As they wandered through the deserted streets cloaked in darkness, Yichen flicked on the radio, filling the air with music to keep their spirits high and their senses sharp for the long trip ahead. Once, a flight from Beijing to Guilin in Guangxi Province took just a couple of hours, but that was before the supernatural world began to merge with theirs. Now, air travel had become a thing of the past. Because planes would fall from the sky, struck down by mysterious energy surges of storms charged with unknown forces that no aircraft could endure.
Trains still operated, but only in certain areas where they traveled above ground. They no longer linked cities or embarked on lengthy journeys through tunnels, for those dark passages drew spirits like magnets. Traveling by sea stood as the safest choice, thanks to the vast saltiness of the ocean that purified spirits, causing them to steer clear as if it were a dreaded plague. But inland, where the ocean's embrace was absent, the only option left for long journeys was to travel by car over paved streets painted with protective talismans.
It was precisely for that reason they had no choice but to embrace the two- to three-day journey to reach Guilin, not to mention the additional time it might take to get to Siheng's location. For that reason alone, and with that thought weighing heavily on his heart, Yichen held on to a flicker of hope that Zhu Yan, whether a good or bad demon, would honor his promise to keep the young man safe until they could rescue him. Their chances of finding him alive felt terribly slim without that hope, even if he couldn't rely on it exclusively.
Siheng had already vanished for over four days, and the local authorities found themselves without any ghost-hunting experts nearby to take his rescue case. No one there was brave enough to venture deep into that haunted forest. Not when the place was already a local legend of missing people, never to return, dead or alive. While the police had reached out to Pei Sijing to report Siheng as missing, deep down, they had already resigned themselves to the grim belief that he was no longer alive.
"Breaking news from Shanghai. Just moments ago, there was a report of another attack, this time on a prominent ghost hunting agency. The incident appears to have targeted the Chongwu Agency, which has issued a warning that spirits may be evolving and are possibly beginning to identify locations linked to their hunters." The radio warning prompted everyone to listen to the news more attentively.
"The agency has urged the public to remain vigilant and ensure that all talismans are correctly installed and functioning properly. To assist, they are offering strong talismans free of charge, along with expert guidance on their placement for optimal protection. The agency confirmed that no damage occurred to their property or employees, as the attack took place outside their office barrier, and the spirits were dealt with as soon as the agency was aware of them." By now, they were all frowning at the sheer audacity of the Chongwu Agency, speculating about the motives behind the ghost attacks on their office. After all, no one unleashes something like that without any support to back it up. They were not the only ghost hunters in the field, after all.
"Dear citizens, remember to always prioritize your safety and stay at home during the night. Only step outside if it's absolutely necessary. As you all know, reports suggest that ghosts and spirits have become increasingly hostile in the last few years. Perhaps the Chongwu Agency has stumbled upon something that feels a bit more real, even without the scientific proof to back it up just yet. If ghosts are indeed targeting agencies specialized in eradicating them, we might find ourselves in greater need of divine protection than ever before," the broadcaster said it almost like in praying.
"Stay alert, offer your prayers, light up those incense sticks, and safeguard yourselves. Starting tomorrow, you can get the talismans from all Chongwu Agency offices nationwide. If there's a local office nearby your home, don't hesitate. It's always better to be safe than sorry. Now, let's turn back to music and let its magic lift our spirits during these challenging times." The soft music began to play once more, and those inside the van exchanged disbelieving glances, as if seeking reassurance that they had all heard the same thing.
Bai Jiu's voice rang out, full of frustration. "How can those fools at the Chongwu Agency come up with such nonsense?! Evolving ghosts? Really? They've always been unpredictable! Nobody truly understands how they crossed into our world in the first place. So how can they claim these spirits are evolving just because they gathered at their barrier once? It's ridiculous! They cluster everywhere, and it was only a matter of time before they focused on an agency. Now they're spinning wild theories?! They're just fanning the flames of fear to fatten their own pockets! What a bunch of unethical power-greeders!" Yichen winced at the volume of Bai Jiu's outburst, pinching the bridge of his nose in tiredness.
His phone buzzed to life, illuminating the screen with Wen Xiao's name, as if a goddess were making her grand entrance. With a resigned sigh, he hit the speaker button and answered the call.
"Hey Xiao Chen, did you catch that broadcast on national radio?" she bluntly asked.
"We all heard it. Xiao Jiu was just sharing how outrageous their theory is," Yichen replied, though his own thoughts on the matter were beginning to spiral on their own concerns and inner warnings.
Wen Xiao spoke with a calm yet simmering anger. "I couldn't agree more. What are those unscrupulous people even thinking? They can't just throw out theories like that to a public already fearful of the supernatural environment they're living in."
"They're clearly using it to promote themselves," Ying Lei retorted, frustration evident in his voice. "How do the authorities let them get away with such nonsense? It's clear they're trying to position themselves as saviors, handing out free talismans like candy. Meanwhile, our agency has offered ghost-hunting services for free during emergencies for years! The audacity!" Bai Jiu nodded along in vigorous agreement to Ying Lei's words.
"I get that they're trying to earn the people's trust, something they've found difficult to achieve. But I can't shake the feeling that there's more lurking beneath the surface. Maybe it's just my gut instinct, but I can't trust that agency with anything they provide for free or attempt to sell, especially their theory. I sense there's more going on, and it doesn't seem to be in the best interest of the people." Yichen shared his thoughts. His words hung in the air, a hush fell over the group, and an uneasy feeling filled the air.
"I agree with Yichen. I've never trusted them to begin with, and I find their hunting methods downright unsettling. But that's a problem for the elders to tackle," he mused, "because I'm confident that Fan Ying will dig into those offered talismans to uncover any hidden dangers. I'm also sure that the Zhuo family is not going to be the only one investigating. Other agencies would certainly catch wind of it, too. For now, let's keep our focus on the mission and find Siheng as soon as possible," he urged, accelerating slightly as the van's headlights pierced through the eerie darkness outside.
"Xiao Zhuo, could you let us know if my brother is still okay?" Sijing's voice crackled through the speaker as she gripped the steering wheel tightly, her anxiety evident. Wen Xiao couldn't help but feel a wave of sympathy for her.
"I will try it," Yichen whispered as he fished out a metal ring from his pocket, a familiar companion that always traveled with him. This hefty ring jingled with an assortment of keychains, each one representing a member of his team, including a piece from Pei Sijing's police squad, and nestled among them was one from Siheng's school days too.
He grabbed Siheng's favorite anime character keychain and shut his eyes. Fortunately, his gift pulsed with the ability to feel the life forces of all the owners. He had crafted that ring specifically for moments like this, and he felt a wave of relief at having something beyond a mere storytelling demon. Sure, he desperately needed Zhu Yan to be telling the truth, but he knew he couldn't rely solely on that hope.
Pouring his energy into the search for Siheng's lifeforce, he sensed it pulsing in the distance, just out of reach behind an invisible veil. He pressed against that barrier, but it resisted him fiercely, proving too strong to breach. Could that be the seal he had sensed earlier? It seemed to affirm that Siheng was indeed trapped within Zhu Yan's grip.
The real challenge now lay in finding a way to reach Siheng and gauge the seriousness of his situation firsthand. If that proved impossible, he couldn't help but wonder why he could connect directly with Zhu Yan but not with Siheng. He made several attempts, only to find himself growing increasingly drained. Then, without warning, Zhu Yan's presence overwhelmed his mind, as though the demon was summoning him back to the astral plane, yet still hesitating to fully draw him in.
For a brief moment, Yichen seemed suspended in the blurred space between dreams and reality. This time, Zhu Yan stepped closer, extending his hand for Yichen to grasp, offering him grounding. Uncertain of how to descend on his own, Yichen reached for the demon's hand, and it felt as though time itself slowed. The instant their hands met, a current surged through his astral form—not threatening, but carrying an undeniable sense of intimacy.
His deep blue eyes remained fixed on Zhu Yan's reddish ones as he carefully tugged him closer, as if handling something delicate and featherlight. When Yichen was lowered nearer to the ground, Zhu Yan's hands gently held his waist, guiding him the rest of the way. Their bodies were pressed far too close for comfort, though no alarm flared within Yichen. Instead, his heart stirred uneasily, responding to a feeling unfamiliar to him. The heat of Zhu Yan's breath brushed against his skin, sending an unexpected shiver coursing through him.
"Xiao Zhuo, you're being reckless," Zhu Yan's gentle voice echoed softly in his ears. "You just stepped into the astral plane two hours ago. Take care of yourself and let your body rest. Pushing yourself into the seal, won't do you any good. I promise you, your friend is still alive. He might be weakened, but his life isn't in real danger." It struck Yichen as odd the way he just called him. When had he become close enough to this demon for him to speak to him so casually?
"Who are you calling Xiao Zhuo?" Yichen shot back, a mix of confusion and defiance in his voice.
"I don't even know you, no matter how much you insist we crossed paths in a past life. And while I wish I could take your word that Siheng is okay, I can't fully trust it without proof. You'll need more than just words to convince me, and believe me, I have my own methods..." Yichen declared. Zhu Yan sighed, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes as he continued to hold onto the oblivious Yichen.
"Yes, you've always had a stubborn streak, but let's not forget: no matter how extraordinary your abilities may seem, you're still human. Pushing yourself too far will lead to consequences. Trust me, you won't be able to shatter that barrier with psychic energy alone, even if your clairvoyance allows you to tap into the life force." Yichen stood frozen, taken aback by the demon's unexpected insight.
"How do you know all this?" he asked, leaning in closer. Zhu Yan, an ancient demon, shouldn't be familiar with modern terms like "clairvoyance" and "psychic power," let alone the repercussions of overextending his abilities.
Yet, despite Zhu Yan's uncanny ability to almost read his thoughts, Yichen remained blissfully unaware of how tightly the demon had wrapped him in his embrace. How adorable, Zhu Yan thought, suppressing a smirk.
"You truly are a wicked demon! A perverted one at that! I doubt even my past self would have fallen for your tricks!" Zhu Yan couldn't help but chuckle, the weight of losing that beautiful man lightening a little. How could he feel anything but joy when Yichen mirrored the charm of his former self so perfectly? If anything, this Yichen only made Zhu Yan's heart fall for him even harder.
"Ah, Xiao Zhuo, you'll be surprised, but let's save that for another time. Right now, you need to rest. I can sense your anchor, which I believe is your cousin, anxiousness spiriling, because you've drifted away for too long. Return now. There's no need to worry about your friend. I will keep him safe, as I promised, until you find us." Yichen was left speechless yet again.
"How do you even...?" Before he could finish, Zhu Yan closed the gap between them so quickly that Yichen didn't have a chance to react.
"Xiao Zhuo, we can talk again on your journey to this cursed mountain. If you're curious, I can visit you here every night for a short period of time. But for now, your health must come first. Go back..." Zhu Yan whispered directly into his ear, sending a shiver down Yichen's spine with the intimacy of the moment. When he opened his eyes once more, he realized he was back inside the van. All around him, concerned faces stared intently, their worry impossible to miss.
"Thank the gods he's back..." Bai Jiu breathed a sigh of relief.
Yun Guang glanced at Yichen, his concern mingling with something deeper—he was certain his cousin had crossed paths once more with that enigmatic demon of his.
"Well? Did you learn anything?" Yun Guang asked, giving Yichen a quick look before refocusing on the road ahead.
"I did," Yichen replied. "Captain Pei, you can rest easy for now. Your brother is alive and safe... at least for the time being." His gaze drifted to the window, lost in thoughts about the demon that seemed determined to turn his already chaotic life into an even greater mess.
AN: Ah, Yichen, he is only making your life more interesting. 🤭 Thanks for reading. I hope the story is taking a good turn, see you next time. Take care.