Chapter 007: Open up! I know you're home!
The entrance to the Bai family's old mansion was a hubbub of activity.
Several police cars parked outside the gates. Among those alighting were uniformed officers and a few unidentified individuals in black suits.
Standing in front of the gates was an elderly man in traditional robes, holding out a hand to prevent both the officers and the suited men from entering.
This was the gatekeeper Chi Shen had previously encountered.
"Sir," an officer stepped forward, "We received a report of a homicide here. Please grant us access to investigate the scene."
"This is a family matter," the elder replied gravely. Despite his age and white hair, his voice was strong and resonant.
"Sir, this involves a murder case. If you do not cooperate..."
The officer was interrupted as someone patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to step back. A man in a black suit then extended a hand to the elder, "From the Yuan family of Sichuan, Yuan Yiping."
The old man didn't shake his hand. Instead, he offered a slight bow with both hands, "Merely a gatekeeper here. You may address me as Elder He."
"Very well," Yuan Yiping regarded the older man, "Elder He, what transpired within this mansion? And why can't we enter?"
"Younger generations undergoing trials – their fates are sealed. I'm afraid you've made a fruitless journey."
Yuan Yiping stated coldly, "This has long been forbidden."
Elder He dismissed it, "In the Bai family, such practices have never been prohibited. When you set those rules, we didn't participate."
Yuan Yiping almost laughed out of frustration, "If this was truly a trial for your younger generation, why was the police notified?"
"The youngsters acted thoughtlessly," Elder He chuckled, looking at Yuan Yiping, "A mere police alert got your attention. How long have you had your sights set on the Bai family's assets?"
Yuan Yiping was livid, "It's our duty!"
——
Twenty minutes earlier.
The emergency center received a call from Chi Shen and took it very seriously. They promptly contacted the nearest police station, but the dispatcher suddenly remembered something.
During their training, certain locations or situations were highlighted. Chi Shen's location was one of those marked places. In such instances, they needed to contact a specific agency — the Special Safety Bureau.
Though the name might sound casual, their operations were anything but. They specialized in handling peculiar cases and have solved countless mysteries this year. Internally, they were referred to as the "Special Security Division," and whenever mentioned, faces grew solemn.
The dispatcher followed protocol and notified the Special Security Division. Hearing the location, they immediately dispatched their most experienced agent.
Yuan Yiping was that agent.
And the Bai family was among the trickiest families on the Division's list.
——
The officers behind Yuan Yiping quickly exchanged words before moving forward, "Please, sir, take a moment to rest. We need to rescue the victim."
Based on the emergency report, the authorities believed the assailant might still be in the mansion, making the informant in grave danger.
They bypassed Elder He and headed toward the mansion's entrance, but before they could get close, they halted in unison. A chilling aura emanating from within barred their path, making each step an immense struggle. The grand entrance seemed to stretch infinitely far away, as if they'd never reach it.
Elder He looked at them haughtily, as though observing a group of clueless individuals.
Yuan Yiping turned his gaze to Elder He.
Elder He sneered, "You cannot enter. The spirits of our Bai family ancestors linger here. Anyone forcing their way in will either perish or be grievously injured."
Yuan Yiping's expression darkened as he gripped a long cloth-wrapped object slung across his back. The binding slipped, revealing an ancient bronze-colored scabbard. The sword within vibrated, emitting a faint hum.
Elder He slid both hands into his sleeves. His posture seemed relaxed, yet his muscles tensed.
"I was the one who called the police."
These unexpected words gently broke the tension.
The grand doors of the Bai family mansion creaked with age as they slowly opened.
As if melted by spring's warmth, the chilling aura that trapped the police officers in front of the mansion's gate vanished. What emanated from the entrance now was dim light and a slightly cool breeze.
Elder He blinked, then fixed a sharp gaze towards the entrance.
Yuan Yiping also paused, slightly loosening his grip on the ancient sword.
As the door, so old it seemed ready to collapse, swung open, a handsome young man appeared. Slender and pale, he stood silently, eerily resembling a specter risen from the underworld. Yet, when he smiled, he seemed as innocuous as the boy-next-door.
Chi Shen smiled kindly, then remembered it's inappropriate to smile at a death scene. He quickly adjusted his expression, voicing his concern with a hint of dread, "I found a dead body in my residence. I checked his ID. His name is He Chao."
Elder He's face turned ashen.
Yuan Yiping pushed through the crowd, advancing directly, "Show me the way."
He'd caught the fleeting smile on the young man's face earlier, finding it puzzling. But the urgency of a murder investigation took precedence over such curiosities.
With a grave face, Elder He no longer obstructed, but briskly followed the group inside.
Chi Shen led them through the intricately carved corridor, heading to the crime scene.
The once bustling mansion, which felt as festive as a holiday, now stood eerily silent. It was as if all the ghosts had hidden. The vast courtyard was devoid of even a whisper of wind or conversation. Only muted footsteps echoed.
Among the shadowy structures, a single room was illuminated. It was Chi Shen's.
Faint light spilled out from the doorway, reflecting on a pool of blood.
A gruesomely mutilated He Chao lay on the floor, next to a putrid puddle of vomit. Nearby, another young man sprawled out like a beaten dog, tears and mucus staining the ground. It was Lu Xiangyang.
Chi Shen hadn't done anything to him. Just a glimpse of He Chao's state had caused Lu to throw up uncontrollably.
“Grandson!” A heart-wrenching cry suddenly echoed through the ancient house. Seeing the man lying on the floor, He Lao's tense body crumpled, and in that moment, he truly seemed like an elderly man nearing the end of his days.
Kneeling, the old man shakily gathered the scattered entrails of He Chao. Bite marks marred those innards, and as He Lao looked, his eyes reddened further.
“Who did this!” As he replaced the final organ inside He Chao, He Lao grabbed Lu Xiangyang by the collar and roared, "Who lured him here? Who killed him!"
Beneath He Lao's grip, Lu Xiangyang trembled, unable to utter a word. Not that he didn't want to, but fear held him, and after a bout of terrified vomiting, faced with He Lao's wrath, he lacked the strength to speak.
"Speak!" He Lao's furious eyes glinted blood-red, his grip on Lu Xiangyang's fingers so tight they threatened to pierce the flesh. "Was it you, or that boy trying to enter the Bai residence?"
“He Lao.”
Yuan Yiping called out. Seeing no response, he raised his voice: "He Lao."
He Lao abruptly turned, fixing Yuan Yiping with a gaze so intense it felt as though it could bore through him.
Undaunted by the gaze, Yuan Yiping gestured towards an ice spike on a nearby corridor pillar. To most, it might seem a mere oddity—an out-of-place icicle.
But to those with the sight, that icicle held a specter—a struggling ghost of a young boy.
Yuan Yiping had noticed this apparition upon his arrival. He Lao, however, was solely fixated on his grandson, oblivious to the surrounding anomalies, including this ghostly presence.
The bite marks on the entrails pointed either to a beast or a fierce ghost. The lingering malevolent energy on He Chao's organs suggested the work of the latter.
Comparing the energy within He Chao's body to that of the ghostly child, and with the help of specialized equipment from their department, Yuan Yiping quickly confirmed the match. The killer was indeed the vengeful spirit of this boy.
The case was clear-cut, the perpetrator exposed beside the victim. They could practically write their concluding report on the spot.
After a brief discussion with the police, the case was formally handed over to Yuan Yiping. While He Lao wept, the officers withdrew, leaving only the men in black suits behind.
Upon seeing the young boy in burial clothes, He Lao's face paled again. As the gatekeeper of the old Bai mansion, he recognized this ghost.
The Bai family's secrets must remain hidden.
That was He Lao's first thought upon spotting the ghostly child.
He immediately stepped forward, drew out the ice spike, and aimed it at the spirit. Previously wounded by Chi Shen, the ghostly boy was weakened. When his binding disappeared, he tried to flee.
But He Lao, the gatekeeper of the Bai mansion, was no pushover. With a swift motion, he drove the ice spike into the boy's forehead, eliciting a haunting scream.
"Stop!" Yuan Yiping exclaimed, "We need to bring it back for—"
Dark mist dispersed, causing the young boy in the burial clothes to vanish. The ice spike began to melt, dripping water.
Yuan Yiping, with a stern face, directed his subordinates to gather evidence and clean up the scene. He Lao, with a tone of caution, warned, "The spirits of our Bai family ancestors are trapped in this mansion. If you wander recklessly and encounter danger, remember I warned you."
"There's no need for concern, He Lao," Yuan Yiping responded coldly.
He Lao had already stopped listening. Consumed by his grief, he looked at the devastation around him and cried out in despair, "My grandson..."
At that moment, Yuan Yiping surveyed the old Bai mansion. The place radiated an eerie chill, and he could sense malevolent energies emanating from every corner. It seemed He Lao was right: powerful spirits, capable of overshadowing the entire residence, inhabited this place.
It would be best not to disturb the resting spirits.
The matter of He Chao's death remained. Though the situation appeared clear, many questions persisted.
Why had He Chao ventured into this haunted mansion at midnight? What was He Lao trying to hide by hastily eliminating the ghost?
And furthermore...
Who had pinned the specter to the pillar?
There were no signs of a magical duel nearby. Who could have silently captured the ghost that killed He Chao?
Yuan Yiping's gaze swept over the faces before him, finally resting on Chi Shen, who seemed lost in thought.
Chi Shen: "Huh?"
Chapter 007: Open up! I know you're home!
The entrance to the Bai family's old mansion was a hubbub of activity.
Several police cars parked outside the gates. Among those alighting were uniformed officers and a few unidentified individuals in black suits.
Standing in front of the gates was an elderly man in traditional robes, holding out a hand to prevent both the officers and the suited men from entering.
This was the gatekeeper Chi Shen had previously encountered.
"Sir," an officer stepped forward, "We received a report of a homicide here. Please grant us access to investigate the scene."
"This is a family matter," the elder replied gravely. Despite his age and white hair, his voice was strong and resonant.
"Sir, this involves a murder case. If you do not cooperate..."
The officer was interrupted as someone patted him on the shoulder, signaling him to step back. A man in a black suit then extended a hand to the elder, "From the Yuan family of Sichuan, Yuan Yiping."
The old man didn't shake his hand. Instead, he offered a slight bow with both hands, "Merely a gatekeeper here. You may address me as Elder He."
"Very well," Yuan Yiping regarded the older man, "Elder He, what transpired within this mansion? And why can't we enter?"
"Younger generations undergoing trials – their fates are sealed. I'm afraid you've made a fruitless journey."
Yuan Yiping stated coldly, "This has long been forbidden."
Elder He dismissed it, "In the Bai family, such practices have never been prohibited. When you set those rules, we didn't participate."
Yuan Yiping almost laughed out of frustration, "If this was truly a trial for your younger generation, why was the police notified?"
"The youngsters acted thoughtlessly," Elder He chuckled, looking at Yuan Yiping, "A mere police alert got your attention. How long have you had your sights set on the Bai family's assets?"
Yuan Yiping was livid, "It's our duty!"
——
Twenty minutes earlier.
The emergency center received a call from Chi Shen and took it very seriously. They promptly contacted the nearest police station, but the dispatcher suddenly remembered something.
During their training, certain locations or situations were highlighted. Chi Shen's location was one of those marked places. In such instances, they needed to contact a specific agency — the Special Safety Bureau.
Though the name might sound casual, their operations were anything but. They specialized in handling peculiar cases and have solved countless mysteries this year. Internally, they were referred to as the "Special Security Division," and whenever mentioned, faces grew solemn.
The dispatcher followed protocol and notified the Special Security Division. Hearing the location, they immediately dispatched their most experienced agent.
Yuan Yiping was that agent.
And the Bai family was among the trickiest families on the Division's list.
——
The officers behind Yuan Yiping quickly exchanged words before moving forward, "Please, sir, take a moment to rest. We need to rescue the victim."
Based on the emergency report, the authorities believed the assailant might still be in the mansion, making the informant in grave danger.
They bypassed Elder He and headed toward the mansion's entrance, but before they could get close, they halted in unison. A chilling aura emanating from within barred their path, making each step an immense struggle. The grand entrance seemed to stretch infinitely far away, as if they'd never reach it.
Elder He looked at them haughtily, as though observing a group of clueless individuals.
Yuan Yiping turned his gaze to Elder He.
Elder He sneered, "You cannot enter. The spirits of our Bai family ancestors linger here. Anyone forcing their way in will either perish or be grievously injured."
Yuan Yiping's expression darkened as he gripped a long cloth-wrapped object slung across his back. The binding slipped, revealing an ancient bronze-colored scabbard. The sword within vibrated, emitting a faint hum.
Elder He slid both hands into his sleeves. His posture seemed relaxed, yet his muscles tensed.
"I was the one who called the police."
These unexpected words gently broke the tension.
The grand doors of the Bai family mansion creaked with age as they slowly opened.
As if melted by spring's warmth, the chilling aura that trapped the police officers in front of the mansion's gate vanished. What emanated from the entrance now was dim light and a slightly cool breeze.
Elder He blinked, then fixed a sharp gaze towards the entrance.
Yuan Yiping also paused, slightly loosening his grip on the ancient sword.
As the door, so old it seemed ready to collapse, swung open, a handsome young man appeared. Slender and pale, he stood silently, eerily resembling a specter risen from the underworld. Yet, when he smiled, he seemed as innocuous as the boy-next-door.
Chi Shen smiled kindly, then remembered it's inappropriate to smile at a death scene. He quickly adjusted his expression, voicing his concern with a hint of dread, "I found a dead body in my residence. I checked his ID. His name is He Chao."
Elder He's face turned ashen.
Yuan Yiping pushed through the crowd, advancing directly, "Show me the way."
He'd caught the fleeting smile on the young man's face earlier, finding it puzzling. But the urgency of a murder investigation took precedence over such curiosities.
With a grave face, Elder He no longer obstructed, but briskly followed the group inside.
Chi Shen led them through the intricately carved corridor, heading to the crime scene.
The once bustling mansion, which felt as festive as a holiday, now stood eerily silent. It was as if all the ghosts had hidden. The vast courtyard was devoid of even a whisper of wind or conversation. Only muted footsteps echoed.
Among the shadowy structures, a single room was illuminated. It was Chi Shen's.
Faint light spilled out from the doorway, reflecting on a pool of blood.
A gruesomely mutilated He Chao lay on the floor, next to a putrid puddle of vomit. Nearby, another young man sprawled out like a beaten dog, tears and mucus staining the ground. It was Lu Xiangyang.
Chi Shen hadn't done anything to him. Just a glimpse of He Chao's state had caused Lu to throw up uncontrollably.
“Grandson!” A heart-wrenching cry suddenly echoed through the ancient house. Seeing the man lying on the floor, He Lao's tense body crumpled, and in that moment, he truly seemed like an elderly man nearing the end of his days.
Kneeling, the old man shakily gathered the scattered entrails of He Chao. Bite marks marred those innards, and as He Lao looked, his eyes reddened further.
“Who did this!” As he replaced the final organ inside He Chao, He Lao grabbed Lu Xiangyang by the collar and roared, "Who lured him here? Who killed him!"
Beneath He Lao's grip, Lu Xiangyang trembled, unable to utter a word. Not that he didn't want to, but fear held him, and after a bout of terrified vomiting, faced with He Lao's wrath, he lacked the strength to speak.
"Speak!" He Lao's furious eyes glinted blood-red, his grip on Lu Xiangyang's fingers so tight they threatened to pierce the flesh. "Was it you, or that boy trying to enter the Bai residence?"
“He Lao.”
Yuan Yiping called out. Seeing no response, he raised his voice: "He Lao."
He Lao abruptly turned, fixing Yuan Yiping with a gaze so intense it felt as though it could bore through him.
Undaunted by the gaze, Yuan Yiping gestured towards an ice spike on a nearby corridor pillar. To most, it might seem a mere oddity—an out-of-place icicle.
But to those with the sight, that icicle held a specter—a struggling ghost of a young boy.
Yuan Yiping had noticed this apparition upon his arrival. He Lao, however, was solely fixated on his grandson, oblivious to the surrounding anomalies, including this ghostly presence.
The bite marks on the entrails pointed either to a beast or a fierce ghost. The lingering malevolent energy on He Chao's organs suggested the work of the latter.
Comparing the energy within He Chao's body to that of the ghostly child, and with the help of specialized equipment from their department, Yuan Yiping quickly confirmed the match. The killer was indeed the vengeful spirit of this boy.
The case was clear-cut, the perpetrator exposed beside the victim. They could practically write their concluding report on the spot.
After a brief discussion with the police, the case was formally handed over to Yuan Yiping. While He Lao wept, the officers withdrew, leaving only the men in black suits behind.
Upon seeing the young boy in burial clothes, He Lao's face paled again. As the gatekeeper of the old Bai mansion, he recognized this ghost.
The Bai family's secrets must remain hidden.
That was He Lao's first thought upon spotting the ghostly child.
He immediately stepped forward, drew out the ice spike, and aimed it at the spirit. Previously wounded by Chi Shen, the ghostly boy was weakened. When his binding disappeared, he tried to flee.
But He Lao, the gatekeeper of the Bai mansion, was no pushover. With a swift motion, he drove the ice spike into the boy's forehead, eliciting a haunting scream.
"Stop!" Yuan Yiping exclaimed, "We need to bring it back for—"
Dark mist dispersed, causing the young boy in the burial clothes to vanish. The ice spike began to melt, dripping water.
Yuan Yiping, with a stern face, directed his subordinates to gather evidence and clean up the scene. He Lao, with a tone of caution, warned, "The spirits of our Bai family ancestors are trapped in this mansion. If you wander recklessly and encounter danger, remember I warned you."
"There's no need for concern, He Lao," Yuan Yiping responded coldly.
He Lao had already stopped listening. Consumed by his grief, he looked at the devastation around him and cried out in despair, "My grandson..."
At that moment, Yuan Yiping surveyed the old Bai mansion. The place radiated an eerie chill, and he could sense malevolent energies emanating from every corner. It seemed He Lao was right: powerful spirits, capable of overshadowing the entire residence, inhabited this place.
It would be best not to disturb the resting spirits.
The matter of He Chao's death remained. Though the situation appeared clear, many questions persisted.
Why had He Chao ventured into this haunted mansion at midnight? What was He Lao trying to hide by hastily eliminating the ghost?
And furthermore...
Who had pinned the specter to the pillar?
There were no signs of a magical duel nearby. Who could have silently captured the ghost that killed He Chao?
Yuan Yiping's gaze swept over the faces before him, finally resting on Chi Shen, who seemed lost in thought.
Chi Shen: "Huh?"
