Book 3: Chapter 19: Escape

Book 3: Chapter 19: Escape

The vicious pain made Wan Li suddenly wake from his deep slumber. He instinctively leapt up and shook his hand free, catching Xiao Xia off guard and throwing her to the floor. Her head bumped against the stairs.

Whats going on? His head grew clear, but then he immediately froze at the urgent situation in the room.

Stop staring and run! Xiao Xia crawled up, unable to mind her bleeding head injury and pulled Wan Li up the stairs.

At this crucial moment, she was still relatively clearheaded. The fire had already blocked the way out and was making its way to the backdoor, potentially igniting the gas canister in the kitchen at any moment. Most frightening were those burned spirits who had broken free of the flames and were chasing after them. Escaping upstairs was their only option.

She pulled Wan Li and ran with all her might. The weird, hand-like flame and twisted black silhouettes followed them closely. She ran into the bedroom and grabbed the bloodwood sword by her pillow. She turned around and swung.

The blackened shades who had caught up scattered and dispersed with a shriek. Wan Li was rather cooperative and shut the door with a bang, keeping the danger at bay temporarily.

Give me the bloodwood sword! Wan Li said urgently.nove(l)bi(n.)com

Although he didnt completely understand what was going on, he knew something terrifying had happened while he was somehow unconscious. Now wasnt the time for questions. They had to first escape.

No, you cant use it. Xiao Xia refused, hugging the glowing red bloodwood sword to her chest. Although its the bane of evil, its still made of wood. Itll burn up!

I wont let it touch the flames!

Hearing him say this, she quickly trusted him and handed the bloodwood sword over.

We cant get out from here. The windows are barred. Follow me. He held the bloodwood sword protectively to his chest with one hand, leaving only the naturally formed sword aura emitted from the tip as deterrence. With his other hand, he grabbed Xiao Xias hand. Trust me.

I trust you. Xiao Xia nodded without hesitation and charged out of the room with Wan Li. They went past the blackened shades who were afraid to approach due to the bloodwood swords aura and ran into the storage room where Wan Li lived.

Within the room were rows of alcohol and stacked miscellaneous items. In the darkness of the night, they gave Xiao Xia extreme pressure. She stood there anxiously and watched Wan Li place the bloodwood sword in a rack by the door while blocking the things trying to get in from outside. He pulled out a rope from somewhere.

Come here! He pulled Xiao Xia over and tied the rope securely onto the steel window divider. The other end was tight around Xiao Xias waist. Climb down from here. Dont be scared, its only the third floor. Even if you jumped off you wont die. Some broken limbs at most. Especially since you also have this rope.

Alright. Xiao Xia agreed. Although she was still very scared, she understood this wasnt the time to drag her feet. What about you?

Ill climb down after throwing the bloodwood sword to you. Wan Li twisted and looked at the crackling door that was about to be burned down. The thick smoke was already drifting inside through the gaps in the door. Because the sword was still suppressing things over there, nothing immediately charged in. Itll be your turn to protect me later. Just pointing the sword upwards will be enough. Understood? The order will be you, then the bloodwood sword, then me.

Cant you just carry the sword on your back? Xiao Xia was worried if the sword was thrown down, something will jump out and attack Wan Li.

Although that thing is a treasure, its still just a small strip of wood. I might accidentally snap it under my weight. Rather than having that fortune teller kill me, I might as well take a risk.

Really, you. This is hardly the time for jokes.

Fine, fine, I wont say anymore! Wan Li supported Xiao Xias waist and helped her sit on the windowsill. Im going to lower the rope. Dont be scared.

Xiao Xia nodded. She gritted her teeth and waited to be suspended in the air. However, Wan Li didnt move. He suddenly stretched his hand out and stroked the wound on her forehead. His hand was a little rough, causing a piercing pain.

Did you hurt yourself? He asked, the voice sounding a little strange.

Xiao Xia was about to scold him for being fussy at such a moment when a realization made her almost stop breathing. Wan Lis hands were currently holding her waist. Then what was the hand that was brushing her face?!

If you hold her like that itll be even harder for her to breathe. Let go! Wan Li climbed down using another rope. Panicking will only make you forget basic medical knowledge!

He pushed Ruan Zhan aside and placed Xiao Xia flat on the floor, starting to perform emergency treatment. After a while, Xiao Xia finally let out a breath. At the same time, sirens blared. The fire department had arrived.

*****

Luckily the rope was made of nylon. Otherwise, it would have snapped at the slightest burn. Wan Li let out a breath. Ive never been more grateful to the products of chemical engineering.

Ruan Zhan didnt respond. He was leaning against the hospital wall, his gaze fixed on the sleeping Xiao Xia. He had felt terror tonight as he saw her suspended in the air like a lifeless puppet. This was the first time he felt fear in many years; fear of losing her.

Relax, shes going to be fine. My skill at performing emergency treatment is absolutely perfect. Tell me, how did you make it back in time? If it werent for your pressing like the rule of law or whatever, I wouldnt have been able to get free of those burnt ghosts. He looked at the burns on his hand and recalled the chilling yet burning sensation. He didnt want to experience that a second time.

Your dog life is quite tenacious!

I have your fortuneteller mumbo jumbo to thank for that. Only Gu Yu Fang, as a personno a ghost with deep resentment, was able to remain. The others scattered like birds.

Its all my fault for getting lured away. Ruan Zhan was extremely vexed. Hong Hao Hao left later than usual today, and then started loitering in the city. I suddenly recalled that the mastermind Yang Mu You was an expert schemer. Furthermore, if he was really targeting Xiao Xia, he must have her under surveillance. I figured since we encountered each other, he could guess we would find his trail using the registration records.

This means he predicted you would follow Hong Hao Hao, and purposefully lured you away. Wan Li followed up. Then he must have also predicted I would recognize her voice, or at the least be suspicious of it. Otherwise, he wouldnt have used her as bait.

Thats right. Luckily I had the realization. Otherwise

There is no otherwise. Didnt you figure it out? Although it was a little late. Wan Li interrupted him. Theres bound to be mishaps. What matters is how you overcome them. Looks like you studied psychology in vain, or did you get flustered after running into Xiao Xia?

Less nonsense. What happened on your end?

Nothing! Wan Li shrugged. They were much weaker than what we dealt with in the past. However, I didnt expect them to have hidden in advance. They restrained me temporarily and I wasnt able to reach the bloodwood sword. After your loud chanting, they let go and gave me an opportunity.

Ruan Zhan didnt speak. He thought it was fortunate someone of extreme yang energy and reckless daring like Wan Li had been present. Only such a person could fight off the ghosts, scare off Gu Yu Fang by throwing the bloodwood sword and calmly use alcohol and fire to burn the rope. Otherwise, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

I even managed to rescue your backpack. As though guessing what Ruan Zhan was thinking, Wan Li listed some more accomplishments. Luckily you hadnt unpacked yet. Otherwise I would have needed to help you pack up your treasures.

Shhh. Seeing Xiao Xia stir, Ruan Zhan stopped Wan Li. But Xiao Xia merely rolled over and continued sleeping.

This is one of her strengths. She never worries for too long and her mind is extremely optimistic. Thats right, what are your thoughts about the fire? I smelled gas at the scene. It definitely wasnt done by ghosts. Furthermore, I saw a blackened iron chain around the door earlier. It had been locked from the outside.

It was a team effort by humans and ghosts. Apart from Yang Mu You, who else would have the ability and resources?

How embarrassing, I was fast asleep. It wouldnt have been such a close call otherwise. Wan Li blamed himself a little despite knowing his unconsciousness was a little suspicious.

Its not your fault. You must have been caught off guard by some spell to end up that way.

Looks like your place isnt foolproof. In the future, you have to set up some protective measures not only against bad guys, but also against spells. See, they just had someone set a fire first, and once that trigram formation flag was destroyed, the wave of ghosts came. Bro, it seems weve really encountered some experts.

Ive also discovered something important. Ruan Zhan suddenly said.

Is it those three mysterious brothers?