The elevator doors slowly closed, sealing off the inferno on the 44th floor, as if marking the end of the day’s harrowing events.
“Up, or down?” Xia Zhi asked.
The issue with Ping An Building remained unresolved. Yan Shouyi had only dealt with Zhong Qi, and that had cost him his life once already.
The top floor of this 44-story building was still an unknown entity.
In truth, Yan Shouyi really wanted to go to the top floor to see what kind of being resided in Ping An Building, ruling over all the ghosts within.
But he had experienced enough today. Yan Shouyi didn't want any more surprises, so he replied, "Let's go down. Besides, we don't even know what's going on with Xiao Long."
Everyone then remembered that they had left Long Feicheng on the 16th floor…
Xia Zhi quickly pressed two buttons, for the 34th and 16th floors. They had to pick up Xiao Xiaodao and San Yuan on the way.
As the elevator descended, no one spoke.
Yan Shouyi reflected on everything he had experienced that day, his heart filled with myriad emotions.
The Luban sect and the Corpse Herders both originated from folk traditions. People like them were destined for hardship and short lives; without changing their fate, death was their only end.
As for the prestigious sects, their disciples accumulated good deeds before entering, or practiced vegetarianism and chanted scriptures, leading to slower cultivation speeds, thus avoiding heavenly retribution.
Folk short-path techniques were different. They emphasized quick mastery, disregarding heavenly retribution and the need for abstinence.
This was the difference between the prestigious sects and the folk short-path factions. Both gained something, but also lost something.
He understood Zhong Qi's mindset very well but could not condone his actions.
However, Zhong Qi’s situation served as a reminder for Yan Shouyi.
His fated tribulation had not vanished; he still needed to visit the Li family in West Lake to find a way to break it.
His previous visit to the Li family was solely to annul the engagement. Later, due to two con artists from the Returning Yang sect, Yan Shouyi had fallen out with the Li family and exposed Li Qing’er's background. This made it difficult for Yan Shouyi to bring up his own affairs again.
He would have to go to the Li family again sooner or later.
Lin Zhitong suddenly asked, "You were always reluctant to marry me before, were you worried you would die?"
Faced with this sudden question, Yan Shouyi paused, then nodded.
In fact, Lin Zhitong knew that the fox demon incident had inspired Yan Shouyi, leading him to resolve to love someone wholeheartedly.
But she didn't know about the life-and-death tribulation Yan Shouyi faced.
This time, Lin Zhitong knew.
Luo Ning said, "You can still regret it. Give Yan Shouyi to me."
Lin Zhitong glared at Luo Ning, "Is it your turn to speak?"
She then turned to Yan Shouyi and said, "Are you an idiot… no, you are a big idiot! Whether you die today or tomorrow, even if there's only one second left, I will love you."
"Don't talk about dying, it's unlucky," Yan Shouyi said with a wry smile. "I have two years left, and I will handle it."
Lin Zhitong nodded, "I'll help you."
"Good."
*Ding—*
The elevator arrived at the 34th floor. Yan Shouyi and the others swaggered in, picked up San Yuan, and the unconscious Xiao Xiaodao with his girlfriend Lily.
Xiao Xiaodao had been terrified this time. Seeing Yan Shouyi and the others return, he was so moved he almost knelt to Yan Shouyi.
He swore he would never do ghost live streams again. From now on, Yan Shouyi was his savior, and whatever Yan Shouyi asked, Xiao Xiaodao would comply.
Since Xiao Xiaodao said so, Yan Shouyi didn't hesitate.
His clothes were all gone due to refining corpses, leaving him only in his underwear.
Although Xiao Xiaodao's clothes were a bit small, Yan Shouyi could still wear them.
Xiao Xiaodao hadn't expected Yan Shouyi's request to come so soon, but he gritted his teeth and stripped off all his clothes for Yan Shouyi.
Compared to being saved, what was a set of clothes?!
San Yuan perched on Yan Shouyi's shoulder, his little head pressed against his ear, as if sniffing his scent.
Yan Shouyi heard what San Yuan said and smiled helplessly, explaining:
"I'm still me, it's just that my body has changed a bit. You don't need to worry."
"Besides, this is Dad's arrangement. I don't quite understand why Dad did this, though…"
"You're right, I'll be more careful."
It was evident that although San Yuan was a wooden bird, he cared deeply about Yan Shouyi's condition.
Everyone returned to the elevator and continued downwards.
Before the elevator reached the 16th floor, the floor number on the display flickered again, but everyone was already accustomed to it and not surprised.
On the contrary, if this hadn't happened, they might not have found Long Feicheng.
The elevator stopped between the 16th and 17th floors. The doors slowly opened, revealing the familiar dark corridor with the ominous red wardrobe at the end.
Just as Yan Shouyi and the others were about to step out of the elevator to investigate the wardrobe, Long Feicheng poked his head out from inside.
"Hey, you're here. Why did it take so long?" Long Feicheng greeted them with a smile.
Yan Shouyi was taken aback, "Are you alright?"
"Eh, what could be wrong! That female ghost is powerful, but Long Feicheng isn't a pushover either!"
Long Feicheng laughed heartily, then ducked back in. A moment later, he emerged, zipping up his pants as he walked.
Everyone noticed this detail and was stunned. Old Jin asked, "Xiao Long, you wouldn't… wouldn't have… with the female ghost?"
Long Feicheng's expression changed, "What are you thinking?! Am I that kind of person?!"
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
But the next second, Long Feicheng changed his tone, "It was consensual. I didn't force her!"
Everyone: "…"
What was going on?!
Had Long Feicheng really… with the female ghost?
Long Feicheng said proudly, "I was a little scared when I was captured, but then I took a good look and realized she was quite attractive. I just teased her a bit, and she couldn't handle it. It's not my fault; I'm the victim. She made the first move."
Yan Shouyi swallowed and asked, "Then for the entire afternoon, you…"
"A hero doesn't boast about past glories. I won't go into the details. Are we done here? Shall we go down?"
Long Feicheng squeezed into the elevator, still waving goodbye to the red wardrobe.
Just before the elevator doors closed, everyone clearly saw the fierce female ghost now seductively leaning on the wardrobe, waving a reluctant farewell to Long Feicheng.
This scene left everyone feeling inexplicably complex.
Especially Old Jin.
It had to be said that Long Feicheng was quite the character, capable of getting involved even with a ghost. Wasn't he afraid of having his yang energy drained?
As Old Jin secretly sought advice from Long Feicheng, the latter proudly replied, "As long as you're bold, even Sadako can take a maternity leave. Men need to be courageous!"
Of course, Long Feicheng said this while lying on a hospital bed.
His excessive indulgence with the female ghost had caused Long Feicheng's nearly twenty years of savings to be depleted. Ultimately, yin energy entered his body, causing him to fall gravely ill. Even Yan Shouyi couldn't help him, so he had to send him to Old Jin for treatment.
This was all in the past.
The excursion to Ping An Building was finally over.
Although there were many detours and accidents along the way, as everyone stepped out of Ping An Building and saw the bustling prosperity across the street, they couldn't help but exhale in relief.
Despite spending only half a day inside Ping An Building, so much had happened that it felt like an eternity.
Except for Long Feicheng.
Lu Caiwei had been anxiously waiting outside Ping An Building. Seeing everyone emerge, she rushed forward, "Is everyone alright?"
If one had to say whether they were alright, they weren't, and if one had to say they weren't, they also were.
Yan Shouyi had died once.
And the unfortunate photographer, Da Niu, had also died.
No one wanted to mention what had happened in the building, so Lin Zhitong simply replied with two light words: "Fortunately."
Lu Caiwei held her breath for a long time, finally relaxing.
However, she noticed that everyone was more or less changed.
For example, Yan Shouyi had changed his clothes.
Long Feicheng's pants seemed to be on backward.
Huh??
Pants on backward???
Lu Caiwei stared at Long Feicheng, who guiltily turned his head away, whistling to ease the awkwardness.
Oh, and there was an extra person in Yan Shouyi's group.
Luo Ning did not introduce herself to everyone, seemingly disdainful of making friends. In her eyes, she only needed to know Yan Shouyi.
Xiao Xiaodao took the unconscious Lily to the hospital. Yan Shouyi told everyone else to get in the car, preparing to leave Ping An Building for now.
They had only driven a short distance after getting into the car when Yan Shouyi suddenly shouted, "Stop!"
Xia Zhi slammed on the brakes, asking in confusion, "What's wrong?"
"Everyone bend down."
Yan Shouyi pressed Lin Zhitong's head, and everyone instinctively bent over.
At that moment, a fleet of Mercedes-Benz S-Class cars, all uniform, stopped at the base of Ping An Building!
Their license plates almost all bore the number 7.
Yan Shouyi recognized them. These were all cars from the Bai family of Feifeng Mountain. When they returned from the Liu family, the Liu family's butler had told Yan Shouyi that the Bai family's elder ancestor was fond of the number 7, hence most of their license plates had a 7.
Why were people from the Bai family at Ping An Building?
Yan Shouyi frowned deeply, realizing things might not be simple.
Seemingly to gain Yan Shouyi's trust, Luo Ning spoke first:
"My uncle's actions before were at the behest of the Bai family. The Bai family wanted Ping An Building, but that Meng Guohui refused to yield, so my uncle wanted to kill him. The Bai family also promised to give Ping An Building to my uncle as a place to raise corpses afterward."
Ping An Building had a strong yin energy, making it an excellent choice for raising corpses in the entire Rongcheng.
Yan Shouyi asked, "What do they want Ping An Building for?"
Luo Ning shook her head, "I don't know that. But I know another secret – the ghost on the top floor of Ping An Building is surnamed Bai."
Everyone in the car was shocked by this revelation.
The ghost on the top floor ruled over all the ghosts in Ping An Building.
If that ghost was surnamed Bai, wouldn't that make them part of the Bai family?
Even if not the Bai family's Ghost King ancestor, it was close!
Yan Shouyi instantly understood many things, "No wonder the Bai family wants Ping An Building…"
However, another doubt lingered in his mind, a doubt stemming from the map Zhong Qi had left in prison.
That map contained a lot of information. Yan Shouyi believed Zhong Qi hadn't left it casually; there must be a hidden secret within.
Shanghang Art School, Ping An Building, Guling Liu Family… what did these three locations signify?
Was this also a conspiracy by the Bai family?
What were they planning?
From the Bai family's convoy, many men in suits and ties alighted, including Bai Yusheng, whom Yan Shouyi had seen before.
These people had serious expressions, even devoutly reverent. They carried large and small boxes into Ping An Building, looking as if they were… making an offering.
However, Yan Shouyi did not know what was inside those boxes.