Judge of Souls - Chapter 67

Halfway through his pursuit, the senior brother only found the little apprentice’s corpse. After searching the mountain without results, he finally reported it to the police to expand the search. Half a day later, they discovered a skeleton halfway up the mountain.

The police called in a forensic expert to follow procedure. After the senior brother completed his examination, he handed the remains over to them.

Jiang Feng went to the hospital to visit Zhang Yangyang.

His body didn’t have any major issues now, but he was truly experiencing bad luck.

Originally, his yang energy was strong and his eight characters were robust, so his fortune shouldn’t have experienced major fluctuations these two years. But after being possessed by a ghost, encountering evil spirits, and now being afflicted by a curse, his luck had plummeted to rock bottom and might take a long time to recover. The generic advice to “be a good person” didn’t apply to him.

…He was a good person, but also an unlucky one. And his luck would continue to decline.

After listening to Jiang Feng, Zhang Yangyang patted his blanket and asked, “What happened next? Those people weren’t just let go, were they?”

“The police were called,” Jiang Feng said. “They reported illegal entry and the deaths of several infants. All the little ghosts were registered, and they contacted the relevant authorities on the other side to negotiate compensation.”

Zhang Yangyang: “……”

Every time he felt this world was magical, he would suddenly feel the expansive embrace of socialism.

Zhang Yangyang sighed with emotion, “Our country is truly wonderful.”

Jiang Feng thought that with this kind of understanding, at least his spirit was normal. This kid would definitely be successful in the future.

Kong Su continued filming her idol drama.

In the past, when audiences described her, they would vaguely refer to her as “what’s-her-name,” but after this incident, her name finally became known to households everywhere.

Although it wasn’t a good reputation, and major investors and production companies wouldn’t invite her due to her past scandals – she might never become a mainstream actress – she didn’t care. As long as advertisers and variety shows wanted her, that was enough. She had realized that money was the only thing that mattered.

Previously, she had wanted to stay in the entertainment industry until old age, but now she was truly frightened. She decided that once her looks were no longer marketable in a few years, she would retire and fulfill her lifelong goal—to be a person with nothing better to do.

Yang Huan, on the other hand, directly announced her withdrawal from the industry. The sudden announcement stunned her fans. She didn’t even appear in person, only releasing a simple statement before disappearing from public life. Online conspiracy theories surfaced one after another, with netizens displaying boundless imagination, while her company bore several huge accusations on her behalf.

Kong Su thought that even if Yang Huan stood right in front of them, they wouldn’t recognize her. She had aged too quickly.

The Judge flipped through her record of merits and demerits and discovered that her natural lifespan wasn’t long. Previously, she had used the Kumanthong to absorb others’ life energy, but the karma ultimately returned to her.

Originally, her fate wasn’t very good. If she had been content with an ordinary life, she could have peacefully lived out her later years, but she insisted on entering the entertainment industry.

The Judge also checked the names of several of Kong Su’s relatives and found they were already recorded in the register. These people would likely face a bleak future.

Besides attempting to seize others’ property, they had also concealed the truth, causing others’ deaths and other transgressions. They hadn’t conducted themselves properly in life, so they were sentenced to be judged by King Wuguan in the Fourth Hall after death.

The Judge closed the record of merits and demerits and went to report to King Yama in the underworld.

****

Jiang Feng had originally thought that once this matter was over, it would have nothing to do with him, but Kong Su called him every few days, saying she needed to consult him. After talking nonsense, she would pay him a sum of money, then hang up happily.

Her questions ranged from trivial matters to various taboos and practices.

Jiang Feng introduced Chu Xuanliang to her, but she specifically refused him.

Today, Kong Su called him again and even sent him a close-up photo of herself without makeup, as well as a close-up of Gao Yuqing.

“Jiang Feng, can you check for me—is my forehead darkening? That bastard Gao Yuqing always calls me crazy and says I’m brain-damaged. How could someone as clever and charming as me be brain-damaged? Is he under a curse?”

Jiang Feng put the phone on the sofa and turned on speakerphone, silently continuing to write his thesis.

Her brain damage… was an objective fact!

Kong Su didn’t need a response. She continued enthusiastically.

“I’ve been really scared these past few days. I can’t eat or sleep properly. I’m almost frightened to death. Taoist Jiang, tell me the truth, is the City Third Hospital haunted? Have you investigated it?”

Jiang Feng hadn’t intended to respond to her, but upon hearing this, he asked, “What City Third Hospital?”

“You don’t know? There’s a belly-slashing maniac at City Third Hospital,” Kong Su said anxiously. “I stayed at the Third Hospital for a long time before, and after reading the patient’s account, I got chills. I went to a Taoist temple to ask about it, but I couldn’t meet any powerful Taoist masters there—just some junior Taoists who told me to light incense and leave. I’m feeling really uneasy now.”

Jiang Feng searched for keywords on his computer and said, “I don’t see anything about this.”

“Of course it’s been deleted! They said it was promoting feudal superstition, so the posts were removed long ago. But the person who posted it included photos of himself and his abdomen. We were patients at the same time, and I’ve even met him! I guarantee it’s true!”

Jiang Feng remained silent for a moment, then said, “I’ll ask Chu Xuanliang about it.”

Kong Su: “Mmm, okay!”

Jiang Feng hung up and called Chu Xuanliang.

Chu Xuanliang: “It’s like this—I just heard about it too and don’t know the situation. Old Ye is staying here with me right now.”

As he spoke, another voice cut in. “It’s me! Little brother, have you graduated yet? Why are you getting involved in this kind of thing again? Do you think your life is too long?”

Thinking about it, Jiang Feng realized he hadn’t seen Officer Ye for a long time.

Chu Xuanliang turned the phone in another direction and said, “We’re about to go find the person involved to ask about the situation. If you’re curious, you can come along.”

Jiang Feng had experienced supernatural events many times, and by now he didn’t think it was coincidental. And whenever Jiang Feng was present, a breakthrough seemed to appear quickly. Bringing him along was a good idea.

Jiang Feng asked, “Not dead?”

Chu Xuanliang: “Not dead. It was cut with a surgical knife, then properly stitched back up. The stitches were especially neat and beautiful—something only an experienced surgeon could do.”

Jiang Feng: “…”

This bizarre phenomenon began more than a month ago.

According to current deductions, the earliest victim was a Mr. Ye. He had fallen at home and hit his head, so he was sent to the emergency room at the Third Hospital. Because of his brain injury, he needed observation, and since his son was unwilling to take him home to care for him, he stayed at the hospital for over ten days.

When the incident occurred, Mr. Ye had been discharged from the Third Hospital for half a month. One morning, he woke up with stomach pain. When he lifted his shirt, he discovered a neat line of stitches.

He was shocked and rushed to the hospital for an examination. The doctor only advised him to take care of his post-surgical wound to prevent infection and inflammation. The doctor also said the surgery had been very successful, with no problems found.

However, the biggest problem was that he had simply gone to sleep normally—he hadn’t undergone any surgery!

At the time, the doctor didn’t believe him, thinking he was joking or had some brain issue causing memory loss, and suggested he see a neurologist. Mr. Ye was furious.

His mind was perfectly clear. He could recall everything that had happened the previous day, so how could he possibly forget having surgery?

Mr. Ye returned home, growing increasingly frightened. The incident had scared him into a cold sweat, and he became afraid to sleep at night.

After the incident, he was completely bewildered. His wife had divorced him long ago, and his son and daughter weren’t around. His experience was too bizarre—no one in modern society would believe him. Previously, he had been an atheist and had no experience dealing with such matters.

Fear, terror.

He could only ask around and even called back to his hometown to consult with elders there. On someone’s recommendation, he eventually invited a witch to perform rituals for him.

Unexpectedly, after drinking the dirty concoction she gave him, his wound became infected.

For several days, he lay in bed.

About a week later, another morning came, and he discovered that his barely-healed wound had been reopened and stitched again.

This time, the wound was especially painful, making it almost impossible for him to stand.

Unable to endure anymore, he tearfully called his two children.

His son angrily said, “What kind of illness do you have? You didn’t even tell us you were having surgery!”

Mr. Ye protested vehemently, “I didn’t!”

“If you didn’t, how did this happen? Don’t tell me it was a ghost! Have you gone crazy?” his son retorted.

Mr. Ye opened a drawer and said bitterly, “My medical card is here. If you don’t believe me, see for yourself. I really didn’t. And yesterday I was at home the whole time—ask the neighbors if I went to the hospital!”

His son checked with others skeptically, only to find it was true.

Now the fear spread from one person to the entire family.

The son believed that if there really was a haunting, there must be reliable Taoist priests who could help. But they didn’t know where to find one. The ones at tourist attractions were obviously frauds. After much consideration, they posted about the situation online to seek help.

Shortly after the post appeared, the administrator banned their account and IP address for promoting feudal superstition.

Next, Mr. Ye reported it to the police, but how could they file such a case? The receptionist thought they were pulling a prank and ignored them.

As time passed, Mr. Ye grew increasingly anxious.

If he was frightened like this two more times, he would lose the will to live.

But soon, the third abdominal incision and stitches appeared.

His son and daughter were too afraid to stay with him. They had their own families, jobs, and children to care for—more importantly, they were afraid of ghosts and death themselves.

After the third incident, they actively distanced themselves out of terror.

Only one elderly person remained who needed care. Fortunately, he had some savings, and his house wasn’t sold yet, so he hired a caretaker to support him.

People often develop a strong will to survive when facing death. Mr. Ye got up again and posted online, offering significant money for reliable monks or Taoist priests.

Remembering the widely discussed incident of Kong Su’s curse, he tagged her after posting on Weibo.

This post and its content were deleted again, but before deletion, Kong Su actually shared it. Thus, the information successfully spread.

When Jiang Feng heard this, the corner of his mouth twitched. Was Kong Su really that bored?