Chapter 30

Chapter 30

The following evening, as Deaf Granny was making her usual rounds to light incense at the Various Altars, Eighth Master Chang spoke up.

“Old woman, get ready. My Big Brother is coming soon.”

Deaf Granny hurriedly asked, “Eighth Master, do you know why the Eldest Master is coming? I should prepare ahead of time.”

Eighth Master Chang gave a self-deprecating chuckle. “Are you trying to embarrass me on purpose, you old hag? I wouldn’t dare ask what my Big Brother is coming for…”

Not daring to be negligent, Deaf Granny immediately had Hua Jiunan move chairs into the courtyard and set out celadon tea sets in anticipation.

Among all the spirit mediums, the Chang Family was the martial branch, specializing in slaying.

The eight brothers of their lineage were all incredibly formidable, with the sole exception of Eighth Master Chang.

This was especially true for the one Eighth Master Chang called Big Brother: Chang Huaiyuan.

He was the current Chang Family Patriarch, a being who had cultivated for a thousand years and had already transformed into a Jiao.

It was only because Chang Huaiyuan had shown himself the previous night that the Huang Immortal Family and Hemp-clad Grandmother had been suppressed.

Half an hour later, a knock sounded at the courtyard door.

Hua Jiunan opened it to find a young man in white standing outside.

The young man’s robes were as white as snow, and he possessed a natural, commanding aura. The only flaw was his pale complexion and a persistent cough. The handkerchief he held to his mouth was stained with streaks of blood.

To Hua Jiunan’s eyes, this was the result of severe internal injuries and a depletion of vital energy and blood. If not treated in time, the consequences would be unthinkable.

When the young man saw Hua Jiunan, he was also momentarily stunned.

Eighth Master Chang came scurrying up behind him with a fawning expression. “Eldest Brother, you’ve arrived?”

The young man was indeed the Chang Family Eldest, Chang Huaiyuan. His cultivation was profound enough that he could manifest a human form. Of course, it was merely a manifestation, not a true physical transformation.

As soon as Chang Huaiyuan spoke, he was hit by a fit of coughing. “Cough, cough… Old Eighth, what is the deal with the Dragon Skin on this young master?”

Eighth Master Chang was inwardly horrified. *Dragon Skin? The Shed Skin I picked up back then was Dragon Skin?! I’m doomed, I’ve caused a massive disaster this time!*

“Eldest Brother, let me explain!”

Green light flickered in Chang Huaiyuan’s eyes. Just as he was about to lose his temper, he suddenly noticed Hua Jiunan’s earrings.

“Cough, young master, you…”

Before he could finish, Chang Huaiyuan spotted the Green Pine in the courtyard.

He took a deep breath, and a smile spread across his face.

“Old Eighth, you have done an excellent job with this!”

Ignoring the bewildered Eighth Master Chang, he walked straight toward the Green Pine.

“Chang Huaiyuan did not know Elder Pine was here. Please forgive my intrusion.”

Deaf Granny, being eighty years old, had only just made it out into the courtyard.

“An Immortal Spirit graces our home; this disciple was slow to welcome you. Xiao Yue, quickly, go boil water and brew some tea!”

Wang Qianyue obediently chirped an answer and hurried off to get busy.

Hua Jiunan moved a chair over, inviting Chang Huaiyuan to sit.

However, Chang Huaiyuan waved his hand repeatedly. “Cough, cough, you are too kind, young master! With Elder Pine here, I wouldn’t dare sit! Let’s just stand and talk.”

“I came today to tell Deaf Granny that I have personally investigated. The Huang family child was indeed harmed by a ghost. And in this vicinity, the only Ghost Immortal with such capability is Hemp-clad Grandmother… cough, cough, cough.”

Deaf Granny’s heart skipped a beat. *Is he here to demand justice?!*

“Chang Family Head, I understand Hemp-clad Elder Sister’s temperament. Though she is a bit short-tempered, she is someone who takes responsibility for her actions. If she had done it, she wouldn’t have gone back into the mountains that day to trouble the Yellow Immortal Family.”

Just as Deaf Granny finished speaking, a cloud of gloomy mist rose from the side room. The Ghost Sedan flew out, accompanied by gusts of yin wind.

“Jie jie jie! My younger sister knows me best! Chang Family Eldest, this old woman will say it once more: I did not harm that Little Huang Skin! But if his family wants a fight, I will accompany them to the end!”

In truth, Chang Huaiyuan’s original purpose for coming was to take Eighth Master Chang away and dissolve the shrine hall at Deaf Granny’s house. This was because the several great Immortal Families had already decided that Hemp-clad Grandmother was the culprit, and they were coming in three days to take her life in exchange!

But when he saw the earrings Hua Jiunan was wearing and Elder Pine in the courtyard, he changed his mind.

“Cough, cough. Grandmother, there is no need for haste. I merely came to check on my worthless younger brother and mentioned this in passing. However, as long as the true culprit remains at large, you will not be able to clear your name. Why don’t you follow me into the mountains to meet the other Patriarchs and explain things face-to-face? Cough, cough… Rest assured, Grandmother, regardless of the outcome, I, Chang Huaiyuan, will see you safely back here.”

Hemp-clad Grandmother gave a series of cold laughs.

“Fine, I’ll go! Others might fear the ‘Hu, Huang, Bai, Liu, Hui,’ but I do not! At worst, we’ll just fight to the bitter end!”

Chang Huaiyuan didn’t mind her attitude; instead, his smile grew gentler.

“Cough, cough. In that case, let us depart now. Elder Pine, this junior takes his leave. I shall visit again when time permits. Old Eighth, since you have entered the world as a spirit medium, you must accumulate more merit and do good deeds to strive for early completion of your cultivation.”

Eighth Master Chang bowed and scraped. “Don’t you worry, Big Brother!”

Just as Chang Huaiyuan was about to leave, Hua Jiunan called out to him.

“This… Brother Chang, have you suffered a severe injury? One that damaged the meridians of both your heart and lungs?”