Chapter 380

Chapter 380

◎ Swapping Fates ◎

Classes hadn’t officially started yet, so everyone’s schedules aligned—training together in the mornings and finishing together in the evenings. This made things convenient for Ji Nanxing.

After observing You Shuang for several days, Ji Nanxing noticed that You Shuang seemed somewhat aware of his own condition. He was very careful to avoid physical contact with others.

After a full day of training, it was common for the guys to sling their arms over each other’s shoulders out of exhaustion. Because of Ji Nanxing and Xiao Ye’s relationship, the roommates from both dorms had grown even more familiar with one another.

Fang Bei, a classic *e-ren* (Chinese internet slang for extrovert), quickly bonded with both dorms and soon became close with Lin Xiu, who was obsessed with gaming. Even with the quiet but easygoing You Shuang, Fang Bei had no reservations and would instinctively try to throw an arm around him—only for You Shuang to deliberately dodge every time.

Both dorms were fairly normal. Gan Lang, though bookish and sharp-tongued, usually kept to himself and didn’t bother others—as long as no one provoked him.

Yang Mulin from Ji Nanxing’s dorm had a somewhat proud personality, a touch cynical, but not socially inept or blindly offensive. At the very least, he could keep things civil on the surface.

You Shuang, on the other hand, was gentle and soft-spoken, always responding with a smile whenever someone spoke to him. The only issue was his reluctance to make physical contact—otherwise, he was fine.

Then there was Han Qiu, who had a very low presence, kept to himself quietly, clearly introverted and reclusive, but not hard to get along with.

As for the other two, they were much more outgoing. To save themselves a single step, they’d call someone “Dad” just to get lunch brought back. Overall, the group was fairly harmonious. Sometimes when Xiao Ye bought extra food, the two dorms would eat together, which brought them even closer.

Fang Bei, standing nearly six foot three and weighing about 180 pounds, devoured burgers and chicken wings like candy—one bite each—while still managing to whisper to Xiao Ye, “Kindness can breed resentment. Small favors create gratitude; big ones invite entitlement. At first, everyone’s polite, but over time, they start taking it for granted. Who knows what nasty rumors might start spreading behind your back?”

Xiao Ye: “Nasty rumors?”

Fang Bei glanced at Ji Nanxing and lowered his voice even further. “People have already dug up the fact that he’s the young master of the Ji family. I checked the forums—damn, a *young master* of a billionaire family. Over time, there’s bound to be ugly talk—gold-digger, sugar baby stuff. I can tell that’s not what’s going on between you two, but relationships can be fragile when it comes to gossip. Just be careful.”

Xiao Ye laughed. “Sounds like you’re speaking from experience.”

Fang Bei popped another chicken wing into his mouth, stripped the meat clean off the bone in two bites, tossed the bone aside, and wiped his mouth with a few napkins. “Haven’t experienced it myself, but I’ve seen it all. Back in my hometown, every class had at least five or six couples. It was like not dating meant you were missing out. Breakups and makeups—seen it all.”

Though they were speaking in hushed tones, Ji Nanxing’s heightened senses caught every word. He smiled but didn’t take it seriously. There was no real imbalance between him and Xiao Ye, so classist gossip wouldn’t affect them.

Ji Nanxing glanced at You Shuang beside him and reached out toward him.

You Shuang flinched away sharply. Seeing Ji Nanxing’s surprised look, he smiled apologetically. “Here you go,” he said, offering a napkin.

Ji Nanxing took it with a smile and said nothing, intercepting You Shuang again on his way to return some books.

“You stopped me?” You Shuang asked, puzzled. “Is there something you need?”

Ji Nanxing reached out again, and You Shuang immediately stepped back.

Ji Nanxing’s hand paused midair as he lifted his gaze. His expression remained calm, but there was an undeniable pressure behind his eyes.

You Shuang gave an awkward smile. “Sorry, I’m just not used to physical contact.”

Ji Nanxing withdrew his hand and smiled faintly. “Is that it? Or is it that you *can’t* make contact?”

You Shuang’s expression flickered briefly before smoothing back into his usual gentle smile. “Everyone has their own habits and preferences. I just don’t like touching others—call it a personal quirk.”

“You’re covered in *Yin energy*,” Ji Nanxing said. “That’s why you avoid touching people—it affects them. Everyone has secrets. As long as they don’t harm anyone else, I don’t interfere.”

He pressed on, watching You Shuang’s smile vanish. “When I first noticed the Yin clinging to you, I thought you were facing a death curse. Someone in your state shouldn’t have survived past three days. But from the moment I saw you until now, you’ve lived safely through more than half a month. I was curious about your case, but since you’re alive and don’t seem like you’re about to die, I didn’t pry. Then I checked your name and birth chart. Care to guess what I uncovered?”

You Shuang pressed his lips together and stayed silent.

Xiao Ye stood nearby with his arms crossed, keeping an eye out in case anyone passed by.

Ji Nanxing: "Your name and birth date belonged to someone who died three years ago. You're living under the identity of a dead person, and somehow you've managed to align with this fate, which is why you're shrouded in such heavy Yin aura—appearing neither fully alive nor fully dead."

You Shuang lowered his eyes: "What exactly do you mean?"

Ji Nanxing: "You Shuang, or should I call you You Shulei?"

You Shuang's pupils contracted sharply as he stumbled back several steps. Xiao Ye immediately blocked his retreat.

You Shuang gripped his books tightly, tense: "Who are you? What do you want?"

Ji Nanxing: "Do you know your brother has become a malevolent ghost? He's killed countless people. Recently, due to a mistake by the Bureau’s Taoist exorcist, some malevolent ghosts escaped. Most were recaptured, but your brother remains at large. You haven't harmed anyone, and we won't hold you accountable for your brother's actions. Whose name or birth date you use is your own business. I hope you'll cooperate with me to find your brother before he harms anyone else."

You Shuang—no, You Shulei—seemed less nervous now but shot back: "Do you really think that's possible? Even if he's a malevolent ghost, he's still my brother. Don't talk to me about righteousness—asking me to help capture my own brother? I can't do that."

Ji Nanxing narrowed his eyes slightly: "You're not surprised at all that your brother became a ghost. You must have seen him after his death, right? Twins: one perished, the other surviving. The living one takes on the dead one's fate to survive—a fate-swapping ritual. Seems your family has someone from the occult arts too."

You Shulei glanced at Xiao Ye before turning back to Ji Nanxing: "I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm sorry, but I can't cooperate. Please don't disturb my life."

As You Shulei tried to leave, Xiao Ye moved to block him, but Ji Nanxing shook his head to stop him.

Ji Nanxing called after You Shulei: "Your brother killed countless people to turn into a malevolent ghost. He can't be laid to rest because he dares not be. If he goes to the Netherworld, your swapped identities will be exposed. Everything will be set right, and the natural order will reassert itself. For your sake, he'd rather resist to the death, even if it means his soul is obliterated entirely. But now the Bureau is investigating him. They've issued a bulletin on him, and they'll find you soon. The ruse won't last. Be careful."

Ji Nanxing stepped aside, leaving the path open.

You Shulei stared at him: "Why warn me? What do you really want?"

Ji Nanxing: "Just a heads-up as your classmate. No matter where your brother hides, the Bureau won't let a dangerous malevolent ghost roam free. Instead of being forcibly laid to rest or fighting until his soul scatters, it's better for him to surrender willingly. If you know where he is, convince him—for his sake and yours."

After they walked away, Xiao Ye glanced back and asked, "Do you think his brother will turn himself in?"

Ji Nanxing answered without hesitation: "No."

Xiao Ye: "Then why persuade him?"

Ji Nanxing: "Everyone deserves a choice. Whether they take it is up to them. But given your brother You Shuang's past behavior, he'll likely fight to the death."

If caught, he'd be laid to rest. In the Netherworld, all disguises of fate would be stripped away. His true identity would be clear, and destiny would reassert itself—possibly killing You Shulei too. To protect his brother, You Shuang would rather have his soul obliterated than face judgment—at least sparing You Shulei’s life.

Xiao Ye: "So all those days you spent at the Bureau were to investigate this?"

Ji Nanxing nodded: "Coincidence, really. All malevolent ghosts were caught except one. The Bureau had issued a bulletin on him."

At first, he hadn't considered the fate-swapping angle. But seeing the escaped malevolent ghost's name—You Shulei—naturally led him to You Shuang. The names were clearly connected.

Combined with You Shuang's condition, Ji Nanxing calculated their birth dates and realized the truth.

Xiao Ye frowned: "Why live under a dead person's identity? How did his brother die?"

Ji Nanxing: "Likely because they were fated to die young, never reaching adulthood. So when one died, the other took his name and birth date to cheat destiny and the underworld’s judges. As for how his brother died... it was horrific."

Xiao Ye searched online. The Bureau had published the escaped malevolent ghost's details—his crimes and death—to aid Taoists in tracking him.

At fifteen, You Shuang had been sexually assaulted, tortured for seven days, and dismembered. Some body parts, scattered or washed away, were never recovered. His killers? Five classmates. Their families threw money at the problem, hushing up the You family while silencing the case through connections.

Officially, You Shuang was labeled a runaway.

The You family took the money—they had another son to care for. The killers got away unscathed.

But You Shulei's lingering ghost, enraged by the injustice, watched his murderers live freely. His Grudge festered, and he began his vengeful rampage.

He first killed the family members of those five classmates one by one, then eliminated everyone connected to the incident—teachers who knew the truth, those who skipped protocol to cremate his mangled body, and even classmates who saw him being taken away but later remained silent.

The five who had murdered him were also brutally dismembered, their corpses scattered on the ground, their heads hung from a tree.

Twenty-one lives in total fell to You Shuang. The souls of those he killed were devoured by him, allowing him to taste the thrill of controlling others' lives and feeding his growing lust for power.

After that, You Shuang harbored hatred for all authority and oppression. He picked targets at random—corrupt officials, school bullies, even unjust parents—and as long as they displeased him, he would kill them and consume their souls to strengthen himself, ultimately transforming into an evil spirit.

Eight more people died before You Shuang was finally captured by a Taoist while attempting to kill his thirtieth victim.

That was why Ji Nanxing didn’t believe he would surrender. His heart was filled with nothing but hatred—hatred for his own suffering, hatred for the unfairness of fate.

The reason he protected You Shulei so fiercely, even if it meant his soul would be destroyed, was that You Shulei had been the only one who refused to believe the lie about his brother running away. He had repeatedly confronted those who had tormented his brother and was nearly beaten to death by them in an alley.