Chapter 1: Crossing the First Threshold

Chapter 1: Crossing the First Threshold

It was a small village in the mountains, veiled by a shroud of lush and flourishing trees.

There was but a single path leading to said village. Because of the heavy downpour, the trail was particularly muddy; one had to be especially cautious when walking down this road.

As of this moment, Lin Qiushi and a tall young woman were plodding along this path. The lady seemed to be of mixed-race. Her eyebrows were rather thick and broad, quite beautiful, and she was incredibly tall, much taller than Lin Qiushi. Wearing a long, outdated dress and with deep eyes filled with tears, the girl lightly and spasmodically sobbed, then whispered, Just where exactly is this place?

Lin Qiushi inquired, Where were you before?

The young woman: I was inside the bathroom of my house.

Lin Qiushi: I was in the hallway of my home.

The young woman: Hallway?

Lin Qiushi raised his head and looked up at the gloomy skies. Did you happen to open a door?

The young woman seemed to have recalled something; there was a subtle change in her expression. She said, Yes.

Lin Qiushi glanced back at her. Same here.

A gust of wind blew, and the heavy leaves at the treetops rustled with the breeze. The atmosphere around grew quieter. Light flurries suddenly floated down from the skies, as if urging them to hasten their pace; they had to reach the village encompassed by groves before dark.

In the course of conversation, Lin Qiushi learned that the girls surname was Ruan. She was called Ruan Baijie.

Lin Qiushi was stunned for about three seconds after hearing her name, and then he falsely praised, A good name.

Ruan Baijie glared at him with watery eyes and hissed, All men are liars.

Lin Qiushi: Eh?

Ruan Baijie: Dont think Ive never seen that little porn book1.

Lin Qiushi: It appeared as though this girl wasnt as weak or delicate as hed imagined. While heading towards the village, the two individuals exchanged information and gathered that the other had also opened a door before suddenly arriving at this remote wilderness.

Ruan Baijie opened the door to the lavatory, while Lin Qiushi opened the door to his own hallway.

The door was a black, iron door. Ruan Baijies voice was soft. There werent any decorations. At the time, I was a bit puzzled, just how could a door like that suddenly appear at my house? I also didnt think much of it and casually pulled it open

The very next second after pulling the door open, they appeared at this desolate wilderness.

Lin Qiushi: I also opened a black iron door He barely finished saying this, when he caught sight of a shadowy figure on the path ahead. The figure was quite tall, most likely a grown man.

Big brother up front!!! Lin Qiushi greeted loudly from afar.

Seemingly having heard Lin Qiushis voice, the man paused his steps.

Lin Qiushi hurriedly ran forward, then reached out and tapped his shoulder. Hello, would you please tell us where this place is?

The man turned his head around, revealing a bearded face. At first glance, he practically resembled a bear with his hairy face and tall, robust build. Are you new here?New novel chapters are published on

Lin Qiushi wondered, New?

The man didnt reply. He stared at Lin Qiushi then glanced behind him at the frightened Ruan Baijie. Come. Lets go to the village, then Ill explain everything to the both of you.

Lin Qiushi hummed in agreement. Thereafter, the three people set off to the village.

The season seemed to be winter here; dusk descended very early. Before they came here, the setting sun was clearly still hanging in the sky, but in a blink of an eye, only dark clouds and falling snowflakes remained.

Lin Qiushi chatted with the man and observed the situation around. Apart from the village, this place had no other light sources. Surrounded by the sight of vast forests that extended to where the eye couldnt see, this empty road couldnt be any more vacant and abandoned.

Lin Qiushi took out a cigarette from his pocket and handed it to the man. The man declined it with the wave of his hand.

Big brother, where is this place? Lin Qiushi asked.

The man spoke, You can call me Xiong Qi2.

Lin Qiushi thought to himself that this man truly lived up to his name. He wanted to ask another question, but he then saw Xiong Qi make a stop gesture. Dont ask. Youll understand whats going on when we get to the village.

Oh. Lin Qiushi uttered. Okay.

The entire trip there, they stayed silent. The three people strived to hasten on with their journey. They finally arrived at the entrance of the village just before darkness completely enveloped the skies above.

Xiong Qi visibly relaxed. He cast a glance at the darkness behind him. Okay, its all good. Lets go. Well meet them first.

New. Them. Lin Qiushi caught these keywords. Although he already had a bad gut feeling ever since hed arrived here, at this very moment, that unpleasant feeling was becoming stronger, more intense. Ruan Baijie also seemed to have sensed something. She no longer wept. Her attractive face was as pale as death, and her eyes shone with panic.

Xiong Qi continued to advance forward, and he soon brought them to a small three-storey building beside the village heads house.

He stood still before the doorway and knocked on the door. From inside came the voice of a young girl, Who?

Its me, Xiong Qi, responded Xiong Qi.

Ah, its big brother Xiong. Come in. The girl added, We were waiting for you.

Xiong Qi pushed the door with his hand. A slight creak sounded, and afterwards, the scene behind the doorway was fully exposed. The door opened to a spacious living room. At present time, about a dozen people more or less sat in the living room. They encircled a raging fire, and they seemed to be discussing something right now.

Newcomers? Someone finally noticed Lin Qiushi and Ruan Baijie standing behind Xiong Qi.

Newcomers. Xiong Qi slowly walked into the room and casually found a place to sit down. Sit down. Xiao Ke, explain to them.

Xiao Ke was the girl who opened the door for Xiong Qi. She looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, and her facial features were delicate and pretty. You two can sit down, as well. Ill briefly describe the circumstances.

Lin Qiushi and Ruan Baijie glanced at each other. The two people then sat near the door.

In actuality, theres nothing much to say. Xiao Kes attitude wasnt in the least cordial. We need to stay in this village for a period of time and resolve a few problems. Thats about it.

Lin Qiushi: What problems?

Xiao Ke replied, We also dont know that for the time being. We have to visit the head of the village tomorrow She then asked, Are either of you materialists?

Lin Qiushi raised his hand and declared, Me.

Xiao Ke hinted, Then whatever you believe in ought to change.

Lin Qiushi: what do you mean?

Xiao Ke explained, What I mean to say is that supernatural events will take place here.

Lin Qiushi remained silent for three seconds. He then bowed his head and looked down at his bedding. Dont be like that. I only brought one pair of pants with me here.

The woman:

Lin Qiushi wiped his face. If you scare me again, Ill seriously piss myself. After he finished saying this, he began to slap Ruan Baijie who was still sleeping next to him. He cried out loud, Quick! Get up!

Ruan Baijie abruptly woke up from Lin Qiushis slaps. Completely bewildered, she rubbed her eyes, then wondered, Why on earth should I? As soon as she opened her eyes wide, she noticed that a woman was sitting near the bedside. And who is this, ah? Lin Qiushi, so instead of going to sleep at night, you went god-knows-where to find yourself a woman to bring back, huh? Youre just too shameless! Tell me, where in the world do I not compare to her?!

Lin Qiushi: Thats what you focus on, huh?

Ruan Baijie cursed lowly a few times before sensing something was amiss. Her lovely eyes grew wider, rounder, those two black pupils dilated. Whats up with her neck, its growing longer and longer

Lin Qiushi took another glance back and discovered the woman had already stood up from the bed. Her head was crooked to one side and her neck became longer by the second, practically resembling a mutated snake.

The two individuals regarded this scene with dumbfounded expressions on their faces. At last, Lin Qiushi couldnt stand it. He shouted, Run like the fucking wind! Immediately after, he rose from his spot, grabbed Ruan Baijies hand and dashed madly to the door.

In the end, Ruan Baijie, who was feeble and delicate during the day, ran even faster than Lin Qiushi. Quicker than a gust of wind, they disappeared out the door.

Lin Qiushi: Cant you fucking run slowly!

Ruan Baijie: Ill be dead if I run any fucking slower

Lin Qiushi: Hah, woman.

The two people were like rabbits, fleeing all the way to the first floor. After determining that thing didnt follow them all the way down here, they sagged their shoulders in relief. Ruan Baijie miserably wailed more than anyone else, and she even ran faster than dogs. By the time Lin Qiushi gasped for breath, her eyes were glistening with tears; she was ready for round two of bawling.

Dont cry. Dont cry. Lin Qiushi coaxed. Whatd you whisper to provoke that thing?

Ruan Baijie: I cant believe youre thinking about other people, you dont even care about me.

Lin Qiushi:

Perhaps Lin Qiushis expression showed that he was all but repulsed, but, in any case, Ruan Baijie somehow stifled her sobs. She weakly sat down on the wooden stool located on the first floor and gently wiped the corners of her moist eyes.

As of this moment, they were situated in the living room on the first floor. The entire room was deserted. Just now, there was such a massive disturbance, yet not a single person came out to enjoy the chaotic scene; as a matter of fact, no other sounds could be heard whatsoever, including the others breathing.

Lin Qiushi stood in place for a while and hesitated. What should we do now? He and Ruan Baijie had little to no experience with matters like these. They didnt know what to do, they had absolutely no idea how to deal with this. And so, they just stood in this living room like two wooden posts.

It snowed outside. Ruan Baijie suddenly remarked, slowly walking to the door and taking a peek at the courtyard.

It snowed in the middle of the night. Lin Qiushi stood in the doorway and gazed at the thin layer of snow that covered the courtyard. He also spotted the well the female ghost mentioned about. Indeed, it was just as she said; there was a well in the middle of the courtyard. The wells location was somewhat abrupt. Of all places, it was positioned at the very center of the courtyard, and it even happened to obstruct the entrance. In terms of feng shui, this was emphatically neither proper nor a good thing.

There is a stone at the entrance. Ive no words to say. Ruan Baijie suddenly added, That well is quite wonderfully built, ah. She chuckled; her appearance as the corners of her eyes curved was exceptionally stunning.

What? Lin Qiushi said. You also understand feng shui?

Ruan Baijie replied, I do this at home, learned a bit. She glanced at him obliquely. What do you do?

Lin Qiushi: I design

Ruan Baijie: Oh, youre not bald yet. You havent done this for long, have you?

Lin Qiushi: You really know how to talk.

What do you suppose I do? Ruan Baijie flipped her hair.

Lin Qiushi: Modeling? He seldom saw such a tall girl as Ruan Baijie. Tall and straight in stature, good temperament; except for her nonexistent chest, it seemed that she had no other shortcomings.

Not at all. Ruan Baijie beamed brightly and continued, I am a fortune teller.

Lin Qiushi stared blankly.

Allow me to calculate. Ruan Baijie instantly reckoned on the spot, Todays moon is particularly round and full. I sense that a death shall take place.

Lin Qiushi didnt know whether to laugh or cry. What kind of logic is that, ah? How is a very round full moon supposed to predict a death?

Ruan Baijie paid no heed to Lin Qiushi. She strolled towards the courtyard and beckoned Lin Qiushi. Lin Qiushis heart jumped out of his chest at her actions. Why on earth are you going there? Its so late

Ruan Baijie answered, I wanted to take a look at this well.

Take a look at it tomorrow during the day. Its too dangerous to check it out right now. Although Lin Qiushi said this, he was so worried about Ruan Baijie being outside that he followed her to the courtyard.

Dressed in a long, white gown and taking lithe steps forward, Ruan Baijie resembled a graceful snow fairy. She leisurely approached the top of the well, but she never reached it. Rather, she waited until Lin Qiushi also came over.

Lin Qiushi asked, Whats wrong?

Ruan Baijie said, Nothing. I suddenly feel like I dont want to see it anymore. Lets head back.

Lin Qiushi was utterly baffled. Why do we have to go back?

Its too cold. Ruan Baijie complained. Im going to freeze. Upon saying this, Ruan Baijie naturally took ahold of Lin Qiushis arm then forcefully hauled him back into the room.

Lin Qiushi was dragged back by Ruan Baijie. He found that her strength was more than extraordinary, and he temporarily couldnt break free.

Ruan Baijie? Lin Qiushi was frightened by Ruan Baijies mighty strength.

Ruan Baijie loosened her tight grip. Go on. Too cold, ah. Must hurry back, also can sleep for a while She finished what she wanted to say, and with that, she once again didnt bother with Lin Qiushi. Minding her own business, she went upstairs and returned to the room.

Without any better options, Lin Qiushi followed behind her and also returned to their room on the second floor. Fortunately, that previously-seen creepy woman had disappeared. However, the windows were left ajar, and the shuddering, wintry winds poured into the room.

Ruan Baijie went directly to bed. She closed her eyes and fell asleep.

Lin Qiushi, on the other hand, couldnt fall asleep, so he rekindled the kerosene lamp and stayed up the entire night. The night here was endless and dreadful, the winds outside howled non-stop, and located inside this room was sleeping beauty. Ruan Baijie and a man shed just met were sleeping on the same bed, yet she wasnt in the least guarded against him. Her breaths were soft and even, and a faint blush painted her fair cheeks pink; this scene looked undeniably tempting.

Lin Qiushi gazed at her for a long time before removing his eyes. Although he wasnt a gentleman, he certainly wasnt a vile scoundrel who took advantage of someone in a precarious position.

The next day, at approximately 8 oclock, hints of dawn emerged, the shadows of the sun peeked over the skys horizon.

The skies resumed snowing overnight, and the grounds outside were already blanketed in pure white snow.

Ruan Baijie groaned then opened her eyes. She first extended her arms, but immediately afterwards, she retracted them. Its so cold, ah

Lin Qiushi saw her like this and thought in his mind, you certainly didnt seem to say so last night.

Qiushi. Ruan Baijie started. You go and help me find two pieces of clothes. Im only wearing this dressits too cold.

Lin Qiushi agreed and said fine. But, in reality, he planned to find two more clothes that he could wear, thickening and warming only himself. After all, in his own, original world, it was still a blistering, hot summer.

1There is a Chinese porn novel that goes by the name, Bai Jie or White and Pure. In other words, Baijies given name is the name of a porn novel, hence Lin Qiushis shock and false praise and all.

2His name is literally BEHR (Paint)as in, the corporation. If you didnt know, there is a bear on the front of their products, and Xiong Qi also resembles a bear.