Chapter 29: Twenty Years Ago, the River Became the Boundary

The mountain’s shade brought coolness, green trees forming a canopy.

The He family’s estate lay hidden within the mountains; its courtyard was planted with locust trees, and though it was midsummer, it felt as cool as early autumn.

“No wonder ancient imperial relatives all had special summer retreats…” Zhang Fan murmured softly.

He had previously thought that changing locations wouldn’t make much difference in coolness—now he realized how shallow his thinking had been.

“The He family plants locust trees…”

Old Yu, helping Wen He unload jars, spoke as he worked.

Locust trees are also called ghost trees—they are yin-attracting trees, thriving by absorbing yin energy over long years, and favored by spirits and demons.

Ordinary households never plant such trees, yet…

Locust trees are also called wealth trees; if planted in the right spot, they gather wealth from all eight directions, as the saying goes: “A locust in the yard means descendants will be rich.”

Of course, planting locust trees involves many rules—if placed incorrectly, great misfortune follows: “Wrong locust position, child falls from grace.”

At this moment, all sixteen jars of Iron Rooster’s combs had been removed and placed on the cart.

“Fanfan, you’re new here—don’t go inside.” Wen He gently warned.

This is a divine shrine; outsiders are rarely admitted, to avoid offending the spirits.

But the most important reason is that Zhang Fan cultivates the Zhenwu Mountain lineage—his aura is unusual, and entering unannounced might alarm or anger the spirits within.

“Little Zhang, wait here. Don’t wander off.”

Old Yu gave the instruction, then followed Wen He as they pushed the cart into the He estate.

Bored, Zhang Fan wandered alone through the courtyard.

It was less a courtyard than a garden—its greenery outnumbered all the plants in his residential compound combined.

“The life of the rich is truly unimaginable.”

Zhang Fan pondered—if he could acquire such wealth, surely he would have reached the [High Skill] rank by now.

“Wang Feng Hall!?”

At that moment, Zhang Fan reached a pavilion and read the large characters on its plaque.

He had heard that spirit mediums who cultivated horses had halls—such as Horse-Invoking Hall, Family-Protection Hall, Enforcement Hall, and others.

Each hall differed in scale and function.

He had never heard of [Wang Feng Hall] before.

“Big brother, why are you here?”

At that moment, a sweet, intimate voice came from behind, like tinkling silver bells.

Zhang Fan turned and saw a girl with twin buns, dressed in a JK uniform, walking toward him.

“It’s you…”

Zhang Fan recognized her at once—she was the girl he’d met on the subway that day.

“I’m here to deliver goods… are you from the He family?”

“Yes… I’m truly fated to meet you, big brother.”

He Huan stepped closer, pressing against Zhang Fan, a refreshing fragrance rising around her.

“So you’re a spirit medium,” Zhang Fan mused.

“I don’t like these things… but my family forces me…”

He Huan pouted, her face filled with grievance, eyes glistening with tears—she looked exactly like a doll being bullied.

“What does ‘Wang Feng Hall’ mean?”

Zhang Fan changed the subject—he’d lived long enough to recognize a green tea.

In fact, most men could recognize green tea, especially low-grade ones—though they pretended not to.

“My great-grandfather’s spirit was unique—it once received royal investiture… which distinguishes our He family from other spirit mediums,” He Huan whispered.

“Received royal investiture? What does that mean?” Zhang Fan pressed.

“A word from him outweighs a king’s decree… My great-grandfather’s spirit was once guided by a great master—over twenty years ago,” He Huan said solemnly. “A great master? How great?”

“Divine-Demon Holy Embryo,” He Huan whispered.

Those four simple words made Zhang Fan’s third eye twitch.

“Divine-Demon Holy Embryo? You mean… over twenty years ago, your family encountered a master who cultivated the Divine-Demon Holy Embryo?” Zhang Fan found it hard to believe.

Even Old Yu, with his experience and knowledge, had firmly declared that no one in this world could master this method.

“I only heard it from elders… that young man… over twenty years ago, he was suspected to be a master of the Divine-Demon Holy Embryo… but the method’s reputation is so great, it might just be bluffing—yet…”

He Huan shifted tone and continued: “His abilities were truly beyond measure. Because of him, our He family holds unmatched status in Yujing City. You probably don’t know—among spirit mediums, none beyond the river can rival our He family.”

Yujing City sits on the riverbank, using the river as a natural barrier.

In today’s age, spirit mediums are growing in number; some have shallow cultivation and lack even a spirit to invoke, yet still recruit disciples and open halls—all to amass wealth.

Thus, the spirit medium lineage now appears strong and numerous, especially the five old families—[Hu, Huang, Bai, Liu, Hui]—whose power has never been greater.

Yet in Yujing City, no spirit medium group can match the He family in influence.

The He family has dominated the Yujing spirit medium circle for twenty years.

“The river as a boundary—that was the rule established by that great master,” He Huan said solemnly.

“What if someone crosses the river?” Zhang Fan asked casually.

“Extinction.”

He Huan’s crimson lips parted, uttering two words.

“That’s brutal—he dares kill people at will?” Zhang Fan couldn’t help exclaiming.

Po Jie had repeatedly warned him: in today’s age, cultivators must not kill lightly. “Perhaps to such masters, ordinary people like us aren’t even considered human,” He Huan said, her beautiful eyes holding a trace of longing.

“Madman… such a person will surely die childless,” Zhang Fan thought inwardly.

For someone of his low cultivation, such a being was no blessing.

“Big brother seems very interested in the Divine-Demon Holy Embryo?” He Huan leaned closer, gently shaking Zhang Fan’s arm.

“A little curious.”

“Our He family possesses ancient scrolls recording the Divine-Demon Holy Embryo—if you wish to see them, come with me.”

He Huan, thoughtful and generous, took Zhang Fan’s hand—warmth immediately flowed through his palm.

They left the courtyard, ascending stone steps toward the back mountain, growing ever more remote, until twisted trees loomed and crumbling, barren cliffs littered the ground with broken rocks.

“This place is perfect for killing someone without being found,” Zhang Fan muttered inwardly.

He was a suspicious, paranoid man—borderline paranoid delusion.

“Big brother, your heartbeat’s quickening?”

At that moment, He Huan asked softly.

No sooner had the words left her lips than a foul wind surged—she spun around, her slender fingers elongating into sharp, blade-like nails, gleaming with chilling frost, lunging straight for Zhang Fan’s throat.

Huh…

Almost simultaneously, Zhang Fan dropped low, slithering like a snake, slipping beneath the claws and retreating ten meters in an instant.

“No blood drawn!?”

He Huan’s sweet, fragile demeanor vanished—her lovely face twisted with furious anger.

“You’re still a green tea,” Zhang Fan landed slowly, his wariness fading, replaced by a cold, icy chill.

“Big brother, you’re young—how many teas have you tasted? How do you know I’m green… and not pink?”

He Huan giggled, her words growing bolder.

At the same time, a strange, piercing cry emerged from a hole in the wild grass behind her—shrill and heart-rending, like a wild fox weeping.

“Big brother, care to taste my tea?” He Huan beckoned with a finger, her eyes seductive, murder flashing instantly.

(End of Chapter)