FI CH72: Another Lesson

In the dim room, the incense smoke wavered.

His ink-black hair was like a waterfall, and his skin, reflecting the light, revealed a faint, unsettling pallor.

The clansmen instantly broke out in a cold sweat, their voices trembling.

“A… a ghost!?”

“Lao’er, is this… is this a person or a ghost?”

The tall figure slowly loomed over them. Yan Lao’er’s pupils constricted, and he glanced down at the floor. However, he only saw a thick darkness, as if it were about to swallow the entire room—

His voice caught in his throat, and he was rendered speechless.

The clansmen, hearing no reply, shivered. “This time… it seems… it’s… real…”

The ghostly figure, dragging its long robes, approached with a sinister aura. “What, were you not inviting me to eat dumplings…”

“Ah—!!!”

Someone finally couldn’t take it anymore, screaming and turning to ram the door. Bang… bang… bang…! After a few attempts, it wouldn’t open. The remaining few also turned and rushed it together—

Bang! With a loud noise, the door was forced open.

The group of people fell to the ground in a heap. Ignoring their bruises, they scrambled up and ran.

The noisy commotion gradually faded away.

In the now quiet old house, the light bulb flickered, and the fire in the basin suddenly flared up! The room became bright again.

The tall figure still stood by the table.

Yan Tingyun, clutching her chopsticks, was also stunned.

The back door suddenly creaked open. Turning, she saw Lin Su push the door open, followed by He Zhenling and a smiling Bai Jiang. Seeing them was like seeing family, and her eyes welled up with tears:

“Mr. Lin! Brother Kangzi!!”

The figure at the side also looked over.

Lin Su looked up and met the other’s gaze.

In the bright light, the man had long hair, and his robes were black-trimmed with a red base. His skin was paler than a normal person’s, and his lips were lighter in color. His features were quite handsome, which diluted some of the cold, sinister feeling.

After two seconds of eye contact, the other person suddenly nodded slightly, his voice hoarse:

“So, it is the two official sirs…”

Yan Tingyun’s gaze darted back and forth. Huh?

Bai Jiang smiled, pretending not to hear.

He Zhenling lowered his eyes and said nothing. Lin Su, cuddling the Xuenima, asked, “The newly born Ghost King?”

“It is I.”

Lin Su walked over and patted Yan Tingyun. “It’s fine. He’s your brother-in-law-to-be.”

Yan Tingyun, “…??”

…

The villagers were scared away and wouldn’t be back tonight.

Lin Su moved the two ancestral tablets back to their original place.

Just as he turned around, he saw the Ghost King turn off the phone screen that was propped up on the table and hand it to Yan Tingyun:

“It is not proper to meet before the wedding. Put it away for now.”

“…”

Yan Tingyun opened her mouth and took it.

In her confusion, she looked pleadingly at Lin Su: …Mr. Lin, what now?

Lin Su sat down, picked up his bowl, and thought for two seconds. “The dumplings have gotten cold. Shall we heat them up in the pot again?”

Yan Tingyun: ?

He Zhenling glanced over. “Give me the ones in your bowl. We’ll eat the ones on the plate after they’re heated.”

Bai Jiang stood up to boil water. “The cold air was on too high just now.” ^▽^

The Ghost King said hoarsely, “My apologies.”

Yan Tingyun: ??????

She was greatly shocked: Wait, why are we all naturally having New Year’s Eve dinner together!?

Why is her brother-in-law… pfft. Not brother-in-law yet.

Already preparing his own dipping sauce bowl?

In her daze, the Ghost King suddenly turned his head, stirring his sauce. “Is there no chili?”

Yan Tingyun, “…” He’s quite picky.

She mustered her courage. “My brother and I don’t eat spicy food.”

The Ghost King seemed to show a hint of regret, saying faintly, “Then never mind.”

Bai Jiang brought the re-boiled dumplings back to the table.

Lin Su looked at the Ghost King’s familiar demeanor and thought: Since he’s already so comfortable…

He opened his mouth. “Your hair is too long. Tie it up.”

The Ghost King paused, then took out a ribbon and tied it up.

He Zhenling surveyed him. “Your sleeves are too long too.”

The Ghost King looked down and tucked his sleeves into his belt.

Lin Su retracted his gaze with satisfaction. Yan Tingyun watched, dumbfounded. “Ghost… Ghost Brother, I haven’t asked, what are you here for?”

The hoarse voice sounded: “Although I do not often leave my domain, I occasionally sense things happening in the village.”

Lin Su’s expression shifted slightly as he glanced at him.

Yan Tingyun gave an “oh” of vague understanding. The Ghost King said no more. Lin Su didn’t press further either, just speared a dumpling and opened his mouth wide with restraint: Ah—

After an unusually warm New Year’s Eve dinner, it was not yet midnight.

Bai Jiang was sent to clean up the dishes.

Lin Su stood up and tapped twice on the table in front of the Ghost King. “A word in private.”

The Ghost King looked at him for two seconds, then stood up accordingly.

Just as the two were heading towards the back door, a gaze followed them. Lin Su turned and met He Zhenling’s eyes.

He understood and said indulgently, “I have something to discuss with him. Do you want to come along?”

He Zhenling’s lips had just moved when Bai Jiang spoke with a cheerful laugh. Bai Jiang, who had tied his two sleeves into a large bow behind his back, said brightly while washing the dishes:

“Is Big Bird Brother that insecure?~” ^▽^

“…”

He Zhenling let out a cold laugh. “Heh, how could I be.” He then looked at Lin Su. “You have business. Just go.”

Lin Su said dotingly, “We’ll just be in the backyard.”

The Ghost King was already looking over thoughtfully. He Zhenling’s brow twitched, and he suppressed it. “I know.”

Lin Su sighed softly and led the Ghost King out the door.

Once in the backyard, the door closed.

Just as Lin Su was about to get to the point, that thoughtful gaze turned to him. “Some time ago, I heard that two divine officials were married. That should be you two?”

Lin Su, “…”

He opened his mouth. “Theoretically, it should be.”

The Ghost King, “?”

Lin Su pulled the topic back. “Your domain isn’t in the village. How much do you know about what’s happening here?”

“I know a wedding is being prepared.”

“And?” Lin Su looked up, straight into those deep, dark eyes. “Do you know about the altar?”

There were two seconds of silence before the hoarse voice replied, “I know.”

“They intend to use your ghostly energy to achieve great fortune. Do you consent?”

“For a marriage, there must be a betrothal gift. Since he has something he wants, I can give it.”

Lin Su’s gaze lingered on him for a few moments. He seems to know, yet he doesn’t seem to know much. He thought for a moment and explained:

“That was not Yan Guanyue’s intention.”

The Ghost King frowned. “Not his intention?”

Just as Lin Su was about to speak, he saw the Ghost King’s brow furrow in understanding. “So you mean, he simply wants to marry me.”

“…”

Xuenima exclaimed in amazement: [He surely never suffers from internal conflict, does he?]

Lin Su agreed: With this mentality, he could succeed in anything.

He remained noncommittal, only saying, “Then do you know that the altar they are building is for a live sacrifice?”

The Ghost King’s eyes shot up, his expression grim. “…I did not know.”

They looked at each other for a few breaths, and a silent consensus was reached. Lin Su calculated in his head: This way, a three-way agreement has been reached.

Confirming he was an ally made things much easier.

Just as he was about to speak again, he was interrupted by a soft creak. Turning, he saw He Zhenling leaning against the back door, looking over faintly. “Are you done talking?”

Lin Su blinked. “You…”

Before he could finish, another snow-white figure popped out.

Bai Jiang smiled brightly, his gaze landing幽幽 on the Ghost King. “Two minutes until the new year.”

Lin Su suddenly realized. “So soon.”

Beside him, there was a moment of silence, followed by a low, hoarse voice. “I can understand why your husband is like this.” Lin Su’s face suddenly flushed, and turning his head, he saw the Ghost King point at Bai Jiang.

“Who is that one next to him?”

He composed himself. “A human cub.”

The Ghost King seemed to half-understand and followed Lin Su back into the house.

…

Back in the house, Yan Tingyun had already poured several cups of rice wine.

The ancestral tablets and the photo were propped up on the table again.

They all sat down at the table.

Lin Su looked at the rice wine in his cup. It was probably homemade, with a bit of sediment at the bottom. A sweet aroma mixed with the scent of alcohol wafted up, slightly intoxicating.

The bright light fell on the round table as the countdown ended.

“Five, four, three, two, one…”

They all raised their glasses and clinked them together. “Happy New Year!”

“Happy New Year, Teacher!” ^▽^

As Lin Su was raising his cup, his left hand under the table was suddenly hooked by a fingertip. A warm touch brushed past, creating a ticklish sensation, almost making him shiver. At the same time, a low voice, mixed with the sweet, intoxicating scent of wine, drifted over:

“Happy New Year.”

After midnight, the Ghost King left.

There were still two empty rooms in the courtyard. Bai Jiang had previously stayed in Yan Guanyue’s room. Yan Tingyun tidied up her parents’ room for Lin Su and He Zhenling to stay in temporarily.

There was a large bed in the room, with a small lamp on.

The dim yellow light enveloped the bed and the latticed window.

Lin Su was already sleepy on the bed, the alcohol taking effect. His slightly flushed cheek was pressed against the pillow, and he reached out to pat the bed for He Zhenling. “Hurry up and come to bed.”

He Zhenling stood by the bed, having just unbuckled his Tang blade. Hearing this, he paused and lowered his lashes. “You sleep first.”

Lin Su gave a small yawn, half-closing his eyes. “Don’t be shy. You were secretly hooking my hand under the table earlier.”

“…” There were two seconds of silence by the bed.

He Zhenling let out a huff of laughter and looked over. “You’re overthinking it.”

With that, the side of the bed dipped.

He lifted the quilt and sat down, paused for a moment, then lay down. “What did you talk about today?”

Lin Su’s eyelashes were about to close. “About the altar.”

“Mm, what did he say?”

“He didn’t say much, but there were eighteen levels of hell in his eyes.”

“…”

Just as He Zhenling was about to speak again, his arm was suddenly hooked. His voice died in his throat. Looking down, he saw Lin Su inching closer, murmuring drowsily:

“Alright, alright, don’t mention other men in bed.”

“…”

Lin Su quietly hugged his arm. “I’m sleepy. We’ll discuss it tomorrow.” =u=

A moment later, a voice came from above. “…Alright.”

The candlelight on the table was suddenly extinguished as if by a gust of wind.

The room fell into darkness.

It was not until the warm breathing became steady and long that a sliver of cool moonlight fell through the window, creating a small patch of light on the bed. There was a slight movement on the bed. He Zhenling closed his eyes for a moment, then withdrew his arm.

Then he got up and sat at the table.

After a long while, he rested his forehead in his hands and let out a hot breath.

…

The next day, when he opened his eyes, the sky was already bright.

There was no one beside Lin Su. He got up and pushed open the door, only to see He Zhenling practicing his blade in the courtyard. The veins on his arm holding the blade bulged, and his undergarment was wrapped around a strong waist.

Their eyes met, and the latter stopped.

Lin Su happily sauntered over. “When did you get up?”

He Zhenling looked away and said faintly, “Half an hour ago.”

Lin Su praised, “Dancing at the rooster’s crow.”

As they were talking, Yan Tingyun came to call them for a meal. A basket of flower-shaped steamed buns and several small steamed dishes were laid out in the room. Bai Jiang had already helped set the bowls and chopsticks:

“Good morning, Teacher~ Mr. He, hello to you also.”

He Zhenling said calmly, “At ease.”

Lin Su stuffed a flower bun into each of their hands and said gently, “Hurry up and eat.” Less talking.

Just as they took a few bites, there was a knock on the door.

Yan Tingyun was startled and turned her head. A woman’s voice came from outside. “Tingyun, Tingyun, are you there!”

She breathed a sigh of relief and went out. “Aunt Juan?”

The door closed, muffling the sound.

However, only about ten seconds later, the door was slammed open again! Lin Su, with a flower bun in his mouth, looked up to see Yan Tingyun running back in a panic:

“Auntie said my brother was taken to the ancestral hall!”

Lin Su swallowed the flower bun and stood up.

The Yan Clan Ancestral Hall.

Sunlight poured down from the skylight above.

Inside the ancestral hall, the unlit marble floor was cold and damp. In front stood a row of ancestral tablets.

Yan Guanyue was forced to his knees before them, his hands tied behind his back.

A line of Yan clansmen, mostly strong and sturdy, stood guard around him. Standing at the very front was a white-haired elder, the elder of the Yan clan.

“Yan Guanyue, colluding with outsiders to sabotage the wedding, do you admit your guilt!?”

Yan Guanyue’s gaze was cold. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Elder Yan slammed the table. “Still dare to be stubborn!”

Yan Lao’er stood at the side with his hands behind his back. He had been scared yesterday, but after thinking it over, he still found it strange: A ghost was a ghost, but the person who summoned the ghost still hadn’t been found—

Since he appeared in Yan Guanyue’s house, he couldn’t be unrelated.

Thinking this, he said coldly, “Yan Guanyue, you agreed to the ghost marriage yourself. Now the fate of the entire clan rests on you alone. If you play tricks, can you face our ancestors?”

Yan Guanyue’s gaze swept over the tablets. “Which ancestor was it that spoke of offering their descendant as a live sacrifice?”

“You dare to be disrespectful to the ancestors!”

Elder Yan raised his hand, and the surrounding men immediately swarmed forward.

Yan Guanyue was forced to his knees and let out a muffled grunt, his lips pursed. A majestic voice came from above: “I wanted to talk to you properly, but since you won’t cooperate, I can only be a little more forceful.”

Looking up, he saw Elder Yan holding a porcelain bowl.

The bowl contained a thick, black soup, faintly tinged with scarlet. As it approached, a foul, fishy smell assaulted his nostrils.

Yan Guanyue suppressed his nausea. “…What is this?”

“If you want the ‘dead energy to bring life,’ your body must first become the most important medium. Drink it, and we will believe you have not colluded with outsiders.”

His hands, tied behind his back, clenched unconsciously.

As Yan Guanyue was thinking of a countermeasure, he heard the voice from above again:

“The outside is already heavily guarded. Don’t expect anyone to come and save you. We’ve also set up ghost-dispelling formations all around, so don’t even think about that ghost coming to save you.”

He paused, then looked up as if confused. “…A ghost?”

Elder Yan sneered. “That’s right.”

“Humans can’t save you, and ghosts can’t save you either!”

…

At the high pond, a gentle breeze was blowing.

From here, one could overlook more than half of the front village, including the ancestral hall.

Lin Su stood by the pond, the hem of his clothes flipping gently.

He Zhenling held his Tang blade and said nothing.

Bai Jiang looked around. “Teacher, Guanyue should be in the ancestral hall. Why are we here…?”

“Xiao Bai, we’ll have another lesson today.”

“0.0?”

With that, a bamboo brush appeared in his hand.

Lin Su raised his hand, the tip of the brush pointing towards the half-hidden altar in the distance, and tapped in the air—

“Boom!” A deafening sound shook the heavens.

The huge altar exploded in an instant, sending stones flying! Mixed with the surrounding cries of alarm, dust and smoke filled the air.

Bai Jiang’s eyes glowed, trembling slightly. “…Is this lesson a feint? Besiege Wei to rescue Zhao?”

“No,” Lin Su said softly.

His fingertips rose and fell a few more times. Boom! Boom! Boom… the explosions went all the way towards the ancestral hall—

“Pure intimidation.”

Author’s Note:

Elder Yan: Haha, humans can’t save you, and ghosts can’t save you either!

Kun: God comes—(with a brush).

He Daniao: Heh, as expected of being cast from the same mold.

*Also hello: Just being abstract, don’t nitpick.

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