"You think I want to stick around a weakling like you?" The ghost's voice was tinged with frustration, her words so sharp they sent shivers down my spine.
But my curiosity outweighed my fear at this moment. "Then why are you here with me? I clearly sold the jade pendant before, but not only did you kill the buyer, you somehow reappeared by my side."
"Do you think I am the pendant? Who knows why that jade pendant clings to you. I'm merely relying on it for now, so wherever it goes, I follow."
Despite the anger in her tone, I felt she wasn't being entirely honest. Still, judging by her emotions, it seemed even she didn't know why the pendant ended up with me.
"So, what can I do to get rid of this trouble?"
The demons and ghosts swarming around me, coupled with the unknown forces plotting behind the scenes, made me feel like my life was as fragile as a sapling in the wind, ready to snap at any moment.
"Do you know why so many people are going to such lengths to kill you?"
"You know?" This was a question I'd pondered endlessly without an answer. As someone with no money, no power, and no looks, why had I suddenly gained so many enemies?
The only explanation seemed to be the sudden appearance of the jade pendant.
"That jade hides a thousand-year-old secret. It's said to hold the power of resurrection and eternal life."
Something about her tone felt off when she said this, though I couldn't pinpoint why. But I was more focused on her words than her emotions. My mind was consumed by the eight characters: "Resurrection and Eternal Life."
"Is there really a force in this world that can bring the dead back to life and grant eternal youth?"
Throughout history, countless wealthy and powerful individuals have paid a heavy price chasing immortality, only for it to end in vain.
"You don't believe me?"
"I don't think true immortality exists. And even if it did, when everyone around you dies one by one, leaving you with nothing, that kind of immortality would be a curse, not a blessing."
The ghost stayed silent for a long time before finally speaking again. "Liu Cunxi, you're special. Out of kindness, I'll let you know my name—it's Ye Cha."
Ye Cha? ("Yaksha"?)
The image of her face—blurred in my previous encounters—flashed through my mind. A woman named Yaksha must look terrifying, right?
While I was caught up in my thoughts, a loud slap landed on my face. The sound echoed sharply in the room. I clutched my stinging cheek in pain. "What was that for?"
"It's the 'Ye' with the character for 'mouth' and 'ten,' and the 'Cha' from 'Cha Zi Yan Hong' (a vibrant shade of red). If you dare get it wrong again, I'll snap your neck."
The burning sensation on my cheek lingered for a long time. Though I was fuming inside, I didn't dare retaliate.
"So, does this make us partners now? You need the jade, and the jade follows me."
Previously, Ning Manwan appeared, claiming that the teacher who warned me about her was the one trying to kill me to get the jade. Meanwhile, Ning Manwan herself insisted she was a monster after my life.
Some of their claims were corroborated, while others remained unverified. Both had helped me in some ways, but also acted suspiciously. I couldn't determine who was good or bad. Rather than remaining confused, it seemed wiser to ally with someone—or rather, some ghost—on the same side.
At that moment, Ye Cha chuckled darkly. The sound, like silver bells, echoed in my ears. "Liu Cunxi, everyone treats you like a child—sometimes naive beyond hope, yet at other times, surprisingly shrewd. Do you know what kind of price you'll have to pay to work with me?"
I was puzzled. She needed freedom, and I wanted to survive. Wouldn't this be a win-win? Why did she say I'd have to pay a heavy price?
"What price?" I asked hesitantly.
"We'll discuss that after you survive and leave this place," she replied.
Her reminder brought me back to reality. Caught up in our conversation, I hadn't noticed that the moon had risen to its zenith. The room around me had transformed—its painted walls replaced by bare brick, covered in strange symbols I couldn't decipher.
It had all happened silently, without me noticing a thing.
On guard, I surveyed my surroundings. I had been here for a while, but Lu Zhiqiu still hadn't arrived. He must've run into trouble too. "He's barely keeping himself alive. Instead of waiting for someone to save you, save yourself. You've got six hours until dawn. Today is an extremely Yin day, which strengthens those entities and makes them daring. Survive these hours, and you'll be fine."
"Easy for you to say! I don't even know what's going on. If something as strong as you comes along, I'll be dead in seconds, let alone survive six hours."
I doubted anyone's mood could be more complicated than mine at that moment.
"Stop talking nonsense and get out of here."
Carefully, I stepped out of the room, only to find the corridor had changed as well. The air was filled with the scent of rotting wood. I crept forward, step by step, when suddenly, I heard footsteps ahead.
Thud… thud… thud.
I froze, staring ahead, my mind racing to guess what might emerge from the darkness.
The sound drew closer, accompanied by a chilling cold. The temperature plummeted, and my heart leaped to my throat. But when the figure emerged from the shadows, my fear turned to relief.
It was Lu Zhiqiu. Though disheveled, with a dirty face and tattered clothes, his breathing and gaze confirmed he was alive.
I approached to greet him, but just as I uttered the word "You," he seized me by the throat.
"Urgh—Brother Lu, what are you doing?"
I struggled to pry his hands off, but they were as unyielding as steel. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't budge them.
His expression hadn't changed—still cold and indifferent—but his eyes were different. They now lacked any spark of life. Though his gaze had always been calm, I used to feel he was truly looking at me. Now, his eyes were fixed on me, yet it felt like…
Before I could find the right words to describe it, Ye Cha's voice rang out again.