He Lian Mingche said with a serious expression: “Third Miss Shen was possessed by evil at the Old Man of the Moon Temple, likely drawn here by your father.”
The He siblings’ faces turned ashen upon hearing this.
Yan Wuyou also spoke gravely: “We only followed Miss Shen here after discovering she was possessed. Fortunately, she merely fainted from fright and should be fine.”
He Wanyin, recalling the eerie illusion, felt somewhat embarrassed. Thinking that “Shen Yi” was an innocent victim, she walked to the corner and gently nudged her.
Lin Yao opened her eyes and, seeing so many people suddenly before her, asked in alarm: “Where is this? How did I get here?”
Xiao Yuanzi looked up while scratching his neck: Since when does Third Miss Shen have two different personas?
Yan Wuyou lowered his head, massaging his temples while stealing glances: Enough already! That’s plenty.
Only He Lian Mingche remained clueless, gazing at Lin Yao with sympathy: Ah, such a beautiful young maiden in her prime, suddenly struck by misfortune and haunted by ghosts…
“If there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave now and escort Miss Shen back on our way,” Yan Wuyou said, then turned to Lin Yao. “Can you walk?”
Lin Yao bit her lower lip, nodded, and shakily rose to her feet.
“Miss Shen is, after all, a young lady of good family. Perhaps I should send a maid along with you,” He Changfeng suggested.
“No need. To us Demon-Catching Disciples,” Yan Wuyou said, pointing at the skeletal remains on the ground, “Miss Shen is no different from any of you, or them.” With that, he strode out.
The group followed closely behind. Once outside the tomb entrance, He Lian Mingche declared loudly: “It wouldn’t be safe for a maid to return alone either.”
On the way back to the Shen residence, He Lian Mingche pointed at his bloodstained vest, marveling: “Thank goodness for this Pure Yang Vest, or I’d be done for! But Third Brother, you were too harsh – when did you stab Xiao Yuanzi?”
Yan Wuyou looked innocent: “How could I? When our junior brother fell as a child, I thought we shouldn’t waste the blood, so I rolled the vest in it.”
Lin Yao thought to herself: So this is the incredibly powerful Magical Artifact Yan Wuyou mentioned!
Arriving at the Ji family mansion gates, Lin Yao bowed slightly: “Please return now, honored mages. It’s late, so I won’t invite you in.”
“Farewell then,” Yan Wuyou said before turning to leave.
Whoosh—
Hearing the noise, everyone turned to see Lin Yao leap up and fly over the wall into the compound—
Yan Wuyou and Xiao Yuanzi took this in stride, but He Lian Mingche stood dumbfounded: Was this really the same timid Miss Shen from the well?
The next morning, Lin Yao was awakened early by commotion outside her door.
“Did you hear? Old Master He died last night while practicing Evil Arts!”
“Evil Arts destroy people…”
“Exactly! Treasure your life and stay away from Wicked Ways and Heretical Practices!”
Lin Yao rolled over and continued sleeping soundly.
Whether from exhaustion after last night’s events at the He residence or because her body hadn’t fully recovered, she slept until well past noon without waking.
Mrs. Bai grew worried seeing Lin Yao still asleep. After hearing from Ji Shiyun about the possession at the Old Man of the Moon Temple, she didn’t hesitate to enter the room and wake her.
Lin Yao looked drowsily at the anxious Mrs. Bai, feeling somewhat guilty. Unfortunately, her body remained uncooperative, her mind still foggy with sleep as she mumbled vaguely: “Aunt…””Yao Yao, are you feeling unwell anywhere? Ah Yun told me everything about what happened yesterday.”
Though her body felt muddled, Lin Yao’s mind remained perfectly clear. While demons rarely caused trouble in the prosperous Sheng dynasty, leading even the once-prominent Demon Catching Division to shut down, that didn’t mean demons had gone extinct!
Previously, both she and Tao Tao had been half-dead, their auras restrained and unlikely to attract demons. But now her health had greatly improved, and Tao Tao’s demonic aura had grown stronger. Though she didn’t know what kind of pill the texts meant by “Peach House Can Refine Pills,” if even an old demon like Qing Yazi coveted it, it must be exceptionally precious!
Carrying such a treasure with her would inevitably attract all sorts of demons fighting to claim it. What if this brought disaster upon her uncle’s family? The urgent task was to find a safe refuge. But where could she go?
Return to Hidden Mountain to find her master! But Hidden Mountain was little known, and her aunt would never believe her or let her go.
Bu Xizhou!
Yes, Bu Xizhou had once been the head of the Demon Catching Division, with superb magical skills that demons wouldn’t dare approach lightly. After retiring, he had established the Jade Capital Pavilion academy in Zhongzhou’s Jiuwei Mountain. Yet Lin Yao felt uneasy: would bringing Tao Tao, a demon, to Jade Capital Pavilion get them executed immediately?
Instead, it was Tao Tao who comforted Lin Yao: “Don’t worry, Zhou Tianshi only catches evil demons! Although I’m a demon, I respect Zhou Tianshi too.”
Having made up her mind, Lin Yao timidly said, “Aunt, I had a dream where many demons came to capture me. Then some mages came and drove them away, but the demons threatened that unless I go to Jade Capital Pavilion, they would definitely come back for me. I’m scared…”
“Poor child, you’ve been truly frightened. How could a young lady go stay deep in the mountains?”
“Mother, the female teacher at Jade Capital Pavilion performed soul pacification for Sister Gu last year,” Ji Shiyun said. “Given Yao Yao’s condition, perhaps going there for some soul pacification would help.”
Mrs. Bai felt somewhat swayed upon hearing this. The child had suffered so many misfortunes, and after repeated frights, her soul might indeed be unsettled. But as just an aunt, such matters needed her uncle Ji Zichen’s approval. So she gently patted Lin Yao’s hand and said softly, “When your uncle returns later, I’ll discuss it with him.”
Lin Yao nodded upon hearing this and closed her eyes again.
Unexpectedly, Ji Zichen returned early today. Intending to check on his niece’s condition, he happened to overhear their conversation from outside the room.
“Let her go tomorrow. What are worldly conventions compared to human life? It’s not unheard of for women to cultivate at Taoist temples for a few years before marriage, let alone that Jade Capital Pavilion is just an academy. If anyone gossips about Yao Yao because of this, I’ll personally take off my shoe and beat those foolish rumor-mongers!”
Her uncle’s words were firm and powerful, moving Lin Yao deeply and making her nose tingle with emotion.
She had been an orphan, raised by her master on Hidden Mountain since childhood. Her master had been both father and mother to her, teaching her demon-catching spells. And now, she had gained her uncle’s family as relatives. Though all this was thanks to Shen Yi.
Shen Yi, I will definitely eliminate the Wood Spirit and avenge you!
If possible, she would love to spend her whole life clinging to her uncle’s family, coveting this peaceful, uneventful life. But she couldn’t. She feared bringing harm to her uncle’s family. She had to leave, and only when she became strong enough to protect them could she return.
The next day, Ji Zichen and Mrs. Bai took their three children and hurried to the Jade Capital Pavilion.
The Jade Capital Pavilion was built atop Mount Jiuwei. Although the mountain was only two days’ journey from Yidu, it was incredibly high! Surrounded by mountains to the northwest and facing a lake to the east, it was truly a treasured location!
The mountain path was quite wide, allowing two carriages to travel side by side, with the road paved with gravel. On either side stood lush green pines and cypresses, with occasional clusters of small yellow and white wildflowers dotting the ground, adding a touch of earthly charm to the profound mountain forest, making it feel more approachable. When they reached the mountain steps, they had no choice but to abandon the carriage and proceed on foot. The group descended from the carriage, walking and resting intermittently, and it took half a day before they finally arrived at the Jade Capital Pavilion.
Upon entering the Jade Capital Pavilion academy, they washed their hands, burned incense, and added a heavy chest of tuition fees for the study tour. They were then led by an academy disciple to a side hall to rest. Before long, Abbot Li Chengyang personally came to receive them.
Lin Yao thought to herself: Money really is a wonderful thing!
Ji Zichen opened two heavy chests of tuition money and explained their purpose. Li Chengyang hesitated, saying, “The academy is mostly composed of men; this matter may be inconvenient.” Seeing the solemn expressions on everyone’s faces, Li Chengyang added, “However, there is one female master, though she has never taken on a disciple. Let me first ask Tranquil Yang Master for her opinion.” Upon hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
“We would be most grateful for your assistance, Abbot.”
“You’re too kind. If this can help alleviate Venerable Shen’s misfortunes, it would be an immeasurable blessing. Please wait here for a moment; I will return shortly.”
Li Chengyang left the side hall and, shedding his earlier aura of immortal grace, hurried briskly to the Tranquil Peace Hall.
“Junior Sister—”
“Senior Brother, what’s the matter that has you rushing around so early in the morning?”
“There is indeed a matter I’d like to discuss with you, Junior Sister.” As he spoke, Li Chengyang closed the door, rubbing his hands together with an awkward smile. “Junior Sister, it’s like this—I was thinking, since you’re not getting any younger, perhaps—”
Tranquil Yang sprang up from her seat, her eyes narrowing sharply. “What nonsense are you spouting!”
“Calm down, calm down. What I meant was, perhaps you could take on a female disciple? That way, if you ever fall ill or feel unwell, there would be someone to care for you, wouldn’t there?”
“You know I’m used to being alone and have never taken on disciples.” Tranquil Yang paused, then her gaze suddenly darkened. “Senior Brother, have you already taken it upon yourself to agree to this?”
Li Chengyang quickly waved his hands. “I didn’t want to agree at first, but they offered far too much!” As he spoke, he gestured with his hands. “Two huge chests of wuzhu coins!”
“Worldly possessions hold little interest for me,” Tranquil Yang replied indifferently.
“But I’m interested, I am,” Li Chengyang persuaded. “Don’t be so rigid. Our academy isn’t particularly large, but it’s not small either. Our master has secluded himself in the pagoda to focus on cultivation, and the entire academy’s food, clothing, and expenses all require money! Is it easy for me, your senior brother, to manage this entire pavilion of people?”
Li Chengyang sighed, forcing out a single tear. “You’re all so noble, detached from worldly affairs. Let your senior brother handle the mundane matters and safeguard the vulgar possessions! Junior Sister, can you understand the depth of my dedication…”
Tranquil Yang seemed moved by his words and softened her tone. “But…”
“Don’t worry, I’ll immediately send someone to clean the Quiet Bamboo Residence next to you.” Li Chengyang’s face broke into a beaming smile. “Then I won’t disturb your quiet cultivation any further. I’ll bring the young disciple to you shortly.”
Before Jing Yang could have second thoughts, Li Chengyang dashed out of Tranquil Peace Hall like a whirlwind, tilted his head back, and exhaled heavily with immense pride: Extra dishes for dinner!
All along the way, Li Chengyang felt utterly exhilarated. When he spotted slacking students, he earnestly advised, “The academy is our home—everyone, get moving! Go pull the weeds over there—”
Upon seeing disciples from the Pill Refining Hall, he beamed kindly and said, “Notify your fellow disciples to start digging and refining as needed. The rest of you, hurry down the mountain to sell the pills—”
Returning to the side hall and finding everyone eagerly awaiting, Li Chengyang puffed out his chest, stroked his chin, and declared with a solemn expression, “Shen, the lay practitioner, is immensely blessed and favored by heaven. From today onward, he shall be the chief disciple of Tranquil Yang Master at our Jade Capital Pavilion Academy.”
Hearing this, everyone finally breathed a sigh of relief. Ji Zichen promptly thanked Li Chengyang and instructed the steward to deliver two more cases of tuition fees tomorrow!