When I heard that, I froze slightly.
"Your master's ritual sword?"
No wonder this kid had such strong feelings toward me. So that was what this was about.
That Old Southern Daoist had said he'd picked up this ritual sword and used it to swindle people.
I hadn't expected to run into the disciple of this sword's owner.
I loosened my grip a little, and the young man continued:
"That's right, my master's ritual sword. How... how did it end up in your hands..."
I released him outright and tossed him onto the ground.
"I took this ritual sword from an Old Southern Daoist. That Old Southern Daoist said he'd found it by the river.
Since he was using this ritual sword to swindle people, I confiscated it."
I told him the truth.
Hearing that, he frowned.
"You're not lying to me?"
I gave a short laugh.
"What would be the point of lying to you? Here, even killing you would be effortless for me! I certainly wouldn't have saved you all."
After saying that, I took another drag on my cigarette.
Many of the ghostly onlookers nearby nodded after hearing this.
"Yeah! This Daoist is obviously a good man!"
"He's so powerful. If he wanted to kill us, would he need to put on such an act?"
"Young brother, you may have misunderstood this Daoist."
"..."
As the surrounding ghosts continued speaking up, the young man gradually calmed down.
He straightened up and respectfully clasped his hands toward me.
"I was impulsive just now. My apologies, Senior Brother."
Seeing him apologize with a clasped-hand salute, I waved it off.
"It's nothing. You said you're a disciple of Purple Serenity Temple? The Purple Serenity Temple on Mount Heng?"
He nodded again.
"Yes. Our sect master is True Man Jade Soul.