Subduing the Cat Ghost

He pondered for a moment, then stood up and looked calmly at Aunt Zhou. "I can only use Yang Qi to channel his soul back into his body, so your son can tell us everything he knows and who the person behind this is."

I was utterly dumbfounded, while Aunt Zhou and Tu Er cast curious gazes at Grandfather. We asked in unison, "Channel his soul back into his body?"

He nodded. "Since ancient times, people have known how to use dogs to extend a person's lifespan. At most, it can only be extended by one to three days, just to wait for distant relatives to return for a final meeting. I can only use the Yang Qi of a black dog to channel Young Master Zhou's soul, allowing him to revive for two to three days. As for what happens after that, I'm afraid I cannot help."

Hearing his words, Aunt Zhou nodded sorrowfully. After all, one could not alter the path of fate, nor did they have the power to change it. Having three short days for a reunion was better than nothing.

The moment Grandfather finished speaking, Aunt Zhou instructed the servants to find a black dog. Once the dog was brought back, Grandfather performed the soul-channeling ritual. This was the first time I had ever witnessed a dead person being brought back to life.

Tu Er and I watched him in silence. At this moment, a strong wind rose, and tree branches repeatedly battered the window. The sound of the branches and the howling wind blended together, sounding like the sorrowful wails of vengeful souls trying to shatter the window to reach us. Icy chills washed over the back of my neck, making me shiver.

Beside me, Tu Er kept rubbing her hands together, whispering occasionally, "Why is it so cold?"

It was true; it had been very hot just moments ago, but now it was freezing. The strong wind rattled the door, making it seem as though countless people were entering one after another. It was truly a terrifying sight.

"It's here."

Tu Er suddenly pointed toward the door and screamed. I instinctively turned my gaze. Heavens! I was utterly terrified, for I indeed saw Young Master Zhou. But what was even more horrifying was that while his face was human, his body was that of a cat. I backed away in fear. Young Master Zhou approached me with a savage glare. I instinctively grabbed Tu Er's hand. "Save me!"

Tu Er stood in front of me, blocking Young Master Zhou's path. He hesitated for a long time, not daring to step forward. Tu Er turned to Grandfather. "Grandpa Chu, the Mao Gui has devoured his righteous Qi. What should I do?"

Grandfather remained seated, pointing his finger toward a cup of water on the table. Tu Er understood his meaning and said to me, "Go get that cup of water for me."

I walked over to his ritual table, picked up the cup of water, and handed it to her. "Tu Er."

Tu Er drank the entire cup of water in one gulp. Strangely, after she drank it, her eyes glowed with a green light—it was a literal glow, and I was certain I wasn't mistaken.

Young Master Zhou screamed in agony. His soul writhed constantly, as if something were trying to tear itself away from his soul.

"Aaaaaaa!" I covered my ears with both hands, as the scream threatened to shatter the room.

Grandfather stood up in alarm, looking at Young Master Zhou's soul. "Zhou Yuan, I know you possess a strong righteous Qi. Are you willing to let the Mao Gui devour your righteous Qi, leaving you unable to reincarnate?"

The moment Grandfather finished speaking, Young Master Zhou's soul reacted even more violently, looking like a wild beast ready to devour us.

I composed myself and stepped toward him.

Tu Er grabbed my hand in panic. "What are you doing?"

I patted her hand and smiled. "Don't worry, I'll be fine."

I gently released Tu Er's grip and stepped forward. For the sake of my promise to Aunt Zhou and my own mission, I would not let the evil-doers have their way. I walked up to Young Master Zhou. "Both you and I possess strong righteous Qi. We are destined to be targeted by those who practice evil arts or by Wild Ghosts. I do not know why you were harmed like this, but are you willing to let the Mao Gui devour your remaining righteous Qi? Aunt Zhou has been heartbroken over you these past few days. Don't you want to see her one last time?"

His soul stopped writhing and lost its savagery. Most importantly, at this moment, his soul took on a completely human form. He had likely defeated the Mao Gui.

His soul stood before me and said, "I hope you do not end up like me. Thank you and everyone for helping me."

With that, he walked toward his corpse and vanished. Young Master Zhou's words triggered a thought in my mind: were we all destined for such a fate? Seeing me in a daze, Grandfather came over and patted my shoulder. "Is something on your mind?"

I shook my head, as such things hadn't happened to me yet; perhaps I was just overthinking. If I spoke of it, Grandfather would probably just think I was dehydrated.

"Argh, this is so unpleasant! Grandpa, what did you make me drink?" Tu Er stood outside, retching as she called out.

"A bit of Dong Chong Shi. It is highly effective in using Yang Qi and the Yin Yang Eye to counter the Mao Gui."

He looked at Tu Er and smiled. The substance called Dong Chong Shi was actually a mixture of black dog blood and the Dong Chong herb he cultivated. The combination of these two extremely Yang elements was highly beneficial in countering evil spirits, especially the Mao Gui.

"What?! Heavens!"

Tu Er retched repeatedly in panic, but she couldn't throw up anything. Instead, sweat poured down her face. Indeed, if I were in her shoes, I would have tried to empty my stomach too. Who on earth would willingly drink black dog blood?

After a long while, she gave up, walking back in with a daze and gesturing, "Give me a cup of water."

I went out of the room and got her a cup of water.

After drinking the water, Tu Er seemed to feel a bit better. She let out a sigh, her lips parting slightly before she finally looked at me and smiled. "The fishy smell is gone."

I smiled and nodded. She had been in a daze just moments ago, and now she was smiling. She was truly a bit silly, or rather, someone whose joy and sorrow were written plainly on her face.

"He's awake."

Grandfather looked at Tu Er and me with a beaming face. I walked over to Young Master Zhou's bed, while Tu Er went to invite Aunt Zhou.

"Young Master Zhou, how do you feel?"

I cast my gaze upon his body.

He struggled to sit up, leaning against the headboard, and shook his head.

"My son!" Aunt Zhou rushed in from the door. Seeing her joyful face made me instinctively recall my late mother. She was a woman with the gentlest smile, and her eyes were very much like Tu Er's.