Chapter 38

The empty private room had no lights on. Tables and chairs sat in the dark. A mass of Black Mist wrapped Jiang Luo from head to toe, not exposing a single strand of hair or a single fingertip.

Jiang Luo was pressed against the wall of the private room by the Black Mist.

Both his hands were bound by the Black Mist, forced above his head. His toes touched the floor. Jiang Luo looked up at his hands and strained against the invisible restraint.

The veins on the backs of his hands stood out from the struggle, taking on a languid, sensual quality against the Black Mist.

The Black Mist gradually coalesced into a human shape. A long, slender finger, pale and tinged blue, emerged from the mist and settled lightly on Jiang Luo's fingertip.

The lifeless ghost hand slid down from his fingertip, brushed past the veins and forearm, and descended to Jiang Luo's lips with a teasing, playful motion—then suddenly gripped his chin.

Jiang Luo grunted and swung a kick forward.

His leg was stopped by the evil ghost.

His bent leg was wrapped by another strand of Black Mist and suspended in midair. A second pale ghost hand settled lightly on that long leg, moving from the back of the knee upward to his thigh.

Feather-light, skimming the surface—but the ghost hand's cold, temperatureless touch was like a corpse, like a block of ice frozen for who knows how many years. It raised nothing but a creeping, hair-raising dread.

This was very bad.

Jiang Luo's sense of danger was screaming.

Every move the evil ghost made was wildly unreasonable, absurd and bizarre—exactly matching the Wu Wang Hexagram's reading. Jiang Luo clenched his teeth, his instincts souring by the second. He tried to turn his head away from the fingers at his lips, but the next moment the ghost forcibly gripped his chin and turned him back.

Jiang Luo cursed under his breath: 'Chi You, what are you doing!'

No matter how hard he tried, Jiang Luo could never have imagined a scene like this.

The black-haired youth's face was full of fury and shock—a rare expression on him. A low laugh drifted out from the Black Mist.

The next instant, the evil ghost's full form emerged from the Black Mist.

A leather shoe pressed between Jiang Luo's legs, reaching the wall's edge. The Black Mist holding his leg up dissolved, replaced by the evil ghost's hand sliding deftly down his thigh and gripping it.

The position was bizarre. Jiang Luo's expression grew stranger. He struggled with his leg and pressed himself back as far as he could.

Chi You's face appeared before him. The evil ghost's features were still flawless—high nose bridge, full forehead, long brows sweeping into his temples. But this time, the ghost's face still bore the tail-end of the whip mark Jiang Luo had given him last time.

The inch-long red mark on Chi You's left cheek burned wickedly. The evil, madness, and coldness hidden in the ghost's blood and bones all showed through that whip mark.

Not good.

Very not good.

Jiang Luo's alarm bells rang again.

He watched the evil ghost with every ounce of attention he had. Honestly, Jiang Luo would rather take a knife from the ghost than continue this absurd, inexplicable standoff with Chi You.

Bizarre. Too bizarre.

The evil ghost bent slightly at the waist, leaning toward Jiang Luo, who kept shrinking back. 'Well, well. Look who's here.'

His hair brushed past Jiang Luo's ear, bringing an itch. Chi You murmured against it: 'Isn't this the student Jiang who wanted to make me come until I died?'

The evil ghost had no breath, no life, yet Jiang Luo felt the cold exhale against him—and the words carried nothing that could be called goodwill.

Shit.

Jiang Luo kept cursing the evil ghost's petty vindictiveness in his mind, but that bizarre, absurd feeling hadn't faded—if anything it was growing stronger, leaving him inexplicably panicked. He tried to summon the Yin-Yang Ring, but his wrists were bound so tightly by the Black Mist he couldn't move it at all.

The hand on his chin rubbed his lower lip red. The black-haired youth's whole body tensed, dodging the ghost's hand with stubborn defiance. When the ghost's fingers moved toward his upper lip, Jiang Luo couldn't hold back any longer—he bit down and snapped: 'Get lost!'

His bite closed on nothing but drifting Black Mist.

Chi You lifted Jiang Luo's chin and looked down at the black-haired youth.

Something inside him churned violently—fire, or a deep and terrifying sea. He didn't know what these things were, but he knew clearly they were the effects of the Harmony Talisman and the Lover's Flower.

Without a specified target's birth characters, and dissolved in water by Chi You, the Harmony Talisman had become something that worked on whoever drank it. Chi You had meant to teach Jiang Luo a lesson, but ended up drinking it himself.

But the current situation didn't seem so bad either.

This slightly flustered look on Jiang Luo—he'd never seen it before.

The shock in his expression, the way he shrank back, the curses from his mouth.

As long as Jiang Luo was unhappy, he was delighted.

Chi You lowered his head, pressing close to Jiang Luo's earlobe: 'Student Jiang, let me teach you one more thing.'

His tone turned suggestive: 'When you say something, you have to follow through.'

The ear gave way to the neck—the place a person is least comfortable having approached. Jiang Luo turned his head aside, feeling as though he were beneath a beast's jaws, about to have his throat bitten at any moment.

How had Chi You become so strange?

He wanted to shove the evil ghost away, but his hands couldn't move and his feet were pinned. Jiang Luo's expression shifted several times before finally settling.

'I've said so many things. Which one does Teacher Chi mean?' Jiang Luo's mouth corner, reddened from being touched, lifted in contempt. He goaded: 'It wouldn't be the one about you wanting to become my secret admirer, would it?'

While drawing the evil ghost's attention with his mouth, Jiang Luo's hands were doing their best to shake the Yin-Yang Ring.

The Black Mist held his hands too tightly. To shake it even once, Jiang Luo had to rotate his wrists at least half a turn.

'Or maybe...' Jiang Luo glanced at the evil ghost and laughed theatrically. 'You really want me to sleep with you?'

The evil ghost was unmoved. The hand gripping Jiang Luo's thigh slid gradually downward.

Jiang Luo kicked him hard several times but couldn't budge the ghost an inch. He could only pant.

He tilted his head back to steady his breathing, recognizing for the first time what it meant to crash and burn after running his mouth.

But even given a second chance, Jiang Luo would absolutely not be able to stop his own mouth.

The leather shoe withdrew from between his legs. Every move the evil ghost made made Jiang Luo's temple twitch several times.

Something was off about Chi You.

Why was it off?

Jiang Luo traced the source of everything, his thoughts settling on that cup of tea on the dining table.

It seemed like Chi You's gaze toward him had only become strange after drinking that tea.

Sweat rolled from his face into his hair, absorbed by the dense black strands. Jiang Luo didn't give up—he kicked the evil ghost a few more times. One kick landed on the ghost's arm, leaving half a footprint on his clothing. The evil ghost raised an eyebrow and circled Jiang Luo's ankle. He stroked the slender ankle lightly and praised unhurriedly: 'That was a nice kick.'

Jiang Luo took a deep breath and still couldn't help it: 'Fuck!'

What was in that tea? What could turn Chi You into this?

Jiang Luo forced himself to calm down and suddenly remembered what Chi You had said at Bai Qiu's home.

—'Put it in water, and you'll get an unexpected effect.'

The ash of the Harmony Talisman?

Jiang Luo understood instantly.

Chi You had probably meant to give him the water with the dissolved Harmony Talisman ash.

Jiang Luo's eyes went cold, but he quickly realized—wasn't the one who had drunk the tea Chi You himself?

His brow loosened. He looked up at Chi You.

Even if the Harmony Talisman worked on an evil ghost, the effect probably wouldn't last long. Jiang Luo thought of Bai Qiu's state under the talisman's influence and couldn't help showing a schadenfreude-filled smile.

Wicked people get their just deserts. He'd tried to trap Jiang Luo and ended up trapping himself. How did it feel to watch yourself fall for your enemy? The evil ghost must be choking on rage inside.

Jiang Luo suddenly stopped his useless struggling and said lazily: 'Chi You, this makes me very unhappy.'

Even if the evil ghost wouldn't be as dazed as Bai Qiu after being hit by the talisman, judging by his current state, he'd been affected significantly.

This was a perfect chance to get back at the evil ghost. Jiang Luo of course had to use it well.

The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. His eyes held a deliberate impatience and annoyance. 'I hate the way you're doing this.'

After a pause, Jiang Luo's sidelong glance swept over Chi You. He smiled, half-serious: 'You don't want me to start hating you too, do you?'

Based on Bai Qiu's state under the talisman, words like these should really get under the skin of an evil ghost who'd 'fallen for' him.

The evil ghost stared at him—and actually let go, just as instructed. Jiang Luo rubbed his wrists; his heels finally touched the ground. He showed a smile and whistled softly.

The Harmony Talisman. What a wonderful thing.

Jiang Luo walked over and sat on the round glass table. He took a drag of his E-Cigarette and squinted, plotting how to take advantage of Chi You in this state.

He braced his hands behind him, the picture of ease.

He didn't know how long the ghost would stay under the talisman's control, so he had to finish teasing him quickly and then run.

He exhaled a puff of smoke. Jiang Luo tilted his head slightly, black hair sliding silkily over his shoulder. A good idea struck him. The corner of his mouth lifted and his tone rose: 'Kneel.'

Jiang Luo crossed his legs. His lush face was veiled in smoke. His Adam's apple rolled in a way that was impossibly sensual. He added with a smile: 'Right at my feet.'

Chi You didn't move.

Jiang Luo pulled himself out of his reclining posture, straightened up, and propped his chin on his hand. He blinked at Chi You: 'Don't you want me to like you?'

That sentence seemed to strike a nerve. The evil ghost stepped toward him and murmured: 'What a tempting offer...'

Jiang Luo thought: Chi You really is sick in the head.

But he wished Chi You were even sicker—ideally to the point where if Jiang Luo told him to die, he would.

Jiang Luo watched expectantly as the evil ghost walked toward him step by step, but he didn't let down his guard. He was ready at any moment to activate the Yin-Yang Ring.

The evil ghost reached his feet and bent slightly, as if preparing to kneel. Even the act of kneeling was impossibly elegant—not like humiliation, but like a knight paying homage to his king.

Jiang Luo nudged Chi You's waist with his toe, casual: 'Your posture's too high. Do you know how to beg? How to chase someone?'

'You have to be humble, pitiful, wretched,' Jiang Luo looked down at the evil ghost whose knees were almost touching the ground, his tone unhurried. 'You have to make me happy watching. Understand?'

The evil ghost's face lit up with understanding. 'I understand.'

But the next moment, the evil ghost surged to his feet and pinned Jiang Luo down. One hand went up, replacing the Black Mist to press Jiang Luo's hands together. His legs slipped between Jiang Luo's, slamming him flat onto the round glass table.

On the clean, crystalline glass table, black hair fanned out. Jiang Luo's eyes were wide with shock.

The evil ghost smiled: 'But I think making me happy is more important.'

*

The black-haired youth's expression of disbelief drew a low laugh from the evil ghost.

His cold fingertip landed on the outer corner of Jiang Luo's eye.

'Beautiful eyes.'

Smiling, moving downward: 'Beautiful mouth, too.'

'If you want to make me happy,' the evil ghost said wickedly, 'this alone isn't enough.'

His thumb moved.

…

But soon, the Spirit Papers' effect vanished completely from the evil ghost.

The evil ghost paused and looked down at the person beneath him.

The black-haired beauty was panting, his clothes disheveled from struggling, his lips swollen from the ghost's rubbing, the corners of his eyes red. He glared furiously at Chi You, burning flames in his gaze.

Chi You raised an eyebrow.

'How bold of you,' the evil ghost gripped Jiang Luo's neck. 'Make me kneel?'

The evil ghost was clear-headed again.

Jiang Luo let out two cold laughs and suddenly kicked at the evil ghost's vital spot. The ghost dodged instinctively, and Jiang Luo had already activated the Yin-Yang Ring. The golden-script python burst out, scattering the Black Mist and charging toward Chi You.

The python's attack was influenced by Jiang Luo's mood. Its bloody maw gaped wide, even more ferocious than it had been by the river.

Chi You dodged the strike, but the next second Jiang Luo's fist came at him.

Jiang Luo's fist had Spirit Papers stuck to it, and the punch was extremely powerful. But when it landed on the evil ghost, the human-shaped ghost turned into Black Mist and suddenly vanished.

Jiang Luo rubbed his wrists and stared expressionlessly at the pitch-black private room.

A knock came from outside.

Senior Brother Qiao's voice: 'Shidi, are you in here?'

What an actor.

Jiang Luo's fist itched. He went out the door and without a word, punched Senior Brother Qiao right in the face.

Senior Brother Qiao was knocked back two steps and stood rooted to the spot, seemingly unable to react. 'Shidi...'

'Shixiong, sorry about that,' Jiang Luo apologized insincerely. 'I mistook you for someone else. I didn't react in time—are you okay?'

He stepped forward to check. Senior Brother Qiao's cheek was already bruised; judging by the injury, it would probably swell up soon.

'Senior Brother Qiao,' Jiang Luo said, 'I'm really sorry. How about I take you to the Hospital to have it looked at?'

Senior Brother Qiao shook his head. 'Forget it, shidi. It's just a small injury, no need.'

'Really no need?' Jiang Luo asked with concern.

Senior Brother Qiao pulled at the wound and gave a reassuring smile. 'Don't worry.'

'By the way, shidi,' he asked, 'why were you in the empty private room?'

'Met an old acquaintance,' Jiang Luo said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. 'Had a little chat.'

Senior Brother Qiao looked at him, wanting to say more but holding back. 'Did something happen to you?'

The black-haired youth looked like someone who'd been bullied—faint, vivid anger burning on his face, clothes disheveled, a finger-shaped bruise on his ankle, as if he'd just been through something unspeakable.

Jiang Luo said firmly: 'I'm fine.'

'Alright,' Senior Brother Qiao said, not pressing further. 'Then shidi, shall we go back and finish eating?'

'No need, shixiong,' Jiang Luo said, desperate not to stay with this evil ghost any longer. 'I have class this afternoon and I'm running out of time. I'll head off first.'

Senior Brother Qiao nodded agreeably and watched him leave the Hotel.

After Jiang Luo's figure disappeared, Senior Brother Qiao pushed open the door of the empty private room. Moving through the dark room as if it were broad daylight, he found a silver E-Cigarette on the round glass table.

He took a light drag, squinted, and exhaled smoke. His ordinary face suddenly became captivating.

This time, Chi You hadn't been manipulating Senior Brother Qiao. After finishing his fight with Feng Li, he had simply possessed the nearest available body—Senior Brother Qiao's.

And because of that, he could feel physical pain.

Like now—half a cup of Harmony Talisman water was wreaking havoc inside him, gnawing like insects from his organs to his skin. His bones itched maddeningly, as if he wished insects really were inside him, just so they'd gnaw at the bones.

This minor curse he'd casually slipped into the cup could make someone hurt so badly they'd wish they were dead, but Chi You's expression hadn't changed once.

He only sighed, talking to himself: 'It's been so long since I felt this kind of pain...'

*

Jiang Luo got back to the School early.

He hadn't eaten lunch, and now he had no appetite at all. He went straight back to the dorm and showered, scrubbing clean every single place the evil ghost had touched.

The evil ghost's love was fucking heavy. Luckily it had only lasted fifteen minutes total. Other people's love was about giving and sacrifice—but this one was a madman who got off on himself.

Jiang Luo finished cleaning himself up. Class was about to start. He left the dorm and saw a number of storage boxes lined against the wall in the hallway.

He passed the boxes and made it to class just before the bell rang.

Lu You said, surprised: 'We thought you weren't coming today.'

Jiang Luo: 'Why would you think that?'

'We heard Feng Li took you as his disciple,' Lu You answered honestly. 'I figured Feng Li would keep you locked up in Tianshi Manor studying until the Competition.'

Jiang Luo smiled. 'Tianshi Manor is a must, but classes are a must too.'

Once class started, unexpectedly, the teacher brought a new student.

'Starting today, Qi Ye has transferred to our School,' the teacher said, overjoyed at gaining a prodigy for nothing, his voice booming. 'Come on, everyone, give Qi Ye a welcome!'

The eight students below paused for a moment, then clapped in unison.

Qi Ye stood beside the teacher—tall, striking and arrogant features, an impatient air.

His gaze swept over the students. The moment he spotted Jiang Luo, fighting spirit blazed in his eyes.

Jiang Luo understood instantly—the storage boxes in the hallway were all Qi Ye's things. He was moving into the dorm.

The Qi Family, to which Qi Ye belonged, was also one of the Six Great Families. They studied many things, broad and varied—everything had to be learned a little. By rights this should have made them jacks of all trades and masters of none, but starting three generations back, every descendant of the Qi Family was born with exceptional Spirit Essence talent.

That talent made them masters of many even while learning many. These descendants secured the Qi Family's standing, pushing them into the Six Great Families—and they'd never fallen out.

Qi Ye was the most highly regarded among the young generation today.

After introducing himself, Qi Ye voluntarily sat down next to Jiang Luo.

The entire Xuanxue Class, with the addition of Qi Ye, was only nine people—three to a row, three rows total. Jiang Luo was now in the middle of the third row, with Sailor on one side and Qi Ye on the other.

Sailor was fine—after all, he was familiar. But Qi Ye... Jiang Luo always felt his purpose in transferring to the School wasn't just for classes.

After sitting down, Qi Ye actually attended class seriously. When class ended, he stood up with aggressive energy, walked up to Jiang Luo, and dropped a familiar threat: 'Next round, I'll definitely be first.'