17. Threat

"I'm sorry..."

Chen Linyu bit her silver teeth hard, forcing herself to utter those three words.

"It's nothing. Married couples quarrel by the bedside and make up at the foot of the bed," Lin Guichen waved his hand. "I forgive you."

Chen Linyu stood in silence.

Lin Guichen knew how stubborn she was; this was only a perfunctory apology. He hadn't expected her to truly yield from the heart.

He glanced at her again and said, "Don't worry, I won't do anything excessive to you. If I really wanted to, you wouldn't be able to resist, would you?"

Chen Linyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Yet she admitted to herself that Lin Guichen had a point. If the man before her truly harbored ill intent, there would be nothing she could do to fight back.

"Chen Linyu, by the way, what happened to your clothes?"

Lin Guichen eyed her curiously. "Were they burned away by these flames? But why are the rest of your clothes still intact?"

Chen Linyu instinctively didn't want to answer, but after a brief silence, she said in a low voice,

"They weren't burned by your flames. These garments were burned for me by my grandfather along with my birthdate and eight characters. Otherwise, a wandering soul could only wear what she wore in life—it isn't so easy to change. Once these garments, burned for me, are removed and lose contact with me, they revert to ashes."

"I see," Lin Guichen said, suddenly enlightened.

He recalled that it was her agony and struggle that had caused her beret, coat, and shoes to fall off.

"What school did you attend?" Lin Guichen asked with interest.

"The National Higher Normal School of Yihai, music department," Chen Linyu replied.

"Did you have any romances at school?" Lin Guichen grinned. "I heard you like girls?"

"I..." Chen Linyu hesitated, then said, "Last year, I dated a junior."

"Oh? How far did it go?" Lin Guichen asked, clearly intrigued.

...

That night, Lin Guichen conversed with his fiancée until deep into the night.

Of course, he was the main one asking questions, and she answered. It was obvious she was only outwardly compliant; in her heart, she barely acknowledged him.

But that didn't matter. All he wanted was to learn more about her.

However, when it came to the things he truly wished to ask—about worshipping gods, spirituality, and the like—he didn't broach a single one.

The time was not yet right.

She was still on guard, and bringing up such matters would only heighten her suspicion.

Better to let her think he'd simply gotten lucky and acquired a talisman, nothing more. When she truly realized she could not leave him, there would still be time to ask.

This was also a way to avoid trouble.

At any rate, he had only opened two spiritual apertures so far. Even if he worshipped a god, his only hope was the "God of Night Dreams."

It was better to wait until he unlocked a few more apertures.

"I'm tired."

Lin Guichen yawned. "Do you want to return to your memorial tablet?"

Chen Linyu paused, then said, "My grandfather said you might be attacked by malevolent spirits or wandering wraiths. I don't need to sleep; I can keep watch for you."

"Then I'll trouble you," Lin Guichen replied, as if offhandedly. "Though, to be honest, if I died, the black flames from the talisman would keep tormenting you forever."

Chen Linyu's face changed.

"Don't worry," Lin Guichen smiled. "Before our joint burial, I'll remove the talisman for you. You're innocent in this. My grudge is with your grandfather; I never meant to involve you."

He sighed, shaking his head. "No matter what... I can see you're a good person, and good people shouldn't have to endure such things."

Chen Linyu was briefly stunned and fell silent.

Had Lin Guichen said this earlier, she would not have believed him. But after their hours of conversation, she found herself convinced he did have principles.

In the end, he was only trying to protect himself.

Otherwise, if he truly sought vengeance, she wouldn't have been able to resist at all and would have been at his mercy.

She dared not imagine what humiliation she might have suffered then.

"Also, I know you have a good heart, but you mustn't plead with your grandfather on my behalf," Lin Guichen continued. "With your nature, if you tried, your grandfather would certainly suspect me. Just act as if nothing happened. I don't want to torment you further."

Hearing him say he didn't wish to torment her anymore, Chen Linyu was taken aback—and, almost unconsciously, a trace of disappointment rose in her heart.

Though the agony of her soul being burned and tempered was intense, the feeling of her soul being purified and strengthened was oddly pleasant, making her vaguely think... perhaps it wasn't so bad?

She knew it was absurd, but she couldn't deny the impulse that rose from her very soul.

"I'm going to sleep," Lin Guichen said, saying no more. He didn't undress, merely lay down with his back to her.

But in his heart, he was already pondering, "This won't do in the long run. I need to find a way to earn her true trust, so she'll be willing to help me..."

For now, though, he was no longer worried that Chen Linyu would report him to Old Master Chen.

...

The next morning.

Lin Guichen had only just awoken when a calm, familiar voice sounded in the room.

"Awake?"

It was none other than Old Master Chen, sitting behind the table with a cold expression. Standing behind him was Su Zichu.

Lin Guichen's heart skipped a beat, but he rubbed his eyes and sat up, feigning nonchalance. "What brings you here, sir?"

"I want to ask you what happened last night," Old Master Chen narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing him.

"What?" Lin Guichen feigned confusion, mind racing.

Had Chen Linyu told after all?

Old Master Chen frowned slightly, his gaze falling on the ashes on the floor. "These ashes—are they Linyu's clothes? How did you get her to remove them?"

So, it was about that... Lin Guichen relaxed.

During the day, Chen Linyu could hear him but couldn't emerge to explain. Fortunately, they'd already agreed on a story last night.

He frowned and said, "Sir, I should ask you that. Yesterday I made an offhand comment about your granddaughter's vanity—just a few words about her taste in clothes, said she had poor fashion sense, and she lashed out at me. Am I not allowed to speak the truth?"

He glanced at the pile of ashes, snorting, "Seems she ended up tossing aside that hideous, old-fashioned coat and that ugly hat after all."

Even as a wandering soul, Chen Linyu still cared about her appearance—clearly, she was quite vain.

So this story would hold up.

"You really..." Old Master Chen shook his head. "That coat of hers cost me a fair sum and quite some trouble to have it sent from Yihai. If you insult her like that, of course she'd be upset."

He knew his granddaughter's temperament; she was certainly capable of such a reaction.

"But ugly is ugly," Lin Guichen retorted coldly. "I'm not long for this world—what's wrong with speaking my mind? Does she have to get so angry?"

"You're just picking fights with her, aren't you?" Old Master Chen chuckled. "Don't provoke her anymore, or I won't be able to help you."

"If she took off that coat, it means she thought I had a point," Lin Guichen huffed.

"Try to get along, both of you," Old Master Chen advised, glancing at the memorial tablet as if sensing his granddaughter within. "Linyu, endure a bit more as well."

With that, Old Master Chen stood. "You don't look well-rested. If you want to sleep more, go ahead—I'll leave you to it."

Lin Guichen couldn't help but ask, "You're not going to scold her a bit on my behalf?"

"Minor quarrels between a young couple are normal. An old man like me shouldn't interfere."

Old Master Chen said no more and took his leave.

Lin Guichen let out a sigh of relief.

After all, Old Master Chen could never have imagined he possessed a spirit-controlling talisman, much less that his granddaughter would side with him.

Such is the power of a Taoist treasure.

He wondered what he might obtain next time he slew a wandering wraith or an evil spirit.

But most important of all... was to unlock more spiritual apertures, increase his spiritual strength, and prepare to inherit the mysterious art of Chen Muzhi.