Mayi Physiognomy

Straddling the line between life and death, terror surged through me. The ghost's ceaseless, chilling mantra of "Cold!" echoed in my mind, sending waves of icy numbness through my body.

I flailed, trying to shove the ghost away. But the potent blood on my fingertips was spent. My hands passed uselessly through its form as its icy grip tightened around my throat.

"Li Chuyi! What… what are you doing?" Xu Ruohui's voice came from behind the glass door. She'd seen me thrown across the courtyard, seen me now writhing on the steps, fighting empty air. Confusion warred with fear in her tone.

I waved frantically at her, begging her silently to stay quiet, stay inside. But she misunderstood. The door to Grandpa's room swung open.

The ghost's head snapped toward the sound, its hollow gaze fixing on Xu Ruohui.

"Li Chuyi! Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?" Xu Ruohui cried, stepping out.

I tried to shout a warning, but the crushing grip on my throat stole my breath and voice.

Worse, I felt the ghost growing stronger, faster. Was it evolving?

Ignoring my earlier pleas, Xu Ruohui moved closer. She still didn't believe. She thought I was insane, self-harming.

No! If it hurt her… Gathering the last dregs of my strength, I bit down hard on my tongue. Coppery blood flooded my mouth. I spat—a crimson spray aimed at the ghost's face.

Ptooey!

"Wuuuugh!"

The ghost howled in agony, releasing my throat as it recoiled, shooting back up to the second floor.

Gasping, coughing, I savored the sweet, painful rush of air into my lungs. Breathing. Glorious.

Xu Ruohui rushed to my side. "Li Chuyi, what is wrong with you? If this is some stupid prank—"

Before she finished, the ghost lunged again—straight for her shoulder. I yanked her backward behind me. Ptooey! The last potent drops of tongue-tip blood flew from my mouth.

It struck the ghost squarely. Another unearthly shriek tore through the air as it retreated, cowering on the second floor.

Xu Ruohui wrenched her hand free. "Li Chuyi, I—"

"Look!" I rasped, my voice raw. I pointed to the dark, bruise-like handprints encircling my wrist and throat. "Do these look like something I did to myself?"

Xu Ruohui's eyes widened. A choked scream escaped her as she clapped a hand over her mouth. Belief, stark and terrifying, finally dawned.

Seeing the ghost hadn't returned, I grabbed her hand again, pulling her swiftly back to Grandpa's room. At the door, I met her terrified eyes. "Remember: No matter what you see or hear, don't come out. Even if I die out here… wait until sunrise tomorrow to move my body."

Tears welled in her eyes. The sight broke my heart. Impulsively, I brushed a tear away with my thumb. "Promise me." Touching her face sent a jolt through me, a brief, bittersweet warmth.

She nodded mutely, shutting the door.

I turned, sprinting toward the dropped fruit knife. The ghost sensed my intent. Whoosh! It dove from above. Instinctively, I spat. It flinched back—fearful of my blood—allowing me to reach the knife. I slashed another finger, flinging droplets of blood wildly.

This time, they struck true, splattering across its form. The ghost shrieked, crashing to the courtyard floor.

No hesitation. I sliced a fourth finger. Lunged. Aimed for its Glabella gate.

It tried to scramble away, but stumbled directly onto my waiting, bloodied fingertip.

Contact.

The potent blood sealed its gate. The ghost collapsed, paralyzed.

Two minutes. Maybe less.

I scrambled for an intact sheet of yellow paper. Working fast, I pressed the ghost flat, its shadowy form yielding unnervingly, then wrapped it tightly in the paper.

Candle! I snatched up the broken half from the ground. No lighter!

"Xu Ruohui! A lighter! Fire!" I yelled toward the locked door.

The door cracked open instantly. A lighter sailed through the gap into my waiting hand. One minute gone.

I flicked it. The candle wick sputtered to life. With trembling hands, I touched the flame to the yellow paper bundle.

Whoosh!

The paper ignited instantly. A column of fire roared two meters high. Agonized shrieks tore from the heart of the blaze. I dropped the bundle in shock.

The fire twisted, forming a writhing human silhouette thrashing on the ground, screaming in torment.

Behind me, Xu Ruohui stifled another scream, her eyes wide with horrified disbelief.

I watched, heart pounding, praying the fire wouldn't die. Please burn. Please.

The thrashing slowed. The screams faded. The fire shrank, dwindled… and vanished. Only a pile of ash remained.

It was gone. I'd done it. My first ghost, defeated alone.

Relief washed over me. I turned to Xu Ruohui, a weary smile touching my lips. "Xu Ruohui. It's over. It's—"

WHACK!

Her open palm struck my cheek with stunning force. I staggered, utterly bewildered. Possessed? Impossible—I'd sealed her gate.

"I'm moving out tomorrow!" she declared, her voice trembling with fury or fear—or both.

Disappointment crashed over me. Of course. Who'd want to rent a place where they'd just witnessed their landlord vanquish a vengeful spirit?

Before I could respond, she spun on her heel, slammed the door to Grandpa's room shut, and locked it. What was that about?

My victory celebration? A stinging slap. Fantastic.

Dejected, I retreated to my room. Four bleeding fingers needed tending. No first-aid kit. I found scraps of cloth, wrapping them clumsily.

A few minutes later: "Li Chuyi!"

"What?" I snapped.

"Refund my rent! The months I paid upfront!"

Anger flared. I bit it back. "I don't have it on me. I'll get cash from the bank tomorrow."

A pause. Then, softer: "Then… come here. Let me bandage those cuts. So you don't die tonight and haunt me tomorrow."

These wounds weren't fatal. Was this her awkward way of apologizing?

I stayed silent, a heavy sadness settling in my chest. Xu Ruohui was just a tenant. Yet the thought of her leaving tomorrow hurt more than my breakup with Xiao Hua ever had.

Knock. Knock.

She was at my door. "Come in," I muttered.

She entered, first-aid kit in hand, and silently began dressing my fingers. Her touch was clinical now. "I studied nursing," she said abruptly, not looking up. "Worked in a hospital. The head nurse kept harassing me. So I quit. Got my preschool teacher's license instead. Kids… they're simple. Even when they cry, being with them makes me happy."

She was opening up. Why? I managed a noncommittal "Hmm."

"I'm… sorry," she continued, finally meeting my eyes. "About the slap."

"It's fine," I mumbled. Hope flickered. "Does that mean… you're staying?"

She looked away. "No. I'm still moving out. This place… it's too terrifying. I can't risk seeing… that… again."

I nodded numbly. Landlord. Tenant. She had every right to leave.

Finished bandaging, she picked up the kit and left without another word.

Alone, I replayed her words. Had they meant anything? Or were they just filler to ease the awkwardness?

My phone rang, shattering the silence. An unknown number. "Hello?"

"Master Li? Zhou Rui recommended you. I need a reading—"

Fury erupted. All this trouble started with readings! "Read? Read this—no readings! Not for days! Don't call back!" I slammed the phone down.

It rang again instantly. I snatched it up. "I said NO, damn it—"

"Not calling for a reading." Wang Junhui's calm voice cut through my rage.

Embarrassment washed over me. "Oh. Sorry. What is it?"

"Got an urgent case. Out of town. Need your help. I'm getting married soon, so we need to be quick. That means I need you."

"What kind of case?" I asked wearily.

His reply was six chilling words: "Little Western Heaven. The Bottomless Pit."