Chapter Sixty-Five: Continuing the Game

After listening to the accounts of the others, Fang You already had a rough idea in his mind.

“What should we do next? Lin Xue’s whereabouts are unknown right now, sir!” Fang Min asked Fang You.

“We have to keep playing the game,” Fang You replied bluntly.

“Keep playing the game?” The group was perplexed.

“You were the ones who started the game. As the saying goes, every cause has its effect, every beginning must have its end. Since you began this game, you must see it through to the end, or else you’ll invite spirits upon yourselves—and no one will be able to save you!” Fang You spoke with conviction.

“So what should we do now? We can’t find Lin Xue no matter what we try. How are we supposed to play?” Zhang Song looked at the young Fang You before him. Though he wasn’t convinced this peer had any real abilities, the situation left them no choice but to try anything.

“Yes! I saw two spirits clinging to Lin Xue in the mirror. One is trouble enough, but two blocking Lin Xue—there’s nothing we can do even if we want to save her!” Fang Min added.

But Fang You was calm and assured. “Don’t worry. Just do as I say next.”

“How?” the three asked.

“Since we’re playing hide-and-seek, the other side surely has the advantage now. So we need to create our own advantage,” Fang You thought for a moment. “I’ll use a Soul-Capturing Talisman to draw your souls out of your bodies. Once separated, your souls must hurry to the place where you played hide-and-seek before. Lin Xue must still be there!”

“Once you find Lin Xue, drive away the two spirits beside her. That’s how she can be saved.” As Fang You spoke, he pulled out a bell and a candle from his bag.

“Drive away the spirits?” Zhang Song, Fang Yong, and Fang Min all swallowed nervously. “Just having our souls leave our bodies is frightening enough. What if the spirits catch our souls and we can’t return?”

“No need to worry,” Fang You said, pulling out a coil of red string from his bag. “Spirits are terrifying because they can disturb the mind, making people see dreadful visions and leading them to make mistakes.”

“But once your souls leave your bodies, you’ll be no different from spirits yourselves. In other words, in that state, you can even teach those mischievous spirits a lesson. After all, as adult souls, your soul power is greater!” Fang You explained earnestly.

“Really? Well, whatever happens, the main thing is to save Lin Xue!” Zhang Song said anxiously.

“Then, master, please begin!” Fang Yong urged, anxious.

“There won’t be any danger, will there?” Fang Min glanced at her fiancé, Fang Yong, worry written across her face.

“We lost Lin Xue because of our careless play. We can’t just leave her behind!” Fang Yong declared firmly.

“All right, I’ll do as you say, but please be careful!” Fang Min pleaded.

“No problem—trust the master!” Fang Yong said, then turned to Fang You. “I’m ready. Please begin!”

Fang You nodded. “Lie down on the bed first.”

“Yes, master.”

Soon, Fang Yong and Zhang Song lay flat on a soft bed. Each had a red string tied to the little toe of their right foot, the other end fastened to the bell on the table before them.

The bell, entwined in the red string, was wrapped around the base of the white candle.

Once this was done, Fang You had Fang Min sit aside.

Zhang Song and Fang Yong looked at Fang You, puzzled. “Master, what are you doing?”

“Listen carefully,” Fang You grew serious. “I’ll use the Soul-Capturing Talisman to draw your souls out. Once your souls are free, hurry to the grove where you played hide-and-seek and find Lin Xue.”

“As your souls leave your bodies, you’ll be like spirits yourselves, able to see things that are normally hidden. Remember—don’t provoke anything else. Drive away the spirits beside Lin Xue and return immediately.”

“You have only the time it takes for the candle to burn. Once the candle burns to the end and cuts the red string, you’ll never return.” As Fang You spoke, he took out a yellow talisman and began chanting, “Heaven and earth profound and yellow, all laws within, primordial spirit departs, soul returns.”

As he recited the incantation, the talisman suddenly ignited in his hand. He handed the burning talisman to Fang Min.

“What does ‘never return’ mean?” Zhang Song asked, confused.

“It means, simply, death. Your soul becomes a spirit, and without returning to your body, you become a ghost.” Fang You said directly, pulling a slightly red coin sword from his bag.

“That’s dangerous!” Zhang Song hesitated.

“No matter how dangerous, we must rescue Lin Xue!” Fang Yong said righteously. “Master, begin!”

“Mm.” Fang You walked to Zhang Song and Fang Yong. “That young lady is Fang Min, right? When I count to three, light the candle with the talisman.”

“Yes, master!” Fang Min nodded earnestly.

“Ah, master, what are you going to do with that sword?” Zhang Song suddenly had a bad feeling.

“One!”

“Master, I suddenly have a question—”

“Two!”

“Wait, wait, I have something to say—” Zhang Song, terrified, kept protesting, while Fang Yong braced himself resolutely.

“Three!”

In a flash, Fang You swung the coin sword at their necks.

At the same time, Fang Min lit the white candle.

“Ah! Help! I don’t want to play anymore!” Zhang Song tried to escape, but it was too late.

“Lin Xue, we’re coming to save you. Hold on, just hold on!” Fang Yong shouted beside him.

Darkness enveloped them, and the two lost consciousness momentarily.

Gradually, as they opened their eyes again, they found themselves standing—floating, rather—in the middle of the room.

When they turned, they saw their bodies still lying undisturbed on the bed.

Fang Min guarded the candle, worry etched on her face. “You must come back on time!”

Fang You put away the coin sword. “Life and death are fate, fortune is from heaven. I hope the two of you can safely find Lin Xue.”

“Hey, what are you waiting for? Hurry and find Lin Xue. If the candle burns through the red string, we won’t be saved!”