Chapter 33.2

At this moment, just as Zhou Jing had anticipated, Aunt Wang had indeed come to cause a scene again.

This time, Aunt Wang did not come alone; she brought along an older woman.

The woman was around 70 years old, yet she was still quite robust and full of energy, walking with a lively stride.

People in this era struggled with poor diets and clothing and did not emphasize health maintenance. 60 was considered a significant birthday while being over seventy was seen as living a long life.

Because this old lady had some knowledge of superstitions and was notably long-lived, she received even more admiration and respect from those around her, almost revered like a national master.

In the village, everyone referred to the old lady as Great Shaman Zhao.

Shaman Zhao scrutinized Zhou Jing from head to toe, her gaze far from friendly.

She showed none of the kindness one would expect from someone of her age; instead, there was an uncomfortable sharpness in her eyes.

Aunt Wang said, “Great Shaman, you examined him before and said he was causing me misfortune. Then you provided a way to separate him from me, and sure enough, I felt better. But a few days ago, my eldest grandson fell ill again. It’s been a month, and he still looks sickly without improvement. I wanted to ask you to see if he is being afflicted again.”

Shaman Zhao stared intently at Zhou Jing, and after a long pause, she said, “No, since you have already followed my instructions to remove him from the family tree, he is no longer a member of the Wang family. Even if he were to bring misfortune, it would not affect you, an outsider.”

Aunt Wang continued, “Then what about what I mentioned to you on the way here regarding my son? His temperament has changed dramatically since he returned; he has been unfilial to me, even threatening to hit or kill me. Do you think it could be because he is possessed by an evil spirit, which is causing this behavior?”

When Aunt Wang approached, Zhou Jing did not hide; he knew that avoiding her was futile. He realized that until he dealt with Aunt Wang, trouble would eventually come. So, he had come out to answer the door, having thought through a countermeasure.

They had considered countless possibilities, all of which involved Aunt Wang not knowing how Zhou Jing was not the original Zhou Jing and that his identity had been exposed. However, they never expected that she would entertain such an absurd idea as suspecting he was possessed by an evil spirit.

In fact, it wasn’t so absurd; Zhou Jing wasn’t possessed, but rather he had experienced something even more outrageous—he had traveled through time.

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jing and Shen Mo inexplicably sighed in relief. Shen Mo even felt as if a heavy stone blocking his chest had been suddenly moved, and he could breathe freely.

Shaman Zhao muttered some incomprehensible words in a mysterious tone and gave Zhou Jing a few chilling glances before finally declaring, “Yes, you are right; this Zhou Jing is not your son. He is an evil spirit!”

Upon hearing that her son was not her son, Aunt Wang did not feel worried; instead, she was so delighted that she nearly jumped up.

Meanwhile, the villagers who had gathered idly to watch the commotion were startled.

They had been watching with great interest, but upon hearing that Zhou Jing was actually possessed by an evil spirit, they instinctively backed away, creating distance.

Those who had been standing close to Zhou Jing jumped back as if they had been bitten by a snake, leaping into the air in shock.

A buzzing murmur arose, with whispers and comments filling the air. They pointed at Zhou Jing, their gestures suggesting that they had already figured out what kind of evil spirit he was.

Aunt Wang could hardly contain her joy and excitedly asked Shaman Zhao, “So what should we do?”

Shaman Zhao, with a chilling demeanor, extended her bony, age-spotted finger and pointed at Zhou Jing, saying, “Burn him to death. As long as you burn him, your son will come back!”

The way she spoke, with her icy tone and the sight of her wrinkled hand, was truly frightening at that moment.

“Yes, burn him alive! Save my son; we cannot let the evil spirit harm our village!” Aunt Wang’s eyes gleamed with a sinister light, even more eerie than that of the Shaman Zhao.

Zhou Jing noticed that a few villagers were already swayed by her words, realizing he could not let them continue to be misled.

Otherwise, if the emotions of the entire village were stirred up, they would be powerless against the crowd and would surely be captured.

In such a situation, he knew he had to take decisive action, something that would immediately intimidate everyone; otherwise, there would be endless troubles to follow.

Zhou Jing sneered coldly, stepping forward and effortlessly lifting the two old ladies by the scruffs of their necks, raising them off the ground.

Shaman Zhao was relatively light, being thin and frail, but Aunt Wang was not slim at all; she could even be considered slightly plump. Yet, she was lifted up just as easily.

“Human beings are born with flesh and blood, fearing water and fire. When submerged in water, they die; when burned by fire, they perish. This is a truth that even a three-year-old child understands. But what about the two of you? Since you have colluded and conspired to fabricate testimony that threatens my life, claiming that I am a wicked ghost who fears no flames, I could just as easily declare that both of you are wicked ghosts who fear no flames. Why not burn the two of you first to see if you survive? Especially you, old Shaman. Didn’t you say you could communicate with ghosts and deities? Since you are so formidable, it stands to reason that you have the protection of spirits and are unafraid of being burned. If you are burned, it’s unlikely you would die; why not let you go first?”

The faces of the onlookers turned pale with fright. Zhou Jing’s fierce and menacing demeanor resembled that of a hellish demon as if he could actually summon the flames at any moment, genuinely threatening to set the two old women on fire.

Especially with his tall and imposing figure, he lifted the two old women by the collars, tightening his grip so that they struggled, kicking and flailing, unable to catch their breath. He showed no signs of letting go, completely resolute and looking like he was prepared to kill.

Originally, some people thought that Shaman Zhao spoke with a degree of reason.

However, amidst the chaos and Zhou Jing’s few sharp words, they suddenly awakened to the reality of facing death.

Burning a human—who wasn’t afraid of being set on fire?

Wicked ghosts might not fear it, but humans did.

What if Zhou Jing, not being a wicked ghost, actually burned someone to death?

That would be a living, breathing life lost!

If anyone in the village had a feud with someone else and invited this Shaman to identify that person as possessed by a wicked ghost, wouldn’t they also be burned?

With this thought, everyone felt a sense of anxiety wash over them, and their gazes toward Shaman Zhao grew increasingly complex.

Shen Mo noticed that the two old women were on the verge of being choked to death. He couldn’t let Zhou Jing actually kill them, so he hurriedly said, “Brother Jing, quickly let them go! If these two really suffocate to death…”

Zhou Jing grinned menacingly, “Oh, they might die? I thought Shamans were messengers of ghosts and deities who couldn’t die!

Otherwise, how could they believe that a living person like me wouldn’t die if burned?

What kind of nonsense is that? If I were reduced to ashes, how could I possibly live?

This is clearly a plot to take my life!

If I die, Aunt Wang would use the excuse that I was her son to seize my family properties.

Ever since I was young, this old lady has looked down on me and treated me harshly, she has wished for my death.

When she wanted wild boar meat, I went up the mountain to hunt for her, risking my life, and she didn’t even glance at me or ask about my condition.

In fact, under such circumstances, she still had the face to take away the little wild vegetables that remained in my home.

A heartless old woman like her would certainly want me dead to take everything I have.

But you actually dared to help her plot against me! What benefits did she promise you?”

Zhou Jing wouldn’t truly kill someone in front of everyone; that would implicate him as well.

While questioning them, he violently threw the two old women to the ground, leaving them sprawled on their backs.

Once released, the two old women gasped for air, inhaling too quickly and choking as they coughed repeatedly. There was no chance for them to respond to Zhou Jing’s questions.

Zhou Jing continued, “Ladies and gentlemen, you all witnessed what happened today, so please be my witnesses. They dared to treat human lives as mere weeds and conspired against me, while I, Zhou Jing, would never dare to act like a wicked ghost, killing without regard for human life.

They claimed I am a wicked ghost, but I say I am not; they are the true wicked ones. Since both sides have accused each other and no one can convince the other, why not go to the County Magistrate and discuss it there?”

“The County Magistrate is an official appointed by the emperor himself—protected by the true dragon. He is not afraid of any wicked ghost! Once he sees the situation, he will surely be able to distinguish between humans and ghosts.

At that time, we’ll see who is truly human and who is a wicked old woman with a human face but a heart filled with evil spirits!

This way, it would prevent others in the village from following their example. If someone has a grudge against another, they could just casually throw around some money, and a self-proclaimed messenger of ghosts and deities would come out to claim that the person is possessed by a wicked ghost and needs to be burned, unjustly taking a life! What does everyone think of this idea?”

Naturally, it was a good idea.

They certainly couldn’t set such an example, or everyone in the village would be at risk.

Just as Zhou Jing said, the County Magistrate was an official appointed by the current emperor—he was protected by the emperor himself, and not afraid of any wicked ghosts or evil spirits.

He would make the fairest judgment. At this moment, the common folk harbored a strange reverence for the government, viewing it as a sacred and formidable place. This sense of awe made them regard the yamen as something truly extraordinary. ^[1]Yamen is the headquarters or residence of a Chinese government official or department.

“Alright, let’s go to the Yamen!” The crowd clamored and pushed the two old women, eager to leave.

At that moment, the villagers from Wangjia Village were finally alerted and rushed over, their foreheads slick with sweat.

As soon as they arrived, they pointed at Aunt Wang and Shaman Zhao, shouting curses.

“Absurd! This is simply ridiculous!” Wang Fulu was so angry that his face turned beet red.

He could only watch the two old women without laying a hand on them; otherwise, he would have pinned them to the ground and given them a good beating.

Wang Fulu questioned, “I ask you, which person can survive a fire, you or you? Should I burn the two of you today to see if you’ll survive?”

Aunt Wang was so frightened that she shook her head vigorously. “You dare? Let me tell you, if you burn me, you will also have to pay with your life!”

Wang Fulu was furious. “Since you know it can kill, you still want to burn your son? That is your own flesh and blood! What is your heart made of? A stone? How can you be so cruel? And you! You, an old woman from Shenjia Village, are only relying on your age, how dare you disrespect your elders, take advantage of your age, and spread such wicked words to incite the burning of the villagers of Wangjia Village? As long as I am here today, let’s see if you dare to lay a finger on a single hair of the villagers from Wangjia Village!”

Shaman Zhao remained obstinate, staring fixedly at Zhou Jing, gritting her teeth and saying, “He is not Zhou Jing, not him!”

“You, you! You villagers of Shengjia Village, last time you tried to frame the villagers of Wangjia Village, and now you say our Wangjia Village has a wicked ghost. This is clearly because you’re envious of our good life and trying to slander us with such tricks.

If you really manage to incite the public with your wicked words, how are we from Wangjia Village supposed to live? How will the men speak to their wives, and how will the daughters marry?

Which employer would dare to hire anyone from us, fearing they might unwittingly bring back a wicked ghost?

This would cut off our means of survival! I am going to confront you right here in Wangjia Village, and if I don’t get a satisfactory explanation, Wangjia Village will stand against Shenjia Village!”

When the villagers heard this, they realized it wasn’t reasonable at all. If Zhou Jing truly gained a reputation as a wicked ghost, the entire Wangjia Village would be implicated.

Who would dare to form ties with the people of Wangjia Village?

What if other people will think that they have married a wicked ghost or ended up with one as a spouse?

Which employer would allow them to work, fearing that they might hire a wicked ghost?

Even if they toiled all year long, the grain they harvested would go unclaimed.

People would say it was grown in the wicked ghost’s village and couldn’t be eaten, as consuming it would turn one into a wicked ghost.

How were the villagers supposed to survive in such a situation?

Many villagers who had arranged marriages with people from other villages became worried that this baseless rumor would ruin their hard-won engagements, and they grew increasingly angry.

“Let’s go! We can’t let go of Shenjia Village without an explanation. Our villagers from Wangjia Village are not cowards—allowing anyone to trample on us! We haven’t settled the score from last time, and now we have new grievances to address. We must get an explanation!”

After saying this, the crowd pushed the two old women and marched toward Shenjia Village in a grand procession.

Even at this point, Shaman Zhao still showed no signs of remorse. She continued to glare at Zhou Jing, unwilling to let him go.

“He is not Zhou Jing, absolutely not!”

At that moment, Zhou Jing instead calmly approached the old Shaman, bent down, and whispered in a voice so soft that only the two of them could hear, “Hey, old Shaman, you have some skill. I am indeed not that Zhou Jing.”

Shaman Zhao, surprised that he actually admitted to it, replied, “I am a Shaman; I can see that you are not him. You should surrender quickly and go back to your world. Causing harm to others will lead you to the depths of hell!”

“Since you knew that it would lead to hell, how could you dare to take someone’s life? Fine, you said I was a wicked ghost and did not consider me a human. I would not hold that against you.

Then let me ask you, are we talking about the old Zhou Jing? Just because of your bizarre words, the little child was driven out of the house and had to fend for himself, begging from door to door.

It was so cold in winter, with no firewood, hiding outside in the wind while it snowed heavily, and inside that small straw house, snow fell lightly.

How did he survive? Do you even know? Have you ever thought about how miserable that was!”

“It was precisely because of how Aunt Wang treated him that he could not even call his own parents ‘father’ and ‘mother.’

Yet, Zhou Jing still yearned for a little warmth from the Wang family, hoping for their kindness.

When Aunt Wang said she wanted to eat wild boar meat, he disregarded the slippery mountain after the rain and went hunting, only to be killed by the wild boar.

If Aunt Wang was the principal offender, then you were the accomplice.

Without your instigation, saying he brought misfortune to his family, how could Aunt Wang hate him so much?

How could she force him to go up the mountain?

How could she cause his death?

So, it was you who caused Zhou Jing’s death; you truly bore a human life on your shoulders!”

It seemed that Shaman Zhao had never thought about these things…

After Zhou Jing mentioned them, her face turned pale.

She stammered, “But, but he really did bring misfortune to his family; I didn’t lie.”

Zhou Jing, being a big boss who had to manage many small employees, understood a bit of psychology. At that moment, he continued to breach Shaman Zhao’s psychological defenses.

“Even if he did bring misfortune to his family, you could have offered a way to save him.

But why didn’t you consider how much suffering and hardship that little child would face being sent away?

Would he even be able to survive? If you had thought about it at all, you could have found an excuse to talk to Aunt Wang, saying that although the child brought misfortune, they should not treat him poorly; otherwise, the Wang family would also face misfortune.

Thus, even if that person was sent away, he wouldn’t have to live such a miserable life, and he wouldn’t have died.

Just because of your words, you ruined a person’s entire life! I’m telling you, the King of Hell keeps account, recording the life and death of each person.

All the bad deeds you have done are noted!

In this life, you harmed other people and ruined their fortunes.

Why should the King of Hell allow you to live to such an old age? So, shouldn’t it be time for you to die?”

These words caused Shaman Zhao to stumble and fall to the ground out of nowhere while walking.

After someone helped her up, her face turned pale as paper, devoid of any color.

However, Zhou Jing did not let her off the hook and continued, “As a wicked ghost, why can I be so high-profile in the human world? I talk about having a good husband and having a mansion. I have lived better than you have in your entire life.

If the King of Hell doesn’t care, and the Messengers of Death don’t inquire, it shows that there must be a reason.

If there is a reason that even the King of Hell cannot manage, what makes you, a mere shaman, think you can? Who gave you the audacity?”

After Zhou Jing finished speaking, he smiled ominously at Shaman Zhao.

“Since you figured out that I am a wicked ghost, you should know that wicked ghosts always repay grudges and settle scores.

Go back and warn everyone in your family to be cautious. Otherwise, one day, if you think of a way to harm me…”

“I, myself will burn them alive!”

At that moment, Shaman Zhao’s face turned deathly pale, showing none of the arrogant and sinister energy she had when she visited Zhou Jing’s house.

Instead, she seemed extremely frightened. It was unclear which of Zhou Jing’s words had struck a chord within her, but she was so scared that her eyes were filled with terror, and she didn’t even dare to make eye contact with Zhou Jing.

Shen Mo had been following Zhou Jing the whole time. When Zhou Jing spoke to Shaman Zhao, he deliberately lowered his voice, so Shen Mo couldn’t hear their conversation, but he could see Shaman Zhao’s face gradually becoming more and more unpleasant.

In Shen Mo’s heart, he still felt a bit of reverence for Shaman Zhao. After all, for farmers, if they suffered from serious illnesses or minor ailments and had no money, they could only hope for the assistance of ghosts and gods.

Shen Mo looked around, noticing that every villager from Wangjia Village had faces filled with righteous indignation and discontent.

No one paid them any particular attention, so he quietly slipped his hand into Zhou Jing’s large hand.

It felt as if he had done something wrong, and his ears subtly turned red.

Zhou Jing looked down and met the slightly worried gaze of the young man beside him.

He tightened his grip, securely enveloping Shen Mo’s noticeably smaller hand.

“Xiao Mo, after this trip, I guarantee no one will dare to bully you again!”

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T/N: I unlocked Chapter 34, it’s a bonus update~

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