Chapter 562

Li Master suddenly lost the desire to defend himself, abandoning everyone as he scrambled up the slope, "I'm going home!"

But he never made it home, for his feet hurt too badly—he had used every ounce of strength just to reach the hilltop.

Li Master sat on the ground, his expression vacant, only now realizing: "I summoned the Daoist to exorcise evil spirits, didn't I? How did I end up worse than when I was possessed?"

Pan Yun climbed up too, casually plucking Pan Xiaohei off her shoulder and dropping him onto the ground, then plopping down beside him: "Li Master should be glad—bad luck now will burn off the misfortune, better than all of you suffering together later."

Li Master: "What do you mean?"

Pan Yun turned to the steward: "The constables should have reached Da Li Zhuang by now. Go fetch them. Oh, and bring several hoes and shovels."

The steward froze, immediately glancing at his master.

Li Master widened his eyes: "Constables? What constables?"

Pan Yun patted his shoulder, soothing him: "Li Master, it's not a problem—as long as you truthfully state the facts of the case."

"But when did you summon the constables?"

Pan Yun: "This morning."

Li Wenying sat down on a patch of thicker grass, smiling faintly: "You told her not to be formal, to just order the servants around. When you went back to change into your outdoor clothes, she grabbed the first person she saw and sent him to the magistrate's office to file a report."

Li Master's mind raced—he looked from Pan Yun to Li Wenying, his smile vanishing completely: "Are you two deliberately targeting my foolish son?"

Pan Yun shook her head: "No, Li Master. You should be grateful you have a son like Li Young Master."

She turned slightly and pointed behind her: "Though this land is bound by a Spirit-Binding Array, the fact that they found you means the array is no longer effective."

Pan Yun leaned close, whispering coldly into his ear: "Human beings are terrifying, but the unknown spirits are just as terrifying—especially those filled with hatred."

Li Master trembled slightly.

Pan Yun kept terrifying him: "You're a scholar—you know your crimes. Worst case, you'll sit in jail for a few years, pay a fine to atone, spend a year or so behind bars, then walk free. But if these vengeful spirits cling to you, it's family annihilation—and it will plague your descendants forever."

Li Master's voice shook: "Y-you—you're just trying to scare me! You can't control these demons, but others can! I'll find other Gao Seng and Dao Masters—I won't let them win!"

By the end, Li Master's gaze turned fierce, his voice firm—fear was gone.

Pan Yun curled her lips, glancing at Li Young Master.

Li Young Master stood before his father, staring at him with heavy eyes.

Li Master, stung by his son's gaze, snapped: "Ungrateful son! Why are you looking at me like that?"

Li Young Master asked calmly: "Father, you taught me since childhood to be benevolent, upright, filial, and loyal in dealings. I've tried so hard for so long—but what have you been doing these past years?"

Li Master turned his head away, avoiding his gaze.

Li Young Master clenched his fists, voice tight: "To protect the family's land and shops, you flatter and curry favor with Yang Ji—so why teach me to uphold righteousness instead of teaching me to fawn?"

To appear allied with them, you forced people to take out usurious loans, drove them to sell their fields and homes—so why teach me benevolence instead of teaching me to bully with power?"

Li Young Master's eyes burned red: "You always say I'm just a child—but look at my age, am I still a child? It's not that I'm young and naive—it's that you adults are hypocrites!"

"You preach benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and faith to your children, while you yourself commit corruption, flatter the powerful, and feign sincerity!"

Pan Yun nodded fiercely beside him, deeply moved.

Li Wenying slapped her sharply on the back of the head, cutting off her agreement.

Pan Yun turned and glared at him.

Li Wenying whispered low: "What's this got to do with you? Are your senior brothers and sisters hypocrites?"

Pan Yun turned her gaze away—no, they weren't—but she gave Li Wenying a slow up-and-down look, the meaning clear.

Li Master, cornered by his son's accusations, looked grim and silent.

Pan Yun glanced from father to son, then turned to the steward: "Hurry and fetch them—the sun's still high. After Shen Hour, it'll be too late."

It was nearly noon now; by the time the constables arrived, it would be past noon. They had only one and a half hours.

The steward, drenched in sweat, looked to Li Master.

"Zhong Shu, go fetch the constables!" Li Young Master stepped forward, blocking the steward's view of his father.

"But…" The steward hesitated, unmoving.

Li Young Master lowered his voice: "Go."

The steward knew: the young master was on the edge of rage. Though he usually slacked off and took things easy, when he truly lost his temper, even his father couldn't stop him.

But…

The silent Li Master spoke wearily: "Go."

!

The steward, as if granted imperial edict, bowed low and left immediately.

Once the steward was gone, the hilltop fell silent.

Pan Yun shifted her seat, moving farther from Li Master.

Li Young Master swept his sleeve aside and walked to the other side, standing against the wind, silent.

Li Wenying also rose and found another spot to sit.

Pan Xiaohei, having watched a splendid human drama unfold, slipped soundlessly beneath a tree and lay down.

This spot caught the sun yet offered shade—perfect for him.

The noon heat of summer was still intense.

Perhaps because the sunlight was so bright, the yang energy so abundant, the cold yin energy rising from below was suppressed. The yin clinging to the four people and the cat was driven off by the sun, their moods gradually calming. Pan Yun even felt a small pleasure in the gentle breeze.

She gently tapped her fingers, calculating how long this trip would take.

She wondered how many bodies lay buried beneath this land, who they were—today, at least, they'd see daylight again.

Even if she got no money from Li Master, this journey was worth it.

Having planned the days ahead and her next steps, Pan Yun closed her eyes, letting her thoughts drift with the wind, wandering wherever they pleased.

Until faint voices drifted into her ears—she returned from the breeze, opening her eyes: "They're here?"

Everyone turned to look at her.

Master Li was still angry, snapping back: "Who's here? No one's here!"

Pan Yun blinked: "I clearly heard someone speaking."

Master Li: "There isn't even a ghost in sight—where's anyone?"

Pan Yun looked at Li Wenying, and Li Wenying was studying her in return.

Pan Yun withdrew her gaze, stretched lazily, stood up, offered no explanation, and walked straight up to Master Li, bending down to look at him: "Master Li, your foot is swollen quite badly—would you like me to treat it?"

Master Li grunted: "Aren't you the one who said I'm getting more unlucky now so I'll be less unlucky later?" (End of chapter)