After Failing to Find Immortality 148

Chapter 148: Black Energy Consumes the Body

As the door opened, Cheng Qingyu, who was pinned beneath her sister, cried out, “Brother-in-law, help! My sister is trying to kill me!”

“You…”

Cheng Yishi was speechless, taken aback by her sister’s words.

But looking at the chaotic scene before them, it was easy to misunderstand.

She turned to Lin Tianlu, her face filled with anxiety. “Sir, I wasn’t—”

Cheng Qingyu shouted urgently, “She chained me up! Please save me, Master Lin!”

“—Alright.”

Lin Tianlu walked over and patted Cheng Yishi’s shoulder, his voice reassuring. “Yishi, don’t worry. I’ve heard what happened from Miss Hua and your maid. You’ve been through a lot these past few days.”

Cheng Yishi finally relaxed.

Cheng Qingyu, still pinned beneath her sister, froze, her face contorted with anger and embarrassment. She grabbed a nearby chain and lashed out.

Crack!

Lin Tianlu caught the chain effortlessly and said with a sigh, “If you keep acting up, I’ll have to join your sister and give you a proper spanking.”

Cheng Qingyu tugged at the chain, but it wouldn’t budge.

Her face, already covered in handprints, darkened even further.

Seeing both Lin Tianlu and Cheng Yishi staring at her, Cheng Qingyu trembled slightly and released the chain, putting on a pitiful expression. She mumbled, “I-I’m sorry.”

…

A while later, the situation calmed down.

“I apologize for this family drama, Sir.”

Cheng Yishi smoothed her hair and sighed. “But no one else in the family can control her, so I had to resort to… forceful measures.”

The scene spoke for itself.

After hearing what had happened, Lin Tianlu looked at Cheng Qingyu, who was sitting on the bed, sobbing, and felt a surge of surprise.

He hadn’t expected his sister-in-law to undergo such a strange transformation.

“Who did this to you?”

“I’ve asked her many times, but she… refuses to tell the truth.”

As Cheng Yishi spoke, her brow furrowed slightly.

Lin Tianlu quickly turned to her, his voice filled with concern. “Miss Cheng, shouldn’t you apply some medicine to those cuts on your shoulder and neck?”

“It’s fine. They’re just minor injuries.”

“Let me see.” Lin Tianlu reached out and gently touched her wounds.

His warm touch made Cheng Yishi’s body stiffen, but instead of pain, she felt a soothing warmth.

It was as if spiritual energy was flowing into her, and the pain quickly subsided.

Cheng Yishi blushed and murmured, “Thank you, Sir.”

“There’s no need for thanks between us.”

Lin Tianlu smiled, then turned to Cheng Qingyu, who was kneeling on the bed. “Miss Qingyu, can you tell us what happened to you?”

“I-I—”

Cheng Qingyu opened her mouth, about to refuse with a sneer.

But seeing Cheng Yishi’s cold gaze and remembering her previous humiliation, she just snorted and remained silent.

Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, then stood up and walked towards her.

Cheng Qingyu shrank back, her torn clothes making her look pitiful, like a helpless girl about to be violated, evoking a sense of sympathy.

But her eyes flickered as she glanced at Cheng Yishi, and a seductive smile appeared on her lips.

“Brother-in-law, please spare me~”

She licked her lips and twirled her finger, deliberately trying to entice him. “I won’t cause any more trouble. I’ll just let you touch me. Whatever you did with my sister, let me serve you too.”

Seeing Lin Tianlu reaching out towards her, she swayed her body seductively, her breath hot on his hand.

“Do whatever you want to me. I’ll be even better than my sister!”

“Sigh—”

Lin Tianlu sighed softly. “Yishi is truly patient to have endured you for so long.”

Cheng Qingyu’s expression froze, then her face contorted with anger. “You—!”

Before she could finish speaking, Lin Tianlu placed his hand on her shoulder.

The girl’s eyes widened in shock. She felt an overwhelming pressure bearing down on her, her body creaking, her movements frozen!

“S-spare me! I won’t move!”

Seeing that she had finally calmed down, Lin Tianlu took a deep breath and focused his senses, observing her carefully.

His perception spread, allowing him to see every corner of Cheng Qingyu’s body.

But the most striking thing was…

The massive amount of black energy swirling within her.

This strange substance had already infiltrated her blood, spreading throughout her body, becoming a part of her very being, flowing along with her life force.

“So this is what caused her personality change and gave her these Yin-like powers?”

“But this black energy is different from Yin energy. Could it be a special type of Yin energy cultivated through some technique? Similar to the Moon Shadow Breath?”

Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment.

Then, he gathered spiritual energy in his palm and carefully channeled it into her body, slowly drawing out the black energy.

But this seemed to cause her immense pain. Cheng Qingyu screamed, her body trembling as she collapsed to the ground, foaming at the mouth, her limbs contorted at unnatural angles, as if her entire being was being twisted and broken from the inside out.

Cheng Yishi quickly rushed over to restrain her sister, her eyes filled with surprise as she watched Lin Tianlu extract the black energy.

After a while, Cheng Qingyu’s screams subsided, replaced by weak gasps for air.

Her body was drenched in sweat, as if she had been pulled out of water, her limbs limp and powerless.

Meanwhile, a black orb, like a polished gem, appeared in Lin Tianlu’s hand.

“What is this…?”

“A strange technique.”

Lin Tianlu asked softly, “Miss Qingyu, how are you feeling?”

“I…”

Cheng Qingyu held her head and shook it, her dazed eyes gradually regaining focus.

Her face instantly turned pale, all color draining from her lips. She glanced at Cheng Yishi, then buried her face in the sweat-soaked bed, her body trembling uncontrollably.

“I-I remember now…”

Seeing her trembling form, Lin Tianlu knew that she had realized what she had done.

But she was emotionally distraught, her mind on the verge of collapse. He softened his voice and said gently, “Miss Qingyu, can you remember who did this to you? Tell us, so we can find the culprit.”

Cheng Yishi sighed and stroked her sister’s back. “Don’t hide anything. Just tell us.”

“I… Half a month ago, I went out with some friends. We were at a bamboo grove outside the city when we met a strange old man.”

Cheng Qingyu buried her face in her arms, sobbing. “He looked like an immortal, so we didn’t suspect anything. He offered to read our fortunes, and when we approached… he suddenly touched my palm.”

“That’s all?”

“Y-yes.”

Cheng Qingyu choked back a sob. “I didn’t feel anything at the time, but after a few days, I felt a strange power within me. My mind became clearer, and I became stronger.”

“And how did you learn to use Yin techniques?”

“I went back to find that old man. He said I had a rare talent and taught me some techniques.”

“Where is that old man now?”

“I-I don’t know.” Cheng Qingyu cried. “I had just learned those techniques when… my sister found out and locked me up in this room.”

Lin Tianlu frowned.

He hadn’t expected anyone to dare cause trouble in Changling County.

“Sister, I’m sorry!” Cheng Qingyu cried, overwhelmed with regret and despair. “I was blinded by greed! I said horrible things to you!”

“…It’s okay.”

Cheng Yishi embraced her sobbing sister, stroking her hair.

Lin Tianlu didn’t say anything more. He quietly left the room, giving them some space to talk.

“A bamboo grove… ?”

His expression turned serious, and he vanished from the Cheng residence.

…

The bamboo grove outside Changling County had once been owned by a wealthy family.

But over the years, the family had moved away, leaving behind only this desolate bamboo forest.

However, its beautiful scenery made it a popular spot for outings. Young scholars and ladies often came here for picnics, and even travelers passing by would stop to admire the view.

Now, as autumn approached, the bamboo leaves had turned golden, creating a picturesque scene, even more appealing to young people.

An old man sat in the bamboo grove, his fortune-telling stall set up casually. He leaned back in his bamboo chair, sipping his tea leisurely.

“This place truly has excellent feng shui.”

He put down his teacup and sighed contentedly.

But then he noticed a scholar walking towards him alone. A smile spread across his face as he picked up his fallen flagpole, dusted it off, and leaned it against the table.

“Fortunes told—!”