Kaleidoscope of Death

Chapter 95: Back to Reality

Under the oil-paper umbrella, all rainwater was perfectly partitioned. Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu, walking in the rain, were as if wrapped within a ward. Not a single drop could drift onto them.

The path to the shrine was long. The two strolled along, unhurried.

This was Lin Qiushis first time leaving the courtyard on a rainy day. The entire town was enveloped in the shower. Townsfolk who could sometimes be glimpsed were without a trace, and the whole street was empty, devoid of even people with umbrellas. Lin Qiushi guessed that perhaps in the entire town, there was only the single umbrella in his hand. After all, other umbrellas could not guarantee protection from every single raindrop.

They arrived at the bamboo grove, and began winding up the small path. Leaves around them rattled with the pummel of rain. When a gust of wind blew by, the leaves would rustle brightly.

Ruan Nanzhu and Lin Qiushi traded a couple of words here and there, but neither spoke much. They were both contemplating the matter of the shrine. There was also he whod gone with Lin Xingping to the shrine yesterday, but did not return todayCue Xueyi.

Lin Qiushi was actually a bit curious about what happened to Cue Xueyi in the shrine. Judging from Lin Xingpings reaction, it was bound to be nothing good.

The rain continued on, as if it was never going to stop.

Lin Qiushi thought theyd walk until noon before reaching the shrine, but under the oil-paper, they saw the shrine at the end of the road just a couple of hours later.

In the rain, the shrine seemed even more shrouded in mystery than before.

What had once been a dilapidated building had taken on an obvious changeit was no longer broken down.

Were here. Ruan Nanzhus steps stopped. He did not rush over, but observed first from the side.

Mh, Lin Qiushi said. Its changed a lot, it seems.

Yes, Ruan Nanzhu said. All the broken bits have been fixed up. This was likely how the shrine looked in its heyday: the incense altar before it was brimming with burning light, the tables beside it filled with all sorts of offerings. Clearly, a lot of people came to pray here.

Lin Qiushis gaze fell on that well. He carefully approached, but didnt get too close, just observing from a distance.

He saw that what had been a dried-up ancient well was now teeming with translucent water, the crystalline surface struck into ripples by raindrops. Lin Qiushi stared at this well, thinking of the skeletons that had once been inside. He wondered if they were still in the water.

Just as he thought this, the well water, which had only been rippling, suddenly began to violently froth. As if it was boiling over, the water glugged and glugged, like something was surging out of it.

The sight of this sent Lin Qiushi unconsciously stepping back. The next moment, he saw reaching out of the water countless pairs of white skeletal hands. They looked like they wanted to grab the edge of the well and haul themselves out.

This well was not deep; climbing out ought to be easy. But those skeletons, when they grabbed onto the mouth, all had their fingers pried loose one at a time by some invisible power, forcing them to slip back into the water once more.

So the water kept churning, looking like the proverbial frying pan of hell.

Lets go in first. Ruan Nanzhu pointed inside the shrine.

Okay. Lin Qiushi pulled his gaze from the mouth of the well, and went with Ruan Nanzhu to the door.

They closed the umbrella, once again wiping it dry with a towel theyd brought. With it in hand, they pushed open the shrine doors, and walked on inside.

The moment the doors were open, wind surged in from the outside, blowing the good weather dolls above their head into energetic spins.

After he entered, Lin Qiushi set his gaze on that statue, placed dead center in the shrine. It was still that headless monk. Now though, there was an additional ceremonial staff in his hand, on top of which was a fresh human head. Judging by its appearance, it was Cue Xueyi, whod been manipulated to come here by Ruan Nanzhu.

Cue Xueyi was dead, and then decapitated after his death, skewered like so on top of the monks ceremonial staff. His eyes were still open, full of shock and terror, looking unsatisfied unto death.

Lin Qiushi met that gaze, and though he doubted his eyes, he thought he saw Cue Xueyis pupils move.

Lin Qiushi lightly tugged on a corner of Ruan Nanzhus shirt. I think he moved

Mh, Ruan Nanzhu said. I saw it too.

So Cue Xueyis head really was moving.

Just as Lin Qiushi made to talk, a strange sound came from above their heads. Lin Qiushi looked up, and saw that all the teru teru bzu above their heads had begun to move. Their trajectories were clearly not caused by the wind, but done on their own.

One after another, the dolls began to sway. The next moment, round after round of cries fountained forth from their mouths.

It hurts, it hurts Help me, wheres my body

Help me help me help me

Aaaah, aaah it hurts

It was a vision straight out of hellall the dolls were screaming, and the white clothes wrapped around their heads began to seep through with red blood. They kept bucking and struggling above Lin Qiushis head, until the cotton strings around them threatened to snap and drop them onto the ground.

Aaaaaah, help me, help me Cue Xueyi, speared atop the ceremonial staff, began to yell as well. Lin Qiushi saw his head bucking and twisting. That monk statue, once seated in lotus position, stood up at an excruciatingly slow speed. Its other hand rose up, and pointed at the empty spot above its own neck.

Lin Qiushi instantly understood his meaning.

Ruan Nanzhu did too, looking up at the wailing teru teru bzu. He said, Its one of these then?

But how do we find it? There were so many teru teru bzu. Lin Qiushi thought that finding the monks head amid these dolls was the proverbial needle in the haystack.

There will be something special about his head. Ruan Nanzhu had already begun to pace the shrine, with his head up to carefully examine the dolls on the ceiling. Lets look first.

Okay. Though Lin Qiushi thought this was high difficulty, they still had to give it a try. Following in Ruan Nanzhus footsteps, he also began to inspect the teru teru bzu.

Though all their features were crudely drawn, each one looked genuinely different. Some had eyes that were just a single line, others a circle. In any case, there were no two identical dolls.

As Lin Qiushi searched, he saw the monk statue take a step forward. It was headed toward the open door.

A chill shot through Lin Qiushi. He called, Nanzhu, hurry, there seems to be a time limit!

Ruan Nanzhu, okay!

By the looks of it, if the monk statue left the building and got rained on outside, something would happen. Cue Xueyi, whose head was still skewered on the staff, was the ultimate proof.

But there were too many teru teru bzua whole constellation of them, that keep swaying besides. Lin Qiushi was having a hard time telling any difference among them.

The monks footsteps continued forth, until it was almost at the door. Normal people might have panicked, but Lin Qiushi, unexpectedly, went calm. The best way to stop everything from happening at this point was to find that special doll. All other thoughts were extraneous.

Lin Qiushis gaze sifted through the teru teru bzu above his head, before he suddenly noticed a doll hidden in a corner.

That teru teru bzu, like the others, was wrapped in white cloth, and emitting its awful screams. There was still something on it that was different from all the other dolls, howeverit was crying. Specifically, its features were drawn to be crying.

On all the other dolls, the mouths were turned up. Only on this one was the mouth turned down; there was even a teardrop drawn on the corner of its eye. When Lin Qiushi saw this doll, his heart thumped. He called, Ruan Nanzhu, come here! Is it this one!!

Ruan Nanzhu hurried over, and saw the teru teru bzu Lin Qiushi was pointing at.

Get it down and see! Ruan Nanzhu said.

This doll was hung a bit high, so Lin Qiushi couldnt get it down himself. So he picked up Ruan Nanzhu to fetch it.

Ruan Nanzhu grabbed hold of that teru teru bzu, snapped the string, and got it down from the ceiling.

Im opening it. At this, Ruan Nanzhus hands began to move. They didnt have much time to hesitate. That monk was already at the door. Two or three more steps would carry him outside the shrine.

The white cloth peeled back, revealing the human head inside.

Lin Qiushi was a bit nervous, eyes fixed on the doll and unmoving. Only when the white cloth slipped off around a monks head did he expel a breath of relief.

There was no hair on this head, with ring scars burned onto the scalp and both eyes tightly closed. Its expression was placid however, unlike the other teru teru bzu wailing away; there was even a hint of a smile on the corner of its lips.

Now what? Lin Qiushi looked at this head, then at the halted monk statue, before asking, just press it on?

Ill give it a try, Ruan Nanzhu said. Theres no guarantee its correct

As he spoke, he cautiously approached the statue with the head in hand. Then he reached up, lightly placing the head on top of the monks neck.

The next moment, that head opened its eyes. Its stare was blinding as it chanted: Amitabha.

A sudden gust of wind swept through the building, whipping in the rain from the outside. Lin Qiushis face got entirely soakedbut just as he was worrying, he heard the crisp sound of copper impacting floor.

More than familiar, it was the sound of the key falling to the ground.

That monks ceremonial staff had morphed into a green copper key. The hand that held the staff now hoisted Cue Xueyis head.

Help Help Cue Xueyis calls began to fade, and his resentful gaze began to ossify. Black spots appeared on his skin until he became a petrified stone statue.

The monk chanted Amitabha once again.

The billowing rain outside the window stopped in an instant, and storm clouds in the sky began to disperse. The monk slowly walked outside the building, tossing the head in his hand into the well before him.

Then, with a leap, he too jumped into the well.

The water tossed again, its level quickly dropping until the well was dry once more.

The skeletons that had been at the bottom were also gone without a trace, as if once the monks enmity had been released, they too were released from where theyd been imprisoned.

Lin Qiushi heard a clack. He turned, and saw that a black metal door had appeared in the shrine where the monks statue had been. At this time, the green copper key was in Ruan Nanzhus hand.

The teru teru bzu had stopped crying as well. Ruan Nanzhu, curiously, say, what do you think they look like inside now?

Dont know. How would Lin Qiushi even guess?

Lets open one and see, Ruan Nanzhu said as he approached where the teru teru bzu were hung, gesturing for Lin Qiushi to pick him up.

Though a bit exasperated, Lin Qiushi still listened to him, coming up close and picking him up so that Ruan Nanzhu could once again pluck down a good weather doll.

Ruan Nanzhu unfastened the white cloth on the outside, and saw that while the head inside was still a head, it had become of stone. Ruan Nanzhu muttered to himself, maybe it does something if we take it

What if it doesnt? Lin Qiushi asked.

If it doesnt it disappears, Ruan Nanzhu answered. Things that arent props cant be taken out of this world at all. Once youre out its gone.

Thinking back, Lin Qiushi really had pretty good luck. With only a handful of doors passed, hed already gotten three props.

What about Gu Yuansi? Should we go back and tell Xiao Cha and them that the door is open? Lin Qiushi asked. Theyd gotten the door and the key, so they could leave right now. But Gu Yuansi was still a potential concern.

We dont have to make a special trip back. The weathers cleared up, and theres nothing dangerous inside. Theyll find the door eventually. As for Gu Yuansiwhat do you think? Ruan Nanzhu looked toward Lin Qiushi. If you want to kill him, we certainly can delay going out by a couple of days. Though itll be a bit annoying, therell still be a way.

He Actually, Lin Qiushis feelings toward this person were complicated. He knew theyd all been in cahoots; though the criminals in question were Lin Xingping and co., without Gu Yuansi as a buyer, they wouldnt have had this business deal at all. The piper played no tune without a man to pay for it.

Then lets let the doors judge him, Ruan Nanzhu said. Cue Xueyi and Lin Xingping are dead. According to the rules of the doors, Gu Yuansi will inherit the highest level door of his teammates who died inside. Lin Xingpings passed at least six doors; Gu Yuansis next one is at least the seventh.

For someone whod just met the doors to enter the seventh door on his second try, he was sure to have more misfortune than good.

Alright. Then Lin Qiushi sighed. Am I being too kind?

If you werent kind, I wouldnt have invited you to join Obsidian, Ruan Nanzhu said. Some bottom lines cant be crossed. Once you do, you can only keep falling, and who knows when youll end up hitting the ground. In the first door, had it not been for the way Lin Qiushi treated him, he and Lin Qiushi would not be having these stories today.

Mh. Lin Qiushi nodded his understanding.

Since passing through so many doors with Ruan Nanzhu, he could honestly tell that, if Ruan Nanzhu wanted to, moving on his teammates inside the door would be easy. If he wanted, he could very well kill all those around him first, then leisurely go about searching for the key and door under the protection of the doors rules. After all, as long as he didnt act directly, those who died confused couldnt get revenge at all.

But Ruan Nanzhu didnt choose this sort of shortcut, in fact treated it as a strict taboo. Lin Qiushi felt strangely impressed with this insistence of his.

Lets get out of here first.

Ruan Nanzhu said, lets.

Lin Qiushi nodded.

Ruan Nanzhu opened the door with the key, and a path, radiating with warm light, appeared before their eyes.

Lin Qiushi stepped on into the glowing tunnel with Ruan Nanzhu right behind him. The two left the world inside the door.

Their visions twisted. Lin Qiushi was back in the hotel hallway.

First out was he and Ruan Nanzhu. Right on their heels was Lin Xingping and the others. Lin Xingping took one glance at them, then lunged, shouting, you you goddamn liars you liars

Lin Qiushi dodged to the side, watching her coolly.

Lin Xingping was going to say something else, but then her mouth opened around a few cries, before she spun on her heels and ran for the glass window at the end of the hallway. She opened the window, like her body was no longer under her control, and she flipped right out. Then Lin Qiushi faintly heard the sound of something heavy hitting the ground, along with startled shouts from a crowd.

Cue Xueyi and Gu Yuansi also appeared. Cue Xueyi also seemed incredibly furious, but the moment he left the door, large amounts of blood began to pour from his mouth. He began to violently cough, before finally fainting right there on the floor, incapable of speech.

Gu Yuansi stood shaking at the side. The way he watched Lin Qiushi and Ruan Nanzhu was like he was watching some terrifying, prehistoric beasts.

It was likely his gaze that flipped the switch on Ruan Nanzhus mean side. Ruan Nanzhu got up in his face, smiling. Theres no blood on your hands yet, so Ill let you go this time. But if I find you in the company of these people again, I wont go easy on you.

Gu Yuansi trembled all over, nodding rigorously, looking so scared he could pass out.

Call 120 for that personguess hes not totally dead yet, we gotta try to resuscitate. Ruan Nanzhu gestured with his chin for Gu Yuansi to call emergency services for Cue Xueyi, whod passed out in a corner. When the cops and doctors get here, you know what to say, right?

Yes yes, I know, I know. Gu Yuansis expression was incredibly nervous, like if he misspoke, Ruan Nanzhu was apt to throw him right out the window. And this was the twelfth floorit was creepier to survive.

Lets go, Ruan Nanzhu said to Lin Qiushi.

Lin Qiushi made a noise of affirmation. Then the two stepped one at a time into the elevator.

Once inside, Lin Qiushi suddenly thought of security cameras, asking, what about hotel security? Wont the cops see that we just disappeared?

No, Ruan Nanzhu explained. In the eyes of those without doors, we only stood there aimlessly for a while.

Stood aimlessly for a while? Lin Qiushi didnt think itd be like this.

Yes, just stood for a while, Ruan Nanzhu said. No more than ten minutes. In the security footage, its likely we just stayed in the hallway in silence for a bit. Then that Lin Xingping couldnt deal with something, so she went off and committed suicide. Though it did seem strange, it wasnt likely to get them involved. Plus their identities had been doctored.

After leaving the hotel, Ruan Nanzhu and Lin Qiushi found an unwatched corner and removed their disguises. Ruan Nanzhu returned to his stunning self, chin lifted, aloof and proud. Nobody would ever think to link him to that mumbling tall woman.

Lin Qiushi turned his appearance back as well. He didnt actually have a very clear understanding of his looks, but now that he had a point of comparison, he liked his original appearance a bit better After all, the make up job Ruan Nanzhu did on him was just too rude on the eyes.

After getting all this done, Lin Qiushi suddenly asked, did you manage to get that umbrella out?

No. Ruan Nanzhu opened up his backpack, where the oil-paper umbrella had disappeared. It wasnt a prop, so we couldnt bring it out.

Oh Lin Qiushi was a bit disappointed. He thought that actually, lots of things inside the worlds were pretty usefulif they could be brought out, that is.

This sort of thing just cant be forced, Ruan Nanzhu said mildly. Not everyone has your kind of luck.

Lin Qiushi chuckled.

The two returned to the mansion, and very soon saw news about Lin Xingping and Cue Xueyi. The report only said a couple killed themselves after a fight, and didnt mention them at all. It seemed that Gu Yuansi really didnt rat them out.

Hes not a total idiot after all. Ruan Nanzhu changed the channel.

What if he did rat us out? Lin Qiushi hadnt had such an easy door in a long while; he wasnt even tired after coming out, sitting on the couch and idly nibbling on a watermelon.

If he rats us out then he rats us out, Ruan Nanzhu lazily replied. Hed still need to find people to take him through his doors. If he dares to run his mouth, then Ill dare to end his life.

Lin Qiushi was silent. He knew that though Ruan Nanzhu sounded casual, that definitely was not a joke.

The truth was, most of the time, Ruan Nanzhu didnt like to joke aroundat least outside the doors.

Lin Qiushi finished the last piece of watermelon, and was about to get up to wash his hands, when he saw Ruan Nanzhu staring at him.

What? Lin Qiushi felt his hair standing on end, being stared at so hard.

You still remember, right? Ruan Nanzhu said.

Lin Qiushi, puzzled, remember what?

You still remember right, what you owe me inside the door, Ruan Nanzhu spoke slowly.

Lin Qiushi stared for a moment more, before startling. The tips of ears twitched, going slightly red. Ah I thought you were joking about that.

Of course I wasnt joking, Ruan Nanzhu said. I never joke.

Lin Qiushi, At least on that point, they could agree.

Authors Note:

Recently, my cats getting more and more chatty. Every day when Im churning out words he comes to chatter at me. And if I dont respond he even pulls at me with his claws. God knows how much temptation Ive resisted for the grind.