Global Ghost Stories: I'm Investigating Ghosts in My Nightmare!

Chapter 119 All the guests were headless.

Huai Shu Ling in the western suburbs.

This place was an old, abandoned forest that even stray dogs wouldn't bother with on ordinary days. But tonight, it was as lively as if it were celebrating the Lunar New Year.

The black SUV, like a sharp blade, ruthlessly tore through the thick fog that shrouded the mountain road.

As they drew closer to their destination, the surrounding scenery began to change strangely. The once-dead locust tree was now covered with bright red lanterns.

Those lanterns weren't made of paper. Upon closer inspection, their surfaces had delicate textures, like the skin of some kind of creature. The light emanating from them wasn't a warm yellow, but a chilling blood red.

When the wind blows, the lanterns sway and make a creaking sound, as if countless hanged ghosts are struggling in the wind.

"arrive."

Bai Yu slammed on the brakes.

The off-road vehicle glided along the muddy ground covered with fallen leaves for a while before coming to a steady stop in front of a huge archway.

The archway stands tall, painted in bright red, with a black plaque bearing gold lettering hanging in the center—[Xilezhuang].

Behind the archway, where there should have been ruins, now stands a sprawling ancient manor. It is brightly decorated with lanterns and colorful ribbons, and the deafening sounds of gongs, drums, and suonas emanate from within, making one's eardrums ache.

If you didn't look at the gloomy old locust trees around, you would really think that this manor was a wealthy family holding a wedding.

"It's so tacky it's downright disgusting."

Hei Yan's voice echoed in his mind, filled with undisguised disgust: "Bright red and green, noisy and clamorous. These lowly nightmares' understanding of 'festivity' is still stuck in the rustic, rural ways of hundreds of years ago. It's simply a desecration of art."

"It's a bit rustic, but it's very effective."

Bai Yu pushed open the car door and got out, then closed the door behind him.

He tightened his black trench coat, and the longsword named "Ember" was already slung over his back.

"Such highly saturated colors and noise can maximally interfere with human senses, causing irritability, dizziness, and cognitive confusion. This is the simplest and most brutal form of mental pollution."

He raised his head and looked down at the archway.

There stood a middle-aged man wearing a black long gown and a melon-shaped hat.

The man's face was thickly powdered, his cheeks were flushed red like blood, and a stiff smile hung at the corners of his mouth. He held a thick book of gifts and a calligraphy brush in his hand.

This is the "guest attendant".

The role is to greet guests at the door and register gifts.

Seeing Bai Yu approach, the receptionist's eyes darted around, his smile widened, and his voice became as high-pitched as a duck's quack:

"Oh my! Distinguished guest! Distinguished guest!"

"This gentleman looks unfamiliar. Is he a relative of the man or the woman?"

As it spoke, it stretched out a withered, chicken-claw-like hand and blocked Bai Yu's way, while its other hand was outstretched with its palm facing up.

"On such a joyous occasion, the traditions must not be broken. One should offer a gift upon entering; it's just a token of appreciation and a way to bring good luck!"

As its words fell, a chilling power of rules descended instantly.

[Rule triggered: Social interactions.]

Rule 1: A gift is required upon entering.

Rule Two: The monetary gift must satisfy the host family; otherwise, it will be considered disrespectful to the host and will be punished without mercy.

Bai Yu stopped and looked at the hand that was being held out in front of her.

A faint black aura of death could be seen swirling around that hand. If an ordinary person dared to refuse, that hand would rip out their heart in the next second.

"As a courtesy?"

Bai Yu's lips curled up slightly, revealing a smile colder than a ghost. "It's only right. It would be impolite to come empty-handed on such a joyous occasion."

The clerk's smile widened even more: "Ah! That's right! Sir, you seem like a respectable person. How much are you planning to give? Our starting price here is..."

Zheng——!
Before it could finish speaking, a clear, resonant whistling sound of a blade suddenly rang out.

Bai Yu drew his sword with a backhand motion, his movement as swift as a black lightning bolt.

There were no fancy moves, just a simple diagonal slash.

The dark blade flashed through the air, leaving a chilling, blood-red afterimage.

puff!

The withered hand that was stretched out flew out along with half of the waiter's shoulder.

"what--!!!"

The attendant let out a bloodcurdling scream, staggering backward. What gushed from his wounds was not blood, but black ash.

Is this gift substantial enough?

Bai Yu flicked his wrist, shaking off a wisp of black energy clinging to the blade, his tone indifferent.

"You...you dare break the rules! You dare to use weapons at Joyful Manor! Guards! There's trouble!!!"

The clerk clutched his severed arm and screamed hysterically.

However, Baiyu didn't give it a chance to continue calling out.

He took a step forward, his figure closing in like a ghost, and swung out the "Ember" in his hand once more.

This strike was aimed straight for the head.

puff!
The head wearing the melon-shaped hat rolled to the ground, the smile still stiff on its face, looking particularly ironic.

"Noisy."

Bai Yu sheathed his sword, kicked the head away, and strode across the archway.

[Rules decree: Gift money has been received (even if it's a life-or-death matter), guests may enter.]

In his mind, Hei Yan chuckled softly: "Paying for money with your life, that's a fair exchange rate. It seems you're getting more and more used to this kind of robber's logic."

"Reasoning with Nightmare is Lan Ce's job."

Bai Yu's eyes were icy cold. "I'm only responsible for sending them on their way."

Passing through the archway, there is a huge front yard.

The place was filled with round tables, easily over a hundred of them. Each table was covered with a bright red tablecloth and laden with chicken, duck, fish, and meat, steaming hot and fragrant.

Every table was filled with guests.

They were dressed in clothes from different eras, including long robes and mandarin jackets from the Qing Dynasty, Zhongshan suits from the Republic of China, and modern Western suits and skirts. They were clinking glasses, making loud noise, and creating a lively scene.

But if you look closely, you'll notice something unusual about these "guests".

Their movements were stiff and mechanical, as if they were being manipulated by puppets. Although they were laughing and talking, their faces were expressionless, and many of their features were even blurry, as if they had been scribbled on with a cheap paintbrush.

What's even more terrifying is the food they eat.

Under Bai Yu's "real vision," the chicken, duck, fish, and meat on the table instantly revealed their true forms.

That's hardly a delicacy.

They were clearly plates of rotting, stinking dead rats, entrails crawling with maggots, and eyeballs soaked in formalin!

Meanwhile, the guests were grabbing these things and stuffing them into their mouths, chewing so hard that juices splattered everywhere and making disgusting smacking noises.

"vomit……"

Even Bai Yu, who was used to grand occasions, felt a churning in his stomach.

"Don't look," Hei Yan warned. "This is the manifestation of the 'Gluttony' rule. As long as you feel hungry or show disgust, you will be locked into the rule."

Just then, the once noisy courtyard suddenly fell silent.

Hundreds of eyes turned around in unison, staring intently at Bai Yu standing at the door.

The feeling of being stared at by countless dead people is enough to make any ordinary person collapse on the spot.

An elderly woman with a plump figure, wearing a red cheongsam, stood up from the main table.

Its face was covered in even thicker powder than the previous guest, its lips were as red as blood, and it was waving a tattered feather fan in its hand.

This is a "matchmaker".

"Oh dear, another new customer?"

The matchmaker swayed over, her triangular eyes gleaming with greed. "Since you're here, you're a guest. Come, come, make yourself at home, eat and drink well!"

As he spoke, the surrounding guests made way for him, and several empty seats suddenly appeared in front of Bai Yu.

On the table was a bowl and chopsticks. The bowl was filled with a dark red liquid, with a few strands of hair floating on top.

[Rule triggered: Feel at home.]

Rule 1: When the host offers a toast, the guest must drink it.

Rule Two: Wasting food is shameful; you must finish all the food in your bowl.

The matchmaker picked up the bowl and handed it to Bai Yu, her smile almost splitting her ears: "Young man, this is our master's special 'wedding wine.' Drinking it will make you forget your troubles and grant you immortality! Quick, drink it!"

The surrounding guests also started to cheer, their voices ringing out in unison, like chanting a spell:

"Drink! Drink! Drink!"

The sound surged in like a tidal wave, carrying a powerful mental pressure, attempting to forcibly control Bai Yu's body and make him take the bowl.

Bai Yu's fingers trembled slightly.

That's the body's instinct to resist the coercive force of rules.

"Immortality?"

Bai Yu looked at the bowl of liquid that smelled fishy and suddenly laughed.

He reached out and took the bowl.

The matchmaker's eyes gleamed with even greater greed; she seemed to already see this vibrant soul being assimilated and becoming one of them.

However, the next second.

Wow!

Bai Yu flipped his wrist and splashed the bowl of "wedding wine" directly onto the matchmaker's face!
Zizzi——!
As if sulfuric acid had been splashed on her face, the matchmaker let out a piercing scream. The dark red liquid was extremely corrosive, instantly corroding the white powder and flesh on her face, leaving it pitted and scarred, revealing the pale bones beneath. "Sorry, my hand slipped."

Bai Yu let go of the bowl, letting it fall to the ground and shatter into pieces.

"Since this wine is so good, you should keep it for yourself to use for beauty and skincare."

The whole place was dead silent.

All the guests stopped chewing, and the blankness in their hundreds of eyes gradually faded, replaced by a frenzied killing intent.

"If you don't eat the toast, you will be punished with alcohol!"

The matchmaker, clutching her mangled face, cried out in a shrill, piercing voice, "Men! Tear him apart! Use his flesh as a snack with your drinks!!!"

Roar--!
The previously stiff guests suddenly went berserk.

They overturned the table, revealing sharp claws and teeth, and rushed towards Bai Yu like a tidal wave.

These are no guests; they are a bunch of evil spirits in human skin!
"Finally, I don't have to pretend anymore."

Bai Yu took a deep breath, and the purple-gold light in his eyes surged.

"Black Words, are you ready?"

"Always waiting."

boom!
A black flame rose from Bai Yu's body; it was the primal power of nightmares—"Flame of Nothingness".

Instead of retreating, he charged forward into the tide of ghosts.

Clang!
"Ember" is drawn once again.

This time, the dark red rust on the blade seemed to come alive, transforming into flowing lava.

Total Annihilation!

A five-meter-long black blade of energy swept out, cleaving the front row of evil spirits in half!
There was no blood splattering, only countless black ashes dancing in the air.

Bai Yu was like a tiger among sheep, his long sword becoming a melody of death.

With each swing of the blade, evil spirits vanish.

His movements were precise, efficient, and ruthless. There were no superfluous movements; every swing of the knife was aimed at a vital point.

With the aid of "True Vision," the weaknesses of these demons are laid bare in his eyes.

"Three on the left, their weak point is the cervical spine," Hei Yan calmly reported.

brush!
Bai Yu dodged a sharp claw to the side, then swung his knife in a backhand motion, sending three heads flying into the air.

"Right rear, heart."

puff!
The blade spun back and precisely pierced the chest of a demon attempting a sneak attack, instantly engulfing it in black flames.

This is not a battle; it is a one-sided massacre.

Just three minutes.

The once bustling and noisy front yard has been turned into a scene of carnage.

The ground was covered with black ash and broken tables and chairs.

Only the matchmaker remained, huddled in a corner, trembling, her rotten face etched with fear.

It never imagined that this seemingly frail human would be even more ferocious than these nightmares!

Bai Yu, carrying a knife, walked step by step towards the matchmaker.

The knife tip dipped to the ground, making a screeching sound as it scraped against the ground.

"Don't...don't kill me..."

The matchmaker pleaded, trembling, "I...I was just doing my job..."

Where is Lu Yueqi?

Bai Yu looked down at it, his voice as cold as ice.

“In…in the backyard…the boudoir…” the matchmaker stammered, pointing deep into the manor, “The auspicious hour is almost here…the master is…doing her makeup…”

"Master?"

Bai Yu frowned slightly. "Who is the master of the manor?"

"Yes Yes……"

Just as the matchmaker was about to speak, suddenly, its body swelled up like an inflated balloon.

Its eyes were wide open, filled with despair.

"It... won't let me say it..."

boom!
There was a muffled sound.

The matchmaker's body exploded, turning into a cloud of blood mist.

Bai Yu was prepared and activated phase shift the instant it exploded, retreating to a distance of ten meters.

Looking at the cloud of blood mist, his expression turned serious.

"Quiet?"

"It seems that this so-called master has a stronger grasp of the rules than I imagined," Hei Yan said in a deep voice. "He has placed restrictions on the souls of these followers, and they will self-destruct once the core secrets are touched."

"Then let's just ask the person in question."

Bai Yu turned around and looked into the depths of the manor.

There stood a towering embroidered pavilion, which was now emitting a faint red glow.

He carried the knife and strode towards the backyard.

Beyond the front yard lies a long corridor.

The corridor was lined with red silk ribbons, each with a name and date of birth written on it.

Bai Yu glanced at it casually, and her heart sank.

Li Xiaoyun was born on the seventh day of the seventh lunar month in the Jiazi year...

Zhang Meng was born on the 15th day of the 9th month of the year of Yichou...

Zhao Ya was born on the third day of the third month of the Bingyin year...

There were hundreds of names, densely packed together!
These are all missing girls!
At the end of the corridor is a wide open space.

Dozens of wooden stakes stood in the open space, and a bright red wedding dress hung on each stake.

The wedding gowns fluttered in the wind, and although there was no one inside, they were bulging as if an unseen body was wearing them.

At the necklines of those wedding gowns, one could vaguely see grotesque, distorted faces wailed in pain.

"This……"

Bai Yu's pupils suddenly contracted.

This is hardly a wedding scene.

This is clearly a huge "breeding ground for venomous insects"!
These wedding gowns are containers. They are constantly devouring and merging the souls of those girls, trying to cultivate the most perfect "ghost bride".

"found it."

Hei Yan suddenly spoke, his tone tinged with urgency, "The third row from the left, the middle one."

Bai Yu immediately looked over.

The wedding dress was different from the others; its colors were more vibrant, and the gold thread embroidery on it was still flowing.

On the chest area of ​​the wedding dress, a faint pink light was stubbornly flickering.

That was the light of Lu Yueqi's soul!

Although faint, it has not yet gone out.

"Yueqi!"

Bai Yu's heart tightened, and she sprang up, rushing towards the wedding dress.

However, just as he was about to touch the wedding dress...

hum!
An invisible barrier suddenly appeared in front of him.

Immediately afterwards, a soft, teasing voice echoed throughout the backyard:
"Oh dear, why is this guest in such a hurry?"

"The bride cannot be seen by anyone until the auspicious time arrives."

As the sound faded, all the empty wedding dresses around them suddenly turned around.

Dozens of red wedding gowns, without heads or feet, floated in the air, surrounding Bai Yu.

A terrifying aura, more than ten times stronger than the one that had just been in the front yard, slowly descended.

Bai Yu gripped the knife tightly, a fine layer of cold sweat beading on his forehead.

He could sense that a pair of eyes were watching him from the top floor of that embroidered building.

There was no anger in his eyes, only a playful, cat-and-mouse-like look.

“S-rank…”

Bai Yu squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth.

The information is wrong.

This is by no means an A+ grade "joyful ghost".

The owner of this manor is definitely an S-class nightmare who has touched the very essence of the rules!
"Looks like tonight's wedding banquet won't be very enjoyable."

Bai Yu took a deep breath, the purple-gold light in his eyes burning to its fullest extent.

"However, now that we're here, there's no reason for us to leave empty-handed."

"Even if it means tearing a hole in the sky, I'm taking them with me!"

(End of this chapter)