“The bespectacled one who just died, then your thug Li Cheng, followed by Old Yu Si who freeloaded off you, then the taxi driver—next is you!” Zhou Huan’s words were deadly serious, and sweat poured down Wang Qiang’s forehead.

Wang Qiang, teetering on the edge of death, had completely dropped his airs. Regardless of who else was present, he scrambled up and knelt on the ** floor, repeatedly pleading with Zhou Huan, “Master Zhou, I know you must have a way, please help me. Look at my arm, I really can’t take it anymore, I don’t want to die!”

“Fine, from now on, do exactly as I say!”

“Yes, yes, as long as you keep me alive, I’ll do anything, even if you turn me into an idiot!” Wang Qiang was speaking incoherently now.

Zhou Huan stood up, brushed the dust off his clothes, and said, “Keep your protective amulet on and don’t take it off. Wait for Guo Hua’s reappearance at midnight tonight. I suspect your grievances will be settled then. I need to go eat; I’ve been busy all day!”

Wang Qiang’s expression showed genuine agitation. Hearing Zhou Huan say his amulet would keep him alive, he clutched it tightly with both hands, curled up in the covers, his eyes devoid of their former arrogance, now filled only with sheer terror and a desperate need to escape.

Xiao He gathered the records she had handed to Wang Qiang and followed Zhou Huan out. She asked in a low voice, “Brother Huan, is there a way to handle this?”

“There is. I must wait for the female ghost to appear and talk everything out with her. I’m hungry; let’s eat first!”

“Oh, alright. I wonder if Old Song has eaten? And where did that Dong Zi run off to again?”

“Let’s worry about Old Song later. Dong Zi is probably hiding somewhere downstairs. It’s fine; he’ll show up the moment I call him! Hmph, the red-clad, green-sleeved one—this life hasn’t been wasted; I get another chance to challenge the red-clad, green-sleeved one!” Zhou Huan muttered to himself as he sauntered toward the elevator.

Mr. Wang approached, asking, “Master Zhou, did Wang Qiang say everything?”

“Yes, he told me the crucial parts. That’s enough!” Zhou Huan spoke with clear confidence, as if he could already perfectly resolve the matter.

“That’s good, that’s good! Let’s go, let’s go, I’ll take you to eat!” Mr. Wang, anxious for his son’s sake, no longer bothered putting on airs. He personally ushered Zhou Huan into the elevator, with the two bodyguards following meekly behind.

After they descended, Zhou Huan stood at the hospital entrance and shouted, “Dong Zi, time to eat!”

A gust of dust and the sound of hurried footsteps followed. “Brother, where are we eating?”

Dong Zi’s astonishing speed stunned everyone present. How could someone appear with dust and smoke trailing him just because he was called to eat!

Zhou Huan smiled slightly, then clapped his hands and announced, “To all the spirits who came downstairs just now, please go spend the night elsewhere tonight. I will ensure you return before dawn tomorrow. Zhou Huan thanks you!” With that, Zhou Huan bowed deeply in a formal gesture.

In the corner of the hospital yard, where Dong Zi had burned offerings earlier, gusts of whirlwind picked up, mixing with weeds and sand, swirling out toward the hospital gate. Before long, the whirlwind stopped.

Zhou Huan said with a smile, “Alright, we’ll eat vegetarian tonight—no meat or strong odors. It’s a sign of respect for the deceased!”

“Yes, yes, Master Zhou, whatever you want to eat is fine. I, Wang, insist on treating you. This meal must be my treat!” Mr. Wang said with deep sincerity, pulling Zhou Huan toward his luxury commercial van.

Guided by Mr. Wang, Zhou Huan, Xiao He, and Dong Zi boarded a Buick van. As soon as they settled in, Mr. Wang asked, “Master Zhou, Officer, and young man, what do you all prefer to eat?”

“Let’s go to Su Shi Zhai (Vegetarian Hall),” Xiao He replied clearly.

“But… that place is too far. I’m afraid we won’t make it back in time?” Mr. Wang worried that if Zhou Huan wasn’t back promptly, something terrible might happen to Wang Qiang.

Zhou Huan laughed heartily, “Don’t worry. That female ghost won’t reappear before midnight. We’ll be back in time by twelve. I’m starved anyway; I won’t return until I’m full. Let’s go. If Mr. Wang doesn’t want to take us, we’ll find our own way there.”

“Fine, fine, we’ll go to Su Shi Zhai!” In truth, Mr. Wang desperately wanted Zhou Huan to stay near the hospital; only then did he feel at ease, constantly fearing for Wang Qiang’s safety. Perhaps for this reason, he left one trusted aide stationed outside Wang Qiang’s hospital room, instructing him to call Mr. Wang immediately if anything happened.

After about half an hour’s drive, Zhou Huan’s party stopped at the foot of a small hill in the city, where a modestly sized vegetarian restaurant came into view.

Inside, a few scattered tables were occupied. Zhou Huan’s group was likely the largest table. After they ordered, the dishes arrived quickly. Zhou Huan devoured his food, and Dong Zi’s eating habits were even more terrifying; the fist-sized vegetarian steamed buns were practically swallowed whole by Dong Zi and Zhou Huan, one after another.

In no time, the table laden with food was wiped clean. Mr. Wang settled the bill and then said politely, “Master Zhou, let’s go. It’s already ten-thirty!”

Zhou Huan glanced up at the clock in the restaurant, nodded, and walked ahead out of the restaurant, preparing to return to the hospital for the final confrontation with the female ghost.

At eleven o’clock, Mr. Wang’s Buick van slowly drove through the hospital gates. Zhou Huan had kept his eyes closed during the drive. Upon arriving, he instructed Xiao He, “Clear everyone out of Wang Qiang’s floor, and clear the path to the hospital rooftop. You handle that. Dong Zi and I will find Old Song!”

After getting out of the car, Xiao He organized personnel to notify the medical staff on the third floor to evacuate. However, when most people asked for the reason, Xiao He only replied that it was a police drill. Although everyone had witnessed the events that transpired in the hospital earlier, they couldn't use ghosts as the official reason.

Zhou Huan and Dong Zi went to the third-floor ward to find Old Song. Dong Zi excitedly rushed toward Old Song’s room but was sharply pulled back by Zhou Huan. “Listen carefully, you cannot mess up a single thing I tell you to do.” Zhou Huan’s tone was stern, and Dong Zi listened with equal seriousness.

Dong Zi instinctively leaned his ear close to Zhou Huan’s mouth.

Zhou Huan gave him a slight shove. “You’re getting old! You don’t need to get so close. Just remember! First, take the mixture of realgar and glutinous rice I prepared out of Wang Qiang’s doorway. Then, sprinkle it in every corner of the third floor, leaving only the path leading to the rooftop door clear. Use the rice to mark a path for the female ghost later to the rooftop. I don’t want her confrontation to end in the hospital corridors; at least on the roof, she will have no escape.”

“Oh, I remember. I just need to lay a path of sticky rice leading to the rooftop, right?” After speaking, Dong Zi paused, then thought again, “Brother, what if we don’t have enough rice?”

“No one told you to use that much. Just take a small handful for each spot in the corridor. For the pathway, a small handful every half meter is enough. That amount of rice should suffice!” As Zhou Huan spoke, he pushed Dong Zi away. “Hurry up, we’re running out of time!”

Dong Zi went to sprinkle the realgar and rice according to Zhou Huan’s instructions, while Zhou Huan went alone to Old Song’s room. When he gently pushed open Old Song’s door, Zhou Huan was completely shocked!

“Old Song! Zi Xuan!” Upon opening the door, Zhou Huan found Old Song had vanished. Only a patient gown remained on the bed. Zhou Huan was frantic—Old Song missing at this critical moment! Had the female ghost returned early? That couldn't be; according to common sense, the female ghost lacked the ability to manifest consecutively unless she leveraged the pure Yin energy at midnight to continue her actions.

Zhou Huan knew Old Song was involved in this matter, so it wasn't strange for the female ghost to seek him out. In fact, Zhou Huan had confirmed this suspicion after their earlier conversation with Old Song.

While Zhou Huan was calling out loudly, Xiao He and Dong Zi rushed over almost simultaneously.

“Brother Huan, what happened to Old Song?” Xiao He usually received a lot of help from Old Song and had a very good relationship with him. Moreover, Old Song was quiet and always willing to help, so Xiao He was very concerned about his disappearance.

“Old Song is gone! Quickly send people to find him, I’m afraid he might run into more trouble!” Zhou Huan said, already running toward the elevator entrance.

Xiao He called out to Dong Zi, “Dong Zi, go look quickly!”

Dong Zi immediately bolted after Zhou Huan.

At the elevator entrance, Zhou Huan anxiously jabbed the down button with his finger. In the quiet hallway, the sound of him hitting the button echoed: pat, pat, pat!

Creeeeak! A crisp sound of a door opening. Wang Qiang’s hospital room door swung open, and a frail body slowly walked out.

“Grandmaster, stop shouting, I’m here!”

Zhou Huan listened carefully and recognized Old Song’s voice. He nervously turned around to see Old Song, dragging a body that looked utterly exhausted, walking step by step toward him.

“Grandmaster, tonight is the action against the female ghost, and I want to participate too. I think I can be helpful!” Old Song’s plea was earnest, and his eyes seemed to well up with tears of longing.

Old Song’s action solidified Zhou Huan’s suspicion: he was connected to the female ghost!

Seeing Old Song’s expression, Xiao He offered comfort. “Alright, I agree on behalf of Brother Huan. You can come with us!” She then looked at Zhou Huan. “Brother Huan, is that okay?”

Zhou Huan didn't move or speak, but his expression slightly eased as he headed straight for Wang Qiang’s room.

Dong Zi stood watching the scene, scratching his head. To him, all this was just an exciting spectacle.

Zhou Huan led the way, with Xiao He and Old Song following behind. Dong Zi remained rooted, pondering the earlier moment: why was Zhou Huan so anxious about Old Song, yet showed no reaction upon seeing him now?

The elevator doors slid open slowly. Mr. Wang, accompanied by his bodyguards, approached Dong Zi from behind. “Kid, what was all that just now?”

Dong Zi turned to look at Mr. Wang and announced loudly, “Nothing, mostly just nothing for you to worry about!” He then followed Zhou Huan’s footsteps toward Wang Qiang’s ward.

Zhou Huan pushed open the slightly ajar door of Wang Qiang’s room. Inside, Wang Qiang sat blankly on the bed, tightly clutching the pendant around his neck.

“Wang Qiang, it’s time for you to step forward!” Zhou Huan’s voice was low but extremely serious.

Wang Qiang’s eyes were filled with terror and hopeful expectation—terror of the female ghost’s power, expectation of Zhou Huan’s salvation. His upper and lower lips trembled, and slowly, a sound escaped: “Master Zhou, is it my turn? What should I do?”