The inheritance of the Soul-Calming Bell
By the time Qi Chen arrived at the secret room, the rain had stopped outside, but the black fog on the street was growing thicker, reducing visibility to less than five meters. As he got out of the car, he saw Lu Ye leaning against the pillar at the entrance, his face pale, clutching a black bone fragment in his hand. The fragment glowed faintly black, and fine lines could be seen on its surface, exactly the same as the lines on the core of the giant wronged spirit from that year.
"Where are the people?" Qi Chen walked over quickly and put a black coat on Lu Ye. The coat had his unique sandalwood scent, which could slightly dispel the cold.
"Miss Lin is in there, and she's a bit emotionally unstable," Lu Ye's voice trembled. "There's a dark blue mark on her wrist, and the black mist has seeped into her skin. The boy from the theme area just now... couldn't be saved."
Qi Chen's face darkened. He took the fragment, and as his fingertips touched it, the soul-calming bell in his pocket dinged, its runes glowing a dazzling blue—a reflexive response to "extremely vile resentment." "It's the 'residual soul induction' of a great wronged spirit," Qi Chen's voice was colder than usual. "It left the fragment on Miss Lin, intending her to serve as a 'vessel' for the city's old grudges."
When they walked into the store, Xiao Wu was sitting with Miss Lin on the sofa near the front desk. Miss Lin was curled up in the corner of the sofa, her hands hugging her knees. The dark blue marks on her wrists had spread to her forearms, entwining her skin like vines. Seeing Qi Chen, she suddenly trembled, as if she had seen something terrible.
"Don't be afraid, I'm a ghost person and can help you get rid of the resentment in your body." Qi Chen slowed down his tone and walked over slowly. The soul-calming bell swayed gently in his hand, making a soft "ding" sound - this sound can soothe the emotions of the person being parasitized.
Miss Lin's body slowly relaxed. She raised her head, and the pure darkness in her eyes faded a little, revealing a bit of her original brown. "It...it told me to take the fragment back to the 'old place' in Clock Tower Square, saying there's a 'core' there. As long as I put the fragment back, it will let me go..."
"The old place?" Qi Chen frowned, remembering what Researcher Zhou had said before. Bell Tower Square was where criminals were executed during the Republican era, and many innocent souls were buried underground. "Do you know where 'the old place' is exactly?"
Miss Lin shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks. "I don't know. It only told me 'the old place' in my dreams, and also said...it also said 'if you foster enough resentment, you can turn the entire city into its nourishment.'"
Qi Chen and Lu Ye exchanged a glance, each seeing a solemn expression in the other's eyes. The enormous spirit hadn't completely dissipated, but had hidden its core in its old spot in Bell Tower Square, using the fragments and Miss Lin as a catalyst to gather the city's old grudges. Now, it seemed it had been "fed up" and could fully awaken at any moment.
"We have to go to the Clock Tower Square," Qi Chen stood up. "Miss Lin is the 'container'. Only by following her can we find the core's location. Xiaoye, you stay in the store and take care of Miss Lin. I'll go meet up with Researcher Zhou. He has an old map of the Clock Tower Square and can find the entrance to the 'old place'."
"No!" Lu Ye immediately stood up and grabbed Qi Chen's wrist. "I'll go with you! It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I have Su Qingyuan's music box, which can help you suppress your resentment."
Qi Chen looked at him, a hint of warmth flashing in his eyes, but also with worry: "The black fog is getting thicker and thicker, and the old grudges in the city have been awakened. If you follow me, I'm afraid I won't be able to take care of you."
"I can take care of myself!" Lu Ye said firmly. He took out his music box and unwound it. The melody of "Songstress of the End of the World" echoed in the shop. "Besides, Miss Lin needs someone to comfort her. Xiao Wu can't handle it alone. We can take Miss Lin with us and let Xiao Wu stay in the shop. Lock the doors and windows and wait for news from us."
Qi Chen didn't refuse again. He knew Lu Ye's temper. Once he made a decision, he wouldn't change it easily. "Then let's go now, before the black fog completely covers the city."
The three of them prepared themselves. Qi Chen gave Lu Ye and Miss Lin the soul-calming talismans, asking them to affix them to the inside of their clothing. He also gave Lu Ye his spare compass, which would guide them away from areas of greatest resentment. Xiao Wu locked the shop door and stood behind the glass, watching their figures disappear into the black fog, praying for their safe return.
The dark fog on the street was thicker than before, the dim light from the street lamps only casting a vague halo in the mist. Qi Chen walked in front, gently swinging the Soul-Calming Bell in his hand, the blue light from the bell dispelling the light black fog around him. Lu Ye supported Miss Lin as they walked in the middle. Miss Lin's steps were weak, trembling with every few steps. The blue-black mark on her wrist grew brighter, as if guiding the way.
"The entrance to the old alley is ahead," Lu Ye suddenly stopped. The archway at the entrance to the alley was shrouded in thick black fog. Chen Zhe's voice could be heard through the fog, "Xiao Ye? Qi Chen? Is that you?"
"Chen Zhe! We're here!" Lu Ye responded, pulling Miss Lin towards the memorial archway. Chen Zhe held Lele in his arms, accompanied by several neighbors who hid behind the stone lions beneath the memorial archway. Lele, frightened, huddled in Chen Zhe's arms, her face pale, clutching a stuffed rabbit—the very one left by Grandma Chen. The rabbit's eyes had turned red, but it made no strange noises, as if protecting Lele.
"Why are you here?" Qi Chen walked over, and the blue light of the Soul-Calming Bell dispelled the surrounding black fog. "The resentment in the old alley is very heavy, we can't stay here for long."
"We were just about to go to the archives to look for Researcher Zhou when we ran into black fog," Chen Zhe's voice trembled. "The neighbors said the archives were also surrounded by black fog. Researcher Zhou sent a message saying we should go to the Republic of China Library near Bell Tower Square. There's a basement there where we can take shelter temporarily."
Qi Chen nodded. He pulled out his phone, intending to call Researcher Zhou, but found no signal. The black fog had disrupted communications, and the city's signal towers must have been destroyed by the resentment. "Let's go to the Library of the Republic of China first," Qi Chen said firmly. "Researcher Zhou will definitely be waiting for us there. Besides, the library has a lot of materials from the Republican era. Maybe we can find the specific location of 'the old place'."
As they walked along the wall toward the library, strange "ho ho" sounds occasionally emanated from the black fog, as if the parasite were searching for prey. Occasionally, blurry figures could be seen wandering through the mist. Their eyes were pure black, and their arms were entangled with the same dark blue marks as Miss Lin's. When they caught sight of the Soul-Calming Bell in Qi Chen's hand, they would rush forward frantically, only to be driven back by the bell's blue light.
"The library is just ahead!" Lu Ye suddenly pointed to a Republican-era building not far away. Standing at the library's entrance were several people: Researcher Zhou and the archives staff. They hurried over, and when Researcher Zhou saw them, he immediately pulled them into the library and closed the heavy wooden door.
The air inside the library was slightly better than outside, and the dim light from the emergency lights cast swaying shadows on the walls. Researcher Zhou, clutching a yellowed copy of "The Construction of Bell Tower Square in the Republic of China," looked pale. "You've arrived just in time! I just found out there's a 'Grievous Soul Vault' on the third underground floor of Bell Tower Square. It was used to imprison 'extremely evil vengeful spirits' during the Republican era, but it was later sealed off. The core of the enormous vengeful spirit must be hidden there!"
Qi Chen took the book and flipped open a page. It depicted a wraith's cellar. The symbol engraved on the cellar mirrored the dark blue mark on Miss Lin's wrist. "The fragment Miss Lin possesses is the 'key' to the cellar," Qi Chen said in a deep voice. "The great wraith's spirit told her to take the fragment to the cellar. It hopes to open the cellar door and release all the wraiths within. Then, the entire city will be consumed by its resentment."
Miss Lin's body suddenly trembled violently, and the fragments in her arms flew out, hovering in mid-air, emitting a dazzling black light. Her eyes instantly turned pure black, and a stiff smile curved her lips. "You...don't even think about stopping it...The core will awaken...The entire city...will become nourishment..."
Her body was enveloped in black mist, slowly drifting toward the door. Researcher Zhou quickly took out his soul-soothing talisman and placed it against the door. The talisman glowed a faint golden light, blocking the mist. "She's been controlled by the core!" Researcher Zhou shouted. "We must remove the resentment from her quickly, or she'll open the door to the wraith's pit!"
Qi Chen pulled out the Soul-Calming Bell and swung it rapidly in his hand. The sound of "ding-ding-ding" echoed throughout the library. The black fog suddenly surged violently, and Miss Lin's body froze in mid-air. The smile on her lips twisted. "Don't use that thing... it's so noisy..." Her voice was hoarse with the black fog. The black light from the fragments grew brighter, and the library windows began to shake violently. The black fog outside crashed against the glass like a tide.
Lu Ye pulled out his music box and unwound it. The melody of "Songstress of the Ends of the World" and the sound of the soul-calming bell intertwined, forming an invisible barrier that temporarily pushed back the black fog that clung to Miss Lin. A flicker of clarity flashed in Miss Lin's eyes. She looked at Lu Ye, her voice tinged with tears, "Save me... Don't let me... become its 'key'..."
Qi Chen knew they were running out of time. The Core could awaken at any moment, and Miss Lin could break through the Soul-Suppressing Talisman at any moment. Once the door to the Wrathful Soul Vault was opened, the entire city would become a living hell. He touched the Soul-Suppressing Bell in his pocket, remembering his master's last words: "The destiny of a spirit-master is to use his own strength to protect the peace of the world, even at the cost of his own life."
"Xiao Ye, you stay here and take care of Miss Lin and Lele," Qi Chen's voice was soft, but filled with unquestionable determination. "I'm going to the Wrathful Soul Vault, find the core, and seal it with the Netherworld Technique."
"No! I'm going with you!" Lu Ye immediately grabbed his wrist, tears welling up in his eyes. "We agreed to run the secret room shop together and live a peaceful life together. You can't go alone!"
Qi Chen looked at him, a flicker of pain in his eyes, quickly replaced by determination. He gently pried Lu Ye's hand apart and placed the Soul-Calming Bell in his palm—the bell still carried his body temperature, the runes glowing with a pale blue light. "This is my token of the spirit world. It can protect you and help you sense the resentment around you," Qi Chen said, his voice choking. "When I come back, we'll go see the sea, okay?"
Lu Ye's tears finally fell. He knew Qi Chen's decision would not change. He tightly grasped the Soul-Calming Bell and nodded: "I'll wait for you. You must come back."
Qi Chen took one last look at him, then turned and rushed towards the back door of the library. The black fog had already enveloped the back door, and his figure quickly disappeared into the black fog, leaving only the soul-calming bell in Lu Ye's palm, carrying his body temperature, as if expressing his reluctance to leave.
In the basement of the Republican Library, the air was damp and heavy, with only the dim glow of the emergency lights casting flickering shadows on the walls. Lu Ye sat by a bookshelf in the corner, clutching a soul-soothing bell. The runes on the bell glowed a pale blue, slightly dispelling the chill. Miss Lin lay on the sofa nearby, her face still pale. The dark blue mark on her wrist had faded somewhat, but it still felt slightly hot. Before Qi Chen left, he had temporarily suppressed her resentment with a spirit-communicating technique.
"Brother Ye, will Brother Qi Chen be okay?" Xiao Wu's voice trembled. She clutched a soul-calming talisman in her hand, the pale golden light of the talisman growing dimmer and dimmer. "The black fog outside is getting thicker, and the noise coming from the direction of the clock tower square is getting louder and louder, as if something is hitting the ground."
Lu Ye remained silent, clutching the Soul-Calming Bell tightly. The blue light from the bell would occasionally flicker violently, as if conveying a message from Qi Chen. He recalled Qi Chen's gaze before he left, their encounter at the ancient town inn, their time together unraveling the obsessions of wronged souls in Jingyuan and Wangchuanyuan, and their time running the secret room shop together—those ordinary yet heartwarming times were the most precious memories in his life.
"Look! The black fog outside is changing color!" Chen Zhe suddenly pointed at the vent in the basement. Everyone looked up and saw that the black fog outside the vent had turned thick black, like ink. From time to time, there were "boom" sounds, as if something was exploding.
Lu Ye's heart suddenly sank. He grabbed the Soul-Calming Bell and tried to rush out of the basement, but Chen Zhe held him back tightly: "You can't go out! It's too dangerous outside. Brother Qi Chen asked you to stay here to protect you!"
"But he will be in danger if he is alone in the pit of resentful souls!" Lu Ye's voice trembled, and the blue light of the soul-calming bell suddenly became dazzling, as if warning him that Qi Chen was in danger.
At that moment, a rustling sound came from the vents, and a ray of pale blue light filtered through, landing on the soul-calming bell in Lu Ye's hand. The bell suddenly rang, a sharp, rapid ding, as if conveying Qi Chen's thoughts: "Xiao Ye, the door to the wraith's cellar has been opened, and the core is absorbing the wretched souls within. I've temporarily trapped it with my soul-communicating technique. Lead everyone to the suburbs, where the resentment is less intense and we can survive..."
Lu Ye's tears fell, and he shouted at the vent: "I won't leave! I'll wait for you to come back! You said you would watch the sea with me!"
A loud rumbling sound suddenly came from the black fog outside the vent, and the pale blue light instantly disappeared, and the blue light of the soul-calming bell also became weak. Lu Ye knew that Qi Chen was in mortal danger and he had to save him.
"You wait here, I'm going to the Resentful Soul Cellar to find Qi Chen!" Lu Ye pushed Chen Zhe away and grabbed the peach wood sword beside him - that was left by Qi Chen. There were runes engraved on the sword that could temporarily resist the resentment.
"Brother Ye! Don't go!" Xiao Wu tried to hold him back, but Lu Ye shook him off. He rushed out of the basement. The black fog outside was as thick as ink, with visibility less than a meter. The Soul-Calming Bell swung gently in his hand, guiding him towards the Bell Tower Square.
The scene on the streets was horrific: citizens engulfed by the black fog collapsed to the ground, their bodies turning a dark blue. Those possessed by parasites wandered through the mist, making strange "ho ho" sounds. Once bustling shops were now shrouded in the fog, their doors and windows shattered, leaving the interior in a state of devastation. Lu Ye's heart felt like it was being cut by a knife. He knew that all this was caused by a huge wronged spirit, and Qi Chen was in the pit of the resentful spirits, fighting it with his own life.
Finally, Bell Tower Square appeared before their eyes. A huge crack appeared in the ground in the center of the square. Thick black mist emerged from the crack, forming a huge vortex. A faint black light shone in the center of the vortex—it was the core of a huge wronged soul. It had absorbed all the wronged souls in the Wrathful Soul Vault, becoming extremely powerful.
Qi Chen's figure was suspended above the vortex. His clothes had been stained black by the black mist, blood was flowing from the corners of his mouth, and his hands were forming the seal of the ghost communication technique - this was the "ultimate sealing technique" of the ghost communication technique. He needed to use his own soul as the "sealing inducer" to completely seal the extremely evil wronged soul.
"Qi Chen!" Lu Ye shouted and rushed over. The soul-calming bell in his hand rang "ding-ling-ling", emitting a dazzling blue light and dispersing the black fog around him.
Qi Chen heard his voice and slowly turned his head. His face was pale, but he gave him a very faint smile: "Xiao Ye, why are you here? Didn't I tell you to go to the suburbs?"
"I want to seal it with you!" Lu Ye rushed to his side, the peach wood sword in his hand glowing with a faint golden light. "We agreed to face it together. You can't sacrifice alone!"
Qi Chen's eyes flashed with pain, and he shook his head: "It's too late. The core has absorbed all the wronged souls. Only by using my soul as a trigger can it be completely sealed. You take the Soul-Calming Bell, it can protect you and help you continue to defend this city."
He suddenly reached out, pressed down on Lu Ye's shoulder, and injected the last of his spiritual power into him. Lu Ye's body shook violently, and the blue light of the Soul-Calming Bell instantly became dazzling. The runes on the bell were clearly imprinted on his palm - this was the "power inheritance" of the Soul-Calming people. Qi Chen passed his spiritual power to him through the Soul-Calming Bell.
"Remember, live well and run our secret room shop." Qi Chen's voice became softer and softer, and his body slowly became transparent. "Go see the sea for me..."
The core of the enormous vengeful spirit suddenly roared, and a black mist shot out from the sphere, striking Qi Chen's chest. Qi Chen's body trembled violently. He took one last look at Lu Ye, then, using his remaining strength, pressed the seal of the Tongyou technique onto the core: "With my soul, I seal the core of ten thousand grievances—the Tongyou lineage inherits this fate!"
A dazzling golden light burst out from Qi Chen's body, tightly enveloping the core. The core screamed shrilly, and the black mist quickly dissipated in the golden light. The shadows of the devoured souls floated out of the black mist, bowed deeply in Qi Chen's direction, and then transformed into dots of white light and dissipated into the air.
Qi Chen's body completely transformed into a golden light, merging into the core. The golden light suddenly contracted, completely sealing the core, and then exploded with a "bang"—not the loud sound of destruction, but the sound of purification. The black fog in the clock tower square dissipated instantly, and the sunlight shone through the clouds onto the square, warm and bright.
Lu Ye slumped to the ground, clutching the Soul-Calming Bell tightly in his hand. The bell still carried Qi Chen's body temperature, and the runes glowed a pale blue light, as if accompanying him. He stared at the sunlight in the square, tears streaming down his face. He silently said to himself, "Qi Chen, we did it. The city is safe. I will live well for you, run our secret room shop, and see the sea for you once."
In the distance, the cheers of the citizens could be heard, as if they were celebrating a new life. Chen Zhe and Lele ran over, and Lele threw herself into Lu Ye's arms, whispering, "Brother Lu Ye, where is Brother Qi Chen? Did he go to heaven to protect us?"
Lu Ye touched Lele's head and raised the Soul-Calming Bell in his hand: "He didn't leave. He turned into this bell and will always protect us."
The soul-calming bell swung gently in his palm, making a soft dinging sound, as if in response to his words. Lu Ye knew that although Qi Chen was gone, his spirit would always be with him, remaining in this soul-calming bell, in this city they had protected together. In the days to come, he would continue to run the secret room shop, carrying Qi Chen's relics, living well, guarding this hard-earned peace, waiting for the day when he could see the sea - taking Qi Chen with him.
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