Chapter 11 Ghosts in the Rainy Night

Immersed in a beautiful fantasy.

Actually, not just him, when this topic is mentioned, even the coachman named Wang Qi has an unmistakable longing and desire shining in his eyes.

His life trajectory is unlike that of the rich second generation Xue Wuwei, who has been at the bottom of society since birth, his parents did their utmost in the dirtiest and most tiring jobs to barely gather half a year's tuition so their son could barely recognize a few words.

The price, of course, was the premature decline of his aging parents due to long-term toil, and they passed away before reaching fifty.

To survive in this cruel world, Wang Qi has tried everything imaginable, perhaps fortune smiled upon him, for a mysterious man happened to pass by his village before his parents' deaths, looking to rest there for a night.

And, being honest and upright people, his parents treated the stranger with courtesy despite knowing nothing of his background, even going so far as to kill one of the few chickens they had.

Even they could not have imagined that such an act of kindness would leave their child with a completely different path, the kind referred to by the older generations as...

A mystical encounter.

"Returning there is my pursuit."

Bowing his head slightly, he buried the fervor in his eyes. Why did he wish to continue seeking this mystical encounter so persistently?

Because he had seen it with his own eyes.

The celestial jade canopy atop the green mountain, divine skills such as sword flight, magic treasures with spiritual intelligence, exotic beasts that spoke human language, a senior sister over twice sixty years of age yet looking no older than sixteen or seventeen...

It's just a pity that due to his insufficient talent, he failed to achieve Qi gathering even after two and a half years and was ultimately sent down the mountain.

But from the moment he left, Wang Qi knew that what he sought for the rest of his life was not wealth or distinctions,

But to return to that fairyland for the rest of his life.

"Mr. Xue, the expert you asked for has arrived."

Taking a deep breath, he suppressed the agitation in his heart, restoring his voice to calmness. This statement inevitably woke up Mr. Xue, who was deep in thought and asked somewhat impatiently.

"How is it? Has that guy succeeded yet? Why hasn't he brought Jiang Feng's damned head to see me? If I don't see that little beast's head, I'm not giving out the rest of the silver!"

Yelling in his duck-like voice, this loudly conspiring behavior gave Wang Qi a bit of a headache. If this young master were to be left alone in another city, he would probably not survive two days.

"He probably arrived last night, I gave him half the reward, and he went to scope out the area around Jiang Feng's house the same night."

"However, the experts from the Yan Family have been extremely cautious these past few days, so he hasn't dared to reveal himself too much. He's probably going to have to wait a few more days until the guards from the Yan Mansion lower their vigilance before making a move."

"After all, several people from the Yan Mansion had the fortune to learn a thing or two from Mr. Yan himself. We can't take them lightly."

But Xue Wuwei just let out a disdainful snort and leaned back into the soft chair.

"Nothing but inauspicious talk, hurry back to the mansion, I'm tired, and after returning, have that new maid carry this young master out of the carriage to serve me sleep... ah no, I should take the dog for a walk tonight."

A smile crept up on his lips, and just the thought of that timid and pretty new maid set off an inevitable surge of violent desire in his heart, the exhilaration of controlling life and death was a privilege no one could refuse.

"After we return, have her fetch the embroidery ball in her mouth, you think if I throw the ball into the river this time and have that little maid fetch it for me..."

"Do you think the little maid can swim back?"

His face broke into a smile, seemingly fantasizing about the maid's struggling and desperate expression as she drowned, a sight so irresistibly pleasurable.

But Wang Qi did not answer, and simply stepped out of the carriage.

"Master, please sit tight, we're heading back to the mansion now."

Out of sight, out of mind.

For all of Mr. Xue's vulgar habits, Wang Qi had become accustomed to them. Maids were not of high value in this era; to the young master, even an outstanding maid was worth no more than his half-month allowance.

The maid purchased not so long ago seemed to have caught Xue Wuwei's fancy, not physically but mentally. The more pitiful and timid the maid was, the greater his sense of achievement when he tormented her. As for the young master's perverse pleasures, Wang Qi had nothing to say and simply hurried on the journey.

No wonder everyone is vying for 'power'.

The carriage began to move slowly.

Water was already pooling on the streets, and the continuous pattering of rain against the windows, though quality-made, could not prevent some water from entering the carriage, inevitably causing some irritation.

For some reason, his mood was somewhat gloomy. Although Xue Wuwei was usually arrogant and domineering, he had never been so unabashed in his behavior as he was today.

As a child, his father had taught him many lessons, instructing him to slay enemies decisively and to treat those around him with courtesy, even if he despised them, so as not to show it.

Otherwise, it would be easy to be harmed by despicable people.

Although he had been reprimanded many times, a young man is still young, full of pride, and never having suffered a disadvantage under the protection of his family. So, his actions were a series of tests to his father's tolerance.

Starting with the incident three years ago when he ordered Wang Qi to kill Jiang Feng, he had already touched a line.

Logically, upon hearing that his son had ordered a bodyguard to commit murder, he should have been furious. However, as the head of the family with such a vast enterprise, and despite the Xue family only having its roots in Qingshui County, this was the largest city within hundreds of miles and a junction between two countries.

Those who can survive in such a place could not have a simple mind.

The anger lasted only for about a quarter of an hour before he quickly calmed down. Upon close thinking, Jiang Feng's death was undoubtedly beneficial to the entire Xue family. Moreover, having heard from the house servant that the deed was done while Jiang Feng was out of the city offering ancestor worship, he felt a slight approval for his son.

At least he was not foolish enough to commit the crime within the city.

As long as there was no decisive evidence, there would be no trouble. Besides, he had heard that many young gentlemen from various families in Qingshui County were pursuing Miss Yan, seeking not just her hand but the influence and wealth of her family as well.

Thus, the suspicion on the Xue family could naturally be substantially reduced. If they behaved properly afterwards and the son managed to secure Miss Yan, the reputation for killing husbands - not a favorable one in this era - wouldn't stick.

With the interests of both families aligned and a suitable match, coupled with his son's presentable image, he naturally saw it as a matter most likely to succeed.

Therefore.

He chose to turn a blind eye.

But it was this slight difference in thought that led to the consequences of today.

"Why haven't we arrived yet?"

Feeling the jolting of the carriage, his vexation intensifying, it had only been less than a quarter hour since they set out, and with the heavy rain, the carriage's speed was bound to slow down, a sense of disquiet enveloped him.

The massive wheels caused the accumulated water on the ground to splash everywhere.

Wang Qi, who was driving the carriage, also looked somewhat gloomy as he felt somewhat uneasy tonight. He whipped the horses forcefully, racing through the rainstorm, only wishing to quickly return home.

Sadly, this master and servant each had their own schemes. If they were not so calculating and simply shared their inner thoughts, even at the risk of facing their lord's punishment, they would probably have chosen to stay overnight at the Ethereal Violet Pavilion.

Thunder—

A sudden clap of thunder startled him!

A flash of lightning tearing through the night sky illuminated a figure standing motionless ahead like a ghost.