Chapter 070: The Despised Chi Shen.
Chi Shen pondered Ji Xingchen's words.
Lately, Ji Xingchen seemed to have reflected on his own shortcomings in handling situations and set three rules with Chi Shen.
First, do not kill ghosts in front of others.
Second, do not reveal to anyone the ability to vanquish ghosts with a single strike.
Third, refrain from speaking to ghosts in the presence of others.
After all, Chi Shen had initially sought Ji Xingchen to help integrate better into a peaceful society. After spending time together, Chi Shen believed Ji Xingchen must have noticed some discrepancies, but he never questioned Chi Shen about his sudden lack of common sense or newfound abilities. Instead, he simply helped Chi Shen fit in with normal society, as originally requested.
Chi Shen accepted Ji Xingchen's terms. There was no reason to decline, especially if it aided him in blending into society more seamlessly.
In the end, Ji Xingchen added that if Chi Shen ever acted out of line, he would remind him in his own way. Chi Shen had come to understand that Ji Xingchen's method of 'reminding' was to tug on his earlobe.
At this moment, Chi Shen reached up and touched his own ear.
With Ji Xingchen absent, Chi Shen was once again left to judge for himself what actions were permissible and which were not.
Chi Shen's gaze settled on the headless ghost.
Being murdered, and then having the axe which he inhabited fall into someone else's hands, and worse, that person tearing off a piece of the axe's 'skin'! This act clearly enraged the headless ghost, driving it into a frenzy.
Having missed with his first swing, the headless ghost instantly raised his axe again, preparing for another strike!
Xu Jiayuan urgently yanked his colleague to safety, narrowly saving him from the headless ghost's descending axe. Without missing a beat, he shouted to Chi Shen, “Run! Call Yuan ge for backup now!”
Chi Shen stood still, staring at the headless ghost whose axe had now swelled to twice its size in fury. “I might be able to help,” he offered.
“Don’t be a hero, get the hell out of here!” The previously quiet officer suddenly snapped, revealing his short temper. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with! You're just in the way!”
Another officer, previously stationed at the security room, seemed to sense something. He said something brief to Li Xu, asking him to watch over Security Officer Xiao Wang, and then sprinted toward the activity room.
Chi Shen glanced at their frantic states and observed, “If I leave, you might not make it.”
The hotheaded officer, evading the ghost's massive swings, nearly choked in rage at the comment. “So if you stay, we'll be fine? Stop making things worse and just go!”
The other arriving officer quickly stepped in, attempting to pull Chi Shen away. “Civilians should evacuate immediately,” he urged soothingly, “We’ll handle this ghost. Please don’t worry.”
Chi Shen tilted his head, “Does it not matter if you die?”
The officer, his face set in stone, replied, “It’s our duty.”
The headless ghost's axe came down again, splattering Chi Shen’s face with blood. Papery offerings floated down like snow, and a chilly wind, reminiscent of winter's embrace, blew strongly. Xu Jiayuan's face bore cuts from the gust, and the hot-headed officer, holding a compass, cursed bitterly, “Unleashing you was a mistake, let's end this!”
Xu Jiayuan, struggling to his feet and drawing a peachwood sword, declared, “Yuan ge won't make it in time. Get the civilians out!”
The arriving officer, with tears forming in his eyes yet resolute in his duty, gripped Chi Shen’s arm, “I'll lead them to safety and then come back!”
Half of Chi Shen’s face was stained with blood. He chuckled, “I might be able to talk some sense into him. He's my friend.”
Before the officer could reply, Chi Shen turned to the headless ghost, preparing another swing, and greeted, “Good evening, Zheng Ming.”
The piercing cold wind suddenly ceased, and the paper offerings settled down. No more appeared in the sky.
The headless ghost's raised axe paused at its zenith. He stood frozen, statue-like, until the irate officer, using his compass like a brick, smashed it against the ghost’s axe, only to be repelled again.
Xu Jiayuan quickly caught the thrown officer, and the three turned their gazes to Chi Shen.
Meeting their astonished stares, Chi Shen reiterated, “He's my friend. Right?”
Blood continued to stream from the ghost's severed neck, and although headless, he seemed perplexed. As the blood dripped onto the ground, his axe thundered down beside him.
The ghost, voice echoing eerily, questioned, “What... did you call me?”
The resounding voice seemed to emanate from every direction, fleeting yet terrifying, as if it resonated directly within one's mind.
"Zheng Ming." Chi Shen's voice was remarkably gentle, "Don't you recognize me? Weren't we friends?"
The headless ghost remained silent, stepping forward with blood-streaked feet, treading over scattered paper money, moving two steps closer to Chi Shen.
Xu Jiayuan tensed up immediately, but the irritable elder brother showed discernment. He quickly held back the advancing Xu Jiayuan, whispering, "They might actually know each other."
Taking another two steps closer, the headless ghost halted once again. The hand gripping the axe trembled slightly as if struggling to keep control, preventing it from swinging down without a head to guide it.
"Zheng Ming... who is that?"
Having spoken, he suddenly grew more agitated, raising his axe at Chi Shen once more. The voices coming from all directions had grown wildly aggressive.
"Tell me, who is Zheng Ming? What is he to me?"
The ferocious voice seemed to sway one's emotions. Xu Jiayuan felt a surge of rage within, a violent urge rising from his chest, a desire to break through and destroy. Yet, he soon realized his agitation and began silently reciting a calming mantra, settling down quickly.
The irritable elder brother beside him seemed unaffected, pondering for a moment before murmuring, "The name 'Zheng Ming' sounds vaguely familiar."
Hearing the headless ghost's query, Chi Shen realized the ghost hadn't truly remembered who he was. Even the mention of Zheng Ming's name only brought temporary confusion. Perhaps, without his head, he hadn't fully regained his sanity, merely chasing the significance of that name out of instinct.
It seems a different approach is needed.
Smiling, he remarked, "You've made a mess of the floor. Make sure to clean up after yourself."
As his words echoed, the frenzied voice of the headless ghost abruptly vanished. The axe in his hand swiftly shrank back to its original size. He slightly bent over, seemingly "observing" the blood and paper money on the ground before straightening up to "look" at Chi Shen.
"Ah—"
A sharp, abrupt scream pierced everyone's ears, as the headless ghost abruptly turned and sped away.
Chi Shen called out, "Come back."
Without hesitation, the headless ghost spun around, "I won't leave, I won't! Is there a mop? There's no mop here. This floor, this floor can't be cleaned properly!"
Chi Shen watched the headless ghost scurrying about, picking up the paper money. His previously smiling expression gradually faded, replaced by a hint of fatigue. With matters settled, exhaustion set in.
The entire scene left the three bystanders in shock. Xu Jiayuan, being closest to Chi Shen, finally asked, "What just happened?"
"He always loved cleanliness," Chi Shen's expression showed fatigue, and his voice lowered, "So when I pointed out the dirty floor, his instinct was to clean it up."
Xu Jiayuan looked perplexed, "Is it that simple?"
Chi Shen nodded, "Yes, that simple. As I said, we're friends. I know him well. We just had a misunderstanding, which is why he's been avoiding me."
The irritable old brother looked at Chi Shen with curiosity, then at the headless ghost collecting paper money. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.
Still, they didn't want to provoke the headless ghost further, so they headed back to the security room with Chi Shen.
Soon after, Yuan Yiping arrived. He looked even more exhausted than Xu Jiayuan, as if he might drop dead any moment. Nevertheless, he swiftly managed the aftermath, sealing the axe and taking it with him.
As they were leaving, Chi Shen noticed one of Yuan Yiping's associates explaining to Security Guard Xiao Wang. He told him that what he saw was a person in disguise, not a ghost, just like the previous haunting incident. Xiao Wang seemed skeptical.
Meanwhile, Chi Shen and Li Xu left with Yuan Yiping to cooperate with the ongoing investigation as witnesses.
In the car, the fear had left Li Xu, and he was now full of questions. He asked Yuan Yiping several things, but almost every answer was, "Sorry, I can't discuss that."
In the end, Li Xu learned nothing. His attention turned to the axe covered in talismans, asking, "Why did he hide in the room to scare Xiao Wang? With his appearance, he could have easily killed him, right?"
A muffled voice emerged from the axe, "I was scared too."
Li Xu jumped back in surprise.
"Please place me beneath the windshield," the voice continued.
Yuan Yiping took the axe and positioned it at the front-most part of the car, furthest from Chi Shen.
Chi Shen, on the brink of sleep, detected a tone of deep disdain in the headless ghost's voice. This instantly snapped him back to alertness. Stroking his chin, he remarked, "This matter might be more complicated than it appears."
Chapter 070: The Despised Chi Shen.
Chi Shen pondered Ji Xingchen's words.
Lately, Ji Xingchen seemed to have reflected on his own shortcomings in handling situations and set three rules with Chi Shen.
First, do not kill ghosts in front of others.
Second, do not reveal to anyone the ability to vanquish ghosts with a single strike.
Third, refrain from speaking to ghosts in the presence of others.
After all, Chi Shen had initially sought Ji Xingchen to help integrate better into a peaceful society. After spending time together, Chi Shen believed Ji Xingchen must have noticed some discrepancies, but he never questioned Chi Shen about his sudden lack of common sense or newfound abilities. Instead, he simply helped Chi Shen fit in with normal society, as originally requested.
Chi Shen accepted Ji Xingchen's terms. There was no reason to decline, especially if it aided him in blending into society more seamlessly.
In the end, Ji Xingchen added that if Chi Shen ever acted out of line, he would remind him in his own way. Chi Shen had come to understand that Ji Xingchen's method of 'reminding' was to tug on his earlobe.
At this moment, Chi Shen reached up and touched his own ear.
With Ji Xingchen absent, Chi Shen was once again left to judge for himself what actions were permissible and which were not.
Chi Shen's gaze settled on the headless ghost.
Being murdered, and then having the axe which he inhabited fall into someone else's hands, and worse, that person tearing off a piece of the axe's 'skin'! This act clearly enraged the headless ghost, driving it into a frenzy.
Having missed with his first swing, the headless ghost instantly raised his axe again, preparing for another strike!
Xu Jiayuan urgently yanked his colleague to safety, narrowly saving him from the headless ghost's descending axe. Without missing a beat, he shouted to Chi Shen, “Run! Call Yuan ge for backup now!”
Chi Shen stood still, staring at the headless ghost whose axe had now swelled to twice its size in fury. “I might be able to help,” he offered.
“Don’t be a hero, get the hell out of here!” The previously quiet officer suddenly snapped, revealing his short temper. “You have no idea what you’re dealing with! You're just in the way!”
Another officer, previously stationed at the security room, seemed to sense something. He said something brief to Li Xu, asking him to watch over Security Officer Xiao Wang, and then sprinted toward the activity room.
Chi Shen glanced at their frantic states and observed, “If I leave, you might not make it.”
The hotheaded officer, evading the ghost's massive swings, nearly choked in rage at the comment. “So if you stay, we'll be fine? Stop making things worse and just go!”
The other arriving officer quickly stepped in, attempting to pull Chi Shen away. “Civilians should evacuate immediately,” he urged soothingly, “We’ll handle this ghost. Please don’t worry.”
Chi Shen tilted his head, “Does it not matter if you die?”
The officer, his face set in stone, replied, “It’s our duty.”
The headless ghost's axe came down again, splattering Chi Shen’s face with blood. Papery offerings floated down like snow, and a chilly wind, reminiscent of winter's embrace, blew strongly. Xu Jiayuan's face bore cuts from the gust, and the hot-headed officer, holding a compass, cursed bitterly, “Unleashing you was a mistake, let's end this!”
Xu Jiayuan, struggling to his feet and drawing a peachwood sword, declared, “Yuan ge won't make it in time. Get the civilians out!”
The arriving officer, with tears forming in his eyes yet resolute in his duty, gripped Chi Shen’s arm, “I'll lead them to safety and then come back!”
Half of Chi Shen’s face was stained with blood. He chuckled, “I might be able to talk some sense into him. He's my friend.”
Before the officer could reply, Chi Shen turned to the headless ghost, preparing another swing, and greeted, “Good evening, Zheng Ming.”
The piercing cold wind suddenly ceased, and the paper offerings settled down. No more appeared in the sky.
The headless ghost's raised axe paused at its zenith. He stood frozen, statue-like, until the irate officer, using his compass like a brick, smashed it against the ghost’s axe, only to be repelled again.
Xu Jiayuan quickly caught the thrown officer, and the three turned their gazes to Chi Shen.
Meeting their astonished stares, Chi Shen reiterated, “He's my friend. Right?”
Blood continued to stream from the ghost's severed neck, and although headless, he seemed perplexed. As the blood dripped onto the ground, his axe thundered down beside him.
The ghost, voice echoing eerily, questioned, “What... did you call me?”
The resounding voice seemed to emanate from every direction, fleeting yet terrifying, as if it resonated directly within one's mind.
"Zheng Ming." Chi Shen's voice was remarkably gentle, "Don't you recognize me? Weren't we friends?"
The headless ghost remained silent, stepping forward with blood-streaked feet, treading over scattered paper money, moving two steps closer to Chi Shen.
Xu Jiayuan tensed up immediately, but the irritable elder brother showed discernment. He quickly held back the advancing Xu Jiayuan, whispering, "They might actually know each other."
Taking another two steps closer, the headless ghost halted once again. The hand gripping the axe trembled slightly as if struggling to keep control, preventing it from swinging down without a head to guide it.
"Zheng Ming... who is that?"
Having spoken, he suddenly grew more agitated, raising his axe at Chi Shen once more. The voices coming from all directions had grown wildly aggressive.
"Tell me, who is Zheng Ming? What is he to me?"
The ferocious voice seemed to sway one's emotions. Xu Jiayuan felt a surge of rage within, a violent urge rising from his chest, a desire to break through and destroy. Yet, he soon realized his agitation and began silently reciting a calming mantra, settling down quickly.
The irritable elder brother beside him seemed unaffected, pondering for a moment before murmuring, "The name 'Zheng Ming' sounds vaguely familiar."
Hearing the headless ghost's query, Chi Shen realized the ghost hadn't truly remembered who he was. Even the mention of Zheng Ming's name only brought temporary confusion. Perhaps, without his head, he hadn't fully regained his sanity, merely chasing the significance of that name out of instinct.
It seems a different approach is needed.
Smiling, he remarked, "You've made a mess of the floor. Make sure to clean up after yourself."
As his words echoed, the frenzied voice of the headless ghost abruptly vanished. The axe in his hand swiftly shrank back to its original size. He slightly bent over, seemingly "observing" the blood and paper money on the ground before straightening up to "look" at Chi Shen.
"Ah—"
A sharp, abrupt scream pierced everyone's ears, as the headless ghost abruptly turned and sped away.
Chi Shen called out, "Come back."
Without hesitation, the headless ghost spun around, "I won't leave, I won't! Is there a mop? There's no mop here. This floor, this floor can't be cleaned properly!"
Chi Shen watched the headless ghost scurrying about, picking up the paper money. His previously smiling expression gradually faded, replaced by a hint of fatigue. With matters settled, exhaustion set in.
The entire scene left the three bystanders in shock. Xu Jiayuan, being closest to Chi Shen, finally asked, "What just happened?"
"He always loved cleanliness," Chi Shen's expression showed fatigue, and his voice lowered, "So when I pointed out the dirty floor, his instinct was to clean it up."
Xu Jiayuan looked perplexed, "Is it that simple?"
Chi Shen nodded, "Yes, that simple. As I said, we're friends. I know him well. We just had a misunderstanding, which is why he's been avoiding me."
The irritable old brother looked at Chi Shen with curiosity, then at the headless ghost collecting paper money. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to the story.
Still, they didn't want to provoke the headless ghost further, so they headed back to the security room with Chi Shen.
Soon after, Yuan Yiping arrived. He looked even more exhausted than Xu Jiayuan, as if he might drop dead any moment. Nevertheless, he swiftly managed the aftermath, sealing the axe and taking it with him.
As they were leaving, Chi Shen noticed one of Yuan Yiping's associates explaining to Security Guard Xiao Wang. He told him that what he saw was a person in disguise, not a ghost, just like the previous haunting incident. Xiao Wang seemed skeptical.
Meanwhile, Chi Shen and Li Xu left with Yuan Yiping to cooperate with the ongoing investigation as witnesses.
In the car, the fear had left Li Xu, and he was now full of questions. He asked Yuan Yiping several things, but almost every answer was, "Sorry, I can't discuss that."
In the end, Li Xu learned nothing. His attention turned to the axe covered in talismans, asking, "Why did he hide in the room to scare Xiao Wang? With his appearance, he could have easily killed him, right?"
A muffled voice emerged from the axe, "I was scared too."
Li Xu jumped back in surprise.
"Please place me beneath the windshield," the voice continued.
Yuan Yiping took the axe and positioned it at the front-most part of the car, furthest from Chi Shen.
Chi Shen, on the brink of sleep, detected a tone of deep disdain in the headless ghost's voice. This instantly snapped him back to alertness. Stroking his chin, he remarked, "This matter might be more complicated than it appears."
