Chapter 10: and

The three members of the He family had barely entered Deer Village before they drew the attention of the villagers.

By the time Madam He, with her graceful and charming demeanor, led the handsome Daoist and the young acolyte to the gate of the Song family’s small courtyard, half the village was already following behind to watch the spectacle.

At this moment, Xie Qingli had finished tidying up and was preparing to head to the Zhang residence for a follow-up consultation.

Madam He pointed at Xie Qingli and said coquettishly to the handsome Daoist, "Daoist Master, this is my daughter."

She leaned toward the handsome Daoist and lowered her voice: "She has been possessed by a malicious spirit—a female ghost wearing a red wedding dress." Her eyes, however, could not help but drift toward the Daoist’s red lips.

The handsome Daoist frowned; the smell of cheap cosmetics was nauseating, so he quickly took two steps forward to put some distance between himself and Madam He.

Madam He did not notice the Daoist’s aloofness. She walked up to Xie Qingli with her head held high, hands on her hips, and scolded, "You wretch, get out of my daughter’s body this instant! The Daoist Master from Lingxiao Temple is here; he possesses great magical power and will surely beat your soul into oblivion."

Xie Qingli gave Madam He a cold, indifferent glance. It seemed the lesson she had taught her last time wasn't enough, as she dared to come back and stir up trouble again.

The handsome Daoist looked Xie Qingli over carefully. She was quite the beauty, though a bit too thin. Still, she was worth him using his "handsome man" tactic. He guessed that, aside from the village idiots and rough men, this girl had never seen a refined and handsome man like him. Perhaps a single smile would be enough to win her over and make her follow him obediently.

Full of confidence, the handsome Daoist stepped in front of Xie Qingli, flashed a dashing smile, gave a playful wink, and stared at her with soulful, lingering eyes.

Watching the Daoist act like a peacock fanning its tail, Xie Qingli felt goosebumps rise all over her skin. What kind of exorcism ritual was this? Was he trying to disgust the ghost to death a second time?

Xie Qingli spread her hands toward Madam He: "This 'powerful' Daoist seems to have something wrong with his brain. Alright, I don't have time to play with you people. I'm leaving!" She lifted her foot and began to walk out of the courtyard.

The handsome Daoist was stunned. He had always been invincible, yet he had stumbled over a country girl with no experience. He refused to believe his charm had failed. Could there really be a ghost? But the old physician, Dr. Xue, had clearly said this was just an ordinary little girl and that he only needed to find a way to get her to the Jiaozhou prefectural city.

Exorcism—he wasn't good at that at all!!!

Madam He, anxious as a mother hen, lunged forward and spread her arms to block Xie Qingli’s path, blurting out, "You wretched girl, you cannot leave."

Xie Qingli raised an eyebrow: "Why?"

Madam He felt awkward. Seeing the villagers watching from outside the courtyard, she deliberately softened her voice: "Of course, it’s for your own good. I am your mother; how could I harm you? During this time, I have gone to Lingxiao Temple every day to pray for you. My sincerity finally moved the Temple Master, which is how I was able to invite this Daoist Master. Today, I will definitely help you exorcise this evil spirit so you no longer have to suffer."

Having said this, Madam He used her sleeve to dab at non-existent tears in the corner of her eyes. The onlookers whispered among themselves; they had thought Madam He had abandoned her daughter, but they hadn't expected such a hidden story.

Seeing Madam He’s web of lies and her determination not to let her leave, Xie Qingli decided not to rush off. She wanted to see what kind of tricks these people were planning to play.

At some point, the young acolyte had moved a table from the house and set up an altar. He placed the peach wood sword, copper coins, red thread, cinnabar, talismans inscribed with runes, and bells in their respective positions.

The handsome Daoist, however, was inwardly panicking. He had always relied on his looks to get by, so he hadn't paid much attention to the study of Daoist arts or martial arts. His master also felt that there weren't really that many ghosts and monsters in the world—it was all just a matter of peace or anxiety in the human heart—so he had turned a blind eye to his laziness. But now that he had to deal with a real female ghost, he was terrified!!!

The handsome Daoist’s gaze swept across the altar. Trembling, he picked up the peach wood sword, pointed the tip at Xie Qingli, and began to recite the incantations in a stuttering voice.

The Daoist recited the words like someone reciting a book, stumbling several times. The young acolyte beside him was spinning in circles with anxiety, forced to whisper prompts constantly, while inwardly complaining that his Fifth Senior Brother was completely incompetent.

The handsome Daoist finally finished the incantation, his hand holding the peach wood sword going numb. He let out a loud shout: "Evil creature, prepare to die!" and thrust the sword straight at Xie Qingli.

Xie Qingli curled her lips into a smile and flicked a small pebble from her hand. The handsome Daoist’s knee was struck with sharp pain; caught off guard, he tumbled to the ground, and the peach wood sword flew out of his hand.

Xie Qingli raised her hand to catch the sword. She examined it carefully; compared to her master’s magical artifacts, it was a world of difference—far too crude.

All eyes were on Xie Qingli. The handsome Daoist and the young acolyte were overjoyed; this peach wood sword had been blessed by the Temple Master and possessed great power. It would surely injure the evil spirit. Truly, those who court death will find it.

Xie Qingli glanced at the three people in the courtyard, smiled slightly, and applied a little pressure. The peach wood sword instantly snapped into several pieces.

The handsome Daoist was stunned once again. This ghost was truly a malicious spirit! Even a sword blessed by the Temple Master couldn't handle her—this was too terrifying!!!

Xie Qingli lightly tossed the remaining hilt of the peach wood sword, which happened to strike the terrified Daoist, leaving his neat hair bun in disarray.

The handsome Daoist couldn't care about anything else. He scrambled up and ran to the altar, frantically grabbing a stack of talismans. These talismans were said to be extremely effective and could subdue any demon or ghost.

However, the handsome Daoist looked at Xie Qingli, his legs trembling. The talismans needed to be stuck onto Xie Qingli, but he didn't dare go near her.

Seeing the handsome Daoist’s grave expression, Madam He hurried forward with concern: "Daoist Master, what is wrong? Is this ghost very powerful?"

Seeing Madam He, the Daoist’s eyes lit up. He said solemnly to her, "Madam Song, these talismans were crafted by the Master of Lingxiao Temple; capturing ghosts and subduing demons is a simple matter for them. However, they must be applied to the victim by a blood relative to take effect." As he spoke, he shoved the talismans into Madam He’s hand, intentionally squeezing her hand as he did so.

Madam He felt her heart flutter, beating wildly. The Daoist Master was looking at her with such deep affection and even holding her hand—she would be content even if she died right now. Dazed, she agreed to the task.

Seeing Madam He’s cheeks flush red and her face full of longing, yet she remained motionless for a long time, the handsome Daoist grew annoyed. What a stupid woman! He suddenly gave her a shove, and Madam He stumbled, nearly falling, which finally cleared her head a little.

Looking at Xie Qingli’s cold sneer, Madam He was stunned. What had she just agreed to? They weren't blood relatives! What should she do? But the handsome Daoist was watching; she couldn't mess this up.

Madam He tremblingly moved her legs toward Xie Qingli. The talismans in her hand felt as if they were burning, scorching her skin.

Xie Qingli didn't know where Madam He found the courage, but she happened to have something good to use on her—something that would ensure she never forgot this day. Hehe.

When Madam He was only two steps away, Xie Qingli said in a chilling tone: "Madam He, Song Wenxiu says that you, her 'good mother,' have moved her. She wants to fulfill your deep maternal love by trading your body for mine. Look, she’s flying toward you right now."

Madam He instinctively looked where Xie Qingli was pointing. Xie Qingli seized the opportunity to dart toward her, lightly brushing Madam He’s mouth and tapping her on the back. A pill was fed into Madam He’s stomach.

Madam He didn't know what Xie Qingli had fed her, but she assumed it wasn't anything good. She clutched her throat and gagged, trying to spit the pill out.

The surrounding villagers were stunned. They had only seen Xie Qingli tap Madam He, and then Madam He began to behave strangely, as if she were trying to strangle herself. A chill crept up their spines—had the female ghost really transferred?

(End of chapter)