Chapter 357: Ghostly Moon in the Sky


    My jacket was on the ground by the well, but I didnt dare to go there to pick it up.


    The rest of my equipment was still with me, so it was fine to leave the jacket behind. We followed the traces all the way up to the mountain.


    The mountain was fenced with a heavy barbed wire. There were several watchtowers, including soldiers patrolling with their guns.


    We thought about sneaking in from the back, but the searchlight from the watchtower spotted us. I heard a soldier yell, Whos there?! This is a military area. No unauthorized entry!


    Before he could finish, three patrolling soldiers arrived with submachine guns in their hands.


    We reluctantly raised our hands above our heads.


    I didnt know what to do, but I saw Chuyi mouth something to me. At first, I thought he wanted to break through the encirclement, which scared me to death.


    But when I turned around, I realized that I had misunderstood his intentions. He was talking about that big hole in the barbed wire. A man that looked like an officer was carefully checking the hole with several other soldiers.


    After hearing themotion over here, he said something to his soldiers, adjusted his cap, and walked toward us.


    Thanks to the searchlight, I saw that the officer had a stripe and three gold stars on his badge. He was a Captain.


    ording to the rumors, there was apany stationed here. I guessed he was the leader here, thepanymander.


    Thepanymander strolled toward us and observed us carefully. When he opened his mouth, he spoke with a thick Northeast ent. Its sote. Why are you guys here?


    We were just strolling around. Id learned this technique from Li Mazi. We drank a little bit and decided to y a game of dare. We heard that this mountain was really scary, so we came to see for ourselves.


    You guys have a lot of time to kill, dont you? Thepanymanderughed. If you have nothing to do here, go home and sleep. Do not stay here, or else you will end up in trouble.


    Chuyi suddenly asked, How did the barbed wire get torn? Who did that?


    Thepanymanders eyes twinkled. Something unexpected happened, but its not a big deal. I will get some guys to fix it tomorrow.


    Was itreallyan unexpected event? Chuyi said, If you dont take it seriously, it might be a big deal.


    Thepanymander understood what Chuyi meant. It could be a big or small matter, but if someone died, his career as an officer could end here. He could even be discharged.


    Thepanymander was concerned about this matter. He then observed the three of us again.


    Chuyi was especially eye-catching since he was carrying an eight-faced Han sword on his back. Then, thepanymander also saw my Sirius Whip. He gave a slight frown then asked, Are you from the Longquan Vi?


    Thismander knows about the Longquan Vi?!


    Right when I was about to deny it, Chuyi nodded. Yes, the Longquan Vi sent us here. Wevee to solve the problem.


    Thepanymander waved his hand. Good. Follow me.


    He asked the soldiers on duty to put down their weapons. Then, he brought the three of us to the watchtower. He closed the door and said,  I wasnt here when it happened, but the guards reported that a female ghost wearing white clothes came here with a sword. She cut the in one try then disappeared through the hole, heading towards the mountain.


    That sounds hard to believe, I said.


    Thepanymander forced a smile. Youll get used to it. Anyway, I dont dare to report this to my superiors. I still want to be thepanymander for a few more years.


    I gave him a slight nod. Is that why you want to fix the and cover things up? Still, arent you afraid that someone might end up dead?


    I dont think that will happen. Were here guarding the ce, and no one can get to the mountain. Thepanymander sounded cautious. He knew he didnt have the power to solve this matter.


    I shook my head then asked, If something can go up there, it can alsoe down here. What if it kills all the vigers?


    Thepanymander was scared. In a trembling voice, he said, So What should I do?


    Its easy. Just let us go to the mountain to see how things are going. Then, well be able to tell you if its a human or a ghost.


    All right, when will you go?


    We cant dy this. Well go now, I said.


    Arent you afraid? Thepanymander seemed very anxious, which stunned me a little. The atmosphere turned strange.


    Iughed. Of course not. Are you worried that we will not return from the mountain? Dont worry. We make a living out of this business. We have our ways.


    Thepanymander half-believed us and muttered, The people from the Longquan Vi didnt dare to climb the mountain before


    I knew that he had be suspicious, so I had to exin. They werent powerful enough. Thats why they didnt dare to take risks. Were the top-tier experts from Longquan Vi, so we can go and down the mountain as we please.


    Thepanymander nodded. All right, I will let you in. However, we have to make it clear that we wont be responsible for anything that happens to you on the mountain. And, as a rule, when the problem is solved, the merit will belong to the military. You guys will only be helpful citizens at most.


    We understand, I replied.


    Thepanymander was convinced. He extended his hand to me and introduced himself. Im Chen Zhihui.


    Captain Chen. I fabricated a name for myself. Im Zhang Xiaojiu. Nice to meet you.


    Captain Chen brought us back to the hole and reminded us one more time, Just to make things clear, this is your operation. Even if you die on the mountain, we wont send any troopers to search for your dead bodies.


    I nodded. I understand.


    After we made our preparations, we departed.


    I had asked Captain Chen for camouge jackets to save us from the thorny bushes on the way to the mountain.


    This mountain path was bumpy. It seemed that the girl in white had chosen the steepest path to get to the mountain.


    Fortunately, we had equipped ourselves well. We used the climbing rope and axes to climb to the top.


    Along the way there, we had to get through a lush forest of pine trees. It wasnt a long time until we reached the top.


    The top of the mountain was weathered, with the smooth rocks surrounded by tall ancient trees.


    When we got out of the woods, we saw the moonlight shining over the rocks. A white figure was standing opposite of us; her long hair flew in the howling wind.


    She slowly drew the ancient bronze sword and pointed at the full moon in the sky.


    I was startled and asked, Xinyue What day is today?


    Its August 17th. What about it? Yin Xinyue was puzzled.


    No, I meant ording to the lunar calendar, I asked anxiously.


    What a big full moon! Yin Xinyue now noticed the bright moon in the sky. She covered her mouth. Oh right, its July 15thtoday!


    Yeah, July 15th, the day of the Chinese Ghost Festival, said Chuyi. His tone didnt have any shade of emotion. It sounded almost mechanical. Yin Xinyue and I shuddered.


    The girl in white stood in front of us, pointing her sword to the sky. She stood like that for a while.


    Yin Xinyue talked first. Little Miss, are you okay? If you have any difficulties, you can tell us. We may be able to help you.


    Little Miss? Hahaha! Did you really think that I was a little girl? The girls voice sounded neither feminine nor masculine. It was ambiguous and somewhat eerie.


    Yin Xinyue wanted to say something, but Chuyi stopped her.


    Who are you? he asked.


    My family names Zhao. You can call me General Zhao. The girl in white spoke strangely.


    I know that your surname is Zhao, said Chuyi coldly.Howe your departed soul hasnt scattered? Why did you get out of the bronze sword?


    To take revenge! Tell me, wheres the State of Qin?


    The State of Qin? It perished two thousand years ago. You have to go underground to find it. I burst outughing.


    What? Thats impossible!


    The girl in white looked lost. At the same time, her eyes shed with cold light. She faced the sky and screamed, I just had a nap. How could it be two thousand years already? Youre lying to me, arent you?!


    Why would I lie to you? said Chuyi


    He seemed to have caught onto the girls weakness. In a confident voice, he continued, The State of Qin destroyed the other six states and unified the country, giving birth to the Qin dynasty. Fourteen yearster, the Qin dynasty was overthrown. After that, Liu Bang became the Emperor, and the Han dynasty started.


    What is the current dynasty?


    I chimed in while Chuyi was pondering, Theres no dynasty. However, the entire country is united.


    The girl in white kept quiet for a long time. Then, in a heavy voice, she asked Chuyi, You said that the State of Qin destroyed the other six states, right?


    Yes, I answered without hesitation.


    So afterward, all thends belonged to the Qins?


    Yeah, thats right. What about it? I didnt see anything wrong with this answer.


    So, you guys are all descendants of the Qins! The girl in white opened her eyes wide in anger. She was so angry that I feared mes would burst out of her eye sockets!