Zombie Bodyguard
Chapter 159 - 158 Subduing the Ghost

Chapter 159: Chapter 158 Subduing the Ghost

In the terrified gaze of the ninjas, Lin Tian casually grabbed one, and no matter how much he struggled, tossed him into the air. He aimed a punch at the ninja’s chest, and with a loud "bang," the ninja’s chest instantly collapsed, his eyes bulged out, and the man flew away.

It wasn’t until he crashed into a large tree that he finally stopped, sticking to the trunk like a painting before sliding down limply. Thick blood continuously oozed from his nose and mouth. This ninja died more abruptly, without even uttering a word.

"You see, I am an honest man. I do as I say—one unanswered question, one death," Lin Tian said with an earnest expression, speaking honestly.

Indeed, the ninjas had been harboring a sliver of hope, thinking that Lin Tian, being so young, wouldn’t be as ruthless as he claimed. But now, they were like ducks struck by lightning, stunned. To them, Lin Tian was the thunder of the Nine Heavens, mercilessly slaying two men and shattering the last vestige of their illusion.

"Do not harbor any illusions. You thought to put me in mortal danger just for a broken sword, so you should be prepared to die. The second question: was the kidnapping of the Second Lady of Xiao orchestrated by your organization?" Lin Tian looked down at the ninjas and posed the second question.

Upon hearing Lin Tian mention questions, the men showed signs of fear but dared not answer any. To leak information about their organization could mean an even more miserable death.

"Three... two..." Lin Tian counted down towards their doom, like a reaper ready to claim lives at any second.

"I’ll speak, I’ll speak! It was our organization’s plan. We wanted to kidnap her to exchange for the Xiao Group’s secret research data. As for what the research involved, we didn’t have the clearance to know," the thirty-something-year-old ninja hastened to reply, desperately eager as if fearing the Evil God would strike him down for being too slow.

"Good. The Bai Family actually deals with an organization like yours. Seems they’ve grown too bold," Lin Tian began to speak in a relaxed tone before suddenly changing direction, "However... you still haven’t answered my first question. Thus, one of you must die!"

"This is deceitful! We answered the question and still we face death—it’s unfair!" The ninja, provoked, became agitated.

Lin Tian could not be bothered with their emotions, "When you ambushed me seeking my life, you didn’t speak of fairness. When you plotted to kidnap the unarmed Second Miss Xiao, you didn’t talk about fairness. Now you want to discuss fairness with me? I set the rules, and you had no right to refuse them."

He whisked a ninja forward towards Ghost and ordered, "Kill him."

Without a word, Ghost drew a dagger and plunged it into the ninja’s heart. As he drew the dagger back, blood spurted forth. Nimbly avoiding the spray, Ghost wiped the dagger clean on the ninja’s clothing. The ninja convulsed repeatedly, dying quickly from excessive blood loss.

When people are pushed to their limits, there are two possible outcomes: some can’t withstand the pressure and crack completely, answering anything asked of them. Others, when pushed to the brink, bounce back, temporarily overcoming their fear.

One ninja suddenly led the charge, yelling, "Long live the Big Island Country..."

His emotions spurred the others, who also shouted: "Long live the Big Island Country."

They bit down together, and then their faces showed frenzied expressions. Lin Tian quickly pried open their mouths, saw black blood already oozing out, eyes rolling back—within less than a minute, the remaining ninjas were all dead.

"They must have carried poison in their teeth, capable of biting through a container to poison themselves upon a dire moment—essentially committing suicide," Ghost observed the situation and quickly surmised the cause.

"Such potent poison, causing death in under a minute! They always carry poison in their mouths; aren’t they afraid that one accidental bite one day will end them?" Lin Tian had heard of biting the tongue to commit suicide but never hiding poison in the teeth.

Ghost appeared rather indifferent to such practices, showing little surprise, "They have their unique ways of concealing poison, undetectable and safe from accidental consumption. Engaging in their line of work comes with the readiness to die. It’s quite ordinary for them."

"Oh, so you carry the same?" Lin Tian asked curiously.

Ghost shook his head in denial, "I don’t need that sort of thing, nor am I beholden to anyone. I make my own decisions, so why would I poison myself? Do you think they wanted to? They wouldn’t resort to this final measure if not cornered."

"Then why are you so determined to complete Bai Zhengchu’s task? I think he’s just sent you to your death. If I wanted to kill you, you’d be dead by now, like you said, you owe me a life," Lin Tian tried to persuade Ghost to break away from Bai Zhengchu and stop entangling with him.

"I’ve made it clear to him about the last incident. One last mission, regardless of the outcome, and all previous obligations null and void. So when I found out you were in Zhonghai City and you were coming to Tianma Mountain tonight, I decided to take the chance," Ghost candidly explained.

"Why then did you turn around and kill those ninjas? Their target was the same as yours—me." Lin Tian didn’t understand what the headstrong sniper was up to.

"My issue with you isn’t something foreigner, especially Japanese, should meddle in. To side with them against you, I would despise myself. I’d rather fail the mission," Ghost spoke seriously and earnestly.

Lin Tian found these words to be quite appealing. Had he been in the same situation, he would have done the same. The Japanese conspiring against one’s compatriots—if he collaborated with them, would he still be human? That would be nothing but a blatant betrayal.

"So the mission’s a failure, and you have no further dealings with Bai Zhengchu?" Lin Tian chuckled to himself and asked.

"That’s right," Ghost replied earnestly, not aware of what Lin Tian was planning.

"I’m currently in need of help. Would you be interested in working for me?" Lin Tian extended an offer of recruitment.

He did not bring up the life-debt nor did he talk down to Ghost. Instead, he offered an equal conversation, allowing Ghost to make his own choice. People who constantly hold favors over others’ heads are forever distasteful, so Lin Tian kept the past unmentioned, speaking as if between friends.

Ghost was indeed surprised; he had thought Lin Tian would ask him to repay a favor, as Bai Zhengchu had done. Ghost owed nothing to Bai Zhengchu besides a transaction.

"Lin Tian, you’re the only person who has earned my respect and submission. You’re stronger than me, more ruthless, yet so magnanimous. You didn’t trade on a favor to compel me into difficult tasks. It shows how strong your spirit is, strong enough to believe there’s nothing you can’t solve. Ha, if you’re willing, I guess I am your man from here on out," Ghost articulated insightfully, understand the reasons and smiled as he agreed to Lin Tian’s invitation.

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