Chapter Sixty-Six: Tit for Tat

According to the editor’s guidance, this book has been officially renamed Urban Ghosts and Deities—Astonishing! Very well, this is now the final version of the title.

Although there were still lingering resentments between Huiyan and Ye Dong, when it came to this step that could directly affect the progress of their plan, both of them set aside their personal feelings and focused on business.

Huiyan handed them several ultra-thin bulletproof vests. “Put these on. Also, you can’t have any listening devices on you. Make sure to remove them.”

Liang Lingzhi asked, “Without the listening devices, how will we gather evidence against them?”

Huiyan explained, “It’s not difficult to catch Master Wei and his men right now. As long as Li Zimu turns state witness, that will suffice. But our ultimate goal is the demonic cultist hiding in the deepest shadows.”

Compared to the previous undercover agents who could only get close to the fence of the fence, this new plan was a major breakthrough—after all, the fence was now entirely under Ye Dong’s control.

Ye Dong also agreed to remove the listening devices. “This meeting with Master Wei is critical. We can’t risk blowing our cover over a device. Without Officer Li’s real-time command, we’ll have to improvise.”

Before they left, Chen Yao admonished them, “Dong, Lingzhi, when you encounter a formidable foe, don’t act rashly. Remember that.”

Liang Lingzhi grinned, “Don’t worry, Master. I’m smart, Ye Dong is brave, Huiyan can fight—three swords combined, we’ll surely succeed!”

Officer Li chuckled, “Don’t let your cleverness become your downfall. Never underestimate your opponents—they are ruthless and cunning old foxes.”

Ye Dong nodded earnestly. “We will heed your teachings, Master and Officer Li!”

Under the moonlight, the three followed Li Zimu to an abandoned chemical plant, pitch dark and exuding the stench of long neglect, making everyone feel exceedingly uncomfortable.

“Brother Tian, they told you to park outside and walk up to the top floor,” Li Zimu said nervously, handing his phone to Ye Dong.

Ye Dong sneered, “You’re working for me now, which makes you one of my people. With me here, what are you so nervous about?”

Li Zimu’s pale lips trembled as he nodded repeatedly. “You’re right, Brother Tian. I’m not nervous.”

Facing the murderous trio of Master Wei, it was no wonder Li Zimu was scared out of his wits.

Huiyan, sitting beside Ye Dong, said nothing, simply gripping her “Clearsteel” dagger tightly.

They quickly reached the top floor. Huiyan whispered, “Look at the base of the door.”

“Anti-surveillance equipment?” Ye Dong mocked. “They’re cautious, I’ll give them that. Keeping up with the times, too.”

Arriving at the center of the rooftop, they saw that besides a few large barrels, there was not a soul in sight.

Ye Dong shot a glance at Li Zimu. “You—go check if anyone’s hiding behind those barrels.”

“What?!” Li Zimu shrank back. “What if something jumps out?”

Ye Dong replied icily, “If there really are ghosts in this world, I’d like to meet one.”

Liang Lingzhi scolded, “Li Zimu, have you forgotten who let you keep your life?”

“I remember, I remember!” Despite his fear of what might be hiding behind the barrels, Li Zimu was even more terrified of the madman in front of him.

Step by step, he approached the large barrel, muttering prayers under his breath, “Buddha bless me! Please, let nothing jump out!”

But reality is always cruel.

When Li Zimu saw what was behind the barrel, he nearly wet himself, his face frozen in terror.

“What is it? Why are you just standing there?” Liang Lingzhi barked.

Slowly, Li Zimu turned around, placing his finger to his lips to signal Liang Lingzhi to keep quiet, terrified that loud noises might awaken whatever terrifying thing was back there.

Seeing Li Zimu petrified with terror, Ye Dong was irritated. He said in a low voice, “Zhi, go take a look. Be careful.”

Liang Lingzhi nodded, took a deep breath, and strode toward the barrel. A glance was all it took to stun him as well.

After a few seconds, he came back to his senses and whispered, “Brother Tian, there are four coffins here.”

“What?! Coffins?” Ye Dong and Huiyan exchanged a glance, a trace of fear flickering in their eyes.

“Let’s check them out. Stay behind me,” Ye Dong said to Huiyan. “If anything happens, follow my lead. Don’t act recklessly.”

Huiyan gripped her dagger tightly. “You’re the one who shouldn’t act recklessly. Don’t forget your father’s words—don’t show off.”

At that moment, an eerie flute sound drifted from somewhere, shrill and piercing, chilling everyone to the bone in the darkness.

Ye Dong’s heart pounded. “This must be the secret art of the Mong Bo Luo sect that Master mentioned!” As the sound waves hit their ears, their heartbeats raced and strange echoes filled their minds. Ye Dong and Liang Lingzhi quickly recited the “Purifying Heart Incantation” to resist the flute’s demonic influence.

Huiyan gripped her dagger with both hands, focusing her mind to maintain control. Li Zimu, lacking both their Taoist arts and Huiyan’s martial discipline, was defenseless. The flute’s magic quickly shattered his mental defenses, and he collapsed, clutching his head in agony. “Ah, my head hurts! It’s Master Wei—it must be him!”

The flute’s wailing didn’t stop. Soon, one of the coffins began to stir.

Seeing this, Li Zimu gasped in horror. “My god! Master Wei’s going to kill us with corpses!”

He tried to crawl away, pointing a trembling finger at the coffin. “Danger! Danger!”

“Careful!” Huiyan, nerves taut, immediately shielded Ye Dong.

Bang!

The coffin lid flew off, and a damp corpse shot upright.

Facing this grotesque cadaver, Ye Dong sneered, “Enough with the parlor tricks!”

The stench was overwhelming—Liang Lingzhi immediately covered his nose.

Holding his breath, Ye Dong gently pushed Huiyan aside and approached the corpse. Using a handkerchief, he pinched its cheek. “Well, it’s an actual dead body.”

Seeing Ye Dong so bold, Li Zimu cried out, “Brother Tian! That corpse will attack!”

Ye Dong ignored him and, with another yank, tore off a chunk of flesh from the corpse’s face, then kicked it back into the coffin. “Master Wei, stop hiding like a turtle! Don’t make me look down on you!”

In the shadows, Master Wei and his men sneered. “Rumor has it he’s a mad dog; tonight proves it.”

Hearing Ye Dong curse, Li Zimu was terrified. Normally, he’d never dare stop him, but now Ye Dong was cursing Master Wei—the sorcerer!

“Brother Tian, don’t provoke him! Master Wei doesn’t joke around!”

Before he finished, the corpse Ye Dong had kicked suddenly lunged, its rotten arms reaching for Ye Dong’s neck.

Crack! Boom!

The sound of bones snapping rang out. The corpse’s arms had been severed by a sharp weapon, its head sent flying, the body tossed several meters away!

“A true expert!” Li Xing, hiding beside Master Wei, couldn’t hide his admiration. “Who would have thought such a beauty would have such skills?”

Le Cheng laughed. “If you were as rich as him, you could hire someone even more skilled.”

Ye Dong seemed unfazed by Huiyan’s rescue. He laughed boldly, “A paper tiger—did you think that would scare me, He Wentian?”

Boom! Boom! Boom! The other three coffins began to shake violently, their lids flying off as three corpses lunged at Ye Dong without warning.

Huiyan snorted, her Clearsteel dagger flashing as she dispatched two corpses in a blur. Just as she was about to decapitate the last one, Ye Dong’s cold voice rang out, “Let me.”

Taking the dagger from Huiyan, Ye Dong struck swiftly—two arms gone, he kicked the corpse down and stomped its head. “I don’t care if you’re alive or dead—if I say lie still, you’d better listen.”

With that, he spat on its face and drove the dagger into its skull, ending its wretched existence.

“Well done! Bold and decisive!” Master Wei applauded, stepping out of the shadows. Le Cheng followed, gun in hand, and Li Xing with a long knife.

Ye Dong gave Master Wei a crooked grin, eyes full of disdain. “I thought you’d hide forever, you coward!”

Li Xing bristled, ready to teach Ye Dong a lesson, but Huiyan immediately stepped in front of Ye Dong, the two glaring at each other, tension in the air.

“Beauty, are you trying to stop me?” Li Xing growled, eyes predatory.

“If you want to die, go ahead and try,” Huiyan replied, unmoving.

Master Wei laughed, “Young Master He is bold with his words. Li Xing, stand down.”

Le Cheng pulled Li Xing back, while Liang Lingzhi and Li Zimu joined the group.

“Master Wei, let me introduce you—this is Brother Tian, He Wentian; this is Brother Zhi, Liang Lingzhi; and this is Sister Yan Hui.”

So Huiyan had simply switched to Yan Hui—Officer Li clearly wasn’t great at naming.

Ye Dong said coldly, “Master Wei, isn’t it hard to meet you?”

Master Wei smiled slyly. “With police everywhere, one must be cautious. I chose this dump for our meeting; I hope you don’t mind, Young Master He.”

Ye Dong glanced at the corpses on the ground, suspicion in his eyes. “You can control these corpses?”

“A mere trick,” Master Wei nodded. “Controlling corpses is not difficult for me.”

Ye Dong nodded, appearing interested. “Fascinating.”

Master Wei sneered inwardly. “This lunatic has no idea what he’s dealing with.”

“So, what business do you have with us?” Master Wei finally got to the point.

Ye Dong lit a cigar. “What else? I want the good stuff.”

“Good stuff isn’t easy to come by.”

“Money’s not an issue—just make sure it’s top quality.”

“How good?”

“First-class antiquities.”

“Hmph, you’ve got quite the appetite.”

“If you don’t aim high, how will you make big money? You want me to work myself to the bone for a few million like you?”

“You!” Master Wei narrowed his eyes. “What an arrogant man!”