The Demon King'S Descent

At the fifth watch, before the morning light, the sky was still dark. The drumbeats from the Reaching Heaven Tower spread throughout Shangjing, signaling the end of the curfew.

It wasn't until the last drumbeat fell that A Chan reluctantly opened her sleepy eyes.

Today was Lady Xiao Lin's funeral. It was better to be early than late, and she needed to get to Zhao Manor as soon as possible.

After getting dressed, A Chan pushed the window open a crack. A cold wind immediately rushed in, and she shivered, closing the window tightly.

The weather today wasn't good, which was fitting for sending off the deceased.

A Chan walked along the streets of Changping Quarter. The shops on both sides of the road hadn't opened yet, but faint human voices could be heard from the street. It was a wonton stall, and people said their meat wontons were very delicious.

A Chan had rarely woken up so early today and finally had the chance to encounter it. Unfortunately, she had eaten a steamed bun with hot water before leaving home. Her mouth didn't have much flavor, but she was truly full. She could only regret it and wait for next time.

When A Chan arrived at Zhao Manor, the sky was not yet bright, but it seemed many people had gathered in the manor. Judging by the sounds, it was quite lively.

She walked into the courtyard and saw that the Zhao family were all there. They were looking solemnly in the direction of the mourning hall. Soon, several strong men carried the coffin out of the mourning hall. Others also moved out the offering table, on which Lady Xiao Lin's memorial tablet was placed.

A Chan couldn't help but feel a little confused. Wasn't it said that the funeral procession could only start when the time was right? What were they doing?

Soon, several Daoist priests emerged from the mourning hall.

The leading Daoist priest had white hair and beard but looked young. He wore a red ritual robe and held a ritual bell. The seven Daoist priests behind him each held a black wooden box. They seemed to be preparing to perform a ritual.

Seeing the Daoist priests come out, Zhao Ming stepped forward, his attitude very respectful. "This will trouble Daoist Master Jingyun."

Jingyun smiled. "Lord Zhao, please rest assured."

After greeting Zhao Ming, Jingyun turned to the offering table. The seven Daoist priests came forward one by one and placed the black wooden boxes they were holding onto the offering table.

Jingyun rang the ritual bell. The wind around them suddenly stopped, but the trees in the courtyard began to sway. The coffin placed in the courtyard suddenly jumped upwards.

It was as if something wanted to rush out of the coffin.

Among the Zhao family present, the younger Zhao Wenqi hid behind the Old Madam Zhao. Zhao Wenyue screamed in fear and retreated several steps.

Only Zhao Ming remained relatively calm, but his expression was also a little grim.

The sound of the ritual bell stopped. The old Daoist Jingyun looked at Zhao Ming with a troubled expression and said, "Lord Zhao, your wife died unjustly. The resentment around her body has not dispersed, and her soul shows signs of transforming into a vengeful ghost. A decision must be made as soon as possible."

"This... does the Daoist Master have any solutions?"

Daoist Master Jingyun stroked his beard and said, "There are two methods. The first is for me to scatter her soul when Madam Zhao transforms into a vengeful ghost. However, in this way, your wife's soul will not be able to enter the underworld."

"What is the second method?"

"Her soul will be sealed within the coffin along with the Rebirth Talisman that my temple has enshrined for many years. This will slowly wear away her resentment. However, it may take a hundred years or so for the resentment in your wife's soul to dissipate. The Zhao family will then need to reopen the coffin to allow Madam Zhao's soul to go to the underworld for reincarnation."

Zhao Ming looked hesitant, as if neither of these options was good.

But before he could make a decision, Zhao Wenyue screamed, "Choose the second one, Father. Let's choose the second one."

"But this way, your mother's soul will be sealed in the coffin for a hundred years." Zhao Ming's expression showed a hint of pain.

"That's better than her becoming a vengeful ghost and harming our entire family."

"Wenyue is right. Your daughter-in-law would not want to become a vengeful ghost and harm people either," Old Madam Zhao quickly agreed.

Just as Zhao Ming was about to agree, a figure suddenly lunged at the coffin, hugging it and crying, "You can't do this to Madam!"

It was Mama Sun.

Mama Sun seemed not to have slept all night, her eyes were bloodshot, and there were dark circles under them.

"Quick, someone pull her away! Don't disturb the Daoist Master's ritual." Zhao Wenyue's expression turned unpleasant when she saw Mama Sun. She yelled at the household servants to drag Mama Sun away.

Mama Sun's strength was no match for two strong household servants. She was quickly dragged away from the coffin.

As she passed A Chan, Mama Sun cried out, "Young Lady, please, speak up for Madam."

Only when Mama Sun's voice could no longer be heard did A Chan turn to the Zhao family. She walked towards Zhao Ming. "Uncle, these two methods sound too terrifying. Perhaps there are other ways. You wouldn't want Aunt to have managed the Zhao family for half her life only to end up in such a tragic situation, would you?"

Zhao Ming pondered without speaking, but Zhao Wenyue spoke aggressively, "Ji Chan, our family matters are none of your business."

A Chan's expression was calm. She looked at Zhao Wenyue and said word by word, "The person lying in the coffin is my aunt, your own mother."

Zhao Wenyue seemed startled by A Chan's gaze and was momentarily speechless.

At this moment, Zhao Wenqi, who had been hiding behind Old Madam Zhao, spoke up. He said, "I believe Madam was kind-hearted in life and would not want to harm anyone in death. But what if she truly becomes a vengeful ghost? When Cousin accuses Father and Sister, please also think of Grandfather, Grandmother, Father, Sister, and all the servants. The living are the most important."

What a condemnation that stood above humanity.

At such a young age, his speech was so eloquent. It was no wonder the Zhao family cherished him like a treasure.

After he finished speaking, those in the courtyard who had been wavering actually showed expressions of agreement.

It was just a matter of sacrificing Lady Xiao Lin, who could become a vengeful ghost and harm people at any moment. She was already dead, so why care so much? Of course, they, the living, were more important.

Zhao Wenqi's words directly sealed the matter. Zhao Ming patted Zhao Wenqi's head and gave A Chan an apologetic smile. "This child speaks without restraint, but..."

He sighed again and turned to Daoist Master Jingyun. "Let's do as Wenyue said."

Daoist Master Jingyun nodded in agreement and continued the unfinished ritual.

A Chan watched coldly as Daoist Master Jingyun dipped the three sacrificial animal blood onto each of the seven black wooden boxes. The wooden boxes opened, revealing seven coffin nails inside, each inscribed with complex and profound runes.

The seven coffin nails were finally hammered into the coffin lid. With each nail driven in, a sharp, piercing shriek came from the coffin, until the last nail was in, and there was no sound at all.

When Daoist Master Jingyun put down the ritual bell, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, as if they had just experienced a life-or-death ordeal.

But no one thought to ask why Daoist Master Jingyun had prepared seven coffin nails in advance.

"The time has come, begin the funeral procession."

The sky had brightened at some point. After the rituals, it was time for the funeral.

Lady Xiao Lin's coffin was carried out. The Zhao family members walked in front, followed by several Daoist priests, and then the servants of Zhao Manor, all saying they were going to see Madam off.

In a blink, the courtyard became empty.

The Zhao family's funeral procession left Zhao Manor, heading in a grand manner towards the city gates. A Chan did not follow.

She walked out of the main gate of Zhao Manor. Many people who had gathered to watch the excitement were outside. She heard them discussing amongst themselves.

Someone said: "That Madam Zhao wasn't exactly a good-tempered person. I heard she was killed by her own son. She died a terrible death."

Someone replied: "It's a pity for Lord Zhao. I heard he was deeply in love with his wife."

"Isn't that the truth? I used to see Lord Zhao often buying snacks for his wife. Now she's just gone like this."

Listening to the idle gossip from everyone, A Chan withdrew from the crowd and headed in the direction of her home.

She hadn't gone far when she suddenly heard someone call her from behind: "Young Lady."

A Chan turned her head. It was Mama Sun.

Mama Sun, who had been disheveled earlier, seemed to have tidied herself up a bit. She was still carrying a cloth bag on her back.

"Mama Sun, what is this..."

Mama Sun lowered her eyes: "Madam gave me her deed of sale long ago. Now that she's gone, I can't stay in the manor anymore."

Just now, the steward had found her and told her to leave Zhao Manor immediately.

Coincidentally, she had no intention of staying any longer.

Everyone in that manor had hearts as black as pitch.

"If that's the case, Mama Sun, why don't you rest at my place first?"

Mama Sun nodded: "Alright, I do have something I want to tell you, Young Lady."

The two walked back to A Chan's home. Entering the somewhat empty shop, Mama Sun did not go upstairs to rest but sat at the table with A Chan.

A Chan had just boiled some hot water to drink before going out. Now, she could only offer water to Mama Sun.

Mama Sun held the steaming teacup, her previously tense expression seeming to relax slightly.

She took a sip of hot water, moistening her throat, before speaking: "Young Lady, after today, I will be leaving Shangjing."

A Chan was not surprised. Given what had happened in Zhao Manor, especially with Zhao Wenyue, they probably wouldn't tolerate Mama Sun.

"Where do you plan to go?"

"I should have returned to my hometown years ago, but I couldn't bear to leave Madam. I kept delaying. Madam even said she'd let me stay and live out my old age here. Who knew such a sudden change would occur." As Mama Sun spoke, tears began to stream down her face.

A Chan didn't offer comfort but quietly waited for her crying to subside before asking, "Do you have enough travel expenses? If not, I have..."

Mama Sun shook her head, not letting A Chan finish.

"Madam bestowed quite a bit of money upon me. It's more than enough for the travel expenses to go home, and I don't need to worry about future days. I came to find you, Young Lady, because there's something I need to tell you. I'm useless. Even though I knew, I couldn't do anything for Madam. But at least I must tell you this, as you are Madam's only family."

Mama Sun's expression was solemn. A Chan also said seriously, "Please tell me, Mama Sun."

"Master... Zhao Ming had an affair with Madam Su, and they had Zhao Wenqi. I suspect Old Master and Old Madam both know about this."

Seeing that A Chan's expression didn't change, Mama Sun gave a wry smile: "Young Lady, when did you find out?"

"I had some suspicions yesterday." A Chan countered, "What about you, Mama Sun?"

Mama Sun recalled yesterday, her eyes reddening again: "Last night, I went to the mourning hall and happened to see Old... Zhao Ming was also there. He was talking to Madam's coffin. After a while, that woman also went there. They were shameless. They even embraced in front of Madam's coffin."

A Chan frowned: "What did you hear?"

Mama Sun's face turned pale, her eyes involuntarily showing a hint of panic: "I heard him say that the Eldest Young Master is a good-for-nothing. He can't let a good-for-nothing inherit the family business. For Zhao Wenqi to be able to stay in the mansion legitimately, someone had to be sacrificed."

"Anything else?" A Chan's voice grew colder.

Who was sacrificed? Zhao Wensheng, or Lady Xiao Lin, or both?

"That woman said she was offering incense to Madam. Zhao Ming, however, said Madam didn't deserve it. He also said Madam had caused the death of their child." Mama Sun said, her eyes filled with greater indignation. "Let alone the fact that our Madam knew nothing about any child. If she had known, she probably would have divorced Zhao Ming long ago. How could we have ended up like this today!"

"Besides these, there's actually one more thing..." Mama Sun hesitated, unsure whether to say it.

"Go on."

A Chan's calm demeanor seemed to reassure Mama Sun. She calmed her emotions before continuing: "The commotion I made when I left yesterday was quite loud and I was almost discovered. However, the door to the mourning hall suddenly closed, blocking him. I wonder if Madam... hasn't left yet? Did Zhao Ming discover this, and that's why he found a demonic Daoist priest to perform rituals?"

"It's possible." A Chan was just an ordinary person now and couldn't easily see ghosts. However, the old Daoist priest's methods today didn't seem fake.

It seemed Lady Xiao Lin's soul should still be around, but whether she would turn into a vengeful ghost was hard to say.

Mama Sun choked back a sob: "Young Lady, our Madam had such a bitter life. Deceived in life, and not even allowed peace in death. I shouldn't have come to find you, but I was afraid that if I didn't tell you, one day when I'm old and dead, no one would remember the suffering Madam endured."

A Chan's tone was earnest: "Mama Sun, A Chan has noted everything you said today."

Mama Sun's eyes welled with tears. "This old servant is ashamed to have failed Madam. I knew the truth, yet I could do nothing."

"Mama Sun, villains will get their comeuppance."

"But when will retribution arrive?" she murmured to herself.

She had heard the truth, but lacked evidence, and no one would believe her.

Zhao Ming was too good at pretending. After a few more years, when no one remembered Madam anymore, he could marry that woman and take Madam's place.

Their son could even inherit the Zhao family.

Could she live to see the Zhao family's retribution in her remaining years? No one could give her that answer.

Mama Sun left. After seeing her out, A Chan closed the door tightly. In the dim room, she sat by the table, looking at the cold water in her cup.

She wasn't Ji Chan, and Lady Xiao Lin wasn't her relative.

But at this moment, a nameless fire ignited within A Chan's heart.

The Zhao family had gone too far.