Meanwhile, Ye Shaohua remained on the mountain with Lin Weiwei and the others—who were still trembling like leaves.
The professor, a lifelong materialist, found his worldview crumbling in real time. But unlike the students, he’d lived long enough to keep his composure.
Especially since the blood-red, rotting garment left behind by “that thing” still lay nearby.
He pulled out his phone to call for help—these students needed to get off the mountain safely. With potential dangers lurking, even Ye Shaohua’s presence didn’t guarantee their safety.
But the moment he checked his screen, his stomach dropped.
“No… no signal?”
Lin Weiwei and the others frantically checked their phones too. A suffocating dread settled over them.
This wasn’t a coincidence.
Then—a ringtone shattered the silence.
Everyone jumped, their sweat turning icy.
“What do you want?” Ye Shaohua answered, her voice flat.
The group whipped their heads toward her. On the video call was none other than Ning Zhou—the infamous “untouchable” tycoon they’d met yesterday.
“Master Ye, about our house feng shui—wait, where are you?” Ning Zhou’s brow furrowed.
Ye Shaohua glanced at the screen. The Ning family had clearly followed her instructions—their furniture arrangement was textbook perfect.
“Good. Send two cars to South Mountain’s outskirts first. I’ll text the address.” She paused. “Make one of them a large vehicle.”
She hung up before he could reply, then turned to the professor.
“Follow me down.”
Leaving them here alone would be idiotic.
The professor bit back questions—Why does YOUR phone work? Why is NING ZHOU taking orders from you?—and silently trailed behind her.
After a few steps, Ye Shaohua suddenly stopped.
The group froze like startled rabbits. Several students scanned their surroundings, bracing for another horror.
But Ye Shaohua simply glanced back at the rotting garment.
With her right hand, she sent Ning Zhou the location.
With her left—she snapped her fingers.
The professor and students gasped.
Blue flames erupted from the garment, devouring it entirely within seconds. Only ashes remained.
…
The cars arrived swiftly. Ning Zhou’s father had rushed over personally, his face taut with worry.
The professor—dean of the civil engineering department—straightened despite his shock. “Commissioner Ning.”
Ning’s father took one look at the shell-shocked group and Ye Shaohua (still scrolling on her phone) and pieced things together.
After a brief exchange with the professor, he approached Ye Shaohua. “Miss Ye.”
“Get them back to campus,” she said without looking up. “Once your drivers return, bring them to me. And don’t speak of South Mountain—the authorities will handle it.”
As she slid into Ning Zhou’s car, she suddenly backtracked. “Almost forgot.”
She fished out a stack of talismans from her pocket and handed them to Ning’s father. “For the eight of them.”
A month ago, the professor would’ve scoffed at such superstition. Now? He clutched his like a lifeline.
“Master Ye, we’re one short,” Ning’s father noted.
“Ugh, fine.”
Ye Shaohua tossed her mirror to Ning Zhou, then pulled out:
- A blank yellow talisman paper
- A wolf-hair brush
- A… lipstick?
“Wrong one.” She pocketed the lipstick and produced a cinnabar inkstick instead.
With a single flourish, she completed the talisman.
“Done. Put this under your pillow for seven days. After that, toss it or carry it for protection.”
Ning’s father gaped. Other masters needed altars, incense, and divine timing to draw talismans. She’d done it mid-conversation like ordering coffee.
As the last talisman changed hands, Ye Shaohua rattled off a string of numbers before vanishing into the car.
The group stared blankly.
The driver rolled his eyes. “That’s her bank account. You’re not thinking of skipping payment, are you?” He perked up. “If you don’t want those, I’ll buy them!”
“N-no!” The professor hugged his talisman like a treasure. (Future heirloom, he decided.)
Ning Residence – Midnight
Despite the hour, every light blazed.
“The situation’s critical,” Ning’s father said, his hair grayer by the minute. “The Yu family begged for your help. We wouldn’t trouble you otherwise.”
Ye Shaohua tapped her chin but didn’t answer. She should probably inform the Ye family she’d be gone awhile…
She fired off a text to Uncle Ye: “Out with friends. Won’t be back soon.”
Ye Villa
“Third Young Miss says she’s ‘out with friends’ indefinitely,” Uncle Ye reported dutifully.
Ye Eldest Brother’s jaw clenched. “That good-for-nothing,” he spat. “One day, her recklessness will destroy her.”
