Chapter 2766: Ghostly Autumn Sounds

Chapter Forty-Four: Ghost Prison's Autumn Sound

Inside the Ghost Prison, within a cave.

The old monk, dressed in white, slowly opened his eyes. His gaze was distant and empty.

"What year is it now?" he muttered, his voice raspy and low.

A young monk, also in white, stood respectfully to the side. He replied softly, "Master, it is the ninth year of the Tian Qi era."

The old monk was silent for a long moment. "Tian Qi? Nineteen years have passed…"

"Yes, Master," the young monk replied.

"That year, the heavens shook, and the Ghost Prison opened," the old monk said faintly. "Nineteen years ago, I entered the Ghost Prison."

"Yes, Master. The disciple was ordered to wait here for Master's awakening," the young monk said.

"Has the Ghost Prison been calm these past nineteen years?" the old monk asked.

"Calm," the young monk confirmed. "It's been incredibly calm."

The old monk nodded slowly. "The Ghost Prison is connected to the netherworld. When it opens, it means that the netherworld is restless. Nineteen years of calm means that in the netherworld, those 'things' have either been suppressed again or have perished."

He paused, then continued, "If they've perished, then the Ghost Prison will remain calm forever. But if they've only been suppressed... then the Ghost Prison will open again someday."

"Master, are you saying... those things are still in the netherworld?" the young monk asked hesitantly.

"Perhaps. Only the Great Venerable Buddha can sense the true state of the netherworld," the old monk said. "But the Great Venerable Buddha has been in seclusion for many years, and the world is in chaos. The Ghost Prison was opened by someone."

He looked at the young monk. "You were brought here by the Abbot?"

"Yes, Master," the young monk replied.

"You have been cultivating the 'Sutra of Past Life and Present Life'?" the old monk asked.

"Yes, Master," the young monk confirmed.

"Good. This sutra was originally used to soothe the souls of the departed. Now, practice it diligently," the old monk instructed. "From today onwards, you will stay here with me."

"Yes, Master. The disciple will obey," the young monk said respectfully.

The old monk closed his eyes again. A long time passed before he spoke, his voice barely a whisper, "Those 'things'... how many have perished?"

The young monk didn't answer. The cave fell silent once more.

Outside the Ghost Prison, the autumn wind was cold and biting. The leaves had fallen, covering the ground in a carpet of red and yellow. The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the deserted plains.

Xiao Se stood at the edge of the plains, watching the sunset. His white robes were stained with blood, and his face was pale. He looked utterly exhausted.

"The Ghost Prison," he murmured. "It truly is a place of ghosts."

Lei Wujie walked up to him, carrying his sword, Shaobing. His face was grim. "Xiao Se, are you alright?"

Xiao Se shook his head. "I'm fine. Just a bit drained."

"We should find a place to rest," Lei Wujie said. "It's getting dark."

"There's a village nearby," Xiao Se said. "We can stay there for the night."

They walked towards the village. The wind howled around them, and the trees rustled ominously.

As they approached the village, they saw that it was deserted. The houses were empty, and the streets were silent.

"What happened here?" Lei Wujie asked, a chill running down his spine.

Xiao Se didn't answer. He walked into the village square. In the center of the square was a well. The well was filled with blood.

"It's the Ghost Prison," Xiao Se said, his voice hoarse. "Something came out of the Ghost Prison."

Suddenly, they heard a sound. It was a low moaning sound, coming from one of the houses.

Lei Wujie drew his sword. "What is that?"

Xiao Se's eyes were fixed on the house. "It's a ghost."

They slowly approached the house. The moaning grew louder as they got closer.

When they reached the house, they saw a figure sitting on the doorstep. It was a woman, dressed in rags. Her hair was matted and her face was gaunt.

She looked up at them, her eyes hollow and empty.

"Help me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.

Lei Wujie took a step forward, but Xiao Se stopped him.

"Don't go near her," Xiao Se said, his voice tight. "She's not alive."

"What do you mean?" Lei Wujie asked, his hand trembling on his sword.

"She's a ghost," Xiao Se repeated. "She was killed, and her soul is trapped here."

The woman's eyes widened, and she let out a piercing scream. Her body began to writhe, and her form became distorted. She was transforming into a monstrous creature.

"Run!" Xiao Se shouted.

He grabbed Lei Wujie's arm and pulled him back. The creature lunged at them, its claws extended.

They narrowly dodged the attack. The creature continued to pursue them, its roars echoing through the deserted village.

They ran out of the village and back onto the plains. The creature followed them, its speed astonishing.

"We have to fight it," Lei Wujie said, raising his sword.

"No," Xiao Se said. "We can't kill it. It's a ghost."

"Then what do we do?" Lei Wujie asked, his face a mask of desperation.

"We have to appease it," Xiao Se said. "We have to help it find peace."

He stopped running and turned to face the creature. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

He began to chant in a low voice. It was the "Sutra of Past Life and Present Life."

As he chanted, a faint golden light emanated from his body. The light spread out, enveloping the creature.

The creature's roars began to subside. Its distorted form started to return to its original shape. The woman's face reappeared, no longer monstrous, but filled with sorrow.

The golden light intensified, and the woman's figure began to fade.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice soft and gentle.

Then, she was gone.

The golden light dissipated, and the plains were once again silent.

Lei Wujie stared at the spot where the woman had been. He was speechless.

Xiao Se opened his eyes. He looked even more exhausted than before.

"She's gone," Lei Wujie said finally.

"Yes," Xiao Se replied. "She has found peace."

He looked back at the deserted village. "There are many more like her in there."

"We can't stay here," Lei Wujie said.

"No," Xiao Se agreed. "We must leave this place. And we must inform the Abbot of what we have seen."

They turned and walked away from the Ghost Prison. The autumn wind continued to blow, carrying the faint sound of distant moaning. It was the autumn sound of the Ghost Prison.