Chapter Thirty-Six: Fury

From the moment these two entered, Shen Chang'an distinctly caught a whiff of something foul and putrid in the air.

He looked at the pair—a man and a woman, both in their forties, though streaks of white already marred their black hair. They appeared to be husband and wife. Both wore expressions of utter exhaustion; their eyes reddened as they glared at Chen Siyang, as if he owed them a great debt, their resentment so fierce they looked ready to devour him whole.

But none of this was what drew Shen Chang'an's eye. What truly caught his attention was the small ghost clinging to the woman—a spirit that seemed to be about twelve or thirteen years old. He could not fathom why it clung so desperately to her, but its gaze was thick with hatred.

Chen Siyang regarded the couple calmly. "Please, both of you, remain calm. I do not owe you anything."

"You monster!" the woman shrieked. "You killed our two daughters and dare claim you owe us nothing!"

"That's right! The filth in your mall killed our girl!" the man shouted.

"Our two daughters! How could you bear to do it?" they wailed, voices rising in the empty space.

Their clamor drew a deep frown from Chen Siyang; impatience flashed in his eyes, but he forced himself to remain composed. "The mall was not yet open. Your daughter entered on her own and met with an accident. We compensated you according to the law—what more could you possibly demand?"

"Still you deny it!" the woman shrieked. "You paid only thirty thousand for my eldest girl!"

"The eldest you say was an accident. What about my second daughter?" the man accused.

"Murderer! If you don't give us an explanation today, we're not leaving!" they yelled, their outburst making Chen Siyang's expression even more sour.

The mall had yet to open, but it was not entirely deserted. A few shopkeepers, whom Chen Siyang had invited to observe the proceedings for their reassurance, lingered nearby. Earlier, Master Sun and his apprentice had come down from the eighth floor to the first, performing rituals meant to ease the shopkeepers’ concerns.

Now, witnessing this heated scene, the shopkeepers exchanged uneasy glances.

Yet they knew well enough that how this matter was resolved was Chen Siyang's affair. Making polite excuses, they apologized and left one by one.

Though Chen Siyang understood they did not want to interfere, their departure only stoked his frustration. The situation had just become more complicated.

"Are you two finished?" he demanded, his patience at an end. "You've barged in and made a scene again and again, spreading lies and making baseless accusations! I’m warning you, we've followed all legal procedures and paid the compensation due. If you continue, I’ll call the police and have you removed!"

"Go ahead! Call them now!" the man goaded. "Let’s see if the police will cover for a murderer like you!"

Chen Siyang’s expression grew colder. He knew full well the police would have little recourse against people so relentless. No one could forbid them from coming here, after all.

At that moment, the false Taoist coughed and spoke slowly, "I have already dispelled the evil spirits. Please, benefactors, rest assured—there will be no further trouble here."

No sooner had he finished than the couple turned on him as well, their words tumbling out in a torrent: "See! This place is filled with filth! Bringing in a Taoist for a ritual won’t change a thing!"

"Rituals are useless—this place will remain tainted!"

"People like you—no matter how many rituals you perform, nothing will change! A hundred ceremonies wouldn’t redeem you!"

The false Taoist found himself dragged into the fray, his face flushing with indignation. He was used to being treated with respect by high officials and wealthy patrons, never before had he encountered such abuse.

After their tirade, Sun Yiyuan was now as complicit in their eyes as Chen Siyang—the two were no better than demonic charlatans.

Shen Chang'an's brow furrowed ever deeper; his face grew darker, a murderous rage roiling within him. He ached to draw his blade and cleave these people in two where they stood.

Beside him, Chen Mengchen nudged him gently. "Hey, are you alright? You look furious," she whispered.

Shen Chang'an exhaled slowly, forcing down the anger threatening to overwhelm him, and answered as evenly as he could, "I'm fine..."

His voice trembled as he spoke, and Chen Mengchen needed no further evidence to know how hard he was struggling to restrain himself.

"I know," she said softly. "My brother undercut the compensation—it's hard for you to watch. Don't worry, I'll tell my father and make sure my brother pays them what they deserve."

To Chen Mengchen, Shen Chang'an was a man who would risk his life for others, even for someone he'd only just met. That night, he’d run for miles to save Sun Qiqi; she’d seen it with her own eyes. In her heart, Shen Chang'an was a hero of ancient times, a man who kept his word and would bleed and die to save the innocent.

It was only natural that he’d be angry at her brother’s actions. She only feared that, unable to contain his fury, he might strike her brother—and then she would be powerless to intervene. Her brother was a proud man; if struck, he would never swallow his pride.

But Shen Chang'an merely shook his head and sighed, as though laying down a heavy burden. "I'm not angry at your brother," he said quietly. "I'm angry at myself."

"I'm furious at my own helplessness... I couldn't even save a child's soul..."

Chen Mengchen stared at him in shock, words failing her as she watched him step forward.

She hurried after him, worried. "Don't do anything rash—if you hit my brother, this will only get worse!"

But Shen Chang'an shook his head, his voice soft. "This has nothing to do with your brother. It's just... debts must be repaid by those who owe them. I must reclaim what’s owed, on behalf of the wronged."

Hearing these words, Chen Mengchen still thought he meant her brother. But Shen Chang'an was already stepping into the group.

He addressed the couple. "You claim, again and again, that an evil spirit in this mall killed your daughters. Do you have any evidence?"

They recognized at once that Shen Chang'an was on Chen Siyang’s side. "Evidence? All the evidence has been destroyed by you lot!"

"You bullies! You prey on us because we’re old!"

Shen Chang'an let them vent for a while, then spoke slowly, "If there is no physical evidence, then we must turn to witnesses. Why not let your daughters speak for themselves?"