The Master’s Reckoning

Deng Shuqi gazed at the struggling black shadow. Even though it was merely a dark form, its gaunt, hunched appearance made her recognize it instantly.

‘Wasn’t that the old man who used to read the Feng Shui for the Deng family?’

His back, so severely hunched it resembled a fully drawn bow, was a sight Deng Shuqi could never forget. It was he who had charmed her grandfather back then, and it was from that time that Jinbaihan was built in this area.

In Deng Shuqi’s memory, the Deng family had indeed begun to prosper.

Yet, a thought occurred to her: ‘When had the Deng family ever truly been in decline? To erect a massive Jinbaihan from scratch in Baishi, merely for the sake of good Feng Shui, already spoke volumes about their power.’

Indeed, the Deng family’s burgeoning prosperity was a natural progression; it was only due to insufficient time and accumulation that they appeared relatively weak. Had they accumulated resources for a longer period, the Deng family’s strength might not have been any worse than it was now.

In fact, without the troubles surrounding Jinbaihan, and without her younger brother being struck and left in a vegetative state, the Deng family’s standing would undoubtedly be far superior to their current position.

“Master Bai! It’s him! He’s the one who read the Feng Shui for my Deng family and chose this land! He disguised himself as an old Daoist, deceiving my elders! If it weren’t for him, the Deng family wouldn’t have… and my brother wouldn’t have…”

The financial losses were secondary, but the injury sustained by her own brother was something Deng Shuqi could never truly overcome.

‘Whether you’re a god, a ghost, or some predatory beast, dare to harm my family, and I will never let you go, even if it costs me everything,’ Deng Shuqi thought, clenching her fists tightly.

“Hahaha, *I’m* the one solving your problems, not the ‘Master Bai’ you speak of.”

“Still… it’s quite amusing that this little one can also be called a ‘Master’ by mortals.”

“Since that’s the case, and for the sake of the little one, how do you wish to deal with this minor ghost? He’s consumed a significant portion of your family’s fortune.”

Bai Wanwan, her gaze sharp, stood with one foot on the malevolent ghost, which was bound by chains.

“For… Bai Wanwan’s sake?”

Deng Shuqi instinctively swallowed, observing the fierce deity before her, who clearly exuded an unapproachable aura. Yet, despite this, he referred to Bai Wanwan as “the little one” and even considered her feelings.

‘This Master Bai truly lives up to her title.’

“May I ask, Exalted Immortal, who are you?”

“General Sun.”

Bai Wanwan replied indifferently. Deng Shuqi’s beautiful eyes trembled, and she unconsciously murmured to herself…

“General Sun, the one among the Two Generals of Gain and Loss, who only kills and does not grant passage?”

Deng Shuqi found it hard to believe; was there truly such a thing as inviting a deity to possess someone in this world?

“Precisely. However, there is no connection between you and me. It is only because the little one requested my presence that I have appeared here to deal with a minor ghost.”

“But remember, mortal girl, she has resolved your problem, and the due payment must not be short by a single copper. Otherwise, if karma is incurred, the consequences of not paying for services rendered will be far more terrifying than this petty ghost.”

“After all, when she summoned a deity this time, I nearly fought tooth and nail to be the one chosen.”

“And I am hardly the only deity willing to be summoned by her.”

At some point, a trident had appeared in Bai Wanwan’s hand. The sharp steel fork hovered above the malevolent ghost’s head. The ghost, which had been struggling desperately moments before, now began to tremble, whether from fear or some other reason, was unclear.

“Rest assured, Exalted Immortal, that is a given!”

Deng Shuqi dared not show the slightest disrespect.

“Good. It’s best for karma to be settled, so no new troubles arise from outstanding debts. Since you recognize me and know my temperament, I shall annihilate it and return your fortune to you. Are you satisfied with this arrangement?”

“Absolutely!”

Deng Shuqi’s beautiful eyes gleamed with fierceness. It was this malevolent ghost that had thrown her Deng family into turmoil and caused her younger brother to remain in a coma. No matter the cost, Deng Shuqi was determined to destroy it!

“Granted!”

The steel fork in Bai Wanwan’s hand descended, and with a wretched scream, the malevolent ghost instantly vanished into ash and smoke.

To General Sun, the strength of this minor ghost was utterly negligible. Yet, he still put on a full performance, knowing that it would help the ‘little one’ and deepen these mortals’ admiration for her power.

Immediately afterward, the terrifying illusion gradually receded, and Jinbaihan began to revert to its original appearance.