At night, in a remote corner of Dongxiang’s barren hills, a grand estate stood quietly on the slope.
As the group approached, they saw two torches burning at the main gate, illuminating the two large characters at the entrance: Ai Estate.
“Knock, knock, knock!”
“Is the master home?” Lu Zheng called out.
“Coming, coming!”
With a creak, the gate slowly opened, revealing an old man in hemp clothing. He scrutinized Lu Zheng and the others, his cloudy eyes filled with confusion. “Young sirs and ladies, what brings you here?”
“We were out sightseeing and missed our lodging. May we stay the night?”
Only Lu Zheng’s group of four had come. You Che had been called back to the Supernatural Affairs Office for other matters, entrusting Lu Zheng with investigating Old Man Ai to verify if Feng Jin’s story held true.
If the other party was harming people, they should be dealt with directly. If not, Lu Zheng could act as he saw fit but should at least warn them to stop spreading the Soul-Devouring Art.
“Of course, please come in!” The old man led them into the courtyard.
“No need to inform your master?” Lu Zheng asked, following behind.
“No need, no need. My master said it’s tough traveling at night. It’s just one night’s stay, no need to bother him.”
“Thank you, then.”
“By the way, have you eaten dinner? If not, shall I arrange something?”
Lu Zheng shook his head. “No need. Just arrange two guest rooms for us, please. We’re tired from the journey and wish to rest early. We’ll thank the estate’s master tomorrow morning.”
“Very well, very well!”
The old man led the four to a side courtyard with two adjacent guest rooms.
He opened the doors, revealing fully furnished rooms with beds and tables.
“Shall I fetch some hot water?”
“No need, thank you. A roof over our heads is enough,” Lu Zheng said quickly.
Whether it was food or water, Lu Zheng wanted nothing from this estate. He didn’t even want to look at it.
He just wanted to get rid of the old man quickly.
Once the old man left, the group stayed in the first guest room. Zhu Yushan and Li Hanyu didn’t leave either.
“This place’s ghost illusion is strong,” Lu Zheng said, looking around. “At least a hundred years of cultivation.”
“The yin energy is heavy, not just because of the ghosts. This terrain gathers yin,” Li Hanyu added.
“What do we do now? Actually stay the night?” Zhu Yushan asked.
Liu Qingyan said timidly, “But this is a mass graveyard.”
Indeed, all four saw through the illusion. This was a mass graveyard, surrounded by withered trees, with stone slabs for beds.
However, since they hadn’t actively dispelled the illusion, they could only see through nearby objects. The rest still appeared as a lavish estate.
Lu Zheng’s eyes narrowed, retracting his magical power.
“Of course not. We said we’re exploring a haunted estate at night. Staying put isn’t the plan. We’ll wander around,” Lu Zheng said.
“Won’t we run into that ghost?” Zhu Yushan asked.
Liu Qingyan replied, “It seems he’s already returned to his grave?”
Zhu Yushan, “…”
The group left the guest room, eagerly exploring the estate.
…
“Wow, this estate is huge.”
“We’ve passed several side courtyards already. Where’s the main one?”
“There’s even a stream running through. Let me check—oh, it’s real, and the water’s quite clear.”
“Don’t use magic. It ruins the vibe of ordinary people exploring a haunted estate.”
“Alright, alright!”
…
They walked deeper into the estate.
Suddenly, a white figure emerged from a corner, asking in a clear voice, “Who are you, and why have you come to my residence?”
They turned to see a graceful woman in a moon-white silk skirt with floral patterns, standing delicately by the wall, looking at them.
“Travelers seeking lodging,” Lu Zheng said, bowing. “We missed our stop and came here for the night.”
“Coming to stay without the master’s permission and wandering about—is that how guests behave?” the woman said coldly.
Li Hanyu and Liu Qingyan studied her. She was slender as a willow, with bright eyes and delicate features, evoking pity. Yet her expression was cool and fragile, as if burdened by melancholy.
“We were just curious why there’s such an estate in such a remote place, so we wanted to take a look,” Lu Zheng said.
The woman’s eyes flickered. “My family prefers quiet, so we live a bit far out.”
“Is that so?”
Lu Zheng glanced around, his eyes full of curiosity. “But I heard this area used to be a mass graveyard?”
“Heh, that was long ago. I bought this land and built an estate,” an old man said, appearing at the entrance of another courtyard.
“Are you the master of the estate?” Lu Zheng asked, bowing.
“Indeed,” the old man nodded with a smile, then introduced, “This is my daughter, Heng.”
Liu Qingyan and Li Hanyu exchanged a glance, confirming she was indeed Ai Heng.
Having explored the haunted estate enough, the group had no intention of keeping up the pretense. Since they’d met the main figures, it was time to speak plainly.
Lu Zheng smiled, blinking. “Is that so? But we checked with the land registry, and this place has no owner.”
At his words, Old Man Ai and Ai Heng fell silent.
“You two are ghosts, aren’t you?”
…
The scene grew quiet.
Seeing that Lu Zheng’s group showed no fear, Old Man Ai asked, “Since you guessed we’re ghosts, why aren’t you afraid and dare to ask so directly?”
“Because we know someone who said he stayed here for months without harm, so we’re naturally not afraid,” Lu Zheng said, his eyes glinting with a smile.
“Hm?” Old Man Ai was taken aback.
Ai Heng immediately asked, “You know Feng-lang? Did he send you? But the autumn exams are still a year away, aren’t they?”
Her eyes shone with anticipation.
Old Man Ai’s gaze sharpened, looking at Lu Zheng’s group with caution.
“Hm?” Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow.
The reactions of Old Man Ai and Ai Heng upon hearing Feng Jin’s name were off.
If Ai Heng had cursed Feng Jin, she should have been scheming, not showing such excited delight.
And Old Man Ai’s eyes held not just wariness but also a trace of displeasure. Why?
Lu Zheng’s eyes shifted. “Brother Feng told us about his time here and that you’ve chosen him as your son-in-law. That’s why, even knowing your identities, we dared to come explore.”
“What?” Ai Heng gasped, stammering, “Feng-lang knows I’m… I’m…”
Old Man Ai frowned. “Chosen him as son-in-law? When did I agree to that?”
“Father~” Ai Heng said with a smile. “Of course, Feng-lang wouldn’t speak ill of you in front of his peers.”
She turned to Lu Zheng’s group. “Why isn’t Feng-lang here? Is he in secluded study?”
Lu Zheng glanced at Old Man Ai, then at Ai Heng, exchanging looks with Zhu Yushan and the others, shaking his head inwardly.
Something’s wrong!
Feng Jin lied!
