The Incident Ends, a Midnight Visitor

"..."

Lin Tianlu silently watched the radiance disperse, sighing inwardly.

I hope these murdered women will live happy lives in their next incarnations and never suffer such cruel harm again.

Buzz—

The jade pendant inside his robes seemed to stir. At the same time, the gray aura drifting around them gathered into a swirling mass and poured into it.

"Senior." Hua Shuya came over slowly, leaning on her sword, her expression complicated. "Has that evil ghost been slain?"

Lin Tianlu carefully checked the surroundings once more. "Reduced to ashes."

Hua Shuya breathed a sigh of relief.

But she soon lowered her eyes guiltily. "I hope Senior can forgive me. Despite receiving so much guidance and instruction, I still failed to kill that monster. Instead, I needed Senior to come rescue me personally. I have truly failed to live up to your painstaking cultivation."

"You've already done very well. There's no need to belittle yourself." Lin Tianlu smiled warmly. "As long as everyone's safe now, that's what matters."

Hua Shuya pressed her rosy lips together, her heart awash with mixed emotions.

If Senior hadn't arrived in time, she might already have suffered the same tragic fate... In that case, she would have incurred another debt of gratitude impossible to repay.

"But be more careful next time you go after thieves or the like. Don't fall into another encirclement trap." Lin Tianlu gave her a reminder.

"I'll remember your words, Senior!" Hua Shuya sheathed her sword and nodded solemnly.

The two exchanged a few hurried words before their gazes soon shifted to the black-haired girl slumped on the ground.

The girl now stared wide-eyed at Lin Tianlu, looking stunned and bewildered.

"Miss, are you all right?" Lin Tianlu stepped forward and was about to ask her a question.

"I..."

The black-haired girl parted her lips slightly and let out a trembling murmur. Her eyes drooped hazily, and her body swayed.

Lin Tianlu quickly reached out to support her, only then realizing that she had already fainted.

"Senior, this girl..."

"She was controlled by yin energy for a long time, so she's still rather weak. But at least she's alive." Lin Tianlu carefully lifted the black-haired girl into his arms, then glanced back at the residence of Li Manor.

"This matter has finally come to an end."

Half an hour later.

The authorities had taken over the stricken Li Manor. The once dark and gloomy residence was now brightly lit, with constables moving about from time to time.

"So something really did happen to Li Manor after all."

Having hurried over upon hearing the news, Tang Haifeng stood before the gates of Li Manor. As he watched corpse after corpse being carried out of the courtyard beneath white cloths, a trace of melancholy surfaced between his brows.

"My lord."

A constable beside him bowed. "There were fifty-one people in Li Manor. Li Yu's wives and concubines, along with the gatekeepers and servants, had all been dead for several days. As for everyone else in the household, their bodies were ice-cold and their consciousness unclear. Some of the men looked as though their vitality had been drained dry. After awakening from a deep sleep, they couldn't even stand steadily."

"Did you ask them what they experienced during this period?"

"Whenever these people bring it up, they become evasive and awkward. We made some indirect inquiries, and it seems to have something to do with Lady Xiao of Li Manor."

The constable lowered his voice. "When we deliberately mentioned that Lady Xiao was dead, every one of the men showed a strange expression—fear mingled with reluctant sorrow. This subordinate suspects there may have been illicit affairs involved."

Tang Haifeng frowned slightly. "And what of Li Yu?"

"Steward Li had probably been dead for around two days. The room was a complete mess. He seemed to have been drained dry and died from yang depletion. His death..." The young constable hesitated briefly. "It was truly gruesome."

Tang Haifeng shook his head when he heard that.

Such a tragedy must not be spread carelessly.

"I came in such a hurry that I still don't know which expert destroyed the ghosts in Li Manor."

"It was Master Lin and Miss Hua."

"As expected of him." Tang Haifeng's expression grew solemn. He instinctively straightened his collar. "Do you know where Master Lin is now?"

"Once our men arrived, the two of them had already left without a sound. However, Master Lin was carrying an unconscious young girl in his arms. Perhaps he took her to a medical hall to find a physician and treat her injuries."

"You didn't try to persuade them to stay and help?"

The young constable said anxiously, "Master Lin is kindhearted. He said he didn't want to disturb us while we investigated the case, and told us simply to conduct our inquiries and search carefully. His smile was gentle and amiable, and his manner was so modest that we didn't know how to persuade him to stay. By the time we came to our senses, the two of them had already slipped away."

Tang Haifeng stood with his hands behind his back, deep in thought, and couldn't help sighing inwardly. "Master Lin seeks neither wealth nor rank, and doesn't even covet the slightest credit. He was even concerned for all of you. Truly, he is a man like an immortal deity. Such great benevolence is a blessing for Changling."

The young constable's face showed a hint of agreement.

They had exchanged only a few words, but Master Lin had made him feel as though a spring breeze had brushed across his face, so gentle and refined was he. Only now did he understand why the neighbors were always singing his praises. With such lofty conduct, he was truly worthy of the title of master.

"Tomorrow morning, order the clerks to prepare some silver and deliver it to Master Lin's residence. Say that the county office wishes to express its gratitude..." Tang Haifeng thought for a moment, then quickly changed his wording. "No. Say that the people of the county wish to express their gratitude, and are presenting it to Miss Hua for her tireless efforts these past days and her merits in eliminating evil and punishing wickedness. It's merely a token gift from the county office and the people of the county."

"Yes!"

Watching the constable hurry away, Tang Haifeng discreetly wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

"Not being able to see Master Lin... I truly don't know whether I should be glad or sigh."

Remembering what had happened outside the Lin residence a few days earlier, he ultimately couldn't summon the courage to visit again.

It was now deep into the night.

The incident at Li Manor had not spread after all, and every part of the county lay silent.

Meanwhile, Lin Tianlu and the others had returned from seeking medical treatment.

The black-haired girl had no obvious injuries, but her identity was unknown, and she had no relatives or friends in the county. For now, they could only bring her home to recuperate.

Hua Shuya carefully settled the black-haired girl down, covered her with a thin quilt, and quietly withdrew from the room.

"The girl's origins are rather intriguing."

Lin Tianlu, who had been waiting outside the room, chuckled. "She's dressed in fine clothes, yet she clearly isn't from Changling County. Could she be the cherished daughter of some wealthy household who slipped out to have fun?"

"She's highly skilled in martial arts, so her identity is probably far from ordinary." Hua Shuya shook her head. "According to what the female ghost said, she encountered her by chance on the street."

"She certainly had rotten luck, running into such a wretched affair."

Lin Tianlu gave a helpless laugh, then turned his gaze toward the girl.

"Miss Hua, you should go rest early too. You were in danger just now, so you must have exhausted yourself."

"Mm..."

Hua Shuya answered softly.

But just as she turned around, her steps suddenly staggered. She clutched her forehead and groaned.

Lin Tianlu's expression changed, and he hurriedly supported her. "Miss Hua?!"

"Senior... I... I'm just a little sleepy..."

With a faint murmur, Hua Shuya leaned against his shoulder, her face weary with exhaustion. Within only a few breaths, she fell asleep.

Lin Tianlu was stunned for a moment, but then he understood...

In recent days, the girl had indeed been rushing all over Changling County from dawn until dusk. She had fought people one after another and battled ghosts in succession. Even a martial artist's body was not an inexhaustible well of strength; sooner or later, fatigue would catch up.

Looking at the beautiful girl sleeping peacefully in his arms, Lin Tianlu pondered briefly before gently lifting her and carrying her to the neighboring room to rest.

Now that the incident was over, she should be able to recuperate properly for a while.

Knock, knock, knock—

But just after he stepped out of the room, a sudden knock sounded from the courtyard gate.

Lin Tianlu let out a soft exclamation and hurried to the front courtyard to open it.

"Mr. Lin!"

An urgent voice rang out.

A swath of snowy-white hair drifted softly, and the hem of a skirt fluttered with the graceful figure.

Lin Tianlu had only just made out the visitor when Cheng Yishi rushed into his arms, her face full of worry. "I just heard from the coachman that something happened at Li Manor, and that Mr. Lin was caught up in it. Were you injured anywhere?!"

"Miss Cheng, please calm down."

Lin Tianlu gave an awkward laugh. "It was merely a ghost causing trouble at Li Manor. Miss Cheng should know that I have some skill at dealing with sinister entities. How could I have been injured?"

"Really?"

Cheng Yishi hurriedly looked him over from head to toe.

Only after confirming that he was unharmed did she pat her chest and let out a long sigh. "Thank goodness nothing happened."

Lin Tianlu chuckled and cupped his hands. "Miss Cheng's visit surely wasn't merely to check that I was safe, was it?"

"I originally intended to trouble you with a visit and ask for your guidance, but I heard the news along the way and lost my composure for a moment." Cheng Yishi's pretty face flushed. She took two small steps back and bowed. "I hope you'll forgive me, Master."

"With you being so worried about my safety, how could I..." Lin Tianlu abruptly stopped speaking, his pupils contracting.

Only then did he notice that there was, astonishingly, a large sack beside Cheng Yishi filled with—

Swords, spears, axes, and halberds?!

Under the moonlight, the cold weapons gleamed with shifting, icy radiance, making the sight frightening indeed!