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At Jiagu Alley in the east of the city…0

As soon as night fell, the ragged figure of a beggar emerged, moving about in the darkness. It wasn't just the strange places he appeared in—his behavior alone was enough to make him seem nothing like a normal person.0

His entire body reeked of sour stench, as though he had been lurking among beggars for an unknown length of time. He staggered as he walked, dragging his feet along the ground—one foot clad in a tattered shoe, the other completely bare—moving like a wandering ghost. 0

Whenever someone passed by, he would twist his head abruptly to stare at them. If the person seemed to be suffering from stomach pain, he would try to sell them ointment. If they appeared normal, he would simply fix them with an unblinking gaze, his eyes sharp like an eagle’s, fierce like a wolf’s.0

If no one was around, he would wander outside the homes of those who had used his ointment, sniffing the air like a dog.0

In recent days, no one dared to go out at night in this neighborhood. Parents warned their children to return home early, cautioning them to steer clear of the strange beggar. Even gamblers and drunkards refrained from venturing out after dark.0

Though there were no rumors of him actually harming anyone, his bizarre behavior alone was enough to terrify people.0

Today, word spread that the Li family was organizing an effort to drive away the ghostly figure. They had gathered several...0