Book 7: Chapter 30: Mishap

Book 7: Chapter 30: Mishap

A white flash lit the air with a bang. Zhao Jiang retreated several steps, a clump of white steam almost leaving his body. Across from him was a long streak in the mud as Bao Da Tongs body became visible again. Man and ghost had clearly each taken a blow. Although Bao Da Tong almost made Zhao Jiangs soul leave his body, he was able to use the surrounding waters power to forcibly remain. He even managed to continue controlling me with his other hand.

Did you think I was the easily bullied Zhao Jiang of the past? He laughed coldly. With my current strength, no one can stop me tonight. You guys can wait to fetch his corpse!

Bao Da Tong was extremely anxious, but he was at an impasse and unable to move. Nana groped around my face in despair, trying to tear apart the formless thing after my life. The feeling of suffocation grew stronger as time passed. I did my best to control my reactions, not tossing or struggling to avoid upsetting Nana more. Yet how could instinctive reactions be so easily suppressed?

Die! Have a taste of what I experienced underwater back then. Zhao Jiang spoke with both Schadenfreude and sorrow. For the sake of saving her, I ended up drowning just like that. Unable to breathe, unable to call for help, unable to grab anything. The icy water poured into my lungs. Pain! Like being stabbed by countless needles!

He described it as if it had happened to someone else. His tone was flat but extremely cruel. Nana started crying loudly again. Her crying made me feel that she would die from heartache if I really died!

Hold on! Im coming to save you! Bao Da Tong hurriedly took a step back, trying to break away from Zhao Jiang. However, Zhao Jiang had been expecting this, and his retreat left him at a disadvantage. Zhao Jiang blew a mouthful of yin aura towards Bao Da Tong.Then, a streak of ice swished towards his chest.

Bao Da Tong didnt have time to guard. Not only did he fail to break away, he ended up staggering and spitting out a mouthful of blood. He was clearly heavily injured!

Seeing the balance shifting, Zhao Jiang started laughing sinisterly. Despair started filling our hearts.

Luring us into the grove where he held the advantage, his plan had been to deal with us all at once before taking Nana away. Or perhaps he didnt need to take Nana anywhere once we were dead. Without Bao Da Tong and I, Ah Zhan wouldnt be able to handle him on his own. He might not even know what had happened. We were aware of this, but we had no choice but to come since he had hostages.

We hadnt rushed in blindly and had prepared a plan. It had even been close to succeeding. However, whether due to luck or ability, we had fallen short!

I was currently rolling around from the pain in my lungs. I was about to breathe my last. Apart from fear and unwillingness at facing death, I suddenly also felt sorry for Nana. This failure wouldnt just cost us our lives. It would also leave Nana trapped with Zhao Jiang!

I groaned in a last farewell to the world, though it was just my bodys instinctive final attempt at drawing breath. Yet unexpectedly, a large amount of fresh air suddenly entered my lungs, pulling me back from the abyss!

Air wasnt something one usually paid attention to. However, only when it was lost would it be missed! I felt like a stranded fish finally returning to the ocean after a long struggle. I lay sprawled on the ground, gasping greedily for air. A familiar voice spoke coldly next to me. Sorry, he cant die. He still owes me money!

Ah Zhan! Bao Da Tong almost jumped for joy.

Ruan Zhan didnt respond, merely pointing at Zhao Jiang. No matter who you are, hurry and scram. Otherwise, things wont turn out well for you!

Hes been possessed..cough, coughby Zhao Jiang! We cannot let him off! Hes killed manystudents! I croaked as I slowly recovered.

Dont bother with all that, hurry and pick yourself up! Ruan Zhan wasnt surprised at all. He spoke impatiently to me, but his eyes never left Zhao Jiang. He spoke coldly to him once more, I dont care about the others you killed, but you arent allowed to kill these three!

Hmph, are you able to stop me? Having watched his hated love rival reach the brink of death before being saved, Zhao Jiang was both angry and resentful. Its good you came, might as well all die together!

Before his voice fell, he suddenly leapt into the air. I didnt know how he managed this while hiding in that guys body. Regardless, he was like a black kite or also a bat, looking down upon us from the air, his hands waving continuously. A layer of white mist immediately surrounded us, as if trapping us in a glass container!

I had recovered somewhat and slowly got up. I suppressed the sense of weakness and stood protectively in front of Nana. I looked up at Zhao Jiang who was busy chanting spells and said, Ah Zhan, he wants to suffocate you.

Someone did almost suffocate! He didnt spare me a glance as he spoke to Bao Da Tong. Where are your fire talismans?

Huh? Bao Da Tong was probably too excited about the reinforcements and didnt react right away.

It was in the shape of a person, its torso very distinct but the limbs blurry. He seemed to be desperately clinging on to the body, unwilling to come out. Yet his stubbornness was in vain. He was gradually dragged out and suspended in the air.

Without needing Ah Zhans prompting this time, Bao Da Tong shot out the last of his talismans towards the white shade. The shade was Zhao Jiangs soul. He had been brimming with confidence earlier, plotting to kill us all. Yet losing one exchange caused the tables to completely turn.

Evildoers, whether human or ghost, couldnt commit evil while remaining righteous. Being at a disadvantage meant panic would start seeping in.

With Bao Da Tong closing in, Zhao Jiang instinctively fled towards Ah Zhan. However, the wind Ah Zhan conjured almost scattered him, causing him to retreat in fear. Seeing that he was unable to break through Ah Zhan and Bao Da Tongs defenses, he rushed towards me.

Dont let him return to the lake! Bao Da Tong cried out.

He didnt realize Ah Zhan and I were already prepared. The moment the white shade drew near, I pulled out the bloodwood sword from my waist. It was only a foot long at the moment and Zhao Jiang was still some distance away. I couldnt reach him, so I hurled it at him like a rock. Zhao Jiang knew I had no powers and didnt notice the bloodwood sword. Therefore, he wasnt on guard at all and the bloodwood sword pierced through his chest.

The result was as expected.

At that moment, the rain suddenly stopped as if just for us. The four of us were speechless for a time, looking at each other. We had fought with zeal, but the sudden ending left us feeling somewhat empty.

Creakcreak

With Zhao Jiangs disappearance, his formation also vanished. Ah Zhan had already broken through it when he entered. Now that it was gone, we could see the state of the grove after the rain. I only realized now we were at the edge of the grove. The small lake was already visible through the sparse trees.

Lets go! Ah Zhan spoke calmly, picking up his luggage from behind a tree. I realized he had rushed over directly from the station, and hadnt had time to stop by the dorm.

What do we do about that? Bao Da Tong pointed at the guy hanging on the branch.

Wordlessly, Ah Zhan waved his hand and the wind snapped the branch, causing him to drop like a rag. Since he had acted without warning, Bao Da Tong was taken off-guard. He was only able to push the guy to the side a bit to cushion his fall. Otherwise, he wouldve taken quite the impact.

Is there a need to be so callous? Bao Da Tong grumbled. Still, Im going to burn this grove down. Its too detrimental to the fengshui. Something will happen again in the future if its not destroyed.

Up to you. Ah Zhan replied. He left with his luggage, no longer bothering with us.

What a carefree young master. Dont you run off too! Bao Da Tong stopped me. This dude is so huge and hes completely soaked and unconscious. Theres no way I can carry him by myself!

I saw that he was right and released the trembling Nana. After a few comforting words, I had her follow behind us as we carried the guy out of the grove.

After finally leaving the grove, we saw Ah Zhan waiting for us. Bao Da Tong ran over and used spellfire to ignite the trees. Due to the rain, the trees were wet and shouldnt catch fire. However, the spellfire caused them to swiftly start burning.

Lets leave quickly, or were going to be held responsible! I said.

Before Ah Zhan and Bao Da Tong could respond, Nana slowly spoke from behind us. You guys wont be able to leave anymore!

Her voice was strange, as if coming from the depths of the earth. Two thuds accompanied her words. Startled, I turned to look and saw Nana holding that thick, snapped branch, swinging it towards my head.

Before I could cry out, pain blossomed on the side of my head and I crashed to the ground.

On the ground, Ah Zhan and Bao Da Tong both had their eyes closed, their faces covered in blood. They had already lost consciousness.