Volume One, Chapter Eight: The Spreading Darkness
For three consecutive days, everything was calm and peaceful.
After class that day, Chuguang was about to head to her part-time job when she glanced at her classmates. Those who usually dashed out the moment class ended were now slumped over in the classroom.
“What’s wrong with you all? Why do you look so listless?” she asked.
Shui Ying grabbed her arm. “Chuguang, there’s been a lot of unexplained blood appearing around campus lately—bloodstains found in the infirmary, the tea garden, and the Reflection Hall. Just now, someone spotted a dead cat on the third floor; it looked utterly pitiful.”
“It’s like someone had their muscles pulled and bones torn out—it was horrific.”
“People are saying the campus is haunted now.”
“Everyone’s so scared they won’t go out at night.”
Chuguang looked at them. “Don’t overestimate yourselves—you’re afraid to go out during the day too.”
Shui Ying shivered. “This area really isn’t safe right now. You should move back to campus for a few days, wait until things settle down before going back.”
Move back to campus?
The suggestion tempted Chuguang. With her finances sorted, she could finally breathe a little. Instead of renting a place, moving back to the dormitory made more sense. The semester’s accommodation fee was only a thousand.
“I’ll think about it.”
Seeing her start to leave, Shui Ying hurriedly pleaded, “Chuguang, please don’t go yet. Honestly, I’m scared right now. If you leave, I’ll be even more frightened.”
“I have a part-time job.”
“I’ll pay you thirty-five an hour. Just stay with me today.”
Shui Ying was genuinely frightened. Lately, the academy exuded an inexplicable aura. Though it was early autumn, it felt as cold as winter, chilling her to the bone.
Noticing her trembling, Chuguang asked, “Are you cold?”
“Very cold,” Shui Ying nodded vigorously.
“You don’t seem yourself. Let me take you to the infirmary.”
Chuguang tried to help her up but was firmly refused. “Chuguang, I’ve felt something following me these past few days. But every time I look back, there’s nothing—like it’s all just my imagination.”
“Still, I feel something’s very wrong.”
Shui Ying was truly terrified. Usually, the skin is the most sensitive part of the body. Sometimes, when the eyes cannot see, the skin warns you.
But this warning is special.
It transmits the current state to the brain, which then alerts you to the strangeness in your surroundings.
In scientific terms, it’s called the sixth sense.
“That feeling is terrifying, like a haunting…” she hesitated to say the word aloud.
Chuguang felt the same sensation but saw no spirits around.
Curiously, every time she left the Underworld, her necklace stopped glowing, its light dimmed.
Could it be that her ability to see the deceased only existed there?
She wasn’t sure, but recently she had sensed a yin energy without seeing anything.
While she pondered this, a teacher called out to her after class, “Chuguang, the counselor wants to see you in the office—there’s an urgent matter.”
“Got it.”
As she prepared to go, Shui Ying grabbed her. “I’ll come with you. I’m scared now—don’t leave me alone.”
They arrived at the office.
Pushing open the door, they saw it was crowded.
Whispering, Shui Ying said, “It’s the student council. With all these incidents, they must be paying attention.”
Their entrance startled everyone inside.
The counselor looked at Chuguang and motioned to pause the discussion. “Chuguang, you’re here.”
Chuguang was known as a study machine—a renowned scholar in Qing University.
Low-key, humble, and attractive, many had heard her name.
Now, all eyes turned to her.
Apart from studying in the library or working part-time, she had little social time. Few knew her well, and even fewer had spoken to her.
Seeing the counselor’s gaze, Chuguang asked, “What do you need from me?”
The counselor sighed. “It’s not me. The Special Administration Bureau specifically requested to see you. They’ll be here shortly.”
Chuguang remained calm.
She had a good idea what it was about.
When she used those Underworld coins before, the bureau must have noticed. Now they were here to confront her.
She was prepared to face it.
Standing quietly to the side, the counselor continued, “These recent events have caused panic. We could report to the Special Administration Bureau.”
The student leading the group, wearing glasses and looking refined, said, “This is a small matter. It’d be overkill to trouble them now. Let’s investigate ourselves first. If needed, we’ll ask for their help.”
“They’ll be here soon. We can try asking then.”
Chuguang understood—they were talking about the dead cat incident.
The matter was truly strange, causing campus-wide fear, and needed investigation.
No sooner had the counselor finished speaking than the Special Administration Bureau agents entered.
Zhou Wei spotted Chuguang immediately.
She stood quietly to the side like an orchid in the forest—ethereal, detached, with an otherworldly coldness.
Seeing Zhou Wei again set off warning bells in her mind. This man exuded an invisible pressure, a silent but immense power. The impression was unmistakable: not someone to be trifled with.
He scanned the room, then fixed his gaze on Chuguang. “Chuguang, we’ve received reports accusing you of illegally using Underworld artifacts to harm others. Care to respond?”
The room fell silent.
Many turned to look, eyes wide with shock.
Chuguang shook her head. “I haven’t.”
Zhou Wei raised an eyebrow. “Four days ago, you were followed and entered an alley. The victims claim you used Underworld coins to injure them.”
“I was followed, and I did run away.”
“The alley you escaped into—is it the old district behind your school?”
“Yes.”
He smiled slightly. “Did you enter the fork in the alley and then run left?”
“That’s right.” Surprise showed in Chuguang’s eyes.
“Then there’s no mistake. You’re the one we’re looking for.” Zhou Wei scrutinized her. “According to the testimonies of those arrested, they saw you recklessly using Underworld artifacts. Please come with us.”