Chapter 46 - 46 46 Water Ghost Claims a Life

Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Water Ghost Claims a Life Chapter 46: Chapter 46 Water Ghost Claims a Life Whimpering...

Whimpering...

When a person suddenly choked on water, their first reaction was panic, especially under these circumstances.

Frenziedly, their limbs flailed about.

Chen Jie realized that Ma Liu’s strength was immense, not at all on the level of a common thug; even when he had first commenced Martial Arts, his strength had not been this formidable.

However, Chen Jie had the element of surprise on his side this time, and because he was drunk, in addition to his own consumption of a fortifying chicken soup, his skills in Grand Ancestor Long Fist had reached Expert Level, and his power had significantly improved.

Therefore, at this moment, he had completely seized the initiative.

With one hand, he pressed down on Ma Liu’s head, forcefully submerging him in the water. Ma Liu slapped at the surface, struggling as if he wanted to say something.

But Chen Jie did not want to listen.

Whether you were pleading or threatening, Chen Jie did not want to hear it.

Today, I simply seek your life, just give it to me.

I don’t have the time to listen to your nonsense.

To kill is to kill, it’s not a negotiation, one must be clear about their objective, right?

Whimpering...

Ma Liu’s struggling grew weaker and weaker, his hands gradually becoming feeble, slowly slapping the water a couple of times before coming to a complete standstill.

His body suddenly turned heavy and sunk beneath the surface, but Chen Jie did not drop his guard and continued to press down on Ma Liu’s head.

The world is full of extraordinary people, who knows if there’s a freak who can hold their breath for a very long time? So, it was better to keep him under for a while longer.

“Brother Three, wait for me, I’m going to take a leak in the woods.”

“Hurry up, I’ve lost quite a bit today, and I still don’t know how to explain it to your sister-in-law.”

“Heh, Brother Three, you’re scared of your wife, huh?”

“Nonsense, could I be afraid of my wife? I am...”

“Got it, got it! Wait for me, Brother Three, I’m going to pee.”

...

Chen Jie had just drowned Ma Liu when he heard voices not far away; they were probably a couple of gamblers who had just finished playing.

In the water now, with Ma Liu, who had become a floating corpse, the moon was bright and everything was visible. Hearing their voices, he knew if they walked past the forest, they would see him in the water.

This was bad; he was about to be exposed!

In a moment of quick thinking, Chen Jie dragged the body beneath the large bridge, hiding at its base.

At that moment, the two men slowly approached the small bridge.

“Brother Three, did you hear splashing a moment ago?”

“No, you’re just imagining things, aren’t you?”

“No, there was definitely a sound. Could it be a big fish? Should we go down and check it out?”

“Are you crazy? The river water is freezing at night, I’m not going in there and catching a cold. I’m going home; if you want to go, go by yourself.”

“I won’t go either, someone has drowned in this river before, it’s creepy to be here alone.”

The two people talked as they walked away, arms around each other’s shoulders.

At that moment, Chen Jie leaned against the bridge arch, still holding down Ma Liu.

Ma Liu must have drowned; his body had floated up, and besides, I had been pressing him down for about twenty minutes now. Could he hold his breath for so long, even if he were incredibly skilled at it?

To be sure, Chen Jie stayed another ten minutes in the icy river water that washed over his knees, cold to the bone. Yet, Chen Jie’s eyes were bright, and he showed no hesitation or discomfort that typically followed a killing.

Perhaps it was because this method of killing didn’t shed blood that he felt so composed and experienced no physical unease.

After waiting a full half an hour, Chen Jie was certain that Ma Liu was definitely dead.

He then searched Ma Liu’s body, found a few pieces of broken silver, but after a moment’s thought, he didn’t take them, only reclaiming the eight maces of silver he’d used as bait.

Releasing Ma Liu, the corpse slowly drifted away with the current. Chen Jie didn’t rush to leave; he waited until the body had floated far enough before he slowly emerged from under the bridge.

He went ashore, put his shoes back on, and rolled down his trouser legs, which were a bit damp, though not noticeably so.

Standing up, he checked the time; it must have been close to midnight.

As he contemplated, a “ding” sound rang out.

[Today’s information has been updated (Level 1)]

[1. You saw Chen Xiaohu today and received information that, according to your instructions, he put on an act for Zhang Guihua. By afternoon, the whole village was buzzing with the news that someone from another village had found a treasure in the hills!]

[2. You heard someone mention Yu Biao today and received information that, with the disappearance of the Red-eyed Golden Chicken, Yu Biao has already sent people to inquire, and by tomorrow they could reach Daoxiantao Village.]

[3. Today you heard someone mention Yu Biao and received information that Yu Biao has spent a lot of money to acquire fishing rights near the Mianshui River. A Bull Horn Shrimp has built its nest there, and soon Yu Biao will go to fish for this spirit fish.]

[4. Today you ambushed Ma Liu and received information that Ma Liu had a stash of money, located under the large tree in his yard, amounting to five silver taels.]

[5. Today you overheard Li San and Wang Qisan talking and received information that a year ago, a beggar drowned at Kangle Bridge. The beggar was a refugee fleeing disaster, starved and thirsty, accidently fell into the river while drinking and drowned. Afterwards, people said that Kangle Bridge wasn’t clean anymore, haunted by a Water Ghost seeking a substitute.]

Chen Jie looked at the information, quickly analyzing the importance of each piece.

Firstly, the first two pieces relate to the follow-up on the Red-eyed Golden Chicken; it seems Yu Biao hasn’t given up, but it doesn’t matter whether he is resigned or not, he can’t change the fact that the chicken is already in my stomach.

And Xiaohu was so efficient; in just one afternoon, the whole village knew that there was treasure to be found in the hills.

And let’s not forget Aunt Erba’s contribution.

In the countryside, there is always one or two women known as loudspeakers, and Aunt Erba is a master of propaganda, the best at spreading gossip, and the more she spreads, the more absurd it gets.

Then the third point: Yu Biao actually found news of another natural marvel, the Bull Horn Shrimp!

I’ve never heard of it, but judging by the name, one can guess it’s unusual—a fish that grows bull horns must be no ordinary creature. This information is worth paying attention to; there might be another opportunity to snatch the prize.

One might feel slightly reluctant to usurp others, but for the Yu Family, there’s no such feeling.

It’s their bad luck, they asked for it!

Then there’s the fourth point: Ma Liu had some hidden savings, which will now conveniently benefit me.

As for the last piece, regarding the Water Ghost at Kangle Bridge taking lives, Chen Jie didn’t quite believe it. Even though this world has Martial Arts, but a Water Ghost? If you tell me that there are special creatures like the Water Monkey in the water, I can believe that.

But spirits, that’s beyond my understanding for now. However, the tale of a Water Ghost claiming lives can be put to use.

Thinking this, Chen Jie cast his gaze toward Ma Liu’s body that had already drifted far with the current.

He came up with a conclusion for this case:

In the middle of the night, Ma Liu from Zhongtao Village, drunk, walked over Kangle Bridge. Seeing flashes of gold in the water, he went down to look for the treasure. Unexpectedly, as soon as he entered the water, he tripped over a stone. Trying to get back up, it was as if someone was pulling him down, preventing him from standing. After struggling for a long time, he drowned!