Volume 6, Chapter 357 – I’ve Never Seen a Maid This Rich Before

The miraculous effects of the Cat’s Tears quickly became apparent. Yin energy, much like the five elemental spiritual energies, was something ordinary people—and even cultivators—could not see with the naked eye. Yet, with just a single drop in her right eye, Xia Wei’s vision transformed.

Inside the coffin, faint wisps of black energy clung to the corpse of Elder Liu, resembling mist curling through the mountains after rain.

“It’s true… there really is yin energy!”

Xia Wei turned excitedly toward her mistress.

Liu Yingyue also wanted to try, but knowing the value of the Cat’s Tears, she hesitated. With a pleading tone, she asked Qi Huang, “Little Yu, may I try as well?”

“Of course! I already said, anyone who wants to try is welcome. The more, the better. I want this guy to admit defeat with no excuses left.”

Qi Huang was exceedingly generous.

Reassured, Liu Yingyue took the vial and applied a drop. Just as Xia Wei had described, dark energy clung to her father’s corpse.

Seeing that the two women were unharmed, others stepped forward to verify the truth. As more and more people confirmed the presence of yin energy, the hall erupted in outrage. Some cursed the so-called “Immortal Cao” for his incompetence, while others marveled at Qi Huang’s extravagance.

“Is she really just a maid the Ninth Young Miss picked up? She casually pulls out a vial of Cat’s Tears, who would believe that? And she even lets us use it freely!”

“Exactly! A single vial is worth thousands of taels of silver. If it’s pure, it’s even more expensive. Since when do maids have this kind of money?”

“What’s more, Cat’s Tears are incredibly rare. Ordinary people can’t even get their hands on them. Where did she get hers?”

Whispers spread through the crowd. The sharper ones were already beginning to suspect that Qi Huang was far more than she appeared.

“Second Elder Liu, aren’t you going to verify it for yourself?”

Qi Huang cast a questioning glance at Liu Biao, who had yet to spare his elder brother’s corpse a single proper look since entering.

“No need. I trust everyone else’s judgment. The Cat’s Tears are too precious to waste.”

Liu Biao forced a stiff smile.

Qi Huang didn’t bother pressing further. Instead, she turned her attention to Immortal Cao.

“Well? What do you have to say for yourself now?”

“I don’t believe it! You must all be conspiring to deceive me!”

Sweat beaded on Immortal Cao’s forehead as he clung to his last shred of denial.

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“Still refusing to accept it? Fine, see for yourself!”

Qi Huang generously handed him the vial.

Gritting his teeth, Immortal Cao took it and applied a drop to his eye. The moment he peered into the coffin, his defiance crumbled.

“Satisfied now?”

Qi Huang retrieved the vial and pressed him further.

Immortal Cao said nothing, his spirit utterly broken. The truth was, he had considered dispelling the yin energy earlier, but the cost of Cat’s Tears was too steep. He had hoped to cut corners, never expecting to encounter someone who actually knew what they were doing.

“What do you take the Liu family for? Fools? And you call yourself an immortal? You can’t even perform a simple rite properly, what a disgrace to your sect! Get out!”

Liu Biao’s scathing words left no room for argument.

With no rebuttal left, Immortal Cao could only slink away, his two followers trailing behind him like shadows.

“An immortal? More like a fraud!”

“Elder Brother was the one who hired him. His judgment is seriously lacking, even a maid our little sister picked is more capable!”

“Can he really lead the family? I’m worried about our future…”

The murmurs among the siblings grew louder.

Liu Yingliang’s face darkened. The man had been his recommendation, and this humiliation reflected directly on him. There was no denying it.

“Look, Elder Liu’s canine teeth are already pushing past his lips, and his nails have grown long and black. These are all signs of corpse transformation. If we hadn’t caught this in time, not only would Elder Liu never rest in peace, but your entire family would have been doomed.”

Qi Huang pointed out the changes in the corpse, prompting gasps from the crowd. Some even recoiled in fear.

“Little Yu, what should we do now?”

Liu Yingyue hurriedly sought her guidance.

“Yes, young lady. If you have a solution, please help us. We won’t forget your kindness.”

Madam Fangyun, Liu Yingyue’s mother, also spoke up.

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“No need to worry!”

Qi Huang reassured them before reaching into her robes. With a thought, several talismans floated out from her spatial ring.

“I’ll place these talismans on his body. The yin energy will disperse soon enough.”

She displayed the talismans briefly before placing them on Elder Liu’s forehead, chest, and limbs—five in total, each designed to ward off evil.

“Alright, close the coffin now. Let’s not disturb Elder Liu any further.”

At her command, the servants stepped forward and sealed the coffin.

“You really do know your stuff!”

Xia Wei’s eyes widened in amazement.

“Of course. No one understands funeral rites better than I do.”

Qi Huang’s confidence was unshakable.

“Well… now we have another problem. We just chased off the ritual master. Who’s going to perform the rites?”

Madam Fangyun’s question hung in the air.

Everyone exchanged glances before their eyes inevitably settled on Qi Huang.

“Little Yu, since no one knows rites better than you, would you take over?”

Liu Yingyue asked tentatively.

“Hold on! I have principles, I don’t steal others’ livelihoods. Everyone should stick to their own roles. Otherwise, wouldn’t I be robbing someone of their work?”

Qi Huang refused outright. She wasn’t about to invite unnecessary trouble.

“But you already did just that!”

Liu Yingyue pointed out.

“And now my conscience is tormenting me for it!”

Qi Huang clutched her chest dramatically.

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Seeing no way to persuade her, Liu Yingyue turned to her mother for help.

“I’ll find someone else.”

Liu Yingliang’s voice cut in, ill-timed as ever.

“Please. With your judgment? I’ll handle it myself.”

Liu Biao didn’t bother hiding his disdain before hastily leaving, his steps unsteady.

Liu Yingliang stood frozen, humiliation and frustration boiling inside him. He couldn’t understand why his uncle was suddenly favoring his younger sister so blatantly.

With matters temporarily settled, Liu Yingyue prepared to change into mourning attire before returning to keep vigil. As her personal maid, Qi Huang naturally followed.

Xia Wei, being Elder Liu’s adopted daughter, was both Liu Yingyue’s maid and a quasi-family member. With so much to handle in the household, she couldn’t stay by her mistress’ side at all times.

This made it clear that, for now, Qi Huang was the one closest to Liu Yingyue.

Carrying the mourning clothes, Qi Huang followed Liu Yingyue to her chambers.

Pushing open the door, Liu Yingyue found her room spotless, thanks to the servants’ diligent cleaning, though it lacked the liveliness of her presence.

Qi Huang closed the door behind them.

Instead of changing immediately, Liu Yingyue sat on the edge of the bed, visibly upset.

“What’s wrong?”

Qi Huang tilted her head.

“Now, tell me the real reason you came. Don’t say it’s for money, that vial of Cat’s Tears alone is worth more than a maid could earn in a lifetime.”

Liu Yingyue’s tone was accusatory.

“To protect you, of course. Didn’t my sworn brother already tell you? But you judged me by appearances and insisted on treating me as a maid. That story I made up was just to distract you from your grief.”

Qi Huang summarized everything in a few sentences. The “sworn brother” she referred to was, of course, Huang Di.

Liu Yingyue froze. After a long silence, she bowed her head.

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“I’m sorry, Little Yu. It was my fault for not recognizing your worth.”

“It’s fine. I know you meant well.”

Qi Huang waved it off magnanimously.

Liu Yingyue bit her lip, her expression softening slightly.

“Little Yu, my father’s death was too suspicious. I’ve always suspected foul play and swore to avenge him. But now it turns out the culprit was a malignant spirit…”

She let out a self-deprecating laugh, her eyes reddening again.

“So what if it’s a spirit? A father’s killer is an enemy for life. Are you scared?”

Qi Huang chided.

“Not scared, just powerless. I’m just an ordinary person. Even if that thing stood right in front of me, I wouldn’t see it. How could I possibly take revenge?”

Liu Yingyue sighed.

“I can help you!”

Qi Huang volunteered without hesitation. Since they would be working together long-term, a favor now wouldn’t hurt.

“Really?”

Liu Yingyue’s eyes lit up. After everything that had happened, she no longer doubted Qi Huang’s abilities.

“Of course. But only if we can find it.”

Qi Huang’s confidence remained unwavering, though she left herself some room, her divine sense had already swept through the Liu estate and found no trace of any evil presence.

“Little Yu, I believe in you! But… if that thing doesn’t show itself again, how can we track it down?”

Liu Yingyue slumped in defeat.

“Don’t worry. There might be a way to lure it out. Though I can’t guarantee it’ll work.”

Qi Huang’s smile was cryptic.