"Oh my, Vivian, when did you become so ruthless?"
Detective Stone grinned, fine beads of sweat seeping from his forehead. He clutched his left arm, where a finger-sized bloody hole was gushing blood.
"What are you trying to do?" I shouted. Mona Ouyang turned her head, staring coldly at me.
"Ethan Zhang, shut up. What I'm about to do is none of your business."
"Detective Stone, I'll ask you one more time—where is the real Ritual Parchment?"
Mona Ouyang barked out the words, her tone laced with threat.
Detective Stone let out a hollow laugh.
"I told you before, the parchment is real. That thing has been around for centuries. Surely, with so many people here, someone knows its value."
"Miss Ouyang, this thing really does look centuries old."
The man holding the whip picked up the Ritual Parchment from the ground. After another glance at the bloody, fleshy mess inside the sealing array, I couldn't help but feel uneasy.
Suddenly, Mona Ouyang stood up and turned around, her face twisted with evil intent.
How many ghosts did you bring this time?
There are still dozens left, I think. We suffered heavy losses this time—dozens of ghosts were devoured.
What? If you want to cooperate with me, mere dozens of ghosts are nothing. Besides, they taste awful.
Mona Ouyang laughed mockingly, stretched out her hand, and pointed upward.
There are plenty of students upstairs. They’re a bit weak, but their spiritual sense is strong enough. You can have your fill.
Vivian, you—" At the mention of students, Detective Stone grew anxious.
I refuse. If they’re not skilled in the occult arts, what use is eating them?
Release your ghosts. Go capture all the students. I want this old Stone to see the consequences of stubbornness.
At Mona Ouyang’s command, the remaining four members of the Ghost Burial Squad each took out a small greenish jar, engraved with a ghostly face baring its fangs.
"Birthlight, shroud, guidance, consumption, opening, leaping rock, evil spirits heed my command..." The four chanted in unison, and the lids of the jars popped open with a snap.
Instantly, multicolored lights burst forth, twisting and expanding, transforming into ghosts that surged upward toward the ceiling as wails echoed through the air.
In no time, dozens of ghosts had slipped up through the ceiling.
You—" Detective Stone stared wide-eyed at Vivian.
Detective Stone, if you tell us, you can avoid a bloodbath later," Mona Ouyang continued.
Detective Stone hung his head in resignation while I struggled, the scorpion tail binding me was incredibly tough.
Kid, you’d better not try anything stupid, or I won’t be so polite.
The long-haired ghost spoke, and the scorpion’s stinger pressed against my forehead. I immediately shut my left eye as blood trickled down from my brow.
Wait a moment, don’t kill him yet—extract the last two souls from him first.
The man with the whip said.