When I came to my senses, a wave of dread swept over me.
I never expected that I, too, could be deceived by that filthy thing—almost falling straight into its trap.
Fueled by anger, I raised the Heavenly Canopy Ruler in my hand and swung it toward that creature's head.
A flash of panic crossed the beautiful woman's face, as if she hadn't expected this.
Before the ruler could land, she turned into a wisp of white mist and floated toward the door.
The door was closed, yet she passed straight through it and vanished from sight.
I rushed to open the door and bolted outside, my movements loud enough to wake the dead.
The white mist drifted into the living room on the first floor, circled in the air for a moment, then shot toward the courtyard.
"What's going on, young master?" Uncle Huzi, who had been dozing in the lounge, woke with a start at the noise and looked toward me.
"That filthy thing just floated outside!" I shouted.
Without another word, Uncle Huzi pushed open the villa's main doors and dashed out.
It was only after he had gone that I realized—Uncle Huzi didn't know any mystic arts, nor how to deal with such a spirit. Chasing it would be useless.
I ran after him anyway.
But before I could take more than a few steps, a voice called from behind: "Young Master Wu!"
I turned to see Guo Xiaotong suddenly standing in the villa's foyer.
She wore pink pajamas, slippers on her feet, and smiled warmly at me.
For some reason, just looking at her in that moment, I felt she was especially beautiful. Her coquettish smile radiated a strange allure.
"What are you doing out here?" I asked.
"Young master, I couldn't sleep. I wanted to see what you were up to." She started walking toward me.
"It's dangerous right now—go back to your room and don't come out unless it's urgent." My voice was tense.
"Young master, I'm scared alone… will you keep me company?" She took my hand.
Her hand was cold, and she began leading me toward a room on the first floor.
Somehow, as if bewitched, I let her lead me.
"Xiaotong, what's going on?" I asked.
"I just saw a shadow slip into my room—come and check it out." Her tone held a hint of urgency.
At that, I grew alert and followed her into her boudoir.
The room was large and warmly decorated, filled with dolls and plush toys—a young girl's sanctuary.
To my surprise, as soon as she led me inside, she closed the door and threw her arms around me.
I stiffened in shock. "Miss Guo, what are you doing?"
"Young master, I feel cold… hold me." Her arms clung tightly to me, her eyes gazing up.
Those eyes were mesmerizing—moist, charming, hazy with seduction.
Her restless hands roamed across my back.
"Young master, I like you so much." She rose on tiptoe, her beautiful eyes never leaving mine, her cherry-red lips moving closer.
No way… was I suffering a peach-blossom curse tonight? Twice in one night?
But I was still a young, vigorous man. Being embraced by such a lovely woman, invited to kiss her… who could resist?
My heart pounded violently, blood surging.
I wrapped my arms around her. Her body was soft, almost boneless, her lips a vivid red.
Even as she leaned in, her eyes locked firmly on mine.
I moved closer—
—but just as our lips were about to meet, my hands on her back began forming a seal.
Closing my eyes, I silently recited the Vajra Scepter Samantabhadra Dharmakaya Mantra.
It was the Outer Binding Seal—a mudra symbolizing intimacy and control over the heart, able to dissolve all disturbances.
Truth was, I'd sensed something wrong the moment she appeared.
Because of the earlier spirit, my Heavenly Eye had been open all along. When she walked in, I saw a faint trace of demonic aura clinging to her.
So I played along, following her into the room to see her true intentions.
When she hugged me and tried to kiss me, her unblinking stare was a clear attempt to cloud my mind.
Eyes are windows to the soul—keep looking, and you're bound to fall.
Even I was close to losing control, biting my tongue to keep the pain sharp and my mind clear.
If I had kissed her, the outcome would've been disastrous—worse than what happened to Guo Ziping.
I'd been caught off guard once already; there was no way I'd fall for the same trick twice.
This thing had underestimated me.
The seal pressed against her back, and she shuddered violently. The haze in her eyes turned instantly to fear.
A moment later, a stream of white mist burst from the crown of her head and streaked toward the door.
I pushed her onto the bed and snatched up the Heavenly Canopy Ruler, striking at the mist.
A faint feminine groan sounded near my ear. The mist paused briefly, then shot off even faster toward the outside.
I gave chase, lightning sparking in my palm, and snatched at it.
My fingers closed around a cluster of white vapor, curling and seething in my grasp.
I glanced around, spotted a cup, and stuffed the vapor into it. Sealing it inside with a talisman, I trapped what little of it I had caught.
The rest had already escaped.
Just as I was about to pursue it, a startled cry came from behind.
Turning, I saw Guo Xiaotong sitting up on the bed, looking uneasy.
"Young master… why are you in my room?" she asked.