The Residence of the Wealthy Gentry

The cultivation realms of mortals can be divided into three thresholds and nine stages.

The Human Threshold is the cultivation of one’s own body, namely Body Tempering, Qi Condensation, and Spirit Intent; the Earth Threshold focuses on external objects—Golden Core, Five Elements, and Law Body; the Heaven Threshold is the pursuit of the Great Dao—Seeking the Way, Heavenly Origin, and Profound Communion.

Though there are many systems—be it the Three Teachings, martial artists, demons, or heterodox sects—the differences are minor at their core.

In the Shu Mountain Sect, one must toil in exchange for resources. While this may seem harsh, it is meant to temper the disciples. In truth, disciples are well protected. Those in the first and second stages are not permitted to take missions outside the mountain; they may only accept chores within the sect, such as tending spiritual plants, feeding spirit birds, or serving as hall attendants.

But upon reaching the Spirit Intent Stage, one is considered a skilled expert in the martial world, though in the Shu Mountain Sect, this is merely the threshold for venturing down the mountain to subdue demons.

Even among those sent to exterminate demons, there are distinctions. The most coveted assignments are the mysterious cases in wealthy households.

First, cities are unlike the wilds—there are rarely any powerful demons, so the danger is lower. Second, the bustling environment allows for some leisure after the task. Most importantly, wealthy families are generous; aside from the official commission paid to the sect, the personal reward given after the matter is often substantial—enough for a tidy profit.

This was exactly the kind of assignment that Elder Shen had chosen for Chu Liang.

“Greetings, Young Hero Chu!”

“Greetings, Master Ming.”

“Thank you for your efforts, Young Hero Chu!”

“It is my duty to serve the people.”

...

Chu Liang arrived by sword outside Xingzhou City, then made his way to the residence of Master Ming in the city, announcing his identity and receiving a warm welcome.

Master Ming was a slender middle-aged man with a scholarly air and a short beard beneath his chin—an impressionable figure, though his eye sockets were dark and his expression haggard, as if he had been tormented.

“With a young hero from the Shu Mountain Sect here, peace will soon return to our home.” Master Ming led Chu Liang to the main hall, ordered tea to be served, and spoke with a sigh.

“Please, tell me the specifics,” Chu Liang replied with a gentle smile.

“Alas…” Master Ming sighed. “Our Ming family has done good for generations. I cannot fathom why such a strange thing has befallen us…

“Three days ago, a haunting cat’s cry began outside our manor—piercing, mournful, sending chills down the spine. Two days ago, the cry reached our front courtyard, and one of our servants even witnessed the creature—drenched in blood! By yesterday, the wailing had come to the rear courtyard, disturbing my wife’s rest…

“Young hero…” He looked at Chu Liang earnestly, “If it’s not stopped, I fear tonight it will break in and take lives!”

Master Ming had acted swiftly, seeking help at the temple outside the city the very next day. These prosperous temples are usually staffed by cultivators or have ties to an immortal sect—otherwise, they could not thrive. The temple near Xingzhou is closely linked to the Shu Mountain Sect, so the request for aid quickly reached the Sword Exchange Pavilion.

“I see…” Chu Liang pondered for a moment.

This entity appears only at night, testing boundaries step by step—not like a demon, but more like a spirit, what people call a “ghost.”

After all, if a demon had cultivated intelligence, its actions would not be so hard to predict. Only ghosts with insufficient cultivation, deprived of reason by death, might be driven by resentment to behave in such strange ways.

This cat demon, perhaps, was a cat spirit that had died.

With this in mind, Chu Liang asked, “Has a cat been killed in your household recently?”

“Certainly not,” Master Ming replied. “My wife is exceptionally kind, always treating animals well. The stray cats and dogs nearby are always fed by our servants.”

...

It was late afternoon when Chu Liang arrived. After gathering details and making a round of inspections, dusk had fallen. The household hastily set a banquet in his honor.

After all, the cat demon would soon appear.

The banquet was sumptuous, and both Master Ming and Chu Liang were attended by maids—a luxury utterly unknown atop Silver Sword Peak.

After some time, when not everyone had arrived, a maid came to report, “Master, the Madame is feeling unwell again and cannot attend the banquet. She asks Young Hero Chu and Master to forgive her.”

“Oh dear…” Master Ming’s face filled with worry. He rose, glanced at Chu Liang, and apologized, “Please forgive me, Young Hero Chu. I must go check on my wife. I’ll return shortly.”

With that, he left Chu Liang behind and hurried to the rear courtyard.

Chu Liang took no offense, only smiling. “Master Ming and his wife must share a deep affection.”

“Indeed,” the maid beside him replied with envy. “They have been married ten years and remain devoted. Years ago, when Madame was ill and unable to bear children, she even urged Master to take a concubine, but he has never agreed.”

Another maid sighed, “Only a woman as beautiful and kind-hearted as Madame deserves such devotion.”

A short while later, Master Ming hurried back.

“Is Madame all right?” Chu Liang asked.

“No serious harm—she’s just been disturbed by this evil spirit and is unwell. Once the demon is vanquished, she’ll recover,” Master Ming answered.

“I will do my utmost,” Chu Liang promised.

Before the banquet ended, a sudden gust of wind swept through.

A chill wind, laden with demonic energy, surged in, flinging open the hall doors and sending dishes and bowls clattering.

“It’s the cat demon! It’s back!” Master Ming cried out.

Chu Liang instantly dashed to the doorway, sensing the aura.

The yin energy was thick—undeniably a ghost. But it was mingled with a fierce demonic wind. Could it be…?

“Strange. You should all hide—” Chu Liang turned to advise the household staff to seek shelter.

But as he turned, he found the hall completely empty. Not a soul remained except himself. In the distance, Master Ming’s voice drifted on the wind, “Young Hero Chu, we’re counting on you…”

Well, then.

They certainly know how to run.

Moments ago, he had worried about their safety. Now, he felt his concerns were unwarranted. At this fleeing speed, even if the entire city were overrun by demons, the Ming family would be just fine.

“Meow—”

There was no time for further thought. A shrill, piercing cry echoed—chilling to the bone.

“Ha!” Chu Liang shouted, flicking his sword bracelet as it transformed into a longsword. He strode out into the courtyard.

He was immediately confronted by a billowing aura of blood!

Perched atop the garden wall was a cat-faced monstrosity, its body crouched. Twin pupils glowed dead white. Its black-furred face was matted with blood, and it appeared very small. Strangest of all, while the creature had the head of a cat, its body resembled that of a human infant—covered in blood but hairless.

Grotesque and terrifying!

Chu Liang’s heart tightened at the sight.

This thing…

It’s a vengeful spirit—born of overwhelming resentment! It’s also an infant ghost—an unborn child who died, its resentment ten times stronger than a common specter! And it is a demon spirit—a demon that died and became a ghost!

No wonder it’s so bizarre. Vengeful spirit, infant ghost, demon spirit… each one alone is a rare and formidable entity among ghosts.

But this creature before him…

It had them all.