After Failing to Find Immortality 27

Chapter 27: Settling Karma, Life After Death

Lin Tianlu was caught off guard by her calm yet shocking declaration.

“Miss Cheng, what do you mean?”

“Do you know who is truly responsible for all this, Sir?”

Cheng Yishi kept her head bowed, her hands clasped in her lap.

Lin Tianlu’s mind raced, piecing together the puzzling events.

“Could it be that the rumors circulating in town, the laughter and the sounds of chopping meat—”

“I was the one who spread them.”

“Cheng Yanghua claimed they hadn’t made any noise—”

“My sister and I have similar voices. I used Yin energy to mimic her sounds.”

“Why were they hiding in the cellar? And how did you happen to fall through the trapdoor?”

“I instructed them to hide in the cellar and wait for the trouble to pass. And I had the trapdoor installed myself, so I knew its location.”

Her calm and straightforward answers made Lin Tianlu’s eyes flicker.

So all these incidents were orchestrated by this woman.

“Why would you do such a thing?”

“I… wanted to kill them both.”

Cheng Yishi’s words were shockingly calm.

Lin Tianlu was stunned.

After a long silence, he sighed. “Miss Cheng, perhaps you wouldn’t mind explaining the reason behind your actions?”

If she were truly just a heartless killer, why would she be begging for death now?

“If you want to know, Sir, I’ll tell you everything. But the story goes back to the past.”

Cheng Yishi remained kneeling, her voice soft as she began to recount her tale.

“Cheng Yanghua… he was born into a poor family and hadn’t achieved anything by the time he reached adulthood. Only my devoted mother, blinded by love, agreed to marry him. With her support and guidance, his business gradually flourished, and within a few years, he became the well-known ‘Cheng Yuanwai’ of Changling County.”

“But my mother might not have known that Cheng Yanghua was arrogant and cruel by nature. As his wealth grew, his temper worsened, and he often resorted to violence. Ever since I was a child, I saw countless bruises on my mother’s body. All because she gave birth to me, a daughter, instead of a son.”

“My poor mother was heartbroken and anxious, desperate to give birth to a son to carry on the Cheng family line. But Cheng Yanghua betrayed her.”

“He shamelessly took three concubines and spent his days indulging in pleasures, frequenting brothels, abandoning my mother in a cold and desolate room. She grew weaker by the day, and after giving birth to Cheng Xinyin, she finally succumbed to her illness and died.”

Cheng Yishi clenched her fists, her breathing ragged.

“I can never forget the pain of losing my mother!”

Lin Tianlu sighed inwardly.

It was a common tragedy in those times, a story he had heard countless times even in his modern world.

But this Cheng Yanghua was truly a despicable man, heartless and cruel.

Hua Shuya, as if empathizing with her, frowned, her eyes filled with pity.

“As for my sister, Cheng Xinyin—”

Cheng Yishi took a deep breath and continued, “She’s been strange and withdrawn since childhood, unlike any other child. We barely interacted. But a year ago, after I started cultivating Yin energy and awakened some abilities, they finally told me the truth.

My sister… is not alive.

She was already dead when she was born, kept alive by human blood.

At first, it was just drinking blood, but now she hunts and kills. This year, her appetite has grown even stronger, and with our family’s wealth and influence, she has been recklessly killing innocent beggars in the county, using them as food.

And Cheng Yanghua helped her, all for the sake of using Yin energy to prolong his life and enhance his vitality.

After witnessing Cheng Yanghua brutally murder a young beggar in the backyard, I knew… these two were nothing but monsters in human skin. They were consumed by evil and no longer deserved to live.”

Cheng Yishi’s voice was emotionless, but a hint of sadness appeared in her eyes. “Unfortunately, I couldn’t report this to the authorities. The officers are no match for Cheng Xinyin. Her ghostly powers are far beyond those of ordinary martial artists. They would be killed instantly, their bones crushed.

Even if I could create a temporary uproar, Cheng Yanghua isn’t stupid. He would find a way to suppress the rumors. Besides, he has connections in Changling County, even with other wealthy families and officials.

So I could only endure, secretly searching for a capable person who could come to our house and end this.

I waited for a year, but no one came. But—”

She looked up at Lin Tianlu, a glimmer of hope in her eyes. “The fire at the fabric shop revealed your true identity, Mr. Lin. Even if it was just a gamble, I had to act.”

The rumors she had spread had damaged her family’s business, successfully angering Cheng Yanghua. And then, as his daughter, she had offered a “solution,” a way to permanently resolve the problem.

—Invite the renowned Lin Tianlu to their house and have him thoroughly inspect the mansion for any ghosts or evil spirits.

As for Cheng Xinyin, she would hide in a secluded place, concealing her aura, waiting for Lin Tianlu to finish his investigation.

If Lin Tianlu found nothing, then the Cheng family’s name would be cleared, and they would have a few years, even a decade, of peace, without having to worry about public opinion.

Cheng Xinyin and Cheng Yanghua believed her.

And the result…

Was exactly as Cheng Yishi had planned. Everything had fallen into place.

One swing of the axe, severing the chains of hatred and revenge that had bound her for over a decade.

…

Lin Tianlu listened to her explanation, his expression grave.

“You’ve heard my story, Sir. Now you know the extent of my sins.”

Cheng Yishi chuckled bitterly, as if mocking herself.

“Deceiving you about the danger in our house, leading you into harm’s way. That’s my first sin.

Plotting to kill my sister and my father, a heartless and unfilial daughter, unworthy of living in this world.

Witnessing countless atrocities for years, yet remaining indifferent, a silent observer, adding to my sins.”

“And—”

Cheng Yishi sighed softly. “I’ve been cultivating Yin energy for many years. I’ve become a monster, just like my sister.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a chilling Yin wind erupted from her body, swirling around them. Hua Shuya stumbled back, her face filled with pity.

Lin Tianlu’s expression gradually calmed down.

“—Do you… regret it?”

“I don’t… regret it.”

Cheng Yishi hesitated for a moment, then replied, “I’ve lived with hatred in my heart since childhood. My only wish was to avenge my mother.”

“As for my sister—”

A cruel smile appeared on her lips, her eyes flashing with murderous intent. “She’s the one who killed our mother! If Mother hadn’t given birth to that monster, she wouldn’t have died!”

Lin Tianlu remained silent.

“…”

Cheng Yishi’s mind seemed to clear for a moment, as if she had woken up from a daze.

But realizing what she had just said, she laughed sadly. “My heart is filled with evil… Please, end my life, Mr. Lin.”

As she released her suppressed emotions, her body began to transform rapidly.

The color drained from her face, her fingernails grew longer, her black hair turned white from the roots, strange markings appeared on her skin, and her aura became seductive and sinister, like a bewitching demoness.

Lin Tianlu understood instantly.

She was losing control.

Years of living with a ghost, cultivating Yin energy, consumed by hatred… her body had been corrupted.

She was no longer human, but a living “ghost.”

As she had said, Lin Tianlu could easily destroy her with a wave of his hand.

But…

He hesitated.

Was it right to kill her?

He had killed ghosts before, those who had committed countless atrocities, whose sins warranted death.

But this woman was innocent. She had become a monster due to the Yin energy that had invaded her body, a victim of circumstance. Judging by her earlier words and demeanor, she clearly wasn’t completely devoid of attachment to life. Was it right to kill her just because of a few impulsive words?

To judge her by his own standards would be unfair.

But to watch a precious life fade away before his eyes would be a tragedy.

Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred, and he felt a strange energy surging within him. He slowly extended his hand.

“Miss Cheng, I’m going to act now.”

“Please bury my remains in the backyard, next to the woodshed.” Cheng Yishi closed her eyes, a bitter smile on her lips. “With my mother.”

“Senior…”

Hua Shuya, unable to bear the sight, was about to speak, but then her eyes widened in shock.

Behind Senior, a faint image of mountains appeared, shrouded in white mist, like a celestial realm!

Countless wisps of spiritual energy flowed from the ethereal mountains, condensing into emerald green chains that swirled around his hand.

Lin Tianlu didn’t say anything more. He thrust his hand forward, his five fingers extended.

Thud!

Cheng Yishi’s body trembled, a complex expression on her face, tears streaming down her cheeks.

“A lonely life…”

Her consciousness faded, as if she were falling into a dream.

The darkness before her eyes was replaced by a gentle, rippling water, the light scattering the mist.

A breathtaking scene unfolded. Ethereal mountains, rivers, and valleys came into view, a beautiful and serene landscape. A melodious flute melody echoed in her ears, calming her restless heart. It felt like she was strolling through a peaceful meadow, surrounded by a refreshing fragrance.

There were no more schemes, no more pretenses. Her mind was clear and tranquil, a sense of peace she had never experienced before.

A figure, walking on clouds, approached her.

Cheng Yishi’s vision was blurry, and she couldn’t see who it was. But the warmth that washed over her made her smile, her body feeling light and cleansed.

To die with this warmth surrounding her… she would have no regrets…

“…”

But the expected pain and death didn’t come.

As if waking from a dream, Cheng Yishi opened her eyes, a confused expression on her face. She looked down and was surprised to see that she was unharmed.

Only a faint gray mist drifted from her chest, forming a green chain that Lin Tianlu captured with a flick of his sleeve.