Chapter 30

The diary mostly recorded trivial matters, but several entries mentioned the high turnover of servants in the manor. The master was in a good mood for a while, but it didn’t last long before he returned to his previous irritable state.

“So, the problem started with the painter?” Cheng Hui asked Ah Qiu.

“Maybe, but we don’t have enough clues. Let’s keep looking,” Ah Qiu shook her head. They had too few clues, and the butler’s diary could only serve as a reference, not evidence.

Cheng Hui took the diary to the master, who chanted a Buddhist mantra after reading it.

Besides the diary, there was nothing special in the East Wing, so the two returned to the front yard. Just then, Xin Erniang and Ye Qi also came back, seemingly discussing something.

Seeing Cheng Hui approach, Xin Erniang showed a hint of pride. “How about it, new demon hunter? Any findings?”

“Not bad, but judging by your look, you must have found something, right?”

“Of course,” Xin Erniang took out a jade pendant and some yellowed envelopes. “Thanks to the new owner not having time to clean up, we found these clues.”

Cheng Hui took the envelopes and handed the diary to Ye Qi.

Xin Erniang, who was previously full of pride, restrained her smile upon seeing that they had also found something.

Cheng Hui looked at the letters. They were from the painter’s brother-in-law to his wife, asking why they had left their hometown and questioning if what his sister said in her last letter was true—had the painter really changed?

The following letters seemed to be exchanges between the painter’s wife and her brother. Although the wife’s letters were missing, it could be inferred that she complained about the painter’s increasingly irritable temper and mentioned that he almost hurt their daughter once.

“So… what do you think is going on here?” Cheng Hui asked after reading the letters. Ye Qi and the others had also finished reading the diary.

“Isn’t it obvious? The painter was tempted by a demon and committed unforgivable acts. Both the diary and the letters mentioned that the manor’s servants disappeared for no reason. They must have been sacrificed to the demon by the painter,” Xin Erniang said.

Ye Qi remained silent. Although the clues pointed to this conclusion, his extensive experience had taught him to expect twists and turns, so he didn’t speak lightly.

“We’ve checked the East and West Wings. Let’s head to the backyard, where the painter and his wife lived. There might be more clues,” Master Xuan Tan suggested gently.

Cheng Hui looked up at the sky. It was already afternoon when they arrived, and their search had taken quite some time. Now, as dusk fell, the desolate manor was shrouded in an ominous red hue.

“Let’s move quickly and try to leave before it gets completely dark,” Ye Qi instructed.

Demonic powers were greatly enhanced at night, so it was best not to delay until then.

Everyone understood this and quickened their pace.

After a few steps, Cheng Hui paused and suddenly asked, “I forgot to ask earlier, were you all invited by my friend Li Ying to solve this problem?”

All three shook their heads. Master Xuan Tan said he was also invited by a friend, like Cheng Hui. Ye Qi had received a report and came to verify it.

Only Xin Erniang hesitated before saying she was also invited by a friend, but her expression made it clear to the others that she was lying.

“So… we were specifically invited here?” Cheng Hui repeated the question as Ah Qiu had instructed.

The others pondered this.

Typically, dealing with demons didn’t require so many people. The poor could report to the Demon Suppression Division and wait for them to send someone. The wealthy or those who couldn’t deal with the authorities would hire demon hunters.

Except for Xin Erniang, whose strength was unknown, the other three were somewhat famous. Someone went to great lengths to gather them here, clearly with ulterior motives.

“One more thing, what’s everyone’s birthdate? No need for details, I’m July 15th. How about you?” Cheng Hui asked, prompted by Ah Qiu.

His question startled the others, and Xin Erniang blurted out, “What? You’re also July 15th?”

Cheng Hui looked around. Judging by Master Xuan Tan and Ye Qi’s reactions, they were also born on July 15th.

This was a big problem.

July 15th, the day when the Ghost Gate opens, people born on this day often have heavy yin energy. For demon hunters, this isn’t necessarily bad; some can even use it to their advantage. However, such individuals are also easily targeted by demons as special sacrifices.

The fact that all four were invited here was already unlikely. Adding that they were all born on July 15th, it was clear someone was plotting against them.

“Reckless!” Ye Qi gritted his teeth.

Master Xuan Tan smiled gently. “If someone wants to scheme against me, let’s see if they have the ability.”

The two quickly calmed down, knowing they had walked into a trap. With their experience, they wouldn’t panic without even seeing the enemy.

Xin Erniang, however, seemed flustered, likely due to her inexperience. Her eyes darted around, clearly considering whose support to seek.

Cheng Hui quietly moved closer to Master Xuan Tan. One was from the government, the other a compassionate monk. The monk seemed more likely to save them.

Xin Erniang realized this too, but seeing Cheng Hui had already taken the spot beside Master Xuan Tan, she stomped her foot in frustration and quickly moved to Ye Qi’s side.

Master Xuan Tan and Ye Qi were taken aback by their blatant actions. Weren’t they all demon hunters? Was this necessary?

Cheng Hui mentally replied: Absolutely necessary…

As the saying goes, fear not the god-like enemy, but the pig-like teammate. Especially when someone weak pretends to be strong, if the big shots misjudge their strength during a fight, it could be disastrous.

When they realized they had been tricked, Cheng Hui noticed the manor’s gate was closed, even though he hadn’t shut it when he entered. So, who closed it?

Ye Qi and Master Xuan Tan also noticed the gate’s state, their expressions changing slightly. Ye Qi tried to approach the gate but found he couldn’t get closer, no matter how he walked.

Stepping back, he easily returned.

Ye Qi’s face darkened. “Ghost wall.”

Master Xuan Tan chanted a Buddhist mantra, deep in thought.

Xin Erniang looked extremely nervous. Cheng Hui suspected if he startled her, she might stab him in panic.

Lin Qingqiu, sensing Cheng Hui’s wild thoughts, couldn’t help but laugh. What was he thinking?

“Whether it’s a blessing or a curse, you can’t avoid it. Since we can’t leave, let’s solve the problem here. At least we’re prepared now, so we won’t be ambushed,” Cheng Hui suggested.

Master Xuan Tan and Ye Qi agreed, and they decided to head to the backyard.

Xin Erniang followed closely behind Ye Qi. Cheng Hui glanced at her, noticing her fear mixed with resentment, likely cursing whoever tricked her here.

The group reached the backyard, which was just as dilapidated.

Cheng Hui was now sure the letter was meant to lure him in. Once inside the manor, the goal was achieved, and even basic cleaning wasn’t done.

Dust covered the yard, and a large tree stood in the center, its canopy dense, casting the entire yard in shadow.

There was also a well, and the layout seemed identical to the East Wing.

Cheng Hui asked, “Is the West Wing the same layout?”

Ye Qi confirmed it.

Cheng Hui noted this, thinking it might be useful later.

The backyard was colder than the East Wing, and Cheng Hui shivered upon entering.

“So cold…” Xin Erniang complained.

“The yin energy here is heavy,” Master Xuan Tan said gravely.

“Hah, exposed, so they dropped the pretense?” Ye Qi sneered.

Ah Qiu quickly advised Cheng Hui, “Be careful, don’t approach anything suspicious.”

Cheng Hui thought, I’d like to, but how do I know what’s suspicious?

“Split up… never mind, let’s stick together,” Master Xuan Tan decided. With only four of them, and Xin Erniang already losing her composure, splitting up would be risky.

“Shall we explore together?” Xin Erniang suggested.

“Sure,” Ye Qi agreed, and they pushed open the bedroom door.

Creak—

The old hinges screeched, and Ye Qi led the way inside. The outer room was empty, but a woman’s sobbing came from the inner room.

“Hmph, playing tricks,” Ye Qi snorted, kicking the screen aside. A gust of cold wind blew through the room, flickering the light. The four saw a woman in a wedding dress sitting on the bed, crying mournfully.

The light quickly returned to normal, and the ghostly bride vanished, leaving a bright red wedding dress on the bed.