FI CH70: Infallible

Lin Su stared at his phone and fell silent for two seconds.

A voice came from beside him: “Weren’t you sending greetings? Why are you so quiet…”

He Zhenling’s gaze fell on the screen, and he too fell silent.

Xuenima, nestled in Lin Su’s arms, faced the phone: […Thirty, the age for storming the gates of hell.]

“…” A hand pressed it down.

Lin Su took a shallow breath and typed: What happened?

[Bai Jiang]: It really is a ghost marriage ^▽^ I caused some trouble, accidentally made too much noise, and got locked up, haha~
[Su]: …’Too much noise’ meaning?
[Bai Jiang]: Blew up a small mountain top [Confetti]

In front of the phone: “…”

He Zhenling said softly, “I believe he was taught by you now.”

Lin Su shushed him. “That’s a stereotype.” As soon as he finished speaking, his phone vibrated again.

[Bai Jiang]: Ah, they’re here to move me. Gotta go, goodbye brother teacher~ [Paw][Paw]

Xuenima’s expression grew solemn: [The forever kind of goodbye?]

“Don’t say such unlucky things.”

Lin Su pinched it. “Xiao Bai knew something was wrong when he received the invitation. He should have been prepared. Since he didn’t ask for help, it means the problem isn’t that big.”

Xuenima curled up: [I see.]

The human and the spirit huddled together for a few seconds.

Lin Su turned his head and patted He Zhenling. “…Or maybe, we should still go take a look?”

He Zhenling, “…”

He took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of his nose for a moment. “Now?”

Lin Su nodded. “If something really happened, it’ll be too late if we delay.” He peeked at He Zhenling’s tightly furrowed brows. “If you don’t want to go, I’ll just go by myself—”

He Zhenling dropped his hand and stood up with a blank expression. “Let’s go.”

Lin Su sighed with understanding. “You do care about the kid after all.”

“Hah, perhaps.”

The two stood in the center of the living room.

Lin Su held a bamboo brush in his hand, with Xuenima on board. “Time is tight. Let’s open the gates of the underworld.”

With a flick of the brush’s tip—

A ghost gate ripped open out of thin air, and a dense ghostly aura surged out. The living room was half bright, warm light, and half the cold, dark gate to the underworld.

Passing through the yin and yang was the fastest way to reach another realm.

But unless necessary, one would not casually connect the two realms.

“The last time I opened the underworld gates was to take Xiao Lu to find A-Qiu.”

Lin Su put away the brush and called He Zhenling to step into the underworld. “I knew it. Anything with censored content is never simple.”

He Zhenling drew an analogy, “Just like encountering one of your cases, there’s always some drama.”

“…You’re still so humorous~”

They took a step, and the ghost gate closed behind them.

…

Crossing the boundary between the living and the dead.

When they emerged, it was pitch black all around. It looked like a mountain hollow, with a pond in front.

Lin Su stood by the pond, holding a luopan compass. “Xiao Bai is nearby, at—”

He followed the needle’s direction and looked straight into the bottom of the pond.

“…”

In the沉凝 silence, a hand suddenly caressed his earlobe.

The calloused fingertip brushed past, causing a slight shiver. Lin Su turned his head and met He Zhenling’s lowered, somber eyes:

“Not wearing your earring?”

Lin Su suddenly realized. “I forgot.”

After all, just a moment ago, they were having hot pot at home.

He Zhenling frowned. Before he could say anything, there was a sudden “splash!” Water sprayed everywhere. Turning their heads, they saw a snow-white figure break the surface of the water, revealing a pair of bright eyes.

The scene was somewhat terrifying in the cold, dark mountain hollow.

However, after only two seconds of staring, the other person suddenly beamed.

Bai Jiang’s confusion turned to pleasant surprise as he emerged from the water. “…Brother Teacher!?”

A Tang knife blocked him. “Water.”

He Zhenling stood in front, his eyes cold.

Bai Jiang was stopped two steps away. He apologetically wrung out his clothes, squeezing out a puddle of water. “I was too excited. Teacher, why are you here? Were you worried about me? Haha~” 0▽0

Seeing him full of energy, Lin Su also felt a bit relieved. “This place…”

He paused and looked around. This pond was relatively remote and at a higher altitude. From here, they could see the scattered lights of the village in the distance.

Red silk, white paper, and incense candles were arranged everywhere.

Lin Su narrowed his eyes. “…What’s going on?”

“Teacher, you must have sensed it too.”

Bai Jiang let go of his clothes and pointed towards the village. “Over there is a huge sacrificial altar connected to the back mountain. When I came two days ago, I discovered that the ghostly energy there was too heavy. I had previously checked the association’s archives and found that it used to be a mass grave of a thousand people—”

He Zhenling glanced over. “A mining accident.”

“Exactly.”

Bai Jiang withdrew his hand and proudly showed off his achievements to Lin Su. “So for the past two days, I’ve been ‘causing trouble’ all over the village. I blew up the mountain top and destroyed the formation’s eye. I burned a few bundles of paper figures and opened all the cattle, pig, and chicken pens~”

Lin Su, “…”

He Zhenling, “…”

Bai Jiang smiled brightly. “But because I was too happy blowing up the mountain, I couldn’t help but laugh out loud and got caught. So I decided to just fake my death and find another chance to make a comeback.” ^▽^

He Zhenling looked at Lin Su calmly. “He doesn’t need us. Let’s go back.”

Lin Su took out his brush. “Let’s go, back to sleep…”

A pair of puppy-dog eyes suddenly appeared in front of him. “I need you…!”

He Zhenling’s fingertips rested on the hilt of his sword.

Bai Jiang’s expression turned serious. “Actually, this matter is a bit complicated… I’ve been staying with Yan Guanyue’s sister these past two days. I only just found out that the person originally chosen for the ghost marriage was his sister.”

Xuenima popped its head out: [Can the chosen person be changed?]

Lin Su didn’t delve into the details for now and just asked, “Was he forced?”

Bai Jiang, “No, he volunteered.”

Both parties consented, so the agreement was formed.

The most troublesome situation had arrived.

Lin Su thought for a moment. “Let’s go see his sister first.”

Yan Guanyue’s home was a distance from the front village.

It was a small courtyard with three rooms. After his parents passed away, one room was left empty. Yan Guanyue was taken by the villagers to guard the front village and didn’t live at home. Only his sister, Yan Tingyun, lived there alone.

The villagers were all gathered in the front village, so there was no one around the courtyard.

The three pushed open the gate and saw a girl of about 19 sitting at a table, wearing a padded jacket. Seeing Bai Jiang, she shot up:

“Brother Kangzi!”

Lin Su and He Zhenling turned their heads in unison.

“…” Bai Jiang’s smile froze for a moment, then he gracefully turned sideways. “Let me introduce you. This is my teacher, Mr. Lin. The other one is Brother Big Bird.”

Yan Tingyun: 0.0!

He Zhenling let out a cold smirk, gripping his sword. “…Hah.”

Lin Su turned his head away, feigning ignorance.

He Zhenling and Bai Jiang stared at each other for several seconds. Yan Tingyun vaguely sensed the sparks flying and quickly said, “Brother Kangzi, I heard they caught someone in the front village. I thought something had happened to you!”

Bai Jiang looked away and waved his hand with a smile. “It’s fine, it’s fine.”

Yan Tingyun let out a sigh of relief and started a fire for them.

Bai Jiang huddled by the fire, slowly drying himself.

Lin Su and He Zhenling sat casually to the side.

Lin Su wore a snow-colored undergarment, which made his black hair look like ink and his face like jade. He Zhenling was in a black high-necked shirt and pants, with a Tang knife at his waist, looking dashingly heroic.

Yan Tingyun barely dared to look at the two of them.

As she was carefully watching the fire, a clear, gentle voice spoke:

“What’s the deal with the ghost marriage?”

Turning her head, she saw Lin Su’s face warmed by the firelight.

Yan Tingyun mustered some courage and said, “The mine vein behind our village, I heard many people died in a collapse. A construction team went in, but none survived. Ghostly energy gathered there afterwards.”

“But the clan elders calculated that this land could bring great fortune, so they never moved away.”

She paused. “My brother wanted to take me away. The last time he came back, he even said he had met the president of the Tianshi Association and had a hope of going to a big city. But two days later, we heard the village say a ‘Great Ghost’ was born in the back mountain.”

Lin Su tapped his finger. “Great Ghost?”

Xuenima looked up: [What’s wrong?]

Lin Su said to it: What’s born from a mass grave of a thousand people might not just be a “Great Ghost,” but a “Ghost King.”

Yan Tingyun continued, “There’s a saying in the clan: ‘Death energy can give life, gathering spirits brings fortune.’ They believe that great fortune is coming. And with the family selection after the New Year, it’s a chance for the clan to rise—”

“So the elders performed a divination and used a ghost marriage to suppress the death energy and borrow its great fortune.”

After she finished, Bai Jiang, who was warming himself by the fire, looked up:

“Teacher, is that really possible?”

Lin Su crossed one leg. “In theory, yes.”

Bai Jiang’s eyes flickered: …Theory.

Yan Tingyun didn’t catch the subtext and became despondent. “Is it really possible? Then what about my brother? I was the one chosen at first, but my brother wouldn’t agree—”

“He said, ‘If there’s anything, let it come at me!'”

The three in the room paused, looking over with a sense of understanding.

Yan Tingyun wailed, “As a result, the divination result changed on the spot. The ‘Great Ghost’ chose him for the marriage.”

The three of them: “…”

Lin Su whispered to He Zhenling, “So it was that kind of ‘volunteering’.”

He Zhenling was silent for two seconds and commented, “He’s quite obedient. After the marriage, Yan Guanyue should be the one in charge at home.”

Xuenima was shaken: [Don’t speak in such a tone as if it’s a foregone conclusion!]

Lin Su patted it and then said, “We’ll talk about the marriage after we meet Yan Guanyue.” His eyes reflected a spark of fire. “But using a ghost marriage as a pretext for a living sacrifice and borrowing luck, that we can’t ignore.”

Hope appeared in Yan Tingyun’s eyes. “…Mr. Lin!”

Bai Jiang smiled gently. “Don’t worry, my teacher is even more powerful than me.”

Yan Tingyun paused and peeked cautiously. “…Who is Brother Kangzi?”

“…” Bai Jiang: Ah, I haven’t revealed my identity.

Lin Su stood up, glanced at the deep-in-thought Bai Jiang, and said to Yan Tingyun, “He will be a role model for the Tianshi world.”

Bai Jiang: 0v0!

Yan Tingyun’s face flushed with excitement. “Okay!”

They didn’t delay and prepared to head to the front village.

The clan members, afraid that Yan Guanyue would run away, had locked him in a room with guards. Bai Jiang hadn’t found a chance to meet him since he arrived.

Under the cover of night, the three concealed their figures from afar.

Bai Jiang peeked out from behind a circle of rocks and pointed. “That’s the room. There are two guards at the door.”

Lin Su glanced over. “We just need to lure them away.”

He then released Xuenima: Lure everyone around away as much as possible… No more adult channel cosplay.

Xuenima: [Is cosplaying as Yan Guanyue considered adult channel?]

“…” Lin Su: It’s adult. The channel should be silent. Go.

A ball of white light shot towards that direction.

Just a few seconds later, a commotion was heard. A slender figure shot out, and the guards immediately gave chase:

“Yan Guanyue!? How did he get out?”

“Quick, chase him… Someone! Yan Guanyue has escaped—”

The chaotic sounds, along with the torchlight, chased after the figure. The silhouettes were reflected on the window and soon cleared away. Inside the room, Yan Guanyue looked at the empty window, stunned:

…Who ran away?

Before he could figure out what had happened, there was a sudden sound from the back window.

He was startled and turned his head, only to see Lin Su’s figure land inside with a “thud,” followed closely by He Zhenling. “…Mr. Lin, Mr. He?” His gaze shifted to the side and saw the snow-white figure land.

Yan Guanyue’s eyes widened slightly. “…President Bai?”

The three stood firm in the room. Bai Jiang turned to close the window.

Lin Su looked at the young man standing by the bed. His face was cool and detached, his shirt neat. He wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses, and a few books were placed on the bedside table. He exuded an air of calm and rationality.

He didn’t look like someone who was about to “get married” at all.

Yan Guanyue seemed stunned. “You all came. I thought…” He came back to his senses and remembered. “The commotion from the past two days, was that also your doing?”

Lin Su stepped aside to reveal Bai Jiang. Bai Jiang held out his paws to take credit:

“It was me~” ^^

Yan Guanyue pursed his lips slightly. “Thank you, President Bai. That invitation was because…”

Bai Jiang smiled brightly. “I understand. To divert attention. Don’t feel it was impolite.”

Yan Guanyue let out a sigh of relief and then turned his head. “You two came as well.”

Lin Su said, “I originally thought it was a small matter.” He raised his eyes meaningfully and met Yan Guanyue’s gaze behind his glasses. “But your village seems to be planning a ‘big event’.”

Yan Guanyue frowned, deep in thought. “Yes.”

“What are your thoughts?”

“If possible, I certainly don’t wish to marry. But the contract was made of my own free will. If breaking the contract would harm anyone, then it’s fine not to break it.”

He then adjusted his glasses lightly, his gaze cool. “But if they want to use me to satisfy some people’s selfish desires, that is not acceptable.”

Lin Su nodded. “I understand.”

He put his hands in his sleeves. “I can accept your commission.” Seeing Yan Guanyue look at Bai Jiang hesitantly, he explained in a broad voice, “Don’t worry. With me handling it, it will be infallible…”

Before he could finish, there was another loud commotion outside.

Perhaps they hadn’t found Yan Guanyue, and the clan members were returning. Someone remembered:

“Wasn’t the door locked? How did he get out?”

“Let’s go back and check.”

The chaotic sounds turned towards the room in an instant.

The few of them paused at the same time and looked around.

The room was small, with just a table and a bed, and a large wardrobe next to it.

Lin Su made a decisive decision, pulled open the wardrobe, and dived in.

He Zhenling quickly followed.

Thump. Both of them were in position. Bai Jiang also tried to squeeze in. The wedding clothes were still hanging in the wardrobe. He Zhenling’s arm was outstretched, and Lin Su was pressed against his chest.

Bai Jiang squeezed in, almost pressing against Lin Su. He said cheerfully, “Teacher, haha~”

Half of his back was still pushing against the wardrobe door.

“…”

He Zhenling glanced over, then extended an arm. He grabbed the back of Bai Jiang’s collar and threw him out—

The wardrobe door opened and closed, spitting out Bai Jiang with a “thud.”

Smack! It closed again.

At the same time, the room door was kicked open.

A group of people rushed in aggressively, coming face to face with Bai Jiang—

Both sides stared at each other for a few seconds.

The other side’s expression gradually turned hostile.

Bai Jiang, “…”

Bai Jiang, “Ahaha~” Looks like I’m going to be drowned again. ^▽^

__

Author’s notes:

Yan Guanyue (adjusting his glasses): …”Infallible.”
Kun (Author): Lost, one good son.
Bai Jiang: I’m gonna die again~*

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