C25 Secret Matter of the Ancient House

I was jolted awake by the biting cold. My eyes opened to an unending darkness that enveloped me, and the chill was piercing. As I heard voices drifting down from above, I cried out for help repeatedly, yet no one responded. It dawned on me that I was trapped in a small, dark room. My phone was dead, and I had no idea what time it was. Then, suddenly, it was as if an explosion had occurred before my eyes—everything changed in a flash.

In that moment, I pinched myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming. Once convinced of my reality, I began to survey my surroundings.

I found myself sitting in what appeared to be a rural courtyard, adorned with an assortment of flowers and plants. However, as I stood and explored further, I realized this was no ordinary village dwelling; it was the estate of a wealthy family from ancient times. Laughter echoed in the distance, prompting me to instinctively seek a hiding spot. My tension eased when I spotted a group of young girls nearby, seemingly preparing to fly kites. Their attire, dark-colored skirts paired with floral tops in various hues, was reminiscent of a bygone era.

The girls didn't seem surprised to see me; one of them, a girl of about fourteen or fifteen, even gestured for me to come over.

Just then, a man wearing a traditional hat and clutching a cane stormed over in a fury. He seized the girl and berated her, "Shameful! You waste your days with these frivolous girls, showing no hint of manliness. How could the Loong family produce such a disgrace?"

I was taken aback, momentarily wondering if the girl was actually disguised as a boy. But upon closer inspection, it was clear I had been mistaken; her undeveloped figure still bore the unmistakable signs of femininity.

The middle-aged man continued his tirade, his harsh words and blows drawing a crowd of onlookers and servants. Several elegantly dressed women in qipaos came running, tearfully pleading with Old Master Loong to stop the beating and spare the girl.

Exhausted from his outburst, Old Master Loong gasped for breath and pointed at me, commanding, "Ming, take her and lock her up. She can be released when she's reflected enough on her actions."

I hesitated, but moved by compassion, I approached the girl and helped her to her feet. She was light, yet seemed utterly drained of strength. I carried her away, her weight barely noticeable on my back. Behind us, the aunties' sobs mingled with Old Master Loong's harsh scolding.

Old Master Loong raged hysterically, "Who asked you to be so disappointing? Can't you give me a decent son!? You're all worthless, worthless!"

I carried the young woman inside and was about to leave when she suddenly called out to me, asking for a cup of water. Agreeing, I clumsily handled the antique teapot and cup, managing to scald myself in the process. Lying on the bed, the girl, who had worn a bitter expression, unexpectedly broke into a smile.

Stepping outside, I began to question whether I was dreaming or experiencing another hallucination. But this time, it felt all too real.

Seeking solitude, I bit my finger until it bled, yet the scene before me remained unchanged. Gritting my teeth, I wondered if my penchant for novels had somehow led to a time-traveling adventure.

That evening, I overheard a torrent of curses coming from the girl's room. Old Master Loong's demands on his daughter seemed unreasonably severe.

The following day, the servants brought surprising news: Miss Loong was to be wed! I was stunned. Traditionally, it was men who married and fathered children. How could there be talk of a woman marrying another woman? The servants whispered that Old Master Loong had always treated Miss Loong as if she were his son, and anyone who dared suggest otherwise in his presence risked being drowned in the well.

Hearing this, I couldn't help but think Old Master Loong was almost monstrous.

Gradually, I came to realize that I was actually Miss Loong's book servant, named Ming. Despite feeling utterly bewildered, the events unfolding around Miss Loong not only chilled me to the bone but also nearly made me sick.

On her wedding day, Old Master Loong demanded the chambers be checked, insisting he would not leave until he heard Miss Loong and her bride together. When there was no sound, Old Master Loong, in a towering rage, stormed in with his cane. The cold-heartedness displayed that night was chilling; as Miss Loong was stripped and thrown into the well, not a single person spoke up for her, not even her own mother or the aunts.

I couldn't stand by any longer and impulsively stepped forward to beg for mercy on her behalf.

Perhaps there was a slight softening in Old Master Loong's twisted affection for his daughter, as he eventually led the family away. Left with no other choice, I retrieved Miss Loong from the well with a bucket. Soaked to the bone, she had long forgotten the cold and seemed nothing short of a living dead.

"I told her, 'If your father wants you to study, then study. If he wants you to practice martial arts, then practice. Goujian endured lying on sticks and tasting gall for years. If you can persevere for just three to five years, once you're grown, you'll be able to make your own way, won't you?'"

Miss Loong's gaze held a newfound resolve as she nodded in agreement.

...

Abruptly, I awoke to pitch darkness, the kind where you can't see your hand in front of your face. I gasped for air, the realization hitting me that it had all been a dream. Yet the dream had left me feeling utterly drained and slightly terrified.

Out of nowhere, I heard footsteps.

Driven by a gnawing hunger and a primal urge to survive, I called out again. This time, it seemed my cries were heard. The door flew open.

I had hoped for a rescuer, but the sight that greeted me dashed all such hopes. Before me were zombies, their flesh torn and twisted necks making them look like the walking dead, and I felt an overwhelming urge to weep.

In a panic, I flung the two yellow talismans from my pocket at them. The 'living dead' let out a howl and staggered back, only to start pursuing me.

It was reminiscent of the time in Big Ox Village when I was chased by the specters kept by Cripple Zhou. But now, without Wu Yi by my side and in this strange place, I was on the verge of breaking down. I ran non-stop, bursting through a door, and kept on running...

The relentless pursuit of the undead behind me pushed my fear of death to its limits.

Lee Fan... Lee Fan...

I heard my name being called and felt a glimmer of hope, but I couldn't bring myself to look back. The voice grew louder and more familiar until I recognized it—it was Wu Yi.

I shouted, "Wu Yi, where are you? Please, come save me!"

But Wu Yi's voice faded into obscurity, and that's when I realized I'd trapped myself in a dead end. With no other choice, I turned and ran back the way I came, desperation fueling my strides. The ghouls caught up, pinning me down, scratching and biting with their ferocious teeth.

In that moment, I resigned myself to my fate.

It was over. Completely over.

I was engulfed by despair, feeling even more hopeless than the girl in my dream who was raised as a boy by her father.

At that moment, a vision of a woman dressed in red burst into my subconscious. She gazed at me with soft affection, her eyes twinkling like stars, her lips parting slightly to whisper, "Lee Fan, you cannot die. I am waiting for you, waiting for you."

I reached out to grasp her, but my hand closed on empty air. Yet her voice instilled in me a fierce desire to survive. I wrenched myself free from the entanglement and desperately sprinted back the way I had come.

Wu Yi's voice grew nearer. This time, I had finally chosen the correct direction. The sound of his voice drew closer and closer until at last, Wu Yi called out again, "Lee Fan, is that you?"

I nodded frantically and replied, "Yes, it's me, it's me. Wu Yi, where are you?"

Suddenly, darkness enveloped me as if something had seized me, yanking me forcefully in a particular direction. I had no chance to resist before I was whisked away.

Upon opening my eyes, I found myself lying in a cramped room, under the intense gaze of two pairs of eyes. I sat up sharply, a cold shiver running down my spine. Trying to lift my hand proved difficult, and when I finally managed to touch my face and body, it felt as though I was touching a desiccated corpse—devoid of warmth, utterly cold.

Wu Yi exhaled in relief, and Ninth Faang, reclining beside him, visibly relaxed as well.

I inquired, "How did I end up here?"

Wu Yi explained, "When I found you, you had been discarded in the basement, lifeless."

My face turned pale as Wu Yi went on, "I brought you to my cousin's place. He said he'd try to help. Then we employed the 'Soul Calling Technique.' My cousin performed the ritual while I called out your name. After three days of effort, we finally brought you back."

It dawned on me why I kept hearing my name. So, the place I was before... could it have been hell?

With a wry smile and a shake of my head, I pondered the thought that I had, quite literally, taken a walk through hell and lived to tell the tale.

"Thank you, Brother Ninth Faang. Without you, I might have been done in by those demons," I said.

Ninth Faang cleared his throat with a few dry coughs and nodded wearily, "The one who harmed you is quite a character. Not only were you ensnared, but Wu Yi was also made a scapegoat. I'll direct you to a place—Lingyin Temple. Seek out their former abbot. Wu Yi, you've lost a part of your soul. Aside from some memory issues, you should be fine. But Lee Fan, you've not only lost your soul, you've lost three parts of it. If we don't retrieve them soon, the consequences could be dire."

I quickly nodded in agreement. Wu Yi apologized, "Bro, I'm truly sorry for the trouble I've caused you this time."

Ninth Faang dismissed us with a wave of his hand, "You all should go now, I need to rest."