Chapter 36
Chapter 36
Han Yanran cried for a long time before eventually drifting off to sleep.
When Xia Sheng stepped out of the bedroom, she noticed several missed calls on her phone, all from Shen Ze.
She returned the call, and he immediately asked anxiously, “Little Celestial Master, where are you? Did something happen?”
Shen Ze had been waiting at the film studio for over two hours. He hadn’t seen Xia Sheng return, and when he tried calling, he couldn’t get through, leaving him frantic with worry.
“The matter is resolved. I’ve already gone home,” Xia Sheng replied. “I forgot to tell you.”
Shen Ze: “…”
How could she forget a grown man like him?
Just how little did the Little Celestial Master value him?
Shen Ze felt like weeping, though no tears came.
Xia Sheng continued, “You know a lot of people in the Capital City. I’ll send you a few names in a bit; see if you can track them down.”
“Didn’t you say this matter was resolved? Who else are you looking for?”
“I can’t disclose the details. If you help me find their addresses, I’ll waive the fee for this exorcism.”
Since Xia Sheng didn’t want to elaborate, Shen Ze didn’t press her.
The Little Celestial Master had her reasons for everything she did; it certainly wasn’t anything bad.
“I’m definitely still paying you. After all, I was the one who invited you here to catch the ghost.”
“Just send me the information on who you’re looking for, and I’ll look into it immediately.”
Xia Sheng gave Shen Ze the names of several people who had been in close contact with Director Huang, which she had taken from the director’s phone. Shen Ze got back to her with the information very quickly.
After thanking him, Xia Sheng hung up.
***
Han Yanran slept in Xia Sheng’s room for eight hours. By the time she woke up, it was already dark outside.
She opened her eyes to see Xia Sheng sitting upright at her desk, reading a book.
“Little Celestial Master, what time is it?”
“Nine in the evening.” Xia Sheng closed her book. “Are you hungry? My mom saved some food for you. If you’re hungry, I’ll heat it up and bring it over.”
“Do you live with your mother? Will I be a bother?”
“It’s fine. My mom was actually quite happy to see me bring a friend home.”
Xia Sheng had a cold temperament and didn’t have many friends. When Fang Rong realized she had brought someone back today, she seemed greatly relieved.
Han Yanran said, “I’ll go eat in the dining area. I should head home after I eat.”
Xia Sheng stood up. “I already told my mother that you aren’t going home tonight. You’re staying here.”
“But…”
“If you go back alone, will you even be able to sleep?”
Han Yanran fell silent.
She had left her hometown to struggle for a career in the city, and none of her family were nearby. If she went back to her empty rental apartment now, she definitely wouldn’t be able to sleep.
After all, it hadn’t been that long since the incident with Director Huang, and she hadn’t fully recovered from the experience yet.
“Then… I’m sorry for the intrusion.”
After finishing her meal, Han Yanran checked her phone.
Several news alerts popped up-all regarding the accidental deaths of various corporate executives and Director Huang’s fatal car accident.
Han Yanran clicked on the links and discovered that several CEOs and high-level executives had passed away this afternoon. Officials couldn’t determine the cause of death.
Someone had leaked evidence of their criminal activities. Following the trail, the relevant authorities quickly discovered that these men had built a criminal trade network, with several entertainment clubs under their banners being the hardest-hit areas.
Now that those men were dead, the police followed the leads, pulling up the roots along with the weeds and shutting down all their dens of iniquity.
The comments section was filled with people saying these villains had met their retribution, that the heavens had finally opened their eyes to take them away.
But Han Yanran knew better. It wasn’t that the heavens had opened their eyes; it was clearly Xia Sheng who had removed these tumors from society.
Returning to the room, Han Yanran asked, “Sheng’er, did you kill these people?”
Xia Sheng glanced at the news on the phone. “In a way. I removed the Evil-Warding Arrays near their homes, and they died suddenly.”
As for the criminal evidence, she guessed it had likely been leaked by their enemies. These people had committed too many atrocities and made countless enemies. Now, it was simply a case of everyone pushing over a falling wall.
Upon hearing this, Han Yanran couldn’t help but look at Xia Sheng with a newfound sense of admiration.
It was only after chatting with Fang Rong earlier that she learned this young girl was only eighteen years old.
To possess such profound mastery of the Dao at eighteen meant her future was truly limitless.
“Sheng’er, can I take you as my master? I want to help people too.”
Although Director Huang and those men were now dead, she would likely never forget the events of last night for the rest of her life.
She didn’t know if she still had the courage to live on, or if she could ever pull herself together again.
She no longer wanted to stay in the entertainment industry. Rather than living out the rest of her life in a daze, she preferred to follow Xia Sheng and do some good in the world.
Han Yanran had expected Xia Sheng to refuse and had already prepared several arguments to persuade her.
To her surprise, Xia Sheng agreed immediately.
“I can do that.”
As Han Yanran beamed with joy, Xia Sheng continued, “However, if you decide to walk this path, you cannot quit the entertainment industry.”
Han Yanran’s face turned pale. “But I’m worried I’ll run into someone like Director Huang again…”
“Vicious people like Director Huang are in the minority. Once you have cultivation techniques to protect yourself, it won’t be easy for ordinary people to get close to you.”
Han Yanran fell silent for a moment before asking, “May I ask why you want me to stay in the industry?”
Xia Sheng replied, “Your talent for cultivation isn’t high. With your current aptitude, you likely wouldn’t even reach the entry level until you’re in your sixties.
“If you stay in the entertainment industry, you will definitely become a massive star before the end of the year. At that time, the adoration and love from your fans will transform into the Power of Faith, which will help increase your strength.”
The Power of Faith and Merit were of equal value; both were precious resources for a Celestial Master.
Few people knew this. Xia Sheng had only realized it today after arriving at the film set and noticing that the male and female leads had accumulated significantly more Merit than average people.
Han Yanran was still a bit hesitant. “Let me think about it.”
Xia Sheng didn’t push her and nodded in agreement.
“Yanran, Director Huang is dead. You can completely start a new life. Don’t keep yourself trapped in the past.”
Han Yanran’s voice suddenly choked up. “Okay.”
***
Shen Family Old Mansion.
Shen Ze sat on the sofa as stiffly as an elementary school student, his tense posture betraying his nerves.
“Uncle Nine, why did you call me over so late at night? Is something wrong?”
Shen Yanchen sat opposite him, not even giving him a direct look as he flipped through the documents in his hand.
“I heard that without clarifying the situation, you let Xia Sheng go to those men’s homes alone?”
Shen Ze’s heart hammered in his chest.
Great. He was here to settle accounts.
“I asked the Little Celestial Master what she wanted to do, but she wasn’t willing to say.”
Even now, he still didn’t know why Xia Sheng had suddenly gone looking for those notorious CEOs.
After speaking, he cautiously stole a glance at his uncle’s face.
Shen Yanchen’s expression was calm, making it impossible to tell if he was angry, but Shen Ze could still feel his displeasure.
Shen Ze continued, “If I had known she was going somewhere so dangerous, I would have definitely brought several people along!”
Shen Yanchen still gave no response.
Shen Ze kept talking. “The Little Celestial Master is my future Ninth Aunt. Even if something happened to me, I would never let anything happen to her.
“Don’t worry, Uncle Nine. From now on, I’ll definitely follow the Little Celestial Master closely and won’t let her go to dangerous places again!”
Only then did Shen Yanchen look up at him. “Go home. Your allowance for next month is canceled.”
Shen Ze’s face crumpled.
He was already short on cash, and now Uncle Nine was cutting off his allowance!
He could have secretly asked his father for money, but since Uncle Nine had said it, he would definitely have coordinated with Shen Ze’s parents already.
Shen Ze felt miserable, but he didn’t dare argue with Shen Yanchen. He could only leave with a dejected spirit.
As he walked outside, something occurred to him.
When he called the Little Celestial Master his future Ninth Aunt just now, Uncle Nine didn’t seem to object?