Volume Three: Vengeful Spirits Chapter Three: Catching Ghosts

At four in the afternoon, Xuan Chen returned, handing over several folders. As Yaoguang flipped through them, she felt a wave of vexation. “Good grief, so many—this explains why she was killed by the infant spirits. Truly, karma comes full circle.”

“Four abortions, seven miscarriages, eleven in total…” Tianyou took a look and was equally shocked. “What was this woman thinking… this is no different from wanton slaughter.”

“There’s a difference. Women who abort often think, ‘I just don’t want the child, I didn’t hurt anyone.’ Besides, this woman had her procedures done in proper hospitals. We can call her promiscuous, irresponsible, even cruel, but we cannot say she broke the law.” Yaoguang sighed. “People don’t realize another realm will judge her crimes. That’s karma. She won’t escape the Iceberg Hell and the Cauldron Hell. Huo Mingkun, come with me.” Yaoguang stood.

“Where are you going?” Xuan Chen asked.

“To the crime scene—to set up the array and catch the ghosts. Eleven infant spirits! If we don’t deal with them, they’ll grow and continue to harm others. There’s even a ghost fiend among them.” Yaoguang strode out.

“I’m coming too,” Xuan Chen followed. “Tianyou, let’s go.”

“Sure, just don’t be afraid when the time comes,” Yaoguang said, stepping outside. Xuan Chen, Tianyou, and Huo Mingkun swallowed nervously.

At Wang Qianqian’s door, Yitian was already waiting with a large bag. Yaoguang glanced at him, smiled, opened the door, and went inside. From the bag, she took out a paper doll, placed it on the bed, affixed a talisman to its forehead, and formed a hand seal. Yaoguang gathered all the scattered spiritual awareness of Wang Qianqian in the room and sealed it into the paper doll, then hung red cords and pasted talismans around, sprinkling a thin layer of grave soil on the threshold. Finally, she used cinnabar to draw an array around the bed.

“It’s done. Let’s eat, and we’ll return at midnight to activate the array and summon the infant spirits.” Yaoguang finished and stepped out. “Ah Kun, do you remember the spirit-confining incantation I taught you?”

“I do,” Huo Mingkun nodded.

“When I tell you, you’ll recite it with your spirit sight. Understood?” Yaoguang said.

“Understood, Sister Phoenix. But why confine the spirits instead of annihilating them?” Huo Mingkun wondered. Wasn’t Phoenix always ruthless toward ghosts and demons?

“Water spirits are the most pitiful of evil souls. I wish to ferry them, not kill. Over the years, I’ve never slain an infant spirit; they are the only souls I spare. Those who create infant spirits may be equally culpable, but karma belongs to humans, not for me to judge…” Yaoguang sighed. “The Underworld has two records: the Yin Record bears life and death, that’s fate; the Yang Record is blank until filled, recording everything one does, serving as proof of one’s deeds. Wang Qianqian’s Yang Record must be quite grim.”

Huo Mingkun sighed and followed Yaoguang to a nearby restaurant. Phoenix was meticulous about food, always finding exquisite places. This time, it was braised chicken with mushrooms, fragrant and natural, making Huo Mingkun exceedingly happy.

“Eat plenty, fill up. We have work ahead,” Yaoguang said, swallowing a crab bun.

“Sister Phoenix, how do you plan to handle these infant spirits?” Huo Mingkun asked curiously.

“We’ll try negotiation, ferrying souls. If that fails, we fight. If that still doesn’t work, I’ll capture them. What else can be done? Killing is a last resort,” Yaoguang replied.

After eating, Yaoguang checked the time—still early. She wandered the neighborhood where the incident occurred, feeling the heavy gloom. She silently formed a seal and sensed many wandering spirits. Yaoguang sighed again, sitting in the pavilion downstairs of the deceased’s building, lighting a cigarette, gazing at the sky, lost in thought.

Time passed; darkness fell. The neighborhood emptied until no one remained. With a wave, Yaoguang levitated to the crown of a tall tree, sitting cross-legged, hands pressed together. She began to recite scripture, her voice flowing like a gentle stream. Xuan Chen and Huo Mingkun felt gusts of wind swirling. Huo Mingkun formed a seal, opened his spirit sight, and saw numerous spirits drifting toward them, stunned into silence.

“What did you see?” Xuan Chen, noticing his shock, asked.

“You have spiritual sense—focus it on your spirit center, channel it to your eyes, and you’ll see,” Huo Mingkun replied.

Xuan Chen nodded, recalling Phoenix’s teaching, and soon he too was amazed by the sight. “Why are there so many spirits?”

Yaoguang continued her chanting, golden light emanating from her body, waves expanding outward. As the chanting quickened, the golden light rippled like waves, reaching the gathered spirits. Those touched did not resist, but appeared exhilarated; with each sweep, the ghostly aura diminished. Yaoguang persisted, and the spirits one by one knelt before her, hands pressed together, gazing at her. Huo Mingkun saw a golden lotus bloom beneath Yaoguang.

“Homage to the Lotus Sutra,” Yaoguang intoned, rising to stand on the golden lotus, her voice distant and ethereal. “I am Phoenix, Sovereign of Phoenix Mountain. Heaven cherishes life; today I ferry you to the cycle of rebirth. The human world is not your home—choose the deep mountains, ancient caves, Buddhist or Daoist sanctuaries, or reincarnation. If you persist in lingering among mortals, blame no one for my ruthlessness.” She formed a seal, and three beams of light shot down from the void. The spirits rose, walking toward the light, disappearing within it. Faintly, Huo Mingkun, Xuan Chen, and Tianyou heard repeated voices of thanks. When the last spirit departed, the golden lotus and the beams vanished, and Yaoguang descended from the treetop.

“You are a divine sovereign, not a Buddha. How do you know ferrying rites?” Xuan Chen puzzled.

“That’s a long story, an opportunity of mine, but I rarely use it. These spirits were harmless, drawn by the thing in Wang Qianqian’s house. Pitiful, really. I seldom feel compassion, but ferrying them lightens some of my own karma.” Yaoguang sighed.

“Sister Phoenix, you are kind. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have such cultivation. You’re only harsh toward the Ghost Sect—they’re enemies and evil. If it were me, I’d have been harsher. Don’t take it to heart; Ghost Sect is unworthy. I’ll train hard and surely help someday.” Seeing Yaoguang sigh, Huo Mingkun carefully comforted her.

“You really know how to speak. I believe in you. Here’s a Purification Pill—take one daily until finished, and practice the heart method I gave you. Your black-pupiled Yin-Yang eyes are a rare gift. When your cultivation advances, I’ll help you open your meridians and aid your progress. Ah Kun, you’re excellent—when you qualify, I’ll take you to Phoenix Mountain’s spirit spring to bless your journey to immortality.” Yaoguang felt she had chosen well; he was a promising disciple.

“Thank you, Sister Phoenix,” Huo Mingkun replied respectfully, taking the porcelain bottle and tucking it carefully into his inner pocket, treasuring it, his eyes shining as he looked to Yaoguang. “Cultivate to immortality? I can do that too?”

“Of course, you have talent. I was once human and achieved it myself,” Yaoguang laughed.

“That’s wonderful!” Huo Mingkun was elated. “Your realm is so mysterious; I have a chance too.”

“Absolutely, but it’s up to your own ability. Without corresponding spiritual sense, you won’t even reach the boundary.” Yaoguang checked her watch and headed toward Wang Qianqian’s home.

“Phoenix, you’re partial—too good to Ah Kun,” Xuan Chen complained.

“If you want to go, train yourself. Don’t say I never gave you pills and methods; Tianyou’s cultivation is higher than yours, though I’ve known him less time,” Yaoguang retorted without looking back.

“Hmph,” Xuan Chen grumbled, following.

At Wang Qianqian’s home, Yaoguang saw it was eleven—midnight had arrived. She drew three talismans, burned them, dropped them in her water bottle, and handed it to the three. “Drink a bit each; these infant spirits are formidable. This will strengthen your spiritual sense so you’re not harmed.”

The three each drank a sip. Yaoguang watched, then signaled to Yitian, who nodded and instantly split into countless avatars positioned throughout the house, joining Yaoguang in chanting. The area around the bed began to fill with layers of gloom.

A soul-gathering array—Phoenix was summoning spirits. Yaoguang and the three hid in a corner, watching quietly.

“Hehehe… hehehe… hehehe…” Soon, the sound of children’s laughter echoed from nowhere. They saw tiny footprints appearing in the grave soil at the door, leading toward the bed. Yaoguang silently formed a seal and waved before the three, who gasped, seeing one big-headed doll after another wobbling toward the bed, the largest heading for the paper doll.

“Hehe, Mommy,” the infant spirit called in a childish voice, crawling between the paper doll’s legs, tearing it apart. Yaoguang signaled to Huo Mingkun, who nodded and began reciting the incantation. A red light surged as the spirit-confining array activated. The infant spirits sensed the change, startled and angry, trying to break through but failing. Their fury grew, emitting strange cries.

Yaoguang stepped forward, watching silently. The infant spirits turned toward her. In the corner, Chu Tianyou and Xuan Chen were speechless. They had seen infant spirits before, but these were terrifying: huge heads, faces split and pieced together, limbs haphazardly reconstructed, large sockets with pure black eyes, the largest fully black. These were ghost fiends—eleven infant spirits, all transformed. No wonder so many spirits were attracted.

“Who are you? Why have you trapped us?” the big-headed infant spirit spoke, its voice shrill and grating.

“Phoenix,” Yaoguang replied. “Your mother abandoned you; you wandered, raged, even killed her. Let me ferry you to rebirth; don’t wander anymore.”

“We once lay in her warm body, waiting to be born, beautiful and whole. Then suddenly, cold forceps reached in, crushed us, then a tube sucked us out, turning us into sludge. Do you know how long it takes to get a chance at human life? I waited a thousand years. Yet she discarded us without mercy, without even a blessing or ferrying. Wherever we go, we’re bullied and cannot leave. It’s her fault; we hate her, we want revenge,” the infant spirit screamed, then laughed. “She doesn’t want us, but you do.” The big-headed spirit charged at Yaoguang, only to be repelled by the array.

“I don’t want you, but I can ferry you,” Yaoguang shook her head.

“No, I just need to absorb some more yang energy to gain a corporeal form. I refuse,” the big-headed spirit howled, repeatedly crashing against the array. The others followed suit.

Yaoguang recited the ferrying incantation. Some infant spirits were weak, gradually bound by the incantation, fading away until gone. The big-headed one grew more furious, shattering the incantation and began devouring the others.

“Stubborn creature. I didn’t wish to kill you, but you’re ungrateful. Yitian!” Yaoguang grew angry. Yitian and his avatars surrounded the bed and chanted, but the big-headed spirit became more frenzied, smashing through incantations and arrays, lunging at Yitian.

“Abomination!” Yaoguang shouted, whipping the infant spirit, binding it and pulling hard. The spirit stalled; Yitian withdrew his avatars, instantly moving behind Yaoguang.

“Miss, this ghost is fierce,” Yitian said, shaken.

“It’s nearly surpassed ghost fiend, becoming an evil fiend. You can’t handle it,” Yaoguang replied.

“I’ll eat you,” the infant spirit, now powerful from devouring its companions, broke free of Yaoguang’s Immortal Binding Rope and lunged at her. Suddenly, it noticed Xuan Chen and the others, eyes gleaming. “Humans, hehe.” The spirit changed direction, attacking them.

“Scoundrel!” Yaoguang cried, swiftly moving to shield them, projecting spiritual light to block the spirit’s attack. The spirit was knocked back, growing more furious, roaring as its evil aura surged, charging at Yaoguang again. Yaoguang’s gaze chilled; such evil aura from an infant spirit was astonishing.

“Wretch, how dare you!” Yaoguang summoned her power, shouting at the spirit, her voice echoing with divine force. The four behind her reeled with dizziness; the spirit staggered as well.

“Sorry,” Yaoguang waved, clearing their minds.

The infant spirit paused, then gathered all its evil, ghostly, and demonic energy, attacking again. Yaoguang realized ordinary methods wouldn’t work—it had evolved into a ghost spirit, as troublesome as a zombie. She called out, her Phoenix wings unfurled, golden light enveloping herself and the four behind. Yaoguang raised the Azure Orchid Sword, slashing at the spirit, which astonishingly blocked the blow. Yaoguang hadn’t expected it to withstand her sword—it was formidable.

“This is your last chance. Will you accept ferrying?” Yaoguang’s voice was infused with divine power, brooking no refusal.

“You’re the legendary Sovereign, hehe, but I refuse,” the infant spirit attacked again.

“Insolent!” Yaoguang raised her sword.

This time, the Azure Orchid Sword was no longer just a blade—a golden phoenix perched upon it. With a sweep, the phoenix pierced the infant spirit, which screamed and fell. Simultaneously, a figure was expelled from its body—Wang Qianqian’s soul. Her soul hadn’t been found because the infant spirit had sealed it within itself. Yaoguang ignored the huddled Wang Qianqian, continuing to focus on the infant spirit. She had no wish to kill, but it had grown too powerful. Raising her sword again, Yaoguang declared, “I never intended to kill you, but you have defied fate. Child, I’m sorry—I cannot spare you.”

The infant spirit glared fiercely as Yaoguang’s sword descended.

“Wait!” At that moment, a voice called out. Yaoguang’s sword halted above the figure’s head.

“Wang Qianqian?” Yaoguang stared in surprise as the figure rose, kneeling before her. “Please, grant me some time,” Wang Qianqian pleaded.

Yaoguang lowered her sword, watching. Wang Qianqian turned, embracing the infant spirit. “I’m sorry, child. It’s all my fault. I wanted to bring you into the world, but your father abandoned us. I had no means to survive; I was alone, jobless, unable to support you. I’m sorry—it’s my fault. If you must hate, hate me.” She clung to the infant spirit, apologizing repeatedly.

“Mommy,” the infant spirit, held in her arms, ceased its struggle, letting Wang Qianqian hold it.

“Yes, Mommy will never leave you again. This time, we’ll be together,” Wang Qianqian wept, but a ghost’s tears are intangible.

“Mommy, don’t cry.” The infant spirit raised its broken hand, wiping her tears away. Its evil and ghostly aura vanished, peacefully nestling in her arms. “Mommy, Mommy…”

“Sovereign, can you ferry my child? I will accept any punishment,” Wang Qianqian begged, holding the infant spirit.

“For your child to become like this, its soul must have been bound. I will do my best,” Yaoguang replied.

“Sovereign, open that wardrobe—the lowest compartment has my child’s body,” Wang Qianqian pointed to the corner.

Yitian opened the compartment, retrieving a jar—a glass container holding the fragmented body of a child, wrapped with red cord and talismans.

A spirit-confining curse. Yaoguang was stunned, then sighed. “Abomination, your mother never abandoned you. This curse bound your soul, allowing you to become a spirit. She only wanted to see you again, but you killed her.”

“Miss, there’s more,” Yitian said, bringing out several wooden dolls, each affixed with a talisman.

Raising little ghosts… Yaoguang was speechless.

“Wang Qianqian, you’ve had eleven abortions and miscarriages. The blood debt is heavy, yet as a mother, I can’t judge you. The cauldron and iceberg hells are punishment I cannot prevent—this is fate. But I can grant you an opportunity, ferry you both, so next life you may have a mother-child bond and a happy family. Treasure it; otherwise, divine punishment will follow,” Yaoguang said.

“Thank you, Sovereign.” Wang Qianqian, holding the infant spirit, bowed three times.

Yaoguang tied a cord from Wang Qianqian’s hand to the infant spirit’s, then removed the red cord and talismans from the jar, reciting the ferrying incantation.

“Wang Qianqian, though abortion is a grave sin, those men who caused your tragedy cannot escape retribution. Their punishment is not mine to decide—this is karma. Now, go.” As Yaoguang’s incantation ended, Wang Qianqian and the infant spirit faded away.

Dawn had unknowingly arrived.