Chapter Eighteen: Fate Brings Foes Together

When we finally arrived at the Intercontinental Hotel, I rushed to the elevator and pressed the up button, but the moment my hand touched it, I stopped. Beside me, Chu Mengxi was panting heavily. “Lin… Lin Xuan, what’s wrong? Hurry up and press it!” she said.

I hesitated for a moment, glanced at the nearby stairs, and gave a bitter smile, but in the end, I pressed the elevator button. After a while, the doors slowly slid open. Chu Mengxi and I hurried inside and pressed for the twentieth floor. Once the doors closed, I leaned into the corner, gripping the handrail tightly. Chu Mengxi noticed my reaction and couldn’t help but laugh. I shot her a glare, and she awkwardly turned away.

“Ding…” The elevator doors opened slowly. I bolted out, taking deep breaths of fresh air. The dizzy feeling from the elevator still spun in my head. I frowned and said to Chu Mengxi, “Never again will I take an elevator!”

Chu Mengxi just covered her mouth and giggled. I endured the dizziness and dashed toward room 2025, knocking on the door. Soon, Zhong Ming opened it. I pushed in briskly, with Chu Mengxi following. Zhong Ming, standing by the door, eyed Chu Mengxi suspiciously, but she just shrugged, as if she had no idea what was going on.

I walked to Zhong Yan’s bedside, where Zhang Yinqiu was also present, her face full of confusion. Zhong Ming came over and asked, “Lin Xuan, what’s going on? How is my house? Is everything settled? Was the female ghost dealt with?”

But I just stood there, saying nothing, staring intensely at the Yangming Jade hanging from Zhong Yan’s neck. At this moment, the jade was faintly shrouded in a dark glow, which gave me an uneasy feeling. The black-and-white twin fishes on my arm grew agitated, as if sensing something. I frowned and moved to the window, pulling aside the curtains to inspect carefully.

My actions bewildered the three behind me. Zhang Yinqiu, puzzled, asked, “Lin Xuan, what’s wrong? Say something! Is there more trouble?”

I gently slid my fingers across the window glass, not speaking, just giving a quiet hum. Zhong Ming grew anxious and pressed, “Lin Xuan, what happened now? Tell us, don’t keep us worrying!”

Step by step, I probed every corner of the room, still not answering Zhong Ming’s question. He grew more restless, unable to suppress his emotions, about to speak when I suddenly shouted, “Quiet! Stop making noise!”

The three behind me froze, their words stuck at the tips of their tongues, forced back by my outburst. Zhong Ming sighed and sat on the bed. Zhang Yinqiu looked at Zhong Yan lying there and began to sob softly. Maybe her crying annoyed Zhong Ming, for he barked, “Stop crying! What’s there to cry about? Every parent loves their child! Don’t give others something to laugh at. If this happened to my family, it’s bad luck, but I’ll take responsibility for Yan!”

“You’ll take responsibility? Can you really? Yan’s like this, and all you do is shout and argue, what else can you do? If anything happens to Yan, I won’t live either,” Zhang Yinqiu said, voice trembling with tears.

Chu Mengxi, sitting nearby, watched the couple quarrel, unsure how to intervene. I ignored Zhong Ming and continued examining the corners of the room. When I reached the bathroom door, I suddenly froze, staring at the mirror inside. After a moment, I slapped my forehead and shouted, “I’ve got it! Evil energy has entered the house—a touch brings chaos!”

My announcement silenced the arguing couple. Zhong Ming was the first to break the silence. “Lin Xuan, what did you discover? What do you mean by ‘evil energy enters the house, a touch brings chaos’?”

I let out a long breath, walked over, took a sip of water, and spoke in the manner of television scripts: “Evil energy entering the house means this place has been occupied by evil forces. Since ancient times, evil energy is known for its sinister, uncanny nature. ‘A touch brings chaos’ means that once evil energy invades, any normal person who comes in contact with even a trace will develop strange, inexplicable ailments. For example, your unstable emotions just now, or your growing agitation. Without strong willpower, it’s easy to fall under its spell.”

I pointed at Zhong Ming and Zhang Yinqiu, both of whom were stunned. Zhong Ming looked at me skeptically. “Evil energy? How could that be? I’ve always been here; nobody came in. How could it enter?”

I sneered, “Don’t believe me? Take a look at your fingers.”

Zhong Ming frowned and examined his fingers in confusion. Both he and Zhang Yinqiu were shocked by what they saw. Zhong Ming stammered, “My hand… What’s going on with my hand? It was fine just now…”

“That was before, this is now. Uncle Zhong, I shouldn’t have to explain such a simple truth to you as a middle schooler.”

I paused, thinking for a moment before continuing, “Actually, your situation isn’t too serious. Just soak your hands in mugwort for an hour and it’ll resolve. You’re lucky—your yang energy is strong, so the evil energy only invaded a small part of your body. If your yang energy was weak and the evil energy entered your body, the consequences would be unimaginable.”

Upon hearing my remedy, Zhong Ming and Zhang Yinqiu both relaxed. Zhong Ming gulped and said, “So how did this evil energy get in? I didn’t feel anything—and how’s my house now?”

I leaned back, sorting through my thoughts, and said, “You’re ordinary people, without spiritual awareness. You can’t see or sense evil energy. As for your house, I did find something. If I’m not mistaken, the one who harmed Zhong Yan wasn’t the female ghost she saw, but someone else.”

I paused again. Zhong Ming urged, “Lin Xuan, stop keeping us in suspense. Tell us!”

I nodded and continued, “Earlier, I set up a ghost-locking array around your house and lured the female ghost out. She claimed she hadn’t harmed anyone, and in fact was protecting Zhong Yan. The one who harmed her was an evil sect Taoist. According to the ghost, this Taoist has lived for over a century. Whenever his life nears its end, he seeks a girl born in the darkest hour on the darkest day of the darkest month in the darkest year, extracts her soul power, and absorbs her lifespan to achieve immortality. The ghost also sensed a surge of evil energy drifting toward the Intercontinental Hotel. Sensing danger, I hurried back. Fortunately, nothing happened. Truth be told, had it not been for the jade I left with Zhong Yan, she’d likely be in grave danger.”

Zhong Ming nodded. “So that’s how it is. The evil energy you mentioned—could it be this evil Taoist’s doing?”

I nodded silently, confirming his suspicion. The room fell quiet for a moment before I broke the silence. I moved to Zhong Yan’s side, placed a talisman for warding off evil beside her, and once all was done, sighed, dusted my hands, and said to Zhong Ming, “For now, there’s nothing to worry about. Her breathing is steady, and her complexion is good. You and Aunt Zhang should stay here. I’ll stick a few talismans at the door. Rest assured.”

Zhong Ming and Zhang Yinqiu nodded. I turned toward the door, but as soon as I moved, heat radiated from my arm. Suddenly, the female ghost in red appeared before me, floating in midair. “Young man, he’s here. He’s coming this way, not far now. What do we do?”

I was startled, glanced at the Zhong family trio, and after a moment’s thought, said, “Aunt Zhang, could you give me a jacket Zhong Yan has worn? I need it.”

Zhang Yinqiu quickly nodded and went to the wardrobe. I moved to the desk, took a blank talisman from my backpack, and following my master’s instructions, tore a paper figure. After asking for Zhong Yan’s birth details, I wrote them in gold ink on the yellow paper, circled it above her head, and recited an incantation. The talisman glowed faintly.

Zhang Yinqiu returned with a jacket. I took it, looked at the female ghost and said, “I don’t know your name, but I need your help. In a moment, wear this jacket and walk outside the hotel, luring the evil Taoist away—preferably to somewhere quiet. I’ll stick the talisman to the inside of the jacket; he won’t recognize you. Don’t worry, I’ll follow you.”

She nodded and settled herself. Zhong Ming and Zhang Yinqiu, watching, were puzzled. Zhong Ming asked, “Lin Xuan, who are you talking to?”

I was momentarily embarrassed. “Your family’s female ghost. It’s normal you can’t see her. No time to waste—we’ll go now.”

After sticking the paper figure to the inside of the jacket, I handed it to the ghost. She put it on, and Zhong Ming shouted, “The jacket… it’s floating!”

I shook my head. “I told you, it’s fine. You and Aunt Zhang just watch over Zhong Yan. Mengxi, stay here and keep her company. I’ll go alone—too many people could cause problems.”

Chu Mengxi was instantly offended, puffing her cheeks. “So you think I’ll hinder you? Fine, I won’t go. I don’t need to accompany you anyway!”

I scratched my head awkwardly. “I don’t mean that. I just want you safe. How about this—when I return, I’ll treat you to hotpot as an apology. Is that alright?”

She brightened at the mention of hotpot, patting my shoulder. “Fine! I’m not some spoiled princess. Deal—be careful! I’ll be thinking about that hotpot.”

I laughed. “Alright, Miss, just wait.”

With that, I strode out, sticking a few talismans as I left. This time, I chose the stairs. The ghost, unfamiliar with the world, insisted on taking the elevator.

After a while, I finally reached the hotel’s first floor, panting. The ghost had been waiting by the stairwell for a while. When she saw me, she scoffed, “Hmph, you refuse the elevator and take the stairs. You’re torturing yourself!”

I gave a wry smile, breathless. “If I didn’t hate elevators, do you think I’d use the stairs? Sister, that’s twenty floors!”

“I’m not your sister. My name is Yun’er. Enough talking—let’s move. I sense the evil Taoist’s aura getting closer,” she said.

I nodded. Yun’er led the way, and I followed close behind. Outside the Intercontinental, I distinctly sensed evil energy drifting all around. I cautiously scanned the area and spotted a hunched old man in a gray robe, wearing a bone necklace, trailing Yun’er. After careful observation, I confirmed he was the evil Taoist she’d described, and I quietly followed.

Yun’er was clever—she wandered through crowded areas at first, preventing the Taoist from making a move and avoiding suspicion. I followed her for about ten minutes, until a group of people approached. As they came closer, I realized it was Kang Shun.

Since our last conflict, I’d rarely seen him—either he skipped school, or I was absent. But now we met here, as the saying goes, enemies are bound to cross paths.

Kang Shun spotted me, froze, and turned to his companions. “Bro, it’s him! He beat me last time. You’ve got to get revenge!”

I heard him, a smirk curling my lips, but I ignored them and walked around the group. However, a man with a scorpion tattoo on his neck, about twenty-five, blocked my path. “Hey, where do you think you’re going? You’re the one who beat my brother last time?”

I stopped, my mind not on them, glanced at Yun’er and the Taoist ahead, and said, “Move.”

The tattooed man laughed. “What? Say that again. I didn’t hear you.”

The others joined in, especially Kang Shun, who looked vindicated. Watching Yun’er drift farther away, my impatience grew. I wasn’t about to waste time; I barked, “Get lost!”

With that, I threw a punch, knocking the scorpion man to the ground. The others were startled by my sudden action. The scorpion man, sitting on the ground, spat blood and growled, “Damn, this kid’s strong. Beat him up—take an arm!”

His friends rushed at me. I cursed, quickly dropping them to the ground as well. Kang Shun, watching in shock, said, “Lin… Lin Xuan, don’t do anything reckless. If you do, I’ll call the police!”

I dusted my hands, adjusted my hair, turned to Kang Shun and said, “Hey, don’t be stubborn—if you’re scared, just say so. Our business can wait. I don’t have time for you now. And you, get rid of that tattoo—it’s hideous.”

I pointed at the scorpion man, patted Kang Shun’s shoulder, and hurried forward. Luckily, I hadn’t lost Yun’er. After several turns, Yun’er led the Taoist to an old factory. The area was pitch black, with only distant lights—just enough to see. When Yun’er and the evil Taoist were in position, I stepped out.

Yun’er took off the jacket and floated in midair. The Taoist was startled at the scene, furious. “So it’s you, you wretched girl! Damn, I’ve been tricked!”

He was about to retreat, but I appeared behind him, sneering, “Hey, elder, trying to run?”

The Taoist froze and said, “Who are you? A brat dares block my path?”

“Who I am doesn’t matter. What matters is, this brat is here to deal with you. As a senior in the supernatural world, instead of doing right, you’ve fallen into evil, harming others—utterly despicable. You act worse than animals. How do you have the nerve to live? Have you heard the saying, ‘All men must die’? Aren’t you afraid that, once you’re in the underworld, you’ll be fried in oil or sliced by knives?” I hurled a string of curses at the evil Taoist.