Chapter 27: Fated End, The Divide Between Life and Death

Chapter 27: Duan Ming, the Divide Between Yin and Yang

Duan Ming stood frozen, gaping at Han Lingling. She was striking a heroic, imposing pose, brandishing a uniquely shaped iron tool.

Is this really the Han Lingling I know?!

Could it be that she is the mysterious powerhouse on the fourth floor? So, it wasn't a case of a veteran on the fourth floor leading others to survive, but rather Han Lingling leading four underlings on a rampage?

This is too surreal!

Han Lingling’s shock was no less than Duan Ming’s.

"Duan Ming!!!"

"How are you here!!!"

Her eyes widened, and she added, "You didn't use that thing, did you?"

Duan Ming shrugged and walked in, spreading his hands. "It seems you didn't need any help anyway."

Han Lingling’s eyes were red, and she remained silent for a long time. It was only when Qin Wei, who had been stepped on for too long, felt his body going numb and shifted slightly that she was jolted back to reality.

"Hold on, let me finish up with this."

She dismissed Duan Ming with a wave and moved to jam the vaginal speculum into Qin Wei’s mouth again.

Qin Wei’s terror surged, and he couldn't help but scream, "I know Duan Ming! I know Duan Ming! Duan Ming, help me!"

"Huh?"

Earlier, because of the angle at which Qin Wei had fallen, his body was obscured by the bed, leaving only half his head visible. Duan Ming had assumed he was just some random ghost. Hearing his voice now, he felt a flicker of familiarity.

He moved closer, and the scene of the battle came into full view. A cold sweat broke out on his back.

His Sister Lingling was actually stepping on a fierce ghost? Are you kidding me!

Seeing Duan Ming reveal himself, Qin Wei pointed at him frantically. "See? It’s really Duan Ming! We’re old acquaintances. It’s all a misunderstanding—we’re practically family."

"Who’s family with you?" Han Lingling snapped, kicking him. She looked at Duan Ming curiously. "You really know him?"

Duan Ming scratched his head. "I suppose so. In the last round, I gave him quite a bit of money."

"He extorted you?!" A chill crept back onto Han Lingling’s face. She pressed her foot down harder, and the little fierce ghost let out a muffled groan.

Duan Ming quickly explained, "No, no. He was my supervisor before, and I gave him some money to smooth things over."

"Oh, I see. My mistake then," Han Lingling said, easing her pressure. "I guess he helped you out quite a bit in the last round."

"Yes."

Duan Ming gritted his teeth. Although Qin Wei had taken the money and done nothing, he was still banking on his favorability rating.

Sure enough:
[Qin Wei favorability +5]
[Qin Wei favorability: 60] (Overwhelmed with gratitude)

???
Overwhelmed with gratitude and it only gave 5 points? Is this guy’s greed attribute that stubborn!

There was nothing to be done about it now. After Duan Ming’s confirmation, Han Lingling removed her foot and tossed the pills onto the bed.

"Since you know each other, let’s show some mutual respect. I won't force you, you know what to do, right?"

"I know, I know, I know..." Qin Wei nodded like a chicken pecking at rice, hurriedly grabbing the pills and swallowing them. One even fell out of his split throat, but he scrambled to retrieve it and shoved it back in.

See, the tense doctor-patient relationship in the real world is surprisingly harmonious in the Ghost Realm.

The nursing staff breathed a collective sigh of relief. Especially the lone commander from the third floor. He peeked towards the door, but the Head Nurse was long gone; only the sound of fading applause echoed from the corridor.

With the matter settled, Han Lingling signaled the others to disperse and prepared to leave with Duan Ming. But one person remained.

Zhou Mengyue was staring at Duan Ming, stars flashing in her eyes. Han Lingling’s heart skipped a beat.

"Nurse Zhou, why are you still here?"

"I’m here to keep my little brother Duan Ming company~"

Han Lingling’s eyes flickered with unease as she looked at Duan Ming. The latter touched his nose awkwardly and gave a sheepish smile. "Ha, haha, personal charm, just personal charm."

He immediately turned to Zhou Mengyue. "You head back first. I need to talk to my sister."

"Oh? She’s your sister?" Zhou Mengyue’s eyes brightened. "Nice to meet you, big sister! No wonder you run the fourth floor so well; it all makes sense now that I know you’re Duan Ming’s sister. Alright then, little brother Duan Ming, I’ll be going. Here, take this. With this, you can move between floors at will. Come play with me on the first floor when you have time!"

She handed over a pass—the very one she had used to move freely between floors. Duan Ming took it without hesitation.

As the girl skipped away, Han Lingling remained fuming, staring at Duan Ming.

"Duan Ming, there is a divide between the living and the dead."

"I know that. Why are you bringing it up?"

"You don't get it. How many ghost stories have you heard? You should never mess with female ghosts."

"I don't really feel like there's a difference between male and female ghosts."

"I’m telling you, you absolutely cannot have intimate contact with a female ghost. Even a hug—no, even just holding hands—will drain your Yang energy. I’m serious, I’m not lying to you."

"Isn't that a bit exaggerated? Who told you that?"

"You! Duan Ming! Is that the way to talk to your sister? Have you grown wings again?"

"I really haven't. If you don't believe me, touch and see."

"..."

The two bickered as they walked away, leaving Qin Wei in the hospital room, shedding tears of humiliation.

***

Meanwhile, outside the main entrance of the inpatient building, three figures appeared out of thin air. They were Chen Feng, Meng Ke, and Xu Haoran from the Supernatural Investigation Bureau’s 157th Squad.

As soon as they arrived, the three exchanged glances, their brows furrowed.

Meng Ke said, "Boss, something’s not right. This is a D-level mission. I thought it would be E-level at most."

Xu Haoran’s expression was even graver. "Last month, when I was lent to the 87th Squad, we went through a D-level mission. There were eight squad members and over a dozen civilians. In the end, most of the civilians died, and the 87th Squad lost one member."

"Hiss... even the veteran 87th Squad suffered casualties in a D-level mission?!"

"Yes, we can't be careless." Xu Haoran scanned his surroundings, focusing on the inpatient building. "Based on past patterns and mission prompts, our identities are likely low-ranking orderlies. There are nearly 20 wards on each floor, which is a lot of pressure. I fear many of the first 20 people who arrived are already dead."

Chen Feng patted them on the shoulders. "Don't forget our mission: find Duan Ming first."

He led the way into the building, with the others close behind.

As soon as they entered...

"Chen Feng, Meng Ke, Xu Haoran?"

Chen Feng looked at Yu Fangfang, who had stood up from the front desk, and quickly replied, "Yes."

Yu Fangfang looked at the three of them with disdain. "Another group of detestable men."

"The Head Nurse has already made arrangements for you. Chen Feng, Xu Haoran, go to the third floor. Meng Ke, go to the second floor. Someone will come to guide you shortly."

After she finished, she glared at them once more and fell silent.

Chen Feng gathered his courage and stepped forward. "Excuse me, could you tell us which floor Duan Ming is on?"

Yu Fangfang’s face twisted as she looked up. "I don't know! Why ask me? I'm busy!"

Just then, a lively, bouncing figure appeared around the corner of the stairs. Zhou Mengyue approached them, tilting her head curiously. "Do you guys know little brother Duan Ming?"

The three were overjoyed. "Yes, exactly! Do you know where he is?"

"I do! He’s on the third floor with his sister."

So soon! The three of them raised their estimation of Duan Ming even higher.

Xu Haoran stepped forward. "You seem very familiar with Duan Ming? May I ask who you are?"

"Me? I’m just a little nobody who admires little brother Duan Ming. I don't dare hope for any romantic story; if he could just look at me more, or say a few more words to me, I’d be content."

Although the words sounded dejected, Zhou Mengyue held her hands to her chest, her face full of infatuation.

"????" x3

What is going on! Not only is this kid Duan Ming bold and meticulous, but his flirting skills with ghosts are also maxed out?