Chapter 81: Resolution?

Night deepened further.

Outside, the torrential rain gradually subsided, as fickle as the weather upon the sea always was. With the rain's end, other sounds grew in prominence, especially in the dead of night. The nameless insects chirping within the cabin, the scurrying of rats above on the deck—all these faint noises now rang out with startling clarity. Even the breathing of those nearby became discernible.

Suddenly, the cry of a seabird pierced the silence. Its call was piercing, yet to the disciples of the Great River Sect, it sounded unbearably desolate, even chilling to the bone.

The corpses of the three sect disciples who had died earlier had already been shrouded in white cloth and moved to a corner of the main cabin. To prevent another incident like that of the young master, Chen Feng decided to keep all the bodies within his line of sight. He was determined to see just how much more mischief that malevolent spirit could muster.

Under the cold, wan light, every face in the hall looked grim. Though the bodies were covered, everyone had seen the horrific state in which the three had died—their chests torn open, innards ravaged as if by wild beasts. The memory was so vivid that even a glance at the white shrouds conjured visions of the corpses beneath and those savage wounds.

To dispel their terror, some began to talk incessantly to their neighbors. It was a reasonable way to stave off fear, but it required a certain disposition—not everyone could chatter away like Zhang Long, whose words never ceased even now.

What made it all the more remarkable was that his conversation was directed at empty air.

Most simply wished to flee this accursed vessel, but adrift upon the River Jing, surrounded on all sides by endless sea, escape was nothing more than a vain hope.

Ning Xiu opened his eyes and cast a glance at the assembled crowd in the hall. For now, he judged the Great River Sect's disciples to be holding together, but if the ghost was not dealt with soon, it was only a matter of time before their composure collapsed.

...

The first ray of sunlight filtered through the window, illuminating the cabin. Only then did many realize dawn had come. Bleary-eyed, they rose and stepped outside.

Chen Feng approached Ning Xiu, his face full of worry. "Senior, we must root out that fiendish spirit as quickly as possible..."

"You fear that if we delay, your brothers will lose their nerve before the evil spirit is destroyed," Ning Xiu replied.

Ning Xiu opened his eyes, gazing at Chen Feng. After a moment's silence, he said, "Gather everyone on the deck."

"Thank you, senior. I will see to it at once," Chen Feng replied with a deep bow.

Watching Chen Feng's departing figure, Ning Xiu fell into thought. Just then, a sudden snore sounded in his ear. He looked down and could not help but smile wryly—Zhang Long had actually fallen fast asleep, as oblivious as a stone. Ning Xiu gave him a gentle kick, then turned and left the cabin.

By the time Ning Xiu reached the deck, nearly everyone from the Great River Sect had assembled. Chen Feng was counting heads.

"Senior, including myself, all twenty-nine are present," Chen Feng reported, approaching as Ning Xiu emerged.

"Very well. Stay here—all of you. Do not go anywhere. I will enter the cabin to investigate," Ning Xiu said, sweeping his gaze over the group and committing each face to memory.

"Senior, perhaps I should accompany you," Chen Feng suggested.

"No need. You must stay here and look after everyone," Ning Xiu replied firmly.

Though Chen Feng wanted to press further, Ning Xiu had already turned away. He hesitated, but in the end did not follow. Before long, a man came stumbling and scrambling out of the cabin. Chen Feng recognized him as one who had boarded with Ning Xiu. Though the man’s abilities were weak, Chen Feng treated him with courtesy.

...

Zhang Long had just fled the cabin when the door slammed shut behind him with a resounding bang. Ning Xiu glanced back at the sealed door, his expression unchanged, and continued inside. Not only the door but all the windows had abruptly closed as well, plunging the cabin into darkness once more.

Ning Xiu glanced towards the spot where the bodies had been placed. The three sect disciples’ corpses remained, but the young master’s body was nowhere to be seen.

In the vast, shadowed cabin, Ning Xiu was now the only living soul, surrounded by four corpses—one of which had vanished. It was no wonder the air seemed thick with a chilling ghostly presence.

Yet for Ning Xiu, such scenes were all too familiar. In his eyes, the machinations of spirits were often less terrifying than the darkness within the human heart.

He walked slowly yet steadily deeper into the gloom.

As he passed the three corpses, they suddenly opened their eyes, rose to their feet, arms outstretched, fangs bared, and lunged at him with the force of a gale.

But Ning Xiu was prepared. Manipulating corpses was a favorite trick of such malevolent spirits. With a cold laugh, he drew the Divine Sword at his back. A dazzling arc of sword-light flashed as he struck, cleaving towards the three zombies.

With a single motion, he severed all three heads. After so many encounters with the supernatural, Ning Xiu had identified their weaknesses—usually, decapitation spelled the end for such creatures.

Everything went smoothly—until, all at once, Ning Xiu’s expression changed drastically. He drew his sword before his chest just in time.

A metallic clang rang out, sparks flying. From the belly of one corpse, a ghastly gray hand shot forth, clawing at Ning Xiu with deadly intent. Its ten sharp fingers glinted menacingly in the dim light.

Had Ning Xiu not caught the reflection on his blade and reacted instantly, he would have been disemboweled that very moment.

He had wondered where the missing child’s corpse had gone—now he saw it had been hidden inside one of the other three, the very hollowed-out body of a sect disciple. The three disciples’ innards had already been devoured, and the young master’s small frame fit perfectly inside. Coupled with the utter darkness of the cabin, even Ning Xiu had nearly been deceived.

"Courting death!" Ning Xiu’s face grew cold. The blazing energy of the Nine Suns surged forth, forcing the attacker back. Stepping forward with a powerful stomp, he raised the Divine Sword high and brought it crashing down.

Sword-light flashed. A shrill, inhuman scream filled the air. The headless corpse was cleaved in two—and so too was the body hidden within.

A black shadow erupted from the remains, darting to escape. But Ning Xiu’s right hand shot out, seizing it in an iron grip. With a forceful squeeze, the shadow exploded into nothingness.