Chapter 1194: Reading Too Much Makes One Unfaithful

The Great Yan Dynasty, or rather, the entire Central Plains cultivation world, greatly values mortals. Every village is protected by Qi Refining cultivators, preventing them from being exploited by evil cultivators.

For instance, if a Qi Refining stage ghost appears and kills a Qi Refining cultivator, then Foundation Establishment cultivators are dispatched. Should a Foundation Establishment cultivator also be killed, Core Formation cultivators are immediately sent. Ghosts typically advance by absorbing the essence of cultivators and mortals. However, even with a vast amount of absorbed essence, it's impossible for a ghost to reach the Core Formation stage in a short period.

There are three possibilities: first, low-level cultivators neglected their duties, allowing the ghost to grow stronger; second, this is a sudden incident, meaning the ghost existed for a long time but only emerged to cause harm after reaching the Core Formation stage; third, a certain faction deliberately caused trouble, which would be a direct provocation to the Great Yan imperial family.

Above all, Prince Luyang would never agree. Quanzhou is his territory, and he is the last person who wants any trouble there.

The Great Yan imperial family and the seven major vassal kings co-govern the empire. Their priority is stability, and they absolutely do not want the Great Yan Dynasty to descend into chaos.

“A woman who committed adultery was drowned in a pig cage, and her body was discarded in a cave. For reasons unknown, she transformed into a ghost. Initially, it attacked passing merchants and travelers. By the time the Myriad Immortals Bureau discovered it, the ghost had already reached the Core Formation stage. At first, it dispatched minor ghosts to harm the populace, leading to incorrect intelligence and significant casualties. The reason only Master Sun and his companions escaped is that they possessed a third-tier lightning-attribute talisman. While Master Song distracted the ghost, Fellow Daoist Sun and his group used the talisman to break through the encirclement and narrowly escaped.”

Liu Xian explained, his expression calm.

“I’ll take charge here, Governor. Please first dispatch people to post notices strictly prohibiting mortals from approaching the ghost’s location.”

The young woman in the green dress, who was leading the group, instructed. A Core Formation cultivator had already been killed, so she needed to proceed with extreme caution to avoid a repeat of the tragedy.

“I’ll attend to it immediately!”

Liu Xian agreed, then turned and left.

“Young Fellow Daoist Sun, please recount the entire process of the ghost hunt, truthfully.”

Wang Tianwen said in a deep voice, a flash of white light appearing in his eyes.

The middle-aged man met the white light, his gaze turning blank and his expression becoming entranced.

“I will ask, and you will answer truthfully: how did the ghost appear, how were Fellow Daoist Song and his companions killed, and how did you escape?”

Wang Tianwen said sternly. They naturally wouldn't trust Liu Xian’s one-sided account, especially since a Core Formation cultivator had already perished at the ghost’s hands. They needed a complete understanding of the situation before taking action.

“The Governor became infatuated with a married woman, coerced and bribed her, eventually seducing her and getting her pregnant. The Governor’s wife, who had never borne children, became consumed by jealousy. While the Governor was away, she ordered her people to drown the woman in a well, then discard her body in the mountains. Unbeknownst to them, the woman’s vengeful spirit lingered, and she transformed into a ghost. After inflicting harm upon numerous merchants and travelers, she was finally discovered. She then attacked and killed over a dozen Foundation Establishment cultivators before fleeing to another area. When she reappeared, she was already a Core Formation stage Ghost King. Senior Song and his group, caught off guard, were ambushed. Fellow Daoist Lin and I narrowly escaped using a third-tier lightning-attribute talisman. However, Fellow Daoist Lin died from his severe injuries not long after we returned.”

Wang Tianwen continued to inquire about the Ghost King, and the middle-aged man answered truthfully.

The young woman in the green dress produced a palm-sized green mirror. She directed it at the middle-aged man, and a broad swathe of green mystic light emanated, enveloping him. The mirror showed no abnormalities.

“The Evil-Wardering Mirror shows no reaction; he is truthful and presents no issues.”

Wang Tianwen nodded. He then flicked his sleeve at the middle-aged man, and a broad swath of white mystic light swept over him, restoring his consciousness. The man suddenly realized his situation, immediately fell to his knees, and choked out, “Please spare my life, Seniors! The ghost was simply too powerful; that’s why we fled. We truly didn’t want to.”

Abandoning his seniors and fleeing was an offense of ambiguous severity.

“Very well. You will accompany us to eliminate the ghost. If we succeed, you will be pardoned. But if you dare to flee again, I will kill you on the spot.”

The young woman in the green dress spoke with palpable killing intent. The middle-aged man was their only living witness, and they required his assistance.

Wang Tianwen remained silent, his heart filled with a myriad of emotions. Over the years, he had heard of Liu Xian’s trajectory: how he married the only daughter of a certain capital official, leading to a smooth career path. Without that marriage, he likely wouldn't have become the Governor of Quanzhou.

He had never imagined Liu Xian would commit such an evil act as taking another man’s wife. He recalled how, back when he entered Yingtian Academy to study, his family had received numerous benefits. Liu Xian had not refused these gifts, and Wang Tianwen had even lent him a hand, providing him with a substantial sum of money. It was unexpected that Liu Xian would still choose this path; power truly intoxicates people.

Hong City is the provincial capital of Quanzhou. It was likely due to the ghost's apprehension of other Core Formation cultivators that it had not entered the city.

“Yes, yes, yes, this junior will certainly assist the three Seniors in eliminating that ghost.”

“Fellow Daoist Wang, take a team of cultivators and remain at the yamen to protect the Governor. Fellow Daoist Yang and I will go eliminate the ghost.”

No matter the magnitude of Liu Xian’s transgressions, the imperial court would impose punishment; Wang Tianwen and his colleagues could not interfere. Likewise, in matters of demons and ghosts, Liu Xian could only seek assistance from the Myriad Immortals Bureau; he could not issue commands to their cultivators. The two entities operated as distinct systems, independent of one another.

Liu Xian was, after all, the Governor of Quanzhou. Any harm to him would be an embarrassment for the imperial court.

“No problem, Madam Chen. For caution’s sake, we should report this upwards and request a few more Core Formation cultivators. Even a lion exerts its full strength to catch a rabbit; it’s better to be cautious. Fellow Daoist Song’s fate serves as a stark warning.”

Wang Tianwen suggested.

“Fellow Daoist Wang is correct. Fellow Daoist Yang, please make that trip. Fellow Daoist Wang and I will remain at the yamen to protect the Governor.”

And so, Wang Tianwen took up residence at the Governor’s yamen.

Not long after, Liu Xian arrived to visit, carrying a pot of fine wine.

“My apologies, Governor, but I need to cultivate. Please return.”

Wang Tianwen said with a frown. The Liu Xian who had taken another man’s wife was no longer the Liu Xian he once knew.

“Brother Tianwen, the matter between Cui’er and me isn’t as Master Sun described. There are many undisclosed details; I didn’t mean to…”

Liu Xian began to defend himself.

Wang Tianwen waved his hand, stating, “Governor, you misunderstand. Our Myriad Immortals Bureau does not oversee your personal affairs; we only handle demons and ghosts. Whatever transpired between you and her, I have no desire to know. Please return.”

He had used a mind-control spell on the Foundation Establishment cultivator; such a cultivator could not possibly lie, nor would he have any reason to fabricate accusations against Liu Xian.

Wang Tianwen didn't consider himself an exceptionally good person, but he was incapable of committing the evil act of taking another man’s wife.

If he recalled correctly, Liu Xian had initially been betrothed. He had abandoned his fiancée to marry the daughter of a powerful official, and now to take another man’s wife was truly egregious.

“Brother Tianwen, I know you look down on me. As a cultivator, you are free to go wherever you please. I toiled tirelessly in my studies and finally embarked on an official career, yet no one helped me. No matter how many accomplishments I achieved, they seemed to amount to nothing. While it was wrong of me to abandon my first wife, I did it to serve the common people. I’ve done many good deeds for them over the years. Regardless of how you view me, in my heart, you will always be Brother Tianwen.”

Liu Xian spoke slowly. After finishing, he set down the wine pot, turned, and departed.