Chapter 041 - I've Always Led with Virtue.
Chi Shen once thought of Bai Ran as a good person too. After all, Bai Ran had kindly invited him, a man with nowhere to go, to stay at the old mansion and even promised to persuade Bai Ximing to return to the Bai family.
So in his eyes, it wasn't strange that Xu Jiayuan also viewed Bai Ran as a good individual.
Thus, he looked up at Xu Jiayuan and said with a smile, "He's a good man. What do you think he would do if he found out someone in the Bai family was harboring spirits?"
Xu Jiayuan didn't quite grasp his intent and simply responded to Chi Shen's question, "He'd help investigate who's keeping the spirits, identify the one practicing dark arts, and hand them over to our Special Security Agency."
Chi Shen couldn't help but smile, continuing in a coaxing tone, "No, no, no. You're mistaken. This would trouble him. On one hand, there's his sense of justice urging him to find the one using dark magic. On the other, there's his family honor and the pressure from elders. See, for esteemed families like the Bai family, any scandal is usually dealt with discreetly, isn't it?"
Observing Xu Jiayuan's somewhat bewildered expression, Chi Shen added, "You've seen it in TV dramas. Reality is often more dramatic than fiction."
Xu Jiayuan seemed somewhat convinced, "There seems to be some truth to that. I've never really liked those elders in the Bai family. They seem... as if they're still living in the Qing Dynasty."
Chi Shen continued his gentle persuasion, "That's why not telling Bai Ran is the right choice. We shouldn't let good people be troubled. With the capabilities of our special security bureau, we'll handle it. If you manage it yourself, it'll show your strength to your colleagues. They'll value you more, which could lead to a promotion or raise..."
"I don't really need that. I'm quite content now," Xu Jiayuan laughed, pocketing his phone. "Thanks for your advice. Otherwise, a call to Bai Ran might really have added to his troubles. Families like theirs always seem to have odd issues. I'll report this first, and then we'll continue our investigation."
Xu Jiayuan stepped away to call his superiors, while Chi Shen glanced at the locust tree branches in Xu Jiayuan's hand. Suddenly, a ghostly figure, white as dough, zoomed from the side of the road, attaching itself to Chi Shen's clothing.
"Will this give us away?" the ghost said, looking fearfully towards Xu Jiayuan. It tried to slip into the shadows, but upon spotting another presence there, it felt uneasy. Instead, it slid into Chi Shen's pocket.
While ordinary people couldn't see the ghost, Xu Jiayuan could, so the spirit remained cautious.
Returning from his call, Xu Jiayuan, still holding the branches, asked Chi Shen, "Would you like to accompany me in the investigation? Being the person involved, and given that spirits may be drawn to you in this vicinity, perhaps you should rest?"
"I'll go with you," Chi Shen said, gazing sincerely into Xu Jiayuan's eyes. "If I can lure them out, use me as bait to catch them."
Xu Jiayuan, captivated by Chi Shen's earnestness, nodded enthusiastically, "Alright! Just know, I'll protect you!"
Xu Jiayuan proceeded to push his bicycle, mentioning, "Most spirits don't stray far from where they haunt. The ghost we're after probably isn't far. Let's scout around. It might just appear."
Chi Shen looked both apprehensive and eager, his demeanor resembling an average person mustering courage. Xu Jiayuan found himself admiring the young man's bravery.
"When it does, don't run. I'll give you a talisman. Ordinary spirits won't dare approach you with it on."
Xu Jiayuan rummaged in his bag, pulling out a sheaf of talismans. He handed one to Chi Shen.
Deeming one insufficient, Xu Jiayuan began to retrieve another. "I'll give you two more. These were made by Brother Yuan. They're effective, just keep them on you..."
Xu Jiayuan's words halted abruptly.
The talisman in Chi Shen's hand ignited with a blue flame, disintegrating swiftly.
Raising his gaze, Xu Jiayuan scanned their surroundings. The setting sun cast elongated shadows of both men. The junction appeared utterly mundane.
"How strange," Xu Jiayuan muttered.
He attempted to hand two more talismans to Chi Shen, but as soon as they touched Chi Shen's fingers, they too flared up in blue fire. Xu Jiayuan quickly withdrew them, snuffing out the flames. Looking at Chi Shen, he seemed at once shocked and lost for words.
With a hand in his pocket, an inky black aura formed around Chi Shen's hand, swiftly solidifying into an ancient-looking mirror that landed gently in his grasp. He willingly reached out and took the two talismans, which this time settled undamaged in his hand. He inquired with puzzlement, "What happened?"
"It's... it's nothing," Xu Jiayuan cleared his throat, trying to mask his facial expression, "I might've overthought things. Let's take a stroll. I also wanted to ask around if any strange occurrences have taken place nearby."
Xu Jiayuan pushed his bicycle ahead, his expression still laced with uncertainty. Occasionally, he would take out the talismans to glance at them before tucking them back. Reaching a convenience store at the street corner, Xu Jiayuan inquired with the cashier about any recent unusual events, while Chi Shen browsed the aisles.
Hidden by the shelves, Chi Shen conferred briefly with Gui Lian about the situation. Gui Lian reported on the local spirits and clarified he hadn’t seen a ghost missing a hand.
"I believe he's not around here," Chi Shen analyzed the ghost's description, "Although shrouded in darkness, the ghost seemed to wear contemporary clothes. The severed hand wasn't cleanly cut, suggesting a recent and possibly traumatic event, perhaps a traffic accident or factory mishap. But I've checked, and there haven't been any deadly accidents nearby. He's not here."
Gui Lian seemed confused but didn’t counter. Instead, he proposed in a faint voice, "Should I expand the search radius?"
"No need." Chi Shen, noticing Xu Jiayuan was almost done with his inquiries, purchased two sandwiches and two bottles of water. Once Xu Jiayuan finished, he handed them over.
"Thank you," Xu Jiayuan said, accepting the food with a hint of disappointment, "I didn’t gather any useful information."
Chi Shen comforted him, "This place is vast. We've only just begun."
Rejuvenated by the snacks, Xu Jiayuan picked up a few locust tree branches from the table and, standing up, joined Chi Shen at the door.
Chi Shen eyed the branches, questioning, "Can these sticks control ghosts?"
Being somewhat affiliated with the Bai family and a member of the special agency, Xu Jiayuan was well-informed. He clarified, "Invoking spirits isn't the same as controlling them. Trading with or subduing spirits for their service is true control."
Chi Shen nodded, attentive to Xu Jiayuan's explanation.
As the sun dipped, the duo traversed a desolate road. Xu Jiayuan continued, "There are various means to control ghosts, such as employing objects like old snuff bottles or paintings of ghosts for possession. These spirits are usually submissive, but if the controller encounters any unexpected circumstances and fails to suppress them, backlash is highly likely."
Chi Shen summarized, "Die or serve me, choose one?"
"Exactly," Xu Jiayuan contemplated and replied, "If I were so formidable that I feared no one, I might employ ghosts too. But better not; they're terrifying."
Chi Shen smiled in agreement. He, his pocketed Gui Lian, and his shadow all gazed at Xu Jiayuan.
Oblivious, Xu Jiayuan lost himself in thought before sharing his next point, "Another method involves bribing ghosts with offerings, striking deals to get their assistance. However, ghosts are capricious and insatiable. If you fail to satisfy their desires, they might turn on you."
Chi Shen chimed in, "All quite horrifying."
Meanwhile, Gui Lian licked his lips inside Chi Shen's pocket, suddenly craving some candy.
"Yes, it truly is," Xu Jiayuan remarked, "That's why controlling, especially nurturing ghosts, is forbidden. A particularly powerful vengeful spirit might emerge, which would be terrifying."
Chi Shen inquired, "And what about this twig?"
Xu Jiayuan commented, "This is a simplified version of the Bai family's ghost controlling technique. The locust tree is known to attract spirits; they're drawn to it. By arranging these few branches in a specific manner, you can lure the spirits. Typically, offering them something in return will make them serve you. This method combines two fundamental techniques of spirit control. The downside? You can't predict what kind of spirit you'll summon. Hence, it's risky."
Chi Shen continued in a calm tone, "One would simply discard the wooden sticks in the green belt. Anyone unfamiliar with the craft wouldn't suspect a thing. It's as if this person was sure that even if I were framed, nobody would care."
Xu Jiayuan pondered and agreed, "That's true. Had it not been for your finding Yuan Yiping, this matter would have been dismissed as an accident. Those locust branches would decompose quietly in the green belt, unnoticed. The perpetrator was confident enough to leave them there without retrieval, assuming you wouldn't trace back to the cause."
"Now that we've discovered this, we're determined to uncover the true culprit and clear your name!" Xu Jiayuan said, trying to console a seemingly pitiable Chi Shen.
Chi Shen genuinely chuckled, then asked, "Is there a third method?"
Xu Jiayuan inquired, "What method?"
For some reason, Xu Jiayuan felt a sudden chill.
With a gentle smile bathed in the evening glow, Chi Shen remarked, "To win them over with kindness."
Clearly confused, Xu Jiayuan asked, "What do you mean?"
Gazing at his own shadow, Chi Shen calmly explained, "To reason with the ghosts, to touch their hearts with love, making them your friends. From a standpoint of friendship, you help each other."
His demeanor was nonchalant, as if discussing trivial matters, which took Xu Jiayuan aback. He vehemently disagreed, "That's not feasible! Ghosts aren't reasonable entities. They won't have civil conversations with you. If you greet a ghost, the next moment it might have devoured you. This method works only for wandering spirits. Yet, these spirits often forget their names and the events that just transpired. So, befriending them wouldn't be of much use."
Cocking his head, Chi Shen inquired, "Why not?"
Xu Jiayuan advised, "You must understand, spirits aren't like me. They won't engage in friendly banter. The moment you greet them, they might turn hostile. This method only works on wandering souls, but they often forget who they are or what happened to them just moments ago. So, forging such friendships is of little value."
Chi Shen, still smiling, countered, "What if I also use the amulet you gave me, or perhaps Yuan Yiping's sword? Would they befriend me then?"
This left Xu Jiayuan momentarily stunned, leading him to ask, "Who exactly are you?"
"I'm just a game designer seeking some creative ideas," Chi Shen clarified, "Just pondering a potential scenario."
Their stroll led them to a public restroom. Xu Jiayuan stopped, handing the bicycle and the locust branches to Chi Shen, "Hold on for a moment. I need to use the restroom. I'll also check if that ghost might be lurking inside."
Chi Shen nodded. Once Xu Jiayuan entered the restroom, he began playing with the locust branches.
The branches were of varying lengths, with a few broken twigs. He began arranging them on the ground.
With limbs extended long and torso compact, drawn up by the fishing line, twigs assemble its head—
"On the 13th, who stood in my way? Show yourself."
As Xu Jiayuan was about to check the restroom for any filth, he suddenly felt a chill.
The cold he felt was piercing, even through his clothes. It was a familiarity; a strong presence of yin energy.
He sought the source of this energy, realizing it seeped from outside the restroom. The thought of Chi Shen outside made him instantly anxious, calling out, "Chi Shen!"
No one responded from the outside. Taking two strides, he emerged to find Chi Shen standing there, fidgeting with some locust tree twigs.
Only then did Xu Jiayuan realize that during his brief time in the restroom, the sun had set.
Cold sweat broke on his forehead. He hadn't instructed Chi Shen on how to arrange those twigs or the incantations needed to summon spirits. Yet, to his surprise, Chi Shen's random actions seemed to have actually succeeded!
With Xu Jiayuan's appearance, Chi Shen, standing amidst a vortex of yin energy, glanced at him nonchalantly and remarked, "Why not expedite the process? Use this to call out the ghost— isn’t it more convenient?"
An icy aura suddenly enveloped the area outside the public restroom. The locust twigs started to move on their own. A shadow of a man with a severed hand emerged from the twigs, an overpowering stench of blood wafting in the air as dark droplets dripped from his severed wrist.
The shadow opened its mouth, its fractured jawbone moving disjointedly: "Did you summon me?"
"Apologies for disturbing you at this hour. I've run into some trouble and have a few questions for you," Chi Shen said politely. "On the 13th, you pushed an elderly woman at the crossroads, causing her to collide with my bicycle. Who summoned you that day?"
The shadow slightly tilted its head, revealing a greedy grin: "What's in it for me if I answer you?"
"Benefit?" Chi Shen chuckled, "Perhaps, a few more days of existence."
"Ha, hahaha!" The shadow with the severed hand laughed boisterously and lunged at Chi Shen with its gaping jaw!
"Run! This isn’t the time for morality!" Xu Jiayuan dashed forward, trying to pull Chi Shen away.
Chi Shen sidestepped, causing Xu Jiayuan to grasp at thin air. At the same time, Chi Shen manipulated the fishing line, lifting the entire assembly of locust twigs. The shadow hovered, now mere inches from Chi Shen, but unable to get any closer.
"No, how can this be?!" The shadow cried in horror, realizing he was trapped by the twigs. Despite his desperate struggles, he couldn't break free. "This wasn't the case last time!"
Xu Jiayuan, equally astonished, wondered aloud, "It can be used this way?"
By now, Chi Shen had calmly taken out the talisman Xu Jiayuan had given him, placing it beside the shadow and gazing serenely, "Who summoned you that day?"
Standing nearby, Xu Jiayuan shivered for no apparent reason. The calm tone sent a chill down his spine, making him feel that this person might not be as approachable as he had initially thought. The way he interrogated the ghost was slightly terrifying.
Xu Jiayuan looked at the duo – the man and the ghost – and discreetly took a step back, placing his hand on the handlebar of his bicycle, ready to flee at any moment.
Chapter 041 - I've Always Led with Virtue.
Chi Shen once thought of Bai Ran as a good person too. After all, Bai Ran had kindly invited him, a man with nowhere to go, to stay at the old mansion and even promised to persuade Bai Ximing to return to the Bai family.
So in his eyes, it wasn't strange that Xu Jiayuan also viewed Bai Ran as a good individual.
Thus, he looked up at Xu Jiayuan and said with a smile, "He's a good man. What do you think he would do if he found out someone in the Bai family was harboring spirits?"
Xu Jiayuan didn't quite grasp his intent and simply responded to Chi Shen's question, "He'd help investigate who's keeping the spirits, identify the one practicing dark arts, and hand them over to our Special Security Agency."
Chi Shen couldn't help but smile, continuing in a coaxing tone, "No, no, no. You're mistaken. This would trouble him. On one hand, there's his sense of justice urging him to find the one using dark magic. On the other, there's his family honor and the pressure from elders. See, for esteemed families like the Bai family, any scandal is usually dealt with discreetly, isn't it?"
Observing Xu Jiayuan's somewhat bewildered expression, Chi Shen added, "You've seen it in TV dramas. Reality is often more dramatic than fiction."
Xu Jiayuan seemed somewhat convinced, "There seems to be some truth to that. I've never really liked those elders in the Bai family. They seem... as if they're still living in the Qing Dynasty."
Chi Shen continued his gentle persuasion, "That's why not telling Bai Ran is the right choice. We shouldn't let good people be troubled. With the capabilities of our special security bureau, we'll handle it. If you manage it yourself, it'll show your strength to your colleagues. They'll value you more, which could lead to a promotion or raise..."
"I don't really need that. I'm quite content now," Xu Jiayuan laughed, pocketing his phone. "Thanks for your advice. Otherwise, a call to Bai Ran might really have added to his troubles. Families like theirs always seem to have odd issues. I'll report this first, and then we'll continue our investigation."
Xu Jiayuan stepped away to call his superiors, while Chi Shen glanced at the locust tree branches in Xu Jiayuan's hand. Suddenly, a ghostly figure, white as dough, zoomed from the side of the road, attaching itself to Chi Shen's clothing.
"Will this give us away?" the ghost said, looking fearfully towards Xu Jiayuan. It tried to slip into the shadows, but upon spotting another presence there, it felt uneasy. Instead, it slid into Chi Shen's pocket.
While ordinary people couldn't see the ghost, Xu Jiayuan could, so the spirit remained cautious.
Returning from his call, Xu Jiayuan, still holding the branches, asked Chi Shen, "Would you like to accompany me in the investigation? Being the person involved, and given that spirits may be drawn to you in this vicinity, perhaps you should rest?"
"I'll go with you," Chi Shen said, gazing sincerely into Xu Jiayuan's eyes. "If I can lure them out, use me as bait to catch them."
Xu Jiayuan, captivated by Chi Shen's earnestness, nodded enthusiastically, "Alright! Just know, I'll protect you!"
Xu Jiayuan proceeded to push his bicycle, mentioning, "Most spirits don't stray far from where they haunt. The ghost we're after probably isn't far. Let's scout around. It might just appear."
Chi Shen looked both apprehensive and eager, his demeanor resembling an average person mustering courage. Xu Jiayuan found himself admiring the young man's bravery.
"When it does, don't run. I'll give you a talisman. Ordinary spirits won't dare approach you with it on."
Xu Jiayuan rummaged in his bag, pulling out a sheaf of talismans. He handed one to Chi Shen.
Deeming one insufficient, Xu Jiayuan began to retrieve another. "I'll give you two more. These were made by Brother Yuan. They're effective, just keep them on you..."
Xu Jiayuan's words halted abruptly.
The talisman in Chi Shen's hand ignited with a blue flame, disintegrating swiftly.
Raising his gaze, Xu Jiayuan scanned their surroundings. The setting sun cast elongated shadows of both men. The junction appeared utterly mundane.
"How strange," Xu Jiayuan muttered.
He attempted to hand two more talismans to Chi Shen, but as soon as they touched Chi Shen's fingers, they too flared up in blue fire. Xu Jiayuan quickly withdrew them, snuffing out the flames. Looking at Chi Shen, he seemed at once shocked and lost for words.
With a hand in his pocket, an inky black aura formed around Chi Shen's hand, swiftly solidifying into an ancient-looking mirror that landed gently in his grasp. He willingly reached out and took the two talismans, which this time settled undamaged in his hand. He inquired with puzzlement, "What happened?"
"It's... it's nothing," Xu Jiayuan cleared his throat, trying to mask his facial expression, "I might've overthought things. Let's take a stroll. I also wanted to ask around if any strange occurrences have taken place nearby."
Xu Jiayuan pushed his bicycle ahead, his expression still laced with uncertainty. Occasionally, he would take out the talismans to glance at them before tucking them back. Reaching a convenience store at the street corner, Xu Jiayuan inquired with the cashier about any recent unusual events, while Chi Shen browsed the aisles.
Hidden by the shelves, Chi Shen conferred briefly with Gui Lian about the situation. Gui Lian reported on the local spirits and clarified he hadn’t seen a ghost missing a hand.
"I believe he's not around here," Chi Shen analyzed the ghost's description, "Although shrouded in darkness, the ghost seemed to wear contemporary clothes. The severed hand wasn't cleanly cut, suggesting a recent and possibly traumatic event, perhaps a traffic accident or factory mishap. But I've checked, and there haven't been any deadly accidents nearby. He's not here."
Gui Lian seemed confused but didn’t counter. Instead, he proposed in a faint voice, "Should I expand the search radius?"
"No need." Chi Shen, noticing Xu Jiayuan was almost done with his inquiries, purchased two sandwiches and two bottles of water. Once Xu Jiayuan finished, he handed them over.
"Thank you," Xu Jiayuan said, accepting the food with a hint of disappointment, "I didn’t gather any useful information."
Chi Shen comforted him, "This place is vast. We've only just begun."
Rejuvenated by the snacks, Xu Jiayuan picked up a few locust tree branches from the table and, standing up, joined Chi Shen at the door.
Chi Shen eyed the branches, questioning, "Can these sticks control ghosts?"
Being somewhat affiliated with the Bai family and a member of the special agency, Xu Jiayuan was well-informed. He clarified, "Invoking spirits isn't the same as controlling them. Trading with or subduing spirits for their service is true control."
Chi Shen nodded, attentive to Xu Jiayuan's explanation.
As the sun dipped, the duo traversed a desolate road. Xu Jiayuan continued, "There are various means to control ghosts, such as employing objects like old snuff bottles or paintings of ghosts for possession. These spirits are usually submissive, but if the controller encounters any unexpected circumstances and fails to suppress them, backlash is highly likely."
Chi Shen summarized, "Die or serve me, choose one?"
"Exactly," Xu Jiayuan contemplated and replied, "If I were so formidable that I feared no one, I might employ ghosts too. But better not; they're terrifying."
Chi Shen smiled in agreement. He, his pocketed Gui Lian, and his shadow all gazed at Xu Jiayuan.
Oblivious, Xu Jiayuan lost himself in thought before sharing his next point, "Another method involves bribing ghosts with offerings, striking deals to get their assistance. However, ghosts are capricious and insatiable. If you fail to satisfy their desires, they might turn on you."
Chi Shen chimed in, "All quite horrifying."
Meanwhile, Gui Lian licked his lips inside Chi Shen's pocket, suddenly craving some candy.
"Yes, it truly is," Xu Jiayuan remarked, "That's why controlling, especially nurturing ghosts, is forbidden. A particularly powerful vengeful spirit might emerge, which would be terrifying."
Chi Shen inquired, "And what about this twig?"
Xu Jiayuan commented, "This is a simplified version of the Bai family's ghost controlling technique. The locust tree is known to attract spirits; they're drawn to it. By arranging these few branches in a specific manner, you can lure the spirits. Typically, offering them something in return will make them serve you. This method combines two fundamental techniques of spirit control. The downside? You can't predict what kind of spirit you'll summon. Hence, it's risky."
Chi Shen continued in a calm tone, "One would simply discard the wooden sticks in the green belt. Anyone unfamiliar with the craft wouldn't suspect a thing. It's as if this person was sure that even if I were framed, nobody would care."
Xu Jiayuan pondered and agreed, "That's true. Had it not been for your finding Yuan Yiping, this matter would have been dismissed as an accident. Those locust branches would decompose quietly in the green belt, unnoticed. The perpetrator was confident enough to leave them there without retrieval, assuming you wouldn't trace back to the cause."
"Now that we've discovered this, we're determined to uncover the true culprit and clear your name!" Xu Jiayuan said, trying to console a seemingly pitiable Chi Shen.
Chi Shen genuinely chuckled, then asked, "Is there a third method?"
Xu Jiayuan inquired, "What method?"
For some reason, Xu Jiayuan felt a sudden chill.
With a gentle smile bathed in the evening glow, Chi Shen remarked, "To win them over with kindness."
Clearly confused, Xu Jiayuan asked, "What do you mean?"
Gazing at his own shadow, Chi Shen calmly explained, "To reason with the ghosts, to touch their hearts with love, making them your friends. From a standpoint of friendship, you help each other."
His demeanor was nonchalant, as if discussing trivial matters, which took Xu Jiayuan aback. He vehemently disagreed, "That's not feasible! Ghosts aren't reasonable entities. They won't have civil conversations with you. If you greet a ghost, the next moment it might have devoured you. This method works only for wandering spirits. Yet, these spirits often forget their names and the events that just transpired. So, befriending them wouldn't be of much use."
Cocking his head, Chi Shen inquired, "Why not?"
Xu Jiayuan advised, "You must understand, spirits aren't like me. They won't engage in friendly banter. The moment you greet them, they might turn hostile. This method only works on wandering souls, but they often forget who they are or what happened to them just moments ago. So, forging such friendships is of little value."
Chi Shen, still smiling, countered, "What if I also use the amulet you gave me, or perhaps Yuan Yiping's sword? Would they befriend me then?"
This left Xu Jiayuan momentarily stunned, leading him to ask, "Who exactly are you?"
"I'm just a game designer seeking some creative ideas," Chi Shen clarified, "Just pondering a potential scenario."
Their stroll led them to a public restroom. Xu Jiayuan stopped, handing the bicycle and the locust branches to Chi Shen, "Hold on for a moment. I need to use the restroom. I'll also check if that ghost might be lurking inside."
Chi Shen nodded. Once Xu Jiayuan entered the restroom, he began playing with the locust branches.
The branches were of varying lengths, with a few broken twigs. He began arranging them on the ground.
With limbs extended long and torso compact, drawn up by the fishing line, twigs assemble its head—
"On the 13th, who stood in my way? Show yourself."
As Xu Jiayuan was about to check the restroom for any filth, he suddenly felt a chill.
The cold he felt was piercing, even through his clothes. It was a familiarity; a strong presence of yin energy.
He sought the source of this energy, realizing it seeped from outside the restroom. The thought of Chi Shen outside made him instantly anxious, calling out, "Chi Shen!"
No one responded from the outside. Taking two strides, he emerged to find Chi Shen standing there, fidgeting with some locust tree twigs.
Only then did Xu Jiayuan realize that during his brief time in the restroom, the sun had set.
Cold sweat broke on his forehead. He hadn't instructed Chi Shen on how to arrange those twigs or the incantations needed to summon spirits. Yet, to his surprise, Chi Shen's random actions seemed to have actually succeeded!
With Xu Jiayuan's appearance, Chi Shen, standing amidst a vortex of yin energy, glanced at him nonchalantly and remarked, "Why not expedite the process? Use this to call out the ghost— isn’t it more convenient?"
An icy aura suddenly enveloped the area outside the public restroom. The locust twigs started to move on their own. A shadow of a man with a severed hand emerged from the twigs, an overpowering stench of blood wafting in the air as dark droplets dripped from his severed wrist.
The shadow opened its mouth, its fractured jawbone moving disjointedly: "Did you summon me?"
"Apologies for disturbing you at this hour. I've run into some trouble and have a few questions for you," Chi Shen said politely. "On the 13th, you pushed an elderly woman at the crossroads, causing her to collide with my bicycle. Who summoned you that day?"
The shadow slightly tilted its head, revealing a greedy grin: "What's in it for me if I answer you?"
"Benefit?" Chi Shen chuckled, "Perhaps, a few more days of existence."
"Ha, hahaha!" The shadow with the severed hand laughed boisterously and lunged at Chi Shen with its gaping jaw!
"Run! This isn’t the time for morality!" Xu Jiayuan dashed forward, trying to pull Chi Shen away.
Chi Shen sidestepped, causing Xu Jiayuan to grasp at thin air. At the same time, Chi Shen manipulated the fishing line, lifting the entire assembly of locust twigs. The shadow hovered, now mere inches from Chi Shen, but unable to get any closer.
"No, how can this be?!" The shadow cried in horror, realizing he was trapped by the twigs. Despite his desperate struggles, he couldn't break free. "This wasn't the case last time!"
Xu Jiayuan, equally astonished, wondered aloud, "It can be used this way?"
By now, Chi Shen had calmly taken out the talisman Xu Jiayuan had given him, placing it beside the shadow and gazing serenely, "Who summoned you that day?"
Standing nearby, Xu Jiayuan shivered for no apparent reason. The calm tone sent a chill down his spine, making him feel that this person might not be as approachable as he had initially thought. The way he interrogated the ghost was slightly terrifying.
Xu Jiayuan looked at the duo – the man and the ghost – and discreetly took a step back, placing his hand on the handlebar of his bicycle, ready to flee at any moment.
