Nightmare Apostle

Chapter 38: Chapter 38: Summoning the Soul

The experienced and prudent Kuang Hongyi sensed something peculiar and asked in a lowered voice, "Forgive my bluntness, but even if the Young Lady gives birth smoothly, how can you ensure that it will be a boy?"

Upon hearing this, Master Feng was taken aback for a moment, then coughed awkwardly twice, "This is not something everyone needs to worry about. We have found the best doctor in the city for Zhi Tong, who has prescribed many secret remedies. As long as the delivery is smooth, it will certainly be a baby boy."

"Cough... cough cough..."

Perhaps it was from talking too much, Master Feng began to cough violently and then gestured with his hand. Steward Liu saw this and stepped forward, gesturing invitingly with his hand outwards, "Respected Blessing Guests, the master needs to rest in tranquility. If you have any further questions, you can ask me instead."

With that, the group took their leave. Along the way, Steward Liu’s attitude became much more sincere than before, "Respected Blessing Guests, please be at ease. Master Feng can bear the pain of the Third Young Master’s death; what’s most important now is to preserve the last bloodline of the Feng Family, the child in the Young Lady’s womb."

"Let me tell you the truth, actually, neither the Eldest Young Master nor the Third Young Master was most valued by Master Feng. Only the Second Young Master was the apple of his eye."

Having said this, Steward Liu tightened his lips, lost in memories, "Master Feng gave the Second Young Master the best protection, and that’s why he was the last among the three children to come to harm. Initially, Master Feng repeatedly emphasized that the Second Young Master must be carefully watched over, but who could have expected... Alas!"

"The Second Young Master was considered by Master Feng to be the heir to the family’s enterprise. On the day of the incident, Master Feng had originally arranged for the Second Young Master to practice swordsmanship with the Mansion Martial Instructor. However, the Second Young Master, in his mischievousness, secretly mounted a horse and slipped out of the mansion."

"Master Feng has deeply regretted this matter ever since, having vomited blood repeatedly and lamented countless times that if only he had kept the Second Young Master under his own watchful eye."

At these words, Yang Xiao and Kuang Hongyi’s expressions changed slightly, which seemed to confirm the second line of the ancient saying, "The second son stays by the knee."

"Does Master Feng have only three sons?" Kuang Hongyi casually asked, "Doesn’t he have a cherished daughter?"

"No," Steward Liu shook his head, "The first wife passed away early, leaving behind only three sons. Master Feng is deeply devoted to his late wife and has never been willing to remarry or take concubines."

"Perhaps Master Feng was a playboy in his early years, it’s just that you, the steward, are not aware of it," Yang Xiao and Kuang Hongyi said in tandem.

Frowning at their words, Steward Liu protested, "Do not speak nonsense. My master’s devotion is well-known. Moreover, the late patriarch disciplined Master Feng very strictly. My master has never frequented such places of debauchery, a fact that can be attested to by the whole city."

Yang Xiao, not taking offense, clasped his hands towards Steward Liu, "My apologies, I was just lightening the mood with a joke; please don’t take it seriously, Steward Liu."

This gesture made Steward Liu somewhat uneasy, for now, he needed the favor of these men, so he gracefully backed down, "No offense taken, we still have to trouble you gentlemen to put in more effort."

The first two lines of the ancient saying were "The eldest daughter shall not marry out; the second son stays by the knee," and the latter presumably refers to the Second Young Master Feng.

Following this line of thought, Yang Xiao and Kuang Hongyi concluded that the phrase "The eldest daughter shall not marry out" could likely be related to Master Feng as well. Could it be that he had a daughter?

Of course, this phrase could also be referring to Xi Yao, but Yang Xiao always felt that things were not that simple.

The hour at this moment could only have been around 10 in the morning, yet the sky was overcast as if it were dusk, with a light rain drifting down, each drop striking the flesh with an oddly icy coldness.

Returning to the back courtyard, the sight on the lake was even more spine-chilling. From afar, one could only make out the third young master’s body floating face down upon the darkened waters, motionless, with remnants of mist still lingering above the lake.

Shi Dali’s expression grew solemn, "Such dense dark energy."

Upon seeing this scene, Steward Liu also lost his composure and turned to address everyone, "You all see it yourselves, Xi Yao will definitely make a move against Master Feng or the Young Lady tonight. Therefore, we must strike first. After nightfall today, we must trouble you to make another trip to the lake."

"And we have to bring back the third young master’s body?" Shi Guanming instinctively shrank his neck, it didn’t take much thought to realize that the third young master was bait now, and whoever approached would die.

But Steward Liu shook his head, "There’s no need for you to trouble yourselves with the third young master’s body. What you need to do is dive into the water and find Xi Yao’s body."

As soon as these words were spoken, everyone was shocked. Su Tingting was even close to bursting into tears, "Are you serious with what you’re saying?"

"Rest assured, it isn’t about doing something to the body, just find the body and close Xi Yao’s eyes for her; after all, she died with unshut eyes." Steward Liu sped up his speech to explain, "Moreover, we have made arrangements for tonight. As long as everyone follows the plan and relies on their own skills, there certainly won’t be any mistakes."

"Come then, tell us about this brilliant plan of yours?" Yang Xiao was no longer humoring Steward Liu—they were being asked to go into the water under these circumstances, which was clearly sending them to their deaths. frёeωebɳovel.com

Steward Liu pondered for a moment, reorganized his thoughts, and said slowly, "Here’s the situation: I’ve already made the arrangements. Tonight, we will set up a spirit summoning array in the hall, accompanied by numerous incense candles and paper money, as well as the Drama Robe and jewelry Xi Yao wore in life. Using her birthdate and time, we will summon her spirit!"

"As long as we summon her soul, the Xi Yao underwater will be nothing more than an ordinary corpse. Closing the eyes of a dead body—what difficulty is there in that?"

Steward Liu spoke eloquently, but the others weren’t convinced. Shi Dali chuckled, "If it’s just an ordinary corpse, then why not let the mansion’s servants take care of it? Why bother asking us?"

"All of you are renowned Blessing Guests within ten miles around, who’ve seen all manner of rough seas and carry good fortune with you. The servants of the mansion are of low worth; if they go, I’m afraid unnecessary trouble might arise, which would be detrimental to you all." Steward Liu smiled, "Besides, you’ve also received Silver." freewebnøvel.com

After several back-and-forth exchanges, Steward Liu’s attitude grew increasingly firm, leaving everyone with no choice but to give in.

Kuang Hongyi’s face stiffened, as he stared at Steward Liu, "Alright then, first tell us about tonight’s spirit summoning ritual and whether it’s dependable or not."

With his hands held evenly within his sleeves, Steward Liu looked very confident, "You can be absolutely assured about this. The array was purchased for a great sum from a cultivator on Qingzhe Mountain."

"Xi Yao loved opera in her life, so we built her a stage to let her sing to her heart’s content. We’ve also brought many paper effigies to serve as her audience. Combined with the array, we only need to trap her here for a short while, allowing another team to close the eyes of the underwater corpse, and we’d be successful!"

Changing tack, Steward Liu’s gaze slowly swept over the group, "However, this array requires a small favor—it needs to borrow the body of one among you."

Steward Liu’s gaze finally settled on Su Tingting, and after a moment, he smiled oddly, "A woman would be best."