Evil Spirits

At night, Su Ti sat alone in his room.

He analyzed the entire kidnapping of his cousin and younger cousin.

He had handled the aftermath well. There had been no cameras along the route, and he had gotten out of the car early. There was no way the investigation could lead back to him.

Moreover, after this incident, Su Zihao's family would surely be more careful. At their level of wealth, they would definitely have methods to strike back or protect themselves.

Even if they did not, the attack had alerted the police. The other side would not dare make another move anytime soon, so Su Ti was not especially worried about Su Zihao's family's safety for the moment.

There was only one matter still weighing on his mind: that spinal worm.

Su Ti was deeply puzzled.

"What exactly was that thing? It gave an ordinary person such an extreme degree of immortality, and after I killed it, it even provided me with energy."

"So far, the only things known to provide me with energy are Cursed Antiques, things dug out from piles of corpses. What did that strange creature have in common with Cursed Antiques?"

Su Ti thought about it for a while but could not figure it out, so he took out his phone and called Long Yuanzheng.

Long Yuanzheng was from the Ancient Martial Arts world and had seen much. He should know the origins of that spinal worm.

Long Yuanzheng answered quickly.

After considering his words, Su Ti gave him a slightly altered version of what had happened that day.

He made minor changes to the course of events. Nothing else had changed from beginning to end, except that the two men's strength had become Inner Refinement Second Layer.

Long Yuanzheng frowned tightly after hearing it.

"Inner Refinement martial artists from out of town? Those two actually dared to kidnap your family? Hmph, scum like that deserved to die. If trouble comes looking for you later, your master will handle it."

Long Yuanzheng had already grown accustomed to Su Ti's killing intent. Besides, in a situation like that, if Su Ti had not killed them, Long Yuanzheng would have looked down on him for lacking backbone.

If a man did not even dare kill when his family was in danger, what martial arts was he training for?

"Master, I erased the traces thoroughly. They shouldn't be able to find me."

That was what Su Ti said. It was not that he feared anyone coming after him; he simply believed he had left no loose ends, so no one would come looking.

Long Yuanzheng said, "Hard to say. You haven't been in the Ancient Martial Arts world for long, so you don't understand some of its rules. They may not come looking, but if the forces behind those two martial artists you killed truly decide to investigate, they will definitely be able to find you."

Su Ti was somewhat confused, so Long Yuanzheng explained.

"It was your fighting style. You killed them using the Golden Python Four Forms, didn't you?"

Su Ti's pupils contracted as he instantly understood.

"Detectives in the surface world cannot use that to track someone down, but if Ancient Martial Arts sects in the inner world ask around locally, they'll know. Only our Dragon Gate fighting style can inflict wounds like those."

"But it doesn't matter. If the forces behind them do not come, so be it. If they do, I'll have to demand an explanation from them and get justice for you."

Su Ti felt warmth in his heart upon hearing those words.

"Master."

"Mm. Forget the forces behind those two for now. As for the spinal worm you described, even in the inner world, it is extremely rare. I've only heard rumors about it and have never actually seen one."

"What exactly is it?"

Su Ti asked curiously.

Long Yuanzheng's tone turned grave.

"It is an Evil Spirit."

"An Evil Spirit?"

"That's right. Long ago, I heard your martial uncle mention this. There are some ghosts and monsters in this world that cause havoc, and they are collectively called Evil Spirits."

"However, most of these Evil Spirits have fixed territories. Without exception, they dwell in deep mountains and ancient forests far from crowds. Ordinary people might not see one even once in their lifetime. At least, I never have."

Su Ti sensed something was off and reminded him.

"But that man seemed to practice Ancient Martial Arts too. There appeared to be some Ancient Martial Arts sect or organization behind him."

Hearing that, Long Yuanzheng replied.

"Then it is a Heretical Sect, a sect that uses Evil Spirits to cultivate. They assimilate with Evil Spirits, becoming half-human and half-evil. They use the flesh and blood of living people as fuel for cultivation, and society does not tolerate them."

"Still, I have only heard of such sects. As far as I know, there are none in Nanjiang Province."

"But don't worry too much. Heretical Sects are not tolerated by society. They hide everywhere like rats, and they are selfish by nature. They are unlikely to seek revenge on you over one dead man. On the other hand, that orthodox sect may send someone over. If they come looking for you, tell me. Don't handle it alone."

After Long Yuanzheng gave him a string of instructions, Su Ti hung up.

He sat on the bed and pondered for a while.

"Evil Spirits?"

It seemed this world had another side hidden from him, one concealed even more deeply than the Ancient Martial Arts world. Even an old hand like Long Yuanzheng knew little about it.

He had originally wanted to ask where he could find such Evil Spirits, so he could gain another source of energy, but Long Yuanzheng did not know any specific locations.

Then Su Ti froze.

He remembered the tomb-robbing group he had encountered earlier that day.

Xu Lao had told him about ghosts and monsters, while Long Yuanzheng had said Evil Spirits were ghosts and monsters that caused havoc. Could they possibly be the same thing?

With that thought, he picked up his phone and called Xu Lao.

The call connected quickly, and Xu Lao's voice came from the other end.

"How is it? Have you changed your mind, sir?"

"No. I wanted to ask you about ghosts and monsters. I think I encountered something similar."

"Mm, tell me."

Su Ti described the spinal worm's condition both while it possessed someone and after it left the body.

Xu Lao pondered for a moment after listening, then answered.

"If I'm not mistaken, the thing you encountered was a Corpse Puppet Worm."

"A Corpse Puppet Worm?"

"That's right. It is an Evil Spirit born underground. It starts out as an ordinary insect, but after absorbing Yin energy for a long time, it gradually becomes an Evil Spirit."

"This kind of insect can parasitize and control corpses, which is why it is called a Corpse Puppet Worm."

"However, it can also parasitize living people. A person parasitized by it will gradually lose the ability to feel pain, develop a taste for human blood and flesh, and lose all vital weaknesses. Even after losing their head and brain, they can continue fighting under the Corpse Puppet Worm's control."

"I've heard that Heretical Sects in some provinces use these Corpse Puppet Worms to cultivate, turning themselves into immortal bodies without weaknesses."

Xu Lao's words perfectly matched what Su Ti had seen!

Compared with Long Yuanzheng, Xu Lao clearly knew much more, and in far greater detail. He even knew the specific name of the Evil Spirit!

As expected of a tomb robber. He had seen plenty of Evil Spirits. Everyone had their specialty.

"I see. Could Xu Lao tell me more about Evil Spirits?"

Like Cursed Antiques, Evil Spirits could increase Su Ti's energy, so naturally, he was intensely interested.

Xu Lao laughed.

"Actually, knowing about them won't do you much good, because ordinary people rarely encounter Evil Spirits. These things are all born on Yin Meridians. Even if you know they exist, it will be like hearing stories. You'll never see their true forms."

Long Yuanzheng had said the same thing. Evil Spirits dwelled in deep mountains and ancient forests, far from human habitation, and ordinary people might not encounter one in a lifetime.

After hearing this, Su Ti fell into thought. After a long while, he asked.

"Will the tomb you're going to rob next have Evil Spirits?"

"There is a very high chance." Xu Lao's expression turned serious. He had mentioned this to Su Ti from the start, and now he added, "Because that tomb was built on a Yin Meridian. Tombs built on Yin Meridians have an extremely high chance of producing Evil Spirits. We haven't inspected the site yet, but we have already prepared ourselves to encounter them."

That tomb was too dangerous. Even with Xu Lao's strength, he did not dare enter it lightly. That was why he had invited Su Ti earlier.

Without sufficient strength, going there was simply seeking death.

Su Ti considered it for a moment before answering.

"In that case, I'll go with you."

Xu Lao was overjoyed.

"Really?"

Su Ti gave an affirmative response.

"However, I have one condition. The split can remain as you said before—thirty percent is fine. But if we make any gains, I want first choice. If the item I choose exceeds my share in value, I'll compensate you for the difference."

"No problem, no problem! We'll do exactly as you say!"

Xu Lao had already witnessed Su Ti's integrity. Even when he could have robbed them, he had still conducted a fair trade. With a partner like that, there was no need to worry about him being tempted by wealth!

That was also why Xu Lao had invited Su Ti. Strength alone was not enough. They could easily hire martial artists stronger than Su Ti with money, but the place Xu Lao was going was remote and uninhabited, beyond the reach of the law. If they discovered a massive treasure, the stronger the martial artists they hired, the more danger they themselves would face!

He had seen too many partners turn on one another over enormous profits. That was why all his subordinates were people he trusted; those he did not trust, he would never dare keep by his side!

"Alright. Since I've decided to join, stop calling me sir. Just call me Su Xiu."

To be cautious, Su Ti did not give his real name and used an alias instead.

"Alright, alright. As you say, Brother Su Xiu. We'll set off at eight in the morning the day after tomorrow. We'll meet at the same place as today's transaction. See you there."

After agreeing on a time with Xu Lao, Su Ti hung up and let out a breath.

Wealth moved people's hearts.

Originally, Su Ti had not been interested in tomb robbing or exploration at all. But after learning that Evil Spirits could provide him with energy, he suddenly became highly interested in this expedition.

Tomb robbing could not only bring him Cursed Antiques, but it could also lead to Evil Spirits. With two benefits in one, Su Ti was naturally willing to take the risk.

The next morning, detectives came to his door.

They had come because of Su Qiaoqiao and Su Yuwei's kidnapping the day before.

After investigating, they had learned that after the two women were kidnapped, a mysterious person drove Su Yuwei's vehicle, pursued the kidnappers, caught up to them, killed both kidnappers, and called the police to rescue the hostages.

Although the hostages had been rescued and the kidnappers punished, they had not been punished by the law. The mysterious person's actions had been righteous, but he was still suspected of intentional homicide and needed to be found and brought in for questioning.

There had been no surveillance footage throughout the kidnapping. The only witness, Li Shifu, was dead, the dashcam had been removed, and there were no fingerprints or other traces at the scene. However,

Su Ti, as the last witness to leave, was highly suspicious.

It was very possible that Su Ti had driven Su Yuwei's car, chased down and killed the kidnappers, and rescued the two women from their hands.

Therefore, Su Ti was not surprised in the slightest when he was taken to the detective bureau for questioning and a statement.

Su's Father and Su's Mother went with him, both looking stunned. Only after they encountered Su Zihao and his three daughters giving statements at the detective bureau did they learn that Su Yuwei and Su Qiaoqiao had been kidnapped. They were utterly shocked.

After finishing his statement, Su Ti put on a thoroughly bewildered expression.

"That happened too? I had no idea. After I got out of the car, I left. I didn't even know you were kidnapped. But thankfully, neither of you was hurt."

He looked deeply shocked, regretful, and relieved. No one in the Su family noticed any flaw.

"You really are so careless. I told you to take Qiaoqiao and your cousin home, yet they were abducted right in front of you, and you didn't even realize it!"

Su's Mother poked Su Ti's head with her finger, scolding him for failing to meet expectations.

Su Zihao quickly stepped in to smooth things over.

"Hey, sister-in-law, don't say that. Su Ti had already left at the time. He didn't see it, so it wasn't his fault."

He knew very well that if that mysterious person had not appeared and rescued his two daughters, even if Su Ti had witnessed it and called the police, it would not have changed anything. He might even have made things worse.

Therefore, Su Zihao did not blame Su Ti at all.

As for the possibility that Su Ti was the mysterious person who had rescued his daughters, Su Zihao had never even considered it.

If Su Ti had that kind of ability, why would he have been kidnapped by underground boxing organizers not long ago?

Su Qiaoqiao and Su Yuwei, who knew he might have some skill, were somewhat doubtful. But again, even Li Shifu, a Tongli Stage martial artist, had been beaten to death. If Su Ti had that kind of strength, why would he have been kidnapped himself not long ago?

Combined with Su Ti's genuinely baffled and shocked expression, the two women eventually put aside their suspicions.

After the statements were taken, the detectives still found nothing. In the end, they released Su Ti and the others to return home.

After such a major incident, although Su Luo, the mastermind, had already been caught, Su Zihao was still like a frightened bird. Fearing retaliation, he applied for discreet police protection and personally paid to hire several bodyguards to watch over his two daughters.

There was no need to mention Su Zihao's side any further.

On the morning of the third day after the kidnapping, at an abandoned factory in the suburbs.

"Let me introduce you. This is Cao Man, my goddaughter."

Xu Lao introduced her with a smile.

Cao Man was the woman with a steel whip hanging from her waist. She was around twenty-five or twenty-six, dressed in camouflage military fatigues with her hair tied in a ponytail. She wore no makeup, had pretty features, and looked highly capable.

"Hello."

"Just call me Su Xiu. Please take care of me from here on."

Cao Man nodded. She was clearly not much of a talker, and she stepped back.