Chapter 295: with translation of chapter title

This downpour continued into the evening, showing no sign of stopping.

Translation: This downpour continued until evening, showing no sign of stopping.

Mengxue suggested we stay at her aunt's house for the night and leave together tomorrow.

Translation: Mengxue urged us to stay at her aunt's house for the night, and we would all leave together tomorrow.

I thought about it and realized it made sense— it was dark, the roads were slick from the downpour, and even with an umbrella we couldn't get back. So we stayed at Mei Gu's house. But when I learned that Mei Gu's house only had two rooms left, my mood instantly soured.

Translation: I thought about it and agreed—dark, slippery roads in a heavy rain meant even an umbrella wouldn't get us home. So we stayed at Aunt Mei's place. But when I learned Aunt Mei's house only had two rooms left, my mood instantly soured.

The two rooms— Mengxue took one, leaving the other obviously for me and Fatty to share.

Translation: Two rooms—Mengxue took one, leaving the other undoubtedly for me and Pangzi to share.

I've already experienced Fatty's sleeping prowess more than once. The first time we shared a bunk, his snoring kept me awake all night.

Translation: I had already experienced Pangzi's sleeping prowess more than once. The first time we shared a bed, his snoring kept me awake all night.

The second time, he kicked me three meters off the bed.

Translation: The second time, he kicked me three feet off the bed.

The third time, he had a cold and a stuffed nose; in the middle of the night he blew hard, sending snot and boogers flying onto my face.

Translation: The third time, he had a cold and a blocked nose; halfway through the night he forcefully exhaled, spraying snot and feces all over my face.

If nothing unexpected happens, tonight will be our fourth time sharing a bunk… To avoid a repeat, I decisively went to sleep an hour earlier than him, still inside the bed. Even if his snoring gets louder, it won't wake me. Even if you kick hard, I'll still be in bed.

Translation: If nothing unexpected happened, tonight would be our fourth time sharing a bed… To prevent a repeat, I decisively went to sleep an hour earlier than him, still inside the bed. Even if his snoring grew louder, it wouldn't wake me. Even if you kicked hard, I'd still be inside the bed.

Wishes are always beautiful, but reality is often harsh… Man's plans cannot outdo heaven's, supernatural powers cannot defy fate, and wisdom can never beat Fatty.

Translation: Wishes are always beautiful, while reality is often stark… Human plans fall short of heavenly calculations, divine powers cannot defy fate, and wisdom ultimately cannot outmatch Pangzi.

In the middle of the night… I constantly felt someone rubbing my face, and it was a bit wet. I opened my eyes and had an urge to jump out of bed, grab a knife, and kill Fatty.

Translation: In the middle of the night… I constantly felt someone rubbing my face, and it was a bit wet. I opened my eyes, feeling an urge to jump out of bed, grab a knife, and hack Pangzi to death.

This guy wrapped his arms and legs around me, rubbing his face against mine, drooling all over my face. Even asleep he wore a lecherous grin, mumbling in his dreams: "Jingjing sister, Jingjing sister, little Jingjing, where are you?"

Translation: This guy wrapped his arms and legs around me, rubbing his face hard against mine, drool all over his face; even asleep he wore a lecherous grin, muttering in his dreams: "Sister Jingjing, Sister Jingjing, little Jingjing, where are you?"

I wanted to cry but had no tears… Damn Fatty, how much do you want to be lecherous with Sister Jingjing? You won't even let her sleep.

Translation: I wanted to cry but had no tears… Damn Pangzi, how much you must want to molest Silijing, not even letting her sleep.

Left with no choice, I pried his arms and legs off me, grabbed the blanket and pillow, and went to sleep on the floor.

Translation: Left with no choice, I forced his arms and legs off me, grabbed the blanket and pillow, and went to sleep on the floor.

Although the floor was cold, it was still far better than being hugged by that dead Fatty and having him slobber on me.

Translation: Although the floor was icy cold, it was still far better than being clung to by the dead Pangzi and having saliva rubbed on me.

Perhaps because I'd gone through a series of events today, choked on water, and was mentally exhausted, I soon fell into a sweet sleep.

Translation: Perhaps because I'd gone through a series of events today, choked on water, and was mentally exhausted, not long after I drifted sweetly into sleep.

Outside the window, the rain kept falling, though it had lightened considerably, still gusts of chilly wind blew.

Translation: Outside the window, the rain kept falling, though it had lightened considerably, still gusts of cold wind blew.

In a corner unseen by anyone, a woman's silhouette appeared in the water stains on the floor. Then she slowly rose to her feet, seeming to have coalesced from the water marks. She stood outside the window, silently staring at the two sleeping people.

Translation: In a corner no one could notice, a woman's shadow appeared in the water stains on the floor. Soon after, the woman slowly rose to her feet, seeming to have condensed from the water marks. She stood outside the window, silently staring at the two sleeping people.

"Hai Sheng, Hai Sheng, Chen Hai Sheng…" In my hazy state I heard someone calling my name. The voice sounded so familiar, like my sister's.

Translation: "Hai Sheng, Hai Sheng, Chen Hai Sheng…" In my hazy state I heard someone calling my name. The voice sounded so intimate, like a sister's.

"Sister, is that you?" I murmured dazedly and got up from the floor.

Translation: "Sister, is that you?" I called out in a daze and rose from the floor.

I followed the sound to its source and realized it was coming from outside the window. On the glass there was a woman's silhouette, but because of the rain and the glass I couldn't make out her features.

Translation: I traced the sound's source and found it came from outside the window. On the glass there was a woman's shadow; because of the rain and the glass, I couldn't make out her appearance.

My consciousness began to fade, and a voice in my heart said she was my sister— indeed, she was my Jiaojie sister, and I had finally found her.

Translation: My consciousness began to grow increasingly fuzzy, and a voice came from my heart: she is my sister, indeed, she is my Jia Jia sister; I have finally found her.

I flung open the window, crawled out, and clung tightly to that silhouette. My mind was already foggy; I only knew she was my sister and I had to follow her.

Translation: I flung open the window, crawled out, and clung tightly to that shadow. My consciousness was already blurring; I only knew she was my sister and I had to follow her.

Suddenly a jingling bell rang, and that very sound jolted me awake.

Translation: Suddenly a jingling sound rang out, and it was exactly that sound that gave me a start and woke me up.

The sound came from the little bell string tied around my ankle— something some might think is a girl's accessory. But the bells on my heel are actually a Daoist implement, the Soul‑Chasing Bell; whenever an evil master tries to seize a soul or monsters attack, it gives a warning. It was forged for me by Uncle Qingsong; Fatty wears a small Bagua mirror on his neck, while mine is this bell string.

Translation: The sound came from the string of little bells tied to my ankle—perhaps someone would think it's an ornament only girls wear. But the bells on my ankle are the same as the Daoist sect's Soul-Chasing Bell; whenever an evil master draws souls or monsters attack, it gives warning. This was refined for me by QingSongShu; Pangzi's is a small Eight Trigrams Mirror on his neck, while mine is this string of little bells.

The bells rang only briefly before cracking, but that brief moment was enough to jolt me awake.

Translation: The bells chimed only briefly before cracking, but that brief moment was enough to jolt me awake.

What stood before me was not my sister at all, but a woman in red clothing standing in the rain nearby, waving and calling my name.

Translation: What lay before me was definitely not my sister, but a woman in red clothing standing not far away in the rain, beckoning and calling my name.

How fortunate… If it weren't for the bell string on my ankle, I would likely have fallen under this female ghost's spell and had my soul bewitched.

Translation: How fortunate… If it weren't for the string of bells tied to my ankle, I would likely have fallen under this female ghost's spell and had my soul bewitched.

The bell's sound is very faint, especially when it's raining; the rain drowns it out completely.

Translation: The bell's sound is very faint, especially when it's raining; the rain drowns it out completely, so you can hardly hear it.

After waking, I didn't get angry; instead I kept up the act of being possessed, moving like an unconscious puppet, step by step following the red‑clad female ghost. I was also curious about where she intended to take me and when I had offended her.

Translation: After waking, I didn't get angry; instead I continued to pretend I was possessed by the ghost, like an unconscious puppet, stepping step by step following the red-clad female ghost's direction. I was also curious about where she intended to lead me, and when I had provoked her.

I kept following her out of Mei Gu's house, and then I finally understood why this female ghost had sought me out— she led me to the riverbank, the very river where three people had nearly drowned earlier that day.

Translation: I kept following her, exiting Aunt Mei's house, and then I finally understood why this female ghost sought me out—she led me to the riverbank, the very river where three people had nearly drowned today.

Assuming nothing unexpected, this female ghost is the vengeful spirit of the river, the same one that this morning pulled a substitute body.

Translation: Barring any mishap, this female ghost is the vengeful spirit of the river; this morning she pulled a substitute body.

"Hai Sheng, come over, come here to me." She had already reached the riverbank and was waving at me.

Translation: "Hai Sheng, come over, come over here." She had already reached the riverbank and was waving at me.

I quietly placed my hands behind my back, using my left hand to draw a thunder‑pattern character on my right hand. This flower‑character is different from a talisman; it's an emergency measure for Daoists. If you're caught off guard by an evil ghost rushing at you, you use the flower character to shield yourself. After all, the enemy isn't foolish; they won't just watch you finish drawing a talisman and then attack.

Translation: I furtively drew a thunder flower character with my left hand's sword finger on my right hand. A flower character differs from a talisman; it is for emergency use by Daoists. If you encounter an evil ghost rushing at you when off guard, you use the flower character to protect yourself. After all, the enemy is no fool; they won't just watch you finish drawing a talisman and then attack you.

What I'm drawing now is a thunder symbol with three outward circles—the flower character of the Maoshan Five Thunder Palm. The Yinshan school already combines Maoshan, Puan, and other traditions' techniques, so besides its esoteric Yin‑controlling methods, Yinshan also incorporates other schools' arts, the Five Thunder Palm being one of them.

Translation: What I am drawing now is a thunder child with three outward circles—the flower character of Mount Mao's Five Thunder Palm. The Yinshan Sect originally combined Mount Mao, Puan, and other sects' techniques. Thus, within Yinshan aside from the mysterious Yin-controlling methods, there are also other sects' arts, and the Five Thunder Palm is one of them.

I slowly approached the red‑clad female ghost, and when I was nearly beside her, I curled the corner of my mouth into a cold smile, readying myself to greet her with the Five Thunder Palm.

Translation: I slowly approached the red-clad female ghost; when I was nearly beside her, the corner of my mouth curled into a cold smile, readying to greet her with a proper Five Thunder Palm.

"Monster, behold my treasure!" Suddenly a loud shout came from behind me, and immediately the red‑clad female ghost let out a sharp scream and collapsed onto the riverbank.

Translation: "Monster, behold the treasure!" Suddenly a loud shout came from behind me, followed immediately by the red-clad female ghost's sharp scream as she flung herself onto the riverbank.

No need to look; it must have been Fatty— he's the only one carrying a mirror that can pin down ghosts.

Translation: No need to look; it must be Pangzi—only he carries the Eight Trigrams Mirror that pins ghosts.

"Fatty, you weren't supposed to be asleep— how did you get up?" I turned around, astonished, and stared at him.

Translation: "Pangzi, aren't you dead asleep? How did you get out?" I turned around, astonished, staring at Pangzi.

Fatty curled his lip and said, "You really think I'm a pig? If a ghost showed up and I didn't even know, I might as well quit being a Daoist and go home to sell sweet potatoes."

Translation: Pangzi pursed his lips and said, "You really think I'm a pig? If a ghost came and I didn't even know, I might as well quit being a Daoist and go home to sell sweet potatoes."

"So… you've been following us all along?"

Translation: "So… you've been following us all along?"

"Mm…" Fatty nodded.

Translation: "En…" Pangzi nodded.

"Then why didn't you show up earlier?"

Translation: "Then why didn't you show up earlier?"

"Hehe, I originally planned to appear at about the same time to rescue you, so you'd be grateful to tears, admire me wholeheartedly, and thereafter bring me flowers and wash my feet without complaint. But I saw you quietly drawing the flower character behind your back and knew you weren't bewitched, so I stepped forward early to fulfill my duty as a Huaguang Daoist to subdue demons and eliminate evil," Fatty declared righteously.

Translation: "Hehe, I originally planned to show up at about the same time to rescue you, so you'd be grateful to tears, impressed enough to throw yourself at my feet, and thereafter you'd send me flowers and wash my feet without complaint. But I saw you quietly drawing the flower character behind your back and knew you weren't bewitched. So I appeared early to fulfill my duty as a Huaguang Sect Daoist to subdue demons and eliminate evil," Pangzi declared righteously.

I… was truly speechless. What does "about the same time" mean— was it when the water ghost was dragging me under? Now that I know I'm awake, you rush out to steal the spotlight, acting so self‑righteous; frankly, the only people in the world this shameless are Fatty and his family.

Translation: I… was truly speechless. What does "showing up at about the same time" mean—was it when the water ghost was dragging me underwater? Now that I know I'm conscious and you rush out to steal the spotlight, acting so high and mighty, I doubt there's anyone as tasteless in the world as the Pangzi family.

"Cough cough, we'll talk about thanks later… For now let's capture this female ghost." Fatty, unable to bear my contemptuous glance, quickly changed the subject.

Translation: "Cough cough, thanks can wait… Let's first capture this female ghost." Pangzi seemed unable to bear my contemptuous glance and hastily changed the subject.

Suddenly, with a crack, the mirror in Fatty's hand shattered into pieces. The female ghost that had been pinned by the mirror instantly broke free and tried to flee back into the water.

Translation: Suddenly, with a crack, the Eight Trigrams Mirror in Pangzi's hand shattered into fragments. The ghost that had been pinned by the mirror instantly broke free of its bonds and tried to flee back into the water.

"Damn it."

Translation: "Fuck"

"Holy crap, this disposable junk just isn't usable."

Translation: "Holy shit, this disposable junk just isn't durable"

Both of us cursed at the same time and lunged forward. Fatty's mirror and my ankle bells are alike— both were consecrated and charged with power, but they're mere imitations, nowhere near genuine magical implements; at best they can be used only once.

Translation: The two of them cursed in unison and charged forward. Pangzi's Eight Trigrams Mirror and the little bells on my ankle were alike—both had been consecrated and infused with magical power. They were imitations, nowhere near genuine magical implements, usable at most once.

Seeing the water ghost about to escape, I grabbed the Five Thunder Palm and charged forward. But Fatty was faster than me, reaching the ghost before I could even get close.

Translation: Seeing the water ghost about to escape, I hastily gripped the Five Thunder Palm and lunged forward. But Pangzi was faster than me; before I even reached the female ghost,

A piece of clothing swooped over my head and wrapped around the red‑clad female ghost who was trying to flee.

Translation: a piece of clothing swept over my head, enveloping the red-clad female ghost who was trying to flee.

Still a step too late— that damned Fatty captured her.

Translation: Still a step too late, it was seized by that damned Pangzi.

Fatty used the "Cover‑Ghost" incantation; normally a Daoist's robe is used to cover a ghost, but any Daoist with even modest skill can perform the cover without a robe— even a piece of clothing can serve as a ghost‑capturing weapon.

Translation: Pangzi used the Cover Ghost Mantra; originally the mantra was applied to a Daoist's robe, but any Daoist with a modicum of skill can cast it without a robe—even a piece of clothing becomes a weapon for capturing ghosts.

However, the incantation was placed on that garment, but clothing ultimately can't match a Daoist robe, so it couldn't fully subdue the red‑clad water ghost— it could only delay her for a moment.

Translation: However, although the mantra was placed on that clothing, the garment ultimately cannot match a Daoist robe, so it cannot fully subdue this red-clad water ghost; it can only buy a moment's time.

But don't forget that I still have the Five Thunder flower character in my hand; that brief interval is more than enough for me.

Translation: But don't forget that I, gripping the Five Thunder Flower Character, am here; that brief span of time is already enough for me.

Although I resented that Fatty had snatched the lead, I still rushed forward the instant the clothing enveloped the water ghost, and before she could struggle free I struck her hard with the Five Thunder Palm.

Translation: Although I resented losing the initiative to Pangzi, I still rushed forward the instant the clothing enveloped the water ghost, and before she could struggle out of it I dealt her a vicious Five Thunder Palm.

The female ghost let out a piercing, hair‑raising wail, tightly bound by Fatty's clothing, and lost all ability to escape.

Translation: The female ghost emitted a piercing wail, tightly bound by Pangzi's clothing, and lost all ability to escape.

Fatty clapped his hands, stepped to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder with the female ghost, and judging by the feeling, she was a ghost with some cultivation— just unlucky to have fixed her sights on me.

Translation: Pangzi clapped his hands, stepped to stand shoulder‑to‑shoulder before the female ghost, and judged by feel that she was a ghost with some cultivation, merely unlucky to have fixed her designs on me.