Chapter 037: The Old House’s

Chapter 037: The Old House's

Warm

Daily Life.

Ghostface peered in their direction, "Trouble-makers? I could give them a good scare, hehe."

Chi Shen grabbed Ghostface before he could slip away, "As long as they don't disturb my sleep, it doesn't matter. But my home has a warm vibe. They usually don't dare intrude."

Ghostface looked puzzled: How are warmth and intrusion deterrents related?

Before Gui Lian could ask, Chi Shen had already tucked him into his pocket and pushed open the grand doors of the old mansion.

Gui Lian is too weak. Even though he thinks the Bai family members are also quite feeble, they would still have the upper hand against Gui Lian. He shouldn't let Gui Lian risk his life.

All the while, the two individuals squatting by the tree merely watched from a distance, not daring to approach.

Word had spread throughout the Bai family that there had been an incident at the old mansion. Since Old He had fled, no one dared to guard the old mansion now. Given the current situation of the mansion, it needed surveillance. Thus, after Bai Heng Qing and Bai Xi Ming consulted, they decided to hire a few people to watch from a distance.

The two, rubbing their hands in the cold wind, conversed:

"Was that man just now Chi Shen?"

"He's the only one still living here."

"If even the second master fled, not daring to stay inside, then how can he continue living here? Is he a human or a ghost?"

"Maybe he's simply fearless."

"Do we need to report his return?"

"If he's a ghost, probably not. If he's human... perhaps?"

When Bai Heng Qing and Bai Xi Ming received the report, they were discussing the old mansion's issues with other Bai family elders.

Old He had run off, which would have been tolerable, but he took with him the Bai family's talisman, a ruler once wielded by the Bai family's first-generation ancestors. It possessed the power to chastise evil spirits. It was originally kept with the gatekeeper for emergencies, but they hadn't expected the gatekeeper to leave without a word.

Now, the old mansion's predicament had escalated. Some suggested cooperating with the Special Security Bureau to settle the issue, but Bai Xi Ming and Bai Heng Qing firmly rejected this.

Someone then proposed, "Why not call Wen Qin back? He might be willing to help."

Upon hearing this, Bai Xi Ming commented, "It's not a bad idea, but he's found a better position elsewhere. I'm unsure if he'll return."

"Our Bai family nurtured him," said Bai Heng Qing, "Even though he relinquished his role as the mansion's gatekeeper, our relations remain amicable. It's only fitting to ask for his assistance in our time of need."

The others nodded in agreement, seeing the logic in Bai Heng Qing's words.

Old He was already advanced in age. They had long been searching for someone to succeed him. There was once an individual who almost took up the role of the mansion's gatekeeper – the very Wen Qin they spoke of.

Wen Qin was genuinely gifted. Born with the ability to see spirits and a fast learner of mystical arts, Bai Heng Qing had once lamented that if only Wen Qin bore the Bai family name, the resurgence of their clan would be imminent.

During the six months Wen Qin served as the gatekeeper, everything went smoothly at the old mansion. Some new spirits even joined its ranks, but peace remained. Sadly, after half a year, he left, not only leaving the Bai family but also the port city.

"Where is he now?" Bai Xi Ming inquired.

Someone replied, "The Imperial City."

Upon hearing this, Bai Heng Qing speculated, "Did He Lian Hai go to find him?"

Most believed that unlikely; after all, if someone wanted to locate Wen Qin, simply notifying the Bai family would suffice. The secretive departure clearly indicated fear.

At this moment, a young messenger nearby saw his chance and whispered news of Chi Shen's return to Bai Xi Ming.

Bai Xi Ming expressed surprise, "He's still alive?"

The messenger looked puzzled, "Not only alive, but he also seems to be doing well. By the looks of it, he returned from work. He's taken a job."

This baffled Bai Xi Ming, "Living in that haunted place, and he still feels like working?"

"You shouldn't concern yourself with the affairs of the young," Bai Heng Qing interjected, sitting next to Bai Xi Ming and overhearing the conversation, "Whether it's work or study, as long as he survives and can endure a month in that mansion, the Bai family has a worthy successor."

Bai Heng Qing said this with a smile. The living room was buzzing with discussions about the old mansion's fate. Even as his voice rose towards the end, only a few attentive individuals noticed.

Bai Ran sat not far from them, among a group of Bai family's younger members, listening to the elders' discussions.

His gaze was fixed on the spot next to Bai Xi Ming, where he once sat, groomed as the heir to the Bai family. Ever since Chi Shen appeared, his place had shifted.

He shouldn’t have had the chance to listen, but his kind-hearted foster father had offered him the seat.

In an ancient family like the Bai's, bloodline is highly valued. A child swapped at birth, like him, has basically one path: expulsion from the Bai family. Even if Bai blood flowed in his veins, he could be thrown out for various reasons, let alone someone without any blood ties.

He had spent the first twenty years of his life striving to be the next head of the Bai family. He couldn't be expelled. Absolutely not.

Bai Heng Qing's words caused a slight shiver to run down his spine. He looked at them, almost in disbelief.

Initially, Chi Shen was rejected by Bai Xi Ming. But now, Bai Heng Qing's words hinted at welcoming Chi Shen back.

Chi Shen must not return.

If initially, his disdain for Chi Shen was because his arrival exposed the truth that he wasn't Bai Xi Ming's biological son, leading him to deceive Chi Shen into the haunted mansion hoping he'd perish, now, with Chi Shen having survived the mansion, he must prevent his return at all costs. If Chi Shen returns and is groomed as the Bai family heir, his fate, as the one who once tried to harm Chi Shen, would be bleak.

Moreover, it was because of Chi Shen that he was dragged into that haunted place by that old ghost. The mere thought of it made his body quiver slightly. He anxiously grasped his own wrist, trying to distract himself from the events of last night.

Those nearby noticed Bai Ran's abnormal behavior.

Bai Ran has always been gentle and nonchalant. When he was the heir of the Bai family, he treated everyone kindly without any airs, earning the affection of many.

But tonight, he seemed like a completely different person. A faint sour smell emanated from him, his hair appeared unkempt, and since his arrival, he had not interacted with anyone. He just stared blankly beside Bai Xi Ming.

Seeing Bai Ran tremble again, several people nearby thought he might be sick. One person whispered, “Are you okay?”

Bai Ran did not respond.

That person then gently nudged Bai Ran, asking, “Young Master? Young Master?”

At the mention of “Young Master”, Bai Ran finally turned his head to glance at the speaker. Just that one look left the man stunned.

In Bai Ran's eyes was a depth of fear and resentment he had never shown before.

Bai Ran quickly turned his gaze back to the spot beside Bai Xi Ming. The man found the behavior odd but chose to remain silent, only occasionally casting worried glances at Bai Ran.

The family meeting continued until the wee hours of the night. Bai Ran, following the crowd, departed and briefly rested in the room prepared for him by Bai Heng Qing. Afterward, he donned his coat and left.

He had one more move to make. Originally, he had planned to silence Lu Xiang Yang. If Chi Shen didn’t die in the old mansion, he wanted to tarnish his reputation, framing him with an irremovable charge of murder.

But now, he had to make that move. He wanted Chi Shen to realize that, with no knowledge of the arcane arts, he would never be welcomed into the Bai family.

Outside Bai Heng Qing's residence, Bai Ran hailed a taxi. Once inside, the driver, glancing at him through the rearview mirror with concern, asked, “Young man, you seem to be shivering. Are you okay? Should I turn the heat up for you?”

Noting Bai Ran's occasional shiver and vacant stare, the driver wondered if he had faced some trauma or was ill, especially since he wasn't heading to a hospital.

Bai Ran, still staring straight ahead, didn’t respond.

"Would you like to go to the hospital first?" The driver kindly asked.

“No,” Bai Ran finally acknowledged him, his voice filled with irritation, “Just shut up and drive.”

The kind-hearted driver kept silent for the rest of the journey, taking him to his destination.

Bai Ran returned to the place he used to reside. He had belongings left behind and needed to retrieve them.

Asking the driver to wait outside the residential complex, Bai Ran entered alone, heading upstairs.

Upon entering the room, the scent of burnt paper lingered. It was the aroma of talisman papers that Bai Wan had burned when she came looking for him. By the bedside, dried remains of red candles and bloodstains were scattered, creating a scene of disarray.

After being sought out by Bai Wan that night, he had hastily departed and hadn't returned since, leaving the room in its chaotic state.

Now, he rummaged through the messy room and unearthed a box sealed with a talisman. Inside, there were wax beads encasing bones. Seeing that everything was intact, he felt relieved and took the box, ready to leave.

As he stepped outside his home, Bai Ran suddenly detected a peculiar odor.

He was still reeling from his traumatic experience with Bai Wan, making his thinking a bit sluggish. However, his innate sense of danger, honed over the years, alerted him of potential peril.

It was a faint stench of rotting flesh, a scent that definitely shouldn't be here.

The smell seemed to be emanating from the direction of the elevator. Bai Ran hesitated momentarily at his doorstep. With great effort, he forced himself to think rationally about his next move. After a brief pause, he turned towards the emergency stairs, choosing to descend on foot.

After Bai Ran left, a grotesque creature covered in fleshy tumors stood near the elevator, twitching its nose hidden amidst the decaying flesh.

The only human features remaining on this abomination were its legs, still clad in soft pajamas. The rest of its body was swollen and monstrous. It looked like a mound of tumors that had sprouted human legs. Furthermore, it had human eyes and a gaping maw.

Sensing Bai Ran's departure, the creature, supporting its massive form, began lumbering towards the elevator.

Inside the elevator stood a man and a woman.

As the doors slid open, the woman frowned, "What's that smell? Has someone left trash out on this floor?"

The man pinched his nose, "Maybe someone's fridge broke down."

The monster paused at the entrance, choosing not to enter.

As the elevator doors closed, another set opened, revealing an empty chamber. Only then did the creature step inside.

While Bai Ran exited the building via the stairs, the creature trailed just a step behind him once it left the elevator.

Located in the bustling city of Gangcheng, Bai Ran's residence was not far from the commercial district. Even at this hour, a few people roamed the residential compound. The creature lurked in the landscaped areas, discreetly tailing Bai Ran until he boarded a car.

"Seems like something followed you," remarked the driver.

The older man

Glanced in Bai Ran's direction. He couldn't shake the feeling that someone had been trailing Bai Ran, but now that figure had disappeared.

Bai Ran jolted, looking around apprehensively.

"I must have seen wrong," the driver mused, scratching his head. Noticing Bai Ran's expression, he chuckled, "Young man, are you afraid of ghosts? There's nothing to fear. As the saying goes, if you've done no wrong, you won't be haunted by specters. As long as you're true to yourself, no spirit will seek you out!"

Bai Ran's eyes were fixed intently on the rearview mirror of the driver's seat, as if trying to bore a hole through it. As he exited the vehicle, he retrieved a wax bead from the box and left it on the back seat.

The cheerful driver sped off, intending to head home for some rest after this trip.

Oddly enough, he began to feel a chill. Maybe he left a window open, he thought, and promptly shut it. Turning on the radio, he began humming along to a song.

Suddenly, a human eye appeared in his rearview mirror. He froze for a moment, then quickly swerved the steering wheel and slammed on the brakes. Once the car was steady, he whipped around to look at the back seat.

It was empty, save for a faint, putrid stench wafting through the air.

The inexplicable cold feeling vanished.

Sweat coated the driver, and he quickly wiped his brow, murmuring, "Driving late at night's playing tricks on my mind. Need a good sleep, early to bed."

Gripping the steering wheel, he drove off hastily, glancing at the rearview mirror occasionally. It remained normal, bringing him some relief.

He must have imagined it.

At the spot he had just parked, a monstrous figure covered in tumors and festering sores stood. In one hand, it held a partially melted wax bead, and in the other, a malformed specter.

Amid the bustling city lights, with cars flowing past him like water, the creature gazed in the direction the driver had taken, then devoured both the specter and the wax bead, slowly chewing and swallowing.

After lingering for a while, the monster slowly moved on, heading towards Bai Hengqing's residence.

In the autumn night, the temperature had dropped, making it slightly chilly.

On such a night, some trembled in fear, scheming against others, while some joyfully dined with friends.

Chi Shen felt he was somewhat sharing a meal with friends, even if he was only watching while the others ate.

Starting with papercraft, Chi Shen believed he could bring delightful items to his friends. Those residing in the old mansion hadn't tasted delicious human food in a long while, so he thought to make some for them.

The process was simple. Chi Shen searched online for origami tutorials and burned crafted paper fruits and such for everyone. He wasn't sure if they liked them, but they seemed to enjoy the feast. Even the long-absent headless ghost appeared, watching them expectantly from outside.

"Come in and join," Bai Wan invited the headless specter.

Though the ghost had no head, just a body, it conveyed hesitation. After lingering at the entrance for a while, it finally stepped inside.

"He's headless," the lady in red hummed, extending her only two hands to shield the food in front of her. "He can't eat!"

Headless Ghost: "Can I at least smell it?"

Lady in Red: "You're without a head, you don't have a nose, you can't smell!"

Headless Ghost: "Then let me see!"

Lady in Red: "You also..."

Chi Shen watched their playful bickering and looked down at his teacup, "Aren't you going to come out and try some?"

At the bottom of the teacup, Ghost Face had shrunk to his smallest, pressing himself against the base and lamented, "Is this the 'homey' place you spoke of?!"

Chi Shen looked at the lady in red, who, despite only having hands and a head, was still guarding her food; Bai Wan, who was holding a placard with bloody handprints and laughing tremulously; the Headless Ghost, trying hard to convey he could still eat; and a hand reaching out from the cabinet.

And of course, the most 'normal' one by his side, Ji Xing Chen, who would've looked exactly like a living person if not for his translucence.

"Isn't this cozy?" Chi Shen said with a grin. "Look at how happy they are."

Ghost Face sank to the bottom of the cup, staring blankly outside while blowing bubbles, "Bloop bloop bloop."

Sorry, he's not in the mood to talk.