Holding a lantern, guiding souls across, Lady Hou comes from the underworld.

"Another ghost story?"

Yu Lang frowned; this wasn't the first time he'd heard this argument tonight.

Manager Liu nodded vigorously, his tone extremely certain: "I would never dare to lie or deceive, and besides... I saw it with my own eyes."

Ren Fengjue remained expressionless, only asking, "Is it the ghost of Zhu Yan?"

"yes!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Manager Liu said, "I personally witnessed that ghostly figure appear in the young master's room, shouting that it wanted to take his life..."

Yu Lang was just finding it absurd when Ren Fengjue interrupted, "You mean, Ren Dongxing killed Zhuyan?"

"..."

Manager Liu dared not respond.

Ren Fengjue continued his analysis: "If ghosts could truly claim lives, Ren Dongxing should have been killed by Zhu Yan a year ago. What happened after that?"

Manager Liu swallowed hard before carefully replying, "The ghost was indeed very aggressive at the time, so the old master invited a Taoist priest to come and exorcise it..."

Yu Lang couldn't help but interject, "Could it be some kind of con artist? I think your Master Ren has probably been swindled out of a lot of money..."

"Shaoqing, you must believe me..."

Manager Liu said solemnly, "That Taoist priest was indeed very skilled. He used a soul-locking array to trap the vengeful ghost inside, and then used a soul-suppressing talisman to seal the ghost. Only then did the manor slowly return to peace."

Yu Lang listened with skepticism: "Is it really that powerful?"

Manager Liu nodded.

In the silence, Ren Fengjue picked up the teacup on the table again, held it in his hand, and began pacing back and forth in the flower hall.

Having worked with him for many years, Yu Lang knew this was Lord Ren's habit when analyzing cases. After he stopped, Yu Lang eagerly asked, "Lord Ren, have you made any progress?"

Ren Fengjue looked up at him, a slight smile playing on his lips: "No, there's still one thing I don't quite understand."

Based on what Manager Liu said, it can be basically concluded that the murderer who killed Zhu Yan was Ren Dongxing.

But since the incident happened more than a year ago, why was it only brought to light yesterday?

Therefore, Xia Ximo's appearance must be the key.

What Ren Fengjue didn't understand was this woman.

As for relationships, Xia Ximo was new to the capital and it was impossible for her to have any connection with Jinxiu Clothing Store. So how did she know that there was a painter who died unjustly in the store?

Moreover, why would someone do all these things for a complete stranger?

Thinking of this, Ren Fengjue walked up to Manager Liu again and asked, "Miss Xia came to the clothing store last night to ask about Zhu Yan's wrongful conviction, didn't she?"

Before the other party could reply, he continued, "Miss Xia, what else did you say or do to Ren Dongxing? The reason he suddenly went mad and scared himself to death must also be related to Zhu Yan, right?"

Manager Liu was somewhat impressed by his nearly identical analysis.

Knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, he immediately confessed all of Xia Ximo's strange words and actions after arriving at the manor the previous night.

After hearing this, Ren Fengjue was somewhat moved.

Just then, a waiter stumbled into the flower hall to report.

"Oh no! Oh no! Our old boss... he's been possessed by a vengeful ghost!"

After hearing this, Ren Fengjue and Yu Lang exchanged a glance and then headed to Ren Shuo's residence without prior arrangement.

When they arrived, they saw only broken pieces of utensils on the floor of the corridor, and several maids were squatting nearby, trembling, not daring to get too close.

Yu Lang had been listening to the "ghostly" story all night and was eager to go up and find out what was going on, but was suddenly stopped by Ren Fengjue.

"You stay outside and keep watch."

"..."

Yu Shaoqing reluctantly took a step back, but quietly asked Manager Liu beside him, "Where is that Taoist priest you mentioned? Could you please invite him over so I can broaden my horizons?"

Manager Liu wiped the cold sweat from his forehead: "With you and the young marquis in charge, they would have run away long ago."

Yu Lang clicked his tongue: "What a pity."

Ren Fengjue walked to the door alone and peeked inside through the half-open door.

There were no lights on inside; only the light from the corridor lamps could faintly illuminate a blurry figure in the room.

As he reached out to push the door open, the person inside became wary.

"Who's outside?"

It was Ren Shuo's voice, but his tone and manner had completely changed, and there was still a hint of fear mixed in.

Ren Fengjue gently knocked on the door: "Uncle, it's me."

As the door creaked open, he was about to step inside when the person inside suddenly cried out in surprise.

"Don't come in!"

It was still Ren Shuo's voice, but his tone was particularly sharp and quite jarring.

Clearly, at this point, "Ren Shuo" had been possessed by a ghost.

Ren Fengjue remained calm, standing straight in front of the door, and replied, "I may not go in, but you are not allowed to hurt anyone. If you have any grievances, feel free to speak them out, and I will stand up for you."

These words sent chills down the spines of everyone outside the door.

Yu Lang was even more shocked, looking as if his eyes had been opened.

If he heard correctly, Lord Ren… was he talking to a ghost?!

After a long while, "Ren Shuo" inside said in a low voice, "I have ended up like this all because of this father and son... If I cannot kill them, I will not be able to quell my resentment."

Ren Fengjue retorted, "Was the person who killed you Ren Dongxing?"

"Yes."

He is dead.

"not enough!"

Ren Shuo angrily said, "Ren Shuo ordered his men to use magic to scatter my soul and even wanted to condemn me to eternal damnation. I must settle this score with him!"

Ren Fengjue smiled calmly: "The cause and effect in this world are all cyclical, both in life and after death."

"Ren Dongxing is dead, and your debt of life and death with him is settled. If you kill Ren Shuo, that will be another debt of life and death. Can you bear that responsibility?"

Upon hearing this, Ren Shuo fell silent.

After a long pause, he finally sobbed, "But I'm not reconciled... I want to see them, father and son, get what they deserve!"

Ren Fengjue sighed softly: "Don't be so persistent. I can assure you that after tonight, justice will be served in the mortal realm, but the path to the underworld is for you to walk yourself."

After he finished speaking, there was no reply.

A moment later, a muffled thud was heard, followed by Ren Shuo's painful groans and cries.

"Help! Help! My head hurts so much!"

Ren Fengjue pushed open the door, but happened to catch a glimpse of a dark shadow disappearing at the windowsill. He paused slightly, sensing something strange.

The dark aura was so strong that it was unlike any ordinary ghost.

Could it be that there was more than just Zhu Yan ghost in this room?

Before he could think further, Yu Lang burst in from outside, looking around with great curiosity: "Lord Ren, has that ghost left?"

Ren Fengjue glanced at him, but asked in return, "What the hell? I've never seen this before."

As he spoke, he stepped forward and lit the indoor lights, then instructed Manager Liu, who was standing outside the door, "Have the servants come in to tidy up and serve, and also ask the family physician to check on the old master's condition."

Yu Lang's curiosity had reached its peak, but Ren Fengjue simply wouldn't engage with him.

Just as I was feeling uncomfortable, another announcement came from outside the door.

"Young Master, Physician Zhang says the situation is a bit strange. Miss Xia suddenly woke up and wants you to come over."