Chapter 33: The Shao Residence

Bai Yu and Yun Jiao spent one night in the thatched hut, and early the next morning, Old Zhou dragged the two of them to the Shao Residence. The place was easy to find—it was the largest and most luxurious mansion in the city.

As expected of the city’s wealthiest family, the Shao estate was massive, more than twice the size of Qingyang Temple before its destruction, and far grander in style. Red walls, golden lacquer, glazed tiles—it all exuded splendor. The entire residence practically shouted the words “filthy rich.” Even the doorkeepers and servants were dressed more finely than ordinary people.

Perhaps because the old man was wearing his “pretentious equipment,” the doormen’s eyes lit up when they saw the three of them. They immediately bowed respectfully. “Honored masters, you must have come to exorcise evil for our young master. Please, this way!”

Without another word, they ushered the three inside, as if everything had already been arranged. The three exchanged glances but could only follow. Soon they were led into the grand hall—where they discovered seven or eight people already seated. Most were dressed in Daoist robes with immortal-like airs, while others wore kasaya robes, holding prayer beads.

The three froze. Yun Jiao suddenly had the illusion of being at a gathering of frauds.

“Please wait here a moment, esteemed masters. The master will arrive shortly,” said the servant, before leaving them seated.

The others in the room turned their gazes on the newcomers, sizing them up. Some nodded politely, while others snorted disdainfully. Clearly, they were here for the same purpose—to exorcise the evil troubling the young master of the Shao family. It seemed that Shao Laoye had spared no expense in saving his son.

Neither Bai Yu nor Old Zhou had expected the reward to draw so many cultivators.

“Hmph, what misfortune for the arcane path! Any riffraff now dares to call themselves disciples of the sects.” As soon as they sat down, a man in a green robe sneered, his eyes sweeping over Yun Jiao. Perhaps because of her youth, his gaze was filled with contempt. “Barely trained a few years, yet bold enough to come down the mountain and exorcise evil so carelessly.”

Yun Jiao blinked. So this was… peer suppression?

Before she could respond, the old man bristled like a fighting rooster and shot to his feet. “Daoist friend is right—when we exorcise later, be sure to keep up and not drag us down!” Who was useless? You’re useless! Your whole family is useless!

Yun Jiao: “…” Wait, he wasn’t talking about you! Why are you admitting it?

╮(╯_╰)╭

“You—!” The man flushed with anger and nearly stood up to fight.

A blue-robed man quickly rose to stop him. “Daoist Hu, wait. We are all from the arcane path, gathered here to exorcise evil. We should work together, not harm harmony. Shao Laoye will be here soon.”

Hu’s temper cooled a little. He shot the old man a glare and sat back down in a huff.

The blue-robed cultivator gave the three an apologetic look and said no more. The others only glanced at them briefly, showing no inclination to converse.

They waited in the hall for half an hour before more cultivators trickled in. At last, footsteps came from the doorway, and a rotund man rolled in. He appeared to be in his forties or fifties, adorned head-to-toe in glittering jewelry, practically spelling “wealth” across his face. When he smiled, the fat on his cheeks trembled.

“Honored masters, forgive the wait,” the fat man said, bowing. “Thank you for coming such a long way to exorcise evil for my son.” It was clear he was Shao Laoye. “Might I have the honor of your names?”

One by one, the cultivators introduced themselves. Yun Jiao noted the man who had mocked her was called Hu Fu, while the blue-robed man was Ji Feng, who claimed to hail from the Yongchang Sect. Most of the others were wandering cultivators.

“Shao Laoye, there is no time to lose. Please, quickly take us to see your son!” Hu Fu stepped forward eagerly, his expression full of confidence as he glanced at the others.

“Of course, of course!” Clearly worried for his son, Shao Laoye wasted no time, leading the group toward the back courtyard. He stopped before a small pavilion. Despite the courtyard being filled with carefully cultivated flowers, fragrant and beautiful, everyone felt a strange sense of gloom.

“This place is heavy with yin energy,” Hu Fu declared, his brows furrowed. He turned to Shao Laoye. “It seems your son has indeed been tainted by unclean forces.”

Shao Laoye’s round face paled. “Then I beg you, masters, save my son!”

“Do not worry. Let me see him first.” Hu Fu answered.

“This way, please.” Shao Laoye quickly ordered his servants to open the door and led the group inside.

The atmosphere grew tense. The psychological pressure alone made Bai Yu nervous. As soon as he entered, he nudged Yun Jiao and whispered, “Girl, do you see anything? A female ghost, perhaps?”

Yun Jiao looked around carefully, then shook her head. “Nothing.”

The old man let out a relieved breath. So this was really just a normal exorcism. Still… with seven or eight competitors crammed into the room, this job wasn’t going to be easy to claim.

“Honored masters, this is my son.” Shao Laoye led them to the bedside.

The young man on the bed noticed the crowd and pushed himself up, calling out weakly, “Father?”

“Xian’er, you’re awake!” Shao Laoye rushed forward to support him. “Don’t worry, I’ve invited masters here. You’ll be fine soon.”

“Masters?” Shao Xian looked dazedly at the crowd. He was painfully thin, his complexion so pale it was almost translucent. Unlike his rotund father, he was handsome, like a frail young scholar. Perhaps from prolonged illness, his face grew even paler at the sight of so many strangers. He gasped for breath, eyes lowering in sorrow, and whispered, “Father, my illness cannot be cured. Please, send the masters away.”

“Nonsense!” Shao Laoye’s expression hardened. “Don’t speak such discouraging words! These masters are highly skilled—they will save you.”

“Father…”

“Enough! Do as I say!” Shao Laoye’s voice was stern. He turned to the gathered cultivators, bowing deeply. “Honored masters, my son has been sick for over four months with no improvement. No doctor can determine the cause. I beg you, please help him. As long as he recovers, the Shao family is willing to exhaust its entire fortune.”

Saying this, he moved as if to kneel before them. Hu Fu, standing closest, quickly caught him, his expression noble and righteous. “Shao Laoye, there is no need for such courtesy. It is the duty of us cultivators to subdue demons and dispel evil. We will certainly do our best. Allow me to first examine your son’s condition.”

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(End of Chapter)