Chapter 422: At Any Cost, I Am Willing

Su Yan was preparing to descend the mountain when a sudden disturbance emanated from her Qiankun Bag.

She knew it was Ghost Shadow.

Lately, Ghost Shadow had rarely appeared, yet now it actually drifted straight out of the Qiankun Bag, completely disregarding the fact that Zhou Li was still present.

Zhou Li was caught completely off guard by its appearance and was startled.

The moment he realized its identity, he instinctively prepared to strike.

However, Su Yan stopped him at that moment.

"Don't be nervous. It's Ghost Shadow, my attendant."

"Huh?"

For a moment, Zhou Li couldn't process it.

Su Yan, however, was already looking at Ghost Shadow.

Ghost Shadow's entire soul body was twisting in a hideous manner, as if it were undergoing some form of intense agony.

"Ghost Shadow, what's wrong?"

It was impossible for it to become like this when everything was fine.

It took a full ten seconds before Ghost Shadow finally began to gradually calm down.

"Milady, this... what place is this?"

Its voice sounded even more ethereal and illusory as it faced the Kong family estate at the foot of the mountain.

Su Yan's keen intuition sensed something. "This is the Kong family."

"The Kong family," Ghost Shadow repeated her answer.

"Ghost Shadow, did you think of something, or did you sense something?" Su Yan stared intently at it.

Ghost Shadow had completely lost its memories from its previous life, leaving behind only a deep obsession that prevented it from reincarnating. She had taken it to many places, but this was the only time it had reacted this way.

Could Ghost Shadow have had a connection to the Kong family in its past life?

Perhaps someone from the Kong family had caused its death?

Currently, these were the only two possibilities Su Yan could conceive.

"I... I don't know. Just seeing this place makes me feel incredibly distressed..." Ghost Shadow could not describe its current sensation; it felt as if it were being torn apart.

Seeing its state of distress, Su Yan's brow furrowed deeply.

Having regained his composure, Zhou Li could roughly guess the situation through their conversation.

"Senior Sister Su, this is the Kong family's territory, and the Kong family is a great clan of exorcists. It's possible that this entire manor is not simple. If your attendant is feeling pain, it must be due to some kind of interference or influence, right?"

"Is that so?" Su Yan still felt there was something suspicious.

Zhou Li suggested, "I think while we are entering the Kong family's domain, we shouldn't let it come out again, lest it be accidentally harmed."

In truth, even without him saying it, Su Yan would not let Ghost Shadow show its face in the Kong family given its current condition.

"Ghost Shadow, stay in the Qiankun Bag, or you can just stay here in this forest and wait for us to return."

"I will follow Milady," Ghost Shadow chose the former without hesitation.

Moreover, its thoughts were now almost identical to Su Yan's.

If it truly had some connection to the Kong family, then it absolutely could not give up this opportunity!

After speaking, it transformed into a wisp of smoke and re-entered the Qiankun Bag.

Zhou Li had long since realized that there was a world within the cloth bag Su Yan always carried.

"Senior Sister Su, I didn't expect you to have an attendant like this."

"I accidentally subdued it over ten years ago, and it has been following me ever since," Su Yan explained simply, before turning her gaze back toward the Kong family manor.

Now, she had yet another reason why she had to go!

***

Early morning.

Bright sunlight spilled over the entire manor, making it look full of vitality.

The usually hot-tempered Kong Nian was uncharacteristically different today. Not only did she wake up early to wash, but she also specifically instructed the servants to dress her in her most beautiful clothes.

She was waiting for Kong Shan Kui's summons, but before that, Gan Hua still walked in carrying a bowl of soup.

"Senior Brother Gan, I have kept your care for me in my heart all these days. I will certainly repay you when the opportunity arises."

At this moment, Kong Nian had reverted to being the considerate and spirited junior sister from before.

Gan Hua, on the other hand, seemed somewhat overwhelmed by the favor.

His kindness toward Kong Nian wasn't meant to seek any reward; it was simply out of a sense of sympathy for her.

"Junior Sister Kong, are you alright?"

"What? Don't you know yet? I already met with the Clan Leader yesterday, and the Clan Leader personally promised to restore my sight!"

A bright smile graced Kong Nian's face. She had barely slept all night, impatiently anticipating the arrival of this day.

Gan Hua indeed did not know about this, and he finally understood why Kong Nian was acting "abnormally" today.

"Then let me congratulate you in advance on regaining your sight, Junior Sister."

Since the Clan Leader had personally promised, then this matter would surely succeed.

"Actually, it's not just that. The Clan Leader also promised to let me restore my strength."

Kong Nian desperately wanted someone to share her current joy with, so she even spoke such words directly to Gan Hua.

Gan Hua visibly froze.

The Clan Leader's previous attitude toward Kong Nian had clearly been one of complete abandonment. Yet, unexpectedly, after Kong Nian returned, the Clan Leader had changed his mind?

But the Clan Leader was definitely not someone who changed his orders on a whim; there must be some secret involved that they were unaware of.

"Junior Sister, I think it's still better to be..."

The word "careful" was swallowed back down.

But these were merely his own speculations, and even if he said them, it wouldn't change anything. Why bother making Kong Nian worry?

"Better to be what?" Kong Nian's face was practically glowing.

Gan Hua merely shook his head. "It's nothing. You still need to drink today's soup."

After saying that, he handed the soup bowl to Kong Nian as usual.

This time, Kong Nian cooperated fully and took it.

Then, Kong Xiang's figure appeared at the door.

"Miss, are you ready? The Clan Leader has asked me to invite you over."

A brilliant flower bloomed at the corners of Kong Nian's lips. She rose quickly and walked toward the direction of Kong Xiang's voice.

Before leaving, she did not forget to say to Gan Hua, "Senior Brother Gan, when I return, my eyes will be restored to normal."

Watching their figures gradually recede until they completely disappeared from view, Gan Hua suddenly wondered: why must one pursue overwhelming strength? Why must one be revered by others?

Is it not better to live a plain and stable life?

***

Kong Xiang brought Kong Nian to the family's secret chamber, where Kong Shan Kui was already waiting.

"Your eyes were gouged out by your own hand. To put them back, a secret technique must be performed. This process is extremely painful and agonizing; you had best be mentally prepared."

Listening to Kong Shan Kui's solemn voice, Kong Nian nodded without any hesitation.

"Uncle, no matter what price must be paid, I am willing!"

"Good. Next, Kong Xiang will tell you all the steps. You must commit them to memory, and then we shall begin," Kong Shan Kui said, without a single word of wasted breath.

"Miss, please follow me." Kong Xiang proactively took Kong Nian's hand, guiding her toward the deepest part of the secret chamber.

(End of Chapter)