Chapter 577: Chapter 569: I Advise You to Mind Your Own Business Regarding Retribution
After every Imperial Examination, stories of the top scorer’s parade through Scholar’s Street circulate, such as which newly appointed scholars were favored, who had been deemed the most ideal son-in-law by certain families, and some were even caught as bridesgrooms beneath the exam list. The storytellers in tea houses can talk about these tales non-stop all day.
Naturally, besides these pleasant affairs, this cohort of scholars gave rise to some bizarre rumors, among which the matter of the Changchuan Marquis Mansion was the most hotly discussed.
It is said that Mr. Wenyuan of Changchuan Marquis Mansion secured the fifth rank in the second class, but joy turned to sorrow. On the day the Imperial Examination results were announced, Mr. Wenyuan returned home and encountered evil sorcery, leaving him somewhat unwell.
By coincidence, on that very day, the temple master of Jinhua Temple captured an evil alchemist who had fled to the Changchuan Marquis Mansion. He broke into the mansion, fought a battle of magic, and conducted an exorcism before leaving.
Yet no sooner had the temple master of Jinhua Temple departed than Mr. Wenyuan returned home and was afflicted by evil sorcery. It is said to be the work of that evil alchemist, and the temple master was summoned once more to exterminate the evil.
Regarding the incident of Mr. Wenyuan encountering evil sorcery, the public spread exaggerated stories, with various versions emerging. But regardless of the version, Master Tai Cheng returning at urgent summons felt like he had stirred up a futile fuss.
Lured to the Changchuan Marquis Mansion only to end up killing Daoist Xu Gong, then caught in the act by Uncle Changchuan, and subsequently forced to hold an exorcism to dispel the mansion’s yin energy—it was a string of misfortunes that made him feel jinxed.
Alright, it was his bad luck. After conducting the exorcism, he took it as an opportunity to demonstrate that Jinhua Temple never consorts with the Evil Path, which did not seem such a losing deal.
As soon as the affair at Changchuan Marquis Mansion was resolved, he returned to the temple and was about to prepare for a Da Yan Divination with Copper Coin to figure out who was scheming against him.
But before he could set up, a sudden chest pain and a sweet metallic taste in his throat signaled an outflow of blood from the corner of his mouth, leaving his spiritual platform feeling dizzy.
Master Tai Cheng was shocked, pinching his fingers to calculate, and realized he had been hit by a minor backlash. How could that be?
He was surprised, angry, and panicked. A backlash would damage his Daoist Cultivation, but he hadn’t done anything, nor had he been fighting anyone—how could he have received a backlash?
Before Master Tai Cheng could clear up the confusion, people from the Changchuan Marquis Mansion arrived, saying that Mr. Wenyuan had encountered evil sorcery and the Jade Plate he had provided showed a crack after the exorcism. They earnestly begged Master Tai Cheng to come and expel evil.
Master Tai Cheng was furious. Did these powerful people really treat him, the temple master, like any common cat or dog, to come and go at their beck and call?
Yet faced with their pleas and threats, he underwent an internal struggle and had no choice but to go to the Changchuan Marquis Mansion.
He wanted to see what kind of formidable Evil Ghost could crack his Magic Artifact and cause him to suffer a backlash.
Upon entering Changchuan Marquis Mansion, Master Tai Cheng was led to Cheng Wenyan’s courtyard, only to frown at the sight of the swirling evil aura in the room.
He had already performed an exorcism for this mansion, and only left after it was cleansed. How could this room now be filled with such heavy yin energy, which had already morphed into a Vicious Energy with resentful spirits?
Uncle Changchuan rushed over upon seeing him, his eyes cold but his voice trembling slightly, “Temple master, you must save my son. If it weren’t for the death of Daoist Xu Gong at the temple master’s hands, my son wouldn’t be suffering like this.”
His words, undisguised, were laced with blame and indignation.
When Daoist Xu Gong was alive, everything with Cheng Wenyan was fine. But immediately after his death, Cheng Wenyan was beset by an Evil Ghost. How could Uncle Changchuan not resent?
Right now, if he didn’t still need to rely on Master Tai Cheng, he probably would have already taken down this damn Daoist.
Master Tai Cheng heard this complaint, and his expression became rather unsightly; the series of incidents that had occurred at the Changchuan Marquis Mansion already upset him greatly, and now Uncle Changchuan even dared to blame him and shove the responsibility onto him?
Even a clay figure has three points of anger, let alone himself who is not a clay figure.
Master Tai Cheng said with a gloomy face, “What is the meaning of Uncle Changchuan’s words? Could it be that the disasters befalling your mansion are not the karmic barriers of your own making? When I left, the yin energy of this residence had been cleared, yet now, this room is overflowing with vicious energy. Before blaming me, should Uncle Changchuan not first ask what sins have your own son committed?”
Uncle Changchuan’s face darkened slightly.
Master Tai Cheng felt the anger in his stomach was not yet vented and continued, “Seeing this outburst of vicious energy turning into evil spirits, it seems that the sin barrier on your son is substantial, I’m afraid I am powerless to help. Perhaps, Lord, you should seek out someone more capable!”
Having said that, he turned around to leave.
The powerful may have power, indeed, but his Jinhua Temple is not a place to be bullied by others. Moreover, everyone knows what sort of terrible sins have been committed by the Changchuan Marquis Mansion. If they want to press him using their power, they should see if they actually have the strength to do so!
Another point, if they want to press him, they would have to see if Cheng Wenyan’s life could actually wait that long!
Sure enough, the moment he turned to leave, Uncle Changchuan panicked and quickly switched to a more ingratiating smile, stopping him, “Why would the temple master trouble himself with us mortals like me? My son is being tormented by an Evil Ghost; as a father, I am just anxious, please forgive me.”
As he spoke, Uncle Changchuan bowed to Master Tai Cheng, showing a sincere willingness to lower his head, yet the drooped eyelids hid a flash of murderous intent in his eyes. He wanted to pressure Master Tai Cheng, but his son’s matter was urgent and must be resolved quickly; otherwise, his life would certainly be in peril.
Seeing this, Master Tai Cheng’s frustration eased off slightly. He snorted and said, “Exterminating evil and defending the Dao is the mission of our Jinhua Temple. Lead the way, and let’s see what dares to harm people.”
Uncle Changchuan led him into the room, and as Master Tai Cheng entered, he immediately smelled a strong scent of blood, and spotted patches of blood on the floor.
From within the bedroom, there were also sharp, low howls.
Master Tai Cheng walked in and saw four tall guards desperately holding onto Cheng Wenyan’s limbs. As for Cheng Wenyan on the bed, he had already become a bloodied man. His face appeared as if flesh had been forcibly torn off by sharp claws, revealing bloody flesh beneath; the blood flowed from his face, dropping onto the bed, turning the flesh somewhat blackened.
Aside from his face, his clothes were completely ripped open, his chest clawed into a bloody mess. The Jade Plate he had sought from Master Tai Cheng was pressing down on his chest.
Upon seeing the state of Cheng Wenyan’s flesh, Master Tai Cheng involuntarily sucked in a cold breath.
He quickly stepped forward; Cheng Wenyan, despite being restrained by the limbs continued to struggle. Suddenly, he twisted his head to look over, his eyes bloodshot, glaring at Master Tai Cheng as he growled, “Stinking Taoist, I’d advise you to mind your own business!”
How perfect, the Evil Ghost’s exclusive line!
Hearing that mix of male and female voices, Master Tai Cheng looked into Cheng Wenyan’s bleeding eyes and knew at once he was possessed by an Evil Ghost. Then, he glanced at the Jade Plate he had given.
The originally lustrous Jade Plate brimming with spiritual energy now had a hairline crack, its spiritual energy dissipating, and the Jade Plate had dulled, vaguely entwined with an aura of yin energy.
“How could this be?” Upon seeing his handcrafted Magic Artifact in such a state, Master Tai Cheng was so shocked that his eyes widened.