Chapter 406: Who, a Respectable Person, Would Draw Comic Books?

"Madam Hu…"

Wang Lin opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words stuck at his lips and he couldn't utter them, ending in a sigh.

"Old Wang, it's my fault; I shouldn't have brought Madam Hu to your home in the first place, otherwise she wouldn't have developed an improper little thought toward your children!"

Dai Zhishang understood the meaning behind Wang Lin's sigh; his face was full of self‑reproach and apology as he spoke.

Fortunately.

Fortunately, Wang Ping'an was still in Liu Dongzhu's arms; otherwise he would have regretted forever.

Earlier.

When Hu Meiniang showed interest in Wang Ping'an at the Wang Family, for some reason she not only didn't take Wang Ping'an away, she didn't even check on him again.

After leaving the Wang Family, the matter clung to him, asking about the Wang Family Members; he actually didn't want to discuss it, because from Hu Meiniang's expression he could roughly guess.

She most likely developed an improper little thought!

Only.

For some reason, as soon as the words of refusal reached his lips, looking at Hu Meiniang's appearance, he not only couldn't utter them, but instead changed his tone and gave Hu Meiniang a detailed account of the Wang Family's situation.

It wasn't until later that he realized he had fallen under Hu Meiniang's enchantment.

Of course.

It could also be that his lecherous heart flared, making him unable to refuse a request from a bewitching beauty like Hu Meiniang, and subconsciously he spilled everything she wanted to know.

Later.

He was very remorseful; he could only forcibly ignore Hu Meiniang's seductive appearance and demand—cough, to be precise, beg Hu Meiniang not to harm the Wang Family.

Even though Hu Meiniang repeatedly assured him in front of him that she wouldn't do anything to the Wang Family, he remained uneasy deep down.

He has known for many years, more than anyone, that the prettier a woman is, the more likely she is to deceive.

He hadn't failed to consider sending someone from the Dai family to protect the safety of the Wang Family Members, but that thought lingered only a few seconds in his mind before he dispelled it himself.

It's not that, in his view, the Wang Family—the savior—was less important than Hu Meiniang in his mind; rather, he feared that if he actually did so, it would anger Hu Meiniang and cause her to strike down violently.

He could only pray silently that Hu Meiniang would keep her word and not do anything to the Wang Family.

Wang Lin opened his mouth, wanting to say that this matter couldn't be blamed on Dai Zhishang, but the words stuck at his lips and he still couldn't utter them.

If Dai Zhishang hadn't brought Hu Meiniang to their home, those events wouldn't have occurred; had it not been for Senior Sister of Daozhang Xuanqing arriving, Wang Ping'an might very well have been abducted by Hu Meiniang.

Liu Dongzhu changed the subject, saying, "Young Master Dai, what brings you to my uncle's house this time?"

She is Wang Ping'an's mother and cares about him more than anyone; how could she not take the near‑abduction of Wang Ping'an by Hu Meiniang seriously?

Every time she recalled the incident, endless dread and relief filled her heart; it would be impossible not to harbor a grudge against Dai Zhishang for bringing Hu Meiniang to their home.

But she knows that this incident cannot be entirely blamed on Dai Zhishang; after all, his actions were not intentional.

Dai Zhishang, seeing the Wang Family shift the topic, instantly guessed that Hu Meiniang had almost caused irreparable disaster for their family; his self‑reproach deepened, but seeing the Wang Family unwilling to discuss the matter, he said little more, and added:

"Sister Liu Dongzhu, I never expected this household to be your uncle's; I'm here this time to draw a comic book. I heard a new Mountain God has appeared at Shizi Ling, and I'm here to gather material!" 'Comic book?'

Wang Ping'an's eyes lit up instantly; when he was young, he somehow acquired old comic books, which became his spiritual sustenance, keeping him from loneliness night after night, and he thought to himself with delight:

"I never expected Young Master Dai to draw comic books; I also don't know what genre, maybe I'll collect a set later for a visual treat?"

Suddenly.

A flash of insight flickered in Wang Ping'an's mind, recalling his knowledge of Dai Zhishang; his complexion changed slightly, and he silently speculated:

"No, Young Master Dai's comic book won't be something indecent, right?"

"Comic book…"

Liu Dongzhu's face was full of surprise, about to say something, when before she could speak she heard Wei Yuan's shout from not far away.

Dai Zhishang frowned slightly, not expecting County Magistrate Wei to call him at this moment, and said, "Sister Liu Dongzhu, County Magistrate Wei is calling me; I'll go check what's going on, then return later, and I still need you, Sister Liu Dongzhu, to introduce me to your uncle!"

Zhang Guihua, watching Dai Zhishang's departing back, asked curiously, "Liu Dongzhu, what exactly is this comic book Young Master Dai says he's preparing to draw?"

"It's a comic book!"

Liu Dongzhu explained.

"Comic book?"

This novel, you…

Zhang Guihua was startled, exclaiming in shock, "Why would a rich young master draw this thing?"

Back then, that brute in her family, shortly after starting school, begged her to buy comic books. Though their family wasn't wealthy, they couldn't resist his pleas and bought many comic books—mostly historical tales, not valuable items, just a means for a poor scholar to make a living.

Children's toys!

Respectable families rarely create comic books, because they don't earn much and they invite ridicule when circulated.

Dai Zhishang strode to County Magistrate Wei and said, "County Magistrate Wei, you called for me?"

"Young Master Dai, you finally came!"

Wei Yuan pointed at Tang Anzhi in the distance and said impatiently, "Our Imperial Attendant Tang has been inside for some time yet hasn't emerged; could it be that he's also fallen victim to the Ghost‑Wall technique?"

"County Magistrate Wei, you really know how to joke. Imperial Attendant Tang is such a figure; a lowly Ghost‑Wall technique could never affect him…"

Dai Zhishang instinctively retorted, but before finishing his sentence his face changed dramatically, and he hurriedly turned to the surprised Yu Die beside him, asking, "Yu Baihu, I have no real skill nor keen sight; with your abilities, can you say whether Imperial Attendant Tang truly fell victim to the Ghost‑Wall?"

He focused his gaze and could clearly see that Tang Anzhi, by some unknown means, snatched the Mountain God Token from the Du father and son, and as he seemed ready to leave, he was spinning in place, looking as if caught by the Ghost‑Wall technique.

Only.

Given Tang Anzhi's cultivation, and knowing it was the Ghost‑Wall, how could he still fall victim?

No wonder County Magistrate Wei summoned him for inquiry; Wei couldn't have missed the anomaly, yet he also didn't believe Tang Anzhi was affected by the Ghost‑Wall.

"Imperial Attendant Tang appears to have fallen victim to the Ghost‑Wall!"

Yu Die nodded and said, "The mysterious cultivator who wielded this Ghost‑Wall uses an extraordinary version of the technique, and since Imperial Attendant Tang is already injured, his being caught is quite normal!"

(End of Chapter)