On the altar, the memorial tablet bearing Su Wenqian's name and birth date was broken in two, and the red light of the other tablet bound to it gradually dimmed.
Xuanxin was struck by this reckless Spiritual Power and spat out a mouthful of blood.
His already gaunt face appeared even more sinister and terrifying in the candlelight.
A fierce glint surged in his eyes, "The person I've chosen cannot escape..."
He curled a sinister smile, bit his index finger hard, and quickly wrote a rune on Su Wenqian's memorial tablet, but he only wrote half of the rune.
A sudden and unexpected change!
Xuanxin was unable to move, and the residual Spiritual Power on the memorial tablet actually seeped into his body through the wound on his index finger.
Xuanxin's pupils constricted in fright, and the smugness on his face instantly turned into horror. "Ah..." he screamed, feeling as if his heart was being twisted by countless vines, making his eyes roll back in his head.
He murdered his master and stole his secrets, hiding and practicing diligently for decades, yet he was no match for this residual Spiritual Power. He was unwilling to accept it.
Just when Xuanxin thought he was going to die here, the remaining Spiritual Power finally dissipated completely.
He clutched his chest, letting out a hoarse chuckle, which was followed by an even more maniacal laugh. There was no relief at surviving the ordeal; his eyes were filled with greed for the Spiritual Power.
He must find this Spiritual Power and drain it dry!
Xuanxin struggled to his feet, glanced at the shattered memorial tablet, and stumbled out.
"We must... we must check on how Master is doing!"
He took a deep breath, his eyes filled with excitement and calculation.
He was like a rat in a ditch, eyeing a delicious treat. He dared not stick his head out, but wanted his master to make the decision for him.
At this moment, Jin Shanyao was smilingly explaining the wonders of talismans to Old Madam Su.
"Madam, don't let its ordinary paper fool you; its Law Power is extraordinary! You won't be afraid of ghosts when you go to the toilet at night."
Old Madam Su gasped in surprise, gesturing frantically to the maid beside her, "Pay, pay! I need five of these talismans..."
"Alright..." Jin Shanyao picked up a brush and quickly wrote five talismans, handing them to Old Madam Su. "Old Madam, please take these."
Old Madam Su's cloudy eyes gleamed with a faint light as she held the talisman as if it were a priceless treasure.
Jin Shanyao was thrilled. This was the first time she had met someone who appreciated her so much, and she wished she could give them all the talisman knowledge she had acquired.
She held up the new talisman and enthusiastically introduced it to Old Madam Su, "This talisman wards off evil spirits and brings peace of mind."
"Soothing and calming, excellent!" Old Madam Su waved her hand excitedly, "I'll buy them, five of them..."
Seeing Old Madam Su's support, Jin Shanyao moved to tears.
What kind of life did she live before? She toiled away digging for medicinal herbs in the mountains all day, yet she couldn't compare to Old Madam Su's single-minded gesture.
Unable to contain her excitement, Jin Shanyao suddenly took Old Madam Su's hand and pressed it tightly against her heart. All the words she wanted to say were condensed into a single sentence.
"A true friend... a true friend indeed!"
With tears in her eyes, Old Madam Su said, "Master..."
"Don't call me Master. Having one true friend in life is enough. Madam, no, sister... I want to become sworn sisters with you."
The Jin Shanyao once, indicating a desire for deeper friendship; this is the allure of money.
Old Madam Su stood up abruptly, took the hand of the tearful woman in her arms, and said, "Sister..."
"Oh... little sister..."
Oh dear... Madam Su clutched her chest and turned her face away...
My heart aches more at this moment than if I were to throw away a hundred taels of silver.
Has my mother-in-law gone mad? That Jin Shanyao is old enough to be her granddaughter, yet she dares to call her "sister." If she calls her "sister," then what does everyone in the Su Household call Jin Shanyao?
"Nonsense..."
Su Wenqian's Divine Soul its place, and he was full of energy. His mother could buy a few talismans and spend a few hundred taels of silver, but she absolutely could not accept a little girl as her older sister. What would people think if word got out?
Jin Shanyao held Old Madam Su's hand, choking back tears, and said, "Since the child doesn't agree to our relationship, let's just call it quits!"
"The treasonous son... the treasonous son!"
Old Madam Su made a move to hit Su Wenqian, but was stopped by Jin Shanyao.
"Little sister, I also have a talisman that can make you energetic and give you a great appetite..."
"Buy... buy..." With a wave of her Old Madam Su disappeared.
Madam Su was as annoyed with Jin Shanyao as she was when they first met; she wished she could chase her out with a broom.
A scoundrel, a complete rogue.
She never imagined that Jin Shanyao would swindle money from the old woman...
As the saying goes, it's easy to invite a god, but difficult to send him away! Especially since this one is a true deity.
Madam Su now only hoped that Jin Shanyao shut up; how could she have drawn so many talismans?
The two little ones, Meng Anzhi and Meng Anci, held the silver notes in their hands, their little hearts pounding with excitement...
Are they here to make money? No, they're here to collect money. The writing brushes, ink, paper, and inkstones they use all come from the Su Household. They only use the brushes. No wonder my aunt says, "Knowledge changes destiny."
Seeing her mother- Madam Su secretly pinched Su Wenqian's arm. Su Wenqian winced in pain, his face flushed, and stepped forward, "Mother..."
"What mother? If you don't approve of my relationship with my sister, then don't call me mother."
Jin Shanyao in agreement, disapprovingly pulling on Old Madam Su's hand and advising, "Don't let our issues affect your relationship with the child."
Don't worry, whether we're sworn brothers or not, you'll always be in my heart.
Oh dear... Madam Su wanted to curse, but her self-cultivation prevented her from speaking. Are you trying to become sworn sisters? You're just after the Su Household's money box.
Su Wenqian took a deep breath. "Someone, take the old lady back to her courtyard."
"What are you trying to do, you unfilial son? You actually want to separate me and my sister! Let go... let go of me, both of you!"
"Grandson... how dare you be so rude!" The Jin Shanyao's words had barely left his lips when the air fell silent, an awkward silence descending upon everyone.
Su Wenqian's face turned red and then pale. If Jin Shanyao saved him, he could have Jin Shanyao into jail just for those words.
Jin Shanyao was unaware of her mistake; she shielded Old Madam Su behind her.
He questioned Su Wenqian, "Grandson... I have to say something to you. My sister is getting old, what's wrong with wanting to buy some talismans? Do you have to make such a fuss?"
Su Wenqian gritted his teeth in anger, while Madam Su swayed and leaned limply against the maid.
Overwhelmed by her emotions, Old Madam Su finally returned home.
She nudged Jin Shanyao's back. "Master, even if we become sworn brothers, Su Wenqian isn't your grandson."
Jin Shanyao around in surprise. Had she misplaced the generational order?
Humans are such a hassle; the family hierarchy is a complete mess. Some are based on birth date, some on who gave birth to whom, some on whether it's the maternal or paternal family...
She's learned so much she's completely confused; isn't her sister's child her grandson?
Old Madam Su kindly took her hand, "Your sister and your younger sister's children are called nephews... not grandsons!"
Snap... The sworn brotherhood shattered into pieces. Jin Shanyao couldn't accept it; her grandson, a high-ranking official, was gone!
Madam Su seized the opportunity, "Mother-in-law, it's getting late, shall we see the master off?"
Jin Shanyao was stunned. Go home? Go home what? She still had many talismans to show to Old Madam Su, why was she being kicked out like this?
The phrases "crossing the river and then dismantling the bridge," "the tea grows cold after the person leaves," "killing the donkey after it has done its work," and "the hunting dog is cooked after the rabbit is caught" kept flashing through her mind...
Old Madam Su was displeased. "What do you mean 'leave'? Just stay in my courtyard."
Upon hearing this, Jin Shanyao's eyes lit up, while at the same time, Madam Su's head buzzed.
If the mother-in-law leaves the Jin Shanyao at home, everyone in the Su Household will be starving tomorrow.
She quickly said, "Mother-in-law, Miss Jin must have important business to attend to; we can't delay her."
Jin Shanyao was about to say it wouldn't be a problem, that she was willing to stay at the Su Household, when her sworn sister spoke up.
Old Madam Su sighed, "Alright, Master, if you have other matters to attend to, I won't insist you stay. You must come to see me next time you visit the city, and we can have a long talk."
The Jin Shanyao could no longer smile; the coldness of human relationships and the fickleness of the world—the ancients were right.
With tears in her eyes, she said, "Don't worry, Madam, I'll come to see you whenever I have time. If you feel unwell anywhere, come to the Anzhi Hall in Willow and Poplar County to find me."
"Okay... it's settled then."
Old Madam Su warmly saw the person off at the mansion, Madam Su turned around and slammed the door shut with a bang.
The adult and two children stared at the tightly closed door, unable to come to their senses for a long time.