Chapter 46: He Yanran Has Disappeared

"How long will it take for me to meet that requirement?" I asked.

"It's hard to say. It could be a month, or it could be a year. It depends on your own talent. But given your current condition, I don't think it will take too long," Tan Xiao replied.

"That's good! But what if I can't bring it out?" I pressed.

"You won't be able to. It's already been three days; you just have to digest it slowly!" she said.

I could only accept this. In any case, I needed to improve my abilities, so it didn't really affect anything—just needed to control my temper and not get too agitated.

"Xiao Bei, you've really worked hard these past few days. Later, when we go out, I'll treat you all to a good meal," Lin Chuan said to me.

"It's fine. Yang Minghui's case isn't closed yet, is it? Don't worry about me. Once you get to Nanjiang, we'll get together again!" I replied. Honestly, I didn't have much of an appetite, even though I'd been lying around for two or three days.

Hearing this, Lin Chuan asked, "You're leaving?"

I nodded. "It's time to go. I've been here a few days already."

"Alright, then I won't keep you. When you come over, I'll buy you a proper meal!" Lin Chuan responded.

"Alright, Brother Lin. There must be a lot going on in the bureau—go take care of business. I'm fine!" I didn't want him to delay closing the case because of me.

"When are you planning to leave?" he asked again.

"This afternoon," I said.

"I'll see you off, then!"

"There's no need," I replied.

"Don't refuse. You've been helping us these days—it's the least I can do," Lin Chuan insisted.

Seeing he was adamant, I had to agree.

After a simple meal, I gathered my luggage, and Lin Chuan took us to the train station.

"Brother Lin, go on back. We'll be boarding soon," I said to him in the waiting room after buying the tickets.

He nodded, looking somewhat reluctant to part, but said nothing more and left the station.

We waited about an hour before boarding. Despite having three ghosts with us, we only needed to buy two tickets.

This train wasn't very empty, so Xiao Yuan and Xiao Fang had to find seats separately. As for Tan Xiao, she seemed preoccupied and didn't bother looking for a seat, instead standing beside me.

I was puzzled and asked quietly, "What's wrong?"

She turned to look at me and said, "Zhang Xiaobei, after we get to Nanjiang, can your place fit all of us?"

"… That's what you're worried about?" I asked, exasperated.

"It's not just worry. It's just, you only have one bed, and if you sleep with her every night, isn't that a bit inappropriate?" she said, glancing at He Yanran beside me.

Actually, I’d thought about this, too. Sharing a bed wasn't really appropriate before, but now it seemed fine—we'd already slept together anyway.

But I figured I should consider He Yanran’s feelings. I didn’t want to put her in a difficult position. And since my team had both people and ghosts, a bigger place would be better.

"Are you really planning to keep sleeping with her?" Tan Xiao asked, moving closer when I didn't reply.

What was with her? I was sleeping with my girlfriend, but she seemed unhappy about it.

"Hey, say something!" she pressed again.

"We'll talk about it when we get there," I replied. With so many people on the train, it wasn't the time to discuss this.

And so, after more than ten hours on the train, we finally arrived at Nanjiang Station early the next morning.

Because of the last supernatural incident I'd encountered here with the old street vendor, I felt uneasy and took a look at the spot where I'd seen him last time.

But he wasn’t there, nor was the breakfast stall lady.

Just as I thought I wouldn't run into him, fate had other plans.

After leaving the station, we walked to the left and turned left again to queue for a taxi. As we turned the corner, I saw the old street vendor. This time, he seemed to know I was coming and smiled when he saw me.

Feeling unsettled, I asked He Yanran, "Can you see that old street vendor?"

"Yeah, why?" she asked, puzzled.

I shook my head and walked over to the old man.

"Sir, do you remember me?" I asked directly.

"Of course!" His expression was much friendlier than last time.

"Can you tell me who you really are?" I pressed.

"You'll know in time," he replied, picking up a tattered book from his stall and handing it to me.

"What is this?" I asked, confused.

"Take it. I waited here just for you," he said, already starting to pack up his stall.

I took the book and saw the cover, with only three characters of the title left—"The New Golden Vase." I couldn't help but say, "Sir, this has already been made into a film. I don't need this!"

"Impossible! This is a secret manual. Don't be fooled by its appearance. Keep it safe!" he said, looking shrewd.

I was speechless but confirmed, "Are you sure you didn't give this to the wrong person?"

"No, I've read it many times," he assured me.

"… Alright." I hurriedly stuffed the tattered book into my bag. I didn't know what was inside, but since he insisted, I'd keep it.

"Remember to read it backwards!" he called before leaving.

I nodded and asked, "Will we meet again?"

"If necessary, I'll come to you. Don't look for me on purpose. If you really have an unsolvable problem, go to the crossroads on Lower River Road—there's a coffin shop there," he said.

I nodded again. "Who do I look for there?"

"There’s only one old man named Ge," he replied.

"Alright!" I promised, then left with He Yanran by taxi.

Back at my place, I wanted to lie on the sofa for a bit—after such a long train ride, my head was spinning. But as soon as I opened the door, I sensed a strange, foreign smell in the room.

Seeing me frown and stop, He Yanran asked, "Xiao Bei, what's wrong? Are you not feeling well?"

"No, wait here. I’ll go check," I said, entering cautiously.

But as soon as I reached the living room, a dark shadow lunged at me. I dodged quickly.

Just as I readied myself to fight, the shadow dashed toward the door.

By the time I realized it wasn't after me, it had already snatched He Yanran at the entrance.

I rushed out after them, with Xiao Fang and Xiao Yuan following close behind.

But none of us could catch up with that shadow—it was far too fast. Even though I was much faster than an ordinary person, compared to that being, the difference was insurmountable.

We chased for a long way. Just as the shadow was about to vanish, I bent over, panting in frustration, and suddenly felt my body heating up, my skin turning red.

"Sir, it went toward the riverbank!" Xiao Fang reported.

Catching my breath was out of the question. Ignoring my discomfort, I ran toward the riverbank.

By the time I arrived, Tan Xiao was already there, fighting the dark shadow.

"What is that thing?" I asked Xiao Fang and the others.

"It seems to be a vengeful spirit!"

"A vengeful spirit?"

"Yes, a spirit formed from resentment," Xiao Fang explained.

But where was He Yanran, who had just been taken? I searched frantically around the fight between Tan Xiao and the vengeful spirit.

At that moment, the spirit split into two shadows, and Tan Xiao was struggling to hold her ground. Seeing this, I hurried to help and demanded of the shadow, "Where is He Yanran?"

The shadows didn't answer—one attacked me, one attacked Tan Xiao. But perhaps because of the Blood Spirit Pill in my body, as soon as the shadow got close, it disappeared—only to quickly reappear elsewhere.

Wait—I suddenly remembered I'd bought a Soul-Calming Whip. I quickly took it out and struck at the vengeful spirit. But since I wasn't yet familiar with how to use it, I almost hit Tan Xiao by accident.

Still, this thing was truly powerful. After a few strikes, the spirit’s clones were scattered.

Realizing it was no match for us, the vengeful spirit tried to escape. Tan Xiao wanted to chase it, but seeing my skin turning red, my whole body almost igniting, she looked at me with concern. "Zhang Xiaobei, didn't I tell you to stay calm? Why are you—"

"I'm fine. Did you see He Yanran?" I was far from calm.

"No, she was gone when I arrived!" Tan Xiao replied.

"How can that be? That thing just took her!" I protested.

"Vengeful spirits can split themselves. Perhaps when I got here, one of its clones had already taken He Yanran away."

"Why did the vengeful spirit kidnap her?" I asked, both confused and angry.

Seeing my skin reddening, Tan Xiao quickly said, "Zhang Xiaobei, calm down! Don't panic!"

"How can I not? If she's in danger, how will I explain to her family?" I was already feeling unwell from all the stress and rage.

"Don't worry. The vengeful spirit serves the Fierce Ghost King. She's evil, but she won't harm He Yanran. You see, He Yanran is medicine. She may not have any martial skill, but her self-healing ability is especially strong. Plus, the vengeful spirit knows that as long as you’re alive, He Yanran won't die. So she was probably taken just to deal with you," Tan Xiao explained.

"Really?" After hearing her, I did feel a little more at ease. But then I thought, what if the Fierce Ghost King tries to harm He Yanran another way?

No—I had to save her. But how could I find her? Go to the Ghost King Temple? I asked Tan Xiao, "Is there a Ghost King Temple nearby?"

"Ten kilometers away, at the confluence of the two rivers. There used to be a Ghost King Temple there, but it's already been destroyed."

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