Chapter 1 The Plot

Just as the Zhang family head was pondering, a man in white robes pushed the door open and walked in, dressed as a scholar, with a sparse beard on his chin and a faint smile on his face.

"I happened to be passing by outside and overheard a bit. I wonder if you two would be interested in hearing my opinion?"

Seeing this person, the Zhang family head was overjoyed. He invited the white-robed scholar to sit down, cupped his fist, and said, "I wonder what Mr. Fan can teach me?"

This white-robed scholar was named Fan Ji. He had repeatedly failed the imperial examinations, so he went on a tour to relax. He was currently residing temporarily in the Zhang family and was one of the Zhang family's retainers.

Fan Ji stroked his beard and smiled, "This matter is not complicated. A little sorting out will make it clear. That Lingfeng Zi is using the power of the Ye family, acting like he is here to interrogate us. Our Zhang family is related to this female Taoist, so we have also been implicated and falsely accused. There are two things we need to do right now: first, clear our relationship with this female Taoist, claiming that we were also deceived and did not know her past. It's just that this person saw that our Zhang family was generous and took the initiative to ask for help. Second, show that our Zhang family has never had the intention of harming others, so that other aristocratic families and dignitaries will believe us."

"Not bad," the Zhang family head nodded.

Fan Ji said slowly, "There are only a few ways to do this: first, keep an eye on this female Taoist and let her fight in public in three days; second, directly tie her up and hand her over; third, kill her to silence her; fourth, let her escape. What the head of the family is worried about is nothing more than the consequences of these four methods."

"That's right," the Zhang family head nodded. Fan Ji smiled and held out a finger, "Then I will say something for the head of the family... If we take the first method and let her go on stage to fight, her victory or defeat is meaningless to us. The most important thing is that we don't know if she really knows magic. If she doesn't, that's naturally good, and we don't have to do anything. But if she wasn't wronged and revealed it in public, the Zhang family will also suffer. Even if we explain that we didn't know and apologize to everyone, it will have limited effect.

Ordinary people may believe it, but which aristocratic family, powerful clan, or high-ranking official won't just play along? If an apology could clear suspicion, then things in this world would be too simple. And that Lingfeng Zi has Daoist skills and won't aimlessly make accusations, so we don't need to bet on whether this female Taoist was wronged. I guess what he said is true."

The Zhang family head nodded repeatedly, "I also have the same idea."

Fan Ji did not respond, and continued to say, "If we use the second method, take the lead and tie up the female Taoist and hand her over to the officials, claiming that we were deceived, it seems to show our attitude, but it seems deliberate. As soon as people finish speaking, we will arrest her, which makes it seem like we already knew it, making people think we want to cut our losses... This is just a small matter. The biggest fear is that the female Taoist will hold a grudge and slander our Zhang family for colluding with her to harm people, which is really impossible to explain. So we are not suitable to attack the female Taoist. And the third method is the same. Although we are not afraid of being slandered, others will only think that we are guilty and killed to silence her, which makes it seem that the matter of harming people is true, causing fear."

Zhang Wentao's eyes lit up, "In that case, Mr. Fan also agrees to let this female Taoist leave?"

"Not entirely." Fan Ji smiled, "You are in the game, only considering the Zhang family's relationship, but you have forgotten that the most anxious person now is the female Taoist... If she is really a demon, she will never sit still and wait for death. Even if we don't let her escape, she will definitely take action in these three days."

The Zhang family head asked, "But that Lingfeng Zi wants my Zhang family to strictly guard that person... I wonder what plan Mr. has?"

"It's not a plan, just some simple methods."

Fan Ji waved his hand and smiled:

"The head of the family doesn't need to worry about Lingfeng Zi's questioning, because we are not acting to let the female Taoist go. In my opinion, as long as we don't send more people to guard the female Taoist, she will take the opportunity to escape on her own. We will be outwardly relaxed and inwardly tight, forcing the female Taoist into a dangerous situation, making her hurt people and cause death, turning a fake show into a real one, and making the matter big. In this way, it will appear that the Zhang family did not neglect protection, but did not expect this female Taoist to be so powerful that she broke through and escaped. At that time, the Zhang family will immediately send someone to the Ye family to apologize to Lingfeng Zi. We lost several lives, and Lingfeng Zi can no longer be aggressive. At the same time, we will use several lives to clear our relationship with the female Taoist, indicating that we are not the same kind of people."

Hearing this, the two looked at each other.

"But... if people die, my Zhang family..." The Zhang family head hesitated.

"Haha, the head of the family is overthinking. I am not referring to the Zhang family's relatives, but those servants and guards. It would be best to kill one or two stewards with赐姓 (bestowed surnames), which would be more convincing." Fan Ji said with a smile.

Zhang Wentao couldn't help but say, "What Mr. said sounds good at first, but it's a bit taken for granted. How can we ensure that this female Taoist will harm people's lives? What if this female Taoist doesn't escape?"

"Making some simple arrangements is enough... If the female Taoist really can't escape in the end, then it will appear that the Zhang family has done a good job in guarding her. With this incident, even if she reveals her evil methods, my Zhang family will have its own explanation and will have the qualifications to gain people's trust, no longer as passive as it is now... Remember, as long as this female Taoist takes action first and causes death, the Zhang family will be able to get rid of most of the relationship." Fan Ji's tone was unhurried.

The Zhang family head and Zhang Wentao looked at each other and saw the intention in each other's eyes. They lowered their heads and discussed.

In a place where everyone could not see, an infant-like yin and evil ghost followed Zhang Wentao's feet, listening to everything the others said.

After listening for a while, the ghost quietly passed through the wall and floated all the way back to the bamboo hut.

Mei Zhanqing opened her eyes and took out a sachet from her arms.

The sachet was black and red, with a pile of weird tadpole patterns painted on it, and a pile of ghost-like talismans pasted on it. It was a spiritual bag used to raise ghosts.

She opened the spirit bag and sucked the ghost back, stroking the bag while her eyes flickered, "So that's the plan... Humph, it's in my favor, and I can take the opportunity to act."

In the blink of an eye, two days passed.

The matter of Wei Zifu and Xuanxin Jushi's upcoming Daoist duel had spread throughout the city, arousing the interest of the vast number of Ning Tianfu residents. Everyone was talking about it in the streets and alleys.

A wooden platform was being built in the city as the place for the duel, and countless people were waiting to watch the excitement tomorrow.

However, on the day before the duel, an accident happened.

The Zhang family's guards and servants came out in full force, searching for Xuanxin Jushi all over the street. The residents of the street were shocked to learn that the female Taoist had actually escaped before the battle, killing and injuring many Zhang family servants who were chasing and intercepting her. She was currently fleeing in the city.

The Zhang family sued the officials, and the government immediately dispatched officers to arrest her throughout the city.

This change caused an uproar in the city, and many people were in danger. They quickly closed their doors and closed their households, for fear of being found.

At the same time, Zhang Wentao led a group of servants, carrying more than a dozen corpses covered with straw mats, and visited Zhou Jing, immediately alarming the Ye family.

In the hall, Zhou Jing, Wei Zifu, Ye Taigong, Ye Shunzhong and others gathered together, watching the Zhang family servants carry in more than a dozen corpses with horrified faces and black complexions.

"Real Person! You must be the judge for us! We followed the Real Person's instructions and strictly guarded that Xuanxin Jushi. Unexpectedly, she attacked and killed many of my Zhang family's guards with evil magic. My Zhang family chased and intercepted her, but she still broke through and left. Only then did we know that Xuanxin Jushi was indeed a妖道 (evil Taoist). We were negligent for a while and were deceived by her. We thought she was an accomplished expert. Otherwise, how could we have let her live in my Zhang family's mansion?"

Zhang Wentao's expression was agitated, with tears streaming down his face, in a tone of remorse and pain.

Wei Zifu frowned and stepped forward, looking at the dozen or so corpses and said in a deep voice:

"These people have been attacked by yin spirits and ghosts, and have also been poisoned by corpses. Quickly burn them, otherwise there will be a change... Damn it, that妖道 (evil Taoist) dares to harm people!"

Saying that, he took out a stack of talismans from his arms, stuck them on the foreheads of these corpses one by one, and recited mantras to save them. His business was quite skilled.

Zhou Jing looked at the corpses and then at Zhang Wentao, who was complaining excitedly. His eyes were a little subtle.

However, in the end, he didn't say anything else and nodded, "You didn't believe what I said before, so you have this disaster. It really makes Poor Dao grieve."

"We regret not listening to the Real Person! The Real Person has piercing eyes. We are so ashamed. This time, we came to apologize and ask the Real Person to punish us!" Zhang Wentao beat his chest and stamped his feet.

"Your Zhang family has tried its best and suffered many casualties. Why should you be punished?" Zhou Jing shook his head, then looked at Ye Taigong and asked, "What does the Old Patriarch think?"

Ye Taigong sighed, "Alas... It seems that the Zhang family has also been deceived. The most urgent task is to find this妖道 (evil Taoist) first."

Hearing this, Zhang Wentao quickly interjected, "That's right, I came here to ask 御风真人 (Imperial Wind Real Person) to take action to help my Zhang family and the Ye family capture the妖道 (evil Taoist)!"

Wei Zifu next to him raised his head and eagerly suggested, "This妖道 (evil Taoist) is wandering around in the city. In order to escape, I don't know what troubles will arise. We must catch her as soon as possible. Please also ask the Real Person to help."

Hearing this, Zhou Jing stood up and nodded, "You are right. Poor Dao can't sit idly by. I originally wanted you two to fight in public so that the people of Ning Tianfu could see that this person was really a妖道 (evil Taoist). I didn't expect that she couldn't hold back and showed her evil magic. She has already confirmed her origin. Then Poor Dao will capture her."

"Thank you, Real Person. With the Real Person in charge, it is really a blessing for Ning Tianfu."

Zhang Wentao quickly sent a flattery. Zhou Jing's expression remained unchanged, but his mind was racing. Most of the inside story of this matter was tricky, but after thinking about it, he decided to turn a blind eye and not delve into it. He just assumed that the matter was like this.

The Zhang family took the initiative to present the evidence of evil magic that he wanted. At the same time, they also sacrificed lives and publicly apologized. Whether it was true or false, they had done enough.

His actions were not to deal with the Zhang family, but just a reason to cause trouble. Now that the goal has been achieved, he is just adding to his troubles if he, an outsider, continues to be aggressive. After all, he has only been in Ning Tianfu for less than a month and is not yet qualified to take action against the local entrenched giants and kill the chicken to warn the monkeys.

The current route of Bill is still to follow some rules... unlike Chen Feng, who is lawless and overturns the table whenever he wants, so that no one can eat.

Thinking of this, Zhou Jing no longer hesitated and left the Ye family with everyone.

Wei Zifu activated the Art of Observing Qi, but found that there were many traces of illusory yin and evil Qi, which were difficult to distinguish. He gritted his teeth and said angrily:

"This Mei Zhanqing is cruel and vicious. She must have used evil magic on ordinary people to confuse people. The streets and alleys in the city are intricate and complicated, making it impossible for Poor Dao to track her down for a while! She has escaped from Poor Dao's hands many times before, all using this trick!"

"Then what should we do?" Zhang Wentao quickly echoed, regardless of whether he understood or not.

"Poor Dao can only... investigate." Wei Zifu had no choice. Zhou Jing shook his head, "No need to be so troublesome."

After saying that, he rode the wind and rose up, soaring higher and higher, overlooking from the air, and activating his Elemental Vision. A patch of illusory black yin and evil Qi appeared, and he could see everything at a glance, revealing the location of the remnants.

Zhou Jing flew across the sky above Ning Tianfu like a kite, simply screened it once, and eliminated most of the options, and saw Mei Zhanqing's whereabouts.

This妖道 (evil Taoist) was in a hurry to escape, so she naturally had to leave the city. It was unlikely that she would deliberately go around in a big circle to delay time, so most of these confusing evil magic auras were done along the way, so he could see Mei Zhanqing's traces.

These traces were like an arrow, pointing directly to Ximen Ferry outside Ning Tianfu, which was the dock where Zhou Jing had entered Ning Tian by crossing the river.

In other words, this妖道 (evil Taoist) most likely wanted to travel by water, taking a boat down the river, which would be difficult to track.

"Found you..."

Zhou Jing's eyes flashed, locking onto one of the yin and evil auras, and his whole body flew into the air.

The Wei Zifu and others below quickly followed Zhou Jing on the ground.