Water Ghosts Come Ashore, A Cleverly Laid Chain Trap

Chapter 13: Water Ghosts Come Ashore, A Cleverly Laid Trap

Water ghosts are strange creatures, neither truly ghost nor beast, but more akin to spirits of nature.

These spirits typically have a home advantage. Once a water ghost leaves the water, its mobility and stamina are greatly reduced. If traps are set to utilize the terrain, even ordinary people have a chance to deal with them.

Speaking of traps, Lin Mo found himself in a bit of a quandary.

He knew a few underhanded tricks like throwing lime, setting up bags, or using a blunt club. When it came to dealing with these beast-like water ghosts, without knowing their numbers, it was naturally best to treat them as a group.

"Lin Mo, tell us specifically what to do. We'll listen to you!"

The village chief hastily gathered a large group of strong young men. His neighboring village, being close, had also been notified, but he couldn't reach further ones.

If he went to inform them, those villagers would only make sarcastic remarks, implying that Big Fishing Village had bad luck. So, he gave up.

A vast crowd sat outside Lin Changshun's house, their eyes darting around expectantly. Most of them were born and raised fishermen, with no idea how to fight or hunt.

Dozens of young people huddled together, yet couldn't come up with a single good idea.

"Why don't we invite a hunter to teach us?" someone suggested.

"Those things are called water ghosts, they travel by water. Will mountain tactics work?"

As soon as the conversation started, a young man refuted the idea. While everyone anxiously wondered what to do, Lin Mo was already preparing to notify Senior Brother Xu for help.

At worst, he'd have to swallow his pride and lead a few martial artists here to stake out for a few days...

"Lin Mo, I have a few ideas. Listen and see if they'll work?"

A weak, hoarse voice came from the courtyard. It was Lin Changshun, who had been lying in bed looking sickly just moments before. Lin Hai and his aunt were supporting him as he walked out, his expression inexplicably resolute.

Lin Mo knew his uncle meant well, but they were all fishermen, familiar with each other, honest and upright people.

With a respectful demeanor, he helped Lin Changshun to a seat under a tree outside the courtyard. Leaning against the tree, he coughed a few more times.

"Uncle, please tell us. We'll listen carefully."

"I participated in the village militia years ago. Water bandits were rampant back then, and an elder taught us some methods to deal with them. They work for beasts and people alike."

Lin Changshun said this, then scanned the young men around him, his expression suddenly hardening as he spat.

He said sternly, "No matter how clever these water ghosts are, they can't outsmart people. No matter how wild they are, they can't match fierce beasts. Those few methods will definitely work!"

The young men, who had been racking their brains for ideas, couldn't resist such provocation. Many were already eagerly asking.

"Uncle Changshun, tell us quickly. We'll do it right after you finish, and you can rest well."

As soon as this person spoke, Lin Changshun glared at him impatiently. "It's not that simple. How can it work without me overseeing it?"

"Uncle, just tell us," Lin Mo chimed in at the opportune moment.

He couldn't accurately estimate the time for the fate to dissipate, nor could he confirm if the water ghosts would come ashore today or in the next two days.

But for safety's sake, the sooner the preparations were made, the better.

Lin Changshun slowly spoke a passage: "Barricade Spear, King of Hell's Rope, Life-Taking Fire – even the gods couldn't save them then!"

The crowd quickly deliberated and split into two groups. One group, led by Lin Changshun and Lin Mo, selected a location and made simple arrangements.

The other group headed to the county to purchase supplies. Ropes and old knives wouldn't cost much and would be convenient to buy.

However, the main expense was the lamp oil, and not just ordinary lamp oil.

According to Uncle Changshun, this was the most crucial item.

It didn't matter if the water ghosts were made of flesh or iron; once this oil ignited, they would melt like spring snow meeting the sun.

No matter how much water you poured, it would be difficult to extinguish, and they would have to wait until it burned out.

For this sufficient quantity of lamp oil, the few taels of silver the villagers could scrape together wouldn't be enough. Lin Mo gritted his teeth and put in all the five taels of silver he had.

It was noon, but not a single fishing boat was out on the river in Big Fishing Village. Instead, a hundred or so people had gathered in the small patch of reeds below the village.

Old and young, anyone who could move and work was essentially there.

If the water ghosts wanted to come ashore stealthily, the calm waters of the reed marsh would naturally be their path. After discussion, they decided to set their traps here.

Lin Changshun was seen squatting in the muddy water, his rough hands vigorously rubbing a bundle of rattan ropes. His hands and trouser legs were covered in black, sticky lamp oil.

Beside him, many youths dared not even breathe, afraid of making a sound that might ignite it.

Only after Lin Changshun buried a large bundle of lamp oil-soaked rattan ropes in the mud did several villagers let out a long sigh of relief.

Lin Mo and his group followed suit, working quickly and efficiently.

A young man wiped the mud and water from his face, his voice trembling as he pointed to a thick rope stretched across the river bend. One end was tied to an old willow tree, and the other was in the reed marsh, held by a few vigilant youths.

"Brother Lin Mo, can we really do it? Those are water ghosts..."

"If we don't? Are we supposed to wait for those water ghosts to come ashore and eat everyone? Even if we escape, where can such a large village go to make a living?"

Lin Mo had been leading the work for most of the day, his voice even a bit hoarse, but his tone carried a resolute determination. "Remember, Big Fishing Village is our home! Once the bamboo whistle blows, we'll fight with all our might!"

This was not a martial arts competition, but a life-or-death struggle.

The traps Uncle Changshun mentioned were actually three in total.

The first was the Barricade Spear, which were essentially bamboo spears sharpened and stuck point-down into the muddy bottom, meant to stop water bandits from disembarking and wading ashore.

The second was the King of Hell's Rope in the reed marsh, hidden deep in the mud. If pulled, it would send people and horses tumbling, and even Water Ghosts wouldn't have stable footing.

The last, and the main event, was the fire oil. The entire reed marsh would be annihilated in a raging inferno.

Deep into the night, behind the dirt mounds on the bank, behind the large trees in the woods, many villagers stared intently at the silent reed marsh.

Lin Mo had previously sent back the old and the young, leaving only the strong young adults who could run and jump to wait here, ensuring they had an escape route if the traps failed.

However, Lin Changshun was quite stubborn, and since he had valuable experience, Lin Mo could only let him stay. If worst came to worst, he could just carry him and run.

Time trickled by. The river breeze carried a fishy scent, causing the reeds to sway unsteadily, making every second an agony for them.

"Why is there still no movement? Are they not coming today?"

Someone behind a dirt slope wondered aloud, asking in a hushed voice. As the person next to him turned to tease, he suddenly saw his companion's eyes widen, "They're here!"

"Get ready. When you hear the bamboo whistle, move out!"

Lin Mo whispered the instructions again. They had chosen to be on the leeward side, so no matter if these Water Ghosts had a sense of smell or not, they likely wouldn't detect them.

Although it was deep night, a thin layer of white mist floated over the reed marsh. Vaguely, large patches of reeds could be seen pressed down as figures slowly walked through.

Lin Mo focused his gaze. With his Blood Essence circulating, even his pupil power had been enhanced.

As one figure darted out half its body, then two, three, and even ten...

The number of these Water Ghosts was not small!