Chapter 195: Fooling the Ghost?

Leaving?

Wang Ping'an naturally couldn't leave so quickly; it's not because he has any thoughts about Hu Meiniang. Whether or not Hu Meiniang has ever done any wrongdoing, just by the terrifying power she displayed not long ago in the Mountain God Temple, he couldn't.

He just can't solve it!

He still needs to train more!

Naturally, he wouldn't delude himself into thinking he could slay Hu Meiniang and gain Merit!

As for continuing to toy with Shu Mu?

Once, twice, three or four times…

From just now, he's already used the ghost wall on Shu Mu ten to twenty‑something times, battering Shu Mu into a broken defense, like a shrew shouting in the street; continuing to use the ghost wall will no longer have any effect.

So there's no need to keep toying with Shu Mu!

He stays here, naturally because of that phrase Hu Meiniang mentioned: "One day's marriage, a hundred days of grace."

Of course.

Not to watch Hu Meiniang and Shu Mu renew their marital bond.

Putting aside what he ought to see, he's already seen it; at his current age, watching that thing isn't enjoyment, but a way to make himself suffer.

He will stay…

It's because there's a third party here!

From the intimacy just displayed between Dai Zhishang and Hu Meiniang, and now encountering an old lover, it's uncertain what grudges or feuds might arise.

He was already bored, so how could he not pay attention to such juicy gossip?

Just right.

He can also use this incident to deeply understand Hu Meiniang and see if he can uncover more information.

"Madam Hu, Madam Hu, listen to my explanation; I didn't mean to insult you just now…"

Shu Mu's complexion changed dramatically; he and Hu Meiniang had met before, having been frank with each other. How could he not know Hu Meiniang's temperament?

Don't be fooled by the seductive smile on Hu Meiniang's face now; based on his knowledge of her, it's clear she's inflamed with anger.

Only!

Before he could finish speaking, Hu Meiniang stepped before him and kicked hard, snapping his words back to his mouth, sending his whole body soaring into the air.

Just as he landed, Hu Meiniang waved her jade hand again, almost leaving a afterimage, accompanied by crisp slaps.

Not long after.

When Shu Mu fell to the ground again, his handsome face had already turned into a pig's head, with a spray of fresh blood and a few teeth.

Not far away.

Hidden in an inconspicuous spot, Wang Ping'an watched Hu Meiniang strike Shu Mu with his eyes wide open, trembling all over, watching Shu Mu's tragic state.

Even though he harbored deep grievances against Shu Mu, a trace of sympathy rose in his heart.

"Tsk, indeed you mustn't provoke a woman, especially one with such great skill, otherwise you wouldn't even know how you die!"

Wang Ping'an trembled all over, silently startled, thinking.

Hu Meiniang smiled brightly at the pitiful Shu Mu lying on the ground and said, "Fine, tell me, why did you say you didn't insult me on purpose?"

A raging, torrent‑like pain in his abdomen and a scorching pain on his face.

Logically, Shu Mu is at least the young master of the Shu family in the county town and holds the rank of a successful examinee; being beaten like this, especially by a woman, should make him furious, wanting to tear the opponent apart.

But.

Shu Mu's peripheral vision caught Hu Meiniang's smiling face, which looked nothing like a Fox Demon, more like a weasel; the spark of anger that had just risen in his heart was doused like a bucket of water, and he flattered with a smile to explain:

"Madam Hu, listen to me…"

Shu Mu embellished the story, attributing his recent ordeal and his loss of reason in berating Hu Meiniang to the identity of Xuanqing Daozhang.

Meanwhile.

Because his cheek was struck and several teeth were broken, his speech was halting and speaking was very painful.

He could only endure the pain and fully embellish the incident. If he couldn't give Hu Meiniang a satisfactory answer, the footprints on his chest and the slap marks on his face would be merely an appetizer.

Hu Meiniang's smile vanished, and she stared coldly at Shu Mu, her expression unfriendly.

Shu Mu trembled all over, a wave of unease rising in his heart, his voice shaking as he panicked, "Madam Hu, you, you, what's happening to you?"

"Are you treating me like a fool to toy with?"

Hu Meiniang let out a cold laugh; just as Shu Mu opened his mouth to explain, she suddenly kicked hard again, sending him soaring into the air, and said:

"It seems the few slaps I gave earlier were too light; you're not a cultivator, but you're at least a scholar and hold the rank of a successful examinee.

You should have some insight!

Look at what time it is now?

It's broad daylight now; tell me, a rogue Taoist used the ghost wall on you, and it was in broad daylight, not just once or twice?"

"Bang!", "Bang!", "Bang!"

His face was slapped again by Hu Meiniang's jade hand, yet Shu Mu didn't change his words, spitting blood while wailing:

This novel you…

"Madam Hu, I truly didn't deceive you; I really encountered the ghost wall, ten to twenty times. If you don't believe me, I can swear to the heavens, even swearing by all our Shu ancestors!"

Being slapped in the face while Hu Meiniang reminded him, he suddenly recalled the descriptions of the ghost wall in some books.

It's just a fringe, unorthodox technique, only usable at night.

And it requires prior preparation; it can't be used at any moment.

Encountering the ghost wall ten to twenty times in a row is almost impossible.

This technique lies between a spell and an array.

Only.

Whether in spells or in formations, it's a second‑rate thing.

Furthermore.

It has far too many loopholes!

A proper cultivator wouldn't even glance at it, let alone study it; with so many powerful formations and spells to learn, how could one waste effort on this stuff?

"You didn't deceive me?"

Hu Meiniang stopped beating him, let Shu Mu lie on the ground, and stared deeply, hoping to see the expression she wanted on his face.

Unfortunately.

To her disappointment, Shu Mu's face had already been beaten into a pig's head.

How could she read any expression?

Shu Mu, feeling aggrieved, said, "Mrs. Hu, I truly didn't deceive you; I wouldn't dare deceive anyone else either!"

"Fine, then swear to Heaven, invoking the names of all your Shu ancestors; then I'll believe you!"

Hu Meiniang snorted coldly, saw Shu Mu remain silent, and said in a harsh tone, "What, you don't want to?"

Having said that, Hu Meiniang was about to continue her assault.

Shu Mu trembled all over, hurriedly said, "No, no, no… I swear, I invoke my Shu ancestors to Heaven; if I deceive Mrs. Hu, may I be struck by lightning, pierced by ten thousand arrows, torn apart by five horses… and meet a terrible death!"

"Shu Juren, look at the poison you utter—so harsh! Do you think I won't believe you?"

Hu Meiniang gave a coquettish smile, but it gave Shu Mu no charm—only a chill—and then she called, "Young master Dai, come over; I have something to ask you!"

Ten watches completed, begging for support! ▄██o

(End of chapter)