Chapter 15

Chapter 15

◎Encounter with Xiao Ye◎

The Special Affairs Bureau has existed for many years, evolving from a small, dilapidated building to a large-scale office complex. It can be said that reaching its current state was not easy.

Some things are beyond the reach of ordinary people and were once considered feudal superstitions that needed to be eradicated. This is mainly because the field is too mixed, with genuine talents being rare, while most are just charlatans.

In the early years, regardless of authenticity, everything was cracked down on. The nation wanted progress, science, and development, so some outdated elements that didn't fit the current national context naturally had to be eliminated.

Later, several major incidents occurred, such as stealing national fortune and using supernatural forces to create turmoil. However, there was no corresponding power to counter these forces. In the end, a few Taoist masters stepped forward to prevent greater disasters, but at a heavy cost, leading to the fragmentation and reorganization of the entire Xuanmen, which was eventually incorporated into the state for standardized oversight.

However, the Bureau is not present in every province. There aren't that many truly skilled Taoist priests. There is one in the capital, and another in their Yulan City.

If there are supernatural incidents elsewhere that need to be handled, the Bureau will post tasks on the Renjian Net APP, allowing local Taoist priests registered with the state to take on the tasks. If that's not possible, the Bureau will also dispatch personnel to handle the matter.

Ji Nanxing's master is currently on a business trip, seemingly dealing with a rather tricky problem. Even several big shots from the bureau have gone, and they haven't returned yet.

Ji Nanxing has visited the Bureau many times. The first time he came, he was only four or five years old, carried in his master's arms. At that time, the Bureau wasn't as well-equipped as it is now. It was in a small, seven or eight-story building, requiring climbing stairs, with the building being dilapidated and covered in ivy.

Later, it seems the bureau helped a wealthy foreign businessman resolve the Fengshui issues of his ancestral grave, and in return, the businessman donated a building, which is now the office building of the Bureau.

The building isn't tall, only about twenty stories, nestled among a cluster of commercial office buildings, quite inconspicuous.

The lower floors are occupied by ordinary staff who don't directly deal with supernatural matters, including network operations, external investment attraction, law enforcement coordination, and even a research department.

In this tech era, technology is used to catch ghosts. Currently, the Bureau has Yin energy detectors, purifiers, and even aims to develop batch talisman-making machines.

Unfortunately, drawing talismans requires Taoist priests to incorporate the Five Elements' power during the process, a challenge that hasn't been overcome yet. The research department colleagues are still working hard on it.

Further up are the offices of various action teams, and the top few floors are where lingering ghosts who refuse to be guided to reincarnation are kept.

These lingering ghosts are each stored in porcelain urns with talisman papers. Some who were wrongfully killed but still retain their sanity are recorded and investigated by the Bureau. Once those who caused their deaths are brought to justice, their resentment dissipates, and they are taken to Daoist temples for reincarnation during religious ceremonies.

Some whose resentment doesn't dissipate but can no longer maintain clarity are also investigated by the Bureau based on their appearance to determine their identity and cause of death. If avenging and dispelling resentment is possible, that's ideal; if not, they will have to be forcibly guided to reincarnation.

Thus, the entire Bureau collaborates with relevant law enforcement departments, with no shortage of daily tasks.

The White Building case is currently the most impactful, so Tan Shuyi is not only placed on the top floor but also occupies a separate containment unit.

The White Building isn't just about Meng Hongwei setting up a Yin evil altar to harm lives; it also involves the flowing vitality of the White Building as a mall, affecting the entire Fengshui situation of the surrounding residential area. Therefore, even though the female ghost Tan Shuyi has been brought back, the altar below hasn't been completely destroyed.

Otherwise, once the deadly aura rises, this area would definitely experience incidents, either collapses or fire accidents, resulting in numerous casualties.

Otherwise, Meng Hongwei would have already been killed by the backlash.

So, the White Building issue is quite tricky, and figuring out how to handle the aftermath is very troublesome.

Ji Nanxing went directly to the top floor and, seeing everyone busy, released the Ghost Baby from the bell.

This floor is covered in talismans, making the entire environment uncomfortable for the Ghost Baby. However, it just held Ji Nanxing's hand and endured quietly, not causing any trouble.

Ji Nanxing was about to ask who was handling the White Building case when a faint fragrance wafted over.

Turning around, he saw a girl with a bun hairstyle and a youthful air, smiling as she approached. Though shorter than him, she forcefully hugged him and rubbed his head: "Little Star! Long time no see!"

The little ghost holding Ji Nanxing's hand thought he was being bullied and immediately bared its teeth at the girl, trying to scare her off.

Ji Nanxing, with one hand restraining the little ghost and the other struggling to free himself from the girl's embrace, said, "Sister Cheng Yuan!"

Cheng Yuan, seeing his hair standing on end, finally let go: "Isn't school starting? Why aren't you going to class, coming here instead? Be careful your master will punish you when he gets back."

She then handed him a milk tea: "Here, just right sweetness. Did you have breakfast this early?"

Ji Nanxing took the milk tea and nodded: "I did. Sister Cheng Yuan, who's handling the White Building case now?"

He knew Xia Junyan had taken on this task, but case handling and field missions for catching ghosts are equivalent to two departments. At this hour, Xia Junyan should still be sleeping. Since he's already at the Bureau, he might as well hand over the Ghost Baby to the case handler.

Cheng Yuan pointed to someone just coming out of the elevator: "The White Building case is now handled by Group One. There, you can talk to Captain Mu."

Hearing his name mentioned, Mu Chun walked over with a smile: "Who's looking for me? Nanxing, isn't school starting? Did you take on a task on the APP again?"

Ji Nanxing raised the little ghost he was holding: "I'm here to deliver a ghost."

Both had noticed the little ghost dressed in a plush Pikachu outfit. It was quite obedient, not crying or causing any trouble, and not fierce at all. They didn't think it was the Ghost Baby and directly asked: "Whose is this? Any grievances?"

Ji Nanxing: "Tan Shuyi's son, the Ghost Baby you're looking for."

Mu Chun and Cheng Yuan's expressions froze, full of disbelief. Such an obedient little ghost is the Ghost Baby?!

Ji Nanxing sat down, sipping his milk tea, while Mu Chun looked complicatedly at the little ghost tightly hugging Tan Shuyi. Cheng Yuan whispered to him: "How did you catch the Ghost Baby?"

Ji Nanxing: "I didn't catch it. It sensed Tan Shuyi's presence on me and followed me willingly. I fed it once, and it's been obedient. These past few days, it's been staying at the Meng family without causing any casualties, unlike typical ghost babies."

Mu Chun looked at Ji Nanxing: "You've solved a problem for us. Now that we have the Ghost Baby, we just need to deal with Meng Hongwei and the White Building altar."

Ji Nanxing said, "If there's nothing else, I'll head out."

Cheng Yuan: "The approval for Hu Xiaodie's case came through. The bonus will be deposited today, so check your account."

Mu Chun patted Ji Nanxing's shoulder: "Heading back to school? I'll give you a ride."

Ji Nanxing sipped his milk tea: "It's the weekend today."

"Oh, forgot you have weekends," Mu Chun said with a smile, then reminded: "Then be careful on your way."

Ji Nanxing waved and was about to leave when the little ghost holding Tan Shuyi let go of its mother, wanting to follow Ji Nanxing. However, it was quickly blocked by the talismans around, the force on the talismans burning it and making it scream.

Tan Shuyi, though confused and not fully awake, had a natural affection for her son. Even in her muddled state, she knew to comfort her child, quickly hugging it to soothe.

The Ghost Baby nuzzled its mother, then looked at Ji Nanxing.

Ji Nanxing sighed, walked back to the small room where they were confined: "Be good, listen. Once we deal with your father and completely destroy the altar below, you can reincarnate."

The Ghost Baby didn't understand the long sentence, but it understood "be good." Knowing Ji Nanxing wouldn't take it away, it couldn't bear to leave its mother, looked at its mother, then at Ji Nanxing, and turned to hug its mother's neck, no longer fussing.

It wasn't even 10 a.m. when Ji Nanxing left the Bureau. Every day at 10 a.m., the Renjian Net APP refreshes a batch of talismans. Ji Nanxing checked the time, saw there were only a few minutes left, and decided to sit by the roadside to grab a wave of talismans before leaving.

Just as the countdown seconds were about to end, someone called his name.

Ji Nanxing looked up and saw his desk mate.

Xiao Ye walked over: "Why are you sitting here?"

Ji Nanxing said, "Wait a sec."

But this distraction caused him to miss out on grabbing five Heavenly Thunder Talismans. Heavenly Thunder Talismans are one of the more powerful attack talismans, useful for protection or dealing with fierce ghosts. They are in high demand, difficult to draw, and thus particularly hard to grab.

Though he might not have grabbed them normally, Ji Nanxing couldn't help but blame Xiao Ye for today's missed opportunity.

Although his expression didn't show any reproach, Xiao Ye still sensed a hint of blame in the way Ji Nanxing looked at him.

Xiao Ye was instantly puzzled: "What's up?"

Ji Nanxing: "I missed out on what I wanted."

Xiao Ye couldn't help but laugh. It turned out that calling out to him had caused him to miss the timing. The slightly aggrieved expression on his face made one want to pinch it.

Pinching his face was definitely not an option; he and his deskmate weren't that close yet. But he could take the blame: "What did you want? Maybe I can help you buy it as compensation."

Ji Nanxing stood up from the roadside flower bed, brushing off the dust from his clothes: "No need, I'm heading home."

Xiao Ye: "Have you gotten the must-do problem sets and past exam papers?"

Ji Nanxing looked puzzled: "What are those?"

I thought we were supposed to buy workbooks? How did it turn into must-do problem sets and past exam papers?

Xiao Ye smiled: "Did you miss the group notice yesterday? We also have to buy a bunch of subject papers—there's a whole list."

Ji Nanxing took out his phone to check the group chat, but there were too many messages. The teacher hadn't posted an announcement, and after scrolling for a while, he still couldn't find the purchase list.

Xiao Ye also took out his phone: "Let's add each other as friends. I took a screenshot; I'll send it to you."

Ji Nanxing added him as a friend and soon received the screenshot. It was indeed a long list, with materials for five core subjects: Chinese, Math, English, Physics, and Chemistry. No wonder it was so much.

Ji Nanxing thanked him: "Are they due by Monday?"

Xiao Ye nodded: "These will likely be our future assignments."

Ji Nanxing: "Thanks for the heads-up, I'm heading out."

Xiao Ye: "Not going to buy them now? If you wait too long, they might sell out."

Likely every high school freshman needed to buy similar supplementary materials and workbooks. Even if the bookstores were well-stocked, there was always the risk of them running out.

Of course, he had to buy them, but Ji Nanxing was exhausted now. He had come out early not just to take the Ghost Baby to the management bureau, but also to inform his elder brother Meng Hongwei about the situation in the morning. He thought since he had to get up early anyway, he might as well deal with the Ghost Baby and then go home to sleep.

He didn't need to buy these materials and workbooks himself; he could just forward the screenshot to the family's personal assistant, and someone would buy them for him.

Just as he was about to bid his deskmate farewell again, Xiao Ye grabbed his wrist: "Since we're already here, if you're free, let's grab them now. Come on, I'll take you."

Ji Nanxing was pulled along for a couple of steps before he looked at where he was being held. A warm sensation spread from his wrist. The sunlight, which had felt cold and pale before, now seemed to carry a touch of summer warmth.

This warmth made him momentarily forget to pull away from Xiao Ye's grip. It wasn't until they had crossed the entire crosswalk and the street that Ji Nanxing gave a slight tug.

Xiao Ye smiled and let go: "Your hand feels so cold."

Ji Nanxing touched his wrist and lowered his eyes, nodding: "Poor circulation, always cold."

Xiao Ye looked at his complexion: "I see. Do you take anything to boost your circulation? Can you eat donkey-hide gelatin? If you can, I'll bring you some Monday. We have a lot at home."

Ji Nanxing: "No need, where's the bookstore?"

Xiao Ye pointed to the orange sign ahead: "There, see? It says 'Bookstore.'"

Ji Nanxing didn't even know there was a bookstore near the management bureau. Every time he came here, he just dealt with his business and left, never really exploring the area.

The bookstore was crowded, mostly with groups of students, and some parents with their children.

Xiao Ye didn't search aimlessly. He directly approached a staff member, showed the screenshot, and asked for directions. After finding out the specific location, he walked back to Ji Nanxing: "Let's go, what we need is on the second floor."

As he spoke, he habitually reached out to grab Ji Nanxing's hand but then withdrew it, remembering something.

Ji Nanxing noticed his sudden pause and withdrawal but didn't say anything. Even though it seemed that Xiao Ye's touch affected him less than others, if he didn't want to touch, then so be it.

As he followed Xiao Ye upstairs, Ji Nanxing touched his wrist, where the lingering warmth was slowly fading away.