"What? He's back?"
In the Qian household, Chief Clerk Zhong's teacup slipped from his hand and crashed to the floor as he chatted merrily with Old Master Qian. He stared at the steward who had delivered the news, utterly stunned.
Old Master Qian, however, remained calm. He took a sip of tea and said, "Chief Clerk, don't panic. This was merely something I did on a whim. Kong Wu isn't brainless. How could he possibly do something that would send him to his death? He probably spent the night at the foot of the mountain and came back."
Chief Clerk Zhong's expression was ugly as he shook his head. "If he were truly such a timid coward, I wouldn't be so helpless against him. Master Zhou, can a mortal really deal with evil spirits?"
Across from him, Master Zhou opened his eyes and shook his head firmly. "Impossible!"
Although he had obtained the assurance of a cultivator, Chief Clerk Zhong still couldn't relax. His face was full of irritation.
"Even if he really dealt with the matter on White Cloud Mountain, so what? It's perfectly proper for the chief clerk to order a constable to handle a task. Could he really come straight to you for revenge?"
Old Master Qian offered a word of comfort, then continued, "Besides, Master Zhou's senior brother will be arriving soon. Since the evil spirit at White Cloud Temple can't deal with him, then..."
He did not finish, but Chief Clerk Zhong already understood his meaning.
These past few days, he had often come to the Qian household to talk, and had long since learned from Master Zhou that his senior brother was an expert in the Foundation Establishment Realm.
Kong Wu's existence made all the prominent families in Qingshan County feel uneasy. Now that they had invited an expert in the Foundation Establishment Realm, dealing with a mortal while resolving the matter at White Cloud Temple would be no trouble at all.
At that thought, Chief Clerk Zhong's heart finally settled.
Seeing this, Old Master Qian smiled. "We haven't offended him. Surely he can't come knocking on our door in broad daylight, can he?"
Chief Clerk Zhong nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "Old Master Qian, your foresight is truly admirable."
The same news reached the rear residence of the Qian household. Qian Zhenghao's eyes widened as he abruptly sat up, accidentally pulling at his broken leg and immediately letting out a howl of agony.
After howling for a while and recovering, he thought for a moment before hurriedly calling over his pageboy.
Not long afterward, Old Master Qian, who was drinking tea and chatting in the front hall, heard a servant's hushed report. He rose in confusion and said, "Chief Clerk Zhong, Master Zhou, I have some matters to deal with. Please continue chatting. Lunch has already been prepared. I recently acquired a fine jug of wine, so we can savor it properly at noon."
With that, he headed toward the rear residence.
As soon as he arrived, he saw his precious grandson lying on a stretcher and directing servants as they moved things around.
"What are you doing?"
Hearing Old Master Qian's voice, Qian Zhenghao instinctively shuddered. Stammering, he said, "Well... I've been staying at home for some time, and I'm worried about my studies. I want to return to the provincial capital and continue learning."
Since when did you become so fond of studying?
Old Master Qian knew his own grandson all too well. How could he not know the boy's habits? Thus, he asked, "Your leg hasn't healed yet. Why are you in such a hurry?"
"Well... There are better physicians in the provincial capital. I thought I could receive better treatment there."
"Qian Zhenghao!"
Seeing his grandson still trying to joke his way out of it, Old Master Qian realized that something was wrong. He immediately shouted, "Speak! What trouble have you gotten into this time?"
Qian Zhenghao was startled by Old Master Qian's solemn expression. He said miserably, "I didn't expect him to come back! Didn't you all say he was sure to die on that trip?"
Hmm?
Old Master Qian froze for a moment, then immediately understood whom he meant.
"What did you do?"
When Qian Zhenghao saw that he could no longer hide it, he simply told the truth.
"I sent someone to bring Miss Li back..."
"Who is Miss Li?" Old Master Qian interrupted, his expression displeased.
"Kong Wu's neighbor."
"You!"
Old Master Qian pointed at Qian Zhenghao, furious that he could not live up to expectations. He wanted to give him a thorough scolding, but seeing his pitiful appearance, he could only sigh.
"Have someone explain everything clearly to Kong Wu. As for Miss Li, you'll formally marry her. The wedding will be held tomorrow. Where is she? I'll speak with her."
Since it had already been done, they could only find a way to settle it.
Master Zhou's senior brother would still need some time to arrive. For now, they absolutely could not let Kong Wu find anything he could use against them.
Thinking this, Old Master Qian looked toward Qian Zhenghao, only to find him shaking his head. His anger immediately flared.
"Good-for-nothing! You cause trouble and don't even realize it. It's only taking a concubine—are you still unwilling?"
But Qian Zhenghao stammered, "No... I sent someone, but she didn't come with them..."
"Then what are you afraid of?" Old Master Qian asked, puzzled. Since when had his grandson become so easygoing? Had the girl refused to come, and he had actually let her go?
But Qian Zhenghao's next words made Old Master Qian's vision go black. He nearly dropped dead on the spot.
"She jumped into a well and ended her life."
At that moment, Kong Wu stood in the neighboring courtyard, silently staring into the deep well.
After returning home, his keen sense of smell had caught a trace of rot drifting from next door.
His keen hearing had also detected no movement at all from the neighboring house.
He leaped into the neighboring courtyard and followed the stench of decay to the well.
His vision, far beyond that of an ordinary person, allowed him to clearly see a human figure floating on the surface of the well water.
"This is the tofu I had left over from today's sales. Take it and eat it."
"I made some chicken soup, but I can't finish it by myself. You can have the rest."
"That's wonderful! Once you become a constable, you won't have to worry about your food, clothing, housing, or transportation anymore. Money? No, no, don't worry about it. Anyone who saw you would lend you a hand."
"Brother Wu! Thank you for avenging my husband. I'll remember your great kindness for the rest of my life."
Scene after scene of memories played out before his eyes, while a ball of flame burned in his chest.
After coming to this world, Kong Wu had never truly opened his heart.
He had no friends, no lover, and, at the beginning, had even struggled to find enough to eat.
Back then, the young widow next door had brought him food every day. Although the portions were small, they had helped Kong Wu survive the most difficult period of his life.
Toward her, Kong Wu felt no romantic affection—only gratitude filling his heart.
Miss Li was a truly kind person.
But now, her body was swollen, submerged in the well water that never saw sunlight.
Hoo~
Kong Wu let out a long breath, suppressing the fury in his heart, then turned and left.
He bought a coffin, placed Miss Li's remains inside, and buried her in the mountains north of the city.
That was also where her husband lay buried.
Turning around, Kong Wu looked at the small Qingshan County and sighed.
His eyes, sharper than an eagle's, could clearly see one corner of the county town. In a vast estate, heads moved everywhere as people constantly entered from outside the city and drew closer to it.
When humans harmed their own kind, they were far more vicious than evil spirits.
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