After hearing the full story from Old Man Meng, both Uncle Huzi and I were deeply moved.
Once everything became clear, I found myself filled with a strange sense of unease.
For a moment, I questioned whether I should even be helping the Zhang family at all.
Old Man Meng's actions had indeed been ruthless, but they weren't without reason. If it weren't for that bastard Zhang Yunliang deceiving his granddaughter and driving her to leap to her death in despair and helplessness, Old Man Meng would have never harbored such hatred toward the Zhangs.
As the saying goes, "Those who are pitiful must have something hateful about them." This applied to both Old Man Meng and the Zhang family.
For the sake of revenge, Old Man Meng had cast everything aside—even going so far as to consider killing me, not to mention the workers the Zhang family had hired. He didn't spare them either.
He had even resorted to forbidden sorcery, which took a heavy toll on himself.
Dark magic is not something to be used lightly. The moment it is invoked, there is always a price to be paid. If practitioners could kill at will without consequence, the world would have descended into chaos long ago.
Judging by the backlash he suffered, it was likely Old Man Meng didn't have much time left.
Still, I quickly convinced myself that I had made the right choice in getting involved—because Zhang Yunyao was innocent. She was a good girl, and if she were to die because of this mess, I would bear a significant share of the blame.
After saying all this, Old Man Meng—an old man already in his twilight years—broke down crying like a child. Helpless and devastated, he sobbed, "If I had known this would be the outcome, I never would've touched the second volume of the Book of Luban. It's all my fault. I deserve to die! I deserve it!"
Seeing him like this, I didn't know how to console such a pitiful old man.
With a long sigh, I said, "Elder Meng, it's time to stop. Let it end here. I'll pretend I was never here. As for your granddaughter, I'll help guide her spirit to peace. I imagine you wouldn't want her to linger as a wandering soul, doomed to fade away. It's better she enter the cycle of reincarnation."
Old Man Meng sat silently on the floor, tears streaming down his face. At this point, he had nothing left to say. Even his burning desire for revenge had extinguished.
I rose to leave, but something occurred to me. I turned to Old Man Meng and asked, "Elder Meng, do you think Zhang Yunliang's father knows the truth about all this?"
"I don't know," Old Man Meng replied, looking at me. "But he's definitely not blameless."
I nodded and motioned to Uncle Huzi to head out with me.
As we reached the door, I looked back at Old Man Meng one last time and said firmly, "By the way, I won't lift the curse on Zhang Yunliang. When people commit wrongs, they must pay the price."
Upon hearing that, Old Man Meng grew visibly emotional. He dropped to his knees and kowtowed in my direction. "Thank you, young master! Thank you for showing mercy. I, Old Meng, will never forget your great kindness!"
Then he suddenly asked, "Young master, who is your master? At such a young age, your skills are incredible. I'm truly impressed."
"My master's name is Li Xuantong."
I left those words behind and turned to walk away.
When Old Man Meng heard that name, his expression changed dramatically. "The Feng Shui King, Li Xuantong?!"
Leaving his home, I felt an immense weight in my chest, like something was blocking my breath.
Uncle Huzi also looked troubled, but he tried to comfort me. "Young master, don't let it weigh too heavily on your heart. Old Man Meng is pitiful, but he brought it on himself. Anyone who studies the second volume of the Book of Luban is doomed to suffer the Five Afflictions and Three Lacks—that's a curse passed down from their founding ancestor. His granddaughter's death is deeply tied to that choice.
"But that Zhang Yunliang is trash too. To ruin a sweet girl like that—take everything from her and then vanish, even getting her pregnant... there's a special place in hell for people like him."
"He's probably done the same to other girls," I said coldly. "So no, I won't remove the curse from him."
"Good," Uncle Huzi replied, gritting his teeth. "He deserves to suffer. No matter how much money they offer, we're not lifting a finger for that scumbag."
As we left the village and reached a desolate patch of land, I pulled out the jade pendant.
After chanting a few incantations, the spirit of Meng Xiaolan appeared before me once more.
Not long ago, I had struck her twice with the Heavenly Dipper Ruler—almost scattering her soul. Now, her gaze toward me was filled with fear.
But the first thing she said was, "Thank you for not hurting my grandfather."
"No need to thank me," I said. "But your grandfather likely doesn't have much time left. You shouldn't linger in the mortal world either. Let me send you on to the afterlife, alright?"
Meng Xiaolan shook her head firmly. "I'm not leaving! I want Zhang Yunliang dead. I want him to go to the underworld with me!"
Her obsession was still too strong. Those who die unjustly carry heavy resentment, and the underworld rarely accepts such spirits unless they are helped by a practitioner.
"Don't worry," I said gently. "He'll face justice. But if you kill him yourself, it won't end well for you. You could be reborn into the animal realm in your next life. Is that really what you want?"
"But... but he hurt me so badly. How can I just let that go?" she cried, and two spectral tears streamed down her face.
Of course, ghosts don't truly cry—this was just a manifestation of deep sorrow.
"Those who sow evil reap destruction. Even if you don't kill him, his life will be filled with misery. Sister, before I change my mind, it's best if you leave," I pleaded.
In the end, Meng Xiaolan realized the truth in my words and gave me a solemn nod.
Not destroying her soul was already a mercy. Offering her a proper passing was the most I could do.
After all, not just anyone can guide a wrongly killed spirit to rest.
Seeing her agreement, I formed a hand seal and began to chant:
"From the darkness beyond, fate long determined—by divine command, be reborn. Golden light descends, form takes shape, rise to the upper realm, liberation granted to all beings..."
This was the reincarnation mantra taught to me by my master.
As the incantation echoed, Meng Xiaolan's form gradually faded. She gave me a deep bow, then dissolved into countless points of light—disappearing completely.
Staring at the spot where she vanished, I let out a long sigh. In the end, she was just another poor soul.
After helping her pass on, Uncle Huzi and I made our way to the Zhang family's ancestral home. By the time we got there, it was already quite late.
Just as we reached the door—
A heart-wrenching scream erupted from inside.