PWE – Chapter 17 It’s only been a short while since we last met, and you’re so fierce?

Beneath the pond was a black whirlpool. It exuded thick yin energy, looking extremely eerie.

When Xiao Wange saw Father Shi dive into the whirlpool, she followed him in.

After about ten seconds, Xiao Wange emerged in another pond.

This pond was much smaller than the Shi family’s, but deep inside, there was also a black whirlpool. The two whirlpools were connected, forming a passage to the underworld.

For someone to create such a passage—it was proof of considerable skill.

Her eyes narrowed slightly as she lifted her head and looked around. The pond was located in a siheyuan courtyard. Normally, courtyards of this kind had flowers or trees, but here, a pond had been built right in the center! Clearly, it was specially constructed for the underworld passage.

Father Shi had already rushed into a room. As soon as he entered, a sinister, cackling laugh echoed from within. The laugh carried vicious malice, tinged with the glee of a plan well-executed.

Xiao Wange stepped out of the pond. As she strode toward the house, she formed hand seals, drying the water off her body.

When she reached the doorway, she heard a sly voice from inside:
“I thought you wouldn’t fall for it. Never imagined you’d be this stupid, following so quickly.”

Xiao Wange paused briefly. So this person’s real target… was her.

Father Shi running here today was just bait to lure her in.

Her steps resumed. Crossing into the room, her lips curled in cold mockery.
“If I didn’t come, how else could I deal with you? You’ve committed so many vile deeds—it’s time you paid the price.”

The yin energy in the room was terrifyingly dense. If Father Shi’s bedroom had felt like a graveyard, then this room was more like a corpse-breeding ground. For a room to become like this, it could only mean it hid countless filthy things.

At the center sat a fat, gloomy-faced middle-aged man on a meditation mat.

He sneered at Xiao Wange with contempt.
“Make me pay the price? Little girl, you’re not afraid your tongue will twist from such big talk?”

Xiao Wange gave a cold laugh.
“I say many things, but never empty boasts. Have you ever divined your own fate? Did you see that today… disaster will fall on you?”

This man was none other than You Bifang.

On the surface, he looked like an ordinary middle-aged man. But ghostly qi clung to his body. For such qi to appear on a mortal could only mean two things: either he was possessed, or… he had devoured spirits.

And You Bifang was clearly the latter.

His eyes darkened, his face even gloomier.

He cackled.
“Disaster is yours, not mine. Why don’t you divine your own fate, little girl?”

Suddenly, he lunged, his fingers transforming into razor-sharp black claws, reeking of ghostly energy. A single strike could maim or kill.

But Xiao Wange showed no fear. She sneered, and when the claws neared within ten centimeters, she swung her palm like a blade.

With a sharp crack, her palm cleaved the ghost claws clean off!

“Ahhh!” You Bifang’s shrill scream rang out, filled with agony.

Before his eyes, the claws reverted into a human hand, now torn with deep bleeding gashes, staining the floor red.

He gasped in disbelief. She had severed his ghost hand with her bare palm! That ghost hand had cost him several devoured spirits to cultivate—the combined strength of many fierce ghosts.

And she destroyed it in one strike.

Who on earth was she?

“Surprised? The real shock is yet to come.” Xiao Wange quickly formed another seal and struck him with a spell.

His body froze, paralyzed, unable to move. Agonizing pain flared inside, and with it, something drained away from within.

He realized in horror what it was—his ghostly power being stripped from him.

“Stop! Stop this instant!” he screamed hysterically.

But Xiao Wange ignored him, casting another spell that accelerated the drain, throwing him into further panic.

Three minutes later, the binding lifted. He could move again—but all his ghostly qi was gone. The power he had gained from devouring spirits had vanished completely in mere minutes.

His eyes burned red with fury and despair.
“Damn you, wretched girl! You deserve to die! DIE!”

He pulled out a string of bells, shaking them violently while chanting incantations.

Xiao Wange only watched coldly, unafraid.

When the spell completed, Father Shi suddenly turned crazed, his eyes blood-red. Like a wild beast, he lunged at Xiao Wange.

At the same time, two corpses crawled out from beneath the bed—a man and woman in their fifties, eyes lifeless, moving like puppets to attack her.

Xiao Wange’s gaze darkened.

Forming seals, she blocked their advance with spells, glaring coldly at You Bifang.
“Truly heartless! You murdered the owners of this house! Such vicious cruelty!”

You Bifang’s bells still rang. He spat each word with venom:
“So what if I’m cruel? Great men ignore trifles! For success, I’ll kill as many as it takes!”

Xiao Wange: “…”
This man had lost all humanity. Talking to him was a waste of breath.

Her body flashed forward. In an instant, she tapped Father Shi and the couple, immobilizing them completely.

When You Bifang saw this, he panicked. He shook the bells harder, chanting again—but no matter what he did, they did not move.

His eyes widened in fear.
“What’s going on?! Why won’t they move?! WHY?!”

His final words erupted in a crazed, hysterical roar.

Xiao Wange sneered coldly.
“Because I bound them. How could they still obey you?”

“You—”

“You’ve committed countless evils—someone like you deserves to go to hell! But since you’re still just a mortal, mortals should be handled by the police!” Xiao Wange said as she rushed forward, snatching the bell from You Bifang’s hand before he could react.

The bell was wrapped in black energy—clearly not a good thing.

Holding it tightly, Xiao Wange glanced toward a corner of the room, spotted a rope, grabbed it, and charged back at You Bifang.

By now, You Bifang knew he was no match for Xiao Wange.

So he decided to seek help.

He suddenly pulled out a round mirror, bit his finger, let blood drip onto the surface, and quickly chanted an incantation.

When he finished, a human face appeared on the mirror. It clearly wasn’t his own.

But that face wore a mask, making the features completely unrecognizable.

“Master, master, save me! Hurry and save me!” You Bifang cried, staring desperately at the person in the mirror.

The man in the mirror had sky-blue eyes. He glanced coldly at You Bifang, his voice hoarse and rasping as if a saw had cut his throat:
“Trouble again?! How useless can you be!”

The tone was dripping with disdain and contempt.

You Bifang quickly angled the mirror so Xiao Wange’s figure appeared within it.
“Master, she’s too strong. I can’t defeat her. Please, help me deal with her!”

His voice was pleading, full of desperate hope that his master would come at once.

Xiao Wange looked at the man in the mirror and smirked.
“So you’re the one backing up this disgusting creature, You Bifang.”

Those eyes—sky-blue. She had only ever seen such eyes on foreigners. But this man was clearly not a foreigner.

Even without seeing his face, she knew he wasn’t.

The mirror man’s pupils shrank when he saw Xiao Wange, his expression flashing with surprise.

But in the next instant, his gaze returned to normal, his hoarse voice laced with hatred and an emotion hard to name.
“So—it’s you!”

Xiao Wange: “…”
He knows her? Or perhaps… the original owner of this body?

“Master, only you can handle her. Please, just this once, help your disciple!” You Bifang begged again, full of hope and reverence.

Xiao Wange sneered coldly, her eyes mocking.
“Tsk tsk… your disciple is begging you to deal with me. Aren’t you going to show yourself?”

The method You Bifang and this mirror man used was an ancient secret art. It allowed communication through a mirror—like a 21st-century smartphone.

But beyond communication, the art could also allow one’s avatar to cross over through the mirror.

However, only someone extremely powerful could pull this off. Otherwise, they would suffer backlash—soul-burning agony. Worse, if the process failed, it could injure the real body, even cause it to explode.

So normally, no one would attempt it—unless utterly desperate.

And clearly, You Bifang wasn’t worth the risk.

The mirror man’s eyes went ice-cold. He shot You Bifang a look of extreme contempt.
“Useless trash. If you die, it’s no loss. Let her send you to hell!”

As he spoke, he cast Xiao Wange a deep look, then vanished.

You Bifang hadn’t expected his master to be so cold and ruthless.

Staring at the mirror, he cried out frantically:
“Master! Master, you can’t abandon me! You can’t!”

But the mirror no longer showed his master’s face—only his own reflection.

Fury, fear, and despair churned inside him. With no help from his master, how could he possibly face this terrifying woman?

Xiao Wange gave the mirror a glance, her eyes flashing. In a blink, she was in front of him.
“Seems your master isn’t very reliable. Next life, try finding one who is.”

With that, she flung out the rope. It moved like it had a soul of its own, wrapping tightly around You Bifang in less than ten seconds.

She shoved him into a corner, then walked to the wardrobe and opened its doors.

Inside were three corpses—a young couple and a baby.

The baby had eleven fingers—but every finger had been severed. The young man was missing his right hand, hacked off at the wrist.

Xiao Wange’s eyes darkened. So the baby’s fingers and the man’s severed hand were buried in the Shi family’s courtyard, used as part of a formation.

You Bifang was utterly depraved. He had destroyed this family, and even after their deaths, he used their corpses—denying them peace.

Xiao Wange cast a sorrowful glance at the three bodies before walking over to Father Shi. She tapped his forehead and led him outside like a puppet, dumbly following her.

They went back to the pond and jumped into the black whirlpool.

Seconds later, she and Father Shi emerged again in the Shi family’s pond.

At the bank stood Mother Shi and Shi Xiaohong.

When she saw them return, Mother Shi burst into tears of joy.
“You’re back—you finally came back!”

She had been terrified for both her husband and Comrade Xiao. Not seeing them return had nearly broken her.

Xiao Wange guided Father Shi out of the water, then looked at Mother Shi.
“Bring me cinnabar, yellow talisman paper, and a brush. I need to draw a talisman!”

Something still lurked inside Father Shi’s soul, and she needed to drive it out.

Mother Shi didn’t hesitate. She nodded quickly.
“Okay, okay, I’ll get it right away!” She hurried to the study.

The family normally hadn’t stocked such things, but after their recent troubles, they had invited many “masters” who required them. To avoid running short, they had bought plenty in advance—fortunately so, for now they were needed.

Shi Xiaohong led Xiao Wange and Father Shi back into the house.

Xiao Wange used a spell to dry both herself and Father Shi.

Shi Xiaohong watched wide-eyed, marveling at her, praising her endlessly as if she were a goddess.

Xiao Wange only gave a faint smile. A goddess? Hardly. To be a deity meant shackles and restrictions—rules stricter than mortal law. Hardly something enviable.

Just then, Mother Shi returned with cinnabar, talisman paper, and brush.

Xiao Wange had her place the items on the table, then quickly drew a talisman in barely ten seconds.

She pressed it onto Father Shi’s body and performed a sealing spell.

The combined power forced something out of Father Shi’s soul.

It was a shadowy figure, so dark it was hard to distinguish at first. But upon closer look—it was a humanoid silhouette, its belly grotesquely swollen.

Mother Shi and Shi Xiaohong froze at the sight.

“That… that thing was in my husband?” Mother Shi asked.

Xiao Wange nodded.
“That is a Hungry Ghost. It devours food raw, but also consumes human souls. Someone bound it to your husband’s spirit. If left long enough, it would eat away his soul, merge with his body—until your husband became it.”

Mother Shi gasped sharply, eyes wide with terror.
“Horrible… how could something like this exist?! Was it You Bifang? Did he put it inside my husband?”

Xiao Wange nodded again.
“Yes.”

She glanced at the vacant-eyed Father Shi. Although the Hungry Ghost had been forced out, Father Shi’s body and soul had been tainted after being possessed for so long, so his mind still hadn’t cleared.

Xiao Wange frowned, raised her hand, and gave Father Shi’s forehead a heavy knock. At once, it was as if he had awakened from a long dream, suddenly regaining his senses.

When he came to, he looked at Xiao Wange before him, startled: “Comrade Xiao? Why are you here?”

Mother Shi hurried up, clutching her husband’s arm, and quickly told him everything that had happened since last night. Father Shi, hearing it, turned pale with lingering fear: “Fortunately Comrade Xiao was here, fortunately she helped us. Otherwise, this old life of mine would have ended at You Bifang’s hands.”

And not only his own life—even his wife, daughter, and sister-in-law might have been lost. After all, You Bifang was ruthless and would never leave loose ends.

Xiao Wange gave Father Shi a look and said: “Later, go to the Public Security Bureau and file a report.”

“Report a case?” Father Shi froze, then quickly understood: “You’re right. You Bifang is so vicious he almost wiped out my whole family—it should be reported. I’ll go at once…”

She watched him, brows knitting slightly: “Not just your family. Another family was also harmed by him.”

Then she told him about the other family.

After hearing, both Father and Mother Shi’s eyes reddened with grief and rage.

Mother Shi said: “I knew that family. They lived just two streets away. Their son was so capable—after succeeding in business in the provincial capital, he bought a house there. Just last month he came back with his wife and child, saying he wanted to bring his parents to live in the city. We thought they had all gone to the capital… Who knew they’d been killed. How could You Bifang be so cruel, so vicious?!”

They should have been living a happy life, yet You Bifang slaughtered them all without leaving a single survivor. Too cruel—far too cruel.

Father Shi spoke heavily: “It’s my fault. If I hadn’t brought him here, maybe none of this would’ve happened. It’s all my fault. My fault…”

He deeply regretted it, blaming himself for inviting You Bifang, who had lived in the neighboring county, to move here. Without that, You Bifang might never have met that family, much less murdered them.

Xiao Wange gave him a look: “This isn’t your fault. When someone is bent on harming others, no amount of precaution can stop it.”

Then she urged him again to report to the police.

Just before Father Shi left, she added: “If You Bifang refuses to confess at the bureau, just quietly say one thing to him: that if he doesn’t want his son to suffer in Huaicheng, he’d better confess honestly.”

Father Shi was surprised—his son? Hadn’t You Bifang’s son already died?

He wanted to ask, but seeing Xiao Wange unwilling to explain, he pressed his lips together and left without another word.

Mother Shi pulled Xiao Wange aside, thanking her profusely, and Shi Xiaohong too bowed again and again in gratitude.

At that moment, Shi Jinzhu entered with Jin Zhao. The boy held some small snacks that Shi Jinzhu had given him.

But Zhao Zhao couldn’t bear to eat them. He wanted to save them to share with his mother. He ran up to her, tilting his little face up and showing her the treats: “Mama, look, Sister Jinzhu gave me these snacks. They look so tasty. Let’s eat them together when we go home.”

His eyes sparkled with anticipation, his whole little face glowing. He was picturing the joy of eating them with his mother later, convinced it would be a wonderful moment.

Xiao Wange stroked his head, her voice warm: “Alright, when we get home we’ll eat them together.”

This child thought of her even when he had something nice to eat. It showed he truly cherished her as his mother. The more she looked at him, the more she loved him.

Shi Jinzhu came over: “Zhao Zhao is such a good child. I told him he could eat them now, and I’d give him more later. But he refused. He said he’d only be happy if he shared them with his mother. How can such a young child be so sensible, thinking only of his mother?”

Mother Shi smiled: “That just shows Comrade Xiao’s fine upbringing. With someone so extraordinary as his mother, of course her child would be different.”

Xiao Wange smiled faintly. It wasn’t her teaching—this child was innately kind. For such a kind child to be born, she suddenly felt curious about Zhan Zeyan. Could he also be a good man?

“I just spoke with my father. He told me everything’s been settled. Comrade Xiao, thank you so much. Without you, I don’t know how we could’ve resolved this.” Shi Jinzhu looked at her with deep gratitude.

Xiao Wange returned a calm smile: “No need to be so polite.” After all, she charged for her services.

Mother Shi then brought out 600 yuan, pressing it into her hand with more words of thanks.

Taking the money, Xiao Wange’s face couldn’t help but brighten slightly.

Another payday. With this, life for her and Zhao Zhao would be that much easier.

…

Mother Shi kept Xiao Wange and Zhao Zhao for lunch, and this time she gladly accepted.

By noon, the street outside was bustling.

It turned out that a family murdered more than a month ago was only now being exposed.

The police carried the bodies out from the house. Onlookers sighed in sorrow—it had been such a happy family. Everyone had thought they’d gone to live well in the provincial capital, but in truth they had been slaughtered.

Then the killer was led out. The crowd saw the fat, gloomy-faced man and began shouting their condemnation.

Some even hurled eggs and stones, desperate to kill him on the spot.

The killer was none other than You Bifang.

Suddenly, he threw back his head and roared at the sky: “I’m not reconciled! I’m not! I’m no worse than anyone else—I worked harder than anyone else! Why do I end up like this? Why did my wife and children die miserably, my mother burned in the fire? I refuse to accept this! I won’t accept it!”

Xiao Wange, standing at the back of the crowd, only sneered coldly. Even now he hadn’t realized his sins. He was beyond saving.

Then You Bifang glared at Father Shi: “I’m better than you! I worked harder than you! Why are you the one with happiness while I have nothing? Just because you were born into a better family? Just because you had rich parents? Hah! It’s unfair—Heaven is unfair!”

Father Shi’s face darkened.

“So you envied my happiness and tried to destroy me and my family? You Bifang, you are utterly heartless! I treated you like a brother, yet you betrayed me so viciously. You’re not human, not at all!”

“Hahahaha!” You Bifang laughed manically, bitter and crazed: “Yes, I was jealous! You’re worthless, yet you live happily. Without your family’s money, what are you? Nothing! Worse than a beggar—a stray dog scrounging in the streets!”

Father Shi’s fists clenched; he nearly lashed out. But with the police present, he held back.

The crowd, however, had heard enough. Their fury erupted, cursing and pelting You Bifang with stones. They wished they could tear him apart.

Shi Jinzhu and Mother Shi were also enraged, barely restraining themselves from joining in.

Just then, thunder cracked overhead.

A bolt of lightning struck down, straight into You Bifang’s right arm. His flesh smoked black.

The crowd gasped, then quickly realized—this was Heaven’s punishment. After so many vile deeds, even the Heavens couldn’t tolerate him. Retribution had come.

After watching the commotion a while, Xiao Wange and the Shi family returned home. But Father Shi remained grim, weighed down by the thought of You Bifang’s crimes, unable to enjoy his meal.

After lunch, Xiao Wange took her child home.

With another payment earned, mother and son walked back in high spirits, chatting and laughing.

But when they reached their doorway, they both stopped short.

A man leaned casually against their doorframe.

Tall, in a white shirt and khakis, his posture was lazy, his figure striking.

Seeing them approach, he raised a brow and smiled faintly: “Been at the market? Took you long enough—it’s already afternoon.”

Xiao Wange searched the original owner’s memories and immediately recognized him.

Her brow furrowed, her face darkening.

Holding her child’s hand, she strode forward, eyes cold as she snapped: “Get out of my way!”

The man didn’t move.

Still leaning lazily, he smirked: “What, a little time apart and you’re already this fierce? Tsk, a woman should be gentle, not harsh.”

Xiao Wange gave a cold snort, then suddenly grabbed his shoulder with an iron grip and shoved him aside: “I can be gentle. But never to your kind!”

Pain shot through his shoulder as if caught in a vice. He staggered, nearly losing his balance.

His gaze darkened with anger: “Xiao Wange, have you lost your mind? How dare you treat me like this?!”

He lunged toward her, clearly intent on seizing her.

Little Jin Zhao trembled in fright, his face paling.

Xiao Wange quickly shielded him, ready to kick a stone at the man’s head—when suddenly a sharp male voice rang out from not far away:

“What do you think you’re doing?!”