"I don't remember much about myself other than the fact that my name is Xiao Bao." the little kid answered restlessly.
" I woke up one day to find myself floating here inside this building alone with no one who can hear or see me. As time passed while adjusting to my new life, my bravery grew large enough to support my outings. Sometimes from floating around the alleys near the building to entering nearby residences and buildings, these activities continued until around two months ago.
Around two months ago as I was hovering around one of the usual locations, when an old uncle approached me. Being the first person able to hold a conversation with me, I knew he wasn't simple as a mysterious aura seems to be surrounding his body. Nonetheless it was fun chatting with him. He told me a lot of information about himself and how his duties center around ghost catching. Seeing that I have not caused any harm to innocent humans he promised not to capture me in exchange for a period of free labor. In exchange for my cooperation, they will help me find my mother while I lure wandering ghosts into the abandoned construction site."
Scratching his head in shame, the kid pulled out a necklace from under his shirt. "After painting a strange design on the floor, the uncle left this behind. All I needed to do is draw other ghosts into this design while reciting a chant and weakened ghost will automatically be sucked into this pendant."
While saying so, Xiao Bao carefully placed the necklace onto Chu Nuan's outstretched hands. " I saw you sitting alone in the alley…..that's why."
Instead of giving the little ghost any form of response, Chu Nuan investigated the pendant with a serious gaze. This is a small rectangular black piece of jade with the image of a red spider lily carved onto one side. Turning the tablet over to the other side, the character for "Chu" is carved clearly onto the back with red painted over the word. Moans of the dead can be heard faintly coming from the pendant.
"When did the uncle say he will come back?"
Xiao Bao pondered a bit before obediently answered, "he said he will come back in two months. So, maybe soon?"
Hearing the reply she wanted, Chu Nuan nodded in acknowledgment. Looking up from the pendant she released herself from solemnity and reverted back to the usual carelessness. " do you want to leave this place?" She asked with a yawn.
Xiao Bao stared back blankly before reacting to her words, "Really? Can I really leave this place?"
Placing the pendant over her neck, Chu Nuan explained, "I can open the gates of Hell for you to reincarnate. You don't have to stay here anymore."
Overcome with joy, the little ghost was about to express his thanks when suddenly, his face froze in shock. " Be careful!"
A flash of silver swiftly darted towards Chu Nuan as it aimed for her neck. In a split second, she dodge and roll to the left, barely avoiding the attack with a small wound left on her cheek.
A thin streak of red slid down flushed cheeks as it rests near the corner of her pinched lips. Jumping up with nimble steps and a quick influx of her arm, the chains came alive as it glowed a deep color. Rising into the air along Chu Nuan's motion it spiraled in firm vigor towards their attacker.
"Clang!"
Chu Nuan's chain tightly wrapped around her opponent's sword as both sides started a contest of strength. Without intentions to lose to one another, each side started to pull their weapons closer in hopes of disarming their opponent.
"Who are you?"
"Who are you?"
Two voices sounded at the same time as the volume of their voices vibrated across the walls. Chu Nuan slightly lifted her eyes to inspect the uninvited guest across from the other side.
Eyes widened slightly as her gaze landed on the stranger from another end of the chains.
Standing in front of her is a slender young man in his early 20's wearing a pair of black jeans coupled with a white hoodie. Due to the chilly night air, a dark blue jacket covers the outline of his slim frame. Just one look is enough to feel the superior impression of youth from the man before her.
As if a painting brought to life, the young man in front of her releases an ethereal-like aura as the minuscule amount of moonlight highlights his cold face. The way he stands there in silence while releasing an aura that rejects people a thousand miles away. Gives people a strange misconception of a visitor watching everything from afar and at any given moment, he could disappear without a trace.
But as abstract as this man might seem to others, for Chu Nuan, the more she looks, the more alive this man is to her.
Red lips tightly pressed together as his sword-like brows crease in contemplation. Peach blossom eyes coldly narrow in her direction, causing a few loose strands of black hair to fall over his eyes.
She can feel a curious and inspecting gaze directed at her.
"Hmm." she smiled mischievously.