Resolving Karma, Life After Death

This incredibly calm and astonishing statement caught Lin Tianlu a bit off guard.

"Miss Cheng, what do you mean by this?"

"Sir, do you know who is responsible for all of this?"

Cheng Yishi clasped her hands in front of her abdomen, her eyes cast down, her hair falling forward.

Lin Tianlu's mind raced, and the previous confusions resurfaced one after another.

"Could it be that the rumors circulating in the marketplace, the so-called sounds of chopping meat with a sinister laugh—"

"I deliberately spread them myself."

"Cheng Yanghua said they didn't make a sound—"

"Cheng Xinyin and I have similar voices, so I secretly used yin energy to imitate the sounds."

"Why were they hiding in the cellar, and how did you happen to step on the mechanism and fall into the tunnel?"

"I specifically instructed them beforehand to hide in the cellar and wait for this storm to pass. As for the mechanism, I had it made myself, so naturally, I know where it is."

The series of calm replies made Lin Tianlu's eyes flicker uncertainly.

So, all these incidents were the work of the woman before him.

"Why would you do such a thing?"

"I just want to kill those two."

Cheng Yishi calmly uttered the shocking words.

Lin Tianlu was momentarily stunned.

After a long silence, he sighed softly, "Miss Cheng, I assume you don't mind telling me the hidden reasons behind this, do you?"

If she truly only wanted to commit murder, why would she come forward to seek death now?

"If you wish to know, sir, I will tell you everything. However, the entanglement of it all must be traced back to the past."

Cheng Yishi remained kneeling on the ground and soon began to narrate:

"Cheng Yanghua... he was born into a poor family and had achieved nothing by the time he reached adulthood. Only my infatuated mother, unchanging in her affection for years, still married him. With my mother's financial support and guidance, his business gradually took off, and after a few years, he became the well-known 'Steward Cheng' of Changling County."

"But perhaps my mother never knew that Cheng Yanghua was inherently arrogant and cruel. After achieving some success, his temper grew more volatile, and he frequently beat others. Since I was a child, I saw my mother covered in bruises many times. All because she gave birth to me, and not a son."

My poor mother, her heart consumed by worry and anxiety, only wished to give birth to a son to continue the Cheng family line. But—

Cheng Yanghua cruelly betrayed her.

He soon took three concubines openly, frequented brothels, and spent his days indulging in pleasure, extravagance, and debauchery. He cast my poor mother aside in a cold, damp woodshed. She grew thinner each day, and after giving birth to Cheng Xinyin, she finally died of illness."

Cheng Yishi couldn't help but clench her fists, her breathing quickening.

"I cannot forget the hatred for my birth mother's tragic death!"

Lin Tianlu sighed inwardly upon hearing this.

Although it was a common human tragedy in ancient times, from a modern perspective, it was all too commonplace.

However, this man was truly irredeemable scum, so cruel and vicious.

Hua Shuya beside him frowned as if empathizing, a look of sympathy in her eyes.

"As for my sister, Cheng Xinyin—"

Cheng Yishi took a deep breath and continued, "Since childhood, my sister has been extremely withdrawn and different from others. She never communicated much with me. But until a year ago, when my yin energy entered my body and I began to show some abilities, they privately told me the truth.

My sister is not alive.

In fact, she died very early from the moment of her birth, and only grew by consuming human blood.

At first, she only drank fresh blood, but now she has been secretly hunting and harming people. Especially this year, her appetite has greatly increased. Using her family's wealth and power, she has unscrupulously killed innocent beggars in the county town, bringing them back as food.

And all of this was facilitated by Cheng Yanghua, who sought to prolong his life and maintain his vigor indefinitely by borrowing yin energy.

After witnessing Cheng Yanghua cruelly kill a young beggar in the backyard, I knew... these two were merely demons in human skin. With such grave sins, they have no reason to exist in this world anymore."

Cheng Yishi's tone was indifferent, but as she spoke, a hint of melancholy appeared in her brows:

"It's a pity that this matter cannot be reported to the government office. The constables and constabulary are powerless against Cheng Xinyin. Her ghostly and terrifying methods are by no means something ordinary martial artists can contend with. I fear they would be dismembered and killed in an instant.

Even if a temporary disturbance could be created, Cheng Yanghua is not a fool. He would find a way to suppress public opinion. Moreover, he has considerable influence and connections in Changling County, even bribing other stewards and officials.

So, I could only endure, secretly sending people to gather information about capable individuals in the town, hoping someone would come to the mansion to end it all.

However, I waited for a year and never did. But—"

She slightly raised her head, her eyes looking at Lin Tianlu with a glimmer of bright hope:

"The fire at the cloth shop made me aware of Mr. Lin's identity. Even if it was just a trial, I took action."

The rumors spread in the past few days had damaged the family business, successfully irritating Cheng Yanghua. She then, in her daughter's capacity, offered a 'strategy,' a method that would solve everything once and for all.

—To actively invite the now notorious Lin Tianlu into the mansion, to thoroughly inspect the entire mansion, inside and out, to see if any vengeful spirits or fierce ghosts could be found within.

As for Cheng Xinyin, she would hide in a secluded place, suppress her presence, and wait until Lin Tianlu's inspection was complete.

As long as Lin Tianlu's visit yielded no results, the Cheng family could completely clear their name from the rumors and slander, and perhaps enjoy several more years, or even a decade, of peace, without having to waste their energy manipulating public opinion.

Cheng Xinyin and Cheng Yanghua truly believed her.

The final outcome was—

Just as Cheng Yishi had predicted, everything had settled.

One axe strike severed the karma and hatred of the past decade.

Lin Tianlu listened to her explanation, his expression growing somber.

"Since you've heard my story, sir, you must know the sins I've committed in this life."

Cheng Yishi chuckled, as if mocking herself:

"My first sin is deliberately hiding the dangers of your mansion, bringing disaster upon you.

Plotting in secret to kill my own sister and father, I am a heartless and unfilial person, with no face to live in this world.

Witnessing countless bloody incidents over the years yet remaining indifferent, observing with cold eyes, is an even deeper sin."

"Moreover—"

Cheng Yishi sighed softly, "I've had yin energy within me for many years, degenerating into a demonic ghost like my sister."

As soon as she spoke, a chilling wind seemed to overflow from within her. The cold wind howled, causing Hua Shuya, standing nearby, to retreat several steps, though her face showed a hint of pity.

Lin Tianlu's expression gradually calmed.

"—Do you regret it?"

"No... I don't regret it."

Cheng Yishi hesitated for a moment before quickly replying, "From childhood, I grew up with hatred. My lifelong wish has been to avenge my mother."

"As for my sister—"

A ferocious smile suddenly curved her lips, her eyes filled with killing intent that seemed to condense into a bloody light, "She's the one who killed Mother! If Mother hadn't given birth to that monstrous creature, she wouldn't have died so weakened!"

Lin Tianlu remained silent.

"..."

Cheng Yishi seemed to drift for a moment, as if waking from a daze.

But upon realizing what she had just said, she let out a desolate, sorrowful laugh:

"Indeed, evil thoughts arise... Mr. Lin, please proceed."

As if releasing all restraint, her entire being began to transform rapidly.

The color drained from her face, leaving it pale as paper. Her fingernails elongated, her dark hair turned white from the roots, and demonic patterns appeared, her entire aura becoming enchanting and sinister, like a seductive demon stealing souls.

Lin Tianlu understood at a glance.

This woman was about to lose control.

Constantly accompanied by fierce ghosts, immersed in yin energy, and burdened by such deep obsession, her body had long been eroded by the yin energy.

She was no longer human, but a living 'ghost'.

As Cheng Yishi had said, Lin Tianlu could now eliminate her completely with a simple wave of his hand.

But—

Lin Tianlu pondered in his heart.

Was it right to act and eliminate her as she requested?

He had previously eliminated ghosts because they were stained with blood debts, had harmed countless people, and their sins were punishable.

But this woman before him was without sin; she had become a ghost solely due to the infiltration of yin energy, making her different from ordinary people. Looking closely at the emotions that had just surfaced, she clearly hadn't completely lost all attachment to the world. Should he kill her just because of a few excited words?

Judging her by his own standards was indeed inappropriate.

However, it would be a pity and regrettable to see a precious life vanish for no reason.

Lin Tianlu's heart stirred. He felt a peculiar rhythm ripple through him as he slowly extended his right hand.

"Miss Cheng, I shall proceed then."

"I hope my remains can be buried in the backyard of the woodshed after I die," Cheng Yishi said with a bitter smile, closing her eyes. "Buried with my birth mother."

"Senior..."

Hua Shuya couldn't bear to witness the scene and was about to speak, but suddenly her beautiful eyes widened, her face filled with shock.

Behind Senior, phantom images of continuous mountain ranges seemed to appear, shrouded in white mist, like a human paradise!

Countless Spiritual Energy drifted out from the mountain illusion, entwining and condensing, transforming into several slender, emerald chains that coiled around his palm.

Lin Tianlu said no more, bringing his five fingers together and thrusting them forward.

Puchi!

Cheng Yishi's body trembled slightly. A complex, unutterable smile played on her lips as tears slowly streamed down her face.

"Ultimately, a lonely life—"

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

She only felt that the vision before her eyes was no longer dark and cold. Gentle ripples of water quietly spread out, and the rosy clouds dispersed the dim mist.

Looking around, she saw a sudden, wondrous sight. Immortal mists swirled, and mountains, rivers, and streams appeared before her eyes one by one. The scenery was extremely beautiful. A melodious flute melody echoed in her ears, calming her restless heart. It felt like walking through the fields and mountains, with a refreshing, lingering fragrance surrounding her.

There was no deceit or pretense, no need to play along with that father and daughter anymore. She felt a sense of emptiness and clarity in her heart, a peace and tranquility she had never experienced before.

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

Cheng Yishi's vision was blurry; she couldn't see who was coming. But the warm aura that brushed past her face couldn't help but bring a faint smile to her lips. She felt enveloped in clouds and mist, cleansed of all impurities.

If she could die with this warmth, she would have no regrets in this life--

"..."

But the imagined pain and death never came.

As if waking from a dream, Cheng Yishi opened her eyes with a hint of confusion. Looking down, she was stunned to find herself completely unharmed.

Only wisps of gray mist floated from her chest, twisting into a jade-green chain that Lin Tianlu flicked his sleeve and took away.

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