"Pfft!"
Pei Miaojin laughed.
She couldn't remember how many years it had been. She had almost forgotten that not all men in this world were so wicked. When she first saw Lin Yun, her intention had been to keep him alive for a while, to slowly play with him until he died.
She never expected Lin Yun's behavior to be such a surprise. She had never met such a strange man. Even though he had claimed to have no interest in her, Pei Miaojin hadn't taken him seriously, assuming he was just spouting nonsense.
However, Lin Yun's subsequent actions had truly astonished her. The young man was exactly as he said: he had not a single improper thought about her. He even went out of his way to take care of her.
One or two days could be dismissed as an act. But after half a month, Pei Miaojin hadn't found a single flaw in his facade.
"You truly are an interesting little fellow," Pei Miaojin said with a laugh. "But I, your big sister, never thought I would one day meet a man different from that heartless bastard."
Looking at Lin Yun, she couldn't help but open up.
When she was still alive, she had been the young lady of a wealthy family. Her father had arranged a marriage for her with a family of equal social standing. But Pei Miaojin had no interest in the match; she had instead fallen for a poor, pedantic scholar. Her father, Pei Lian, was a renowned tycoon, and this affair gave him a massive headache. He refused with stern words, but he couldn't overcome his daughter's willfulness. After a stalemate that lasted nearly half a year, it was Pei Lian who finally relented.
With Pei Miaojin's financial support, the scholar's life got on track. A year after their marriage, he went to the capital to take the imperial examination. Pei Miaojin hadn't held out much hope. To her, it didn't matter if the man she loved became the top scholar in the land; she would still give him all of her love.
Who could have known that the scholar would go and never return?
The next time Pei Miaojin heard news of him, it was when government officials were raiding her family home. They claimed to have found letters of treason in her father's study, proving that the Pei family was guilty of colluding with the enemy.
Pei Miaojin, of course, didn't believe it. Her father had always been cautious in everything he did. How could he possibly commit treason?
Only later did she learn the truth. The order to have her entire family executed had come from the princess. And the reason for it all was simply that the scholar had become the current dynasty's royal son-in-law.
The entire Pei family was exterminated. As for Pei Miaojin, the princess had people perform a ritual, driving eighty-one Soul-Suppressing Nails into her body. Not only did she die an agonizing death, but she was also cursed to never be able to enter the cycle of reincarnation. It was an act of extreme malice.
Afterward, for reasons unknown, the dazed and confused soul of Pei Miaojin was brought to Soul-Hooking Valley. The blue seas turned into mulberry fields, and ages passed. By the time Pei Miaojin had gained enough power to seek revenge, the dynasty of that era had already fallen. In her despair, she returned to Soul-Hooking Valley and had remained here ever since.
Listening to her story, Lin Yun felt a pang of sympathy. "Righteousness is often found among butchers; the heartless are often scholars."
"What about me, then?" Lin Yun asked curiously. "You've killed so many men. Why not me?"
Pei Miaojin smiled. "Perhaps it's because you look so much like him. Even though he betrayed me, do you know what? I don't hate him. I even… still love him. Am I completely hopeless?"
Lin Yun looked at her sorrowful expression but said nothing. This is what they call a 'love brain', isn't it? Still, he was lucky it was this way. Otherwise, he never would have survived in her hands.
The zi hour had arrived. The restrictive wards around Soul-Hooking Valley began to gradually dissipate.
Pei Miaojin slowly stood up. "Don't you worry. Even without absorbing your life force, this big sister can still destroy him! How dare he bully you! Hmph, I'll teach him a lesson for you!"
Hearing that Pei Miaojin was going to fight, Lin Yun breathed a sigh of relief. Her realm was still a question mark, but maybe she could do it?
He checked his own panel.
[Name]: Lin Yun
[Realm]: Origin Sea - Stage 6
[Destiny Template]: Son of Misfortune (Gray)
[Attributes]: Lady Killer (Green), Peach Blossom Luck (Blue)
[Fate]: In Soul-Hooking Valley, encounters Xiao Pingtian. After a bitter fight, Xiao Pingtian absorbs the power of the Thousand-Year Resentful Ghost and has a breakthrough, making a complete comeback.
[Recent Turning Point]: Xiao Pingtian leads a group of previously-robbed disciples to his door. He fights the enraged Xiao Pingtian to a draw, but the stalemate is broken by the opponent using a yellow talisman paper.
Lin Yun frowned. Still not enough? Even though he had entered Soul-Hooking Valley first, it seemed he hadn't managed to seize the opportunity here.
"Chongqing Bird," Lin Yun called out in his mind.
"Don't call me. Your current strength is insufficient to unleash my full power. If that little one were awake, perhaps he could help. But for now, unless you are on the verge of death and offer a sacrifice of your blood essence, I have no interest in intervening. So you might as well give up. She is just a female ghost, one who has committed many evils. If she dies, she dies." The Chongqing Bird's voice was ice-cold.
Although it had acknowledged Lin Yun as its master, there were many times he could not control its actions. Under these circumstances, Lin Yun didn't have much of a choice.
BOOM—
A massive fireball descended from the sky, illuminating the entire valley. Seeing this, the expression on Lin Yun's face grew grave. It was just as he'd thought. Solving this problem would not be easy. The enemies they faced were not opponents who could be dealt with in just a few words.
Thinking of this, Lin Yun fell silent.
Meanwhile, Xiao Pingtian led a group of disciples and charged into Soul-Hooking Valley. To be honest, many of them were terrified. If it weren't for Xiao Pingtian's guarantees and threats, they never would have come. Now, looking at the thick fog that permeated the valley, they had no idea what to do.
Xiao Pingtian laughed maniacally. "Lin Yun, did you think you could sleep on a high pillow without a care in the world just by hiding in here? Let me tell you, I have the entire Soul-Hooking Valley surrounded. Today is the day you die!"
He was ecstatic. After all this time, he was finally going to kill Lin Yun. He had been waiting for this opportunity for days.
Just then, a red mist spread with incredible speed, enveloping the area.
"Who dares to trespass in Soul-Hooking Valley?" a sharp voice screeched. "If you don't want to die, get out now! Otherwise… I will kill you all!" It was Pei Miaojin.
Unfortunately, her words were not taken seriously by the intruders.
Xiao Pingtian burst out laughing. "Playing tricks with ghosts and spirits? You think I'm afraid of you?"
Luo Yunchao shouted obsequiously, "Senior Brother Xiao is awesome!!!"