Previously, Su Su had no clue about extracting the Evil Bone, but the Crimson Flame Bee incident gave her an inspiration.
The last War of Immortals and Demons had occurred countless years ago.
Numerous Immortal Venerables had fallen, but the Demonic Beasts were all suppressed in the Desolate Abyss, sealed within the Barrier.
Since then, the mortal realm had been stable.
The Cultivators retired after achieving their goal, though greatly weakened. Every hundred years, the Immortal Mountain would only accept disciples with exceptional aptitude.
Before coming, Su Su had asked her father—
"Can I seek help from Father five hundred years ago?"
The Green Robe Immortal Venerable sighed: "No, five hundred years ago I was in seclusion and likely wouldn’t emerge for several decades."
"Then can I find Mother?" Su Su was quite hopeful about this, as she had never met her mother.
The Green Robe Immortal Venerable fell into rare silence: "You won’t be able to find her."
That was all he said.
When Su Su pressed further, her father refused to elaborate, his expression tinged with sorrow.
Unable to find either parent, Su Su couldn’t pin her hopes on fellow disciples either.
Firstly, the Immortal Mountain was closed at this time, and Cultivators wouldn’t come to the mortal realm to recruit disciples, so Su Su couldn’t go to the Immortal Mountain at all; secondly, even if she told the truth and someone believed her, they still had no method to extract the Evil Bone.
If they did, why would so many fall five hundred years later?
Su Su’s only hope lay with the Divine Turtle suppressing the Desolate Abyss.
The Divine Turtle had lived for tens of thousands of years, and perhaps only it knew the method to extract the Evil Bone.
The Divine Turtle slumbered in the Desolate Abyss, but now that Demonic Beasts had escaped from there, the Divine Turtle must have awakened!
As long as she reached the Desolate Abyss, she could learn the method.
Su Su suppressed her excitement, as the escape of Fiends was not a good thing—it meant the seal was loosening, and even the Fiends had sensed that their Demon God was about to awaken.
Although they hadn’t found Tantai Jin yet.
The turmoil in the Three Realms five hundred years later might have started from this very moment.
The loosening seal and the awakening of the Divine Turtle represented hope for extracting the Evil Bone, but also signaled the beginning of danger.
Given this, it was even more crucial not to let Tantai Jin die at this time. If he died, the Evil Bone would awaken, and by the time the Fiends broke out of the Desolate Abyss, it would be too late for her.
After some thought, Su Su called the steward: "Can you help me buy some Talisman Paper and Cinnabar?"
The steward was surprised: "Third Miss, what do you need these for?"
"With demonic creatures appearing, it’s good to have Exorcism items prepared in the mansion," Su Su said. "Remember, the Talisman Paper must be made from Peach Wood over a hundred years old, and the Cinnabar must be mixed with Fierce Beast blood."
Su Su had no Spiritual Power, but fortunately, she had learned Talisman Drawing.
The steward was hesitant, but seeing Su Su’s insistence, he nodded: "I’ll help the young lady look for them."
As soon as he left, the little beggar came to report: "Miss, Third Young Master has gone to the Gambling House again!"
Su Su gave him a silver ingot: "Thank you."
She put on a veil and, bringing Chun Tao along, went to the Gambling House the little beggar had mentioned.
Su Su sat in the teahouse across the street for a while and indeed saw Third Young Master Ye Zheyun come out arm-in-arm with the Minister’s son.
Both wore exceptionally bright smiles.
The Gambling House owner saw them off, and after a good while, Su Su instructed Chun Tao to stay where she was before going out herself.
She found a young man soliciting business outside the Gambling House and said apologetically, "Please inform them, young sir, that I’ve come to repay the remaining gambling debt for Third Young Master Ye. See if this is enough."
She took out several gold ingots.
The young man said in surprise, "Miss, Third Young Master’s gambling debt was already settled a few days ago!"Su Su understood clearly. Recalling the estimated value of the stolen items that Concubine Lian had mentioned, she added, "I thought the six thousand taels Young Master Ye paid recently wouldn't be enough to settle his debt with your establishment."
The young man scratched his head, looking puzzled. "The third young master only owed five thousand taels, which was fully repaid some time ago."
"Is that so? I must have remembered incorrectly. I won't disturb you further then."
Su Su hadn't been certain before whether the items were taken by the second or third young master, but now she understood—it was Ye Zheyun.
Items worth six to seven thousand taels—she wondered how much money her third brother had actually gotten for them.
Seeing how completely unashamed he acted, he probably didn't realize how serious the consequences were. Or perhaps he did know the consequences but assumed Tantai Jin would bear the burden for him.
Chun Tao also understood now and said indignantly, "The third young master has gone too far, even taking Old Madam's Jade Guanyin! And he framed the Hostage for it. Fortunately, young mistress uncovered the truth, otherwise the Hostage would have suffered greatly."
"Having his hands broken?" Su Su recalled their previous conversation.
Chun Tao shook her head. "Not necessarily, but if it were the Hostage, Concubine Lian would definitely not let him off easily."
Concubine Lian appeared kind, but the servants all knew she had a vicious heart behind her benevolent facade.
Chun Tao asked, "Young mistress, what should we do now?"
"Let's return to the manor first."
As soon as Su Su arrived at the General's manor, Xi Xi hurried out to meet her. "Third young mistress, you're finally back! Old Madam discovered the Jade Guanyin is missing and was so angry her chest hurts. Concubine Lian was scolded and, to appease Old Madam, plans to take it out on the Hostage!"
Su Su had known this matter couldn't be kept secret for long. She quickly went with Xi Xi to the main hall.
But this time, knowing the truth, she wasn't the least bit anxious.
It was the same scene as last time, except now both Old Madam and the second and third young masters were present. Ye Chu Feng sat meekly in his chair, trying to make himself inconspicuous, while Ye Zheyun ate grapes, watching Tantai Jin with gleeful schadenfreude.
Old Madam clutched her chest, saying to Tantai Jin, "If you don't recover the Jade Guanyin, the General's manor cannot keep you!"
Su Su quickly went to support Old Madam. "Grandmother, please calm your anger."
She understood how important the Jade Guanyin was to Old Madam. It wasn't particularly valuable in terms of money, but Venerable Tonghui had personally given it to Old Madam before his passing.
It held extraordinary significance.
Concubine Lian said, "Third young mistress, as you can see, since the Hostage committed such a filthy deed, someone must be held responsible."
Su Su gently patted Old Madam's back to soothe her, feeling somewhat amused. "Then in Concubine Lian's opinion, how should the person who stole the Jade Guanyin and Second Sister's dowry be punished?"
Concubine Lian sighed. "If the Hostage reveals the Jade Guanyin's whereabouts, we can be lenient—just thirty strikes with the board."
Thirty strikes—such mercy. For someone with a weak constitution, that could mean half their life.
Ye Zheyun said with a cheeky grin, "Third sister, Concubine is already being very merciful. You wouldn't be unwilling, would you?"
At these words, Tantai Jin looked at Su Su.
Su Su propped her chin on her hand. "What are you saying, third brother? Of course I wouldn't be unwilling."
Tantai Jin pressed his lips together, his eyes suddenly darkening.
Concubine Lian said, "Hostage, you'd better quickly tell us the Jade Guanyin's whereabouts."
Tantai Jin said coldly, "I don't know."
Ye Zheyun bit into a grape, fanning the flames. "Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Grandmother, Concubine, shouldn't we impose a severe punish—"Tantai Jin looked at Ye Zheyun, his dark pupils like bottomless whirlpools. Ye Zheyun felt a rare moment of fear and awkwardly closed his mouth, refraining from adding fuel to the fire.
Seeing Old Madam's gloomy expression, Concubine Lian quickly said, "Someone, take the hostage..."
"Wait!" Su Su interjected.
Concubine Lian said displeased, "Third Miss, last time I trusted you, which is why we delayed for so long. Surely you're not going to shield the hostage prince again this time?"
She was deeply dissatisfied. Ye Xi Wu was Old Madam's favorite, so naturally Old Madam wouldn't scold her—she would only point her finger and curse at Concubine Lian instead.
"Of course I won't shield anyone," Su Su said with a smile. "Concubine Lian, you're right. Those who make mistakes must be severely punished."
Su Su said worriedly, "Thirty strikes with the board—I wonder if one can endure that."
Concubine Lian inwardly sneered.
This jinx would be better off dead. It was only because Ye Xi Wu didn't know how to behave properly that she brought such a troublemaker back.
"Third Miss, you jest. The family has its rules."
Su Su nodded understandingly. "Since even Concubine Lian thinks it's fine, then drag Third Brother out."
Her words shocked everyone present.
Concubine Lian exclaimed in astonishment, "What did you say?" Ye Zheyun was her son!
Su Su said, "Third Brother was the one who took the items. He used all of them to repay his gambling debts. Concubine Lian, surely you wouldn't shield him just because it's Third Brother, would you?"
Ye Zheyun's face turned pale. He stood up and said, "Ye Xi Wu, don't talk nonsense! It was that bastard who took the things. What does it have to do with me?"
"That's simple," Su Su said. "Xi Wu is also afraid of wrongfully accusing Third Brother. Why doesn't Third Brother stay seated while Grandmother sends someone to ask at Ruyi Gambling House? Third Brother's monthly allowance is only a few dozen taels of silver. The truth will easily come to light."
The old woman's expression turned grim. She rubbed her temples and raised her hand. "Zhao Fu, send someone to ask."
Seeing Ye Zheyun's ashen face, Concubine Lian instantly understood what had happened.
Her composure vanished completely. She fell to her knees with a thud and crawled on her knees to Old Madam. "Old Madam, Third Young Master is young and impulsive. He was only momentarily confused. I beg you to be lenient and spare him!"
Ye Zheyun also knelt with a thud. "Grandmother, it was Minister Li's son who took me there. I won't dare do it again!"
Old Madam stamped her cane. "Concubine Lian, what a fine son you've raised!"
Concubine Lian sobbed, "Third Young Master will retrieve the Jade Guanyin. I am also willing to compensate for Second Miss's dowry."
Su Su blinked and reminded, "The family has its rules. However, since the one who made the mistake is Third Brother, let's be lenient. Just thirty strikes with the board will suffice."
Concubine Lian's face turned green with rage. She began kowtowing. "This won't do! Third Young Master has been weak since childhood. Thirty strikes would take his life!"
She now deeply regretted bringing up the matter of thirty strikes.
Ye Zheyun's legs also began to tremble. "Grandmother, Grandmother, I know I was wrong."
Su Su picked up a grape. "Concubine Lian, didn't you say thirty strikes were nothing? Why can Tantai Jin endure them, but Third Brother cannot? What kind of logic is that?"
Concubine Lian wept and cried out sharply, "Third Miss, I have no grudge against you. Why are you treating Third Young Master like this?"
"But who did Tantai Jin provoke?" Su Su stood her ground without backing down.
Old Madam stared at Concubine Lian and said, "Enough!""Concubine Lian shall reflect on her actions in her courtyard for two months. Zhao Fu, go redeem the Jade Guanyin. As for Ye Zheyun, this unfilial wretch, make him kneel in the ancestral hall for two days without any food!"
This punishment made Concubine Lian sigh in relief. Though kneeling for two days in such freezing weather would be arduous, at least her son was spared greater suffering.
The Old Madam, after all, remembered Ye Zheyun was her own grandson, and only demanded his reflection.
Su Su stared at the Old Madam in shock. The Old Madam looked weary and had attendants support her as she left.
Just... like that?
If it were Tantai Jin, he would have lost half his life today.
But because it was Ye Zheyun, he only had to kneel for two days.
What she had always believed in seemed to crumble. Her father had said that although injustice existed in the world, as long as we were willing to defend against it, there would always be a good outcome.
Only after coming to the mortal realm did Su Su realize that people were born with different fates—inherently unfair from the start.
She clenched her fists and looked at Tantai Jin, surprised to find the youth exceptionally calm, his lips curling slightly in mockery.
As if this outcome had long been within his expectations.
It had become habitual.
He knew he was born different from others.
Late at night, Ye Zheyun remained alone in the ancestral hall.
Lying in the quilt Concubine Lian had secretly sent via a servant, he tossed and turned, unable to sleep.
So cold! How could he possibly sleep!
Before taking the Jade Guanyin, Ye Zheyun had thought of pinning the blame on Tantai Jin. It was all Ye Xi Wu's fault for interfering—otherwise, why would he suffer like this?
Resentment boiled within him, followed by a scornful thought: they still couldn't do anything to him anyway.
Suddenly, the wind and snow ceased. The howling gusts vanished, leaving an instant of profound silence.
Ye Zheyun didn't notice at first, until a pitch-black crow flew in through the window lattice.
The crow fixed its crimson eyes on him, staring ominously.
Ye Zheyun shuddered under its gaze and threw an apple at it. "Get lost!"
The crow flew away.
Strange—a red-eyed crow in the dead of winter? It made his skin crawl!
Then, the window was violently smashed open.
A flock of red-eyed crows swarmed in, frantically pecking at Ye Zheyun's flesh.
Ye Zheyun screamed, crawling toward the door. "Help! Help! Father..."
Stumbling, covered in blood.
He fled the ancestral hall and collapsed beneath the corridor.
In his blurry vision, a pair of men's boots appeared. Ye Zheyun cried out in terror, "Save me, drive these monsters away..."
"Ah, how pitiful." The newcomer sighed softly, voice filled with pity.
After the third young master fainted, drenched in blood, the youth stood against the light, his pale lips visible.
The corners of his eyes were tinged red, feigning sympathy.
Then he curved his eyes, unable to suppress a low, quiet laugh, as if witnessing an utterly delightful scene.
The red-eyed crows continued vying to feast on Ye Zheyun.
Noticing something amiss, Tantai Jin turned and saw a young girl in a pink cloak.
Holding a lantern, she stood in the wind and snow, pressing her lips together as she watched him.
He wiped the smile from his face, his dark pupils turning cold and heavy.
The crows scattered in panic.
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