Chapter 104: The Disappeared One – po

“I’m just guessing, you don’t have to be that scared.”

Rabbit Yu was already too frightened to move. He walked up to Sang Chu and looked at her. “You know about po too. That’s the vengeful spirit that even the badgers fear. In the deep sea, it’s said to have the power to turn the world upside down all by itself. How could I not be afraid?”

Sang Chu said, “The Thunder Ghost, also known as po. But I didn’t see him in the demon records, only in the magical records of the Thunder Algae. It’s said the Thunder Ghost can command heavenly lightning, and while vengeful spirits are powerful, if the Thunder Ghost in this village is really that terrifying, why would it be sealed by a magic banner made by mere mortals?”

Rabbit Yu asked in confusion, “So you’re just guessing?”

Sang Chu nodded. “I’m more inclined to think that the Thunder Ghost’s power is incomplete, or perhaps it’s been divided.”

Rabbit Yu considered Sang Chu’s theory. “If that’s the case, then things could get really complicated.”

“Yeah, you’re right. If I were Brother Qin, how would I investigate this?”

Rabbit Yu said, “He’s Qin Simian’s brother.”

Sang Chu nodded. “If I’m not mistaken, the missing person is actually a magical artifact, used as the core for the magic banner. And the real terror of po is hidden inside it. That’s why, on stormy days, people in this village go missing.

Fishermen know not to go out to sea during heavy storms, especially those with wives and children at home. He wouldn’t risk it. The most likely scenario is that he wanted to go out to sea, but was stopped by something at home. People like that are the easiest to manipulate.”

Rabbit Yu understood what Sang Chu was getting at. “You mean, for some reason, po was never complete from the start. She wants to rescue the male spirit sealed inside, so she bewitched the mentally unstable and weak-willed young master of the Mu family, using him to find this place. After she gives birth to a soul body, she’ll go save him?”

Sang Chu nodded. “But I’m stuck on one thing.”

“What is it?”

“After she’s born, will she definitely save him? Why wouldn’t she just devour him to increase her own power?”

Rabbit Yu cried out, “That’s terrifying! So right now…”

“I’m afraid that’s exactly why Qin Simian said she could summon lightning during the ritual. She’s probably about to succeed. If she devours him and becomes the Thunder Ghost, then everything will be out of control!

The events on the list are all extraordinary, and we can’t stay here long. If we can’t resolve this quickly, there will be endless trouble.”

Rabbit Yu said, “Then, what should I do now? You and I can’t beat her!”

Sang Chu replied, “No, we can’t. But don’t forget what the old man said—the magic banner can seal her. As long as we put the banner in the right place, it’ll work.”

“But, but, but, how am I supposed to get close enough to that man to plant the magic banner?”

Sang Chu gritted her teeth and looked at the skeleton in front of her. “The Withered Life Vine can revive the dead and restore flesh to bones, but it can also bind and restrain spirits. If it appears in the world, it can change everything.”

“But wait, didn’t you say all this is just your guess? What if you’re wrong?”

Sang Chu said, “I don’t know if the previous ticket holders ever came to this place, or if they guessed what was going on. But since I’m here, I don’t want to leave empty-handed. You think I’m wrong, but I’m pretty sure I’m right.

If you want to come with me, we’ll go to the place where po is sealed. She’ll definitely be guarding him, absorbing his power. If you want, I’ll go with you to find it. But the consequence is, you’ll use your jade pendant, and I’ll use my spiritual body to break in. Then, we’ll both return to the apocalypse. That would be the best outcome.”

“So, there’s no other way?”

Sang Chu looked at the skeleton and said, “The best way is for me to use the Withered Life Vine to save the child, let him plant the magic banner, and I’ll cut it off and put the banner in the right place. The spell will restart, and if my guess is right, everything inside can be resolved.”

Rabbit Yu said, “Are you sure? Didn’t you say the Withered Life Vine is dangerous, a life for a life?”

Sang Chu took a deep breath and glanced at the locust tree beside her. “I’ve thought about it. I’ll take the risk.”

“Rabbit, wish me luck.”

“Then, be careful.”

Knowing there was no better way, Rabbit Yu could only step aside and wait.

Sang Chu picked up the skeleton from the pit and set it aside. “I don’t know how old you are, but since you’re here, it means there’s someone you want to protect. So I need your help. If you, like me, want everyone trapped in this incident to get out, then let’s work together.”

After she finished, Sang Chu took a deep breath. She had tried to use the Withered Life Vine many times but never succeeded. This time, she had to succeed, no matter what. Otherwise, not only would she fail to save anyone, she’d lose herself as well.

As she activated the spell, vines slowly grew from her body, white flowers blooming in an instant. But no matter how hard she tried, not a single leaf would grow.

The Withered Life Vine, as its name suggests, needs leaves. Without leaves, only fragrance, it’s useless!

Seeing Sang Chu’s face grow paler and paler among the pile of white flowers, Rabbit Yu was so anxious he was about to stomp his feet.

——

A light breeze blew, and all the little white flowers on the ground covered the child’s body.

Leaves from the big locust tree rustled down onto Sang Chu.

She couldn’t help but widen her eyes.

The locust leaves took root and sprouted on her, while the big locust tree visibly withered and finally fell to the ground.

Sang Chu staggered, her hands trembling, but she gritted her teeth and held on.

Rabbit Yu watched as the increasingly pale locust tree sent all its leaves to Sang Chu, and as it died, it couldn’t stay any longer.

He rushed to Sang Chu’s side, turned into human form, and pressed his furry paw to her back. “I never thought I’d end up helping you like this, but I don’t want to regret it. Let’s work together!”

Sang Chu was drenched in cold sweat, her face pale, her voice barely audible, but she smiled. “Alright, let’s do this together.”

All the flowers and grass in the mountain forest withered, and at that moment, the skeleton on the ground finally grew limbs, a head, and a body.

The child on the ground let out a soft moan, slowly opened his eyes, and Sang Chu finally let out a breath, collapsing to the ground from exhaustion.

The child looked at Sang Chu with watery eyes and said, “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”"