Chapter 38: Lihua Park

“Yes, silver bullets can hit ghosts or spiritual entities, and they have additional control effects on certain specific types of ghosts.
This was learned from Western exorcists.
In modern times, whatever is useful is used; there are no longer so many scruples,” Yi Zhiqiu explained.

Watching him, a fake Daoist in ancient attire, earnestly discussing the exorcism effects of silver bullets, I truly wanted to lament how times have changed, and that there’s still so much about the supernatural world I need to understand.

“Captain Li, all personnel are fully equipped.
Additionally, the Second Brigade reports that they have deployed snipers around the park.
This time, that evil ghost will definitely not escape!” an officer reported.

“Very good, prepare to depart.” The officer turned to me and said, “Miss Xia, if we accompany you, that evil ghost might become wary and not take the bait.
Therefore, you may have to go to Lihua Park by yourself.
Can you do that?”

He took out a map and pointed to a small park near my house and Jianlong Middle School.
Xiao Qing and I used to play there often when we were little.
If he had asked me yesterday if I could go, I would have nodded without hesitation—isn’t that a piece of cake?
But now I had to worry about the persistent Painted Skin Ghost.
I didn’t even dare to walk alone during the day, let alone now that night had fallen.
As I hesitated, Xiao Qing suddenly said, “I’ll go with her, shall I?”

“You can’t.
Neither of you can.
We cannot allow unrelated civilians to participate.
If there are more people, the police protection will also be dispersed,” the officer directly refused.

Xiao Qing could only sit down.
She really wanted to say that she wasn’t purely an unrelated person and had experience fighting the Painted Skin Ghost, but saying so would definitely invite police questioning, exposing that they had confronted the Painted Skin Ghost yesterday, and even exposing the truth of the skin swap.
Mo Qingyan had already repeatedly emphasized that it must not be exposed.

Just as I was about to agree to go alone, Yi Zhiqiu suddenly said, “I’ll go with her.
I can mask my aura, so ghosts won’t detect my true identity, and I can also protect her closely.”

“Since the Master says so, that would be for the best.” The officer nodded, but then asked with some lingering doubt, “Can you subdue that demon without the assistance of Dharma artifacts?”

I was just wondering how Yi Zhiqiu, with his conspicuous attire, could protect me closely without being discovered by the Painted Skin Ghost, when he already started taking off his Daoist robe.
He also unfastened the protective Dharma artifact on his body and the Dharma sword on his back.
He was actually wearing a pretty fashionable T-shirt underneath, with jeans.
Also, I don’t know if it’s because he cultivates Daoist magic, but he also had long hair, though it was tied up in a bun at the back of his head.
At first glance, I thought he was in a band, but he really did look like an ordinary person.

“No problem.
My Dharma artifacts can be summoned at will, and I also have Daoist magic.
Protecting her is more than enough, and dealing with a demon of the Painted Skin Ghost’s caliber is no issue,” Yi Zhiqiu said confidently.

I had no other choice but to nod and leave the police station with this Master Yi, whom I had just met, walking side by side towards Lihua Park.

We didn’t talk much along the way.
I wasn’t familiar with him, and I was even more afraid of my secrets being exposed, so I had no intention of speaking from the start.
But as we neared the park, Yi Zhiqiu asked, seemingly casually, “Miss Xia, you actually know that evil ghost is a Painted Skin Ghost, don’t you?”

“Huh?
You, what are you talking about?
How would I know what kind of ghost that thing is?” I was startled and quickly denied it.
My previous story was that I knew nothing about demons or monsters.

“If it were someone who never knew ghosts existed, upon hearing me say ‘Painted Skin Ghost,’ they would certainly ask what a Painted Skin Ghost is.
But you appeared very calm, without asking a single extra question, clearly already knowing what a Painted Skin Ghost is,” Yi Zhiqiu stated.

My heart skipped a beat; I had been careless.
I forgot that a normal person’s reaction after seeing a ghost should indeed be to ask questions.
But now, I could only stubbornly retort, “I was so disturbed, scared, and helpless at the time.
How could I be in the mood to ask about that ghostly thing?”

Yi Zhiqiu didn’t argue with me further.
He only said, “After all, I’m not a police officer.
Whether you know about the Painted Skin Ghost or not isn’t important.
After all, while not many people know about ghosts in this world, it’s not a small number either.
I just fear that you might delve too deeply into the supernatural later.”

“What do you mean?” I looked at Yi Zhiqiu, puzzled, secretly debating whether to tell him the truth about my experience.
Perhaps this Master had a way to change me back.

“It doesn’t mean anything in particular.
Some people who know about spirits and monsters, due to curiosity or other desires, try to explore the supernatural world, and the result is often that they fall deeper and deeper, unable to extricate themselves.
I hope you can restrain yourself from delving too deeply.
After this incident is over today, return to your ordinary life,” Yi Zhiqiu said.

“Master, do you think I can still live a peaceful life after this is over?” I said faintly.

“True.
However, even if you seek peace, just go to a legitimate temple or monastery for some talismans.
Your jade pendant is quite good.
Don’t try to understand those ghostly things,” Yi Zhiqiu said.

“Heh heh, Master, you’re joking.
How could I possibly try to understand those terrifying things?
I wish they would never come looking for me again,” I chuckled dryly.

“That’s the best way to think.
Also, I said don’t call me Master; I truly am just a newly graduated novice.
Just call me by my name,” Yi Zhiqiu said awkwardly.

“We’re here,” I said, pointing ahead.
We had reached the entrance of Lihua Park.

Usually at this hour, the park would be bustling with people strolling, singing, and dancing.
But today, a sign at the entrance read: “Park Closed for Renovation.”
And I don’t know what method the police used, but there wasn’t a single pedestrian at the gate.

“Let’s go, I’ll accompany you in,” Yi Zhiqiu said.
And so, we walked into Lihua Park.
A young man and woman walking side by side in the park looked a bit like they were on a date, but there was absolutely no romantic atmosphere.

The park was brightly lit, but the swings, seesaws, and bumper cars stood motionless, a stark contrast to the usual hustle and bustle, making it seem somewhat eerie.
I quickly realized why it felt eerie: not only was there no human presence, but there wasn’t even the sound of birds chirping or insects buzzing around the park.
The surroundings were completely silent, as if I had been abandoned by the world.

In the dense woods where light couldn’t reach, it was even more gloomy and profound.
Some furtive dark shadows seemed to be secretly peering at me, and their gaze sent goosebumps all over me; my skin couldn’t help but tremble.

Yi Zhiqiu then actively took my hand and said, “Don’t be afraid.
The police must have used Dharma artifacts to expel creatures, driving away all living things to provide the Painted Skin Ghost with an excellent attack environment.
These ghost shadows are just unformed grievances.
As human energy recedes, they naturally stir, but with me by your side, they absolutely cannot harm you.”