Chapter 17: A Grotesque Death

Mu Yunzhe stood frozen in shock.

“How… how did this happen?”

Sun Meiyi’s body was still warm, suggesting she’d died recently. Her death was gruesome—eyes wide and bloodshot, mouth agape, limbs mottled with bruises. Despite the short time since her passing, corpse spots had already formed.

Mu Yunzhe stared, horrified. How could decomposition happen so fast?

Yan Qiao showed no surprise. Those who dabbled in dark rituals always suffered backlash when their schemes unraveled. Ignoring Mu Yunzhe’s panic, she began searching for the remaining cursed object.

The room was in disarray—someone else had ransacked it. Sun Meiyi had likely hidden the item too well, leading to her murder when she refused to surrender it. Yan Qiao had no interest in the dead woman’s karma.

She entered the bedroom.

Mu Yunzhe, pale and tense, joined the search. His memories of visiting this apartment were foggy, details erased by the curse’s influence.

Finally, Yan Qiao found an identical doll hidden in a secret compartment under Sun Meiyi’s pillow. She repeated the earlier ritual—shattering the doll, burning its contents, and collecting the ashes.

Mu Yunzhe exhaled in relief, vitality visibly returning to him.

“Is the curse broken?” Li Xun asked, observing his friend’s renewed vigor.

“Yes. But the masterminds behind this must be found, or you’ll remain a target,” Yan Qiao replied flatly.

“Don’t worry—I’ll hunt them down!” Mu Yunzhe growled.

“Call the police. Let them handle the body.”

Mu Yunzhe complied. After the call, Yan Qiao turned to him. “Payment: 18,800 yuan.”

Li Xun’s lips twitched—she really is a mercenary.

Mu Yunzhe transferred 100,000 yuan without hesitation. “The extra is for your temple. Thank you, Master Yan.”

Yan Qiao’s icy demeanor thawed slightly. “I’ll inform the Ancestor Master of your devotion. Add my contact—reach out if trouble arises again.”

Mu Yunzhe’s smile froze. “Again?”

“Life is unpredictable. Prevention is wise.”

As they exchanged WeChat IDs, Li Xun shot Mu Yunzhe a warning glare.

“Don’t get ideas. I respect her!” Mu Yunzhe whispered, earning a light punch from Li Xun.

The Abandoned Temple

After the police departed, Yan Qiao insisted on visiting the temple where Mu Yunzhe had met the rogue Taoist.

“They’ve likely fled,” Li Xun remarked dryly.

“We might find clues.”

The dilapidated temple, nestled in a desolate corner of the city, reeked of decay. Dead leaves crunched underfoot as they entered. A towering pagoda tree loomed in the courtyard, its branches casting skeletal shadows.

Yan Qiao scanned the main hall, her voice low. “Stay close.”

Li Xun obeyed, warmth flickering in his chest at her concern.

Mu Yunzhe paled as he recognized the eerie altar. “It’s… different. It felt holy before…”

Yan Qiao’s gaze hardened. “Illusions. This place has been a den of malice for years.”