Chapter 4: The Manor of Master Ming - Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

## Chapter 4: The Manor of Master Ming In the realm of the human cultivator, there are three gates and nine realms. The Human Gate focuses on self-cultivation: Body Refinement, Qi Condensation, and Spiritual Intent. The Earth Gate emphasizes external objects: Golden Core Formation, Five Elements, and Dharma Body. The Heaven Gate contemplates the Great Dao: Dao Inquiry, Primal Heaven, and Profound Understanding. Though there are numerous practices among the Three Teachings, Martial Artists, Demons, and Heretics, they are largely similar in essence. At the Shushan Sect, disciples must exchange labor for resources. This approach might seem harsh, but it's intended as training. In reality, the sect cares for its disciples. For instance, disciples in the first and second realms are not allowed to take on missions outside the mountain range; they can only engage in chores like tending to spirit plants, feeding spiritual birds, or managing the hall's affairs. When it comes to the Spiritual Intent realm — while those who reach it are considered experts in the earthly world — within the Shushan Sect, it's merely the threshold for venturing outside to slay demons. There is, however, a significant distinction even in demon-slaying missions. The most sought-after assignments are those involving strange cases in wealthy households. First, the chances of encountering powerful demons within city walls are minimal, reducing potential danger. Second, the bustling and lively environment provides opportunities for leisure alongside the mission. Lastly, affluent families are generous; beyond paying the sect's commission, they often bestow lavish rewards as gratitude, which directly benefits the slayer and can be quite lucrative. It was precisely such a task that Elder Shen had picked for Chu Liang. "Greetings to the young hero Chu!" "Greetings to Master Ming." "Young hero Chu, you must be exhausted!" "It's all in the service of the people." ... Chu Liang flew on his sword to the outskirts of Xingzhou city, and then walked to the mansion of Master Ming in the city to present his credentials. Immediately, Chu Liang received a warm welcome. Master Ming was a slender middle-aged man, with an elegant demeanor and a short beard beneath his chin, making a good impression at first glance. However, his sunken eyes and weary expression betrayed the torments he had endured. "With a young hero from the Shushan Sect here, our family could finally find peace," Master Ming remarked, leading Chu Liang to the main hall, instructing servants to serve tea and water, and then sighed emotionally. "Let's first discuss the specifics," Chu Liang suggested with a smile. "Sigh..." Master Ming exhaled deeply, "My family has always been one of good deeds across generations. I have no idea why we've encountered such bizarre happenings…" "Just three days ago, eerie cat cries began outside our estate — mournful and chilling to the core. Two days ago, the cries moved to our front courtyard, and a household attendant even caught sight of the creature, engulfed in a sanguine aura! By yesterday, the cries had reached our backyard! My wife has been deeply disturbed by this…" "Young hero…" he pleaded earnestly, "If we can't stop it, it might break into our home to kill tonight!" Master Ming's swift actions involved seeking help from a temple outside the city by the next day. Typically, temples with abundant incense offerings either host cultivators or have ties to a particular sect, otherwise, they couldn't thrive. The temple outside Xingzhou has a close connection with the Shushan Sect, which is why this mission reached the Shushan Exchange Pavilion so promptly. "Hmm..." Chu Liang pondered for a moment at this account. Creatures that only appear at night… advancing step by step… didn't seem like a demon. They appeared more akin to a ghost, a spirit. Considering a demon with substantial cultivation would have intelligence akin to humans and wouldn't behave so unpredictably. Only lesser spirits, perhaps driven by grudges from their past lives, will exhibit such peculiar behavior. This particular cat spirit… Could very well be the ghost of a deceased cat. With this thought, Chu Liang inquired, "Has a cat been harmed at your residence in the past few days?" "Certainly not..." Master Ming shook his head, "My wife is quite compassionate and has always treated animals kindly. The stray cats and dogs around have always been fed by our family." ... By the time Chu Liang arrived, it was already afternoon. Having asked for specific details and conducted a preliminary inspection, nightfall was approaching. The household hurried to host a banquet in his honor. After all, any later, and the cat spirit might emerge. The banquet was lavish, with Master Ming and Chu Liang seated, each attended by a maiden, an extravagant treatment never seen on Silver Sword Peak. But after waiting for some time without everyone present, a maid reported, "Master, Madam's condition has worsened, and she cannot attend the banquet. She asks for the young hero and yourself to pardon her absence." "Ai..." Master Ming immediately frowned with worry, stood up, and, looking apologetically at Chu Liang, said, "Young hero Chu, please excuse me, I'll just go check on my wife and return shortly." With that, he hurried off towards the backyard, leaving Chu Liang behind. Chu Liang wasn't offended, merely smiling, "Master Ming has a deeply affectionate relationship with Madam." "Indeed." The maid beside him said enviously, "Master and Madam have been married for ten years, still inseparable. Madam was once sick and unable to bear children, and she even advised Master to take a concubine for the sake of having an heir. But Master refused to take a concubine to this day." Another maid remarked, "Only a woman as beautiful and kind-hearted as Madam could deserve such deep and enduring love from Master." A short while later, Master Ming returned in haste. "Is Madam alright?" Chu Liang asked. "Nothing serious, just some discomfort from the disturbances over the past few days. Once this spirit is dealt with, she should recover naturally," Master Ming said. "I'll do my utmost," Chu Liang assured. Before the feast ended, a gust of wind arose outside. An ominous gale, accompanied by eerie energy, suddenly rushed through, flinging open the hall doors and sending dishes and utensils clattering. "The cat spirit is here again!" Master Ming exclaimed in terror. Chu Liang quickly moved to the entrance, focusing on the aura permeating the air. The oppressive gloom indicated ghostly presence, yet it was tangled with fierce demonic winds. Could it be both…? "There’s something peculiar. You should all hide…" Chu Liang turned to advise the non-combat personnel of the Ming household to take cover. But turning back, he found the hall completely deserted, void of anyone but himself. From afar, Master Ming's voice drifted in the wind, "Young hero Chu, it’s all up to you now…" Well then. They certainly fled quickly. Any concern for the Ming family's safety now seemed entirely unnecessary. Judging by their evacuation speed, even if the entire city of Xingzhou were overrun by demons, they’d remain unharmed. "Meow—" No time to dwell further; an ear-piercing, sharp cry echoed, truly chilling in its intensity. “Aha!” Chu Liang commanded, a flick of his wrist transforming his sword bracelet into a longsword, which he grasped as he stepped outside the hall. Immediately, he noticed the grotesque blood aura infused within the courtyard! Standing ensconced on the estate's courtyard wall was a cat-faced creature. Its twin iridescent eyes shone deathly white. Its face, covered in black matted fur soaked in grimy blood, seemed terribly small. Most peculiar, despite its feline head, this fiend had the body of a human infant, covered in blood but devoid of fur. A horrifying spectacle! Even Chu Liang felt a slight chill in his heart upon seeing it. This entity... It was a spirit of grievance, a ghost formed from intense malice! Simultaneously a spirit of an unborn, an aborted child, whose resentment is tenfold that of typical ghosts! And a demon spirit, a demon transformed into a ghost! No wonder it appeared so bizarre; grievance spirits, unborn spirits, demon spirits… each stands distinct among ghostly existences. And before him, this creature was essentially… An amalgamation of all!