After leaving the sect, Qu Yougu began searching far and wide for traces of the demonic cultivator, carrying with him the magical artifact his master had given him.
The artifact was excellent, but it would only react once he came within a certain distance. As a result, Qu Yougu had no choice but to visit every place connected to that spirit-possessing demonic cultivator, hoping to find his external incarnation.
Naturally, this made the search rather inefficient.
Just as Qu Yougu was preparing to search elsewhere, he happened to hear rumors that “some enchantress has recently been stirring up trouble at the Fan residence.” Remembering how Shu Xin had specifically taken Fan Jia’an’s remains from him, he became a little more attentive. After also hearing that strange things had been happening one after another at the Fan residence, he decided to take a look.
Originally, Qu Yougu had only intended to make a cursory visit to the Fan residence and, while he was there, see Shu Xin again and exchange pointers with her.
As fellow young cultivators in the Grotto-Heaven Realm, Qu Yougu was also quite interested in the two swords Shu Xin often carried at her side. What sort of swordsmanship did she practice?
However, when Qu Yougu actually arrived at the Fan residence and had only just stated his identity, the steward’s expression changed dramatically.
This naturally aroused Qu Yougu’s curiosity.
Before he could think too much about it, the Fan family head came striding out of the main residence with a large group of people to welcome him.
“May I ask whether you are a disciple of the Myriad Dao Sect? I am Fan Xiang, head of the Fan family.” Fan Xiang immediately spotted Qu Yougu waiting at the entrance and promptly assumed a solemn expression. He was respectful without losing the proper courtesy.
Unlike Shu Xin, the young man before him was a genuine heaven’s favored.
Ever since the Hu family incident, the name and image of Qu Yougu, the Daoist heir of the Myriad Dao Sect, had spread far and wide.
Fan Xiang was even more worried that if they failed to receive him properly and the Daoist heir brought up the demonic aura again, the Fan family might be doomed forever.
Thus, Fan Xiang could only take things one step at a time, hoping that the Daoist heir would merely look around and leave.
“Head of the Fan family, you are too courteous.” Qu Yougu returned the greeting. “I am merely traveling down the mountain and happened to pass by. If my visit causes any inconvenience, I hope you will forgive me.”
“Not at all, not at all. It is truly an honor for the Daoist heir to visit the Fan residence.” Fan Xiang answered with a smile. “Daoist heir, please come this way.”
“Head of the Fan family, our cultivation levels are comparable. There is no need to call me Daoist heir. You may simply address me as a fellow cultivator,” Qu Yougu said.
“That would be rather improper.” Fan Xiang did not dare take Qu Yougu’s words at face value. Who knew whether people from these great sects were being genuinely modest or merely polite? If Qu Yougu truly believed that sharing the same cultivation realm meant they could converse as equals, that would be terribly naïve.
Being a little more respectful might make them seem distant, but at least it would prevent any mistakes.
Normally, Fan Xiang would have been delighted to build a relationship with Qu Yougu. But at present, all he wanted was to send this scourge away as quickly as possible.
Qu Yougu followed at Fan Xiang’s side, while the other members of the Fan family did not dare make a sound.
No matter how foolish they were, they knew that in front of the Daoist heir of the Myriad Dao Sect, they absolutely could not let slip the slightest mention of the demonic aura.
They had to hide Shu Xin and her junior fellow disciples well. They must not allow any information about the demonic aura to escape from them.
Fan Xiang gave one of his trusted subordinates a meaningful look, signaling him to hurry and confer with Shu Xin and suppress the matter for the time being. They would first sound out the Daoist heir and decide what to do afterward.
His trusted subordinate immediately nodded and quietly withdrew.
“The Daoist heir must be tired after your journey. How about this? I will arrange a place for you to rest first, then host a banquet tonight to welcome you,” Fan Xiang offered.
“There is no need to trouble yourself. I am only here to take a look.” Qu Yougu took out the artifact his master had given him. He made no attempt to hide it, and when it showed no reaction, he turned to Fan Xiang and said, “Please take me around the Fan residence.”
“This…” Fan Xiang glanced at the compass-like artifact in Qu Yougu’s hand, curious and suspicious in equal measure.
“This is used to detect demonic aura,” Qu Yougu explained, entirely unconcerned that others might learn what the artifact did. “I use it to search for the source of the demonic aura. So please take me around the residence. This is my master’s order, and I dare not neglect it.”
Fan Xiang quietly clenched his fists. For one brief moment, he felt an urge to throw this Daoist heir out by force.
But he was, after all, a deep and calculating man. The thought flashed through his mind and vanished just as quickly, replaced by a plan. “My family has been established here for a hundred years. I fear the Daoist heir would not be able to finish looking around in such a short time. Since this is official business, I imagine there is no need to rush. Please do me the honor of allowing me to fulfill my duties as host first.”
Qu Yougu thought it over and decided that Fan Xiang had a point.
Fan Xiang secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
In a little while, he would cripple those two troublesome wretches. Then he would find a way to make Shu Xin and her junior fellow disciples keep quiet, prepare a generous gift of spirit stones, and curry favor with the cultivators of the Myriad Dao Sect. Perhaps this matter could still be put to rest.
For now, the most important thing was to placate this Daoist heir and send him away.
“By the way, I heard that fellow cultivator Shu Xin is also here.” Qu Yougu asked casually, “We parted ways last time, and I did not expect to meet her again at the Fan residence. It must be fate. Why don’t you take me to visit her, Head of the Fan family?”
The heart Fan Xiang had just managed to settle leaped into his throat again.
“Is there some inconvenience, Head of the Fan family?” Qu Yougu asked.
“Of course not.” Fan Xiang denied it at once. “It is only that I have not yet informed fellow cultivator Shu Xin of your arrival. To visit her without notice might be somewhat improper.”
“We cultivators need not be so coy with one another,” Qu Yougu said offhandedly. “There is no need to worry, Head of the Fan family. Fellow cultivator Shu Xin and I have faced life and death together. There is no need to concern ourselves with such trivialities.”
At this, Qu Yougu seemed to recall something. He cupped his hands and continued, “Fellow cultivator Shu Xin once asked me for your son’s remains. Have they been laid to rest? If it is convenient, I would also like to pay my respects.”
“Many thanks, Daoist heir. Naturally, it would be convenient. If my son is aware of this in the underworld, he will surely be overjoyed.” Fan Xiang immediately said, “This way, please.”
Fan Xiang waved toward his trusted subordinate.
Hurry and coordinate a story with Shu Xin.
No matter the cost, they had to seal Shu Xin’s lips.
Through the Sword Spirit’s relay, Shu Xin heard every word of the conversation between Fan Xiang and Qu Yougu.
【Qu Yougu is carrying an artifact that can search for demonic aura. However, it only works within a hundred zhang. If that external incarnation is completely dormant and does not release the slightest trace of demonic aura, the artifact will have little effect.】The Sword Spirit glanced at it, looking rather disdainful. 【These worthless scraps of metal cannot even give birth to an artifact spirit. They are truly beneath notice.】
To the Sword Spirit, there was only one standard by which to judge whether a magical artifact was powerful: whether it had given birth to an artifact spirit.
Aside from that, no matter how formidable an object might be, it was nothing more than a dead thing in its eyes.
“Hmm, Daoist heir came in person. Looks like I can demand a little more in hush money from the Fan family.” Shu Xin couldn’t help smiling. “To be honest, I hadn’t planned on making this much. But once fortune comes knocking, there’s no stopping it.”
The Sword Spirit gave Shu Xin a disdainful look.
Your eyes have practically vanished from all that smiling, and you still have the nerve to act innocent?
Before long, the Fan family steward and one of Fan Xiang’s trusted aides came rushing toward Shu Xin’s courtyard.
To maintain her carefully crafted persona, Shu Xin hurriedly sent a message through her spiritual sense, summoning her disciples and servants.
This was their time to take the stage.
Yuan Dawei, Cao Ru, and the others all steeled themselves, determined not to hold their senior sister back.
Senior Sister had said that she would set aside one-tenth of the hush money they obtained this time as a reward for them, which they could use to purchase magic treasures, pills, and the like. For their own sake, they had to negotiate a good price with the Fan family.
“True Person Shu, the situation is urgent. For the sake of the lives of the more than ten thousand members of my Fan clan, I beg you to show mercy. Everything is negotiable.” The steward immediately resorted to a moral appeal. “Among those ten thousand people, more than a thousand are children and three thousand are women. They’re all innocent!”
Cao Ru and Li Qinghe stood on either side of Shu Xin, guarding her like two door gods.
“Give it a rest. You know our senior sister has a kind heart, so you’re deliberately taking advantage of that, aren’t you?”
“Although our senior sister dislikes killing, your Fan family brought this upon yourselves. What does that have to do with us?”
Hearing Shu Xin’s two junior sisters’ rebuttals, the steward and the other Fan clansman remained unperturbed.
As long as the other side was still willing to talk, everything could be negotiated.
“First, tell us why you came here.” Yuan Dawei pretended not to know. “You rushed into my senior sister’s room in such a panic. If you offended her, you wouldn’t be able to bear the consequences.”
“The Daoist heir of the Myriad Dao Sect has arrived. You know this person, True Person Shu. It’s none other than Qu Yougu,” the steward immediately replied.
“So it’s Fellow Daoist Qu. I didn’t expect us to meet again so soon after our last parting.” Shu Xin sighed. “Since he has arrived, you’d better confess everything sooner rather than later. Fellow Daoist Qu doesn’t tolerate even the slightest impurity in his eyes. If you’re willing to tell the truth, perhaps there will still be a way out.”
Confess what?
The Fan family had nothing to do with that demonic cultivator who used parasitic spirits!
The steward absolutely did not want to see the Fan family decline and collapse.
If the Fan family fell, wouldn’t all his hard-earned efforts to climb to his current position turn to ashes?
He had only just taken his twenty-eighth concubine. He absolutely could not be reduced to living as a rogue cultivator!
“True Person Shu, we’ve been wronged!” The other Fan clansman began to protest. “From beginning to end, we had no idea anything was related to demonic cultivators. The demonic aura might have appeared by accident—or perhaps someone planted evidence to frame us.”
“If you’re innocent, what are you afraid of?” Meng Wenrui chimed in.
“Fellow Daoist, there is no place under heaven entirely free of corruption. My Fan family is completely innocent of colluding with demonic cultivators. But what if the people from the Myriad Dao Sect harbor ulterior motives?” The Fan clansman raised his head and challenged them.
“How dare you question the Daoist sect?” Qi Feiyang shouted.
“Whether what I’m saying is true or not, wouldn’t the people from the Inquiry God Sect know better than anyone?” the Fan clansman replied at once. “The Nine Sects and Ten Schools, whether righteous or demonic, all have to obey their orders. Anyone who refuses ends up with their sect destroyed and their mountain gate erased. All those resources, shops, and merchant associations belonging to these sects—where do you think they came from? They use suppressing demonic cultivators as a pretext to seize things from the various clans and sects. Haven’t they taken enough already? I’ve heard that your Inquiry God Sect has also been oppressed by the Longevity Dao Sect for years. When it comes to being bullied by that Daoist sect, our Fan family and your sect are in the same boat.”
Those words were far more skillful than the steward’s moral blackmail.
Shu Xin gave the speaker another look.
It seemed the Fan family had a few people who were actually capable.
“Then what is it you want?” Qi Feiyang asked with a frown.
“We are willing to offer some spirit stones as a token of our goodwill.” The Fan clansman produced an exquisitely crafted storage ring. “This is a small token of our appreciation from the Fan family. We ask for nothing else. We only hope that you will give our Fan family a chance to investigate the source of the demonic aura. Once the truth has come to light, we will naturally go to the Myriad Dao Sect and present ourselves for punishment.”
Qi Feiyang and the others swept the storage ring with their spiritual senses. They were instantly stunned by the mountain of spirit stones inside.
Just… how many spirit stones were there?
Were these great clans all this wealthy?
“You think you can buy us off?” Cao Ru was the first to recover. “You’re trying to bribe us with spirit stones. Do you think we’re the sort of people who would sell out for money?”
In truth, they absolutely were.
There were enough spirit stones here to allow every one of them to advance to the Nascent Soul stage.
Seeing so many spirit stones, Li Qinghe felt his Dao heart teetering on the verge of collapse.
He suddenly understood Senior Sister a little better.
The spirit stones of these great clans seemed to fall from the sky. They could casually produce mountains of them. Meanwhile, cultivators from small sects like theirs—and rogue cultivators outside—had to risk their lives for three or five spirit stones.
How could anyone maintain a calm heart in the face of such an enormous gap between rich and poor?
Robbing the rich to aid the poor—Senior Sister really was doing the most righteous thing in the world!
“Fellow Daoist, you misunderstand us,” the steward added. “It’s just that spirit stones can indeed resolve many problems. All we want is an opportunity to uncover the truth. Besides, you have all been staying in the Fan residence this entire time. If something truly happens to our family, I’m afraid you will find it difficult to escape responsibility as well.”
“Furthermore, True Person Shu’s cultivation is profound, and naturally we cannot keep you here. But you should also consider the safety of your junior brothers and sisters, shouldn’t you?”
First courtesy, then force.
A moment ago, they had been throwing spirit stones at them. Now they had switched to threats.
Cao Ru was just about to lash out when she heard Shu Xin let out a soft, forlorn sigh.
“Very well. For the sake of my beloved Fan, I can refrain from telling Fellow Daoist Qu about the demonic aura that appeared in the Fan family.” Shu Xin seemed to have been moved. There were even tears glimmering in her eyes.
“Many thanks, True Person Shu.” The steward breathed a sigh of relief. He then had the young man beside him produce a written contract. “Words alone are not enough. Please sign this contract as proof.”
“All right.”
“Senior Sister, don’t!”
“Senior Sister, let us sign it in your place!”
Several of her junior brothers and sisters immediately tried to step forward and take her place.
Shu Xin merely waved a hand, signaling them not to move, and signed the contract herself.
“It would be best if True Person Shu’s junior brothers and sisters also kept quiet about this for the time being,” the steward said with a smile. “As far as we’re concerned, you’re all in this together.”
“Rest assured, Steward.” Shu Xin nodded.
Only then did the steward and the other Fan clansman leave, thoroughly satisfied.
This battle could be considered a great victory for them.
“Senior Sister, how could you agree to such conditions?”
“Sure enough, when traveling away from home, we still have to disguise ourselves as servants. The moment our relationship with Senior Sister is exposed, they’ll spend every day thinking about how to use us to threaten her.” Qi Feiyang and the others could only resent the fact that their cultivation was not high enough, turning them into burdens who held Senior Sister back.
“It’s nothing more than a delaying tactic. Why are you all getting so anxious?” Shu Xin smiled. “All right, I’ll hold on to the spirit stones for now. When the time comes, just tell me what you want to buy and I’ll reimburse you.”
Seeing how calm and composed Shu Xin was, the junior brothers and sisters suddenly found themselves with someone to rely on.
Since Senior Sister said everything was fine, she must have another plan in reserve.
Unknowingly, their trust in Shu Xin had already surpassed their own judgment.
[You still haven’t found that demon cultivator’s external incarnation?] the Sword Spirit asked.
“Of course I have to find him, but wouldn’t it be better to wait for him to reveal himself?” Shu Xin said indifferently. “The longer Qu Yougu stays here, the more frightened he’ll become. These sects have always acted domineeringly. I’ll have Qu Yougu seal off the entire Fan household and catch the turtle in the jar.”
Among the Nine Sects and Ten Schools, formations capable of imprisoning an entire area were hardly rare.
Back at the Longevity Dao Sect, Shu Xin had suffered more than enough from them herself.
[But didn’t you accept the Fan family’s hush money and sign a contract with them?] the Sword Spirit asked curiously. [Wouldn’t violating the contract result in a backlash?]
“I only promised the Fan family that I absolutely would not tell Qu Yougu about the demonic aura in their household. I never promised not to let Qu Yougu seal off the Fan family. Besides, what Qu Yougu decides to do has nothing to do with me.” Shu Xin shrugged. “Those are two different things. Sword Spirit, reflect on yourself properly. How can you still ask such a foolish question?”
I suppose I should reflect. I greatly overestimated your moral standards.
The Sword Spirit fell into deep thought.
Meanwhile.
Qu Yougu followed Fan Xiang and once again paid respects to Fan Jia’an. He was then led around several secluded places before Fan Xiang finally received word from the steward and brought Qu Yougu to Shu Xin’s residence.
“Daoist heir, this is the residence of True Person Shu,” Fan Xiang said with a smile. “Why don’t I go in and announce your arrival first?”
“No need. Thank you for your trouble, Clan Chief Fan. Since I’m here to meet an old friend, I can go in alone. I’ve already imposed on you for long enough and shouldn’t trouble you any further.” Qu Yougu inclined his head slightly.
“How could helping the Daoist heir be considered trouble?” Fan Xiang’s eyes shifted, and he put on another smile. “I’ve already ordered a banquet to be prepared. When the time comes, I hope the Daoist heir and True Person Shu will both attend.”
“Very well.” Qu Yougu agreed readily.
Fan Xiang was reluctant to leave, but he knew he could not show it too clearly. He could only depart for the time being.
It wouldn’t be too late to find those two wretches, demand an explanation for the source of the demonic aura, and deal with them afterward!
“Daoist Shu, it has been many days since we last met. I’ve come to pay you a visit,” Qu Yougu called from outside the door.
“Daoist Qu, please come in.” Shu Xin’s voice came from inside.
Qu Yougu did not suspect anything and walked in without hesitation.
However, when he saw Shu Xin in the courtyard—her face haggard, her lips stained with traces of blood as she coughed repeatedly—he was still given quite a fright.
“Daoist Shu… What happened to you?” Qu Yougu asked in shock. “Could you have suffered a cultivation deviation, or been harmed by some villain?”
“Cough, cough. Daoist Qu, come inside first.” Shu Xin glanced around, then raised her hand and set up several soundproofing formations. Only then did she motion for Qu Yougu to approach.
“Daoist Qu, I can’t tell you the details. Cough, cough.” Shu Xin seemed to be struggling to support herself, as though she might collapse at any moment. “The Fan family appears peaceful on the surface, but there are undercurrents surging beneath it. It’s embarrassing to say, but I don’t even know what happened. A few days ago, while I was meditating and cultivating, I suddenly felt uneasy. My cultivation went awry for a moment, and that’s why I’ve been feeling unwell.”
“You needn’t worry. Cough, cough.” Shu Xin clutched her chest and coughed several more times before groping for a chair and sitting down.
Seeing this, Qu Yougu’s brows furrowed even more deeply.
Shu Xin was clearly seriously injured, yet she claimed that her cultivation had merely gone awry?
It seemed she was still too innocent. She did not even know how to come up with a more convincing excuse when lying.
“The Fan family shouldn’t have any demonic aura,” Qu Yougu said hesitantly. “Could it be that the Fan family is plotting against you and wants to harm you?”
It was not that Qu Yougu thought too poorly of the Fan family. Similar incidents had genuinely occurred before.
It was said that in the past, when female cultivators from various sects concealed their identities and descended the mountain to travel, quite a few clans had tried to abduct them after seeing that they were alone and possessed outstanding talents.
By the time their sects realized something was wrong and went to rescue them, those female disciples had often already been completely drained of their vitality.
Even destroying those clans would be of no use. Whenever an exceptional female cultivator traveled alone, there would still be all kinds of people watching her. Unless she was powerful and vigilant enough not to be deceived, there was no way to prevent it.
Afterward, whenever female cultivators from the various sects descended the mountain to gain experience, they were required to wear their sect jade plaques. They would also usually invite fellow disciples to travel with them, so very few went out alone.
“The Fan family naturally has no demonic aura,” Shu Xin replied. “It’s just that the hearts of these aristocratic clans are far from united. Some members of the Fan family want to form a friendly relationship with the sects, while others want to take advantage of the opportunity to damage that relationship and profit from it. Fan Jia’an was the Fan family’s young clan leader. After his death, those vying for the position have resorted to every kind of tactic. Fan Jia’an and I had some acquaintance, after all. I couldn’t bear to see him remain unrestful in the afterlife, so I planned to stay here for a few days. Who would have thought that my own cultivation would go awry instead? Now I can only remain here to recover from my injuries.”
Qu Yougu’s brows drew together even more tightly.
Where in the world could there be such a coincidence?
“Daoist Shu, forgive my offense.” As soon as Qu Yougu finished speaking, he seized Shu Xin’s wrist and examined the condition of her meridians.
“This…” Shu Xin pretended to be shocked, but did not pull away.
“Daoist Qu, there shouldn’t be anything seriously wrong with me, right?” Shu Xin asked worriedly.
Qu Yougu’s gaze toward Shu Xin grew exceptionally solemn, but he said the exact opposite aloud. “It’s nothing serious. Daoist Shu, simply rest and recuperate with peace of mind.”
With that, Qu Yougu found an excuse to take his leave.
He took out the magical treasure his master had given him, apparently intending to contact the sect and request assistance.
[… You’re quite the convincing actress. You didn’t actually say anything, yet the Daoist heir has completely followed the script you wrote for him.] The Sword Spirit was filled with admiration.
Shu Xin had deliberately disrupted her own meridians and intentionally left glaring flaws, all so that Qu Yougu would take the initiative to examine her.
That way, she could avoid the contract’s influence while still getting Qu Yougu to act according to her wishes.
“Qu Yougu looks easygoing, but there’s quite a bit of arrogance buried in his bones. Now that he’s discovered signs suggesting I’ve been tainted by demonic aura, yet can’t determine it for certain because they’re faint and elusive—and his magical treasure hasn’t shown any significant reaction—he’ll naturally begin to suspect the Fan family.” Shu Xin clicked her tongue twice. “If he has suspicions but no evidence, what do you think he’ll do?”
Qu Yougu had already answered that question with his actions.
He used a formation to seal off the Fan family residence!
Everyone, take a guess—where is the demonic cultivator’s external incarnation hiding?
