Hearing this, Daniang froze, then reacted and hurriedly knelt down, frantically kowtowing: “Immortal Master, save me! Save me!”

“If you’re asking me to save you, at the very least you need to tell me clearly what I’m saving you from, right?”

Jiang Zhaoxue rubbed the rough edge of the tea bowl, smiling: “You need to tell me what you’ve done.”

Hearing this, Daniang froze and didn’t dare make a sound.

From downstairs came her son’s loud call: “Ma! Ma, why haven’t you come down yet?”

With that, her son came running upstairs in short steps. Daniang suddenly reacted and frantically said: “Don’t—”

But before she could finish shouting, her burly youngest son had already opened the door, then was struck down by a palm from Pei Zichen.

Jiang Zhaoxue raised her chin: “Tie… oh no, hang him up. Makes it easier to beat him.”

“No!” Daniang cried out in panic, urgently saying: “Immortal Master, if you have issues, take them up with us husband and wife. The child is innocent—he doesn’t know anything!”

“Then speak.” Jiang Zhaoxue propped up her chin. “If you keep circling around with me like this, I’ll really take action.”

As soon as the words fell, Pei Zichen’s sword had already cooperatively unsheathed, pressing against Daniang’s youngest son’s finger.

He was so professional that even Jiang Zhaoxue was stunned, but she quickly hid her surprise, coughed lightly and continued threatening: “How exactly did Zhuang Yan die?”

“I’ll tell you.”

Daniang was just an ordinary commoner after all. She had already been frightened out of her wits by Jiang Zhaoxue’s Yin-Yang Powder days ago. She hurriedly said: “I’ll tell you. Zhuang Yan’er was my eldest daughter.”

As soon as she spoke, her eyes reddened, her voice hoarse: “After she was born, her father despised her for being a money-losing proposition and didn’t want to raise her. Someone happened to want to buy a child bride for their son, so he sold her for a string of cash.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen frowned. Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression became much colder as she glanced around: “So your family wasn’t unable to afford raising her—you just thought it wasn’t worthwhile, so you sent her away.”

“Yes.”

Daniang’s tears fell: “I was unwilling. After all, I carried her for ten months and gave birth to her. But I had just finished giving birth then, my body was weak. I was lying in bed, and when I woke up from sleep, the child had been taken away. In the dead of winter, I went out to look for her. Her father came back and beat me, telling me the child had already been thrown under Chengtou Bridge, her bones exposed.”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone softened somewhat as she only said: “And after that? How did you find out about this matter?”

“I always thought she was dead. I felt guilty about it and burned her some little clothes every year. Until later… fifteen years ago during New Year’s, when I returned home, I saw a little girl sitting at our doorstep. She was wearing just one tattered piece of clothing, her shoes were broken. I thought she was begging and wanted to chase her away. But then she asked me… if this was Zhuang Ping’s home.”

As Daniang spoke, she choked up, as if returning to that New Year, sobbing: “I don’t know why, but looking at her eyes, I just knew it was her. My daughter had returned. So I brought her back home, I bathed her—her whole body was covered in wounds, her feet were covered in blisters. She said that family beat her, treated her badly. Before, she didn’t understand. She kept thinking, how could birth parents treat their own child this way? Until this year, she heard from others that she had been bought. For one string of cash…”

Daniang raised her hand to cover her eyes, crying so hard she couldn’t speak: “Her father sold her for one string of cash… But she was very happy. She said she knew her birth parents weren’t people who would bully her. She was so happy. So she tried every means—she was only five years old… she walked all by herself from Zhangjia Village a hundred li away, all the way to Taizhou City.”

“And then?” Jiang Zhaoxue lowered her eyes, looking at her reflection in the cup, not daring to look much at the person before her.

Daniang seemed to be telling someone about this matter for the first time. She cried breathlessly, extremely emotional: “I wanted to keep her, so I hid her in the room. Every year I made her little clothes to burn for her, and that year I hadn’t burned them yet, so I put them on her. Originally I planned to hide her and find an opportunity to talk properly with her father. But unexpectedly… on the second day of New Year, I was too busy. I forgot about her. She was too hungry, crawled out from under the bed to find me, and ran into her father.”

As Daniang spoke, she gradually calmed down. She wiped her tears, her eyes showing hatred, her voice hoarse: “It was also her disobedience. I told her not to reveal her identity. But unexpectedly, she opened her mouth and called him father. When her father learned she had returned, he wanted to beat her. I heard the commotion and went upstairs to stop him. When she saw me being beaten, she came to protect me, and was kicked by her father…”

Daniang couldn’t continue. She clenched her fists, holding back again and again. Finally she tremblingly raised her hand and pointed outside at the stairs: “She rolled down from there and stopped breathing on the spot.”

After finishing this sentence, Daniang closed her eyes, as if finally released: “At that time, I also wanted to fight him desperately. But Yao’er was woken by our quarreling and ran out, standing to the side crying. Yan’er was dead, but Yao’er was still alive. I alone couldn’t support a child—I couldn’t even support myself. What could I do? I could only blame her for her bad fate, blame her for disobedience, blame her for being foolish. Would parents not harm her? How could she think parents wouldn’t harm her?”

She took a deep breath, opened her eyes, and said slowly: “After all, she was older, unlike those infants from when she was small. If she was discovered and someone reported to the authorities, it would be a legal case. So we took advantage of the night, carried her to under Chengtou Bridge, found a mud pit, dug it and buried her. When we buried her, she was still wearing the new clothes I had woven for her. Her father even scolded me, saying I was wasting money.”

“After she died, I was anxious for a long time. I was afraid she would come to claim our lives—what would happen to Yao’er then? So I found a Daoist priest. The priest scattered a handful of rice at our door, saying this way she wouldn’t be able to see our home and could never return. After that it was peaceful, right up until recently when I met the Immortal Master. The night I returned home that day, I saw her near our doorstep.”

“What did she look like?”

“Wearing red clothes,” Daniang recalled, “holding a red umbrella, very beautiful—beautiful beyond human. I don’t know why, but I recognized her at one glance. That was her.”

With that, Daniang smiled, her eyes showing reminiscence: “Just like when she returned that year.”

“The next day when you came to find me, I told you to dig up her body and make offerings to it. Why didn’t you go?”

Jiang Zhaoxue pressed. Daniang thought for a moment, hesitating: “Her father thought… it was my hallucination, thought you were a fraud. As for me… I thought about it all night.”

Daniang turned to glance at her youngest son beside her, saying slowly: “Yao’er has grown up now. I thought, if Yan’er really came back, then let her come back. Her father and I owe her. If she wants to claim our lives, it’s only right.”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue made no further judgment, only saying: “Then where is her body buried?”

“Under Chengtou Bridge,” Daniang recalled. “I can’t describe the specific location, but once we get there I can naturally point it out to you.”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue thought for a moment and secretly transmitted her voice to Chen Zhao.

“Teacher Chen.”

“Immortal Master Jiang?”

“When will the people from Tianji Institute arrive?”

“I sent word yesterday. The first wave of reinforcements arrived at noon today.”

“I’ve found her body.” Jiang Zhaoxue stared at Daniang kneeling on the ground, numbly looking at the floor, thinking: “I’ll bring people now to dig up her corpse. After we find her body, tomorrow we’ll perform transcendence for her, then lay her to rest properly. The ones who killed her were her parents—hand them to the authorities. I’ll trouble Teacher Chen to speak with the officials and have them executed tomorrow.”

Settling Zhuang Yan’s grievances from life and destroying the “temple” would severely damage her.

Then taking hair, bones, or anything from her corpse, they could perform rituals to sever her connection with Ye Wenzhi.

At that time, when heavenly punishment descended, they would have complete confidence in killing her.

Jiang Zhaoxue went through it once. Chen Zhao responded: “I’ll make arrangements.”

After finishing communication with Chen Zhao, Jiang Zhaoxue looked up at Daniang, saying calmly: “Then let’s go. Take me to find her.”

“You all…” Daniang looked up in confusion. “What are you trying to do?”

“She’s already become a Ghost Immortal that harms people. I must perform transcendence for her.” Jiang Zhaoxue walked before Daniang, bent down and raised her hand to help her up, consoling: “Don’t worry. I’m letting her reincarnate, not making her vanish into smoke.”

Hearing this, Daniang was somewhat surprised, asking cautiously: “Immortal Master… doesn’t think I’m at fault?”

“Of course you’re at fault.” Jiang Zhaoxue looked at her coldly, then added: “But the one most at fault isn’t you. Let’s go.”

At least she had once, in the dead of winter, dragged her body that had just given birth out, kneeling on the ground begging to keep her child.

In this matter, the person with the most blurred face was the most hateful person.

Jiang Zhaoxue stepped downstairs. Pei Zichen helped the unconscious Zhuang Yao up and placed him on a nearby bed.

Daniang glanced at Zhuang Yao on the bed. She heard Jiang Zhaoxue say: “Let’s go. You’ve looked at him for so many years already.”

Hearing this, Daniang suddenly became clear-headed, as if only now reacting.

She hurriedly came to her senses and quickly followed Jiang Zhaoxue.

Pei Zichen followed with his sword. Jiang Zhaoxue led Daniang toward outside the city.

All along the street, Daniang tremblingly greeted people. Most of Taizhou City were acquaintances. Seeing her following Jiang Zhaoxue, everyone teased: “Old Dan, is your house haunted again?”

Daniang’s face showed embarrassment, feeling somewhat ashamed.

Following Jiang Zhaoxue’s quick steps outward, the three walked out the city gate to see Ye Tianjiao already waiting outside the city gate with people, carrying hoes and waiting for Jiang Zhaoxue. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue, Ye Tianjiao hurried forward: “Immortal Sister!”

Jiang Zhaoxue saw there was no resentment energy from Zhuang Yan following around him and relaxed, smiling as she looked him over: “Why did you come? Your courage is so small, yet you’re going to dig up corpses?”

“I missed you.” Ye Tianjiao was somewhat embarrassed.

Pei Zichen glanced at him, suppressing his displeasure: “Second Young Master Ye, watch your words.”

“Ugh, you’re so rigid.” Ye Tianjiao was extremely dissatisfied with Pei Zichen. After complaining, he quickly grabbed Jiang Zhaoxue’s sleeve and walked out: “Immortal Sister, let’s go. Don’t pay attention to him!”

With that, he lowered his voice: “You don’t know—yesterday after you left, the mansion was filled with ghostly energy. I was so scared I wrote talismans all night. I really missed you so much!”

Jiang Zhaoxue was amused by Ye Tianjiao and couldn’t help saying: “Then why didn’t you come find me last night?”

“I was still assessing the situation.” Ye Tianjiao mumbled. “Teacher Chen was afraid Zhuang Yan was watching me and wouldn’t let me go.”

The two chatted and laughed as they walked forward. Pei Zichen forced himself to look away, turned to Daniang and nodded, politely greeting: “Daniang, please.”

Chengtou Bridge was about three li outside the city. When the group had walked halfway, it began to rain.

The rain was quite heavy. Pei Zichen, afraid Jiang Zhaoxue would get wet, quickly took an umbrella from his Qiankun Ring and held it for Jiang Zhaoxue, leading everyone to take shelter in a nearby temple.

Many people had gone out today, and the temple was already full of people taking shelter. Since Jiang Zhaoxue’s group was large, they didn’t go inside, standing outside the door waiting for the rain to stop.

Pei Zichen took a handkerchief from his Qiankun Bag and handed it to Jiang Zhaoxue for her to wipe her face. Ye Tianjiao watched from the side, asking curiously: “How does he have so many things? One moment pulling out an umbrella, the next moment pulling out a handkerchief?”

Pei Zichen heard but didn’t respond to him. Ye Tianjiao felt somewhat awkward and reached out his hand: “Hey, do you have another handkerchief? I also want to wipe my hands.”

“No.” Pei Zichen decisively refused.

Ye Tianjiao mumbled: “Stingy.”

Then quickly looked toward Jiang Zhaoxue: “Immortal Sister, do you have a handkerchief for me?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s movements paused slightly, unconsciously becoming tense.

Then he heard Jiang Zhaoxue laugh: “What a coincidence—I lost my handkerchief today.”

Listening, Pei Zichen felt the handkerchief in his chest that he had washed and dried become abnormally hot.

He somewhat wanted to return it, but also felt this handkerchief had already been soiled by him and couldn’t be returned.

But if he didn’t return it… where could he put it? He certainly couldn’t throw it away.

His heart was in turmoil, caught in a dilemma. He could only lower his head and pretend he hadn’t heard, taking from Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand the handkerchief she had used to wipe rainwater and storing it in his sleeve.

At this time, a voice suddenly came from inside the building, somewhat hesitant: “Immortal Master Jiang?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue looked back in confusion and saw a middle-aged couple stand up from inside the temple. The man was holding a child. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue, his face showed great joy as he hurried forward: “Immortal Master Jiang, it really is you?!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze and looked them up and down. Pei Zichen beside her reminded in a low voice: “Master’s Wife, it’s that child called Li Niannian.”

Hearing “Niannian,” Jiang Zhaoxue reacted and quickly smiled, bowing: “Master Li.”

The Li couple, seeing Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen, were quite excited and hurriedly invited Jiang Zhaoxue inside.

Seeing they were acquaintances, Jiang Zhaoxue followed them into the temple. As soon as they entered, Ye Tianjiao spoke up: “Huh, why does this statue look so much like Immortal Sister?”

Everyone hearing this looked up. Except for Pei Zichen and Jiang Zhaoxue, most showed confused expressions.

This was an extremely crude stone statue. One could only vaguely make out it was a male immortal. There was no way to see any similarity to Jiang Zhaoxue.

However, Pei Zichen knew this was indeed the divine statue of Jiang Zhaoxue’s father.

Ye Tianjiao had immortal affinity and had entered the Dao. The stone statue he saw was different from what mortals saw. When he looked at Jiang Zhaoxue’s father’s divine statue, what he saw was Jiang Zhaoxue’s father’s actual appearance.

Pei Zichen looked up at the divine statue before him, silent, as if seeing Jiang Zhaoxue’s divine statue from the future.

Li Niannian’s father came over holding the infant, smiling as he explained: “This is the divine statue of Penglai’s Holy Martial True Lord.”

“I haven’t really heard of this deity.” Ye Tianjiao examined the statue, pondering: “But since it resembles Immortal Sister, it should have some capabilities.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue and Pei Zichen glanced at him. Just as Pei Zichen was about to speak, Li’s father said: “That’s exactly right—praying for children is very efficacious!”

“What?!”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue turned back in shock: “What? Praying for children?”

“That’s right. Everyone prays to her. Even the Guanyin Temple for children has no visitors now. If it weren’t for you being widowed, Immortal Master Jiang, you should worship today too.” Li’s father spoke earnestly.

“Impossible!” Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately said: “He doesn’t manage this—it’s impossible.”

“Our Niannian was prayed for right here.” Li’s father said with certainty. “Absolutely works. If you don’t believe it, pray for one now—guaranteed pregnancy next month!”

“Old Li.” Seeing her husband speaking absurdly, Li’s mother quickly interrupted him and stepped forward to apologize to Jiang Zhaoxue: “Immortal Master Jiang, my husband always speaks unreliably. Please forgive him.”

Jiang Zhaoxue experienced it and laughed once. Looking them up and down and seeing they had packed luggage, she said: “You’re traveling somewhere?”

“Yes.” Hearing this, Li’s father finally became serious, some warmth in his eyes. “We’re planning to move to a different place. Taizhou City is too cold—we want to go somewhere warmer in Jiangnan.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue nodded, not particularly concerned. She just looked once more at Li Niannian in Li’s father’s arms.

Compared to the last time they met, the child seemed to have grown a bit more. As soon as he saw Jiang Zhaoxue, he babbled, quite adorable.

Perhaps because he was a person of great fortune, Jiang Zhaoxue liked him at first sight and couldn’t help wanting to play with him.

Li’s father and mother exchanged glances. After hesitating a moment, Li’s father said carefully: “That… Immortal Master Jiang.”

“Mm?”

“That our family could be well this time, that Niannian could spend peaceful days within the clan—all thanks to the Immortal Master’s blessing. I am extremely grateful. Currently this child still has no name. I presume boldly to request the Immortal Master to bestow a name on the child. Would that be acceptable?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze. Pei Zichen glanced at Jiang Zhaoxue and was just about to help her refuse when he heard Jiang Zhaoxue say: “I… I have no learning. I’m afraid the name I give won’t sound good.”

“No matter,” seeing this, Li’s father quickly said. “As long as it’s a name given by the Immortal Master, it’s Niannian’s fortune.”

“Then I’ll give one.”

With that, Jiang Zhaoxue looked down at this child. After thinking, she slowly said: “You are a person of great fortune with deep immortal affinity. On the path of cultivation, your future is boundless. But whether cultivating heaven, earth, immortals, or the Dao—none compare to cultivating oneself. Cultivate your own heart, attain the righteous path. You shall be called Li Xiuji.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen looked toward Jiang Zhaoxue, his fingertips slightly curling as if wanting to say something, but didn’t speak.

Jiang Zhaoxue keenly sensed this but didn’t say much. The people beside them, hearing Jiang Zhaoxue’s name choice, all praised the name as good.

Everyone conversed for a while. The heavy rain gradually ceased. Jiang Zhaoxue turned to bid farewell to the Li family. Before leaving, she suddenly remembered: “Speaking of which, after knowing each other these several days, I still haven’t asked Master Li and Madam for your esteemed names?”

“I am Li Guizhen. My wife is Pei Shulan.”

“I’ll remember.”

Jiang Zhaoxue went over the names once. Confirming she hadn’t heard them in the future, she nodded and waved: “Until we meet again by fate.”

With that, the two groups bid farewell and parted.

Jiang Zhaoxue brought Pei Zichen out of the temple, her expression somewhat heavy. Pei Zichen couldn’t help saying: “Master’s Wife, what are you worried about?”

“I’m wondering…” Jiang Zhaoxue thought, “Have you heard of this person Li Xiuji in the future?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen thought seriously, then shook his head: “Never.”

But according to reason, with this child’s fortune so remarkable and immortal affinity so deep, he shouldn’t be a nobody in the future.

However, the cultivation world was full of talented people. Many cultivators were only known by their titles and not their names. There was also the possibility that this Li Xiuji remained in the Mortal Realm and never went to the True Immortal Realm—that could also explain it.

Jiang Zhaoxue searched for various reasons and figured it out.

Seeing Pei Zichen looking gloomy, she turned and said: “You wanted to say something earlier. What was it?”

“Oh,” not expecting Jiang Zhaoxue to be so perceptive, Pei Zichen’s heart jumped as he quickly said: “Disciple has been wondering whether Zhuang Yan might hide her corpse in advance if we go searching for it.”

“That won’t happen.” Jiang Zhaoxue said calmly. “She’ll only follow us.”

“Follow us?” Pei Zichen didn’t understand. “Why?”

“Because ghosts who died unjustly don’t know where their own bodies are.” Jiang Zhaoxue’s tone was bland as she stayed alert to their surroundings. “They’re also looking for their own remains. So although I don’t sense her now, that doesn’t rule out the possibility she’s following us.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen immediately understood. Perhaps Ye Tianjiao coming wasn’t a coincidence.

Rather, both Chen Zhao and Jiang Zhaoxue had prepared for a direct confrontation with Zhuang Yan when they found the remains. Ye Tianjiao had come to help Jiang Zhaoxue set up arrays.

If Zhuang Yan fought with Jiang Zhaoxue over the remains, Chen Zhao would get the opportunity to destroy the temple where she was worshipped.

Getting the remains or destroying the temple—they could accomplish at least one.

Pei Zichen calculated simply in his mind and knew what he should do, responding softly: “Disciple understands.”

As soon as these words came out, Jiang Zhaoxue immediately knew she had been arranged again.

She glanced at the person beside her who was far too mature for his age and couldn’t help saying: “Is this how you were as Senior Martial Brother before?”

Pei Zichen froze. Jiang Zhaoxue described it for him: “Arranging everything?”

“When traveling outside with many fellow disciples,” hearing this, Pei Zichen felt somewhat embarrassed, “arrangements must always be made in advance.”

It was just that sometimes when encountering people like Gaowen, he also had a bit of a temper and wouldn’t give them a good face.

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue became somewhat interested in his past.

But now wasn’t the time for chatting. She only grabbed the most pressing issue: “You still haven’t told me the truth. What exactly did you want to say earlier?”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen’s eyelashes trembled slightly. This was the first time he discovered Jiang Zhaoxue could be so persistent.

Thinking about how in the past he felt she was easy to lead astray, essentially it was just that Jiang Zhaoxue didn’t particularly care and went along with him.

He knew that if he continued hiding it, Jiang Zhaoxue would be annoyed, and it would seem overly affected. So he said softly: “Disciple was just thinking… if… when disciple comes of age… could I ask Master’s Wife to bestow a courtesy name upon me?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue turned to look at him and blinked.

“He wants to live to twenty years old!”

Jiang Zhaoxue was quite delighted.

A’Nan quickly flapped his wings, happily saying: “Maybe we can kill him at twenty?!”

One person and one bird celebrated internally, feeling it was tremendous progress. The way Jiang Zhaoxue looked at him also became gratified.

Pei Zichen was somewhat confused: “Master’s Wife?”

“Don’t worry.” She raised her hand and patted his shoulder encouragingly. “When you come of age, I’ll definitely think of a nice courtesy name for you and personally perform your capping ceremony!”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen instantly imagined the scene of Jiang Zhaoxue performing his capping ceremony.

Imagined her standing behind him, her hand passing through his hair, placing the crown on him.

He suddenly felt his throat tighten, his heart like something had brushed across it, stirring a light itch.

He hastily lowered his eyes, saying in a low voice: “Disciple thanks Master’s Wife.”

As they spoke, the group arrived at the bridge. From afar, Jiang Zhaoxue saw the stone bridge and pointed: “Daniang, this is Chengtou Bridge, right?”

“Yes.”

Daniang stepped forward to lead the way, searching for direction: “Immortal Master Jiang, please follow me.”

Jiang Zhaoxue watched Daniang lead the way forward, surveying the surroundings. She called Ye Tianjiao and Pei Zichen to follow her, quietly pinching a talisman in her hand as she followed Daniang down to the riverbank.

Daniang led everyone upstream along the riverbank. Fewer and fewer people appeared. Seeing it was almost dark, Jiang Zhaoxue called out to Daniang: “Daniang, haven’t you found it yet?”

“I remember there was a big rock here.”

Daniang looked around, searching left and right for a long time before finally saying: “Right here.”

She pointed to a knee-high rock and patted it: “It should be here. At that time, this rock was what her father placed on top.”

“What? Her father?” Ye Tianjiao listened, thought for a moment, and reacted. “You killed her? You killed your own daughter? How utterly depraved?!”

Daniang didn’t dare speak for a moment, shrinking back and not daring to raise her head.

Jiang Zhaoxue surveyed the surroundings. After Ye Tianjiao was angry for a bit, knowing scolding was useless, he turned to call to the servants behind him: “Go, move that big rock aside and dig!”

The servants moved forward at his words. But Jiang Zhaoxue said nothing, only alertly surveying the area.

Pei Zichen moved closer to Jiang Zhaoxue, saying in a low voice: “Master’s Wife, the yin energy is too heavy.”

So heavy he felt even drawing his sword would be restricted.

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue only smiled: “So many children died here—of course it’s heavy.”

With that, she reached out to hold his hand, secretly placing a talisman in Pei Zichen’s palm.

Pei Zichen turned to look at her, understanding Jiang Zhaoxue was already on alert. He was pulled by Jiang Zhaoxue to Ye Tianjiao’s side. Ye Tianjiao was already calling people to move the rock.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at this big rock, smiling as she asked: “Is it heavy?”

“It should be… No, wait!” Ye Tianjiao looked at Jiang Zhaoxue holding Pei Zichen’s hand in shock, saying incredulously: “How did you two start holding hands?!”

“You want to hold hands too?” Jiang Zhaoxue extended her hand like an invitation. Pei Zichen’s usually gentle eyes swept coldly over Jiang Zhaoxue’s pale palm, and out of sight, out of mind, he looked away.

Ye Tianjiao was stunned, then reacted: “I don’t want to join you two. I mean… you two… isn’t he your late husband’s disciple?”

“Ah, we can’t hold hands?”

Jiang Zhaoxue asked frankly in return, actually confusing Ye Tianjiao, who pondered: “I guess that’s not necessarily against the rules…”

As they spoke, two men beside them had already embraced the rock together. In the counting voice of “one, two, three,” they suddenly lifted the rock up!

At that very instant, countless black energy erupted from the ground, shrieking as it lunged toward Jiang Zhaoxue!

Jiang Zhaoxue reacted quickly, pulling Ye Tianjiao backward. Pei Zichen drew his sword. The talisman went first, and with a “clang” it collided heavily with the black energy. Then over a dozen light swords leaped from Pei Zichen’s sword body, each light sword protecting each person in front, while he himself blocked in front of Jiang Zhaoxue, urgently slashing at all the black energy rushing forward.

The sudden change happened in an instant. The surroundings were already shrouded in black energy. Daniang turned and ran out. Jiang Zhaoxue raised her left hand—a rope shot out like a snake, instantly wrapping around Daniang’s neck and dragging her directly back to Jiang Zhaoxue’s side.

Daniang desperately clutched at the rope around her neck, struggling. Jiang Zhaoxue held Ye Tianjiao’s hand, raised her hand to draw an array, and at the same time said: “Zichen, protect the others and get them out.”

Hearing this, Pei Zichen glanced around and discovered the black energy was limited to within three zhang. He grabbed the mortals beside him, spun and flung them, throwing them out. Then he turned back with one sword strike to cut down the black energy trying to rush at Jiang Zhaoxue, never leaving more than half a zhang from Jiang Zhaoxue.

Both Jiang Zhaoxue and Ye Tianjiao were shocked by this maneuver. Ye Tianjiao couldn’t help but speak: “That works?!”

Pei Zichen didn’t respond to him, only successively throwing the mortals in the black energy out using this method, stubbornly guarding Jiang Zhaoxue’s side.

Seeing this, Jiang Zhaoxue stopped overthinking and, holding Ye Tianjiao’s hand, began drawing the array.

“The Heavenly Dao is inconstant, gambling fortune on heaven. Supreme great fortune, all directions without evil—Execute!”

Jade lots flew out. When the characters “Lowest Misfortune” appeared before Jiang Zhaoxue, her eyes showed shock. Then the ghostly energy beside her instantly surged. Pei Zichen didn’t hesitate and lunged toward Jiang Zhaoxue!

Ghostly energy rushed toward Jiang Zhaoxue, instantly shattering the light swords surrounding Pei Zichen. The moment Pei Zichen coughed up blood, ten zhang of talismans flew from Jiang Zhaoxue’s hand.

Thunder roared down urgently. Ye Tianjiao screamed and covered his head. Pei Zichen held Jiang Zhaoxue tightly in his arms.

Fortunately, although the thunder was loud, when it struck down it had no effect on people. They could only hear the ghostly energy shrieking around them, thunder roaring, the earth shaking. After a long time, the surroundings finally quieted down.

The ghostly energy had disappeared without a trace. Pei Zichen was still pressed on top of Jiang Zhaoxue. Jiang Zhaoxue, still not recovered from the fright, looked up at the young man who was extremely close before her.

Pei Zichen’s face was pale. Seeing Jiang Zhaoxue right in front of him, so close he could even see the texture of her skin, his heartbeat couldn’t help but quicken.

Jiang Zhaoxue reacted first and quickly supported Pei Zichen, urgently saying: “Are you alright?”

After she spoke, Ye Tianjiao belatedly raised his head, cautiously looking around. Seeing the surroundings had calmed down, he quickly rushed over to Jiang Zhaoxue in tears: “Immortal Sister, Sister, please take care of me. I was scared to death.”

“Get lost!”

Jiang Zhaoxue kicked away this useless fellow, helped Pei Zichen up, checked his pulse for a moment, and after confirming his foundation wasn’t injured, finally relaxed. She quickly gave Pei Zichen medicine to take and had him meditate. Then she stood up and looked back at Daniang, who was bound by the Immortal-Binding Rope to the side.

She raised her hand, took Pei Zichen’s sword, and walked toward Daniang.

Daniang’s whole body was trembling. She obviously hadn’t expected Jiang Zhaoxue to survive. Jiang Zhaoxue looked down at her coldly, saying calmly: “There’s no body of Zhuang Yan here, is there?”

Daniang didn’t dare speak. Jiang Zhaoxue closed her eyes and thought.

She had thought wrong.

The dead couldn’t possibly know where they died, but they could learn from others’ mouths.

If Daniang killed Zhuang Yan out of hatred, she naturally wouldn’t tell Zhuang Yan where she died. But that wasn’t the case.

She was a mother. Even though she and her husband killed the child together, between Jiang Zhaoxue, this outsider, and Zhuang Yan, she would still choose Zhuang Yan.

“She set up an array here waiting for me, had you lure me here, wanting me dead.” Jiang Zhaoxue understood Daniang’s intentions. She continued pressing: “When did you two make contact? Where did her remains go?”

Daniang pressed her lips and said nothing.

Jiang Zhaoxue laughed out loud: “You think not speaking is for her good? Your daughter Zhuang Yan’s soul—according to reason, as long as she’s laid to rest properly without regrets, she can later pass on into reincarnation and be reborn. She suffered untold hardships this life. If you do good deeds and accumulate virtue for her, the next life she can be born into a good family.”

“Then…” Daniang tremblingly raised her eyes, probing: “Can she be born as a boy?”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s pupils contracted sharply. She was about to scold when she saw Daniang turn to look at the flowing water beside them, her voice hoarse: “If not, she might as well remain a ghost.”

These words made Jiang Zhaoxue pause. She held the sword looking at Daniang, listening to her say: “Actually a month ago, after I saw her, at first I was very afraid. But afterward I thought—so she’s grown this big. She’s as beautiful as I imagined, and no one can bully her. She doesn’t have to marry, and can still live well. How wonderful.”

With that, Daniang turned her head, determination in her eyes: “So you all don’t even think of harming her. Fifteen years ago I couldn’t protect her. This time I must protect her.”

“But is that your daughter?”

Jiang Zhaoxue asked calmly in return.

Daniang froze, couldn’t help saying: “If it’s not Yan’er… who is it?”

“It’s resentment energy parasitizing your daughter’s body.” Jiang Zhaoxue told her calmly. “You buried Zhuang Yan under Chengtou Bridge. How much infant resentment is there? Zhuang Yan was the only conscious existence here, so they all parasitized her body. But those infants’ souls have already left. Every child has departed, leaving only resentment energy. Only your daughter Zhuang Yan—her soul was forcibly kept here by this resentment energy. And the reason she remained here is because she has obsessions she can’t let go. If you let her continue staying, she’ll only be completely devoured by this resentment energy and become a monster.”

“Monster…”

Daniang was uncertain. Jiang Zhaoxue continued: “Her next life will have excellent fortune. Don’t delay her. As for whether she has a male or female body—Daniang, her suffering didn’t stem from her being a daughter, but from having parents like you.”

Daniang was stunned. Jiang Zhaoxue placed the sword at her neck, saying calmly: “I’ll give you one chance to save her. Either tell me everything and let me transcend her soul so she can enter reincarnation. Or I’ll kill you first, then kill her.”

Daniang didn’t speak immediately. She hesitated for a long time, bit her teeth, and finally said: “How will you transcend her?”

“Where is her body?”

“Destroyed.”

Hearing this, Jiang Zhaoxue froze, saying incredulously: “What did you say?”

“A month ago, after I saw her and learned she was still alive, I kept wanting to see her. Every day when I found the opportunity, I came here. Last night she finally saw me and had me take her to find her remains. After she found them, she dug out the body, then placed a rock here and told me that if you came to find me today, to bring you here and have you move this rock aside, then run.”

Daniang recalled: “Then… she crushed her own bones and ate them.”

Destroying the remains would cause severe damage to the soul body. But if the bones were eaten immediately, this harm could be minimized to the greatest extent.

But without the body, there was no body.

Without a body, her soul had no roots and wouldn’t last long before vanishing into smoke. Why would she do this?

Jiang Zhaoxue couldn’t figure it out. But in that very instant, a loud “boom” sounded. The entire Taizhou City shook, and Jiang Zhaoxue raised her head to see Taizhou City’s protective barrier turn to ash and scatter in that moment.

Every city had protective barriers set by local deities. The barriers could resist most evil invasions. Occasional oversights were handled by human cultivators checking and filling gaps.

A city barrier breaking only happened during city massacres.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked in shock at Taizhou City’s barrier shattering. Then black energy shot skyward from where her father’s temple was located in the distance, madly attacking inside Taizhou City.

“Immortal Master Jiang!”

Chen Zhao’s voice suddenly entered her ears. He shouted: “The Young Master has disappeared!”

The instant she heard this, Jiang Zhaoxue’s expression became stern. She suddenly understood.

It was Ye Wenzhi.

Zhuang Yan’s target was Ye Wenzhi.

From the very beginning, she knew they planned to find her body, perform transcendence, then use her body to break her contract with Ye Wenzhi, and then draw heavenly punishment to kill her.

So she simply destroyed her own body, making it fundamentally impossible for them to separate her from Ye Wenzhi.

Then she used her own body and her own temple to separately lure away Jiang Zhaoxue and Chen Zhao. The purpose was to bring Ye Wenzhi out.

Bring him out to do what?

“Ye Wenzhi has a body!” A’Nan shouted. “Her own bones are gone, but if she fuses with Ye Wenzhi, won’t she have a body?”

And fusing bodies required enormous power, so right now she was extracting power from Taizhou City’s citizens to fuse with Ye Wenzhi.

Once she absorbed enough power and fused with Ye Wenzhi, obtaining this body with seven lifetimes of merit, perhaps her power would be enough to transcend the Heavenly Dao. Even heavenly punishment couldn’t do anything to her!

They couldn’t let her succeed.

Jiang Zhaoxue reacted and turned to summon: “Zichen, come carry me on your back!”

She hadn’t practiced martial arts. At a time like this, Pei Zichen carrying her would be faster than her running herself.

She called out so naturally that Pei Zichen froze, but understanding her meaning after a thought, immediately stepped forward.

Jiang Zhaoxue flipped onto Pei Zichen’s back, turned to instruct Ye Tianjiao: “Have Ye Wenzhen bring people to my father’s temple! Zichen—” With that, she naturally pressed against Pei Zichen’s back, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Go!”

Pei Zichen felt her body pressed against his back, coming through the clothes. His face grew slightly warm. Forcing himself to stay calm on the surface, he carried Jiang Zhaoxue and ran out.

Watching them leave, Ye Tianjiao was somewhat dazed, then reacted: “What? Which temple?!”

“Penglai Holy Martial True Lord Temple!”

Jiang Zhaoxue, arms around Pei Zichen’s neck, shouted loudly without looking back: “Bring her whole family and the executioner to me!”

“Master’s Wife,” hearing this command, Pei Zichen was somewhat confused. “What do you need her whole family for?”

“She smashed my father’s temple—I’ll kill her whole family!” Jiang Zhaoxue was imposing.

Pei Zichen was somewhat helpless: “Master’s Wife…”

Hearing his voice, Jiang Zhaoxue suddenly felt wronged.

He ran very fast. The wind blew relentlessly. She buried her head in his shoulder. Pei Zichen felt somewhat itchy, then heard Jiang Zhaoxue’s breath blowing at his shoulder, somewhat dejected: “The tiger falls to the plain and is bullied by dogs. Even a Ghost Immortal dares to smash my house and perform rituals in my father’s temple to provoke me. Too much!”

“Master’s Wife is right.” Hearing this, Pei Zichen also became serious, cold light flashing in his eyes. But after thinking for a moment, he still frowned slightly: “But do we really need to kill her whole family?”

“Depends on the situation.”

Jiang Zhaoxue buried her head, listless: “Right now is her weakest moment. Although there’s no way to separate her from Ye Wenzhi anymore, we can still transcend Zhuang Yan’s soul. Once Zhuang Yan is transcended, this resentment energy will have nowhere to parasitize and become scattered—much easier to deal with. So if Zhuang Yan’s wish is to kill her whole family…”

“Then I’ll kill them.”

Pei Zichen understood and spoke with certainty.

Jiang Zhaoxue froze, looking over in surprise to see the young man’s expression calm in the night wind, saying placidly: “Master’s Wife needn’t take action.”

Listening, Jiang Zhaoxue felt somewhat confused: “Then why would you take action?”

“I’ll bear the karma.” Pei Zichen pressed his lips.

Jiang Zhaoxue was even more puzzled: “But I called for the executioner.”

Pei Zichen froze. Jiang Zhaoxue tilted her head looking at him: “Mortal matters—let the mortals handle it themselves. I only want to focus on one thing—”

“What matter?”

Pei Zichen calmed slightly, not turning back.

Jiang Zhaoxue looked at the young man’s profile. A thought suddenly flashed through her mind, and she spoke it aloud.

“This little face—it’s really tender.”