My master's words made me understand.
It turned out the scene of sea of flames before us was the aftermath of the mother and son's death. No wonder every detail was so lifelike.
Now, my master and I were in such an illusionary fire.
Without my master's protection, I too would have endured the pain of being engulfed by flames and burned to death.
After saying this, my master took the pipe from his mouth.
He tapped it three times against the iron door frame beside him, the sound "dong dong dong" somewhat muffled.
But with these three taps of the pipe, the surrounding scene of fiery seas faded and vanished like an ink wash painting.
In a blink, it reverted to the appearance of the dilapidated building I had seen last night.
The ruined floors, the blackened walls, the debris scattered everywhere.
But besides these, directly in front of us.
Two white-clad ghosts were hanging stiffly.
Looking up, they were indeed the mother and son ghosts.
A hemp rope was looped around each of their necks, hanging from the blackened, rusted electric fan, one large and one small, side by side.
However, at this moment, their eyes were wide and dark, staring intently at my master and me.
Their mouths were slightly agape, filled with serrated teeth split to their ears, and from them extended a red, forty-centimeter-long tongue.
It swayed back and forth in front of their chests, wriggling.
They puffed air at us, making strange "huhu huhu" sounds.
The sight was truly terrifying and chilling.
Although I had been prepared to encounter the disfigured mother and son ghosts, seeing such a horrifying scene now still made my heart lurch, and my scalp prickle.
My master beside me, however, remained remarkably calm.
Such a terrifying sight could not stir much emotion in him.
He merely looked at the mother and son ghosts and said dismissively:
"Did you two destroy your own souls, or shall I send you on your way?"
As he spoke, my master took another puff from his pipe.
Casually, he didn't seem to take these two ghosts seriously at all.
The mother and son ghosts hanging from the fan, perhaps sensing my master's power, showed some fear towards him.
The disfigured female ghost, swaying her long tongue, spoke with an echoing voice:
"Get out of my house, or I'll eat you!"
Her tone was hoarse and fierce.
As she spoke, the temperature in the entire room dropped noticeably.
But I, standing beside my master, knew very well.
These two ghosts were afraid. If they truly dared to eat us, they wouldn't be hanging there motionless, just blustering with words.
They were wary of my master.
A surge of defiance welled up within me.
With my master by my side, I felt fully confident.
I retorted directly:
"Facing your doom, you still dare to be arrogant!"
The mother and son ghosts, fearing my master, did not fear me.
Hearing my voice seemed to strike a sensitive nerve.
They both bared ferocious and malicious expressions at me.
The disfigured female ghost opened her mouth even wider.
And let out a low growl of "Ah!"
Her tongue shot out from her mouth, rapidly extending towards my neck...
Since entering the dilapidated building, I had been holding the Bagua mirror in my right hand.
At this moment, seeing the female ghost's tongue lashing out at me, I felt a flicker of fear.
However, I didn't lose my composure.
I retreated a step, tightened my grip on the Bagua mirror, and raised my hand to shine it at her.
But my master beside me moved even faster.
Seeing the female ghost suddenly attack me.
His eyes narrowed, and he let out a cold snort:
"Seeking death!"
As he spoke, he forcefully extended his hand, grabbed the female ghost's red tongue, and yanked it downwards.
The disfigured female ghost let out a cry of "Wah!"
The rope around her neck snapped instantly, and her entire body fell to the ground with a "pata" sound, writhing in pain.
The disfigured little ghost, seeing her mother injured by my master, also let out a scream.
"Ah!"
The sound was piercingly shrill, echoing throughout the dilapidated building, making my ears ache.
In an instant, she also broke free from the hemp rope around her neck.
Swaying her red tongue in front of her chest, she raised her small, sharp claws.
With a "swoosh," she pounced towards my master.
"Master, be careful."
I quickly called out a warning, preparing to rush to help.
But it was clearly unnecessary.
This little thing couldn't even withstand the Bagua mirror in my hand last night, how could she possibly harm my master?
My master merely raised an eyebrow, flicked his hand back, and slapped her.
With a "pa," a resounding slap landed on the disfigured little ghost's face.
The little ghost also let out a pained cry.
Her entire body was sent flying backwards, crashing against the wall.
She finally landed on the ground, whimpering "wuwu wuwu," unable to move.
My master, on the other hand.
Was not only nonchalant but acted as if nothing had happened.
He even held his pipe in one hand, with not a speck of ash spilled.
Seeing this, I was utterly stunned.
I knew my master possessed true skill and was very powerful.
But I hadn't expected him to be *this* powerful.
These mother and son malevolent spirits appeared so pathetic before him, subdued with just one hand.
"Master, you're too amazing!"
I exclaimed, my eyes wide with excitement.
The two mother and son ghosts were now trembling with fear, retreating to a corner of the room, looking at my master with terrified expressions.
They had retracted their tongues, which had been hanging in front of their chests, back into their mouths.
They stood obediently, no longer making a sound, having been thoroughly beaten into submission.
My master, with the pipe in his mouth, took a puff.
Then he looked at me, a faint smile curving his lips:
"A minor skirmish!
Now, these two are yours to deal with."
"Deal, deal with them myself?"
I asked, somewhat surprised, looking at the mother and son ghosts in the room.
My master nodded:
"Take your own lamp oil. I'll be waiting downstairs for you.
Remember, when it comes to these filthy things.
Never be merciful or soft-hearted!"