Chapter 75: Chapter 81: You’ve finally fallen into my hands, girl.
Jingxin Hall, a side hall of the HongHua Sect, was also the usual training ground for disciples of Xu Mei’s lineage. However, it was very quiet today, with no sounds of martial arts practice. The reason was that Xu Mei had something to discuss with her disciples.
Xu Mei sat on the Grand Tutor’s chair facing north, her phoenix eyes fixed on the fourteen disciples below, her face full of reluctance. In ten years, seven of her disciples had sacrificed themselves for the great cause of “exorcising demons.” Therefore, this time, she absolutely could not let any more disciples perish, at least not before her.
The fourteen girls below sat cross-legged on futons. They were all of above-average beauty and exuded youthful energy. It was a pity that they were born in an era of chaos, destined to bleed and sacrifice for it.
“Disciples, I have called you here today to announce something.”
Xu Mei took a deep breath and then stood up from the Grand Tutor’s chair.
“As everyone knows, the Huang Tian Prefecture where our HongHua Sect is located is not only deficient in spiritual energy but also very heavy with Yin Energy. Therefore, ordinary civilians are often disturbed by lone ghosts and spirits every few days. The government cannot manage them, and they are helpless, so they can only seek our help.”
Xu Mei explained the general background and then continued, “In the past, there were no accumulated ghost incidents for the HongHua Sect to handle, because there were enough Cat’s Eye Tears back then, and everyone vied to take on these missions. After all, the reward was good. However, things have been different in recent years.”
Xu Mei changed her tone here and said, “Because the Nine Nether Demonic Cat has gradually become extinct in the Cultivation World, the price of Cat’s Eye Tears has continued to rise, and often there is demand but no supply. This has led to the HongHua Sect’s inventory becoming increasingly scarce, resulting in many disciples not being able to obtain them. Naturally, they will no longer actively take on missions. This is the reason why the ‘haunted worlds’ that the HongHua Sect needs to deal with are accumulating more and more, affecting the reputation of our sect.”
“This morning, Sect Leader Qin met with the high-level figures of the sect to resolve this matter. He assigned the ‘haunted incidents’ that needed investigation to several of us elders and demanded that they be dealt with immediately. These are what I am holding in my hand now.”
Xu Mei glanced at the records in her hand and sighed helplessly, “But I don’t have a single drop of Cat’s Eye Tears left.”
“What? How can we investigate haunted incidents without Cat’s Eye Tears?”
“Yes, if it’s a false alarm, that’s fine. But if we really encounter a ghost, without the help of Cat’s Eye Tears, wouldn’t we become fish on a chopping block?”
“Master, we are not afraid of death, but we are afraid of dying without knowing why. Are there really no Cat’s Eye Tears left at all?”
…
The fourteen female disciples below turned as pale as death, their faces filled with terror.
“Don’t worry, as your Master, how could I watch you go to your deaths?”
Xu Mei raised her hand to signal them to calm down and smiled, “Therefore, I will personally investigate this time. The reason I called you all here is to announce one thing: if I return safely, then all is well. If I don’t return, then Steward Feng Ning will teach you cultivation from now on.”
“You’re going personally? How can that be? You haven’t reached the Guiyi Realm, so you can’t see ghosts either.”
Ruan Lingyu immediately became anxious. As a disciple, she also couldn’t bear to watch her Master go to her death.
“What about our Junior Sister? Hasn’t she already reached the Huashen Realm? Dealing with these simple haunted incidents should be a piece of cake for her?”
A disciple asked.
“No, your Junior Sister must stay and guard the HongHua Sect. Otherwise, those fiends and evil ways will definitely take the opportunity to invade again, just like last time.”
Xu Mei explained with half-truths, as the most important reason was that Cheng Hong Ling could not appear in public at the moment.
“Master, why don’t I go for you? The Senior Sisters cannot do without you.”
“Me too. As a disciple, I should repay your kindness of teaching, not just take.”
“I’ll go too. The more people there are, the stronger the Yang Energy, and those ghosts and spirits won’t dare to be presumptuous.”
…
Led by Ruan Lingyu, the disciples below all stood up one by one.
Xu Mei’s face showed emotion, but she still resolutely shook her head and said, “There’s no need to discuss this further. I have already made up my mind. Now, everyone, continue training.”
After saying that, Xu Mei put the stack of “haunted incident” records into her embrace and walked out of the hall, leaving behind a group of expectant female disciples.
When Xu Mei returned to Orchid Courtyard, she immediately found her most outstanding disciple and informed her of the matter.
“Master, if you insist on going, I can’t stop you. However, for the sake of caution, you should take my clone with you.”
Cheng Hong Ling suggested after a moment of contemplation.
“Your clone? Isn’t she only at the second level of the Juling Realm? What help can she provide by going? I don’t want to put you in danger for my sake. You are the future of the entire HongHua Sect.”
Xu Mei politely declined.
“Although my clone’s cultivation is only at the second level of the Juling Realm, her Spiritual Sense has already reached the Guiyi Realm, so she can see ghosts and spirits and can be used as ‘Cat’s Eye Tears’.”
Cheng Hong Ling explained.
“What? Her Spiritual Sense is really at the Guiyi Realm?”
Xu Mei was a little surprised. Back then, she thought Qi Huang used some unorthodox method to make the leaves fly, as she herself was only at the peak of Body Refining and could not sense others’ Spiritual Sense emerging from their bodies.
“That won’t do either. Although her Spiritual Sense is strong, her cultivation is too weak to protect herself. If she encounters any bad people and something happens, it will implicate you.”
Xu Mei hesitated and refused again.
“Don’t worry, Master! There is a Soul Bond between me and my clone. Once we encounter danger, I can recall her at any time, even from the ends of the earth.”
Cheng Hong Ling reassured her again. Actually, she didn’t finish her sentence. The Soul Bond could be interrupted. The reason she concealed this was that she didn’t want to see her Master go to her death alone.
“That powerful?”
Xu Mei was amazed. After all, she was only at the Body Refining realm and didn’t know much about the Huashen realm.
After Cheng Hong Ling persuaded her again and again, Xu Mei reluctantly agreed to take her clone with her.
Thus, Qi Huang was inexplicably summoned.
“There’s a mission for you.”
Cheng Hong Ling then explained the whole story and warned, “You are not allowed to refuse, or I’ll make your backside bloom.”
“I didn’t say I would refuse! The prerequisite is compensation!”
Qi Huang quickly stated her attitude. She was naturally eager to investigate haunted incidents for three reasons: First, she was penniless and wanted to earn some money to buy some higher-grade protective talismans for her family; Second, she wanted to go out and look for Ghost Tomatoes, and places with ghosts are generally extreme Yin places, so she could follow the clues of ‘haunted’ to investigate; Third, she needed to go out and inquire about her Master’s whereabouts.
In short, Qi Huang desperately needed freedom now.
“What do you want compensation for? Is your mother starving you?”
Cheng Hong Ling’s eyebrows shot up in anger.
Qi Huang was startled and mumbled, not daring to speak.
“There is compensation. For every haunted incident dealt with, the civilians will give corresponding compensation. You only need to turn in half to the sect.”
Xu Mei couldn’t help but explain with a smile. She didn’t mention herself, clearly not intending to ask for compensation, as a Master should.
“Half? And you say only half! No wonder no one wants to take missions!”
Qi Huang was immediately unhappy, thinking that this darn sect was truly dark. She risked her life, and half of the reward was embezzled by them.
“Because the props you need for exorcism are provided for free by the sect.”
Xu Mei explained.
“Alright then.”
Qi Huang reluctantly agreed.
And so, Qi Huang accepted the mission to investigate “haunted incidents,” hoping to get a Ghost Tomato. Although she knew the risks were great, if she didn’t find a way to plant the “vegetables” soon, she would have to go to the underworld to harvest them.
To go on a mission, one must be fully prepared. Thus, Xu Mei decided to depart in three days.
That night, Qi Huang learned many ways to use Spiritual Sense from Cheng Hong Ling, such as how to use Spiritual Sense to kill low-level ghosts. This also benefited her greatly.
On the morning of the third day, Qi Huang bid farewell to her mother, who had given her countless instructions, and then prepared to leave with her luggage.
“Remember, if you don’t know anything or encounter danger, inform me with your thoughts immediately.”
Cheng Hong Ling’s cold voice came from inside.
“Okay.”
Qi Huang replied reluctantly. Although it felt like being imprisoned here, there was no danger, wasn’t there? And she was even rewarded from time to time.
As Qi Huang was halfway there, she was stopped by Ruan Lingyu and several Senior Sisters.
“Thank you for your hard work, Senior Sisters. You got up early this morning to see me off.”
Qi Huang said gratefully.
“There’s no need to be so polite between sisters. Let’s go. Master has been waiting at the courtyard gate for a long time.”
Ruan Lingyu called out.
Qi Huang didn’t suspect anything and obediently followed. Soon, they arrived at the entrance of Orchid Courtyard, but Qi Huang didn’t see her Master.
“Where is Master? Didn’t you say she’s been waiting for a long time?”
Qi Huang asked confusedly.
“Haha, little lamb, you’ve finally fallen into my hands.”
Ruan Lingyu giggled, squatted down, and carried Qi Huang away.
