Volume 3, Chapter 175 – Look, My Daughter-in-Law Is Still So Outstanding (Part 2)

As Qi Huang’s words fell, the people around her exchanged uneasy glances. Threatening fellow villagers—wasn’t that going too far?

But their hesitation lasted only a breath. Who was Qi Huang? A wealthy young lady from the prefecture, her status undeniable. Since when did she need to fear offending anyone?

“As the saying goes, ‘In troubled times, harsh measures are needed’. They really need a lesson. If we don’t unite now, what future does Huatian Village have?”

Huang Tian, standing beside her, voiced his agreement. After all, he and Qi Huang were one and the same—he understood her thoughts perfectly.

“Got it, Big Bro, Sis-in-law! We’ll go notify the villagers right away!”

He Chao and Liu Keqian shared a look before setting off to spread the word.

Before long, He Chao arrived at Huang Kaiyou’s house.

“My sister-in-law is here. She wants all villagers to report to the Wang residence immediately. Anyone who refuses can fend for themselves against ghosts from now on.”

His tone was cold—this family had never earned his goodwill.

“Which sister-in-law? Who does she think she is?”

Qu Zhen lazily drawled from inside.

“Huang Qi’s fiancée.”

He Chao forced patience into his voice.

“Pfft!”

Qu Zhen scoffed. “Sorry, but unlike her, we value our lives. That place is haunted.”

“Haunted? We’ve been staying there for days—nothing’s happened. The message is delivered. Do as you please.”

Done with the conversation, He Chao turned and left.

Back at the Wang residence, Qi Huang waited patiently in the courtyard. Perhaps it was her status that lent weight to her words, or perhaps the villagers truly feared being abandoned in future crises—but slowly, they began to trickle in.

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Yet most lingered outside the gates, their faces pale with fear.

“Come in. The funeral is tomorrow. Let’s do what we can today—they were our neighbors. Shouldn’t we send them off properly?”

Li Fen’s voice carried authority.

“Sis-in-law, in these chaotic times, we can barely care for the living. Why bother with the dead? Just bury them somewhere tomorrow. Why make everyone suffer?”

Huang Kaiyou’s words dripped with disdain.

“Have you forgotten? My son is a cultivator now. What exactly are you afraid of?”

Li Fen frowned.

“A cultivator? Says who? Did anyone actually see him defeat that ghost?”

Qu Zhen, Huang Bo’s wife, sneered.

“Exactly! A man expelled from an immortal sect suddenly becomes a demon-slaying hero? Who’d believe that? Not me.”

Huang Bo chimed in, the perfect echo to his wife’s mockery.

“He’s clearly lying to save face. None of us can see ghosts—how would we know the truth?”

“What if the ghost is still inside? You’re asking us to walk to our deaths! We’re family—how could you do this to us?”

Huang Long and his wife added fuel to the fire.

Their words sent waves of panic through the already uneasy crowd.

“Dogs never change their habit of eating shit.”

Qi Huang cursed under her breath before turning to her doppelgänger.

“Aside from exorcising that wraith, have you ever shown your abilities to them?”

“No. You know me—I’m as low-key as you.”

Huang Tian shrugged.

“Low-key my ass! I’m being plenty flashy right now! Go smash a boulder with your chest or something—you need to convince them!”

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Qi Huang glared.

“Chest-smashing isn’t my style. But fists? No problem.”

Accepting the order, Huang Tian strode to the corner of the courtyard where a large millstone lay.

Villagers craned their necks, some even climbing the walls for a better view.

“Watch closely! Today, you’ll witness what ‘thirty years east of the river, thirty years west’ ¹ 三十年河东，三十年河西 (sānshí nián hédōng, sānshí nián héxī), what goes around comes around. Often said when a formerly weak character gains power truly means!”

Qi Huang’s voice rang out.

At the same moment, Huang Tian lifted the hundred-pound millstone with one hand. His fist, infused with spiritual energy, shot forward like a hammer.

BANG!

The stone exploded like brittle tofu, fragments blasting outward like cannon shots. Dust plumed as craters pockmarked the ground.

Huang Tian exhaled deeply. For someone at the third layer of the Spirit Gathering Realm, this feat was no small strain.

“Heavens! Is this humanly possible? That millstone would take me half a day to break—even with a sledgehammer!”

“His fist is harder than steel?!”

“He must be a cultivator! No ordinary man could do this!”

Gasps rippled through the crowd. To these simple villagers, this was nothing short of divine power.

Huang Kaiyou’s family stood frozen, their faces ashen.

“Now, will you come in?”

Li Fen’s voice brimmed with pride.

One by one, the villagers shuffled into the courtyard, offering sheepish apologies to the Huang family.

All except Huang Kaiyou’s kin. They remained rooted outside, skepticism still etched on their faces.

Qi Huang had had enough.

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“You lot outside—this isn’t a spectator event. If you want a show, go to the county theater. At least there, you can sit comfortably.”

“Niece-in-law, it’s not that we won’t help. But what’s left to do? The Wangs are gone, and their home’s empty. Are you expecting a feast?”

Huang Kaiyou’s excuse was flimsy, but pride kept him from backing down.

Qi Huang scanned the crowd. Blank stares confirmed his point—there was little to prepare.

“Friends, the Wangs were our neighbors. If anyone has spare grain, bring a couple of pounds. Let’s at least share meals here for two days. How about it?”

Li Fen’s diplomacy shone through.

But the villagers shook their heads. In these hard times, who had food to spare?

“See, niece? It’s not laziness—there’s just no ‘feast’ to be had! Tomorrow, let’s just carry the bodies out and bury them somewhere.”

Huang Kaiyou shrugged.

“Bury them? With vengeful spirits around? Just dump them somewhere!”

Qu Zhen’s callousness drew scowls.

“Oh? Since you’re so full of suggestions, will you help carry them tomorrow?”

Qi Huang’s smile was razor-thin.

“Don’t be absurd! I’m a woman—where would I get the strength?”

Qu Zhen scoffed.

Huang Kaiyou, meanwhile, stammered incoherently.

“If none of you are willing, then shut up. Today, we will have that feast.”

Qi Huang’s declaration silenced the crowd. Then, she pulled out twenty taels of silver.

“All expenses for these two days—I’ll cover them.”

True, Qi Huang wasn’t wealthy. But as a pseudo-Divine Ability Realm expert, a few dozen taels meant nothing.

“Wow! The rich really are different! Throwing money around like it’s nothing!”

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“The Huangs are blessed to have such a daughter-in-law!”

“Not the Huangs—just Huang Qi! Look at Huang Long and Huang Bo’s wives—useless troublemakers!”

Whispers spread like wildfire.

“Money can’t buy food here! Where will you get supplies in this backwater?”

Qu Zhen’s jealousy dripped from every word.

“Even if my nephew’s a cultivator, he can’t leave the village. Who else would dare go to town? What good is silver then?”

Zhou Fang, Huang Kaiyou’s wife, backed her up.

“Auntie, since you mentioned it—do you have several tens of taels of silver to spare? Show us.”

Qi Huang extended her fair hand, challenging.

“Hmph! What’s the point if it can’t buy anything?”

Zhou Fang bristled.

“So if it could buy things, you’d contribute?”

Qi Huang’s smirk deepened.

“Of course! But Huang Qi’s the only cultivator here. He can’t go, so who will?”

Zhou Fang’s logic seemed airtight.

“Who told you he’s the only one?”

The corner of Qi Huang’s lips curled—though no one saw it beneath her veil.

The crowd stirred. What did she mean? Was there another cultivator among them?

“Remember your words.”

Qi Huang’s voice was ice. She preferred staying low-key—but the world refused to let her.