Chapter 9

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Chapter 9: Title

Two days later.

In the meeting room of the police station, approximately ten individuals were reviewing the documents spread across the table.

"This contains all available information regarding No. 3 Middle School in Hanzhou City prior to its construction. The subsequent stack documents students who perished in past falling incidents… Five of these deceased students bear facial features remarkably similar to those we encountered last night."

"We can confirm with near certainty these are the same students who died decades ago."

"The school’s construction site previously served as a mass grave. During excavation, all exhumed remains and coffins were collectively incinerated to make way for the campus."

"Having stood for over sixty years, we obtained accounts from elderly residents about childhood rumors surrounding this location."

"Legends claim workers discovered a coffin beneath what’s now the playground during initial construction. Within lay a female corpse dressed in bridal attire, her features as vivid as life itself, as though she were merely sleeping."

"Yet upon opening the coffin, the body rapidly desiccated into a mummy. Heeding a mystic’s advice from that superstitious era, villagers exposed the corpse to sunlight for an entire day before burning it."

"This incident was reportedly documented in contemporary newspapers."

"Any leads regarding the bell or the female ghost’s identity?" Captain Zhang inquired.

"The bell appears to be a burial artifact. Spectral analysis confirms the ghost’s bridal garments match Southern Song Dynasty nobility styles from eight centuries ago—unattainable for ordinary people."

"A coffin of that status would never contain only a single body—funerary objects must accompany it."

"Historical records from eight hundred years ago prove scarce. After examining local chronicles, we found only one relevant entry." Zhao Rui clicked open a laptop image, projecting photographed archives.

"It describes a woman who hanged herself. On the seventh day after death, her vengeful spirit manifested and was sealed within a coffin by a wandering Taoist priest. The burial occurred thirty feet deep within a family burial site—approximately ten meters by modern measurements."

"This reads like a chapter from Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio…" Zhou Linyi muttered under his breath.

"We’ve deployed investigators to antique streets and markets regarding the bell. Its distinctive design should facilitate tracing if it ever entered circulation."

As discussions continued, the door burst open without warning.

"Captain Zhang—emergency situation."

*

"Yesterday they uncovered the altered county records. Today we deploy the bell."

Ye Linlang examined the ancient bronze bell molded between her fingers, its surface etched with archaic patterns. She allocated Fantasy Points to simulate centuries of weathering, carefully applying flaked gold paint remnants.

"But how to ensure discovery?"

So long as the object bore no traces of the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, Fantasy Points could manipulate reality without subsequent expenditure—like modifying archives or imprinting spiritual patterns on Bai Ye’s wrist.

[Host, critical alert.]

"What? Show me." Raising her gaze, Ye Linlang observed multiple surveillance feeds depicting chaos caused by new ghosts.

"Ah, these minor disturbances."

"No intervention required—local authorities will manage such trivialities."

"System, display Hanzhou City’s antique district… Hmm. That portly merchant seems suitable—designate him as the recipient." Her fingers danced, finalizing delivery parameters.

"Additionally, implant fabricated provenance memories into the bell. Even its seller must remain ignorant of its true origin." She tossed the five-hundred Fantasy Point investment skyward, watching light glint off its manufactured patina.

Currently mundane, this artifact would gain soul-nourishing properties after the Awakening of Spiritual Energy, becoming invaluable for ghost cultivators’ refinement.

However, for the Ghost in Red, this assistance was unimportant; what truly mattered was that the bell had been gifted by someone dear to her heart.

"System, teleport the bell to the chubby vendor on Antique Street."

"Conceal it during transmission and nudge him to discover it among his junk."

【10 Fantasy Points deducted. Teleportation complete.】

"System, countdown to the live broadcast?"

【48 hours remaining.】

"We need more comprehensive coverage this time. Let’s see if these media professionals can deliver."

Ye Linlang’s eyelid flickered. Last time, Jiang Yao’s crew had abandoned their cameras too hastily, depriving viewers of crucial moments.

Hadn’t the Ghost in Red deliberately lingered before the lens, she might’ve suffered financial losses.

"For Japan’s awakening, let’s begin with the Bridge Princess illusion."

"A lovelorn suicide transforms into riverside siren, luring men to watery graves and dragging women beneath the waves."

The decision wasn’t arbitrary – Ye Linlang’s fingers still hovered over a news alert about a recent drowning. The system’s interface displayed the finalized Bridge Princess: exquisite features marred by eternal sorrow.

"Still leaves bitter aftertaste," she muttered, shoulders lifting in dismissive shrug. "Japan always conjures memories of… disagreeable places."

Yet fairness dictated impartial treatment. Consequences would unfold as destined.

"Deploy."

"Random bridge appearances. No fixed coordinates."

【Deployment confirmed. 10 Fantasy Points daily maintenance.】

"Casualties will stain this revolution’s tide, but death merely opens new chapters." Her gaze lingered on the underworld blueprint – today’s digital mockup, tomorrow’s reality.

"With Diyu complete, next phase…"

Flipping through her plans, Ye Linlang exhaled. Orchestrating the Awakening of Spiritual Energy required mastermind-level precision.

*

24 hours prior.

Jiangbei City’s crossroads hosted spectral theater – bloodied youth unnoticed by bustling crowds.

"Didn’t I… die here?" Fragmented memories reassembled: screeching tires, crushing impact, then… this.

New awareness crystallized. "Seven days of wandering before returning to death’s site for underworld judgment."

Elation propelled him forward, gait shifting from sprint to spectral glide.

Noon’s sudden sunlight pierced the gloom. His anguished howl echoed as solar rays seared ephemeral flesh, black mist curling from charred wounds.

"Daylight’s forbidden." Huddled in shadows, he watched dissipating tendrils sap his strength.

Nightfall granted reprieve. Moonlit sprint toward familiar apartment blocks resumed.

"Mom, Dad…" Anticipation quickened his pace beneath lunar glow.

Similar scenes unfolded nationwide since midnight. Not all spirits shared his restraint – twenty-four hours spawned inexplicable horrors across urban landscapes.

Hanzhou City Police Department

"Non-human perpetrator?" Captain Zhang entered the autopsy room, case files thrust into his hands.

Han Jing adjusted his glasses, scalpel glinting. "No medical student could create these wounds. Not even that 18-stab ‘minor injury’ case compares."

"Genitals excised. Over 1,800 antemortem incisions. Cause of death? Exsanguination from severed carotid… after chewing his own lower torso." The pathologist tapped the stomach contents report. "Undigested human tissue matches missing anatomy."

"Not my jurisdiction." Zhang Wutong turned away, bell case unresolved.

"Old friend," Han Jing’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. "Who else handles the… unconventional?"

The ringing phone interrupted their standoff.

"Zhang Wutong speaking."

His jaw tightened as the receiver listed assignments. Returning, he found the coroner’s knowing smirk.

"Told you. This requiem needs your particular expertise."