Xie Shouzheng also breathed a sigh of relief: “I thought it would be a fierce battle, fearing we might suffer casualties. I never expected the Princess Consort’s move to be so eye-opening. It’s much more convenient than the Demon-Binding Chains we used before…”
Lin Qingyue sighed inwardly: My cultivation is still too weak. Even casting the simplest spell requires the aid of my own essence blood to take effect—what a hassle.
Thankfully, there aren’t any major demons in this world, or I really wouldn’t be able to handle it.
But then again, if the evil spirits here weren’t downgraded in strength, someone like Xie Shouzheng—a mediocre wolf demon—would never have been able to rise to the rank of a fifth-grade official.
Unaware that he was being looked down upon, Xie Shouzheng shamelessly asked Lin Qingyue: “Could you draw a few more of those talismans for us to keep as backup?”
“You really know how to dream!” Lin Qingyue shot him a glare. “You’d better think about how to send the other party away. The Heavenly Net Talisman has a time limit—it can only last for an hour at most.”
Xie Shouzheng said carelessly: “Sending them away isn’t hard! If we can persuade them, we persuade them; if we can redeem them, we redeem them. For those who can’t be persuaded or redeemed, we kill or seal them as needed. After all, kind words can’t save those destined to die!”
Lin Xiao’s expression changed immediately upon hearing this: “Then what about my son?”
Xie Shouzheng shrugged: “If killing one person can ensure the safety of a region, your son will have to sacrifice himself for righteousness. At most, I’ll help Eldest Young Master Lin request a heroic title from His Majesty for his noble sacrifice.”
After a pause, he looked at Lin Qingyue: “I wonder if the Princess Consort has any brilliant ideas?”
Earlier, when Princess Qing An’s soul turned into Sha and they were at a loss, Lin Qingyue easily restored her sanity. It’s just unclear whether she has a way to deal with evil demons.
“Absurd! Is this how your Xuanjing Office treats human life so recklessly?” Lin Xiao was furious.
Zhou Shi, ignoring the pain in her body, stumbled to Lin Qingyue:
“Yue’er, save your brother. Your mother only has this one son—I can’t just watch him die!”
Although she didn’t know how Lin Qingyue had learned such skills, she was now the only lifeline she could grasp.
“Is that so?” Lin Qingyue smiled slyly. “What if it requires your life in exchange?”
Zhou Shi was stunned: “What do you mean?”
Lin Qingyue said: “I mean using your life to exchange for your son’s life.”
Zhou Shi fell silent.
Lin Qingyue turned away, not wanting to involve herself further. Let Xie Shouzheng handle it himself.
But Zhou Shi suddenly grabbed her sleeve and said tremblingly: “Mother is willing! As long as Feng’er can be saved, Mother is willing to exchange her life for his!”
Lin Qingyue sneered: “You’re quite a noble mother, willing to sacrifice your own life for Lin Rufeng and Lin Ruzhen. Yet, you’ve been so cold and heartless toward your own daughter.”
Dongfang Yan frowned, not understanding why Lin Qingyue emphasized the phrase “own daughter.”
Zhou Shi sobbed: “Yue’er, Mother knows I’ve neglected you all these years. Today, I’ve seen many things clearly, and I promise to care for you more in the future. I only beg you to help your brother. If he ever treats you poorly again, Mother will scold him or even beat him for you!”
Lin Qingyue: “Hah~ So you knew he treated me poorly all along.”
“Yue’er, Mother begs you!”
Over there, Xie Shouzheng was squatting beside “Lin Rufeng,” chattering away in persuasion.
Things like: When will the cycle of vengeance ever end? It’s better to let go of your obsession and turn back to the right path.
And all that talk about laying down the butcher’s knife and attaining instant enlightenment, etc.
Even the tabby cat nearby couldn’t bear to watch any longer, covering its face with its paws: Little Gray is still as long-winded as ever!
After all that rambling, he successfully provoked the evil demon, which let out a sharp screech and once again tried to break free with brute force.
“Bang!” Several red blood threads began to snap under the force.
Xie Shouzheng was terrified: “Didn’t you say it could hold for an hour? Why are they breaking so soon? Princess, Princess!”
Lin Qingyue felt the urge to slap Xie Shouzheng to death.
“It was supposed to hold for about an hour, but you angered him. His body contains both a vengeful spirit and an evil demon. Originally, only the evil demon was causing trouble, but your preaching provoked the vengeful spirit as well. Lord Xie, you truly are more of a hindrance than a help! I really don’t know how you became a Demon Discernment Envoy.”
“Princess, my affairs can be discussed later. What matters now is solving the current problem!”
Lin Qingyue’s sharp gaze pierced through Lin Rufeng, seeing the ghost hidden within his body:
“For so many years, you have endured in silence. I know you are not an evil spirit, but merely a soul with grievances left unheard. Are you willing to show us your memories? Perhaps I can grant you justice.”
As she spoke, she slowly approached Lin Rufeng: “If you are willing, temporarily set aside your resistance. Though this world is full of filth, justice still lingers.”
Perhaps it was the gentleness in her tone at that moment, or perhaps it was the ghost’s years of pent-up grievances with no one to confide in, but two clear tears streamed down its face, and it slowly closed its eyes.
Lin Qingyue immediately cast a spell: “All past lives are but a fleeting dream. With blood as the guide, Dream Tracing Shadow Return!”
Two days ago, when Lin Qingyue used this technique, she could only return the memories to one person.
But this time, while performing dream tracing, she layered a “Mirage” spell, allowing the memories to be projected into the void so that everyone around could glimpse them.
And so, above Lin Rufeng’s head, a dream tracing image the size of a lotus leaf appeared.
In the image, bright spring sunlight shone upon the plaque of “Lin Family Academy,” gleaming brilliantly. The clear sound of reading aloud drifted melodiously to the ear.
The Lin Family Academy was founded by the first marquis of the Lin family. In addition to the children of the Lin family, it also admitted students from other surnames.
During the day, the academy was filled with the sound of reading, a scene of diligence and ambition.
But after the teacher left, it became a different story.
“Splash—” A bucket of foul-smelling urine was poured over his head.
The young man in a blue gown, with delicate and handsome features, was drenched in filth.
The students nearby quickly scattered, some with disdain, others with mockery.
“Hahaha, look at Shen Mo! Doesn’t he look like a human-shaped chamber pot?”
“A chamber pot should be filled with piss and shit!”
“Shen Mo, go to the latrine and be a dutiful chamber pot. Don’t disgust us here in the academy!”
The young man, covered in filth, glared angrily at the one leading the bullying:
“Lin Rufeng, what have I ever done to you? Why do you always target me?”
At that time, Lin Rufeng was still an eighteen-year-old youth, young and handsome, yet as vicious as a devil.
“You haven’t offended me, young master. I’m just bored from studying and want to bully someone for fun.”
“Why you? Who told you to be born into a poor family with a fallen status?”
Shen Mo said, “What of humble origins? My grandfather also once held an official position, only…”
Only he was too upright and offended his superior, leading to his dismissal and the family’s decline.
Back in his hometown, Shen Mo was still a spirited young man, aspiring to restore his family’s honor through his own efforts.
Later, when he came to the capital to pursue his studies, he also hoped to broaden his horizons and receive guidance from great scholars.
But the capital was filled with high-ranking officials and nobles, making students from humble backgrounds seem insignificant.
In the Lin Family Academy, his origins were the lowest, and he even became a target of bullying because of it.