Chapter 127: What Now?

Chapter 127: What Now?

"So, it's wise not to soak in the hot springs for too long." Chi Shen checked off the advice on the paper that recommended not staying in the hot spring for more than half an hour.

"The caution about the hot spring pool and sauna seems accurate too, although I didn't encounter the beast mentioned here yesterday," Chi Shen noted. "It seems someone genuinely wants to help us."

Bai Wan chimed in, "Does this mean someone in the hotel knows what's been happening here?"

"Yes, and he's still in the hotel. He doesn’t want to cooperate with the police," Chi Shen replied, shifting his gaze from the paper to Ji Xingchen, seemingly pondering Ji's thoughts, "I wonder why that is."

Ji Xingchen adjusted his glasses calmly, "He might not be alive, or he could be under threat. Perhaps this is his way to communicate with the hotel guests."

Chi Shen grinned, "Makes sense."

"Then there's the person who attacked Sister Hong," Chi Shen mentioned.

The red-clothed ghost bristled at this, retorting, "I'm the younger sister now!"

Indeed, the red-clothed ghost appeared much younger now, about the age of Bai Wan, and she seemed more like a younger sister.

Chi Shen, undeterred by this minor detail, continued, "I think he'll come again tonight."

The red-clothed ghost didn’t argue this time. She shivered, taking cover behind Bai Wan, her eyes darting everywhere nervously.

"We need to give him a chance," Chi Shen added.

The red-clothed ghost, more frightened, shrunk further behind Bai Wan, as if by hiding she could escape danger.

"And the one, or ghost, causing all of this... where might they be hiding?" As Chi Shen pondered aloud, he chuckled, "Maybe we should give them a chance as well."

Everyone looked at him. Met with multiple ghostly stares, Chi Shen laughed, "Never mind. Let's enjoy the hot springs. Let's head to the outdoor section."

The vast hot spring area was currently theirs alone. Once they reached the outdoor springs, the red-clothed ghost gleefully jumped into the largest pool, the deep end. She immediately started sinking, struggling underwater. Before anyone could react, a figure lifted her up, only to submerge once more.

The figure looked human, dressed in a billowing white robe, giving an ethereal appearance underwater. Everyone was momentarily stunned before Bai Wan exclaimed, "Is that Ghost Face?"

Chi Shen cheerfully replied, "Seems he's truly enjoying himself."

With Ghost Face having found his joy, Chi Shen didn’t want to disturb him. Besides, with Ghost Face around, it meant the red-clothed ghost wouldn't drown—however that might work for a ghost. Given that the red-clothed ghost hardly behaved like a ghost now, the idea of her drowning seemed plausible.

Bai Wan appeared somewhat concerned about the red-clothed female ghost, and hurriedly followed her, leaving only Chi Shen and Ji Xingchen behind.

The two of them sat down in the medicinal herb pool.

This was the place where Chi Shen had detected the scent of blood the previous night, but now the water smelled solely of the bitter aroma of herbs. Its hue was a pale amber, not deep red.

"It would be nice to have some wine right now. The osmanthus wine from last night was quite delightful," Chi Shen remarked, feeling more relaxed. Stealthily under the water, he extended his hand, and Ji Xingchen reciprocated by holding it.

"I've already ordered some," Ji Xingchen replied, "You can scan the QR code on the brochure with your phone."

Before long, someone indeed delivered the osmanthus wine, setting it behind the two of them. Chi Shen thanked the server with a smile, making the server blush in response.

"It seems death might be inevitable, but one must never pass up an opportunity to earn money. The owner here is quite astute," Chi Shen mused while sipping the wine.

As he drank, a faint smile graced Chi Shen's face—a genuine happiness that differed from his usual warm expression.

"Do you like it?" Chi Shen inquired.

"I do," Ji Xingchen affirmed. He then lifted his gaze amidst the humid mist, locking eyes with Chi Shen. After taking another sip of wine, he drew closer.

He thought to himself that Chi Shen must feel the same way.

The entire outdoor hot spring area was eerily quiet, given that only the few of them—or perhaps, spirits—were present.

Suddenly, the sounds of conversation echoed in the area, originating from two young boys.

"Now it's just the two of us," one boy remarked, "I was hoping to enjoy the hot springs with the club's younger members."

"Traveling here was quite a hassle. A two-hour ride and now they say we have to head back immediately. Why the urgency if they're so scared of finding any ghosts?" the other boy complained.

Both dressed in swimwear and draped in towels, they strolled along, voicing their grievances. Out of the blue, they spotted a man in a black trench coat sitting behind a tree, on a flower stand, his posture straight, seemingly lost in profound thought.

The unexpected sight startled the two. One of them recognized the man from the lobby and curiously inquired, "What are you doing here?"

The man in the trench coat lifted his gaze briefly before lowering it again, engrossed in his contemplation. Suddenly realizing something was amiss, he looked up, "You can see me?"

The two boys stepped back in unison, one stuttering, "Wh-what do you mean? Shouldn't, shouldn't we be able to see you?"

"Never mind," the man in the trench coat abruptly came to, addressing them, "Why are you back? Didn't I warn you this place was dangerous? You should leave at once."

His sudden authoritative demeanor, much like a school disciplinarian, made the two boys step back. The man in the black trench coat furrowed his brows even more, glancing down at himself as if to discern any off-putting details, yet he found none.

However, he knew that while ghosts might not perceive their oddities, humans certainly would.

One of the boys said, retreating slightly, "They're just a few ghost stories. Maybe they can scare the girls, but not us. Besides, the police have cleared this place. There's nothing wrong here. Are you holding a grudge against this hotel? You're driving away their customers."

The other boy added defiantly, "We've already paid. We can't get a refund if we check out. Why shouldn't we stay?"

The man in the trench coat replied with a stern look, "You can stay, but you mustn't use the hot springs."

"Is he nuts?" The two boys hurried off. "We come to a hot spring hotel, and we can't use the springs? What's wrong with this guy?"

"Look at how he's dressed. Has he been watching too many Hong Kong films? Thinks he's as cool as Chow Yun-fat?"

The man seemed to want to follow them. Hearing their comments, he paused.

He froze for a moment, then suddenly looked in a specific direction.

There were fresh wet footprints there, coming from a direction different from the boys'.

He recognized those footprints. Just the day before, he and his uncle had followed them, only to be shoved into a hot spring by some force.

He decided to follow them.

He had nothing to fear now.