Chapter Sixty-Three: When Demons Rule (1)

As night fell, the city grew quiet.
There was no such thing as nightlife here; by eight or nine in the evening, lights were already out and people had gone to bed.
This made it convenient for Gu Zhiheng to move about at night. Even if some specter appeared, there was no fear of scaring the innocent residents.
“What are you standing around for? Get up and let’s go. You’re acting like some kind of lord.” Gu Zhiheng kicked Jun Luan with an ill-tempered snap, then yanked him off the bed.
This guy had hogged his bed all afternoon, forcing him to nap on the sofa, and now his back was aching.
“Brother, can’t you be a little nicer to me? I waited for you in the east for fifteen years, you know.” Jun Luan looked at Gu Zhiheng innocently, hoping for some kindness.
After all, he was still the younger one… three years younger, at least a little gentleness toward his little brother would be nice.
“Have some shame. Get up, we’ve got work to do!” Staring at the shameless youth, Gu Zhiheng felt his blood pressure rising.
The weather tonight was poor, the air heavy and the temperature low, as though something ominous was about to happen.
To avoid complications, Gu Zhiheng wanted to get things done quickly and then deal with Jun Luan’s affairs.
He was in a hurry to meet up with Mo Han and the others; he couldn’t always rely on those three to handle everything. It simply didn’t make sense.
It was his own mission, yet Mo Han and the others were the ones doing most of the work.
They had already done too much for his sake. He couldn’t keep letting things go on this way—he had to handle as much as he could himself, only asking for help when necessary.
According to Jun Luan, tonight was the annual time when the evil spirit emerged, so he intended to take it down in one move and see if he could expose the mastermind behind it all.
It was already eight forty. If they went out any later and the evil spirit succeeded, what then?
Jun Luan was completely unreliable, always up to mischief, never taking real business seriously.
“Nine forty-five, room 2209.” Jun Luan drawled from where he’d climbed back onto the bed after rising from the floor.
2209—that was the room right next door.
“What do you mean? Speak plainly, I don’t understand.” Gu Zhiheng knew 2209 was next door, but what did that have to do with them?
“I mean, at nine forty-five, the evil spirit will appear in room 2209. Just wait.” Jun Luan gave him a look as if he were an idiot, then rolled over and stopped looking at him.

Don’t ask how he knew; every year, at this exact time, the evil spirit appeared in room 2209 of the Yangcheng Hotel.
Coincidentally, every year on this day, a girl of about fifteen or sixteen would check into 2209.
If this wasn’t arranged by someone, Jun Luan would eat his own hat—no, he’d change his name to Gu and follow Gu Zhiheng’s surname.
“How do you know this? Is the time and place always the same every year?” Staring at Jun Luan, Gu Zhiheng suddenly realized.
No wonder Jun Luan had been acting lazy all day, refusing to go out and stopping him from leaving as well.
If this was really the case, who could be orchestrating all of this, year after year, for centuries?
It certainly wasn’t something ordinary people could manage—either some worldly spirit, or a powerful clan involved in worship.
“You’re not completely hopeless, just a little slow to react. Eat more brain food next time!” Jun Luan arched an eyebrow, grinned, and dragged Gu Zhiheng onto the bed so they both lay there together.
This time, Gu Zhiheng didn’t resist. He simply lay quietly, staring at the ceiling in a daze.
“What’s this? So obedient now. Is it because big brother—”
A smack cut him off, and Jun Luan quieted down.
“I’m divining. Don’t bother me. Whatever you have to say, wait.” He glared at Jun Luan, then resumed staring at the ceiling.
He had almost finished his calculation when this guy interrupted with his chatter.
Now he’d have to start again, which might affect the accuracy. This guy just couldn’t help making things worse.
As soon as he heard Gu Zhiheng was divining, Jun Luan perked up.
He’d always been curious about divination as a kid, which was why he’d gotten along with Gu Zhiheng and occasionally asked for a reading.
But after he died, there was no more chance for that.
“There’s a high chance of success tonight, but I didn’t catch a glimpse of the one behind it all. That’s your fault for distracting me.” The first reading had come close, but the babbler had ruined it.
“Brother, I know I was wrong, please don’t be mad!” Too late, he regretted his antics.
“That’s enough. Leave it at that.” Gu Zhiheng removed Jun Luan’s hand from him, got up, and went into the bathroom.
He needed to calm down—a moment ago, Jun Luan’s interruption had nearly brought backlash upon him.

Better not attempt such things again; forced divination was truly taxing, and he’d barely managed to withstand it.
“Brother, are you all right? You don’t look well. Should we go to the hospital?” Seeing Gu Zhiheng’s pale face, Jun Luan was clearly startled.
He hadn’t meant to cause trouble; he hadn’t known Gu Zhiheng would be divining at that moment.
“I’m fine, nothing serious. It won’t affect tonight’s work.” Gu Zhiheng waved it off, splashed cold water on his face, and followed Jun Luan outside.
He’d had similar experiences before, but thought his cultivation had increased enough that there’d be no problem.
He’d been too optimistic. Though stronger now, forcibly divining such major events could still bring backlash, just as before.
“I’ll meditate a while. Wake me when it’s time.” Glancing at the clock, Gu Zhiheng decided he’d better sit down and recover.
He’d quietly absorb a little spiritual energy from the world; he’d need the strength for the coming fight.
Jun Luan was unreliable—he’d have to depend on himself.
It was nine fifteen; half an hour left, still time.
Calming his breath, Gu Zhiheng began drawing in spiritual energy, careful not to make a spectacle of it.
The Yangcheng Hotel was shrouded in thick ghostly energy; a sudden surge of spiritual force would draw unwanted attention, so he had to be discreet.
Watching Gu Zhiheng practice, Jun Luan moved a little farther away, afraid he might once again cause trouble.
He’d been alone too long, a little unhinged, curious about everything.
For Gu Zhiheng’s safety and the success of tonight’s mission, he’d better just keep his distance.
If he lost control again, whether Gu Zhiheng survived or not was one thing, but Gu Zhiheng would surely kill him.
So, for both their sakes, it was best to stay apart for now.