Chapter 14 Heartbeat What was that in front of him? A ghost? ...

An extremely eerie atmosphere formed in the courtyard. Ye Zishan, who had the lowest status and secretly resolved never to speak carelessly again, finally quieted down and cautiously observed the group of people.

Jiang Yu stood condescendingly in front of Yun Gui, his eyes revealing a wolf-like ferocity. His uncle, who was usually unreliable except for giving money, also changed his usual carefree demeanor and stared at Young Master Jiang with a sinister look.

Ye Zishan wished he could gouge his own eyes out on the spot so he wouldn't have to see anything. He wondered if he would be silenced for knowing too much.

"You wouldn't repay kindness with enmity, would you, Lord Yun? I wasn't the one who injured you just now. I even helped you kill him, didn't I?"

Jiang Yu selectively ignored the fact that his sword was blatantly pressed against Yun Gui's neck, and felt at ease believing that he was negotiating with Yun Gui, rather than coercing or enticing him.

Yun Gui: ...

Can he pretend to be stupid and act like he knows nothing? This person is simply outrageous; he claims to be aloof and silent, but he could clearly poison someone with a single word.

"Killing Shen Jiuxu was entirely Bai Yuechun's idea! It really had nothing to do with me."

“He came here three years ago and has a high level of cultivation. As you know, Young Master Jiang, there are no immortal sects or aristocratic families guarding Yunshui City. I thought it would be better to have him come and help guard it, and also give him a place to stay. It’s a win-win situation for both of us, isn’t it?”

Yun Gui recalled that day. He was lying on the couch, and through a window, he could see a torrential rain outside with thunder rumbling incessantly. He watched as streaks of silver-white lightning flashed across the sky. The thunder today seemed quite strange.

Unlike the usual thunder, this one carried a murderous aura, as if it were about to cleave a person in two. Yun Gui only felt something was amiss, but since it had nothing to do with him, he didn't take it to heart.

Half a day later, the thunder and rain still hadn't stopped. He was getting drowsy and asked a maid to add a thin blanket for him. When he looked up, he saw a person standing in front of him, completely soaked.

His dark green clothes clung tightly to his body, his waist-length hair was curled, and he was trembling with lightning. Yun Gui was terrified, fearing that if he got any closer, he would be electrocuted.

"Who are you?" he asked in a daze. Before he could get an answer, a sharp sword was held against his chest. He quickly begged for mercy, "I didn't do anything. If you want this position, I can give it to you. Just don't kill me."

“I’ve always been a cautious and prudent person since I was a child, and I’m also very pragmatic,” Yun Gui said with a smug look. “Otherwise, how could I have lived this long?”

Jiang Yu: ...

He wasn't annoyed by Lian Quesheng's disdainful expression, but continued, "That man asked me to build a temple for him and offer incense. Half of his face was in shadow, so I couldn't see clearly, but I definitely couldn't agree."

Even a city lord like him couldn't erect a monument or build a temple, so where did an ordinary person with no name or surname get his confidence? But the truth is that Yun Gui was a coward. The man moved his feet slightly, and he agreed.

Later, Bai Yuechun sheathed his sword, and seeing his reluctant expression, he knew what it meant. He then offered, "I can help you get what you want."

"Later, I somehow ended up making a deal with this person. I spent a lot of money to build a temple for him and named it Jingchuan. The person didn't show up much and didn't cause any trouble, so I never paid any attention to him."

"Until that winter, a village near Jingchuan Temple lost many livestock, all of which had their life essence drained, leaving only empty pelts and a few bones. The villagers initially thought it was wolves, but when people died in the same way, they realized something was wrong. I went to ask him, and that's when I learned the truth."

Did you do it?

Yun Gui found Bai Yuechun and stared at the bloodstains at the corner of his mouth. The answer was clear to him: "Why did you hurt the common people? It's one thing to mess with those beasts, but such an obvious act will eventually attract the attention of the immortal sects and aristocratic families."

"The immortal sects should be afraid of me. As long as someone offers incense, I will be safe."

"Everything in this world has a cause and effect. Aren't you afraid of what you're doing?" Yun Gui reminded him with a clear conscience. He was actually more afraid that this person would one day betray him.

"It's alright."

"I appeased the people for him, giving each of them five hundred taels of silver and ordering them to refrain from discussing these matters. But he remained incorrigible. Young Master Jiang, you should know Bai Yuechun's character after spending a few days with him. I have no cultivation, so I really can't do anything to him."

Yun Gui spoke in a pitiful tone, "He only restrains himself when Sect Leader Shen comes, but as soon as he leaves, he starts to act even worse again. There's nothing I can do about it."

Lian Quesheng clicked his tongue, looking incredulous. "Then what deal did you make with him?"

Yun Gui exclaimed, "Ah! All I want is to live forever and, incidentally, hold onto my position as city lord. You know our family forbids cultivation, and I don't want to die of old age!"

Jiang Yu didn't believe him. There was only half truth in his words, and who knew what he was hiding? But after asking him for a long time, he kept repeating the same few sentences. Jiang Yu couldn't do anything about it and could only go back and discuss it again.

The night was completely deep, and the night watchmen began to wander the streets and alleys. Clusters of delicate pink buds emerged from the center of the once lush branches, and the bright moonlight illuminated the spiritually rich buds, the outermost petals already slightly unfurling.

Shen Jiuxu lay on the bed, the blankets kicked to one side. Two pink buds, about to bloom, sprouted again from his thick black hair. The effects of the alcohol gradually dissipated, and the room was filled with a rich floral fragrance.

"Hmm—"

He naturally reached out and groped around for a while, but apart from the messy bedding, there was nothing else. Shen Jiuxu opened his eyes and found that the candle he had lit before going to bed had burned out, and Jiang Yu was nowhere to be found.

Where are they?

Could it be that the matter has been resolved and he has already gone back? Shen Jiuxu felt a surge of panic. He quickly got up, threw on some clothes, and hurriedly pushed open the door, only to find that the outside was completely empty.

Those young disciples who used to stay up until midnight every day have also disappeared. Could it be that they all left together?

Doesn't he say goodbye to himself?

Shen Jiuxu dejectedly found a corner to squat down, pulled the flower out of her hair, and looked at the slightly curled petals. Her depression deepened. She poked the flower bud in the center and said, "Nobody wants you anymore. You should put it back."

The leaves overhead swayed wildly, but no one appreciated them.

It was pitch black outside, so dark you couldn't see your hand in front of your face. Shen Jiuxu felt like he had evolved from a towering tree into a damp, gloomy mushroom. He had only known that Jiang guy for a few days, so why was he thinking about him every day?

It's not even flowering or pollinating season yet. Besides, it's a sacred tree, unaffected by the ordinary changing seasons; perhaps that person poisoned it.

He's going to Shen Wuke to find the culprit who's bewitched him! If he can't find him, he'll stay there and wait for him to return!

Shen Jiu couldn't describe the feeling. As he was pondering, he felt a sharp pain in his toe, and someone fell on him, their warm breath lingering at his half-open collar. He instinctively helped the person up, his right hand on his waist. "Sorry."

"Ah, Young Master Jiang, I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry, I really didn't mean to. I didn't see anything here just now. Are you alright?"

Ye Zishan's loud and boisterous voice gradually faded, becoming lower and lower until it was completely inaudible. He had completely lost face in front of Jiang Yu today, and he wondered if Jiang Yu would beat him up.

Lian Quesheng casually tossed several large luminous pearls onto the ground, brightening the courtyard considerably. Just as he was about to berate Jiang Yu, he saw something he shouldn't have.

Isn't that wrong? Wasn't Shen Jiuxu dead?

What was that in front of him? A ghost?

A note from the author:

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Thank you to every little angel for the landmines, nutrient solutions, and comments! [food emoji]

A chaotic little theater:

Shen Jiuxu: I'm starting to wonder if my relationship with Jiang Yu counts as reproductive isolation!

(A friendly reminder from the protagonist of the previous book)

Jiang Chao: Brother, it's nothing, it's nothing. I'm a dragon, after all!

Xie Hanyu: Hmm.

(The protagonist of the next book makes an early appearance to offer comfort.)

Ting Shu: It's alright, brother, I still have a sword!

Zi Luoyi: (Feels like her own family is the weirdest! But for the sake of brotherly love, harmony, and happiness in the family, she nodded.) Yeah, don't worry about it.

The author is going crazy again. Don't worry about the little details, hahaha, all the non-human characters are the seme, now no one will be on the wrong side! [Milk Tea]

Here's a recommendation for my previously completed novel, "The Cold and Aloof Immortal Lord Only Wants to Fall in Love," featuring the captivating Long Jiangchao and the aloof, handsome, and tragic senior brother Xie Hanyu. Those of you who are interested can check it out! Love you all!

My pre-order for "After My Death, I Became Daoist Partners with My Natal Sword" is out! It features a seemingly cold and aloof, sword-wielding, double-standard beauty as the bottom, and a rebellious, vindictive, and petty swordsman as the top. If you're interested, please add it to your favorites first. I'll start writing this one after I finish this one! [cat emoji][droopy-eared rabbit emoji]