[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-there-is-a-malevolent-spirit":3,"chapter-there-is-a-malevolent-spirit-there-is-a-malevolent-spirit-chapter-4":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","There Is a Malevolent Spirit",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2263110,4416,"Chapter 4","there-is-a-malevolent-spirit-chapter-4",4,"\u003Cp>3. Sending off the bride\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji couldn’t determine who the unexpected guest was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart pounded with fear, yet he could only suppress it, lowering his voice to the rigid crowd before the white cloth: “What are you all staring at? Keep playing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd snapped back to awareness at Zhou Sanji’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Yanshun struck the wooden clapper first; then other instruments followed in sequence, and within the cold, bone-chilling room, the atmosphere seemed to turn festive again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji’s ink-black eyes glanced sideways at the other side of the black cloth; he pinched his throat and smiled broadly, repeating his earlier question: “Tell me, Miss Zhong and your parents and elders—do you find Zhou Langjun’s birth chart compatible with yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the clamor of music, Zhou Chang scanned the faces of the crowd; through their expressions, he felt as if he could hear their frantic heartbeats.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though silent, each one held their breath, ears straining, waiting for the woman behind the black cloth to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, barely had the “matchmaker” finished speaking when a soft, feminine voice emerged from behind the black cloth, calm and gentle: “Compatible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman’s voice was just as before, yet the fear had vanished from it—as if she had become someone else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, the crowd relaxed slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Sanji’s scalp prickled; his inner certainty grew: something unknown had just taken possession of the girl behind the black cloth!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Steeling himself, he fixed his paper-white eyes on Zhou Chang, seated calmly on the other side, and asked the same question: “Tell me, Zhou Langjun and your parents and elders—do you find Miss Zhong’s birth chart compatible with yours?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone carried deep suspicion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chang’s reply was calm and certain: “Compatible.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grandson’s answer restored a measure of courage to Zhou Sanji; he steadied his breath, bent low, and lifted a wooden stick to slowly lift the black cloth separating Zhou Chang from “Miss Zhong,” asking: “Miss Zhong, please look upon Zhou Langjun’s face. Do you find his appearance pleasing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black cloth was slowly lifted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman in brilliant red wedding robes sat upright on a high stool.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her figure was slender; the vivid red bridal attire accentuated her frail, delicate form.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her pale, bloodless fingers rested folded before her lower abdomen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sheet of yellow paper obscured her face, fluttering slightly in the breeze; faint ink strokes slowly traced delicate eyebrows and narrow eyes upon its blank surface…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In an instant, a bewitching, tender face emerged vividly from the paper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The face on the paper was mesmerizing; “it” stared fixedly at Zhou Chang across from it, lips parting in a sweet smile: “I am satisfied…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing such a seductive visage materialize from blank paper, a chill shot from Zhou Sanji’s soles straight to the crown of his head!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had he summoned by performing this “Zhong Kui Marries His Sister” play?!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The music in the room twisted into chaos, all instruments blending into a dissonant roar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone present felt a cold, creeping breath swirling around their necks and skulls!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chang stood out among the terrified crowd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gazed for a moment at the smiling paper face across from him, then turned his eyes to the shadow of the “matchmaker” on the white cloth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The “matchmaker,” Zhou Sanji, remained frozen behind the cloth, at a loss.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chang took matters into his own hands—he turned back to the beautiful face on the yellow paper and smiled: “I am also pleased with Miss Zhong’s appearance. Matchmaker, when shall I marry Miss Zhong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper face had entered the room, harmed no one, merely taken possession of Bai Xiue to fulfill this marriage with Zhou Chang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, its interest in Zhou Chang’s wedding now outweighed all else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had come for Zhou Chang—but did it desire the “Zhou Chang” body he now occupied, or Zhou Chang himself?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either way, attracting this paper-faced ghost was, for now, a good thing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji regained his composure, hesitating: “Marriage isn’t urgent… Since you two are mutually devoted, first exchange tokens of affection. Remember—once exchanged, you two must honor and love each other for life, never betray!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji lowered his voice, deliberately warning Zhou Chang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhou Chang seemed to miss his subtext, replying simply: “Of course, one lifetime, one partner, never to betray.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I can’t move now. Send someone to cut a lock of my hair to exchange with Miss Zhong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze settled on Sun Yanshun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Yanshun obeyed, cutting a strand of Zhou Chang’s hair, wrapping it in red paper, and trembling as he handed it to the seated paper face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper face made no move to take it; instead, she gazed lovingly at Zhou Chang across from her. The red paper bundle was blown open by the wind; the strand of hair drifted, weaving into a thin cord that coiled around its wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Simultaneously, a strand of black hair hanging from the paper face detached itself, drifting toward Zhou Chang.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On Zhou Chang’s right wrist, there already lay a faintly colored red cord.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black hair and red cord entwined, forming a braid of black and red threads, binding his right wrist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced down at the braid on his wrist, his expression slightly puzzled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his fifteenth birthday, his grandfather had performed a divination at the ancestral altar and foretold a calamity before his twenty-third birthday.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So his grandfather had gone to the “Yinsheng Laomu” of their hometown and obtained this red cord to ward off the coming disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how had this red cord appeared here?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I too wish to be your one and only for life, never to betray…” the beautiful face on the yellow paper murmured, blushing shyly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji watched the exchange of tokens, his eyes complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He pinched his throat again and sang in theatrical tone: “You two are mutually devoted, with matchmaker’s word, a destined union now sealed. But—oh dear, though the matchmaker has spoken, the parents’ consent is still missing. Zhou Langjun’s elders have approved this match—where are Miss Zhong’s parents and elders?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The shadow of the “matchmaker” on the white cloth turned its body, bowing toward “Miss Zhong” to inquire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Miss Zhong” sat upright on the stool, deaf to Zhou Sanji’s question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The yellow paper on her face remained motionless; the ink-drawn face now looked like an ordinary portrait.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The elders in Zhou Langjun’s household have already agreed to this marriage—where are Miss Zhong’s parents and elders?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper face gave no response; instead, Bai Xiue, wearing the paper face, suddenly shuddered violently—as if pulled from water—gasping for breath!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cold aura in the room subtly lessened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Zhou Sanji understood. He switched back to his natural voice, soothing the shaken Bai Xiue: “Girl, don’t panic, don’t fear! Now it’s time to set the wedding date—you must summon your brother Zhong Kui to witness.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Summon Zhong Kui to witness…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The paper face still gave no response, but Bai Xiue, wearing it, suddenly shuddered as if just pulled from water, gasping for breath in huge, ragged gulps!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji pinched his throat again, clapped his hands, and shouted: “Summon Great Lord Zhong Kui to pay his respects!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clap acted as a signal; every instrument in the room burst into sound at once. Everyone’s faces lit with smiles as they echoed: “Summon Great Lord Zhong Kui to pay his respects!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amid the chorus of invitations, every clay idol in the room smiled broadly; howling winds surged through the broken house!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white cloth banner flapped violently; a blood-red stain spread across it, writhing and roaring within—a grotesque painted face!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the painted face on the banner, everyone straightened up, no longer hunched in fear!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their expressions, Zhou Chang knew: Zhou Sanji’s “Zhong Kui Marries His Sister” play had succeeded—they had summoned the power of the so-called “Zhong Kui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji held the white banner, his ink-black eyes now sharp and alive: “Come, come, let’s go fetch the bride!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crowd echoed: “Come, come, the auspicious hour is now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Amidst the rising and falling invitations, the clay idols scattered throughout the house all flashed identical smiles, as howling yin winds flooded the broken room!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The white funeral banner flailed violently in the yin wind, a bloodstain spreading across its fabric, where a grotesque painted face writhed and roared!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>[82] Watching the gradually reddening “ink eyes” on Zhou Sanji’s eyelids, Zhou Chang guessed this might be why the man could carry him. He then heard Zhou Sanji’s low voice ask: “Still unable to move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They helped Bai Xiue into a coffin, lifted the thin wooden coffin on their shoulders—and it became the bride’s sedan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji stepped forward to Zhou Chang, reached out to support him—and Zhou Chang, off-balance, collapsed against him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His grandson’s body was like a block of unmelting ice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji steadied Zhou Chang, then, with others’ help, hoisted him onto his back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though thin and much shorter than Zhou Chang, he now possessed immense strength, lifting him effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Zhou Sanji’s eyelids, where the ink-black eyes were slowly turning red, Zhou Chang guessed this was why he could carry him so easily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he heard Zhou Sanji’s low voice: “Still unable to move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chang replied: “Still unable.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve chanted the soul-awakening spell, drawn the life-restoring talisman—logically, you should be able to move by now… Never mind. At least you can speak. When we get home, I’ll think of another way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chang lowered his eyes, silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sensation of being locked in a coffin had indeed lessened since Zhou Sanji drew the talisman on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking at the gradually reddening “Ink Eyes” on Zhou Sanji’s eyelids, Zhou Chang guessed this might be the main reason the other could carry him on his back. At that moment, he heard Zhou Sanji’s low voice ask, “Still unable to move?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps because he wasn’t Zhou Sanji’s true grandson, the methods failed to work fully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked down at the red cord on his wrist; in this short time, it had fully merged with the paper face’s hair—its color now brighter, one end bound to his wrist, the other drifting in midair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone now clustered around Zhou Sanji, awaiting his orders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji’s ink-black eyes were now crimson as blood; he shoved the banner into Zhou Chang’s palm and muttered: “Once you step through that door, stay silent. Muffle your footsteps!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Second, breathe shallowly—no farting!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t let any scent escape your body—hold in your urine and shit!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ve borrowed Great Lord Zhong Kui’s power, but he can withdraw it anytime. We must be cautious, alert—only then can we prepare and escape if something goes wrong!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chang observed the crowd from above.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had been exhilarated by summoning Zhong Kui’s power now wore grim expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had assumed Zhong Kui’s power meant safety, yet now realized how grave the situation was—how many rules they must follow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Yanshun eased the tension, grinning: “Li Xiamei and her dogs have sharp noses and ears. Old Duan Gong asks this for your own good. But with Great Lord Zhong Kui protecting us, we won’t face major trouble—just keep his warnings in mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji shot Sun Yanshun a furious glare; the atmosphere grew tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Chang looked down at the expressions of everyone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those who had been exhilarated by borrowing Zhong Kui’s power now grew solemn once more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had assumed that borrowing Zhong Kui’s power would ensure safety, yet never expected the situation to be this dire—requiring vigilance over countless rules and taboos.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sun Yanshun eased the tension with a grin. “Li Xiemei and her pack of dogs have keen noses and ears. The old Duan Gong asked you to do this for your own good. But now that Master Zhong Kui is watching over us, we won’t face any major problems on this journey. Just keep the old Duan Gong’s words in mind.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhou Sanji shot Sun Yanshun a furious glare, and the atmosphere grew tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides Zhou Chang and Lao Duangong, the other three were all disciples brought by Sun Yanshun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Naturally, they listened more to Sun Yanshun, and at his voice, they all relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>",2027,"2026-06-19T18:47:42.084Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","7c77fd44567ee5b8b7d693a7dae9ab973ab2c649de76c3f8d69e656d4044dd8d","there-is-a-malevolent-spirit-chapter-5","there-is-a-malevolent-spirit-chapter-3",209,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthere-is-a-malevolent-spirit-cover.jpg"]