After I smashed the Female Ghost's head, she did not dissipate. Instead, she drifted into the lantern.
And at that moment, the lantern seemed to come alive.
It suddenly erupted with ghostfire. I hurriedly retreated and raised the Black Umbrella to block it.
When the flames faded, I lowered the Black Umbrella.
I saw that the lantern was already "hopping" toward the door.
Did I look like I'd let it escape?
I rushed after it and, just as it was about to hop out the front door, kicked it to the ground.
I raised Evil-Slaying Flowing Cloud, ready to split the lantern apart.
"Don't, don't! Shopkeeper, spare my life.
"I truly am, truly am from Black Bamboo Mountain, Black Bamboo Mountain..."
Hearing that, my face darkened.
"Who the fuck cares where you're from!"
With that, I brought my sword down.
Bang! The lantern shattered.
In an instant, ghostly energy exploded.
At the same time, the black-clad Female Ghost let out a piercing scream. "Ah!"
A patch of ghostfire appeared, then gathered into a clump that hung in the air without dispersing.
The sight made my heart tighten.
The scene from the night before had appeared again. This gathered, undispersed soul flame swayed from side to side, trying to flee.
Then the Bagua diagram my master had left on the ceiling appeared.
It trapped the floating ghostfire inside the room.
The black-clad Female Ghost's voice rang out again from within the ghostfire.
"Shopkeeper, do you truly intend to offend Black Bamboo Mountain?
"I am Black Bamboo Mountain's informant in Mountain City.
"If I die, Black Bamboo Mountain will surely trace this place.
"Your tiny ghost shop will be slaughtered by the lord of Black Bamboo Mountain..."
"Heh! If the things in your Black Bamboo Mountain were really that powerful, they would