Chapter 040: I'll Wait For You At The End Of The World.
Chi Shen's smile was genuinely friendly and warm. He graciously said, "Officer, thank you for rescuing me the other day."
"No, no need to thank me. I'm Xu Jiayuan. Just call me Jiayuan," he replied, slightly bashful. It seemed that he was slightly dazzled by Chi Shen's smile, unable to maintain direct eye contact. There's something about looking too long at someone either exceedingly attractive or the opposite that makes one feel as if they're being rude. Clearly, Chi Shen was in the former category.
"Officer Jiayuan, are you on patrol?" Chi Shen adjusted the title effortlessly, tilting his head to glance at his own shadow. It was calm and deep, indicating that Ji Xingchen had returned.
Chuckling softly, Jiayuan said, "Just 'Jiayuan' will do. You know, we're distantly related by blood." After a brief moment of contemplation about the vast difference in their appearances, he continued, "I'm here to investigate the accident you were involved in. It's been a while, and there were no major casualties. Yuan couldn't spare many resources, so it's just me looking around for any clues now."
As he spoke, Jiayuan suddenly remembered the device in his hand. Inspecting it from all angles, he remarked, "I detected a strong ghostly presence here earlier, but it's gone now. Is it malfunctioning?"
Tapping the black box, which was about the size of his palm and made of lightweight plastic, Jiayuan seemed perplexed.
"What is this?" Chi Shen inquired with curiosity.
Jiayuan handed over the device for Chi Shen to inspect, explaining, "This is a prototype developed by our R&D department. It's a spectral detector made from willow leaves and other miscellaneous materials. Essentially, it's sensitive to ghostly energies. The more powerful the ghost, the redder the bar on the screen becomes. They're still developing a numeric display, but it hasn't been released yet."
"Willow leaves can detect ghosts?" Chi Shen asked, realizing how little he knew about the subject.
Jiayuan explained, "Rubbing your eyes with willow leaves allows you to see ghosts. It's the same concept."
Chi Shen nodded thoughtfully, staring at the now white bar on the screen.
"Hold on, let me check what's wrong. This device shouldn't be malfunctioning," said Jiayuan, setting aside his bicycle. He moved around, trying various positions, but the detector's bar remained white.
Chi Shen patiently watched him, not interrupting his thorough examination. After a while, a puzzled Jiayuan returned empty-handed.
"I'll check with the R&D department tomorrow," Jiayuan stated, holding the small device. He then asked Chi Shen, "Yuan told you, right? You're also looking for the ghost that pushed the elderly lady?"
Chi Shen nodded.
"Why don't we team up? I can fill you in on some basics to keep in mind," Xu Jiayuan said as he went to retrieve his bicycle, "You seem completely unaware, and that might get you into trouble in the future."
Chi Shen didn’t object, and he simply followed Xu Jiayuan, listening intently. After a while, he realized that Xu knew quite a lot and curiously asked, "I heard that no one from the Bai family has ever joined the Special Security Bureau. Xu, it seems you've done well there. Aren't you part of the Bai family’s influence?"
"I suppose I am, in a way. My parents never really associated much with them, so they don’t hold sway over me," Xu Jiayuan pondered for a moment and said, "I honestly can't understand them. Why not just take a civil service exam? The perks are great, it’s a stable job, and getting into the Special Security Bureau is even easier. Although the political review is stringent, there are special recruitments too."
Chi Shen agreed with a nod, adding, "The ultimate goal is a civil service position."
He would've pursued it too if not for his financial constraints.
Xu Jiayuan seemed to have found a kindred spirit and went on, "Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be ordinary. Given the unusual circumstances of my upbringing, I was even more determined to distance myself from my family. I went as far as attending a university in another city, studying hard every day, hoping to settle there. Those were tough yet fulfilling days. But thinking that I would never have to deal with spirits made the world seem so much better."
"So, why did you come back?" Chi Shen inquired.
Xu Jiayuan hesitated, then sighed, "You don't know how tough it is to find a job out there. With the promise of a 985 education, they sucker you into a 996 work routine. The company feeds you lines about how it’s for the company's future and that you should treat it as your own home. But the thing I feared most was my own family!"
Chi Shen nodded understandingly, "E-commerce industry."
A bond seemed to form between them as Xu Jiayuan continued, "I soon realized that returning and joining the Special Security Bureau was a better deal. Stay at home, eat at home, no rent, and the most crucial part? Weekends off! Great benefits! Occasional overtime can be compensated with a leave. And if you die in action? The compensation is substantial!"
Intrigued, Chi Shen asked, "Are there still openings?"
"Yes, but you’d have to take the civil service exam, and…" Xu Jiayuan trailed off, "You need a Taoist certificate or an exorcism permit."
Chi Shen glanced upwards, "Then never mind."
The shadow behind him shifted subtly. Stopping, he turned to Xu Jiayuan, "Can I have a look at that detector? I’m quite curious."
Their conversation had been pleasant, and Xu Jiayuan handed over the device without hesitation, "Sure, take a look. I think we can request one for you. It’s relatively cheap to make, but it’s still in the development stage. It can serve as an early warning device for you."
Chi Shen examined the black box. It seemed rather ordinary at first glance. He noticed it contained not just willow leaves but strands of unknown hair and perhaps cinnabar. As Xu Jiayuan mentioned, it was clearly still in the prototype phase; he could hear the contents rustle as he shook it.
Having finished his inspection, Chi Shen discreetly pocketed a small mirror from his coat.
This mirror, known as the Faceless Mirror, was an artifact he acquired from a deadly game. It could hide one's true identity, including their aura, both yin and yang. Even talismans activated by these energies became ineffective.
Xu Jiayuan continued, "It also has a protective charm. Not only can you use it as a detector, but if you encounter a ghost, you can feed it this device. Most ordinary spirits will just…"
Before he could finish his sentence, the white stripe on the black box in Chi Shen's hand instantly turned red, causing the whole box to burst into flames, as if igniting spontaneously.
"What's going on?!" Xu Jiayuan rushed over to inspect, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. He looked around, "Could there really be malevolent spirits nearby? But this place seems too calm for that. Or is there something wrong with this device?"
"I don’t think it's a malfunction with the detector," Chi Shen released the burning box, letting it fall to the ground, speaking slowly, "It was fine until you handed it to me. It might be because I'm standing on the inside."
He appeared utterly calm and collected, as if his words were based on a thorough analysis, making him seem utterly credible.
"Inside here?" Xu Jiayuan quickly grasped the situation, glancing at the nearby construction site where workers were laying bricks. Everything looked normal, not like there were any vengeful spirits present.
Chi Shen looked down at the burning box, "It's probably from within."
"Wait here, I'll take a look," Xu Jiayuan announced, heading towards the construction site.
As a member of the Special Security Agency, Xu Jiayuan greeted the guard and entered the construction site. Soon after, he returned holding a few branches, his expression slightly odd.
"Did you find anything?" Chi Shen inquired.
Xu Jiayuan showed the branches to Chi Shen, which were wrapped with fishing lines and white cloth, "I did. These are locust tree branches, wrapped like this. This is Bai Family's... their spirit-controlling ritual."
Chi Shen didn't show any surprise, just gazed at Xu Jiayuan, waiting for him to continue.
"I need to inquire about this," Xu Jiayuan looked somewhat troubled, "Those who control spirits will eventually be consumed by them. This shouldn’t be here."
He took out his phone, and Chi Shen quickly noticed the name he was about to dial: Bai Ran.
Chi Shen suddenly asked, "What kind of person do you think Bai Ran is?"
Caught off guard by the question, Xu Jiayuan looked up puzzled, "A good person?"
Chapter 040: I'll Wait For You At The End Of The World.
Chi Shen's smile was genuinely friendly and warm. He graciously said, "Officer, thank you for rescuing me the other day."
"No, no need to thank me. I'm Xu Jiayuan. Just call me Jiayuan," he replied, slightly bashful. It seemed that he was slightly dazzled by Chi Shen's smile, unable to maintain direct eye contact. There's something about looking too long at someone either exceedingly attractive or the opposite that makes one feel as if they're being rude. Clearly, Chi Shen was in the former category.
"Officer Jiayuan, are you on patrol?" Chi Shen adjusted the title effortlessly, tilting his head to glance at his own shadow. It was calm and deep, indicating that Ji Xingchen had returned.
Chuckling softly, Jiayuan said, "Just 'Jiayuan' will do. You know, we're distantly related by blood." After a brief moment of contemplation about the vast difference in their appearances, he continued, "I'm here to investigate the accident you were involved in. It's been a while, and there were no major casualties. Yuan couldn't spare many resources, so it's just me looking around for any clues now."
As he spoke, Jiayuan suddenly remembered the device in his hand. Inspecting it from all angles, he remarked, "I detected a strong ghostly presence here earlier, but it's gone now. Is it malfunctioning?"
Tapping the black box, which was about the size of his palm and made of lightweight plastic, Jiayuan seemed perplexed.
"What is this?" Chi Shen inquired with curiosity.
Jiayuan handed over the device for Chi Shen to inspect, explaining, "This is a prototype developed by our R&D department. It's a spectral detector made from willow leaves and other miscellaneous materials. Essentially, it's sensitive to ghostly energies. The more powerful the ghost, the redder the bar on the screen becomes. They're still developing a numeric display, but it hasn't been released yet."
"Willow leaves can detect ghosts?" Chi Shen asked, realizing how little he knew about the subject.
Jiayuan explained, "Rubbing your eyes with willow leaves allows you to see ghosts. It's the same concept."
Chi Shen nodded thoughtfully, staring at the now white bar on the screen.
"Hold on, let me check what's wrong. This device shouldn't be malfunctioning," said Jiayuan, setting aside his bicycle. He moved around, trying various positions, but the detector's bar remained white.
Chi Shen patiently watched him, not interrupting his thorough examination. After a while, a puzzled Jiayuan returned empty-handed.
"I'll check with the R&D department tomorrow," Jiayuan stated, holding the small device. He then asked Chi Shen, "Yuan told you, right? You're also looking for the ghost that pushed the elderly lady?"
Chi Shen nodded.
"Why don't we team up? I can fill you in on some basics to keep in mind," Xu Jiayuan said as he went to retrieve his bicycle, "You seem completely unaware, and that might get you into trouble in the future."
Chi Shen didn’t object, and he simply followed Xu Jiayuan, listening intently. After a while, he realized that Xu knew quite a lot and curiously asked, "I heard that no one from the Bai family has ever joined the Special Security Bureau. Xu, it seems you've done well there. Aren't you part of the Bai family’s influence?"
"I suppose I am, in a way. My parents never really associated much with them, so they don’t hold sway over me," Xu Jiayuan pondered for a moment and said, "I honestly can't understand them. Why not just take a civil service exam? The perks are great, it’s a stable job, and getting into the Special Security Bureau is even easier. Although the political review is stringent, there are special recruitments too."
Chi Shen agreed with a nod, adding, "The ultimate goal is a civil service position."
He would've pursued it too if not for his financial constraints.
Xu Jiayuan seemed to have found a kindred spirit and went on, "Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to be ordinary. Given the unusual circumstances of my upbringing, I was even more determined to distance myself from my family. I went as far as attending a university in another city, studying hard every day, hoping to settle there. Those were tough yet fulfilling days. But thinking that I would never have to deal with spirits made the world seem so much better."
"So, why did you come back?" Chi Shen inquired.
Xu Jiayuan hesitated, then sighed, "You don't know how tough it is to find a job out there. With the promise of a 985 education, they sucker you into a 996 work routine. The company feeds you lines about how it’s for the company's future and that you should treat it as your own home. But the thing I feared most was my own family!"
Chi Shen nodded understandingly, "E-commerce industry."
A bond seemed to form between them as Xu Jiayuan continued, "I soon realized that returning and joining the Special Security Bureau was a better deal. Stay at home, eat at home, no rent, and the most crucial part? Weekends off! Great benefits! Occasional overtime can be compensated with a leave. And if you die in action? The compensation is substantial!"
Intrigued, Chi Shen asked, "Are there still openings?"
"Yes, but you’d have to take the civil service exam, and…" Xu Jiayuan trailed off, "You need a Taoist certificate or an exorcism permit."
Chi Shen glanced upwards, "Then never mind."
The shadow behind him shifted subtly. Stopping, he turned to Xu Jiayuan, "Can I have a look at that detector? I’m quite curious."
Their conversation had been pleasant, and Xu Jiayuan handed over the device without hesitation, "Sure, take a look. I think we can request one for you. It’s relatively cheap to make, but it’s still in the development stage. It can serve as an early warning device for you."
Chi Shen examined the black box. It seemed rather ordinary at first glance. He noticed it contained not just willow leaves but strands of unknown hair and perhaps cinnabar. As Xu Jiayuan mentioned, it was clearly still in the prototype phase; he could hear the contents rustle as he shook it.
Having finished his inspection, Chi Shen discreetly pocketed a small mirror from his coat.
This mirror, known as the Faceless Mirror, was an artifact he acquired from a deadly game. It could hide one's true identity, including their aura, both yin and yang. Even talismans activated by these energies became ineffective.
Xu Jiayuan continued, "It also has a protective charm. Not only can you use it as a detector, but if you encounter a ghost, you can feed it this device. Most ordinary spirits will just…"
Before he could finish his sentence, the white stripe on the black box in Chi Shen's hand instantly turned red, causing the whole box to burst into flames, as if igniting spontaneously.
"What's going on?!" Xu Jiayuan rushed over to inspect, his face a mix of shock and disbelief. He looked around, "Could there really be malevolent spirits nearby? But this place seems too calm for that. Or is there something wrong with this device?"
"I don’t think it's a malfunction with the detector," Chi Shen released the burning box, letting it fall to the ground, speaking slowly, "It was fine until you handed it to me. It might be because I'm standing on the inside."
He appeared utterly calm and collected, as if his words were based on a thorough analysis, making him seem utterly credible.
"Inside here?" Xu Jiayuan quickly grasped the situation, glancing at the nearby construction site where workers were laying bricks. Everything looked normal, not like there were any vengeful spirits present.
Chi Shen looked down at the burning box, "It's probably from within."
"Wait here, I'll take a look," Xu Jiayuan announced, heading towards the construction site.
As a member of the Special Security Agency, Xu Jiayuan greeted the guard and entered the construction site. Soon after, he returned holding a few branches, his expression slightly odd.
"Did you find anything?" Chi Shen inquired.
Xu Jiayuan showed the branches to Chi Shen, which were wrapped with fishing lines and white cloth, "I did. These are locust tree branches, wrapped like this. This is Bai Family's... their spirit-controlling ritual."
Chi Shen didn't show any surprise, just gazed at Xu Jiayuan, waiting for him to continue.
"I need to inquire about this," Xu Jiayuan looked somewhat troubled, "Those who control spirits will eventually be consumed by them. This shouldn’t be here."
He took out his phone, and Chi Shen quickly noticed the name he was about to dial: Bai Ran.
Chi Shen suddenly asked, "What kind of person do you think Bai Ran is?"
Caught off guard by the question, Xu Jiayuan looked up puzzled, "A good person?"
