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Chapter 357 Advocating Chaos
Liu Hao felt as if the sky had fallen.

Really.

In this godforsaken world, he was living a pretty good life—his family had produced several scholars in the past, and although none of them became high-ranking officials, they could still be considered a scholarly family. They also owned some land outside the town. It wasn't the best, but it was more than enough for them.

Moreover, unlike those heartless rich bastards, Liu Hao, although he makes money, is also willing to spend it. Every year, he is the first to stand up for what is happening and what troubles he encounters. He also donates this and that on a regular basis. He even spent a lot of money when he was dealing with foreign devils a few days ago. Overall, he does not consider himself a great philanthropist, but at least he has a clear conscience.

But who would have thought we'd get into this mess!

Watching his wife cry incessantly, Mr. Liu felt his head throbbing with increasing pain.

"Cry, cry, all you do is cry! What good does crying do? If crying could solve anything, I'd cry with you right now!"

However, his wife ignored his current agitation and yelled back while wiping away her tears.

"My own grandson is almost dead, can't I even cry for a bit? If you're so capable, go and find a way to save Song'er's life, what's the use of yelling at me here!"

Liu Hao was speechless. He pointed at his wife for a long time, about to scold her, but in the end, he seemed to have lost all his strength and slumped into the chair.

In the end, all the words came down to one sentence.

"What a sudden disaster!"

Yes, for their entire family, this was indeed an unexpected disaster.

After all, who would have thought that while they were just sitting at home doing nothing, their own child would be chosen as a sacrifice to the evil spirit?
And most importantly, this was personally designated by them!
If it weren't for this incident, perhaps he could have tried to smooth things over with his superiors, pulled some strings with old friends, or even paid someone to replace him with a death row inmate—but with this personal designation, no one would dare to help him, no matter how powerful their connections were.

Where can he turn for help now? The Forbidden City?

Just as Liu Hao was about to rack his brains over the crying, a servant suddenly knocked on the door.

"Sir, I'm here."

"We can talk about it later, can't you see I'm annoyed right now!"

But the other party did not back down because of the shout. Instead, after a brief silence, he spoke again.

"Master, someone outside requests an audience."

Liu Hao wanted to curse even more this time, but just as he was about to open his mouth, he suddenly realized something was wrong.

He was indeed lenient with his servants, but he was also very strict with them. He would never let them become so lawless. Now that this guy was willing to endure his reprimand to report this, could it be that there was something really important?

Liu Hao glanced at his wife, who was still crying uncontrollably, sighed, then picked up a handkerchief and wiped his face, finally managing to look somewhat presentable before speaking.

"Come in, who's requesting an audience? From the yamen? The village head? Or those people demanding sacrifices?"

However, Liu Hao uttered several words in succession, but the servants only shook their heads. Finally, when Liu Hao became somewhat impatient, he cautiously reported.

"He's an old man from out of town, with his apprentice. He says he can help you solve your current troubles."

Liu Hao was taken aback.

But what followed was not a pleasant surprise.

It was utter and complete anger.

Since the incident at his home, countless waves of all sorts of charlatans, monks, and Taoist priests have come to visit. At first, he received each and every one of them with great care, hoping that one of the masters could save his grandson. But soon, he discovered that every single one of these guys was a complete fraud, simply trying to take advantage of the chaos to extort money from him.

However, after sending a few of the most troublesome ones to jail, no one bothered him anymore—why are there still these blind fools trying to cause trouble?

Liu Hao waved his hand impatiently.

"Tell him to get lost, get far away from here! How many times have I told you, if you encounter this kind of swindler, just beat him out with sticks! Are you deaf? Can't you hear me?"

The servant listened to the reprimand with trepidation, but afterwards, he still kept his head down and spoke respectfully.

“Master, this one is different from the previous ones. He really looks like someone with real skills.”

Upon entering the living room, the first thing Liu Hao saw was the two people who looked like beggars.

The older one looked to be over seventy years old, with a mustache and wearing a sheepskin coat that hadn't been washed in who knows how many years—the thing was visibly stiff—and you could smell a foul odor from a distance that kept strangers away.

The younger one was better. Although his clothes were just as tattered, at least his face was much cleaner, and he always had a faint smile on his lips, which made people feel good about him.

The problem is, judging from his appearance, he doesn't look like someone with any ability at all.
Liu Hao felt a terrible headache coming on. He glanced at the servant and decided to give him a good beating later—but before that, out of habit from his scholarly family, he spoke up.

"I am Liu Hao, the head of the family. May I ask what business you two have with me?"

However, before he could even speak, he had already devised a plan in his mind.

If they're just going to try and get something for free, then give them a little money and get them out of here. If they're not satisfied, then use the usual stick as a punishment. And if even the stick doesn't work...
Then we can only add a few more elegant seats to the county's prison.

Who would have guessed.

Hearing these words, which clearly carried a hint of rejection, the old man calmly stroked his beard and then smiled.

"Our grandfather and grandson are here to see Master Liu today not for anything else, but..."

"I've come to save your whole family's lives."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hao was stunned, then burst into laughter in anger.

Damn it, I already have a terrible headache, and you're cursing me?

He was too lazy to waste any more words, so he simply waved his hand, intending to have the servants outside swarm in.

—Although I, Liu Hao, am not from a wealthy family, I do have a few strong men in my household. Do you think you can bully me like that?
"Don't kill him, and don't cripple him either. Just teach him a lesson and then throw him into the stinking ditch outside."

However, before he could finish speaking, the old man quickly added something else.

"Sir, have you recently gotten involved with something bad, perhaps something like evil spirits?"

Everyone in the surrounding area knows about this, do you need to tell me?

Liu Hao rolled his eyes, didn't reply, and continued walking into the house.

But Old Man Li's voice continued.

"However, that evil spirit wants nothing more than the life of your little grandson."

Liu Hao paused for a moment.

Although this is not a secret, it is basically only known to one's own family. Where did this person hear it from?
Those people who always speak without thinking, or perhaps...
But before he could finish considering it, the old man said a third thing.

"If I'm not mistaken, it must be because your child's birth date and time happen to match that evil spirit, which is why it targeted him, right?"

Liu Hao was startled and turned around abruptly, shouting at the servants who were about to attack, "Stop!"

A moment later, the hall was tidied up, and Liu Hao no longer showed any sign of negligence. Instead, he performed all the proper courtesies and spoke respectfully.

"I was unaware of your esteemed presence, venerable sage. I was indeed somewhat rude earlier; please forgive my rudeness."

The words were very sincere, almost pleading.

Zhou You was finally able to take a closer look at the man.

As for his age, he was probably in his forties. In ancient times, it wouldn't be unusual for someone his age to have grandchildren. He looked like someone who had lived a life of luxury. However, now his face was full of sorrow, and most of his hair had turned gray.

Old Li sipped his tea leisurely—exuding the air of a carefree, otherworldly sage, completely devoid of any trace of his previous sleazy demeanor.

"It's alright. My father and I have indeed caused quite a few misunderstandings with our attire, but that's all minor. Now, let's get down to business—I'm asking you, is what I just said true or not?"

Liu Hao quickly replied.

"Yes, everything is exactly as you said, Old Immortal, without the slightest error."

Old Man Li nodded.

"Alright, I won't say anything else—to tell you the truth, I had a connection with your ancestors in the past. A few days ago, I foresaw that your family was facing a great calamity, which is why I traveled a long way to come here, all to save your whole family's lives."

Zhou You almost burst out laughing while listening to this.

You traveled thousands of miles just to save someone's life? No, just a few days ago you were trapped by bandits and almost cooked, okay?
However, Zhou You didn't expose him. Instead, he sat down to the side and started looking at Liu Hao's face as well.

Although most of it was nonsense, the old man was right about one thing: this Mr. Liu's face was indeed ashen, and not just a little bit ashen, but almost looked like he was about to die.

But problems also arise.

What's the source of this death? Is it some kind of supernatural disturbance? But I've never heard of that before.

Although he had many questions in his mind, now was not the time to interrupt, so Zhou You simply listened quietly.

At this moment, his cheap master said in a low voice.

"So don't hide anything from me, tell me exactly what happened."

Upon hearing this, Liu Hao sighed deeply, then spoke as if he had made up his mind.

"Actually, it's not complicated. You've heard of immortals, haven't you? There's been a demon around here recently, right?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

"Well, at first everyone thought it was just an ordinary demon or ghost, so they didn't pay much attention. They just wanted to ask some Taoist priests and monks to perform a ritual to drive it away, as is customary. But after several people went missing, they realized that the thing was no longer a demon or ghost, but had deteriorated into a malevolent spirit."

"Then why didn't you find someone more capable to handle it?"

Liu Hao slapped his thigh and sighed.

"We did look for them, of course we did! We went to Xianyi Temple to ask for help the very first day we realized something was wrong, but they only took one look and said they couldn't solve it. As for temples higher than Xianyi Temple, most of them are too far away to reach us, and besides, we don't have the money to hire them."

Old Li nodded, his face growing increasingly serious—but Zhou You could still vaguely discern a hint of sarcasm in his expression.

"So, you're planning to handle this using the conventional method of human sacrifice?"

Liu Hao's expression also turned somewhat unpleasant, but he still tried his best to argue.

"Immortal, you've wronged us! We originally planned to buy several death row inmates at a high price, provide them with good food and drink, and even raise their parents and children after their deaths. But who would have thought that before we even got them, that chaos..."

Old Man Li chimed in.

"So the evil spirit targeted your child and designated him as a sacrifice?"

".Yes."

Liu Hao lowered his head like a defeated rooster, but the old man Liu did not continue to speak. Instead, he tapped the table with his index finger for a while before speaking again.

"To be honest, this is not a easy thing to do."

Liu Hao immediately understood and hurriedly said.

"God, I'll pay any price to save my child."

However, to his surprise, and even to Zhou You's surprise, Old Man Li shook his head and refused.

"This isn't about money—by the way, what did Xianyi Temple say when they refused you?"

"They say this thing is ordained by Heaven, and ordinary people should not act rashly."

"Indeed, you've probably heard of Tai Sui, right? Disrupting spirits is like Tai Sui; if you mess with it carelessly, you might lose your own life at best, or your whole family at worst."

Liu Hao was going all out and spoke frankly.

"Then may I ask, venerable sage, what solution do you have?"

Old Man Li said with a light laugh.

"It's very simple, you just need to make something exactly like your child to replace it."
-
About ten minutes later, the entire Liu residence began to move.

Some went to gather the required materials, some went to prepare the meal, and others were busy running around, serving Old Man Li with utmost care, as if he were their own master.

However, the old man's enjoyment didn't last long, as Zhou You found an opportunity and forcibly pulled him out.

"Master, this isn't fair. It's one thing to steal small things and cheat people out of food, but this family is in such a terrible state, how can you still be so heartless as to lay a hand on them?"

He had meant well with his words, but upon hearing them, Old Man Li immediately became furious and glared at him.

"Who said I was trying to lie to them? Who said that! I'm clearly trying to help them. Do you really think I'm incompetent?"

"If you were so capable, would you have almost been roasted alive by a gang of bandits?"

The voice went silent in an instant.

"It's not that I didn't have any weapons, and I got ambushed by those guys." Old Li muttered, trying to find an excuse, but he immediately realized his identity, glared at him with his bull-like eyes, and said angrily, "No, do I need to explain to you? Just tell me what you want."

Zhou You didn't press the issue further, but instead took a deep breath and asked seriously.

"I said, Master."

"What exactly is this 'spiritual chaos' that you've been mentioning?"

　Happy New Year to all my fellow book lovers!
　　
　
(End of this chapter)