The Exorcist

Book 1: Chapter 8: Amulet

Ruan Zhan was forced out of bed at six in the morning.

Every day during this time, he would have just finished closing up shop and gotten into bed. Therefore, he was bare-chested and barefooted with only a pair of trousers, as he went downstairs to open the door. He knew it was his only good friend Wan Li, but he didnt expect him to bring Yue Xiao Xia who was only dressed in pajamas.

Bring her inside first. Ill go pay the cab fare. Wan Li didnt say anything else before shoving Xiao Xia into his arms. Only then did Ruan Zhan realize that the silent female lawyer wasnt able to stand without support.

He couldnt help but feel extremely vexed. He knew trouble had come to the door. It looks like he wasnt able to avoid it.

Why are you still standing there? Cant you see shes about to pass out? Go up, go up. Wan Li locked the door behind him and spoke to the two standing by the bar. His tone was impolite enough for others to think this was his house.

Ruan Zhan didnt speak. Although his teeth itched with resentment, he still did as he was told. Two of the rooms upstairs were being used as storage space and the stairs were also quite steep. He had no choice but to pretty much half-carry Xiao Xia safely upstairs. Then, he watched with a sort of resigned manner as Wan Li busied himself here and there. Finally, Wan Li even let Xiao Xia sleep in his bed.

We really need to have a chat. Ruan Zhan could no longer endure and walked over. He stretched his hand out and drew a few characters between the astonished Xiao Xias brows.

Xiao Xia lay in the bed that was still warm from Ruan Zhans body and already felt a sense of security. When he drew on her forehead, she merely felt a little ticklish. Then, she fell into a deep sleep without any warning.

I feel like a pushy salesman. Wan Li smiled bitterly.

How very self-aware. Youve already played the part of an unreasonable friend to perfection. You also went back on your word.

Im sorry. Wan Li apologized sincerely. However, if I could do it over, I would still make the same choice.

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Oh?

It was the last resort.

Oh?

Why are you so unmoved by everything? Its what she said. Wan Li pointed at the sleeping Xiao Xia.

Oh?

Stop saying oh, theres really a ghost trying to harm people. You must help me.

I dont see why I must help you.

Then treat it as me begging you. Weve been friends for many years, Ah Zhan. You wouldnt really not care about me, right?

Begging me? Ruan Zhan stretched the words out meaningfully.

Dont misunderstand. Wan Li knew what he was thinking and explained: I admit, I have a little more affection for her than a normal friend. However, its definitely not to the point of love. She Wan Li looked at Xiao Xias sleeping face, a trace of sorrow in his mind, is just like Nana.

Ruan Zhan froze for a moment, Nana has been dead for a decade. Youre just trying to fill the void in your mind. Its useless. Furthermore, she isnt like her at all. Your vision must be getting blurry.

Her personality is similar, and her current circumstances are as well. Therefore, I dont want to make the same mistake.

Stop trying to trick me! This person has no patience in doing things and cant lower herself when asking for help. Shes both sensitive and willful. How is she like Nana? The fact that she tries to get along with everyone, or because shes timid?

Wan Li couldnt help but start laughing at Ruan Zhans words. The two of you really are soulmates! Youve only met once but were both able to completely analyze each others flaws. Its a shame you couldnt see each others strengths. Really, like a bickering couple.

You still have the face to laugh in front of this daddy, you treacherous bastard!?

Hearing Ruan Zhan cursing and losing control of his emotions, Wan Li knew his old friend was wavering. He hurriedly struck while the iron was hot, Whatever, whatever. You can scold me all you want. You wouldnt really stand by without doing anything, right, Ah Zhan?

Apart from finding problems for this daddy, what else are you good for? Ruan Zhan scolded. His carefully cultivated calm and elegance completely crumbled. You clearly know Im unwilling to use that ability but you still revealed it to an outsider. You clearly know I never allow women to come here but you actually let her grandly occupy my bed. Is there a friend like you under the heavens?

Its all my fault, ok? Are you willing to help now?

Would you let me off if I dont? Ruan Zhan finally resigned himself. However, Ill get the ugly part out of the way. Im helping you, not her.

What does that mean?

It means Ill help her this once for your sake. If she provokes some other ghoul, itll have nothing to do with me.

Sure, sure. Wan Li agreed. Who would keep randomly provoking foul things!?

Tell me first what happened last night. Why so wretched? Despite being extremely unwilling, Ruan Zhan would only ask about the situation since he already had nowhere to sleep. At least he could figure out what he was up against.

His question made Wan Li turn very serious. This made him realize the problem wasnt simple. Wan Li had gone through life-threatening situations twice with him. He wouldnt make such a fuss about a minor matter.

I dont know what Xiao Xia encountered last night. She didnt tell me anything on the way over. All I know is I encountered the ghost builds wall phenomenon last night. It wanted to separate me from Xiao Xia. Before that, we also encountered something weird at the hospital.

He told Ruan Zhan about Xiao Xias nightmare and the murder case in detail, and the spoke about what happened in Xiao Xias house. When I woke her up around ten to give her medicine, everything was still fine. Then I fell asleep on the living room sofa. Around one in the morning, I heard her loudly calling me, her voice cracking. Such a loud sound would definitely carry a long distance, but the weird thing was none of the neighbors heard anything. I was extremely panicked at that time but couldnt find her bedroom door no matter how I tried. Then, I couldnt hear any sounds as though I was in a vacuum. I used the purifying chant you taught me and then pushed through any obstructions I could feel in one direction. In the end, I could only find my way out the front door, but couldnt find Xiao Xias bedroom door at all. I couldnt even make a phone call. When I burst through the door at dawn, she had already been unconscious for who knows how long. What needs to be said is that the door was locked from the inside, but Xiao Xia wouldnt do something like that.

Maybe its her way of guarding against perverts. Ruan Zhan joked instinctively, but he had some thoughts in mind. He walked over to the sleeping Xiao Xia and stretched his hand out towards her chest.

Wan Li stopped him, It looks like youre the pervert!

Ruan Zhan ignored him and lightly lifted the jade pendant around her neck. I dare say that thing wanted to harm her. At the least it wanted to possess her. But why was she fine in the end? He lowered his head and carefully examined the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattvas amulet. Do you know where she got this treasure?

Wan Li thought about it. She said that when she went to the parade in Anhui Prefectures Wuhu City, an old monk said she had Buddhist karma and gifted it to her. She doesnt like hanging things around her neck and ended up giving it to her grandma who was a devout Buddhist. Three years ago, her grandma passed away. Perhaps she missed her too much and thus started wearing it. It never leaves her side.

I see. Ruan Zhan put the jade Buddha back in place. Do you know of Wuhus Little Mount Jiuhua, the Guangji Temple? Its dedicated to the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. This was probably gifted by one of the daoists there. It has a lot of spiritual power. There is also a very strong psychic power. Im guessing that her grandma definitely loved her a lot. This sort of extreme care became an extremely strong protective force. Its very rarely seen. I finally understand now why her yang flame wasnt snuffed out despite encountering such a thing.

So you mean shes going to be fine?

Relatively. You should know that too much ghostly miasma can corrupt such treasures, just like how air pollution harms the body.

We cant tell her about this. Otherwise, she will become overconfident.

That has nothing to do with me. Ruan Zhan drew on Xiao Xias brows as he spoke, letting her slowly wake up. Then, before she was fully awake, he started asking about what happened last night. He was so meticulous that Xiao Xia felt he would have made an excellent lawyer.

It said you were the sixth? Ruan Zhan asked.

Yes. She was still traumatized by the scene. Is this because of my case?

Well see. Although this seemed related to that family murder case, it involved the supernatural. It shouldnt be considered conventionally.

Youre willing to help me?

Im helping him. But I hope you wont tell anyone about this in the future. Treat it as my compensation, ok?

Want her to swear to it? Wan Li interrupted.

No need. A certain someone once made an oath, but didnt he sell me out all the same?

Relax, I wont say anything no matter what. Its fine if you believe me, its also fine if you dont. Xiao Xia really wanted to be grateful, but his cold and reluctant attitude was a big blow to her pride. She couldnt help but be a little angry.