Chapter 43: A Reckless Pact and the Unsettling Tomb

Bai Hao was taken aback, never having imagined that Aunt Xia would actually agree. This left him in a momentary quandary, feeling as if he were riding a tiger, unable to dismount.

He possessed numerous ways to claim Aunt Xia, yet over this period, he conceded to his own burgeoning greed. He had begun to covet something beyond mere physical intimacy.

“Well then… Aunt Xia, you were the one who said it. I certainly didn’t force your hand.”

Fortunately, he was no Liu Xiahui (TL Note: A historical figure renowned for his unwavering moral integrity, famously remaining unmoved by a woman’s presence in a cold night, even allowing her to sit on his lap without impropriety).

Since Aunt Xia had spoken such words, he decided to accept her offer without further ado. Moreover, they spoke of a hundred encounters, claiming the surest path to a woman’s heart was through…

He found it impossible to believe that after a hundred such times, Aunt Xia would simply abandon him.

Upon hearing the Unnamed Young Man’s words, Xia Zhiquiu’s heart filled with a measure of regret. However, with the words already uttered, she felt too embarrassed to retract them.

She could only let out a soft huff, falling silent. Thus, the two of them forged yet another absurd and thrilling pact.

Xia Zhiquiu had initially intended to depart for Ningcheng immediately. Yet, Bai Hao insisted she rest there for a full day before continuing her journey.

At that moment, she harbored no desire to engage with the scoundrel. Thus, she refrained from any arguments, instead retreating into the covers, effectively playing the role of a ‘shrinking turtle’ (TL Note: A Chinese idiom referring to someone who hides or avoids confrontation).

***

Meanwhile, at Beichen Mountain.

Following several days of external surveying, numerous archaeologists unanimously agreed that the ancient tomb could now be opened.

It was time to delve deeper into the secrets of this uncharted burial site. Consequently, the authorities swiftly assembled an archaeological team.

Aside from a few archaeological experts, the remaining members were all Awakened individuals, tasked with providing protection.

Such an elaborate mobilization was necessitated by the fact that ever since the outbreak of ‘Anomalous Entities’ (TL Note: ‘Guǐ wù’, literally ‘ghostly things’ or ‘anomalous objects’, often used in web novels for supernatural threats), these subterranean tombs had undergone mutations to varying degrees.

The probability of ‘Zongzi’ (TL Note: In Chinese tomb-raiding fiction, ‘zongzi’ refers to reanimated corpses or mummies, distinct from the glutinous rice food item) forming was remarkably high.

Naturally, despite the high risks, the rewards were commensurate. From these ancient tombs, countless unheard-of artifacts had been unearthed.

These included hidden lore pertaining to Awakened individuals, methods for countering Anomalous Entities, and even potent ‘Spirit Weapons’ (TL Note: ‘Líng wǔ’, weapons imbued with spiritual power).

However, to the astonishment of the high-ranking officials, shortly after the archaeological team descended into the tomb, their communication signal abruptly ceased! The interruption lasted a full ten hours before the signal finally restored.

Yet, when the ground crew inquired about their status, the only response they received was the guttural gurgle of some monstrous creature.

Instantly, an unsettling aura permeated the entire contingent stationed at Beichen Mountain. It was widely known that the dispatched archaeological team was led by a C-class Awakened individual! Furthermore, there were over a dozen D-class Awakened individuals among them!

Now, it seemed that even the experts, along with their protectors, might never return. The authorities, too, hesitated, uncertain whether to continue investigating this eerie ancient tomb.

One thing, however, remained indisputable: sinister entities undoubtedly lurked within its depths.

***

Back here, it wasn’t until the following day that Xia Zhiquiu finally gathered her belongings and returned to Ningcheng.

En route, however, Xia Zhiquiu received a video call from her daughter. Casting a nervous glance at the Unnamed Young Man driving beside her, she quickly shot him a warning look before switching the video call to an audio one.

–Hello, Xia Wei, what’s wrong?

–Mom, why didn’t you answer the video call?

–I really wanted to see you.

Hearing this, Xia Zhiquiu quickly fabricated an excuse.

–Mommy’s driving right now, so it’s not very convenient.

Xia Wei sounded a little excited upon hearing this.

–Mom, are you coming home?

Xia Zhiquiu pondered for a moment before replying, –It might take another two days.

–Xia Wei, make sure you eat well at home and don’t have too many snacks, okay?

–Got it, got it!

–Mom, please come back soon, or no one will cook for me.

–Oh, right, Mom, did Bai Hao go looking for you?

Upon hearing this, Xia Zhiquiu’s delicate body trembled. She shot a disgruntled glance at the Unnamed Young Man beside her, who was winking mischievously.

–No, he’s probably dead.

Xia Wei paused, bewildered by her mother’s words. While her mother disliked Bai Hao, surely she wouldn’t curse him to death?

After hanging up the phone, Xia Zhiquiu took a deep breath. The next instant, however, she realized the Unnamed Young Man had pulled the car into a service area, which made her momentarily freeze.

“What are you doing?”

Bai Hao turned to face her, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“Aunt Xia, I hear I’m dead?”

Xia Zhiquiu’s pretty face flushed at his words, and she guiltily averted her gaze. A few seconds later, however, she spun back around, glaring at him.

“I simply wish you’d drop dead, what of it?!”

Bai Hao sighed at her outburst, then simply snapped his fingers. Immediately, Xia Zhiquiu felt a wave of dizziness wash over her. Gradually, her pupils lost their focus, transforming her into a beautiful, yet vacant-eyed, woman.

“Ah, I hadn’t intended to use this trick on you, Aunt Xia, but why must you be so disobedient?”

Bai Hao, however, was somewhat surprised.

He hadn’t anticipated that his ‘Soul-Snatching Art’ (TL Note: ‘Shè hún shù’, a supernatural ability to control or influence a person’s mind or spirit) would have such a dazed effect on Aunt Xia. It seemed Aunt Xia possessed a remarkably strong will.

With this thought, Bai Hao immediately commanded.

“Aunt Xia, come here.”

Upon hearing his command, Xia Zhiquiu obediently unbuckled her seatbelt and moved to stand before the Unnamed Young Man.

In her current dazed state, she exuded a unique kind of beauty. Seeing this, Bai Hao offered a faint smile, knowing that the ensuing moments were entirely his to command.

After a considerable while, Bai Hao finally snapped his fingers again, a look of profound satisfaction on his face.

Following this experience, he concluded that judicious use of his Soul-Snatching Art on Aunt Xia was indeed quite necessary.

Xia Zhiquiu gradually regained her senses, feeling a lingering haze. She found the Unnamed Young Man preparing to restart the car to continue their journey, while she herself was sitting properly in her seat.

Seeing this, a wave of confusion washed over her. ‘What exactly happened to me just now?’ she wondered.

“Um, I just…”

With no other recourse, Xia Zhiquiu turned to face the Unnamed Young Man, whose expression remained placid. Her red lips parted slightly, but her words caught in her throat.

Bai Hao, as steady as an old dog, turned his head with feigned composure.

“What’s wrong, Aunt Xia?”

Xia Zhiquiu gazed at the seemingly puzzled Unnamed Young Man, then gently shook her head. She turned away without speaking, merely furrowing her delicate brows.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that she had experienced a momentary blackout, akin to forgetting what happened after drinking too much.

The following day, Xia Zhiquiu and Bai Hao once again arrived at the home of Gu Chen and Gu Xin. By then, Gu Xin was already aware of the strange occurrences happening to her.

What surprised Xia Zhiquiu, however, was that the Unnamed Young Woman displayed no negative attitude whatsoever toward her predicament.

She recalled how, when Xia Wei had been targeted by a Shadow Devourer (TL Note: ‘Shì yǐng guǐ’, a type of spectral entity that consumes shadows or life force), both she and Xia Wei had been overcome with terror and anxiety. Curious, Xia Zhiquiu inquired.

“Gu Xin, aren’t you afraid, being targeted by an Echoing Wraith (TL Note: ‘Huí xiǎng yuàn líng’, a vengeful spirit that manifests through echoes or memories)?”

Gu Xin shook her head, a faint smile gracing her lips.

“Of course I’m scared, but I know fear won’t solve anything.

“Besides, I have my brother and you, Aunt Xia.

“Just thinking of you all makes the fear in my heart less intense.”

Xia Zhiquiu was touched by her words, and nodded in response.

“Don’t worry, Gu Xin, we will definitely help you find that Echoing Wraith.”

Gu Xin hummed softly in affirmation, then clung to Gu Chen’s arm, appearing utterly dependent. Gu Chen, in turn, gently stroked the Unnamed Young Woman’s head, his eyes brimming with tender affection.

Observing this heartwarming scene, Bai Hao found himself falling into a contemplative silence.