Chapter 103: Climbing the Twenty-Ninth Floor of the Abandoned Building

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I wasn’t worried that the caster behind us would choose to give up on the spirits and demons. People in our line of work all seem to share a common flaw: they think highly of themselves and tend to look down on others. So I had Song Zhong drip fresh blood onto four photographs—a blatant provocation.

“Master, spirits and demons vary greatly. They shape-shift based on wine, lust, wealth, and the deepest fears and desires within a person’s heart,” he said.

“You’re going to face four malicious spirits formed from vengeful souls. I don’t know when they’ll appear, but they’ll make you experience unimaginable pleasure, only to plunge you instantly into hell, twisting your nerves mercilessly,” I explained.

Though Song Zhong said nothing, sweat was already beading on his forehead. He stared at me intently, afraid to miss a single word.

I flicked the ash from my cigarette and continued, “But you don’t need to be afraid. You must tell yourself that it’s all an illusion. Strengthen your willpower, and they won’t be able to harm you. The moment you believe their illusions, they’ll take control of your body.”

After a brief pause, I added, “You’ll end up like Xu Yiling at the start.”

“Of course, this time there are four of them. I might not be able to save you in time. You could die.”

“Master, your life is in your own hands. Since you’ve chosen this path, don’t be afraid. Remember, you are the chief commander of the 800,000 Shadow Soldiers.”

Song Zhong nodded. “When will they come?”

I shook my head. I honestly couldn’t give him an exact time.

Perhaps sensing his nervousness, Wang Zihao asked if he should take my place, since his willpower was stronger.

I declined. First, since Song Zhong wanted to follow me in this profession, this was the perfect chance for him to be tested. Second, Wang Zihao and I had other matters to attend to.

I stubbed out my cigarette, packed the necessary items into my backpack, and left with Wang Zihao. Before leaving, I warned Song Zhong to be extremely careful—this time, no one would be able to help him.

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“Are you not worried he’ll get into trouble?” Once inside Wang Zihao’s car, he looked at me and asked, “I mean, what if something really happens?”

I grinned. “As long as the two of us find the caster quickly and take him down, he’ll be fine!”

I rolled down the car window and glanced toward the shop. “If we told him, he’d cling to hope. Sometimes in our line of work, you just can’t rely on others.”

“All right, Zihao, let’s go. Let’s try our luck and see if we can find the caster behind all this.”

My grandfather once told me that people who trap spirits and demons have a peculiar stench, different from the smell of decay. If I had to describe it, it’s like the smell of salted meat left in the summer sun for days.

Wang Zihao drove aimlessly around the area near the shop.

We found no suspicious figures along the way. As dusk settled, I grew increasingly worried about Song Zhong. If we couldn’t find anyone soon, he might really be in danger.

“Jiang Huai, if you were him, where would you cast the spell?”

I rolled my eyes. “Somewhere high up. From above, I can control everything. And I’d choose a quiet place where no one would disturb me.”

At that, I suddenly turned to look at an abandoned high-rise about three hundred meters behind us.

Originally intended to be an office building, the developers had fled, leaving it unfinished.

Gazing up at the 29-story skeletal structure, I patted Wang Zihao on the shoulder. “Let’s go. If I were that person, this is exactly where I’d choose.”

Wang Zihao still looked uneasy. “What if we’re wrong?”

“That depends on Song Zhong. If he can break the opponent’s spell, not only will the caster suffer backlash, but even the limbs harboring the spirits and demons will rot. Then it’ll be easier to find him.”

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“Damn it! Climbing a mountain only to tire out the horse! I hope we’re not wasting our time,” I muttered.

...

Just as Wang Zihao and I began climbing the abandoned building, Song Zhong was pacing nervously inside the shop, unable to sit or stand still.

He didn’t understand what was happening to him. The determination he had felt earlier, when trying to release the restless souls at the burial ground, had vanished without a trace.

In his hand, he clutched a broken curse talisman I had left for him before leaving, his eyes darting constantly around the room.

The shop was eerily quiet, save for the steady smoke rising from the incense on the altar.

The stillness made Song Zhong’s heart pound in his throat.

“Click…”

Suddenly, he heard a crack in his mind, as if something had snapped. Before he could react, he caught sight of a figure standing at the shop’s entrance.

Upon closer inspection, it was none other than Song Baoguo!

Song Zhong sprang to his feet, confusion written all over his face. He shouted, “Song Baoguo? What are you doing here?”