Chapter 74

When I saw Character: Tang Zheng being bewitched by that filthy infant spirit, step by step walking toward the open windowsill, I wished I could become the haloed protagonist of movies and novels, who always creates miracles at the critical moment to save a life. Or perhaps a master would descend from heaven to lend me a hand.

Let's produce: "【1】 When I saw Character: Tang Zheng being bewitched by that filthy infant spirit, step by step walking toward the open windowsill, I wished I could become the haloed protagonist in movies and novels, who at the critical moment can always create miracles and save a life, or that a master would descend from heaven to lend me a hand."

Check we kept all info. Yes.

However, reality is ultimately reality; no matter how beautiful the fantasy, the moment we return to reality we must face cruelty. The imagined miracle did not appear; instead came a 'plop' sound, completely shattering my fantasy.

Translate: "However, reality is ultimately reality; no matter how beautiful the fantasy, the moment we return to reality we must face cruelty. The imagined miracle did not appear; instead came a 'plop' sound, completely shattering my fantasy."

However, reality is ultimately reality; no matter how beautiful the fantasy, the moment we return to reality we must face cruelty. The imagined miracle did not appear; instead came a 'plop' sound, completely shattering my fantasy.

Character: Tang Zheng's figure in his leather suit fell straight onto the windowsill. Frustratingly, as a Daoist, I could only watch helplessly as a life vanished before my eyes. I witnessed it all, but was powerless to stop it. No one understood my regret, no one understood my helplessness at that moment.

Translate: "Character: Tang Zheng's figure in a leather suit fell straight onto the windowsill. Infuriatingly, as a Daoist I could only watch helplessly as a life vanished before my eyes. I witnessed it all firsthand, yet I was powerless to stop it. No one understood my regret, no one understood my helplessness at that moment."

fell straight onto the windowsill

Even though I am a Jiejiao disciple, and even though the Yinshan sect is renowned as the most ruthless and vicious lineage in the Daoist gate, watching a life slip away helplessly would bring sorrow to anyone's heart.

Translate: "Even though I am a disciple of the Jiejiao, even though the Yinshan sect is called the most ruthless lineage in the Daoist gate, watching a life slip away would make anyone's heart ache unbearably."

We need to keep "Jiejiao disciple". the Yinshan sect is called the most ruthless and vicious lineage in the Daoist gate.

I was furious, channeling all my anger into the restrained female ghost. At that moment, I had only one thought: I wanted her dead. In that instant, I forgot good and evil, right and wrong; all I felt was the sorrow of watching a life fade away.

Translate: "I grew angry, venting all my fury on the restrained female ghost. At this moment I had only one thought: I wanted her dead. I forgot good and evil, right and wrong; all I felt was the sorrow of watching life fade away."

However, just as I was about to vanquish the female ghost, with victory seemingly within reach, a chair flew toward me through the air.

Translate: "However, just as I was about to annihilate the female ghost, with victory seemingly within my grasp, a chair flew toward me through the air."

That chair was being controlled by the infant spirit; as a son, he naturally couldn't stand by and watch his mother be destroyed. When I turned my head, the chair was already lunging at my face, and instinctively I released my grip on the restrained female ghost, shifting my body to dodge the chair.

Translate: "That chair was being manipulated by the infant spirit; as a son, he naturally would not stand by and watch his mother be destroyed. When I turned my head, the chair was already lunging at my face; instinctively I released my grip on the restrained female ghost and naturally shifted my body to dodge the chair."

Although my reaction was fairly timely, I still couldn't avoid being struck in the temple by the leg of the stool as I shifted my body.

Translate: "Although my reaction was fairly timely, I still could not avoid being struck in the temple by the leg of the stool as I shifted my body."

The temple is the most vulnerable spot on the human body, directly connected to the brain's nerves. Struck suddenly, I felt a wave of dark-headed dizziness, a buzzing ringing in my ears, and I stumbled backward involuntarily.

Translate: "The temple is the most vulnerable spot on the human body, directly connected to the brain's nerves. Ambushed instantly, I felt a wave of dizziness as if the world were spinning, a buzzing tinnitus ringing in my mind, causing me to stagger backward involuntarily."

As I fell, I seemed to press against something soft and warm; immediately I heard a sharp 'ah' scream, and when I cleared my vision a bit and looked up, I saw Peach clutching her chest, her face flushed red.

Translate: "As I fell, I seemed to press against a soft, warm mass; immediately I heard a scream 'ah', and when I cleared my head a little and looked up, I saw Taozi blushing, clutching her chest."

At that moment I finally realized what I had pressed against: it was Peach's chest, and the impact knocked the unconscious woman awake.

Translate: "At this moment I finally realized what I had pressed against when I fell: it was Taozi's chest, and the impact knocked her awake from her faint."

I didn't have time to apologize; I told her to take Yaoyorong and leave quickly. I stood up, placed her behind me, and watched the mother-and-child vengeful spirits approach us step by step.

Translate: "I had no time to apologize; I told her to take Yao Yirong and leave quickly. I stood up, placed her behind me, and watched the mother-and-child vengeful spirits approach us step by step."

"Li Li sister... you"

Translate: '"Li Li… you"'

Suddenly, Peach behind me called out a name. Upon hearing it, the approaching female ghost's body shuddered involuntarily, and a trace of pain appeared on her ashen face.

Translate: "Suddenly, Taozi behind me called out a name. Upon hearing it, the approaching female ghost's body shuddered involuntarily, and a trace of pain appeared on her ashen face."

"Miss..." the female ghost's body trembled, and a hint of color appeared in her cold eyes.

Translate: '"Miss…" the female ghost's body trembled, and a hint of color appeared in her icy gaze.'

"Baby, come back quickly, don't hurt Miss," she gestured, calling the infant spirit back.

Translate: '"Baby, come back quickly, don't hurt Miss" she waved, calling the infant spirit back.'

"Li Li sister, is it really you...?" Peach pushed me aside, staring at the mother-and-child spirits excitedly, and said, "Li Li sister, you're already dead, aren't you? How are you here?"

Translate: '"Li Li sister, it's really you…" Taozi pushed me aside, gazing excitedly at the mother-and-child spirits and said, "Li Li sister, you're already dead, aren't you? How are you here?"'

"Don't get close to her; they're both ghosts, and that infant spirit just killed Character: Tang Zheng!" I grabbed Peach's pale hand and pulled her back.

Translate: '"Don't get close to her; both are ghosts, and that infant spirit just killed Character: Tang Zheng!" I grabbed Taozi's pale hand and pulled her back.'

After hearing my words, Peach stared with her mouth open in disbelief at the female ghost called Li Li. She glanced at the windowsill, then looked incredulously at the ghost and said, "Li Li sister, what he said is true—why would you do this?"

Translate: "After hearing my words, Taozi gaped in disbelief at the female ghost called Li Li. She glanced toward the windowsill, then stared incredulously at the ghost and said, 'Li Li sister, what he said is true—why would you do this?'"

A flicker of pain crossed the female ghost's eyes as she shook her head and lamented, "Miss, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I was bewitched, I listened to Character: Tang Zheng's sweet talk, embezzled hundreds of thousands from the company... I'm sorry to you and the master."

Translate: "A hint of pain appeared in the female ghost's eyes; she shook her head lamentingly: 'Miss, I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I was bewitched, believed Character: Tang Zheng's honeyed words, and embezzled hundreds of thousands from the company… I'm sorry to you and to your father.'"

The female ghost's expression was full of sorrow; the resentment around her slowly dissipated, and the hall filled with an atmosphere that made one feel her deep remorse.

Translate: "The female ghost's expression was full of sorrow; the resentment around her dissipated bit by bit, and the hall filled with an atmosphere that made one feel she was now remorseful."

"Mom, don't cry, don't cry." A slightly childish voice rang out—it was the dirty little boy standing beside her.

Translate: '"Mom, don't cry, don't cry." A slightly childish voice rang out—it was the dirty little child standing beside her speaking.'

"Li Li sister, what on earth is going on? How is embezzling company money related to Manager Fang, and how did Little Ling become an evil ghost?" Peach bit her lip, pressing the female ghost relentlessly for answers.

Translate: '"Li Li sister, what exactly is going on? How is your embezzlement of company funds related to Manager Fang? And Xiao Ling—how did she become an evil ghost?" Taozi bit her lip, pressing the female ghost relentlessly.'

At this moment, I too was curious, so I paused to wait and see how things would unfold.

Translate: "At this moment I, too, was curious, so I paused and waited quietly for events to unfold."

From their conversation, I vaguely grasped the whole story: the female ghost Little Ling I had captured in my robe, the fallen Character: Tang Zheng, and the mother-and-child spirits before me were all tied to the same incident. What struck me as absurd was that this little boy was actually Character: Tang Zheng's son—meaning the one who had just killed Character: Tang Zheng was his own biological son.

Translate: "From their conversation I vaguely grasped the whole story: the female ghost Xiao Ling I had collected in my Daoist robe, the fallen Character: Tang Zheng, and the mother-and-child spirits before me were all entangled in the same affair; what I found incredulous was that this little boy was actually Character: Tang Zheng's son, meaning that the one who had just killed Character: Tang Zheng with his own hands was his own biological son."

I was astonished, but after hearing the details, I felt genuine anger—directed at the female ghost before me and at the deceased Fang Zheng.

Translate: "I was astonished, yet after hearing the events I genuinely felt anger—anger toward the female ghost before me and also toward the deceased Manager Fang."

The female ghost before us is named Li Li; she works as an accountant at Peach's company and is also a married woman. Not long ago, Character: Tang Zheng began pursuing her ardently, and at that time she happened to be arguing with her husband. Over time, she couldn't resist Character: Tang Zheng's sweet words and gifts, and they became involved.

Translate: "The female ghost before us is named Li Li; she is Taozi's company's accountant and also a married woman. Not long ago, Character: Tang Zheng began ardently pursuing Li Li, and at that time she happened to be quarreling with her husband; over time she could not resist Character: Tang Zheng's sweet words and gifts, and they became involved."

What Li Li didn't expect was that Character: Tang Zheng didn't truly love her; he was exploiting her authority to embezzle public funds to cover his gambling debts in Macau. Moreover, after winning her over, Character: Tang Zheng also began an affair with another company employee—the very female ghost Little Ling I had just captured in my robe.

Translate: "What Li Li did not expect was that Character: Tang Zheng did not truly like her; he was using her authority to embezzle public funds to cover his gambling debts in Aomen. Moreover, after winning Li Li over, Character: Tang Zheng also became involved with a company employee—namely the female ghost Xiao Ling whom I had just collected in my Daoist robe."

Li Li was completely unaware of all this, kept in the dark. Only when she discovered she was pregnant with Character: Tang Zheng's child did she learn the heart-wrenching truth.

Translate: "Li Li remained completely unaware of all this, kept in the dark. Only when she discovered she was pregnant with Character: Tang Zheng's child did she learn the heart‑rending truth."

As a philanderer, Character: Tang Zheng naturally wouldn't take responsibility for the child in her womb; after all, he had merely been using Li Li all along. When she confronted him, saying the child in her belly was his, they began to argue. In his desperation, Character: Tang Zheng said: "You don't even need to look in a mirror—do you really think I like you? I'm only using your position to pay off my gambling debts. If we were to talk about marriage, I'd rather marry Little Ling than you; at least her figure is far better than yours."

Translate: "As a philanderer, Character: Tang Zheng naturally would not take responsibility for the child in her womb; besides, he had been using Li Li all along. When Li Li confronted Character: Tang Zheng and said she was carrying his child, they began to argue; in his desperation Character: Tang Zheng said: 'You don't even look in the mirror—do you think I really like you? I'm merely using your authority to pay off my gambling debts. If we were to talk marriage, I'd rather marry Xiao Ling than you; at least her figure is far better than yours.'"

It was precisely

Translate: "It was precisely this remark that made Li Li realize the truth, and also realize that there was a third person involved between her and Character: Tang Zheng."

Chinese:...

Translate: "Thus they turned against each other. But Li Li did not commit suicide; in reality, no woman who discovers she's been used would willingly die to win back a man's heart, especially since she was a married woman. What Li Li naturally ought to do was expose Character: Tang Zheng's embezzlement of public funds to cover his personal debts."

【111】

Translate: "Knowing Li Li's plan, Character: Tang Zheng, after his pleas failed, resorted to a drastic measure: he drugged her with sleeping pills, then threw her from the rooftop, staging it as a suicide driven by fear of punishment for embezzling public funds. The one who helped Character: Tang Zheng hand her a cup of coffee laced with sleeping pills was his lover, Xiao Ling."

Chinese:...

Translate: "After Li Li's death, Character: Tang Zheng casually shifted all blame onto her, evading the responsibility he ought to bear. He never imagined that in this world there exists something called a vengeful ghost."

【117】

Translate: "On the night of her return as a spirit, Li Li killed the on‑duty Xiao Ling. She had intended to send Character: Tang Zheng off together, but coincidentally Character: Tang Zheng had been dispatched on a business trip; for a while she found no chance to strike, so she could only wait for the right moment."

Chinese:...

Translate: "The so‑called opportunity was tonight. Tonight Taozi invited a fake Daoist to exorcise ghosts, also allowing Character: Tang Zheng, who had returned from his out‑of‑town assignment, to assist nearby. While I had collected the wandering Xiao Ling spirit in the company and run to the restroom to look for the grave official, Li Li seized the chance and killed Character: Tang Zheng."

【123】

Translate: "Now the cause and effect of all this began to become clear; everything was merely a tragedy brewed from the interests and emotions between men and women."

Chinese:...

Translate: '"Miss, I'm sorry, I've betrayed your and your father's trust, I'm sorry" Li Li kept apologizing to Taozi: "I never meant to harm you; I only wanted to take the lives of that despicable man and woman, so they'd get what they deserve."'

【129】

Translate: "Taozi stood there stunned for a moment, her expression shifting, unreadable; perhaps it was because Li Li had disappointed her."

Chinese:...

Translate: "I quietly tugged at Taozi's sleeve from behind and whispered: 'This ghost is begging for your forgiveness; if you don't forgive her, she won't leave.'"

【135】

Translate: "Most ghosts that linger in the Yang realm refuse to reincarnate because they have obsessions; Li Li's obsessions are two: one is to have killed Character: Tang Zheng and Xiao Ling, the other is to seek Taozi's forgiveness. She has fulfilled the first; she is now working on the second. If Taozi forgives her, the obsession will vanish and she will naturally dissipate, no longer clinging to this world."

Chinese:...

Translate: "Yao Yirong gritted her teeth, sighed, and said: 'Forget it, it's all in the past; you're already dead, let the past blow away with the wind. I'll pretend I never saw this, and I won't tell your husband.'"

【141】

Translate: '"Thank you… thank you! Your and your father's kindness, Li Li, I will repay by serving as an ox or horse, thank you…" At the end, Li Li took his son's hand and walked out step by step.'

Chinese:...

Translate: "Where to? Naturally to the Yinjian Difu to register."

【147】

Translate: "The little boy turned his head to glance at us; his eyes were as pure and innocent as any child's, and his smile when he looked back was innocent and charming."

Chinese:...

Translate: "I suddenly felt the urge to step forward and hug him tightly. I feel no sympathy for anyone here, but from the bottom of my heart I pity this little boy."

【153】

Translate: "What fault does the child have? From beginning to end he is merely a sacrificial pawn in this farce."

Chinese:...

Translate: "Watching them leave, my heart filled with an indescribable heaviness, as if something weighed on my chest that I could neither articulate nor clarify, yet I wanted to ask?"

【159】

Translate: "I wanted to ask what the world must become before it will cease its hypocrisy and deceit, when people will finally cast aside pretense and treat each other sincerely."

Chinese:...

Translate: "What ought to be a lifelong bond earned through ten years of sharing a boat and a hundred years of sharing a pillow has been worn away by time's erosion; slowly the passion fades, and a woman can throw herself into another's embrace, forgetting her husband and her duties."

【165】

Translate: "What should have been a promising future for a man has instead become an obsession with gambling, unrepentant, using women's feelings to achieve his goals; even after his conspiracy was exposed, he still resorted to any means to conceal the truth."

Chinese:...

Translate: "In this farce I saw only one who wanted to strike, two who suffered resentment, two actors, and an innocent life lost because of the farce."

【171】

Translate: "They say life is like a play, everyone wearing masks, freely expressing themselves under the neon lights of blossoms and willows. They also say drama is like life; everyone constantly seeks a pitiful excuse for their own hatefulness, practicing the skill of lying without blushing or racing heart."

Chinese:...

Translate: "Is it the human heart that has changed, or society? Is it that people must change to adapt to a society awash in material desires, or is it the falseness of the human heart that has shifted society's course?"

This is a question full of drama, he is just like human nature, always has a dual contradictory nature. I think no matter how I ask, I will never be able to find an answer..