“The Soul-Binding Chains were actually severed! How is that possible!”
“What on earth did you do, kid!
To think you would help a ghost... Do you have no shame before the Confucian Sages?”
The moment the chains snapped, the faces of the two Daoists instantly turned pale.
Chen Ning let out a cold snort. “Compared to animals, I think the Sages would much rather have me help a virtuous ghost.”
“You actually dare to insult us?”
The two Daoists glared at him, their eyes wide with rage.
They had been exorcising demons and devils in this area with Squire Zhang as their benefactor; when had they ever suffered such humiliation?
“What if I do?”
Chen Ning didn't hold back, sending a kick flying.
Thud!
This kick was incredibly powerful, sending the leading Daoist flying dozens of meters away.
The Daoist suffered a heavy blow and spat out a mouthful of blood.
He couldn't believe that such a terrifying kick could be delivered by a scholar.
You call this a Confucian Cultivator? Even a Martial Cultivator might not be able to withstand this kick!
“You!”
The other Daoist’s eyes widened, but he didn't dare say a word.
Instead, while retreating in terror, he stumbled and tumbled straight down the slope.
The Daoists brought by Squire Zhang were either dead or injured, having completely lost their ability to fight.
However, Hong Ye didn't feel the slightest joy in victory. Her gaze toward Chen Ning was filled with guilt and apology.
“I’m sorry, Brother. I lied to you before.
Actually, long before I came to this village, I was already no longer human...”
Although a ghostly aura faintly emanated from her, she didn't possess the bloodthirsty and bone-chilling sensation of ordinary ghosts.
Chen Ning simply smiled faintly.
“It doesn’t matter. As long as your heart remains virtuous, what does it matter if you are human or ghost?
Besides, Sister Hong Ye, you’ve lived in the village for so long. Haven't you never harbored an ill thought toward anyone?
Though you have turned into a ghost, you are a hundred times better than these animals.”
Saying this, Chen Ning looked coldly at Squire Zhang in the distance.
“More importantly, you’ve waited for so many years. It should be time to settle the debt from back then.”
“But... is it okay?
You are a man of Confucianism. How can I kill someone in front of you?”
Hong Ye desperately wanted to make the animal who caused her to lose everything pay the price, but she still gritted her teeth, trying her best to suppress her intense killing intent.
Chen Ning smiled as he looked at the bright, clear moon in the night sky.
“Who says killing is necessarily evil?
I am different from those pedantic scholars. In my understanding, humans and ghosts both have good and evil within them.
Killing has never been a taboo. On the contrary, a life for a life and settling scores with clarity should also be part of Confucianism.
These people are not worth pitying. Instead, having you, Sister Hong Ye, personally settle this and make them pay for what happened back then is what is truly ‘virtuous.’”
Chen Ning’s words suddenly made Hong Ye feel enlightened.
Indeed, letting such a person continue to commit crimes would only harm more innocent people.
It was better to do it herself, ensuring he could never do evil again.
Hong Ye’s gaze finally grew firm as she walked toward Squire Zhang step by step.
“Where did everyone go? Quick, come and protect me!
You... what are you trying to do!”
Witnessing the scene before him, Squire Zhang collapsed to the ground in terror, completely stripped of his previous arrogance.
He could no longer stop his fear, and he began to beg through tears.
“I beg you, don't kill me. You don't want to become a Specter consumed by hatred, do you?
Let me go. Isn't it just the lowly life of a scholar? At most, I can pay you back with money...”
Squelch!
However, Hong Ye’s nails instantly tore through his throat.
In the next moment, Squire Zhang’s eyes, which were bulging like bells, suddenly went hollow, and his bloated body fell stiffly.
“Thank you. After waiting for so many years, I have finally avenged my grievance.”
It was as if a knot in her heart from many years ago had been untied.
Facing Chen Ning, Hong Ye actually spread her arms, a look of relief appearing on her face.
“But after killing someone, I am no different from those Specters who remain in the world for revenge. I’ll leave the rest to you.
To be able to die by your hand, I am already satisfied.”
Chen Ning shook his head.
“Now is not the time.
Sister Hong Ye, you haven't forgotten, have you? The real reason you stayed in this world wasn't for revenge at all.
Come with me. I can help you take him back.”
“How... how did you know about these things!”
Hong Ye looked at Chen Ning in absolute shock.
She had never told anyone about her experiences before coming to the village.
Yet, Chen Ning seemed to have known everything all along, even seeing through the deepest thoughts in her heart.
Two years ago, she had only treated that destitute little scholar as a younger brother to look after.
She never imagined that in just two years, he would become such a powerful Confucian Cultivator!
“I understand!”
Hong Ye nodded vigorously, her fiery red wedding dress fluttering gently in the night breeze.
The moonlight spilled down, and a color that hadn't appeared for a long time flickered in those clear eyes.
This time, she would definitely reclaim him with her own hands!
...
Half a shichen later, the Zhang family estate.
A great fire lit up the dark night sky, and the entire residence was in complete chaos.
“A female ghost! It’s that female ghost the Master always wanted to catch! She’s back for revenge!”
“Quick, guard the backyard! This female ghost wants to snatch the corpse the Master suppressed in the backyard!”
Several Daoists rushed out, hurriedly blocking the entrance to the backyard.
They were all hired by Squire Zhang for large sums of money to protect him, and their strength was not to be underestimated.
“Sprinkling Beans to Form Soldiers!”
A handful of soybeans was thrown into the air, instantly transforming into dozens of Yellow Turban Strongmen at their command.
These Yellow Turban Strongmen were clad in armor and possessed immense strength, exerting a direct suppression on the essence of ghosts.
“Hmph, a mere Specter. You’re just walking into a trap!”
With such a formation, even when facing a red-clothed female ghost with such powerful Ghostly Qi, the Daoists appeared fearless.
Right at that moment, a surge of Noble Righteous Qi suddenly erupted from the high walls of the Zhang Manor.
This daunting, awe-inspiring righteousness was like a Grand Confucian who commanded respect without anger. The intense pressure made the Daoists feel as if they were unable to move.
“Who are you, sir? Why are you helping a ghost?”
The leading Daoist asked in a panic.
However, Chen Ning had no interest in answering and simply recited a poem.
“Both filled with soaring spirits and grand thoughts, wishing to ascend the azure sky to grasp the sun and moon...”
In an instant, sword radiance soared into the sky, and the blue lotus blooming beneath Chen Ning’s feet seemed to outshine even the moonlight.
At the same time, every sword blade within the entire Zhang Manor emitted a hum, as if they were worshiping a returning Sovereign.
Purple Qi swirled around the edge of his blade, and the Sword Intent, sharp enough to pierce the heavens, surged step by step.
The sword struck, like a startled swan!
Like the rivers of the Nine Heavens pouring down, a wave of awe-inspiring Sword Qi swept through the entire Zhang Manor.
All the Yellow Turban Strongmen were reduced to ashes in an instant!
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