Chapter 9: Lin Manor Rematch, Medical Soul Seals the Demon

Lin Wanqing and Zhao Xuan rode from the General's Mansion, morning mist still thick, hoofbeats echoing toward Lin Manor. Last night's palace coup exposed Liu Gonggong, but the Emperor's frailty and court unrest lingered—yet Lin Wanqing's mind snagged on Lin Xue'er. Locked up, she'd still torched the manor with Li Fugui's help; loose ends meant trouble. Glancing at Zhao Xuan, she murmured, "General, Xue'er's a wild card—we've got to check Lin Manor, stop her stirring more chaos."

He frowned, gruff. "She's under tight guard—can she still flip?"

She squinted, smirking slyly. "General, don't underestimate her. She roped in Li Fugui last night—today, who knows? My Wheel's buzzing; her soul's got dark vibes I haven't cracked."

He paused, nodding. "Fair point. Let's look—cut off loose ends."

She beamed. "You get me, General! Hurry—I don't want another bonfire at home!"

His ears pinked; he huffed, "Less chatter—ride."

They spurred faster, her mind humming: Tough talk, tender heart—saving me's getting hotter every time.

Lin Manor's gate stood half-repaired, charred scars stark. Clansmen cleared rubble; Old Master Lin loomed in the yard, face grim. Dismounting, they bowed. "Grandfather."

He sighed at her. "Wanqing, heard about last night—you and General Zhao did us proud. But Xue'er… she's broken my heart."

Lin Wanqing's tone cooled. "Grandfather, she teamed with Li Fugui, burned the place—unforgivable. Where's she now?"

He pointed rearward. "Locked in the shed, heavily guarded. She's been ranting—claims she's controlled."

Lin Wanqing froze, gut twitching: Controlled? That dark vibe? "Grandfather, I'll see her."

Zhao Xuan followed, low. "I'm with you—watch for tricks."

At the back shed, two guards stood rigid. She pushed in; Xue'er sat disheveled, eyes bloodshot, venomous. Spotting Lin Wanqing, she lunged, snarling, "Lin Wanqing! You ruined me—I'll kill you!"

Zhao Xuan stepped up, sword hilt shoving her back. "Stay put!"

Xue'er panted, then cackled. "Caught me and think you've won? I'm a pawn—the real devil's waiting!"

Lin Wanqing frowned; the Wheel spun, purple flaring—Xue'er's soul pulsed with black, morphing into a twisted figure. Her heart jolted: Devil? What's this darkness? "What's in your soul?" she snapped.

Xue'er grinned wickedly. "You see it? It's the 'Demon Soul Curse'—it owned me, made me do it! It wants the Lin Clan Manual—your deaths!"

Lin Wanqing chilled. "Demon Soul Curse? Who cast it?"

Xue'er gritted, "Dunno! It hit my dreams, said it'd use me for revenge!"

Zhao Xuan scowled. "Revenge for who?"

Xue'er opened her mouth, but black surged in her eyes; she screamed, body stiffening, voice turning deep, eerie: "Lin Wanqing, Zhao Xuan—give me the Manual, or your clan burns!"

Lin Wanqing squinted. "Well, hello, creepy! Got a real ghost here!" She waved; the Realm flared, purple enveloping Xue'er. "General, guard me—I'm yanking this out!"

He nodded, blade weaving a shield. She focused; the spring turned dragon, drug force flooding Xue'er. The blackness thrashed, shrieking, "Release me!"

She sneered, "Release? I'm sealing you!" Pulling Spirit Heart Grass, she infused it with power, gold merging into the dragon. It roared, wrapping the dark, dragging it deep.

The blackness shaped—a snarling figure. "I'm the Magus Medic's remnant! You ruin me—I'll return!" It lunged; herb vines snared it tight.

She shrugged. "Magus Medic ghost? Old geezer, you're toast here!" A flick; the Realm's furnace blazed, sucking the remnant in, refining it. A final wail—gone.

Xue'er slumped, darkness purged, weak. "It… it's gone?"

Lin Wanqing huffed, "Gone—but don't play innocent. Hooking Li Fugui, torching home? All you!"

Xue'er spat, "I hate you! Curse or not, I hate you!"

Zhao Xuan chilled, "Hate's done—you're finished."

Lin Wanqing turned, low. "General, this Magus Medic's no joke—tied to the Manual. We've got digging to do."

He nodded. "Back to the mansion—talk there."

They left; Old Master Lin met them, urgent. "Wanqing, Xue'er?"

She cooled, "Grandfather, I purged her soul's demon—but her crimes stand. Your call."

He sighed. "To the authorities, then."

Outside, she exhaled, grinning at Zhao Xuan. "General, you saved my bacon again."

He grunted, "Your soul-seal was fierce."

She winked. "So I'll guard you next—deal?"

His ears pinked; he muttered, "Your call."

She giggled: Hard shell, soft core—hooked.

(End of Chapter)