FI CH73: Grand Chaos

Inside the Yan Clan Ancestral Hall.

The roar of the explosions drew closer, causing the entire ancestral hall to tremble violently, as if it were about to collapse.

Looking out from the skylight, the sky was filled with smoke and dust.

The panicked shouts from outside carried in, and the ancestral hall instantly descended into chaos.

Elder Yan, holding the porcelain bowl, dropped his hand and shouted sternly:

“What’s going on?”

Soon, a clansman ran in, flustered. “Elder! The altar outside exploded! It’s exploding all the way towards the ancestral hall!”

“What!?”

Elder Yan’s expression changed drastically.

Yan Guanyue was slightly stunned, then calmly concealed the look in his eyes. The roaring sound stopped just short of the ancestral hall, and an unsteady voice came from above:

“Go! Let’s go out and see.”

Elder Yan said, about to put the bowl down.

Yan Lao’er, beside him, suddenly spoke. “Elder, let’s force-feed Yan Guanyue first. Don’t let this delay things.”

Elder Yan snapped back to reality. “You’re right.”

Yan Guanyue’s eyelashes trembled as the foul smell approached. He suddenly used the opportunity to rise! He knocked away the hand above him, and the porcelain bowl crashed to the ground with a “clang,” its black liquid spilling everywhere.

“Yan Guanyue! You—”

The surrounding clansmen immediately pinned him down.

His forehead pressed against the cold marble floor. “…Ugh.” Elder Yan’s furious questioning came from above. “Still dare to resist, you really are a dishonest one!”

The chaotic sounds outside were still growing. Elder Yan had no time for punishment and could only wave his sleeve and command:

“Lock him up for now. I’ll deal with him when I get back.”

With that, he led a group of people and hurried out.

…

The front village was already in a mess.

By the pond high above, Lin Su cheerfully watched the “disaster movie” unfolding below.

After confirming their respective stances, he could finally let loose.

Just as he put his hands away, a wave of dizziness suddenly hit him.

The wind rustled his clothes, and he seemed to take half a step back. At the same time, a large hand supported his lower back. “What’s wrong?”

Lin Su expertly turned and rolled into the person’s arms.

He buried his face. “…What do you think?”

“…”

Beside him, Bai Jiang was looking at the ruined altar with a surging heart, trembling with excitement. He turned his head gleefully. “Teacher, that was really amazing^▽^… Ah▼皿▼!”

A smile curved He Zhenling’s lips. He hooked an arm around the person’s waist and asked in a low voice, “Still dizzy? Lean on me for a while longer.”

Lin Su clutched his clothing and snuggled closer.

Bai Jiang, with poached-egg eyes, leaned over. “Teacher… are you okay? Did you overexert yourself?”

Before Lin Su could speak, a voice came from above:

“Yes, he’s always like this.”

“…”

He leaned against He Zhenling’s chest, one hand quietly climbing up, feeling the rapid, powerful heartbeat beneath his chest, which sent a numbing electric current through him.

Lin Su narrowed his eyes: Nima, I feel dizzy. Is he feeding me some kind of love potion?

The Xuenima replied coldly: [You’ve over-consumed your psychic energy.]

Lin Su lamented: Why don’t you have any romantic platelets?

[…]

After a while, Bai Jiang asked again, “What’s next?”

He pushed himself up a little and looked down at the chaotic front village. The altar was destroyed, so they probably wouldn’t have time for Yan Guanyue and would only lock him up temporarily.

“Next, we find someone to clean up.”

As Lin Su spoke, he stood up and took out his phone to send a WeiXin message to the Ghost King: Come to the village for a bit. Make them release Guanyue.

[▼_▼]: ? Mm.

A voice drifted from the side: “When did you add him?”

Lin Su put his phone away. “I’m still dizzy right now, don’t crowd me.”

“…” He Zhenling let out a huff of laughter. “Heh.”

Bai Jiang hadn’t seen the message but guessed, “The Ghost King?”

Lin Su nodded. “That’s right. The village is still relying on this ghost marriage. Having the Ghost King intimidate them is the most appropriate.” He patted his clothes. “Let’s go, back.”

“Back to Tingyun’s house?”

“That’s right, while the food is still warm.”

Back at Yan Guanyue’s old house.

As soon as they entered, Yan Tingyun greeted them anxiously. “There was such a huge commotion in the front village. Are you all okay!”

Lin Su waved his hand. “We’re fine.”

“Then my brother…”

“Your future brother-in-law will go clean up in a bit. He should be released soon.”

Yan Tingyun breathed a sigh of relief. “Good, the dumplings weren’t eaten for nothing.”

The group: “…”

Lin Su sat down peacefully and continued his breakfast.

Not long after, Aunt Juan came knocking again. “Tingyun, Tingyun!”

Yan Tingyun opened the door to go out.

Ten seconds later, she returned excitedly. “My brother has been released!” she added, “In one piece!”

Lin Su paused with a flower-shaped bun in his mouth. The Xuenima whispered: [No wonder they’re siblings.]

He agreed: Genetics are powerful.

He stood up and asked, “Are there any more dumplings in the house? Pack a box.”

…

In the front village, the clansmen were cleaning up the mess.

In a spacious room.

The old man lying on the bed, covered with a quilt, coughed violently twice. Someone immediately handed him water.

Elder Yan sat before him and called out, “Clan Leader.”

Yan Shu took the cup away and caught his breath. “…Continue.”

“Yes, Clan Leader.” Elder Yan frowned tightly. “The altar is completely destroyed, and the village has suffered significant losses. Most of the paper offerings are ruined. And we didn’t manage to force-feed Yan Guanyue that medicine—”

A withered hand was raised.

“The altar is destroyed, so the matter of the medicine is no longer urgent. Borrowing luck can be postponed. The most important thing now is to ensure the ghost marriage can be completed smoothly.”

Yan Shu pondered for two seconds. “You just said that Great Ghost came to warn the clansmen?”

Recalling the scene, Elder Yan’s face turned a little pale. Although they dared to arrange a ghost marriage, it was only Yan Guanyue who had to deal with it. They never expected that “Great Ghost” to suddenly appear—

The feeling of the sinister energy seeping into their bones still made them shudder to think about.

“It told us not to touch Yan Guanyue.”

“Then let’s not touch him for now.”

Yan Shu closed his eyes. “Prepare the ceremony according to the plan. After midnight tomorrow, we must send him over. Within these two days, the ritual items must be prepared again.”

His gaunt hand rested on the quilt. “The divination has shown that our clan’s great fortune is this year…”

“Once the ghost marriage is complete and the Great Ghost is suppressed, reporting it will also be a great merit.”

Elder Yan finally felt a bit more at ease. “True.”

The village was bustling with activity.

Lin Su, familiar with the route, effortlessly climbed through a window and landed with a “thump” in Yan Guanyue’s room.

He stood up and patted his clothes. “Morning.”

Yan Guanyue’s forehead was still a bit red, half-hidden by his hair. He pushed up his glasses and looked over with some surprise. “Mr. Lin.”

Lin Su placed a box of dumplings on his table. “Eat while it’s hot.”

Yan Guanyue opened the box. “Thank you.” He then asked, “Where is President Bai?”

Lin Su said lovingly, “Washing dishes at your house.”

“?” Yan Guanyue’s mouth opened, but he wisely didn’t ask further. He picked up a big, fat dumpling, dipped it in some sauce, and ate it in small, proper, and refined bites.

Lin Su watched him for a while, then suddenly asked, “You don’t eat spicy food?”

“I usually don’t.” Yan Guanyue’s chopsticks paused, then he seemed to think seriously. “But I can.”

Lin Su, “I see.”

The room fell silent.

As Lin Su was leaning against the table, lost in thought, he heard a light “click” in front of him as the box lid was closed. Yan Guanyue had finished eating and handed him the empty box. “Thank you, and also…”

He took it and looked over. “Hm?”

Yan Guanyue pursed his lips, his lashes hiding his clear, cold eyes. He frowned thoughtfully. “I heard… that ghost, did it do something?”

Lin Su nodded. “It came to the house for New Year’s Eve dinner yesterday.”

“…?”

“And today it came to help clean up the mess and get the villagers to release you.”

Yan Guanyue was silent. “He’s helping me?”

Lin Su said frankly, “For now, your positions are aligned.” He looked at the quiet, thoughtful Yan Guanyue and paused for two seconds. “What are your thoughts?”

“What does Mr. Lin suggest I do?”

“The decision is yours.”

Lin Su looked at him and smiled slightly.

The Xuenima, perched on his shoulder: [Just like with Fang Shuyu, you don’t want to interfere with cause and effect with just a word from you?]

Lin Su secretly praised it: Nima, you’ve grown.

[=0w0=]

A moment later, a voice finally came.

Yan Guanyue looked up, his expression clear and steady. “My thoughts haven’t changed. I made the contract, so I won’t force its cancellation. But this ghost marriage, I don’t want it to go their way too smoothly.”

The “they,” of course, referred to the clansmen.

Lin Su understood. “You don’t want it to be too smooth?”

“Yes, I want… it would be best if there’s some chaos.”

…

Returning to the old house again, it was twenty minutes later.

Lin Su entered with the empty box.

He saw a familiar figure sitting at the table, dressed in red with black trim, long hair cascading down. A cup of tea was placed before him, and Yan Tingyun sat beside him nervously.

Seeing him return, Yan Tingyun stood up excitedly. “Mr. Lin!”

The Ghost King also looked over. “Official Sir.”

Lin Su ignored his title. “Why are you here again?”

“Leaving my domain requires a price. Since I’m already out, I might as well come over for a sit.”

The Xuenima was curious: [What price?]

Lin Su recalled: A very severe one.

Yan Tingyun had already taken the empty box from his hand. He Zhenling walked over. “Why were you gone so long?”

“We chatted for a while.”

As he finished, the Ghost King’s gaze fell on him:

“How is he? Is he injured?”

Lin Su said, “No serious harm.”

Yan Tingyun, having just put the box away, spoke up. “Ghost… Ghost Brother, you seem to care a lot about my brother.”

The Ghost King’s voice was steady. “Since we have mutual affection, I must naturally protect his well-being.”

“………”

Yan Tingyun’s head snapped around. ?

He Zhenling’s gaze fell on Lin Su, like a clear mirror: …Where did this plot development come from?

Lin Su gently turned his head away: Don’t ask me, he pushed it himself.

The momentary silence was finally broken by the sound of a door opening.

Bai Jiang appeared from the back door holding a nest of fluffy yellow chicks. “Haha, I hatched them myself by hand… Huh? Why is it so quiet? What are you all talking about?”

Lin Su shook his head. “Poetry and the distant horizon.”

“?”

He finished speaking and tapped on the Ghost King’s table again. “Come with me again.”

The Ghost King agreed and stood up.

As they were heading to the backyard, he suddenly turned to look at He Zhenling and took the initiative to say, “He wants to discuss something with me. Do you want to come?”

“…”

Bai Jiang looked over again: ^v^

A vein twitched on He Zhenling’s forehead. “No, thank you.”

The Ghost King nodded and left.

Lin Su withdrew his complicated and emotional gaze.

…

In the backyard, the sunlight was brilliant.

Lin Su tucked up his sleeves. “The altar is destroyed, but we can’t be sure they won’t do something else.”

He reminded, “Especially on the wedding day.”

The Ghost King’s face was grim, his voice hoarse. “I value this wedding banquet greatly and want to make it a bit grand. If anyone tries to cause trouble…”

A thick wave of ghostly energy erupted.

The corner of Lin Su’s clothes fluttered, and he cuddled the Xuenima for warmth. “Like this.”

The energy before him retracted again. “Apologies, I lost my composure.”

“It’s fine.”

Having probably taken the hint, the Ghost King didn’t stay much longer. He stirred up a sinister wind and returned to his domain to perfect the wedding plans.

The quiet little courtyard warmed up again.

Lin Su cuddled the Xuenima and looked at the sky.

A voice came from his arms: […What should we do? Their requests seem a bit different.]

One hoped for some chaos.

The other hoped for a grand wedding banquet.

His eyes reflected the blue sky and white clouds. “Then we can only have some grand chaos.”

[?]

As Lin Su spoke, he retracted his gaze and took out his phone.

He found the newly noted contacts [Black Horn] and [White Horn] and sent a WeiXin message:

“Aren’t you all waiting for a feast?”

“Third day of the new year, midnight, Gui Mountain. Bring generous gifts. A feast where He Zhenling and I will be present (appearing).”

Author’s Note:

Kun: The show, “Bird Sighting.”

He Daniao: ?

Black, White: Ahahaha, time for a feast!

Support me on Ko-fi