Strange Inn

Drawing symbols is actually quite troublesome, especially when learning new ones. It often takes many failed attempts before finding the right trick to successfully draw the symbol.

It's not as simple as just copying the illustrations from the book. You can't just replicate one and expect it to work.

After half an hour of trying, I failed 17 times!

The time was up, and I had to go to work. Before leaving, I opened my makeup box and released Big Cow.

As soon as Big Cow came out, he complained, "Master, I almost suffocated in there!"

"You're already dead," I corrected him. "If you hadn't messed with my things, you could have waited patiently. I have to go to work now, but to prevent you from messing around again, I'll lock you back in the box. I'll take care of the money with Boss Qian, and once I get it, I'll take you to find your mother and arrange for you two to meet."

…

Boss Qian was quite straightforward and paid up the next day. Cheng Dong immediately delivered the 80,000 cash to me.

What bothered me was that Xu Xiaoling had returned to the fast food restaurant recently and brought two female colleagues along.

When Cheng Dong came to deliver the money, she was also there. Xu Xiaoling jokingly said, "Xiaolong(Bruce), you've struck it rich. Shouldn't you treat us to a meal?"

"That's right, cousin! You should treat us!" her two female colleagues echoed.

They were the same two women who had taken Xu Xiaoling to the hospital. Cheng Dong had fabricated an identity for me as Xu Xiaoling's cousin, so these women always called me "cousin" whenever they saw me, which made things quite cozy.

Xu Xiaoling shot her colleagues a glare and said, "I was joking! What are you two making a fuss about?"

Hearing their debate, I helplessly said, "Alright, I'll treat…"

Before I could finish, Cheng Dong eagerly cut in, "I'll treat, ladies, care to join us?"

The two colleagues immediately agreed, and Xu Xiaoling asked, "Xiaolong(Bruce), are you coming?"

"I'm working, I don't think I can make it."

"Xiaolong(Bruce), we can wait until you finish work."

Cheng Dong added.

"Alright, just let me know when."

I said, preparing to leave. "I have to go to work now; it's office hours. You all chat, I'm off."

With that, I went back to serving plates.

That night when I returned home, I shared the good news with Big Cow. He laughed and cried at the same time—laughing because I had kept my promise, but crying because he was dead and didn't know how his mother would survive now.

Big Cow asked, "Little brother, can I not go to the underworld? I want to stay with my mother forever."

I replied, "Big Cow, that's not possible. Ghosts and humans can't be together too often, or the yin energy will invade the body and cause serious illness. Doing so will harm your mother."

The next day, I took a leave of absence. The landlady reluctantly approved it and told me this would be the last time. If I took another leave, she'd fire me.

It happened to be Saturday, Xu Xiaoling's day off. She knew I was going to deliver money to Big Cow's mother and had told me the day before, "I don't have plans for the holiday anyway. I'll go with you to check it out."

I don't know why, but I strangely agreed!

I carried a black backpack, which contained Big Cow's tears, the Chengying Sword, the makeup box, and other items.

Why do I always use this black backpack? Because it's special!

Inside the fabric, there are several thin layers of steel mesh, waterproof and theft-proof.

The most precious part is that it can isolate yin and yang energy!

For example, when I put the Chengying Sword in the bag, I can no longer sense the yang energy coming from it!

So, although the bag doesn't look particularly attractive, it's actually a rare treasure!

After meeting up with Xu Xiaoling, we headed straight for Big Cow's mother's place… a filthy, disordered alleyway, and a run-down inn.

Big Cow's mother hadn't gone back to the countryside because she was waiting for the village chief to help with a lawsuit, so she was temporarily staying in this shabby inn. This address was given to me by Big Cow.

Entering the inn with Xu Xiaoling, my first impression was of dampness, darkness, and a creepy atmosphere.

The old man at the front desk rasped, "Looking for a room? Double bed, 20 per night."

Xu Xiaoling's face immediately turned red.

"Sir, you misunderstood. We're here to find someone," I explained kindly, nodding at the old man before heading up the stairs.

The stairs were narrow and dark, and I had to hold Xu Xiaoling's hand to make sure she didn't fall.

When we reached the second floor, the corridor was lit by red lights, making it look eerie in the dim glow.

Xu Xiaoling seemed a bit nervous and stuck close to me.

I frowned and knocked on room 207. After a long wait, a voice came from inside: "Who is it?"

The voice was old and hoarse, but it was clearly a woman's.

"Are you Big Cow's mother? We need to talk to you about compensation," I said kindly.

After another 20 seconds, the door was finally opened.

An old woman stood there, her skin pale and drawn, wearing simple clothes. But I couldn't help but focus on her—there was dark energy surrounding her brow, and when the door opened, I felt a chill.

This was not a good sign!

She scrutinized us for a moment before stepping aside and saying, "Please come in."

I remained calm and led Xu Xiaoling inside. After we entered, the woman shut the door and asked, "You mentioned compensation?"

I looked around the room while replying absent-mindedly, "Yes."

The room was small, about 15 square meters—around 3 by 5 meters—with only a single bed and a small table. There was a bag on the floor, likely brought by Big Cow's mother.

Since we entered the inn, something had felt off. Now, seeing Big Cow's mother, it felt even stranger.

There was an overwhelming sense of dark energy around her, almost solidified. With so much yin energy inside her, she should have been sick or even dead by now!

But Big Cow's mother still seemed weak but physically capable, meaning there was only one possibility… she was possessed!

I subtly moved Xu Xiaoling behind me, took off the black backpack, and said, "The boss decided to add another 80,000 in compensation. I'll bring it to you now."

But instead of money, I took out the Chengying Sword!

At the same time, I pulled three yang talismans from my pocket!

I shouted, "You vile creature! Reveal yourself now!"

As I spoke, I handed Xu Xiaoling the talismans for protection.

The possessed woman's face twisted, and she began to laugh eerily. The room grew colder with the increase in yin energy, and I even felt the chill.

I quickly took out a yin talisman, extinguished the yang fire on my shoulders, and opened my eyes to see that Big Cow's mother's entire face was now obscured by dark energy—it was clear that she was possessed!

Though I had never seen this before, I had read about it in the "Records of Demon Exorcism" from the Niu family. Xu Xiaoling had retreated to the corner, looking terrified.

I shouted again, "If you don't reveal yourself, I won't hold back!"

But 'Big Cow's mother' just let out an eerie laugh and slapped at me!

The slap came fast and hard!

But I wasn't easy to deal with either. I dodged the slap and quickly pulled out a Qingxin talisman, slapping it on her forehead!

That's right!

The Qingxin talisman is specifically used to deal with possessions!

Clearing the mind! Once possessed, the body and mind are out of control, in chaos, and the Qingxin talisman helps the victim regain their clarity.

Once the victim is clear-headed, the spirit possesses them must leave.

Just as I was about to act, the possessed woman grabbed her bag and threw it at the light fixture!

The lights shattered, plunging the room into darkness!

I couldn't see anything!

The room fell silent, with only a few faint breathing sounds. Then, the breathing behind me grew heavier.

I took a step back, whispering, "Don't be afraid, Xu Xiaoling."

I slowly moved backward, only to feel a sharp kick to my lower back, causing me to stumble forward!

I cursed inwardly!

There was no one behind me except Xu Xiaoling!

Could it be…?

Then, a body landed on my back, and two hands squeezed my throat!

From the faint fragrance, I knew it was Xu Xiaoling!

A misstep, a misstep!

I had underestimated the spirit's tactics. It intentionally broke the light, then left Big Cow's mother's body and possessed Xu Xiaoling!

I considered throwing her off with a shoulder throw, but the broken glass on the floor made me hesitate.

I thought about elbowing her chest, but I couldn't bring myself to do it.

The Chengying Sword? Using it would hurt Xu Xiaoling as well.

Xu Xiaoling had her legs around my waist, making it impossible for me to reach for any talismans in my pocket.

There was only one option left!

Using my tongue's essence blood!

That intense yang energy could at least hurt the spirit, even if it didn't expel it!

Without hesitation, I bit my tongue and pressed it against Xu Xiaoling's face, pouring the essence blood onto her.

Sure enough, Xu Xiaoling let out a ghostly scream and released me!

This method was disgusting, but it worked. Far better than hurting her!

I breathed heavily and quickly pulled a yin talisman from my pocket, igniting it with yang fire to light up the room.

Just as I was about to assess the situation, Xu Xiaoling lunged at me again!

Oh my god, is there no end to this…