Chapter Forty-Six: Memories of the Past

Elder Deng's voice was a little hoarse and a little low.

"Back then, it was my first time setting foot in Jiangliu City, so when I heard about a haunted house, I naturally prepared to investigate it with my friends.

Initially, our actions were very smooth. We searched the haunted house thoroughly, but we only found a lot of resentment, not any ghosts.

This matter was very strange. Logically, with such strong resentment, there must have been an extremely terrifying Fierce Ghost. So, on the night of the second day, my friends and I entered the haunted house again to explore... and this time, something strange happened.

The haunted house, which should have been overgrown with weeds, was covered in blood that night, with dark red spots and scorch marks everywhere.

To find the source of the spiritual energy, we performed a Ghost Questioning ritual. We didn't find the ghost in the haunted house, but instead, we were surrounded in the room by a large number of vengeful spirits and Fierce Ghosts whose origins were unknown.

After a desperate breakout..."

Elder Deng paused here and noticed Deng Xiaolin behind Liu Haoyu, her eyes sparkling, completely engrossed in the story.

He couldn't help but sigh and say.

"You are not allowed to go."

"...I wasn't planning on going, okay."

Deng Xiaolin pouted.

After nearly losing her life last time, she absolutely refused to go to that haunted place again.

After warning Deng Xiaolin, Elder Deng continued.

"After we desperately broke out, we discovered that at the end of the first-floor corridor of the haunted house, a door had appeared – a rusty iron door... covered in blood."

Hearing this, Liu Haoyu's heart skipped a beat.

The door Elder Deng described was almost identical to the one he had dreamt of.

Did that haunted house really have a basement? Did it just require certain conditions to see the entrance to the basement?

Liu Haoyu pondered, but he had no clue.

As Elder Deng spoke, his hand began to tremble slightly, as if recalling something terrifying.

"The iron door slowly opened a crack. My companions and I looked through the gap and saw a large number of ferocious ghosts, bound within. They roared, wanting to rush out. One of my companions couldn't react in time and was directly pulled into the door, dying on the spot.

My remaining companions and I didn't have time to mourn our friend's death. To prevent the vengeful spirits here from escaping and harming the world, we used all our strength to seal this door and fled the haunted house as quickly as possible."

Liu Haoyu fell into thought upon hearing this, and then asked.

"So, that means the red iron door is currently sealed?"

"Logically, yes," Elder Deng took a deep breath and cautioned Liu Haoyu, "Absolutely do not investigate this matter... you will die."

To make Liu Haoyu understand the seriousness of the situation, Elder Deng closed his eyes and continued.

"The story doesn't end here. About a week after we sealed that door, the companions who entered the haunted house with me told me that they had started dreaming of that eerie blood-red iron door.

Day after day, night after night, even as their minds were tormented to the brink of collapse and their sanity completely fractured, when they woke up, even if they closed their eyes for a second, they would see that blood-red iron door. In the end... they all died."

Elder Deng extinguished the cigarette butt in his hand.

"One, shouting 'Freedom,' leaped from the roof of his own house. It was only three stories high, but he shattered into pieces. His flesh and bones were all stuck together, as if he had been run over by a steamroller.

Another, as if driven mad, kept slamming his head against the wall, muttering, 'I don't want to go in, I don't want to go in,' until his brains were literally smashed out...

So, Little Liu, this is why I've always advised you not to continue in this line of work. This is not something for young people like you to be involved in."

Elder Deng's words were so vivid that even Deng Xiaolin, who was usually interested in the supernatural, couldn't help but cover her chest, looking somewhat frightened and nauseated.

However, Liu Haoyu's reaction was very calm. He replied.

"I know this line of work is dangerous, but someone has to step forward, right?"

Just like anti-drug police, firefighters, and border guards in society, someone has to carry on this work.

Facing Liu Haoyu's resolute attitude, Elder Deng could only sigh helplessly.

"Fine..." He patted Liu Haoyu's shoulder and said, "Be careful. Protecting yourself is the most important thing. Xiaolin likes you a lot, don't die."

"Grandpa!"

Deng Xiaolin, who was merely listening to the story, didn't expect Elder Deng to betray her so readily. Her entire face turned red.

At the same time, her eyes kept darting towards Liu Haoyu, trying to discern something from his expression.

But unfortunately, this cold and indifferent man just took a puff of his cigarette and said.

"I like Xiaolin a lot too."

"Mmph!"

These words pierced Deng Xiaolin's heart.

"To me, Deng Xiaolin is like a sister."

These words then sewed Deng Xiaolin's heart back up.

The young girl expressionlessly swatted away the Cupid on her face.

"Ah yes, yes, I like Brother Hao a lot too."

"Heh heh..."

Elder Deng looked at Deng Xiaolin's puffed-up cheeks, as if he had already seen through everything. But he didn't expose her, merely turning his gaze to Liu Haoyu.

"Is there anything else?"

"No, nothing else. I just wanted to ask if you have any more Red Jade, Elder Deng?"

Originally, Liu Haoyu only wanted to inquire about the earth vein and attempt to find information about the basement through it.

He hadn't expected Elder Deng to have personally seen that door. Although the outcome wasn't pleasant, for him, it was already the most useful clue.

There was no point in continuing to ask; it would only cause the old man more worry.

So, it was better to ask if there was any more Red Jade.

He only had one piece of Red Jade left in his possession now, and it probably wouldn't be enough to take Qin Liu out.

"Yes, there is," Elder Deng rummaged through the counter and took out five pieces of Red Jade. He asked with a hint of confusion, "Did you use up your three pieces that quickly?"

"I've encountered quite a few ghosts recently."

Liu Haoyu didn't reveal anything about Qin Liu.

Nor was he lying; he had indeed encountered a considerable number of ghosts lately.

Elder Deng didn't press for details, merely offering a warning.

"Even though I've told you so much, I still have to say this... absolutely do not investigate that haunted house. It is a danger far beyond your ability to handle."

Liu Haoyu nodded after hearing Elder Deng's words.

"I understand."

With that, he took the Red Jade and walked out of the folk customs shop. Behind him, Deng Xiaolin followed.

The young girl looked at Liu Haoyu with concern.

"Brother Hao... are you really going to continue staying there?"

Liu Haoyu thought for a moment before replying.

"There are no problems for now."

"Really?"

Liu Haoyu's mood had been somewhat heavy, but as soon as he recalled Qin Liu's adorable snoring, the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curve upwards slightly.

"Really. Qin Liu is actually quite endearing. How about I bring her over for you to meet next time?"

"Please, no to that!!"