Chapter 15: Peril in the Early Hours
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A sudden mishap occurred. Summer Wu Lei cried out in alarm, her reflexes sharp as she swiftly grabbed Zhu Chen by the back of his collar! Zhu Chen’s nose barely grazed the water’s surface before Summer pulled him back; though he escaped falling in, the choking sensation from the tight collar nearly made him faint.
“Su-Sister Summer, take it easy…”
“Oh, alright.”
Summer hurriedly loosened her grip and grabbed Zhu Chen’s other arm, wrestling with the water ghost in the lake.
The water ghost’s strength was surprisingly great. Zhu Chen adjusted his stance, and together they pulled backward, dragging the ghost partially out of the water.
The water ghost appeared to be a woman, with long wet hair tangled across her face, obscuring her features.
Seeing the situation turn against her, the water ghost reached out with her other hand to pull back fiercely. Summer cursed loudly, “Have you no shame? You’re just one ghost, yet you’re using both hands against the two of us!”
Water ghost: ??? I never said you had to use only one hand!
Infuriated, the water ghost’s tangled hair twisted up along her arm and tightly coiled around Zhu Chen’s hand.
“Ahhh!”
Frightened, Zhu Chen panicked, his strength faltering. Summer could no longer hold him back, and half his body was dragged underwater.
Now the water ghost was invigorated; more strands of hair wrapped around Zhu Chen, pulling him deeper into the lake.
“Sister Summer! Save me, ahhh!”
Zhu Chen’s face was terror-stricken, his legs kicking wildly. The water ghost, caught off guard, was stepped on several times, which only angered her further.
Summer’s hand was tightly gripped by Zhu Chen’s, as if he were determined to drag her down with him.
No, if this continued, neither of them would survive!
Summer acted decisively, waving her hand. Suddenly, a flurry of white powder materialized out of thin air, drifting down onto the water.
Zhu Chen looked up in confusion, feeling something light falling onto his face; he couldn’t help but lick it, puzzled.
“Flour?”
“Close your eyes. The flour is mixed with pepper and chili powder,” Summer warned.
Damn!
Hearing this, Zhu Chen quickly shut his eyes and mouth, holding his breath, wishing he could block his nostrils as well.
The primary target, the water ghost, had no time to react. Her eyes and skin immediately burned as if on fire.
The water ghost, relying on water for life, was hit head-on by the heavy mix of flour and spices. The powders absorbed the water on her skin.
“Ah—ah—”
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The water ghost shrieked and quickly released Zhu Chen, sinking into the water to wash off the flour.
The flour dissolved in the water, turning a small patch of the surface milky white, but it was insignificant compared to the entire lake.
The water ghost surfaced, sneering coldly, “You think this little flour can harm me?”
Summer looked disdainful. “Can’t you clean yourself before coming out?”
At that moment, the water ghost stared at a lump of dough-like flour, lacking any terrifying aura, only looking ridiculous.
Water ghost: …
She submerged again, vigorously rubbing her hair.
Zhu Chen quickly got up, ignoring his wet pants, and pulled Summer along as they hurried away. “Quick, Sister Summer, while she’s washing, let’s go!”
Summer replied, “She only has a few strands of hair; she won’t take long to catch up. Running won’t help. We should find a way to deal with her.”
The water ghost angrily slapped the water, “Who said I don’t have hair!”
Zhu Chen still looked worried. “A water ghost out of water shouldn’t be too dangerous, but we should leave quickly.”
Before he finished speaking, the water ghost had climbed ashore, water dripping from her body, flooding a large patch on the ground.
“You two, don’t even think about running!”
She roared in anger, and dark water plants crawled out from the lake’s edge, thick and dense, creeping toward them, sending chills down their spines.
Seeing the safe ground shrinking, Zhu Chen panicked and drew the sword he always carried.
“Sister Summer, although I haven’t mastered swordsmanship yet, I’ll do my best to buy you time!”
But Summer remained calm, smiling at the water ghost before them.
Zhu Chen thought, ?Oh no, has Sister Summer lost her mind?
Summer pulled out a small pink object, lips curling slightly. “Have you heard of the dust explosion effect?”
Zhu Chen was stunned, noticing white smoke floating nearby. The air was thick with flour particles, enveloping the water ghost who had just climbed out.
Looking at the object in Summer’s hand—it was… a lighter!
Zhu Chen realized: a flour dust explosion!
The water ghost stiffened, and the advancing water plants suddenly froze.
Summer was somewhat surprised. “I didn’t expect you to be so educated. Has the compulsory education in Yun Village even reached ghosts?”
The water ghost, almost spitting blood with rage, retorted, “I was a university student before!”
Then a blank expression crossed her face: What’s a university student?
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Seeing the water ghost dazed, Summer pondered silently.
As mentioned before, Yun Village’s overall education level was low; having such a highly educated water ghost seemed unlikely.
“You’ll die too if you ignite the flour!” the water ghost rasped hoarsely.
Summer sneered, “We have protective talismans.”
Water ghost: …
Realizing she was at a loss tonight, the water ghost snorted coldly, withdrew the water plants, and jumped back into the lake.
As the shadows around them faded, Zhu Chen exhaled in relief, sword in one hand, pulling Summer with the other, ready to leave—only to be stopped by Summer.
“Don’t forget your task! While the flour hasn’t dispersed, go scoop some water.”
Zhu Chen nodded hurriedly, scooped a cup of water, and followed Summer away.
This trip ended with more fright than harm. Returning to Aunt Wang’s home, Zhu Chen admired Summer deeply.
“Sister Summer, where did you get that lighter?”
“Oh, that brat Huai Yu brought it. She’s been using it to light the stove these days, so I’ve been carrying it with me.”
When Summer first saw the lake, the system alerted her to the presence of an energy entity, with an energy index of 80%.
She had expected the ghost to launch a surprise attack when they let their guard down, but unexpectedly, it came out right after their first confrontation.
This time, things turned out fine, though it was a shame to waste those fifteen pounds of flour, freshly ground no less. Such a waste of food!
After some debate with the system, Zhu Chen submitted the task and happily took up his new sword, planning to practice first thing in the morning.
Both of them were so exhausted that they fell asleep almost as soon as their heads hit the pillow around three o’clock.
However, Summer had things on her mind and barely slept a few hours. At first light, she rose again and returned to the lake where the water ghost dwelled.
“Are you there? Let’s have a chat.”
Bubbles surfaced, and before long, the water ghost raised half her head, her eyes partly hidden by black hair, looking puzzled.
“Aren’t you afraid I’ll harm your partner?”
Having scattered the flour at dawn, Summer came alone, appearing to the water ghost like a delivery person showing up uninvited.
Summer smiled faintly, “No need to be so fierce. How about we talk cooperation?”