Both Lao Mo and I were frozen in place.
Eight chains shot out from the wall of black mist.
Four each, they pierced into Lao Mo's and my chests.
But aside from a feeling of cold, there was no other discomfort.
Soon, all four chains were fully inside our bodies.
Our chests felt cool.
The black mist wall ahead vanished, and the魑魅魍魉 released their hand seals.
We, who had been immobilized, could move again.
The big-eyed 魑 yin messenger then spoke:
"This is our curse, named: 魑魅魍魉索."
The dog-eared 魅 yin messenger also chimed in:
"This chain can capture souls and claim lives; its power is immense. Ordinary spirits find it difficult to resist. You can use the sword finger."
The pig-nosed 魍 yin messenger added:
"This chain can be used four times, but each use requires blood sacrifice."
The camel-mouthed 魉 yin messenger concurred:
"However, this chain has a huge consumption, and will cause significant side effects to your bodies.
Therefore, it is not recommended unless absolutely necessary, in a life-or-death situation.
Short-term continuous use will consume your lifespan."
The 魑魅魍魉, one by one, spoke.
They had explained the function, usage, and consequences of the "魑魅魍魉索."
Although I hadn't used it yet, from the operation and side effects alone, it seemed both complex and severe.
It wasn't as easy to use as the Wu Chang curse given to me by Black and White Impermanence, and the Wu Chang curse had no side effects.
However, to obtain the 魑魅魍魉索 for self-defense, as a trump card for survival, was already a great fortune.
Lao Mo and I were very excited.
We clasped our fists and said:
"Many thanks to the four officials of 魑魅魍魉."
"Many thanks to the four officials of 魑魅魍魉."
As soon as we finished speaking.
A rooster crowed abruptly from the street.
"Gugugugu..."
The sound was faint, but we all heard it clearly.
The 魑魅魍魉 looked up at the sky.
Then, the big-eyed 魑 yin messenger said to us:
"The time has come, we must leave."
As he spoke, the 魅, 魍, and 魉 yin messengers raised their hands.
Chains appeared.
With a clatter, they quickly bound all the kneeling spirits around them, forming a line.
The camel-mouthed 魉 yin messenger shouted loudly:
"Everyone get up, prepare to follow me to the underworld!"
Over a hundred spirits stood up.
Some were excited, some were happy, but some were disappointed and despairing.
"Finally, I can go to the underworld for reincarnation."
"I wonder if I can see my deceased mother again."
"It's over, I've done so many bad things, I'm definitely going to the underworld."
"..."
The scene became restless once more.
But not a single spirit dared to resist.
Seeing that they were about to leave.
I spoke again:
"Four officials, please wait!"
The 魑魅魍魉 paused again, looking at me.
The dog-eared 魅 yin messenger asked, confused:
"Yin Ze, is there something else?"
I quickly replied:
"Yes, four officials, my master is also serving down there now.
He is guarding the gate in Fengdu City, oh no, he is guarding the city gate.
When you four return to Fengdu City, please help me deliver a message.
Tell him that I will not forget his teachings, that I can take care of myself, and fulfill his last wish.
Oh, my master's name is Gu Hui, and his Taoist name is Long Teng."
Although Master had appeared in my dreams a few times, I could sense it.
Each time he appeared in my dreams, it might not just cost money.
It might require some kind of sacrifice.
Otherwise, there wouldn't be so few relatives appearing in dreams.
Master's repeated dreams meant he was worried about me.
Now, I wanted to tell Master in this way.
That I had grown up and hoped he wouldn't worry too much about me.
Now, I had also befriended the 魑魅魍魉, and I was no longer the Qin Ze who had just entered, the rookie who was chased by the ghost who died in a car accident.
As a result, the 魑魅魍魉 were stunned again when they heard my words.
Then, the 魑 yin messenger spoke:
"Gu Hui? This name sounds familiar?"
"Yes! Haven't we heard it somewhere before?"
The 魉 yin messenger also spoke.
Then, the 魑 yin messenger's eyes widened:
"I remember now.
Wasn't it recently that the Ghost King Yin Shuai organized a Snake game competition in Fengdu City?
This Gu Hui, I think he won first place, and he's a city guard in Fengdu.
He is now highly regarded by the Ghost King!"
Hearing this, I was completely dumbfounded.
Snake game competition?
Master won first place?
And was appreciated by the Ghost King Yin Shuai?
Who is the Ghost King? He is the number one Yin Shuai among the Ten Yin Shuai of the Underworld.
His status is even higher than Black and White Impermanence, and Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
This, this major figure of the underworld, also plays Snake?
Not only me, but Lao Mo was also stunned.
In surprise.
The 魑魅魍魉 looked at me again, with strange expressions.
The big-eyed 魑 yin messenger said with a half-smile:
"We'll remember the message, and we'll definitely deliver it.
You kid, keep up the good work, you're on the right path!
While you're alive, accumulate more merit and blessings.
When you descend one day, you'll surely prosper."
After speaking, he ignored me.
He turned and walked forward.
The other three yin messengers glanced at Lao Mo and me with strange smiles.
They didn't say anything else, dragging the chains, and walked forward.
Seeing the 魑魅魍魉 leading the hundred spirits away.
Lao Mo and I clasped our fists in farewell:
"Four officials, walk slowly!"
"Four officials, we won't see you off!"
The 魑魅魍魉 did not reply, dragging the hundred spirits forward with a clinking sound.
After walking about ten meters, waves of black mist permeated the space in front of them.
It was as if a black hole had appeared.
The 魑魅魍魉, along with the hundred spirits, stepped directly into it.
Until the last spirit entered the black mist opening, the black mist dissipated, and everything returned to peace.
Seeing this, Lao Mo let out a long sigh:
"Finally, they're gone!"
As he spoke, he touched his chest and lifted his shirt to look.
On his chest was a small black circle.
Inside the circle, the four characters 魑魅魍魉 were slowly fading.
This must be the curse mark of the 魑魅魍魉索.
Lao Mo looked at the curse mark with excitement:
"Old Qin, we made a fortune tonight.
The 魑魅魍魉索, the name itself sounds amazing.
The effect must be good.
If Master knew, his jaw would drop to the floor.
But speaking of which, Uncle-Master is doing well down there!
It seems I need to practice Snake more from now on.
Hehehe..."