Chapter 264 - 264 262 Adding a Red Thread in the Heart

Words : 1442 Updated : Oct 7th, 2025

264: Chapter 262: Adding a Red Thread in the Heart 264: Chapter 262: Adding a Red Thread in the Heart The mark on his wrist grew increasingly scalding. In this searing pain, Baili An felt a thread of deep-seated hatred. Finally, the group stopped in front of an ancient, dilapidated house that was rarely visited by people. The desolate house was surrounded by a chilling desolation, the wind moaning eerily. The house seemed to swallow the light, its back facing a towering cliff that plunged into the Abyss, overgrown with wild thorns and weeds. Amidst the chaotic stones, there stood a barren ancient tree before the cliff. The tree trunk was extremely thick, enough to need more than a dozen people to encircle it, its aged branches gnarled as roots spread across the cliff heavy with oppressive yin energy. It was feared that after absorbing a few more years of such energy, the ancient tree might turn into a Demon. Old walls of the mansion lay covered in overgrowth, moss trodden into the grassy steps, desolate and cold. Ahead of the group, two orbs of Ghost Fire leapt into the air, settling into the pair of withered, yellow paper lanterns hanging in the front courtyard of the house. As the greenish Ghost Fire entered, the flames suddenly turned blood-red, filling the stairway with a chilling, spooky glow. The empty house was silent, Baili An saw no sign of Ghost. Stepping out of the big red bridal sedan, the soft earth beneath his feet suddenly heaved upward, forming a mound from which emerged a woman dressed in cerulean. The woman’s complexion was the ashen color of death, already lifeless, her neck covered with the mottling of decomposition, signs that she had died some time ago. She staggered to her feet, swaying unsteadily. As she moved, a string of bells at her waist tinkled musically. Baili An’s expression changed slightly, clearly recognizing the bells. They were the identity bells of the Wandao Immortal Alliance. This woman belonged to the Wandao Immortal Alliance. Yet she had died here. Fang Geyu suddenly spoke in a low voice, “I know her; she is Lan Youdie’s personal maid. She died at the hands of Meng Chengzhi, but unexpectedly, her body was hidden in this desolate house.” It thus became even more certain that the old scholar in the study was in the service of Ghost. The rigid woman, now soulless in her corporeal shell, moved like a hollow puppet, walking stiffly to Baili An, her blue-veined, blotchy fingers removing the red ribbon from his hair, replacing it with a white mourning band. Red apparel and makeup, white band tied in the hair. This was one of the ancient wedding customs of the Central Netherworld You Dynasty. Baili An allowed her to proceed. After the headband was changed, the desolate house suddenly came to life. Several dozens of mounds just like the first one rose from the ground, shadows emerging from unmarked graves. Men and women, most dressed in auspicious red garments. Those who crawled from deeper within the earth in red clothes were mostly decayed corpses. Who would have thought that the famous Tianyao’s ancient city of tombs would hide such a number of walking dead? Fang Geyu unusually remained quiet, her gaze sweeping coldly over the scene before her, not betraying the panic and distress typical of a young girl. The desolate house was deep and dilapidated in the murky darkness. A woman dressed in red had vacant eyes that held no life; this woman must have died not long ago, for her body didn’t carry the intense deathly stench of the others. Even so, this was enough to make Fang Geyu, who had a strong aversion to filth, feel as though she had swallowed ten pounds of dead fish intestines. Baili An feared that Fang Geyu, unable to restrain herself, would out of fury draw her sword and hack the group of corpses to pieces. In the corner of his eye, he saw her body trembling slightly, her hand beneath the red sleeve clenched into a small fist. But in the end, she managed to keep her composure and let the woman lead her into the courtyard. Inside the desolate house, another ancient tree stood, unlike the withered one by the cliff, this one was lush with branching leaves and surrounded by fireflies. The two tall figures who had initially received the bride swayed and supported each other as they walked over and took their seats. Their movements and demeanor held an oddly tender harmony, like a couple of country spouses who had supported each other for years. One of them appeared to be a middle-aged man of some girth, his paper head crushed by Fang Geyu so it now sagged deflated, as if all his strength was drained away. Having returned to the desolate house, he could only slump powerlessly in his chair. The other, seemingly his wife, was tenderly smoothing his chest as if to ease his breath. But can such a paper figure truly breathe? Baili An was deeply skeptical about this. As the sound of drums and gongs began, apricot blossoms fluttered, adding a piquant and eerie sweetness to the air. White bands fluttered, bells tinkled. A cold breeze stirred, rippling the placid pool filled with apricot blossoms, sending the petals afloat with slow grace, adding a touch of spring’s ancient charm to this still and deeply solemn cold night. The Ghost Marriage Seal on his wrist grew increasingly hot, like a red-hot coal seared into his skin. The intense pain made Baili An frown slightly. He was not afraid of pain, but he was somewhat worried about Fang Geyu. Instinctively, he glanced at her, and even though the seal on his wrist was as red as a death warrant, he saw her face, calm and unchanged behind the light red veil. Baili An was somewhat surprised; she was actually also able to tolerate such pain. A searing pain wrapped around Baili An’s wrist, where the Ghost Marriage Seal split his flesh like weeping blood, a trail of fresh red blood curved into a line. The same was happening to Fang Geyu. The lines of red on them wrapped around each other, twisting into a unity knot. As the pain subsided and the mark numbed, a tingling warmth began creeping up his wrist. This warmth, as if tangible, surged into his mind. Baili An’s body jolted slightly, his gaze turned blank for a moment. Subconsciously looking towards Fang Geyu, his lucid consciousness seemed briefly overtaken by an ineffable force. Staring at the woman beside him, he was struck by an illusion. An illusion that tonight was the day he would join with her in happy matrimony, that the girl beside him would be his wife for life. At such a notion, Baili An startled, his mind snapping back to clarity. Looking at Fang Geyu, she let out a cold snort, her gaze mockingly watching the red thread on her wrist as if watching a child’s plaything, unaffected by it. In the gloomy depths, an obscured, chill gaze swept over them. Fang Geyu shifted her gaze, then pretending to be deeply affected, she looked timidly and bashfully at Baili An, and in a seemingly gentle voice, called out, “My dear~” Baili An couldn’t help but shudder sharply, spotting with keen eyes the goosebumps rising along Fang Geyu’s delicate neck, each hair standing on end. And that seemingly welcoming yet sharp and lethal gaze. She looked as if she wished she could glower him to death! Fang Geyu was known for her sharp tongue, never having used such a syrupy term of endearment. Baili An thought bemusedly, Are you sure you don’t want to say, ‘You scoundrel! Prepare to die!’? Taking a deep breath when no one was watching, Fang Geyu’s forefingers met lightly before her chest. She bowed her head and whispered softly, “It’s all fake, nothing that happens tonight is real, Ge’er mustn’t take it seriously.” Entering the hall, the bridal veil was lifted, the red-clothed corpse cleansed her of the leftover makeup, leaving only her lips rosy red. Under the dim candlelight, the girl’s complexion was clear and fair. Attendants bustled about serving tea and water, all dressed appropriately. Baili An untied the white band from his hair, his pupils dark as he watched the attendants silently. In the desolate house, there were only Fierce Ghosts and dead people. Yet this attendant was alive. More so, Baili An recognized him, and so did Fang Geyu. He was the eldest son of the Ji Family, Ji Ting.

Chapter 264 - 264 262 Adding a Red Thread in the Heart

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