Chapter 37

Ma Ao and Zhang Chao entered the restroom together, saying that having two people would be safer in case something happened, and one could help the other. However, they weren’t exactly familiar with each other, and squeezing into a one-square-meter restroom was indeed a bit awkward.

Zhang Chao was quite envious of Ma Ao. “Don’t think you’re all that just because you’re sitting next to Master Gu. You’re not as good-looking or as rich as I am. I’m going to take your seat!”

Ma Ao scoffed, “You ungrateful wretch. If it weren’t for me convincing Master Gu to come along and deciding to board this plane last minute, do you think that thing in your mouth would have come out? It might have dug out your guts by now, and you’d be dead.”

Zhang Chao retorted, “I don’t know about that. All I know is that Master Gu saved me, and it has nothing to do with you. Don’t expect me to thank you.”

Ma Ao rolled his eyes. Who cares?

Zhang Chao turned around to undo his belt. “Close your eyes, don’t peek.”

Ma Ao didn’t even want to respond. He wasn’t interested in men, so why would he peek at another guy? Even if he were interested, he wouldn’t like this arrogant peacock.

“Hurry up.”

“I didn’t rush you when you were peeing. Can’t you wait a moment?”

“Fine, take your time. But if a Face Ghost shows up, I’m running first. Don’t blame me for being selfish.”

“…This jerk, I’m definitely taking his seat!”

Ma Ao waited a bit longer, worrying about whether his seat had been taken over. In such a tense situation, with most people panicking and scared, who knew what someone in a panic might do?

Just as he was about to urge Zhang Chao again, he suddenly felt a weight on his back. Zhang Chao unexpectedly pressed against him, wrapping his arms around Ma Ao’s waist. He could feel Zhang Chao’s chin rubbing against his back, sending shivers down his spine. Ma Ao shook him off, saying, “Zhang Chao, get away from me. I’m not interested in you.”

Turning to look, Ma Ao was shocked to see not Zhang Chao’s annoying face, but a woman with a gaping mouth. Her head tilted, blood-red eyes rolling, her complexion pale and blue, grinning at him.

“Holy crap!!”

It was a woman’s face, yet it was clearly Zhang Chao’s body, as if someone had slapped a face onto Zhang Chao’s. Because it wasn’t perfectly aligned, one eye was stretched to the temple, another covered the nose, and the mouth was crooked… revealing wrinkled, bloody skin.

How could this be? Why was this happening? Weren’t all the Face Ghosts captured? Could there be another one?

In that instant, Ma Ao’s heart leaped to his throat. Terrified, he screamed, trying to pry off “Zhang Chao’s” arms, but the grip was too strong. Despite his struggle, he couldn’t break free. The fear of being held by a ghost overwhelmed him, his scalp tingling, his face flushed red. He fought desperately to free himself from “Zhang Chao’s” grasp.

Ma Ao shouted at the top of his lungs, “Help! Help! Get Master Gu!”

“Zhang Chao” opened its gaping mouth, laughing shrilly in his ear. Ma Ao was so scared he nearly wet himself. If he hadn’t just gone to the bathroom, he might have. He struggled violently, and “Zhang Chao” accidentally tore open his shirt, revealing several amulets for peace hanging around Ma Ao’s neck.

Suddenly, “Zhang Chao” shrieked, pushed back by a burst of golden light. Ma Ao took the opportunity to kick it, sending “Zhang Chao” crashing into the wall. Yet it showed no sign of pain, its head twisting as it stood up, blood-red eyes fixed on Ma Ao.

Ma Ao was on the verge of losing his mind, unable to bear the sight. Taking advantage of the moment, he quickly opened the restroom door and ran out, shouting, “Zhang Chao is possessed by a Face Ghost! Get Master Gu!”

He ran out, holding the restroom door tightly to prevent “Zhang Chao” from escaping, desperately calling for help. If he had known this would happen, he would have held it in rather than go to the restroom. Now, he just wanted to get back to Master Gu, the only safe place. Zhang Chao was a walking disaster, always in trouble, and he needed to stay far away from him.

Yet, no one answered. The cabin was eerily silent. He suddenly realized that everyone outside had collapsed, unconscious on the floor.

…How could this be?

The restroom door thudded as “Zhang Chao” tried to break out, but outside was deathly quiet. A sense of despair and fear gripped Ma Ao, sending chills down his spine, his face drained of color.

What now? Was he really going to die here?

No, there was still Master Gu. She would know what to do in this situation. She must have a solution.

As Ma Ao panicked, Shen Yue suddenly rushed over, stepping over the unconscious passengers. Seeing Ma Ao holding the restroom door, he was surprised, especially noticing Ma Ao’s exposed chest. This must have been a fierce fight, he thought. Then, seeing the commotion in the restroom, he exclaimed, “What’s going on?”

Ma Ao cursed, “That jinx Zhang Chao got possessed by a Face Ghost and nearly killed me! Luckily, my amulet saved me, and I managed to escape. I should ask you, what happened to everyone outside? They were fine when I went in, and now they’re all out cold?”

Shen Yue replied, “I don’t know either. I was talking to Yifan, and suddenly he just passed out. I couldn’t wake him. When I looked around, everyone was unconscious. I realized something was wrong and was about to find Master Gu… I’ll go get her now, you hang in there.”

Ma Ao: “…”

But there were too many people on the floor, especially near the seats, where they were slumped over or had fallen out. Those waiting for the restroom were piled up in the aisle, lying on top of each other, leaving no room to step. To get through, they had to step over people. But in a life-or-death situation, who cared about stepping on someone? A little stepping wouldn’t kill them, but being late might.

Just as Shen Yue was about to step over the unconscious passengers, he saw a figure floating down the aisle. It was Miss Long Hair, being carried by five Black Blobs, floating up and down, side to side, as they struggled to support her.

Shen Yue: “…???”

Ma Ao: “…!!!”

Gu Feiyin hadn’t expected to find two people still standing. When she noticed everyone in the cabin had passed out, she was startled, quickly realizing a ghost was causing trouble. She decided to check on the cockpit to see if the pilot was okay. Without a pilot, who knew where the plane would end up?

The path was blocked by unconscious passengers, making it hard to walk. Fortunately, the Black Blobs could fly. Even without Neighbor Miss to carry her, having something that could fly was enough. If five Black Blobs couldn’t carry her, they might as well not be ghosts.

Finally spotting people, she had the Black Blobs carry her over, stopping three steps away from Ma Ao and Shen Yue. She stretched her legs to touch the ground, and as soon as she stood, the five Black Blobs dropped to the floor, motionless as if dead.

…Is that even possible?!

Ma Ao and Shen Yue were dumbfounded, speechless.

Gu Feiyin asked, “Is it just the two of you?”

Ma Ao, stammering, finally snapped out of it and cried, “Master, save us! Zhang Chao is possessed by a Face Ghost and wants to kill us. I’ve locked him in the restroom!”

The banging from the restroom hadn’t stopped. Gu Feiyin frowned and said, “Step aside, let me take a look.”

Ma Ao repeatedly warned her to be careful before letting go and quickly stepping aside. As soon as Ma Ao released the door, Gu Feiyin pushed it open, immediately spotting “Zhang Chao” standing there, his face covered with a woman’s, wrinkled like a poorly applied face mask.

“Zhang Chao” froze at the sight of the Long-haired Woman, its eyes rolling 360 degrees before sinisterly looking at Ma Ao hiding behind Gu Feiyin. Ma Ao’s heart skipped a beat, and he shrank further behind Master Gu, regretting his height. If only he were shorter, he could hide better.

“Zhang Chao” screeched and tried to flee, but Gu Feiyin rushed forward, pinning it down and pummeling it, her hands clawing at Zhang Chao’s face to peel off the Face Ghost.

The Face Ghost seemed rooted to “Zhang Chao’s” face, sticking tight. The skin stretched long but wouldn’t come off.

Gu Feiyin slapped it several times, disorienting the ghost. Eventually, it succumbed, joining the others on the Red Ribbon.

The violent yet swift action left Ma Ao and Shen Yue stunned. Thankfully, the Face Ghost was captured, and they both breathed a sigh of relief. Shen Yue quickly checked Zhang Chao’s pulse. Fortunately, he was still alive, though his face looked terrible-pale, wrinkled, and red, with traces of blood, as if soaked in it.

Ma Ao swallowed hard. “What’s with these Face Ghosts? Can they really steal people’s faces?”

Gu Feiyin shook her head, saying she didn’t know. There were no such Face Ghosts on her mountain, and these seemed to be controlled by a bigger ghost.

She looked at Ma Ao and Shen Yue. “Why didn’t you two pass out?”

Ma Ao recalled the golden light from his amulet repelling “Zhang Chao” and said, “Maybe it’s because of the amulets around my neck? I got them from a temple. I didn’t expect them to actually work. When Zhang Chao got possessed in the restroom, he grabbed me, and I couldn’t break free. But he accidentally tore my shirt, exposing the amulets, and the Face Ghost seemed afraid of them.”

He had seven or eight amulets, usually hidden under his clothes. During the struggle with “Zhang Chao,” his shirt lost a couple of buttons, revealing the amulets. He had gotten them from a temple after being spooked by the six-eyed creature, hoping they’d keep him safe. He didn’t expect them to actually work, though he wasn’t sure which one did the trick…

Hearing this, Shen Yue was surprised and checked his own pocket. His mother had given him an amulet that morning, saying she got it from a temple. He hadn’t thought much of it, just stuffed it in his pocket. Now, it seemed the amulet was why he hadn’t passed out.

Shen Yue quickly put the amulet back in his pocket, pressing it down carefully, afraid it might fall out.

Thinking of his mother, his eyes reddened. No, he had to make it back alive.

Gu Feiyin glanced at their amulets, instinctively stepping back. She was most afraid of things imbued with Buddhist power; they hurt like hell when they hit.

Shen Yue spoke in a low voice, “Master Gu, everyone on the plane has passed out. What should we do now?”

Ma Ao, equally worried, added, “Exactly! We don’t even know if the captain is still conscious. If he’s out too, there’s no way to land the plane. If that happens, all three or four hundred of us on board are doomed!”

Gu Feiyin understood the urgency of the situation. “I’ll check the cockpit. You two stay here and look after the others.”

Somehow, a thick mist had begun to fill the cabin. Gu Feiyin caught a whiff of an even stronger scent of blood-far more intense than what she had sensed earlier with the Face Ghosts.

The source of this overwhelming metallic tang was unmistakably coming from the cockpit.

Frowning, she tugged on the Red Ribbon. The five Black Blobs, which had been sprawled lifelessly on the floor, reluctantly floated back into the air. With great effort, they began dragging the Long-haired Woman toward the cockpit, their movements sluggish and filled with dread. It wasn’t as though they had a choice-this woman was terrifying. Not only did her appearance strike fear into their ghostly cores, but her hands were even worse. One slap from her could make them see stars, forget their own names, and question why they were even on this plane. Her strikes carried a thunderous force that could scatter their very souls. Naturally, they dared not disobey, lest they meet an untimely end.

The newest Black Blob, however, resisted with all its might, flailing wildly in an attempt to escape. But where could it run? And why? Its mind was a jumbled mess, unable to recall anything except its mission: to incite chaos and ensure everyone on the plane turned on one another. Everyone had to die. Their deaths would bring it joy.

“Chirp chirp chirp!” it screeched, only to be met with a resounding slap that left it dazed and compliant.

Meanwhile, Gu Feiyin finally reached the cockpit door. Back in the cabin, however, Ma Ao and Shen Yue faced a new crisis. The passengers, who had been lying motionless just moments ago, were now stirring-and they were no longer themselves. Each of their faces was now overlaid with the grotesque visage of a Face Ghost. The mismatched eyes, exaggerated mouths, and wrinkled, sagging skin were enough to make anyone’s scalp tingle with fear.

Five or six passengers, now fully possessed by Face Ghosts, rose to their feet. Their crimson, fleshy lips twitched as they emitted eerie chirping sounds, before charging madly toward Ma Ao and Shen Yue.

The two exchanged a horrified glance. With no time to think, they dove into the nearest restroom and braced the door with all their strength.

…

Gu Feiyin had just arrived outside the cockpit when a middle-aged man stepped out. She recognized his uniform and even the name tag on his chest: He Zhongping, Captain He Zhongping.

But this was no longer the He Zhongping she had seen earlier. His face was covered with a layer of human skin. Unlike the crude, haphazard way Face Ghosts usually attached themselves to their hosts, this one was disturbingly seamless. The nose was where it should be, the eyes aligned perfectly-everything was eerily precise.

She sniffed the air. Delicious.

“Captain He” adopted a gentlemanly demeanor. “Ah, such a lovely lady. Is there anything I can do for you?” His gaze shifted to the six Black Blobs bound by the Red Ribbon, his eyes gleaming red. “If you like, I can give these to you. All I ask is that you work with me. Whatever you desire, I can provide.”

Gu Feiyin tugged on the ribbon, causing the Black Blobs to twitch on the ground. “These are already mine. I don’t need you to give them to me.”

“Captain He” sneered, his expression darkening as he studied the eerie woman before him. He knew all too well that she was the one who had disrupted his plans and captured half of his Face Ghost Legion. Just a mere human-how dare she act so arrogantly? “Don’t think that just because you have some skills, you’re invincible. There’s always someone stronger out there. Be careful, or you won’t even know how you lost your life!”

His gaze bore into her, but the Long-haired Woman remained unfazed. Her pitch-black eyes stared back at him, devoid of emotion, as if he were beneath her notice. Yet there was something unsettling about her gaze, as though she were prying into his very soul.

“Captain He” was furious. It had been ages since anyone had dared to look at him like that.

He strode forward, intent on grabbing her by the throat. She had to die-there was no other option.

But she was faster. Instead of retreating, she lunged at him, her hands aiming for his face. He dismissed her actions as trivial. No talismans, no peachwood sword, no copper coins, not even black dog blood-just bare hands. What could she possibly do to him?

And yet, those very hands latched onto his face, sending a jolt of searing pain through him. He roared in agony, his fury mounting as he clamped his hands around her neck, determined to choke the life out of her. But to his shock, she didn’t seem to care. Instead, she opened her mouth and bit down on his jaw.

…His jaw! She had bitten it off?!

“Captain He” screamed in disbelief. “How can you eat me? What are you?!”

Gu Feiyin, struggling against his grip, retaliated by pounding her fists into his abdomen. After just three strikes, the Face Ghost Leader’s control over He Zhongping’s body began to falter. His grip on her neck loosened as his spirit wavered. Sensing an opportunity, Gu Feiyin delivered a few more punches.

“Captain He,” now thoroughly panicked, realized he was no match for her. Missing his jaw and reeling from the assault, he decided it was time to retreat. He kicked at her in an attempt to create distance, but she clung to him stubbornly. The skin of his face stretched grotesquely, elongating like melted candy. His distorted mouth opened and closed, emitting horrifying screams that echoed throughout the plane.

Back in the restroom, Ma Ao and Shen Yue were on the verge of collapse. The six possessed passengers outside were relentless, their combined strength nearly forcing the door open. Both men were drenched in sweat, their faces pale with fear.

Ma Ao, on the brink of tears, wailed, “I should’ve gone with Master Gu! These people are terrifying. Do you think they’ll eat us if they get in?”

Shen Yue, equally terrified, snapped, “Stop talking and use your strength to hold the door! Do you think I’m not regretting it too? But if we went with her, we’d probably just be dead weight!”

Outside, the six Face Ghosts seemed to be toying with them. One of them pressed its mismatched eye against the crack in the door, staring directly at Ma Ao. The sight made him scream and stumble backward, nearly losing his footing. The door, now unguarded, began to give way. Shen Yue lunged forward, slamming it shut again. “Ma Ao, get a grip! If you back off, we’re done for!”

Ma Ao, trembling, pressed himself against the door once more. But their strength was waning, and it was only a matter of time before the door gave out.

Just as despair set in, a piercing scream echoed through the plane. The six Face Ghosts froze, their crimson eyes swiveling toward the cockpit. Without a word, they abandoned the restroom and began moving in that direction.

Inside, Ma Ao and Shen Yue noticed the sudden silence. The pressure on the door had vanished. Wiping the sweat from his brow, Ma Ao asked, “Did you hear that scream just now?”

“I heard it. I think those Face Ghosts left. Maybe they were summoned?”

“But I didn’t hear any footsteps.”

“Aren’t ghosts supposed to be silent?”

The two exchanged a nervous glance, shivering at the thought.

After waiting for what felt like an eternity, they cautiously cracked the door open. Seeing no one outside, they finally stepped out. “What’s going on?”

Shen Yue said, “The sound came from the cockpit. Something must’ve happened with Master Gu. Let’s go!”

Ma Ao nodded. “Right!”

Their expressions grim, they made their way toward the cockpit, stepping over unconscious passengers as they went. The closer they got, the louder the commotion became. But with the curtain blocking their view, they couldn’t see what was happening. Their anxiety grew with each step as they approached.

If their suspicions were correct, Master Gu was facing a formidable Face Ghost, along with six possessed passengers. Alone, her chances didn’t look good.

Ma Ao glanced around and grabbed a pair of combat boots from an unconscious passenger. Shen Yue followed suit, picking up the other boot.

The plane’s security measures had left them with no real weapons, and the boots seemed like their best option.

With their makeshift weapons in hand, they steeled themselves and pulled back the curtain. What they saw confirmed their fears: four possessed passengers lay unconscious on the ground, while Master Gu and “Captain He” were locked in a fierce struggle. Master Gu was pulling at “Captain He’s” face, while another Face Ghost attempted to strangle her from behind. Ma Ao and Shen Yue’s hearts sank. This was bad-really bad.

“Watch out!” they shouted.

But to their astonishment, Gu Feiyin leaned back and headbutted the Face Ghost behind her. The ghost staggered, spinning in place before collapsing to the floor. Its spirit detached from its host, falling to the ground as a motionless Black Mist.

Ma Ao: “…”

Shen Yue: “…”

“Captain He” was livid. In the blink of an eye, five of his Face Ghosts had been neutralized. What was this Long-haired Woman? How could she reduce his carefully cultivated spirits to mere shadows with a single punch?

The last remaining Face Ghost cowered in the corner, too terrified to move.

Seizing the moment, Ma Ao and Shen Yue charged forward with their boots. Shen Yue leapt onto “Captain He’s” back, while Ma Ao swung the boot at his face.

“Captain He,” though struggling against the Long-haired Woman, found these two humans laughably weak. With a swift kick, he sent Ma Ao flying. A shrug of his shoulder dislodged Shen Yue, who crashed into the cabin wall. Both men lay groaning on the floor, unable to get up.

“Fools,” he sneered. “Know your place.”

Gu Feiyin, meanwhile, was growing frustrated. No matter how much she pulled, the Face Ghost’s skin stretched endlessly, like an unbreakable strand of cotton candy. She decided to change tactics. Raising her foot, she stomped down on the ghost’s elongated mouth, grinding it into the floor.

The Face Ghost Leader hadn’t anticipated this move. The crushing force left him seeing stars, his spirit trembling under the relentless pressure. The Long-haired Woman’s cold, bloodthirsty gaze bore into him, filling him with an unfamiliar sense of dread.

Desperate, he tried to bargain. “I can let you live. I’ll ensure your safe return to the human world. I know you’re not ordinary. You shouldn’t waste your talents on these insignificant humans. Work with me, and I’ll give you everything you desire!”

Gu Feiyin’s response was calm and direct. “Do you know where Mu Mountain is?”

Mu Mountain? The Face Ghost Leader clearly had no idea. But he said, “I know. As long as you cooperate with me and stop opposing me, I’ll take care of everything on this plane and lead you to Mu Mountain.”

Gu Feiyin rolled her eyes. Did he really think she was that gullible? Ignoring his words, she continued stomping and pulling at him, driving the Face Ghost Leader to the brink of madness. What made him even more desperate was the undeniable feeling that his soul was becoming increasingly unstable, showing signs of disintegration. Yet the Long-haired Woman before him showed no sign of reason, her pitch-black eyes fixed on him as if she intended to devour him whole, treating him like some kind of exquisite delicacy.

He thought back to his early days as a ghost, when he was bullied by a few powerful Malevolent Ghosts to the point of nearly dissipating. Since then, he’d never encountered such a troublesome opponent.

As he struggled to figure out his next move, a sudden idea struck him. Abandoning He Zhongping’s body, he lunged directly at the Long-haired Woman’s face!

Ma Ao and Shen Yue, who had finally managed to get up from the floor, watched in horror as the Face Ghost Leader latched onto Gu Feiyin’s face, completely overtaking her features. His twisted visage-eyes and nose askew, mouth stretched unnaturally long-was partly in her hands and partly scattered on the floor.

With the Face Ghost Leader gone, He Zhongping collapsed lifelessly to the ground.

Ma Ao and Shen Yue rushed forward to support He Zhongping, shaking him in an attempt to wake him up. After all, someone needed to fly the plane. But their attention kept drifting back to Master Gu, who stood motionless in place.

Judging by the situation, once a Face Ghost seized someone’s face, it not only took over their body but also their mind. The victim would be utterly powerless, even if commanded to harm themselves.

If the Face Ghost Leader truly gained control of Master Gu’s body and mind, there would be no one left to oppose the Face Ghosts, and everyone on the plane would be doomed.

The Face Ghost Leader, triumphant in his success, threw his head back and laughed maniacally. “You’re all going to die! All of you will perish and become my prey!” His blood-red eyes swiveled toward Ma Ao and Shen Yue. “I’ll refine your souls into Face Ghosts, adding you to my legion. You’ll never find peace, not even in death!”

Ma Ao and Shen Yue were overcome with despair. “You’re utterly heartless! Killing so many innocent people-aren’t you afraid of divine retribution?!”

The Face Ghost Leader sneered. “Divine retribution? I’ll sacrifice you to the heavens before that happens!”

Gritting his teeth, Ma Ao suddenly yanked the amulet for peace from around his neck and hurled it at “Gu Feiyin.” Shen Yue hesitated for a moment, then pulled out his own amulet-a gift from his mother, meant to keep him safe. He thought of her and hoped he’d have the chance to see her again. Without further hesitation, he threw his amulet as well.

Unfortunately, it was useless. The amulets struck Gu Feiyin’s body and fell to the ground, having no effect on the Face Ghost Leader.

The Face Ghost Leader grew even more smug, laughing loudly. “Prepare to die! I’ll make sure your deaths are meaningful!”

When He Zhongping finally regained consciousness, he saw Ma Ao and Shen Yue drenched in sweat. Dazed for a moment, he suddenly exclaimed, “Quick! Call Master Gu! There’s a Face Ghost!”

“A Face Ghost? Are you referring to me?”

The sinister voice came from behind. He Zhongping froze, his neck stiff as he turned to look. To his horror, the Face Ghost Leader had taken over Master Gu’s face! And Master Gu stood there, unmoving… At that moment, he understood why Ma Ao and Shen Yue seemed so hopeless. He, too, felt despair welling up, tears streaming down his face. Even Master Gu had fallen victim?

Without her, they were doomed. And this medium-sized passenger plane carried over three hundred people.

“Master Gu! Master Gu! Please wake up! You have to wake up!”

“Master Gu!”

“Master Gu!!!”

…

Gu Feiyin felt nothing. Her vision was pitch black, and she couldn’t hear anything. One hand still gripped the Face Ghost Leader’s grotesque mouth, while the other touched her ear, then her face. The texture was oddly familiar-it felt like a layer of skin?

Had her face been stolen?

She poked a hole in the skin covering her ear and finally heard someone shouting her name. Turning her head toward the sound, she said, “Huh? Who’s calling me? I can’t see.”

Ma Ao: “?!”

Shen Yue: “!!!”

He Zhongping: “!!!”

Face Ghost Leader: “…???”

The three men stared blankly at the Long-haired Woman, who now bore the Face Ghost Leader’s face. She turned her head in confusion, looking as if someone had thrown a sack over her head.

She touched her face again and felt something round-a stray eyeball? Without hesitation, she plucked it off!

“AAAAHHHHHH!!!” The Face Ghost Leader screamed in agony. He had been reveling in his victory, believing he had finally subdued the eerie and infuriating Long-haired Woman. With an entire plane’s worth of souls at his disposal, he thought he had won. But even after taking over her face, he found he couldn’t control her!

Now, with an eyeball forcibly removed and his jaw already consumed, his soul was further fractured. He felt both fury and fear.

Gu Feiyin remarked that the texture wasn’t particularly appetizing. But the Face Ghost Leader, ever so accommodating, had practically delivered himself to her mouth. She opened wide and began eating from the inside out, treating it like a midnight snack.

“Stop! Stop! Please, don’t eat me! Don’t eat me…”

“You lowly human! What kind of monster are you?!”

Gu Feiyin paid no attention to his pleas. Besides, he tasted better than the smaller ghosts she’d encountered before. After a long night of fighting, she was exhausted and famished, so she ate with gusto.

She found it odd that her vision remained dark. Tentatively taking a few steps, she accidentally bumped into something and nearly fell. Deciding it was safer to stay put, she muttered, “Are you cotton candy? Why do you seem endless?”

Face Ghost Leader: “…”

Ma Ao: “…”

Shen Yue: “…”

He Zhongping: “…”

Despite the terrifying scene, Ma Ao, Shen Yue, and He Zhongping were overcome with relief. Tears streamed down their faces as they laughed and cried simultaneously.

Ma Ao wiped his tears and whispered to He Zhongping, “Quick!”

He Zhongping immediately understood but was still weak and disoriented. With Shen Yue’s help, he stumbled into the cockpit. Given the circumstances, they had no choice but to ignore the usual rules about outsiders entering.

Meanwhile, Ma Ao cautiously approached the Long-haired Woman. He removed his jacket and laid it on the floor. “Master, you must be tired from standing. Would you like to sit while you eat?” He dared not get too close, fearing another kick from the Face Ghost Leader.

Gu Feiyin responded with an “Oh,” sat down, and continued eating. Starting from the core made the process much quicker.

Soon, the Face Ghost Leader could no longer endure. He had struggled to escape, but Gu Feiyin refused to let him go. She pinned the half-eaten ghost to the ground and delivered several punches. Already weakened and unstable, the Face Ghost Leader’s soul was no match for her. After a few more blows, he lost all strength and could only beg for mercy, his arrogance completely shattered.

Satisfied, Gu Feiyin belched and tied him up with the Red Ribbon. She also gathered the smaller ghosts she’d previously subdued, binding them together. Counting them, she realized she now had thirteen Black Blobs, enough to last for days.

Meanwhile, the weakened pilot was reporting the night’s events to his superiors, his voice trembling with emotion. “Master Gu saved us!”

…

Half an hour later, the plane safely landed at City C’s airport. Doctors, nurses, and Special Unit personnel were already waiting. As soon as the doors opened, they rushed in, carrying unconscious passengers out on stretchers with remarkable efficiency.

Both those waiting outside and the few conscious individuals inside the plane were overwhelmed with gratitude. The pilot, still tearful, was carried out, still searching for Master Gu to thank her.

Gu Feiyin descended the plane, dragging thirteen Black Blobs behind her. Standing on the tarmac, Zhang Daoist immediately spotted the legendary Master Gu and the Red Ribbon in her hand, along with the thirteen Black Blobs-the infamous Face Ghost Legion.

Gu Feiyin noticed the young Daoist in robes staring at her and her captives. Zhang Daoist approached, expressing his gratitude profusely. But Gu Feiyin found him intimidating; like the handsome monk she’d encountered before, he possessed spiritual power, though far less potent.

Zhang Daoist cautiously asked, “May I examine the ghosts you’ve captured?”

Curious about the ordinary-looking Red Ribbon that had somehow become a tool for binding Malevolent Ghosts, he couldn’t resist asking.

Gu Feiyin tugged the ribbon and handed the Black Blobs to the young Daoist. “Go ahead.”

Zhang Daoist studied them for a long time but found nothing unusual. The ghosts were just ghosts, and the ribbon was just a ribbon. Frustrated, he admitted, “My skills are limited. I can’t discern anything. What do you plan to do with these ghosts?”

Of course, she planned to eat them. Thirteen little snacks could last her several days. But out of respect for the young Daoist, she asked, “Do you have any suggestions?”

“Perhaps they should be transcended? They’ve committed wrongs, but considering they were manipulated by Malevolent Ghosts, their actions weren’t entirely voluntary. The spiritual realm will handle them appropriately. Keeping them in the human world would only cause more harm.”

“…No.”

“?”

“If you want to release them, the small ones are ten yuan each, and the big one is twenty.”

“…”

“Do you want them?”

“Yes.”

“That’ll be 140, thanks.”

The Face Ghost Leader never imagined he’d be sold for twenty yuan.