"Taoist Master, please move aside!"
Zhang Yun came out and asked Xiang Wan to take her young apprentice to observe Ping Yajun through the window.
In ancient times, women from wealthy families typically stayed home to manage household affairs after marriage, rarely having time to go out. Ping Yajun was a prime example; she almost never left the house, but she also didn't manage the residence. Judging from her leisurely and contented expression and rosy cheeks, one could tell how comfortable her life was, and she certainly didn't need to see a doctor as Wang Fu had claimed.
Tu Hongye kept his eyes on her, and Xiang Wan couldn't help but use her spiritual sense to look at Ping Yajun's side.
Even in broad daylight, the side room, though it had two windows, still appeared somewhat dark, especially in the shadows, where several figures seemed to be wandering back and forth.
"Master, how is it?"
After leaving the courtyard, Xiang Wan looked back at Ping Yajun's residence one last time, feeling that the place was gloomy and even the sunlight seemed to be weaker.
Xiang Wan did not answer Zhang Yun's question, but instead frowned, looking puzzled.
"Mayor Zhang, has your wife been living here all this time?"
"I occasionally go to the main house, and I like to tend to the flowers and plants when I have nothing to do."
"That's strange..."
"What are your thoughts, Taoist Master?"
"What kind of person is your wife in your eyes?"
Zhang Yun was somewhat puzzled, but still spoke up: "She is emaciated, terminally ill, and beyond the reach of medicine. Daoist, is she... possessed by an evil spirit?"
Xiang Wan pondered for a moment, then shook her head and said, "Tonight, my disciple and I will stay here and observe the situation."
Zhang Yun readily agreed and arranged a place for Xiang Wan and Tu Hongye to stay. As requested by Xiang Wan, he bought a lot of cinnabar, yellow paper, and glutinous rice, and also obtained black dog blood.
That's how it's always portrayed in TV dramas. Even if Xiang Wan is just putting on an act, she has to make it look convincing.
That night, Xiang Wan took her little apprentice and strolled around the Zhang residence, sticking glutinous rice and talismans everywhere as they went.
Tu Hongye was short, so he could only carry the bundle and help Xiang Wan.
He gave Xiang Wan whatever she asked for, without ever uttering a single question.
Such a disciple... well, Xiang Wan couldn't help but want to praise him again. But as soon as the thought arose, she nipped it in the bud.
You can't praise someone, or you'll run into trouble.
Late at night, Xiang Wan strolled around the mansion. The servants had been ordered not to move around freely, so only she and her little apprentice were walking around in this huge mansion. She inexplicably felt a chill down her spine.
The little apprentice kept glancing behind Xiang Wan, which gave Xiang Wan goosebumps. She covered his mouth and dragged him towards the bedroom.
After closing the door, Xiang Wan sat on the bed, pondering carefully, concentrating her spiritual sense on her fingertips, and began to draw talismans in the air.
The old Taoist master had taught her, and Xiang Wan's technique was also skillful. However, her spiritual awareness was intermittent, and she could not finish drawing a single painting continuously, which was really frustrating.
"Master, let me do it."
"Go away, stay somewhere else."
If a five-year-old child can draw talismans, how can she, as the master, not draw them?
After pondering all night, Xiang Wan finally finished drawing a protective talisman and then pulled it directly onto herself in mid-air.
Tu Hongye saw it, but silently closed his eyes and pretended not to see it.
As dawn broke, Zhang Yun sent someone over early in the morning to invite Xiang Wan to come over.
This time, Ping Yajun simply couldn't get up.
When evening came to her courtyard, she noticed that the ivy seemed to be blooming even more brightly.
If ghosts gather and do not disperse, there must be something underground. Either they are corpses here, or there is something preventing these ghosts from leaving.
No matter which one it is, Xiang Wan is not entirely sure. She is just guessing. What if they dig up the ground and find nothing? Wouldn't that be a joke?
"Mayor Zhang, please ask your wife to leave this courtyard so that I may perform my magic."
"Taoist Master, what's here?"
"demons and monsters".
Xiang Wan stared intently at Zhang Yun, and seeing his unpredictable expression, she couldn't help but feel wary.
The fact that Zhang Yun could remain calm even after committing heinous acts shows that he had become accustomed to it.
A truly wicked person is feared not only by humans but also by ghosts. Since ghosts and demons could not approach him, they clung to Ping Yajun, who was also a group of bullies who preyed on the weak and feared the strong.
Now, Xiang Wan has her own homemade amulets. They can't ward off ghosts, but they can at least save her life.
Zhang Yunzhen followed Xiang Wan's advice and dispersed everyone outside the courtyard. Xiang Wan had Tu Hongye place the bundle on the stone table, then took the bell, compass, and peach wood sword and headed towards the side room.
The room was extremely cold and gloomy. As Xiang Wan scanned the room, she saw many young faces, pale and covered in blood. Some had their necks crooked, and others had their heads twisted. They were truly unsightly and far more terrifying than Wang Shi.
Xiang Wan tapped the compass and said in a deep voice, "Amitabha, why don't you go to the underworld to report? Instead, you are obsessed with an innocent woman. Aren't you afraid of being struck by heavenly lightning and ending up with your souls scattered?"
If yin energy accumulates to a certain amount, it will attract lightning. Scientifically speaking, the low air pressure and high humidity here cause sudden changes in air pressure, causing water vapor to rise and form dark clouds. When two dark clouds collide, thunder and lightning occur, and the closest point to this location becomes the center of the lightning's range. If there happen to be a tall building or tree nearby, it will be struck directly.
In a superstitious way, it can be explained as Heaven's will not allow it, so it sent down heavenly lightning.
In this world, even ghosts can be seen. Xiang Wan, a half-baked Taoist priest, can only explain it with science.
There are locust trees by the courtyard wall. Everyone says that locust trees attract ghosts. And they are so tall. If there is lightning, where else would it strike if not the locust tree?
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
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