When Lin Beichen entered the room, the ghosts inside became alert as well, uncertain of Lin Beichen’s intentions.

"No problem, how can we help? Let’s exchange terms."

Upon hearing this voice, Lin Beichen felt no fear. He knew that the ghosts in the room were children who had passed away. Their nature was kind, but they had unresolved regrets and were reluctant to leave this world, staying confined to this room without seeing daylight.

After a while, with no response, Lin Beichen swallowed and steeled himself before speaking loudly again, "I need your help."

A desolate, eerie voice rang out once more, "We can lend you a hand, but there’s one thing you need to do. If you can help us accomplish this, all the ghosts in this house will be at your command."

"Alright, no problem. What is it?" Lin Beichen agreed readily.

"We are ultimately different from you living beings. It’s pitiful that we children hadn’t lived many days in this world before our lives were lost. Not even in death can we be properly buried," the ghost’s voice was full of sorrow, "We hope you can take our bodies away, bury them in a beautiful place, and conduct a ceremony to absolve us. Only then can we leave in peace. Otherwise, we’ll never be reincarnated, forever hiding within this house."

Listening to the children’s request, Lin Beichen felt heartbroken. He didn’t know the cause of their deaths yet. But he understood, even in death, these children couldn’t find peace, the youngest being just a few years old.

"Alright, I promise you," Lin Beichen solemnly pledged, "As long as I can make it out alive, I will ensure all your bodies are properly buried."

After Lin Beichen agreed to the ghosts’ request, there was no further sound in the room. No matter what he said afterward, the ghosts did not respond.

Suddenly, a series of mournful screams came from outside the room, persisting without pause. Lin Beichen felt terrified to his core. He remembered how he used to find horror movies unconvincing, but now he was truly experiencing fear.

At this moment, Lin Beichen recalled a spell taught by his master when he first studied Daoism. When feeling afraid, he could chant: "People are separated by paper, ghosts by a mountain; no thousand evils will come forth, no ten thousand evils will open."

Master had specifically instructed Lin Beichen to maintain righteous thoughts while reciting this spell, without any harmful intent. Otherwise, without righteousness, no spell would be of use.

Lin Beichen closed his eyes tightly, joined his hands at his chest, and leaned against the water tank, repeatedly chanting this spell. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

After a while, the terrifying sounds outside finally dissipated. Lin Beichen quietly opened his eyes. He knew it must have been the children who helped him ward off the foe. So, he kneeled on the ground and sincerely said, "Don’t worry, I will fulfill my promise to you. Thank you for your help. I will now take your bodies out. It will take some time to bury your bodies, please endure a little longer. Thank you for your help, I, Lin Beichen, will definitely arrange a grand ceremony to properly absolve you."

With that, Lin Beichen kowtowed heavily to the ground. He understood that without the children’s help, he wouldn’t know how to escape this time. Moreover, since the dead are of utmost importance, a kowtow was not excessive.

But then, on the other hand, where on earth were these children’s bodies? Since he had already agreed to their request, he had to fulfill it.

Lin Beichen knew the children’s bodies were definitely in this room. But where could so many bodies be hidden?

He struggled to stand up, as his legs had gone numb from crouching behind the water tank for so long, making it quite difficult to rise.

Lin Beichen staggered upright, looked around carefully, examining the setup of the room. He glanced up at the ceiling, hoping to find some clues.

Just as he was at a loss, inspiration struck suddenly. He walked over to the water tank from before and reached in to sift through the layers of grass covering it.

What he saw next made Lin Beichen retch involuntarily.

Inside the water tank were those children’s bodies, carelessly covered by grass.

Due to long neglect, the bodies had begun to decompose and were incomplete. Witnessing these young lives lost in such a tragic manner, Lin Beichen felt his heart being cut. He was devastated; these children should have blossomed like flowers but met such misfortune instead. He could only sigh repeatedly, lamenting the world’s injustice and cruelty.

Despite the nauseating smell coming from the water tank and the truly shocking sight, Lin Beichen held back his discomfort and cautiously began to handle the children’s remains. He gently placed each body from the water tank into bags, moving with care and reverence, fearing any further harm during transportation. After completing this task, he carried the bag filled with remains away from the sorrowful house.

Before leaving, Lin Beichen deeply bowed to the house, silently vowing to ensure these children receive proper burial. Carrying the heavy bag, he embarked on the long journey to Celestial Cloud Temple.