Train Survival: Can I get a treasure chest by touching my goddess?

Chapter 33 Slaying the Vengeful Ghost, Carrying the Coffin

As soon as Su Qingxuan appeared at the courtyard gate, she raised the water bowl high in her hand.

Without any hesitation, she poured her spiritual power into the water vessel, following the method that Mayor Jiang had previously mentioned.

"Buzz—"

The water vessel vibrated, emitting a deep, resonant hum.

The dense runes on the water vessel lit up simultaneously, their golden light so dazzling it was blinding.

A pale golden light emanated from the water vessel, instantly enveloping the entire courtyard.

"ah--!"

The woman in red let out a piercing scream.

The golden light was like a red-hot branding iron, scorching her soul with a sizzling sound, and large plumes of black smoke rose from her body.

Her speed suddenly slowed down.

The red shadow, which had been moving so fast that it was just a blur, now finally showed a clear outline.

The wedding dress was still fluttering, but its movements had become as sluggish as if it were stuck in a swamp.

Su Mu seized the opportunity and plunged his spear deep into her back.

The female ghost screamed and swung her hand back, leaving three bloody scratches on Su Mu's arm with her fingernails.

But Su Mu didn't even flinch. He pulled out the spear and thrust it in again.

One spear.

Two spears.

Three spears.

Each spear was shrouded in a malevolent gray-black mist, and each pierce tore apart the female ghost's soul.

The female ghost's struggles grew weaker and weaker, and the red on her wedding dress began to fade, turning gray and dull.

She turned her head, looking at Shen Wen with her already fading ghostly eyes, her lips moving as she uttered her last sound—

Why...?

"In my lifetime... I was forced to be buried alive with them... to complete that damned ghost marriage..."

Even after death... they still won't let me go...

His voice was harsh and stern, filled with endless resentment and unwillingness.

Su Mu's spear paused for a moment.

But she did not waver.

She simply gripped the spear shaft tightly, aimed it at the female ghost's head, and thrust it out with all her might.

"puff--"

The final spear pierced through his brow.

The ghost's screams stopped abruptly.

The entire soul, like a popped soap bubble, collapsed with a roar, turning into countless tiny specks of light that vanished into the night.

The wedding dress fluttered down and covered the black lacquered coffin on the ground, like a used shroud.

Inside the courtyard, the puppets that were still struggling to surge towards this side froze at the same time.

Then, like puppets whose strings had been pulled out, they all fell to the ground in unison.

Shen Wen stood in the center of the courtyard, finally loosening his grip on the knife and letting out a long breath.

"Resolved."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a muffled thud came from the side.

He turned his head and saw Su Mu's body go limp and fall to the ground.

"Su Mu!"

Shen Wen rushed over and caught her before she fell to the ground.

Su Mu leaned against him, her face deathly pale, her lips bloodless, and her forehead covered in cold sweat.

The three scratches on my arm were still bleeding.

"You're injured." Su Qingxuan quickly took out a bandage from her spatial backpack and bandaged Su Mu's wound.

"Let's treat it simply for now." Su Qingxuan looked up at Shen Wen. "We need to go back and use the treatment machine; it won't work here."

Shen Wen nodded, helped Su Mu lean against him, and looked up to glance at the courtyard.

All the puppets collapsed, motionless, their fate unknown.

The house fell silent, save for the mournful sound of the night wind whistling through the ribbons.

He looked at Su Qingxuan and quickly assigned tasks: "We don't have much time left."

Loot, then leave.

"Since this is the female ghost's lair, the good stuff should be in this house."

He looked at Su Qingxuan and Jiang Youchu.

"Sister Qingxuan, the exciting chapter 'Chapter 33 Killing the Vengeful Ghost and Carrying the Coffin' is now online. Click to read it first! Take Youchu outside to search."

Those townspeople might have things in their homes, but don't go too far; you must leave within twenty minutes.

Su Qingxuan went out; it was easy to find out if there was anything there.

Go directly to arrest the town mayor and see where the talismans and magical artifacts the Taoist priest left behind are.

Shen Wen looked at Jiang Youchu: "Youchu, you and I will search separately."

Look for valuable blueprints, props, and special items.

Jiang Youchu nodded.

Shen Wen then looked at Su Mu: "Sit down and rest, don't move."

Su Mu opened her mouth as if to say something, but in the end she only gave a soft "hmm".

Shen Wen and Jiang Youchu split up and acted separately.

Shen Wen pushed open the door to the main room.

Inside was a typical hall of a wealthy family, complete with tables, chairs, benches, and calligraphy and paintings on a long table.

He quickly glanced around, found nothing unusual, and turned to go to the side room.

The first room seemed to be where maids lived; it was very simple. He looked through it and found only a few tattered clothes, so he gave up on it immediately.

The door to the second room was half open.

He pushed the door open and went in.

The room was much cleaner than the other rooms, as if someone had lived there.

A teapot and teacups were placed on the table, the bedding on the bed was neatly folded, and a wooden box stood in the corner.

Shen Wen walked over and opened the wooden box.

Inside were several Taoist robes, a yellowed book, and a small wooden box.

This must belong to that Taoist priest; it must be something good.

Shen Wen put the wooden box and the book into his pocket, not having time to look at them closely.

He turned and rushed out of the side room, his gaze sweeping across the courtyard.

Jiang Youchu stumbled out of another side room, carrying a bunch of things in her arms, her face showing a mixture of surprise and joy.

"Shen Wen! Look!" She ran over and spread the things out in front of him.

A small, palm-sized copper bell, its surface stained with dark red dirt, like dried blood.

A red veil, exquisitely embroidered, yet exuding an indescribable eeriness.

There were also two rag dolls, crudely made with button eyes, somewhat similar to the Soul Eater dolls, but smaller and more eerie.

Shen Wen quickly glanced at it, but Jiang Youchu had already finished looking at it using her detection ability.

【Soul-Capturing Bell (Black Iron Level): Shaking it can disturb Black Iron level spirits, slowing their movements, and can control Decay Wood level spirits for a short period of time】

[Blood Wedding Dress (Iron Grade): When worn, Iron Grade spirits will recognize you as one of their own and will not attack you.]

[Substitute Doll (Iron Grade) x2: Can withstand one fatal attack of Bronze Grade or lower, then destroys. How to use: Drip blood]

Shen Wentong's pupils shrank slightly.

A scapegoat doll.

This thing can save your life.

"Put it away." He pressed Jiang Youchu's shoulder and turned her around. "Put it back in the car first, then I'll search the Taoist priest's body again."

He walked quickly to the corner of the yard.

The Taoist priest's body still lay there, his head rolled to one side, his face frozen in the expression of his dying moments.

Shen Wen squatted down and rummaged inside the tattered Taoist robe.

I felt a hard object on my chest.

He pulled it out; it was a book.

The cover had no words, and the paper was yellowed and brittle, as if it had been there for many years.

Shen Wen turned to the first page, which was filled with densely packed small characters, talismans, and annotations.

He didn't have time to look closely, he just stuffed it into his arms and stood up.

"Shen Wen!" Jiang Youchu's voice came from the gate of the house, "Twenty minutes left!"

Shen Wen glanced at the time.

[Distance until end of stop: 00:20:00]

He turned to leave, his gaze sweeping over the black lacquered coffin in the center of the courtyard.