Carrying Lu Qingqing in his arms, Lu Sheng’s thoughts churned in a tangle of confusion and discomfort. They were siblings, yet he couldn’t deny that the bond between them wasn’t strong. She had spent most of her life training outside the family, and he… he wasn’t even the original Lu Sheng.
Still, now was not a moment for truth. As the elder brother, he had to wear the mask of anguish whether he felt it or not.
With Zhuan Feng beside him, Lu Sheng surveyed the narrow underground dungeon. The stench of blood clung to the stale air. Aside from the corpses, only three vacant-eyed fools remained alive, staring blankly into nothingness. No other discoveries. No clues.
Together, they helped the three out into the open—where Yan Kai and Duan Rongrong were waiting. Yan Kai sat cross-legged, his face flushed red, a thin line of blood staining the corner of his lips. Beside him lay a puddle of thick, black blood he had just spat out.
“It doesn’t matter. Just some congestion.” Yan Kai’s voice was flat, betraying no emotion.
“Miss Lu Qingqing was damaged by Yin Qi. It’s already a miracle that she survived.”
“I…” Lu Sheng’s lips parted, but no words followed.
A creeping dread gnawed at him—an instinctive alarm that surged the moment he carried Lu Qingqing out of that dungeon. It felt as though he had stepped into the role of some disposable background character in one of those ghost tales… the kind whose fate was sealed from the start.
Nine Links City was now crawling with Demonic Ghosts—hidden, elusive, impossible to guard against. And his Lu Family might become the next victims, swept into disaster without warning.
As a mere mortal, all he had to protect himself was the Modifier… and his hard-won martial strength. Neither gave him any real answer to the supernatural.
That single battle against a Demonic Ghost had drained him almost completely. If two appeared at once…
He would be utterly helpless.
At that thought, the grief on Lu Sheng’s face gradually shifted into a troubled, uneasy expression.
“My sister ended up like this because of those Demonic Ghosts. Taoist-sir, is there any way for us mortals to gain the strength to fight them? Or… are there people or places where we can seek help?”
He spoke both out of genuine concern and quiet probing—seeking any hint of other forces capable of opposing the supernatural.
Yan Kai hesitated, his gaze falling upon the unconscious Lu Qingqing with a flicker of pity.
“This… this humble Taoist’s knowledge is limited. Ordinary people can never stand on equal footing with ghosts, that much is certain,” he said slowly. “As for groups capable of helping, we exorcists are one such. But most of us are difficult to find. My suggestion to Young Master Lu is to continue posting hiring notices. Perhaps fortune will bring more exorcists your way.”
Lu Sheng pondered for a moment, then asked,
“Does Taoist-sir accept disciples?”
He had no intention of apprenticing himself. Instead, he was considering the younger generation of the Lu Manor—children who might gain the strength to protect themselves in a world slipping into chaos… while also forging valuable ties.
Yan Kai’s expression stiffened at the question.
“To be frank, Young Master… exorcists are mostly gifted from birth. Such ability cannot be cultivated. The mantra this humble Taoist practices would only harm mortals if they attempted it. Even now, I search for someone who can inherit my skills. But alas…”
Lu Sheng’s brows furrowed.
“Gifted from birth?”
“Indeed. My blood, tempered through a special method, has gained properties that restrain ghosts. It is the foundation of my ability to subdue them. In truth, many exorcists rely on their own blood as well,” Yan Kai explained without reservation.
Blood… The realization settled in Lu Sheng’s mind.
Yan Kai had no reason to deceive him. Even Duan Rongrong beside them nodded repeatedly in agreement. It seemed undeniable—exorcists truly relied on their blood to combat ghosts.
“Is there really no other way?” Lu Sheng let out a heavy sigh.
Yan Kai’s gaze softened as he looked at Lu Sheng’s downcast expression and the frail Lu Qingqing in his arms.
“Other ways… this humble Taoist truly has nothing more to offer. Without innate gifts, mortals are powerless against ghosts.” He paused, then added, “But for humanity to survive and flourish in this world, there must be forces working from the shadows—fending off ghosts, safeguarding the living. We exorcists are one of them. If Young Master Lu is truly determined, perhaps a deeper search may reveal more clues.”
Lu Sheng nodded slightly.
“I suppose that’s all I can do for now. Then… may I ask if Taoist-sir could sell me items effective against ghosts?”
Yan Kai shook his head at once.
“My apologies. It’s not a matter of willingness. Items crafted from my blood can only be activated by me. They would have no effect in the hands of others. If it were otherwise, I wouldn’t have needed Rongrong to hide earlier.”
Lu Sheng accepted the explanation. If Yan Kai were lying, admitting the power of his own blood so openly would only invite danger—villains could easily abduct him and bleed him dry like livestock.
With another sigh, he adjusted Lu Qingqing carefully in his arms, then left the Taoist temple with the others, mounting his horse.
“In that case, will Taoist-sir be returning with us?”
“No need. I intend to investigate this place further. There may be traces of the original Demonic Ghost here. There is more than one lurking in Nine Links City—we must locate the ‘patient zero.’ If left unchecked, that original one will only grow stronger with time,” Yan Kai replied, declining the offer.
“Very well. Should Taoist-sir require anything, please come to Lu Manor. I, Lu Sheng, will do everything within my ability to assist! Also, the three of you must come to Lu Manor to collect your compensation.”
With one hand gripping the reins, he turned his horse, leading the guards and the three rescued fools down the path they had taken earlier.
Behind him, Yan Kai suddenly called out,
“Young Master Sheng! You’ve just slain a Demonic Ghost—its lingering scent clings to you. If other Demonic Ghosts are nearby, they will surely target you. Worse, it could even draw a Great Demonic Ghost. Please stay vigilant. Should anything happen, send someone to inform me immediately.”
Lu Sheng’s heart gave a sharp jolt.
“Many thanks, Taoist-sir! Many thanks, Miss Zhuan Feng!”
He turned and waved in gratitude before continuing onward.
The group rode along the rugged mountain trail, their horses compensating for the winding path with speed. Yuhan remained close at Lu Sheng’s side, alert and tense. The other guards were still shaken, leaving only heavy breaths and hoofbeats to fill the silence.
Lu Sheng’s thoughts churned restlessly.
A Great Demonic Ghost… He could barely contend with a single Demonic Ghost before. Just the name alone suggested a far more terrifying existence.
The pressure pressing upon him returned in full force.
He had thought he’d finally gained a foothold in protecting himself. Yet Yan Kai’s warning reminded him just how fragile his security truly was.
Nine Links City was getting stranger by the day. Not long ago, the entire city had mobilized in search of someone—or something—and now, Demonic Ghosts were appearing in numbers. There had to be a connection.
At present, he saw only one path forward: raising the Black Fury Skill by another level. No other solution came to mind.
His brow remained deeply furrowed.
In his arms, the confused and vacant-eyed Lu Qingqing noticed the deep furrow between his brows. She reached out and gently brushed her fingers across his forehead, giggling softly in her daze.
Lu Sheng lowered her hand and continued to think.
His situation was dangerously fragile.
The Lu Family’s estate was vast; their influence stretched across nearly every aspect of the city. A towering tree always faced the strongest winds. Any incident involving his household would spread through Nine Links City like wildfire—news of the midnight wail’s resolution included.
There are clearly people who understand Demonic Ghosts… but what are their intentions?
Yan Kai and Duan Rongrong’s arrival had been too coincidental. They answered the hiring notice within mere days of it being posted… almost as if another hidden faction was moving behind the scenes.
He believed Yan Kai’s explanation about blood and innate talent. Those who could exorcize ghosts must possess a special lineage—perhaps that was the entry point into that higher realm.
Lu Sheng pondered all of this throughout the journey back.
Only when they entered the city gates and finally returned to Lu Manor did he force those thoughts aside, dismounting from his horse.
Yan Kai’s words echoed like a weight pressing on his chest.
No innate gift.
Without it, he was nothing more than an ordinary mortal, just as Yan Kai described. And though Yan Kai claimed his accomplishments were already remarkable for someone unblessed, Lu Sheng understood the truth—between himself and that extraordinary realm lay a chasm impossible to cross.
It meant that from the very beginning, he was destined to stand powerless when facing the supernatural.
As he dismounted, he saw Second Mother standing behind Lu Quanan. The moment her eyes landed on Lu Qingqing in his arms, relief washed over her features, a burden finally lifted.
But Lu Sheng’s heart only grew heavier.
“Servants, take Young Miss back to her room to bathe and rest.”
A few sturdy servant-maids hurried forward to take Lu Qingqing from his arms.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy5p5HiOYEA
Lu Sheng issued a few more orders, instructing them to also clean and tend to the other two dazed survivors.
Both Lu Quanan and Second Mother Liu Cuiyu sensed something terribly wrong. Not only were there two unfamiliar fools in tow, but Lu Qingqing’s vacant eyes and lack of recognition struck them like a blow. When she saw her own parents, she merely yawned—no greeting, not even a flicker of awareness.
Liu Cuiyu’s face drained of all color.
“Little Sheng? This… this is…?!?!” Her voice trembled uncontrollably.
“Let’s talk inside.”
Lu Sheng motioned for the guards to disperse and rest. Yuhan would stay behind to account for those who hadn’t fled earlier.
Once inside the manor, he had silver notes prepared as remuneration for Yan Kai and Duan Rongrong, should they return.
Then he led Lu Quanan and the close family into the Great Hall. After dismissing all servants, he sat down and told them everything—from discovering the secret dungeon to how he brought Lu Qingqing back.
When he finished, Liu Cuiyu’s eyes rolled back, and she collapsed.
“Second Mother!” Lu Sheng caught her as she fell. Fifth Mother and others rushed forward, hastily pressing the Ren Zhong acupoint.
Lu Quanan, meanwhile, looked as if he had aged years in a single instant. He sank heavily into his chair, his voice a hollow whisper.
“Qingqing… There’s truly… no hope?” He turned toward Lu Sheng, clinging to a final shred of hope.150Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYLstZAVSyr
“We could beg Taoist Yan Kai again… perhaps he—”
With a grave expression, Lu Sheng closed his eyes and shook his head.
“I already asked him…” he answered hoarsely.
Off to the side, Lu Yingying murmured under her breath,
“In my opinion, Second Sis might be better off like this… at least she won’t be causing trouble every day…”
Perhaps she thought no one could hear—but Lu Sheng’s sharpened senses caught every word. His head snapped up, eyes narrowing into a glare that silenced her instantly. Trembling, Lu Yingying lowered her head and dared not speak again.
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