Chapter 17: An Unexpected Revelation

“I was careless,” Bai Yuliang admitted, a hint of shame on his face as he gently helped the still-dazed Qichuan Feng onto the bed. “If a ghost died in the sewers, it could indeed bypass the talismans I placed at the door and enter from elsewhere.”

“I was so caught up arguing with you just now that I forgot to warn you about that ghost’s specific traits. It was my oversight.”

“Ah… no, you don’t need to apologize…” For some reason, as Qichuan Feng looked at his face, a rush of embarrassment filled her heart.

“You… you just saved me. It’s… it’s me who should apologize. I was too busy bickering with you… and then…”

“For now, everything is fine.”

“Mm…” Qichuan Feng collected herself, her pretty brows furrowing slightly as she eyed her jacket, now soiled from her fall. Disgusted, she immediately pulled it off, revealing a pristine white shirt underneath.

Bai Yuliang glanced at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. ‘She’s just a loli, but she’s quite… well-endowed.’

He quickly noticed her pale lips, however, and realizing the implications, he swiftly rummaged through his travel bag. He produced a chocolate bread and a bottle of water, offering them to her.

“Eat something first. You can eat while I slowly explain what just happened… Is that alright?”

“Mm… Mm!” Qichuan Feng’s dewy eyes blinked nervously as she accepted the items, looking as bewildered as a tiny rabbit.

Bai Yuliang organized his thoughts, then briefly recounted the news he had just found, explaining the origin of the ghost that had attacked her. He then informed her about the source of the ghost in the elevator.

Upon hearing his narrative, Qichuan Feng gasped. “So… these ghosts are all people who died here?”

“Yes, ghosts are typically those who suffered tragic deaths,” Bai Yuliang said with lingering apprehension. “Their grievances are often hard to dispel, and these grievances are the very source of a ghost’s power. The heavier the resentment, the fiercer the ghost. Some ghosts, those bearing deep-seated hatred, often possess truly terrifying power.”

“Fortunately, though those two ghosts were resentful, the one who died most tragically was merely an infant with an undeveloped mind. The larger one was scared to death, so its resentment wasn’t too profound. My secret treasure can handle them.”

“Your treasure?”

As she asked the question, Qichuan Feng’s apricot-shaped mouth slightly parted, and she daintily took a bite of bread. Her moist eyes gazed forward with a captivating allure, sending a jolt through Bai Yuliang’s old bachelor heart, as if he’d been struck by lightning.

‘Good heavens, I’m used to seeing this little girl’s arrogant demeanor every day. But when she becomes quiet, those emerald eyes are as seductive as a charming succubus!’

“My… my treasure… is what was inside that bottle you opened just now,” Bai Yuliang said, steadying himself. “Though this item used to be quite common, collecting it here in Sakurashu proved incredibly difficult. I nearly got into legal trouble.”

“Eh?”

Qichuan Feng swallowed the last piece of bread, her delicate pink tongue licking the honeyed corners of her mouth. Then, she leaned forward, pressing herself slightly against Bai Yuliang’s body, and sniffed gently like a small puppy.

“Ugh… it stinks! What is this stuff?!”

Seeing the little loli’s furrowed brows, Bai Yuliang smiled helplessly. “It’s dog blood.”

“Ah! Dog… dog blood?” Qichuan Feng’s expression was utterly shocked. “You… you were going to eat a dog, so…”

“Please don’t misunderstand, I don’t eat dog meat,” Bai Yuliang quickly explained. “Have you heard of the Yin-Yang and Five Elements theory from Shenzhou? Dogs are creatures of extreme yang. In the Twelve Earthly Branches and Five Elements, they correspond to the Earthly Branch Xu, which is also Yang Earth. Therefore, the innate yang energy of a virgin black dog is the purest. To counter yin with yang, Taoists have, since ancient times, used black dog blood to ward off evil and subdue ghosts.”

“Ah…” Qichuan Feng’s mind worked quickly, analyzing everything he had said, and she soon reached a conclusion.

“So… commoner… Yu-Liang-kun, you know those mysterious talismans, and you collect dog blood, and you’ll be able to dominate this assignment… all because you are a… Taoist priest?”

“A long time ago, I was indeed a Taoist priest in… in Shenzhou, with the Taoist name Xuanyang,” Bai Yuliang said, cupping his hands and revealing a smile. “However, that was a very long time ago.”

“Oh…” Qichuan Feng wore a half-understanding expression. “It sounds a bit like… an Onmyoji here in Sakurashu?”

“You could make that analogy.”

“I see…” Qichuan Feng’s lovely eyes widened, openly brimming with surprise. “Then, Yu-Liang-kun, it sounds like you were once… a very formidable person.”

‘Formidable? Am I considered formidable?’

A bitter, ineffable feeling stirred in Bai Yuliang’s heart upon hearing her words.

In the Central Plains of old, demons ran rampant and evil spirits held sway. Countless talented individuals showcased their abilities. He, however, had merely stumbled upon a stroke of luck, finding a tattered Taoist scripture and learning only superficial Taoist arts, becoming nothing more than a half-baked Taoist priest. He was incomparable to those true masters.

However…

Seeing the admiration glinting in Qichuan Feng’s slightly luminous eyes, Bai Yuliang felt an inexplicable surge of happiness.

This feeling reminded him of the gazes he used to receive from people after he completed a commission—that blend of gratitude and reverence.

In a daze, Bai Yuliang instinctively declared, “Though I deem myself unworthy, I shall nonetheless protect you with my life this time.”

“Ah… ah? Ugh—” Qichuan Feng suddenly covered her face, her apricot-shaped mouth slightly open, her expression becoming rather peculiar.

“Yu-Liang… Yu-Liang-kun, you… what strange things are you saying… why… why are you speaking so formally…”

“Uh…” Bai Yuliang suddenly snapped back to reality, quickly patted his head, and offered an apologetic smile. “My apologies, my apologies. Sometimes I unintentionally speak like that.”

“Uh… mm! Don’t… don’t speak like that again.”

Qichuan Feng lowered her head, her breathing quickening. Her peach-pink hair concealed her expression, but a faint blush bloomed on the visible skin of her cheeks.

“Eh?” At that moment, Bai Yuliang suddenly realized something and looked at Qichuan Feng with a puzzled expression. “Qichuan-san… did you just call me by my given name?”

“Ah… mm-hm, yes, I did. What’s wrong? Is it not allowed?”

“Well… you used to always call me—”

“Of course I can call you whatever I want!”

Qichuan Feng looked down, turning her face to the side, her right hand tightly gripping her left arm, her delicate body trembling slightly.

“I have my reasons! Before, I felt you were just ordinary, and since I come from a prestigious family, there was nothing wrong with calling you a commoner, right? Now I see your talent, and you are indeed a bit formidable, so I’m willing to change how I address you… If you’re not satisfied, I’ll just go back to calling you a commoner!”

“Then please call me by my given name,” Bai Yuliang said with a wry smile. “I also don’t like feeling like a servant.”

“Mm, I… I understand…”

Qichuan Feng’s gaze cautiously peeked out from between her bangs. “From now on, I won’t call you a commoner anymore.”