Chapter 555: This Is My Big Brother

Li Banfeng and Teacher Song searched the entire neighborhood but found no trace of the Daolao Ghost.

Teacher Song was skeptical about the authenticity of the report. Could the video have been fabricated? Yuezhou University had many experts, and the Dark Star Bureau had numerous professionals. Teacher Song also knew high-level Prying Cultivators. If the video was fake, it certainly wouldn't escape the notice of high-level Prying Cultivators.

But why couldn't the Daolao Ghost be found at the scene? Had it really escaped? Was Yuezhou truly doomed? Was there no room for recovery...?

The more Teacher Song thought about it, the more pessimistic she became, and her body involuntarily trembled.

This isn't good! Something's wrong! Teacher Song felt an attack coming on.

"Calm down, calm your emotions. The symptoms aren't too severe yet; I should be able to get through this. I can't trouble Banfeng now."

"Banfeng, first report the situation here to the Dark Star Bureau. I'll search one more time to ensure we haven't missed anything. And please, don't tell them about my condition."

Li Banfeng nodded, left the neighborhood, and reported the situation to Shen Jingye.

After hearing Li Banfeng's account, Shen Jingye concluded that the Daolao Ghost had already escaped the neighborhood. The urgent measures needed were to blockade Yuezhou City and conduct a carpet search. Du Wenming agreed with Shen Jingye and prepared to report the situation immediately.

Li Banfeng asked Shen Jingye, "How do you plan to blockade Yuezhou City?"

"By blockading all major transportation routes, of course—" Mid-sentence, Shen Jingye fell into thought. If a Daolao Ghost wanted to leave Yuezhou City, it wouldn't need to use major roads; they were almost unhindered by road networks.

Just as everyone was at a loss, a reconnaissance officer suddenly exclaimed, "There's movement!"

"What kind of movement?"

"The drone captured something; there's something in Building 6." The officer rewound the drone footage by over a minute, and everyone saw a black, rounded figure jump from Building 6 to Building 5.

This time, the video footage was clearer, and several key frames revealed some physical details. It had pitch-black skin covered in pus, with only a distinct mouth on its face; its eyes, ears, and nose were blurred and shapeless. Its body was so rounded it seemed to have no edges, and its limbs were short and thick like segments of flesh.

Li Banfeng couldn't spot any flaws in the video. Could it really be a Daolao Ghost? When he had passed Building 6 earlier, Li Banfeng hadn't felt any danger. While his cultivation had indeed increased and his combat power had improved, Daolao Ghosts still posed a threat to him. He shouldn't have failed to sense danger.

With no time for further thought, Li Banfeng quickly re-entered the neighborhood and headed straight for Building 5.

Shen Jingye urged the reconnaissance team, "Send a drone into Building 5!" The reconnaissance officers tried several times but failed. Building 5 was planned to have thirty-six floors, but only ten had been built so far. The building was filled with scaffolding and safety nets, making it unsuitable for drone operations.

"Are there no cameras in the stairwell?"

The reconnaissance officer replied, "Building 5 only has two cameras, and neither is on the floor where the incident occurred."

In his anxiety, Li Banfeng had already rushed into the stairwell. Just as he reached the eighth floor via the stairs, he heard a muffled thud. A mass of yellowish-white pus slowly flowed down the stairs. Li Banfeng cautiously avoided the pus and rushed to the ninth floor, where he saw Teacher Song panting on the stairs, with a body, its torso burst open, lying at her feet.

Teacher Song took out her pointer and tapped Li Banfeng's earpiece, muting his outgoing audio. "I happened to be in Building 5 just now. This thing jumped over from Building 6, and I caught it red-handed."

Li Banfeng asked, "You're not hurt, are you?"

Teacher Song shook her head. "I'm not sure if this is the only Daolao Ghost that came to Yuezhou City. Let the Dark Star Bureau handle the scene first. I'll fully cooperate with your upcoming investigation."

"Absolutely do not touch the Daolao Ghost's corpse; their flesh and blood are poisonous."

Teacher Song nodded. "You go find Shen Jingye first, ask about his disposal plan, and buy me some time. I'll do some quick investigation here and leave shortly."

After speaking, Teacher Song tapped Li Banfeng's earpiece again with her pointer, unmuting it.

Li Banfeng had only descended two floors when he stopped again. Teacher Song's condition wasn't right. A faint, rapid gasping sound came from upstairs. He was very familiar with that gasping sound; he had heard it before. He quickly returned to the ninth floor and saw Teacher Song sitting on the stairs, clutching her chest, trembling all over, and seemingly about to slide down the stairs.

Li Banfeng stepped over the Daolao Ghost's corpse and went to support Teacher Song. Teacher Song's face was pale, her features contorted, and each breath seemed like someone was choking her. She was having an attack!

Shen Jingye's voice came through the earpiece again: "What's the situation in there?"

"The Daolao Ghost has been dealt with. Bring people in to process the scene. I'll go investigate elsewhere. Remember, no Dark Energy wielders below level six are allowed in."

Li Banfeng removed his earpiece and handed it to the Projector. The Projector replied, "Most of my kind in the vicinity have become my friends." This indicated that Li Banfeng could avoid most surveillance.

Li Banfeng carried Teacher Song on his back and quickly rushed out of the construction site. The Dark Star Bureau members outside the site didn't see Li Banfeng's figure; they only felt a cold gust of wind brush against their faces.

Li Banfeng raced all the way to Teacher Song's home, opened the door with gloves, took Teacher Song to the bedroom first, and then found a medicine bottle in the refrigerator. He took out three capsules from the bottle, opened Teacher Song's mouth, and was about to administer the medicine, but Teacher Song kept shaking her head. Her body began to convulse violently, and it seemed as though something was lodged in her throat. Teacher Song spat out some white foam, then leaned over the side of the bed and began to vomit violently.

Her condition was too severe; Teacher Song couldn't swallow the pills. Li Banfeng had encountered situations where medication couldn't be taken before. At such times, special measures were required: first alleviate the symptoms, then administer the medicine.

Li Banfeng rushed into the bathroom and immediately began filling the bathtub with water. When the tub was half full, Li Banfeng took a packet of medicinal powder from the nightstand, poured it into the bathtub, and once it dissolved, he undressed Teacher Song and carried her into the tub. After soaking in the bathtub for half an hour, Teacher Song felt slightly better. Li Banfeng helped her out of the tub, wrapped a bathrobe around her, and let her rest on the bed.

The medicinal bath had alleviated her symptoms, but now she still needed to take oral medication. Li Banfeng brought the medicine over, but Teacher Song still refused to take it. She looked at Li Banfeng and said with difficulty, "Taking medicine... it might not work."

"Was the medicinal powder not enough?" Li Banfeng started to go back for more powder.

Teacher Song pointed to the clothes by the bed and said, "Use my phone to send a message to Kang Zhenchang, ask him to... come and save me."

The renowned physician Kang Zhenchang was considered the strongest among all medical cultivators, having once cured the affliction of the Greenwater Bow. Li Banfeng took out the phone from Teacher Song's pocket, found Kang Zhenchang's number, and sent a text message. The reply was three words: "Coming right away."

Li Banfeng asked, "Should I step out?"

Teacher Song looked at Li Banfeng. There were some things she was too embarrassed to say directly; she needed someone to take care of her right now. Li Banfeng understood and quietly stayed by Teacher Song's side. After an hour, Teacher Song drowsily murmured, "Thirsty... water..."

Li Banfeng brought a glass of water. Teacher Song glanced at it, hesitated for a long time, and then said, "I can't drink it."

"Why can't you drink it?"

Teacher Song shook her head, "Wait a little longer."

Another two hours passed, and Kang Zhenchang still hadn't arrived. Teacher Song began to convulse again. She hadn't taken the oral medication and was clearly on the verge of a second attack. Yet, when Li Banfeng brought the medicine to her, she still shook her head repeatedly.

"I can't take it."

"Why can't you take it?" Li Banfeng was puzzled. A second attack was very dangerous, potentially fatal for Teacher Song.

"In short, I can't take it—"

Resigned, Li Banfeng once again took Teacher Song to soak in the medicinal powder. As Teacher Song soaked in the bathtub, her convulsions became more frequent, and the medicinal powder's effect diminished. She struggled until five in the morning when Kang Zhenchang finally arrived.

In the living room, Li Banfeng stared at the man opposite him, remaining silent for a long time. The man also said nothing. With a flick of his sleeve, a woman appeared beside him, wearing a white lab coat, a hat, and a mask. She entered Teacher Song's room and closed the door.

The two continued to stand awkwardly in the living room. The man spoke first, pointing to the sofa. "Shall we sit and talk?"

"Alright," Li Banfeng said, sitting on the sofa. After a long silence, he asked, "In Yanlou Village, the one who swore an oath of brotherhood with me, that was you, wasn't it?"

Song Qianhun nodded. "It was me."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment, then asked, "Is the renowned physician Kang Zhenchang also you?"

Song Qianhun was silent again for a moment. "To be precise, it's not me; it's her."

"Her?" Li Banfeng pointed towards Teacher Song's bedroom. "The woman who just went in?"

Song Qianhun nodded. "She is one of my ghost servants."

Li Banfeng thought about it, still feeling that something wasn't right. "Some colleagues from the Dark Star Bureau have seen Kang Zhenchang at the hospital. They said Kang Zhenchang is a man, not a woman."

Song Qianhun mused for a moment. "I don't covet the false reputation of a divine physician, nor am I a vain person. I'm simply uneasy letting my ghost servants act alone, especially Ah Kang. This girl is reserved and doesn't like meeting strangers. Coincidentally, her name sounds like a man's, so I borrowed her name first and accompanied her when she went out to practice medicine."

"What do you mean by 'accompanied her when she went out to practice medicine'?"

"It means I pretended to see patients out front while she actually practiced medicine secretly. My original intention was purely to save lives and heal the wounded. I don't care about a few words of praise, much less that bit of false fame."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "So, she was also the one who cured Gui Jianchou last time?"

"Yes," Song Qianhun nodded. "I usually speak truthfully; I'm genuinely not a vain person." No wonder the renowned physician "Kang Zhenchang" was so hard to find, and why so many people didn't know his whereabouts. He didn't live in another state at all; he was the local deity of Puro Province. The great deity of Yanlou Village was him, and Yuezhou's top physician was also him. Song Qianhun's frequent dealings with other states must have benefited from the unique location of Iron Gate Fort.

Song Qianhun's true identity had been revealed, and the atmosphere became somewhat awkward. Li Banfeng remained silent, still processing his thoughts.

After more than ten minutes, Song Qianhun broke the silence. He took out a dice cup from his robes. "Brother, since things have come to this, and I've told you the truth, let's make a bet. If I win, you absolutely cannot reveal what happened today. And if you win, you also cannot reveal what happened today..."

Li Banfeng waved his hand. "No need to bet. Don't worry, big brother. As long as Teacher Song is cured, I definitely won't say anything about today's events."

Song Qianhun asked, "You care about her a lot?"

"Yes, I do!" Li Banfeng nodded. "She's been truly good to me!"

After another ten minutes, the ghost servant still hadn't emerged. Song Qianhun began to worry. "Why is Xiaoshu so severely ill this time? Was she provoked?" (Teacher Song's name was Song Shu.)

"Provoked..." Li Banfeng thought carefully. "Today, I asked Teacher Song to solve a problem. Perhaps the problem was too difficult, causing her to get agitated and have an attack."

Song Qianhun smacked his lips. "This child is just stubborn. Why does she get so anxious about solving problems? She knows she has a condition, yet she's not careful enough. It's fortunate you were here today."

After waiting a bit longer, Kang Zhenchang walked out of the bedroom, looking unwell.

Song Qianhun asked, "What's wrong?"

Kang Zhenchang removed her mask and said with a solemn expression, "Xiaoshu said she was injured by a Daolao Ghost."

"What—" Song Qianhun trembled, and his teacup dropped to the floor. "When was she injured?"

"It hasn't been long, it's just—"

Before Kang Zhenchang could finish, Li Banfeng rushed into the bedroom. "Teacher, where are you hurt?"

Teacher Song lifted her bathrobe, revealing a wound next to her navel. She closed her bathrobe and gave a bitter smile. "When injured by a Daolao Ghost, you're supposed to cut off the injured part. But it was on my stomach, and I didn't know where to cut at the time. I'm so clumsy. I wanted to help you, but then you left, and I had an attack. I was caught by the Daolao Ghost and became such a burden to you."

That's not right! Teacher Song's cultivation wasn't low; how could she have been injured by a Daolao Ghost, and only one at that?

Song Qianhun walked in. "Xiaoshu, were you injured near Shifeng Road?"

Teacher Song nodded. "You heard about that case too?"

"I did. Du Wenming contacted me a long time ago, but I didn't go."

"Why didn't you go?"

Song Qianhun shook his head repeatedly. "Because Ah Kang can't cure the Daolao Ghost's poison. There was no point in me going; I'd just lose face for nothing!"

Kang Zhenchang couldn't cure the Daolao Ghost's poison. Teacher Song's cheek twitched, as if she was about to convulse again.

Li Banfeng now generally understood the sequence of events. Upon learning that Daolao Ghosts had appeared in Yuezhou City, Teacher Song became anxious. This wasn't because Teacher Song had low psychological resilience, but because she suffered from a severe neurological disorder. During Li Banfeng's university years, he had encountered her having attacks three times, and each time he had saved her.

This time, Teacher Song had another attack, but Li Banfeng wasn't present. While attempting to alleviate her symptoms, she was ambushed by a Daolao Ghost. Teacher Song had been injured by the Daolao Ghost. Without excising the wound, contracting the Daolao Ghost's poison meant certain death. Painter Taiyue, who was poisoned by a Daolao Ghost, simply waited for death. Chu Er, also poisoned, asked Li Banfeng to end her suffering. This was almost common knowledge.

No one was a saint, and no one could claim to be unafraid of death. The moment Teacher Song was poisoned, she fell into extreme despair, which exacerbated her condition. When Li Banfeng brought her back to her residence, Teacher Song refused to take medicine because she couldn't consume anything, as it would accelerate the spread of the filthy virus. She had placed all her hope in the renowned physician Kang Zhenchang, but to her surprise, even Kang Zhenchang had no solution.

Song Qianhun stood frozen, speechless, trembling uncontrollably.

Teacher Song bit her lip and smiled at Li Banfeng. "Banfeng, I have wine in my liquor cabinet. Would you share a drink with your teacher?" No matter the circumstances, her tone towards Li Banfeng was always so gentle.

Li Banfeng asked, "Teacher, your cultivation has reached the 'Cloud' realm, hasn't it?"

Teacher Song nodded. "It's quite shameful, isn't it? Such high cultivation, only to die at the hands of a single Daolao Ghost, and then to turn into one after death. I feel ashamed for myself."

Li Banfeng wasn't thinking about shame; he was wondering how much longer Teacher Song could hold on. A "Cloud" realm physique was far more robust than a "Ground" realm one. Li Banfeng carried Teacher Song on his back and said, "Let's go. We're going to get you cured."

Teacher Song asked, "Where are we going?"

"Daogui Ridge."

Teacher Song was stunned. "Are you mad? Silly boy, quickly put me down!"

Li Banfeng said to Song Qianhun, "Big brother, find a rope and tie her onto my back."

Song Qianhun paused for a moment, then heard Teacher Song say, "Dad, don't listen to him. This boy is having an episode; don't let him go anywhere!"

Li Banfeng said, "Big brother, one more thing: you must know the path from Flower Lake Park to Iron Gate Fort."

Song Qianhun nodded. "I know that."

"I need to take that path now, but I don't want to cross water. If Teacher Song chokes on water, it'll be a big problem."

Song Qianhun said, "There's a way without crossing water. I'll take you there."

Teacher Song said, "Dad, you can't take him there! You can't let him go to Daogui Ridge! Quickly put me down!"

Li Banfeng said, "Big brother, didn't I tell you to find a rope and tie her up?"

Teacher Song said, "Dad, don't listen to him!"

Li Banfeng became annoyed and said to Teacher Song, "This is my big brother. Why do you keep calling him 'Dad'? Are you intentionally taking advantage of me?"

Teacher Song inhaled for three seconds, stunned, unable to utter a single word. Song Qianhun seized the opportunity to tie up Teacher Song. Fearing further complications, he also took some tape and sealed Teacher Song's mouth.

Li Banfeng carried Teacher Song on his back and ran all the way to Flower Lake Park. Song Qianhun, wearing his Traveler Cultivation artifact, chased after him. He led Li Banfeng, running clockwise around the lake three times, then counter-clockwise five and a half times. They then circled an old locust tree eleven times, causing its bark to crack open and reveal a tree hollow. Li Banfeng carried Teacher Song into the tree hollow. Below the hollow was a tunnel. After walking more than three li through the tunnel, when he emerged from the tree hollow, he had already reached New Land.

Knowing the rest of the way, Song Qianhun instructed, "When you reach Iron Gate Fort, you won't need to go into the lake. There's also an old locust tree there, and the way to open it is similar. Brother, you go ahead. I'll catch up soon. I'll never forget this favor—"

Remembering the method to open the passage, Li Banfeng rushed to Iron Gate Fort, running from New Land towards Jianren Ridge.

In Hesheng Community on Shifeng Road, Shen Jingye had people guarding downstairs at Building 5, but they never went upstairs. If the Daolao Ghost hadn't been caught yet, Shen Jingye would have been genuinely anxious, wishing he could send everyone into the community to dig it out. But now that the Daolao Ghost was dealt with, only clean-up remained, and Shen Jingye was no longer in such a hurry. Although he had considered that there might be more than one Daolao Ghost, dealing with this one provided a report to his superiors. At this point, no mistakes could be afforded during the clean-up.

Du Wenming suggested, "Send professional personnel upstairs to collect samples. After obtaining the samples, return to the Dark Star Bureau for testing. Once it's confirmed to be a Daolao Ghost, then destroy the corpse."

Shen Jingye did not agree with this idea. Firstly, sampling itself was dangerous. He knew that Daolao Ghosts carried an incurable virus, and he didn't want his subordinates to take that risk. Du Wenming suggested he use robots for sampling. This process was equally dangerous. If a robot malfunctioned, it could even spread the virus, a responsibility Shen Jingye could not bear. As for destroying the corpse after testing, Shen Jingye also deemed it unfeasible. From the laboratory procedures to result comparison, it would take at least a day, and no one could predict what might happen during that time.

Shen Jingye had experienced many unpredictable complications from prolonged delays. So, he summoned Chen Changrui and secretly issued orders for the Security Team to deploy Incinerators. With their equipment, they were to set fire to the building from outside, directly destroying the body and sanitizing the area without approaching the corpse. Chen Changrui immediately led his team to set the fire, and everything flammable in the building was reduced to ash.

Du Wenming was somewhat displeased. "Director Shen, shouldn't we at least go in and see if what Li Qi found was actually a Daolao Ghost? We haven't confirmed the exact situation, and you've already burned the corpse!"

Shen Jingye said, "Director Du, in my experience, everything Director Li handles is dealt with properly. Director Li's competence is beyond doubt; I trust his judgment."

Du Wenming looked at Shen Jingye. "Director Shen, it seems to me that everyone in the Dark Star Bureau, from top to bottom, is somewhat reliant on Li Qi. Don't forget his identity."

Shen Jingye's tone remained calm. "Director Du, I don't think this is reliance; it's trust among colleagues. If you're not going to take responsibility, then don't preach so much." Du Wenming had never taken command throughout the incident, and Shen Jingye couldn't risk acting on his mere suggestion.

With the situation in Hesheng Community handled properly, Shen Jingye returned to the Bureau to prepare for the next steps. The on-duty officer entered the office, looking flustered. "Director Shen, something's happened."

"What kind of situation?"

"Zou Guoming is missing."

"Zou Guoming? Big Head?" Shen Jingye was startled. He sat in his chair, his thoughts in a jumble.

Li Banfeng, carrying Teacher Song on his back, arrived at Jianren Ridge. As soon as he reached Huaide Village, he saw Daolao Ghosts patrolling the village. Such complex behavior as patrolling was occurring among Daolao Ghosts. How much had Cui Tike improved them?

Looking into the distance, Daogui Ridge could be faintly seen next to Sage Peak. The fact that Daogui Ridge was still there proved that Cui Tike hadn't moved it to Yuezhou. Relying on his House Cultivator's ability to remain inconspicuous, Li Banfeng carried Teacher Song through Huaide Village, running all the way towards Daogui Ridge.

Daolao Ghosts' perception was different from humans'. Li Banfeng noticed that some Daolao Ghosts seemed to have taken notice of him. While Li Banfeng was inconspicuous, Teacher Song, in her current state, lacked that ability. Moreover, she hadn't taken her medicine and was still convulsing intermittently, causing more and more Daolao Ghosts to turn their attention towards Li Banfeng.

Nearing the foot of the mountain, Li Banfeng was surrounded by Daolao Ghosts. A Traveler Cultivator wasn't afraid of being surrounded. Li Banfeng was about to force his way through using "Broken Path" when he suddenly heard someone shouting from behind him: "Ya ya hu ya hu!" After that shout, the Daolao Ghosts surrounding Li Banfeng quickly dispersed and bowed towards Cui Tike, who was approaching from a distance.

Cui Tike approached Li Banfeng and smiled. "My friend, I truly didn't expect you to come visit me. Who is this beautiful lady behind you?"

Li Banfeng gently put Teacher Song down and said to Cui Tike, "I have something I need your help with."

Cui Tike looked at Teacher Song, who was convulsing intermittently; after the bumpy journey, she had lost consciousness. "Friend, this lady's illness is very strange. Her symptoms seem to stem from some kind of neural mutation. This is not my area of expertise; I'm afraid I cannot help her."

Li Banfeng said, "I'm not talking about that illness. She was injured during a fight with a Daolao Ghost. I hope you can cure the filthy virus in her. I never ask for favors without compensation; we can discuss the price."

Cui Tike said, "I don't think this beautiful lady needs my treatment. Becoming one of us wouldn't be so bad."

"That statement is a bit hurtful," Li Banfeng said. He wasn't wearing his top hat, but his gaze still reminded Cui Tike of the cold eyes often hidden beneath its brim.

"The latter half was a joke, but the first half was sincere. This beautiful lady truly doesn't need my treatment because there's no filthy virus in her at all."

"You're sure you didn't misread it?" Li Banfeng pointed to Teacher Song's stomach. "She was indeed injured by a Daolao Ghost."

"I can smell the blood from the wound, and even through her clothes, I can sense some microorganisms invading it. In medical terms, this is a minor infection. A few antibiotics would be enough to deal with it, and her physique is good; she could even heal on her own without any treatment. However, there's absolutely no trace of the filthy virus in her body. Furthermore, I deeply doubt your claim that she fought a Daolao Ghost, as there have been no intruders here at Jianren Ridge for the past day or two."

Li Banfeng said, "The place where she fought the Daolao Ghost wasn't Jianren Ridge; it was Yuezhou."

"Yuezhou, what a wonderful place," Cui Tike said, shaking his head. "Friend, I can tell you responsibly that no Daolao Ghost can reach Yuezhou because they cannot leave Daogui Ridge for extended periods. You and I together modified these amazing creatures; you should be very clear about that."

"My involvement in that previous modification was truly—" Li Banfeng was too weary to argue further. "Perhaps there are some things I'm not aware of, or perhaps you've made new improvements to the Daolao Ghosts."

Cui Tike smiled. "Friend, I don't know if your words are sarcasm or a blessing. I hope they are true. I sincerely wish Daolao Ghosts could move freely, unconstrained by Daogui Ridge. But unfortunately, I cannot achieve that. If I truly could, I would never send just one Daolao Ghost to Yuezhou. I would send tens of thousands of Daolao Ghosts all at once."

What he said made perfect sense.

Teacher Song vomited some more white foam. Cui Tike said, "If there's medicine to alleviate her symptoms, I recommend you give it to her as soon as possible. Continuous convulsions like this will cause irreversible damage."

Li Banfeng was somewhat worried. Cui Tike shrugged. "Curing the filthy virus is merely a trivial matter for me. There's no reason for me to refuse you. If you don't trust me, why come to me?"

Seeing Teacher Song's condition worsen, Li Banfeng gave her the medicine. After swallowing three capsules and resting for half an hour, Teacher Song showed improvement, with no signs of transforming into a Daolao Ghost.

Cui Tike had spoken the truth; whatever injured Teacher Song was not a Daolao Ghost.

What was it then?