Zhang Ye turned his head to look at Ji Mo with a wronged expression, his face full of resentment.
He really wanted to ask, "Old Heavenly Master, are you deliberately messing with me?"
Ji Hanhan shrugged innocently, "Blame me?"
"What I said is not wrong. You young man shouldn't be ungrateful after getting what you want."
Li Feiyan glared fiercely at Zhang Ye, then fixed her gaze on Ji Mo.
"Alright, this guy isn't misunderstanding me as a lecher, but rather he's greedy for money and has taken a fancy to my expensive ruby brooch."
She said, "My brooch cannot be given to you, but as long as the matter of the Tuibei Tu is resolved, my Li family will certainly not be stingy with your rewards."
Ji Mo did not respond. Instead, he listened to Anubis's secret transmission, and his expression gradually became strange.
He waved his hand, "I cannot accept this brooch. You should keep it yourself. I wish Miss Li a happy wedding, early childbirth, and eternal love in advance."
Li Feiyan immediately bristled, "What nonsense are you talking about? I don't even have a boyfriend yet. I'm single, single."
Ji Mo looked confused, "This brooch is Dracula's token of love. Don't tell me you accepted his betrothal gifts but are unwilling to marry him. That would be rather improper."
He had noticed the brooch earlier because he saw something was wrong. Ji Mo had mistakenly thought Li Feiyan was also an unlucky chosen one. It was only after Anubis informed him that he realized this item was actually a special token of love.
Li Feiyan was even more indignant and said angrily, "My Li family is wealthy and powerful. Why would we resort to a fake marriage? Besides, I don't even know anyone named Dracula."
Ji Mo winked at Anubis, signaling that it would be better for this dog to explain.
Anubis then spoke human words, "Dracula, the King of Vampires. The ruby embedded in your brooch is actually a drop of Dracula's blood. Without a doubt, you are the bride he has chosen."
With the resurgence of spiritual energy and the awakening of all things, Li Feiyan was not surprised that a dog could speak human language. She retorted, "This brooch was given to me by a foreign young man, certainly not some King of Vampires."
"Was that guy oily-faced, wearing a tuxedo, polite, very gentlemanly, generous, tall and handsome, with a sweet tongue, and yes, very white teeth?"
Anubis described Dracula's appearance, and Li Feiyan's expression changed drastically.
It was clear that everything Anubis said was accurate.
Anubis continued, "Although Dracula is ferocious by nature, he is very doting on his wives, especially doting on them. His hundreds of wives lived well after marriage, so his reputation is trustworthy. Dracula has always been picky. When looking for a partner, he not only seeks fair skin and beauty but also noble blood. Being chosen by him is also a blessing."
"What, marry hundreds of women?"
Li Feiyan was stunned. Damn, what a scumbag.
She yanked off the brooch, intending to throw it away, but suddenly frowned and said vigilantly, "Are you two putting on a show for me, trying to get my brooch?"
After all, the matter was too bizarre and lacked any evidence. She naturally wouldn't believe whatever a dog demon said.
Anubis said disdainfully, "It's very simple. You just need to crush the ruby and say 'I do.' Dracula will come to marry you tonight."
"I don't believe you for a second."
Li Feiyan had a rebellious streak. She directly crushed the ruby on the brooch and loudly said, "I do!"
The ruby shattered as if responding, turning into smoke.
Clearly, this was not a real gemstone, but nothing unusual happened.
Only Ji Mo and Anubis saw the scattered smoke bloom with a red glow, transforming into a red bat that flapped its wings and flew into the distance.
"It really is an old bat. Can't eat that, what a pity."
Ji Mo was quite disappointed, but on second thought, it wouldn't be very ethical to eat Li Feiyan's potential husband.
He said, "Miss Li, as long as your husband behaves himself and doesn't mess around, I won't bother him."
This was a promise. Originally, Ji Mo had planned to kill anyone he saw.
"You have a husband."
A hint of unease began to rise in Li Feiyan's heart, and she felt a bit regretful, but she still spoke defiantly.
Anubis said, "If you don't want to be Dracula's bride, you can simply refuse or find an opportunity to return the brooch. Dracula will be angry, but he is a gentleman, so he won't do anything to you. However, if you agree and then go back on your word, be prepared to face the wrath of the King of Vampires. You must know that in the West, the attitude towards marriage is very sacred."
"Yes, it's equally sacred in our East."
Ji Mo nodded, then patted Zhang Ye's shoulder and said earnestly, "Little Zhang, emotions are not a child's play. You must not mess around in the future."
Zhang Ye looked as if he had received a profound lesson, "Disciple has practiced the Hunyuan Tongzi Gong since childhood and is willing to remain unmarried for life, seeking the Tao wholeheartedly, and serving Ancestor Li and you, Old Heavenly Master, well."
It had to be said that Little Zhang had high emotional intelligence and a way with words.
The Ancestor Li he mentioned referred to the patriarch of Taoism, Laozi.
However, despite Zhang Ye's pleasant words, Ji Mo flicked his forehead, "Old man Laozi doesn't need your devotion, and I don't need you to look after me either. As the saying goes, 'solitary yin does not generate, solitary yang does not grow; yin and yang combine to create all things.' You still need to find a woman and have many children."
Zhang Ye was stunned by the reprimand. "Is the Old Heavenly Master hinting at something?"
"Could 'yin and yang combining' not only mean the union of yin and yang energies in cultivation, but also the union of physical yin and yang? Do I need to find a Taoist companion to explore how to play 'Fight the Landlord' together?"
Ji Mo no longer wanted to deal with the regretful Li Feiyan and the contemplative Zhang Ye. He went to find Li Tong alone.
The Li family had become the target of public criticism. The matter was definitely not that simple and must be strange.
Upon seeing Li Tong, Ji Mo got straight to the point, "Old Master Li, are you hiding something from me, or is your Li family hiding the real Tuibei Tu or some treasure?"
Besides this, Ji Mo truly couldn't think of any reason why a deity would target the Li family.
Li Tong's cloudy eyes flickered slightly, and he nodded, "To tell the truth, Immortal Master, my Li family does indeed collect many antique calligraphy and paintings, and there are even several priceless bronze artifacts. As the saying goes, wealth moves people's hearts, which is why it attracts the covetous gazes of those greedy individuals."
"Is it really just bronze artifacts?"
Ji Mo clearly didn't believe it. Something targeted by a deity must not be simple. He kindly reminded him, "Old Master, be honest with me, and perhaps I can help you."
"How dare I deceive you, Immortal Master? As long as the matter of the fake Tuibei Tu is perfectly resolved, the Li family is willing to gift Longhu Mountain a bronze artifact."
Li Tong chose to make a great sacrifice, willing to offer a large ancient bronze artifact as thanks.
But clearly, he seemed to have something to hide.
Ji Mo did not press further. After all, everyone has their defenses, and he was too lazy to bother too much.
Now, all he had to do was wait for the rabbit. He would use the Li family as bait to fish for those foolish individuals!
Night fell.
For some reason, the half-moon in the sky was suddenly tinged with a layer of crimson glow, becoming bright red.
The night wind suddenly picked up, and layers of leaden clouds gathered above the Li family manor.
In the moonlight, a flock of bats streaked across the night sky, arriving silently.
In the detached pavilion where Li Feiyan lived, the doors and windows were tightly shut. She lay in bed, nervously clutching the quilt, unable to sleep.
Suddenly.
A terrifying sound echoed.
"My wife, ah ha, you will not get hurt..."