Chapter 029: I’m only 17, yet you call me ‘sister’.

Chapter 029: I'm only 17, yet you call me 'sister'.

"Wha-what kind of debt?" Bai Hengqing's voice quivered as he spoke, his breath visible in the cold, his body trembling.

Chi Shen didn't answer, instead, he stepped aside, opening a path for Bai Wan: "Little sister, do what you desire."

The ghostly bride stood still at the entrance of the courtyard, motionless. Her veiled head seemed to lift slightly, gazing at the two ethereal figures hovering above.

"Bai Wan!" One male spirit boomed authoritatively, his voice echoing with an oppressive force, "Return!"

"Bai Wan!" A female spirit chimed in, her voice cold and unwavering, "Go back!"

Overwhelmed by the chilling atmosphere, Bai Hengqing could barely stand, kneeling with the ancestral tablet in his embrace, muttering: "May the ancestors protect us. May they take the sinner Bai Wan back. Ancestors, please bless us..."

Bai Wan quivered, seemingly held back by an unseen force. Although her red shoes beneath the bridal gown tried to move forward, she trembled, unable to retreat nor progress, bound by an invisible restraint.

"No longer heeding your mother's words?" The female spirit demanded sharply, "Get back!"

"How have I raised you? In this house, parents are supreme!" The male spirit admonished, "Defying your father too? Do you wish to be punished by our family's law?"

At the mention of 'family law', Bai Wan visibly shuddered. Blood oozed from her chest, staining the hem of her red gown. Her wedding attire bore marks of whips, knife wounds, and burn scars, revealing past torments.

Observing Bai Wan's marred appearance, Chi Shen's brow furrowed. Looking at the two spirits, he declared, "Family law? Little sister, move forward. They won't dare stop you."

The two spirits, hovering mid-air, shifted their attention to Chi Shen. Their scrutinizing gaze felt palpable, causing unease.

Since emerging from the game of death, Chi Shen's pursuit has been personal comfort. If someone discomforts him, he intends to reciprocate.

With eyes turning pitch black, Chi Shen locked gaze with them, activating "Empathy."

Like dissecting fish dragged from the river of time, he meticulously studied their spiritual anatomy. The chilling scrutiny made the summoned spirits exude a cold aura.

Their eyes met. Moments later, the spirits seemed defeated. The male spirit, stubbornly proclaimed, "You, a descendant of the Bai family, resort to dark arts, prying into your ancestor's souls. You deserve punishment!"

"Respecting one's elders is reserved for those who are deserving," Chi Shen replied with a smirk, "Unfortunately, you don't qualify."

The use of "Empathy" made Chi Shen realize that these spirits were indeed summoned by their descendants. They were Bai Chongshan and Shen Hui – Bai Wan's parents. This spared him the trouble of searching for their resting place.

Moreover, their souls were so tainted that Chi Shen felt no empathy towards them.

By using "Empathy," he would usually experience the emotions and lives of these souls. Only his mental fortitude ensured he remained unfazed. Once he understood the safety of this world, he consciously reduced his use of this ability.

When using the skill this time, Chi Shen remained entirely emotionally detached, for he found the actions of these two incomprehensible. Whether it was raising a malevolent spirit to torment the soul of their deceased daughter daily or other unspeakable acts committed for the Bai family's interests, it all filled him with revulsion. Throughout the process, he felt like a spectator of a disturbing movie rather than its protagonist enduring the ordeal.

If there were any impact on Chi Shen, it was that he felt his memory had been tarnished. Fortunately, his mind could automatically filter out irrelevant information, sparing him from recalling every detail.

"Disrespectful to elders, defiant of our ancestors, banished from the Bai family!" Bai Chongshan roared in anger, pressing his palm towards Chi Shen.

Witnessing this, although Bai Ran was scared and dared not move, his eyes revealed a hint of joy. Being banished from the Bai family meant there was no chance of returning. He looked to Bai Hengqing, hoping he would remember the old ancestor's words. With this elder, always faithful to the Bai family traditions around, Chi Shen would never return.

Seeing Bai Hengqing's state within the candle's flame, shock and regret flashed in Bai Ran's eyes.

Bai Hengqing knelt amid the red candles, motionless, unclear if unconscious or dead. His clothing and hair were frosted over from the dense yin energy, enveloping the elder like a spider's web.

If Grandfather hadn't heard, it didn't matter. Hatred gleamed in Bai Ran's eyes. Regardless of whether Chi Shen could return to the Bai family, he had no intention of letting him live. He watched as Bai Chongshan's hand descended, ready to witness Chi Shen's annihilation.

Seeing Bai Chongshan take action, Bai Wan tried to step forward to shield Chi Shen. However, Chi Shen reached out first, stopping her. Smiling, he addressed the apparition of Bai Zongshan, "I was never truly of the Bai family. I've exiled myself. Thank you."

The phantom force descended upon Chi Shen, yet only his clothes rustled. He appeared untouched, not even lifting a finger.

Too weak.

In his mind, Chi Shen had categorized these two spirits: they were Bai family's regulatory spirits, lethal in matters concerning the Bai lineage. But since he had just denied his affiliation with the Bai family and considering his unique constitution from the death game, their damage to him was akin to a mere tickle.

Manipulating the yin energy carved from empathy into the spirits, he shattered their souls from within, causing their forms to shrink and dim, though not completely disappearing.

Bai Chongshan's form grew fainter. Chi Shen knew what he was contemplating. Sensing the adverse turn, they wanted to flee, but Chi Shen wouldn't allow it. He swiftly apprehended both spiritual plaques, grounding them there.

Panic finally registered on the spirits' faces.

Throughout this, Chi Shen still had the leisure to glance at Bai Ran. Given the lack of movement, he feared Bai Ran might have frozen to the ground, which would be troublesome to handle.

Bai Ran stood petrified, his eyes filled with confusion and doubt about the world.

Since his eyes still showed emotion, Chi Shen believed he could rise on his own, thus he paid him no further mind. Turning back to Bai Wan, he encouraged, "If they won't let you out, walk out in defiance. Show them parents can't merely puppeteer their children."

By then, the oppressive aura from Bai Chongshan and Shen Hui had significantly lessened. The weight on Bai Wan, like a thousand burdens, was lifting. The bleeding wound on her chest, which bled for years, finally stopped. Blood receded, and she turned her veiled gaze to Chi Shen before taking a step forward.

"Bai Wan! Have you forgotten the 'Women's Commandments' you learned?" Shen Hui's voice echoed, filled with urgency. She wanted to act but found herself devoid of any control over Bai Wan.

"Nothing can bind you," said Chi Shen, "those rules that dictate blind obedience, meant only to make you a subsidiary, need not be heeded. You belong only to yourself. You decide your actions and path."

A soft chuckle emanated from beneath the red veil, clear and crisp like thawing winter springs. Lifting her skirt, Bai Wan, with her embroidered red shoes, began to walk step by step towards the courtyard exit.

With graceful steps, she ventured out of the annex door amidst Bai Chongshan's and Shen Hui's anger, moving towards the courtyard bathed in moonlight and stardust. The traditional rules of the Bai family, the so-called family law, and the principles of femininity instilled in her—all turned to ash behind her.

With each step she took, her wounds mended a bit more. The marks from the lashes began to fade, and the pain of the past no longer held sway over her. By the time she reached the heart of the courtyard, not a trace of blood remained on Bai Wan. She turned, bathed in moonlight, looking towards the direction of Chi Shen.

Chi Shen revealed a paternal smile, noting, "Taking care of a younger sister is not an easy task."

As the blood disappeared, Bai Wan's wedding dress finally revealed itself in full. Hailing from the prestigious Bai family, her bridal attire was intricately crafted and opulent. Dressed in such a solemn red gown, she looked both virtuous and serene, like a bride filled with anticipation for her marital home.

"Brother," Bai Wan spoke softly, "I wish to speak with our parents in my room."

"Go ahead," Chi Shen replied with a reassuring smile, "It has been a long time since you two met. It's time for a reunion."

Bai Chongshan and Shen Hui, now in spirit form, sensed impending doom. They tried to dissipate into thin air, but their spiritual tokens prevented them from escaping. In a blink, Bai Wan was behind them. Like a shy maiden, she tugged at their robes, and they immediately felt an overwhelming chill, as if plunged into deep winter.

"I am your father! Do you wish to incur divine wrath?" Bai Chongshan roared in desperation.

Bai Wan's laughter, tinkling like silver bells, echoed, "Even if I were to face divine punishment, I'd still like to thank you both."

"No, let me go!" Shen Hui's spirit writhed, "You always loved my stories when you were young, Wan, you can't treat me like this!"

"And I'm grateful for the tales of women's virtues you narrated to me," Bai Wan smiled, "Now, it's my turn to tell you a story."

"As for the Bai descendant who summoned my parents, I'd like to personally express my gratitude." Bai Wan softly remarked as she passed Bai Ran.

Bai Ran's petrified eyes suddenly darted, as he scrambled to his feet, "Sister Bai Wan! I had no idea they harmed you. Spare me, and I'll honor you every day—"

Pale fingers adorned with golden rings touched Bai Ran's clothing. He gaped, his eyes fixed on the crimson bridal gown inches from him.

"I was only 17 when I died, yet you dare call me 'sister.'"

Amidst Bai Ran's terrified screams, Bai Wan dragged him into the annex. It was then he realized that Chi Shen's endearing calls of "younger sister" were indeed meant for Bai Wan.

The old mansion slowly settled into silence, save for the chilling screams emanating from the annex.

Chi Shen shook his head, about to depart when Bai Wan's voice reached him, "Brother, don't worry. I'll keep him alive. I know you're a kind soul."

Grateful for his sister's thoughtfulness, Chi Shen moved towards Bai Hengqing.

As Bai Wan had noted, it'd be problematic if someone died here. Chi Shen didn't want a repeat of the unrest that followed He Chao's death, where he couldn't find peace even at night. Thus, supporting the elderly man, he made his way to his own room.

Several young individuals were bustling outside their room. They laid the man, who had just been bitten by the aged zombie, on the corridor floor. Some wrapped the wound with a towel soaked in sticky rice water, while others splashed the man with the same solution. They initially intended to move him inside and treat him on a bed. However, after witnessing the zombie retreat into the neighboring room—with its decrepit wooden doors ajar, revealing a closed, dark coffin inside—they dared not enter, fearing the creature might trap them. They could only treat him by the doorway.

After a considerable hustle, they managed to control the spread of the zombifying poison. Just as they were about to check on Bai Hengqing, they noticed Chi Shen dragging someone towards them.

The trees and undergrowth separated Chi Shen's room from the courtyard, making it hard to discern or hear what transpired there. They mainly heard wind noises, and seeing Chi Shen with Bai Hengqing caught them off guard.

“What happened to Second Grandpa!” One of the younger ones immediately rushed to assist Bai Hengqing.

“He's just been chilled. Warming him up should revive him,” Chi Shen calmly remarked.

Hearing this, someone moved to fetch a blanket but hesitated at the sight of the adjacent room's black coffin. Instead, they chose to take off their coat to cover Bai Hengqing, with others following suit.

“Is everything okay? Where's Bai Ran?” Another individual, after ensuring Bai Hengqing was covered, glanced past Chi Shen inquisitively.

“He's been occupied for doing a good deed. Someone wishes to thank him, so he’s detained for a bit. There's no need for concern,” Chi Shen nonchalantly replied, then proceeded to examine the bite wound.

The zombie poison had been contained but not completely eradicated. If left untreated, the man could lose the use of his arm.

Chi Shen gently probed the wound's edges. A ghostly aura, resembling a black serpent, began to weave its way into the wound.

“What are you doing?” A bespectacled young man interrupted, “Leave him be. You might exacerbate the spread of the poison and endanger his life!”

Chi Shen withdrew his hand, thinking to himself about suggesting the removal of the infected skin, but surmising the group wouldn’t agree, he decided not to interject further.

"With Second Grandpa unconscious and Bai Ran nowhere to be found," someone remarked, "What should we do now?"

"Let's wait for Second Grandpa to awaken," another suggested.

Yet another opined, “We should first get Second Grandpa out of here. If...uh, Brother Chi Shen could come over, then Bai Ran must be fine.”

Something about their address felt odd to Chi Shen, so he corrected, “Don't call me ‘young master’.”

The individual responded, “Then what should we address you as? Isn't ‘young master’ a sign of respect?”

“Just call me Chi Shen. I have no ties with the Bai family,” he clarified.

The group exchanged puzzled and skeptical glances, but no one pushed further. "Would you like to come with us, Brother Chi Shen?" one of them asked.

“No need. You should go,” Chi Shen declined, adding, “I'm tired and need some sleep.”

The group exchanged puzzled glances. One of them finally ventured, "Brother, we understand your desire to return to the Bai family, but life is precious."

Chi Shen responded, "… No, I'm genuinely tired."

One of them, fear evident in his eyes as he glanced at the dark coffin in the nearby room, urged, "Let’s go. It gets more dangerous as the night deepens."

Chi Shen, slightly exasperated, retorted, "Listen to me, I’m not joking. I genuinely want to sleep."

Seeing the pleading look in the other's eyes, Chi Shen felt he might need some assistance. He turned to his own shadow—

"Look what I've caught!" exclaimed a man who had been squatting at the entrance of Chi Shen's room, leaping up with excitement. "It's the ghostly woman who called Bai Shao Ye mentioned. We’ve achieved something!"

Chi Shen looked up and saw the woman in red, floating mid-air, held by one arm. With her free hand, she clutched a paper phone and a tiny mirror, her gaze hopeful, clearly wanting to play with Chi Shen. It was evident she'd been caught because she recognized him.

Chi Shen had noticed her earlier. Even though she'd been called forth by Bai Ran's soul bell, she’d managed to slip away amidst the chaos caused by the old zombie. It was surprising to see her captured now.

But this red-clad ghost was no ordinary spirit.

"You should probably let her go. It's risky," Chi Shen warned them.

The man, shaking the woman in red a bit, scoffed, "She’s fine. Her aura is almost non-existent, incredibly weak. Not sure how she managed to call Bai Shu. We need to study her."

Chi Shen glanced at her rapidly lengthening nails and decided immediate action was required, "Keep an eye on her. Make sure no one gets hurt."

His shadow slightly shifted, "Understood."

A chilling aura began to spread behind the young men. The bespectacled junior, initially discussing plans to move their elder, turned to find a weeping bloodied ghost's face looming. His heart nearly stopped.

"Run!" he screamed. The realization dawned on the rest that this was beyond their capabilities. They sprinted away in panic.

Soon, the area in front of Chi Shen's room was deserted. Even the woman in red had vanished, leaving just him and the elderly man lying on the ground.

Chi Shen sighed, whispered an apology for the disturbance to the old zombie in the neighboring room, reattached its door, washed his hands, and finally returned to Bai Heng Qing's side.

What should be done with him?

Leaving him here might be alright, but if something happened, like freezing to death, it might be blamed on Chi Shen.

As Chi Shen pondered, the elderly man on the ground groaned in pain, slowly regaining consciousness.

When Bai Wan had stood at the entrance of the annex, the cold, ghostly energy had numbed his thoughts to the point of believing he might die there.

Now he realized not only had he survived, but there was a younger person vigilantly by his side, waiting for him to awaken.

Struggling to open his clouded eyes, Bai Hengqing tried to discern the face of the youth, wanting to see who had saved him.

It must be Bai Ran. He's the most likely candidate.

His eyes suddenly widened in shock.