Actually, whether it’s a dark art or a Taoist skill really depends on the user’s intentions. If you use it for good, it’s a Taoist skill. If you use it for harm, then it’s a dark art.

That night, once Tai Long and Little Fatty were asleep, I quietly woke up Brother Xiang, then gave him a nod, signaling for him to follow me outside. He stumbled after me, half-awake, and asked, “Why are you dragging me out here in the middle of the night instead of letting me sleep?”

“To get revenge for Tai Long,” I said, glaring at him. “That jerk beat him up so badly. Don’t you want to help him get back at him?”

“I mean, yeah, but you saw how that instructor was built. How about we just remember this grudge for now, then come back for him in ten years when I’ve mastered some invincible skills?” Brother Xiang thought I was joking, shaking his head. I just rolled my eyes and said, “No, listen, you know I’ve got that little girl ghost hanging around, right?”

Hearing that, Brother Xiang suddenly woke up. “Yeah, Old Li told me about her. What, you planning to use her to kill that guy?”

“Do you think I’d really dare to kill someone? Geez, use your brain.”

“True. You’re scared even when you see a chicken getting killed. So, you’re just planning to scare him with her?” Brother Xiang finally caught on. I grinned and nodded, “Exactly. So, I figured you’d want to join in on the fun. It’s just a prank. Nothing bad will come of it.”

“Alright!” Brother Xiang was on board now. After suffering through days of brutal training, he was already fed up. Pointing toward the instructors’ dorms, he said, “Let’s go around to the back of their building.”

In the middle of the military zone was a field where we’d usually train, and we didn’t dare cross that open space since soldiers were on duty even at night. But there were bushes along the edges, so Brother Xiang and I snuck through those, making our way to the back of the instructors’ dorms. Behind it was a three-meter-wide alley with woods outside the wall, being up in the mountains and all.

We crouched down, and I took out the jade pendant wrapped in a red string. I gave Brother Xiang a look, and he nodded, so I quickly unwrapped the red string. As soon as it was undone, a chill crept out of the pendant, and I shivered. Just like that, a little girl appeared a meter away from me.

Brother Xiang couldn’t see her, but he felt the temperature drop, looking around and asking, “Why’s it suddenly so cold? Is the ghost out?”

“Mm-hmm.” I nodded and smiled at Menma. “Hey there, Menma.”

Menma looked around, her expression confused. “What is this place?”

I smiled and said, “This is the army camp. Hey, Menma, I’ve got a favor to ask.”

Then, I told her all about what had happened, exaggerating how arrogant Yue Yue was and how he beat us up every day. Menma listened, a strange smile spreading across her face. She looked at me and said, “So you want me to kill him?”

“No, no, just scare him a bit,” I replied, chuckling. “Think you can do it?”

“I can, but in exchange, I want ten sticks of incense. Deal?” Menma said seriously. I grinned and replied, “I’ll give you a hundred sticks if you want! Just remember, scare him, don’t kill him. His name is Yue Yue, and he’s staying in Room 503.”

Menma nodded, then floated off toward the fifth floor. I signalled an “OK” to Brother Xiang, and soon, we heard screams coming from upstairs.

“Ghost! There’s a ghost!”

Listening to the panicked cries, Brother Xiang and I grinned, hiding and waiting for Menma to return so we could sneak back to the dorm. It was supposed to end perfectly, but things rarely go as planned. The screams above kept growing, and it didn’t look like Menma had any intention of stopping.

“Ahh!”

Suddenly, someone fell from the upper floor, hitting the ground right in front of us with a thud, giving us both a shock. We looked closer. It was one of the ten instructors, one we weren’t really familiar with but recognized by face. After he fell, he twitched a couple of times before passing out. I checked his pulse—thankfully, he was still alive. Turns out, soldiers really do have tough bodies; even after falling from the fifth floor, he hadn’t died.

That’s when I realized things had gotten serious. Oh crap, looks like Menma lost control. I just wanted her to scare people, not cause any fatalities.

“Brother Xiang, quick, take him to the medical room. I need to go see what Menma’s up to. If this keeps up, someone’s gonna die.” I didn’t dare waste any time, and Brother Xiang nodded, hoisting up the soldier and running off to get help.

I dashed up to the fifth floor. Soldiers were scrambling down the stairs, and as I got closer, I heard the voice of a little girl.

“Come play with me, keep Menma company.”

As I reached the corridor, I saw Menma holding a doll, dancing with it, while seven soldiers lay on the floor, unsure if they were alive or dead. I called out to her, “Menma! Stop messing around and come back.” I held out the jade pendant, realizing it was my only way to control her.

“Are you going to play with me?” Menma’s face was pale, her lips red, and she held her doll while waltzing down the hallway.

“Play my foot! People are gonna die. Come back with me.” I was getting desperate. There was no way I could fight her, so I tried pleading with her. Suddenly, Menma’s face twisted, and she screamed, “If you won’t play with me, then die!”

She flew at me, floating through the air. When she reached me, her hand wrapped around my neck, her grip unnervingly strong. The pain felt like my neck was about to snap. Gritting my teeth, with no other choice, I took out Old Li’s jade pendant and instinctively pressed it against Menma’s forehead. I didn’t use much force, but as soon as it touched her, Menma loosened her grip and let me go. I fell to the ground, rubbing my neck.

Coughing hard, I looked up and saw Menma staring around, looking like she’d snapped out of it. She glanced at her surroundings and muttered in confusion, “I think I lost control of myself again.”