Chapter 1

Chapter 1

As an unremarkable college student, I was trafficked during my travels.

Now, I was pushed, hands tied behind my back, into a dim, thatched hut.

The door closed, and voices came from outside.

An old woman’s voice, filled with excitement: “Seventh Lord, have you found a bride for my Yaozu?”

The Seventh Lord snorted coldly: “Found one. This girl has an exceptionally noble fate-more than enough for your Yaozu.”

“Hurry and prepare. Tomorrow night, we’ll perform the ghost marriage for him!”

The old woman answered repeatedly: “Alright, I’ll go at once!”

…

The voices outside gradually faded away. I easily wriggled free of the ropes and fiddled with the iron lock hanging on the wooden door.

The whole room was sealed tight, with only a small window on the main door.

I spread out the straw on the floor, lay back, and looked up.

The Dragon Token hanging on my chest began to emit a faint heat. I reached out and grasped it.

I said softly, “Don’t worry. Let’s see what they’re up to.”

The Dragon Token gradually cooled down again. I closed my eyes and went to sleep.

To be honest, the straw was actually quite comfortable to sleep on.

I slept until nightfall. Not long after I woke, I heard someone coming outside.

The small iron window on the door was carefully lifted, and a grubby little face appeared.

I jumped out from the side, startling her so that she fell to the ground on her behind.

This little girl-a bit dim-witted.

She scrambled up and offered me a steamed bun: “Eat.”

I didn’t take it, just asked her, “Who are you?”

Her face was dirty, but her eyes were exceptionally bright. She whispered, “I’m Zhaodi.”

I asked her again, “Then do you know who I am?”

She nodded: “I know. You’re Yaozu’s bride, my sister-in-law.”

I: “…”

Seeing me silent, she leaned on the little window to look at me: “You’re very pretty. What’s your name?”

I smiled: “My name is Yun Ruyi.”

She thought for a moment: “Never heard of it.”

The little girl had no cunning, so with a few casual questions, she spilled everything.

This remote mountain village was called Shipan Village.

Her family had lived here for generations. She also had a younger brother named Xu Yaozu, who had just turned thirteen this year.

A month ago, Xu Yaozu went to the mountains to play with a few kids from the same village and didn’t return by nightfall.

The other children all said he had gone home on his own.

The Xu couple were beside themselves with worry-this was their darling son they pampered to no end.

They called up half the village to search the mountains for him.

For three whole days they searched, and finally found Xu Yaozu’s body in a hidden mountain stream.

The body was in the water, bloated all over, and had turned white.

The Xu couple were so shocked they fainted on the spot.

Xu Yaozu had died a violent death, so he needed to be laid to rest quickly, otherwise the household would not be at peace!

Therefore, even though the Xu family was utterly reluctant, they hastily buried him on the third day after finding the body.

Though hurried, they weren’t careless.

Xu Yaozu’s father specially invited the famous Living Immortal from a hundred li around, the Seventh Lord.

The Seventh Lord personally handled everything, from the ritual cleansing to the burial, with meticulous care.

But even with such caution, something happened ten days later…