Chapter 98

"Returning home for studies?" Yan Chixia's eyes were piercing like two large suns, and under his gaze, Chu Ci almost felt as if he were being seen through. Fortunately, although Yan Chixia felt something was amiss, Chu Ci's physical synthesis technology, derived from alchemy, was flawless on a physical level. The only flaw was in his soul, which was concealed by the immense vitality of his body. Even Yan Chixia could not penetrate this vitality to discern the three souls and seven spirits, so he could only attribute the odd sensation to Chu Ci's immense vitality, thus letting him pass.

Putting aside his doubts, Yan Chixia recalled the restless strangers in the east wing and the demons and ghosts outside the Lano Temple. He originally wanted to advise this scholar, Ning Caichen, to leave, but seeing that it was already late and leaving might not be safe, he frowned and immediately extended an invitation: "I am Yan Chixia, living alone and often feeling lonely. Meeting you, Brother Ning, is a great fortune. There is an empty room in the south wing, close to where I live. After you pack your belongings, come to my room for a drink. What do you think?" He had the intention of protecting the frail scholar.

Chu Ci was overjoyed: "That suits me perfectly." He was worried about finding an opportunity to be alone with Yan Chixia, but unexpectedly, just as he was about to fall asleep, someone handed him a pillow. There was no need to tidy up much; he just swept the dust off the bed, laid down a mat, put away the bookshelf, and headed to Yan Chixia's room.

However, when he closed the door, he did not notice that outside the window, a faint fragrance suddenly wafted by, and a graceful figure flashed by, looking at Chu Ci with interest. Her eyes, filled with a world of beauty, were so captivating that even the most beautiful women in the world would pale in comparison, even if only a glimpse.

That night, the moon was bright and the stars twinkled, casting a silvery glow over the courtyard. The two sat in a small pavilion, drinking and chatting.

Yan Chixia was a native of the land and not the world-weary and reclusive constable from the original story. According to the learned Mr. Fu, who was remotely connected to provide assistance, Yan Chixia had the talent of a scholar, capable of passing the imperial exams and becoming a successful official. Mr. Fu's admiration for Yan Chixia was extraordinary, and every time they talked, the topics ranged from scholarship and statecraft to flowers, insects, and stones, always referencing ancient texts and citing classics. In summary, it was a scholar's version of showing off, which made the poorly educated 'Ning Caichen' struggle to keep up with Yan Chixia's pace.

Chu Ci tried several times to steer the conversation towards the supernatural and mystical arts, but he was no match for the genuine scholar Yan Chixia. Despite blowing cold wind for half the night, he did not hear Yan Chixia mention anything about demons or ghosts. However, from Yan Chixia's animated discussion of state policies, Chu Ci felt that there was an opportunity for his other plan.

As the night deepened, Chu Ci felt that the first meeting was unlikely to yield any useful information, so he showed signs of fatigue and bid farewell to Yan Chixia, returning to his room to rest. Back in the room, Chu Ci frowned and re-examined the room where he would be staying for the next few days, feeling a bit nauseous. He grabbed a broom from the door and swept the cobwebs and dust into a pile, temporarily assembled a low table from scattered wooden planks, found a rusty lamp, and lit it with oil from the bookshelf. He then smiled in satisfaction: "At least I can sleep more comfortably."

Sensing the presence of a stranger, the ceiling above him began to tremble, and the recently deceased wet corpses, with their sticky and broken bodies, started to move like worms on the floor, slowly crawling towards Chu Ci's position.

Since this was a temporary body, Chu Ci had not equipped it with anything too good, except for the Ning Caichen outfit and a recorder. Everything else was from this world.

Just as Chu Ci was about to lie down, a drop of murky liquid fell from the ceiling, spreading a thin layer of filth on the mat, and a pungent odor filled the air. Even a fool could tell what was happening.

"Damn, didn't Wuhu say he had killed all the minor zombies? How could there be any left!"

The mat was unusable, so Chu Ci had to leave the room and wander around, as per the original plot. Controlling two bodies was exhausting, and he was almost on the verge of a mental breakdown. He couldn't rest properly, which was frustrating. Fortunately, the main body was now traveling in a carriage, requiring minimal control, which gave Chu Ci a moment to breathe.

The courtyard was quiet, and under the moonlight, everything was visible. After Yan Chixia went to rest, the place was peaceful. Chu Ci walked around, lost in thought, and gradually made his way to the back garden.

At that moment, a graceful melody drifted from behind, the music undulating and seemingly accompanied by singing. Chu Ci looked around but saw no one, only the faint music coming from not far behind the Lano Temple.

Xiao Qian...?

Chu Ci was curious and wanted to investigate, but he paused, looking at the strange shadow in the corner, then turned and walked back to his room.

"Damn! What are you doing! Follow the plot!" Wuhu, hiding in the shadow, urged Chu Ci, wishing he could take his place and run to the small lake behind the mountain.

Wuhu finally understood that the name Ning Caichen had a peculiar power. For the past few days, he had been wandering around the small lake behind the mountain, but not a single female ghost or even a cockroach appeared. However, as soon as Chu Ci appeared with this name, Nie Xiaoxian eagerly played the zither and sang by the lake.

Is this predestined? Bah! Chu Ci, you scoundrel!

As if hearing Wuhu's inner muttering, Chu Ci turned his head, glanced at the corner where Wuhu was, and smiled lightly, as if teasing him, before walking directly into his room.

"Damn! Chu Ci, you bastard!" Wuhu was disheartened, realizing that there would be no progress tonight. He had waited for most of the night, and as he cursed Chu Ci, he wondered where the two beauties by Chu Ci's side were. He slowly tried to leave through the shadow when the ethereal music and singing suddenly stopped.

Wuhu was startled, crouching smaller and pressing himself against the wall, eyes wide, watching the scene unfold.

The moon was bright, and under its light, everything was as clear as day, but where the moonlight did not reach, it was pitch black. In this strange night, the boundary between light and darkness was particularly distinct.

On the broken wall opposite Wuhu, a middle-aged woman appeared in the courtyard. She was plump and, despite her age, still exuded charm, dressed in a provocative manner, resembling a madam from a brothel. Soon, an old woman appeared, wearing dark red clothes, with a silver comb in her hair, hunched and frail. The two stood in the moonlight, and Wuhu, with his keen eyes, immediately noticed that they had no shadows!

Wuhu stretched his neck, trying to eavesdrop on their conversation.

The middle-aged woman complained: "Why hasn't Xiao Qian come yet?"

The old woman coughed and said: "She should be here soon."

The middle-aged woman frowned: "Does she have a grudge against Grandma?"

The old woman chuckled, a sound like a broken windbox, making Wuhu shiver. She said: "I haven't heard that. But she seems a bit uneasy."

The middle-aged woman said: "This girl is too calculating and not one of us."

The old woman replied: "But in this Lano Temple, only Xiao Qian, who never kills, can use karma to kill. Grandma hasn't tasted blood for days and is already quite dissatisfied."

Before she finished speaking, a young woman of about seventeen or eighteen appeared from the corner. Wuhu's eyes widened, staring at this ghostly figure in shock!

She was the same ghost who had attacked him hastily that day. This time, Wuhu saw her clearly. Nie Xiaoxian was dressed in white, with flowing black hair, exuding a beauty that was both delicate and alluring. Her features were like a poem, and her delicate brows and eyes seemed to contain a thousand sorrows. She was as beautiful as a celestial being, and her slightly furrowed brows evoked sympathy. Her beauty, with a touch of frailty, was something no actor could fully capture.

Nie Xiaoxian! Wuhu's heart raced, and he was also entranced by her beauty.