The child writhed and struggled in Yunián's hands. Her two rows of sharp teeth dug deep into her lips, and dark blood oozed out slowly, making her look extremely terrifying.
Hóngxǐ frowned. He placed the child on the table and reached out his hand, intending to channel spiritual energy into her. As a celestial herb nurtured by the heavens and the earth, he had some purifying effect on evil and malevolent qi. However, the moment his hand touched the back of the little ghost, he was pushed away by an extremely cold force.
The malevolent qi on the child not only didn't weaken but grew stronger. It was like a writhing group of pythons, coiling and surging straight towards the sky. When the floating black mist brushed past Hóngxǐ's arm, it left behind a series of fine wounds.
Hóngxǐ grimaced in pain. Although these wounds were small, they were caused by malevolent qi and were a hundred times more painful than ordinary injuries.
Seeing that Yunián was about to step forward, Hóngxǐ quickly stopped her. "The malevolent qi on this child is too strong. It has clearly turned into the most vicious of malevolent omens. If you forcefully exorcise it, you will surely be implicated by karma." He paused for a moment, as if hesitating about something. He pulled Yunián to the side, his expression colder than usual. "Xuāndé, you shouldn't get involved in this mess. Maybe you'll think I'm selfish, but I really don't want to see my friend stumble in the same place twice."
Yunián was silent for a while, then turned to look at the child who was crying heart - rendingly.
Unlike other children, her cries couldn't draw the love and care of her parents.
Maybe even the child herself didn't understand that she ran towards her parents full of joy, only to be bound by a karmic bond of misfortune.
After a long silence, Hóngxǐ heard Yunián's extremely soft voice.
"Whether I succeed or not, I have to give it a try."
Yunián lowered her eyes and looked at the infant for a moment. If even she couldn't exorcise this infant spirit, then this child would really be wandering in the mortal world forever.
Fēng Chéngyuǎn watched the two people having a cryptic conversation in front of him and frowned tightly.
Although he didn't know what Yunián was going to do, he felt inexplicably upset.
Hóngxǐ sighed. Since he could see the karma, Yunián surely could too.
He knew that no matter whether he advised her or not, Yunián would offer her help.
It was the same a hundred years ago, and it was even more so now.
Yunián tentatively reached out her hand and gently touched the black mist coiling around the infant spirit. As expected, several fine wounds appeared on her hand, and blood oozed out slowly.
Fēng Chéngyuǎn's eyes twitched, and his pupils constricted instantly.
He immediately wanted to step forward and pull Yunián back, but was suddenly stopped by Hóngxǐ. "Once the ritual starts, it can't be interrupted. If you rush forward like this, she'll only get hurt more seriously."
Fēng Chéngyuǎn's steps froze on the spot, and his whole demeanor turned gloomy.
Yunián's expression remained calm. She closed her eyes quietly and felt the black mist around her gradually surround her. But as if she couldn't feel the pain, she carefully drew talismans on the back of the little ghost stroke by stroke and softly chanted the Mantra of Rebirth.
The whole courtyard instantly fell silent. Everyone had the feeling that time had stood still at this moment.
I don't know how much time had passed when a cold gale blew through. Everyone could hardly stand steady.
Yunián's black hair fluttered in the wind, making her skin look a bit pale.
Fēng Chéngyuǎn's eyes were fixed on Yunián all the time. He felt as if countless mosquitoes and insects were gnawing at his heart, making his mind confused and anxious.
The black mist that had been frantically colliding and struggling suddenly stopped at this moment. It flowed gently and finally dissipated between heaven and earth.
The child stopped making noise. She seemed a bit sleepy. With a flash of her figure, she returned to the pendant.
Yunián took a step back, and her figure swayed imperceptibly.
Fēng Chéngyuǎn rushed forward suddenly and supported Yunián.
Her originally fair arms and neck were covered with wounds, which were shocking to behold.
Fēng Chéngyuǎn pulled Yunián with a cold face and walked out of the Taoist temple without any explanation.
Yunián was stunned. "Where are you taking me?"
Fēng Chéngyuǎn didn't look back. "The hospital."
Yunián smiled faintly. "These injuries don't need the trouble of the hospital. You, President Fēng, will do. They were caused by malevolent qi. If I replenish some spiritual power, the wounds will naturally heal."
Seeing that Fēng Chéngyuǎn didn't say a word, Yunián reached out and poked his broad shoulder. "What? You're not willing..."
Before she could finish speaking, she suddenly fell into a warm embrace.
The refreshing scent of mint filled her nostrils. Yunián heard Fēng Chéngyuǎn's strong and chaotic heartbeat, like a thunderous drumbeat.
She was a bit dazed. Just as she was about to ask, Fēng Chéngyuǎn gently picked her up horizontally and strode towards her room.
The light in the room was a bit dim. Fēng Chéngyuǎn placed Yunián on the bed, tucked the quilt in for her, and finally took Yunián's hand again.
"Go to sleep. I'll stay here and guard you, replenishing your spiritual power."
Yunián quietly stared at Fēng Chéngyuǎn for a moment, and her heart felt unexpectedly calm and peaceful. Warm spiritual power continuously flowed into her body from his palm, sweeping away the depression in her heart. Gradually, her breathing became steady, and she fell into a dream.
That night, the stars shone brightly...
At noon the next day, a man and a woman appeared in the main hall of the Taoist temple.
The woman had outstanding elegance but was dressed conservatively. She wore huge sunglasses and held a big box in her arms. This woman was Mù Chǔchǔ.
The man sitting beside her was in his forties, with an ordinary appearance. He tucked a briefcase under his arm and looked at his watch frequently and impatiently.
According to Mù Chǔchǔ, he was the father of the child.
Hé Zhipíng stared at his watch for a while, his eyes wide open. He whispered to Míng Míngzhōng, "That man is really rich."
Míng Míngzhōng was sweeping the floor and asked in confusion, "How do you know?"
"Well, to put it this way, the thing on his wrist is not a watch. It's clearly a walking villa!"
Míng Míngzhōng: ………?
The man sized up the Taoist temple critically and suspiciously asked, "Chǔchǔ, the master you mentioned lives in this shabby place? I've always said that one should read more and gain more knowledge. After following me for so long, why haven't you made any progress at all?" He picked up the teacup and took a sip, clicking his tongue. "This tea is no good either. When entertaining guests, you should at least use some fresh Longjing or Biluochun tea."
Liǔ Mò had transformed into a human form and was lazily leaning on the chair, sizing up the two of them. Hearing this, he sneered. "If you like it, drink it. If not, get out."
"You!" The man was used to being flattered and never expected to be retorted directly. He suddenly slapped the table and stood up, pretending to leave.
Mù Chǔchǔ was startled and quickly grabbed the man's sleeve, her eyes teary. "Brother Qí!"
The man glanced at Mù Chǔchǔ, snorted, and sat back down angrily.
The front hall fell silent for a moment. Mù Chǔchǔ felt a bit embarrassed. "I'm sorry. Brother Qí is just straightforward. He doesn't mean any harm... When will Yunián come? We've been waiting for half an hour..."
Míng Míngzhōng continued sweeping the floor, Hóngxǐ sipped his tea, and only Liǔ Mò gave her a sidelong glance and let out an enigmatic laugh from his nose. "What? This is the exorcism ceremony for your daughter. Can't you even wait for half an hour?"
Mù Chǔchǔ was stunned for a moment and nodded awkwardly.