A master of metaphysics is farming.

Chapter 157 Suspected of Accepting Bribes

The gloomy sky hung low, and the clouds, as dark as ink, blocked out the sunlight, making it seem as if it were about to collapse.

Even more gloomy than the day itself were the faces of the Vice Minister's wife and the old nanny.

The woman's bloodshot eyes gleamed with malice. "I have never offended you. What exactly do you want...?"

He tapped the edge of the stone table a few times with his hand, saying, "You haven't offended me, but you've committed the crime of killing two lives, so now you're under my jurisdiction."

"What...!" Fang Huashan's eyes widened. "What are you talking about...?"

The lady immediately realized what was happening and pushed Fang Huashan away. "Shan'er, don't listen to her nonsense! You, you go back to your room first, Mother, Mother will handle it..."

"Mother, what are you afraid of...?"

The words were quite clear. Fang Huashan wasn't stupid; she could listen, see, and understand!

Although her thoughts were in disarray, she already understood what Xiang He had said.

What kind of formation is under that stone table, and what kind of dead person is being suppressed by that formation—a woman who died along with her unborn child…?

Her hands began to tremble involuntarily, and her back was soaked with cold sweat.

The lady looked at her daughter with fear, glancing left and right, but daring not to look in any particular direction.

"Shan'er, listen to your mother..."

"Is Mother so terrified because she really killed someone?"

The lady's eyes were filled with heartache, and the old nanny held her and shook her head, "Miss, how could you do this..."

"Then tell me, what is the truth?"

Fang Huashan had already figured things out in her mind, but how could she believe it? That was her own mother!

Seeing the three of them with tears streaming down their faces, Xiang He calmly bowed her head and gently overturned the stone table with a light touch.

"don't want!!!"

Terrified screams rang out, and a fierce wind swept across the windless open space, swirling up the dark clouds in the sky to form a circle.

The fallen leaves on the ground swirled and churned, and an invisible black curtain appeared—

"Give me back my life..."

The words from that mysterious figure sent a chill down the lady's spine. She collapsed to the ground, her lips turning white. "You...you stay away...don't come any closer..."

She stumbled backward, and Fang Huashan and the old nanny tried to help her up, but a gust of wind knocked them to the ground.

The maids who dared not approach screamed and scattered. In an instant, the darkness transformed into sharp blades, rushing straight toward the Vice Minister's wife.

"Give back my son's life!"

The blade flew swiftly as Xiang He stepped in front of the three, raised his large umbrella, and used the tip of the umbrella to hold the blade in place.

The two streams of air clashed, and as Xiang He turned his wrist, they swirled up a circle of yin energy and flung it out.

"Don't hurt people. You don't want your child to be unable to reincarnate, do you?"

The yin energy that had been flung out once again became a sharp blade, but this time it did not get close; instead, it flashed and transformed into a human shape.

She was a graceful woman, her belly slightly bulging, glaring fiercely at the Vice Minister's wife.

With his back to the three people, Xiang He quickly formed hand seals in front of him, chanting, "One step three seven inches, thunderbolts from heaven and earth, five thunderbolts descend."

The sound was so soft that it was drowned out by the strong wind. The three people behind her had no idea what she was doing. They only saw the female ghost drift away, and Xiang He took several steps back, looking up at the sky.

The three of them looked up as well, and saw a circle suddenly break through the dense dark clouds, flashing and falling in an instant—

"boom!"

Dust billowed up, and the three raised their hands to shield themselves.

When I lowered my hand again, a hole had been smashed into the ground not far in front of me!

The mud and dust that were stirred up blurred his vision, but Xiang He simply raised his hand and swept it away.

The lightning strike just now was not offensive, but if there were any evil spirits nearby, it would have injured them even if they didn't harm them physically.

The woman was now terrified and had lost her earlier ferocity. She huddled behind a large tree, too afraid to come out. Just as she was about to speak, she caught a glimpse of a figure hurrying by.

"What are you doing!"

A sharp shout rang out in the courtyard, drawing everyone's attention. The man stopped in his tracks, and upon seeing the spot in the courtyard shattered by lightning, his狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face resembled that of an enraged lion, ready to pounce at any moment.

"Master..."

Upon hearing this, Xiang He's eyebrows twitched; that was Fang Shilang.

Behind him, a group of soldiers rushed in, with Shen Zhuoci standing beside the leader.

Xiang He moved quickly to the edge of the cave and squatted down.

"Who are you!"

As Fang Shilang saw her about to reach out, it felt as if a thunderbolt had struck him, and his heart pounded like a drum.

Xiang Helan listened to his angry shout, his fingers already touching the object in the cave.

Suddenly, a group of soldiers surrounded her, and the leader drew his sword and pointed it at her, asking, "Who are you? Why are you in Minister Fang's residence?"

Xiang He didn't even raise his head, already holding the box in his hand. "I am a Taoist priest in plain clothes. Miss Fang asked me to come and take a look at your wife."

Seeing her disregard the blade, the leader shouted, "Put it down!"

As soon as he finished speaking, someone rushed over and grabbed the other side of the box tightly with both hands.

"These are my belongings, please return them, young lady, or else..."

His eyes were ruthless and vicious; if Xiang He didn't give it to him, he would tear her to pieces.

But Xiang He wouldn't let go. He grabbed her with both hands, while Xiang He held her with two fingers, and the two were locked in a stalemate.

"you!"

Xiang He smiled broadly, then with a quick movement of his fingers, he crushed the box in one go.

A cold, sharp object approached her neck; a soldier's broadsword was already held against her throat. "I told you to put the things down. Disobeying orders will land you in jail!"

“Brother Guan, you’re stepping on a corpse right now.”

Her tone remained relaxed, but the soldiers were terrified, and when they looked down, all they saw was turned-up soil.

The soldiers, their hands tightening around their sword hilts in mockery, were about to retaliate when Shen Zhuoci gracefully approached.

He reached out and put the knife down from the soldier's hand. "General, please don't be angry. Perhaps there's another reason behind this."

The chill settled on her neck, and Xiang He forcefully lifted the two fingers holding the box—

"Snapped!"

The lid of the box broke off, and a large piece flew out. The index finger below also cracked the box. The old box could not withstand the pressure, and a large part of the bottom was hollowed out, with debris falling out.

At this moment, Xiang He's hand was essentially pressing down on him, and Fang Shilang dared not let go, his expression sinister.

Xiang He, however, remained relaxed and smiled, "Brother Guan, a bolt of lightning just struck this spot, and there just happens to be a wooden box here. What a coincidence!"

"Miss Xiang!" Fang Huashan walked over, lifting the hem of her dirty skirt. "We don't need you anymore, so please leave first. I will offer you the incense money later!"

Everyone's eyes were fixed on the box in her hand. Fang Huashan knew all too well how important this box was to her father.

The priority should be to let Xiang He leave; her father can handle everything.

Xiang He readily agreed this time, "Okay, then I'll be going now. Remember to dig out the bones and give them a proper burial later."

After saying that, she loosened her grip on two fingers, and the whole box began to fall apart. Fang Shilang hurriedly tried to grab it, but something still fell out.

He hurriedly squatted down to pick it up, but his other hand was a step ahead, picking up the yellowed paper from the ground and turning to the side. When he saw what was on the paper, he put away his usual carefree attitude.

"I said I couldn't find any evidence, so it was hidden here." Shen Zhuoci held up the paper and looked coldly at Vice Minister Fang. "Vice Minister Fang of the Ministry of Works is suspected of accepting bribes. Detain him immediately for investigation."