Chapter 117: Repaying Evil with Kindness

Zhang Hao’s eyes were wide with fury, his murderous intent laid bare. If looks could kill, the Secretary Chen standing before him would have been pierced by ten thousand swords. Alas, he was now nothing but prey, waiting to be slaughtered.

He truly felt abandoned by heaven and earth.

"Even if I become a ghost, I won't let you go!"

Secretary Chen let out a cold snort and a sinister laugh.

"Save that for when you’re actually a ghost. Do you really think that after enduring such humiliation and living in the shadows of the Opera Lady for all these years, I would be afraid of a nameless little ghost like you?"

He waved his hand, his expression turning cold.

"Enough, no more idle talk. Save it for the road to the underworld. I won't be stingy with the incense and spirit money for you!"

With that, he flung the ball of fire toward him.

Watching the incoming flames, Zhang Hao’s eyes were filled first with terror, his entire face etched with despair. The small flame in the dark night tumbled forward, ready to turn this mortal world into yet another purgatory.

Whoosh!

The flame was suddenly extinguished. At the very last second, a large hand snatched it from the air, crushing it. When the hand opened, all that remained was a spent matchstick and a wisp of blue smoke.

When Secretary Chen and Chen Sanwa saw the newcomer’s face, their complexions turned ash-gray, their throats tightening.

Old Freak Huo!

Old Freak Huo’s face was livid. He tossed the matchstick to the ground and crossed his arms, his gaze piercing through them like a sharp arrow.

Cold sweat slid down Secretary Chen’s face instantly. He moved his throat, trying to offer an explanation, but realized it was futile; his own expression had already betrayed everything. His hands dropped powerlessly to his sides.

Seeing that the situation had turned, Chen Sanwa grabbed a shoulder pole from the wall and rushed forward, deciding to strike first. He swung it down with a heavy blow!

Bang! Bang-bang!

Old Freak Huo stood still, but a dark shadow lunged from the side. Moving with incredible speed, the shadow shattered the pole with a single punch, then followed up with a spinning kick.

Before the movement could even be registered, Chen Sanwa had taken two kicks to the chest and collapsed before the mourning hall, spitting out teeth and groaning in agony.

The dark shadow was like a phantom. In a flash, he darted forward, snatched up a wooden sword, and lunged directly at Secretary Chen’s chest!

"Cui Yue! That’s enough!"

Old Freak Huo let out a thunderous roar!

The shadow froze, the wooden sword pressed against Secretary Chen’s heart, a biting, frigid aura of death spreading from it.

"Cui Yue! That’s enough! Stop now!"

Old Freak Huo’s face darkened further.

Seeing that he had been saved, Zhang Hao was overjoyed. His mind cleared, and watching the dark shadow wreak havoc, he felt a surge of exhilaration. He couldn't help but shout out.

"Master Cui is mighty! Hack this old bastard to pieces! I knew you wouldn't leave me behind."

At this moment, Cui Yue’s eyes had bizarrely turned entirely black, devoid of any white. He stared at Secretary Chen and said, word by word, "If you touch my friend again, I will make sure you have no grave to lie in!"

Secretary Chen’s face went pale. He swallowed hard, his legs trembling uncontrollably.

Cui Yue pressed the wooden sword harder, the tip piercing the skin and inching toward the heart.

"You, you... ah..."

Secretary Chen screamed in pain and began to beg for mercy!

Old Freak Huo lunged forward, striking Cui Yue on the back and firmly gripping his wrist with the other hand. "You brat, that’s enough! Stop!"

The blackness in Cui Yue’s eyes instantly receded, returning to normal pupils, though he still gripped the sword tightly, refusing to let go.

"Boy, the mortal world has its laws, and the underworld has its order. You have one foot in this trade now, but you must not break the rules and fall into the path of evil."

Cui Yue stood with a dark face, silent.

"We wield our swords to defend justice, to slay demons and eliminate evil. We do this to protect the righteous path and the common people—not to satisfy our own selfish desires and commit needless slaughter!"

Cui Yue remained defiant, gritting his teeth. "I never said I wanted to join your trade, nor do I care about the common people. Do you think this is a martial arts novel?"

Old Freak Huo sighed inwardly. *Boy, I’m afraid that’s not up to you. Fate is preordained; no one can change their destiny.* He continued, "We should indeed strike down demons and monsters when we see them. But there are plenty of wicked men in this world; the laws of the mortal realm are merciless, and we do not need to intervene!"

Cui Yue gradually calmed down.

"The most wicked thing in this world is the human heart. And we are risking our lives to protect such evil—it’s laughable!"

With that, he turned, sheathed his wooden sword, and walked out of the mourning hall.

Secretary Chen’s heart finally settled, and he felt as if his strength had been drained, gasping for air.

Old Freak Huo stared at Cui Yue’s retreating back, his brows knitted, shaking his head. *This boy’s murderous intent is growing heavier. If this continues, it will surely lead to disaster! Is there a day coming when we will stand on opposite sides and face each other with blades?*

At this thought, Old Freak Huo’s heart trembled. *No! I cannot allow that to happen!* He clenched his fist so hard his joints cracked.

"Clang!"

Secretary Chen had been trying to sneak away, but in his haste, he bumped into an empty iron bucket in the corner.

Old Freak Huo’s expression turned sinister as he let out a strange laugh. "What’s the matter, Secretary Chen? Planning to leave already?"

"I wouldn't dare, I wouldn't dare!" Secretary Chen wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, answering hurriedly.

"Secretary Chen, you certainly had a clever plan! To turn everyone in this village into a sacrifice! You have some nerve!"

Thump!

Secretary Chen dropped to his knees, kowtowing repeatedly. "Master, I... I truly had no choice. I was forced by that evil ghost. You don’t know its methods; if I didn’t do it, it would have slaughtered the villagers even more ruthlessly."

Old Freak Huo snorted coldly, offering no reply.

"Big brother, what’s done is done. We’ll take responsibility for our own actions! If you want to kill us, then do it!" Chen Sanwa, leaning against a coffin lid, struggled to his feet, speaking with defiance.

Old Freak Huo gave a surprised "Oh?"

"Well, look at you, playing the hero! You think there’s justification for murder and arson?"

Chen Sanwa’s stubborn temper flared; he refused to back down.

"Fine. Then I’ll have your Opera Lady take you as a sacrifice. You two are old acquaintances—it’ll be easy to arrange."

Chen Sanwa’s face finally changed, as if he had thought of something terrifying.

"Sanwa! Kneel down and apologize! What are you playing at?" Secretary Chen barked, then turned back, groveling once more. "Master, it’s all our fault! We were forced into a corner and lost our minds, almost causing a grave mistake. We won’t do it again, we truly won't!"

Old Freak Huo didn't even lift his eyes; he didn't want to look at either of them for even a second longer.

"Tell the villagers to burn all those offerings. From now on, Shangwan Village will no longer worship ghosts or gods!"

"What?!"

Secretary Chen and Chen Sanwa cried out in unison, unable to believe their ears.

"Could it be... could it be that this Opera Lady..."