Chapter 119: Knowing the Ship Is Haunted, Yet Sailing Toward It

Once, there was a precious lesson laid before me, yet I failed to cherish it. Only when it was lost did regret consume me; in the mortal world, nothing is more agonizing than this. If Heaven bestowed upon me another chance, I would tell that teacher: “Speak slowly.” And if that lesson must be given a deadline, I wish it would be ten thousand times over.

Such was Lin Xiao’s true state of mind at that moment. Had he listened to that lesson, learned how to break the death loop, he would not be forced to endure endless suffering, caught in perpetual repetition. But alas, there is no medicine for regret in this world. He could only bear the pain, enduring until the end of time.

“No, this isn’t right. I’ve fallen into a trap of thought again. Why must I rely on the lesson to learn how to break the loop? I can find my own way, break this cycle myself—after all, time is on my side, isn’t it?”

With this idea, Lin Xiao calmed completely. In times like these, panic is the enemy. Only by staying composed and responding with poise could he hope to break the cycle and save everyone.

The loops continued, uninterrupted. The others noticed nothing, except that Lin Xiao’s behavior was odd—he stood silently in the corner, as if stunned by fear.

Who knew how much time had passed? When he was once again transported into the ship’s cabin, a bold idea finally took shape in Lin Xiao’s mind.

There is a saying in China: “Knowing there are tigers on the mountain, yet heading toward the mountain.” It means that, despite being aware of danger, one chooses to confront it head-on. It may seem foolish, but it is a desperate search for life in the face of death—a way to survive by risking everything.

So today, Lin Xiao would knowingly board the haunted ship. Since each time he was passively transported to the cabin, why not take the initiative and jump onto the ghost ship himself? Perhaps that was the key to breaking the cycle.

Without hesitation, he acted. When the anchor killed him yet again and he revived in the restroom, hearing the knocking outside, Lin Xiao decisively opened the door and strode out, heading straight for the yacht’s deck and facing the ghost ship.

The others were oblivious to his intentions, chatting amongst themselves. Duke Karen took the Blood Shadow Mirror, preparing to release his blood shadow to explore the ghost ship.

Just then, they saw a massive black hand fly toward the ghost ship, gripping its rail. A familiar figure followed, landing gracefully on the deck—it was Lin Xiao!

“What’s he doing? Why did he run onto the ship himself? For safety’s sake, I’ll send the blood shadow to continue investigating the ghost ship.”

Duke Karen spoke mechanically, unaware of how ridiculous his actions were. The other four didn’t object, agreeing vacantly. Moments later, the group appeared once more in the ship’s cabin—this time only five remained, with Duke Karen and Lin Xiao missing.

“YES, I guessed right!” Lin Xiao clenched his fists, finally winning his gamble. His intuition had been correct: the greater the fear of the ghost ship, the more one avoids boarding it, the harder it becomes to break the cycle.

It’s like Japan’s real estate bubble eight years later—the more people fear bursting it, the larger the bubble grows, and the greater the risk. Only by taking the initiative to burst the bubble can hope and renewal arise, breaking the cycle.

Yet, although the cycle was broken, the crisis remained unresolved. Lin Xiao sensed that his situation had become even more perilous. If breaking the loop meant he’d no longer revive after death, then he had only one chance left—his next death would be final.

The ghost ship’s deck was much as the Blood Shadow’s feedback had portrayed: everywhere, objects decayed and rotting, the floorboards puffed and soft beneath his feet, nauseatingly so.

“What now? This ghost ship is so strange—are there monsters or spirits lurking here? If I could find whatever filth dwells here, a single invocation of the Thunder Talisman might solve the problem. The key is, where is it hiding?”

Lin Xiao’s mind raced. Monsters were not frightening—the unknown was. As soon as the unknown became known, it could be dealt with, and that was his specialty.

Because he was an exorcist.

“Usually, the most important place on a ship is the captain’s cabin—the central hub. This unknown entity is likely hiding there. Should I go take a look? Ha, as if I have a choice.”

Lin Xiao shook his head, scanning his surroundings for the captain’s cabin. He’d never seen a ship like this before, but thanks to years of watching the ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ series, he could roughly guess its location.

There was only one answer—the bow.

But which side was the bow?

Comparing the structure of both sides, Lin Xiao deduced the direction. The ship’s design resembled a swimming fish: the front was slender and pointed, built to cut through waves and conquer the sea.

Having identified the bow, Lin Xiao hefted the Star Destroyer Battle Axe and walked cautiously toward it, glancing back every few steps, wary of something bizarre lunging at him.

He couldn’t help it—after dozens of deaths, this was mere reflex. Had he not broken the cycle, his mind would soon have collapsed.

He thought of Eleven and Zoe, still trapped in the loop, suffering repeated deaths—a torment he had to end by uncovering the unknown.

He quickened his pace, the deck creaking underfoot. No attack came, as if only being dragged into the cabin triggered an assault. Lin Xiao was relieved, grateful for his decisive judgment.

He approached the bow slowly, where a giant mast stood. Beneath it was a pitch-black room, likely the captain’s cabin.

Strangely, the door was open inward. Inside, darkness reigned, and a chilling aura flowed continually outward, making Lin Xiao shiver, almost robbing him of the courage to enter.

He was indeed an exorcist, but he was also human. Fear had not vanished entirely—especially alone, at night, on an ancient ship, surrounded by eerie silence. The aura of terror could drive even the bravest man away.

As in many horror films, the unknown is most terrifying before it’s revealed. Once it becomes known, fear diminishes, for the root of human terror is the unknown.

“Don’t be afraid. I am extraordinary, an exorcist. Elle and Zoe are waiting for me—I can’t let them suffer any longer. If I must die, so be it.”

Lin Xiao summoned his courage and stepped carefully into the darkness.

With a loud crash, the double doors slammed shut behind him. A sinister atmosphere pressed in from all sides, accompanied by a rustling sound that made his scalp tingle.

Holy Light!

Without hesitation, Lin Xiao raised one hand and cast the Holy Light skill. Brilliant radiance illuminated the cabin—indeed, it was the captain’s room, with a steering wheel device at the front.

Terrifyingly, a skeleton dressed in a captain’s uniform reclined in the chair before the wheel, hands resting on the helm as if still steering the ghost ship forward—forward into the unknown.

Lin Xiao’s legs trembled with fear. This was nothing like the haunted house experience—there, with the crowd, he was bold. Here, alone, his terror multiplied tenfold.

Creak!

The wheel groaned—the skeleton seemed to be moving it. Lin Xiao’s greatest fear was that the skeleton would suddenly stand up and greet him with an “Hola” or “Salut.”

Thankfully, the skeleton merely turned its head and stared at him in silence, saying nothing. What a relief.

Relief? Hardly!

A skeleton that turns its head—how could that be normal?

Lin Xiao nearly fled in panic, struggling to steady himself. The Holy Light in his right hand condensed into a spear, which he hurled at the skeleton without hesitation.

Whatever creature you are, take this spear first!