Chapter 9: Someone is Looking for Her

Qingli patiently waited nearby while the mother and her children talked.

After an unknown amount of time, she yawned and looked up at the moon outside.

It was already the hour of the pig, and she turned her gaze to the family of three. At this point, Madam Chu’s emotions had calmed significantly as she lovingly looked at the two little ghosts.

Qingli spoke up, “Madam Chu, it’s best not to have prolonged contact with Big Bai and Little Bai. After all, the paths of humans and ghosts are different. Their energy might cling to you and harm your health.”

Upon hearing this, Big Bai and Little Bai quickly moved away from their mother’s embrace, looking worriedly at Qingli. “Sister, is our mother going to get sick? She just held us for so long.”

Seeing her sons’ concern for her, Madam Chu smiled gently and reassured them, “Big Bai, Little Bai, Mother is fine. I’m in good health now; you don’t need to worry.”

In Madam Chu’s heart, as long as she could be with her two sons, she wouldn’t fear death. She owed them too much and only wanted to hold them close, even if they were cold right now—she couldn’t bear to let go.

Qingli reassured the two little ghosts, “Don’t worry. I’ll help your mother dispel the ghostly energy that clings to her later. It won’t have a significant impact, but it’s still best not to have contact for now.”

The two little ghosts nodded. They were growing up and didn’t need their mother to hold them. Though their mother’s embrace was warm, they couldn’t do anything that might harm her health.

Qingli glanced at Zhao, the midwife, still lying on the ground, and then said, “Madam Chu, it’s getting late. I’ll head back to the inn to rest. As for this woman, you can deal with her yourself. I’ll give you and your children a day for goodbyes. Tomorrow night at dusk, I will return to send them off to reincarnate.”

Madam Chu looked pained, her eyes filled with sorrow.

Noticing her reluctance, Qingli spoke gently, “Madam Chu, Big Bai and Little Bai have already wasted a lot of time. If it weren’t for this woman who had someone cast a spell to trap their souls, they would have reincarnated long ago and started a new life. If they don’t reincarnate, they will end up as wandering ghosts. In their current state, it will be difficult for them in the spirit realm. They could either be devoured by stronger ghosts to increase their cultivation or be hunted down by deceitful sorcerers. In any case, reincarnation is their best option.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Chu’s desire to keep them with her faded instantly. Although reluctant, she had to suppress her feelings.

“Alright, thank you for your hard work, miss. I still don’t know your name.”

Qingli smiled gently, her previously indifferent expression softening and becoming more approachable. “My name is Qingli. I am a sorceress, skilled in fortune-telling, exorcism, and a bit of medical knowledge. If you ever need help, Madam Chu, you can find me.”

Madam Chu was somewhat astonished. “You are a sorceress?”

In the Southern Kingdom, the most famous sorceress was Li Jiuhua, the head of the Jiuli Temple. Thanks to this temple, many ordinary people had learned about the profession of sorcerers and gained some understanding of it.

However, while many had heard of sorcerers, few truly believed in them; many viewed them as mere con artists, dismissing the existence of ghosts and spirits.

Only those who genuinely believed knew that many things were indeed real.

For example, Madam Chu now had no doubts.

If anyone had told her before that there were ghosts and that people could see those souls, she would have never believed it. But now, she was utterly convinced and began to hold the title of “sorceress” in reverence.

Qingli nodded slightly.

Madam Chu suddenly knelt before Qingli. “Thank you, Miss Qingli. Your great kindness will never be forgotten by the Chu family.”

Qingli quickly stepped aside, not wanting to accept her kneeling, and hurriedly helped Madam Chu back to her feet.

“Madam Chu, you don’t need to kneel. This is just fate between me and these two little ghosts. Doing good deeds is part of my master’s teachings, which I hold dear and will never forget.”

Madam Chu expressed her gratitude, “Your master must be a great and kind person.”

Qingli smiled and handed Madam Chu an exorcism talisman. “Take this, Madam Chu. Keep it with you tonight, and the ghostly energy on you will dissipate.”

Madam Chu hesitated before accepting it. She then quickly added, “Miss Qingli, I will prepare the payment for this talisman tomorrow. I have one more thing to ask of you.”

Qingli asked, “What is it?”

Madam Chu replied, “I want my husband and mother-in-law to see Big Bai and Little Bai as well. Miss Qingli, is there any way you can do that?”

Qingli hesitated, saying, “After all, the paths of humans and ghosts are different. Seeing them might have an impact on all of you.”

Those who are weak-hearted might struggle afterward, living in fear and paranoia, leading to frequent hallucinations.

Madam Chu’s eyes reddened, her tone becoming firm. “They must see them. I will not allow anyone to forget my children. Miss Qingli, I beg you, help me. I will prepare a great gift to thank you for your kindness tomorrow.”

Seeing the determination in Madam Chu’s eyes, Qingli ultimately nodded in agreement. “Alright! Just wait a moment; the spirit communication talisman has worn off, and I’ll need to redraw it.”

Just as Madam Chu was about to call for someone to prepare the writing materials, she saw Qingli produce a brush and yellow talisman paper from seemingly nowhere.

Madam Chu realized that talismans weren’t drawn with ordinary materials.

Qingli sat down at a nearby table, dipped the brush in cinnabar, and began to draw the talismans.

Madam Chu dared not interrupt and quietly watched.

Qingli quickly finished drawing two talismans. These most basic talismans were easy for her, and she soon completed them, infusing them with spiritual energy.

As Madam Chu observed her skillful work, she felt a deep admiration for Qingli, increasingly seeing her as a powerful master.

After putting away her materials, Qingli handed the talismans to Madam Chu, saying, “Take these to them. When the time comes, dampen the talisman with a little clear water, place it over your eyes, wait a moment, and then remove it. You will be able to see Big Bai and Little Bai.”

Madam Chu carefully accepted the talismans and tucked them into her clothing.

Qingli turned to leave, but Madam Chu insisted on sending her off, which she politely declined.

After returning to the inn, Qingli had a good night’s sleep. The next day, she woke up to find the sun already high in the sky.

As she went downstairs to eat, she noticed the inn’s lobby was in chaos, with constables present.

Listening from the staircase, Qingli soon learned that the inn’s steward, Zhao, had gone missing, the very same Zhao she had brought to the Chu residence the night before.

The constables were searching for everyone in the inn. Qingli frowned; this was too troublesome.

Deciding it was better to avoid the situation, she went upstairs, flew out of the window, and didn’t want to waste time dealing with the constables.

Once outside the inn and onto the street, Qingli sensed several intense gazes directed at her.

At that moment, Nangong Yan’s subordinates were searching for the person in the portrait, and Qingli’s striking appearance inadvertently caught their attention.

However, the woman in the portrait wore a veil, revealing only a pair of exceptionally bright eyes that resembled those of a fox.

As they approached to get a closer look, Qingli noticed them and quickly started running.

The group hesitated, unsure whether to pursue her.

In that moment of distraction, Qingli had already vanished, making it impossible for them to track her.

After shaking them off and confirming they hadn’t followed, Qingli contemplated the situation. Had she offended anyone? Those men were composed, each clearly skilled fighters, not ordinary people.

As she mulled over this, she suddenly recalled the man who had forced her the other day—the man with the purple aura was no ordinary person. Even if he wasn’t a ruler now, he would become one in the future. Could it be that he was looking for her?

Thinking of this, she instinctively touched her belly, unsure if she was pregnant. That man was so powerful; she probably was!

But whether she was pregnant or not, she couldn’t let him find her, or it would likely lead to trouble.

With that thought, Qingli took out a human skin mask she had crafted herself and applied it.

This mask was as thin as a cicada’s wing, breathable and comfortable. Once applied, it transformed her appearance completely.

After adjusting her look, Qingli reappeared on the street. She could no longer stay at the inn where she had lodged last night and would need to find another.

In just two days, she had already switched inns twice. What a hassle!