Chapter 190: Family

“Su Yan, what did you do to Wang Shusheng?”

Ma Chulong wasn't usually one for gossip, but right now, he desperately wanted to know.

“I just gave him a dream,” Su Yan said simply, but Ma Chulong heard the complexity behind her words.

“A dream... could it be...”

He didn't finish the sentence, but he was already certain.

His gaze toward Su Yan grew a few degrees more complicated.

Dream-Killing Art was a technique capable of trapping a person in a nightmare forever, until their life reached its end.

He had heard his father mention it before, but he had never seen it with his own eyes. He hadn't expected Su Yan to actually use it!

Just how many more skills did she possess that they were unaware of?

Once Ma Chulan emerged, the three of them headed home together.

This was Su Yan's first time visiting the place where the siblings lived.

Though there were only two of them, they lived in a complete courtyard house (*siheyuan*), featuring five main rooms, two side rooms, a kitchen, and a storeroom.

Su Yan had previously underestimated the financial strength of these two siblings.

It was no wonder they rarely haggled over compensation when doing work.

“Su Yan, it’s still early. Shall we eat first and then begin?” Ma Chulong proactively asked for her opinion.

Su Yan nodded.

“Then I’ll go cook.” As soon as Ma Chulong finished speaking, Ma Chulan immediately became excited.

This left Su Yan feeling quite bewildered.

Once Ma Chulong went into the kitchen, Ma Chulan excitedly began to explain.

“My brother is an excellent cook, but he rarely enters the kitchen. We’re in for a treat today!”

“Then how do you usually eat?” Su Yan wasn't particular about food, so she couldn't quite understand the girl's fervor.

Ma Chulan said as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, “We eat out. My brother and I have been eating in restaurants ever since we left home. I’m almost sick of the food in the city.”

Su Yan’s lips twitched. Eating out three times a day would certainly be a significant expense.

“Your Ma family is very wealthy.”

“I wouldn't say extremely wealthy. The truly rich are the Zhou family. Their business is a legacy passed down from their ancestors. Even my father says that while the Zhou family might not be the most powerful in exorcising demons, they are unparalleled in developing their enterprise.”

“The Zhou family?” This was the first time Su Yan had heard of them.

Ma Chulan nodded. Seeing Su Yan's interest, she continued.

“Actually, in our circle, there are three major families that are quite famous. One is our Ma family, one is the Zhou family, and the other is the most mysterious—the Kong family.”

When Su Yan heard the surname Kong, her gaze paused slightly.

Was she overthinking it? Her mother's surname was also Kong.

“Our Ma family has always followed the ancestral precepts left by our forebears, taking it as our duty to slay demons. Therefore, from the moment Ma family children are born, they must undergo rigorous training. The Zhou family, on the other hand, has made great strides in formations; they basically use formations to dispel evil. However, in the last ten or so years, their focus has shifted toward the mundane world, and their businesses cover all sorts of things.” As Ma Chulan spoke the last part, a hint of faint disdain entered her voice.

In her view, the Zhou family was simply "not minding their own business."

“What about the Kong family?” Su Yan’s expression became much more serious.

Ma Chulan actually hesitated for a moment. “Actually, I don't know much about the Kong family. They have always lived in seclusion. They only appear in the mortal world when they encounter extremely perilous situations. Furthermore, the Kong family never intermarries with those of other surnames. It is said that every generation, a child with extraordinary talent is born.”

Su Yan’s breath hitched, and that strange thought in her heart grew heavier.

“What about the current generation?”

“I know about her. Her name is Kong Nian. She’s around our age. It’s said that she could dispel evil starting from the age of three; she is incredibly powerful.” Even Ma Chulan couldn't help but let out a sigh of admiration.

For such a chosen one, even they could only do nothing but envy them.

“According to what you said, does only one child with extraordinary talent appear in every generation of the Kong family?” Su Yan thought of her eyes.

Granny Li had said that the energy in her dual pupils should also be innate, only truly awakening when she was four or five years old.

If her identity truly had something to do with the Kong family...

“Yes, only one per generation. That is already quite heaven-defying.” Ma Chulan was absolutely certain of this point.

Su Yan’s eyes flickered. Was she overthinking it?

Moreover, whether from her father or from Uncle Gu and his wife, she had never heard of her mother having anything special about her.

If her mother truly belonged to the Kong family, it would be impossible to hide for so many years.

“Su Yan, what are you thinking about?” Although Ma Chulan couldn't see her eyes, she could tell Su Yan was preoccupied.

“I know of a mysterious organization called something like an 'Action Group',” Su Yan said, deciding to change the subject since she didn't want anyone to know about her mother.

“You mean the 8537 Special Action Group?” Ma Chulan actually knew of them. “Have you met them?”

“I dealt with them a few months ago,” Su Yan spoke the truth.

Besides, Du Jinsong and Zhang Ximing already knew about her abilities.

“Then they must have tried to recruit you?” Although Ma Chulan was asking, she seemed certain of the answer.

Su Yan remained noncommittal.

“The 8537 Special Action Group belongs to the government; they specialize in recruiting people like us who possess special abilities. However, those who join them are usually just rogue practitioners. It's impossible for members of the three great families to be recruited.” Ma Chulan’s face carried a hint of pride.

After listening to her, Su Yan gained some understanding of the situation outside.

“But besides the three great families, there are also some hermit families that are not to be trifled with. Though, we probably won't have the chance to encounter them.” Ma Chulan was clearly unwilling to mention those families and chose to skip over them.

The aroma of food wafted in from the kitchen, interrupting their conversation.

“It smells so good! Let's go take a look!” Ma Chulan could no longer wait and skipped into the kitchen.

Su Yan composed herself. Regardless of whether her mother had a connection to the Kong family, she could only take things one step at a time.

Four dishes and one soup were placed on the table.

Su Yan finally understood why Ma Chulan's reaction had been so exaggerated.

It truly was a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

“I didn't expect Brother Ma to have such fine skills.”

Being praised, Ma Chulong flashed a bright smile. “I once thought that if there ever came a day when I stopped doing what I do now, I could open a restaurant. But that is destined to remain only a beautiful wish.”

Su Yan was actually quite surprised that he had such a hobby.

“Su Yan, what about you? Have you ever thought about what you'd do if you stopped this?” Ma Chulan could tell that her older brother was definitely special toward Su Yan, but unfortunately, the girl already had a fiancé, so they could only be friends.

Su Yan shook her head. “I haven't thought about it.”

“How can you not have thought about it? We can't deal with evil spirits for our entire lives, can we? Just like my brother, I hope to live a normal person's life in the future.”

Looking at the expression of hope on Ma Chulan's face, Su Yan suddenly felt that her own life was quite good.

Without the constraints of a family, she could do whatever she wanted.

(End of Chapter)