164 Many Acts of Unrighteousness (2/2)

Boom! Instantly, a muffle sound burst in the air. Rays of lightning shot out, blinding everyone’s eyes. They could only feel something quickly moving around in the ball of light.

It was something faster than sound, and shorter and faster than thunder. It came and left in a moment, soaring past the long distance. It was as fast as a dream that had been awoken in shock.

After that instant, there were no more loud bangs. After the blinding light faded, only two figures remained. Ghosthand was still in his original spot. The ascetic monk that had bursted into action was rooted to his spot as well, unable to move.

”What are you waiting for?” Silo yelled, urging the unmoving monk. ”Kill him! I didn’t bring you here from India just so you could scare people!”

The ascetic monk still did not move.

Ghosthand studied the monk who was glaring at him. A tinge of respect appeared in his eyes and he sighed. ”I can’t believe there really is a spell in this world that transforms a human body into metal. The Indian ascetics are full of hidden talents. I am impressed.”

”I lost,” the metallic monk said hoarsely. He closed his eyes, sighing. ”Silo…run.” As he spoke, the breath held in his chest finally leaked out. Without the breath, he could no longer support the spell and he returned to his body of flesh. And then he collapsed, bit by bit. He sank to the ground like liquid and became a pile of mud.

The cool moonlight shone down from the sky onto Ghosthand’s invisible hand, illuminating what was held there. It was a white skeleton, complete from head to toe. There was a shade of ashen green to the ghastly white, and it swayed in the cold wind as Ghosthand moved. In that instant, he had pulled the ascetic monk’s skeleton through the metallized flesh, and had not leave a single bone behind!

”Ten years ago, everyone knew that my hand was fast,” Ghosthand murmured, gazing at the dazed eyes and white faces. ”So many years have passed. I can’t believe I’ve gotten even faster.”

Ten years ago, Ghosthand’s technique was one-of-a-kind. Now, it was still unmatched!

He loosened his fingers and the white skeleton fell to the ground. It crashed with a crisp sound, like a wind chime made of bone. This was the straw that broke the camel’s back—Boom!

A roar suddenly sounded in the crowd. A crazed man brandished his sword and rushed toward Ghosthand. His head was chopped off!

The mass of people rustled. The original equilibrium in the courtyard had been disrupted and the drugs began to go into the effect. The men who had lost all reason smelled the blood and went wild. Roars and howls sounded continuously and Ghosthand disappeared in the crowd.

Ten minutes later, all sound had vanished. Ganlu Courtyard had never been so peaceful and quiet in the decades it had existed. It was like a tomb, filled with deathly silence.

The only one still standing had been dyed red by blood. Lips trembling, he lit his pipe and took a deep breath before blowing out a puff of gray smoke. The drugs in the tobacco were ignited and entered his lungs with the smoke. It spread through his body, pushing down the pain from his wounds.

His shoulders, chest, back, legs and even head were dripping with blood. Some of the blood was from his enemies, some was his.

”I’m old, after all.” Ghosthand sighed and furrowed his brows in pain. The dew in the night was heavy, and his rheumatism was acting up again. He had sprained his back while dodging a dagger earlier, and now he could barely walk.

Yes, he was old. Why would he deny it?

Deep down, he was a bit vexed. He was old now, so why did he have to be like the Butcher and turn his enemy’s lair into a bloodbath? Not everyone was a beast like the Butcher and would not die no matter what…

He sighed and raised his bloodied eyebrows as he gazed around. ”Silo? Are you still here?”

No one replied in the silence. In the shadows, Silo held his nose, almost suffocating himself. He quietly stumbled back, but he fell onto the steps and could not move again.

”I see you. Please stay there and don’t move.” Spotting him, Ghosthand’s eyes brightened. He slowly moved toward the man.

There was still nothing where his right hand should have been—only an empty sleeve cuff. But blood had dyed the invisible hand red, revealing its menacing shape. It was like the realistic reflection of a nightmare or hell. That must be what death would look like if it was something solid. How superb must a killing technique be to reach such a terrifying state?

Silo gazed blankly as Ghosthand closed in on him. His eyes were hopeless, but in the end, relief appeared in the bottomless despair.

”Ha, so karma is hitting me today, is it?” Silo laughed, mocking himself, and his eyes became relieved. ”Karma will come after committing many acts of unrighteousness. Bring it on!”

He yanked down his collar, revealing his chest. He was determined to face his death. ”This is the logic behind karma, right? Everyone who sins must face the punishment from fate…”

”No.” Ghosthand stuck his hand into Silo’s chest and gazed at his seemingly relieved eyes. ”Actually, there are people who are much more evil than you, but they lead happy lives. They’ll die in happiness with a large family. Why do you want everyone to be unlucky like you?”

Silo froze. His eyes grew stormy. The forced ”relief” had been shattered and his face twisted like an evil spirit. He glared at Ghosthand and opened his mouth as if he wanted to yell or snap Ghosthand’s neck in the last struggle.

But then a soft crack sounded inside his chest. His body trembled and began spasming on the ground. Finally, he stopped. There was a short period of peace before the end of his life…but sadly, it was useless. He had wanted to die with some dignity, but sadly, death was death. There was no dignity involved, and he still died like a dog.

Under the moonlight, his corpse slowly stiffened. The dull eyes reflected the firelight he had personally lit. He had died with his eyes open.