Mysterious Resurrection: What If

Chapter 177 Ghost Tamer

This should be an observation room, where one can observe the situation of the vengeful ghost on the other side in real time through the glass.

“I previously thought that leaf was just an exception, but since you just mentioned there is a tree, I have reason to suspect that the leaf was cut off from the tree.”

As he spoke, Wang Xiaoming nodded at the camera.

Immediately, a square pillar rose up behind the glass, upon which was placed the bronze leaf that Wen Zhong had given to Li Jun.

Wen Zhong's face darkened, and he remained silent.

"Oh no... I forgot to bring this leaf back. It's all that idiot Jiang Shangbai's fault. He made so much noise that I forgot about it."

Wang Xiaoming walked to the three computers and sat down. The monitor in the middle was playing a live video of the leaf.

"It reversed Li Jun's condition, bringing him back to where he was a few minutes ago, when he should have died."

The left screen displays another view, presumably from Li Jun's perspective, suggesting that he always carries a miniature camera when on missions.

Wen Zhong happened to see himself handing a leaf to Li Jun.

His face immediately darkened again. This Wang Xiaoming reacted too quickly. If he had been any slower, and Wang Xiaoming had remembered, he definitely wouldn't have handed over the bronze leaf.

"Professor Wang, these are my personal belongings. It's not right to confiscate them without my consent."

Wen Zhong could not easily give up such an important supernatural item; the existence of this leaf meant that he had an extra life.

He continued, "Besides, I only used it temporarily to save Captain Li. If even something like this is confiscated, everyone will be hesitant and timid in the future. How are we supposed to handle paranormal events then?"

"you misunderstood."

Wang Xiaoming didn't look up; he just continued recording Li Jun's changing state on the screen, his fingers tapping incessantly on the keyboard.

"I will only borrow it for seven days. You can take it back anytime after seven days. I will give you a ghost candle."

“Professor Wang, but then again, it’s our duty as those in charge to make some contributions to headquarters. You’re too kind. Please use that leaf; I’m not in a hurry.”

Wang Xiaoming didn't pay any attention and looked up at Wen Zhong's forehead.

"How are you feeling? Try sitting up."

"I'm about to die," Wen Zhong complained as he propped himself up to sit up. "Can't you let me lie down a little longer?"

He was stunned as soon as he finished speaking.

"Huh? No!"

He suddenly realized that the restlessness of the vengeful spirit within him had subsided, and the ever-approaching sense of resurrection had also weakened considerably.

His forehead tingled slightly, and when he reached out to touch it, he found a crumpled piece of yellow paper.

"This is... paper doll Liu San?!"

"Looks like it's working." Wang Xiaoming casually noted Wen Zhong's status on the keyboard.

Liu San covered the yellow paper the moment he saw Wen Zhong, but Wen Zhong didn't notice. Meanwhile, Wang Xiaoming had been observing Wen Zhong's changes the entire way.

Wang Xiaoming continued, "Don't be too happy. The suppression time was very short. Your physical condition is quite special, and I can't find a good solution to slow down your recovery process for the time being."

Wen Zhong's initially delighted face darkened again. Just as Jiang Shangbai had said, he had been used as a guinea pig.

Have you ever heard of ghosts controlling people?

Wang Xiaoming suddenly changed the subject.

“Ghosts control people…” Wen Zhong recalled what Chen Qiaoyang had said during their confrontation.

Chen Qiaoyang believed that his interrupted flow state was an external manifestation of the shift from 'human controlling ghosts' to 'ghosts controlling humans'. He even said that his true consciousness was trapped inside the radio. Wen Zhong pondered for a moment and then said, "I've heard of it, but I don't know much about it."

“The ways in which ghost tamers control vengeful spirits are varied and bizarre, and ghosts controlling people is a rather extreme approach.”

Wang Xiaoming opened a photo on his computer; it showed an old man holding a ball of flesh.

He said, "Most people control vengeful spirits by killing them. While using supernatural powers, they constantly bear the cost of resurrection. Once they reach a critical point, they introduce a second spirit to bring the situation to a balance. But ultimately, they all die and are killed by the resurrected vengeful spirit."

Wen Zhong nodded; this was also his current state.

Wang Xiaoming continued:

"But ghosts controlling humans are different. When they control vengeful spirits, they choose a completely different path, trying to control a vengeful spirit that has not died or has not died completely through the consciousness of a living person. Once they successfully control it in this way, the state they exhibit can almost crush ordinary ghost controllers, because if the ghost has not died, it means that the ghost's killing patterns can be brought into play to a greater extent."

Wen Zhong immediately retorted, "How is that possible?! How can a living person possibly fight against a vengeful ghost?!"

Wang Xiaoming's gaze lingered on the old man's photo on the screen as he said, "I don't know the specific method. But this state will eventually lead to revival. However, the difference is that the revived vengeful ghost will retain a portion of the consciousness of a living person and continue to act according to its predetermined killing patterns."

"But if..." He paused.

"What if enough consciousness is retained, even to the point of being completely intact within the vengeful ghost? Then, is such a being human or a ghost?"

Wen Zhong was stunned. If someone could completely replicate his consciousness into a vengeful ghost, wouldn't that mean he had completely become a vengeful ghost, yet still be able to move freely?

In that case, this person will no longer be at risk of revival and will even be able to use supernatural powers without restriction.

Wang Xiaoming gently shook his head.

"Unfortunately, no one has been able to do this yet, because the consciousness of the living can be eroded by ghosts, and the process of the ghost tamer gradually losing his emotions is the outward manifestation of this erosion."

"The longer it goes on, the deeper it becomes. When it revives, only a very small portion of its consciousness will remain. In the end, it might create a vengeful ghost with self-awareness. So this path still has its shortcomings, but it is still worth studying."

Wen Zhong couldn't help but nod. He had never imagined that ghost control could have such a direction. The brief exchange had greatly impressed him and he had benefited immensely.

"But Professor Wang, what does this have to do with the ghost inside my body?"

"Have."

The photo of Wen Zhong taken outside the museum that Wang Xiaoming pulled up should have been taken by Li Jun's equipment.

In the scene, they had just escaped from the Wan Gong sedan chair, and Wen Zhong had released himself from the state of being cut off from the flow of energy.

"If I'm not mistaken, you must have used the power of some ghost to transfer the cost of your revival, otherwise you couldn't have lasted this long."

A hint of surprise flashed in Wen Zhong's eyes. Wang Xiaoming was too smart. His analysis was correct. That's exactly what he did. The principle was pretty much the same.

"But where did the transferred portion go?"

Wang Xiaoming stared at Wen Zhong, waiting for an answer.

"I have no idea."

Wang Xiaoming didn't press further, but continued, "Supernatural power never disappears into thin air. Unless another supernatural force comes along to cancel it out."

His gaze fell on Wen Zhong's stomach. "There is still a ghost inside you, but you haven't realized it yet. Once you enter that state, as long as you don't exceed a certain threshold, the cost of its resurrection will be borne by it."

"In other words, you are essentially controlling a vengeful ghost that hasn't completely shut down yet, which is why you've become stronger. Only ghosts can use supernatural powers without limit."

Wen Zhong's expression grew increasingly surprised, but Wang Xiaoming remained calm.

"The more times you enter this state, the stronger you will become, but at the same time, your consciousness will be gradually eroded by it. Until one day, the vengeful ghost will be fully resurrected and completely replace your existence."

Upon hearing this, Wen Zhong's mouth dropped open, and he was speechless. He couldn't utter a single word for a long time.

(End of this chapter)