Death Knocks on Hell’s Door Chapter 14 Part 1

Chapter 14.1 Faith

The unsuperstitious young man climbed to the fourth floor, opened the door to Room 404, and placed his backpack on the floor. He crouched down and began throwing item after item from his bag —talisman papers, copper mirrors, peachwood sticks, and bells……

All things used for exorcism and warding off evil spirits.

For the first time in a long while, the ghost in the white dress drifted curiously toward him. She had been eager to see what the young man had brought with him. But when she caught sight of the objects scattered on the floor, she was so frightened that she quickly retreated a large step.

Could it be that the landlady had hired an expert to drive away ghosts? What should she do? Would she be destroyed, never to be reborn?

The ghost was filled with panic.

“Don’t be afraid,” the young man said without looking up. “You haven’t hurt anyone. I’m not here to capture your soul. I’m here to guide you to the afterlife, so you can be reborn. Wait a moment, let me find something….”

The ghost hesitated, then asked cautiously, “Can…… can you see me?”

It had been so long since anyone had been able to see her. After the incident, few people ever entered this room. She couldn’t leave, so she’d very lonely every day.

“Yes,” the young man replied indifferently.

The ghost was even more amazed. “Aren’t you afraid of me?” She had always thought people feared ghosts. She had been terrified when she was alive, though she’d found that human hearts could be even more frightening, especially when her boyfriend of three years had raised a knife against her.

“Big Sister,” the young man raised his delicate face, “I’m a Taoist. I should be the one you’re afraid of.”

The ghost quickly realized this too. “That’s true.” But somehow, after he said that, she no longer felt afraid.

A Taoist and a female ghost. By all rights, they should be mortal enemies. Yet, oddly, neither of them harbored any ill intentions.

“My name is Ouyang Feng. I was born with the ability to see both the living and the dead, and I’ve encountered all sorts of strange and twisted spirits. You’re actually a rather rare, normal ghost. You’re so free of resentment that, in the world of vengeful spirits, you’re the one who’s out of place,” Ouyang Feng said, chatting casually with her.

The ghost timidly responded, “My name is Ying Xiaowen……”

“I know,” Ouyang Feng interrupted. “Earlier, the compass pointed to a ghost in this guesthouse, so I did some research on the local reports and found out how you died. Don’t worry, the murderer has already been executed. His soul is definitely suffering in hell.”

Ying Xiaowen shook her head. “I’m not asking about that scumbag. I…… I want to know about my parents. I wonder how they’re doing now.”

She began to sob quietly.

After her tragic death, she had been filled with an overwhelming resentment. Yet, despite her bitterness, her kind nature had prevented her from becoming a vengeful spirit. She remained trapped in the world, clinging to a deep obsession. She had been a devoted daughter, and after her death, her only concern had been for her parents. How would they manage after burying their only child? She couldn’t even visit them now because her soul had been imprisoned here.

That was her deepest grievance. Until this obsession was resolved, she couldn’t rest in peace and move on to the next life.

“Found it! It was at the very bottom.” Ouyang Feng pulled a photograph from his backpack and showed it to Ying Xiaowen. “Look.”

Ying Xiaowen stared blankly at the photo of the three people. Smiling in the picture were her parents, but the innocent-looking little girl in the middle was not her, though her features bore a slight resemblance to Ying Xiaowen’s own.

Ying Xiaowen reached for the photo, but her fingertips passed right through the little girl’s face. She withdrew her hand, confused. “Who…… is she?”

“She’s your younger sister,” Ouyang Feng explained. “After I saw the report, I visited your parents. They had been grieving endlessly since your passing, but then your mother became pregnant with your sister. After she was born, your parents finally found some joy again. It’s been a few years now, and they’re doing well. Your wish has been fulfilled. Your obsession can now be released.”

Ying Xiaowen gazed at the photo of her sister and softly asked, “What’s her name?”

“Ying Siwen.”

Ying Xiaowen smiled through her tears, the last trace of resentment fading away. She hadn’t been completely replaced. The name her parents gave her younger sister was a reflection of their longing for her……

She bowed deeply. “Thank you, Master.”

Seeing that her resentment had lifted, Ouyang Feng began chanting the Taoist prayer for the dead to guide her soul to peace.

Helping a vengeful spirit pass on required three steps. The first step was to address the source of the grievance, to clear away its resentment. The second step was to chant the incantation to purify the lingering bitterness. The third step was to summon the Black and White Impermanence, who would lead the spirit to the underworld and grant it the opportunity to be reborn.

Ouyang Feng had completed the first step by showing her the photo. Now, it was time for the second.

He closed his eyes and chanted softly, “By the decree of the Supreme Lord, may your lonely soul be liberated. All spirits and ghosts, may the grace of the four realms of rebirth touch you…… By this decree, may all beings be swiftly liberated. By this decree, may all beings be swiftly liberated!”

Meanwhile, Xie Bian had just finished a bowl of satay noodles and was strolling hand-in-hand with Fan Wujiu through the food street.

Impermanence didn’t experience hunger, and naturally, they didn’t feel full either. No matter how much they ate, it was merely to satisfy their taste buds.

The sight of the two handsome men strolling through the street, hand in hand, was so gay that it attracted a lot of attention as they passed by.

Xie Bian scoffed, “That face of yours sure knows how to attract attention.” His tone was tinged with a touch of jealousy.

Fan Wujiu whispered, “But I think they’re all looking at you.” The feeling of having his beloved coveted by others left him feeling uneasy.

Both Xie Bian and Fan Wujiu were handsome, but their looks were different. Xie Bian had the cold, distant beauty of a man you could admire from afar but never touch. Fan Wujiu, on the other hand, had the mature, dashing handsomeness of a man exuding the strong aura of an Alpha, drawing the admiration of women.

Although Fan Wujiu could sometimes be silly, timid, and straightforward, that side of him was reserved exclusively for Xie Bian. In front of others, he knew exactly how to exude his charm. It’s not that he was deliberately trying to seduce anyone. It was just his nature. Only around Xie Bian did he hold back, behaving like a pure, big brother.

When you’re secretly in love, even if you’re exceptional in your own right, you can’t help but feel insecure in front of the person you love. You always wonder if there’s something about you that’s not good enough for them.

Xie Bian replied, “Nonsense, they’re clearly looking at you.”

This was also a boy suffering from self-doubt in his own secret love, completely unaware of his own beauty.

Fan Wujiu gave up on pondering the matter. Shamelessly, he said, “They’re just envious of our love.”

Xie Bian paused for a moment, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his lips. Clearly, he was pleased by the remark.

Maybe it was the sweet milk tea in his hand, sliding smoothly down his throat and settling in his stomach, but it seemed to sweeten his mood as well.

“Barbecue! Barbecue!” The vendor called out, grilling skewers that sizzled with oil, golden and tempting, the aroma of roasted meat filling the air.

Fan Wujiu turned his head and asked, “Want to have some barbecue?”

Xie Bian replied coolly, “Too dirty.”

Fan Wujiu suddenly remembered that Lao Bai was a germaphobe and health enthusiast who enjoyed tea, and preferred light meals. He definitely wouldn’t touch greasy, heavy food like that.

Although he didn’t quite understand why an immortal god would still be so obsessed with health, he respected Lao Bai’s wishes.

Fan Wujiu took Xie Bian’s hand and started walking forward. After taking a step, he realized he hadn’t pulled Xie Bian along.

He paused for a moment, then took another step forward, but Xie Bian remained still.

He thought for a second, then the realization hit him. He changed direction and walked toward the barbecue stall.

Xie Bian obediently followed him.

No way. Fan Wujiu couldn’t help but smirk, his lips curling up slightly.

The proud Xiao Bai was just too cute.

Fan Wujiu now found himself switching between calling Xie Bian “Lao Bai” and “Xiao Bai” in his mind without a second thought. He was familiar with Lao Bai, but every time he discovered a new, adorable side to Xie Bian, he couldn’t help but think of him as Xiao Bai.

Had Xiao Bai always been so contradictory? Fan Wujiu suddenly realized he hadn’t really paid much attention before.

He suddenly thought, had he overlooked too much in the past?

Venus had said that the golden arrow wouldn’t change a person’s nature. Instead, it would amplify it, revealing the deepest hidden parts of a person’s character. Xie Bian was naturally aloof and cold, and even after being struck by the golden arrow, he wouldn’t suddenly fall desperately in love. Even when it came to romance, he remained reserved.

Xiao Bai, who loved milk tea, Xiao Bai, who loved cakes, Xiao Bai, who wanted to try barbecue…… these were all things he hadn’t known before. Clearly, Xiao Bai wasn’t devoid of worldly desires. He had just been set in his ways.

Xiao Bai was passive by nature. If others didn’t push him, he wouldn’t step out of his comfort zone. Fan Wujiu should have encouraged him to try new things, but he had never realized that Xiao Bai had a longing for them, too.

Suddenly, Fan Wujiu realized that he didn’t know Xie Bian as well as he thought.

Maybe he had once understood him completely. But in just a century, a person could change in countless ways. How could an immortal god remain unchanged over the course of a thousand years? Fan Wujiu had grown used to seeing Xie Bian through the lens of their past, and in doing so, he had been blind to the present.

Forget a thousand years after death, even during their carefree childhood, did he truly understand Xie Bian after they grew up?

Fan Wujiu looked at the Xie Bian beside him. Xie Bian was intently waiting for the skewers to finish grilling. The firelight illuminated his ethereal, coldly elegant features, but in the young man’s eyes, the rising smoke flickered softly.

He suddenly didn’t dare to think too deeply.

They ordered two skewers of squid and four skewers of lamb. Fan Wujiu took the skewers from the vendor and handed one of the squid skewers to Xie Bian.

Xie Bian held the milk tea in his right hand and couldn’t free up his left hand, still holding onto Fan Wujiu’s right hand, unwilling to let go. He was at a loss, so he simply opened his mouth, waiting for Fan Wujiu to feed him.

Fan Wujiu felt like he was about to be completely melted by the cuteness.

How could there be a creature in this world as adorable as Xiao Bai?

Fan Wujiu directly held the skewer to Xie Bian’s mouth. Xie Bian took a bite, but immediately frowned and turned his head, sticking out his tongue in a gesture of disgust.

Fan Wujiu instinctively covered Xie Bian’s mouth, whispering, “Goodness, don’t stick out your tongue in public. You’ll scare the mortals.”

Xie Bian lifted his gaze to meet his, eyes shimmering with a ripple. “It’s spicy.”

“Spicy?” Fan Wujiu took a bite from the same spot where Xie Bian had bitten, then shrugged. “It’s fine. You really can’t handle spicy food. Guess you didn’t eat much of it before.”

Xie Bians voice was muffled. “Let go.”

It was only then that Fan Wujiu realized he was still holding his hand over Xie Bian’s mouth. He quickly let go. “Sorry, sorry.”

Xie Bian wasn’t a fool. Even if Fan Wujiu hadn’t covered his mouth, he wouldn’t have stuck out his tongue in front of mortals. That was purely Fan Wujiu overreacting.

He had only slightly stuck out the tip of his tongue, rosy, soft, and utterly cute.

Fan Wujiu asked, “Still spicy? Drink some milk tea.”

Xie Bian took a sip. “Still spicy.”

“Just one bite, and the aftertaste is this strong?” Fan Wujiu felt a pang of sympathy. Had he known, he wouldn’t have brought Lao Bai to try these earthly temptations.

“Milk tea won’t help with the spice. I’ll go get you some iced watermelon juice.”

Fan Wujiu returned with the watermelon juice. Xie Bian cupped it in both hands and took a few sips, finally recovering. He handed over the half-finished milk tea to Fan Wujiu and finished the remaining skewers of meat.

“Next time, I’ll tell them to go easy on the chili powder,” Fan Wujiu said with a frown. He couldn’t bear to see Lao Bai suffer through such spice, but he also couldn’t deny him the joy of having barbecue.

“Not much chili powder was used,” Xie Bian lowered his gaze. “It’s my own issue. Maybe I shouldn’t have even thought about trying these things.”

“Why would you have an issue?” Fan Wujiu said with an almost blind devotion, as though he were the one struck by the golden arrow. “It’s definitely the squid’s fault. Who told it to be born so spicy!”

Xie Bian: “……”

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