Evil Spirits in the Mortal World

"What? He's back?"

In the Qian mansion, Chief Clerk Zhong, who was enjoying a pleasant conversation with Old Master Qian, dropped his teacup and looked at the reporting steward with a shocked expression.

Old Master Qian, however, maintained his composure. He took a sip of tea and said, "Chief Clerk, there's no need to panic. That was just a casual undertaking. Kong Wu isn't brainless; he wouldn't do something suicidal. He probably just stayed at the foot of the mountain for a night and came back."

Chief Clerk Zhong's face was grim. He shook his head and said, "If he were truly such a timid fellow, I wouldn't have any recourse. Master Zhou, can mortals truly deal with fiends?"

Opposite him, Master Zhou opened his eyes and shook his head with certainty, "Impossible!"

Despite receiving assurances from a cultivator, Chief Clerk Zhong remained uneasy, his face filled with irritation.

"Even if he really solved the matter on White Cloud Mountain, so what? It was within the rules for the Chief Clerk to arrange for the constable to act. Could he possibly seek revenge on you directly?"

Old Master Qian offered some comfort and continued, "Besides, Master Zhou's senior brother is arriving soon. Since the fiends on White Cloud Temple couldn't deal with him, then..."

He didn't finish his sentence, but Chief Clerk Zhong already understood his meaning.

He had been visiting the Qian mansion frequently these past few days and had learned from Master Zhou that his senior brother was a powerful expert at the Foundation Establishment stage.

Kong Wu's existence made all the gentry in Qingshan County uncomfortable. Now that they had invited a Foundation Establishment stage expert, it wouldn't be a problem to deal with a mere mortal while resolving the White Cloud Temple issue.

Thinking of this, Chief Clerk Zhong's heart finally settled.

Seeing this, Old Master Qian smiled, "We haven't offended him, have we? Would he dare barge in during broad daylight?"

Chief Clerk Zhong repeatedly nodded and chuckled, "It truly is Old Master Qian's foresight."

The same news reached the back chambers of the Qian mansion. Qian Zhenghao's eyes widened, and he suddenly sat up straight, but he inadvertently pulled on his broken leg, letting out a groan of pain.

After groaning for a while and recovering, he thought for a moment and quickly summoned his page.

Not long after, Old Master Qian, who was enjoying tea and conversation in the front hall, heard the low report from a servant. He got up in confusion and said, "Chief Clerk Zhong, Master Zhou, I have some matters to attend to. Please continue your conversation. Lunch has been prepared, and I have a new pot of good wine. We shall savor it at noon."

With that, he headed towards the back chambers.

Upon arriving, he found his precious grandson lying on a stretcher, directing servants to move things.

"What are you doing?"

Hearing Old Master Qian's voice, Qian Zhenghao shivered instinctively and stammered, "Uh... Grandson has been home for some time and was worried about his studies, so he wants to return to the prefecture city to continue his education."

Since when did you become so studious?

His grandson was his grandson. Old Master Qian knew his grandson's habits well and asked, "Your leg isn't healed yet, what's the rush?"

"Well... the prefecture city has better doctors. Grandson thought he could get better treatment there."

"Qian Zhenghao!"

Seeing his grandson still playing dumb, Old Master Qian realized something was amiss and immediately reprimanded him, "Speak! What trouble have you gotten yourself into now?"

Qian Zhenghao was startled by Old Master Qian's stern expression and said with tears almost welling up, "I didn't expect him to come back! Didn't you all say he was as good as dead?"

Hmm?

Old Master Qian was taken aback for a moment, then immediately understood who he was referring to.

"What did you do?"

Seeing that he couldn't escape, Qian Zhenghao decided to tell the truth.

"I sent someone to bring Miss Li back..."

"Who is Miss Li?" Old Master Qian interrupted with displeasure.

"Kong Wu's neighbor."

"You!!!"

Old Master Qian pointed at Qian Zhenghao, filled with disappointment, wanting to scold him severely. But seeing his pitiful appearance, he could only sigh.

"Have someone explain clearly to Kong Wu. Miss Li is to be your lawfully wedded wife, and the wedding will be tomorrow. Where is she? I'll talk to her."

Since the deed was done, all they could do was find a way to smooth things over.

It would still take some time for Master Zhou's senior brother to arrive. They absolutely couldn't give Kong Wu any leverage right now.

Thinking this, Old Master Qian looked at Qian Zhenghao and saw him shaking his head, which instantly ignited his anger.

"You scoundrel, you don't even realize the trouble you've caused! You're unwilling to even take a concubine?"

But Qian Zhenghao stammered, "No... I sent someone, but she didn't come with them..."

"Then what are you afraid of?" Old Master Qian was suddenly confused. When had his grandson become so accommodating? He'd let the girl go if she didn't want to come?

But Qian Zhenghao's next words made Old Master Qian's vision blur, nearly causing him to faint.

"She jumped into the well and committed suicide."

At this moment, Kong Wu was standing in the adjacent courtyard, silently looking at the deep well.

Upon returning home, his keen sense of smell detected a faint scent of decay from the neighboring yard.

His sharp hearing also detected no activity from next door.

He leaped into the neighboring courtyard and followed the smell of decay to the edge of the well.

His eyesight, far surpassing that of ordinary people, could clearly see the silhouette of a person floating on the well water.

"This is the leftover tofu from today's sales. Take it and eat it."

"I stewed some chicken soup, but I can't finish it by myself. I'll give this to you."

"That's wonderful! After becoming a constable, you won't have to worry about food, clothing, or shelter. Money? No, no, it's not a big deal. Anyone who sees you will lend a hand."

"Brother Wu! Thank you for avenging my husband. I will forever remember your great kindness."

Scenes flashed through his mind, and a flame burned in his chest.

Since arriving in this world, Kong Wu had never truly opened his heart.

He had no friends, no lover, and at first, even getting enough to eat was a problem.

Back then, the young widow next door would bring him food every day. Although the portions weren't large, they helped Kong Wu get through the most difficult times.

Towards her, Kong Wu felt no romantic affection, only a heart full of gratitude.

Miss Li was a very kind person.

But now, her body was swollen, floating in the well water that never saw sunlight.

Hoo~

He let out a long breath, suppressing the rage in his heart, and Kong Wu turned to leave.

He bought a coffin, placed Miss Li's body inside, and buried her on the mountain north of the city.

This was also where her husband was buried.

Turning around, Kong Wu sighed as he looked at the small Qingshan County.

His eyes, sharper than an eagle's, could clearly see a corner of the county town. In a sprawling courtyard, crowds of people were gathering, with more and more people entering from outside the city, approaching that courtyard.

Humans, when they harm their own kind, are far more formidable than malevolent spirits.