“You… why are you here??” Yang Mao stared at Taoist Master Qingxu, his heart filled with shock.
Beside him, Ye Sen frowned. “Master Yang, do you know each other?”
“He’s my senior brother,” Yang Mao replied unhappily.
“Hmph, so you still remember I’m your senior brother. Yang Mao, did you ever consider your identity when you did those things?”
“Senior brother, people strive for higher ground. I’ve done nothing wrong. The status I’ve achieved today is thanks to my own abilities.”
Staying on the mountain and living a life of poverty wasn’t for him. What he wanted was fame and fortune, not to remain an unknown figure in the mountains. Yang Mao had always been ambitious.
Taoist Master Qingxu’s temples throbbed as he listened to his excuses. “No matter how many reasons you have, you shouldn’t have taken lives and committed such sins. Yang Mao, do you want to be doomed for eternity?”
His feelings toward this junior brother were complicated. The Yang Mao of his childhood had been pure and kind—he didn’t know when he’d become like this.
Unfortunately, Yang Mao didn’t care. “Senior brother, our paths diverge. If you interfere today… don’t blame me for disregarding our bond.”
“Master Yang, there’s no need to waste words. If you help me resolve this completely, I’ll add another ten million,” Ye Sen interjected, throwing money at the problem—and Yang Mao was all too happy to take it.
He smiled faintly. “Thank you, Young Master Sen.”
The current Yang Mao had long abandoned his morals.
“Today, I will cleanse our sect of you.” Yang Mao’s expression turned icy as he glared at Taoist Master Qingxu.
Meanwhile, Li Qiao, who had been watching the drama unfold, sidled closer to He Jingnian. “Mr. He, how many moves do you think it’ll take for Taoist Master Qingxu to defeat him?”
“Three.” He Jingnian knew Qingxu’s strength well—dealing with Yang Mao shouldn’t be difficult. He glanced at Li Qiao. Did she have a different opinion?
“Mr. He, just watch.”
Li Qiao observed as the two began fighting. They were clearly not ordinary practitioners—both had martial training, and their moves looked familiar. For a moment, she was puzzled.
“You… you’re trying to kill me?!” Yang Mao clutched his injured arm.
Taoist Master Qingxu flicked his horsetail whisk, his eyes wide with shock. “You… how many lives have you taken? Yang Mao, you’re no longer worthy of being my junior brother or a disciple of Longhu Temple!”
“Hmph, as if I ever wanted to be. Qingxu, just you wait—one day, I’ll make you beg for death.” With that, he hastily left with Ye Sen.
Li Qiao shook her head slightly. “There’s no saving him.”
“What a waste, for him to end up like this.”
Yang Mao was beyond redemption, and no amount of reluctance on Qingxu’s part could change that. Against his senior brother, Yang Mao stood no chance—he was subdued in just two moves.
Li Qiao basked in the glow of He Jingnian’s accumulated merit, stretching lazily.
The room had finally quieted.
“Master… Master… come quick! Master, they’re disappearing—Master!” President Ye’s voice rang out from inside.
When Li Qiao entered, she saw the children’s spirits growing faint, as if they’d shatter at the slightest touch. President Ye hovered near them, his arms outstretched as if to hold them.
A glimmer of understanding flashed in Li Qiao’s eyes.
Taoist Master Qingxu, who had followed her in, also showed a flicker of surprise.
“What… what do we do, Master?”
The Wang family had all fainted.
“Master, my children… my children…” Wang Jia sobbed incoherently, her grief overwhelming.
Li Qiao stepped forward. “I’ll guide them on their way. As their parents, take one last look.”
“Master, is there really no way to save them? I’d give my own life to bring them back!” Wang Tao knelt before her, kowtowing desperately.
They were good parents, but—
“You were never destined to be together in this life. If you want them to have a better next life, pray for them often.”
These children were fated to face this calamity.
In truth, they’d had a chance to overcome it—but it was too late now.
Wang Jia nearly cried herself to death. Wang Tao held her tightly, wiping away his own tears. “Thank you, Master. We will.”
These children had suffered in their family.
Li Qiao murmured an incantation, and a soft light enveloped the children.
Their previously vacant expressions brightened, and they smiled, waving at their parents.
“Daddy, Mommy, we’re leaving now. Take care of yourselves, okay?”
“Xiao Bao, Xiao Bao… don’t go, Xiao Bao…” Wang Jia reached out desperately.
“Wife…” Wang Tao wept as he held her.
“Daddy, Mommy, we were so happy to be your children. We can’t stay with you anymore—we have to go now.” Xiao Bei, ever cheerful, grinned.
At three years old, he didn’t understand death, only that he’d never see his parents again.
As they said their goodbyes, the Wang couple’s cries filled the air.
President Ye watched the well-behaved children, his eyes reddening.
“Uncle, thank you for protecting me and my sister.” Xiao Bei touched President Ye’s forehead lightly.
The man froze, then his eyes grew even wetter.
Xiao Bao looked at Li Qiao and smiled. “Sister, thank you for saving us.”
Li Qiao smiled back.
Slowly, the siblings faded away.
“Xiao Bao! Xiao Bei!” Wang Jia’s anguished scream was the last thing she uttered before collapsing in Wang Tao’s arms.
With this matter resolved, the crimes committed by the Wang family would be dealt with by President Ye and the authorities.
Another surge of powerful merit descended upon her—but this time, she clearly sensed it being shared.
Part of it had flowed to the man beside her.
Had He Jingnian stolen her merit?
Why?
Why?!
Li Qiao stared at him, her gaze a mix of resentment and confusion.
He Jingnian, utterly lost, asked, “Qiaoqiao, what’s wrong?”
“Mr. He, do you feel anything unusual in your body?”
He Jingnian blinked, then moved slightly.
“No.”
His hand unconsciously brushed against the Five Emperor Coins on his wrist.
Li Qiao: “…”
My merit… my merit! Why was it taken away?!
On the way back, Li Shaoyang wiped away his tears—a tough guy crying was quite a sight.
“Second Young Master Li is quite the sentimental man,” He Jingnian remarked mildly.
“You… are you mocking me for crying?”
“Not at all. I just mean rumors aren’t always true.”
Li Shaoyang immediately understood.
He Jingnian was reminding him that hearsay couldn’t be trusted—especially the rumors about He Jingnian himself.
What a schemer!
A man like this would never be his brother-in-law. He feared his naive Qiaoqiao would be devoured without a trace.
The He family truly was full of cunning foxes!
“Qiaoqiao, will those children have a good afterlife? I noticed you and Taoist Master Qingxu looked… different earlier.”
Li Shaoyang was puzzled.
