Volume One: The Autumn Sacrifice Chapter Seventeen: There Is a Demonic Aura Here

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The instant the old steward brought him back to Qixia Street, Jiang Wang felt an intensely scorching current gather around his broken ribs.

It was the Mirage healing his wounds.

Jiang Wang’s emotions shifted from bewilderment to astonishment, then to excitement so quickly that the old steward noticed it all. Assuming his young master’s head had been damaged, he grew even more anxious.

Unexpectedly, Jiang Wang suddenly reached out and clenched his hand. In an instant, an explosive aura swept across the entire length of Qixia Street.

When one survives a great disaster, fortune is sure to follow!

Just now had been the closest he had ever come to death.

The threat of his life fading away seemed to have stimulated the Mirage, causing the strength of its power to rise to an entirely new peak.

It was also the moment when he had come closest to the Mirage’s power.

He truly had to thank that old man properly.

Then again, although he had guessed from the man’s killing intent that he might be one of the Departed, it had never been confirmed. To this day, Jiang Wang did not even know who the old man was.

The old steward, meanwhile, had been completely stunned.

It was obvious that his young master was perfectly fine.

He felt he might have inadvertently disrupted the young master’s plans.

His young master had deliberately pretended to be on the verge of death. Otherwise, there was no way to explain the situation before him.

Though he did not know his young master’s true purpose, the old steward felt somewhat guilty.

Jiang Wang seemed to come back to himself.

“Uncle Tong...” He looked at the old steward’s slightly stooped figure. “Didn’t you say you were nothing more than an ordinary, useless old man? You lied to me!”

The old steward replied awkwardly, “Doesn’t the young master have things he’s kept from me as well? Besides, before the young master, I truly am nothing more than an ordinary, useless old man.”

Jiang Wang fell silent.

That was true. Everyone had their own secrets.

Seeing Little Yu running toward them in panic, Jiang Wang said softly, “Uncle Tong, please investigate that old man’s identity. If necessary, go to the Du family again. If he is connected to Du Zicheng, bring him here to see me.”

The old steward nodded.

Sun Qingya had already withdrawn from Huncheng with the entire Black Flame Army, but Shan Qiyu had remained behind for the time being. Since the old steward now intended to investigate personally, the Du family would undoubtedly have another ordeal to endure.

Little Yu stared at Jiang Wang, utterly unable to understand what was happening.

Jiang Wang rubbed her head and was just about to say something when, because the Mirage’s power had not yet faded, he felt the scorching aura stir restlessly as soon as he touched her.

Before he could figure out what was happening, Little Yu’s body suddenly trembled.

She stared at Jiang Wang with wide eyes.

Jiang Wang grew nervous. “What’s wrong?”

Little Yu lowered her head and pressed her lips together.

Jiang Wang hurriedly withdrew his hand from her head, wondering whether the Mirage had taken away Little Yu’s soul.

“Young master...” Little Yu raised her head again, her eyes already brimming with tears.

“This is bad!” Jiang Wang cupped her cheeks in both hands. “Trust your young master. I’ll definitely cure you. Didn’t Celestial Master Tao know how to draw talismans, drive out demons, and treat illnesses? I’ll go find him right now!”

Although he had already decided not to leave Qixia Street again until he became truly powerful, he could not worry about that when it came to Little Yu.

Without giving Little Yu another chance to speak, Jiang Wang rushed out in a panic.

...

Miss Shu had just arrived at Qixia Street and was searching for the Xunyang Marquis Residence when she saw Jiang Wang’s figure dart into a nearby alley.

He was exhausted, cold sweat streaming down his face. Since birth, he had always lain down whenever he could avoid sitting, and sat whenever he could avoid standing. Running like this was a first in his life.

Celestial Master Tao’s residence stood next to Qixia Street.

It was in a small alley separated from West City Lane by a single wall, at the junction of Qixia’s West Street and West City Lane.

From the paths of Qixia Street, one could enter West City Lane and reach the place after turning once.

When Jiang Wang passed the spot where he had encountered the veiled Departed, Miss Shu caught up with him and lightly tapped him on the shoulder from behind. He immediately drew his saber and struck, only for Miss Shu to seize his wrist and restrain him.

“Why is it you again?” Jiang Wang instead felt relieved. If he encountered danger again, he would not have time to retreat to Qixia Street.

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Miss Shu’s thoughts were anything but tranquil. Jiang Wang had clearly been beaten half to death by that old man. Although another old man had rescued him, how had he managed to spring back to life in such a short time?

She realized that something was very wrong.

If the people at the garrison office had not lied...

If Jiang Wang really had nearly been beaten to death...

Then there could be only one explanation for this abnormality.

Jiang Wang was actually a demon!

A demon had disguised itself as a human and even gathered the greatest power in Huncheng. There had to be a world-shaking conspiracy behind it!

She felt that she could not expose the demon Jiang Wang’s true identity too quickly. She had to proceed with caution.

If she could discover the demon’s purpose and even save Huncheng, she would surely earn immense merit.

By then, the princess’s position would rise accordingly, and she would possess far greater influence before His Majesty.

Jiang Wang had no idea what Miss Shu was thinking. He had no time to concern himself with her at the moment and ran straight into the alley.

Celestial Master Tao’s residence was neither wealthy nor shabby, merely an ordinary little courtyard.

Jiang Wang reached the sixth house in the alley.

Its slightly dilapidated wooden door stood ajar.

Celestial Master Tao was sitting before the main room, diligently pounding medicinal herbs.

Jiang Wang pushed the door open and entered, with Miss Shu close behind.

She silently surveyed the courtyard.

There was a demonic aura here!

Sure enough, her conviction grew even stronger.

Her gaze settled on Celestial Master Tao.

Could this man be a demon as well?

Were two demons meeting here?

If they intended to discuss something important, why had Jiang Wang not driven her away?

Could it be that he had deliberately brought her here so they could silence her?

At the thought, Miss Shu’s small face instantly turned pale.

Damn it, she had been careless!

She should never have followed him here so rashly.

“Celestial Master Tao!” Jiang Wang glanced over his shoulder. Though he found it strange that Miss Shu seemed so frightened, he had no time to think about it. He stepped forward, seized Celestial Master Tao by the hand, and said, “Come with me at once and help save a life!”

Celestial Master Tao asked in surprise, “You’re finally willing to let me tell your fortune? Have you sensed some problem?”

“Enough with the nonsense. Hurry up!”

Jiang Wang dragged Celestial Master Tao outside.

“Don’t rush, don’t rush,” Celestial Master Tao hurriedly said. “Let me make some preparations first!”

He broke free of Jiang Wang’s grasp, hurried into the main room, and came back with several talismans.

Returning to Jiang Wang’s side, Celestial Master Tao said solemnly, “At this point, panicking is useless. Since so much time has already been wasted, I cannot guarantee success. This is the sort of matter that costs one’s lifespan. I can only do my utmost to dispel the ill omen threatening your friend. I only hope it will not cost me my life.”

The more mysterious Celestial Master Tao made it sound, the more Jiang Wang felt that he resembled a swindler.

But as for Little Yu’s condition, there seemed to be no other way besides seeking Celestial Master Tao’s help.

Jiang Wang had arrived in haste, and he dragged Celestial Master Tao away in haste as well.

Miss Shu, who had been ignored, did not leave immediately.

She had already prepared herself for a desperate fight.

She had not expected matters to develop quite so differently from what she imagined.

Could it be that the two demons had already carried their plan to its final stage and no longer cared whether they were exposed?

There might have been another meaning hidden in their conversation just now.

Jiang Wang had been so anxious.

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And Celestial Master Tao had spoken of wasted time and the loss of lifespan. However one looked at it, something was deeply suspicious!

She carefully sensed the demonic aura in the courtyard.

With great caution, she approached the main room.

The closer she came, the heavier the demonic aura seemed.

She nervously patted her cheeks, tightened her grip on the long spear in her hand, and finally stepped into the main room.

The furniture inside was simple. Apart from several paintings hanging on the walls, there was only an incense altar and a table. The smell of talisman paper and cinnabar was exceptionally strong.

On the left side of the main room stood a small chamber.

Its door was tightly shut.

Miss Shu tried pushing it open.

The creak of the door sounded especially piercing against her tense nerves, making her heart beat even faster.

The instant the door opened, a black shadow flashed past.

Miss Shu hurriedly slammed the door shut in fright.

Yet from that brief glimpse, she had seen that every window inside was sealed and covered with red cloth, while candles burned at the corners of the walls. The entire scene was deeply eerie.

She held her breath, hesitating over whether she should open the door again, when a string of laughter like silver bells suddenly rang out from within.

The sound seemed to explode beside her ear.

Her scalp prickled, and the soles of her feet went cold.

She turned stiffly, swallowed hard, and slowly edged out of the main room before fleeing the courtyard like a startled bird.

How terrifying!

...

Qixia Street, Xunyang Marquis Residence.

When Jiang Wang returned with Celestial Master Tao, dinner was being served at the residence. Shan Qiyu, Zhao Si, and Little Yu were seated together. Little Yu held a bowl in her hands and was shoveling food into her mouth with astonishing relish.

But Jiang Wang knew that Little Yu had always possessed a very small appetite. Seeing this scene only made him more certain that something was wrong.

“It’s over. She’s gravely ill...”

Jiang Wang immediately turned to Celestial Master Tao with a solemn expression. “Celestial Master Tao, she’s in your hands now. I never believed in your methods before, but if you can truly cure my Little Yu, I’ll do anything you ask.”

Little Yu, who had been eating, raised her head in bewilderment.

Zhao Si was startled. “Little Yu, are you sick?”

If someone was ill, they naturally ought to see a doctor. But Jiang Wang had summoned Celestial Master Tao, so this was probably no ordinary illness.

Zhao Si’s eyes immediately filled with tears.

Even the meat in his mouth had lost its flavor.

“Little Yu, I never imagined that at such a young age, you would...”

Little Yu was stunned.

What was going on?

Looking at Zhao Si’s expression of profound grief, she nearly thought she had already died.

Celestial Master Tao stood frozen.

“Have you made a mistake, young friend? This girl is perfectly healthy and has not the slightest ailment. You, on the other hand, have serious problems. Do not refuse to face them. You must admit that you are ill instead of blaming your household girl. Though your condition may be somewhat troublesome, I will risk my life to save you!”

Jiang Wang’s expression darkened.

“Celestial Master Tao, you truly are a swindler. My Little Yu’s condition is obviously this serious, yet you claim she has nothing wrong with her?”

Little Yu, still bewildered, shoveled another mouthful of rice into her mouth. “Young master, what’s wrong with me?”

Jiang Wang said excitedly, “You see? How could this not be serious?!”