Chen Yang continued his explanation, "Look, this is how I understand it. Thoughts and ideas are the soul, which resides in the brain. When a person dies, the soul can no longer survive in the brain because the brain is dead. The soul then leaves the body. It's intangible, floating about. That's why sometimes people claim to see ghosts, and these ghosts are always described as drifting around."
"In my understanding, when a person dies, the soul is like it's asleep, without self-awareness. It doesn't know where it is. At this point, if a strong wind blows, the soul might dissipate, vanishing forever. The concepts of reincarnation and rebirth are largely unfounded. If there's any truth to reincarnation, the only explanation would be that a part of the floating soul consciousness somehow attaches to the brain of a newborn."
Qin Moyao had never heard such a novel explanation before. Intrigued, she listened attentively.
Chen Yang continued, "Going back to our earlier topic, people often dream about the deceased soon after their death. There are also beliefs about the soul returning on the seventh day after death. These can be explained as the soul's subconscious attachment to its physical body and reluctance to leave home. But without the nourishment of a physical body, souls can't survive for long. This is why there are many ghost stories and rumors, but very few accounts of vengeful ghosts. Souls themselves have no power and quickly fade away."
Qin Moyao asked, "Then how do you explain what's happening at Golden Years?"
Chen Yang replied, "While rare, there are legends of vengeful ghosts. So, I believe that while most souls are unaware after death, some souls, due to extreme grievances and anger in life, maintain a strong consciousness after death. These intense emotions make them resistant to dissipation. If such a soul happens to grow in a place with concentrated yin energy, it can absorb this energy and strengthen its grudge, gradually becoming a malevolent ghost."
Qin Moyao's eyes lit up, "The landlady who died at Golden Years did indeed suffer a great injustice. She was strangled to death with a wire by her lover."
Chen Yang wasn't surprised by this information. He asked, "Is her lover still alive?"
Qin Moyao replied, "Her lover used an alias, so we have no way to trace him. We don't know where he is now."
Chen Yang pondered, "While the landlady's death was tragic and her resentment great, it's extraordinary that she's become so powerful. If every wrongfully dead person became this formidable, the world would be in chaos. I suspect there must be some Taoist artifact in Golden Years that's particularly suited for nourishing spirits, which has empowered the landlady."
Qin Moyao questioned, "There's one thing I don't understand. If the landlady is so powerful now, why can't she find her unfaithful lover and take revenge? Though, for all we know, she might have already done so. Her world is beyond my comprehension."
Chen Yang explained, "There are rules in the universe. Malevolent ghosts shouldn't exist in this world. Have you seen 'Final Destination'?"
Qin Moyao nodded.
"These ghosts are like in 'Final Destination' - they're anomalies in the natural order, accidentally allowed to survive. If they leave their domain, the natural order would correct this mistake. Taoists call this heavenly tribulation or lightning tribulation. Also, this ghost landlady relies on some artifact in Golden Years to sustain herself. Once she leaves Golden Years, she's powerless. That's why she doesn't allow you to destroy Golden Years."
"How do you know all this as if you were there?" Qin Moyao asked, fascinated but skeptical. "You've never died, yet you speak as if you've witnessed it firsthand."
Chen Yang chuckled, "I may not have died, but all laws are interconnected. Laozi once said, 'One begets two, two begets three, and three begets all things.' Conversely, all things become three, three becomes two, and two becomes one. All laws return to one, understand? Everything shares a common origin. So, even though I haven't died, I can contemplate these issues from the essence of how things come into being."
Qin Moyao looked bewildered, "You're speaking too profoundly. I don't understand."
Chen Yang teased, "And here I thought you were a properly educated police academy graduate. How can you be so uncultured?"
Qin Moyao rolled her eyes at Chen Yang, then said, "You've explained a lot, but it's all your speculation. No one can verify what's really happening inside Golden Years."
Chen Yang declared, "I want to go in and see for myself."
Qin Moyao firmly refused, "Absolutely not. It's too dangerous."
Chen Yang argued, "We can't just let Golden Years continue existing like this. It's a blemish on Binhai City."
Qin Moyao insisted, "Even so, it's not your place to go in." She paused, then added earnestly, "Chen Yang, I don't want to lose another friend."
Chen Yang felt touched but remained adamant, "Many things in life are arranged by fate. I'm about to open a bar, and here's Golden Years. I feel this is my destiny. It may seem dangerous, but if I resolve this, there could be great benefits."
Qin Moyao asked, "You're not referring to the artifact you speculated about in Golden Years, are you?"
Chen Yang stated, "I need to go see for myself."
Qin Moyao said, "If you want to go in, you must prove to me that you can come out safely."
Chen Yang spoke solemnly, "Although I haven't been inside, I have a general idea about the landlady in Golden Years. She's indeed very powerful now. I can feel a sense of dread just standing outside."
Qin Moyao, familiar with this feeling, immediately said, "See? That's why you shouldn't go in."
Chen Yang looked at Qin Moyao and suddenly said, "Captain Qin, do you really want to be a coward forever? Don't you want to avenge your colleague's death? You're a person full of justice. Can you tolerate Golden Years continuing to exist like this?"
Qin Moyao's body trembled, a flash of light passing through her eyes. But soon, she deflated, saying, "What can I do? After all, I'm just an ordinary person."
Chen Yang said, "Don't overestimate the ghost's power. As they say, righteousness brings strength. If you're full of righteousness, you won't fear ghosts. The ghost can't take advantage of you. Vengeful ghosts always try to frighten their victims with various terrifying illusions first, weakening them physically and mentally. Only then do they truly take revenge. Your colleagues and those experts were ordinary people, facing a ghost for the first time. They were bound to be scared. Once afraid, their righteous energy weakens. That's when the ghost can strike."
Qin Moyao took a deep breath, as if making a big decision, "If you must go in, I'll go with you."
Chen Yang smiled slightly, "Good."
"When do we go?" Qin Moyao asked.
Chen Yang replied, "I need to prepare some things. Also, tomorrow, help me find the owner of Golden Years' building. We'll talk to them to learn more about the situation."
Qin Moyao nodded, "Alright."
Having made their plans, Chen Yang paid the bill, and they left the bar.
Chen Yang got into Qin Moyao's car, intending to send her home first. Escorting a lady home was a gentleman's duty.
As Qin Moyao drove, she couldn't help asking, "Why are you so fixated on Golden Years?"
Chen Yang was silent for a moment, then suddenly grinned, "When I was young, I often watched wuxia dramas and admired how the heroes would draw their swords to help those in need. Later, when I learned martial arts from my master, he taught me to always be upright and just. If I told you that I'm actually a busybody who likes to meddle in others' affairs, would you believe me?"
Qin Moyao's lips curved into a beautiful smile. Of course, she believed Chen Yang.
She knew his story, how he had traveled far and become a security guard to protect his fallen comrade's sister. She had witnessed Chen Yang's blood and fury, an indescribable shock.
Qin Moyao suddenly felt that she and Chen Yang were kindred spirits, both unwilling to be twisted by worldly norms, holding justice in their hearts. They weren't afraid of others' mockery and were willing to do something for those around them.
"What are your plans for the future?" Qin Moyao asked.
The car windows were open, letting in a cool, pleasant night breeze.
Chen Yang seemed a bit melancholic, "No specific plans. First, I'll get the bar up and running. Then I'll watch Qingxue settle down and get married. Once I'm sure she's safe, I'll leave Binhai City."
Qin Moyao couldn't help asking, "You don't plan to marry Su Qing?"
Chen Yang paused, looking somewhat wistful. After a long moment, he said, "Sister Qing wants a stable, romantic, happy life. I prefer to wander, making anywhere my home. If we forced ourselves to be together, we'd only hurt each other."
Qin Moyao fell silent, realizing Chen Yang's nature. He simply wasn't suited for family life.
She suddenly understood, "So you want to open a bar for Su Qing, to give her some stability, a sort of closure, so you can leave with a clear conscience?"
Chen Yang's eyes were distant, and he didn't answer.
Qin Moyao didn't pursue the topic further.
About twenty minutes later, they arrived at Qin Moyao's home. She lived in a high-end, well-lit community with top-notch security.
Qin Moyao invited Chen Yang up, but he chuckled, "Better not. I'm too charming; I'm afraid you might tempt me to make a mistake."
Qin Moyao laughed and scolded, "You wish! Just get out of here. You can borrow the car, but return it to the police station tomorrow morning."
Chen Yang didn't refuse, "Will do."