Chapter 23: The Vengeful Spirit

As soon as Lin Ran and the others stepped into the villa, a chilling coldness washed over them. An uneasy feeling crept into Lin Ran’s heart—the entire place was so silent, it was as if no living soul had ever set foot inside.

“This isn’t good! Ran, where did you last see her true form?” Third Aunt’s face changed ever so slightly as she sensed the sinister air; things were now veering out of her expectations.

“In the basement! Has something happened, Third Aunt?” Lin Ran looked at her anxiously.

“Quickly, let’s go! The one who’s protecting me told me the resentful spirit in this house is terrifying—even she has to tread carefully. No one who enters here can escape easily!” Third Aunt’s expression was grave.

Fan Beixiao and Guo Ting exchanged glances, secretly grateful they had made it out of the villa alive. Clearly, Lin Ran now believed what Third Aunt had said. If she was right, then Officer Wang and the others might truly be in grave danger.

As they reached the basement door, several corpses dressed as police officers hung limply from the staircase at the entrance—clearly dead.

At this sight, Lin Ran and the others hurried into the basement. There, they saw the ghostly woman advancing toward Wang Changhai; the seven or eight officers who had accompanied him were all gone—only Wang Changhai remained.

“Lin Fangmei! Stop!” Without knowing where the courage came from, Lin Ran shouted at the ghost.

The ghost woman froze, her movements stilled for an instant. In that moment, Third Aunt, who had somehow produced a copper coin in her hand, flicked it sharply at the ghost. Caught off guard, the coin struck her.

A shriek of agony rang out as the ghost staggered backward several steps, releasing the dying Wang Changhai and glaring at Third Aunt with hatred.

“Officer Wang!” Guo Ting, seeing Wang Changhai lying on the ground barely alive, rushed over to help him.

“Don’t!” Third Aunt’s expression changed as she saw Guo Ting run forward, but it was too late. Guo Ting, trained and swift, covered the four or five meters in a few strides—far faster than an ordinary woman. Lin Ran and Fan Beixiao’s faces turned pale. They hadn’t expected Guo Ting to act so rashly.

The ghost’s eyes flared with murderous light as she lunged at Guo Ting. Third Aunt hurriedly pulled from her bag a piece of animal tail, about as long as a finger, and pointed it at the ghost.

Whether it was something smeared on the tail or the dim light of the basement, a faint yellow glow radiated from it as it shot toward the ghost. But the ghost, seemingly crazed, ignored Third Aunt entirely, charging straight for Guo Ting.

“Guo Ting, get out of the way!” Lin Ran shouted, sprinting toward her.

Guo Ting, just reaching Wang Changhai, had no time to rejoice—she heard Lin Ran’s warning and looked up just as the ghost was upon her. Before she could react, the ghost collided with her. At the same instant, Third Aunt’s animal tail brushed the ghost’s back, releasing a curl of blue smoke before it vanished. All that remained was Guo Ting, still crouching and cradling Wang Changhai.

Third Aunt’s hand hovered in midair, staring in shock at the motionless Guo Ting. Suddenly, an even icier chill filled the air, making the hairs on the backs of their necks stand on end.

A strange, sinister laugh erupted from Guo Ting. She slowly raised her head, her face deathly pale, her eyes blood-red as she stared at Third Aunt.

“Back!” Third Aunt snapped to her senses, but by then it was too late.

Possessed by the ghost, Guo Ting hurled herself at Third Aunt. At such close range, Third Aunt had no time to react and was struck head-on.

Lin Ran and Fan Beixiao could hardly believe their eyes: Guo Ting’s slight frame suddenly possessed such strength that she knocked Third Aunt four or five meters back, crashing her into the furniture by the wall.

“Third Aunt!”

“Are you all right, Third Aunt?” Lin Ran no longer hesitated, rushing to help her up.

“I’m fine, not dead yet.” Third Aunt coughed violently, shook her head, and wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth.

“I was careless! I never imagined this ghost’s resentment ran so deep. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have brought you here. Even I am no match for her,” Third Aunt said, regret heavy in her voice as she looked at Lin Ran.

“There’s no time for that! Third Aunt, you must think of something. There are so many people here—we can’t let them all die with this ghost,” Lin Ran shook his head.

“I never wanted you to get involved in these things so soon. Ah, age makes one foolish,” Third Aunt smiled wryly at Lin Ran, her eyes filled with both gentleness and resolve.

“Third Aunt, if my life alone could save everyone else, I would willingly sacrifice myself to save the rest,” Lin Ran said, knowing that, as Third Aunt had warned, this day would come sooner or later.

“You child! I’ve watched you grow since you were a baby—I know exactly what kind of person you are.” Third Aunt smiled faintly, her voice rising and triggering another bout of coughing.

“You two should go! Even if it costs me my life today, I’ll trap this ghost here if it’s the last thing I do,” she said, determination ringing in her words.