Chapter 47

With a crowd backing her, Zhang Shi looked completely different from the day she had fainted in fear. Chest puffed out and hands on her hips, she wore the expression of someone about to exact revenge.
Her son, Li Sheng, shared the same plump face and mirrored her triumphant demeanor.
Su Family’s second son and his wife, one thin, one plump, along with the third son and his wife, and Su Ling’s two aunts, had all come along.
Though Zhang Shi was also Su Ling’s aunt, she was from her mother’s side, and they usually didn’t interact much.
Besides them, many onlookers had gathered, along with those who had followed the Taoist priest accompanying Zhang Shi.
This time, Zhang Shi was brimming with confidence. After fainting and being carried home by her son that day, she had vowed to punish Su Ling and get her hands on that money. She couldn’t bear the thought of that sum being in someone else’s possession.
When it came to dealing with ghosts and supernatural beings, Taoist priests and monks were the most suitable.
Zhang Shi paid a considerable price to invite the renowned Taoist Wuyao from the area.
The cost was too steep for her family alone to bear, so she gritted her teeth and went to the Su family to discuss it. With Su Lao’er as a witness, the Su family also contributed a portion of the money.
Fearing that delays might bring trouble, they had originally planned to set out early that morning. However, Taoist Wuyao insisted on catching the target off guard, so they did not waste any time and headed straight over.
At first, Zhang Shi was somewhat afraid, but as they walked on and she saw the calm expression on Taoist Wuyao’s face, her fear gradually faded. She even began to look forward to the moment when Su Ling would kneel before them, weeping bitterly.
Zhang Shi’s tearful outburst startled the group following them, instantly creating a tense atmosphere.
Taoist Wuyao, with his goatee, simple attire, and composed demeanor, glanced at Zhang Shi with displeasure and said sternly, "Do not raise your voice. You might startle the evil spirits."
Zhang Shi gave an embarrassed smile and nodded, closing her mouth.
Only then did Taoist Wuyao turn his satisfied gaze toward the bamboo cottage ahead. He continued walking but frowned slightly.
Su Lao’er swallowed nervously and whispered, "Master, what’s wrong?"
Taoist Wuyao replied gravely, "This bamboo cottage shows no signs of demonic or ghostly energy. On the contrary, it is filled with more spiritual energy than usual. Whatever harmed you may not be a ghost or monster."
"Impossible!" Zhang Shi immediately denied it, her eyebrows raised and voice sharp. "My son and I experienced it firsthand. If it wasn’t a ghost or monster, how could it be invisible yet still attack us? My poor niece is trapped here, suffering who knows how much torment!"
Her words started off fierce, but by the end, she was clutching her chest as if heartbroken.
Su Lao’er and the others quickly nodded in agreement, chiming in, "Master, you cannot stand by and do nothing. Our niece has lost both her parents, and we are the only ones left to stand up for her."
"Let me investigate further," Taoist Wuyao sighed sympathetically and continued forward.
Su Ling, who was just about to eat, was interrupted by the commotion and grew furious, her expression darkening. "Master, please wait a moment. I’ll go and drive them away."
They truly had no shame, coming here to disturb her!
The current Su Ling was not the weak and powerless girl she once was. Especially now that she had mastered a spell, with dual enhancements, she was confident she could make these people kneel and beg for mercy.
Her eyes sharpened as she rose to confront them.
But just as she moved, a large hand pressed her down. Her newly acquired, handsome master frowned coldly and said calmly, "No need for you to act. I will handle it."
Su Ling glanced at him cautiously, a hint of worry in her voice. "Then Master, please hold back a little. Don’t kill anyone."
Yi Heng looked at her, and Su Ling responded with an ingratiating smile. Though he said nothing, she felt a pang of guilt.
She knew Yi Heng was the Demon Lord, who never showed mercy in his actions. That was why she had spoken up. But as a modern person, Su Ling believed that although these people were detestable, a beating was enough, they didn’t deserve to die. She couldn’t help but worry.
Afraid that Yi Heng might see through her thoughts, she acted even more obediently.
Yi Heng did feel a moment of strangeness, but seeing the bright, sweet smile on his young disciple’s delicate face, his heart softened slightly, and he paid it no mind. Instead, he earnestly assured her, "I won’t truly harm them."
Su Ling curved her lips slightly and truly sat to the side without moving further, waiting for the other party to enter.
Soon, under Zhang's guidance, Taoist Wuyao and his group arrived at the courtyard gate. At this point, Zhang didn't dare to lead the way any longer and timidly hid behind them, saying meekly, "Master, this is the place."
Taoist Wuyao gave a slight nod, raised his horsetail whisk, and called out clearly, "Fellow Daoist, pardon the intrusion."
Then he pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped inside.
As soon as he entered, he distinctly felt a concentration of spiritual energy far richer than what he had observed from outside, permeating this seemingly humble courtyard.
Taoist Wuyao was no ordinary person; he was a cultivator. However, his innate talent was not particularly high, so remaining in the mortal world as a respected Daoist was a suitable choice, especially since his practice focused on divination.
He had come here after hearing from Zhang that her niece was held captive by ghosts in the wilderness and couldn't return, prompting him to rush over. But upon sensing the pure spiritual energy here and observing Zhang Shi and the Su family members, who looked expectant and gleeful rather than worried about the niece's safety, he began to understand the situation.
He shook his head, bowed respectfully, and said, "Junior apologizes for the disturbance."
Anyone capable of altering the spiritual energy concentration of an area, even if only a small courtyard, was far more powerful than he. In the cultivation world, seniority was determined by cultivation level, so he naturally had to address the other as a junior.
Zhang Shi, however, didn't understand. Seeing that the Daoist she had gone through great trouble to invite was bowing and scraping to someone inside the house whom he hadn't even seen, she immediately grew displeased and said, "Taoist Wuyao, you can't do this! You're supposed to be here to help!"
Taoist Wuyao glanced at Zhang with a look of disdain. If it were truly ghosts and monsters, how could they have returned unscathed?
He had been too quick to trust others, but upon careful reflection, he began to realize the truth.
Not only Zhang Shi, but the Su family members also started clamoring, "Dear niece, come out quickly! Your second uncle is here to save you!"
"Dear niece?! Don't worry, for the sake of your parents, we will take good care of you!"
They spoke with fervent expressions, feigning anxiety. At first glance, they appeared to be caring elders deeply concerned for Su Ling. A few outsiders who had followed out of curiosity, unaware of the full story, shook their heads and commented, "If this girl really is held by ghosts, that's one thing. But if she isn't, and her family is so worried about her while she refuses to come out, that's just too much!"
"Exactly! I thought, as the daughter of Doctor Su, she should at least show some consideration. Now it seems maybe it's not necessary."
"Ah, a fine bamboo can produce bad shoots. I, "
One of them was cut off mid-sentence as the half-closed bamboo door slowly swung open on its own. Instinctively, he shut his mouth, a chill running down his spine.
For the bamboo door clearly had no one behind it, it was as if an invisible hand was controlling its movement!
The bamboo door swung open, revealing two figures seated at the dining table in the main hall, a man and a woman. The man, dressed in pristine white robes, was strikingly handsome and elegant, his eyes closed. With a vermilion mark between his brows, he would have resembled an immortal descended to the mortal realm!
The young woman seated below him appeared somewhat plainer by comparison, though in this earthly world, her beauty was still exceptional. Her eyes, in particular, were lively and clear, and the corners of her lips held a faint, elusive smile. Clad in a simple, narrow-sleeved white gown, her hair was elegantly tied up, lending her an air of serene grace.
These two looked more like celestial beings than the ghosts or pitiful niece described by Zhang Shi and the others.
Especially since Su Ling clearly hadn’t suffered any mistreatment, in fact, she seemed to be living quite well. This realization stirred a strange unease in some of the onlookers.
But before that unease could manifest, an overwhelming pressure suddenly bore down on them, forcing everyone, including the Taoist priest, to their knees. In an instant, faces turned pale, teeth chattered, and bodies trembled uncontrollably.
Zhang Shi desperately tried to speak, but an invisible force slapped her across the face with a sharp smack!, visibly swelling her plump cheek. Witnessing this, the others abandoned any thought of resistance, some even covering their mouths preemptively.
A deep, chilling male voice, as if echoing from the heavens, rang out with terrifying authority: "Who gave you permission to trespass here?!"
Even the Taoist priest, Wuyao, looked far more distressed than before, sweat pouring down his face as he inwardly cursed his greed for the offered reward. All he wanted now was to return home: "Spare us, honored one! We were deceived by these people! I beg for mercy!"
He kowtowed frantically, his voice trembling with fear.
As the only one who could somewhat resist the pressure and still speak, his desperate pleas only heightened the terror of those nearly suffocating under the cultivator’s aura. From the moment the bamboo door opened, they had struggled even to breathe.
Seeing even Wuyao kneeling and begging for mercy, they knew they had provoked someone far beyond their league.
Yet, they couldn’t even plead for forgiveness themselves, leaving them bitter and ashen-faced.
Su Ling found the scene so amusing that she let out a light, genuine laugh, momentarily easing the oppressive atmosphere.
Those who could still hear then caught the man’s voice, now softened immeasurably, asking Su Ling, "Are you satisfied?"
"Very," Su Ling replied with a cheerful nod. "Please, Master, just toss them out. They won’t dare come back."
"Very well," Yi Heng agreed, casting an indulgent glance at his disciple. With a wave of his hand, the dozen or so intruders were instantly flung out of the house.
They didn’t fly far, just about ten meters, landing a few steps beyond the courtyard.
Groaning in pain, they soon realized they could speak again and, overwhelmed with relief, scrambled away in a disheveled heap, weeping, "Waa so terrifying"
Only the Taoist priest managed to rise steadily, performing a solemn, intricate kowtow before hurrying off, his face pale.
Su Ling covered her mouth, shaking with laughter, her heart light with satisfaction. They had bullied the original host for being a helpless young girl. Though she had eventually taken revenge, it was only after being pushed to the brink, at the cost of her own tragic end, a mutual destruction.
In this life, Su Ling did not deliberately seek revenge. She distanced herself from the turmoil early on and paid no mind to those who stirred up trouble. Yet, to her surprise, the master she had just acknowledged had avenged her in such a way. Her heart swelled with indescribable satisfaction.
This master, she hadn’t chosen wrong!
Truly formidable!
"Thank you, Master!" Su Ling said crisply, then awkwardly cupped her hands in an imitation of Wuyao’s gesture, though she only captured the rough form.
Yi Heng 'watched' them depart, with no one daring to harbor further thoughts. Just as he was about to ask his disciple if she was satisfied, he heard her words. A flicker of joy stirred in his heart, and the corners of his lips lifted as he softly replied, "It was only right. No need for thanks."
After speaking, he 'saw' the clear admiration shining in his little disciple’s bright eyes. He paused, recalling the interactions between masters and disciples in that nearly annihilated sect. After a moment’s hesitation, he reached out and gently patted her small head. "We are master and disciple. There’s no need for formalities."
Su Ling was momentarily taken aback, her gaze resting on Yi Heng’s handsome face. The next second, she pressed her lips together and beamed, nodding emphatically. "Mm!"