Chapter 81: The Legend of Man and Fox

Ghost water, as common folk call it, is where water ghosts drag people under. The size of the place doesn’t matter; as long as people die there often, it’s called “ghost water.”

Generally, people living near water avoid speaking about such places, fearing the wandering spirits might overhear and come to trouble them. But Old Guo is different. He’s already over forty and still unmarried, living alone inside and out. Being a disciple of the shamanic arts, he speaks freely with me: “Ghost water, you say? There really is one nearby.”

“If you cross the mountain from here, you’ll reach the half-finished Guanshan Pavilion Reservoir. There’s a spot there that truly lives up to the name…”

Lin Chen had already obtained a great number of divine spirit pearls, which had a powerful effect on refining both his own soul and the artifact spirit.

“It seems you’ve made up your mind. Well then, nothing I say will change anything now. Go ahead and absorb this power. If you encounter any problems, I will naturally help you.”

She sat on the sofa in the bedroom, waiting for him. It wasn’t until ten at night that the door finally opened. Seeing the man enter, a chill rose in her heart.

His palm released Mu Yanran, and Bai Lengye stomped the ground fiercely. As his body retreated, he grabbed a handful of sand and flung it with a whistle straight at the man in front of him.

Afterwards, I asked Yu Jiaru how she knew. She confessed she had overheard it while using the restroom, and in her urgency, had told me.

He spoke leisurely, watching her flushed face, a slow smile curling on his lips.

“Well, isn’t this interesting? I didn’t expect things to escalate this far!” Dugu Tianlang said with a beaming smile.

Grandmother spotted her hand at once, pulling her close with worry and heartache, her concern deepening at the sight of her bedraggled state. Outside, she’d faintly heard her shrill cries from within.

“Big brother, we’re not the police,” I shouted, glancing at their expressions and attire. I was almost certain this place was far more than just a chicken farm.

Bai Wei resigned from his post at Yunshan Group. The elegant residence he loved had a new owner and chef. He sold off all his shares in Yunshan, even giving up the options that hadn’t yet vested. Chairman Cui Yunshan pleaded bitterly with Bai Wei, but nothing could sway him.

“Not going to feed me?” Wang Shulan blurted out before realizing she’d spoken her mind, feeling a bit embarrassed but also relieved.

The forced medicine nearly choked Yang Duo’er to death, and she couldn’t even struggle. The old maid and Xizhi stood by watching.

The door was only half-closed, and though the voices inside were indistinct, Gu Xi caught some words.

“You’ve prettified his words. I’m certain he wasn’t so tactful. I know my own son, Commander Xia—even if father and son once clashed, they’re still father and son.”

Xia Yi stepped out of the teahouse into the wind. Tears streaked down her face, impossible to wipe away, drifting with the wind and seeping into the earth like buried friendship. She couldn’t bear for this to happen again.

Unless she saw or heard of Yang Duo’er’s fate herself, Cheng Jingya couldn’t rest easy. She waited just outside the door for news.

The ball landed squarely on the line dividing the two halves. Wang Meiren, suddenly understanding, glanced up at Liu Cairen, who smiled kindly back. Instantly, Wang Meiren understood, returning the smile with a nod.

Her laughter rang out crisp as silver bells, her beauty more dazzling than usual, captivating all the more.

The Jiajing Emperor of this dynasty was obsessed with alchemy and highly favored the mystics, but the trouble was, his days were numbered. The soon-to-be enthroned Longqing Emperor detested these practitioners, and his first act on ascending the throne would be to purge them.

Yue Ming and Zhang Yan respectfully saluted the old lady, then bowed to the sisters Qingdai and Qingwei before stepping aside, behaving with perfect decorum—none of the enthusiasm of their first meeting remained. Qingdai and Qingwei took no offense, returning the bow and bidding farewell.

“Aunt Ma, Aunt Ma!” Er Gou, who had been keeping watch, hurried out to stop Zhenniang and Aunt Ma as they approached, fawning all the while.

In the cold and dark void, Han Yi’s group shuttled swiftly, and in a flash, they were hovering above the Great Wilderness continent.

Unfortunately, it wasn’t long before Wang Qingshan received word that his brother Wang Qingsong had been killed in battle.

The two chatted about their journey to Huazhou as they leisurely descended the steps toward the palace gates.

Qingdai was stunned as well, for from Qin Xian’s tone, this Shu’er must have been close to him and to the Ninth Lady. Compared to five years ago, she herself had changed greatly. Her features had blossomed, now bearing some resemblance to her past life’s face, though now far more beautiful.

Yu Zidu watched the two women leave, smiling and shaking his head helplessly. “Brother Qin is right. Cheng’an, if you wish to choose a consort, you need only the emperor and empress dowager’s approval. Others’ opinions matter not.”

When the four arrived at the Lin residence, Madam Wang received them, but neither Lin Junzhi nor his brother Lin Junfei were present—they had gone to Taibai Pavilion.

I looked at Lawyer Guan for a long time before adding, “Suppose Jiang Nancheng had photos from the day I was victimized, and just days ago tried to use them to threaten me. Would that count as evidence, Lawyer Guan?”

So I turned decisively away from my shop, detouring to the appraisal office on the other side. It would be troublesome if I was discovered, but there was still plenty of time, so I wasn’t worried.

As Hua Rong’s gaze darkened, Li Hongfei instantly realized disaster was imminent. This Li Xunqiu was seeking his own doom. Li Hongfei had experienced Hua Rong’s methods firsthand—Li Xunqiu had not.

This ninjutsu slash came with a homing effect—inescapable. After Dong Qingyun unleashed the slash, he immediately followed it with a throwing dart, taking another 325 health from Hua Rong.

In short, within minutes the police station was in utter chaos. Soon the chief, face ashen, came down the stairs, followed by several high-ranking officers.

After wiping the sweat from his brow, Gao Yi hung up the phone. Looking up, he saw Scarface and his companions staring at him as if they’d seen a ghost, and could only let out a wry smile.

“Yes, it’s him! He’s the one who beat me like this. Even if he turns to ashes, I’ll never forget!” Iron Tiger growled.

At that moment, Dogsheng’s eyes lit up, fixed on the washbasin down the corridor, unable to look away.

Shangguan Xue’er seemed to notice the secret exchange of glances between Nangong Yi’er and Ao Tianqi, and, displeased, pouted in protest.