Yin and Yang - Chapter 17

Shen Qingwei hadn’t contacted Yin Zheng for two days, instead holing up in her hotel room to sleep. Hu Shengsheng had tried to reach out several times, but after being rebuffed, he retreated to help his master resolve the Yin Dwelling issue.

Although Mr. Zhao had passed away and the ghost had been exorcised, the Yin Dwelling problem remained unresolved. Shen Qingwei heard that Luo Ying was visiting the site three times a day and publicly claiming to have solved the issue. The other Heavenly Masters chuckled, praising her prowess on the surface while privately gathering reports from their disciples. It was clear Luo Ying had done nothing; the credit belonged entirely to the Yin-Yang Sect.

The Yin-Yang Sect rarely sought recognition, yet their contributions couldn’t be ignored. For years, any problem too difficult for others inevitably led to the Yin-Yang Sect. Within the Heavenly Master Sect, speculation was rife about who Sect Master He would choose as his successor.

“It’s definitely my Senior Sister!” Shen Qingwei declared, lounging on a chaise lounge with one foot dangling off the edge, swinging back and forth. Dressed only in a white nightgown, her long hair draped loosely, she exuded an air of languid ease.

“Don’t be so sure,” the voice on the other end of the line replied. “There are bets within the Heavenly Master Sect that you’ll become Sect Master.”

“Who’s betting on that?” Shen Qingwei asked, amused and slightly annoyed.

“Me,” Yin Ruo answered with unwavering seriousness.

Yin Ruo was Shen Qingwei’s number one die-hard fan. After Shen Qingwei and her Martial Aunt had resolved a haunting incident at a hospital and casually saved Yin Ruo in the process, she had become a devoted follower. She genuinely believed that Shen Qingwei was destined to become the next Sect Master of the Yin-Yang Sect.

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Shen Qingwei leaned back against the sofa, listening intently for any sounds from the adjacent room. There was nothing. She glanced at the time on her phone: 8:30 AM. Normally, her Senior Sister would have been up hours ago.

Why am I thinking about her again? I’m still angry!

Shen Qingwei cursed her own uselessness inwardly, shook her head, and continued chatting with Yin Ruo. Yin Ruo said, “People are still talking about the Haunted House case online.”

The Haunted House saga, which had dragged on for over three months, finally concluded with Mr. Zhao and his accomplices being charged with intentional real estate speculation. Experts from all fields suddenly emerged to offer in-depth analyses of the haunting rumors.

Of course, it was all a hoax! Utter nonsense! Fabricated by Mr. Zhao and his cronies!

The experts delivered their final verdict, pointing all fingers at Mr. Zhao. The once-revered “good Samaritan” was exposed for his true nature through a series of scandals. His abuse of his wife and daughter was also revealed, earning him universal scorn.

However, the details of Xiaoqian’s involvement remained undisclosed, whether due to lack of evidence or deliberate concealment.

This could be considered Xiaoqian’s last shred of dignity.

“Tell me,” Shen Qingwei replied lazily.

“That Mr. Zhao is a monster!” Yin Ruo exclaimed.

Shen Qingwei held her breath. A sudden noise from the next room made her jump up from the chaise lounge and press her ear to the wall, but she heard nothing. She slumped back onto the sofa and asked Yin Ruo, “Did you find out who that person in the photo was?”

When Shen Qingwei had sent Yin Ruo the photo of the Head Ghost in the elevator, Yin Ruo had been terrified.

“No news yet. It’s like searching for a needle in a haystack. Are you sure there aren’t any other clues?”

Shen Qingwei wished she could uncover more leads, but there were none. The Head Ghost had awakened in the elevator with no memories of her identity or past. When Shen Qingwei asked the Landlord, he expressed great satisfaction with the Yin-Yang Sect’s handling of the Haunted House case and provided detailed information about Building 17. There had been an elevator incident long ago, shortly after the building opened. A malfunction caused the elevator to plummet, killing an entire family. The daughter, a college freshman in her prime, was among the victims. The matter was later settled with compensation and suppressed by the Landlord, so few people knew about it.

Initially, Shen Qingwei had assumed the Head Ghost was the daughter from that family, but the photo proved otherwise. Puzzled, she couldn’t discuss it with Yin Zheng and could only debate it with Yin Ruo.

Yin Ruo had been diligently searching for information, but the Head Ghost’s identity remained a mystery.

Shen Qingwei knew she had to find out the Head Ghost’s identity. She had promised to help the Head Ghost reclaim her identity, and she couldn’t break her word. After some thought, she decided to take another trip to the elevator later.

She got up and changed into a bright yellow tank top, capri pants, and wedge heels. She loosely tied her long hair back with a leather cord, radiating youthful energy and vitality. As she left her room, she deliberately glanced at the door next to hers—it remained tightly shut. Shen Qingwei pursed her lips and left the hotel.

The hotel wasn’t far from the residential complex, having been rented for its proximity to facilitate their investigation. Shen Qingwei arrived in just a few minutes. As she entered the complex, she immediately noticed the increased activity. The air buzzed with chatter from groups of elderly men and women, gossiping neighbors, and children running around. In just a few days, the place had come alive with the rhythm of daily life. She walked to Building 17 and looked up. The dark miasma that had once shrouded the building was gone, leaving it looking like any ordinary residential building.

As she stepped into the elevator, several people crowded in beside her, laughing and chatting.

“Good thing we didn’t sell our place! You wouldn’t believe it—Mr. Zhao had hoarded over a dozen properties!”

“Didn’t they buy them back? I heard Mr. Liu already moved back in.”

“They did!” The woman chuckled. “I told you there was nothing wrong with these apartments! It was just Mr. Zhao’s malicious intentions!”

Shen Qingwei stood to the side, her lips pressed into a thin line. The higher she went, the heavier her heart grew. Mr. Zhao had been arrested, and his crimes were being investigated, yet she still felt uneasy.

What about Xiaoqian and her mother? What about the injustice they had suffered? They should have waited until the two ghosts had beaten Mr. Zhao half to death before turning him in. But she knew Yin Zheng—a woman who approached everything with cold logic.

Shen Qingwei shook her head slightly. After everyone else had exited the elevator, she pressed the button for the top floor and called out into the empty space, “Come out.”

Moments later, a disembodied head materialized in the air. Having seen it so often, Shen Qingwei now found its features almost handsome. “Think again,” she urged. “Is there anything you’ve overlooked?”

This search was proving impossible. No name, no address—it was like searching for a needle in a haystack!

The head ghost frowned in concentration, its expression earnest, but it still couldn’t recall anything. Shen Qingwei sighed, pressing her throbbing temples. Before she could speak, the elevator doors opened. Luo Ying stared in surprise. “What are you doing here?”

Shen Qingwei hadn’t expected to run into them. Though she’d heard Luo Ying was dealing with the Yin Dwelling, she’d hoped to avoid her. She shrugged. “Just bored. Has Immortal Master Luo still not resolved things?”

Luo Ying couldn’t shake the feeling that Shen Qingwei’s words dripped with sarcasm. She had disliked Shen Qingwei from their very first meeting, and seeing her now in such revealing attire only fueled her anger.

To make matters worse, her disciple greeted Shen Qingwei like she was a precious treasure.

Shen Qingwei smiled.

“Going down?” Luo Ying asked.

“Of course,” Shen Qingwei replied with a faint smile, giving a thumbs-up. “Ah, I heard Immortal Master Luo single-handedly resolved the Yin Dwelling incident. Impressive!”

Luo Ying: …

As if it wasn’t her own sect’s boasting! Now she’s taking credit right in front of the person who actually did the work. I’m so furious I could spit blood!

Hu Shengsheng, feeling awkward, changed the subject. “Qingwei, have you had lunch yet?”

Luo Ying glared at him. What? You’re planning to eat with her? Can’t you see I’m about to explode with anger? Is this disciple trying to buy me a coffin ahead of time?

Utterly useless!

Luo Ying seethed inwardly. Hu Shengsheng continued to stare at Shen Qingwei, who, catching Luo Ying’s furious glare out of the corner of her eye, found the situation amusing. If I accepted Hu Shengsheng’s invitation now, would Luo Ying spontaneously combust?

I’d love to see that, Shen Qingwei thought mischievously, but she refrained from acting on it. She had more important matters to attend to.

“No, thank you,” Shen Qingwei said, her two words bringing a sigh of relief from Luo Ying.

“I have other things to do.”

Hu Shengsheng looked disappointed. “Then let’s plan something for next time.”

Shen Qingwei glanced at Luo Ying and nodded. “Alright.”

Luo Ying, her hands clasped behind her back, didn’t even spare her a glance. After hearing their exchange, she let out a cold huff and strode away first. Shen Qingwei returned to the hotel as well.

She couldn’t glean any information from the Head Ghost. She had to go back and figure out another way. After much deliberation, Shen Qingwei decided to light the Seven Star Lamp, but the lamp was with her Senior Sister.

Should I go? Yes? No?

Sitting in the hotel lobby, Shen Qingwei lowered her head and tossed flower petals. The fragrant aroma spread from her fingertips, filling the air. Suddenly, she remembered the first time she left the Yin-Yang Sect. She had seen roses for sale and wanted to buy one for her Senior Sister, but the flower would wither upon entering the sect. Instead, she bought rose seeds and excitedly told Yin Zheng that they would grow into a beautiful flower. When it finally bloomed, it turned out to be a white mushroom. Yin Zheng had playfully tapped her head in exasperation. Later, after a trip outside the sect, her Senior Sister returned with a large bouquet of roses.

Senior Sister still cares about me, Shen Qingwei thought.

She abruptly stood up, took the elevator, and hesitated twice before knocking on Yin Zheng’s door.

Inside the room, Yin Zheng was resting. Her angina had flared up three times that day, each episode piercing her heart like a dagger. She had just lain down when a voice called out from outside: “Senior Sister?”

“Senior Sister, are you there?”

Yin Zheng suppressed the bone-scraping pain, her face pale as she emerged from her room, her breathing slightly ragged. The knocking persisted. She braced herself, took a few steps, paused to rest, and after a long while, finally reached the door.

Hearing footsteps approaching, Shen Qingwei lowered her hand. As the door opened, she said, “Senior Sister, I came to borrow the Seven Star Lamp to find…”

Before she could finish, Shen Qingwei noticed Yin Zheng’s complexion and frowned. “Senior Sister, are you feeling unwell?”

“No,” Yin Zheng replied, holding her breath. She bit down on her tongue, the sharp pain helping her maintain composure. “What did you say you needed?”

“The Seven Star Lamp,” Shen Qingwei repeated.

It was used to locate corpses. Though cremation was now common, traces of a person’s life force lingered, making the lamp still effective. Yin Zheng nodded slightly and turned to retrieve the lamp for Shen Qingwei, but her vision suddenly darkened, the world spinning. She swayed, and Shen Qingwei, quick to react, stepped forward, her hands brushing Yin Zheng’s waist as she steadied her in her arms.

“Senior Sister?”

“Don’t move,” Yin Zheng said, unusually proactive. “Let me lean on you for a moment.”

Shen Qingwei froze, her body rigid, but her heart pounded wildly, like a runaway horse rampaging uncontrollably.