The Grudges Resolved, Rebirth Through Death

This astonishingly calm declaration caught Lin Tianlu completely off guard.

"Mister Lin, what do you mean?"

"Does Mister Lin know who was behind all of this?"

Cheng Yishi clasped her hands before her abdomen, her brows lowered as her hair fell around her face.

Lin Tianlu's thoughts raced, and the many doubts from before surfaced one after another.

"Could the rumors circulating among the common folk—the so-called eerie laughter and sounds of chopping meat—"

"I deliberately sent people to spread them in secret."

"Cheng Yanghua said they never made the slightest sound—"

"Cheng Xinyin's voice resembles mine, so I secretly used Spiritual Energy to imitate her voice."

"Why did they hide in the cellar, and why did you happen to trigger the mechanism and fall into the tunnel?"

"Beforehand, I specifically instructed them to hide in the cellar and wait quietly for this crisis to pass. As for the mechanism, I had people make it, so naturally I knew where it was."

One indifferent answer followed another, and Lin Tianlu's eyes flickered uncertainly.

So all these incidents had actually been caused by the woman before him.

"Why did you do such a thing?"

"I... only wanted to kill those two."

Cheng Yishi calmly spoke words that left everyone stunned.

Lin Tianlu's expression froze slightly.

After a long silence, he sighed. "Miss Cheng, you don't mind telling me the hidden details, do you?"

If she had truly only wanted to create murderous calamity, why would she now come forward and seek death?

"If Mister Lin wishes to know, I shall tell you everything I know. But the entanglement behind it must be traced back to the past."

Cheng Yishi remained kneeling on the ground and soon began recounting everything in a soft, unhurried voice:

"Cheng Yanghua... he was born into a poor Aristocratic Clan and had achieved nothing by the time he came of age. Only my infatuated mother remained devoted to him for years, willingly marrying beneath her station to become his wife. With my mother's financial support and guidance, he gradually established his business. Several years later, he became the famous 'Steward Cheng' known throughout Changling County."

"But my mother may never have known that Cheng Yanghua was arrogant and cruel by nature. Once he achieved success, his temper grew increasingly violent, and he repeatedly beat and abused others. From the time I was little, I often saw my mother covered in wounds. It was all because she had given birth to me instead of a son."

My poor mother was devoted and constantly anxious, wanting only to give birth to a son to carry on the Cheng Family's line. But—

Cheng Yanghua cruelly betrayed her.

Not long afterward, he openly took three concubines in succession and spent his days frequenting brothels, knowing nothing but pleasure and indulgence. He abandoned my poor mother in a cold woodshed, where she grew thinner day by day until she completely sickened and died after giving birth to Cheng Xinyin."

Cheng Yishi could not help clenching her hands, her breathing quickening.

"I can never forget the hatred born from my mother's tragic death!"

Lin Tianlu sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

Though it was a tragedy of human relations commonly seen in ancient times, from a modern person's perspective, it was even more commonplace.

But this man was truly an irredeemable scumbag, cruel enough to act with such viciousness.

Beside him, Hua Shuya seemed to share the same feelings. Her brows drew tightly together, and her eyes held a trace of sympathy.

"As for my younger sister, Cheng Xinyin—"

Cheng Yishi took a deep breath and continued, "Ever since childhood, my younger sister has been extremely withdrawn and unlike ordinary people. She hardly ever spoke with me. But a year ago, after Spiritual Energy entered my body and I began displaying faint supernatural abilities, they privately told me the truth.

"My younger sister is not a living person.

"She had actually died very early, from the moment she was born. She merely relied on human blood to gradually grow.

"At first, she only drank fresh human blood. But now she secretly hunts and harms people. This year in particular, her appetite has greatly increased. Relying on the family's wealth and influence, she recklessly killed innocent beggars in the town and county, capturing them as food.

"And all of this was aided by Cheng Yanghua. He only sought to borrow Spiritual Energy to live to a hundred years and possess endless vigor.

"After seeing Cheng Yanghua brutally kill a young beggar in the rear courtyard, I knew... those two were merely evil ghosts wearing human skin. Their sins were so grave that they no longer had any reason to remain alive in this world."

Cheng Yishi's tone was indifferent, but as she reached this point, a trace of melancholy appeared between her brows:

"Unfortunately, this matter could never be reported to the authorities. The constables and bailiffs had no power to contend with Cheng Xinyin. Her eerie methods, like those of a ghost, were far beyond the ability of ordinary martial artists. They would probably have their bones and tendons twisted apart and die horribly in a single exchange.

"Even if it could cause a temporary disturbance, Cheng Yanghua was no fool and would find a way to force the rumors down. Besides, he possessed considerable influence and connections in Changling County, with ties even to the other stewards and the authorities.

"So I could only endure it and secretly send people to gather information about capable and righteous individuals throughout the town, hoping that someone would come to the residence and put an end to everything.

"But I waited for a year and never found anyone. Yet—"

She raised her head slightly. Bright hope glimmered in her eyes as she looked at Lin Tianlu:

"The fire at the cloth shop let me learn Mister Lin's identity. Even if it was only an attempt, I immediately began making arrangements."

The rumors spread over the past few days damaged the family's business and successfully stirred Cheng Yanghua's irritation. She then used her identity as his daughter to offer a "strategy"—a method that would settle everything once and for all.

—She would personally invite Lin Tianlu, whose reputation was at its height, into the residence and have him carefully inspect the entire mansion to see whether he could find the presence of any wronged spirits or fierce ghosts.

As for Cheng Xinyin, she would hide in the most concealed place possible and restrain her presence, waiting until Lin Tianlu had finished his inspection.

As long as Lin Tianlu left without finding anything, the Cheng Family would be able to cleanse itself completely of the rumors and stigma. They might even enjoy several years, or even a decade, of peace without wasting any more effort manipulating public opinion.

Cheng Xinyin and Cheng Yanghua truly believed her.

And the final result was—

Everything settled exactly as Cheng Yishi had predicted.

One slash of the axe had severed the cause and effect of more than a decade of hatred and vengeance.

Lin Tianlu finished listening to her explanation, his expression somewhat heavy.

"Now that Mister Lin has heard the whole story, you should also know the sins I have committed in this life."

Cheng Yishi smiled as though mocking herself:

"I deliberately concealed the danger within the residence from the two of you, bringing calamity upon you. That is one crime.

"I secretly plotted to have my younger sister and my father killed. As a heartless and unfilial person, I have no face to remain alive in this world.

"For years, I witnessed one bloody tragedy after another, yet remained unmoved, coldly watching from the sidelines. That makes my sins even more grievous."

"And besides—"

Cheng Yishi let out a distant sigh. "Spiritual Energy entered my body years ago. I have already fallen into a demon-ghost creature like my younger sister."

As soon as her words fell, a frigid wind seemed to overflow from within her body. The cold gale howled, forcing Hua Shuya several steps back, though she wore an expression of reluctant pity.

Lin Tianlu's expression gradually calmed.

"—Do you regret it?"

"I do not... regret it."

After a brief hesitation, Cheng Yishi answered quickly. "Ever since I was little, I grew up alongside hatred. My lifelong wish was to avenge my mother.

"As for my younger sister—"

The corner of her mouth suddenly curled into a sinister smile, and killing intent seemed to solidify into blood-colored light in her eyes. "She was the one who killed Mother! If Mother had not given birth to that monster, she would never have grown weak and died!"

Lin Tianlu fell silent.

"..."

Cheng Yishi stood dazed for a moment, as if awakening from confusion.

But after realizing what she had just said, she soon gave a bleak, sorrowful laugh:

"Sure enough, evil thoughts have taken root in my heart... Mister Lin, do it."

As though she had stopped suppressing everything, her entire body began changing rapidly.

The color drained from her face until it was pale as paper. The nails on her ten fingers lengthened, while her black hair whitened from the roots. Evil patterns emerged, and her whole aura became bewitchingly sinister, like a demoness who could hook and steal souls.

One glance was enough for Lin Tianlu to understand.

This woman was about to lose control.

Having lived alongside fierce ghosts for years and remained immersed in Spiritual Energy, with her obsession so deeply rooted, her body had long since been eroded by it.

She could no longer be considered human, but was instead a living "ghost."

As Cheng Yishi had said, Lin Tianlu only needed to wave his hand lightly to erase her completely.

But—

Lin Tianlu sank into thought.

Was it right or wrong to obey her and destroy her?

When he had previously exterminated ghosts, it was because their hands were stained with countless lives and their crimes deserved death.

But the woman before him bore no sins of her own. She had merely been transformed into a ghostly creature after Spiritual Energy entered her body, making her different from ordinary people. Judging by the feelings that had appeared on her face just now, she clearly had not truly abandoned all attachment to the mortal world. Should he kill her simply because of a few agitated words?

Putting himself in another's place, that would indeed be improper.

Yet watching a precious life vanish inexplicably before his eyes would also be a pity and a lament.

Lin Tianlu's heart stirred. He felt a wondrous rhythm ripple out from within him, and slowly extended his right hand.

"Miss Cheng, then I shall make my move."

"I hope you can bury my remains in the rear courtyard behind the woodshed after I die." Cheng Yishi closed her eyes and gave a miserable smile. "Bury me together with my birth mother."

"Senior..."

Hua Shuya could not bear to watch this scene and was about to speak, but her beautiful eyes suddenly widened in shock.

Behind Senior, it was as though the phantom image of endless mountain ranges had appeared, surrounded by white mist like a paradise in the mortal world!

Countless strands of Spiritual Energy drifted out from the mountain illusion, winding and gathering into several emerald-green slender chains that coiled around his palm.

Lin Tianlu said no more. He brought his five fingers together and thrust them out.

Pfft!

Cheng Yishi's entire body trembled slightly. Her smile was complicated and impossible to describe, while tears slowly slid down her cheeks.

"So lonely... for my entire life—"

Her consciousness gradually sank, as though falling into a dream.

She felt that the sight before her was no longer dark and cold. Tranquil ripples of water quietly spread out, while the rosy afterglow dispersed the dim haze.

Looking into the distance, she saw a wondrous scene suddenly emerge. Immortal mist swirled, and mountains, rivers, and streams appeared one after another, forming scenery of breathtaking beauty. A melodious flute echoed in her ears, calming the restless strings of her heart. It was as though she were strolling through the wilderness and mountains, surrounded endlessly by a refreshing fragrance.

There was no deception or intrigue, and no need to continue exchanging false pleasantries with that father and daughter. Her heart felt empty and clear, and she had never before experienced such ease and tranquility.

Just then, a figure walked through the clouds and quietly arrived before her.

Cheng Yishi's vision was blurred, and she could no longer make out who had come. But the warm breath brushing across her face made a faint smile rise despite herself. She felt her entire body surrounded by clouds and mist, as though all the grime and vulgarity had been washed away.

If she could die carrying this warmth with her, then she would have no regrets in this life—

"..."

Yet the pain and death she had imagined never came.

As though awakening from a dream, Cheng Yishi opened her eyes in confusion. Looking down, she was astonished to discover that her body was completely unharmed.

Only wisps of gray mist drifted from her chest, twisted into an emerald-green chain, which Lin Tianlu swept away with his sleeve.