Chapter 030: When the ghosts come for you, don’t you dare cry.

Chapter 030: When the ghosts come for you, don’t you dare cry.

Bai Hengqing desperately wanted to get up and flee, but his limbs, frozen for so long, were uncooperative. He barely managed to lift himself before collapsing once more.

Observing Bai Hengqing's terrified expression, Chi Shen wondered if he looked too menacing. Why did everyone react with fear upon seeing him? In this old house, only one or two ghosts weren’t scared of him; the rest fled on sight. It was one thing for ghosts to run away, but why did living humans feel the urge to escape from him now?

Chi Shen thought of Li Xu, who was so well-liked. Were people afraid of him because he wasn't as gentle and sunny in demeanor?

With these thoughts in mind, Chi Shen looked at Bai Hengqing and offered a well-intentioned smile, "Sir..."

“Ah!” Bai Hengqing screamed even more terrified, shouting out, “Stay away from me!”

Reflecting on the situation, Chi Shen surmised it might be the aftereffects of trauma. He decided to wait nearby until the old man calmed down, after all, it was important to respect elders and be kind to the young. He didn’t mind waiting.

Bai Hengqing didn’t keep him waiting for long. After scanning the surroundings and confirming they were the only two awake, desperation surfaced in his eyes as he asked Chi Shen, "Are you among the living or the dead?"

"I am alive," replied Chi Shen.

Recalling the sight of Chi Shen grasping the hand of the ghost bride, Bai Hengqing's voice trembled, "Do you know that these ghosts want to consume humans? How can a living person get along so well with them?"

Extending his hand as a gesture of reassurance, Chi Shen began, "I truly am..."

Bai Hengqing, having just managed to rise slightly, recoiled in fear at Chi Shen's movement, falling back down.

Chi Shen retracted his hand, stroking his chin in thought before earnestly responding, "Maybe it's because I'm kind-hearted?"

Bai Hengqing's face was a mix of terror and an 'are you kidding me?' expression.

"I chose to communicate with them openly, sharing heartfelt conversations," Chi Shen explained, "which is why they trust me and want to be friends. I believe this is a sentiment any ordinary person would understand."

Bai Hengqing: "...?"

Chi Shen added, "Being sincere in life allows you to make many friends."

Bai Hengqing no longer wished to speak. After a long pause, as he felt some strength return to him, he ventured to ask, "Where is everyone? Where is Bairan?"

"Ah, Bairan has been invited elsewhere," Chishen replied with ease. "If you wish to see him, you can look in the side courtyard. The others should be back shortly."

Bai Hengqing struggled to remember what had happened after he passed out. Recalling Bairan heading to the side courtyard, he speculated that Bairan might have gone to deal with the ghost in the bridal gown. But why was Chishen here?

Wasn't he aligned with that ghost?

Despite his foggy mind, he surmised that Chishen might not be a ghost. Otherwise, he himself wouldn't be alive. Reflecting upon Chishen's previous existence as a human, he deduced that befriending ghosts must be Chishen's method of self-preservation.

Coming to this realization, Bai Hengqing asked, "You've mingled with these ghosts and even befriended them?"

Chishen nodded, "Making friends with ghosts is quite simple. They're very amiable. Just express a wish to befriend them, and they will reciprocate. Of course, there are a few who've rejected my friendship, and I've let them be."

"Do you know the consequences of befriending ghosts?" Bai Hengqing said, a sinister undertone evident in his voice. "They might devour your brain, drain your blood, and take over your body when you least expect it."

"No," Chishen replied with a smile. "Ghosts are far more straightforward than humans. If they desire to eat you, that's their only intention. If they want to be your friend, it's genuine. Their world is starkly black and white, lacking the complexities of human nature."

Disheartened by Chishen's naivety, Bai Hengqing retorted, "When the day comes that a ghost consumes you, I hope you won't cry out for rescue."

Chishen chuckled, "I won't."

Sounds echoed from the other end of the corridor. Glancing that way, Chishen remarked, "They're back."

The dimness of the old corridor obscured the incoming figure, but Bai Hengqing assumed it to be one of the younger members of his family, letting out a sigh of relief.

However, as the shadow neared, Bai Hengqing's relief turned to horror.

The approaching figure wasn't human, but a translucent ghost, dragging along another ghostly entity. The specter being dragged had only a head and two arms, its lower body vanishing into thin air. It clutched a paper phone in its hand.

That was the ghost who had called the Bai residence!

Panic surged within Bai Hengqing. With no protective talismans and weakened from prior events, he was ill-equipped to face two ghosts.

But then, he watched as Chishen stood and took hold of the female ghost.

She had been thrashing wildly in the male ghost's grip, but upon being transferred to Chishen's hand, she became eerily docile, as if bound by an unseen force.

Ji Xingchen approached, handing a small mirror to Chishen and assuring, "All is well."

Chi Shen casually pocketed the small mirror and, holding the red-clothed female ghost, looked at Bai Hengqing. "Someone will be here soon to take you away. Don't worry."

Bai Hengqing, in horror, stared at the red-clothed female ghost just less than a meter away from him. He felt his heart might leap out of his chest. A ghost capable of calling the Bai family surely held immense power. Although he hadn't felt any potent malicious energy from her yet, if she decided to act, he would undoubtedly meet his doom here.

Chi Shen nonchalantly tossed the red-clothed ghost into his room.

The moment Chi Shen let go, Bai Hengqing felt as if his heart had stopped, but soon realized nothing had happened.

As soon as the female ghost was thrown into the room, she seemed reanimated. She quickly pushed herself up from the ground with both hands. Making a face at Bai Hengqing, she stuck out her tongue - a full half-meter long. But the moment Chi Shen looked back, she swiftly withdrew her tongue and shut her mouth, innocently crawling further into the room as if nothing had happened.

Overwhelmed with relief, Bai Hengqing looked at Chi Shen and cautiously inquired, "Are these two... also your friends?"

Chi Shen replied, "Yes."

Ji Xingchen also looked over, politely greeting, "Hello."

Bai Hengqing carefully chose his words, "That call made to the Bai residence... was it your friend seeking revenge on your behalf?"

This time Ji Xingchen responded, "Yes."

Chi Shen glanced at Ji Xingchen but remained silent.

"You and your friend... seem to be on quite good terms, haha." Bai Hengqing laughed awkwardly. Having regained feeling in his limbs, he managed to get up from the ground. "I'll be on my way then."

"Wait," Chi Shen called out.

Bai Hengqing stiffened immediately.

"Ji Xingchen, check with my sister if Bai Ran can be released," said Chi Shen before turning to Bai Hengqing. "Wait for your juniors. They're also leaving."

Ji Xingchen nodded and vanished into the night.

Bai Hengqing, having heard Chi Shen's words, stood still in the chilly night, waiting for the others to return.

The juniors returned quickly. The red-clothed ghost hadn't harmed them; or perhaps, before she could, Ji Xingchen had captured her. They were terrified but physically and mentally sound. Supporting each other, they hurried back, occasionally glancing back in fear.

They had some minor injuries, but none inflicted by the red-clothed ghost. In their frantic escape, they had inadvertently entered another ghost's territory, frightening themselves further and suffering some bumps and bruises.

Seeing both Chi Shen and Bai Hengqing standing, everyone sighed in relief. As they helped lift the junior bitten by the old zombie, someone hesitated before asking, "The ghost who made the call... we found her but didn't exorcise her. Is that going to be a problem?"

"It's been dealt with," Bai Hengqing interrupted the last of the juniors, glancing at Chi Shen. "The ghost from the phone has been taken care of."

Everyone cheered, praising that Grandpa Bai (referring to Bai Hengqing) was truly incredible. They supported Bai Hengqing and started walking out, with a few turning to thank Chi Shen for helping take care of their injured friend and Bai Hengqing himself.

Chi Shen nodded, waving at them, "Don't forget to pick up Bai Ran from the annex."

Upon leaving, Bai Hengqing remained silent, mulling over a multitude of unresolved thoughts.

Like what Chi Shen had mentioned - to check with his sister if Bai Ran could be released.

Sister, wasn't that how Chi Shen addressed the ghost in the bridal dress? Had she genuinely broken free from the shackles of their ancestors and emerged?

Additionally, the name Ji Xingchen sounded strangely familiar to him.

"Although Young Master Ran doesn't share the Bai family bloodline, he's a genius," the juniors commented on the side. "He was so decisive in subduing that female ghost. Otherwise, I feel we would have all perished here."

"It was Chi Shen who said he was invited to express gratitude, but who visited? Was it Master He?"

They walked past a cluster of withered trees and weeds, eventually reaching the courtyard.

The ritual site was still there, but everything was in disarray—souls scattered, tables overturned, bearing the signs of a great battle.

A man lay at the center of the ritual site, not unconscious but staring wide-eyed at the sky. He appeared unharmed, yet his eyes were filled with profound terror, as if trapped in a nightmarish dream.

The junior with glasses was the first to recognize him. Taking a longer look, his voice trembled, "Young Master?"

After the Bai family had left, Chi Shen dragged out the red-clothed ghost and retrieved a blue flame from her hair.

It was his soul flame, initially intended to protect the red-clothed ghost, but it was never utilized.

"You..."

As Chi Shen released the red-clothed ghost, preparing to speak, she immediately dashed to a cabinet, pounding it with her fists, yelling, "How dare you deceive a ghost!"

Chi Shen thought to himself: Nevermind.

A row of red candles was arranged inside the room. Chi Shen took a seat beside the table, turning to look at the chair opposite him.

In a blink of an eye, Bai Wan, dressed in bridal attire, had already taken the seat across from him.

*