Chapter 115, Chapter Sixteen: The Lost Manor
Less than ten minutes later, Song Xiaona and Dean came out together.
Having just had a fight, Li Yufei didn't even want to look at Song Xiaona, so Cheng Yuzhou broke the ice and asked, "How was it?"
"To sum it up, we probably didn't encounter any demons." Dean shrugged. "It's very small inside. There was a board, and I was rambling on about this side of the board for a while when I heard a voice from behind it saying, 'The goddess has heard your repentance. As long as you sincerely repent, she will forgive you.'"
Cheng Yuzhou glanced at Song Xiaona, and the first thing Song Xiaona did after coming out was to open her "Holy Covenant".
The repentance did not change her faith value. She guessed that "repentance" itself was a benefit given to believers by the clergy, so no reward was given.
Noticing Cheng Yuzhou's gaze, she replied, "Me too. No matter what I say, I only get platitudes."
"Feifei, would you like to go in and try?" Cheng Yuzhou asked.
"I came here for this." Li Yufei walked past Song Xiaona, who glanced at her.
What's wrong with Li Yufei's eyes...?
As for crying over those two sentences?
Li Yufei deliberately bypassed Song Xiaona and went to the confessional room where Dean had been.
She grabbed the doorknob, but as the moment approached, she belatedly felt a little scared.
“Zheng Jianbin,” she turned around, swallowed, “If anything really happens to me… remember to burn all the clothes, bags, shoes and jewelry in my rented room for me—and put the ones that can’t be burned into my urn.”
Dean was shocked: "Why don't you donate it? It would be a good deed for you."
"No, what I keep now are all my favorites." She wouldn't give them to anyone else, but Li Yufei also wanted to accumulate merit. "Yes, I can donate my savings. I also bought two stocks and funds under the Cheng Group. I'll donate them together to accumulate some good fortune for my next life."
Cheng Yuzhou nodded. "Okay, I've got it."
“The description in the Covenant is that if you encounter a demon, you should either leave immediately or kill it. Since there is an option to leave immediately, you should be able to escape,” Song Xiaona suddenly said. “We don’t know how to kill a demon. At this stage, we are just gathering information. Don’t panic or act rashly. If you feel something is wrong, just come out immediately.”
Li Yufei was a little unaccustomed to her suddenly speaking so calmly.
She looked at her in surprise and saw that Song Xiaona's brows were furrowed and her face was covered with an inescapable weariness. After noticing that she was being looked at, she looked away uncomfortably.
She's been under a lot of stress these past few days and hasn't been getting enough sleep, so it's understandable that she's feeling restless.
Song Xiaona didn't think she had said anything wrong, but in this situation, arguing with Li Yufei was pointless, and she shouldn't have acted impulsively and argued with her.
"Alright," Li Yufei wasn't in the mood either, so she accepted Song Xiaona's suggestion, "I'll run if I feel something's wrong."
As she spoke, her fox-like eyes darted around, landing sternly on Cheng Yuzhou, "You too! If you sense something's wrong, run right away! And you have to get out before me. If I can't see you, I'll just kick the door down and barge in."
Dean really wanted to complain, "Who knows when my aunt will come out? How am I supposed to control the timing?"
But Cheng Yuzhou smiled and said, "Okay, I will."
After giving her instructions, Li Yufei swallowed and pushed open the door to enter.
Cheng Yuzhou raised his hand, and a wisp of black smoke emerged from his fingertips, wrapping around Li Yufei's ring finger.
It wrapped around her finger, neither too tight nor too loose, like a ring invisible to the living.
This shady thought made Cheng Yuzhou feel ashamed and nervous.
Demonic possession is entirely a matter of chance, and he couldn't guarantee that Li Yufei would never encounter it.
Not only in the confessional, but there are other dangers in this manor, so it is necessary to provide protection. If Li Yufei's faith power is not enough to resist harm, then this power will protect her.
Li Yufei regretted it as soon as she entered the door.
She sniffled, her emotions clouding her judgment; she'd been so focused on crying that she'd forgotten to bring a weapon for self-defense. Going out now would be too embarrassing, so she reluctantly pressed on.
The confessional was only the size of two toilet cubicles, with a chair in the middle and a wooden board blocking the entire wall in front of it.
The wooden board, like a bank window, had a small hole in it, making it impossible to see whether the person on the other side was male or female.
The thought that a demon might be sitting behind a board sent chills down Li Yufei's spine.
She sat down in the chair. A candle was lit on the wall, but even in such a small space, the faint light could not illuminate the area, only allowing one to barely see the outline of the surroundings.
She didn't speak, nor did anyone behind the board; only tears of wax streamed down her face.
Let's say something.
Li Yufei pursed her lips and said, "Um..."
Damn it, who would talk to a stranger about all the mistakes they've made in their life? Even posting something like this on social media requires setting it to be visible only to yourself. How could she possibly say it?
"Don't be nervous, child," came a kind female voice from behind the board. "Just treat it as a chat, say whatever comes to mind."
Li Yufei was slightly surprised, not expecting the ants to be so kind and gentle, which made her feel much more relaxed.
The voice behind the board took the initiative to start a conversation for her: "Your voice is beautiful and youthful, I'm sure many men are attracted to you. Would you like to talk about your relationship troubles?"
"Alright then." I had to say something, so I might as well go along with this. "You're right, I've been very popular since I was little. I've had eight or nine boyfriends... uh, ten or so? I can't remember exactly, but they were all pretty much the same... except for my first one, who was a little different."
A perfectly timed response came from behind the wooden plank: "Oh?"
"He is the best-looking, the most sensible, and the richest."
"Then he must be your favorite."
“That was how it was supposed to be, but then for some reason… he died on his way back from a business trip.” Li Yufei lowered her head, her fingers intertwining and then separating as she rubbed her manicured nails. “Before he passed away, I wasn’t very good to him…”
Her tone suddenly changed, "I know I was wrong, and I can repent and admit my mistakes, but you don't need to say that sentence—I don't want the goddess's forgiveness."
She tormented Cheng Yuzhou; how can outsiders speak for him and forgive him?
"So how would you like me to help you?" the person behind the wooden plank asked.
She certainly hoped it would help her get home, but that was clearly impossible.
“I don’t know either… If you can get in touch with him, please tell him for me…” Li Yufei paused.
Say something.
sorry?
Forgot her?
The wooden plank did not urge them, but waited patiently.
Li Yufei curled her ten fingers.
Six years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Her account is operating smoothly, so even if she severs ties with her parents, she won't end up homeless.
When the rented house leaked and water was everywhere in the kitchen, she could roll up her sleeves, tie up her hair, and climb into the cupboard to check it herself.
When she argues and fights with her boyfriend, she can beat him up smoothly and effortlessly.
Cheng Yuzhou gradually faded out of her world. His time was forever frozen in that winter six years ago, while she grew up year by year and no longer needed to miss him when she was in a sorry state.
But upon arriving here and seeing scenes related to Cheng Yuzhou again, Li Yufei was instantly transported back to six years ago.
If she had another chance to speak to him, what should she say?
Are you referring to those things from earlier, or are you saying she's doing well and there's nothing to worry about?
Or perhaps ask him how he's doing? What's the afterlife like? As a new ghost, is he being bullied again...?
Countless words stuck in her throat. After a moment of silence, Li Yufei finally murmured, "Tell him for me... I've been missing him lately."
How spineless!
“I understand.” The plank did not mock her; it said gently, “Put your hand in, child, and I will convey your message.”
"Huh?" Li Yufei looked up. "You really were able to get in touch?"
“I will try my best, but I need to contact you to determine his direction.”
"Really?" Li Yufei quickly reached out her hand. "Then you should try it."
Since there are gods and ghosts here, it doesn't seem impossible to contact Cheng Yuzhou.
With a "nothing to lose" attitude, she reached her hand through the window.
The next moment, a scream extinguished the candle.
Startled, Song Xiaona and Dean rushed to the door.
"Li Yufei!" Song Xiaona shouted, "What happened!"
Dean pressed the handle hard, but it didn't budge even after several attempts.
He kicked the door, but the wooden door didn't budge an inch.
Song Xiaona shouted, "It can't be opened from the outside, Li Yufei, come out from inside quickly!"
The screams inside the door continued, followed by the sound of a chair being dragged on the floor.
Li Yufei felt a sharp pain as her hand, which was inserted into the wooden board, was clamped by something. Her fingers then touched something sticky and slippery.
The thing that was holding her was pulling her inside, and she was desperately bracing her other hand against the wooden board, screaming and wrestling with the thing inside.
A faint red glow seemed to emanate from her body, but Li Yufei failed to notice it amidst the chaos.
Unable to pull her left hand out, and unable to drag the thing inside, in desperation, Li Yufei grabbed the sticky, soft object with all five fingers and squeezed it tightly.
Two of her freshly done manicures broke off, and she was in so much pain that tears streamed down her face, which was met with a low growl of pain from behind the wooden board.
The thing seemed to feel pain, and the grip on Li Yufei's forearm loosened for a moment. She immediately pulled her hand away and hurriedly ran away.
The door couldn't be opened from the outside, but fortunately there were no obstructions from the inside. The moment I pressed the handle, a loud bang echoed behind me—
Li Yufei turned her head in a panic and was shocked to see that there was a big hole in the wooden board!
A strong, salty smell wafted over. Behind the wooden board, a huge white scallop opened and closed, its tongue curling around the window and tearing off a piece of the board.
It flicked its tongue and frantically tore at the plank, trying to break free.
"Ugh!!!" What a disgusting sea monster!
Li Yufei scrambled out of the confessional and bumped headfirst into someone.
She covered her forehead and looked up to meet Cheng Yuzhou's panicked face, while in the distance, Dean Song Xiaona was equally shocked.
"Run!" Li Yufei grabbed Cheng Yuzhou and ran outside.
The other two immediately followed.
With a loud bang, Dean yelled from behind, "Holy crap, it's out!"
The floor beneath her feet was vibrating, the sound of scallops opening and closing was like a snapping trap, and a strong, fishy stench and sticky squelching sounds followed behind her, making Li Yufei's scalp tingle.
In her panic, she couldn't think straight and could only cling tightly to Cheng Yuzhou's clothes.
"Feifei, Feifei!" Cheng Yuzhou tried to stop her, but it was difficult, so he had to remind her in his voice, "Go find the statue!"
"An idol?" Her mind was a complete mess. Li Yufei screamed, "What idol! Where is there an idol?!"
"Calm down!" Song Xiaona shouted at her from behind, "Stop! There's a chapel right next door!"
She burst through the chapel door herself and went inside with Dean.
Li Yufei, in her panic, ran past the mark.
After listening to Song Xiaona's words, she turned back, and as soon as she turned around, she saw that the dimly lit corridor was filled with huge scallops.
It hopped and skipped, each time it landed, the floor trembled.
When the seashell opened, it resembled a gaping maw of an abyss, its hem adorned with countless tiny eyes that glowed blue in the darkness.
"Ugh!" Li Yufei cried out in despair, "How disgusting!!!"
Her hand had just gone inside that thing! Isn't it a demon?! How can there be an ugly demon these days?!
"Stop shouting, come here quickly!!" Song Xiaona shouted urgently from inside the chapel.
"I dare not!!!"
She had lost her mind, so Song Xiaona could only rely on someone else: "Zheng Jianbin, drag her in!"
Without her saying a word, Cheng Yuzhou was already doing it. But Li Yufei was so frightened that she was frozen in place, and he couldn't pull her away.
The scallops were only a few meters away from the chapel, even closer to it than they were.
There was no time for persuasion. Cheng Yuzhou wrapped his arms around Li Yufei's waist from behind, grabbed her hind leg with one hand, and pulled her up from the ground.
"Ah!" Li Yufei's body suddenly lifted into the air, her long legs instantly straightening.
Paralyzed by reason, muscle memory trained since childhood took over from the brain; she rolled over and leaned back, her legs opening into a split in the air.
Without her conscious awareness, Li Yufei deftly completed a turn, wrapping her body around Cheng Yuzhou's neck and back, spinning once in the air.
She gracefully flipped off Cheng Yuzhou, landing lightly on her feet. Their eyes met, and both of them were stunned.
Song Xiaona leaned against the chapel door, nearly collapsing. She blamed herself for competing with Li Yufei for the lead dance when they were young, which had spurred this empty-headed vase into becoming one of the top three in the provincial amateur dance competition.
She landed with a twitch, and after a moment of stunned disbelief, Li Yufei caught sight of the approaching scallops. Her face paled, and she screamed again, "Ah! Closer!!!"
Before Cheng Yuzhou could speak, realizing he had chosen the wrong position, he immediately changed his action, grabbed Li Yufei by the waist, lifted her up, and ran.
He raised his arms high, and Li Yufei should have been sitting on his head, but so many years have passed and they are no longer in the junior group.
When an adult's body is in this position, the buttocks, which are half a foot above the head, are pressed against his face.
Cheng Yuzhou's breath hitched, his mind went blank, and he just kept running forward, even more panicked than Li Yufei.
Li Yufei was lifted high up by him as if he were shooting a basketball.
She was a body length closer to the scallop than him, able to see it clearly. She gripped Cheng Yuzhou's wrists tightly with both hands, leaning back desperately until her bottom landed directly on his face. "It's here! It's coming! Why am I in front! You scumbag! You spineless coward! Shameless thing! Hiding behind a woman's butt! Ahhhhh, run faster!"
When she cried out, Cheng Yuzhou became even more anxious. His nose almost touched Li Yufei's buttocks, and his brain immediately became congested with blood. He was so frightened that he closed his eyes tightly and blindly rushed forward.
The duo's acrobatic running posture made Song Xiaona and Dean's hearts jump. Finally, Cheng Yuzhou carried Li Yufei and rushed into the chapel.
The two immediately closed the door; the locks in the chapel were very different from modern locks.
They frantically searched for the door, but before they could lock it, it was suddenly struck by a powerful blow.
Bang--!
The scallop's impact sent Song Xiaona and Dean staggering backward.
Cheng Yuzhou, his face flushed, put Li Yufei down, not daring to look at her again, and rushed to the door to help.
The clam's tongue had already reached into the doorway, and the moment he rushed over, all three of them simultaneously emitted a red glow.
"Hiss—! Hiss!!!" The shell-like tongue that had been protruding into the door suddenly burst into flames, and the flames that appeared out of nowhere burned from the tip of the tongue all the way to its interior, while a strange roar erupted from outside the door.
"What happened?" Dean turned his head in surprise. "Did the idol grant you protection?"
“It doesn’t seem so.” Song Xiaona raised her hand and looked at the faint red light on her body. “Something is emanating from us.”
The three men braced themselves against the door, which rattled and roared as it rolled and tumbled, shaking the chapel chandelier.
Despite the pain, the scallops still wouldn't give up and kept trying to push their way in.
"Get out of the way!" A high-pitched, shrill voice came from behind the three people, accompanied by a screeching dragging sound.
The three turned around and suddenly saw a two-meter-long solid wood table flying towards them!
With her hair disheveled and her eyes filled with tears, Li Yufei pushed the sturdy long table and rushed over like a monk striking a bell.
The three quickly moved aside, allowing her to place the table behind the door.
That was an extremely valuable table. The door, which three people couldn't hold open, was completely blocked after the table was placed on it, and it wasn't forced open even a crack.
Dean stared blankly at Li Yufei, who was covering her face and sobbing uncontrollably in Cheng Yuzhou's arms. "Why am I so unlucky? Why didn't any of you encounter a demon, but I did! Waaah, my nails... I just got them done!"
"It's okay, it's okay now." Cheng Yuzhou patted her anxiously. "Feifei, I'll think of something."
"What do you know? You can't even do it!"
"I...I'll figure something out."
"Ugh... It stinks! Is there any water? It ate my hand, it smells awful."
Song Xiaona leaned against the wall to catch her breath and scanned the entire chapel. "Hurry up, let's leave through the side door!"
"What?" Li Yufei turned around with teary eyes. "Why?" She hadn't recovered yet, why were they leaving again?
"It's not dead. If it attacks again, it'll be too late. Let's go!"
The commotion outside the door was terrifying, with howling and screaming sounds.
Li Yufei was still in shock. Rationally, she agreed with Song Xiaona, but her body felt weak.
She grabbed Cheng Yuzhou's sleeve, sobbing, "I... my legs are weak..."
Cheng Yuzhou supported her and said to the other two, "The sound outside is getting weaker and weaker. It couldn't get in before, and it's even less likely to get in after it was injured."
"A cornered dog will jump over the wall; who knows if things will get even more dangerous?" Song Xiaona said sharply. "Don't take any chances, let's go!"
Cheng Yuzhou looked at Li Yufei with apology and utter embarrassment.
The skin still felt bouncy and supple. This time, he knelt down in front of her and said, "Feifei, I'll carry you on my back."
Li Yufei completely disregarded her previous posture and nodded, her voice choked with emotion, "Thank you."
She pounced on Cheng Yuzhou's back, wiping her hand, which had been bitten by a scallop, on his clothes, explaining, "I was afraid the stuff on it would get on your skin." So she wiped it off first.
The four people passed through the side door of the chapel, through which the ants left after each Mass, leading to the priest and nuns' living quarters.
All the doors in the living room were closed. Song Xiaona tried to determine who the scallop had possessed by checking the number of insects, but there was no response after knocking on two doors.
Having just escaped death from the monster, her mind was in turmoil. She gave up on confirming the situation and left the castle to observe the situation inside from the outside.
There were also several panicked tourists outside the castle.
The crowd in the hall noticed the commotion in the chapel and came over to investigate.
When people saw the scallop from afar, they immediately scattered and fled, some running back to their rooms and others running out of the castle.
The remaining few are now debating where to run.
“Let’s run too.” Li Yufei rode on Cheng Yuzhou’s back, tugging at his hair as a rein to control the direction. “Let’s go to the hotel in town, don’t stay here.”
"Wait!" Song Xiaona suddenly called out.
She crouched down and crept from the base of the wall to a French window.
Through the floor-to-ceiling window, Song Xiaona's expression changed slightly. After a while, she turned her head and gestured for the others to come closer.
Looking diagonally through this floor-to-ceiling window, you can see the chapel.
The scallops were gone from the chapel entrance; in their place was an ant lying in a puddle.
It was dressed as a nun, its tentacles softly soaking in the water, and it remained motionless.
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Author's Note: [WARNING: There is a demon behind the wooden plank, do not approach!]
Wooden board: There's a Cheng Yuzhou behind me.
Li Yufei: Really? Let me see.
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