You Che let out a mocking laugh, casually forming a hand seal. Feng Jin felt a sudden daze as the imprint of the Soul-Devouring Art surfaced in his mind.
At the same time, the academy dean and Lu Zheng’s group clearly saw Feng Jin’s pupils turn pitch black, with a pure black mark appearing on his forehead.
“You’re quite something, even developing a sense of qi and mastering the Soul-Devouring Art,” You Che said, shaking his head. “What a pity. It’s an evil technique. You’ve gone down the wrong path.”
You Che said calmly, “Constable Jin, take him away.”
As Constable Jin stepped forward, Feng Jin snapped out of it, looking up sharply.
You Che, clearly not to be trifled with, stood beside the dean, shielding him. Constable Jin, brimming with vigor, approached steadily.
Unwilling to surrender, Feng Jin’s gaze naturally turned to Lu Zheng’s group.
Zhu Yushan looked ordinary, and Lu Zheng and Liu Qingyan stood a bit farther off. Only Li Hanyu, dressed in fine clothes, seemed like a wealthy lady.
Take a hostage! Escape!
Feng Jin leapt up, charging straight at Li Hanyu.
Then…
Li Hanyu pulled out a pearl, releasing a burst of radiant light. The moment the light hit Feng Jin, his body went limp, and he collapsed to the ground.
Li Hanyu stepped forward, looking at Feng Jin with disdain. “So it’s you who nearly got me and my husband in trouble?”
Constable Jin paused, looking embarrassed.
Feng Jin struggled to lift his head, bewildered. “Who are you?”
“Hmph!”
Li Hanyu let out a delicate snort and stomped on the back of Feng Jin’s hand.
“Ah!!!”
“I thought this would be interesting, but it ended so quickly. Boring!” Li Hanyu said, unimpressed.
Constable Jin instinctively responded, “It’s not over yet. He’s just a scholar. Where did he learn the Soul-Devouring Art?”
“I’ll confess! I’ll confess!” Feng Jin’s eyes lit up, and he shouted, “I was wronged! I was tempted by an evil technique. It wasn’t my intention. Please, teacher, save me!”
The academy dean frowned.
Before he could speak, You Che waved a hand to stop him.
You Che said softly, “Confess. If you provide useful information, it might mitigate your crime.”
“Yes, yes, yes!” Feng Jin nodded repeatedly. “The Soul-Devouring Art was taught to me by Old Man Ai from Dongxiang!”
…
Two years ago, after failing the autumn exams, Feng Jin wandered aimlessly to clear his mind. He ended up in a rural area of Yizhou Prefecture, where he got lost and stumbled into an estate.
Though remote, the estate was adorned with vibrant flowers, flowing streams, and elegant buildings.
The owner, surnamed Ai, warmly invited Feng Jin to stay. They feasted daily and discussed poetry and literature.
Feng Jin enjoyed his time there. By chance, he met Old Man Ai’s daughter, Heng, and was smitten at first sight. After several secret meetings, they became intimate.
Feng Jin stayed for months, but the memory of his exam failure left him dejected. When Heng asked why, she mentioned her father knew a technique called Soul-Devouring Art. By using it, one could absorb the literary brilliance of multiple scholars, making it easy to excel in the autumn exams.
Overjoyed, Feng Jin sought out Old Man Ai, who, after consulting with Heng, agreed to teach him the technique. In return, Feng Jin was to marry Heng after passing the juren exam.
Under Heng’s guidance, Feng Jin learned the Soul-Devouring Art, swore an oath to her, and was allowed to leave the estate to return to the prefecture.
…
“I saw that the Soul-Devouring Art required killing other scholars, so I didn’t want to practice it. But Heng tempted me, saying I had to keep my promise and marry her after passing,” Feng Jin said. “I felt dazed, somehow agreeing to it.”
“Over the past two years, I tried to stop several times, but whenever I did, Heng’s words echoed in my mind,” Feng Jin said shakily. “So I kept practicing, getting deeper and deeper, until I ended up here.”
“Now that I think about it, that estate was in the middle of nowhere. Old Man Ai and Heng must be supernatural beings!”
“I was truly coerced by an evil technique!”
Feng Jin pleaded, his face pale. “Please, sirs, see the truth! I was just a tool in Heng’s hands. I’m innocent!”
“Finished?” You Che said calmly.
“Y-Yes…”
You Che nodded. “Constable Jin, take him away and lock him up for now.”
“Sir, I’m innoc—”
“I know,” You Che interrupted, waving him off.
Constable Jin grabbed the limp Feng Jin and dragged him out.
“Master, sorry for the disturbance. The matter is settled. We’ll take our leave,” You Che said, bowing to the dean.
“You’re too kind, Lord You. I’m ashamed such a student came from our academy!”
“Every place has its bad apples. Don’t take it to heart, Master. Farewell!”
You Che took his leave, and Lu Zheng’s group bowed and departed with him.
…
“That Heng, did she put a curse on Feng Jin?”
“Can’t tell. We’d need to investigate further.”
“But even if she did, why didn’t he report it to the authorities?”
“In the end, it’s his own greed at play!”
“Who are this Old Man Ai and Heng?”
“Probably just wandering ghosts.”
“But that Old Man Ai knowing the Soul-Devouring Art is intriguing,” You Che said lightly. “Let’s check it out tonight.”
Lu Zheng’s group exchanged glances. Lu Zheng smiled at Zhu Yushan. “Ever explored a haunted estate at night, Brother Zhu?”
Zhu Yushan gave a wry smile, shaking his head. “Don’t tease me, Brother Lu. I’m just a scholar.”
Li Hanyu laughed, linking arms with Zhu Yushan. “You still are.”
Lu Zheng grinned. “Interested in seeing a haunted estate?”
Zhu Yushan blinked. To be honest, he was a bit curious.
Li Hanyu nodded too. “Sure, let’s go. I want to see what this Heng looks like to make Feng Jin call her heavenly.”
Lu Zheng turned to You Che. “Lord You, we’d like to join you tonight to see the sights. Is that alright?”
You Che looked at Lu Zheng, his voice tinged with exasperation. “You’ve been to the Netherworld, and you’re talking about seeing the sights in a haunted estate?”
Lu Zheng laughed awkwardly. “Never been to one…”
Li Hanyu’s eyes lit up. “You’ve been to the Netherworld?”
Liu Qingyan pulled her aside, whispering excitedly.
You Che just nodded indifferently. “Come if you want.”
The Supernatural Affairs Office didn’t mind other practitioners tagging along, as long as they didn’t cause trouble. Sometimes, they even needed their help.
For example, Duan Changzai had once invited Yuan Jing and Lu Zheng to assist in Tonglin County.
