Chapter 37: Fake Taoist Priest

How should I put it?
Seeing someone in modern times dressed as a Daoist, I actually felt quite awkward.
He looked more like a cosplayer from a convention, and he was too young to be a “Master.”

But the police officers, upon seeing him, all greeted him respectfully, nodding: “Master Yi, you’ve worked hard today.
Why don’t you rest a bit before investigating further?”

“Don’t call me Master.
I’ve only just completed my training.
The current situation is urgent.
Every moment that demon remains at large, it could cause greater casualties.
We must capture it as soon as possible,” said Master Yi, dressed in his Daoist robe.

“Alright, you’re the expert.
We will assist you in the investigation.
Did you say you had a solution earlier?” the police officer asked.
He, too, wanted to resolve the hidden danger in his jurisdiction quickly.

“Whether this method can be used depends on the victim.
Can I speak with her?” Master Yi asked.

“Of course, the most beautiful girl over there is her.
Her name is Xia Yubing, but she seems to have amnesia.
You won’t get anything out of her if you try to question her,” the police officer said, pointing at me.

Master Yi walked over, sat in front of me, and greeted me proactively: “Hello, Miss Xia.
I am Yi Zhiqiu.
You can just call me by my name; please don’t follow them and call me Master.
It’s too much.”

I didn’t know how to react for a moment.
His tone of voice and attire were both a bit strange.
I could only nod and say, “Hello, Daoist Yi.”

“Cough, cough!
I’m not actually a Daoist.
Although I’ve learned some Daoist spells, I’m not a true Daoist.
I only wear this to deal with spirits.
Please, just call me by my name,” Yi Zhiqiu said awkwardly.

I wondered why he looked so much like a cosplayer.
Even though he was wearing a Daoist robe, he lacked the demeanor of a Daoist—that ethereal, detached, or worldly-unconcerned aura.
So he wasn’t a real Daoist.
But then again, I wasn’t really a girl either.
And the spiritual light shimmering all over him made me so envious.
Yi Zhiqiu must have several Dharma artifacts of the same caliber as my jade pendant, or perhaps even more advanced ones.
No wonder these police officers referred to him as a master.

“Miss Xia, to be frank with you, the demon that attacked you has already caused a great disturbance.
Luo Xiao’s entire family has been brutally killed by it, and the students it took are all missing without a trace.
If left unchecked, it is very likely to come after you again,” Yi Zhiqiu added.

“Understood.
So, what do I need to do to thoroughly eliminate that demon?” I asked directly.
I didn’t need him to persuade me; I had already experienced how relentlessly persistent the Painted Skin Ghost was.

Yi Zhiqiu had actually prepared many persuasive words to explain to the female student in front of him, the victim.
Unexpectedly, she readily accepted and even proactively asked what she should do, which was very different from victims who were often distraught after being attacked by ghosts.

“I need to ask you to be the bait, to lure the demon out, and then I will eliminate it,” Yi Zhiqiu said directly.

“Huh?” I looked at Yi Zhiqiu in surprise.
Although I had just guessed that he might use bait tactics, I hadn’t expected him to directly ask me to be the bait.

“Miss Xia, I already have some clues about the demon that attacked you.
It might be a Painted Skin Ghost, a type of demon that exacts revenge for even the smallest grievance.
It’s highly likely to attack you again, but it’s very cunning, and we can’t find it right away.
If we don’t find a way to lure it out and subjugate it, when it suddenly strikes next time, we might not have enough time to protect you,” Yi Zhiqiu explained.

I pondered for a moment.
Being bait certainly carried some risk, but in my two previous encounters with the Painted Skin Ghost, it had always come directly for me, only then stepping into the home fields set up by Xiao Qing and Senior Sister Mo.
In reality, my identity had always been bait, and I had always been in danger.
The police couldn’t protect me forever.
To completely get rid of the Painted Skin Ghost, it seemed I had no choice but to take another risk.

“Alright, I’m willing to be the bait.
As long as it can eliminate the evil ghost, what do I need to do?” I said, looking up with determination.

A flicker of surprise crossed Yi Zhiqiu’s face, but it quickly vanished.
He then laid out his plan: “It’s simple.
I want you to wander alone at night, while the police and I lie in ambush nearby.
As soon as the evil ghost appears, we’ll take it down.”

“Please rest assured, Miss Xia.
As long as you are willing to cooperate with us, we are confident in protecting you from any harm,” the police officer interjected.
They had actually used bait tactics many times, and they had always been very effective.
Rather than probing and reasoning with those eerie and unpredictable demons and ghosts in their familiar haunted domains, and then finding ways to subdue and exorcise them, it was better to lure the ghost into a trap set by the police and take it down in one fell swoop, which could greatly reduce casualty rates.

“I understand, I can do it.” I agreed decisively, thinking that with so many police officers and a Master present, the Painted Skin Ghost surely wouldn’t be able to harm me.

Hearing my agreement, the police officer let out a sigh of relief.
Convincing victims, especially those who had been attacked by ghosts, to agree to be bait again was often very difficult.
Victims who had been scared out of their wits would be very reluctant to meet a ghost again, let alone act as bait; they usually refused outright.
For this beautiful female student to agree so decisively, she truly had great courage.

“Excellent.
Without further ado, we’ll find an unoccupied open area and set up an ambush.
Master Yi, are there any specific points we need to pay attention to regarding the ambush site?” the police officer said, seizing the opportunity.

“There’s nothing particularly special to pay attention to.
Just set it up according to the usual standard contingency plan.
Remember not to let the ghost discover it’s a trap, and ensure the safety of the bait,” Yi Zhiqiu said.

The police were highly efficient.
Soon, an officer reported that a location was ready—a park.
They had already cordoned off the park to prevent unauthorized entry, and the ambush could begin.

“Good!
Everyone, check your demon-extermination gear!
Go to the armory and retrieve silver bullets!
All units, move out!” The police officer gave the command, and everyone in the police station sprang into action.

From what I saw, there were at least thirty police officers in the lobby.
They were helping each other check their equipment.
There was a string of prayer beads sewn into the lining of their police uniforms, a pouch of talismans on their utility belts, and amulets on their chests.
All these items were shrouded in spiritual light.
The most conspicuous thing was when they pulled out their magazines to check their bullets; the gleaming silver light was impossible for me to ignore.
Some police officers even took out the bullets to inspect them; they were forged from pure silver.

“You use these to exorcise ghosts?” I couldn’t help but ask.
Mainly because Yi Zhiqiu next to me was dressed completely as a Daoist, and silver bullets just didn’t fit his style at all.