Chapter 18: Why Don’t I Marry Master Instead?
Ming Ji contemplated for a while. Although Wu You’s idea was somewhat risky, it was still a good method.
If the wedding was held with enough fanfare, it might just lure the Thousand-Faced Ghost out. Putting oneself in the trap was a feasible plan.
Moreover, among everyone present, Ming Ji had the highest cultivation. He couldn’t let his few Foundation Establishment disciples take the risk.
“Master, I have an idea,” Wei Zixi said.
Ming Ji looked over at the sound. Just one glance made Wei Zixi’s heart pound wildly.
He suppressed his nervousness and spoke slowly, “As an evil spirit, the Thousand-Faced Ghost is naturally insidious and cunning. If he uses despicable means to restrict Master, we disciples would likely be helpless.”
“Why don’t I disguise myself as Miss Shen, and Master can disguise as the Zhao Gongzi engaging in the marriage alliance with her? That way, we can coordinate from the inside and outside. Even if I am truly abducted, Master can place a tracking talisman beforehand to find the Thousand-Faced Ghost’s trail.”
Wei Zixi curved his eyes, secretly delighted in his heart.
To be honest, he naturally had some selfish desire to be alone with Ming Ji. Aside from that, he also wanted to eliminate this evil ghost and protect the common people.
So what if he was truly in danger?
Thinking of this, Wei Zixi’s gaze became even more determined, and he said resolutely, “I hope Master will grant this.”
Hearing this, Yan Shiman’s eyes darkened. When he spoke, however, it was with a tone of concern: “Little Junior Brother, you are young and lack experience, nor do you understand the situation in Yanjing. Why don’t you let me coordinate with Master?”
“I grew up here and am more familiar with it than you. Besides, how can a senior brother let a junior brother face danger first?”
Chu Yunduan also spoke sincerely to Ming Ji, “I have many life-saving items. Even if the Thousand-Faced Ghost’s means are insidious, I am confident I can retreat unscathed. Why not let me coordinate with Master?”
Wu You, huddled in the corner, watched these people putting on a show and muttered inwardly: Are there really people rushing to their deaths?
However, compared to Yan Shiman and Chu Yunduan, the two original “attackers” (Gong), Wei Zixi, this original passerby, looked righteous and awe-inspiring. His proposed method also seemed more foolproof.
Thinking this, Wu You rarely spoke up for Wei Zixi. “Immortal Venerable, Young Master Wei makes sense. If we really follow his method, let him coordinate with you; capturing the Thousand-Faced Ghost shouldn’t be a problem.”
Ming Ji had originally favored Wei Zixi. At this moment, he looked at him with worry. Seeing his determined expression, Ming Ji could only sigh helplessly and took out many life-saving talismans and artifacts from his storage bag.
“Shiman and Yunduan have already passed the age of adulthood (20), and their physiques are too mismatched. But Zixi is only sixteen or seventeen; he shouldn’t reveal any flaws. It’s just…”
Wei Zixi looked up to see his Master’s worried expression. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed his two senior brothers gritting their teeth in anger at Ming Ji’s decision, and his heart instantly bloomed with joy.
But he showed none of it on his face. He simply accepted the talismans and artifacts solemnly, looking at Ming Ji with burning eyes.
“Master, rest assured. This disciple will definitely not fail his mission.”
Wei Zixi was pondering the strategy in his heart. Before he could express his next thought, he saw Ming Ji’s expression turn somewhat strange and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Master, what happened?”
——It turned out that when Guan Yuce woke up, he didn’t see anyone around. After looking around, he discovered they were not in the inn. In desperation, he used the sect’s communication tool to contact Ming Ji.
Ming Ji was speechless for a moment, feeling a bit of guilt. He had originally seen that Guan Yuce was sleeping soundly and didn’t disturb him. Unexpectedly, so many things happened today that he nearly neglected this disciple.
Hearing Wei Zixi’s question, he subconsciously reached out and touched the somewhat hot jade pendant.
“…Your Senior Brother Guan is still at the inn.”
“Eh?”
When Ming Ji arrived at the inn, he immediately saw Guan Yuce standing pitifully in the original spot, his fluffy ears drooping in disappointment, looking exactly like an abandoned puppy.
No, he should be an abandoned little fox…
Seeing Ming Ji return, his eyes lit up for a moment, and he immediately ran over.
In that instant, Ming Ji had an illusion—this disciple of his probably wasn’t a fox; he was more like a puppy.
After all, what fox was like this?
Ming Ji felt somewhat helpless. He patted his shoulder soothingly and said, “I saw you sleeping soundly earlier, so I didn’t wake you. After our discussion just now, we have a plan to deal with the Thousand-Faced Ghost.”
Guan Yuce’s expression immediately became somewhat serious. “Immortal Venerable, please speak.”
Afterward, Ming Ji concisely explained the planned strategy.
After listening, Guan Yuce thought carefully and said, “Immortal Venerable, we should visit the Shen Manor first under the pretext of exorcising ghosts. Once they agree, on the day of the grand wedding, the rest of us can help out under the guise of offering congratulations.”
Hearing this, Ming Ji also agreed with this view and nodded gently.
Since Wu You had no cultivation, they decided not to let her take risks and left her at the inn. The others were responsible for going out to gather intelligence, while Ming Ji went to the Shen Manor alone.
When he arrived at the Shen Manor, the servants saw that Ming Ji had an extraordinary bearing and quickly forced smiles onto their faces. “Are you here to clear the evil spirits after seeing the notice? Daoist priest, please come inside.”
After seeing Lord Shen, Ming Ji didn’t say much. He directly showed his cultivation world identity token and spoke softly, “Lord Shen, I heard your daughter has extraordinary beauty. Since the ghost has abducted many beautiful women, you have recruited capable people from all over because of this.”
Shen Chi Xu had long since smiled until his eyes curved upon seeing Ming Ji’s token. However, due to his old age, his smile revealed several wrinkles on his face.
He smiled and said, “It is my daughter’s fortune that the Immortal Lord is willing to help.”
Ming Ji showed no extra expression towards his fawning flattery, merely saying softly, “I wonder if I could see Miss Shen?”
“Naturally, naturally. Immortal Lord, please come inside.” Even though Shen Chi Xu was met with coldness, he still wore an ingratiating smile.
He led the way for Ming Ji. Just as they were approaching Shen Yi’s room, he pretended to chat casually, “Immortal Venerable, I heard there are many miraculous elixirs in the cultivation world. I have been without a son for many years, I wonder if there are any pills…”
Fearing his remuneration wasn’t enough, Shen Chi Xu continued to add, “Naturally, if the Immortal Venerable has a way, I, Shen, will thank you with ten thousand taels of gold.”
Ming Ji, however, showed no mercy, his voice cold. “If it is not in your fate, do not force it. Even gods cannot help you with such matters.”
Shen Chi Xu’s face stiffened for a moment upon hearing this. But having been in officialdom for many years, he was deeply scheming, and soon wore that fake smile again.
When he brought Ming Ji to Shen Yi’s room, he dismissed the other servants and called to Shen Yi, who was sitting at the table.
“Yi’er, this is the Immortal Lord who has come to help you.”
It had to be said that Shen Yi was indeed a beauty. Her temperament was gentle. After slowly approaching, she thanked Ming Ji with proper etiquette.
“Little girl Shen Yi thanks the Immortal Lord for his help.”
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