Chapter 4

In a world dimly lit by blood-red hues, Xun Yi strolled across the desolate land. A few hungry wolves trailed behind him at a distance, and the scent of blood filled the air.

Seeing these wolves, Xun Yi seemed to recall something and quickened his pace.

A faint white figure appeared ahead, gradually revealing itself to be a headless ghost as it drew closer.

The headless ghost stood still, and as Xun Yi walked past, it suddenly ripped open its own belly with both hands.

Swish—red and green intestines spilled onto the ground.

"Sir, I'm hungry!" A head inside the belly spoke, and countless hands emerged from within, grabbing Xun Yi. Ignoring his struggles, they slowly pushed him into the belly.

At that moment, Xun Yi saw rows of neatly aligned teeth inside, slowly devouring his flesh and blood.

"Ah!" Xun Yi woke up from his nightmare, drenched in cold sweat, and looked around. The light gauze curtains and the yellow carved wooden bed were familiar—this was his own room. "Thank goodness, it was just a dream." He touched his forehead, which was soaked with sweat.

"But why did I suddenly encounter a headless ghost? Is it really a side effect of writing novels these past few days?"

"It wasn't a dream." Suddenly, a writing brush on the pillow hopped onto the quilt, leaning against the pen holder as if bowing. "This humble servant, Bai Fu, greets Sir. Last night, when Sir was startled by the headless ghost, you subconsciously used the power of the City God. However, as a mortal, the power quickly drained your energy and spirit, causing you to return to your body. Tonight, the City God will again request your assistance at the City God's Temple to resolve the matter of the headless ghost."

Thinking of the headless ghost, Xun Yi felt a sense of revulsion. After all, he was just an ordinary person; how could he bear to see such a terrifying ghost?

A white-furred giant beast wasn't scary because of its form, and the mythical bird, which could transform into a human, didn't frighten Xun Yi much. Zhang Jiang, though a ghost, looked like a living person and didn't inspire fear. But a headless ghost! The thought of blood splattering on him made Xun Yi feel nauseous.

"Are we going again tonight?" Xun Yi was reluctant. "Didn't we do a lot yesterday? Can't you handle it today?"

"Sir, we don't have the City God's Seal, so we can't sign the final judgment. Only Sir can do that."

Xun Yi looked at his left hand, where the City God's Seal glowed red, filled with divine power. "Can't this be transferred?"

"Transferred? That's out of the question!" The writing brush shook its head. "If the City God's Seal fell into our hands, we would immediately ascend to godhood. When the City God finds out, wouldn't he be angry?"

Since Xun Yi was a mortal, he wouldn't instantly become a god because of the City God's Seal, which is why he was chosen to sign. This was a common practice among City Gods, who preferred to entrust the final seal to a mortal rather than risk their power being taken by other deities.

Seeing Xun Yi's reluctance, Bai Fu's tone became slower and more enticing. "Sir, helping the City God is a great blessing. If you do well, the City God will reward you, which will benefit you in the mortal world. A single stroke of the Judge's Pen can secure you a high rank or immense wealth, and even extend your lifespan."

"Extend my lifespan?" Xun Yi's heart stirred. While he didn't care much about wealth or fame, the prospect of a longer life...

"That's right, even your heart condition can be cured by the City God." Bai Fu thought that the City God might have also wanted to help Xun Yi cure his heart condition and resolve past issues.

"I'll do it!" Xun Yi had a heart condition that had caused him much suffering since childhood. Hearing there was a solution, how could he refuse?

"Master, it's time to get up!" A knock came from the door, and a loud male voice said, "Aunt Xue says the accounts from the old home have just arrived for your review."

Xun Yi replied, "I know!" He got out of bed, put on his clothes, and threw the papers, books, and writing tools on the desk into a book box. As for his unfinished novel, "The Mountain Ghost," he hesitated, then locked it in a cabinet.

At this moment, a maid entered with a basin of water and various toiletries.

Seeing his main maid, Dai Ping, Xun Yi asked, "Why is it you today? Where's Qiupu?"

The servants and maids in the Xun family were all named after flowers and trees. Dai Ping and Qiupu had been serving him since he was eight. There had been a previous batch of servants, but they were replaced due to some incident.

"Someone from the old home has arrived." Dai Ping lowered her head, preparing for Xun Yi's morning routine.

"Not just to deliver the accounts?" Xun Yi, who had just picked up a towel, suddenly changed his expression. "Did my two cousins come, or did my uncle come himself?"

"Master Kun has arrived."

"Did Ming come to wake me up? It seems he's dealing with Qiupu?"

"It seems so." Dai Ping said, "Aunt Xue is preparing medicine, so she asked Manager Liu to handle it."

Xun Yi was the eldest son of the main branch, but his parents had died early, and as the heir of the Xun family, his relationship with the second branch was strained. Especially his two cousins, if Xun Yi died young due to his heart condition, the vast family estate would likely go to the second branch.

Xun Yi became more eager to help the City God, hoping that if he did well, the City God would help cure his heart condition.

"Ha, I'll see if my uncle dares to confront me in front of all the elders."

After washing up, a servant named Bai Shan brought in herbal medicine and candied fruit.

Xun Yi drank the bitter medicine with the candied fruit. "Bai Shan, take the book box to the guard room. I'll take it when I go out."

"Yes." Bai Shan picked up the book box and went downstairs.

Dai Ping and Xun Yi followed to the first floor to receive guests.

In the hall, a man was sitting, with Manager Liu accompanying him, trying to maintain a smile despite his discomfort.

"Why isn't my cousin helping manage the old home? What brings you here?" Xun Yi said loudly, stepping into the hall. "Are you bullying Ming again?"

Xun Yi's generation was named with the character "Ri." Although he was the eldest son of the main branch, his grandfather had passed away two years ago, and his parents had died early. As the future head of the Xun family, could an underage head really command respect?

If not for his grandfather's early arrangements, which included entrusting guardianship and property to trusted relatives, Xun Yi might have joined his grandfather and parents in the afterlife.

"It's not bullying. Your manager is just incompetent, far worse than the old one. He can't even read the accounts clearly." Xun Kun, the eldest son of Xun Yi's uncle, was a robust and imposing figure. If Xun Yi died young, the vast family estate would fall into Xun Kun's hands.

"Respect the old. He worked for our family for most of his life. Be careful, or he might visit you at night."

Xun Yi had only recently appointed Liu Ziming as his manager after the previous one's death. Liu Ziming, who had just turned twenty, was a year younger than Xun Kun and lacked experience, making him prone to mistakes.

Xun Kun grunted, stretched, and said lazily, "Fine, I came to deliver the accounts. Sign them quickly, and I'll go to the flower district. I don't have time to stay in your shabby place."

Xun Yi and Xun Kun had always disliked each other, and Xun Yi had forgotten some things, but Xun Kun hadn't.

Looking at the two-story house, Xun Kun sneered, "Why live in a small house when you have a big mansion at the old home? It's like you have a disease. Even the old man didn't die at home but in Qinglong City, forcing the family to hold a memorial service here."

"Get someone to prepare incense and offerings for Master Kun. Let him go to the ancestral hall and chat with Grandfather!" Xun Yi raised his voice, and Bai Shan immediately responded, "Sure thing!" and went to get the incense and other items.

Xun Kun's face changed. "Xun Yi, what are you up to!"

"Nothing." Xun Yi sat down calmly. "Buying a house in Qinglong City was Grandfather's idea. If you have any complaints, go talk to him. While you're at it, tell him how you sit in the chair he left behind and speak ill of his loyal followers."

In the Great Zhou Dynasty, the left side was considered more prestigious. In the main hall, the old patriarch used to sit in the left armchair, while Xun Yi sat in the right rattan chair. Even after the old patriarch's death two years ago, Xun Yi continued to leave the left armchair to show respect.

Xun Kun's face turned pale and then red, feeling as if his seat was on fire. He shifted uncomfortably.

Suddenly, he saw Xun Yi's bright black eyes staring at him. "What are you looking at!"

"I'm looking at Grandfather. Sometimes, I feel like I can see him sitting in that armchair, smiling at me." Xun Yi feigned a dazed look and pointed at Xun Kun. "Look, isn't Grandfather right behind you?"

"Stop talking nonsense!" Xun Kun turned his head and scolded, but he couldn't sit still and jumped to the guest seat.

"That's better. As the saying goes, the host and guest should be distinguished. This is proper etiquette." Xun Yi said calmly, took a sip of tea, and asked Liu Ziming to bring the accounts.

The Xun family's ancestor had fought alongside the founding emperor and was ennobled as a national duke and appointed as a prime minister, second only to the emperor. After five generations, the Xun family had grown into a large clan with hundreds of members.

As the heir of the main branch, Xun Yi controlled the family's ancestral home and sacrificial fields. He should have lived in the old home, but his uncle's influence there was strong. The old patriarch, fearing for his grandson's safety, had bought a house in the city and had the accounts brought monthly for review. After the old patriarch's death, this practice continued, with Xun Yi checking the accounts.

Liu Ziming was about to hand the accounts to Xun Yi when Xun Kun snatched them and personally handed them over. As he did, his right hand's veins bulged, and a green aura enveloped the accounts, along with a thick sword qi directed at Xun Yi.

"Dragon Banyan Covering the Sky?" Xun Yi's eyes flashed, recognizing Xun Kun's attempt to test his sword skills.

A single tree cannot form a forest, but a banyan tree can. "Dragon Banyan Covering the Sky" was the strongest defensive move in the Mulin Sword Technique.

Xun Kun sneered, grabbed the accounts with his large hand, and the green aura tightly held them. Although he was handing them to Xun Yi, if Xun Yi couldn't take them, it wasn't his problem.

Liu Ziming's face changed, and he was about to step forward when he caught Xun Yi's eye and held back. His right hand clenched into a fist, ready to act.

"Although I am the head of the family, it's not appropriate for my cousin to do the work of a servant." Xun Yi sighed and reached out.

His fingertips emitted a sword glow that lightly touched the green aura. The green aura dissipated like bubbles, and Xun Yi easily took the accounts.

"Master Kun, you yield."

---

Bookworm's Tea Room

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