distance between us to around twenty meters. However, these last twenty meters seemed infinite. I couldn’t catch up with Li Mazi, no matter how hard I tried.
I shouted and yelled his name, but he didn’t hear me. He kept walking while holding his head low.
The road ahead wasn’t long. There was an old castle that looked like a church not far from him. I could see no cross, but the air around the structure seemed to move like a rapid stream of water.
I knew it was because of the thick Yin energy in the ancient castle. I started to feel scared of the place. However, I clenched my teeth and continued to walk forward.
After two steps, I found that something was wrong as Li Mazi had also stopped walking. In the short moment I had stopped, he could have reached the door if he had kept his pace. It seemed he was waiting for me.
To verify this thought, I deliberately walked then halted. Sure enough, as soon as I stopped walking, Li Mazi also stopped. When I stepped forward, he also stepped forward. He wanted to make me enter that place!
That thing doesn’t want to kill Li Mazi. It just wants to bring me to that place...
Then, I realized that I was so worried that I had rushed out of the hotel to chase after Li Mazi without bringing anything with me.
If I went inside barehanded, I would be killed in an instant. However, standing here and watching Li Mazi die wasn’t my style, either. I didn’t know what to do.
While I was hesitating, Li Mazi quickened his pace. In just a blink of an eye, he disappeared into the gate of the dark castle.
“Damn! Why do you have to be like this?!” I was so mad and punched the marble wall. Still, I had to follow him.
When I approached the gate, a light flashed on my side. Subconsciously, I turned my head to look. There was an iron fence on each side, which looked like rows of halberds that sparkled under the moonlight.
When I saw those ‘halberds,’ I got an idea. I climbed up the fence and tried my best to break one of them in half. Luckily for me, the fence was hollow. Otherwise, I would not have been able to break it with my bare hands.
With half the ‘halberd’ in my hand, I felt more secure. I pushed the door and strode in. The space inside the castle was so dark that I couldn’t even see my fingers. The cold wind blew and howled.
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I was restlessly worried and turned on the flashlight on my mobile phone.
When the light was on, I saw the interior of the ancient castle. It was a church with rows of seats. There was an aisle around one meter in the center, which led to a lectern. I guessed it was where the priest or pastor read the Bible and conducted their sermons.
All of the churches would have a great cross to show their respect to Jesus Christ the Savior. However, this church didn’t have one. It was strange, indeed.
I scanned around and found Li Mazi. He was standing at the lectern, holding a scarlet rope in his hands. He tiptoed and was prepared to hang himself.
I paled in fright and dashed toward him, planning to kick the lectern aside. I really wanted to see how the ghost would make Li Mazi hang himself then!
However, after I kicked it, I squatted in pain. I held my foot and couldn’t get up.
Shoot! That freaking lectern’s made of stone! My eyes brimmed with tears.
Li Mazi’s face was stiff, and he didn’t bat an eye at me. He gently and leisurely placed his head through the loop. His movements were so elegant that he looked almost like a European gentleman.
I gritted my teeth and tried to get up despite the pain in my foot. I then walked to Li Mazi and hugged his thighs in an attempt to pull him down. Unexpectedly, he was as firm as a rock. I used all of my strength but couldn’t move him at all.
I was afraid that he wasn’t simply bewitched. Li Mazi was possessed. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so heavy.
Luckily, I found some durum wheat in my pocket. I hurried to sprinkle the wheat on Li Mazi.
The moment he was hit by the grains, Li Mazi shook a little bit. Then, he slumped on the lectern as though he was made of squishy noodles. I was quick enough to catch him.
As he couldn’t wake up, I guessed his Yang energy was depleted. I placed him on the ground.
I then picked up the ‘halberd’ and stabbed behind me.
I didn’t need to turn around to know that the female ghost was standing behind me. Her resentful energy was really strong.
The ghost seemed to be scared as I had hurt her a few times. She flashed and dodged my attack. However, right after that, she noticed that my halberd was just a piece of scrap metal. She gritted her teeth and said something I didn’t understand.
After speaking, the female ghost lunged toward me. Her speed wasn’t as fast as the time of our encounter at the hotel. I wasn’t scared and retreated a few steps. Right when she was about to reach me, I closed my eyes and read a spell.
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I was trying to invite the Immortal Sword, Lu Dongbin!
Ever since I had learned this spell from Chuyi, I hadn’t had a chance to use it. I wondered if it would work.
The halberd in my hand was like a prop made of scrap metal, but it could become a sharp weapon in Lu Dongbin’s hand. Although it was a little inconvenient to use, it wouldn’t be a problem for him to deal with that half-damaged ghost.
My plan sounded solid. However, after I finished reading the spell, I didn’t feel anything, and the ghost was right in front of me. I wasn’t so stupid to engage in a fight with her now. I ran away immediately. While running, I kept reading the spell.
Eventually, I was forced into a corner, and I hadn’t been able to invite Lu Dongbin yet. The female ghost sneered evilly and turned into a red ring-shaped object, aiming at my throat.
“You jerk! Lu Dongbin, you’re a big swindler! Swindler!” I cursed in desperation. Then, I screamed and ran toward the red ring thing. Before I could raise my hand to attack, someone slapped me.
“Who? Who the heck just hit me?” Since I was going to die here, I didn’t mind if I offended more wandering ghosts. I ignored everything and cursed to my heart’s content.
Unexpectedly, after cursing, my other cheek also got slapped. At the same time, a righteous voice arose. “You fool, try to curse me one more time. I dare you!”
I was stunned, but I quickly pulled myself together. Lu Dongbin had arrived! I felt like crying inside!
Before the female ghost could attack me again, I hurried to talk to him. “Immortal Sword, you’re here. If you didn’t come, I would have died here…”
“Actually, I’ve been here for quite a while. I just didn’t want to help you. Did you use that broken stick to invite me? You insulted me!” Lu Dongbing’s angry voice echoed.
After I listened to his words, I blushed and mumbled that it was already good that I had this broken stick. Before I could open my mouth to talk, my body felt much lighter and agiler. The broken halberd in my hand slowly glowed a magnificent blue halo.
It was the immortal power of Lu Dongbin! I stopped running and raised the halberd, aiming it at the ghost.
However, the female ghost was now quickly moving around in her ring-shaped form. My attacks only hit the void. I was like a yak stomping on flies, unable to hit my target. It was so frustrating!
In the end, Lu Dongbin couldn’t bear it anymore. “Kid, you’re useless.”
Then, I lost control of my body.
The blue light on the halberd in my hand shot up into the sky, creating a series of shadows. All of the attacks hit the ring precisely.
The ghost shrieked in agony. She couldn’t endure the attacks anymore and transformed back into her original form.
She shot me a glance before turning into a red shadow and fleeing from the castle. I wanted to chase after her, but my body didn’t listen to me.
Before I could ask Lu Dongbin why he didn’t want to let me chase the ghost, he spoke up. “Show mercy! This is not our territory. I broke the rule when I came here to save you…”
I understood it now. Lu Dongbin was a god in China, but he was an uninvited guest in this Western country. He had to follow the rule here.
“Anyway, don’t be scared. I’ve injured that thing, so it won’t trouble you anymore,” said Lu Dongbin in an indifferent voice.
Then, everything suddenly turned pitch black in front of me. When I got a hold of myself again, I felt the pain from my foot.
I wanted to wake Li Mazi up to ask him to carry me back to the hotel, but I couldn’t wake him up no matter how hard I called him. In the end, I asked Yin Xinyue to stay in the room and told her not to open the door. I simply decided to sleep here. Lu Dongbin did say that the ghost wouldn’t come back to trouble me.
I directly laid next to Li Mazi. I wasn’t scared but somewhat excited as I had succeeded in inviting Immortal Sword Lu Dongbin. It was a deed I had never dreamt of doing before!
When it was completely bright outside, Li Mazi woke up. He asked with a doubtful face, “Little Brother Zhang, where are we? Why are we here?”
“If not here, do you think we should be in an urn?” I rubbed my swollen toes and fumed.
I briefed Li Mazi on the events that occurred last night. Li Mazi was frightened. “Little Brother Zhang, you saved my life one more time…”
“I definitely did. Tell me, if you were to die, I would be able to shake off a lot of burdens, right?” I teased him.
“I’m sure you can’t bring yourself to ditch me. Although I’m not a professional, I’m your useful assistant!” Li Mazi smiled and got up to help me stand.
“Tch, I don’t need your crocodile tears!” I scoffed. However, my heart was warm.
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