A gust of eerie wind swept by, and ripples suddenly appeared on the calm surface of the river.
Immediately after, in the center of the ripples on the river, a dripping wet human head suddenly appeared.
The head was abnormally pale.
Its complexion was cold, and a pair of red eyes stared fixedly at us.
It stood out conspicuously on the lake.
An ordinary person seeing this would surely have been scared to death.
But Lao Mo and I, upon seeing it, felt nothing.
Instead, we felt a surge of excitement, as we had come precisely to find this water ghost.
The water ghost only extended its head above the water and then, facing us on the bank, began to swim over.
Before it could get close, the water ghost's head spoke to me:
"Who are you?
How dare you utter the Princess's name so casually?"
Its words clearly carried a hint of anger.
It seemed this water ghost was quite loyal to Qingdai.
This guy must be the water ghost, Heitou, whom we were looking for.
Without hesitation, I continued,
"Are you called Heitou?"
The water ghost paused:
"That's right, I am Heitou.
May I ask, who are you two?"
The other party did not rise, only revealing a dead man's head on the water's surface.
It kept a safe distance of about five meters from us.
After hearing its reply, I then said,
"My name is Qin Ze. Qingdai sent me to help you reclaim the River Mansion."
I replied indifferently.
Upon hearing this, the water ghost's expression clearly changed.
Its eyes widened slightly in surprise as it looked at me.
It looked at me excitedly:
"You, you, you are Qin Ze, Young Master Qin?"
"You know me?"
I was a little confused. Judging by its expression, it seemed surprised to hear my name.
"Yes, yes. Dragon Granny had already instructed me, saying you are the person destined by the Princess's curse. If we meet, we must protect you.
However, Young Master Qin,
I have never met you before.
May I, may I, see the Dragon-Phoenix Jade Pendant on your neck?"
I was taken aback.
Dragon Granny instructed?
Dragon Granny was that old female ghost in the Nine Saints Mansion.
Kind of like a housekeeper.
I had only met her once or twice.
But what was this "person destined by the curse"?
As for the Dragon-Phoenix Jade Pendant, it was likely meant to prove the authenticity of my identity.
I didn't hesitate.
I directly took the Dragon-Phoenix Jade Pendant from my neck:
"This one?"
Upon seeing it, the water ghost Heitou's red pupils suddenly widened.
He then nodded repeatedly:
"Yes, yes, it's this one.
This is the Princess's jade pendant.
It is also the item that proves Young Master Qin's identity."
Saying this, Heitou no longer stayed in the water.
It directly extended its hand, which was dripping wet and still shedding water.
It extended from the surface of the water, then pressed against the water surface.
Inch by inch, it moved its body and began to climb up.
Its movements were extremely strange.
Perhaps only ghosts could press against the water's surface and climb from underwater to the surface.
Finally, Heitou climbed to the surface of the water.
We could then see its entire body.
It was wearing a large black robe.
Its entire body was very wet.
As soon as it reached the surface, it directly knelt on one knee towards me.
Cupping its fists, it shouted at me:
"Your subordinate, Heitou, the Arhat of Qingshan River, pays his respects to Young Master Qin!"
"Arhat" was a self-proclaimed title that the water ghost used to embellish itself.
The other party suddenly kneeling to pay respects left both Lao Mo and me stunned.
Lao Mo then looked at me in surprise.
While I was somewhat bewildered.
I had only come to help, so why did it kneel before me?
"No, no, no, please get up quickly.
I am just here to help as sent by Qingdai. Please do not offer such salutations to me.
Let's discuss matters at hand."
The water ghost Heitou, however, shook its head:
"No, Young Master Qin is the person destined by the Princess's curse.
Your subordinate dares not overstep.
With Young Master Qin here to assist today, we will surely be able to repel that water ghost and reclaim the River Mansion."
Heitou spoke with great solemnity and seriousness.
It made me feel somewhat unable to accept it.
But since the other party insisted, I had no choice.
I could only continue,
"Heitou, don't stay kneeling. Get up first.
Tell me about that water ghost.
Later, we will go and deal with him!"
"As you command!"
Heitou responded, and only then did it stand up.
Then, bending slightly, it stepped on the water's surface, inch by inch, and arrived at the bank.
As soon as it stepped ashore, water dripped all over the ground.
It was very similar to the old woman I encountered by the bridge when I was possessed.
Lao Mo and I paid it no mind.
After all, it was a water ghost.
"Heitou, let me introduce you. This is my friend, Mo Ting, who is also a Daoist priest.
He is here today to assist me in dealing with that evil spirit."
Heitou quickly cupped its fists and said earnestly,
"Young Master Mo!"
It was the first time Lao Mo had heard this address, and he chuckled twice:
"Just call me Mo Ting."
"No, this subordinate dares not.
Young Master Qin is the person destined by the Princess's curse.
And you, being Young Master Qin's friend, are naturally as noble as the Princess.
This subordinate is merely a drowned ghost from this river.
Without the Princess's salvation, my soul would have long been scattered by the raging river currents.
There is a distinction between superiors and inferiors, please do not make things difficult for this subordinate, Young Master Mo."
Heitou finished this long speech very seriously.
Both Lao Mo and I were stunned.
No wonder Qingdai had asked me to save her subordinate before leaving.
This water ghost was truly loyal to Qingdai.
However, aside from that.
I was beginning to become very interested in that "person destined by the curse."
What did that mean?