Chapter Thirty-Four: Specter!

Rain Fan rose gently from the ground, which was scattered with debris and a few fallen leaves. Turning halfway, the youthful spark in his eyes dimmed slightly as he gazed intently for a few moments and said, “Senior sister, let’s go!”

Fang Yu slowly lifted her head, her eyes clouded with some confusion. “Hmm~” Though her heart ached somewhat over the elder sword master’s death, she dared not linger here for Rain Fan’s sake.

Raindrops, like fine needles, wove softly and densely through the air, adding a somber chill to the ruinous forest path.

Rain Fan’s clothes clung wetly to his frame, but the unwavering resolve in his eyes belied his youth.

He reached out and gently patted Fang Yu’s side, a subtle gesture filled with tenderness and encouragement.

Her eyelashes fluttered as if gently awakened from deep thoughts. She slowly stood, her gaze piercing through the rain, fixed on the distant, blurred silhouette of the mountains.

Side by side, they walked, the soaked earth and fallen leaves beneath their feet soft and heavy, each step weighted and arduous.

The sound of rain, wind, and their light footsteps intertwined, composing the purest melody in the world.

Their figures gradually faded into the rain curtain, leaving behind two trails of footprints, differing in depth, stretching into the muddy distance until vanishing from sight.

The rain intensified, as if the sky itself had joined this mysterious, misty game.

Their pace involuntarily slowed, cautious eyes sweeping the surroundings. Ahead, the blurred area under the shroud of mist grew eerie; the headless figure appeared faint and elusive, carrying that glaring red bridal sedan chair, each step heavy and sinister.

Surrounding flower throwers looked pale as paper, their movements mechanical; petals in their hands seemed lifeless, drifting weakly before falling into the mud, tainted with ominous foreboding.

Rain Fan gripped his sword’s hilt tightly; its tip trembled, as if sensing the chilling unease permeating the air.

He whispered to Fang Yu, “Senior sister, we must be careful. This is no natural scene.” Fang Yu nodded firmly, silently channeling her energy, ready to face the unknown challenge ahead.

In the rain, a child’s figure appeared particularly frail, scantily clad in tattered strips of cloth fluttering like a ghost drifting through the woods. His eyes flickered with terror and urgency beyond his years, a drip of mucus hanging from his nose trembling with each sharp breath before falling into the mud with a faint splatter, sending out tiny ripples.

He crouched, trembling hands digging into a basket on his back to pull out a handful of withered mugwort. Though long devoid of its fragrance, in this moment it was the child’s sole hope.

In a panic, he quickly wove the mugwort into a bundle and handed it to Rain Fan and Fang Yu, his voice trembling with fear: “Take this quickly! Mugwort drives away evil and misfortune. Move aside, don’t let the evil spirit on that bridal sedan chair fixate on you!”

The boy muttered to himself as he crouched, clutching the herbs: “Don’t eat me, heavens protect me, spirits above and below, I’m the most handsome, I’m a god, I love fairies, please protect me.” His legs shook.

Rain Fan glanced at the boy beside him and couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

His laughter sounded jarring amid the rain, but abruptly stopped due to the sudden change in atmosphere. The smile froze on his face, replaced by a solemn expression.

Suddenly, a shadow silently crept upon the frail boy, like an invisible black veil shrouding him entirely. The boy’s legs trembled uncontrollably, eyes wide with despair and terror, lips quivering from shock.

The ghostly figure flickered eerily in the rainlight, twisted and hideous, its face torn like a ripped canvas, exuding a chilling aura.

One of its hands seemed to pierce through the boy’s body, grasping silently. The boy violently struggled against the invisible force, only able to emit faint whimpers. He cried out, “Beside me, beggar, little beauty, save me!”

Annoyed, Rain Fan snapped, “Watch it—am I a beggar? Do beggars look as handsome as me?”

The boy had already fainted from fright.

After a moment…

“Kid, wake up…” Rain Fan looked at the boy before him, wondering: “Is he dead?”

Fang Yu glanced at the boy.

Suddenly, the boy stirred and rose, murmuring, “Thank heavens…”

Rain Fan’s eyes showed a trace of disdain.

“Let’s go, senior sister,” Rain Fan said, leading the way.

The boy asked, “You two don’t mind… coming to my home?”

Rain Fan replied, “I’m a beggar. Afraid I’d dirty the handsome guy’s house.”

The boy’s face stiffened, then a pleading urgency flickered in his eyes. He scrambled up from the mud, ignoring the dirt and rain soaking him, and ran a few steps to catch up with Rain Fan and Fang Yu.

His voice cracked with desperation: “No, no, no! Big brother, big sister, you misunderstood! My home is simple but clean and warm. At least you can take shelter from this storm and rest your feet. Look, just past this forest, you’ll see my little wooden cabin.”

He pointed to the distance, where faint, warm light flickered in the mist and rain, a beacon of hope amid the darkness.

The boy’s gaze was earnest and urgent; his hands clasped as if praying for their acceptance.