Li Na looked at me with deep gratitude, her eyes carrying a strange glimmer. Suddenly, she said, "Wu Jie, if only time could turn back—back to when we were in school—I would chase after you with everything I had, marry you, and give you many children."
My cheeks flushed slightly as I looked at her.
Truth be told, Li Na was a fine woman—beautiful, kind.
If my master hadn't kept me on such a short leash back then—only allowing me to focus on cultivation and forbidding me from indulging in anything frivolous—Li Na might have been my first love.
Yes, if only time could turn back… but the past is forever gone.
"Li Na, I'll help you pass on in a moment. In your next life, find a good family, and remember—don't make such foolish choices again. If you had told me, your parents, or even the police what Wang Chaoyang did to you back then, none of this would have happened," I said.
Li Na nodded heavily, tears welling up again. "Don't worry, in my next life, I'll live well and never do something so foolish again."
After a pause, she suddenly spread her arms. "Wu Jie, can I hug you?"
I didn't refuse. I opened my arms as well—but ghosts have no physical form. To me, she was only a shadow.
Neither of us could feel the other's warmth. It was just a symbolic embrace.
While I was saying goodbye to Li Na on the rooftop, chaos erupted below at Wang Chaoyang's place.
The Flesh Jar had been smashed, completely enraging the trapped spirits.
And, earlier, I had slipped something extra into that jar.
Once it broke, the vengeful spirits inside would completely lose control, fighting their host to the bitter end.
The moment the jar shattered, Li Na's spirit fled Wang Chaoyang's body—she could feel the surge of murderous resentment from the spirits clinging to him.
If she had lingered, she would have been torn apart as well.
The stench from the shattered Flesh Jar rose up, so strong I could smell it even on the rooftop.
Uncle Hu covered his nose, glanced at the chaos below, and chuckled. "Young master, this was all part of your plan, wasn't it? You've barely left your master's side and already you've got his knack for wicked cunning. Taking their money and avenging Li Na—two birds with one stone."
"Evil must be dealt with by evil. Wang Chaoyang nearly destroyed Li Na's entire family. How could I let him off easily?" I replied.
"True enough," Uncle Hu said, "but you made one mistake."
I looked at him, puzzled.
"You shouldn't have let him smash that Flesh Jar at our doorstep. Now it stinks to high heaven—how are we supposed to go out tomorrow?"
"…," I thought, realizing I had overlooked that detail.
Once the jar broke, the vengeful spirits lashed out, and even from a distance, I could see the resentment around Wang Chaoyang turning so dark it was nearly red.
He went mad—first cackling hysterically, then dropping to the ground and shoving the jar's black, putrid contents into his mouth while laughing like an idiot.
The smell alone made my stomach churn.
Wang Wende saw his son eating the filth, and knowing exactly what it was, shouted, "Stop him! Now!"
Several men rushed forward to restrain Wang Chaoyang, but his strength had surged unnaturally. Covered in the jar's filth, he smeared it on one man's face, making him vomit instantly.
Laughing wildly, Wang Chaoyang broke free and bolted toward the main road.
Wang Wende chased him, grabbing his arm. "Son, it's me—your father!"
But Wang Chaoyang no longer recognized anyone. His eyes were filled with evil madness. He bared his teeth in a twisted grin and suddenly bit a chunk of flesh from Wang Wende's face.
Wang Wende screamed, releasing him, and Wang Chaoyang sprinted into the street.
A large truck came speeding down the road. The driver saw him too late to brake.
To the driver's horror, Wang Chaoyang stopped in the middle of the road and smiled eerily.
Bang! The truck slammed into him, sending him flying over ten meters before his mangled body was caught beneath the wheels.
His remains were torn apart, his head lying several meters from his body—still frozen in a crazed grin.
Those spirits had all died violently, and so Wang Chaoyang's end mirrored theirs.
This wasn't cruelty—it was justice. A man like him alive would only bring more harm.
Wang Wende staggered into the street, saw his son's mangled corpse, and collapsed unconscious.
Uncle Hu sighed. "Young master, wasn't this a bit too ruthless? Wang Wende has influence in Yanbei City. With his son dead like this, won't he seek revenge?"
"They smashed the Flesh Jar themselves—what's it got to do with us? Master always said never to show mercy to the wicked. He'll back me up," I said.