Chapter 899 - 866 The Most Terrifying Taboo

Inside and outside the old mansion, the actions of Li Jun and Wang Chaling continued.

Meanwhile, in the first-floor lobby of the Ning’an Building in Dadong City, Yang Jian and his team were still deliberating on how to resolve the supernatural incident codenamed “Red Wooden Bench.”

At this moment.

The empty lobby was filled with rows of long red wooden benches, and on each bench sat an eerie corpse. These bodies seemed to have died not long ago, yet their appearances were grotesque—some were blue-black with bruising, others twisted and flushed red, and some even preserved rigid expressions of terror.

They were all ordinary people who had triggered the ghost’s killing pattern and died within the building.

But whether they were still “human” now was unsure.

At this instant.

The Ghost Child, wearing ceremonial burial robes stripped from a corpse and barefoot, ran straight toward the lobby doors. It passed the first red wooden bench that stood in its way.

The corpse seated on the bench remained motionless, as if completely indifferent, showing no reaction.

The Ghost Child continued forward.

It weaved its way through the gaps between the red wooden benches.

“Is it deliberately avoiding contact with those red benches?” Yang Jian observed and noticed that even the Ghost Child—an existence akin to a ghost—actively avoided the benches.

This indicated that the benches were dangerous—extremely dangerous.

Previously, when he had voluntarily risked a ghost’s attack, it was indeed reckless. If he hadn’t already become an anomaly himself, he’d likely have been playing with his own death.

The Ghost Child’s pace slowed as it advanced.

The gaps between the benches became fewer and fewer, and when it approached the entrance, the Ghost Child came to a complete stop.

It stood frozen in place, as if suddenly stuck.

There was no way forward.

The red benches seemed to have connected, forming a barrier in front of it.

“It stopped?” Tong Qian frowned.

Feng Quan said in a deep voice, “Because there’s no path ahead.”

“Why no path? The way isn’t completely blocked. It could just step over, couldn’t it? Maybe this thing just lacks brains and can’t think of a solution,” Xiong Wenwen chimed in, peering in and giving his opinion.

Feng Quan shot him a glance. “The way ghosts perceive things is different from humans. The Ghost Child is a product that exists between a ghost and a Ghost Slave. If it has stopped, it means only one thing: the way forward has been completely blocked by the ghost. You might think stepping over is possible, but for all you know, the moment you cross, the ghost might target you.”

“At that moment, forget escaping—staying alive will be a problem.”

“But… Yang Jian, with all of us here and two Ghost Domains on hand, there’s no reason we should be stumped by some wooden benches, is there?” Feng Quan evaluated.

Yang Jian replied, “Getting out isn’t hard, but getting out safely requires caution. There’s no rush; we’re not entirely trapped. Taking our time might even help us figure out a way to resolve this supernatural incident.”

“Now, since the Ghost Child can’t make it through, this shows there are no loopholes in the path forward. We’ll need a more forceful approach.”

He adjusted his strategy.

“How do we do that?” asked Tong Qian.

“Just watch. I’ll handle this myself. These red wooden benches are far too dangerous for you all. Once you’re targeted—whether you’re a ghost handler or not—it’s almost certain death.”

With that, he gestured for the others to step aside.

It wasn’t about showing off—rather, no one else could contribute much to solving this situation.

Yang Jian walked up to the nearest red wooden bench.

The corpse seated there was cold, unmoving, with closed eyes, as if in a deep sleep.

But Yang Jian could clearly sense the presence of an unfathomable supernatural force within that body.

It was as if an invisible, malevolent ghost were silently influencing everything around it.

“The ghost tied to the bench can’t be detected through traditional mediums and doesn’t exist in the real world. Thus, neither the Firewood Knife nor the Coffin Nail can affect it. Furthermore, it only attacks those also sitting on the bench. Its killing pattern is relatively straightforward and not easily triggered.”

“So, the best way to suppress this red wooden bench temporarily is to make another ghost sit on it.”

“A ghost attacking another ghost—this kind of supernatural interference should neutralize the phenomenon temporarily. After all, ghosts are unkillable.”

This was Yang Jian’s contingency plan.

However, this method could only contain the paranormal briefly; it couldn’t completely erase it.

Now the critical question—where to find a ghost that could be made to sit on the bench?

The ghost also needed to be controllable, without any risk of going out of control. Otherwise, one incident would multiply into two.

“Can that Ghost Child handle it?” Yang Jian’s gaze shifted to the Ghost Child, which was hesitating near the benches.

Probably not.

The Ghost Child wasn’t a real ghost, but a unique creation—it might not share the same unkillable trait as a true ghost.

If it died on the bench, the loss would be disastrous.

“Then there’s the headless corpse of Liu Baimu I locked away earlier. That’s also a ghost, already in the process of resurrection and extremely dangerous… no, that won’t work. Liu Baimu’s body is too wild and wouldn’t just obediently sit on the bench.”

Yang Jian quickly eliminated several options in his mind.

Finally.

His gaze fell on the tall Ghost Shadow beneath his own feet.

Previous tests had proven one thing:

Even after he sat on these benches and experienced the ghost’s attack, though his body had been “killed,” the Ghost Shadow remained largely unaffected.

Whatever entity resided within the benches couldn’t kill the Ghost Shadow.

“Guess I’ll have to give this a try. Let’s see just how far the Ghost Shadow’s limits extend—and pray I don’t end up killing myself in the process,” Yang Jian thought to himself, feeling a mix of caution and eagerness.

He needed to know whether his newfound resilience was as reliable as he’d hoped.

He hadn’t been an anomaly for long, and many of his abilities still required testing through experience.

This was an opportunity.

Moreover, the prior cases gave him at least some measure of confidence.

Yang Jian remained unmoving, and the black Ghost Shadow beneath his feet rose.

The Ghost Shadow loomed tall—over two meters as it enveloped Yang Jian’s relatively slender frame.

Once upright, it moved with lifelike intent, taking several steps forward before sitting on the nearest red wooden bench.

Yes, it sat down by choice.

The ghost-killing pattern instantly took effect.

Suddenly.

The icy corpse already seated on the bench jerked. It opened its dull, lifeless eyes wide and twisted its head toward the Ghost Shadow, as though truly coming back to life to stare down its target.

But the Ghost Shadow was a ghost too.

The ghost targeted another ghost.

The killing pattern had been triggered.

Yet, the next moment.

Before anything catastrophic occurred, the red wooden bench beneath them snapped and exploded. The corpse resting there toppled, seemingly losing the supernatural force that had sustained it.

“What just happened?” This sudden development left Tong Qian, Huang Ziya, and Xiong Wenwen wide-eyed.

Having witnessed something similar before, Feng Quan sneered faintly. “A clever maneuver. He used the Ghost Shadow to activate the ghost’s killing pattern, leveraging the unkillable traits of ghosts to force a supernatural clash. The red wooden bench, as a medium, couldn’t withstand such a conflict and broke apart.”

After destroying the first bench, Yang Jian didn’t stop. He advanced, and the Ghost Shadow sat down again, once more enduring the ghost’s attack.

But the attack had scarcely begun before the bench exploded, unable to endure the clash between the two entities.

Step by step, Yang Jian’s Ghost Shadow cleared a path. One by one, the red wooden benches shattered, reduced to scattered wood chips and debris.

“Damn, that’s it? Xiao Yang, you’re amazing!” Xiong Wenwen exclaimed in awe.

“There’s definitely risk. Each time, it’s equivalent to enduring a deadly ghost attack. Yang Jian is gambling each time—if he couldn’t withstand it, he’d truly be dead by now,” Feng Quan said gravely.

“The Ghost Shadow’s Terror Level might not be as high as expected, but its perfect ghost traits make it unmatched. Just the fact that it can’t be killed allows me to move with near-absolute freedom,” Yang Jian thought as even he felt some surprise.

This was his boldest experiment yet.

And the results were promising.

The Ghost Shadow, retaining a living consciousness, was unkillable. Even when subjected to the killing patterns of other ghosts, it remained resilient.

Unless he encountered a ghost capable of erasing his living consciousness or stealing its fragments, Yang Jian appeared untouchable.

Step by cautious step.

The benches were all destroyed, and the corpses atop them collapsed without their supernatural foundations.

Yang Jian had forcibly carved a path out of the building.

“Let’s go. This route is safe now,” Yang Jian said.

He walked out of the haunted building, taking the Ghost Child and Xiong Wenwen with him.

Once outside.

The oppressive supernatural atmosphere that had been suffocating them vanished—Yang Jian felt an inexplicable lightness wash over him.

“Looks like it was just a scare. I thought it’d be a much bigger problem, but it turned out to be relatively easy,” Huang Ziya commented, toying with her hair while stealing glances at Yang Jian.

Having someone of Captain Level lead them certainly made a difference.

The nickname “Brother Tui” was well-deserved.

Xiong Wenwen frequently calling him “Xiao Yang” had to stop—it was clearly a habit that would eventually get him punched.

Yang Jian turned to glance back at the building.

Most of the lights in the Ning’an Building had gone out. Those that remained flickered erratically, as though impacted by some unseen force.

This proved that the ghost was still within the building, influencing its entirety.

“Tong Qian, Huang Ziya, seal this area off, including the location of the old mansion. Make the perimeter as large as possible—headquarters should assist with this as well. Feng Quan, I want you to monitor this building. The ghost will eventually spread its influence, but not tonight. Your task is to ensure these red wooden benches don’t appear elsewhere.”

After taking one last look, Yang Jian began issuing orders.

“Got it. We’ll take care of it right away,” Tong Qian nodded.

Xiong Wenwen asked, “Xiao Yang, what about me? Am I free to go back and sleep now?”

“You’re coming with me to check on the old mansion and see what’s happening on Li Jun and Wang Chaling’s end. Also, we need a way to retrieve Li Yang. He’s likely stuck somewhere since he hasn’t regrouped by now,” Yang Jian answered.

At this point, Yang Jian didn’t really need many companions—just the Ghost Child and Xiong Wenwen, with his precognition, sufficed.

“What? No, absolutely not—I’m not going there! That place is haunted,” Xiong Wenwen protested immediately, shaking his head fervently.

Without hesitation, Yang Jian grabbed Xiong Wenwen. “You’re going whether you like it or not. With you like this now, are you seriously still afraid of dying? Worst case, I’ll just revive you.”

Xiong Wenwen’s body felt unnaturally light, as though it had no real weight.

His “body” was merely a curious paper effigy, no longer human flesh.

“Revive me?” Xiong Wenwen’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

“Of course,” Yang Jian replied. With that, red light began to envelop them as his Ghost Domain expanded.

The next moment.

Yang Jian, Xiong Wenwen, and the Ghost Child vanished into thin air.

At the entrance of the building, only Feng Quan, Tong Qian, and Huang Ziya remained.

The three exchanged glances before scattering to carry out their respective tasks.

Shortly thereafter, dense fog began to roll in around the Ning’an Building. Headquarters swiftly issued orders to seal off the entire area. Anyone within the perimeter was evacuated, though no new entries were allowed.

Meanwhile, the bells from the old mansion had begun to chime less frequently.

This suggested that the time synchronization was gradually stabilizing.

Progress was faster than anticipated.

Within the old mansion, Li Jun now stood alone in the desolate space. Wearing sunglasses, he tilted his head slightly, scanning his surroundings.

Ghost Flames flickered.

The eerie green glow of the flames cast haunting reflections all around.

“Who’s causing chaos in Dadong City? Show yourself,” Li Jun demanded, his raspy voice echoing through the stillness with forcefulness and righteousness.

His voice reverberated throughout the old mansion like a solemn command, reaching into shadowy depths.

At first, there was no response, but unexpectedly, someone soon replied: “Li Jun, seeing as you’re a young Special Forces Major General, I’ll let this slide. Leave now. My grudge with the Wang Family is a personal matter. When it’s settled, I’ll find time to visit headquarters.”

“Perhaps we might even have the opportunity to collaborate in the future.”

The voice belonged to Chen Qiaoyang, though its source was indeterminate.

It seemed to echo from upstairs—or was it nearby?

Yet Li Jun could only hear the voice, not see the figure.

“Playing games, are we? The Wang Family’s old mansion is rife with hidden perils. My duty is to seal this place. If you don’t want to be listed as a wanted criminal, surrender now and step out. Whatever personal matters you have with the Wang Family can be explained to headquarters—they’ll ensure justice is served. But if you think you can cause a supernatural incident because of personal grudges—”

“I’ll take you down right here and now.”

Li Jun, known for his hot temper, had no patience for lawless individuals prone to stirring trouble.

“Why are you youngsters so stubborn these days? I’m already showing goodwill, yet you still don’t get it,” Chen Qiaoyang’s voice carried a trace of exasperation.

“You won’t even reveal yourself. Why should I trust you? Let me make this clear: this is not a negotiation, but an order. Comply, cease resistance, and step out. Otherwise, prepare to be neutralized. The word ‘compromise’ doesn’t exist in my vocabulary.”

Li Jun’s unwavering sense of duty was clear.

He understood this mansion presented significant danger. Allowing the clocks to synchronize and reset the mansion’s time would result in catastrophe.

The safety of the entire Dadong City rested on his decisions.

Thus, he knew exactly how to proceed against such a criminal.

“Talking big about killing me… as if it’s that simple. The Wang Family’s second generation couldn’t do it back then—they had to lure me into their dungeon and trap me there. What’s your basis for thinking you can kill me, Chen Qiaoyang?” Chen Qiaoyang’s tone grew colder, clearly irritated.

“Just because I respect your rank doesn’t mean I won’t put you down.”

Li Jun retorted firmly, “Then try me. Let’s see who takes down whom.”

“Hah! Bold and brash. Trying to bait me into revealing myself? ‘Capture the king to win the game,’ right? Fine, I’ll oblige. Your straightforwardness deserves some respect—I won’t play coy.”

As his words fell.

An echo of sharp, deliberate footsteps resonated from the upstairs corridor.

A blurry figure began to materialize.

Chen Qiaoyang stepped out onto the second-floor balcony.

He could have subdued Li Jun without showing himself. But out of an odd sense of respect, he chose to confront him face-to-face.

In the past, Ghost Shepherds never revealed themselves lightly.

The living could only see ghosts; they never saw the Ghost Shepherds behind the scenes.

“Strike.”

Upon spotting Chen Qiaoyang, Li Jun wasted no time, identifying him as the culprit responsible for winding the clocks and attempting to restart the mansion. He intended to neutralize him immediately to bring an end to the incident.

Ghost Flames erupted.

Once again, they enveloped the entire old mansion.

The light distorted their surroundings, blurring their forms. Li Jun vanished entirely from sight.

His Ghost Domain could still function inside the mansion.

It’s worth noting Yang Jian had previously been unable to deploy his Ghost Domain here.

“Alright, I’ll indulge this youngster. The mansion’s time has stabilized for now. Use whatever tricks you like—let’s see what makes the current captains so remarkable.”

Chen Qiaoyang seemed intent on testing his own prowess against Li Jun, eager to assess modern ghost handlers’ capabilities.

He wanted to confirm whether his Ghost Shepherding methods had been rendered obsolete by time.

Pushing around lackeys like Zhang Qing and Wan Tong meant nothing. Only battling top-tier ghost handlers could provide clarity.

Li Jun vanished, leaving no trace behind.

Meanwhile, Chen Qiaoyang’s body erupted into green flames—the Ghost Flames ignited him inside-out, as though he were spontaneously combusting.

“Intrusive Ghost Domain? That’s an outdated tactic. Don’t you know that while invading others, you yourself become vulnerable to invasion?” Chen Qiaoyang chuckled, the flames on his body now dimming.

But no.

They weren’t dimming—they were being contained.

The Ghost Flames twisted unnaturally, forming the vivid impression of a face—Li Jun’s face—on Chen Qiaoyang’s skin.

Li Jun, now trapped, struggled mightily, seemingly shouting in fury, though no sound escaped.

Gradually, his resistance weakened—a profoundly oppressive force appeared to be overwhelming him.

Li Jun had been subdued.

Imprisoned within Chen Qiaoyang’s very body.

Soon after.

The chaos quieted. The mansion returned to eerie silence.

“Ghost Flame Li Jun, that’s all it took?” Zhang Qing and Wan Tong, hiding inconspicuously on the third floor, froze in disbelief.

They were well aware the man they had helped release—Chen Qiaoyang—was terrifying. But they’d never imagined he could be this dreadful.

Li Jun, a Captain Level expert, had been restrained in mere moments.

It was absurd—like Yang Jian chasing down lackeys, effortlessly crushing them.

“So this era’s ghost handlers amount to this much. Seems my Ghost Shepherding isn’t obsolete yet,” Chen Qiaoyang remarked with a faint smile. “Pity about Li Jun—so fearless, yet now gone.”

Yet suddenly, something caught his attention, freezing his smile.

In the central hall of the mansion.

A woman in red appeared. Her hands were impossibly pale, and her features were blurred, leaving only a faint suggestion of beauty.

Her feet were indistinct, as though she hovered above the ground—her presence unnervingly unnatural.

“That cursed painting… it’s still here…” Chen Qiaoyang muttered, his voice trembling.

Before he could react further, the shadows around the mansion thickened unnaturally. From above, it resembled a black coffin encasing the entire structure.

“The coffin…”

Chen Qiaoyang shuddered. His earlier composure was entirely shattered.

Some nightmare-like terror had descended upon the mansion.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by novlove.com

If you find any errors ( Ads popup, ads redirect, broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.