Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Demon Child Returns

Trust is like a sheet of paper—once crumpled, even if you smooth it out, it can never return to its original form. Never deceive others, for the only ones you can fool are those who trust you.

After hurting each other, Lin Hai and Lin Fan’s spirits were severely battered. While the two were embroiled in their scuffle, Lin Qi busied himself in the kitchen, managing to prepare a grand dinner. Forcing the already well-sated pair to consume an entire feast, he now sat cheerfully on the sofa, munching on an apple and watching a drama series.

Bruised and battered, with spirits crushed and bellies threatening to burst, Lin Hai and Lin Dan slumped shoulder to shoulder on the sofa, belching and staring blankly at the television.

“Hic—! Ugh—!” “Hic—!”

The two suffered varying degrees of regurgitation.

“Uncle, do you ever feel like you could just take off and fly?” Lin Fan whispered.

Since moving into the villa, Lin Fan had continuously broken his own records for how much he could eat. Compared to the sickly figure he’d been when he first arrived, he was now much more robust and lively.

“Serves you right! You nearly beat me to death just now! And you have the nerve to ask? Did you use every ounce of strength you had when you were hitting me?” Lin Hai was still brooding over their earlier fight.

Lin Fan, aggrieved, replied, “I gave you a look—I tried to warn you. If you didn’t notice, you can’t blame me, can you?”

“My eyes are low-resolution, I can’t see the world clearly! And you—usually a dimwit—who would’ve guessed you’d react so quickly in a pinch, breaking all the rules.” Lin Hai truly hadn’t expected Lin Fan to learn trickery. At this moment, he looked at Lin Fan with newfound respect.

Since the ordeal with the hundred ghosts, Lin Fan’s soul had unexpectedly been strengthened. Unbeknownst to him, his spiritual power was growing steadily.

“I learned it from watching you,” Lin Fan pouted.

“Are you two not tired from fighting? Want to dance in the square after dinner now?” Their voices had unconsciously drowned out the television, prompting Lin Qi to shout.

At his words, both instantly fell silent, not daring to breathe too loudly, and quietly accompanied Lin Qi in watching his show.

Soon, the drama ended. Lin Qi shot them a glare before heading upstairs.

Once he’d left, the two reverted to their true selves.

“You’ve got guts when nothing’s happening, but the moment there’s trouble, you shrink back. You only dare spar with me—why don’t you talk back to Lin Qi?” Lin Hai lay listlessly on the sofa, unwilling to move an inch.

Rubbing his stomach, Lin Fan replied, “I have no wish to die—why would I provoke her? You’re the same way!”

“Sigh—” Lin Hai heaved a helpless sigh, nudged Lin Fan, and ordered, “Go get me an apple!”

Lin Fan stared wide-eyed. “Seriously? You can still eat?”

“Apples help with digestion, don’t you know?” Lin Hai was feeling overfull from all the greasy food.

Lin Fan stood up, about to head upstairs, and casually pointed at the TV. “Uncle, I finally get why you like widescreen TVs.”

“Oh? Why’s that?” Lin Hai glanced at him, drained of energy.

“Widescreen TVs are magical—everyone on them looks just like you: short and chubby! The screen is filled with your kind! It must be easy on your eyes, right, old man? Heh, I’m off to train—get your own apple if you want one.” With that, Lin Fan dashed off.

“You little brat! Get back here…” Normally, Lin Hai would have chased after him, but tonight, his stuffed belly kept him glued to the sofa.

As Lin Fan reached the top of the stairs, a familiar melody floated to his ears. He paused, a red glint flashing deep in his eyes, and slowly followed the enchanting voice.

The sound of water splashing could be heard from Lin Qi’s bedroom on the second floor. After a long night in the kitchen, Lin Qi was in a cheerful mood, humming a song as he showered.

“Who is it by my ear, saying, love me forever, just for these words, ah… even heartbreak brings no regret… The waters of West Lake, my tears, I’d rather become a blaze with you, I’d rather become a blaze with you, ah—”

At that moment, the bedroom door was slowly pushed open from the outside.

Lin Fan slipped in without a sound, closed the door behind him, and crept to the bathroom, standing quietly outside the glass door, watching.

Within seconds, he shamelessly reached out for the door handle.

Through the thick glass wall, Lin Qi’s graceful silhouette was faintly visible, already taken in by Lin Fan’s gaze. Yet, his expression showed no lechery; instead, he was grave, as if facing a great enemy, as he slowly opened the door of temptation…

“Who’s there—?” A shrill scream split the air. Lin Qi caught sight of a figure reflected in the mirror and immediately grabbed a towel, wrapped herself, and spun around, kicking the thick glass door with all her strength.

The glass door was sent flying. Never in her wildest dreams did Lin Qi imagine someone would dare peek at her in her own home—her temper exploded.

Lin Fan’s hand was still on the handle when the door slammed down on him, pinning him beneath.

“Who’s the bastard spying on me while I shower? Ah!!! I’ll gouge your filthy eyes out!” Lin Qi stormed out, grinding her teeth, and stomped hard on the glass door.

Trapped beneath, Lin Fan was jolted awake by the pain and, recalling the scene, was seized by a chilling sense of despair.

Dammit! What possessed me to spy on her in the shower? Only a complete idiot would do something so stupid! She’ll cripple me for sure! I’m still a virgin! Oh no, what now?

“What’s going on? Did a thief break in?” Clutching his stomach, Lin Hai hurried upstairs. Seeing the situation, he leaned against the doorway, gloating as he teased, “Who’s the fearless scoundrel daring to stir up trouble here? I must admit, I’m impressed! After your death, I’ll find you the best burial plot. Don’t hide—come out and let us pay our last respects!”

“What are you gawking at? I’ll turn this glass into your crystal coffin!” As Lin Qi spoke, she lifted her right foot—an invisible force gathered beneath it, and her foot transformed into a giant beast’s paw, ready to stomp down.

Lin Fan wanted to stay hidden forever, but sensing the impending danger, he knew he’d be crushed if he didn’t act. He quickly poked his head out and grinned, “Mercy, sis! It’s… it’s me! Heh, I… I went into the wrong room, would you believe that?”

Lin Hai cried out in mock horror, “Nephew, you’ve got nerves of steel! You even go after her?”

Lin Qi, realizing it was Lin Fan, exploded. “You little pervert! Filthy scoundrel! I can’t believe I misjudged you—you even try to take advantage of me! I’ll stomp you flat, you little creep!” She withdrew her power and began jumping up and down on the glass door, crushing him with each stomp.

“Sis, spare me! It was a mistake! My head’s caving in! Ow—!”

Lin Hai showed no intention of intervening and instead gloated, “Serves you right! Defying your master by day, molesting your cousin by night! You deserve it—teach that brat a lesson!”

“Ow, sis, I was wrong! Ow, please stop! I’m getting squished here!”

Lin Qi had no intention of letting him off easily. This was a matter of her reputation, and the more she thought about it, the angrier she became. Ignoring Lin Fan’s pleas, her stomps grew heavier as his cries grew louder.

Just as Lin Fan was about to be squeezed to the point of losing control, a small, thin figure burst from his body, claws flashing as it lunged for Lin Qi’s legs.

But Lin Qi seemed to have anticipated that Lin Fan was being possessed. She floated backward, a long black whip suddenly appearing in her hand. With a flick, she sent it coiling toward the phantom.

The apparition was caught off guard by Lin Qi’s speed. What was meant to be a desperate strike ended with him ensnared by the whip and slammed to the ground, writhing but unable to break free.

Lin Hai stared in shock at the vicious, struggling little figure on the floor. “Damn! This thing isn’t dead yet?” Waves of suspicion surged in his mind: That androgynous thing from hell really was unreliable—full of bravado but useless in the end. But this wretched imp was cunning, first trapping my nephew, then luring that woman in to get me, and finally pulling the shadow into the game… Every step was meticulously planned. What is it after?

He stood there, dumbfounded, staring at the demon child.

The one cursing Lin Hai was none other than his old nemesis—the chief demon child. Although he looked like a child, no one knew how long he'd been dead. Thanks to his cunning, he’d escaped the shadow’s pursuit by sneaking into Lin Fan’s body.

The demon’s curses snapped Lin Hai out of his stupor. “Screw you! You actually possessed my nephew to escape! And you dared to peek at my daughter in the shower—shameless! Take this!” He kicked the demon child with all his might.

The whip, still coiled around the demon child, sent him crashing into the wall, which cracked from the impact.

“You shameless old rogue! Just wait, you’ll get yours!” the demon child spat, glaring at Lin Hai as he slid to the floor.

Lin Fan crawled out from under the glass, relieved. “You really survived? That’s great! I knew good ghosts get good karma!”

“That was you, wasn’t it! Using Lin Fan’s body to spy on me—you’re the real scoundrel. Since you’ve crossed me, I’ll enforce justice and destroy you, you little pervert.” Lin Qi’s grip on the whip tightened, causing deep grooves to dig into the demon’s body.

The demon child finally realized Lin Qi was even stronger than Lin Hai and decided it was best to flee—his usual style. With a cold laugh, his eyes flashed red, and his form began to blur and turn translucent, shifting from physical to spiritual.

He intended to split into phantoms and escape as usual, but this time, nothing happened. The whip still bound him tightly, constricting ever more.

His phantom technique failed! Panic set in. At this rate, his soul would soon be scattered.

He didn’t know that Lin Qi’s whip was no ordinary demon-hunting weapon—it was a spiritual artifact: the Crimson Shadow Whip. Five meters long, pitch-black, supple and resilient, it could attack physically and, more importantly, inflict damage on the soul.

Even Lin Qi was surprised by the demon child’s resilience—his soul was strong enough to withstand the whip’s power.

As the demon’s soul was on the verge of annihilation, Lin Fan suddenly grabbed the whip, declaring, “You can’t kill a good ghost without cause! Besides, I was the one who tried to peek at your bath—it has nothing to do with him.”

“You’ve lost your mind, nephew! You’d risk offending Lin Qi for this despicable imp?” Lin Hai was astonished.

“I take responsibility for my actions—it was me, not him! I just wanted to see what color blood runs in that filthy body of yours!” the demon child spat coldly, glaring at Lin Qi as if she were his sworn enemy.

“My eyes were mine—it had nothing to do with him! Sis, please forgive him…” Lin Fan continued to plead for the demon child.

The demon wriggled free, shoving Lin Fan aside, and taunted, “If not him, then it’s me! What can you do, you nasty woman?”

“Oh, come on! Are you two putting on a show? Is this some tragic romance between man and ghost?” Lin Hai was so taken aback he could only swallow hard.

“Enough! All of you, shut up! Fine—since you’re both so eager, you’ll be punished together!” Lin Qi snapped, raising the whip and lashing both Lin Fan and the demon child.

The whip, cold as a blade, whistled as it slashed across their faces, landing mercilessly on their bodies.

Wherever the whip struck Lin Fan, his flesh was lacerated, blood welling up and flesh turning out, the wounds sending waves of agony through him until he gritted his teeth in pain.

The demon child fared no better—his form flickered as if about to vanish, like a television with a poor signal, clearly gravely wounded.

Yet Lin Qi had shown restraint—she hadn’t truly meant to annihilate the demon child, only to test his soul’s strength and see if Lin Fan was at risk.

She understood that if the demon wanted to harm Lin Fan, he’d have done so long ago. Taking over Lin Fan’s body wouldn’t be easy.

Deliberate or not, it seemed almost intentional.

“Hmph! Let this be a lesson to you—see if you dare provoke me again!” Lin Qi said, gathering up her whip, her temper cooling.

“That’s it? You’re letting these two little scoundrels off so easily?” Lin Hai exclaimed in disbelief.

Lin Fan and the demon child shuddered at his words, both glaring at Lin Hai with loathing.

“What, do you have an opinion? I’ll count to three—if you’re not all out of here by then, I’ll wipe you out! One…” Lin Qi, wrapped in a towel, stood with hands on hips, threatening all three without restraint.

What is going on? This isn’t like her at all. Wait, could that little ghost be a bodyguard she hired? I’d better reconsider my plans…

“Run!” Lin Hai shouted, grabbing Lin Fan and sprinting out.

The demon child shot Lin Qi one last glare before floating away after them.