After hearing me out, Cheng Xiaohong looked conflicted, but also somewhat moved.
She must have understood what I meant—the unspoken meaning behind my words.
She took the yellow talisman from my hand and said:
"Thank you, thank you, Daoist Jiang Ning. For the rest of my life, I'll live well and live for myself.
I also wish you all the best and smooth sailing."
I nodded and smiled.
"Alright! Then I'll be on my way!"
With that, I turned to leave.
But Cheng Xiaohong hurriedly called out:
"Wait, Daoist Jiang! I... I haven't paid your fee yet! How much is it? I'll transfer it to you on WeChat!"
I froze slightly at that.
It seemed I really hadn't collected any payment. Master had said that when handling cases, I could charge less or more, but I could never charge nothing.
Cheng Xiaohong was an unfortunate girl. She wasn't wealthy, and she still had two selfish younger brothers to support.
Though she had gained a little fame in the livestreaming circle for artistic blades and swords,
she was still only a minor internet celebrity. People who made a living that way could see prosperity today but not know what tomorrow would bring.
I thought about it, then said:
"Just transfer two thousand to me later."
Cheng Xiaohong paused.
"Tw... two thousand?"
She seemed surprised, perhaps because she hadn't expected me to charge so little.
I said nothing more, merely grunted in acknowledgment, then walked away without looking back.
This trip to Dagong Village had been dangerous, and my cultivation had even declined.
But the gains had been enormous.
Cheng Xiaohong's two thousand yuan was, to me, the settling of the karmic debt from this matter.
I didn't know what expression Cheng Xiaohong wore afterward. I only heard her calling after me: