Chapter 24
The events surrounding the Meng family spread through Ping’an City with astonishing speed, snowballing into one of the most talked-about topics in recent days.
The City Lord’s Mansion moved with ruthless efficiency. In less than three days, official notices were posted across every street, detailing the entire case for all to see.
On Sunset Street, Father Meng returned home alone.
At some point, his once half-black hair had turned completely white. Deep lines carved across his face, aging him by decades in what felt like the blink of an eye.
A passerby stopped, startled. “He’s back…”
His companion lowered his voice. “The notice says Meng Siyu really did collude with demonic cultivators. He’ll be publicly executed in the square soon. As for the parents… they weren’t involved, so the City Lord’s Mansion released him.”
“Then he’s definitely moving away this time,” the first man muttered. “Even if he didn’t do anything, raising a son like that… the neighbors won’t let it go so easily.”
“And you?” the companion asked.
The man hesitated, then shook his head. “We’ve been neighbors for years. He sold me plenty of pills at half price. I’m not about to kick him while he’s down.”
It was true. The pills Father Meng refined were flawed—but cheap, and still effective enough. Overall, he’d gained more than he’d lost.
Hearing their conversation, Father Meng’s steps faltered.
So even this… had been weighed and measured.
Of course.
He couldn’t stay here any longer.
Bent at the waist, he pushed open the door. The murmurs of the crowd were shut out behind him as the wooden panels closed with a dull thud.
For a moment, he remained standing—then his strength gave way, and he slid down against the door like a boneless heap.
His wife had been taken by the people of Southern Xinjiang.
His eldest son had been sentenced to death.
His second son had severed all ties.
A broken family.
A shattered home.
…How had it come to this?
The thought circled endlessly, tightening like a noose. His chest convulsed, and a mouthful of blood spilled from his lips before his vision went black.
—
Wendao Sect. Enforcement Hall.
The young man stood before them with an easy smile. “Hello. My name is Tan Sheng.”
His master, apparently too impatient to deal with him, had personally escorted the Ten Thousand Gu Manual back to the Sacred Mountain—leaving Tan Sheng behind in the sect with the vague excuse of “training.” Promising to return later, of course.
Naturally.
Lou Yuqing studied him for a moment, then confirmed carefully, “You said your name is Tan Sheng, right? Tan as in sandalwood… Sheng as in life?”
Tan Sheng blinked, a little confused, but nodded. “Yes. Is there a problem?”
Lou Yuqing’s expression turned solemn. “…There is.”
Tan Sheng straightened instinctively.
She leaned in slightly, her tone dropping just enough to sound ominous. “I’ve heard that in the Southern Frontier, there exists something called an ancient cursed object—something that can test whether a couple’s love will last forever.”
A direct strike.
“Do you know about it?”
Si Nidie’s eyes lit up immediately.
That sounded suspiciously familiar. Wasn’t this exactly the situation from Wu Fengshu’s gossip—the one where a perfectly good relationship got utterly destroyed by a “foolproof” test?
Tan Sheng paused for a fraction of a second before letting out a light chuckle. “You’ve heard of ancient cursed artifacts? I thought only our people knew about them.”
He didn’t seem particularly concerned.
“Yes,” he continued, almost casually, “they do have that effect.”
Si Nidie leaned forward, unable to resist. “Then if you meet someone you truly love in the future… would you summon one to test it?”
She already knew the answer.
This was just for fun.
Tan Sheng rubbed the back of his neck, suddenly looking a little shy. “Ah… you’re making fun of me. But yes—I’d like to find a soulmate. And with the blessing of an ancient cursed artifact… we’d be even happier.”
Happier?
Si Nidie nearly laughed.
You’d be lucky if it didn’t ruin your life.
Lou Yuqing, meanwhile, stared at him with unconcealed pity.
Tan Sheng shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, raising a hand to his face. “Is there… something on me?”
“No,” she said immediately.
“…Then why are you looking at me like that?”
Lou Yuqing let out a soft sigh, the kind reserved for people who were about to make terrible life choices.
“I just happen to know a bit more about ancient cursed objects,” she said gently. “So let me give you one piece of advice.”
Her eyes met his. “Never summon it. It won’t bless your love—it will devour it.”
Tan Sheng froze, then laughed awkwardly. “Fellow Daoist… you must be joking.”
He didn’t believe her. Not yet.
Seeing this, Si Nidie jumped in to reinforce the argument. “Think about it. It’s called a cursed object. Doesn’t that sound unlucky? Why would something tied to a curse be used as a blessing?”
She crossed her arms. “Maybe you should go back and read those records again. You might’ve missed something.”
Lou Yuqing shot her a quick glance.
Accidentally correct.
Tan Sheng looked between the two of them, half amused, half exasperated. “I’ve read those texts countless times. They can’t be wrong. As for the name… people from Southern Xinjiang don’t care about that sort of thing.”
Lou Yuqing: “…”
Si Nidie: “…”
Why was this guy so stubborn?
Lou Yuqing’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Wait.
“I’ve got it.”
Without another word, she spun on her heel and dashed outside. A moment later, the scratching sound of frantic writing could be heard.
When she returned, she thrust a freshly written page into Tan Sheng’s hands.
“It’s all recorded here. Take a look.”
The ink was still slightly wet.
Tan Sheng glanced down at the page, his brows knitting together as he read. The details were vivid—almost disturbingly so. For a moment, he hesitated.
Had he… misunderstood something all along?
Si Nidie gave Lou Yuqing a discreet thumbs-up.
Lou Yuqing grinned.
The gossip system really was comprehensive. Once Wu Fengshu’s story unlocked, it had come with detailed information about ancient cursed objects as well. Copying it down had been easy.
Gu Buqi watched his little disciple with quiet amusement before turning to Tan Sheng. “If you’re still unsure, why not ask your master? Since you share the same lineage, he should know more than anyone.”
Tan Sheng blinked, then nodded. “Good idea. Thank you for the suggestion.”
He activated his communication jade slip.
“Master?”
“…”
Silence.
Tan Sheng sighed. “Master, you don’t have to pretend you’re not there. I just want to ask you something. Do you know about ancient cursed objects?”
A voice finally came through, sounding faintly relieved. “As long as you’re not calling to complain, it’s fine. Ancient cursed objects, you say? That thing’s… not good. Stay away from it.”
Tan Sheng stiffened. “Not good? How so?”
“It feeds on love,” his master replied bluntly. “Once summoned, it devours the feelings of the summoner. If that love is false, it’ll consume them outright.”
Tan Sheng’s scalp prickled. “…What?”
“And if it’s real,” the voice continued lazily, “it’ll still eat it.”
A pause.
“You’re not thinking of using one, are you?”
Tan Sheng snapped upright. “No! Absolutely not!”
“Good.” The connection cut off.
Silence lingered.
Tan Sheng swallowed, then turned to Lou Yuqing and Si Nidie with lingering shock. “Thank you… both of you. If not for your warning, I might’ve ruined my future Dao companion’s life before even meeting her.”
The mere thought made his heart race.
Lou Yuqing waved it off casually. “It’s nothing.”
Si Nidie, however, leaned in with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “So… what kind of woman do you like? Maybe we can introduce you to someone.”
Lou Yuqing blinked.
Senior Sister… are you serious?
Si Nidie shot her a confident look.
Leave it to me.
Tan Sheng suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine as he looked at the two of them.
Were all disciples of the Wendao Sect this… enthusiastic?
Before he could respond, a disciple from the Enforcement Hall approached Lou Yuqing.
“Someone’s here to see you.”
Lou Yuqing blinked, caught off guard.
“…Me?”