She still had some concept of beauty, and after seeing so-called beauties, she was even more reluctant to speak highly of her own appearance.
“Miss Xiao, don’t make fun of me.
Although I haven’t seen much of the world, with my looks, how can I be considered beautiful?”
Her figure wasn’t slender and delicate, her skin wasn’t fair, and there was a big red mark on her face.
What was beautiful about that?
“Beauty and ugliness can’t be defined.
Miss Xi, for the sake of Gui Po, willingly sacrificed herself to come to the Righteous Path, which is a noble sentiment.
In my eyes, such a look is exceptionally beautiful.
How many people in the world are as filial and considerate as you?” Xiao Qiyu spoke slowly, watching Xi Fuhong’s slightly reddening cheeks with interest.
Rather than praise, it was more admiration.
Xi Fuhong, with her foolish determination, had brought herself to such a miserable state, yet she was completely unaware.
“Granny raised me to adulthood, so naturally, I should be filial to her,” Xi Fuhong looked up at Xiao Qiyu.
They were both orphans, so she should understand her feelings of coming in place of her granny.
However, she didn’t know that Xiao Qiyu wasn’t as gentle and kind as she seemed.
She had never been filial, relying on her master’s favor to act willfully.
Xiao Qiyu didn’t respond, and Xi Fuhong tactfully didn’t ask further.
The journey was quite smooth, and after just a day of travel, they arrived at a small town in the eastern region.
However, as soon as the carriage entered the town, they heard many wailing cries.
Curious, Xi Fuhong lifted the curtain and saw many people outside wearing mourning clothes, kneeling and bowing on the street, looking extremely eerie.
“Senior Sister Qiyu,” the carriage stopped, and Qin Keyun lifted the curtain to enter the carriage.
“I just sent Junior Sister Qi Er to gather information.
The townspeople said that a vengeful ghost has been claiming lives for months, already killing nearly a dozen families.
I suspect it’s the ghost spirit that escaped from Baichuan Lake’s tomb.”
“In that case, we can’t just sit by and do nothing, but…” Xiao Qiyu looked at Xi Fuhong, seeking her consent.
“It’s okay! This vengeful spirit is so vicious, you should help these townspeople quickly,” Xi Fuhong shook her head, indicating that Xiao Qiyu shouldn’t worry.
Xiao Qiyu just smiled and nodded at Qin Keyun, who immediately left the carriage.
The group from Bi Xuan Palace arrived outside the city mansion.
Fang Qi Er, true to her reckless nature, shouted loudly at the residence, scaring three children who quickly peeked out to check.
Xiao Qiyu tidied up the scattered books, a faint smile on her lips, and couldn’t help but think that despite following Keyun for years, Fang Qi Er still couldn’t change her impulsive nature.
“Miss Xi, would you like to stay in the carriage?” Xiao Qiyu put on her coat and turned to ask gently.
“Exorcising ghosts… is it like last time? Do we have to use swords and such?” Xi Fuhong asked nervously.
Hearing this, Xiao Qiyu couldn’t help but laugh, “It’s just an ordinary little ghost, setting up a formation will do.”
Xi Fuhong nodded and got off the carriage with Xiao Qiyu.
By this time, the county official had been waiting for a long time.
Upon hearing Qin Keyun say they were here to help exorcise ghosts, he immediately nodded and bowed in welcome.
Although he had previously hired many Taoists and spent a lot of money without any improvement, now that someone offered to help voluntarily, he naturally agreed.
“Please, Taoist, help us.
You see, my town is so small, and people are dying every day.
We can’t even live here anymore!” The plump official said with a frown, and Qin Keyun politely returned the gesture.
“You old fool, hiring Jianghu sorcerers and getting scammed is one thing, but you even angered the ghost spirit.
No wonder so many people in your town have died,” Fang Qi Er scolded helplessly.
Although it was the truth, her blunt words were hard to hear.
“Junior Sister!” Qin Keyun scolded sharply, stopping her from speaking further.
Seeing this, Xiao Qiyu simply said, “The time hasn’t come yet, set up the formation immediately.”
The other disciples of Bi Xuan Palace immediately moved to their designated positions, forming a large formation in front of the official’s mansion.
The nearby residents, curious, gathered around to watch.
But to Xiao Qiyu and Qin Keyun, this was just a trivial matter, not requiring their intervention.
Fang Qi Er, knowing her limits, stepped forward to chant spells and draw talismans.
Suddenly, dark clouds covered the sun, and the world was shrouded in darkness.
Even though ordinary people couldn’t see the ghost spirit, they could feel the cold, eerie wind in the air.
The townspeople watching the scene, sensing something was wrong, quickly returned home and shut their doors.
Xi Fuhong looked up at the sky, feeling the oppressive atmosphere, similar to her experience in the Ning Family’s underworld.
Turning her head, she saw Xiao Qiyu still smiling, and Qin Keyun remained silent.
Xi Fuhong rubbed her arms, feeling the cold wind biting, and was about to return to the carriage when she heard Fang Qi Er shout loudly.
Suddenly, sunlight broke through, the dark clouds dispersed, and the eerie wind vanished.
The oppressive atmosphere disappeared instantly, and even the official standing at the door smiled with relief, knowing that the vengeful spirit had been subdued.
“Alright, it was just a little evil ghost, and it scared you like this,” Fang Qi Er said, holding a rolled-up talisman, which seemed to contain a round ball, though it was unclear what it was.
“Although it was just an ordinary vengeful spirit, it was still very troublesome for the townspeople,” Qin Keyun said, taking the talisman from Fang Qi Er.
She suddenly drew her sword and sliced the talisman in half, releasing a piercing scream that echoed through the air.
The sound was neither human nor ghostly, surely the vengeful ghost they spoke of.
“Thank you, Taoist, for your help! Thank you, Taoist!” The official, overwhelmed with gratitude, bowed repeatedly.
“It’s nothing, just a small effort,” Xiao Qiyu replied.
“How can it be a small effort! Letting ghosts run amok would only kill more people.
Now, with the Taoist’s help, the townspeople can finally sleep peacefully.
I have nothing to offer in return, so I’ll host a banquet at my humble abode tonight.
Please, do me the honor of attending!” The official gestured invitingly, leading Xiao Qiyu inside.
“Then I’ll trouble you,” Xiao Qiyu agreed without hesitation, then turned to Qin Keyun, “Since Junior Sister Juyin has caught a cold, have someone get some medicine from the pharmacy.
Rest for the night to recover.”
“Yes, Senior Sister,” Qin Keyun immediately instructed the other junior sisters to follow through.
Xi Fuhong watched as Xiao Qiyu and Qin Keyun followed the official inside, feeling a bit hesitant herself.
She wasn’t a guest of honor; she had just hitched a ride with Xiao Qiyu to get here and hadn’t helped with the ghost-catching.
It didn’t seem right for her to go inside.
“No one’s going to bring you food if you stand here,” Fang Qi Er said, approaching Xi Fuhong with a smile.
“I’d rather not go in,” she shook her head, preparing to turn away, but Fang Qi Er stopped her.
“What’s wrong? If you’re sick, I’ll get a doctor,” Fang Qi Er, seeing her lack of energy, thought she might not have an appetite.
“No, I just…” Xi Fuhong lowered her voice, “I didn’t help, so how can I go in?”
“You’re so stubborn!” Fang Qi Er exclaimed, incredulous, “Riding on Senior Sister’s coattails, you could even take money and it wouldn’t be too much! Don’t worry about this or that, just go in and eat! If anything happens, Senior Sister will handle it, so what are you afraid of?”
“I’m not a disciple of Bi Xuan Palace, how can I be so shameless?” Xi Fuhong frowned.
“Shameless or not, Senior Sister won’t mind! Just go in first, if Senior Sister Qiyu doesn’t see you, she’ll send me to find you, so save me the trouble and go in, okay?” Fang Qi Er insisted, dragging Xi Fuhong into the official’s residence.
By this time, the dinner dishes were already being served.
Although it wasn’t a feast of fish and meat, it was quite sumptuous.
Fang Qi Er, seeing the table full of dishes, was already drooling, and Xi Fuhong’s stomach growled at the aroma.
The maids continued to serve dishes, while Xiao Qiyu and Qin Keyun were in the courtyard with the official.
