Heading to the Haunted Hospital / The Situation Inside the Hospital

"Your name is Jiang Li, right? What are you planning to do next?"

"Unlike ordinary people like us, you're a Ghost Tamer who has taken control of two fierce ghosts. You have every right to choose what you do. Whether you go out and deal with the fierce ghosts or lie low and wait for this incident to end, no one will condemn you. But I'd still like to hear what you think."

Wang Shan took a cigarette from inside his clothes and offered it to Jiang Li.

Jiang Li shook his head, turning down the cigarette, and replied calmly, "You might think I have two paths to choose from, but in reality, there's only one path before me."

"There may be fewer than ten Ghost Tamers still alive in this city, and most of them have only taken control of one ghost. All I can say is that this disaster is far more terrifying than you imagine. If I don't step in, the only path left for all of us will be a dead end."

"I see. You're looking further ahead than I am." Wang Shan lit the cigarette in his hand and took a hard drag.

"But you're all alone. It's dangerous to keep thinking like that. If you personally throw yourself into the front lines every time something happens, you'll die young."

"So what are you suggesting?" Jiang Li asked.

"First survive this incident, then join a reliable Ghost Tamer organization. The Friend Circle, where I work, is an excellent choice."

Seeing that Wang Shan hadn't forgotten to advertise his company even at a time like this, Jiang Li rolled his eyes, at a loss for words.

"We can talk about that later. Your phone still has internet access, right? I want to know what's happening outside."

"Sure. I have my channels."

Wang Shan took out his phone and dialed a number.

"So that's how it is? All the known Ghost Tamers in Dachang City are gathering at a hospital that's fallen, preparing to take action against the source ghost."

"Good. Pinpoint the hospital's location, then give me your phone," Jiang Li said.

"I can't do that. This is a specially made internal phone, and it's full of confidential information that can't be leaked." Wang Shan covered his phone as he replied.

"Your so-called secrets aren't worth a penny to me. Besides, don't you want me to join that supernatural organization of yours called the Friend Circle?" Jiang Li held out his hand to Wang Shan insistently and continued:

"If I can successfully contain the source ghost behind this disaster in the coming operation and prove my strength and value, the other executives in the Friend Circle will probably be even more enthusiastic than you. They'll be eager to spend a fortune recruiting me. Would they really begrudge me one measly custom phone and a few outdated secrets?"

"...You're right. You're worth betting on."

Wang Shan hesitated for a moment, then took out his phone and a folded photograph from inside his clothes.

"This is...?"

At the sight of the photograph, Jiang Li's outstretched hand froze in midair.

He sensed an unusual, relatively rare supernatural aura from the photograph. It didn't feel purely dangerous and terrifying like a fierce ghost, yet it carried an immensely powerful supernatural force.

"Is there a Ghost Tamer hidden in this photograph?" Jiang Li was somewhat surprised and didn't dare take it rashly.

"More or less." Wang Shan raised an eyebrow and smiled proudly. "Sealed inside is a single supernatural attack from the Friend Circle's boss, Fang Shiming. Even I don't know how many ghosts he's taken control of-at least three, if not more. I'm sure it can be a huge help when it matters."

"Just one attack? No wonder you didn't use it in the supermarket earlier." Jiang Li thought for a moment, then asked again:

"But I'm not part of the Friend Circle. What if I let whatever's in the photograph out and, instead of helping me fight the ghost, it attacks me?"

"That won't happen. What's sealed in this photograph is Fang Shiming at the moment it was taken. When you open it, he'll come out in the state he was in while alive. You're not his enemy, so he has no reason to attack you," Wang Shan said.

"All right, that puts me a little more at ease."

Jiang Li took the phone with the location pinned and the photograph, carefully put the photograph away, then left through the supermarket's back door.

The time on the phone had reached ten in the morning.

But there was still not a glimmer of light on the streets. Murky, oppressive blue-black haze filled the air everywhere.

There was hardly anyone nearby, however. The whole street looked deserted, with only the occasional car speeding along the road.

And one lone bicycle.

A man wearing glasses rode the bicycle as fast as the wind, arriving near Jiang Li in the blink of an eye.

"Damn, I thought there was a ghost crouching by the road! Scared me to death!" Sun Yi, an office worker, slammed on his brakes and spoke between gasps.

"You're going to this hospital too, right?" Jiang Li took out his phone and showed him the pinned location. "We're going the same way. How about giving me a ride?"

"I can't, buddy. That hospital is really dangerous right now. I don't even want to go there myself, so how can I take you?" Sun Yi frowned in a dilemma, his expression turning sour.

"Give me a break. Things aren't easy for me either. I haven't paid off my mortgage, I have to buy my own insurance, and I don't get paid for overtime... At least I don't have to pay for gas, though, because I still haven't paid my last traffic fine. Heh heh."

"That's a shame. I just picked up a solid gold business card by the roadside and thought you might have dropped it. Sorry to bother you." Jiang Li sighed and made to leave, holding the gold business card.

"Gold? Wait a second."

Sun Yi hurriedly reached out to stop Jiang Li, his expression changing in an instant. "Oh, why didn't you say so earlier? We're going the same way. If I don't give you a ride, who will? Hop on."

Seeing how quickly Sun Yi changed his tune, Jiang Li couldn't help twitching at the corners of his mouth as he climbed onto the back of the bicycle.

The bicycle sped briskly down street after street and through several dark alleys, soon arriving at their destination.

Several luxury sports cars were already parked at the hospital entrance.

Each of the people who had gotten out had something strange about them. They were the only Ghost Tamers left in Dachang City.

"Sun Yi? You rode a bicycle here? You're a Ghost Tamer now, and you're still this shabby?" Zhang Han had just gotten out of his car and couldn't resist commenting.

"Sorry about that. I gave someone a ride on the way and got held up a bit."

At that, everyone present turned their eyes to Jiang Li on the bicycle.

"Who are you, some high school kid who can't find his way home? This isn't a place for you. Go back where you came from!" one Ghost Tamer snapped.

"Don't be so hotheaded. He's a Ghost Tamer too. Just take a good look at his neck and you'll know." Surrounded by the others, Wang Xiaoming stepped forward.

"A wild Ghost Tamer? Looks like you rushed here after getting a last-minute notice. But you must obey all instructions without question, or I won't allow an unstable factor to join the operation."

Chapter 6: The Situation Inside the Hospital

"I can follow instructions, but I'm afraid the information you have may not be any better than mine."

Jiang Li tossed his case into the Person-Hiding Ghost's supernatural mist and jumped off Sun Yi's bicycle as he spoke.

"If I'm not mistaken, the purpose of this operation is to find the source ghost behind this disaster and try to contain it with the combined strength of all the Ghost Tamers."

"That much is obvious. Are you saying you have a better plan?"

Wang Xiaoming frowned slightly.

"No. I'm saying that if you continue with the original plan, this operation is certain to fail, and you'll suffer a crushing defeat," Jiang Li said bluntly.

At his words, the surrounding Ghost Tamers all frowned, their gazes showing clear hostility as they looked at him.

Zhang Han spoke up directly:

"Even if you don't want to take part, there's no need to stand here making snide remarks. This operation is targeting an S-class fierce ghost. Who can guarantee everything will go smoothly?"

"We all joined this operation prepared to carry our own heads home. Whether we succeed or fail in the end depends on what we do."

"He's in the way. How about we take him down together?" Zhao Kaiming gave a cold snort, leaning on his cane.

"As you can see, everyone here has a serious problem with you." Wang Xiaoming adjusted his glasses. "If you can't give us a reason why this operation will fail, I'm afraid I won't be able to stop them from attacking you."

Yang Jian, who had been silent all this time, narrowed his eyes slightly and waited quietly for Jiang Li's answer.

"The reasons are obvious."

"You don't know whether the source ghost is even inside this hospital, and you don't have a powerful enough means of confining and containing it."

Jiang Li loosened up his joints, then added, "Also, you don't even know whether fourth-stage ghost infants exist, or what their characteristics are."

"I won't deny that your combined strength is considerable, but barging into a ghost's territory without any information like this-how is that any different from courting death?"

"Go on," Wang Xiaoming said quietly, rubbing his chin.

"I can share my information with you and even provide a supernatural item to contain the ghost. But on one condition: if I want to act on my own, none of you may stop me," Jiang Li said.

"Also, once it's done, I want three red Ghost Candles and one supernatural item from Headquarters' collection. I trust you can manage that, Dr. Wang."

Truthfully, Jiang Li wasn't particularly interested in the supernatural items stored at Headquarters.

But right now, he needed to present a goal that was just right: one that would make people believe his motives without making them think he was too simple.

At this point, the existence of Ghost Candles had not been fully disclosed. Most of the people in charge stationed elsewhere might not even know about them; only a few core members of Headquarters, including Wang Xiaoming, knew.

Even Yang Jian had only encountered Ghost Candles early because of a deal he had made with Wang Xiaoming during the Huanggang Village Incident.

Asking for Ghost Candles and a supernatural item was a risky move. Wang Xiaoming might not agree, but at least it could shift the focus of his suspicions somewhat, which was good enough.

So, apart from Ghost Candles, Headquarters really does have quite a few supernatural items stored away, Yang Jian thought. Ghost Tamer Headquarters has still been hiding some important things from me. I'll have to go back and give Zhao Jianguo a warning when the time comes.

"Your deal sounds good. I can consider agreeing, but first you have to prove that what you just said wasn't empty talk."

"For example, the information about fourth-stage ghost infants and the supernatural item you'll use to contain the fierce ghost," Wang Xiaoming said.

"Naturally."

Jiang Li pulled the pale severed hand from his pocket and held it up for everyone to see.

"This severed hand can suppress fierce ghosts. Leaving the price aside for now, its limitation is that the user must get close to the fierce ghost and grab part of its body with the hand for it to work. The suppression won't last long, either, so once it's used, the fierce ghost must be confined as quickly as possible."

"As for fourth-stage ghost infants, they grow from third-stage ghost infants after eating other fierce ghosts. Their pattern is to indiscriminately attack anyone who has inhaled the blue-black haze, and they can freely use the abilities of the ghosts they've eaten."

After pondering for a moment, Wang Xiaoming said, "This information does largely match what we already know. It's highly credible."

"Yang Jian, what do you think?"

"What else can I do but think on my feet?"

Yang Jian glanced at the severed hand and said calmly, "If he's capable enough to protect himself, the best choice is to let him act separately from us. That's the most efficient way to deal with the fierce ghosts. A quick victory would be best for Ghost Tamers like us, whose ghosts are about to revive."

"If he isn't confident acting alone, at worst we can all protect him until he finds the source ghost, then let him contain it with that severed hand."

"I'll act separately from you. I don't know if I can trust your people," Jiang Li said, casting a discreet glance at Zhao Kaiming.

"Fine."

Wang Xiaoming spoke decisively. "Yang Jian, give him your Ghost Candle."

"Are you kidding? This is my Ghost Candle." Yang Jian took a step back, and a scarlet eye immediately opened on his forehead.

"Once this is over, I'll compensate you with two Ghost Candles," Wang Xiaoming said, "as long as we can bring the Hunger Ghost Incident to an end."

"That's not enough. At least two red Ghost Candles," Yang Jian said.

"Deal. Give him the Ghost Candle."

Yang Jian reached inside his clothes and took out a bright red Ghost Candle.

"Good. We can begin."

After getting the Ghost Candle, Jiang Li didn't linger. He strode into the hospital.

The moment he stepped inside, boundless darkness swallowed him.

The whispers behind him vanished, leaving only the silence of the hospital itself.

Before him lay the hospital's first-floor lobby. There was no one at the payment counter, and the wall beside it was covered in large patches of mottled, dark stains, giving the lobby an eerie, terrifying air.

Jiang Li walked forward silently, thinking:

I remember there's a gold box Wang Xiaoming left behind in a room somewhere in this hospital. Inside it are that special ghost infant belonging to Yang Jian and a finger that can nail a fierce ghost dead.

There's no need to bother with the ghost infant. The finger is what matters.

A few minutes later, Jiang Li gradually sensed that something was wrong.