Chapter Fifty-Seven: The Eerie Ringing of Bells at Midnight

After tidying up at home for a while and getting properly dressed, my master and I finally set out. Originally, Master intended to head straight for the highway, but I insisted that we first stop by the Chu family’s house because I wanted to bring Chu Mengxi along. Heh, heh!

Master had no choice but to turn the car around and drive towards the Chu residence. After a short while, we pulled up at the entrance. From afar, I spotted little Chu Mengxi standing at the door with a suitcase in hand—I had already told her we were coming.

I got out of the car, stuffed her suitcase into the trunk, and, acting the gentleman, opened the car door for her. Once inside, she called out “Master” in her sweet voice. Master smiled and nodded, asking, “Where’s your father, little one?”

“My dad? Who knows where he’s run off to again. I think he’s out discussing some project with someone. I’m not really sure,” Chu Mengxi replied.

Master nodded, started the car, and we set off. On the way, I told Chu Mengxi where we were headed. Her eyes immediately narrowed with delight, and I couldn’t help but laugh with her. The car merged onto the highway. I don’t know how much time passed, but when I awoke from my nap, it was already afternoon. Rain was falling steadily outside. My heart sank. Rain? How were we supposed to have any fun in this weather?

Soon, our car slowly rolled into Phoenix Ancient Town. Phoenix is one of the most famous scenic spots in Western Hunan, recognized as one of the ten greatest cultural heritages of Hunan. It’s on par with Lijiang in Yunnan and Pingyao in Shanxi, earning the nickname “Pingyao in the north, Phoenix in the south.” The scenery here is particularly enchanting, with hundreds of traditional residences from the Ming and Qing dynasties, dozens of temples, ancestral halls, and pavilions, along with hundreds of ancient cobbled streets. Don’t ask how I know all this—I’d already looked up information about Phoenix Ancient Town on the way. Ha!

After Master parked the car, we got out and unloaded our luggage. Our first priority was to find an inn, given the drizzle. We quickly ducked under a wide eave, where an old man was sitting, staring out at the rain. Chu Mengxi tossed her hair and said to me, “Lin Xuan, do you ever check the weather before going out? How are we supposed to sightsee in the rain?”

I was about to reply when the old man sitting nearby spoke up, “Ah, little girl, just because it’s raining doesn’t mean you can’t go out and explore.”

We all looked at the old man in confusion. He chuckled and said, “This is your first time in Phoenix Ancient Town, isn’t it?”

We nodded.

“That explains it! Don’t let the rain fool you. There’s plenty to see and do. How about I show you around?” the old man continued.

Master glanced at the intensifying rain, and considering it was our first visit, he agreed that having a guide would be helpful. The old man went inside and returned with four paper umbrellas, like oil-paper parasols, handing one to each of us. We followed him as he led us to a spacious building.

We were all rather perplexed—what was so entertaining about this? The old man urged us inside. His words drew us forward, and inside, the atmosphere was as if we’d traveled back in time: a staircase led to the second floor, with rows of wine jars beneath it. We followed him upstairs and into a room. He opened the balcony doors and said, “See? Even on a rainy day, there’s plenty to enjoy.”

The old man stepped aside. We looked out, but saw nothing special—just rows of houses and the long Tuo River. Master frowned and asked, “Old sir, what’s so entertaining about this? All I see are houses.”

The old man, hands behind his back, smiled. “Ah, but these aren’t just any houses. Look at the surroundings—each room has a balcony with a view of distant mist and ancient scenery. Rainy days have their own charm. Besides, these rooms aren’t expensive.”

He squinted with a grin, and we realized he was trying to get us to stay. I’d thought he might be an old tour guide!

Master managed a wry smile. “So you brought us here to see rooms, did you, old sir?”

He chuckled. “Perhaps. With the rain so heavy, I thought you might have trouble finding lodging. I’m just being helpful. And honestly, these rooms aren’t costly. Judging from your clothes and that car outside, you don’t seem like the type to worry about money.”

I exchanged a helpless glance with Chu Mengxi, who looked equally resigned. Master sighed, “Fine, since we’re here, we’ll stay. Are there three rooms next to each other? Not spread too far apart.”

“Of course! This way, please.” The old man showed us two more rooms. After a while, Chu Mengxi and I stayed upstairs to tidy up while Master went downstairs with the old man to register our identities. We set our things in order—the rooms were all decorated in an ancient style, with washbasins on wooden stands and towels hanging, just like in days gone by.

After tidying up, Chu Mengxi and I sat by the table drinking tea. The sound of the rain outside was oddly comforting. Soon, Master returned and joined us. Chu Mengxi sweetly poured him some tea. Master smiled, took a sip, and said, “Everything’s settled. I’ve notified the school, too. You two just want to have fun, don’t you? If it weren’t for my easygoing nature, you’d never have gotten leave.”

“Heh, Master, you’re the best,” I grinned.

Master rolled his eyes at me. Chu Mengxi echoed me, “Uncle Tan, you’re the best, heh.”

But Master just smiled at Chu Mengxi, clearly doting on her, while he shot me another look of disapproval. Was this the treatment a true master should give his disciple?

We sat chatting over tea when suddenly footsteps approached and the door was knocked. Master, teacup in hand, called, “Come in.”

The old man entered, smiling as he sat down beside us. “So, are you all comfortable?”

We nodded. He went on, “Glad to hear it. Still, I have to remind you of a few things.”

We looked at him, puzzled. He nodded and said, “It’s best not to go out at night. Lately, something’s been off in this ancient town. Often, in the dead of night, you can hear bells ringing outside—jingling, jingling. We’ve investigated but found nothing. For your safety, after midnight, don’t go out. Rest early. And whatever you see or hear at night, ignore it.”

After he finished, Master asked, “Ignore whatever we hear—I understand that. But what do you mean by ‘whatever you see’? Can you be more specific?”

But the old man seemed evasive, refusing to elaborate. After a while, he rose and said, “I won’t keep you from your rest. I have other matters to attend to.” Without waiting for our reply, he left.

Master mulled over the old man’s words and demeanor, a sense of foreboding settling over him. “Don’t go out tonight,” he instructed us. “Stay in your rooms. Something’s not right here.”

“What’s wrong, Master?” I asked, confused.

He looked out the window. “Think about it—Phoenix Ancient Town is famous, right?”

Chu Mengxi and I nodded.

“Then why, when we arrived—even when we were sheltering under the eaves—did we see almost no one?”

I was taken aback, but tried to reason, “Master, it’s normal not to see other tourists in this weather. Who would wander around in the rain? They’re all probably indoors. Maybe you’re overthinking it.”

But Master shook his head. “That makes sense, but the old man mentioned bells ringing at midnight, and told us not to respond to anything we see or hear. Odd things are common in ancient towns. Sure, these places are lively, but beneath the bustle, there’s always something strange and mysterious. And think—where are we?”

He tapped the table. “We’re in Western Hunan! You must have heard the stories—corpse herding, Gu witchcraft—everyone knows them, even children. It’s wise to be cautious. Don’t go out tonight. Keep your phones on, and call or shout if anything happens. We’re close enough to hear each other.”

After Master’s analysis, I, too, began to feel uneasy. Yes, it was raining, and perhaps there really weren’t any tourists out, but the thought of the town’s location made me hesitate. Western Hunan is famous for its scenery, but also for its strange stories. Corpse herding and Gu witchcraft—everyone’s heard of them, even ordinary folk. For those of us who move in supernatural circles, it’s only natural to be on our guard.