A savior has arrived!
Yan Shouyi, bound hand and foot, breathed a sigh of relief. If these spirits from the Liu family were really going to eat him, he could only fight back with all his might.
These spirits were no match for Yan Shouyi. The only reason he hadn't acted earlier was his concern that doing so would provoke the Liu family's ancestor, the Ghost King.
Yan Shouyi had already provoked the Bai family. He had come here precisely to borrow the Liu family's strength to deal with the Bai family. If he were to provoke the Liu family as well, then he truly wouldn't be able to stay in Rongcheng...
Upon hearing that Yan Shouyi was a guest of the ancestor, the spirits quickly retreated, daring not to approach him, even though they were still very tempted by the yang energy emanating from him.
A spirit dressed in Republican era clothing stepped forward, politely extending his hand for a handshake with Yan Shouyi. Noticing Yan Shouyi was bound, he quickly moved to untie him.
Before he could even touch the ropes, Yan Shouyi simply shook himself, and the ropes loosened.
This was the simplest "Rope-Untying Incantation" from the Lu Ban Shu; ordinary ropes could not hold them.
Seeing this, the other spirit was full of admiration, "As expected of a descendant of Lu Ban, Mr. Yan. My name is Liu Weiguo. The ancestor specifically sent me to invite you to meet him."
Yan Shouyi sized up Liu Weiguo. He was dressed in Republican era attire, looking like a student, and wore a pair of glasses. His appearance was vastly different from Liu Mingzhi's.
Most spirits retained their appearance from life after death, even the clothes they wore. This was why people performed the ritual of preparing the deceased for burial, to ensure they looked presentable even in the underworld.
Hence, hanging ghosts were generally ostracized among spirits because they were simply too unsightly. With their tongues perpetually lolling out and walking on tiptoes, even other spirits found their appearance repulsive.
Yan Shouyi stretched his limbs and shook hands with Liu Weiguo, "I apologize for my uninvited intrusion. I hope I haven't offended the Old Master too greatly?"
Liu Weiguo shook his head, "Mingzhi already met with the ancestor in a dream yesterday and mentioned that you would be coming to visit the ancestor."
"I see."
Following Liu Weiguo, Yan Shouyi skirted around a side corridor and proceeded to the front courtyard, retracing the path he had taken earlier.
After passing through the ancient well, Yan Shouyi felt as though he had entered a different dimension. The Liu mansion here was indistinguishable from its counterpart in the real world, in terms of layout and furnishings. The only difference was that it appeared somewhat more eerie.
There was another significant difference: while the Liu mansion in the living world contained only coffins and paper effigies, this mansion was teeming with spirits everywhere.
However, with so many spirits around, they became as commonplace as living people. Instead, it was Yan Shouyi, the living individual, who attracted the eager attention of the Liu family's spirits, much like tourists crowding to see pandas at a zoo. Yan Shouyi truly experienced the feeling of being the center of attention.
However,
It was one thing to be looked at, but drooling over me was a bit much, wasn't it?
Under Liu Weiguo's guidance, Yan Shouyi arrived at the main hall of the Liu mansion. At the front of the hall, on either side, were two grand armchairs. A male and a female elder were seated in them.
The old man was preparing tea, while the old woman rested with her eyes closed.
Both of them had pale complexions. The old man was corpulent, his oversized robe stretched taut, nearly filling his armchair; the old woman, on the other hand, was as thin as a rake, her entire frame like a small statue perched on her armchair.
To Yan Shouyi's surprise, a young woman dressed in modern attire stood behind the two elders.
The young woman appeared to be around twenty years old and was quite beautiful. She wore a white dress, exuding an air of a cultured young woman. However, she was currently fanning the old woman gently.
Yan Shouyi noticed that this young woman bore a striking resemblance to Liu Yiren.
Considering that Liu Mingzhi's lineage was not the orthodox line of the Guling Liu family, Yan Shouyi hadn't encountered anyone resembling Liu Mingzhi on his journey. Yet, this young woman looked almost identical to Liu Yiren. Could they have a connection?
Liu Weiguo brought Yan Shouyi forward and, kneeling, bowed his head and announced, "Ancestor, Weiguo has brought Mr. Yan!"
The old man nodded, "You may withdraw."
"May the Old Master's lifespan be as enduring as heaven's," Liu Weiguo said before leaving.
The Liu family's ancestor had a dark mustache, giving him an imposing aura. However, what made Yan Shouyi feel uneasy was the pressure he exerted.
This was a Ghost King who had lived for hundreds of years!
Judging by his attire, the Old Master was from the Ming Dynasty, making him at least four hundred years old by current reckoning.
"My name is Liu Jingkang!" the old man introduced himself. "During the Hongzhi era, I served as the Minister of Personnel!"
Yan Shouyi understood. So, this ancestor of the Liu family had once held such a high office. It was no wonder that after his death, he could bribe the underworld officials, remain in the mortal realm, and prolong the Liu family's fortune.
Many ancestors of prominent families today were once high-ranking officials in ancient times. Even after dynastic changes and the passage of eras, these established families remained so. The wealth and connections accumulated by the ancestors were something their descendants could not squander even in ten lifetimes.
No matter how wealthy upstarts became, they were still merely upstarts, incomparable to families that had developed over centuries. They were simply not on the same level.
According to the customs of the old society, Yan Shouyi should have knelt and paid his respects to Liu Jingkang. However, Yan Shouyi was a modern person. He knelt only to heaven, earth, and his parents. Liu Jingkang, who had merely been born a few hundred years earlier than Yan Shouyi, was not worthy of his kneeling.
Therefore, Yan Shouyi merely cupped his fists and bowed, "This junior, Yan Shouyi, greets Grand Master Liu."
Seeing Yan Shouyi refuse to kneel, Liu Jingkang showed a hint of displeasure, but he did not voice it. He then inquired,
"Mingzhi mentioned yesterday that you wished to see me. For what purpose?"
Yan Shouyi did not prevaricate and stated directly, "This junior has unintentionally provoked people from the Bai family of Feifeng Mountain. I hope Grand Master Liu will offer his guidance to prevent the escalation of conflict. I am merely a transient visitor in Rongcheng. I only wish for peace until December, and then I will depart after completing my business. I do not wish to attract unnecessary trouble."
Liu Jingkang listened, remaining silent, and slowly picked up his teacup, seemingly lost in thought.
Suddenly, Liu Jingkang put down his teacup and shouted towards the door, "Guards, seize Yan Shouyi and lock him in the woodshed for a few days!"
Yan Shouyi was stunned. Before he could even react, several formidable ghosts rushed in from outside and firmly restrained him.
These fierce ghosts were all tall and burly, with bulging muscles. They wore only loincloths and were bound with thick white hemp ropes. Their faces were filled with coarse flesh, making them incomparable to the gaunt, almost dissipated spirits outside.
Without a word, they grabbed Yan Shouyi, preventing him from moving, and then proceeded to shackle his hands and feet!
Yan Shouyi struggled, asking in confusion, "Grand Master Liu, may I ask what offense I have committed? You are arresting me without understanding the situation!"
"Less nonsense, take him away!" A fierce ghost covered Yan Shouyi's mouth and had him dragged out immediately.
The young woman standing behind the old woman showed a flicker of worry in her eyes as Yan Shouyi was dragged away.
Suddenly, the old woman opened her eyes and said to Liu Jingkang, "One must not use force against a descendant of Lu Ban. I fear it may be counterproductive."
Liu Jingkang's face darkened, and he let out a long sigh. His body seemed to deflate like a punctured ball, rapidly shriveling.
He replied weakly, "My luck has run out, and time is short. This course of action is out of necessity."
The old woman sighed, "We have both lived for over four hundred years. Are you not yet weary? Why not relinquish your obsessions and seek reincarnation in the underworld."
"Impossible! How can my Liu family's centuries of foundation be so easily handed over to the younger generation? They understand nothing... nothing at all... How can I possibly entrust the Liu family to them..."
Liu Jingkang shook his head and sighed. After speaking, he slumped into a drowsy sleep. Even as a ghost, he appeared like a frail old man.
Seeing this, the old woman beckoned, and the young woman behind her stepped forward and leaned her ear close.
The old woman whispered something into the young woman's ear. The young woman nodded, then put down her fan and slowly walked out...