CHAPTER 57: CHAPTER 30: THE BLACK AURA IN THE JING FAMILY ANCESTRAL HALL

Li Shang was munching on local specialties while listening to Mu Yunchu recount her experiences in Xianyue City, occasionally interrupted by the sound of a big black dog chewing forcefully on the treats. A harmonious scene of one person, one ghost, and one dog.

"I’m a bit sad," Li Shang said, tossing a small snack into her mouth, "such fun events, and I didn’t get to see them with my own eyes."

One of her major reasons for tagging along with Mu Yunchu was the hope to witness some ’fun spectacles.’

But now, tallying it up, she’s missed quite a few ’big spectacles.’

She’s even considering finding some under-the-table help for Mu Yunchu, so next time, she won’t have to mind the store.

Her gaze shifted slightly to the increasingly plump big black dog and then returned.

No reliance at all, completely hopeless.

"By the way, I found time yesterday to trick the workers into thinking I was going out, and sure enough, I saw them digging at the southeast corner of the yard."

Far more diligent than when they usually renovate houses.

Unyielding even when the southeast corner yielded nothing, they eventually dug up the entire yard.

"Should I have them restore it later?"

Mu Yunchu casually smiled, picked up the teacup and took a sip, quite satisfied with Li Shang’s brew.

"No need, I was planning to separate that area for a vegetable garden anyway."

Her backyard has an especially large space, and leaving it wasted seems a shame.

Li Shang suddenly understood.

"So if they find nothing in the end, won’t they realize we’ve tricked them?"

"They will find something," Mu Yunchu said ambiguously.

Indeed, the next day, when they weren’t paying attention, the group of workers suddenly shouted excitedly.

Then they cautiously checked if Mu Yunchu and her companions had noticed anything.

"Boss, we found it! Finally found it!"

One of the men couldn’t be happier.

In his hand was a black fist-sized solid object, which he excitedly ran to show his foreman.

They were all brought by Jing Anjun; despite their genuine skills in renovation, he said that if they found a ’treasure’ at Mu Yunchu’s place, they’d each receive an extra half a million reward.

So, from the moment they entered this store, they have been searching.

Yet since the work here wasn’t finished, and fearing potential trouble, the construction workers swiftly completed the initially promised renovations for Mu Yunchu in three days.

"Miss Mu, could you check over this... If it’s all good, please settle the final payment."

The leader was noticeably tense, likely due to having been up to no good.

Each time he met Mu Yunchu’s gaze, he felt like he was streaking through a crowded shopping street.

"Alright."

Mu Yunchu inspected everything.

They were probably concerned that she’d nitpick, but apart from taking ’that item’ from the house, everything else was done impeccably well.

Even better than many firms in the market.

Watching their demeanor, Li Shang couldn’t help but cover her face with a handkerchief, lest she burst into laughter.

Initially worried they’d grab the item and then discard her, Mu Yunchu asserted that they were too greedy to forego any lucrative opportunity.

As anticipated, they obediently completed the renovations, waiting for her review.

After the inspection, Mu Yunchu paid them the outstanding balance. The workers promptly handed over their treasure to Jing Anjun.

...

Upon receiving the news, Jing Anjun sprang up from the boss’s sofa.

"Really?"

"They actually found it?"

Then rubbing his hands together gleefully, unable to contain his excitement.

In fact, his secretary was somewhat bemused.

Jing Anjun might not be a kingpin in Qinghe City, but he is certainly a top figure. What could this young girl possibly possess for him to go to such lengths?

Soon, the representatives arrived.

They cautiously offered Jing Anjun a newly bought towel enclosing the item.

"Is this the treasure buried at her place?"

Jing Anjun even received it with both hands.

"Yes, yes, definitely," the man said, slightly hunched, eager to please.

"She specifically instructed us not to dig in the yard, so there must be something valuable there."

"Though we couldn’t find it at first, thankfully perseverance paid off."

Gazing at the stiff, black object, a doubt arose in Jing Anjun’s mind.

Why would the elder want something like this?

But on second thought, perhaps an artifact freshly unearthed might still carry such characteristics.

Having found such an important piece, surely he would be handsomely rewarded by the senior.

A smile unconsciously spread across his face.

Yet, upon meeting the hopeful glances of the workers, the smile abruptly vanished.

He waved dismissively to his secretary, slightly impatient, "Have them see the financial department for their payment."

Once everyone left, Jing Anjun drove back to the family’s ancestral hall.

Initially placing the treasure on the table, he then sincerely knelt on the prayer mat, bowing several times.

Solemnly, "Sir, I’ve acquired the item you asked for."

His eyes fixed ahead, filled with anticipation mixed with a touch of nervousness.

A few seconds later, a black aura formed mid-air.

It hovered unsupported, lacking any distinct form.

The sight of it rendered Jing Anjun’s breaths heavy and slow, his eyes brimming with genuine admiration.

Suddenly, the black aura spoke.

"Is this the treasure left by the old man?"

Under Jing Anjun’s watch, the black artifact floated gradually. Despite his grasp of the mystical arts, it startled him.

His ancestors... so formidable!

The black aura had emerged two years ago, claiming to be an ancestor of the Jing family. Initially, as an atheist, Jing Anjun hadn’t believed it. But following various events, he couldn’t help but accept it.

He always believed the ancestral appearance must be for a unique purpose.

Though the hall was intact for years, no trace of their ancestors had surfaced.

Surely it was his extraordinary talent that allowed him to see the Jing forebear.

Contemplating this, excitement surged within him!

He could barely conceal his joy, his head slightly bowed to suppress laughter.

While the black aura enveloped the artifact, Jing Anjun envisioned the reward.

Suddenly, the atmosphere shifted abruptly.

The black aura let out a furious cry, violently smashing the item to the ground.

"What... is this monstrous thing?!" raspy and terrifying, unable to quell its rage.

"You idiot pig!!!"

It relentlessly castigated Jing Anjun.

The latter was absolutely stunned.

He knelt, picking up the shattered ’artifact,’ and upon examining it closely, sensed something off.

He sniffed it and his expression altered drastically.

"This... it’s horse dung?"

His complexion paled, unsure how to face his ancestor’s fury.

The black aura truly angered, even the air seemed altered, the plaques on the table subtly trembled, all the villa’s windows shattered simultaneously.

Jing Anjun dared not utter a sound, imploring forgiveness without cease.

"Sorry, ancestor, I didn’t anticipate being deceived by that little girl!"

Only after several tense seconds did the black aura’s anger subside.

"So you mean, the lodge is now managed by a young girl?"

Having just experienced the ordeal, Jing Anjun dared not lift his head.

Just nodding shakily, answering, "Yes... yes."

"That old man’s apprentice..."

Jing Anjun didn’t catch the black aura’s low mutter.

"What?" he queried, head raised.

Retrieving his thoughts, the aura bluntly threatened, "If you can’t handle a young girl, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Jing family extinguished in your generation..."