That was right—Yin Yang was actually a transcendent as well.
Sequence 9: Sacrifice!
It was a sequence pathway that ordinary people had never even heard of.
The reason he stayed at the mortuary was because it was directly tied to his promotion ritual.
Sequence 8: Corpse Celebrant!
The condition for promotion required using a hundred ghosts as sacrifices to offer to oneself!
The more malevolent the ghosts, the stronger the power would be after the promotion!
However, one also needed to find a balance between the two.
If the ghosts' power significantly exceeded the aspirant's, there was a high risk of backlash.
At that point, let alone reaching Sequence 8, one's soul would be torn to shreds by the vengeful spirits.
Yin Yang returned to the mortuary. The moment he stepped inside, the invisible giant holding the umbrella vanished, and the rain instantly drenched the ground.
He turned on the light, washed up briefly, and returned to his room. The six flayed ghosts were lying on his bed!
Their skinless eyelids couldn't close, and they stared at him with pure malice.
Yin Yang yawned. A brawny, malevolent ghost appeared out of thin air behind him, swinging a zanbato toward the bed!
The six flayed ghosts wailed and scrambled to dodge.
Once they had scattered, Yin Yang fluffed his pillow and lay down comfortably.
The blade-wielding ghost stood like a loyal guard, clutching its weapon and staring down the surrounding spirits.
...
Knock, knock.
“Yin Yang!”
Knock, knock, knock.
“Open up! Something big happened!”
Amidst the urgent knocking, the blade-wielding ghost guarding the bedside gradually faded away.
Yin Yang yawned, checked the time, and went to open the door.
“What is it?”
As soon as the door opened, Xiao Zhe’s portly frame squeezed inside.
“The seventh flayed corpse has appeared!”
Yin Yang froze. He instinctively glanced to the side and saw the six flayed ghosts behind Xiao Zhe looking equally “surprised.”
Xiao Zhe shuddered, hugging his arms.
“This rain is bone-chilling. Close the door, let’s talk inside.”
“I’m telling you, this is a massive deal now.”
Xiao Zhe habitually pulled over a plastic stool and sat down, looking at Yin Yang with a mysterious expression.
“Guess who died this time?”
“Your older brother?”
Xiao Zhe’s shoulders slumped in disappointment.
“I wish it were him, but that son of a bitch won't die anytime soon.”
“It’s Mr. Xu!”
“What?”
This time, Yin Yang’s surprise wasn't faked.
Mr. Xu was a Sequence 8 Coroner!
Even in all of Wangduan City, he was a person of some standing.
To think he’d be taken out, and in such a gruesome way!
“Hehe, surprising, right?”
“He was killed at home. Just like the previous six, he was flayed.”
“Even Lord Mei went to the scene. They’re still investigating, but the body should be sent here soon.”
Yin Yang asked, surprised, “How do you know all this so clearly?”
“Because I saw it!”
“I was still feeling a bit restless after my activities tonight, so I thought I’d go get some cold drinks and coffee.”
“I was enjoying my drink when I heard brakes screeching outside. Over twenty fully armed security officers rushed in.”
“I was curious, so I peeked out. Who would’ve thought I’d be recognized and called over to help?”
“That’s how I found out Mr. Xu lived right there.”
He finished and grabbed the kettle on the table to pour himself a large cup of water.
“Then they had me check the body. What do I know about that?”
“I could only spout some nonsense based on my instincts as a Corpse Bearer. Lord Mei probably saw through me, so he told me to leave first. He said the body would be sent to the mortuary for preservation and that he’d call in another Coroner from a different city.”
“Hahaha, I knew Old Xu was a bit too full of himself. Serves him right! Look what happened!”
At this point, Xiao Zhe shuddered again and looked around.
“Why is your place so cold?”
“Won't you get rheumatism living here for long?”
“I rented a place outside. Why don't you just move in with me?”
Yin Yang looked at the sixty or seventy spirits behind Xiao Zhe and thought, It’d be a miracle if you weren't cold.
He made a subtle gesture, and an illusory hand “brushed” the ghosts aside. Xiao Zhe immediately felt much warmer.
“No thanks. I’m used to living here, it’s convenient for work, and I can sleep in a bit more.”
As they spoke, the sound of a car engine echoed outside the mortuary.
Xiao Zhe said excitedly, “They're here, they're here.”
He pulled Yin Yang and headed out.
“Xiao Zhe, regardless of anything, Mr. Xu was our superior. Even if we aren't sad, we shouldn't look too happy now that he’s dead.”
“What would others think? They’ll just see us as cold and heartless.”
Hearing this, Xiao Zhe quickly wiped the smile off his face and forced a look of sorrow.
“How’s this?”
“A bit stiff.”
“Stiff is fine. Not laughing is already giving him face.”
They walked out of the room. The lights in the mortuary courtyard had already been lit.
Lord Mei strode in. Yin Yang and Xiao Zhe quickly bowed.
“My Lord.”
“My Lord.”
Lord Mei’s gaze swept over the two before landing on Yin Yang.
“You are Yin Yang?”
“Yes.”
“Coroner Xu mentioned you. He said you were very steady in your work.”
“He flattered me, My Lord.”
“The body will be left in your care. A new Coroner will arrive tomorrow; cooperate fully with him.”
“Yes, sir.”
He stepped toward Yin Yang, his voice brook no argument. “Look up.”
Yin Yang slowly raised his head, his expression full of respect.
“You are not a Corpse Bearer?”
Lord Mei’s tone held a hint of suspicion. Yin Yang replied respectfully, “You are correct, My Lord. I am just an ordinary person. I have been apprenticing under Mr. Xu.”
“How long have you been here?”
“Just under two years.”
Lord Mei nodded and patted his shoulder. “Work hard. As long as you perform well, a promotion potion is nothing to me.”
“Thank you, My Lord!”
Lord Mei had his men hand over the body to Yin Yang before leaving the mortuary without looking back.
Once the group had gone, Xiao Zhe wiggled his eyebrows at Yin Yang. “See? I didn't lie, Old Xu is really dead!”
Yin Yang pushed the gurney carrying the body. “Respect the dead. Keep your voice down.”
“I’m going to examine the body. You coming?”
“Of course. I only came back because I was worried you couldn't handle it alone.”
They entered the morgue. Yin Yang changed into his gear and put on gloves, while Xiao Zhe grabbed a notebook to start recording.
Yin Yang skillfully pulled back the skin and looked closely before speaking.
“The body was flayed using a sharp instrument, starting from the neck down to the pubic symphysis.”
Before Yin Yang could finish, Xiao Zhe had already written it down—after all, the previous six reports were written exactly the same way.
But then he heard Yin Yang continue.
“The wound shows signs of cauterization. The blade was heated, and there are suspected remnants of transcendent power.”
“The killer is a transcendent. This is a copycat crime.”
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