Chapter 149 - Destroy Myself for You

"You killed everyone..."

Liu Xiaodan twitched. He was capable of this mindless slaughter? He only held onto his head. "Old Doctor, is there a way for you to show me what you witnessed? I just want to know how exactly it happened. I'm not willing to eat you so don't be too scared."

Old Doctor moved slowly with his huge body, his bottom part skidding against the floor and wading in the sea of dead people. Only the completed bodies were left, as well as those who only lost a limb or two. All the severed limbs were eaten by Old Doctor. The greater ghost—who had consumed power and souls—was more or less back to its original power, but he still didn't bother attacking or possessing Liu Xiaodan.

At his request, the greater ghost showed him flashes of what happened earlier… and even if Old Doctor was very scared, it was as if he was compelled to witness the slaughter of his master.

…

Moments earlier…

The greater ghost had surfaced from the body of the young man. Since he was stronger than the rest, the normal ghosts began crying out and howling while running away from the greater ghost. As Old Doctor's eyes were able to petrify weaker entities, he had no problems in chasing them all. It didn't matter where they ran to; as long as they couldn't leave the room, it was only a matter of time before Old Doctor could eat them.

He might have not eaten his fill yet, but he felt that movements were coming from the doors where they came from. Soon, it opened, and the normal ghosts spilled out of the place. From outside entered a bunch of guards and nurses. They were wearing this sash that seemed to make Old Doctor fearful of their presence. Moreover, people in white robes also came with them.

"Secure 4-28. We'll handle this one." One of the people in white spoke, and the guards and the nurses tried to get to Liu Xiaodan's motionless body. When diagrams appeared on their hands, Old Doctor had a feeling that he would be dissolved by the power reeking from those white circles. All of them then yelled: "Vanish!"

The oppressive power of the shamans made Old Doctor cry in pain. However, the strength was like a thread that snapped after one strong pull! When he turned, the shamans were in a disarray. Their leader's body was being raised from the floor, but blood started dripping from his mouth. Then, it suddenly exploded as the miasma behind him moved like a big hand that crushed whatever it was holding.

When Old Doctor looked for the source of the miasma, he trembled when he saw Liu Xiaodan levitating on the rolling bed. The miasma supposedly protecting him was moving like a tide that couldn't decide on what form to take. The guards and the nurses tried to run away as well, but the miasma on Liu Xiaodan's body suddenly moved like something had exploded inside it.

Mist-like spikes had jabbed towards the nurses and the guards, some of them sharp enough to sever limbs and break through the skull. The shamans tried to counterattack in a helpless situation, but a low howl came from Liu Xiaodan's body. "Shamans… I hate shamans… I can't withstand you before… but now… I will destroy all who would dare touch him…"

"The dybbuk had grown so strong… in just a few weeks…"

That was the last that one of the shamans could say. The miasma attacked them mercilessly, forcing its softened spikes inside their mouth and pulling them closer. Within that faint mist showed a pattern of three black distorted circles. Then, the bodies exploded from inside, splattering blood all over Liu Xiaodan and the floor. 

Soon, the unconscious man was laid down on the rolling bed, and the miasma returned to being docile.

Old Doctor crept closer to take a peek if Liu Xiaodan was awake, but the man was surely still outside his own body. The greater ghost then looked around and saw the delicious body parts all over the floor. Liu Xiaodan was a human, and humans shouldn't eat their own kind. Old Doctor figured Liu Xiaodan would still adhere to that rule, and so he took advantage of the swift massacre and ate.

…

Liu Xiaodan shuddered at the experience. He was watching his own body slaughter innocent people just because they were on site. He opened his eyes and couldn't even use any part of his body to wipe out the blood. Hives were creeping in, and he felt so itchy everywhere in his skin.

He got up from the rolling bed and limped towards the wall. After that, he carefully trod the side and pushed the door open. Outside was a symphony of red lights. It was like that time when that woman broke out of her hold. The elite squad should be here soon, and so Liu Xiaodan picked up his pace and dragged his exhausted body against the walls. His eyes were heavy from the strain of materialization, and yet he refused to close them again.

Who knew where he would find himself the next moment if he passed out now?

"…Guangru… can you hear me?" Liu Xiaodan called out, and the child showed up from the side. He then ran to hug his Baba's legs and looked up at him with a smile. Instead of lecturing Liu Xiaodan for his recklessness, the child only grinned at him. The father then ruffled his silky black hair. "Guangru, can you help me find a wheelchair or something? My legs are trembling…"

"I'll make you one." Guangru giggled, but Liu Xiaodan shook his head before declining verbally. "That might take a toll on you. How about we just look for one? Before that, Guangru will be Baba's support."

The child only pouted before raising his hands at Liu Xiaodan. The father twitched and gave in to carrying the child anyway. However, as soon as Guangru hugged his Baba's neck, a thick branch emerged from the child's back. The branch broke into multiple thin versions that wove a chair for Liu Xiaodan. After he was pushed to sit on it, the chair's legs began to move as if helping it crawl for their mobility.

Guangru then narrowed his eyes at the young man who looked down at him as well. "…Baba, stop fighting things you can't defeat. One of these days, I will punish you. You're grounded, but you still escape to that boy."

"Ah, sorry. I just… hear him when he cries too loud." Liu Xiaodan held onto the child warmly and even kissed Guangru's forehead. "I can't apologize anymore. I keep on breaking promises. This bad parent didn't really mean to make you worry, Guangru."

"Hmph, okay." Guangru only scrunched his face and puffed his cheeks as if inviting Liu Xiaodan to keep on kissing him. 'Pathetic human, if you keep on showing me love like this, what's your guarantee that I won't destroy even myself for you?'

Just as Guangru grumbled inside his mind, he heard a strange cl.i.c.k.i.n.g noise echo towards them. Liu Xiaodan caught a glimpse of the item, and he quickly dove to the ground to protect Guangru's entirety with his body. 

It didn't take a split-second more before the grenade exploded!