Chapter 77: Finally freed from its bindings…
In the evening, the storm that had been brewing all day finally broke.
Yu Shi and Jiang Mang, who had been cycling back from Jade Lake, heard about the collapse of the chained tombs and rushed to the outskirts.
The people on the surface were urgently digging and had brought in a lot of heavy machinery.
Yu Shi, draped in a raincoat, saw the large collapsed sinkholes. As the heavy rain continued to pour, some of the holes had filled with water, almost two meters deep.
According to the original timeline’s plot, they would have been trapped underground for several days before being rescued. After they escaped, the entire tomb would collapse completely, eventually becoming a lake.
Yu Shi couldn’t be of any help here, so after watching for a while, he turned back and returned to the tent.
After being out for a short time, he was almost completely soaked. Just as he returned to the tent, Mei Yeyao ran over.
The child held up a towel and said, “Brother, you’re all wet. Here’s a towel for you to dry off!”
Yu Shi replied, “Thank you.”
The child followed at his heels, “Brother, brother, can I have dinner at your place again today?”
Yu Shi responded, “But I’m not going back tonight. Maybe in a couple of days?”
Mei Yeyao was a bit disappointed, “Oh, okay then.”
Jiang Mang also walked over, glancing in surprise at the obedient Mei Yeyao.
A few days ago, when she first met this Mei family spirit demon, she thought he was an unruly child, prone to tantrums and screaming fits.
She hadn’t wanted to come here and chose to go around the lake with Yu Shi partly because of this troublesome kid.
How could he be so well-behaved with Yu Shi? Did they know each other from before?
“You’re soaked to the skin, and the rain outside is so heavy. Just stay in the tent,” Jiang Mang said, although she was worried about her newly met aunt, she didn’t risk going out in the rain to check on the excavation.
“I know you’re worried about uncle, but he’s a powerful spirit demon. There’s no need to worry too much,” Jiang Mang offered a few comforting words.
Yu Shi was surprised, “Worried? No, I was just casually checking things out.”
He didn’t admit it, and Jiang Mang didn’t press the issue, thinking to herself, ‘I’m not going to discriminate against you.’
At first, she hadn’t noticed, but during the last visit to her uncle, Aunt Xuexiu mentioned on the way back that her uncle was upset because the person he liked was having tea and laughing with someone else.
Jiang Mang suddenly understood, realizing that the attention her uncle had given her afterward was all due to jealousy.
As for Zhou Shi, there was no need to explain; he was so attentive and concerned about her uncle, checking even his fingers immediately if they got a little cold, worried that he’d be harmed by the cold.
Unfortunately, just when she was starting to develop some feelings for Zhou Shi, he ended up becoming her uncle-in-law.
Jiang Mang felt a mix of regret and wistfulness as she gazed at the pouring rain outside. She pulled Yu Shi aside and whispered, “Zhou Shi, I need to tell you something.”
Yu Shi wiped the rain from his neck, “Hmm?”
“I heard this from my aunt. After the Winter Solstice, when uncle falls into a deep sleep, he won’t wake up until the Summer Solstice of the following year. He forgets many things when he wakes up, and he might even forget about you. So, even if you have feelings for him, don’t get too attached. Protect yourself.”
“Alright, I understand. Thank you for your concern,” Yu Shi replied. He didn’t explain further, thinking that Jiang Mang’s misunderstanding was better left uncorrected. Explaining might lead to unintended, ambiguous implications.
As darkness fell outside, the visibility was poor even with the large lights on in the rain.
Suddenly, there was a commotion at the construction site, loud enough to be heard even through the heavy rain.
“Someone’s been rescued!”
“Someone made it out!”
Mud-splattered people in raincoats ran past the tent, their shouts gradually fading into the distance.
Those waiting in the tent couldn’t ignore the rain any longer and quickly followed them outside.
Yu Shi also put on a raincoat and went outside, seeing several people being carried out from the sinkholes. Some were unconscious, and some were injured. He walked past them and headed to the area with the most people, where he immediately spotted Feng Xuexiang.
Feng Xuexiang looked as if he had just crawled out of the mud pit, with mud splattered all over him and bloodstains on his collar and cuffs.
Members of the Feng family were nervously surrounding him, holding umbrellas to shield him from the rain.
Standing under a large black umbrella, Feng Xuexiang noticed Yu Shi outside the crowd. He stepped out from under the umbrella, into the rain, and walked toward Yu Shi.
“Ninth… Ninth Master…”
“Where is the Old Master? How is the Old Master…?”
People were calling out and shouting, but Feng Xuexiang ignored them. He approached Yu Shi and asked, “Did you come to pick me up? Where did you go today? Did you have fun?”
He acted as if nothing had happened and just wanted to chat with Yu Shi casually.
…
Back at the tent, Yu Shi learned that the Feng family head had died after being possessed in the tomb, but the rest of the Feng family members were safe and had made it out unharmed.
After a busy night, everyone finally went their separate ways. Yu Shi and Feng Xuexiang also returned to the Feng family’s courtyard.
Yu Shi took a hot shower and then went to make a pot of sweet ginger soup.
He waited for a long time, but Feng Xuexiang still hadn’t come out of the bathroom; all he could hear was the continuous sound of running water.
“Are you okay?” Yu Shi knocked on the bathroom door twice.
There was no response, only some unusual noises. After pausing for a moment, Yu Shi turned the doorknob and went in.
The door wasn’t locked; it opened easily with a twist.
Under the showerhead, Feng Xuexiang was hunched over, coughing softly.
His long hair covered his face, and large patches of red were being washed into a pale pink by the water, draining away into the floor. Fresh drops of bright red blood kept falling.
He turned his head to look at Yu Shi, blood still at the corner of his mouth, and with a weak smile, he said haltingly, “I’m almost… done showering… cough.”
Yu Shi quickly grabbed a large bath towel, turned off the cold water, and wrapped it around Feng Xuexiang.
Yu Shi half-supported him to the long bench used for changing clothes.
“What kind of illness do you have? Can a doctor treat it at the hospital?” Yu Shi felt him trembling. “Do you have any medicine? Like the one from last time?”
Feng Xuexiang shook his head and said, “I’m a bit cold.”
Yu Shi got up to adjust the hot water for him to rinse off, but Feng Xuexiang grabbed his hand, preventing him from leaving.
Feng Xuexiang leaned against him, holding him close, with his wet, cold hair still dripping water.
Yu Shi smelled a strong scent of blood on him. When he placed his hand on Feng Xuexiang’s back, he felt a damp, sticky sensation.
He lifted his hand to see it stained with fresh blood. The bath towel draped over Feng Xuexiang’s back was soaked through, revealing a red stain.
“Are you injured on your back?” Yu Shi quickly removed the towel to check.
There was no wound on his back, but the tattoo of the butterfly bronze mirror was oozing beads of blood.
“This isn’t my blood,” Feng Xuexiang said, wrapping an arm around Yu Shi’s neck and pulling him closer.
“This blood belongs to someone I can’t remember, someone who seems to be my sister,” Feng Xuexiang’s voice was barely audible.
The blood curse cast by Feng Houzhan required an enormous amount of blood, which had been drained from someone and now weighed heavily on Feng Xuexiang’s body, causing him immense pain.
Today, with Feng Houzhan’s death, the blood was finally freed from its bindings and began to flow out of his body.
Droplets of blood seeped out, like tears shed by someone crying.
Feng Xuexiang continued to occasionally cough up blood, remnants of the internal injuries he had sustained resisting the control of the blood curse.
But he didn’t seem to care, leaning contentedly against Yu Shi’s warm body, his hand slowly tracing the contours of Yu Shi’s face and ear.
As dawn approached, Feng Xuexiang finally changed into clean clothes and lay down on the bed.
The lingering sweetness of the ginger soup in his mouth washed away the metallic taste of blood.
Yu Shi brought over a thicker blanket and gently covered him with it.
“I don’t need a blanket; I can hold you while I sleep,” Feng Xuexiang said, lying on the pillow.
Yu Shi replied, “Always pushing your luck, aren’t you?”
Feng Xuexiang smiled, an innocent and carefree smile. “Is that okay?”
“No, I’m not used to sleeping while holding someone.”
“Then can I hold your hand?”
“…Just this once, don’t make it a habit.”
“Alright.” Feng Xuexiang pulled up the blanket to cover his face, leaving only his crescent-shaped eyes visible. As soon as Yu Shi lay down beside him, Feng Xuexiang accurately grabbed his hand and held it close to his chest.
…
That night, most people didn’t sleep well, and many stayed up all night.
At dawn, the chained tombs completely collapsed with a tremendous noise. The collapse was so extensive that even the area where the camp had been set up earlier caved in.
Underground water surged into the sinkholes, turning them directly into a lake.
The collapsed tomb was almost entirely destroyed, making further excavation nearly impossible.
Now, what drew even more attention were the artifacts and jade scrolls brought out from the tomb. Various families were busy gathering information, competing for treasures, and studying the jade scrolls.
The Feng family was the first to leave Chuncheng, departing quietly, in stark contrast to their grand arrival.
The family head, Feng Houzhan, who had controlled the Feng family for decades, had unexpectedly passed away, and naturally, a grand funeral was to be held. Most importantly, a new family head needed to be chosen to continue leading the Feng family.
Feng Houzhan had previously kept Feng Zaiyin, his grandson, by his side to mentor him, intending to pass the position of family head to him in the future.
It wasn’t surprising that Feng Houzhan planned this way, as none of his children were capable of taking on such a significant responsibility.
Feng Houzhan’s eldest son, Feng Zaiyin’s father, had a weak and indecisive personality, caught between his authoritative father and capable son, without any notable achievements.
The second son had a more “outstanding” personality, always wanting to be the center of attention, high-profile and eager to show off. He tried to involve himself in everything but ended up failing at everything, causing more harm than good. He had been scolded by Feng Houzhan countless times.
As for the third daughter, she was easily influenced, prone to melancholy, and had poor health. She was not capable of managing the Feng family’s affairs and could barely handle her own.
The fourth daughter had been proud and temperamental in her younger years, but for some unknown reason, she suddenly became meek and didn’t even dare to speak much in front of her father. Now, she was dutiful and introverted, largely uninvolved in the family’s matters.
The fifth son was a gambler and a womanizer, indiscriminately indulging in vices, making him the Feng family’s biggest liability. If it weren’t for his father’s strict control, who knows what he might have done over the years.
The sixth son was different from his brothers but had no talent for being an exorcist. He preferred to bury himself in books, completely engrossed in academic research, and was clueless about worldly affairs.
At Feng Houzhan’s funeral, the Feng family gathered together, embroiled in noisy arguments over the selection of the new family head.
As Feng Xuexiang walked into the hall, he overheard his second brother saying, “Dad may have liked Zaiyin, but isn’t he still too young? He’s only in his twenties. Skipping over all these uncles to make him the family head—what sense does that make?”
“Our eldest brother doesn’t have the right temperament to be the family head. I suggest that we, as brothers, discuss this and let the most capable among us take the position.”
Yu Shi had come along with Feng Xuexiang, and it was his first time seeing the Feng family gathered in such full force.
There were six siblings of Feng Xuexiang’s generation, each accompanied by their spouses, with a large group of children standing behind them.
Some of these nieces and nephews of Feng Xuexiang were already in their thirties.
“Here comes Ninth Brother,” the eldest brother said, eager to deflect the second brother’s aggressive stance. He stood up quickly to greet Feng Xuexiang upon his arrival.
Feng Xuexiang’s entrance brought a sudden silence to the previously bustling hall.
Many of his nieces and nephews, who had never met their ninth uncle, were now stealing curious yet fearful glances at him.
They had all grown up hearing terrifying rumors about their ninth uncle.
Even their parents were somewhat afraid of the youngest sibling. Each of them put on a stiff smile, greeting him with a hint of flattery.
Traditionally, a spirit demon couldn’t be the family head, but now that Feng Houzhan, the only one who could keep him in check, had passed away, regardless of who became the new head, Feng Xuexiang was destined to hold authority over them.
In other words, Feng Xuexiang now had the most significant say in determining who would become the next family head.
Second Brother Feng exaggeratedly laughed and said, “Ah, Ninth Brother is here! It’s good that you came! You remember your second brother, right? I used to play with you when we were kids. These years, Dad said your health wasn’t good, so—”
Hearing his shameless words, the two sisters almost covered their faces in embarrassment, unable to bear watching.
Feng Xuexiang ignored the noise coming from Second Brother Feng, focusing instead on the large portrait of Feng Houzhan at the front of the hall, locking eyes with the figure in the painting for a moment.
He then let his gaze sweep across the hall, taking in every person present.
Finally, he smiled slightly, walked to an empty seat they had left for him, and pressed Yu Shi into it, standing behind him.
The Feng family members in the room were all shocked.
The most carefree of the group, Fifth Brother Feng, blurted out, “Who is this? And why are you letting him sit?”
Only the Feng siblings and their spouses were seated, with even Feng Zaiyin standing.
“And who are you?” Feng Xuexiang responded calmly.
Eldest Brother Feng quickly stood up, trying to smooth things over. “He’s a guest brought by Ninth Brother. He can sit, he can sit.”
He hastily ordered someone to bring a chair for Feng Xuexiang.
Yu Shi hadn’t expected this. He had merely agreed to accompany Feng Xuexiang, and now he was suddenly the center of attention. Almost everyone in the room was looking at him… except for one person.
A young man standing behind Second Brother Feng was staring intently at Feng Xuexiang with a peculiar expression.
When the young man noticed Yu Shi’s gaze, he briefly met his eyes before lowering his head.
“Eldest Brother is right; there’s no reason why he can’t,” Second Brother Feng chimed in. “Dad’s passing was sudden, and now us brothers are discussing who would be suitable as the new head of the family. Old Ninth, you can also share your thoughts.”
The group continued their discussion, with each person voicing their opinions. Feng Xuexiang merely listened, while Yu Shi was even less interested. When the conversation turned heated and the arguments began, no one paid attention to why an outsider like Yu Shi was seated among them.
In the end, the position of family head was given to Eldest Brother Feng.
Second Brother Feng was furious, his face turning ashen, but everyone knew his nature, and no one wanted to choose him.
Still unwilling to accept the outcome, Second Brother Feng asked Feng Xuexiang, “Old Ninth, do you also agree with Eldest Brother becoming the head?”
Feng Xuexiang replied, “Sure.”
After all, in his view, they were all useless; it didn’t matter who became the head. This way, he could be at ease.
Second Brother Feng was so angry when he left that he cursed everyone, from his wife to the children behind him.
“You’re all useless! None of you spoke up for me! Feng Zaixing, especially you! If only you were as capable as your cousin Zaiyin…”
Feng Xuexiang’s gaze subtly lingered on the young man being scolded.
Yu Shi stood up and began walking outside, and Feng Xuexiang followed him.
“Why did you make me sit there earlier?” Yu Shi asked calmly.
Feng Xuexiang’s smile faded as he studied Yu Shi’s expression. “Because standing is tiring?”
If he wanted to play dumb, Yu Shi wouldn’t press further and continued walking in silence.
Outside, Feng Zaixing listened to the angry outburst from his father’s possessed body, thinking to himself whether Feng Xuexiang had noticed anything unusual about him.
After all, while the deathly aura within his body might fool ordinary people, it might not deceive a spirit demon like Feng Xuexiang.
In their era, the existence of powerful spirits and creatures being refined into objects and then parasitizing human bodies didn’t exist. Feng Zaixing found himself particularly intrigued by the idea of the spirit demon’s parasitic object within Feng Xuexiang.
Unfortunately, the body he currently occupied was too weak. Otherwise, he would have loved to confront the spirit demon and get his hands on that mysterious mirror to study it.
Although he wasn’t as formidable as his master Chi Heng, three thousand years ago, he had been a skilled demon exorcist.
As he pondered these thoughts, a sudden gust of wind swept past him.
It was the man who had been with Feng Xuexiang earlier, striding quickly ahead.
Another gust followed, and Feng Xuexiang, whom Feng Zaixing feared, also hurried past him without so much as a glance, focused entirely on catching up to the man in front. He called out in a pleading tone, “Don’t be angry, wait for me!”
…Heh, nothing to worry about!
