Wooden House.
Wen Jiu lifted the lotus leaf from the sea bowl as usual and started to eat.
But as he ate, Wen Jiu couldn't shake the feeling that his sister Wen Ya seemed distracted today.
"Sis, how are things at the Xu Family?"
The words fell.
No response was received.
It wasn't until Wen Jiu called out again that Wen Ya seemed to awaken from a dream, "Ah... what did you say?"
Seeing this reaction, Wen Jiu put down his chopsticks and pursued, "Sis, are you being bullied at the Xu Family?"
"No, no," Wen Ya quickly shook her head, returning a smile, yet thinking about the matter from earlier and only felt more perplexed the more she thought. Those three might not only be unfriendly to my brother but may also harbor a grudge.
"Sis, if you don't tell me... then I won't eat." Wen Jiu firmly stated.
Just as Wen Ya hesitated whether to speak, Wen Jiu asked cautiously while gazing into Wen Ya's eyes, "Sis, if it's not the Xu Family, is it someone else? People from the Night Patrol Department? Or the Corpse Burier?"
Upon asking slowly.
Wen Jiu got the answer he sought.
Because as soon as the words Night Patrol Department and Corpse Burier were spoken slowly, Wen Ya clearly had a brief flash of surprise in her expression.
Hardly noticeable.
Vanished in a moment.
But he caught it.
"Mm-hmm." Seeing that her brother had keenly sensed it, Wen Ya quickly nodded, having found an answer herself.
It seems.
Those three have no good intentions.
Nor are they good people.
Wen Ya immediately revealed every concern about the incident outside and the purpose of those three's actions.
Wen Jiu suddenly realized.
A chill ran through his heart.
They even dared to target his sister.
Courting death!
"Sis, don't worry, I'll take care of it," Wen Jiu reassured the faintly anxious Wen Ya.
"Don't act impulsively."
Wen Ya reminded.
Wen Jiu nodded.
Impulsive?
Of course not.
But if some troubles are not resolved, they'll always be troublesome.
...
The next morning.
Wen Jiu came to the Corpse Remains Death Land.
He intended to act unaware, pretending not to know anything, and wait for a chance to act; however, as soon as he arrived at the Corpse Remains Death Land, he was surrounded by people who greeted him courteously, as if nothing had happened in recent days.
Just as Wen Jiu was about to inquire further, Wang Nian arrived and hurriedly called Wen Jiu aside.
"Kid... why don't you listen to advice and still want to join Ju Yitang?"
Wen Jiu was confused, "Brother Wang, when did I say I wanted to join Ju Yitang?"
Wang Nian's face darkened, "Isn't it being rumored outside that your sister is preparing to join Ju Yitang? Steward Xu has a grudge against Ju Yitang; if this word reaches the Xu Family, your sister's situation might..."
"Absolutely no such thing."
Wen Jiu's face darkened.
But he didn't immediately turn to look at Fang Zheng and the others.
It seems these three are trying to push him to a dead end. If this news reaches the Xu Family, who knows what Xu Family people will think.
But certainly wouldn't escape some sort of punishment.
Upon hearing Wen Jiu's words, Wang Nian also gradually realized, "Seems like Ju Yitang people are doing this intentionally... you should be careful. I've already contacted an elder and plan to visit him in a few days; if he can speak on your behalf, even if you're cultivating in the Heterodox Dao, you can become an Apprentice Disciple. Regarding your sister's matter, I will help you explain to Mrs. Xu."
"Thank you, Brother Wang."
Wen Jiu didn't ask more questions.
But was extremely grateful.
This favor.
Will truly be repaid.
"Go on."
Wang Nian was about to leave.
Wen Jiu promptly spoke up, "Brother Wang, could you lend me some silver to buy twenty or thirty pounds of Demon Beast Flesh?"
After all, he's already indebted.
Might as well owe a bit more.
Quickly enhance his Body Refining strength.
Then repay after becoming a Disciple of Deadman Peak.
...
Midnight.
Wen Jiu tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
Within he felt an unrelenting frustration.
"Can't sleep, absolutely can't sleep!" Wen Jiu immediately got up, stepping into the night, heading straight for the Corpse Remains Death Land.
Moments later.
One man and one corpse.
Disappeared into the darkness.
Like specters rushing toward the wooden house.
But they didn't return home.
Instead heading to the other side of the wooden house area, near the market side.
Fang Zheng and the others reside there!
He moved swiftly like the wind, even passing a Corpse Burier out at midnight without the latter sensing any anomaly.
Soon.
Wen Jiu saw the house of Fang Zheng and the others.
Unlike a typical wooden residence of Corpse Buriers, they lived in a small courtyard with blue tiles and red doors.
Though not large, it was complete with all necessities.
Standing beneath the wall, Wen Jiu could hear Fang Zheng and the others practicing, using the invisibility effect of the Three Rivers Ghost Concealment, Wen Jiu looked up to see them sitting in the courtyard discussing the Cultivation Technique under a lamp.
"I am slowly absorbing qi, and it takes all night to get just a thread of Spiritual Qi into the Dantian, how are you two doing?"
"About the same; though I'm slightly better, it's not much... I fear it will take a year to reach Qi Cultivation First Layer. Thinking back, Wen Jiu, that bastard, truly has an alarmingly good Heterodox Talent, reaching Qi Cultivation First Layer in a month."
"Quick as he may be, cultivating in the Heterodox Dao means dying fast too... but his sister does have quite the figure; if only one could savor it... hahaha!"
...
Hearing this sentence.
Wen Jiu felt a surge of murderous intent.
Brat!
You truly court death!
Wen Jiu immediately glanced at the Black Corpse, and a moment later, the Black Corpse revealed itself, gathering dark ghostly qi and charging into the courtyard. Killing three ordinary people, the Black Corpse found it exceedingly easy.
Yet just as the Black Corpse charged into the courtyard, a Yellow Talisman hanging under the eaves suddenly shone with golden light.
Boom——
A burst of golden light descended.
Striking the Black Corpse.
The three were startled.
"Ghost!"
Fang Zheng hurriedly retreated.
The other two followed suit, shouting, "Brother Li, Brother Li!"
The words fell.
A sudden opening of a door beside the courtyard's Good House revealed a Night Patrol Department disciple of Qi Cultivation First Layer quickly rushing out.
But as he appeared, the Black Corpse had already swept away one with ghostly qi, while the other was trampled into a dwarf by the Black Corpse's leap. Fang Zheng tried to escape, but abundant ghostly qi surged towards him.
Ah——
Accompanied by tortured, anguished screams, Fang Zheng was drained dry by black ghostly qi, becoming a shriveled corpse.
The three.
Died dreadful deaths.
Seeing the dire situation, the Night Patrol Department disciple of Qi Cultivation First Layer attempted to flee, but Wen Jiu wouldn't let him escape easily.
The Black Corpse surged forward.
Using Blood Transformation Body to block a spell and then employing Black Tiger Heart Stealer to thrust through his heart.
After completing all this.
Wen Jiu dared not touch the bodies, quickly leaving under the cover of Three Rivers Ghost Concealment.
The Black Corpse returned to Corpse Remains Death Land.
He went home.
One man and one corpse.
Swiftly vanished into the night.
Leaving only four bodies behind.
Along with abundant ghostly qi.
Moments later.
Households lit candles and lamps.
Rushing towards Fang Zheng's house.
Night Patrol Department disciples quickly arrived, pale-faced at seeing the four's dead condition and residual concentrated ghostly qi around, for appearance of Yin Soul Ghost Cultivator near Side Peak Market wasn't a small matter.
Meanwhile.
Wen Jiu lay in bed, unable to calm down.
Truth be told.
If Fang Zheng and the others hadn't extended their dark hand toward his sister, he really wouldn't have wanted to resolve the three so quickly.
Because Three Rivers Ghost Concealment could disguise the Black Corpse as a ghost cultivator, but their deaths would certainly invite Li Ye's investigation.
Regardless.
He would surely be investigated.
Yet Wen Jiu had no regrets.
After all, the trouble remains.
It will always be troublesome.
Besides, since the three had started spreading rumors, delaying resolution might lead to unforeseen trouble.
"Sleep, just sleep."
"Tomorrow will surely be lively."
The words fell.
Wen Jiu drifted into a deep sleep.
Troubles resolved.
Sleep soundly.
[Seeking monthly votes.
Recommendation votes.
See you tomorrow, fellow Daoists.
Oh, and Happy New Year to all!]