Chapter 548: With such a good opportunity, why don

"Brother, you're right; whether or not she's possessed by a ghost, we can't abandon her—after all, she's our second aunt."

Zhang Chengyong hummed.

Although he has many grievances against Zhang Guilian, at this critical moment he cannot stand by as she is possessed by a ghost; he says nothing.

It isn't out of compassion; he knows that if his father learns he stood by while she died, his father will be the first to punish him.

Otherwise.

As for Zhang Guilian's many deeds over the years, he doesn't care at all about her life or death.

Zhang Chengze hurriedly shouted, "Good that you know; now hurry and fetch our father—maybe we can still save our second aunt!"

"Brother, I can't go; you should go!"

Zhang Chengyong shook his head, rejecting Zhang Chengze's offer. His brother does have some skill, otherwise he wouldn't dare hunt alone at Shizi Ling, but relying on that skill to deal with ghosts is almost impossible, he said seriously:

"Our sister‑in‑law is only just pregnant, our nephew hasn't been born yet; as an uncle I can't let him lose his father!"

He has learned some techniques, but they are ordinary martial cultivation methods aimed at humans and monsters, not at ghosts; he lacks confidence in dealing with the ghost possessing Zhang Guilian.

"I'm the elder brother; how could I let you, the junior, die here for me?"

Zhang Chengze scolded, "And you already said our sister‑in‑law is pregnant, yet you aren't even married, let alone have offspring. Hurry and fetch our father; don't waste time. Do you really want me, your elder brother, to die at our second aunt's hands just to make you happy?"

He learned from village elders' stories that ghosts are formidable; he doesn't think he has the ability to handle them, especially when the ghost possesses his second aunt. Though he harbors many grievances against her and wishes her dead, he still dares not strike her, even knowing she's possessed.

If his second aunt, possessed by a ghost, tried to attack him, he wouldn't dare counterattack; he could only dodge, yet he can't flee far enough to make Zhang Guilian disappear.

Otherwise.

His second aunt would surely be killed by the possessing ghost!

"Brother…"

Zhang Chengyong wanted to say something, but before he could speak, Zhang Chengze angrily scolded, "What are you standing there for? Get moving! If you bring our father quickly, I still have a sliver of hope. Your hesitation isn't sincere; you just want me to die!"

Hearing that, Zhang Chengyong dared not say more, sprang up, sprinted toward the Mountain God Temple, shouting, "Brother, hold on; I'll fetch our father at top speed!"

Inside the Mountain God Temple.

De Ben was sharing heartfelt words with Li Ping when he vaguely heard someone calling him outside; his brows twitched, and he asked in surprise, "Old woman, did you hear someone calling me outside?"

"What, at this hour? How could anyone be looking for you?"

Li Ping instinctively retorted, and as soon as she finished, she heard a familiar voice—Zhang Chengyong calling his father—and she hurriedly said:

"Wait—it's Chengyong calling you; what could be happening at this time?"

"Do you think that Chengze, that dog, might be taking advantage of my absence to harm Gui Lian's life?" A flash of insight struck De Ben, his face turning pale; he ignored Li Ping, uttered no farewell, and with a "whoosh!" vanished from the Mountain God Temple. Outside, he saw the hurried Zhang Chengyong and asked anxiously:

"Chengyong, what's going on? Is your brother trying to kill our second aunt, and you came to report it so I would rescue her?"

"Father, what are you thinking? You still don't know who our elder brother is; he's the one who follows your words most, how could he defy your orders?"

Zhang Chengyong forced a bitter smile. If Chengze truly wanted to kill Zhang Guilian, he needn't even report—just not helping would be enough; as for the mess Zhang Guilian made, a thousand cuts would be nothing, and he hurriedly shouted:

"It's Zhang Guilian—no, it's our second aunt, something's wrong, she seems possessed by a ghost. Father, go check quickly; our elder brother may not hold on much longer. If you don't arrive in time, she could be in mortal danger."

"How could that be? In our Zhang Family Village, there hasn't been a ghost disturbance in centuries, especially now that I'm the Mountain God of Shizi Ling; no blind ghost would dare come here!"

Though he spoke that way, De Ben's heart was still full of tension; before he could finish, his form flickered, he picked up Zhang Chengze's scent, and pursued at extreme speed, a hidden alarm rising in his mind, suspecting:

"Could it be that Qi Wenshan, that dog, after dying became a fierce ghost, unwilling to reincarnate, fearing a trip to the Eighteen Levels of Hell, thus becoming a vengeful spirit seeking revenge on me?"

Li Ping chased out of the Mountain God Temple but saw no sign of De Ben, only Zhang Chengyong outside, and asked:

"Chengyong, you're calling your father now—did something happen to that poisonous woman Zhang Guilian?"

"Mother, you guessed it right!"

Zhang Chengyong nodded, raised his thumb, praising, "That poisonous woman, she's possessed by a ghost. My brother and I worry we're no match for her, so my brother sent me to fetch our father to save her!"

"Possessed by a ghost…"

You have reached this novel.

Li Ping almost laughed out loud; she had previously endured Zhang Guilian's deeds to the utmost.

Now seeing Zhang Guilian commit such despicable acts, colluding with outsiders to endanger her own brother's life and coveting the Mountain God position of Shizi Ling, she wishes to tear her apart with a thousand cuts.

Yet De Ben, that old fool, softened at the crucial moment.

She is full of objections to De Ben's so‑called punishment!

A person who has done many evils, can a single "lay down the butcher's knife and become a Buddha on the spot" forgive the other's sins?

It's simply laughable!

Zhang Chengyong looked at his mother's odd expression, fearing she worried about his brother's safety, and comforted, "Mother, don't worry; once our father arrives, even if that poisonous woman is truly possessed, our brother won't be in danger!"

"You think I'm concerned about your brother's safety?"

Li Ping glared fiercely at Zhang Chengyong, seeing his bewildered face, clearly not understanding, and said in an unkind tone:

"Such a good opportunity, and you all fail to seize it?"

"A good opportunity?"

Zhang Chengyong thought for a moment, still not grasping his mother's meaning, about to ask, when Li Ping cut in:

"That poisonous woman is possessed; you and your brother, can't you strike first and eliminate this disaster?"

(End of chapter)