The atmosphere within the chamber drops below an immediate freezing point the moment those unrestrained words rang out in the air.
Xie Luochen widened his eyes in bewilderment at the shameless display before gathering himself to glare at the woman in his arms.
The faint cracking of joints could be heard echoing in the quiet room whose fingers tightened around the handle of the knife.
Chu Nuan: "... …"
Ah…
Feeling the arm around her slim waist tightening around akin to the constricting of a boa.
The young woman pulled her lips into a sheepish laugh of awkward embarrassment while furtively trying to wriggle away. Bright eyes rolled once in their sockets with an intelligent glint of intentions to ease the atmosphere.
Chu Nuan: "Actually…"
Just as words were about to be released from those cherry lips, a lamp from on top of a nearby cabinet began to flicker. Sounds of its static connection sizzled in the air which fractured the amorous ambience between the duo.
At the same juncture in time, a burst of cold wind swept past the two strangers in tight embrace. Inducing the half opened closet door to creak with a dull cry akin to the murmurs of a banshee searching in the deep twilight.
Sensing the sudden change in environment, Xie Luochen immediately tugged Chu Nuan to stand behind him. Eyes became frigid akin to the blade held in hand which moved in an immediate defensive hover across the chest.
The steel edge glints with a murderous gleam which reflects the image of the mirror on the dressing table.
From the glassy surface of the mirror which also emulated the image of the man and woman from across. The reflector undulates in slow billows almost as if the ripple of water on a stilled lake.
In gradual motion, a dark shadow appears first as a small spot of darkness at the center of the mirror. Before widening in passing time to cover the whole expanse of the glass surface.
A pair of pale bloodless hands extends through the rippling surface little by little followed by a head full of dark brown hair.
The abrupt appearance of that mysterious figure adorn in a dress of gentle cadmium crawls out in stiff motions. Creeping down from the dressing table, the woman drags her ragged body towards the direction of Xie Luochen and Chu Nuan.
Shaaa… shaaa… shaaa…
The sound of shuffling fabric echoes loud in the boundaries of the quiet chamber drawing nearer with each tick of a second.
"... …"
Under the tension of this sudden event, Xie Luochen tightens his hold on the dagger as eyes sharpen in preparation for sudden attacks. Mind whirls through the plethora of information in his head as the young man searches for the best angle to strike.
Unaware of what Chu Nuan is doing as the young woman peeks out from behind the youth's back with beaming curiosity.
Slender fingers slip into the depths of her pocket in secretive motions while intelligent irises roll in ponderous thoughts.
Seeing the image of that horrifying figure dragging its quivering body towards them in slow motion. Neither Xie Luochen nor Chu Nuan made any rash decisions without knowing the true status of the enemy.
The rustle of clothing grew louder and closer as that moving object of dress and hair crawled to stop two steps away.
A pale bloodless arm raised in gradual motion as fingers akin to the twigs of a branch crackled from the stiffness of long days. Nails in similar lengths of a toothpick glint with an ominous aura as they leave deep markings on the carpet.
Creating an inexplicable screech that grates across the consciousness of the duo who furrowed their brows from the sound.
The upper half of that silhouette's body rose from the support of one arm while the other became fully outstretched.
[This is it!]
That was the thought that ran through Xie Luochen's mind as he lowered his body while transferring strength into his legs.
Muscles tightened and bulged under the cover of black pants as they undulated in preparation for the attack!
The mysterious figure on the other hand…
Straightening in the direction of the duo, a raspy voice akin to the screech of chalk on a blackboard rang out. Speaking in slow articulation, "nice… to meet… you… I-"
Even before that sentence could be finished and Xie Luochen had the chance to rush forward, Chu Nuan became the first to act.
Jumping out from behind the young man with unhesitating actions. Her body was akin to an arrow that had left its bow as she shot forward in quick motion.
Right arm whipped out a strange lacy red cloth while left hand pulled on the opposite edge of the same fabric. Stretching it wide enough to encase around the area where she assumes to be the head of that figure with a loud slap.
Xie Luochen: "!?"
Female ghost: "!??"
"Ahhh!!" Surprised by the sudden change of circumstances, the female ghost struggles with flustered movements.
Rolling on the floor while yelling in a muffled voice, "I can't see. I can't see!!"
Clatter of objects falling onto the ground resounded across the chamber as that figure collided against furniture and walls. Arms flailing about from fright and confusion to the point of being unable to make tranquil decisions.
"Hahaha!" Releasing a carefree peal of laughter at the entertaining sight, Chu Nuan flashed a smile in the young man's direction. Straightening her body back up while sauntering towards the youth with an anticipating expression.
Hoping to receive some words of praise.
Seeing the young man's arms still raised in a striking position, the young lady stopped a step away.
Lithe digits raised to smooth out the furrow in his brows while notioning with another hand to lower his weapon. Soft fingers placed over the man's stiff hands in gentle envelopment which induced the young man to relent in subconscious agreement.
"... …"
Thin lips pinch into a fine line as Xie Luochen turns his head to the side in avoidance of the young woman's touch. Ears burning a faint tint of hue while keen eyesight flitted across the woman's face before landing unintentionally on the female ghost.
Everything had settled at this juncture in time as the female ghost laid on the cold floor weeping in helplessness. Red cloth still wrapped around her head with no means of releasement despite her best efforts to pull it away.
Broken glass and decorations along with a large dent revealed on the side of a wall shows clear evidence of her struggles.
"Wuwuwuwuwu…" The ghost cried bitterly.
"... …"
Assured that the ghost posed no harm after a few minutes of close observation, Xie Luochen took a step forward. Sight locked onto that piece of lace fabric in deep contemplation as he wondered what type of powerful tool it might be.
Starting from a very young age the moment he knew how to read, the young man had studied numerous methods to deal with nonhuman entities.
From characteristics of appearances to weakness and best weapons to use along with the most efficient of approaches.
Everything had already been recorded in his mind as clear as day for him to recall at any moment.
However…
For some reason, the more time Xie Luochen spent on observing that piece of cloth, the stronger a sense of peculiarity arises.
That particular feeling swirls in both his heart and mind with an odd train of thought that's too abstract to capture at the present.
[The cloth… looks strange… where have I seen something similar to it?]
Compelled by a sudden urge, well structured fingers reached out towards the red fabric only to be interrupted by the young woman.
"Wait!" Chu Nuan moved to stand in front of the young man as her flustered voice hides a plethora of emotions. "This… that is… um…"
Keen eyes met with a pair of evasive pupils as the youth finally captured the truth of a certain speculation.
He finally understood.
Why would an envoy of Hell appear without reason?
Why would an envoy appear and follow him to this place so easily without caution?
The answer is simple.
The ghost in front of them must be related to the task she must complete.
By capturing this spirit with this powerful restraining instrument, she could either obtain some type of information or result.
The youth is not sure what the expected conclusion is but nonetheless. He must create an equal footing between the two of them first in order to negotiate.
Stealing that red cloth is a good start.
Deciding so, the young man raised his vision to glare at the young lady with a cold scoff. "Envoy Chu sure is masterful at manipulating people."
"Ah?" Chu Nuan gazed back at the youth blankly.
"I knew you must have had a hidden agenda."
"Otherwise, you would have answered my questions when you had the chance at the construction site."
"It's already quite strange for an envoy to stay in the mortal world without purpose, not to mention following a human to capture ghosts."
The young man smirked in distaste.
"Whatever it is you're planning, I won't let you achieve it so easily!" Xie Luochen yanked his hand away from Chu Nuan's the exact juncture he finished his speech.
"Ah? Wait. Wait!" Recovering from the dazed aftermath of the man's baffling declaration, Chu Nuan's reaction was a second too late.
All she could do was witness the young man pulling the cloth away before rolling to dodge towards the opposite side of the room.
Creating a certain distance away from the young lady, slender fingers twirled in smooth actions to unveil the gleaming edge of cold steel. Back against the wall and dagger raised in wordless warning towards the young woman.
Xie Luochen's eyes grew sharp akin to the glare of an eagle against prey!
Keeping his sights on the envoy with caution, the young man spreads the cloth in gradual motions with a free hand.
Feeling the soft texture of the fabric, the youth could not help but nod in approval, [as expected of an item used by an envoy. The quality feels nice to the touch but there doesn't seem to be any show of special effects right now.]
"... …"
Not detecting any apparent movements nor intentions to attack from the woman in front of him, keen eyes blinked once. They then cautiously lowered in slow motion to land on the hand holding the magical equipment.
Xie Luochen: "?!!"
Dark irises dilate and quiver in astonishment at the item laying on his hand.
Red.
Lacy with small lily designs.
Two intricate ribbons are tied on both sides to hold the flimsy cloth together.
Its small triangular structure cannot contain its immense use!
At this fraction of a moment in time, two bold words flashed across the young man's mind.
[Lady's Panties!]