Chapter 101: Warmth

Qin Xuan knew that any ordinary person would be tense at the sight of such a scene. Su Muqing was no exception.

Naturally, he would not stupidly shake off Su Muqing’s hand. Instead, he held it firmly, savoring the soft, silky warmth within his palm, and said in a low voice, “Don’t be nervous. Isn’t it just a ghost woman?”

Feeling the warmth in his hand, and given her own fairly strong composure, Su Muqing finally began to calm down. But as she looked at Yang Ling’s soul drifting before them, her long hair fluttering and her form half-hidden and half-revealed, she still found it unbelievable.

Qin Xuan, meanwhile, fixed his gaze on Master Golden Light’s movements, and could not help thinking to himself, “Master Golden Light truly is formidable. He has cultivated the Sutra of Reincarnation to a level beyond marvels. No wonder he was able to set such a powerful ward at Qixia Villa, and even in protecting the mysterious yin constitution, his methods are several times more effective than my master’s exorcising formation...”

The Sutra of Reincarnation could be called a classic Buddhist scripture and cultivation art, an encyclopedia for dealing with souls and spirits. In the entire world, perhaps only a handful of people had cultivated it to Master Golden Light’s level.

Before long, Yang Ling’s soul grew increasingly distinct.

Using the methods of the Sutra of Reincarnation, Master Golden Light successfully made Yang Ling’s soul visible to the naked eye. At the same time, the ring of golden radiance around them drove away all the wandering spirits nearby that had been drawn here by the mysterious yin constitution, leaving them too frightened to approach.

“Patron Qin,” Master Golden Light said, “this old monk senses that this soul bears a heavy burden of resentment. I fear she truly suffered an injustice.”

At those words, Su Muqing’s grip on Qin Xuan’s hand tightened again. So the likelihood that Yang Ling had been killed by Li Shihao had increased even further...

“Very well. There is nothing more for this old monk to do. Young people, speak with her yourselves.”

Master Golden Light’s two white brows gradually faded from gold back to white, and the surrounding golden light weakened as well. He then stepped aside and closed his eyes in quiet meditation.

The soul floating in midair remained in that half-substantial state, though now it seemed more vivid and translucent than before, as if something had subtly changed in it.

“What... is this...?”

A hoarse voice rose from the direction of the soul, yet seemed to come from all directions at once and enter everyone’s ears.

This was because Master Golden Light had just cast his spell, upsetting the balance of yin and yang in the surrounding area, causing even the transmission of sound to become strangely distorted.

“Yang Ling? Are you Yang Ling?” Qin Xuan asked calmly.

“Ah... who are you?” Yang Ling’s soul sounded surprised and lifted her head in an instant.

At once, the face beneath the long hair was fully revealed. It was a delicate, exquisite face. Had it not been for the pallor unique to a soul, it would certainly have been among the most beautiful in the world.

Seeing her appearance, Qin Xuan finally understood why even Li Shihao had wanted to pursue her.

“You really are Yang Ling!” Su Muqing exclaimed.

“Where am I... Did I die...?”

Yang Ling’s soul looked somewhat dazed.

Looking at her, Su Muqing could not help but feel a pang of sorrow. Still clutching Qin Xuan’s hand, she said, “Yang Ling, I’m a teacher at Jinling University...”

“Jinling... University!”

The moment Yang Ling’s soul heard those four words, her already pale face instantly turned even more mournful, and a surge of resentment erupted at once!

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

“Be careful,” Qin Xuan warned, and quickly pulled Su Muqing into his arms, shielding her with his robe.

A chill wind rose in bursts!

Though Yang Ling’s soul was not a true ghost cultivator, after two years of accumulation, the yin energy gathered within her was still extremely dense. Combined with the resentment rising from the depths of her heart, the sudden eruption still carried considerable force.

It posed no danger to Qin Xuan, of course, but if an ordinary person had taken that blow, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

The invisible resentment spread like a shockwave, yet when it neared Qin Xuan, it vanished without a trace. Su Muqing, held safely in his arms, remained untouched.

As the resentment passed, leaves scattered everywhere, and the area turned desolate and grim.

“Qin Xuan...”

Su Muqing called his name softly. Feeling the warmth of his embrace, her heart fluttered strangely.

Qin Xuan knew they were not yet out of danger and did not let her go. Instead, he looked at Yang Ling and said, “You died two years ago.”

“So what if I’m dead? Who are you?” Yang Ling’s soul fixed her gaze on Qin Xuan.

“My name is Qin Xuan. I’m here to help you,” Qin Xuan said.

“Help me? I’m already dead. What can you possibly help me with?” Yang Ling gave a bitter, tragic laugh, full of desolation.

“Though you are dead, Li Shihao is still alive, and living quite comfortably at that...”

At the name Li Shihao, Yang Ling’s expression changed again.

At that moment, Su Muqing tried to struggle free from Qin Xuan’s arms, but failed. Instead, he held her even tighter.

“Li Shihao!”

Yang Ling’s voice, filled with resentment, rang out once more, and another gust of阴风 swept over them.

Whoosh!

Whoosh!

This time, even though Su Muqing was buried in Qin Xuan’s arms, she still felt a cold draft at her back and legs. Her white blouse was whipped and flaring in the wind, and her body began to tremble involuntarily.

Qin Xuan held Su Muqing tightly and warned coldly, “Enough! We are here to help you deal with Li Shihao. If you keep losing your mind, don’t blame us for sending you straight into reincarnation.”

As soon as he said that, Yang Ling’s soul truly quieted down, looking at Qin Xuan with some confusion.

“All right, Teacher Su, it’s fine now.”

Seeing how thin Su Muqing’s clothing was, with the mountain wind cold and a fine rain falling, Qin Xuan removed his black robe and draped it over her shoulders. He was left wearing only a white short-sleeved T-shirt.

“Thank you...”

Su Muqing was deeply moved.

At that moment, a faint warmth suddenly rose in her heart, something she had never felt before. Since childhood, she had been a strong woman, and because she had been born into the Su family, the people around her had mostly offered either flattery or sycophancy. She had never truly encountered anyone’s genuine concern.

Even the sweet words Li Shihao had once spoken to her now seemed entirely false.

In that instant, Qin Xuan’s embrace made her suddenly realize: at times, she was just a fragile young woman, wasn’t she? At the very least, when it came to Li Shihao, she could only rely on others.

“All right. The real matter comes first.”

Qin Xuan smiled, released her, and looked up at Yang Ling’s soul. “I’ll ask you a few questions first. Your answers will decide whether we can deal with Li Shihao.”

“Keh... what kind of status does Li Shihao have, and what kind of status do you have? How are you going to deal with him? Why should I believe you?” Yang Ling asked sadly.

“Believe me or not, that’s up to you. If you refuse to cooperate, then forget it.” Qin Xuan glanced back, then said respectfully, “Master, I’ll have to trouble you.”

“Amitabha.”

Master Golden Light intoned the Buddha’s name and opened his eyes to look at Yang Ling’s soul.

Only then did Yang Ling realize that there was a monk not far away. When that gaze fell upon her, she actually felt a creeping chill run down her spine, and her heart tightened with alarm.

“Very well. Ask whatever you wish. I will answer.”

Yang Ling let out a long sigh.

Since these people could make her speak again after two years of death, then for the moment she would believe they might truly be able to deal with Li Shihao. After all, she had longed in her dreams to take revenge and see Li Shihao brought to justice.

“Good. This Teacher Su is currently Li Shihao’s girlfriend, and she represents the entire Su family of Jinling. You can begin by telling her what kind of man Li Shihao is,” Qin Xuan asked slowly.