Chapter 14: Summoning Souls (Part One)

Weng Tong declared coldly, “You’re afraid? How could someone who planned so meticulously be afraid? You knew perfectly well that Huo Bu had feelings for me. I ordered him to return to Xuanwei Manor, yet you deliberately followed and persuaded him to turn back. That day you returned late wasn’t it because you went after Huo Bu? Am I right? You even specifically posted blood curses in the livestock shed I was guarding. Then you arranged for Huo Bu to hide secretly in the grass behind me and gave him a blood curse, falsely claiming it would protect him. After he was bewitched by the Mountain Goblin, you killed him. Righteously, you claimed you had no choice but to kill him to save me, didn’t you? If that little Mountain Goblin hadn’t suddenly changed direction to attack Huo Bu during our fight, I might never have known how ingeniously Feng Shadow Cultivator had arranged it all. It was practically seamless, flawless. But why did three Mountain Goblins appear simultaneously in the livestock shed I was guarding? And why did that little Mountain Goblin suddenly turn to attack the hidden Huo Bu? Because of these two blood curses that attract monsters.” After saying this, Weng Tong slammed the two blood-drawn curses heavily onto the desk with a dull “thud,” startling the kneeling Feng Chi so badly he shuddered violently.

Weng Tong glanced at Feng Chi trembling on the ground, then snorted coldly: “Hmph. And these two blood curses consider that in all Yelang, only the Death Cultivators of my Medicine Pavilion know how to draw them. Feng Shadow Cultivator, tell me, what exactly are you afraid of? If you don’t want to admit it, that’s fine. Should I use a ‘Guixiang Pill’ to conduct a blood resonance test between you and this blood curse? Let’s see if the blood used to draw this curse originated from you, Feng Shadow Cultivator.”

Kneeling on the ground, Feng Chi was now drenched in sweat, his body trembling uncontrollably. He didn’t dare reply, nor did he know how to respond.

Feng Chi thought to himself: “This time, the master will surely unleash his thunderous wrath. Will I have my cultivation destroyed and be thrown out of the Venom Gu Office, or will I be implanted with a Heart-Piercing Gu to suffer a living death?” Just as Feng Chi was gripped by tension and terror,

Weng Tong suddenly let out a soft sigh and said, “Let this matter end here. Don’t bring it up again. If others find out, I’m afraid even I won’t be able to protect you. Revenge is something that can make people lose their reason, but whatever you do, you must plan more meticulously. It’s not good to leave handles for others. From now on, tread carefully, guard your words and actions, avoid any transgressions, and strictly adhere to your Shadow Cultivator regulations. You may leave.” After speaking, he picked up the teacup beside him and took a sip, then buried himself again in the endless pile of official documents that never seemed to diminish.

Though Feng Chi had been badly frightened this time, fortunately, it was a close call without real danger. He finally understood that the master was helping him, though he couldn’t comprehend why. Little did he know that the seed of hatred buried in Weng Tong’s heart was no smaller than his own, only buried deeper, waiting for a stormy night to break through the soil with unstoppable force. From then on, Feng Chi learned to be obedient, never committing any further transgressions. He solidified a conviction in his heart: to protect his master, even at the cost of his own life!

At the foot of Qishan Mountain, within the forest, Feng Chi stood not far away holding a bowl, his gaze fixed intently on his master. He did not wish to disturb her rest, knowing she was utterly exhausted. He simply wanted to let her sleep a little longer.

After a deep breath, Weng Tong slowly opened her slightly bloodshot eyes. Seeing her awake, Feng Chi hurriedly approached with the bowl of food. Just as he knelt on one knee, a flash of white light suddenly appeared, and a messenger ghost child from Yelang knelt prostrate at Weng Tong’s feet.

Weng Tong glanced down coldly at the Ghost Spirit Child and asked, “What is it?”

The Ghost Spirit Child knelt on both knees and replied, “Master, the young mistress and Elder Weng have gone to the Thousand Corpse Forest.”

Weng Tong’s expression stiffened. “Why would Li’er and Master go to the Thousand Corpse Forest?”

The Ghost Spirit Child explained, “A few days ago, a report came from below stating that Ferocious Corpses have taken up residence in the Thousand Corpse Forest and have harmed our clansmen, as well as members of allied villages.”

Weng Tong frowned upon hearing this, pondering for a moment before turning to Feng Chi. “Lead the horse team back to Yelang slowly. I will go ahead to the Thousand Corpse Forest using Sword Kinesis.” With that, she stood up and waved her hand, sending Jue Hun flying into the air. Just as she was about to leap onto the sword, another flash of white light appeared, and another messenger ghost child knelt before her, stammering, “Master… the young mistress… the young mistress…”

Weng Tong’s face suddenly turned pale. Glaring at the messenger ghost child, she demanded, “Speak clearly! What has happened to the young mistress?”

Trembling with fear, the ghost child stammered, “The y-young mistress… was severely injured by a Ghoul Corpse in the Thousand Corpse Forest and has been taken back to the Gu medicine department. Her life is now hanging by a thread.”

Upon hearing this, Weng Tong felt as if struck by thunder. Her body swayed unsteadily. Feng Chi moved to support her, but she gently pushed him away, took a deep breath, clenched her teeth, and lightly leaped onto the sword. With a sharp command of “Go!” Jue Hun obeyed its master, soaring into the sky and heading straight for the Yelang Venom Gu Office.

As soon as she entered the Sacrificial Hall of the Venom Gu Office, Weng Tong saw Weng Li lying on a low couch, her face pale and lifeless, with no movement in her chest as if she had stopped breathing altogether. A wave of panic surged within her. Without a word, she rushed forward, knelt, and pressed her fingers against Weng Li’s life pulse and spiritual pulse. Moments later, Weng Tong collapsed to the ground. Looking up in despair at Weng Mu, she shook her head in agony and said, “She has already passed. Of her three souls and seven spirits, only a faint remnant remains. I assume this last trace of spirit was forcibly preserved by Master using some technique?”

Weng Mu nodded silently. “That creature possessed immense cultivation and strength. It shattered Li’er’s soul completely.”

Hearing this, Weng Tong stood up silently, her gaze fixed on Weng Li’s lifeless body. In that moment, she felt utterly drained, stumbling and nearly collapsing.

Weng Mu quickly steadied her by the shoulders. “Tong’er, do not panic. That last trace of remnant spirit is Li’er’s memories. If her memories remain, I can help her summon the other souls.”

Weng Tong’s eyes widened suddenly. She grabbed her master’s hands tightly and asked, “How can it be done?”

Weng Mu replied, “Through Nirvana Soul Return, guided by the Big Dipper.”

Hearing this, Weng Tong’s lips twitched slightly as he said, “Master, using the Nirvana Stone to recall a soul defies the natural order. Nirvana’s rebirth inevitably consumes its master. The backlash is the price paid in exchange. Moreover, once the soul-summoning begins, wandering spirits and wild ghosts in the vicinity are bound to sense it. What if we summon not Li’er, but some other wandering spirit?”

Weng Mu replied, “Do not worry, Tong’er. We will set up a Barrier outside the house. This way, apart from Li’er’s soul and the Household Immortal who has long enjoyed offerings in this hall, no other wandering spirits will be able to enter. When the ritual begins, two formations of eyes will appear: one at the Celestial Pivot position, which is the primary seat, and the other at the Celestial Mechanism position, which is the secondary seat. At that time, I will take the Celestial Pivot position, and you, Tong’er, need only guard the Celestial Mechanism position.”

Weng Tong said, “Master, you were injured today. Let me take the Celestial Pivot position instead.”

Weng Mu said sternly, “Tong’er, there is no need to argue with me. You are not the master of the Nirvana Stone and likely cannot stabilize the Celestial Pivot position.”

Hearing this, Weng Tong did not press further. He was about to instruct the servants to prepare when a woman came stumbling hurriedly toward the Sacrificial Hall, crying out “Li’er!” Weng Tong saw it was his mother, Liu Shi.

Weng Tong stepped forward and supported the woman, saying, “Mother, please don’t panic. Li’er is only severely injured, and her soul has been damaged. My master and I are preparing to summon her soul back.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Shi trembled and asked, “Summon… summon her soul? Has Li’er’s soul already left her body?”

Weng Tong quickly nodded and said, “Yes, Mother, we cannot delay any longer.”

Liu Shi immediately understood, composed herself, and turned to the servants, saying, “Quickly prepare the offerings and the items needed for the soul-summoning. I will go to the Benefactor’s shrine to pray for Li’er.”

The servants, not daring to delay for a moment, hurried off to prepare the offerings.

Before long, the servants had everything ready as instructed by Liu Shi.

Seeing that the preparations were complete, Weng Mu nodded to Weng Tong and said, “Let us begin the soul-summoning.”

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