The Eye of Malice and a Sister’s Desperation

The lone eyeball scoured the ward, its gaze sweeping across every surface as if in search of something.

When its gaze finally settled upon the young man lying on the hospital bed, Bai Wanwan discerned a chilling blend of delight and rapacious malice flickering within that single, ghastly orb.

Truth be told, it was Bai Wanwan’s first time realizing that such a complex spectrum of emotions could be gleaned solely from an eyeball veined with crimson threads.

Before she could dwell on it, Bai Wanwan swiftly moved to the window and drew the curtains closed.

The ward, which moments before had appeared spacious and bright under the generous sunlight, was instantly plunged into a somber gloom.

“Master Bai? What are you doing?”

Deng Shuqi, observing Bai Wanwan’s urgent actions, couldn’t help but inquire with a touch of curiosity.

“There’s something unclean lurking in this hospital. It would be best to keep the curtains drawn for the time being.”

Bai Wanwan whispered, simultaneously retrieving a talisman from her bag and handing it to Deng Shuqi.

“Affix this within the ward, and under no circumstances should you remove it casually.”

Although Deng Shuqi’s brother’s soul was now unaccounted for, this precious vessel of a body still required diligent protection.

Even setting aside the future possibility of locating Deng Shuqi’s brother’s soul, the mere act of safeguarding his physical form from the covetous gaze of other malevolent spirits was of paramount importance.

A body so young, coupled with an ambitious and malevolent spirit, could unleash devastation on a scale Bai Wanwan scarcely dared to contemplate.

Furthermore, this particular situation presented a formidable challenge that could not be resolved by merely invoking a deity for possession. After all, with a malevolent spirit concealed within a human vessel, expelling the spirit would invariably mean extinguishing the human life.

“Oh… alright, I understand. Master Bai, did you… see something just now?”

Deng Shuqi accepted the talisman from Bai Wanwan with both hands, not daring to betray even a hint of negligence.

Master Bai’s words undoubtedly carried profound implications. Prior to this encounter, Deng Shuqi might have harbored thoughts of dismissiveness, even outright contempt, toward Bai Wanwan’s unconventional methods.

Now, however, such audacity was utterly beyond her.

“It would be best if you remained unaware.”

Bai Wanwan cast a discerning glance at Deng Shuqi. It was clear that she was deeply devoted to her younger brother, yet this devotion, in itself, was not necessarily a boon. Judging by Deng Shuqi’s desperate and impetuous actions at Jinbaihan, Bai Wanwan surmised that if she were to learn her brother’s physical form was coveted by a restless, unattached malevolent spirit, she would likely descend into madness.

Were she to concoct some outlandish scheme in her desperation, even something as ridiculous as a B-cup bra meant to repel spirits – an absurdity that, at least, would merely be a harmless folly – that would still be a relatively minor concern.

What Bai Wanwan truly feared was that Deng Shuqi might instead summon an evil deity or a malevolent spirit effigy to enshrine within this very ward.

“Under no circumstances are you to tear off that talisman. As for your brother’s soul, I will endeavor to find a solution.”

Bai Wanwan delivered her final admonition, and only after witnessing Deng Shuqi’s solemn nod did a measure of relief settle within her.

With so many repeated warnings, she hoped there would be no further issues.

“Master Bai, why is it necessary to search for souls specifically at night?”

Liu Guochang, who had maintained a respectful silence throughout, finally spoke, his voice hushed with curiosity.

He had refrained from speaking until now, primarily because the gravity of the situation afforded him little room for commentary.

Yet, Bai Wanwan’s pronouncements concerning the retrieval of souls still piqued his profound curiosity.

In an era plagued by frequent paranormal occurrences, the night was universally shunned. Indeed, in some of the more remote cities, the streets would be utterly deserted after eight o’clock in the evening.

Yet, Bai Wanwan, against all prudence, intended to venture out under such conditions, and to a car accident site, no less, where supernatural events had previously transpired…

“It is because nightfall facilitates the movement of unattached and restless souls. Furthermore, it might be possible to glean some information from the vicinity.”

Bai Wanwan’s answer sent a distinct shiver down Liu Guochang’s spine.

Indeed, such matters were terrifying to hear about, yet an undeniable curiosity compelled one to listen.

“Then, Master Bai, I shall accompany you on your search!”

Deng Shuqi, desperate to save her younger brother, reasoned that searching for a soul might be akin to searching for a person. As his elder sister, surely her familial bond would lend an advantage to the endeavor?

“There is no need. Your vital yang energy is currently too weak. You should refrain from venturing out at night for the next few days.

“If you remain concerned, you may watch my live stream. I shall conduct the search while broadcasting.”

After all, she would be idle at night regardless, and her live stream was an indispensable means of livelihood for Bai Wanwan, one she intended to maintain.

While she had indeed earned two million, this sum was a mere pittance when weighed against her staggering debt of over three hundred million.

In truth, Bai Wanwan’s greatest dilemma now revolved around whether to allocate these funds towards her debts or to retain them for her own immediate pleasure.

However…

Bai Wanwan was, without a doubt, under rigorous surveillance. Having been declared bankrupt, her sudden newfound ability to indulge in lavish spending, despite leaving no online trace, would certainly raise red flags concerning her offline expenditures.

To go from subsisting on instant noodles yesterday to enjoying elaborate barbecues today was unequivocally abnormal.

The bank would undoubtedly launch an investigation into Bai Wanwan’s finances…

Should the bank and her various creditors discover that Bai Wanwan possessed funds yet neglected to repay her debts, their collection methods would likely cease to be so lenient.

Therefore, Bai Wanwan concluded that rather than clandestinely spending the money, it would be far more prudent to openly allocate a portion of it towards settling some of her more pressing debts.

‘Out of two million three hundred thousand, if I repay two million and retain three hundred thousand for my daily expenses, surely that is not an unreasonable proposition?’

For Bai Wanwan to proactively initiate repayment would be akin to a blessing for both the bank and her creditors. Retaining three hundred thousand for her personal use was, indeed, perfectly reasonable.

Rather than operating clandestinely and risking even graver repercussions should she be discovered, it was far better to act with transparent honesty.

Furthermore, three hundred thousand would be entirely sufficient as startup capital for the Hall of Rebirth, as well as for her daily living expenses.

Subsequent live streams and the operations of the Hall of Rebirth would also generate income.

As Bai Wanwan calculated thus, she mused that her life was finally taking a turn for the better.

From being utterly penniless to gradually repaying her debts with a surplus…

This was, unequivocally, a significant stride forward!

Tonight, she absolutely had to treat herself to a good meal as a reward.