Ye Zhizhou took the two of them to the hospital where Fan Lang was located. During the journey, Yuan Chang and Xia Xiang remained silent, avoiding eye contact and not speaking. The atmosphere was strange and tense. After leaving them temporarily outside, he entered alone. After confirming that the soul-calling ritual inside had already concluded, he stepped aside and gestured to the two of them, "Go in."
Yuan Chang immediately entered, and Xia Xiang hesitated for a moment before reluctantly following him.
Yuan Chang had thought he would see his former friend, but when he saw Fan Lang lying on the hospital bed, his tense expression quickly relaxed. He turned to Ye Zhizhou, who had entered the room a step behind, and asked, "Who is he? Where's Xiaotao?"
"Xiaotao's body is in a small grove outside the city," Ye Zhizhou replied. "I've already reported it to the police, and they should be on their way to recover the body."
Yuan Chang frowned at this, and after a deep look at Xia Xiang, he turned and walked away.
"But Xiaotao's soul is inside this person on the hospital bed," Ye Zhizhou added. "Two months ago, this person had a car accident near the grove outside the city, and Xiaotao's soul seized the opportunity to inhabit his body, trying to take it over."
Yuan Chang suddenly stopped in his tracks, and Xia Xiang shivered, shaking her head. "No, there are no ghosts in this world, none..."
The talisman by the bedside suddenly moved, and Cen Yuebai, standing in the corner, held onto a copper coin and looked at Ye Zhizhou. "There's a reaction."
"What kind of reaction?" Xia Xiang asked, her eyes wide, shifting closer to Yuan Chang. "No, there are no ghosts in this world. People die, and that's it..."
Yuan Chang avoided her, turning to look at the person in the bed. His expression changed several times, and in a strange tone, he asked, "Is Xiaotao really inside this person? Did Xiaotao really die? When did he die? How did he die? Was it because of...?" He took a deep breath, clenching his fists. "Was Xiaotao's death related to my wife?"
"Yuan Chang!" Xia Xiang screamed, grabbing his arm as she turned away from the person in the bed. "How long are you going to torment me for an ex? It was you who approached me in the first place, it was you! And that Xiaotao! Why did he come to destroy our relationship? Why! I already agreed to give him money for studying abroad!"
"So, you were lying about Xiaotao taking the money and going abroad?" Yuan Chang shook off her hand, his voice involuntarily rising. "Yes! It was me who approached you in the first place, and I'm also to blame for what happened to Xiaotao! But why... why did you... did you really kill him?"
"No! I didn't."
"Then come with me to dig up Xiaotao's body. Do you dare? Let's go now."
The talismans around the bed shook even more vigorously. Ye Zhizhou looked at Yin Feiyu, who was standing in the corner, and Yin Feiyu opened his notebook, flipping it over and showing him the word "dark."
Ye Zhizhou withdrew his gaze and looked at Yuan Chang and Xia Xiang, who were still arguing and struggling with each other. His eyes grew slightly colder. So, both of their souls had indeed turned completely dark... Black represents great evil, and their hands must be stained with blood.
Perhaps stimulated by Yuan Chang's attitude and the hospital environment, Xia Xiang finally broke down and cried out, "Yes! I killed him! But it was self-defense! He was the one who tried to kill me first!"
The anger on Yuan Chang's face froze for a moment, and his expression suddenly became blank. "So, Xiaotao really died?"
"He died! He deserved to die!" Xia Xiang covered her face and crouched on the ground. "I was pregnant at the time. He took a check from me one second and pulled out a knife the next. What could I do... I just wanted to protect my unborn child. Yuan Chang, why did you provoke me back then? Why..."
Yuan Chang, with red-rimmed eyes, stared at her. "You killed him. You really killed him..."
"I would have killed you too!" Xia Xiang grabbed his trouser leg, her knuckles turning white as she squeezed. "Yuan Chang, what did I ever do wrong to you... I know you approached me for money, but I didn't care. But you shouldn't have pushed me into such a desperate situation! Do you know what people say about me? They say I, a well-off wife, chose to become a gay man's beard! Yuan Chang, Xiaotao's death was your doing. If you hadn't driven him to despair, if he hadn't been jealous of me, how could he have died! It's you, you killed him!"
The talismans circling the hospital bed suddenly burst into flames. Cen Yuebai quickly dropped a copper coin in a pre-designated direction and then nodded at Yin Feiyu. Seeing this, Yin Feiyu put away his notebook and exited the ward.
Yuan Chang bent down, grasping her hand to pull her up. His eyes were bloodshot, and his expression was fierce. "He wanted to kill you, so why did you have to kill him? Yes, I provoked you first, but didn't you quickly fall for it? You even used your family's power to pressure me. If it weren't for the fact that you drugged me back then, would I have fallen for you?"
"You..." Xia Xiang looked at him in shock, her face pale. "You wanted me dead? Yuan Chang, I was still carrying your child at that time..."
"A child? Do you think I don't know about your colorful past? Are you sure Xiao Wei is my child?" Yuan Chang's voice turned cold as he harshly let go of her hand and walked to Fan Lang's bedside. There was a touch of madness in his eyes. "Xiaotao, are you trying to take over this body? How can I help you, huh? As long as you come back to life, I promise I'll never leave you again. We can be together forever, okay?"
"No, you can't!" Xia Xiang screamed in despair, rushing forward and grabbing him. "What do you mean? You don't want the child either? You can't treat me like this!"
"Get away from me!" Yuan Chang pushed her away, tearing off the facade of a good man. "Xia Xiang, I can live just fine without you now. Take your bastard child and leave. You're a murderer."
"But it's clearly your child!" Xia Xiang, in the height of anger, strangely calmed down and smiled. "Yes, I'm a murderer. Aren't you one too? Do you think Xiaotao wanted to kill me just because? It's because I knew about your dirty secrets. He wanted to kill me to silence me."
Yuan Chang quickly turned to look at her. "What do you mean?"
"Do you think our first encounter was in our senior year of college? No, I knew about you back in your high school days." Xia Xiang tidied her disheveled hair, her face carrying a nostalgic smile. "In the autumn of my senior year of high school, I had an argument with my parents about studying abroad and ran off in a fit of anger to the infamous Old Street in the old town. While passing through a narrow alley, I overheard a conversation between two people. Guess what they were talking about?"
Yuan Chang's eyes widened. "You were the shadow that ran away that day?"
"Yes, it was me. You seemed to think it was just a stray cat that ran past. Not bad, I like being called a stray cat." Xia Xiang's smile disappeared from her face, and she stared straight at him. "At that time, I was thinking, what kind of person could design such a perfect murder plan... Yuan Chang, you didn't disappoint me. That fire was really spectacular."
"You... you're crazy!" Yuan Chang was taken aback by her strange smile and took a step back.
Xia Xiang looked at the hospital bed again, a hint of resentment in her eyes. "I was the one who targeted the prey first, but what qualifications did Xiaotao have to steal it from me? He was so infatuated with you. He helped you set the fire, supported your education, and even wanted to kill me to cover up your crimes. Ha, in this world, the most devoted people are the ones who suffer the most." She took a folding knife out of her pocket and opened it. "So, Xiaotao, since you've already suffered, why do you insist on crawling out of hell?" Saying that, she rushed toward the hospital bed.
Yuan Chang was shocked and rushed forward to stop her, and the two of them instantly started grappling with each other.
The talismans became even more frantic. Seeing the dramatic scene unfolding, Ye Zhizhou quickly retreated to Cen Yuebai's side and slowly extended his psychic energy to envelop the entire room, paying particular attention to Xia Xiang, who was holding a deadly weapon.
Another intense tremor swept through the room, and suddenly, all the talismans self-ignited and disappeared. Cen Yuebai placed the last copper coin in position, holding Ye Zhizhou's hand, and walked out of the ward. The formation was set, and they were now waiting for the invading spirits to reveal themselves due to the provocation.
"Where are you going?" Yuan Chang, who was still grappling, surprisingly noticed their actions and shouted loudly, "You can't leave! Are you trying to stop Xiaotao from coming back? I won't allow it! You can't leave!"
Xia Xiang became even more agitated upon hearing this and, with a slight movement, the sharp tip of the knife slashed directly across Yuan Chang's body.
Yuan Chang, in pain, immediately let go of her. Xia Xiang was startled by the blood that spurted from his body and dropped the knife on the ground. Ye Zhizhou quickly picked up the knife, took a few quick steps, and once again held Cen Yuebai's hand, leading him out of the room.
Yin Feiyu, waiting outside, put down the notebook he had been writing and drawing in upon seeing them. He adjusted his glasses and asked, "What are the chances?"
"Eighty percent. Xiaotao's spirit is reacting strongly," Cen Yuebai replied, frowning, as he threw the red talisman that Ye Zhizhou had been holding aside. He then looked at Zhang Lin and Cao Yu, saying, "Are you both ready? This might be a bit unpleasant."
The two exchanged glances and nodded solemnly. After seeing the state of their own souls, they had done some soul-searching. After this incident, they would never act recklessly like before.
Ye Zhizhou focused his psychic energy on the situation inside, and with the system's confirmation of the protective talisman left on Fan Lang's hospital bed, they began to wait for the results. After deciding to let the parties involved resolve their grievances on their own, Cen Yuebai came up with this more intense method of splitting the soul. He had hesitated but ultimately agreed, considering Fan Lang's innocence in this matter. Yuan Chang and the others could fight it out themselves.
Suddenly, his phone rang, and after a brief conversation, he hung up and looked at Cen Yuebai. "It's the police. They said they've already found Luo Tao's body."
Cen Yuebai nodded, pushed the door open again, and after a few words, he came out and tore up the red talisman in his hand. "It's almost time."
Inside the room, Yuan Chang's sanity had completely collapsed upon hearing that Luo Tao's body had been found. He rushed to Xia Xiang and grabbed her by the throat. "You killed Xiaotao, so I'll kill you!"
"Let... go..." Xia Xiang struggled and gasped for air, her voice strained. "If you... strangle me... you'll never know... what Xiaotao said... before he died..."
Yuan Chang's pupils contracted as if he had been pricked by a needle. He quickly released her, grabbed her shoulders, and shook her vigorously. "What did Xiaotao say? Tell me, what did he say?"
Startled by the strange male voice, Xia Xiang and Yuan Chang both turned their heads to look in the direction of the hospital bed.
Fan Lang, his movements stiff, sat up from the bed. His gaze was cold, filled with resentment as it swept over the two of them. He smiled softly and began speaking, "Five years? Or six years? I spent every day and night underground, yearning for the day I would return to the world of the living. It's great... I've met you again so soon, thanks to that kind-hearted Taoist priest who wanted to kill me."
Yuan Chang stared blankly at him, took a few steps forward, trembling, and stammered, "Xiaotao? Is that you? Are you really... really back? Are there really ghosts in this world?"
Xia Xiang, in shock, cried out and ran toward the door of the room.
"Yuan Chang," Fan Lang smiled as he looked at him, extending his hand. "Chang Chang, you said as long as I wake up, we'll always be together. Is that true?"
"It's true, of course it's true." Yuan Chang stumbled forward, holding his hand and reaching out to touch his eyes. "Xiaotao, I've thought about you every day these past few years, but I didn't dare to look for you... I didn't know that Xia Xiang had killed you. I'm sorry, blame me, I'm sorry."
"It doesn't matter." Fan Lang gently touched his face and leaned closer to him. "We will be together forever and never be apart again."
Meanwhile, outside the room, Zhang Lin and Cao Yu cut their fingers again and activated the talismans. They began their daily inner drama.
Ye Zhizhou nervously monitored the situation inside and absentmindedly fiddled with the small mirror in his pocket.
Unable to stand the disturbance any longer, the notification screen popped up. "[Please remain calm, Host. The mission is ongoing.]"
Ye Zhizhou continued fiddling. The drama between the living and the dead was still unfolding, how could he possibly remain calm?
Inside the room, Fan Lang's movement toward Yuan Chang suddenly paused, his expression distorted for a moment, then quickly returning to normal. He glanced at Xia Xiang out of the corner of his eye, lowered his head to kiss Yuan Chang's forehead, and his voice became gentler, "Chang Chang, I love you."
Yuan Chang's eyes reddened, and he reached out to embrace Fan Lang tightly, kissing his ear and neck passionately, continuously saying, "I know, I know, I love you too, I've always loved you."
Xia Xiang slowly loosened her grip on the doorknob, stood up straight, and reached into her pocket.
A trace of darkness flashed in Fan Lang's eyes. He also turned his head to kiss Yuan Chang's neck, and he embraced him with an intimate and ambiguous posture, saying, "Now that you're with me, what about your wife and child?"
"I only want you, just you." Yuan Chang became more excited, hugging him tighter. "I regret it, I shouldn't have left you back then. I love you."
Xia Xiang turned around, coldly looking at them. Suddenly, she pulled out a folding knife from her pocket and rushed towards the two of them, shouting, "Bastards! I want your lives!"
Yuan Chang, upon hearing this, tried to turn back to stop her but was immobilized by Fan Lang's suddenly increased embrace. He exclaimed in alarm, "Xiaotao, quickly let me go! Xia Xiang, she's gone mad, you..."
A malicious smile appeared on Fan Lang's face, and his gaze remained fixed on the rapidly approaching blade in Xia Xiang's hand. He said with satisfaction, "Didn't you say you wanted to be with me forever? The Taoist priest outside the door is trying to kill me. Either way, you're doomed. How about you come down with me, hmm?"
The blade thrust straight towards Yuan Chang's back but was stopped by an invisible barrier just inches away from him. There was a loud clang as the blade was shattered.
"Why...?" Xia Xiang's face froze in madness, and Fan Lang's triumphant smile disappeared. Yuan Chang, who had been trapped in Fan Lang's embrace, took advantage of his distraction to push him away with all his strength, unable to believe what had just transpired. He shook his head and said, "Xiaotao, you actually wanted me dead... No, you're not Xiaotao. You can't be! He wouldn't do this to me!"
Now is the time!
Cen Yuebai's eyes sharpened, and he quickly moved the copper coins hanging on the door. Then, he pulled out a simple short dagger from his pocket and ruthlessly plunged it into the center of the soul-splitting formation. Zhang Lin and Cao Yu, who were reminiscing about their carefree days, let out muffled groans, their faces turning pale, and cold sweat forming on their foreheads.
Ye Zhizhou's heart tightened, and his psychic energy inside the hospital room went on high alert.
Fan Lang, pushed away, suddenly let out a scream, clutching his head. His facial expressions began to change rapidly, and his words became incoherent. "Where is this? Who are you... Yuan Chang, you can't escape from me. I'll take you to hell with me... Ah, my head hurts, doctor! Doctor!"
A cold wind suddenly blew through the room, and Yuan Chang and Xia Xiang involuntarily stiffened, their bodies trembling. Fan Lang, who had been muttering, collapsed on the ground. Even though it was a sunny afternoon, the room's lighting suddenly dimmed, and after a teeth-gritting, eerie wind sound, a hoarse voice spoke, "Yuan Chang, Xia Xiang, come to hell with me... together..."
Xia Xiang screamed and fainted.
Yuan Chang, in terror, stared at the space above him. His voice sounded extremely strange due to fear. "Xiao... Xiaotao... Don't worry, I'll avenge you. You... you can rest in peace... Xiao... Xiaotao!"
Once again, a cold wind blew through, and the hoarse voice disappeared. The room's temperature gradually returned to normal, and the lighting became brighter.
"Xiao... Xiaotao?" Yuan Chang tentatively called out, receiving no response. His expression of fear turned into one of anxiety, and he shouted loudly, "Xiaotao? Xiaotao, don't leave... Xiaotao!"
Outside the room, Cen Yuebai pulled out the short dagger and nodded at Ye Zhizhou.
Ye Zhizhou breathed a sigh of relief. He gave a tranquilizer pill to each of the fainted Zhang Lin and Cao Yu, wiped his sweat, and then sat on a bench outside the hospital room. Finally, it was resolved... wait, why hasn't the likelihood of love between Yuan Wei and Yuan Yao decreased yet?
Yin Feiyu opened the hospital room door to check and came out, saying, "They've all fainted, and Fan Lang's soul has returned to its previous state. Everything's fine."
He scratched his head in confusion upon hearing this. Although Fan Lang's soul had separated from Fan Lang and was eliminated, why hadn't the Soul Flags been removed yet? It was strange.
Half an hour later, the police arrived and took Yuan Chang and Xia Xiang away. With the evidence Ye Zhizhou had found using his psychic abilities, their charges were now irremovable.
After packing up his things, Cen Yuebai walked over to Ye Zhizhou, who was still sitting on the bench with a furrowed brow. He gently touched his forehead and asked with concern, "What's wrong?"
"Yuebai." He raised his head and asked seriously, "If... I mean if... after this failed soul fusion, is there still a possibility for Luo Tao to merge with someone else's body?"
"It's impossible. Soul fusion causes damage to the soul, and there won't be a second chance with another person," Cen Yuebai replied, sitting beside him and hugging him, patting his shoulder soothingly. "Why are you suddenly asking this? Do you doubt that Luo Tao hasn't disappeared?"
"... Maybe I'm just overthinking it." He turned off the system data, but he still felt uneasy. Those remaining two Soul Flags were still silent, and something didn't seem right.
"Soul fusion is no longer possible," Cen Yuebai continued, as if he had thought of something. "Soulful spirits with strong grudges and deep obsessions can temporarily inhabit a living person's body. If the living person doesn't object, the two souls can coexist for a while. However, such cases are rare, and if two souls coexist, neither of them will have a chance at reincarnation."
Ye Zhizhou was startled by this information but was about to say something when a system notification suddenly popped up: "[The love probability between Yuan Wei, Yuan Yao, and the protagonist has decreased to 0%. The fifth and sixth Soul Flags have been removed. Congratulations, Host. The mission in this world is completed. Do you wish to enter the next world?]"
Sensing his momentary stiffness, Cen Yuebai lowered his head to look at him and asked with concern, "What's wrong? Do you suspect that Luo Tao has hidden in Yuan Chang or Xia Xiang's body?"
"It's nothing." He relaxed his body, negating the thought in his mind, and shook his head. "I must be overthinking it... Let's go. I'm really hungry. Let's grab a meal." In the original plot, Luo Tao's soul wasn't particularly powerful; it took over twenty years for the soul fusion to succeed. He shouldn't be so formidable as to escape and hide... If he did manage to hide within Yuan Chang or Xia Xiang, then they could continue their feud.
Inside the police car, Yuan Chang, sitting in despair, suddenly moved. He raised his head, looking into the rearview mirror with a sinister smile.
"Yuan Chang, you said it yourself, we'll be together forever. Don't think you can get rid of me."
"Alright... we'll be together forever."
The young police officer sitting beside him suddenly rubbed his arms, turned his head to look at the bright sunlight outside, and muttered in confusion, "Strange, why do I suddenly feel a bit cold..."