Volume Eight: Infernal Judgement Chapter Five: Ghost Whiskers

The car sped along the road as Yaoguang sat in deep thought. Ever since this case began, there hadn’t been a single day her brow wasn’t furrowed in worry.

“Master, where are we heading?” Jiang Yun asked.

“To Guishan Monastery,” Yaoguang replied. “I’ve been poring over old records these past few days and remembered that the founder of the Ghost Sect, Ghost Whisker, once trained together with the Old Man. I want to ask him if he knows anything about Ghost Whisker and the Ghost Sect. I just can’t find a lead in this case. If Akun is right and these four victims died in the order of the Eight Sufferings, then the conspiracy behind this must be enormous. The enemy is out in the open while we are in the shadows. If we can’t gain the upper hand, once the Ghost Sect achieves its goal, I fear many more people will be harmed.” Finishing her explanation, Yaoguang’s frustration was clear. After so many years tracking the Ghost Sect, she still had nothing concrete.

At the foot of Guishan Monastery, Yaoguang glanced up and approached.

“Greetings, Divine Venerable. My master instructed me that if you came, you should find him at the usual place,” the young acolyte said, hurrying over as soon as he saw Yaoguang step out of the car.

Yaoguang nodded, noticing the many luxury cars parked outside the monastery with some surprise.

“They’ve all come to seek my master’s divination, but he refuses to see anyone. They’ve been waiting for a long time, but my master remains behind closed doors.”

“Why is that? Guishan Monastery has always received guests. Has something happened here?” Yaoguang inquired.

“That’s my master’s instruction. I don’t know the details,” the acolyte replied.

Yaoguang asked nothing further and continued up the steps, her companions following. They climbed to the mountaintop terrace and found the Old Daoist of Guishan seated at a tea table, smiling as he sipped his tea.

“You’re here,” he greeted her warmly.

“Old man, you knew I was coming,” Yaoguang said, sitting down.

“So, what brings you here this time?” the Old Daoist asked.

“These are the recent case files. Please have a look,” Yaoguang said, handing them over.

“All Ghost Sect members,” the Old Daoist remarked after reading. “What do you think?”

“I suspect the four victims died in accordance with the sequence of the Eight Sufferings, but I can’t find solid evidence. They’re all from the Ghost Sect, all survivors from ten years ago, and now people of high status within it. Why would they be killed? Moreover, their souls, spiritual consciousness, and essence are all missing—I suspect they were sacrificed. If so, then a massive plot is brewing within the Ghost Sect. If we don’t find a breakthrough to strike first, more people will suffer,” Yaoguang explained.

“You’re right,” the Old Daoist nodded. “So you came just to ask about the Ghost Sect?”

“Yes. You once trained with Ghost Whisker; you must know much about the Ghost Sect. You were always traveling, and I couldn’t find you. Also, I want to ask about Ghost Whisker’s whereabouts. Rumor has it he’s dead, ascended, or simply disappeared, but there’s no proof. I’ve made inquiries for years but found nothing. Now the Ghost Sect is growing new forces, and I fear what happened ten years ago will repeat. I’m truly afraid,” Yaoguang said, lighting a cigarette.

“I understand. Tell me, did you notice Guishan Monastery is closed to visitors?” the Old Daoist asked.

“Yes, I meant to ask you why,” Yaoguang replied.

“I’m entertaining a distinguished guest—no time for anyone else.”

“What kind of guest makes you turn away all worshipers? What scheme are you up to?” Yaoguang wondered.

The Old Daoist smiled mysteriously. “It’s for you, of course.”

“For me?” Yaoguang didn’t understand.

“What do you need most right now?” he asked.

“I need to solve the case. Why else am I here? I stayed in the mortal world to eradicate the Ghost Sect’s evil,” Yaoguang replied, stubbing out her cigarette. Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she looked at him in surprise. “Wait… you can’t be serious, old man.”

The Old Daoist laughed loudly. “Aren’t you coming out yet? Don’t you think the tea smells good?”

Yaoguang turned, just as the door opened and an elderly man in a black robe, energetic and lively, stepped out.

“Apologies for my tardiness, Phoenix Divine Venerable. My disciples have caused you trouble. Ghost Whisker is here to offer his apologies,” the elder said.

“Ghost Whisker?!” Yaoguang was so stunned her jaw nearly dropped.

“Well, little one, does this favor please you?” the Old Daoist laughed.

Yaoguang was speechless for a long moment. “You—old man, you…”

“All these years you only knew I was traveling, but I was actually searching for this old fellow. At last, perseverance paid off. Come, sit and let us talk,” the Old Daoist said, laughing as he took his seat.

“Senior Ghost Whisker, please sit,” Yaoguang said, regaining her composure.

“Divine Venerable, first let me apologize. My gesture can never make up for the lives lost, but alas, after I severed ties with the Ghost Sect and left, I never thought things would turn out this way,” Ghost Whisker sighed.

“You needn’t blame yourself. What the Ghost Sect has done is not your fault,” Yaoguang reassured him.

“Thank you, Divine Venerable,” Ghost Whisker said with a respectful gesture.

“Senior, you must have heard about the recent cases. I would be grateful for your guidance,” Yaoguang said, bowing.

“Let me see the files,” Ghost Whisker said, taking the documents and reading them carefully. After a long silence, he sighed. “What a calamity. Forgive my disciples, Divine Venerable.”

“You’re too kind,” Yaoguang replied.

“The first victim was cut open and her child taken before term, never to return to the mother’s womb—this is the Suffering of Birth. The second, an elder drained of blood, withered like a flower—Suffering of Aging. The third was used as a furnace, suffering far beyond common illness—Suffering of Sickness. The fourth, Death Suffering, faced her greatest fear. Knowing that woman, her terror was not of mortal things—it must have been judgment. You’re correct; these four deaths follow the sequence of the Eight Sufferings. This is a formation—a Soul-Locking Eight Sufferings Array,” Ghost Whisker explained.

“Soul-Locking Eight Sufferings Array?” Yaoguang asked, scanning the files. “Please, tell me more.”

“Yes. The Soul-Locking Eight Sufferings Array was created by the Ghost Sect, originally meant to punish those who committed evil and refused repentance. I never thought it would be used to harm innocents. And even this is no longer the original formation. The first, Suffering of Birth, trapped the sinner in a narrow tunnel; only by overcoming fear and repenting could they escape. The second, Suffering of Aging, used illusions to show the sinner their own decay, instilling fear to drive them to repentance. The third, Suffering of Sickness, punished with poison, not by making people into furnaces. The fourth, Suffering of Death, feigned death to frighten sinners into confession. All these were meant to make wrongdoers repent, but now they’re used against ordinary people. Fifth, Suffering of Separation from Loved Ones, was for disciples who broke their vows—making them take a separation pill to sever attachments, or else suffer more. The Ghost Sect was once a true Daoist order—those who joined were to forsake worldly love. Sixth, Suffering of Being with the Hated, punished those who sowed discord. Seventh, Suffering of Unfulfilled Desires, targeted those who sought wrongfully. The last, Suffering of the Five Skandhas, was reserved for the gravest sinners—to experience all seven sufferings and, if they repented at the end, be spared. The array was rarely used, for its severity, but now my disciples have turned it into a tool for evil—how tragic,” Ghost Whisker lamented.

“Senior, what happened in those early years? How did the Ghost Sect become what it is today? I know it wasn’t always like this,” Yaoguang asked.

“Years ago, wars raged endlessly. Countless unjust souls became vengeful ghosts, wreaking havoc. My junior and I left our sect to hunt demons, joined by like-minded friends. As we traveled, our reputation grew. People sought us out, and we founded the Ghost Sect, vowing to rid the world of vengeful spirits before seeking our own ascension. Soon, the sect flourished and gifts poured in as payment for our services. Some found this lucrative, and trouble began—they used sorcery to harm, then Daoist arts to heal, extorting more money. My junior and I were furious and punished them. We discovered one, Ghost Minister, was the ringleader and expelled him. But he had powerful backers and retaliated by attacking the Ghost Sect. In that battle, my junior died protecting me. Ghost Minister threatened to kill everyone unless I relinquished control, so to avoid more deaths, I left. When I returned, the Ghost Sect had become a den of evil. I wanted to destroy him but was interrupted by a police raid. Ghost Minister escaped, and I’ve been searching for him ever since, but he’s cunning. In the end, it was my retreat that allowed this disaster. But tell me, Divine Venerable, why do you stand so firmly against the Ghost Sect?”

“It’s a long story. After you left, the Ghost Sect truly became a ghostly sect, committing every evil. I was appointed head of the Heavenly Sword Special Investigation Unit and led a raid against the Ghost Sect. Eleven of my unit fell, including my fiancé, who was dismembered and made into a painting. His soul was sent to Iron Enclosure Mountain by the Ghost Sect’s cruel arts. To save him, I exhausted my cultivation and lost half my spiritual essence, but finally sent his soul through the Gate of Ghost Immortals. This triggered divine punishment—three hundred twenty-four bolts of heavenly lightning. I drew the lightning into myself, reforged my divine veins, and ascended. After my tribulation, I vowed never to return to the Divine Realm until the Ghost Sect was destroyed. That’s how it is,” Yaoguang finished with a sigh.

“I see. I’m sorry, Divine Venerable,” Ghost Whisker said.

“Senior, do you know about Hell Blood Bats and Soul-Eating Flowers?” Yaoguang asked.

“Yes. I saw traces of them in the files. Both are Ghost Sect creations, but these are no longer the original breeds,” Ghost Whisker replied.

“How so?” Yaoguang pressed.

“The Hell Blood Bat was originally bred as an antidote. Its body contained a toxin that neutralized certain rare poisons—using poison to fight poison. The Soul-Eating Flower’s pollen healed those traumatized by vengeful ghosts, helping them forget pain and start anew. My junior and I invented them. But from the files, these creatures have been corrupted—now they serve only evil. What a tragedy,” Ghost Whisker lamented.

“So, four of the Eight Sufferings have already appeared. The Ghost Sect will keep killing,” Yaoguang said.

“It’s sacrifice. They’re offering their souls, consciousness, and essence to these tortures, trying to maximize resentment before death. The Soul-Locking Array’s power grows with this. If I’m right, they’ll gather the souls from the seven sufferings into an eighth person, creating an immensely powerful vengeful spirit—the Demon Ghost. The Demon Ghost is immortal, with a body of steel. We must stop them. Divine Venerable, I’ll go down the mountain with you and join your investigation. As for you, Old Daoist, trace their movements outside. We must capture these fiends before the Demon Ghost emerges,” Ghost Whisker declared.

“Thank you, Senior,” Yaoguang said, saluting with clasped fists.

“Divine Venerable, you’re too polite. This disaster was my doing, and this time, I’ll destroy these fiends myself,” Ghost Whisker said earnestly.

“Senior, allow me to bow to you,” Yaoguang said, performing a formal salute.

“Divine Venerable, what are you doing? You’re already a revered deity—I cannot accept such courtesy,” Ghost Whisker said, surprised.

“Senior, the Ghost Sect was once your order. For my sake, you’re willing to destroy it yourself. I am indebted to you,” Yaoguang said.

“No, Divine Venerable, you needn’t feel that way. The Ghost Sect I founded died with my junior. What remains is but a nest of evil. All my life I have fought evil and upheld justice—I will not let these fiends sully my name. This time, it’s for the world, for the lives lost, for the peace of the Three Realms, and for myself. I can’t run anymore. I must face it and seek justice for all those harmed by the Ghost Sect,” Ghost Whisker said firmly. “Wait a moment, let me change, and I’ll go with you.”

Watching the old man’s still-straight back, Yaoguang finally relaxed. With the founder of the Ghost Sect now joining the hunt, luck was on their side—this trip was not in vain.

“Master, we might really solve the case now,” Jiang Yun said.

“Yes, old man, you’re impressive. I owe you another favor,” Yaoguang smiled.

“That’s nothing. Solve the case, and you can buy me a drink,” the Old Daoist chuckled.

“No problem,” Yaoguang agreed, smiling.