Yan Wu was thoroughly humiliated at the Linhu Villa, and his anger burned fiercely within him.
After all, he was a dignified Level Six Celestial Master. Even in the dragon-filled metropolis of Longjing City, others treated him with utmost respect.
Yet here he was, in the small Longjiang City, making such a huge fool of himself right in front of the Celestial Master Association officials.
He couldn’t swallow this bitter pill!
After leaving Linhu Villa, he immediately reported the incident to the Longjing City Celestial Master Association, portraying Qi Quan as a rogue Celestial Master who operated outside the Association’s control, secretly kept ghost servants, and was extremely dangerous.
Operating beyond the Association’s supervision?
That was unacceptable!
The Longjing City Celestial Master Association promptly decided to send investigators.
Two Celestial Masters were dispatched. Since Yan Wu emphasized Qi Quan’s high cultivation level, both were Level Six Celestial Masters—one specialized in talisman crafting, the other in formation magic.
Level Six Celestial Masters were rare elsewhere, but the Longjing City Association could afford to send such high-level experts.
Under Yan Wu’s lead, the three arrived at Linhu Villa. To avoid being seen by ordinary people, they chose to come under the cover of night.
As a top-tier villa district, the houses were spaced far apart, with trees and flowers planted between them, perfectly obscuring the view.
When they reached Qi Quan’s villa, the surroundings were dim, with only the distant city’s neon lights casting a faint glow in the sky.
“There’s a protective formation around the villa,” the formation master said. “And it’s a high-level formation—complex and precise, not easy to break.”
Being only Level Six, he naturally couldn’t penetrate an eighth-level formation.
The talisman master added, “Since it’s a formation, it requires spiritual energy to maintain. Celestial Masters can’t constantly expend their energy to uphold a formation. I suspect she’s using spiritual talismans.”
Spiritual talismans are special papers that store a fixed amount of spiritual energy, usually used to supplement energy at critical moments or maintain formations.
The combination of talismans and formations is an extremely difficult skill to master, requiring close cooperation between talisman crafters and formation masters. It’s rare to find a Celestial Master proficient in both disciplines.
Before coming, they had already investigated Qi Quan’s background.
A seemingly ordinary life history—how could it possibly support such extraordinary and refined skills?
The formation master speculated, “Perhaps she has mentors behind her—a talisman master and a formation master.”
“Sounds about right,” the talisman master nodded.
Yan Wu was speechless.
You’re here to arrest Qi Quan, not to chat!
“So, what’s the plan now?” Yan Wu asked.
The talisman master replied, “The spiritual energy stored in the talismans will eventually run out. Once the formation’s energy depletes, the formation will collapse on its own. I doubt she can sustain the entire formation with her personal energy alone.”
None of the three knew that Qi Quan was currently away on a business trip.
Yan Wu nodded. That made sense.
“Shall we begin?” he asked.
“Let’s start,” came the reply.
This time, the talisman master came well prepared, carrying a large supply of offensive talismans. Though he hadn’t had the chance to use them on Qi Quan herself, he began by unleashing them on the formation.
He hurled a barrage of thunder talismans. The overwhelming power of lightning struck the villa’s formation, causing it to flicker repeatedly, but it held firm against the assault.
Inside the villa, Ling Sheng stood beneath the courtyard.
Su Rong, Xue Hong, and Qi Zheng stood nearby.
One person with three ghosts—no matter who they were, they could not be seen by the Celestial Masters outside the villa. If discovered, imprisonment and extermination would await them.
Su Rong’s expression was grave. “The formation’s glow seems to be dimming a bit.”
"Showing up at midnight—those fools from the Taoist Association really have no manners," Xue Hong said, her face full of displeasure.
Qi Zheng: "…"
He sighed silently. Whether human or ghost, there are good and bad among them.
Another fierce wave of attacks surged forward. The transparent protective array seemed to tremble, revealing a fragile vulnerability as if it could no longer hold.
Ling Sheng’s brows furrowed with a fierce expression. His palm radiated countless streams of spiritual energy, which he desperately funneled into the array’s key points. These points, nourished by the overwhelming spiritual energy, restored the protective shield to an impenetrable state.
The three ghosts’ eyes suddenly brightened, all fixated on him.
Ling Sheng: "…"
Outside the villa, the talisman master...
Having thrown half of his remaining attack talismans, he watched as the array’s spiritual energy neared exhaustion—only to see it flash brilliantly and return to full strength.
The three exchanged puzzled looks: ???
The array master said, "Could it be that she prepared a large reserve of backup talismans?"
Yan Wu’s eyes darkened. "It’s not impossible."
Could it be that he wouldn’t get his revenge?
The Taoist Association sending a sixth-level Taoist was already a major move. Taoists above sixth level were mostly in seclusion or hidden cultivation and wouldn’t bother with these matters. Asking them to intervene was almost a pipe dream.
Just let it go like this?
No way! He couldn’t forget the humiliation he suffered that day!
"Maintaining the array requires a lot of talismans, and talismans require a lot of spiritual energy. I refuse to believe she has that many fully charged talismans," he rasped.
In today’s mystical world, spiritual energy is a scarce resource. Only sects or families with deep foundations can store talismans of various sizes for emergencies.
Besides, making talismans isn’t like planting cabbages—it’s not that easy.
The talisman master thought for a moment, then nodded and continued throwing attack talismans, draining the array’s spiritual power.
Gradually, the array’s glow began to dim again.
The three were pleased—there was hope!
As the array’s spiritual power neared a critical low, the talisman master suddenly intensified his assault. The three’s hearts jumped, eyes glued to the protective shield, waiting for it to collapse—
But once again, a faint white light suddenly flashed!
"Damn!" The talisman master nearly coughed up blood in frustration.
All the talismans he painstakingly crafted had gone to waste!
The array master glanced sideways at Yan Wu. "Who exactly is she? Could she be from some hidden noble family? Where does she get so many talismans?"
Unbelievable!
Yan Wu: "…"
He silently swallowed back a mouthful of old blood.
The talisman master, now scared of the array, clutched his chest and moved aside weakly, counting his remaining stock with reddened eyes. "You try breaking the array."
Array master: "…"
Though aware of his limits, he couldn’t refuse outright. He put on a show of studying the villa’s array, scrutinizing it for a long time but failing to unravel its secrets. Clearing his throat, he dryly said,
"Let’s just report back. I think it’s better to befriend a figure like this."
Most Taoists, chasing cultivation and longevity, value their lives more than anyone and are especially pragmatic.
Especially those who already have a reputation.
Why bother making an enemy they can’t understand?
Yan Wu: "…"
His eyes darkened as he said, “The head of the family has made it clear: a rebellious Tianshi like her is prone to going astray. It’s better to kill mistakenly than to let her go.”
The talisman master and the array master exchanged glances, both somewhat wary of the “head of the family” he mentioned.
“Besides, we’re not asking you to kill her, just to bring her back for questioning, to make her accept discipline and obedience. As you said yourselves, talents like her are best treated as friends. So why not have such a Tianshi serve the Tianshi Association?”
Yan Wu watched their expressions carefully.
“If you can get her to accept the Association’s control, wouldn’t that be a great achievement?”
He coaxed them gently, tugging at their hearts.
As a talisman master and an array master, they both needed abundant cultivation resources. To craft more advanced talismans, they required materials of superior quality. To delve deeper into array formations, they needed plentiful spirit talismans and array stones infused with spiritual energy.
The greater the merit, the more resources they could obtain.
The talisman master immediately shook off his earlier lethargy. If they could break the array and capture Qi Quan, he would surely earn top honors.
He was all in!
He didn’t believe Qi Quan had that many spirit talismans to sustain her!
Even a third-rate family in Longjing City couldn’t produce so many spirit talismans at once.
He would try again.
Inside the villa, one person and three ghosts stood in neat formation, looking up at the array guarding the villa.
...
Su Rong said, “Ling Sheng, if you want to eat anything in the future, just tell me.”
Xue Hong crossed her arms and said, “Ling Sheng, I will teach you everything I’ve learned in my lifetime.”
When it was Qi Zheng’s turn, he scratched his head, unsure how to repay her, and said, “How about when I go to the cycle of reincarnation, I plead with the King of Hell to extend your lifespan?”
“……”
Ling Sheng’s face remained calm, but a faint smile flickered in her eyes.
The third wave of attacks came as expected.
What others found difficult to communicate with or absorb—the spiritual energy of heaven and earth—flowed smoothly into Ling Sheng’s body. After circulating once, it was expelled to nourish the villa’s array.
When the talisman master threw his last attack talisman, he was stunned.
No talismans left, no credit earned.
He had lost both the lady and the soldiers!
Staring at his empty talisman pouch, he felt like crying.
Yan Wu: ???
Could that woman really have some profound background?
But he had investigated her thoroughly; her life was incredibly simple.
Could someone be hiding her past?
Two hundred kilometers away in Longtan City.
At the very moment the villa’s array was under attack, Qi Quan sensed it.
She sat on the bed in a guesthouse room, cultivating.
The guesthouse was booked by Chen Feilu, with a touch of antiquity, spotlessly clean, and very comfortable.
[Boss, your eyelid just twitched—are you having trouble with your cultivation?] the system asked with concern.
Having followed Qi Quan for so long, it was well acquainted with her cultivation state. Usually, when undisturbed, she would enter a motionless state, her pulse and breath nearly silent.
But just now, she had moved slightly.
Qi Quan replied: [Someone is attacking the array at home.]
[Ah? What should we do? Su the butler and the others are still inside. If the array breaks, will Su and the others be in danger?]
[Don’t worry.]
【Well, the formation has eight levels, right? They wouldn’t send an eighth-level formation master to deal with you, would they?】
【Running a formation consumes a massive amount of spiritual energy. Once the energy runs out, the formation collapses on its own.】
The system panicked: 【So what do we do?】
It didn’t want Su Rong or Ling Sheng to get hurt!
Qi Quan smiled gently: 【Don’t worry. If this formation breaks, there’s another one.】
She always liked to keep a backup plan. The villa’s formation wasn’t just the visible protective array; there was actually a hidden formation beneath it.
As long as the protective formation remained intact, the hidden formation wouldn’t activate. But once the protective formation was broken, the hidden one would appear.
This hidden formation was a new design she had developed in her previous life. It could automatically absorb and store spiritual energy from the environment. After days of accumulation, it should be able to hold out for quite a while.
Besides…
The naturally gifted spiritual being she had kindly taken in was diligently guarding the house for her.
The system breathed a sigh of relief: 【That’s a relief.】
Relaxing, it then grumbled: 【But who exactly is attacking the house? It can’t be the Celestial Masters Association, can it? Do they really have the nerve to come here and embarrass themselves?】
Qi Quan chuckled at its words, laughing softly before sinking back into her cultivation.
A whole night passed.
The spiritual energy she had spent the night before was fully restored. Qi Quan opened her eyes, refreshed and full of spirit. After washing up, she headed to the dining room for breakfast.
Chen Feilu, worried that the guesthouse’s chef might not cook well enough to whet Qi Quan’s appetite, had gone out to buy food from a nearby restaurant.
“Master, I analyzed it last night — this breakfast place has the highest customer satisfaction.”
Qi Quan nodded. “Thank you, it’s quite good.”
The system couldn’t help but praise: 【Feilu is quite impressive—has potential!】
【Indeed, he does.】
System: 【Is the big boss planning to mentor him?】
Qi Quan leisurely sipped her porridge: 【We’ll see.】
Chen Feilu was unaware of the private conversation between her and the system, quietly reporting the aftermath of the rescue mission.
“Master, all personnel have… safely left the mountain. Without you, who knows how many would have been lost in Yaoshan.”
His eyes shone with admiration, but he wore a hesitant expression as if holding something back.
“Speak up.”
Chen Feilu cautiously said, “Captain Lin contacted me this morning. He said you performed a great deed last night. The authorities want to hold a commendation ceremony for you — this very noon.”
Qi Quan replied calmly, “No need.”
She wanted to go home.
Though the breakfast here was indeed good, it still couldn’t compare to Su Rong’s cooking.
Speaking of which, she hadn’t yet eaten the snacks Su Rong had given her.
She asked Chen Feilu, “Are the snacks I left in the car still there?”
“Yes, yes.” Chen Feilu immediately stood up. “I’ll get them for you right now.”
The snacks were packed in a box, thoughtfully sealed with a layer of soul energy by Su Rong to keep them fresh for a short time.
When the box was opened, the aroma was still as fresh and rich as ever.
Qi Quan never skimped on those she considered her own and shared some with Chen Feilu and Ning Zhi.
Chen Feilu happily accepted, and Ning Zhi was pleased as well. But thinking of the call from his second uncle last night, his mood was somewhat heavy.
“Brother Ning, are you heading straight back to Longjing later?” Chen Feilu asked.
Ning Zhi nodded. "All active Celestial Masters in the Ning family are under the supervision of the Celestial Masters Association. I can’t just refuse to return."
He didn’t want to endanger the entire family because of himself.
“In that case, I’ll first escort the Master back to Longjiang, then head to Longjing to find you. We’ve both taken several days off already; if we don’t go back soon, our teachers will start worrying,” Chen Feilu said, trying to sound casual.
The system had a good impression of these two young men full of righteousness and sighed: [Boss, do you think Master Ning will be alright?]
Qi Quan: [It depends on his choice.]
[Are you really not going to intervene?]
[He’s an adult. I have no ties to him.]
System: [Alright then, I hope he can safely get through this crisis.]
Just after finishing their meal, Lin Yue arrived—he wasn’t alone.
There were four people in total.
The other three appeared to be two officials accompanied by a secretary.
“Master Qi, this is Luo Zhangyuan, the county magistrate of Ningtao County, and Lv Shengyang, the director of the Ningtao County Public Security Bureau,” Lin Yue introduced dutifully. “And this is Master Qi Quan, who rescued all the missing persons and the rescue team last night in Yaoshan.”
Luo Zhangyuan was in his fifties, his hair half gray and receding at the temples. His features were dignified, and he carried an imposing presence.
His gaze was sharp and discerning.
Although Qi Quan was dressed modestly and looked unusually young—quite different from the Masters he had imagined—her calm eyes and serene demeanor, along with the aura around her, marked her as no ordinary person. The two young men beside her showed subtle signs of respect, confirming she was a high-level expert beyond ordinary understanding.
He offered a sincere smile. “Master Qi, we are deeply grateful for your rescue of over a hundred trapped people in my county. Your immense kindness is unforgettable. I hereby sincerely invite you to attend the commendation ceremony. The car is ready outside; I hope you can spare the time.”
Qi Quan hesitated.
Lv Shengyang took the opportunity to persuade her. “Master Qi, we have already consulted Master Fang Ye. Yesterday, only you and your team responded to the call to assist in Yaoshan. Without you, the situation there would have been far more difficult to resolve. Moreover, regarding the background and details of the Yaoshan case, we may need to conduct further inquiries with that... gentleman.”
The male ghost from Yaoshan had been subdued by Qi Quan, and everyone present could see it clearly.
Naturally, the authorities wanted to understand the male ghost’s motives for killing, so they could report back to their superiors and the victims’ families.
Qi Quan found it hard to refuse those in police uniforms.
After a moment’s thought, she nodded. “The commendation ceremony isn’t necessary, but the ghost can be interrogated.”
She disliked being in the spotlight and hated giving speeches on stage.
It was a reasonable request, and Luo Zhangyuan and Lv Shengyang readily agreed.
Still, those who deserved credit had to receive it—they had already written their reports and submitted them to higher authorities.
This request for support from the Celestial Masters Association was also made under orders from above, but the outcome was far from ideal.
Luo Zhangyuan personally went to negotiate with the president of the Celestial Masters Association...
But the president was evasive and aloof, acting as if the lives of mere mortals were insignificant, which infuriated Luo Zhangyuan.
If not for the many favors he had promised, the association probably wouldn’t have budged.
Unfortunately, after the association dispatched the Flying Crane Talisman, none of the local Celestial Masters went to Yaoshan. In the end, they had no choice but to send Chu Changyi and Fang Ye.
Unexpectedly, Chu Changyi panicked upon arrival at Yaoshan and simply turned around and drove back.
At that moment, he was waiting in the office for updates. When he heard the news, he nearly stormed straight to the Taoist Masters Association demanding an explanation.
Fortunately, there was still a Level Four Taoist Master from Longjing City.
Luo Zhangyuan glanced at Ning Zhi, feeling a deep sense of relief.
But—
Fang Ye had also pointed out that Qi Quan, who had made the first significant contribution, was not listed in the Taoist Masters Association’s roster.
In other words, she never received any notification from the Association. She had simply happened to be with Master Ning and, without hesitation, went straight to Yaoshan to rescue people.
To say it wasn’t moving would be impossible.
Luo Zhangyuan was now filled with gratitude and admiration for Qi Quan. Not a trace of neglect in his attitude, he even personally opened the car door for her.
Qi Quan: “…”
She calmly settled into the car. Ning Zhi, eager to return to Longjing City as soon as possible, politely declined the invitation. Only Chen Feilu accompanied her to the government office building.
Inside the Ningtao County Government Office building, several people were already waiting in the conference room.
Fang Ye looked slightly excited. Although he hadn’t been much help last night, he had participated in the rescue efforts and was sure to be praised.
As for Senior Chu...
He stole a glance at Chu Changyi.
Chu Changyi sat next to the president, his expression far from pleasant, his brows still carrying that arrogant look.
There was another person, sitting quietly in the corner, almost invisible, but on closer look, he carried an imposing aura, with a military demeanor.
He had a buzz cut, was in his thirties, with a square face and striking features. His physique was strong and powerful, with smooth muscle lines clearly visible.
Not someone to be trifled with.
Fang Ye withdrew his gaze.
“President, I’m wondering if that kid last night just got lucky. Yaoshan’s ghost is at least Level Five. How could a Level Four Taoist Master take it down?”
The president’s expression was inscrutable: “He comes from Longjing City. The Taoist Masters there have substantial resources.”
The implication was clear—he must have had some high-level magical artifacts on hand.
Fang Ye listened in secretly, quietly amused.
He hadn’t told the Association the full story last night, so even the president and Chu Changyi still believed it was Master Ning who had taken action.
After a moment, footsteps sounded outside the door.
Everyone looked up.
Leading the group was Luo Zhangyuan. He entered with a broad smile, courteously inviting a woman inside the meeting room.
The woman was young, with exceptionally delicate and beautiful features.
“Master Qi, please have a seat.” Luo Zhangyuan personally pulled out a chair for her.
It was the first seat on the left side, clearly showing his respect for Qi Quan.
The Taoist Masters Association president: ???
He was only the second seat on the right!
The rightmost seat was reserved for Lv Shengyang, with Chen Feilu sitting immediately to Qi Quan’s right in the second seat on the left. Fang Ye sat further down.
As for Chu Changyi, he was relegated to the third seat on the right.
The man with the square face remained quietly in the corner, not participating in the meeting.
The president and Chu Changyi nearly spat blood.
What was Luo Zhangyuan doing? Was he trying to humiliate them? How could he let a few young upstarts sit above them?
He clenched his anger and, before Luo Zhangyuan could speak, was the first to ask, “Which one is Master Ning?”
Luo Zhangyuan was speechless.
He felt uncomfortable inside but kept a calm expression.
When the president asked, his gaze was directed at Chen Feilu. Knowing that Master Ning was a young man, who else could it be besides Chen Feilu?
However, neither Qi Quan nor Chen Feilu spoke, and for some reason, Fang Ye didn’t say anything either.
The atmosphere grew awkward.
The chairman’s expression grew increasingly grim.
Luo Zhangyuan and Lv Shengyang exchanged a glance, feeling a subtle sense of satisfaction...
They had endured too many slights from the Taoist Association.
Before the Yaoshan incident, Ningtao County had also experienced supernatural phenomena. They had requested support from the Taoist Association many times, but the association only gave them the runaround, never truly caring about the lives of ordinary people.
They had been repeatedly stonewalled.
Chu Changyi cleared his throat lightly, stepping in to ease the chairman’s tension. “Where’s Master Ning? Why isn’t he here?”
Only then did Chen Feilu speak, smiling as he said, “He’s busy, can’t make it.”
“Then what about the Yaoshan evil spirit?” Chu Changyi asked. “Isn’t that the demon Master Ning subdued? If he’s not here, are we just going to interrogate thin air?”
Chen Feilu was speechless.
He tilted his head and looked toward Qi Quan.
Qi Quan remained unfazed, said nothing, and directly tossed out a peachwood talisman.
Spiritual energy poured into it, and suddenly the Yaoshan evil spirit appeared behind Chu Changyi, its pale blue ghostly hand resting on his shoulder.
Chu Changyi: ...
Ahhhhh, a level-five red ghost!
He instinctively pulled out a set of talismans, ready to throw them at the Yaoshan ghost.
“Chu Changyi!” the chairman barked sharply.
Only then did Chu Changyi snap back to reality.
The Yaoshan ghost was no longer behind him but had been pulled by Qi Quan to the last chair.
Even Luo Zhangyuan and Lv Shengyang, who had been prepared, were stunned by such a supernatural display.
They even suspected it was some kind of 3D projection.
The Yaoshan ghost had been cramped inside the peachwood talisman all night and had just been educated by Qin Ruo — that old, ugly woman — about Qi Quan’s terrifying abilities. Now, it had lost all will to resist.
It drooped its brows and arched its back slightly.
In the corner, a square-jawed man suddenly fixed his gaze sharply on the Yaoshan ghost, then glanced over at Qi Quan, and to avoid offense, quickly returned his eyes to the male ghost.
Lv Shengyang composed himself and asked, “What’s your name? Why are you harming people?”
Having been a cop for most of his life, this was his first time interrogating a ghost.
The Yaoshan ghost hung its head in dejection. “If I tell you, will you help me get justice?”
“Go ahead, tell us.”
The ghost, long pent up with grievances, immediately straightened up, eyes reddening with fury.
“My name is Wei Hao — Wei as in guard, Hao as in bright. I was murdered.”
The name was ordinary enough, but both Luo Zhangyuan and Lv Shengyang were slightly taken aback.
Fang Ye’s eyes also revealed surprise.
Because they all knew someone named “Wei Hao.”
Lv Shengyang’s expression darkened. “Who killed you?”
“Wei Tianbao.”
Lv Shengyang: !!!
He asked in shock, “You mean Wei Tianbao, son of Wei Guangchang, chairman of Fengmao Group?”
Fang Ye couldn’t help but say, “Isn’t the chairman’s son named Wei Hao?”
“He changed his name!” Wei Hao cursed furiously. “He deliberately took my name! He ruined my entire life! I want revenge! I want revenge!”
He screamed hoarsely, eyes bloodshot, but couldn’t break free from Qi Quan’s restraints.
Lv Shengyang had heard about Wei Tianbao’s name change before.
He asked, “What year were you born?”
Wei Hao calmed himself and choked out, “For six or seven years, my family was poor, but my parents sold everything they had to send me to school. I studied hard and did well. In 1985, I took the college entrance exam. I was confident, waiting eagerly for the acceptance letter. But no matter how long I waited, even after all the universities had started classes, my letter never came.”
At this point, everyone present began to suspect something.
He continued, “My family was disappointed, and I was heartbroken. I planned to retake the exam for another year, but my father collapsed from exhaustion trying to earn money. The medical bills were huge, so I had no choice but to go out and work.”
“I worked many jobs. Though exhausting, I was able to support my family. I thought this would be my life—I stopped dreaming foolish dreams of one day entering the hallowed halls of a university, graduating with honors, getting a respectable job, then honoring my parents and starting my own family.”
“I accepted my fate.” He lowered his head. No one could see his expression, but the heaviness in his heart was palpable...
.
“But one day, while working as a waiter in a restaurant, I heard someone call out ‘Wei Hao.’ I turned around, only to realize they weren’t calling me, but the man in front of me.”
“He was dressed in clothes worth tens of thousands, wearing a watch worth millions—a kind of wealthy man I had never dared to speak to before. I didn’t dare look closely, but I was desperate to see what a person with my name looked like.”
“I saw him!” Wei Hao became excited, laughing and crying at the same time. “He’s not really Wei Hao at all! He’s my former classmate, Wei Tianbao! His father used to be the biggest boss in our county—everyone at school knew that!”
“How could he be called Wei Hao? What right does he have to that name?!”
Lv Shengyang sighed softly and asked, “Then what happened?”
“Well…” Wei Hao covered his face with both hands, his voice hoarse, “I still didn’t dare ask. After they left, I finally asked the manager who that ‘Wei Hao’ was. The manager said he’s the heir to the Fengmao Group, very talented, and a top student at Longjing University of Technology. But I had chosen Longjing University of Technology as my only choice back then! And his grades were a complete mess!”
Everyone understood now: it was because of this identity theft that all these misfortunes came to pass.
Wei Hao sneered bitterly, “He stole my life. If it weren’t for him, I could have lived the life I wanted! I couldn’t bear it anymore, so I went to find him. The life that was taken from me could never be returned, so I just wanted to ask him for some money. My parents’ health was failing, and I needed to save money for their treatment. But not only did he refuse to acknowledge me, he even had people beat me up and throw me out.”
“I had no choice but to sue. But before I even got to the police station, I received a call from home—my father was dying. I rushed back, but I never got to see him one last time. Someone hit me from behind with a club and buried me in Yaoshan.”
He died with endless resentment and regret. Yaoshan is a place with exceptional feng shui, so he became a ghost.
He wants to seek revenge and find out how his mother is doing.
Wei Hao pleaded, “I died at 27. When I died, my mother was only 47. How many years have passed since then? She should still be alive, right?”
The crowd fell silent.
It had been thirty years since he lost him. If his mother were still alive, she would be seventy-seven by now. But judging from his earlier description, it was hard to say whether a woman, faced with the immense blow of her husband’s death and her son’s disappearance, could have held on.
“I’ll have someone look into it right away,” Lv Shengyang said, then left the conference room.
The atmosphere inside the room was heavy and tense.
The system sighed sadly: [He’s so miserable. His father and mother suffered so much too.]
Qi Quan: [No matter how tragic, it’s no excuse to harm others.]
[True. But the most hateful person is still that Wei Tianbao! How could he steal someone else’s life!]
Qi Quan made no further comment.
Soon, Lv Shengyang returned to the conference room. His expression had shifted from the earlier solemnity to one of urgency. “Wei Hao, your mother, Ms. Cao Fang, she’s still alive.”
Wei Hao’s mind went completely blank.
He stared at Lv Shengyang in a daze, his ears buzzing. The shock was overwhelming—he was too stunned to respond.
In truth, he had already prepared himself for the worst.
But never in his wildest dreams had he expected his mother to be alive!
She was still alive!
Snapping back to reality, Wei Hao burst into uncontrollable tears.
System: [Sigh.]
It was truly heartbreaking.
Soon, all of Cao Fang’s information was laid out on the table.
Even the well-experienced Lv Shengyang couldn’t help but feel deep respect for this seventy-seven-year-old woman.
Thirty years ago, after losing her husband and discovering her son missing, she had fallen ill under the double blow.
But not long after, despite her frail health, she made her way alone to the city where Wei Hao had been working. Living by scavenging garbage, she painstakingly gathered information about her son bit by bit.
After five years, she finally located the manager of the restaurant where he had once worked.
On the very day Wei Hao received the call, he had taken leave from the restaurant manager to return to his hometown—and then vanished without a trace.
The restaurant manager, moved by her plight, told her everything about Wei Hao in detail, including the encounter with Wei Tianbao.
After that...
This mother, fully aware of the problem, began a decades-long campaign of petitions and appeals.
Unfortunately, to this day, she has yet to receive any answers.
Chen Feilu, looking at this long-delayed truth, couldn’t help but shed tears.
He simply couldn’t bear stories like this.
Wei Hao was even more overwhelmed with grief.
He sobbed and pleaded, “Can I please see my mother? I really want to see her. There’s so much I want to say to her. Please, I beg you... I’m begging you...”
He knelt down and kowtowed to Qi Quan and the others.
System: [Wuwuwuwu.]
Qi Quan struck with spiritual energy, helping him to his feet. His expression was calm as he said, “Have you ever thought about the families of those you harmed? They suffer just like your mother.”
Wei Hao’s crying paused.
He said, “I’m willing to bear whatever punishment. I only ask for one thing: to give my mother an answer.”
What answer?
Naturally, it was the justice she had waited half her life for.
Lv Shengyang’s expression grew serious. “This matter—I will make sure your mother gets a proper explanation.”
Wei Hao had worked in Longlin City, and now his mother lived there too.
The once-powerful tycoon of Ningtao County had long since moved beyond Longtan City to become the richest man in Longlin City.
Wei Tianbao was now fifty-seven, living a happy life surrounded by a harmonious family, children, and grandchildren, carefree and at ease.
Chen Feilu whispered, "Master, back then Wei Tianbao was only eighteen, not capable enough. The impersonation must have been done by his father, Wei Guangchang."
"Hmm." Qi Quan stood up. "The matter is settled. It's time to go back."
What followed was the police's responsibility.
She sealed Wei Hao into the peach wood talisman, making as if to leave.
"Wait!" Chu Changyi suddenly called out, blocking her path. "Wei Hao, you can’t take him away!"
Qi Quan didn’t even spare him a glance.
"The ghost was caught by the master, so why can’t he be taken away?" Chen Feilu rolled his eyes.
Chu Changyi said, "This is a ghost from Longtan City, so it should be under the jurisdiction of the Longtan City Taoist Association. Besides, you still haven’t shown your Taoist credentials. You don’t have any, do you?"
He had just taken a moment to check, and Qi Quan’s name was nowhere to be found on the association’s roster.
Operating without a license was a major taboo!
The association president feigned surprise and turned to Luo Zhangyuan. "Without Taoist credentials, you have no authority to detain evil spirits. Moreover, intervening in Taoist affairs without certification violates the association’s regulations. Director Luo, this person needs to be taken in for questioning."
Luo Zhangyuan was speechless.
If it weren’t for his position, he would have rolled up his sleeves and dealt with him right then and there.
Lv Shengyang was equally dumbfounded.
He said, "Master Qi was the hero of the Yaoshan incident. She saved hundreds of lives. Isn’t what you’re doing completely backwards? From what I know, Master Chu personally came to the scene last night but backed down at the last moment, didn’t he?"
Chu Changyi replied confidently, "I knew I was outmatched. Should I have rushed in just to throw my life away?"
"…"
Chen Feilu sneered, "An association that can’t even subdue a local ghost has no right to talk about jurisdiction. This is just laughable."
Chu Changyi was about to retort but was stopped by the president.
"No matter what, Master Qi is without credentials. That’s a fact. You’ve already violated the 'Taoist Association Regulations.' The association has the right to hold you accountable."
Qi Quan couldn’t be bothered and ordered Chen Feilu, "Let’s go."
"Yes, master!"
The president’s face darkened like ink. He prided himself on his prestigious status. In Longtan City, no one had dared to humiliate him like this before.
He gathered spiritual energy in his palm, aiming it at Qi Quan’s back.
"Master Qi, please wait!"
A deep voice suddenly rang out. A broad-faced man stepped in front of Qi Quan, blocking the president’s spell.
Qi Quan turned around.
She had noticed this man from the start.
Though he tried hard to lower his presence, the golden light of merit radiating from him made him the most dazzling figure in the crowd to a Taoist’s eyes.
...
She had always respected those with profound merits.
"What is it?"
The broad-faced man said politely, "I wonder if Master Qi has time for a chat?"
"About what?"
"There are some questions I’d like to ask. I hope Master Qi can enlighten me."
Qi Quan roughly guessed his intention and said, "We can talk on the way."
The broad-faced man hesitated for a moment before nodding in agreement.
The president, having been interrupted, had no choice but to give up.
He stared at Qi Quan’s retreating figure, his gaze darkening.
"Master Chu," Lv Shengyang called out to Chu Changyi, "May I ask how you determined last night that you couldn’t subdue the Yaoshan ghost?"
Chu Changyi replied, "Naturally, it was through Taoist methods."
“I can understand your way of protecting your own life, but as a Taoist priest whose duty is to exorcise ghosts, it’s really…” Lv Shengyang paused, then turned to the chairman. “There was such a high-level evil spirit in Yaoshan, and the Taoist Association didn’t notice it at all? Chairman, shouldn’t you give us an explanation?”
The chairman: “……”
He snorted coldly and walked away with a flick of his hand.
Lv Shengyang had expected this outcome. He wasn’t saying these things to cause pointless sacrifices, but simply to needle them a little.
After all, they had shown disrespect to Master Qi.
On the way back, Chen Feilu was driving, Guozi with his square face sat in the front passenger seat, and Qi Quan leaned against the back seat.
“Let me formally introduce myself. My name is Li Guoyan. I’m here this time to get in touch with you. I apologize for the sudden intrusion.”
Qi Quan: “Is this about establishing a paranormal management department?”
“That’s right.” Li Guoyan’s composed face showed a faint smile. “We’ve reviewed Han Mian’s application materials. He mentioned you in them. We conducted a preliminary investigation and found that you’re not affiliated with any sect or clan of Taoist priests, nor are you registered with the Taoist Association.”
These were all public facts. Even without an investigation, anyone could easily find out.
Qi Quan didn’t care.
Her tone was firm: “I will not join any sect, clan, or other organization.”
Li Guoyan smiled.
“So, we want to hire you as the chief consultant for the investigation department. There will be salary and allowances. We won’t disturb you unnecessarily. Only when there are difficult problems that can’t be solved will we ask for your help. Of course, if you agree, the salary and allowances can be paid to you through Screaming Literature City.”
System: [Wow! This way you can exchange for lifespan!]
Qi Quan: …
She knew very well that the authorities couldn’t possibly know she could exchange lifespan through the data of *The Heiress Diary*, but perhaps they guessed how much she valued it, so they struck right at her weak spot.
She had to admit, it did tickle her itch.
She asked, “How much is the salary? And the allowances?”
Li Guoyan answered sincerely, “Everything is negotiable.”
Qi Quan fell silent.
“There’s more,” Li Guoyan said with a concerned expression, “I received news last night that the Taoist Association of Longjing City sent two sixth-level Taoist priests to attack your residence. You don’t have a Taoist certificate, and the Taoist Association is unilaterally intimidating you. If you join us, we can guarantee that such incidents won’t happen again.”
The authorities were not unprepared.
After the problems arose within the Daoist world, the government had already started cultivating special talents, secretly gathering Daoist cultivators willing to serve the government. Now, the entire system was roughly in place.
Qi Quan was their unexpected prize.
They didn’t know her exact level, but judging from her several actions, she was very likely a high-level Taoist priest skilled in both talismans and formations.
Perhaps even beyond sixth level.
Such talent was exactly what they desperately needed.
System: [Wow, he’s really sincere! Since we can’t get along with the Taoist Association anyway, why not be their consultant? More money, less trouble, higher status.]
Qi Quan was somewhat tempted, but she still asked cautiously, “Besides solving difficult cases, what else does a consultant have to do?”
“Your level is high; you’re a senior member of the team...
Our newly formed team members are still like seedlings. When they have questions, if they can come to you, I hope you’ll help clear up their doubts.”
Qi Quan understood immediately—it was about being the coach.
In her past life, she had spent no small effort guiding disciples in her sect. Who would have thought, after all the twists and turns, she would still have to shoulder responsibility?
But there was one fundamental difference.
In her last life, she was destined to die young. This life, however, she could continuously exchange for more life.
She had to admit, getting paid through Screaming Literature City really hit the spot.
She wanted to live longer.
And Li Guoyan wasn’t entirely wrong.
She had already fallen out with the Taoist Masters Association. Even if she wasn’t afraid of them, having flies buzzing in her ears every day was annoying. It would be different if she had a strong backing.
This was a mutually beneficial cooperation.
She said, “I need to look over the employment contract first before I can give you an answer.”
Li Guoyan smiled happily.
He knew she was already softening.
Suddenly, Qi Quan asked, “Can I have an assistant?”
Li Guoyan was taken aback for a moment. “Of course.”
Qi Quan pointed at the driver, Chen Feilu. “Him. From now on, if there’s anything, you can contact him.”
The car nearly swerved into an S-shape.
Chen Feilu was overjoyed, his heart pounding wildly. Excitedly, he shouted, “Master, rest assured! I will work hard to be the best assistant!”
Li Guoyan: ...
This kid has unlimited potential.
Qi Quan added, “Since the team urgently needs talent, I can recommend someone.”
“Please do.”
“Ning Zhi,” Qi Quan said. “I believe you’re familiar with him. He’s about to face disciplinary action from the Longjing City Taoist Masters Association.”
Li Guoyan nodded. “Don’t worry, we will make sure to give you a satisfactory resolution on this matter.”
Qi Quan had no more questions and closed her eyes to cultivate.
At this moment, at the Qi family villa.
Qi Yingxue, who had stayed in her room for a whole day and night, finally opened the door.
She wasn’t as disheveled as expected; in fact, she had made a point to dress up a little, though her eyes were a bit red and swollen, and her feet were bandaged.
She glanced around the Qi family living room.
Only Gu Qiao was there.
Although Gu Qiao still felt somewhat awkward, more than twenty years of relationship wasn’t fake.
She asked with concern, “Yingxue, the online incident has been suppressed. You don’t need to worry.”
Qi Yingxue nodded and asked, “Has Song Lin come by?”
Gu Qiao was stunned for a moment and shook her head stiffly.
Logically, with such a big incident happening to Qi Yingxue, as her fiancé, Song Lin shouldn’t have been silent, right?
Qi Yingxue’s expression was calm.
She sat down on the sofa and suddenly said softly, “Mom, don’t you think Qi Quan is very strange?”
“Strange how?”
Qi Yingxue: “It’s like she’s become a different person.”
“...”
Gu Qiao suddenly felt a little flustered. “Yingxue, what do you mean by that?”
“Mom, the Qi Quan before the Du family’s birthday banquet and the Qi Quan now—are they really the same person?” Qi Yingxue didn’t give her a chance to respond. “Would the real Qi Quan use such eerie methods? She doesn’t seem like someone who grew up in the countryside at all. Haven’t you ever suspected anything?”
Gu Qiao: ...
Her face suddenly turned pale. “What are you trying to do by saying these things?”
Qi Yingxue said, "Mom, I just want to uncover the truth."
As the saying goes, the person who knows you best is often your greatest enemy.
Under the relentless attacks and ridicule online, Qi Yingxue clung to Qi Quan like a lifeline. She locked herself in her room, desperately piecing together the events of the past few months. It seemed that if she could just find Qi Quan’s fatal flaw, she could clear her name.
Fortunately, she found it.
Qi Quan’s sudden and drastic change in behavior had to mean something was wrong.
She was determined to strip Qi Quan down to his core!
