Chapter Thirty-Three: All Because of the Virgins

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Inconvenient? So-called inconvenience often isn't truly that—most of the time, it's merely an excuse, a reluctance to act concealed behind a polite pretext.

It was clear they intended to take advantage of the simple old man.

The old man paused, not angered but instead giving a bitter smile. “Sir Scholar, I believe you misunderstand. My family is poor, with only two rooms. The inner room is filthy, where this old man sleeps—I could never let you two gentlemen stay there. The other room, that’s where the inconvenience lies.”

Wang Hong, hearing this, thought perhaps it really was inconvenient after all and quickly asked, “What exactly is the problem?”

The old man replied, “My wife passed away a few days ago. My son went to the county to procure a coffin and hasn't returned yet, so her body still lies on the bed. If you two scholars are not afraid, you could make up a bed on the floor for the night, but to sleep in the same room with the dead would be both disrespectful and inauspicious for gentlemen such as yourselves. How could I possibly suggest such a thing?”

Wang Hong was instantly taken aback, realizing he had misjudged the old man. He hurriedly said, “My words earlier were out of line—please forgive me.”

“No matter, no matter. You two gentlemen should find another place to stay,” the old man replied, returning the courtesy.

Wang Hong looked out at the torrential rain, saw the tightly shut doors and windows of the other homes, and then came back inside, saying, “No need. We shall stay here. With righteousness in our hearts, how could we fear anything unclean?”

Liu Ping, who had remained silent all this time, his gaze fixed solemnly on the other room, now spoke urgently, “Brother Wang, we should find somewhere else.”

Seeing Liu Ping’s troubled expression, Wang Hong laughed, “What is there to fear, Brother Liu? I didn’t think you’d be so timid.”

Liu Ping replied, “We need to leave now. No more discussion.”

“But we haven’t eaten yet,” Wang Hong said, grabbing Liu Ping by the arm. “Besides, it’s already late. Who would open their doors to us now? Even if they did, it’d be the same everywhere—these are villagers, how could there be extra rooms? Staying here is no different.”

“It is different,” Liu Ping replied with a bitter smile. “Are you coming or not?”

The old man also urged them, “Sir Scholar, you should listen to him. But you must have a meal—I'll prepare something right away.”

With that, he hurried off to the kitchen.

Wang Hong slapped Liu Ping on the shoulder. “Don’t be afraid, Brother Liu. I’m here.”

Liu Ping shook his head. “Things aren’t as simple as you think. There’s something wrong with that body.”

“Something wrong?” Wang Hong’s expression changed at once. “What do you mean?”

“It might become a hopping corpse.”

“A hopping corpse?” Wang Hong frowned. “How is that possible?”

“I knew you wouldn’t believe me... But never mind, it’s only a possibility, not a certainty.”

The words stuck with Wang Hong, but then he recalled Liu Ping’s past jokes and relaxed—perhaps this was just Liu Ping’s way of expressing his fear, trying to coax Wang Hong to leave with him. The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

He decided, “No matter—it’s said that with righteousness in our hearts, we need fear nothing.”

“Fine, do as you please,” Liu Ping said, glancing outside.

By now, night had fallen completely and the rain lashed even harder. To go out now would mean getting drenched again. Perhaps it was best to stay—after all, it was just a corpse. They could chant some prayers for its passing, and that would suffice.

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After dinner, they made beds on the floor and lay down to sleep. Blowing out the oil lamp, the sound of the wind and rain outside seeped through, eerie and chilling.

The air grew cold, compelling them to burrow deeper into their covers. Suddenly, Liu Ping got up, walked over to the corpse, and began to quietly recite the Salvation Mantra: “By the decree of the Supreme Lord, lonely souls are redeemed, all ghosts and spirits, all living beings, receive mercy…”

A faint aura of yin energy started to rise from the corpse, growing denser and darker before their eyes, but Liu Ping remained unperturbed, continuing to chant.

“Those with heads are redeemed, the headless are reborn. Shot, stabbed, drowned, hanged, those who died in light or darkness, wronged or oppressed…”

The yin energy thickened, black as ink.

“…By decree, all are summoned, hasten to be reborn.”

“By decree, all are summoned, hasten to be reborn!”

“What are you doing?” came a sudden voice from behind.

Liu Ping stiffened and turned to see the figure of a man standing there.

“I’m… performing a ritual for the deceased,” he admitted after a moment’s thought.

“You know how to do that? Does it work?” It was Wang Hong, who had not yet fallen asleep and had opened his eyes when Liu Ping got up.

Liu Ping glanced at the corpse. “It doesn’t seem to be working well… This corpse really is strange.”

Wang Hong laughed, “Perhaps your skills aren’t advanced enough.”

Seeing Wang Hong’s nonchalance, Liu Ping realized he probably didn’t believe him. Shaking his head, he said, “Maybe… Let’s just sleep.”

They lay down again, but Wang Hong would not let the matter drop. “When did you start learning this, Brother Liu? You look the part, chanting over a corpse and all. I thought you were afraid of it.”

Because Wang Hong had his back to the dead body, he did not see as the female corpse slowly sat up, lifted the covers, and, step by step, began to approach them…

Liu Ping, who had been watching all along, noticed immediately. He glanced over and said calmly, “Last autumn, I met a Daoist priest and picked up a few things. But that’s not important—what matters is that the female corpse has become a hopping corpse.” He pointed as he spoke.

“Are you joking…” Wang Hong was about to laugh when he instinctively turned around, ready to tease Liu Ping, but was stunned to see a shadowy figure approaching. His words died in his throat.

“Who are you?! Stop!” Wang Hong shouted, startled, horror flooding his body as cold as ice.

At that moment, a flash of lightning illuminated the room, followed by a peal of thunder.

In that instant, Wang Hong saw the corpse’s face—so hideous and grotesque it was unbearable. His eyes went wide with terror, goosebumps erupted all over his skin, and he couldn’t help but scream, “Ahhhh! She’s come back to life! She’s alive!”

“Didn’t I tell you she might become a hopping corpse? And didn’t you say that with righteousness in your heart, you’d fear nothing?” Liu Ping asked dryly.

Wang Hong, trembling, cried out, “Now’s not the time for that! Why did she come back to life? Run!”

“She woke up because of you,” Liu Ping said, standing up and stepping in front of Wang Hong.

“Because of me?” Wang Hong asked, confused as he stared at Liu Ping’s back.

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Liu Ping casually drew a talisman and cast it out, saying, “Most likely because you’re still a virgin.”

“What?!”

Wang Hong was dumbfounded, his eyes wide as he roared, “What do you mean, because I’m still a virgin?! Is it so wrong to be pure-hearted? And how did you know? What’s so bad about being a virgin?!”

Liu Ping replied, “It’s simple—an untouched man has an abundance of yang energy, which can rouse the dead. I thought you weren’t still pure, and with my chanting to dispel some of the yin energy, I thought the chances of her waking were slim. But I was wrong. Still, I can hardly believe it… you really are a virgin.”

Though Liu Ping was also untouched, he knew how to conceal his life force, making it different for him.

“So it’s all my fault? Being a virgin is to blame? And why can’t you believe it?”

“Quiet now. You’re distracting me,” Liu Ping chided, frowning as he realized that his talisman had little effect—the female corpse merely paused before continuing her advance.

Wang Hong immediately fell silent, watching Liu Ping contend with the corpse, astonished—Liu Ping had spoken the truth; he really did know magic! Wang Hong felt a pang of frustration—when Liu Ping told the truth, it sounded like a joke; when he joked, it felt like the truth.

“Take this!” Liu Ping drew another talisman, chanting, “Great and virtuous sage, your merit perfected. Descend and lead the way, with the protection of the masters. Let mercy rain as holy water, washing away delusion. Cross to the Three Pure Realms, forever leave the filth of the five turbidities!”

A flash of pure light shot forth like a splash of water, striking the female corpse and leaving her frozen in place.

“Is it over?” Wang Hong asked, relieved.

“No…” Liu Ping watched as thick yin energy poured from the corpse, his heart pounding with disbelief. “Even the Soul-Cleansing Incantation doesn’t work? And it’s only getting stronger—just what kind of corpse is this?”

“Run!” Without hesitation, Liu Ping and Wang Hong turned and fled.

The corpse gave chase, relentless.

They ignored the storm, bolted through the door, and rushed to where the horse was tied—only to find the reins lying on the ground.

“Where’s the horse?!” Wang Hong cried, stumbling over something. Looking down, he saw a pile of pale bones and blood, already diluted by the rain to a faint pinkish hue.

Looking up again, Wang Hong froze, a chill running through him.

“The village…?!” he gasped.

All around them was desolate wilderness, nothing but rubble and ruins—no trace of houses remained.

“Brother Liu? Brother Liu!”

Wang Hong’s eyes were wide with terror as he realized Liu Ping had vanished as well.