Everyone was startled at the strange sound, exclaiming in terror: “Did you hear that?”

“Y-yes, I heard it. Could it be that thing from the Water Pavilion coming after us? We can’t stay here—we must flee!”

The hall instantly erupted into chaos. Commander Chang led his guards to spread out quickly, checking the partition windows in the rear hall while shouting: “Wait! It might just be the wind. If we rush out recklessly, wouldn’t we be falling right into the villain’s trap?”

After speaking, he listened intently. The sound came from the back window rather than the front door—a long, low wail that was just the night wind rustling through the window paper.

“It’s just the wind from the back courtyard.”

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, but suddenly someone stood up and said: “It’s not the wind—that thing is coming for us. We must leave this place immediately.”

The crowd recognized Du Tinglan’s voice and froze: “Lady Du?”

Teng Yu’yi continued making signs in Du Tinglan’s palm. Du Tinglan cried out in panic: “Commander Chang, please lead the way quickly. If we don’t leave now, it will be too late!”

As she spoke, she pulled Teng Yu’yi toward the main door.

Just then, a voice cut through the darkness: “Commander Chang already said it was the wind. Why create unnecessary panic? That monster is lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity. Running outside would be falling right into its trap.”

It was Lu Zhao’an’s voice. Commander Chang said: “That makes sense. The fire starters still won’t light. Staying together here is safest. If we scatter, we can’t protect so many people.”

The guards, fearing the monster might slip in, hurriedly closed the door again. Fury blazed in Teng Yu’yi’s eyes. Little Cliff’s warning couldn’t be wrong—that thing was right outside the back window. If they delayed any longer, it would be too late.

But after Lu Zhao’an’s interference, everyone relaxed, including A’zhi, all sitting cross-legged in the hall again.

Teng Yu’yi’s heart burned with anxiety. In desperation, she gave Du Tinglan a light pinch. Du Tinglan, thinking it was a ghost pinching her, screamed without thinking: “Ahhhhh!”

The scream was so terrifying as if a ghost had grabbed her throat. Everyone was scared out of their wits: “Lady Du, what’s wrong?”

Du Tinglan’s heart was pounding hard enough to leap from her chest. Only after screaming did she realize it was Teng Yu’yi who had pinched her. This unexpected move was so convincing that no one could tell it was fake.

Du Tinglan felt both amused and exasperated—when pushed to extremes, her sister would do anything. Knowing there was no time to waste, she steeled herself and “screamed” again: “Ghost! There’s a ghost breathing in my ear! Quick, run!”

Before she finished speaking, Teng Yu’yi reached for the door bolt again. Everyone was trembling and shaking, with no time to think carefully, and scrambled to their feet in a panic.

Just as Teng Yu’yi was about to open the door, her heart suddenly went cold. The main door that had been easy to pull open earlier now seemed sealed shut. No matter how she pushed and pulled, it wouldn’t budge an inch.

The guards realized something was wrong and hurried to help pull the door. Though they all possessed internal energy, even their earth-shaking efforts couldn’t open it. After trying for a while without success, they switched to chopping with swords and kicking, but the door might as well have been made of gold and bronze—no amount of effort could open it.

The guards remembered Gu Xian and two other guards were still outside guarding the main gate, and shouted: “Young Master Gu!”

However, after calling several times, there wasn’t even the slightest sound from outside.

Cold sweat poured down everyone’s backs. Could something have happened to Gu Xian and the others? If only they had listened to the two ladies earlier and left—now no one could get out.

Commander Chang knew the situation was dire. He simply carried A’zhi on his back and commanded: “From this moment on, everyone guard a window and watch for that thing’s sneak attack.”

Teng Yu’yi could only curse the pitch darkness—otherwise, her piercing glare would surely have burned holes through Lu Zhao’an. After feeling around, she took out the talismans hidden in her person and wrote in Du Tinglan’s palm: Qingyun Temple talismans, come.

Du Tinglan understood immediately and hurried to help Teng Yu’yi paste talismans on the windows. The guards couldn’t help but ask in surprise: “What are these?”

Du Tinglan explained: “We don’t know if that female bandit is human or ghost, but she certainly knows evil arts. These are talismans my sister obtained earlier from Qingyun Temple. Pasting them on doors and windows might hold it off for a while.”

A’zhi was overjoyed: “Talismans from my brother’s temple? That’s wonderful! Lady Du, Lady Teng, can you give one to each of us?”

Teng Yu’yi took out the stack of talismans and weighed them—she hadn’t brought that many, but enough for one round. If there weren’t enough left, two people could share one.

Du Tinglan quickly called out: “Princess, please be patient while my sister and I distribute them.”

So one of them led guards to paste talismans on windows while the other busied herself distributing them to everyone.

A’zhi, Master Yu, and the young ladies each received one, while the young scholars had to share one between two people.

Lu Zhao’an shared one with a young scholar surnamed Hu. Hu spoke sincerely: “Senior Lu, please keep the talisman.”

Lu Zhao’an declined: “I’m a few years older than you all, so I should look after my juniors. You keep the talisman.”

Hu seemed to greatly admire Lu Zhao’an: “Senior Lu, you humble me. It’s only right for you to keep the talisman. If we unfortunately encounter danger, I’ll stand with Senior Lu.”

Lu Zhao’an fell silent, seemingly reluctantly accepting the talisman.

With the talismans, everyone felt much more at ease and said: “Thank you, ladies.”

Du Tinglan gently said no thanks were needed, then felt her way back to Teng Yu’yi’s side to help paste the remaining talismans.

After finishing the latticed windows on the east and west sides, Teng Yu’yi listened carefully. The strange sounds outside had stopped. She sighed in relief—though the talismans couldn’t warn of danger, they had some deterrent effect. Lin Chengyou and the others should return soon. If they could just hold out a while longer, they would be saved.

Just then, there was suddenly a knock at the main door.

Everyone startled. Commander Chang demanded: “Who is it?”

Gu Xian answered: “Commander Chang, it’s me. Quick, open the door.”

The guards were startled and hurried to open it: “Young Master Gu, please wait.”

Teng Yu’yi remembered how the lady in the gauze headscarf had met with disaster by opening the door without permission the previous night and rushed to stop them, but Commander Chang spoke first: “Young Master Gu, where did you go earlier?”

“The manor is pitch black, making it easy to fall while fleeing. I worried we might have missed someone, so after you all went in, I took Liu Mao and Liu Quan to search the area again.”

Commander Chang stood firm: “Young Master Gu is indeed thorough. Then… are Liu Mao and Liu Quan back?”

Someone outside immediately responded: “Commander Chang, Liu Mao, and Liu Quan are here.”

Commander Chang barked: “Your name is Li Mao—why do you call yourself Liu Mao?”

The person laughed bitterly: “Commander Chang, my surname is Liu, given name Mao. When did I become Li Mao? I remember Commander only had one jar of wine last night, how could you still be drunk?”

Commander Chang relaxed: “It’s them. Open the door.”

Teng Yu’yi remained vigilant, but the Little Cliff sword in her hand never grew hot, indicating the three outside were not evil spirits. So she no longer tried to stop them.

The guards opened the door, and sure enough, it was Gu Xian and the others.

Gu Xian held a night pearl in one hand while lifting his robes to enter the flower hall. The two guards called Liu Mao and Liu Quan followed closely behind with drawn swords.

As soon as the three entered, the guards quickly closed the door.

A’zhi said: “Brother Xian, I was so worried about you earlier.”

Gu Xian didn’t answer.

Teng Yu’yi’s whole body shuddered as she looked up to meet Gu Xian’s gaze. The night pearl in his hand gave off light without flame, clearly illuminating his expression. He stared at Teng Yu’yi with an ice-cold, eerie gaze. The two guards behind him were like wooden posts, smiles frozen on their faces.

Teng Yu’yi turned and ran. The guards by the door drew their swords in unison.

Commander Chang leaped backward with his qi: “Everyone run! There’s a side chamber on the east side of the main hall—hide there first!”

People shouted as they ran toward the east side. Teng Yu’yi’s mind was in chaos—that old man Little Cliff had deceived her! These three had clearly become puppets of evil spirits, why hadn’t he warned her earlier!

She ran for a while then suddenly stopped, using the night pearl’s light to tear down a bunch of talismans from the windows and stuff them messily into Du Tinglan’s hands.

Du Tinglan finally understood and shouted while running: “Everyone! If we hadn’t opened the door, they might not have been able to enter at all. This proves they fear the talismans on the doors and windows. Keep your talismans firmly in hand—don’t lose them!”

Everyone screamed in acknowledgment as they surged toward the east side chamber. The three with Gu Xian smiled in place, as if certain no one could escape.

Amid the chaos, someone suddenly knocked on the outer door again, urgently and heavily, as if they couldn’t wait to enter.

Liu Mao woodenly went to open the door. As it opened, a cold wind rushed in. In the dim night, a slender shadow fell across the steps—a woman, much shorter than Liu Mao and the others.

Everyone turned to look in their rush and immediately began chattering in terror.

“It’s… it’s that young lady from the Water Pavilion.”

“What lady? That’s a ghost!”

As they spoke, a small group had escaped into the east side chamber, while the rest, either too slow or too frightened, still hadn’t made it.

Teng Yu’yi and Du Tinglan hurriedly pasted talismans on the two doors of the side chamber. Du Tinglan called out while pasting: “It’s safest here! Hurry!”

Chang Rong delivered A’zhi to the side chamber and then led the guards back to help the remaining people. But suddenly Gu Xian and the others began pursuing people, causing those in the hall to flee aimlessly in terror.

The guards had nowhere to retreat and could only steel themselves to face the enemy. Their weapons seemed to hit wood, followed by piercing screams, each more heart-rending than the last.

A’zhi said fearfully: “Uncle Chang, you’re no match for her. Brother should be here soon—you should come in too. We just need to survive this moment.”

Commander Chang shouted: “Follow the Princess’s orders—to the side chamber first!” While directing his subordinates to flee, he tucked the slow-moving Master Yu under his arm. Using his martial skills, he made several trips back and forth, delivering the stragglers one by one to the side chamber.

Just as Teng Yu’yi closed the door, someone said: “Wait, we’re missing a few people.”

From outside came Scholar Hu’s frightened voice: “Senior Lu, Senior Lu! We share one talisman, and it’s still in your hands—wait for me!”

“Oh no, we left out some young masters.” Someone inside fretted.

Teng Yu’yi was closest to the door and quickly opened it again. In the flower hall, she saw a dim glow—the light from Gu Xian’s night pearl.

In this light, she saw two scholar-like figures fleeing toward them. Lu Zhao’an ran in front, disheveled and panting heavily. Behind him was Scholar Hu, seemingly using every ounce of strength. Behind them were the three with Gu Xian.

As Lu Zhao’an’s foot crossed into the side chamber, “Gu Xian” was already pursuing right behind Scholar Hu. Lu Zhao’an turned to look and was scared witless. He grabbed the chamber door with both hands, intending to shut both Scholar Hu and the evil spirits outside.

Scholar Hu’s eyes widened: “Senior Lu!”

Lu Zhao’an bit his lip—if he didn’t close the door now, he would also fall victim. Blaming Scholar Hu for running too slowly, he moved to shut the door without another word. Unexpectedly, someone kicked him hard in the behind, sending him tumbling back into the flower hall.

As Lu Zhao’an fell, he turned back in shock to look. The side chamber was dark as lacquer—he couldn’t tell who had kicked him. He only remembered glimpsing what seemed to be a young lady standing in the doorway during his escape, but the kick had been too fast for him to see who it was.

Before he could get up again, his collar suddenly tightened as someone forcefully slammed him to the ground. Meanwhile, “Liu Mao” had caught Scholar Hu.

Scholar Hu wailed in despair—he had been just one step away from safety, but Young Master Lu had blocked him outside. There seemed no escape now; surely blood would spray three feet high. Suddenly, a paper ball flew from the side chamber, striking “Liu Mao’s” headpiece. “Liu Mao’s” expression flickered slightly, and he slowly released his grip.

Immediately someone ran over, tucked Scholar Hu under their arm, and carried him into the side chamber.

“Lady Teng’s method works well—the evil spirits seem to fear these talismans rolled into balls.”

Scholar Hu was overjoyed to discover his rescuer was Commander Chang.

As soon as Commander Chang rescued Scholar Hu, he moved to close the chamber door. But someone inside trembled and said: “Wait, it seems Young Master Lu is still trapped outside.”

“Young Master Lu? Didn’t he enter before Scholar Hu?”

“He seemed to run too hastily and lost his balance, accidentally falling back out.”

Commander Chang started, setting down Scholar Hu and saying: “Then I’ll go out and check. I’ve given away all my talismans—Lady Teng, do you have any left?”

Teng Yu’yi wrote in Du Tinglan’s palm: None left.

Du Tinglan knew this might not be true. Others might not know what had happened, but she had seen it clearly—Lu Zhao’an had been kicked out by Yu’yi. How could Yu’yi be willing to give Lu Zhao’an talismans to use?

Teng Yu’yi quickly wrote again in Du Tinglan’s palm: Don’t go out no matter what.

Du Tinglan bit her lip, understanding that Yu’yi wanted Commander Chang to protect himself and not worry about Lu Zhao’an’s fate.

She cleared her throat and tried to persuade Commander Chang: “Commander Chang, that ‘female ghost’ is in the flower hall, and those three seem possessed. Going out alone now may not save anyone—you might get hurt yourself. The Young Master will be back soon anyway, better to wait a bit longer.”

Chang Rong had the same concerns. If he too became trapped, the Princess’s group would be left leaderless. But if they didn’t save Lu Zhao’an, it would inevitably damage Prince Cheng’s manor’s reputation.

So even knowing that going out would certainly result in casualties, for the sake of “righteousness,” they couldn’t just sit and watch.

He thought for a moment, then pasted a talisman on his blade: “No matter. Tonight’s situation isn’t too bad—at least Lady Teng brought Qingyun Temple’s talismans. Just pasting this talisman on the blade should let me return safely.”

In his early years following the Prince and Princess of Cheng, he encountered many hair-raising supernatural incidents. Though Chang’an had been peaceful in recent years, the old Daoist master and young Young Master had never been idle.

Speaking of the Young Master, he was like a demon star descended to earth—all the children in Chang’an combined couldn’t match his mischief. Yet Master Qingxu the Daoist loved his disciple like a treasure, wanting to pass on all his life’s learning.

During the day, the Young Master studied talisman writing and illusions at the Daoist temple. After returning to the manor, he still wasn’t idle—if he wasn’t catching small ghosts and spirits to play with, he was digging in the manor grounds for rats. Playing alone wasn’t enough; he forced the servants to join him. The servants couldn’t escape and complained endlessly.

Having seen much over the years, Commander Chang had picked up some superficial knowledge of mystical arts. He stuck the talisman to his blade and leaned against the door to listen carefully.

In the flower hall, Lu Zhao’an’s wails could still be heard at first, then suddenly all fell silent. He might have already fallen into the monster’s hands—if they didn’t go out to save him now, it would be too late.

Just as he was about to open the door, an eerie sound of fingernails scratching came from outside.

Everyone was terrified—that thing had come again! Weren’t the doors covered in talismans? How could that thing not fear them at all?

“Click-click-click,” “click-click-click”—someone’s teeth were chattering. Fear like ice water instantly flooded over everyone’s heads. Several timid young ladies, unable to bear the torment, swayed and fainted.

Chang Rong realized how dire the situation was and said gravely: “No more going out to check. This thing is trying to lure us out. Now we can only hold firm in this room—survive as long as we can, moment by moment.”

Everyone huddled together: “Right, right, the door has talismans, the female ghost shouldn’t be able to break in. Let’s not move around in here—just hold out until the Young Master returns.”

“Quick, who still has talismans? Hand them all over to paste up together.”

People in the room hurriedly handed over their talismans, and soon all the door cracks and small windows were sealed.

The door was made of cypress, extremely thick and solid, but each of the two doors had a small frame covered with gauze, and the cracks were large enough to insert a finger. A cold wind blew from somewhere, and it suddenly became freezing in front of the door.

Cold sweat kept running down Teng Yu’yi’s back. Useless—these talismans could only hold back things like “Gu Xian,” but were powerless against the corpse spirit. The reason it hadn’t entered yet was simply that it wanted to torment them more.

From the moment Prince Cheng’s manor fell into darkness, everyone’s will had been gradually destroyed. Look at their state now—how like birds trapped together in a cage.

The corpse spirit toyed with them from outside the cage, deliberately stopping when tired of playing, letting those inside think they had escaped. But as soon as they ran out, they would discover they had only fled into a larger cage.

Probably the only surprise of the night for the corpse spirit had been Gu Xian. He carried a night pearl—light meant courage. The corpse spirit didn’t want people to see their surroundings clearly, so it had first taken control of Gu Xian’s mind.

She bit her lip. No wonder Little Cliff was so wary of the corpse spirit. Though it appeared as a young girl, it was more troublesome than the world’s most evil demons. Little Cliff’s earlier failure to warn must have been because he had already guessed their current predicament.

She drew the Little Cliff sword and wrote in Du Tinglan’s palm: Have Commander Chang protect me.

Du Tinglan pondered carefully, then said softly to Commander Chang: “My sister says she has a way to deal with the monster, but please make sure to protect her. Whatever she does, don’t stop her.”

Chang Rong was filled with doubts—what did this mean? Then he remembered that even the talismans had come from this Lady Teng, figuring she must have some real abilities, so he agreed.

The disturbance outside suddenly grew louder. The young woman seemed to be getting impatient, first scratching around with her long fingernails, then reaching through the door crack. Like a child playing hide-and-seek, she began flicking at the talismans inside one by one.

Teng Yu’yi hesitated no longer and thrust her sword into the crack.

The people in the room huddled together in fear. Having been in darkness so long, their senses had become extraordinarily acute. Vaguely seeing Teng Yu’yi’s movement, they hurriedly tried to stop her: “Lady Teng, what are you doing?”

Teng Yu’yi had no time to explain to everyone. Her sword thrust directly at the corpse spirit’s fingers, though she cursed that the thing had managed to dodge. She was concentrating on discerning the corpse spirit’s sounds, hoping to strike more accurately next time, when she suddenly heard movement at the right gauze screen. She quickly turned the sword tip and thrust forcefully again.

To the others, this action looked like deliberately destroying the talismans on the door. The people in the room couldn’t stay calm. Though Commander Chang had agreed to protect Teng Yu’yi, he couldn’t help but be puzzled: “Lady Teng, you’re tearing up all the talismans—how will we ward off the evil spirits outside?”

Du Tinglan hurried to explain: “My sister’s sword is a Daoist magical weapon that has always been effective in driving away evil spirits. She’s using this sword for temporary defense, probably because she feels the talismans can’t hold back that female ghost anymore.”

The people in the room grew more agitated: “Nonsense! Without Qingyun Temple’s talismans, how could we take refuge in this room? You claim some unknown sword is a Daoist weapon while recklessly destroying life-saving talismans—what are you trying to do? You have evil intentions!”

Du Tinglan was stunned—she wasn’t sure if it was just her imagination, but she vaguely felt something was wrong with these people.

Someone else said angrily: “I know now—this Lady Teng acts suspiciously. She might already be under the monster’s control. Watch out, she’s destroying the talismans! Stop her quickly. No, she intends to harm us—we should restrain her first!”

“Right, she might have become the female ghost’s puppet just like Young Master Gu.”

Du Tinglan’s heart pounded violently. She quickly called out: “Commander Chang, don’t forget you just promised to protect my sister!”

Just then, someone reached out to grab Teng Yu’yi, but Commander Chang blocked them. He said sternly: “What are you doing?! Lady Teng has been in the room the whole time—how could she have become a puppet? Why are you all acting possessed, turning against our people first?!”

But everyone’s reactions were already out of control: “Commander Chang, don’t be fooled by her—she’s clearly in league with that monster!”

“That’s right, at this rate she’ll be the death of us all!”

“Kill her, or none of us will survive!”

Though Teng Yu’yi’s attention was on the door outside, her mind never stopped working. Hearing the room suddenly erupt in chaos, she was shocked at how quickly these people had lost their minds—it must be connected to the corpse spirit outside.

It seemed the corpse spirit truly feared the Little Cliff sword, or why would it drive everyone to turn against her?

At this point, she could only gamble on Commander Chang’s character. As Prince Cheng’s manor’s trusted right-hand man, if he could keep everyone steady, that would be best. If even he was bewitched, then no one would escape.

The thing outside continued to linger. Teng Yu’yi tried to clear her mind and thrust a third time, but chaos had already broken out behind her. Even guards reached for her: “What are you waiting for? We must eliminate her!”

Commander Chang was startled and used his sword hilt to block them: “Have you all gone mad?! If Lady Teng had ill intentions, the side chamber door would have been opened long ago—why would you need to shout about killing her behind her back?”

Unexpectedly, a guard suddenly punched toward Commander Chang’s face: “Ha! Looks like you’re suspicious too. You’re all evil spirits—if you keep blocking us, we won’t spare you either!”

Commander Chang was both shocked and angry. He blocked with his sword on the left while delivering a slap with his right hand: “Open your dog eyes and see who I am! You’ve all lost your minds! I see the monster doesn’t need to lift a finger—we’ll tear each other apart ourselves.”

The person seemed stunned by the slap and finally lowered his arm. But soon others lunged forward: “Enough talk! Kill her!”

Amid the chaos, even the elderly Master Yu spoke up shakily: “Kill her, *cough cough*, kill her.”

Du Tinglan was powerless to control the situation, her legs going weak. But Teng Yu’yi remained stone-cold calm. She didn’t know why Commander Chang hadn’t been bewitched, but it seemed he could hold out for a while. The corpse spirit outside was deliberately playing games with her, and she was also patiently waiting for the perfect moment.

The corpse spirit’s voice was no different from an ordinary young girl’s. She muttered as if complaining about something, lazily placing her hand on the chamber door, then suddenly withdrawing it. Probably finding this game amusing, she kept letting out clear, crisp laughter, trying several times in succession, deliberately toying with Teng Yu’yi.

Each time Teng Yu’yi was a step too late, she pretended to stamp her foot in anger. The thing, noticing her frustration, seemed quite pleased.

To make her anger more convincing, Teng Yu’yi deliberately missed striking the corpse spirit while recalling how Lin Chengyou had betrayed her. Thinking about how he had rendered her unable to speak made her fury rise naturally.

After several probing attempts, the corpse spirit finally gathered enough patience. It unexpectedly tore through the gauze screen, reaching for Teng Yu’yi’s chest. But this time, Teng Yu’yi moved with unprecedented speed, thrusting her sword directly at the thing’s hand.

“Die!”

The corpse spirit dodged just in time but still suffered a cut. In pain, it let out a series of cries. A ghostly wind swept past the door, then all fell silent again. Even the lingering, heart-stopping chill that had permeated the room disappeared.

Teng Yu’yi breathed heavily. The thing’s power was extraordinary—one stab wouldn’t diminish its abilities. It retreated only because this was its first encounter with a magical weapon like the Little Cliff sword. Once it figured things out, it would surely return. At least they had bought some time—she could only hope Lin Chengyou would return soon.

But before she could catch her breath, someone reached for her from behind: “Commander Chang, didn’t you see? She broke the door—she’s in league with the monster! Quick, kill her!”

Though the corpse spirit had retreated, the people in the room grew increasingly agitated. Commander Chang and Du Tinglan struggled to hold back ten opponents at once, gradually becoming overwhelmed.

In desperation, Du Tinglan shouted: “Didn’t you hear? Just now when the monster tried to enter, my sister stopped it!”

Commander Chang bellowed: “You’ve all lost your minds completely! Put down your weapons—don’t force me to teach you a lesson!”

A guard swung his sword at Commander Chang again: “I understand now—you’re also the monster’s puppet! Fine, we’ll kill you first, then her!”

Others also rolled up their sleeves and raised their fists, ready to overwhelm the three people blocking the door.

“Stop!” someone suddenly shouted. “Have you all gone mad enough?”

When this person spoke, the room froze—the voice was clear and innocent, unmistakably Princess A’zhi.

A’zhi struggled through the crowd to Teng Yu’yi’s side and said anxiously: “I heard very clearly—the female ghost was harassing us from outside, and Lady Teng stopped it. If she were the ghost’s ally, why would she block it instead of simply letting it in?”

The crowd was quiet for only a moment before erupting again: “Princess, you’re confused—”

“I’m perfectly clear-headed—you’re the confused ones!” Princess Jingde spread her arms in front of Teng Yu’yi. She was still young, not very tall, and rather round. Even standing as straight as she could, trying to look imposing, she wasn’t very intimidating.

“I dare you to try anything! While I’m here, no one touches Lady Teng!”

As she was the manor’s young mistress, the guards retained an instinctive protectiveness toward Princess A’zhi even in their confused state. Though they didn’t lower their weapons, at least they stopped rushing forward.

Princess A’zhi sighed in relief and turned to quietly ask Teng Yu’yi: “Lady Teng, do you know Daoist arts? How did you drive away the evil spirit?”

Only after asking did she remember Teng Yu’yi couldn’t speak and grew anxious. Suddenly she felt a soft hand grasp hers, writing in her palm: Don’t be afraid, A’zhi.

A’zhi was startled—she had only met Lady Teng twice, how did she know her nickname was A’zhi? Using it so naturally… perhaps she had heard her brother call her that earlier at the Water Pavilion.

Despite her puzzlement, she didn’t forget to reply: “Don’t be afraid either, Lady Teng! Focus on dealing with the female ghost—I’ll watch them!”

Teng Yu’yi had been tense, but these words suddenly moved her heart. The connections between people were sometimes inexplicable—in her previous life, she and A’zhi had clicked instantly, and in this life, they seemed strangely entangled again. She wrote once more in A’zhi’s palm: Don’t be afraid, A’zhi.

She then focused on listening for movement outside. With A’zhi’s intervention, the room had quieted somewhat, but before long, the ghostly wind rose again outside.

Teng Yu’yi gripped the Little Cliff sword tightly while considering her options. She had exhausted all delaying tactics and cursed Lin Chengyou’s continued absence. The corpse spirit seemed thoroughly prepared this time, no longer toying with the gauze screens. Unable to predict its next method of attack, Teng Yu’yi broke out in a cold sweat.

Suddenly, a flash of insight struck her as she glanced at A’zhi beside her. She had found it strange—when the corpse spirit bewitched the people in the room, regardless of age, all had lost their minds. Even learned scholars like Master Yu and Zheng Shuangyin had been among those screaming for her death. Only Princess A’zhi and Commander Chang had maintained their clarity.

Could they be carrying Daoist magical items that could resist the corpse spirit’s influence? Such items would be no ordinary devices. It wouldn’t be surprising for Lin Chengyou, who was extremely protective of his people, to give such treasures to those close to him.

After some thought, she quickly wrote a message in A’zhi’s palm.

A’zhi promptly asked Commander Chang: “Uncle Chang, did brother give you something for protection?”

Chang Rong started, then felt around his neck and soon removed a small embroidered pouch: “A talisman the Young Master drew as a child, placed in this pouch and given to me to wear daily, saying it would ward off evil spirits. I’ve grown so used to wearing it over the years that I never took it off.”

So that was it—as Lin Chengyou’s sister, A’zhi must also wear such a protective talisman. Teng Yu’yi wrote: Quietly tell Commander Chang to throw this object out when I make my move.

She knew the corpse spirit’s evil nature wouldn’t let it be caught off guard by the Little Cliff sword a second time. Whether they could buy more time would depend on how effective this item proved to be.

A’zhi stood on tiptoe to whisper instructions in Commander Chang’s ear.

Commander Chang acknowledged with a sound.

Teng Yu’yi nodded and deliberately slashed through all the gauze screens on the door. This allowed the faint light from the night pearl in the flower hall to stream through the holes on both sides.

The corpse spirit lingered outside, whimpering. Unlike before, it seemed to lack patience this time. Seeing Teng Yu’yi ready to strike, they placed both hands on the door frame. With a series of creaking sounds, it slowly crushed the door to powder.

Teng Yu’yi bit her lip. Without his protective talisman, Commander Chang probably couldn’t hold out much longer, but that was still better than everyone immediately dying at this monster’s hands.

She deliberately created an opening, making her sword tip tremble as she thrust directly at the corpse spirit’s right claw. The corpse spirit, as if anticipating this, suddenly withdrew its right claw while giggling and reaching out with its other hand to grab Teng Yu’yi.

Teng Yu’yi barely pulled back in time and lightly kicked Commander Chang. As agreed, Chang Rong threw out the embroidered pouch. The thing was fully focused on dealing with Teng Yu’yi’s Little Cliff sword and didn’t expect anyone else to dare attack it.

Commander Chang had put his full internal energy into the throw. The pouch flew like a shooting star, striking the corpse spirit squarely in the face. With a splat, the corpse spirit’s flesh erupted with a putrid stench. Seemingly unable to bear the pain, it quickly retreated.

Teng Yu’yi, Commander Chang, and the others all breathed huge sighs of relief. The talisman had proved very effective, buying them more time. They could only hope Lin Chengyou would return quickly.

As it fled, the corpse spirit let out a young girl’s crying sound, as if suffering endless grievance. The melody was sorrowful and lingering.

One cry after another pulled at people’s heartstrings.

As the crying drifted in, the guards’ eyes grew blank: “Get out of the way and let us kill her!”

A’zhi commanded: “Dare to act recklessly again, and I’ll have my brother punish you severely!”

A guard said: “Princess, it seems you’ve also been bewitched by the monster. Then don’t blame us for being discourteous.”

As they moved to attack, Commander Chang was horrified and raised his palm to strike the guard. Suddenly the back window burst open as someone leaped in.

The person held a crystal lamp and kicked the guard in the chest, saying harshly: “Scared by a monster into not recognizing your own master?!”

The guard was kicked hard and fell back messily, taking down many others with him. Everyone looked up in confusion. The fire starters that had refused to light earlier were easily lit by the newcomer. The crystal lamp in Lin Chengyou’s hand blazed brilliantly, instantly illuminating every corner of the room.

A’zhi’s eyes lit up, and she cried out in joy: “Brother!”

The guards shook their heads, their eyes suddenly clearing: “Young Master.”

Teng Yu’yi let out a huge sigh of relief—this fellow had finally arrived.

Lin Chengyou’s face was frost-like, his gaze cold and stern. He quickly pulled A’zhi to him, as if needing to confirm his sister was unharmed.

Juesheng and Qizhi jumped in right after: “Masters, over here, please hurry!”

The two landed one after another, nearly losing their balance when they didn’t expect so many people in the room: “Senior Brother!”

Lin Chengyou tossed the crystal lamp to Juesheng and kicked open the side chamber door: “Give these fools some talisman soup to drink—they don’t even recognize their young master anymore.”

Juesheng and Qizhi took out talismans and hurried to work: “Senior Brother, the five Daoist masters from Dongming Temple were right behind us, but suddenly disappeared.”

“Obviously—they used the front door.”

Just as he finished speaking, the sound of many footsteps came from the flower hall, and someone called out dramatically: “Aiya, terrible! The Golden-Robed Young Master led us in circles—the corpse spirit came straight to Prince Cheng’s manor!”

Lin Chengyou’s face was like frost as he unfurled the Soul-Locking Beast in his hand.

A’zhi’s face filled with fear, and she quickly grabbed Lin Chengyou: “Brother, that thing is in the flower hall! It tried to break into the side chamber to harm people several times. Thanks to Sister Teng’s magical weapon stopping it, it didn’t succeed.”

Lin Chengyou glanced at Teng Yu’yi and saw her face was pale as she gripped the Little Cliff sword tightly. Looking at the two kicked-in chamber doors, he could see the claw marks.

“It must think it hasn’t spent enough years underground and can’t wait to be kicked back into its grave. Don’t worry—however it scared you all earlier, I’ll return the favor double.”

Not trusting anyone else to watch A’zhi, he carried her on his back himself and leaped out.