9: Chapter 9 The Zhao Family's Experiment, The Living People in the Strange Village

At the same time.

Changyang City, wealthy district, Zhao Family Mansion.

The setting sun cast a bloody afterglow over the vast, antique-style courtyard.

Currently, the Zhao family courtyard was adorned with white banners everywhere, and paper money fluttered down like snowflakes.

A nanmu coffin rested in the center of the main hall, containing the corpse of Zhao Bingtian.

"My son... how could you leave like this..."

"How can your mother live on!!"

In front of the coffin, a heavily made-up woman in a white cheongsam was crying hysterically.

She was Zhao Bingtian's mother, and a notorious shrew in Changyang City.

Beside her stood a middle-aged man in his forties.

He had an elegant face, wore gold-rimmed glasses, and looked like a scholar, but the occasional sinister glint in his eyes sent shivers down one's spine.

The man was Zhao Bingtian's father, Zhao Lintian.

He was also the de facto head of the Zhao family in Changyang City.

Facing his son's death, Zhao Lintian showed little grief; instead, there was an inscrutable indifference on his face.

Behind him stood two young men in their twenties.

The eldest son of the Zhao family, Zhao Rende, and the second son, Zhao Bingding.

They bowed their heads, seemingly sorrowful, but in fact, a hint of schadenfreude was hidden in their glances.

For them, with Zhao Bingtian dead, there was one less competitor for inheriting the family in the future.

"My condolences..."

"Chairman Zhao, the dead cannot be brought back to life..."

Those who came to pay their respects were all dignitaries and influential figures from Changyang City, each with a solemn expression, uttering polite platitudes.

Zhao Lintian nodded slightly in response.

Then, he turned and walked to the silent Zhao Linfeng.

"Second brother."

Zhao Lintian pushed up his glasses, his voice low: "What exactly happened?"

Zhao Linfeng's eyes were somewhat unfocused at the moment; he dared not meet his elder brother's gaze, only muttering:

"A supernatural incident."

"Bingtian was unlucky... he encountered two reviving Fierce Ghosts."

"By the time I arrived... it was already too late."

Zhao Linfeng replied with a mixture of truth and fabrication.

Zhao Lintian heard this, gave him a deep look, and did not press further.

"Since it was an accident, so be it."

Zhao Lintian's tone was calm, as if the deceased was not his own son, but an insignificant passerby.

"By the way, how is the situation in Qingquan Village?"

Changing the subject, Zhao Lintian suddenly asked about important matters.

Zhao Linfeng's heart tightened, and he quickly replied:

"We have applied for strategic support from the provincial capital."

"I heard that the prefecture city will also send a Night Watchman who Controls two C-Class Abominations."

"This time, it should be completely resolved."

"That's good."

Zhao Lintian nodded, his eyes growing deep and sinister.

"Once that hidden danger is resolved, Changyang City... should be completely under the Control of my Zhao family."

"Second brother, the family's experiment must be accelerated."

At this point, Zhao Lintian lowered his voice, a hint of fanaticism and cruelty flashing in his eyes.

"I've already sent another batch of 'materials' over."

"If we can successfully mass-produce that thing..."

"Our Zhao family will become the overlord of this new era!"

Zhao Linfeng knew what his elder brother's "materials" were.

Living people.

Living, breathing people.

Although he felt a little uncomfortable, he couldn't say much.

"Also."

Zhao Lintian suddenly leaned closer and patted Zhao Linfeng's shoulder.

"This operation is an opportunity."

"That old man surnamed Qi has occupied the position for too long."

"If something unexpected happens to him during this operation..."

"The position of Head of the Ghost Suppression Department in Changyang City should be yours."

Zhao Linfeng's heart trembled.

His elder brother wanted to... use someone else to kill?

But he did not refuse, only whispered: "I understand."

Just then.

Zhao Linfeng's special phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.

He took it out and saw it was an emergency summons from the Changyang City Ghost Suppression Department Headquarters.

"Big brother, there's an urgent matter at the department, I have to go first."

"Go."

Zhao Lintian waved his hand, watching Zhao Linfeng's departing back, a meaningful smile playing on his lips... Half an hour later.

Changyang City Ghost Suppression Department Headquarters, underground conference room.

The heavy metal door was tightly shut, and the air was filled with a faint smell of decay and a sense of oppression.

People filled both sides of the long table.

In addition to twenty official Night Watchmen in uniform, there were eight Civilian Abomination Controllers in strange attire.

Qin Yao and Zhou Kai were also among them.

Seated at the head of the table was an old man over fifty.

He wore a faded Zhongshan suit, held an old thermos cup, his hair was gray, and his expression was very serious.

The old man was Qi Zheng, the Head of the Ghost Suppression Department of Changyang City.

He was also the only D-Class Ghost Controller currently in Changyang City!

He controlled two extremely special D-Class Abominations: Ghost Hat and Ghost Teeth.

The former could suppress supernatural Rule Abilities over a large area, while the latter could forcibly cause Fierce Ghosts to malfunction.

"Everyone is here."

Qi Zheng unscrewed his thermos cup, took a sip of goji berry water, his voice steady and powerful.

"I won't waste words."

"The situation in Qingquan Village is rapidly deteriorating."

"According to the latest monitoring, the Ghost Domain there is accelerating its spread. At this rate, it will soon affect the city's edge."

As soon as he said this, everyone immediately began to whisper.

However, when Qingquan Village was mentioned, everyone's faces were full of apprehension...

Not long ago, Changyang City had sent a team to investigate the village.

As a result, everyone except Qin Yao and Zhou Kai died.

"Quiet."

Qi Zheng knocked on the table, and a chilling aura emanated from him, instantly enveloping the entire room.

Everyone felt their hearts tighten, as if something had seized their throats, and they instantly fell silent.

"The strategic resources supported by the provincial capital have arrived, and the Special Commissioner from the prefecture city is also on the way."

"Two days later, as soon as that Special Commissioner who Controls two C-Class Abominations arrives, we will immediately enter the village."

"This time, I want to completely resolve the crisis there!"

Qi Zheng looked around, his gaze like lightning.

"As for you..."

He looked at the eight Civilian Abomination Controllers.

"Anyone who participates in this operation and survives."

"I can arrange for each of you to receive a special item that can suppress the revival of the Fierce Ghost within you."

"It can not only save your lives but also extend your lifespan by at least one year."

Upon hearing this, except for Qin Yao and Zhou Kai, the eyes of the other six Civilian Abomination Controllers lit up.

For Ghost Controllers, the Fierce Ghost within them was like a Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads.

Although controlling an abomination granted various Rule Abilities, it also meant... life had entered a countdown!

When the abomination continuously revived within the body, Ghost Controllers would inevitably die, whether in two or three years, or as short as a few months!

Something that could suppress revival and extend lifespan was a priceless treasure!

"I'm in! As long as I can live, why not give it a shot!"

"Count me in!"

Several Civilian Abomination Controllers immediately expressed their willingness, their eyes filled with greed and determination.

However.

Qin Yao and Zhou Kai exchanged glances, both seeing disdain in each other's eyes.

If it were before, they would certainly be tempted.

But now?

They were Believers of the True Buddha.

Having received the True Buddha's protection, even if the abomination within them fully revived, it would not go out of Control.

"Sorry, Chief Qi."

Qin Yao stood up and said calmly: "Zhou Kai and I have been feeling unwell recently, and the ghosts in our bodies are somewhat restless, so I'm afraid we cannot participate in this operation."

Qi Zheng frowned slightly, giving them a deep look.

"Are you sure?"

"This is a rare opportunity."

"Yes, we are sure." Qin Yao nodded.

"Alright, if that's the case, I won't force you."

Qi Zheng didn't say much more, just waved his hand for the two to sit down.

At this moment.

Lin Chuan, far away in the Desolate Temple, was splitting a wisp of consciousness, attaching it to Zhao Linfeng, Qin Yao, and Zhou Kai, quietly observing everything.

His gaze swept over every Ghost Controller present.

Finally, it settled on Qi Zheng.

"Controlling two D-Class Abominations..."

"This old man is not simple."

Lin Chuan could feel that the two abominations within Qi Zheng... were not simple at all!

If this old man went berserk and fought desperately, he might even be able to contend with some C-Class Abominations!

"However, for me, it still doesn't pose much of a threat."

Lin Chuan withdrew his gaze. Since he knew the Ghost Suppression Department's plan, he could calmly make his arrangements... On the other side.

In the night of Changyang City.

A ghostly figure was moving through the tall buildings.

That was Lin Chuan's clone — the Coughing Ghoul.

At this moment, he was holding the list provided by Zhao Linfeng and conducting his "hunt."

To become stronger, a massive amount of evolution points was needed.

And harvesting fear value was one of the fastest ways to obtain evolution points!

Lin Chuan's consciousness swept across the entire city.

Within Changyang City, besides the Ghost Controllers, he also sensed several supernatural auras that even made him wary.

For example, in the North District, within an abandoned kindergarten sealed off by layers of barbed wire, it was terrifyingly silent, with only the occasional sound of scraping stones.

A D-Class Abomination resided there... the Ghost Sculpture!!

Its Rule Ability was very strong! It was almost ready to grow to C-Class!

And in the South District, within a brightly lit but empty Department Store, there were also faint traces of anomalous rules!

Lin Chuan had died inside there back then.

Inside the building, scattered ghost slaves roamed occasionally.

On the rooftop, there was an inconspicuous black alarm clock.

That alarm clock looked ordinary, but it was an extremely dangerous D-Class Abomination!

And what Lin Chuan cared about most.

Was a secret Laboratory beneath the Zhao Family Ancestral Home.

Countless scantily clad living people were imprisoned there.

In the deepest part of the Laboratory, a drop of blood as black as ink was sealed in a Golden Container.

That drop of blood... was also an abomination!

Although it seemed weak, even only F-Class.

But Lin Chuan felt a deep sense of danger from it.

Clearly, this thing was not simple!

"These three areas... I'll deal with them later."

"For now, I still need to develop steadily."

As his thoughts flowed, Lin Chuan controlled the Coughing Ghoul, its figure flickering, and arrived outside a high-end bar named "Night Haze."

His first prey tonight was here.

Lai Qingqing, eighteen years old, a freshman at Changyang University.

Her family owned dozens of shops; she was a typical rich second generation.

She was spoiled and willful, with cruel methods, once leading the bullying of a poor female student, forcing her to jump to her death, but ultimately settled everything with her family's connections.

At this moment.

At the entrance of the bar.

A red sports car was parked by the roadside.

Lai Qingqing, heavily made up and wearing a miniskirt, was leaning against the car smoking with two of her best friends.

"Ugh, that pauper was so boring just now."

Lai Qingqing blew out a smoke ring, her face full of disdain.

"Wasn't it just asking her to kneel and lick my shoes? She cried as if her parents had died."

"Exactly, she should know her place."

Her best friend beside her echoed: "Sister Qingqing is amazing, one slap made her submit."

"Hmph, she deserved it."

Lai Qingqing threw down her cigarette butt and stepped on it.

"Let's go, let's switch venues and drink! We're not going home until we're drunk tonight!"

The three giggled and squeezed into the car.

Lai Qingqing floored the accelerator, and the sports car roared away.

However.

Not long after the car started, Lai Qingqing noticed something was wrong.

The originally noisy street suddenly became dead silent.

The streetlights had gone out at some point.

Layers of gray mist had also risen around them.

"Damn it, what kind of weather is this?"

Lai Qingqing cursed, trying to turn on the fog lights.

But just then.

Screech—!!

A harsh screech of brakes sounded.

Lai Qingqing slammed on the brakes, almost hitting the steering wheel.

Because she saw.

In the mist ahead of the car, a person stood.

A girl in a school uniform, covered in blood.

"Damn it! Are you trying to die!"

Lai Qingqing cursed as she poked her head out.

But the next second, her voice caught in her throat.

The girl slowly raised her head.

It was a terribly smashed face, eyeballs dangling out, with only half a lip still attached.

"Lai... Qing... Qing..."

"I... have been waiting... for you... for a long time..."

A chilling voice emerged from the girl's throat, as if from the deepest hell, every syllable sending shivers down one's spine.

"Ghost... a ghost!!"

Noticing this scene, Lai Qingqing's two best friends in the car immediately let out piercing screams.

"Don't... don't come over!"

Lai Qingqing's face turned pale with fright, and she fumbled to reverse the car.

However, the car remained motionless.

"Hee hee hee..."

The female ghost laughed, a terribly mournful laugh.

She walked step by step, and with each step, the bones in her body made crisp cracking sounds.

"Didn't you like making people kneel?"

"Then... will you kneel and keep me company?"

The female ghost pressed her rotten face against the windshield, staring intently at Lai Qingqing.

"Ahhh!!!"

Lai Qingqing broke down.

She frantically waved her hands, trying to push open the car door and escape.

But the car door was welded shut and couldn't be opened at all.

Soon, countless bloody hands reached out from under the seats, firmly grabbing her ankles.

"No! Let me go!!"

"I know I was wrong! I shouldn't have harmed you!!"

"Please let me go!!"

Lai Qingqing was covered in snot and tears, with no trace of her former arrogance.

But this was not the end.

In extreme fear, she saw her two best friends turn into two highly decomposed corpses.

They opened their mouths wide and bit fiercely into Lai Qingqing's neck.

"Ah!!!"

...However, in reality.

The red sports car had actually been parked by the roadside the entire time, never moving.

Passersby looked into the car in surprise.

Three fashionably dressed girls were tearing and scratching at each other like madwomen in the cramped car compartment.

Their eyes rolled back, foam came from their mouths, and their hands were tightly clutching their own necks.

Someone tried to intervene, but because the car doors were locked, they couldn't be opened for a while.

Finally.

With a series of convulsions.

The car fell completely silent.

[Obtained Lai Qingqing's fear value +10!]

[Obtained Zhang Xiaomei's fear value +8!]

[Obtained...]

Lin Chuan watched this scene indifferently. After harvesting the last wave of fear value, he controlled the Coughing Ghoul to turn and leave.

Such scum, their deaths were a service to the people... Overnight.

Several bizarre "accidental" deaths occurred consecutively in Changyang City.

Without exception, the deceased were all powerful bullies who had committed many evils and yet escaped justice.

Some died in their mansions, some in their cars, some in their own clubs.

Fear began to spread through the dark underbelly of the city.

And on the panel deep within Lin Chuan's consciousness, the fear value was skyrocketing.

When the first ray of sunlight from the east shone upon the earth.

Lin Chuan converted all the acquired fear value into evolution points.

Now, his evolution points totaled 7500!

He had already completed three-quarters of the 10,000 points required to upgrade to C-Class!

"It's still not enough."

"I need to continue."

As his thoughts churned, Lin Chuan prepared to continue searching for his next target.

Suddenly.

The Crying Ghost, which had been exploring Qingquan Village, seemed to be interfered with by some kind of power.

Lin Chuan immediately switched his consciousness.

Deep in Qingquan Village.

Not far from the strange ancient well.

The surrounding houses had long since collapsed, turning into ruins.

The black mist was so dense it almost condensed into droplets.

However.

In this desolate and deadly place.

Through the Crying Ghost's vision, Lin Chuan actually saw a perfectly intact Thatched Hut, completely out of place with its surroundings.

And inside that hut.

A faint yellow light emanated.

A silhouette was vaguely projected onto the paper window.

The silhouette of a... living person!