Chapter 67: Rain Girl

“Crazy,” Sheng Wen clicked his tongue and commented.

In truth, Lin Kuo thought the same.

Seeing that they couldn’t stop Zhang Yi, Wang Qing and his group said no more. They cast a glare at Lin Kuo and the others, then left one by one.

Lin Zhi didn’t fully understand the situation, but that didn’t stop her from disliking those people.

Lin Kuo withdrew his gaze and turned it to Echo of the Valley. Even from the painting style alone, one could see Echo of the Valley’s strength. Now that her eyes were smeared with Zhang Yi’s blood, her aura was all the more eerie.

The four of them waited a long while outside the courtyard wall. Time passed, the sky darkening. Sheng Wen looked at the heavy, brooding heavens and said, “It should be about time.”

Sure enough, not long after, ripples spread across the section of wall where Rain Woman had appeared, and Guan Miao and Jiang Sheng stepped out.

Zhang Mengnan took a step forward. “Brother Guan Miao!”

Guan Miao looked at them apologetically. “Were you waiting for us? Sorry, something unexpected happened, so we were delayed. You’ve been waiting long.”

Jiang Sheng’s face was pale, but brightened a little when he saw Lin Zhi. “Sister Zhi Zhi.”

Lin Zhi said, “Not at all, we only just came out too.”

Guan Miao tilted his chin. “But Brother Sheng Wen may not agree with that.”

Sheng Wen said blankly, “Not that long. Just from sunrise to sunset.”

Guan Miao choked a little.

It was about time for dinner again. On the way back to the courtyard, rain began to fall. It wasn’t heavy, more like a persistent drizzle. Coupled with the dim weather, it carried a sense of melancholy. Lin Kuo smelled again the earthy, musty scent that clung to Guan Miao and Jiang Sheng after they had entered Rain Woman’s painting scroll. He glanced at them; the two were telling Lin Zhi and Zhang Mengnan the story of the Rain Woman.

Guan Miao said, “Rain Woman is very beautiful and only appears on rainy days. Her beauty, and the way she looks so pitiful and delicate in the rain, make her seem like someone you’d want to protect. If anyone is moved to share an umbrella with her, she will follow them.”

Lin Zhi looked a little frightened. “So… Brother Guan Miao, getting her eyes must’ve been really difficult.” She then rubbed Jiang Sheng’s head affectionately. “Little rascal, were you scared?”

Jiang Sheng shook his head. “No.”

Guan Miao nodded. “Jiang Sheng was very brave.” He paused. “And since we knew her tricks, it wasn’t too hard.”

Lin Kuo covertly studied Guan Miao and Jiang Sheng. Only Sheng Wen noticed his unease and casually slung an arm around him, asking softly, “What’s wrong?”

Lin Kuo shook his head. After a moment, he said, “Not sure. Maybe the rain feels… odd.”

Sheng Wen whispered against his ear, “She brought Rain Woman out.”

Lin Kuo’s heart jolted, though his face betrayed no change.

“No tiptoeing, no possession,” Sheng Wen said lightly, as though it were trivial. “Watch their shadows later. The one followed by the ghost will have a shadow shaped like her.”

Lin Kuo hesitated, then nodded.

Because of the rain, he couldn’t see their shadows for now. They continued toward the courtyard. As night fell, the lanterns hung along the covered corridors lit up, making it easier for Lin Kuo to observe the shadows of those walking ahead.

He first checked Jiang Sheng’s shadow—normal. Then Guan Miao’s—also normal. Considering the ghost’s unpredictability, he glanced at Lin Zhi and Zhang Mengnan too. All seemed normal, and Lin Kuo let out a small breath.

Sheng Wen, seeing no abnormalities in the others, slowed to walk half a step behind Lin Kuo and then glanced at his shadow.

Lin Kuo’s shadow wavered on the ground, swaying elegantly with his steps. Although there was nothing feminine about Lin Kuo’s own body, his shadow’s silhouette was slim and curvaceous. Sheng Wen’s gaze was so subtle that Lin Kuo’s shadow didn’t seem to notice its scrutiny. Sheng Wen then opened his umbrella, and Lin Kuo’s shadow suddenly looked bizarre—like a thin mushroom sprouting from the ground.

Lin Kuo hadn’t realized Sheng Wen was observing him. He turned his head and asked, “Their shadows are normal. Where did Rain Woman go?”

He used where did she go instead of questioning whether she was really out of the scroll—he trusted Sheng Wen’s judgment completely. If Sheng Wen said she was out, then she was.

Sheng Wen still had his arm over Lin Kuo’s shoulder, his hand hanging loosely. His tone was so relaxed that Lin Kuo almost didn’t realize he was deliberately underplaying it. “She’s pretty high-ranked. She follows whoever she pleases. Could be… right under your feet.”

Lin Kuo stopped dead and immediately looked down at his shadow—normal. He glanced at Sheng Wen’s.

Sheng Wen blocked his view. “If she’s at my feet, then she’s asking for death.”

“…”

That… made sense. Hard to argue with that.

“Let’s eat,” Sheng Wen said.

The six of them headed toward the main hall. Among the six elongated shadows cast by the lanterns under the eaves, one graceful silhouette moved with enchanting poise, like a flower drifting with each step.

They had dinner, then gathered in Lin Kuo’s room to confirm everyone was unharmed, as per their usual routine.

As they were about to disperse, Sheng Wen glared down at the shadow at his feet. “Still not leaving?”

As if responding, the shadow trembled a few times and then dissipated.

The six regrouped in the room and, after confirming no one was compromised, discussed business: collecting the ghost eyes. Because Lin Kuo had initiated the task, he was responsible for keeping them.

“Wait,” Lin Kuo said.

He searched the room and found a plastic bag. Holding it up by the handles, he said, “Put them in here.”

Guan Miao hesitated. “…Isn’t that a bit casual?”

Lin Kuo glanced around but couldn’t find anything more suitable than a simple plastic bag.

Sheng Wen scoffed. “They’re not our eyes. No need to be fancy.”

“If they were yours, I’d throw them right in without hesitation,” Guan Miao replied.

“Freak,” Sheng Wen muttered.

“You’re the freak,” Guan Miao retorted.

Lin Kuo pursed his lips. “Maybe… I should look for something else.”

Guan Miao quickly waved his hands. “No, no, plastic bag is fine. I was just worried about security, that someone might steal them.”

Sheng Wen was first to drop in the Nurarihyon and Great Tengu eyes. Guan Miao raised an eyebrow. “You’ve already cleared two scrolls?”

“Snatched them,” Sheng Wen said bluntly.

“…That’s exactly what I’d expect from you,” Guan Miao muttered.

Lin Kuo added the Sea Monk’s eye he’d acquired, along with the Wisteria Spirit’s that Lin Zhi had entrusted to him. Guan Miao was even more shocked. “Sea Monk too? Sheng Wen, you’re really something.”

Lin Kuo hurried to explain, “Not that one—Sheng Wen and I split up today. I got Sea Monk’s myself.”

“How’d you two split up?” Guan Miao asked.

Lin Kuo briefly recounted Zhang Yi’s situation. Guan Miao thought for a while. “So, with this many high-ranked eyes, we’re bound to be targets now.”

Lin Kuo nodded in agreement. Someone was probably already plotting to steal them. “Can we take them into the scrolls?”

Guan Miao shook his head. “Bringing them inside strengthens the ghosts already there. So it’s better to leave them outside. But…”

“Then let Zhi Zhi stay outside,” Zhang Mengnan suggested. “The low-ranked ghosts shouldn’t be too hard. I can handle them alone.”

“It’s not the ghosts I’m worried about,” Guan Miao said. “It’s people.”

Zhang Mengnan fell silent, recalling her near-death encounter at Yan Jie’s hands during Material Story. It had taken her days to recover.

“I’ll stay outside with her,” Lin Zhi said. “The low-ranked ghosts won’t add much power anyway.”

“That works. What do you two think?” Guan Miao asked, looking at Lin Kuo and Sheng Wen.

Sheng Wen had no opinion, just followed orders. Lin Kuo nodded. “Fine.”

They finalized the plan and Guan Miao began analyzing the remaining ghosts. Midway through, a knock sounded at the door. The room went still.

“I’ll get it,” Lin Kuo said.

Sheng Wen hesitated. “Be careful.”

“Mm.”

Lin Kuo opened the door—just as he suspected, it was Zhang Yi. Lin Kuo glanced at Sheng Wen.

“Come back soon,” Sheng Wen said.

Lin Kuo nodded and followed Zhang Yi out.

The courtyard was large, but finding a truly empty spot wasn’t easy, especially with the rain still falling. Fortunately, most people were holed up in their rooms. After a few minutes, they found a quiet corner.

Lin Kuo stopped. “If you want to ask about Zhou Mu…” He trailed off. Zhang Yi was smiling at him, a soft, almost flirtatious smile.

Then Zhang Yi stepped toward him, swaying his hips with each step. Despite his height and build—nearly Sheng Wen’s size—he somehow managed to move with sultry grace.

“It’s raining,” Zhang Yi said, his eyes glimmering. “Do you have an umbrella, sir? If not… may I share one with you?”