Chapter 1376 1362: It's Done

To be honest.

Zhou Yi has always been a model student and a paragon of moral conduct since childhood, so he really wouldn't do something like hopping on a bus without paying.

However.

He truly had no money on him.

He tried using an Imperial Coin to pay the fare, but the coin slot wouldn't accept it.

Beep, beep!

At this moment.

Suddenly, an alarm-like sound rang out on the bus, echoing in his ears.

The scenery around started to change.

A deep darkness began to emerge from the windows, gradually enveloping the bus.

The darkness seemed alive, threatening to swallow the two of them.

Just then.

The bus door suddenly opened, and the old-fashioned-clothed Boss Bei tossed two Ancient Coins into the coin slot.

"Kid, lucky I got here in time; riding without fare isn't a good habit."

Boss Bei wore a relaxed smile.

"You crafty merchant, where exactly are you taking me? I haven't settled accounts with you yet." Zhou Yi quickly got off the bus.

Han Mei followed closely behind.

The dim scenery of Old Street remained unchanged.

But after Han Mei disembarked, she suddenly doubled over in pain.

Zhou Yi frowned, puzzled by Han Mei's sudden change, wanting to check her situation.

However.

Boss Bei stopped him: "She is a Bone Ghost, unable to survive in the real world."

"Bone Ghost?"

"A kind of... living skeleton," Boss Bei explained: "You can think of it as a zombie, mummy, or similar.

But we generally call them 'living skeletons.'

Living skeleton.

The term is indeed very descriptive.

Zhou Yi frowned: "How can we save her? She still clearly has her reason and consciousness, retains human emotions!"

"On the surface, yes, but a Bone Ghost's lifespan is very short; their will and spirit will gradually fade away.

Even if you don't save her, she will become a mere skeleton in a month or two.

Of course.

Right now, there is indeed a way, the only way. She was meant to be dead, and there is no resurrection on earth."

Boss Bei's meaning was clear.

Even if Han Mei could survive, it wouldn't be in her original life form.

Of course.

Exactly how to survive remains uncertain.

Zhou Yi frowned.

He had no right to make decisions for her, fortunately, Boss Bei suddenly seemed reliable.

He approached Han Mei and whispered something to her.

Then.

Han Mei nodded, her extremely painful and twisted expression showed some change.

"How is it?"

Zhou Yi asked.

Boss Bei nodded, taking a deep breath: "It's possible."

Then.

He took out a gourd.

A gourd that looked extremely familiar to Zhou Yi.

"Crafty merchant, when did my gourd end up with you, you bastard!"

"Kid, I clearly helped retrieve this gourd for you; there's only one way to save her now, Soul Casting."

Boss Bei held the gourd.

"Soul Casting?"

Zhou Yi was completely unfamiliar with this.

"Let's go, we need Master Wang to handle this matter."

Boss Bei pointed across the street.

After he paid the fare, the dilapidated bus drove back on the road, now only the blacksmith's shop across the street remained open.

Zhou Yi took a deep breath.

In a short period, Han Mei's entire being had twisted, even parts of her body showed where flesh disappeared, revealing shimmering, jade-like bones.

They didn't waste any more time, quickly moving Han Mei outside the blacksmith's shop.

A burly man, sweating, came out.

Holding a hammer in his hand, he frowned: "What is it now? Boss Bei, you seem to bring me more trouble?"

"Wang Er, stop whining, I'm paying you anyway! Besides, today I brought a big spender."

Boss Bei gestured to Zhou Yi.

Together, they carried Han Mei into the blacksmith shop; a huge workstation lay in the middle, surrounded by iron-working equipment and tools.

Next to it was a massive water tank.

For quenching purposes, evidently.

"A little tricky, but not impossible; do we have a vessel?" Wang Er frowned, asking Zhou Yi and Boss Bei.

Boss Bei handed over Zhou Yi's gourd.

"The Soul Nourishing Gourd is perfect; although the gourd is not top-notch, it is more than adequate."

Wang Er took the gourd.

Then.

Zhou Yi and Boss Bei were promptly ushered outside by him.

Ding dong.

Inside the blacksmith shop, the sound of ironwork was constant.

Zhou Yi waited outside, uncertain where things would lead, but it had to be better than leaving her in Drunken Red House.

After all.

The Drunken Red House was akin to hell.

Controlled by the monstrous landlady, survival there would be brief.

The waiting always feels long.

Just as the dawn broke and the light pierced the darkness, the blacksmith's shop door finally opened.

The blacksmith held a gourd in hand.

Compared to before.

The gourd's appearance had significantly changed, from a scorched yellow with black patches to a clean, jade white color.

"This is?"

Zhou Yi looked at the Jade Gourd.

Blacksmith Wang Er did not explain, he opened the Jade Gourd's stopper, and a transparent form floated out, like smoke.

Han Mei!

Zhou Yi stared at the translucent smoke, momentarily stunned.

"Zhou Yi!"

As Han Mei spoke, her tongue unfurled like a tape measure, dangling to her calf.

She wore a white dress.

Like a classic female ghost from horror films.

Surprised by the long red tongue, Zhou Yi momentarily failed to react, but the expressions of Wang Er and Boss Bei were normal, not surprised at all.

"What's happening?"

"Well... this gentleman told me, I have to live this way now."

Han Mei's face showed an excited expression.

She seemed happy.

But still looking this ghostly, what are you so happy about... Zhou Yi thought to himself.

Though.

When Han Mei got excited, tears of blood trickled from her eyes.

Frightening.

"Now she's in Spiritual Body form, but with the Soul Nourishing Gourd, she won't dissipate easily.

Inside the Soul Nourishing Gourd, she's safe.

Whether she can change further is up to her own fate; I can only do so much.

But she is better off now than before.

She's quite happy with it."

Wang Er briefly explained.

Zhou Yi didn't see how she was better off, but he was grateful, "Thank you."

"Ah, no need to thank me, it's just part of my job. After all, a client's needs are my responsibilities."

Wang Er casually waved his hand.

Zhou Yi's expression shifted slightly: "Client?"

"Yes, the bill for just now was ten thousand dollars."

Wang Er chuckled: "Since you came with Bei Haishi's referral, I'll give you a discount, fifteen thousand it is."