Chapter 8 The Peculiar Book

• “W-Who are you?” I stammered out.
• The eerie smile on his face grew even more prominent as he said, “Want to know who I am? It's simple. Just take a walk with me!”
• As his words fell, his figure abruptly flickered for a moment. In an instant, he had crossed the large bed, his large hand directly clutching my throat.
• His speed was incredible. I didn't even have time to react, let alone a chance to dodge.
• His hands were cold, his grip strong. I struggled, throwing punches and kicks at him, but it was all in vain.
• At the same time, being in such close proximity, I could detect a faint unpleasant smell wafting from him. It was a scent that bore a striking similarity to that of Ghost Hag, though it lacked the intensity of her odor.
• “Stop struggling. It's pointless!” He chuckled softly and narrowed his eyes at me. “You better hope your grandfather truly cares about you and comes to find you soon. Otherwise, I—”
• A dull thud interrupted his words.
• A gust of wild wind flung open the window, sending the curtains fluttering.
• Suddenly, a figure appeared by the windowsill, garbed in white and standing barefoot.
• It was that woman in white.
• She looked at the middle-aged man with a calm gaze and said, “Get lost!”
• Upon seeing the woman in white appear here, the middle-aged man was clearly taken aback. Shortly after, his expression turned somewhat grim.
• “Lilith, this is between us and the Meyer family. You'd better not—”
• “You have three seconds to let him go!” the woman in white interrupted the middle-aged man's speech. “If you refuse... I'll destroy you!”
• “You...” The middle-aged man was exasperated.
• “One!” the woman in white began.
• “Lilith, don't think for a second that I'm afraid of you. I—”
• “Two!”
• “D*mn it!” The middle-aged man's face was ashen. After swearing, he immediately released his grip from my neck.
• Clearly, he was still quite wary of Lilith Tudor.
• Clutching my throat as I coughed violently, I quickly dashed to one side, my face filled with fear as I looked at the two of them.
• The middle-aged man gritted his teeth, his face twisted in fury as he roared at Lilith, “Did you really take that ghost marriage contract seriously? Don't forget, if it hadn't been for us, you wouldn't have been able to see the light of—”
• Whoosh!
• Before the middle-aged man could finish his sentence, a flash of white light sprung from Lilith's slender fingers, piercing directly into his chest.
• The chest of the middle-aged man burst open, yet there was no blood. Instead, a hint of dense black mist emerged.
• The middle-aged man staggered back several steps, his face contorted in pain, making his features even more grotesque. He gritted his teeth, suppressing the urge to cry out in agony.
• Lilith gave him a nonchalant glance. “I've repaid whatever I owed you. If you dare to utter another word of nonsense, I'll obliterate you right here and now.”
• The middle-aged man was visibly frustrated. He shot Lilith a fierce glare, then turned his menacing gaze on me. With an angry huff, his figure flickered for a moment before vanishing instantly.
• I exhaled in relief.
• As I gazed at Lilith, my eyes were filled with confusion. I was unsure of what to say next.
• Even though I knew she wasn't human, there wasn't the slightest hint of horror or fear in my heart toward her. Instead, I felt a strange sense of familiarity that was inexplicably comforting.
• Is it because of that so-called ghost marriage contract?
• As I was looking at her, she was also looking at me.
• The indifference in her gaze remained, leaving me with a faint sense of loss.
• “Who exactly was that guy just now?” I asked cautiously.
• She didn't respond to my question. Instead, she said softly, “They won't let things go easily. I don't want to get overly involved in the grudge between the Meyer family and them. I'll protect you for three months. If by then your grandfather hasn't shown up, I won't need them to lift a finger. I'll kill you myself!”
• I let out a bitter chuckle. “Then I'd rather die at your hands!”
• A ghost marriage couldn't equate to reality.
• In name, she was my ghost bride, but as my grandfather had once said, the ghost marriage contract didn't hold much sway over her. Her protection of me was primarily due to a transaction with my grandfather, not because I held any significant place in her heart. I was well aware of this.
• “Be careful during this time. I can't possibly be by your side all the time!”
• After she said those words, it seemed like she was about to leave.
• I quickly asked, “Where did my grandfather go?”
• “I don't know!”
• She gave a simple response. Her figure flickered, vanishing instantly from the windowsill.
• The whole ordeal had left me too shaken to sleep. I just sat on the edge of the bed, lost in thought.
• After a considerable amount of time, a thought suddenly struck me and I hurriedly pulled something out from within my clothes.
• It was the cloth pouch my grandfather had given me.
• My intuition told me that the events of the past few days were likely tied to this object. When my grandfather handed it to me, his expression was solemn, making it clear that this item was of great value.
• Upon unwrapping the cloth pouch, I saw a book inside.
• It felt incredibly thin, soft, and smooth to the touch as if it were a book made of delicate leather.
• The cover of this book bore two large words, “Heavenly Scripture.”
• After opening the book, I was instantly baffled.
• The pages were filled with densely packed text and numerous illustrations, arranged in an unusual order that was almost dizzying to look at. Most importantly, I couldn't recognize any of the words written on it. Rather than calling them words, they were more like a series of peculiar symbols, exuding a strange kind of beauty.
• What on earth is this? Who can possibly understand this?
• Feeling a bit disappointed, I carefully wrapped the book again and tucked it into my clothes. Leaning against the headboard, I lost myself in thought.
• Unbeknownst to me, sleepiness swept over me, and I fell into a deep slumber.
• The following morning, upon awakening, I left the hotel carrying my backpack, returning once more to the entertainment avenue, and found myself in front of Macroflora Hall.
• The doors of Macroflora Hall were wide open, which gave me a sense of relief. I took a deep breath and strode in.