Humans have three souls and seven spirits.
After death, the seven spirits dissipate, and each of the three souls returns to its rightful place.
The Celestial Soul, born of heaven and earth, naturally disperses among them; the Earth Soul enters the Netherworld and advances to reincarnation; the Human Soul retreats to the ancestral temple, hidden without a trace.
This is the normal situation.
If a person dies with blocked vitality or the Feng Shui of the grave is irregular, the soul may beco trapped, turning into an Underworld Soul.
If the Underworld Soul lingers without dissipating, Evil Qi gathers, or if one dies with resentnt, it becos a Resentful Soul.
Underworld Souls fear humans,
Resentful Souls demand lives!
And if soone dies harboring imnse resentnt and is refined through an Evil Technique, they may turn into sothing even more terrifying.
Fierce Ghosts!
The Resentful Soul of Sun Die, who cradled an infant, had clearly beco a Fierce Ghost, and moreover, a quite terrifying one at that.
"Mother-and-Child Evil Spirit!"
Zhang Mingrui's throat bobbed as he paled:
"This is bad."
If he had a carefully prepared Magic Altar, or if they were within the Three Purities Temple, he might have a way to restrain a Fierce Ghost, but not now.
Once they take action, all three of them will surely die.
In fact,
The entire Sun Family would perish!
"Sister... Sister Sun."
Du Qiaoyun was also pale. She suppressed her fear and took a step forward, speaking slowly:
"As the saying goes, grievances have a source and debts a debtor; it was that Demoness who hard you, we... we are here to save you."
"That's right."
Compared to Zhang Mingrui and Du Qiaoyun, Fang Zheng was relatively calr.
After all, if things went wrong, he could return to the modern world, but unless absolutely necessary, he couldn't abandon his comrades who had just fought alongside him.
He softened his voice:
"It was that Demoness who turned you into this, hmm... and your husband was likely involved too; this has nothing to do with us, the three of us are good people."
Yu Yanghong and the Demoness were obviously in league together.
"Daoist."
Fang Zheng asked in a low voice:
"Do you think it can understand us saying this?"
"I don't know either." Zhang Mingrui smiled bitterly:
"Resentful Souls and Fierce Ghosts, though once human, are already influenced by resentnt and Evil Qi, lacking normal human consciousness."
"I hope it works."
"Ugh..."
The eerie wind swirled.
Sun Die, holding the baby, floated ominously to Yu Yanghong's side.
Yu Yanghong was not yet dead.
He lay slumped over, with a knife in his chest, weakly watching Sun Die approach with the child in her arms.
"Ugh..."
"Die'er."
Staring at Sun Die at that mont, scenes from the past flooded his mind; Yu Yanghong's face showed a bitter smile, and tears even slipped from the corners of his eyes:
"We... were a mistake from the start."
He loved Sun Die.
At least he once loved her, loved her deeply, inseparably.
But alas...
Daily necessities, small trivialities, and inner doubts pushed him step by step to where he stood now.
He did not regret his actions, but thinking of the past and the shifts in people's hearts, on the brink of death, he felt only fatigue and confusion.
"If there is an afterlife."
Looking at his forr lover and then at the infant, Yu Yanghong's head drooped as his breath weakened:
"I would rather be a weed, a beast, free from the sufferings of this world."
"Ah!"
Sun Die howled to the sky, and visible sound waves swept the area, shaking the vast Buddha hall to its foundation.
Cracks appeared on the once-impenetrable stone floor.
"Not good."
Zhang Mingrui's expression changed dramatically:
"Run!"
The three hastily fled the hall, and the building collapsed thunderously behind them.
When they turned back, they saw a black smoke shoot straight into the sky and then vanish without a trace.
"Did it leave?"
Fang Zheng let out a breath:
"That's for the best."
Facing Sun Die transford into a Fierce Ghost, living people were like mice encountering a cat, naturally and instinctively filled with fear.
Furthermore...
Her rage could destroy the entire Buddha hall, leaving no chance in a fight.
"Infinite Longevity and Happiness."
Zhang Mingrui bowed towards the remains of the hall, a heavy look on his face:
"Now that Sun Die has just turned into a Fierce Ghost, she still retains so reason, but as ti passes, she will certainly lose it all."
"When she died, her resentnt shot to the sky, and she is bound to beco a Fierce Ghost that slaughters indiscriminately."
"This is a serious matter, I must return to the Three Purities Temple to prepare."
It's an urgent matter, there can be no delay.
*
*
*
The long night finally passed.
Fang Zheng stretched his limbs, walking out of the bedroom, brushing his teeth and rinsing his mouth, before ordering so breakfast to leisurely enjoy in the courtyard.
The tofu brain was smooth, the pickles crispy, the stead dumplings deliciously fresh and fragrant.
"Comfortable!"
"Now, this is enjoynt."
There's no need for complicated dishes; a little breakfast after a busy night brings full comfort.
Wu Hai was cleaning nearby.
He didn't quite understand why his young master would have breakfast delivered from such a distance, making the al cost several tis more.
Perhaps...
This is just the way of a wealthy young master?
"Young Master Fang."
Chief Luo arrived uninvited:
"Sorry to disturb you."
"Not at all." Fang Zheng rose to greet him:
"Thank you for your help last night, Chief Luo, I haven't had the chance to thank you in person."
"It was my duty." Chief Luo sat down with a sigh:
"Young Master Fang, you did well informing the governnt office about the Evil Cult's traces promptly, it's just that no one expected it to be this troubleso."
"We were fortunate to have Daoist Zhang with us, otherwise the consequences would have been unforeseeable."
Fang Zheng nodded in silence.
The Blood Martial Artists were mighty in body, but not so effective against supernatural beings; last night's encounter opened his eyes.
"Hmm."
Chief Luo rubbed his chin, saying:
"Last night, we lost nine people, four from the governnt office, and there are over a dozen injured who won't recover soon."
"They all need to be settled."
Hmm?
Fang Zheng raised an eyebrow, pondering before saying:
"This matter is sowhat my responsibility too; if there's anything I can do to help, I will do my best. Do you need silver taels?"
"Yes." Seeing his willingness, Chief Luo didn't dawdle and directly stated:
"Upholding the duty to eliminate bandits is our responsibility, but the finances in Gu'an County are strained, and Lord County Magistrate is also in a difficult position. Young Master Fang might contribute so funds."
"How much?"
"How about three hundred taels?"
Fang Zheng's eyes lowered slightly.
Three hundred taels an little to him, but as the saying goes, hidden wealth makes sure; if he easily hands it over, it might invite attention from the scheming.
Chief Luo is no Du Qiaoyun.
After a while.
He sighed lightly, nodded and said:
"Agreed, however, three hundred taels of silver is not a small amount; I need so ti to gather it, can I offer one hundred taels first?"
"Of course." Chief Luo's eyes lit up.
He was prepared to haggle, having set his mind on two hundred taels, surprising that Fang Zheng didn't bargain.
A few days delay doesn't matter, so what?
After suppressing the White Lotus Sect, there will be rewards from the Imperial Court, and compensations for the wounded and deceased. This three hundred taels is a windfall.
"There's one more thing."
Feeling in high spirits, Chief Luo brought up again:
"I wonder if Young Master Fang might be interested in the Wang Family's assets?"
"..." Fang Zheng reflexively sat up straight:
"The Wang Family has been taken down?"
"Indeed." Chief Luo nodded:
"The Wang Family colluded with the Evil Cult, plotting rebellion, and now fifty-seven family mbers are all imprisoned, awaiting the Imperial Court's judgnt."
"The Wang Family owns six shops, two kilns, and employs over a hundred people, all needing placent."
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