Chapter 408: Chapter 404: Are You the Ghost Sent by the Ancestor?

Qin Liuxi did not agree to take on the business, nor did she even listen to the servant as he spoke of his young master being possessed by evil spirits; she drove the person away.

Though the servant reluctantly left, he was wary of the influence of Zhou Wei and Yu Qiucai and scurried off dejectedly.

Seeing him gone, Zhou Wei gave a formal bow to Yu Qiucai: “I, Zhou Wei, have the honor of meeting Mr. Yu.”

“Last name Zhou?” Yu Qiucai thought of someone and blurted out: “What relation are you to Zhou Xingping?”

Zhou Wei smiled and said, “He is indeed my father.”

Yu Qiucai clapped his hands: “I knew you looked familiar, lad. You’re the son of Zhou Tanhua. Back when the Top Scholar paraded through the streets, your father, as third place, received even more flowers and handkerchiefs than the Top Scholar himself. To think, in the blink of an eye, his son has grown so much, not bad, there is a resemblance to your father’s flair back in the day.”

Zhou Wei responded modestly: “I am often reprimanded by my father, saying I’m not even half the man he is.”

Yu Qiucai was about to continue when Mrs. Yu coughed, prompting him to quickly introduce: “This is my wife and my daughter. Die’er, say hello to Brother Zhou, and you are?”

“This is my younger sister; she is the second child in our family.” Zhou Wei gave a respectful bow to Mrs. Yu and Yu Yun Die, followed closely by Zhou Ning.

Yu Yun Die also gracefully exchanged pleasantries with them and even offered some snacks to Zhou Ning.

After formal introductions, Mrs. Yu said, “We are still in the master’s shop; we should not linger here and disturb the master’s business. Since you siblings have come to Li City, let us host you and have you over at our place later.”

“Yes, did you also come to seek medical advice or a talisman? If so, you’ve come to the right place. Not to boast, but the master can be called a Divine Doctor and Divine Fortune Teller, a distinguished individual of the Mystic Sect,” Yu Qiucai commented as he looked at Qin Liuxi with praise.

Qin Liuxi: “Mr. Yu is too kind.”

Zhou Wei, however, curiously asked: “Is the master not planning on taking that business just now? May I ask why?”

“He has not yet reached the point where I would be willing to travel far, and moreover, the Daoist Temple is scheduled for almsgiving soon, so I cannot leave. During winter, I prefer not to leave, and those who need medical treatment or talismans should come in person.” Qin Liuxi explained, then added meaningfully, “And some people, they cannot be saved.”

Yu Qiucai said, “I remember you mentioning that you do not save those with heavy karma and sinners laden with evil deeds. Could it be that the young master mentioned earlier has something amiss?”

Qin Liuxi replied, “Without meeting the person, it’s difficult to make a judgment, but observing his servant’s inconsistent words and not a single truth from his mouth, it’s clear that the young master’s behavior is widely criticized. I also notice that this man is tainted with some evil spirit but no vindictive souls follow him, so it may be related to the young master, likely due to some improper deeds. Of course, these are my speculations, I’m not going because he’s not yet worthy of my visit. If he wishes, my shop is here; he’ll be able to find it, but whether he can be saved or not remains to be said.”

“Good to know the master has a clear understanding. Should there be any inconvenience, please send someone to send a message to my residence. You’re a lady, don’t be too hard on yourself,” Yu Qiucai said.

Qin Liuxi nodded with a smile, acknowledging the concern, whether to send a message or not remains unsaid.

Zhou Wei, who had been pondering over Qin Liuxi’s decision about not providing salvation, overheard Yu Qiucai referring to a lady and stared with eyes wide as bells: “A lady?”

Who, is Qin Liuxi a woman?

Zhou Ning stepped forward and whispered: “Brother, the master is actually a female practitioner.”

Zhou Wei, staring at Qin Liuxi, blurted out: “No way, how do you resemble a girl?”

Qin Liuxi: Are you being polite?

She said to the group: “Since you have all been diagnosed and prescriptions have been given, I will not keep you any longer.”

Several people tactfully took their leave.

Once the shop was empty, Qin Liuxi sat down, feeling somewhat tired as she rubbed her temples.

Chen Pi poured her a cup of tea and asked, “What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing much, just that the world’s praise feels more like a burden to me,” Qin Liuxi sighed. “Indeed, it was right to walk the mortal world in men’s attire.”

When she was regarded as a man, the compliments were one thing, but now, knowing she was a woman, such praise always felt uncomfortable.

Chen Pi chuckled and said, “You truly live up to the notion that women are no less capable than men.”

Qin Liuxi waved her hand dismissively, “High renown sometimes brings burdens and responsibilities. Let’s not dwell on this. I won’t be here tomorrow as I need to attend the Daoist Temple for almsgiving and to provide free medical consultations. You take good care of the shop.”

Chen Pi’s face fell. In the past days, he and his sister had been by Qin Liuxi’s side to help. Now one was at home and the other at the shop, while their master was accompanied by two little ones. What use could they be?

He turned to Wan Ce and said, “Master, how about letting Wan Ce look after the shop while I continue to accompany you to the Daoist Temple for almsgiving? Xuan Yi and Xuanxin are also young, and they can’t be of much help either, so perhaps they could stay in the shop’s Daoist Room to practice Enlightenment and Cultivation.”

“How old is Wan Ce? He doesn’t quite understand these matters. How could we let him tend to the shop alone?” Qin Liuxi said with a smile. “As for Zhaozhao and the others, since they have joined my tutelage and are my disciples, it’s beneficial for them to stay by my side and observe more, even if they can’t help much.”

Qin Liuxi looked at the two youngsters and said, “Joining the Mystic Sect and learning skills is hard, as is dealing with all beings. Only by observing the myriad states of life can one truly understand the warmth and coldness of the world.”

Teng Zhao thought to himself: I’m only just coming of age, and yet I’m taking on the tone of an old soul who has seen through the affairs of the mortal realm.

…

Far away in Beichuan.

Within a snowy forest of icy landscape, a fiery red figure lay sprawled in the thick snow, lifting a Snow Fruit up to the sunlight for a closer look and curling his lips in satisfaction. He glanced at the snow on the treetops and suddenly let out a sharp scream.

The snow from the trees fell to the ground in flurries, covering his face in a blanket of white.

A bewitching and handsome man, with long narrow fox-like eyes, clear pupils glinting with golden-red hues, looking sideways at something with an enticing charm, yet also captivating others’ souls, his long hair as smooth as satin draped behind his head. When his thin lips curved slightly, his smile was wickedly mesmerizing.

In the forest, faint gasps could be heard.

The man flicked his finger, and a streak of snow, accompanied by a sharp Wind Blade, shot out into the Void.

Snap.

A person, no, a ghost, fell onto the snowy ground, looking bewilderedly at the man.

The man had already leaped up; his fiery red robe trailing in the snow, revealing his strong chest as he hadn’t worn any undergarment, and walked barefoot in the snow towards the ghost.

“Where did this Wild Ghost come from, daring to peep at this king? This king knows he’s the handsomest under the heavens, but this beauty is not meant for Wild Ghosts like you to covet,” the man said, approaching the blushing ghost step by step, reaching out his hand to strike, but then pausing, sniffing the air, “Oh? This smell of wine… You’re the little ancestor, no, are you the ghost sent by that lazy bum? What’s happened to her?”

The Wild Ghost in question, who was a bit embarrassed from Kuang Shan, scratched his head and asked, “Are you Feng Xiu?”

Mr. Yu was right. Coming to the deepest part of Beichuan Chi Forest, the most beautiful and flamboyant man he saw was indeed the person he was searching for.