Yu Niang sneered, tears glistening in her eyes. Whether it was because she knew she couldn’t break free from the spirit rope or because she found the reasoning sound, she fell silent.
Seeing her quiet down, Jing Wu prepared to store her in the Cosmos Bag. Unexpectedly, the next moment, an aura of Xuanmen swept through, and two figures appeared in the courtyard of the Shao family.
She turned her head and met a pair of clear, bright eyes. The youth looked about fifteen or sixteen, with delicate, handsome features and a tall frame. Though his face still held a trace of childishness, it was set in a stern expression, giving him an air of premature maturity.
Such abundant Spiritual Energy within him—truly a genius for cultivation.
Jing Wu paused briefly. The two newcomers swiftly formed Hand Seals and chanted incantations, summoning the Ghost Gate and sending Yu Niang through it.
She stared at them in surprise, about to speak, when the older of the two opened his mouth.
“Young friend, it seems you are also one of us. I wonder if you have taken a master? Would you like to join our Xuanmen?”
Jing Wu looked at him curiously but replied, “I have already been accepted into Shuangcheng Guan.”
The middle-aged man’s eyes flickered with astonishment. He sized her up for a moment before smiling regretfully. “What a pity. I am Yun Zhaohui of Xuanmen, and this is my junior brother, Yue Huai.”
Upon hearing the name Yue Huij, Jing Wu immediately turned to glance at the fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youth. This was the prodigious young genius her master never stopped talking about.
Born into the prestigious Yue Family of Metaphysics, he had shown exceptional talent from a young age. He entered Xuanmen at eight and made a name for himself across the land by ten. Her master had always dreamed of taking him as a disciple and had cursed Xuanmen shamelessly in the temple upon learning he had joined them.
The memory still made Jing Wu want to laugh.
“Young friend, what is your name? How did you discover this Female Ghost?” Yun Zhaohui had been observing her from the shadows for some time. Though her cultivation was still low, she was composed and calm, with excellent innate talent. Even though she already had a master, he still wanted to establish a friendly connection—just in case she might switch to Xuanmen someday.
“My name is Jing Wu. I live here.” Although Jing Wu was speaking to the man before her, her eyes kept drifting toward Yue Huai, wondering how she could bring him back to the temple to fulfill her master’s wish of taking him as a disciple.
Yue Huai, already uncomfortable under her gaze, frowned coldly. “Senior Brother, we should return to report.”
Yun Zhaohui snapped back to attention, immediately bidding Jing Wu farewell with a cheerful smile. Then, after escorting Butcher Chen’s daughter back to her home with the youth, he formed a Hand Seal and vanished from the Shao family courtyard.
Watching the two disappear, Jing Wu didn’t dwell on it and headed inside. As soon as she entered, she saw Shao Che standing stiffly upright, like a corpse, startling her.
“Uncle, you…”
“A Wu, is that thing gone?” Shao Che asked cautiously, his voice trembling as he peered into the courtyard.
Jing Wu nodded and patted his shoulder. “It’s gone, Uncle. You can sleep well now.”
With that, she headed toward the attic, missing Shao Che’s soft muttering.
After a night of turmoil, she was tired and sleepy. Upstairs, she lay directly on the bed and fell asleep.
Early the next morning, Jing Wu got up and went downstairs to find four people sitting at the dining table, all with heavy dark circles under their eyes. She paused, but before she could speak, Shao Che spoke up.
“A Wu, this morning, Butcher Chen and his wife both passed away. Only their seven- or eight-year-old daughter remains, and she was taken back to the neighboring village by her grandmother.”
He let out a deep sigh. Last night, he had overheard his niece’s conversation with that female ghost from behind the door and understood that Butcher Chen and his wife had committed countless evils—this was their retribution.
He had also shared what he heard with his wife last night. She was furious and felt indignant on Yu Niang’s behalf. She also felt grateful that, thanks to the talisman paper A Wu had given them, she hadn’t ended up in the Yellow Springs.
After hesitating for a moment, he spoke up, “A Wu, do you have any more of that talisman paper? The one from before, I saw it’s already turned to ashes.”
As he spoke, he took out a red cloth bundle containing the ashes from his pocket.
Seeing this, Jing Wu nodded, “Yes, Uncle. Wait until after breakfast, and I’ll get it for you.”
“Alright, alright. Sorry to trouble you, A Wu.” Shao Che grew increasingly embarrassed, feeling that it was his own stubbornness last night that had caused her such a big problem.
“It’s fine, Uncle.” Jing Wu seemed to sense his discomfort and comforted him with a smile, “Uncle, don’t overthink it. That female ghost was just too cunning. Anyone else, seeing a familiar seven- or eight-year-old girl pleading for help, would have opened the door to save her too.”
Moreover, this was a destined trial in Shao Che’s life.
She quickly finished her breakfast, went upstairs, rummaged through her cloth bag for a Peace Talisman, and brought it down to hand to him.
Shao Che tucked it into his pocket as if it were a treasure, thanking her repeatedly.
“By the way, Uncle. When are you heading to South Street today?”
“Ah? I’m not going to South Street today. I plan to dig for some winter bamboo shoots in the mountains and sell them along with the sweet potatoes tomorrow.”
Hearing this, Jing Wu’s little face scrunched up, “You’re not going?”
“What’s wrong, A Wu? Do you have something to do in town?” Seeing her expression change, Shao Che immediately asked, “It’s still early. Should I take you there?”
Jing Wu thought for a moment. There was business to attend to today, and it shouldn’t be missed. If Shao Che wasn’t going, she could use the Teleportation Spell and save herself the walk.
So, she smiled and said, “It’s fine, Uncle. You go ahead with your work. I can go to South Street on my own.”
“How can that be?!” Shao Che immediately raised his voice, “A young girl like you going alone isn’t safe. I’ll go with you. We happen to have some sweet potatoes at home that we can sell.”
Jing Wu wanted to refuse, but seeing her uncle’s firm stance and her aunt already starting to pack things up, she swallowed her words.
Soon, two large baskets of sweet potatoes were packed and ready.
Her aunt wrapped an old cotton coat she had worn around Jing Wu and whispered, “It’s freezing and snowy outside. Keep yourself bundled up to avoid catching a cold.”
“Thank you, Aunt.” Jing Wu smiled brightly, looking up at her.
Seeing her smile, the woman couldn’t help but reach out and gently touch her cheek. She had always wanted a daughter but, alas, fate hadn’t granted her one—she only had three sons.
If only she weren’t that person’s daughter, how wonderful that would be.
Jing Wu didn’t notice her aunt’s momentary distraction, busy wrapping her sleeves. Suddenly, a green pouch was handed to her. She looked up and met the woman’s conflicted expression.
“I heard from your uncle that you’re setting up a stall to earn money. You’ll need a pouch to keep the silver you make. This pouch was given to me by your uncle a few years ago, and I’ve never used it. If you don’t mind, take it.”
Jing Wu accepted it, blinked at the brand-new pouch, and smiled as she tucked it away, “Thank you, Aunt. I really like it.”
The woman nodded, then said nothing more, simply watching as the two of them left.
Jing Wu followed behind Shao Che and soon arrived at South Street.
She still sat beside Shao Che’s stall, waiting for a destined person to come for fortune telling.
Today, Old Mrs. Chen, who sold vegetables, did not come, as she was at home taking care of her daughter-in-law and little grandson. Instead, many of yesterday’s onlookers gathered around, examining her with curious gazes.
Jing Wu paid no mind, glancing at the time. The first destined person for today’s fortune telling should be arriving soon.
The next second, the owner of a nearby steamed bun shop peeked out, looked around, and then walked over, standing before her, hesitating to speak.
Jing Wu looked up at him, listening as he let out a deep sigh.