Chapter 169: What Kind of Dutiful Son Brings People to Kill His Mother?
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Yu Zhi Yi nodded thoughtfully. “You’re right. This is indeed the truth behind the mysterious deaths of eight people in South Cao Village thirty years ago.”
Li Chang Huai, who had just regained consciousness, trembled under the terrifying aura of Cao Zhao Di, yet seeing she had no intention of attacking anyone, he resumed his antagonistic stance towards Yu Zhi Yi. “You say it’s true just because she claims so? All this could merely be her self-serving words to exonerate herself, to escape punishment.”
Yu Zhi Yi cast a mocking glance at him. “What punishment could you possibly give her?”
Li Chang Huai was at a loss for words.
Cao Zhao Di was already dead and had turned into a vengeful ghost of terrifying demeanor. Punish her? He was lucky if she didn’t devour him whole.
At that moment, a chilling voice echoed, “Indeed, mortal laws cannot constrain her. But the underworld has its own laws. She could very well be lying to escape punishment there.”
Yu Zhi Yi turned a suspicious gaze towards the speaker. “Are you truly the chief disciple of Dragon-Tiger Mountain?”
Ou Yang Shuo’s face darkened at the doubt cast upon his lineage. “Without a shadow of a doubt!”
Yu Zhi Yi’s expression grew even more peculiar. “If you truly are the chief disciple, how can you be ignorant of the fundamental principle that karma is unerring, and retribution never fails? Karma defines itself; the Heavenly Dao isn’t akin to mortal officials.”
“Even mortal officials may succumb to corruption and deceit, but the Heavenly Dao and cosmic justice recognize only the facts.”
“If Cao Zhao Di truly killed someone, even if she lied about it, the Heavenly Dao would not acknowledge her deceit. During her judgment in the underworld, the Book of Life and Death would plainly reveal her crimes.”
“Conversely, if she did not commit the murders, no matter how much others framed her, the Book of Life and Death would not record such falsehoods.”
Ou Yang Shuo frowned but refrained from further argument.
Instead, Liu Fei Yang’s curiosity was piqued. “Madam Du…”
“Call me Official Yu,” Yu Zhi Yi interjected coldly.
Du Zi Heng froze momentarily.
Liu Fei Yang smoothly adjusted, “Official Yu, does the underworld truly exist?”
Yu Zhi Yi glanced at him. “Won’t you find out a hundred years from now?”
Liu Fei Yang hesitated. “…Never mind, I’d rather not find out.”
Suddenly, Du Zi Heng asked, “What happened afterward? What became of Cao Yao Zu?”
Liu Fei Yang also showed keen interest. “Indeed, I’ve been in the capital for many years and have never heard of Master Fan’s family acknowledging an illegitimate grandson.”
Cao Zhao Di remained silent, but Yu Zhi Yi’s response was oblique. “Release him. I have no wish to resort to force.”
Although Cao Zhao Di had become a vengeful spirit, she had never actually killed anyone. On the contrary, she was a pitiable soul who, even in death, bore the burden of an unjust reputation.
Yu Zhi Yi felt compassion for her. She would not act unless absolutely necessary.
Cao Zhao Di was quiet for a long moment before asking, “Do you intend for him to return to the Fan family?”
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head. “Evil deeds will always be met with retribution. Those who have sinned must face the consequences of their actions.”
A blood-streaked smile finally broke across Cao Zhao Di’s face. “Very well. I trust you.”
It was not that she feared the extraordinary strength of this strikingly beautiful young woman but rather the aura of awe-inspiring power emanating from her—a force that inspired both fear and respect.
Cao Zhao Di could not name that power but instinctively chose to believe in it.
The ominous black mist that had loomed over the village dispersed, revealing the true state of South Cao Village. The place was utterly desolate.
Ever since the chain of murders thirty years ago, the villagers had gradually abandoned the area. This village, stained with sin, had fallen into decay as its population dwindled.
When the last inhabitant left, the village’s demise was sealed, symbolizing its ultimate death.
The dilapidated thatched hut, now almost unrecognizable, was held upright by a single wooden beam. It seemed as if even a strong gust of wind would bring it crashing down.
Inside one of the rooms, six people lay sprawled on the ground with their eyes shut. Despite their closed eyes, their faces betrayed an unmistakable terror, proving that they were certainly not lost in sweet dreams.
Suddenly, all six of them opened their eyes simultaneously. Two of them immediately screamed, “A ghost!”
Startled by the sound of the other’s voice, the two glanced at each other for a moment before instinctively preparing to scatter like frightened birds.
“Idiots,” snarled a man in his forties, his face grim. “If there really was a ghost, do you think running around like headless chickens would save you?”
The two men froze mid-step. “Then what should we do?” one of them asked hesitantly.
The man, none other than Cao Yao Zu, shot them a glare before shifting his gaze to the remaining three.
These three wore yellow robes typical of Daoists. Cao Yao Zu’s expression softened as he addressed them respectfully. “Honored masters, didn’t you say you could eliminate the malicious spirit plaguing this village?”
The oldest of the three, a yellow-robed elder, looked uneasy. However, he tried his best to maintain an air of authority. “You never mentioned that the malevolent entity was a thirty-year-old fierce ghost! Its resentment is boundless and not something mere mortals can dispel easily.”
The more he spoke, the more reasonable he found his own argument. Turning the blame to Cao Yao Zu, he continued indignantly, “This is entirely your fault for withholding the truth! You’ve brought us here unprepared to face such a dire threat. Seek someone else for this task!”
With that, he gestured to his two disciples, and the trio bolted toward the door.
They didn’t get far before three bloodcurdling screams pierced the air. The sound made the three remaining inside the hut jump in fright.
One of the two men turned to Cao Yao Zu and stammered, “Brother Yao Zu, the masters you brought in just ran away… Shouldn’t we also try to escape?”
Cao Yao Zu frowned deeply, then spat out, “Fine. Let’s run.”
But escaping the village was easier said than done. Though the trio aimed for the village’s entrance, they somehow found themselves at the small river behind the village.
Hovering above the river was a female ghost whose head had been smashed beyond recognition. Her bloodied face twisted into a grin as she observed them with eerie amusement.
The three yellow-robed Daoists were also by the riverbank, frozen in place and ashen-faced.
Upon seeing this horrifying scene, Cao Yao Zu’s two companions nearly fainted from fear. Even Cao Yao Zu himself couldn’t hide his trembling as he forced out a shaky word: “Mother…”
The ghost, Cao Zhao Di, chuckled at the absurdity. “Mother?”
The two companions, teetering on the edge of passing out, suddenly jolted upright. “What?” they croaked, their eyes bulging. “You mean this ghost is your mother?”
Suddenly, two streaks of blood-tears trickled down the ghost’s eyes. Her voice was cold and sorrowful. “I am no mother of yours.”
“No, you are my mother!” Cao Yao Zu insisted desperately.
Cao Zhao Di’s twisted smile grew wider, her laughter sounding more like sobs. “What kind of son brings Daoists to obliterate his own mother’s soul?”
The Daoists and the two companions turned to Cao Yao Zu, their expressions a mix of disbelief and revulsion. When the realization hit, the lead Daoist took a step back, dragging his disciples with him. “While it is true that righteousness and evil cannot coexist, I am not an unreasonable man. Had I known this scoundrel brought me here to obliterate his own mother’s spirit, I would never have come.”
No, his retreat certainly wasn’t because he stood no chance against the ghost.
Cao Yao Zu’s face darkened. With the truth laid bare, he dropped his pretense and glared at Cao Zhao Di, his voice laden with accusation. “Isn’t all of this your fault? If you had told me about my maternal grandfather’s identity back then, would I have been forced to take such desperate measures?”