Chapter Twenty-Two: Ruthless Suppression!

Mu Wanjun was already seething with anger, and now, out of nowhere, Liu Ji had shoved her hard. If it weren’t for Xiao Qing’s timely support, she would have fallen to the ground. So what if you’re the heir of a noble house? Does that give you the right to bully people so brazenly? She was truly fuming, but as she regained her senses, she saw Liu Ji and the young man locked in fierce combat. The dull thuds of bodies colliding told her that Liu Ji’s earlier shove was not without reason.

But then it struck her—wasn’t this man supposed to be unskilled in martial arts? Yet… well, he certainly didn’t look like he knew any martial arts. His moves were wild and chaotic, more like a street brawl than proper fighting. Yet in the next moment, her gaze was drawn to the swirling ball of energy in Liu Ji’s hand, and she stared, dumbfounded. Wasn’t that the Supreme Celestial Force technique? She couldn’t possibly be mistaken—she had once witnessed Liu Heng perform it, and the unique energy of the Supreme Celestial Force was unmistakable.

What baffled her was why Liu Ji would know this technique. Could it truly be as her father had said, that the Liu Ji who had always seemed talentless, useless, and the very image of a frivolous wastrel—was only pretending all along?

With a loud crash, her train of thought was interrupted as a figure was sent hurtling backward in a sorry state—it was the same young man, now possessed by the vengeful ghost. He looked utterly wretched, his body slick with blood, flesh mangled, white bone showing through in places. Yet he did not cry out. His eyes, large and wild, fixed upon Liu Ji with a stare so eerie that it sent chills down Liu Ji’s spine.

“Hey, isn’t that our household servant, Xiao Wang?” Xiao Qing exclaimed in surprise as she saw the miserable youth. “Did he really dare to attack Young Master Liu? Does he have a death wish? Sure, Young Master Liu can be insufferable, but to attack him in public—that’s bold!”

Mu Wanjun’s face was grave. “No, I fear Xiao Wang is possessed by a vengeful ghost. It’s the ghost inside him that’s controlling him now.”

“A vengeful ghost?!” Xiao Qing gasped, jumping back in fright. “It looks like Xiao Wang is targeting Young Master Liu! Do they have some kind of grudge? Maybe Young Master Liu stole a girl he liked? I’ve heard he’s always chasing after pretty faces!”

She snorted coldly, “Well, maybe it’s for the best. Xiao Wang should teach him a lesson—serves him right for provoking you just now.”

Mu Wanjun said nothing. Though Liu Ji seemed to have the upper hand, she knew how strange and unpredictable vengeful ghosts could be; anything might happen, and she did not think Liu Ji would necessarily win in the end—though surely, he wouldn’t die. After all, the Liu family’s guards were not for show.

With a guttural roar, Xiao Wang, now utterly enraged, lunged at Liu Ji like a tiger descending the mountain, swift and ferocious.

Liu Ji himself felt helpless. According to the books, vengeful ghosts lacked consciousness; those possessed would attack humans indiscriminately, though they left animals alone. Yet, for some reason, he sensed that the ghost-possessed Xiao Wang held a special grudge against him. He was baffled—he hadn’t done anything to offend a ghost, so why was he being targeted so relentlessly?

But this was not the time to dwell on that. A chill swept over him as Xiao Wang’s clawed hands, sharp as eagle talons, slashed toward him. With a cold snort, Liu Ji twisted aside, his right hand gathering the Supreme Celestial energy, and struck hard at Xiao Wang’s head as he missed.

Suddenly, a gray, translucent figure burst from Xiao Wang’s skull, shooting toward Mu Wanjun with incredible speed. At the same moment, Liu Ji’s palm smashed down on Xiao Wang’s head, sending blood and brain matter spraying everywhere, splattering Liu Ji from head to toe, while Xiao Wang’s body was flung aside.

The stench of blood made Liu Ji gag. He’d never killed even a chicken in his previous life, and now he had just crushed a man’s skull with his own hand, showered in gore and brain matter—a most harrowing ordeal.

“Vitality +15… Strength +8… Speed +6…”

As the gray shadow rushed at them, Xiao Qing shrieked and leapt about in terror, her face pale as death. She was clearly scared out of her wits.

“Impudent!” Mu Wanjun shouted, her voice sharp as she unleashed a powerful surge of vitality. The gray shadow screamed and recoiled as soon as it neared her.

“Move! Don’t get in the way!” She started forward to strike at the vengeful ghost, but saw a figure dart past her—Liu Ji, of course. Hearing his words so full of disdain, her lips parted in anger, but she was too flustered to form a retort.

At last she managed to choke out, “So what if you’ve mastered the Supreme Celestial Force? Does that make you so great?!”

The vengeful ghost, seeing Liu Ji charging toward it, turned and fled in terror—clearly, it sensed the danger he posed. But after inhabiting Xiao Wang’s body and fighting Liu Ji for so long, it was greatly depleted and no match for Liu Ji’s speed. In no time, Liu Ji caught up, his vitality surging as he struck the ghost back once more.

With a powerful leap, Liu Ji pounced like a leopard, his palm, filled with Supreme Celestial energy, crashing down on the ghost. The wind from his strike howled; he clearly intended to give the ghost no chance at all. The vengeful spirit, weakened and afraid, darted about like a startled bird, desperately trying to escape.

It sought a chance to flee, but Liu Ji gave it none. Wherever it turned, he was there, forcing it to flee in panic. With each pursuit, the gray shadow grew weaker and fainter, its form dissolving as if it might vanish at any moment. At last, unable to evade, it was shattered by Liu Ji’s palm.

“Spirit Power +20…”

Gazing at the drifting numbers before him, Liu Ji opened his status panel.

Vitality: 65 [Normal standard: 10]
Strength: 63 [Normal standard: 10]
Speed: 60 [Normal standard: 10]
Spirit: 42 [Normal standard: 10]
Constitution: 88 [Normal standard: 10; evaluation: excellent]
Spirit Power: 115

“My stats now far exceed normal levels—though those standards are for ordinary people,” Liu Ji mused as he studied the panel. “I wonder what the standards are for those so-called martial artists? Still, my numbers can’t be considered low, can they?”

He had been using his spirit power daily to boost his vitality, speed, and strength, and the results were plain to see. He had yet to face a true martial artist, let alone a powerful Armored Spirit Master, so he didn’t know how his stats would compare. Yet, since he could so thoroughly crush this vengeful ghost, his strength could not be weak, even if he lacked skill in technique. He was certainly not weak, at least.

Just then, several figures dashed toward them from the surrounding rooftops, moving as if the uneven tiles were flat ground. With a leap, they landed steadily before Liu Ji. They were his personal guards, who knelt on one knee and bowed their heads, speaking in low voices: “Forgive us for arriving late, Young Master. Please accept our apologies.”

Liu Ji waved them off, unconcerned, and pointed at Xiao Wang’s corpse. “Find a place to bury him. Also, give his family some money.”

Turning, Liu Ji saw Liu Yuqing and Xiaoya staring at him, dumbstruck, their faces filled with shock—as though they were looking at a stranger. Clearly, they were utterly astonished by this new Liu Ji.

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