I am Guhuoniao, not an umbrella demon, please do not disturb me.

I must say, it's really nice to use Zhentian's legs as a pillow.

Time passed by in a leisurely manner. With nothing to do all day, Bai Qingyu stayed at the inn reading. In the afternoon, she used her demonic power to clean the children's clothes that they had changed out of, saving them the trouble of washing and drying them.

In the evening, he took Zhen Tian and set off to inquire about the Zhang and Li families.

It's heartbreaking that the once wealthy Zhang family no longer has its grand courtyard and high walls. The two elderly people are left in a small courtyard on the edge of town, raising chickens and ducks, living a life of poverty. Meanwhile, the once impoverished Li family has built a grand courtyard with high walls and blue bricks, and the two gilded characters "Li Mansion" on the vermilion gate seem so ironic.

If Li Zhou could settle the Zhang family elders properly, Bai Qingyu might think more highly of him. But the reality is that this Li Lang is a complete ingrate; he probably hasn't set foot in the Zhang family since Zhang Yan died.

Zhen Tian shook his head and sighed, remaining silent.

Tomorrow is the day that Master Li will return to his hometown, and the whole town is bustling with activity, especially the Li family. They are decorated with red and colorful decorations, and relatives visit one after another, including local gentry and wealthy people. The whole courtyard is very lively.

Do the people in the town not know about Master Li's dirty deeds?

Of course they know.

They simply chose to ignore it selectively. Instead of dredging up these old, trivial matters, they were more interested in how to curry favor with the Li family. After all, the Li family had produced a top scholar in the imperial examinations, and he was bound to become a high-ranking official in the capital in the future.

"Let's go, let's go, we'll come again tomorrow." Bai Qingyu sneered, just waiting to see when you, Master Li, will come tomorrow.

·

Early the next morning, Bai Qingyu was awakened from her sleep by the sound of gongs and drums. Standing by the bed and looking down, she saw a procession of carriages approaching. Before they even entered the town, the streets were already decorated with red and colorful decorations, and people were standing on both sides of the street.

Adults bring their children along, so that they can see the brilliance of the top scholar and let their children see it too, so that they can benefit from his glory and take him as a role model, hoping that they can also become a top scholar in the future and enjoy the same glory as Li Da Guanren.

Men, women, and children peeked around, creating a chaotic scene where it was impossible to understand what they were discussing.

Bai Qingyu stood by the window and listened for a while before she realized that they were mostly marveling at the Li family's rise to prominence and the fact that they had produced such a promising son.

They would no longer be in the same class. The people could only sigh with emotion. Some even tried to curry favor, thinking that since he was surnamed Li and they were from the same big family, they might be able to share in the good fortune. They thought that even a little bit of money would be enough to make them eat their fill.

Bai Qingyu curled her lip at these distant relatives. If anyone should be grateful, it should be the Zhang family. Without their support, Li Zhou would still be living a poor life gathering herbs in the deep mountains. His dreams of becoming a top scholar or the daughter of a high-ranking official were all just fantasies.

Instead of being grateful, Li Zhou cruelly tied up the man's daughter and killed her on the back mountain.

The Zhang family only has one biological daughter; they have never had an adopted child.

"After a long journey, Li Lang is almost here."

After quickly getting ready to leave, Bai Qingyu even altered her feather robe into a black outfit and covered her face with a black silk scarf, looking every bit the kidnapper.

This outfit actually hindered Bai Qingyu's actions, but for her, no matter what she wore, it wouldn't stop her from catching the bastard.

The main problem was that killing a court official would cause trouble, and Bai Qingyu didn't want his identity to be exposed.

Bai Qingyu called Zhen Tian out and told her not to stay in the town but to go up the mountain to wait for her. Zhen Tian's features were too obvious, and she could be recognized at a glance. As long as she had black hair and black eyes, she was not afraid of anything.

Zhen Tian nodded in agreement as she watched the convoy from afar. Soon she and Bai Qingyu separated. She went up the mountain, while Bai Qingyu looked for an opportunity to capture someone.

Bai Qingyu left the two boys there to wait for her to return.

The residents all rushed to the town entrance and the street in front of the Li family compound to wait, which made things convenient for Bai Qingyu. She leaped across the rooftops a few times, and after leaving the town, she arrived at an old tree halfway up the mountain. From here, she could see the situation of the Li family compound clearly without worrying about being discovered. Anyway, her eyesight was good; others couldn't see her, but she could see others.

The town was bustling with activity, with gongs and drums beating and someone even playing the suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) at the front of the convoy.

Bai Qingyu felt that the suona playing was really good, and it was perfect for seeing off the Li family's esteemed master.

For some reason, Bai Qingyu felt that her behavior was somewhat yandere. Zhen Tian was innocent and had feelings for Li Zhou, and now she was about to send Li Zhou to his death in front of her. If she were to say something like, "Zhen Tian, ​​you can only be my sparrow," it would be even more suggestive.

*Ahem* Just kidding, how could she be a yandere?

Amidst the deafening sounds of gongs and drums and the blaring of suonas, Bai Qingyu was lost in thought when Li Da Guanren's large, luxurious carriage arrived.

The carriage was made entirely of mahogany and featured a red curtain with gold trim. Just by looking at the luxuriousness of the carriage, one could tell just how high the status and position of the Li family's esteemed official was. To have risen to such a position in just a few years, this young man certainly had some ability.

The well-trained guards spread out on both sides, and the maidservant quickly stepped forward to lift the carriage curtain.

Outside the Li residence, the two elderly members of the Li family were beaming with joy, attracting envious glances from those around them. Some adults even lifted their children up to see the high-ranking official and try to bask in his good fortune so they could also become high-ranking officials in the future.

The red curtain was lifted, and Li Da Guanren stepped down from the carriage with the help of his servants. The county magistrate and a group of local gentry and wealthy people hurriedly came forward.

"What a grand display!"

As Bai Qingyu sighed, Master Li entered the Li residence surrounded by the crowd.

The courtyard was filled with the aroma of food, wine, and meat as guests filled the air with laughter and chatter.

Bai Qingyu was unaware that Li Zhou had been asking around about Zhen Tian since he entered the room. Upon hearing that Zhen Tian had not yet been captured, Bai Qingyu's eyes flashed with anger. He had paid money, not to watch a group of people chase after Zhen Tian. If he didn't save Zhen Tian's life, how could Zhen Tian truly repay him? How could he win the heart of this female demon?

Holding the wooden umbrella in her arms, Bai Qingyu waited quietly.

More than half an hour passed before she set off. Her petite body was exceptionally agile, leaping over the houses without making a sound. The high walls of the Li family were of course no match for her, and she easily climbed over into the courtyard.

The courtyard was filled with tables and chairs, and after such a long time, most people were drunk and started bragging, and no one noticed the arrival of Bai Qingyu, the uninvited guest.

Li Zhou, sitting in the main seat, was also quite drunk, his tall hat askew.

"I'm telling you, that golden-feathered bird must be caught by me. I don't want the golden feathers, I want the bird!"

Happy Mid-autumn Festival!

Volume 1: Chapter 53 Catching the Unfaithful Man

The common people naturally didn't know the name Itsumade; they called Mademoiselle Kinba, which is easy to understand—a bird with golden feathers.

Li Zhou returned this time ostensibly to bring his parents to the capital, but his real purpose was to come for Zhen Tian. He made a three-year agreement with Zhen Tian as a form of insurance, and since he had not received any news of Zhen Tian's arrest, he had to return in person.

He was still thinking, shouldn't three years be enough time for the true heaven to take human form?

Once he transforms into human form, he can marry her as a concubine. No one will know that he married a demon. At that time, it will be both a life-saving grace and a marital relationship. Wouldn't the entire demon in Zhentian then take the shape of Li Zhou?

The idea was good, but unexpectedly, another bird demon showed up uninvited.

Bai Qingyu moved swiftly, appearing beside Li Zhou in a flash. He grabbed Li Zhou by the neck with one hand, lifted him up, and took a step into the air. After a few more leaps, he disappeared from everyone's sight. The whole process took no more than two seconds. The guards around him couldn't even react before Bai Qingyu grabbed Li Zhou and left the scene, disappearing without a trace.

On the street, Bai Qingyu moved with incredible speed, almost disappearing into the town as a blur.

Those who witnessed Master Li being taken away could only see a black shadow flash by. They couldn't even tell if it was a man or a woman, let alone his face. They were already drunk and slow to react, and many people only realized that Master Li was gone when they saw the chaos around them.

The entire Li residence fell silent for a few seconds before erupting into chaos, instantly sobering everyone up.

Such a high-ranking official was kidnapped right in front of them.

At the same time, Li Guanren, who had been dragged around by the neck like a dead dog, sobered up. The surrounding scenery was blurry, but he could tell that he was running out of town. Just as he was about to speak, his foot hit a rock, causing a bloody mess with bones visible.

Mr. Li cried out in pain and fainted.

To this, Bai Qingyu could only say that she didn't do it on purpose; she was running so fast that she didn't have time to care about the boy.

Bai Qingyu quickly went up the mountain and saw Zhen Tian and Zhang Yan in the distance.

When Li Guanren woke up again, he found himself lying on a mountain. The surroundings felt unreal, and he thought he was dreaming. Especially after seeing Bai Qingyu, he felt even more like he was dreaming. How could there be such a beautiful woman in the world? She could only appear in dreams.

Seeing that Li Guanren had woken up but then inexplicably closed his eyes again, Bai Qingyu simply grabbed his clothes and slapped him hard across the face twice. Li Guanren's face visibly swelled up, and this time he was truly awake and knew that he was not dreaming.

Releasing him, Mr. Li sat up, clutching his head. "Young lady, may I ask..."

"Shut up."

Bai Qingyu interrupted him coldly, "Your name is Li Zhou?"

"Yes, it is indeed I, the official."

Li Zhou, having regained his senses, was still unaware of the seriousness of the situation. His eyes were almost entirely on Bai Qingyu. Being a lecherous man, he couldn't resist such temptation. In fact, he even started thinking about how to win Bai Qingyu over.

He used to come up with crooked ideas, like singing or reciting poetry, but now his first thought is to frame Bai Qingyu with a fabricated crime and arrest her, then she'll be at his mercy.

If Bai Qingyu had a husband, it would be even easier. Just frame her husband for a crime and force her to comply. That way, you can unlock more positions without winning her heart.

Coming to his senses, he realized he had been kidnapped by the woman in black. However, he wasn't panicked. She only wanted money, and he had plenty of women and money. But when he started to pay attention to his surroundings, his expression completely changed. The back mountain of Kangshan Town was a place he would never forget; he remembered every flower and blade of grass there.

"Then that's it."

Seeing that he wouldn't get up, Bai Qingyu simply grabbed his collar and pulled him up so that he could turn his head and see Zhang Yan.

Zhang Yan's ghost had already regained her appearance before Bai Qingyu arrived.

She begged Zhen Tian for help; in her words, she wanted to see him in her most beautiful state.

However, upon seeing Zhang Yan in her "most beautiful" state, Li Zhou was horrified. He let out a strange cry and fell to the ground, trembling all over. "Ghost! Ghost! Don't come any closer! Don't come any closer! I'm telling you, I'm an official, I'm protected by the imperial court. Be careful, or I'll go down the mountain and find a master to beat you up!"

"Li Lang...you, you don't remember me...?" Zhang Yan could no longer hold back her tears.

"Get away from me! You're already dead, why are you still bothering me? I'll burn paper money for you, I'll burn paper money for you, okay?!" Li Zhou was terrified and tried to get up and run away, but Bai Qingyu kicked him to the ground.

"Li Lang... have you forgotten the vows you made to each other back then? Have you forgotten the marriage certificate you wrote for me? I... I just want you to take me back and bury me."

"Don't come any closer!"

Li Zhou howled like a ghost, his official hat fell off, his official robe was covered in mud, and he kept retreating, only to be stopped by Bai Qingyu with the sole of his shoe.

Bai Qingyu raised her hand, and Zhen Tian walked over and handed her something.

It was a red piece of paper with something written on it; to be precise, it was a marriage certificate that Li Zhou had written to Zhang Yan.

“Listen up, you heartless man. Zhang Yan died because of you. Her body was only discovered three years after her death, and although it was already decomposed, her resentment and obsession remained. Her obsession was too strong, and the ferry to the underworld could not carry her, so she could not be reincarnated. What do you think should be done about this?”

Unfolding the marriage certificate, Bai Qingyu threw it directly at Li Zhou's face.

"I, I..." Li Zhou held the marriage certificate, which seemed to weigh a ton, unsure how to answer.

Bai Qingyu wanted to slap him. Was it so hard to take Zhang Yan's remains back and bury them properly? This guy was smart all his life and could even become the top scholar in the imperial examination. Could he not even pass this little test?

"The ghostly wails and the soul burns; I hope you will make a choice as soon as possible."

The long umbrella parted the withered grass, and a skeleton appeared before their eyes—it was Zhang Yan's remains.

Under Bai Qingyu's threatening gaze, Li Zhou trembled as he walked to the withered grass. Looking at the skeleton with its skull cracked open, he trembled even more violently. The ghost of Zhang Yan and her cries filled his ears, and his legs began to go weak.

Zhen Tian stood aside, silent. Before this, she never imagined that Li Zhou would be such a two-faced and ruthless person.

"Li Zhou, didn't you take a bird with bird feathers and a snake's body from here three years ago?"

"After Zhang Yan's matter was dealt with and things were explained, she is here."

As soon as Bai Qingyu finished speaking, Li Zhou turned around abruptly and saw Zhen Tian standing quietly to the side.

I didn't dare to look too closely before, but now I can see the wings on Zhen Tian's arm and that incredibly conspicuous golden feather.

"Birds!"

Li Zhou stumbled and ran straight toward Zhen Tian, ​​only to be stopped halfway by Bai Qingyu's umbrella.