My words fell, and the peach wood sword in my hand plunged into the water.
The water ghost, which had been clawing and gnawing at the bottom of the boat.
Was instantly pierced.
Even through the river water, I could hear it let out a scream:
"Ah!"
Following that, the water ghost dissolved into a mass of black water and dissipated in the river.
On the river's surface, bubbles and a wisp of black smoke rose with a gurgling sound.
These were ordinary drowned spirits, worn away by years of river current, their minds long gone.
Reduced to mere souls seeking to fulfill their lingering obsessions.
Though they had not yet developed malevolent energy, nor become vengeful spirits or fierce demons.
They had, however, transformed into malevolent spirits with black eyes.
If we didn't kill them, they would capsize boats and kill us.
I continued to thrust my sword downward, striking any water ghost that dared to collide with the boat.
On the other side, Old Mo was also not wasting time.
After my reminder, he picked up his twin axes and began hacking into the river.
He continuously shouted:
"Let me, the Son of Light. Arbiter of Destiny. Urban Exorcist. Mo, bring an end to your fates!"
His tone was as chuunibyou as it could possibly be.
I was accustomed to it.
After all, when this guy's chuunibyou kicked in, he was no different from a character in a two-dimensional anime.
However, Jiang, the corpse collector at the bow, was momentarily stunned.
He almost lost focus.
But our biggest difficulty right now was not the water ghosts slapping at the boat surrounding us.
Rather, it was the waves of ghost heads, constantly assaulting us.
The sound of "swish swish swish" accompanied by waves carrying several or even a dozen water ghosts piled on top of each other.
They were intertwined, layered together.
Accompanied by the roaring "ah ah" from the water's sound.
They surged in waves one or several meters high, trying to capsize the boat.
In the past, people encountering such situations would attribute it to the "River God's" anger.
They would offer sacrifices, and provide livestock.
Some even offered virgin boys and girls.
All to appease the River God.
In reality, it was merely the work of water sprites or river demons.
After benefiting from these offerings, these malevolent entities would lie dormant for a period before continuing their disturbances.
There was no mention of a "River God" whatsoever.
A River God was a benevolent earth immortal, protecting the region's peace.
Why would such a being harm living beings and demand the sacrifice of children?
Of course, these were methods ordinary people used to appease water sprites and river demons.
As a corpse collector, Grandpa Jiang naturally had his ways of dealing with these water sprites.
A white lantern in hand, untouched by any water stains.
Purple light continuously emanated from the lantern.
Shattering the waves of ghost heads that crashed against our boat.
Beneath the water, the drowned spirits and water ghosts cried out in pain under the purple glow of Grandpa Jiang's white lantern.
Grandpa Jiang's magical white lantern seemed to possess some kind of power.
Wherever the purple light swept, the water sprites would cry out as if being scorched by flames or scalded by boiling water.
While Mo and I were not particularly strong in the water,
We could still prevent these water sprites from approaching the boat.
We both continuously attacked the water ghosts.
Any that approached, any that dared to attack our boat, were all slain.
And these water ghosts would attempt their own counter-attacks.
Every time we approached the water's surface, we had to be cautious.
These water ghosts could not rise from the water, but their heads and arms could stretch out from it.
We had to remain vigilant at all times, lest we be pulled into the river or bitten by these water ghosts.
At this moment, I had just killed another water ghost.
But the next second, another water ghost suddenly lunged from beneath the boat.
Its speed was incredibly fast.
I didn't even have time to react.
By the time I saw the water ghost, its head had already emerged from the water.
Opening its gaping maw, it lunged for my arm.
With a "roar," it bit down.
Seeing this, my heart leaped with alarm.
I quickly retracted my arm to evade.
Though my reaction was already quite swift.
The water ghost still managed to bite onto my sleeve.
With a "ripping" sound, it tore off a piece of cloth.
Shaking its head, it plunged back into the river.
Entangled with the other water ghosts, it vanished from sight.
I withdrew my hands, looking at the sleeve on my right arm with lingering fear.
It was damp, and a piece was missing.
"That was close!"
I sighed, my heart pounding.
If that bite had landed on my arm, how much flesh would have been torn away?
"Little Qin, be careful.
The ghosts in this river are a bit different from those on land.
Especially your fate; if it gets pulled into the river.
Even I, old man, wouldn't be able to fish you out!"
Corpse Collector Jiang said sternly.
I nodded heavily:
"Grandpa Jiang, I will be careful."
Corpse Collector Jiang nodded:
"Good!
Let's hold on for a few more minutes.
These water sprites seem formidable, but they are merely ownerless souls in this river, strong in appearance but weak in reality.
Once they realize their disadvantage, they will retreat."
With that, he waved the white lantern in his hand again.
The purple light shone down.
An illuminated area on the river's surface immediately began to sizzle.
The water sprites beneath screamed in pain, rapidly swimming away in all directions.
I no longer hesitated, picking up my peach wood sword and continuing to guard the boat.
Waiting for these river ghosts to retreat.
Old Mo, on the other hand, was fighting with great fervor.
A water ghost that poked its head out to bite him was struck squarely on the head by Old Mo's axe, its soul immediately scattered.
It turned into black mist and dissipated on the river surface.
Old Mo snorted and spat into the river.
He loudly cursed:
"Pah, you thought you could bite me.
I am the Son of Destiny, one of Qing Mountain City's Demon Exorcist Duo!"
After saying that, he proudly waved the peach wood axe in his hand.
Feeling quite dashing.
I caught a glimpse of him from the corner of my eye, and it made me dizzy.
However, Jiang at the bow, seeing his behavior, his face suddenly changed.
A trace of panic appeared, and he shouted:
"Little Mo, what are you doing?
Who told you to spit in the river?"