Chapter 33: The Haunted Li Family Residence

A few days ago, the Wudang Mountains issued a new regulation: vehicles that were previously allowed to drive halfway up the mountains could now only go as far as the mountain gate.

Zhou Yinglong, who was standing beside a luxury car parked near the gate, was dressed in casual clothes that made him seem like a suave, single cultivator with some seniority. He even exuded a hint of aura befitting a senior brother.

He waved upon spotting Wang Sheng in the distance. Seeing his junior brother's bulging backpack, he asked, "Why do you have so much stuff? Didn't Martial Uncle say we'd be back the same day?"

Wang Sheng thought about it for a moment. "Better to be prepared."

Soon, the car window rolled down, and Li Shiwu warmly remarked, "Good morning, Fei Yu. Put your backpack in the trunk and get in. We're leaving now so we can head back early. Let's go."

A middle-aged driver with a kindly appearance stepped out to assist Wang Sheng. Their benefactor seemed to have sent him.

After glancing at Wang Sheng, the driver respectfully addressed him as "Daoist Master." He then eagerly reached for Wang Sheng's backpack and the sword wrapped in black cloth.

"I'll bring the sword in the car with me," Wang Sheng said.

The driver quickly agreed.

Zhou Yinglong felt a little embarrassed. He had left his newly acquired sword buried under the packages in the trunk.

"Your Sword Dao mastery far surpasses ours, Junior Brother, and it's certainly not without reason. As your senior brother, I feel somewhat ashamed," Zhou Yinglong commented.

Wang Sheng smiled. "You're over-praising me. I just like this sword a lot. I feel more at ease having it with me."

From the front passenger seat, Li Shiwu glanced back and smiled. "I'm glad you like it. The previous sect master personally chose that sword for you. Only someone like you can fully maximize such a renowned weapon, Martial Nephew."

Wang Sheng straightened up and earnestly replied, "I hope I get to thank the sect master in person someday."

"Don't worry, you'll get your chance. When you bump into me again on the mountains, I'll bring you to the Golden Summit to serve tea," Li Shiwu joked. "That way, you'll meet all the elders of Wudang. It'll feel like stepping back into my younger days two or three decades ago!"

Wang Sheng wasn't sure how to respond. Hence, he simply laughed.

Thanks to the private car, their journey was far more comfortable than their trip to Mount Mao, which they made in a crowded bus.

After some light chatter, Li Shiwu leaned back in his seat and dozed off. The driver, polite and focused, just quietly drove.

Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong whispered to each other in conversation before they closed their eyes to rest as well.

Since meeting Wang Sheng, Zhou Yinglong had undergone subtle changes. Though once content with leisurely cultivation, he now sought opportunities to meditate and practice his Taiyi Sword Art. He would even do it during meals and before sleep.

The journey was quiet. By the time they had exited the highway, it was already past ten in the morning. After passing the toll booth, they entered the outskirts of a small, bustling town—their destination.

Dazed, Li Shiwu gazed out the window and sighed. "It's been years since I've been home."

Roused from their meditative states in the back seat, Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong also looked out the windows.

The primal qi in the area was murky and impure, a stark contrast to Wudang's clear, remote mountain air. Cultivation required a serene and secluded environment, after all. Still, it wasn't too bad compared to major cities or Wang Sheng's hometown, where it was practically toxic.

Li was also the surname of the benefactor whom they were visiting. His home was on the outskirts of the town.

As the car passed what seemed to be a prefecture-level town, Wang Sheng noticed a large shopping mall by the roadside.

"Will we return the same way after the rituals?" Wang Sheng asked.

Momentarily confused, Li Shiwu yawned as he asked, "Huh? What was that, Fei Yu?"

"We will," the driver replied in his stead. "Is something wrong?"

"Oh, not at all," Wang Sheng replied. "On the way back, could you drop me off at that mall? I'd like to buy a few things to take back to the mountains."

"Of course," Li Shiwu agreed readily. Turning to Wang Sheng with a playful look, he teased, "Buying gifts for your senior sister?"

Wang Sheng smiled and nodded. Beside him, Zhou Yinglong rubbed his nose and chimed in, "I should buy something for my senior brother too. I can't let my junior brother outdo me!"

"What are you getting involved for?" Li Shiwu scolded and glared at Zhou Yinglong, who laughed sheepishly.

Their banter continued, lightening the mood.

"We're still about ten minutes away." Li Shiwu stretched and shook off his sleepiness. "Let's rest just a little bit more."

Zhou Yinglong asked, "Martial Uncle, what exactly are we going to do when we get there?"

"Perform rituals, of course." Li Shiwu chuckled. "I'll set up the altar, and you two will explore the house. If you encounter anything impure, purify it."

Wang Sheng nodded, silently recalling the exorcism spells that his master had taught him. The thought of chanting and performing elaborate shamanic dances under the watchful eyes of others made his lingering sense of embarrassment rise involuntarily.

"Don't worry. Our benefactor will make sure your efforts are well rewarded," Li Shiwu reassured, making it clear that they would be compensated for the trip.

For Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong, however, the reward wasn't their primary motivation. They had come mainly out of respect for Li Shiwu, the vice sect master of Wudang.

After driving along a riverside cement road for a while, the car turned onto a tranquil hillside, reaching their destination.

They stopped before a crimson-red gate that had an antique charm. It had a plaque above it that bore the two Chinese characters for "Li Residence." If not for the surveillance cameras hanging by the entrance instead of attendants in coarse clothing, one could have mistaken the scene for a glimpse into ancient times.

It had to be the perfect example of a wealthy family's estate.

The secluded manor was built in a serene area. Past the walls was a traditional Chinese-style garden with artificial hills, strange rocks, tranquil courtyards, and bamboo groves, creating an exquisite retreat.

The primal qi in the area felt noticeably purer.

After picking up his backpack and sword, Wang Sheng peered into the courtyard with Zhou Yinglong. This was their first time visiting such a place.

"What do you think? Not bad, right?" Li Shiwu smiled as he approached from behind. "A fengshui master from the Wudang Mountains designed this place. It took eight years to complete; construction ended around my second or third year of cultivation in the mountains."

The driver left them at the entrance before heading off on his own, likely parking the car.

With no one to guide them, Li Shiwu clasped his hands behind his back and walked ahead as he issued a couple of reminders. "The rituals will be conducted here. In a while, I'll set up the altar and perform the rituals. You two will search the courtyard. If you find anything sinister causing trouble, deal with it as necessary."

"Understood," Zhou Yinglong and Wang Sheng replied in unison as they followed Li Shiwu into the wide-open gate.

In the courtyard, several people were hurrying toward the entrance. Leading them was an elderly man with white hair, followed by a few middle-aged men and women, and even two teenagers.

As they got closer, the elderly man, trembling slightly, shouted, "Second Brother! You're finally back! There's a ghost causing trouble in the house! We can't take it anymore!"

Zhou Yinglong nearly burst into laughter. The poised demeanor that Li Shiwu had just begun to adopt was instantly shattered.

Wang Sheng's earlier doubts were also swept away.

No wonder his martial uncle had been so evasive, only mentioning that they were here to perform rituals for a benefactor who had generously supported the Wudang Mountains. Despite his casual tone, he had taken the matter very seriously and even wanted to bring both Wang Sheng and Mu Wanxuan along.

It turned out that the manor was actually Li Shiwu's family home in the secular world. Strictly speaking, this could be considered a case of using his position for personal gain, but the Wudang Mountains wouldn't fuss over such a minor issue. After all, Li Shiwu had contributed greatly to the sect's development.

While his senior brothers and uncles were all secluded in cultivation, he had been tirelessly running errands, a merit that couldn't be overlooked.

Li Shiwu awkwardly smiled at Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong. He then turned back to the elderly man and replied, "Don't worry, Elder Brother. I'm here now."

Wang Sheng and Zhou Yinglong exchanged knowing smiles. Finally understanding the purpose of the trip, they now felt much more at ease. They even silently agreed to handle the exorcism without any complaints.

Li Shiwu helped his elder brother, who was in a purple jacket, to his feet.

The man was the very benefactor who had donated significant funds to the Wudang Mountains. Though tall in his younger years, he now stood stooped with age. Nevertheless, he was still a head taller than Li Shiwu.

Wang Sheng instinctively used his spiritual consciousness to examine their benefactor, finding the old man's primal qi weak, his spirit frail, and his gaze unfocused. A faint gray aura surrounded his forehead.

The man didn't seem far from his natural end.

Could there really be malevolent spirits wreaking havoc here?

Although Wang Sheng wasn't skilled in fengshui or yin-yang theories, when he expanded his spiritual consciousness to a range of several dozen meters, he detected faint traces of eerie energy. Just as he was about to follow the trail, their benefactor walked up to them with a smile.

"Ah... Are you two young Daoists from the Wudang Mountains? Don't just stand there! Please, come in!" he greeted warmly. "Make yourselves at home. You're my second brother's martial nephews, which makes you my nephews too."

He laughed for a bit but ended up in a coughing fit.

Wang Sheng smiled. "You're too kind, Patron."

Zhou Yinglong imitated him. "Thank you for your hard work, Patron."

"Not at all! Not at all! Come, come! Let's go inside!" the elderly man loudly insisted, but his tone lacked energy due to his age. His face flushed as he began coughing again.

A tall, thin middle-aged man quickly stepped forward to support him. "Dad, lower your voice. Aren't you worried about your throat?"

The old man patted his chest. "If I don't act confident, it'll look like I'm scared of those dirty spirits!"

Wang Sheng couldn't help but smile. He found the old man rather likable.