Ch 43: The Malevolent Monster Just Wants To Farm

The people in the courtyard were filled with terror upon hearing such a piercing cry, but Madam Jiang’s face was covered in tears. She couldn’t help but step forward, wanting to approach the door.

Chen Dong was startled and quickly blocked her path. “Madam, madam! You absolutely must not open that door!”

Whatever was outside, even if it was indeed A-Jin, she was still a ghost. Not to mention, even the expert had said that she had returned with vengeance in her heart.

At this moment, Madam Jiang’s mind was consumed by the things A-Jin had said. What did she mean by lying? What had A-Jin gone through? Her husband had said it was an accident; the Dali Temple had ruled it was an accident. But if it was truly an accident, why was her A-Jin crying so heartbreakingly?

Suddenly, she shoved Chen Dong aside and rushed to the door, pulling it open with force—

Whoosh!

A gust of cold wind rushed in, knocking her to the ground. Madam Jiang groaned in pain as her leg collided with something, sending waves of sharp agony through her. But she couldn’t care about that; she didn’t even have time to stand up. She just tilted her head up and looked around frantically. “A-Jin, A-Jin…”

Strangely, the fierce wind that had blown through seemed to lessen slightly when it heard her cries of pain.

Chen Dong and Chen Nan were already frozen in fear. They had been standing farther away and had seen something that Madam Jiang hadn’t: the moment the door opened, a pair of hands with long, black, sharp nails had appeared behind Madam Jiang’s neck. Those hands had curled several times, seemingly ready to strike, but had hesitated and pulled back.

“A-Jin!” Madam Jiang finally saw the person she had been longing to see. Just a few steps away from her, even in the dark night, she could see her clearly.

Sitting on the ground, the first thing she saw was a pair of mud-stained shoes, embroidered with red lotuses. Above the shoes was a pink dress. The embroidery of fish playing among lotus leaves on the dress was now unrecognizable; the hem was torn and stained with a great deal of blood.

Madam Jiang felt as if something was gripping her heart tightly, causing her to struggle for breath. A-Jin had always loved lotuses. The embroidery of red lotuses on the shoes was something she had taught her. That pink dress was something they had chosen together. On that day, A-Jin and A-Lin had worn new clothes, bade her farewell with joy, and set off to attend the banquet.

But who could have known that it would be a final farewell?

“A-Jin…” Madam Jiang looked at the ghostly figure before her, forgetting her fear and feeling only pain. She couldn’t see the ghost’s face clearly, but she knew it was A-Jin. The ghost, who had been crying so mournfully earlier, was now eerily silent.

Madam Jiang, despite the pain, managed to stand up and wanted to get closer to her. “A-Jin, don’t be afraid. Your aunt is here. Whatever grievances you have, tell them to your aunt…”

She reached out, wanting to touch her. But every step she took forward, the figure in front of her would retreat farther back. The distance between her and A-Jin grew wider and wider.

Suddenly, the ghost spoke, her words disjointed:

“Did Auntie lie to A-Jin?”

“Does Auntie know where A-Jin went?”

Madam Jiang responded softly, “Don’t worry, take your time. Aunt didn’t lie to you. I never have.”

The ghost suddenly began to wail, “A-Jin hurts so much, Auntie. A-Jin hurts so much.”

Blood started to flow from the pink dress.

“The knife cut open my face. It hurts so much…”

“Cut after cut, so much blood.”

“It hurts and it’s cold.”

Madam Jiang’s heart ached as if being torn apart. “A-Jin, who did this to you? Auntie will surely seek justice for you!”

She gently said, “Let Auntie see you, okay?”

The ghost shook her head, “A-Jin doesn’t look good now. Don’t look.”

Her face was hidden in the shadows, but Madam Jiang could feel the ghost’s cold gaze upon her.

She spoke even more gently, “A-Jin, Auntie isn’t afraid. My A-Jin is the most beautiful girl. Tell Auntie what happened. Who… who hurt you?”

The ghost seemed about to say something when suddenly, a bright torch shone over them.

Madam Jiang heard her husband’s shocked and angry voice, “What kind of ghost dares to cause trouble in this official’s residence!”

She quickly said, “Husband, it’s not just a ghost, it’s A-Jin who has returned…”

But Lord Chen ignored her, his face pale as he raised a torch and hurled a long sword towards them.

“Ah!” A scream rang out from the darkness.

The long sword had been enchanted by a Taoist priest recently, and it seemed to have wounded A-Jin.

She shrieked:

“You lied to me! You lied to me again!”

Madam Jiang hurriedly tried to speak, “A-Jin…”

But A-Jin could no longer hear her.

A sinister wind rushed towards Lord Chen, only to be blocked by a yellow light—he had two protective talismans on him.

The ghost tried to break through a few more times, her sharp black nails futilely reaching out, only to be scorched by the talisman’s power.

She cried out in a sharp voice:

“I want revenge!”

“Chen Bo’an, I will kill you!”

The ghost, filled with intense resentment and unwillingness, finally left.

Madam Jiang, as if all the strength had been drained from her, clung desperately to support her weakening body, staring at her husband in disbelief.

Meanwhile, Jiang Lin hadn’t expected to encounter such a strange Taoist priest. As he was walking to the Chen residence at night, he was suddenly stopped—someone had set up a formation there.

The Taoist priest jumped down from a tree, looking at Jiang Lin in amazement:

“A clear-minded ghost, with no trace of resentment. How did you manage that?”

He greeted Jiang Lin, “I am an unaffiliated, wandering Taoist priest.”

Jiang Lin sized him up; the other was a young, disheveled Taoist priest. Despite calling himself a priest, he looked more like a wandering swordsman.

The formation he had set up was likely only meant for alerting him to his surroundings and wasn’t particularly dangerous.

Jiang Lin said, “Taoist, I have my secrets. I’m in a hurry and don’t want to chat.”

Qingluo and Huaiyin, who were currently staying in the Jadeite Space, heard this and asked if they should come out to help. Jiang Lin didn’t want to reveal his cards too easily, especially since the priest didn’t seem hostile, so he declined.

The Taoist was straightforward, “Fine, I won’t delay you.”

Jiang Lin nodded at him and turned to leave.

After a few steps, he stopped, turned around, and saw the priest following him.

The Taoist shrugged, “I’m very interested in you. Since I can’t delay your journey, I’ll just follow you.”

Jiang Lin frowned but said nothing, continuing on his way toward the Chen residence.

By the time they reached the Chen residence, the sky was already lightening.

Jiang Lin’s face was somewhat pale; his current cultivation was still weak. Although sunlight wouldn’t kill him, it did make him quite uncomfortable.

The Taoist, seeing his condition, was even more puzzled. “Why would a ghost like you choose to come out in broad daylight?”

Jiang Lin didn’t bother responding.

He changed his appearance and walked toward the Chen residence.

The gate of the Chen residence was wide open, with servants bustling in and out.

A notice was posted nearby, stating that the lady of the house had suddenly fallen ill, possibly due to a malevolent spirit, and that they were offering a large reward for a skilled exorcist.

Standing at the gate, Jiang Lin could easily sense the overwhelming resentment within.

The Taoist behind him exclaimed in shock, “With such heavy resentment, this isn’t just a haunting—this ghost has clearly already paid a visit!”

He paused, then asked, remembering the ghost beside him, “That ghost isn’t you, is it?”

Jiang Lin ignored him and, using a method Huaiyin had taught him, took out a few strands of hair he had found on his original body and chanted a spell.

Siblings share a bloodline, and their auras are connected. It didn’t take long for him to detect a familiar presence within the resentment.

It was indeed Jiang Jin!

“Who are you?” A servant from the Chen residence, seeing them standing outside for so long, approached to ask.

Jiang Lin, preoccupied with thoughts of Jiang Jin, glanced at the servant and said softly, “Please inform the master of the house that an old acquaintance will visit soon.”

The servant was confused, “An old acquaintance? Who are you…?”

Jiang Lin handed him a note and turned to leave.

He had sensed Jiang Jin’s aura.

As the sun rose higher, Jiang Lin’s face grew paler.

The capital was vast, and Jiang Jin’s aura was mingled with the city’s energy. If he didn’t find her soon, it might disappear entirely.

At some point, the Taoist had vanished. Jiang Lin found a secluded spot and quietly summoned Huaiyin and Qingluo, asking them to help him search for Jiang Jin’s aura.

“Hey! Here!” Suddenly, a parasol was handed to him from behind, revealing the young Taoist’s cheerful smile.

“I’ve never seen a ghost so eager to court death,” he muttered.

“Thank you,” Jiang Lin accepted it, even though a mundane parasol wouldn’t actually help him.