The Cool and Aloof Senior Sister Always Flirts with Me

Chapter 146: A Secret Conversation

As dawn began to break, Qi Xianqing and Yan Jue woke up.

The morning streets of Jiangnan were quiet, with only a few people about. A yellow dog wandered along the riverbank. Duan Luxi was also an early riser and waited downstairs for them. Without further delay, the three made their way to the Zuo family residence.

Qi Er greeted them at the door, surprised to see them. "Immortals! How come..."

Yan Jue stepped forward, opening her qiankun pouch. A dark, twisted figure rolled out, eliciting a startled cry from Qi Er.

"My apologies," Yan Jue said. "In the rush yesterday, your grandfather was... less than cooperative, so this was the only way."

Qi Er's grandfather, now reduced to a mindless mountain wraith, was tied with a binding cord, thrashing and writhing on the ground.

Qi Er stared at the struggling creature, stunned. "Is... is that really him?"

Duan Luxi asked, "Miss Zuo, can you tell if this person is indeed your grandfather?"

Yesterday, Yan Jue had noticed that this mountain wraith bore a striking resemblance to the person depicted in Qi Er's drawing. But she wasn't entirely certain, so she'd brought the wraith to Qi Er for her to confirm.

After a long look, Qi Er gasped, "It's him! He really is my grandfather!"

"Are you absolutely sure?" Duan Luxi gestured to the nearly unrecognizable creature on the ground.

Qi Er, trembling with emotion, nodded. "I'm certain. Thank you, Immortals."

Yan Jue, with a smile, replied, "It was no trouble at all."

Qi Er frowned at her grandfather's pitiful state and hesitantly asked, "Is there any way to restore him to his former self?"

Yan Jue sighed, "One who lives to a hundred has exhausted their lifespan; his soul has long dispersed. It's impossible to revive him."

The wraith on the ground let out a strange cry, opening its mouth wide.

Qi Er stared in silence at the twisted form of her grandfather.

Duan Luxi gently suggested, "Since we've found him, perhaps it's best to let your grandmother see him."

Qi Er quickly went inside and soon returned, supporting her frail, elderly grandmother. The old woman's steps were shaky as she walked toward the wraith, whose fingers opened and closed restlessly. His face had become entirely unrecognizable, his black eyes devoid of any light.

The grandmother's eyes filled with tears. "So, it was true after all..."

Qi Er turned to her, startled. "You knew that he..."

The old woman fixed her gaze on the wraith and, her voice trembling, explained, "It's an old legend in our village. They say if someone lives past a certain age without dying, they'll turn into a monster like this."

She sighed heavily. "Your grandfather was over a hundred when he vanished. I suspected he might have turned into one of these creatures."

Yan Jue's eyes widened slightly at her words.

The old woman was correct. In local folklore, such creatures were known as "Qiu Hu," but to cultivators, they were mountain wraiths.

"Your kindness will never be forgotten," the grandmother said, her voice soft with gratitude as she looked at Yan Jue. "Immortal, would it be possible for you to help him pass on?"

Qi Er bit her lip. "Pass on...?"

The old woman shook her head. "As he is now, living on is simply endless suffering."