Compared to the last time Yan Shouyi visited Zui Hua Li, Sun Zhipeng held him in much greater respect. He clearly recognized the gap between himself and Yan Shouyi and began calling him "Great God," looking as if he wanted to join Yan Shouyi's sect and learn his skills.
However, Yan Shouyi conveyed his intentions through his words, stating that Sun Zhipeng was not suited for such studies and that it would be best for him to remain a rich second generation his entire life.
Sun Zhipeng rode his bicycle at full speed, quickly delivering Yan Shouyi to Zui Hua Li.
The Zui Hua Li of today appeared somewhat desolate and run-down. The last time Yan Shouyi visited, even the speed bumps were new. But now, it seemed as if no one had lived there for a long time. Although everything was the same, it gave off a general sense of decay.
Yan Shouyi understood that the feng shui of Zui Hua Li had likely been tampered with.
Places with good feng shui bring pleasure and make everything seem full of life. Conversely, when the feng shui is poor, even with flowers blooming everywhere, it still gives off a lifeless feeling, as if everything seen has lost its color.
Zui Hua Li was originally a treasure trove of feng shui, otherwise, so many influential people would not have chosen to live there. But now, it was vastly different.
"The residents of Zui Hua Li feared being implicated by the Liu family and most of them moved to the city. Even the property management staff were frightened by ghosts several times and all resigned. Now, Zui Hua Li is completely unmanaged, and no one dares to manage it," Sun Zhipeng said.
Yan Shouyi asked, "Why didn't you leave?"
"Although I, Sun Zhipeng, am an uneducated, lazy, and gluttonous rich second generation, I also have backbone!" Sun Zhipeng said, puffing out his chest.
Yan Shouyi smiled. If he had seen Sun Zhipeng with such resolve during their first meeting, he wouldn't have slapped the guy's face.
"When did the strange events concerning the Liu family begin?"
Sun Zhipeng replied, "The day after you left."
"So soon?" Yan Shouyi frowned.
"Yes, so everyone thought it was the mountain god's revenge. They also collectively demanded that the Liu family release Zhu Shanzao. Old Master Liu was initially unwilling, but couldn't withstand the pressure and released Zhu Shanzao. As a result, Zhu Shanzao became even more aggressive in troubling the Liu family. For the past few days, he has been eating and living at the Liu residence, and has explored every corner of the Liu manor, except for Yiyi's small courtyard!"
Sun Zhipeng gritted his teeth with anger as he spoke of Zhu Shanzao. He had been severely taught a lesson by Zhu Shanzao last time.
Yan Shouyi had at least held back, but Zhu Shanzao had directly spat in his face.
Therefore, Sun Zhipeng hated Zhu Shanzao even more.
As they chatted, they arrived at the front gate of Zui Hua Li Number One.
Yan Shouyi got off his bike, took off his helmet, and looked up. The Liu family's gate, which had been tightly shut before, was now half dismantled. The zitan wood gate was thrown to the side, with several large footprints on it, presumably left by Zhu Shanzao.
Yan Shouyi narrowed his eyes, a hint of anger in his gaze. If the mountain god was indeed helping Zhu Shanzao with all this, then Yan Shouyi would beat up the mountain god along with him today!
Gu Ling was not like the Five Sacred Mountains, nor Kunlun; it was not a famous mountain in the true sense. Therefore, the mountain gods of Gu Ling were likely to be some spirits that had cultivated to sentience.
These spirits needed the incense offerings of people to achieve true enlightenment. Thus, they simply proclaimed themselves mountain gods and did good deeds in their daily lives, allowing the common people to build temples and burn incense for them.
However, there were also some mountain gods with lower levels of enlightenment who would do bad deeds behind the scenes.
"Are you coming in with me?" Yan Shouyi asked Sun Zhipeng, turning his head.
Sun Zhipeng hesitated for a moment, then chuckled dryly, "I'm just an ordinary person, and going in might cause trouble for you. How about I just stand by the entrance? Shout if you need anything?"
This guy, who had impressed Yan Shouyi just moments ago, had now revealed his true nature in the next second.
However, Yan Shouyi did not insist. It was already surprising enough for someone like Sun Zhipeng to occasionally speak a few sensible words, so Yan Shouyi did not have any expectations of him.
Thus, Yan Shouyi strode forward and walked into Zui Hua Li Number One.
...
Whoosh—
As he stepped into the Liu family's courtyard, a cold wind swept up the dry fallen leaves on the ground, hitting Yan Shouyi's calves.
Although the rain had stopped, the courtyard was still somewhat muddy.
"Is anyone home?" Yan Shouyi shouted into the manor.
From the hall directly opposite the courtyard, a voice responded, "How long will it take for the live cattle and sheep you were supposed to prepare for me to be delivered?!"
"What?! You can't even fulfill this simple request, and you still expect me to intercede for you? You Liu family truly lack foresight!"
"Ptooey, get lost. If you don't bring the live cattle and sheep soon, I'll eat people when I get hungry!"
There was a clattering sound from the hall, as if many things were being smashed. Immediately after, a group of Liu family servants scrambled out of the hall.
Among them was Steward Zhong, whom Yan Shouyi recognized.
When Steward Zhong saw someone standing in the courtyard, he was initially afraid. But upon seeing Yan Shouyi's appearance clearly, he immediately seemed to have found a savior.
"Mr. Yan! You've finally arrived!!"
Yan Shouyi stepped forward to support Steward Zhong, frowning as he asked, "Where is Old Master Liu? And my great niece?"
Steward Zhong was momentarily choked with emotion, "Everyone in our family surnamed Liu has fallen ill. The Old Master is the most seriously ill. Now the entire Liu family has been occupied by Zhu Shanzao, and he has bullied all of us. He even threatened to eat people just now! Now that you're here, please quickly deal with that Zhu Shanzao!"
Although Yan Shouyi had only been gone for half a month, Steward Zhong and the others had clearly suffered greatly. They even appeared to have lost several kilograms.
Furthermore, these were only external changes; Steward Zhong and the others had endured even greater psychological pressure.
The fact that these people remained loyal despite the Liu family's predicament was a testament to Old Master Liu's character. Yan Shouyi once again confirmed that he had not chosen the wrong person to help.
"Wait here. I'll go in and confront Zhu Shanzao!" Yan Shouyi said in a deep voice.
Steward Zhong grabbed Yan Shouyi and warned, "Mr. Yan, please be very careful this time. Zhu Shanzao somehow got hold of a hammer, and it's extremely sinister!"
"A hammer?"
This little wild boar demon had actually learned to use a weapon.
Yan Shouyi of today was not the same as before. He wasn't afraid of Zhu Shanzao then, and he was even less afraid now.
He calmed the emotions of Steward Zhong and the others, then strode into the hall.
In the hall, Zhu Shanzao sat on the seat that originally belonged to Old Master Liu. The Liu family's plaque behind him was trampled underfoot, and the ancestral tablets of the Liu family's ancestors were smashed to pieces. Zhu Shanzao was wearing a Western-style suit that didn't fit him well, holding a glass of fine wine, with various delicacies laid out before him. However, the way he ate was still as crude as a wild boar rooting for food, truly proving what a wolf in sheep's clothing meant through his actions.
Yan Shouyi entered the hall, stood firm, took a deep breath, and roared, "Zhu Shanzao!"
The sound made Zhu Shanzao tremble all over, and he dropped the glass of red wine in his hand. He immediately became enraged, "Who doesn't have eyes and is shouting? Believe it or not, I'll eat you?!"