PWE – Chapter 46 You are so cold-blooded that you have no humanity at all!

After Zhan Songbai spoke with the Taoist priest for a few minutes, the priest led him into his own room.

Naturally, the invisible Xiao Wange followed behind.

Even though no one could see her, there was no doubt she was tailing the Taoist.

Zhan Zeyan frowned slightly, a hint of worry clouding his expression.

He knew Wange was powerful — formidable, even — but he still couldn’t help worrying about her. The concern rose instinctively, beyond logic.

He Xiu-yan, on the other hand, didn’t look worried at all. With how strong Comrade Xiao was, she would be fine. If anyone was in danger, it would be that hypocritical priest and the fat man.

He didn’t know exactly what sins that priest had committed, but if Comrade Xiao said the man was bad, then he was bad. He trusted her word completely.

After about ten minutes, Xiao Wange finally returned.

The moment she did, she dropped her invisibility and appeared before them.

Seeing everyone still waiting behind the rockery, she smiled. “At last, I figured out how Zhan Songbai managed to get that Taoist to help him.”

“How did he do it?” He Xiu-yan asked eagerly. Zhan Zeyan and Wen Feilan both turned to her as well — even little Zhao-zhao looked up at her, his round black eyes filled with curiosity.

Though he knew children weren’t supposed to pry into adult matters, he understood more than most. So of course he was curious about his great-grandfather’s business.

Xiao Wange said, “Zhan Songbai promised the Taoist one year of his lifespan — he exchanged a year of his life to get him to come down from the mountain.”

“One year of lifespan?” Wen Feilan was stunned. “Zhan Songbai actually gave up his own life just to hire that priest? But what would the Taoist even want with someone else’s lifespan?”

Xiao Wange smiled faintly. “To practice dark arts, of course. That Taoist has been cultivating an evil technique — one that requires human lifespan as its main ingredient.”

He Xiu-yan’s brow furrowed deeply. “I’ve heard of such a technique — one that lets you convert another person’s lifespan into your own. But it only works if the victim gives it up willingly. If not, the caster risks being devoured by the backlash. Don’t tell me that’s what he’s cultivating? That’s too vicious! How can he do something that defies heaven itself?”

Xiao Wange replied calmly, “Anyone who commits such acts will face retribution. Just wait — his punishment is already close.”

Then she took Zhao-zhao’s hand. “Come on, let’s keep going down the mountain.”

Floating beside her, Wen Feilan asked softly, “Wange, will that Taoist’s retribution really come soon? I’ve stayed in this world just to see it happen. If I don’t, I can’t move on to my next life.”

Because when resentment remains unresolved, a soul cannot enter the cycle of reincarnation.

Xiao Wange smiled gently. “Don’t worry, Mother. His retribution is truly near. Within five days, you’ll see it yourself.”

“Really?” Wen Feilan’s face lit up, joy softening her ghostly features. “If that’s true, then I can finally rest.”

Zhan Zeyan turned to look at Xiao Wange deeply. He believed her — always had. If she said retribution was near, then it was.

Still, moments like the one just now made him uneasy. No matter how capable she was, the world was unpredictable. He feared that one day, she might face danger she couldn’t foresee.

—

Once they returned to town, the group strolled around for a bit, then had a meal together before preparing to part ways.

He Xiu-yan, unwilling to leave, asked eagerly, “Comrade Xiao, there are still so many spells I don’t understand. Could I maybe go to your place? I—”

“No,” Zhan Zeyan interrupted coldly, his tone sharp as ice.

He Xiu-yan frowned, glaring at him. “Hey, I wasn’t even talking to you. Why are you—”

“You weren’t talking to me, no. But the place you’re trying to go to is my house. So if I say no, that’s final.”

“You—!”

“And besides,” Zhan Zeyan added flatly, “Wange is my wife. I’m answering on her behalf. Got a problem with that?”

He Xiu-yan: “…”

Technically, that logic checked out — but he still felt frustrated. He truly admired Comrade Xiao. Her spells were profound, ingenious. He wanted to learn from her… and, well, spend more time with her. Even if they couldn’t be lovers, being friends would be something. Having a connection never hurt.

Xiao Wange said coolly, “We don’t have any spare rooms. It wouldn’t be convenient for you to stay. Go back to your temple for now — we’ll meet again another day.”

Her tone left no room for discussion.

Seeing that, He Xiu-yan could only sigh and nod reluctantly. “Alright then. I’ll listen to Comrade Xiao.”

As he turned to leave, he shot Zhan Zeyan a resentful glare. How had this guy gotten so lucky? To actually marry someone like Comrade Xiao — what cosmic stroke of fortune was that? Why couldn’t he ever get that kind of luck? Maybe he just hadn’t stepped in enough dog crap.

Zhan Zeyan had no desire to stay near him a second longer. He scooped Zhao-zhao into one arm and draped the other over Xiao Wange’s shoulders, leading them home.

She didn’t push him away — simply let him hold her, matching her pace to his.

Watching the couple walk off together so naturally made He Xiu-yan’s heart ache. He clutched his chest dramatically — a picture of wounded pride. As much as he disliked that infuriating Zhan Zeyan, in that moment, he couldn’t help feeling envious. At least he was Xiao Wange’s husband… at least he could walk beside her like that.

While all He Xiu-yan could do… was watch from afar.

—

Back home, Xiao Wange rested for a bit before taking out the bones she’d bought in town, planning to make braised pork bones.

But just as she reached the kitchen doorway, Zhan Hongxin burst in.

Upon seeing her, Hongxin gave a cold snort, then strutted toward the main hall. “Brother Zeyan! Brother Zeyan, are you home?”

Her tone was polite enough — she was trying to stay calm for what she planned next.

Zhan Zeyan, who was sitting in the main hall, heard her voice. His expression darkened instantly.

Floating nearby, Wen Feilan frowned and glared in the same direction. “That girl’s family is all the same — nothing good ever comes of them. She’s definitely up to no good.”

Little Zhao-zhao tugged at his father’s sleeve. “Daddy, Aunt Hongxin is a bad person. I don’t like her.”

Meaning: Please kick her out, Daddy.

Zhan Zeyan patted his son’s head affectionately. “Mm. Daddy doesn’t like her either.”

Then he stood and walked toward the door.

Just as Hongxin reached the doorway, she came face to face with him.

Zhan Zeyan blocked her path, his voice cold and flat. “What do you want?”

The chill in his tone was unmistakable — not a trace of warmth. The disdain was obvious, and Hongxin, though not stupid, heard it clearly.

She clenched her teeth, furious that he would speak to her like that. But she forced down her anger and raised her chin, meeting his gaze. “Brother Zeyan, it’s nothing serious. I just… I just wanted to borrow a little money.”

Originally, she had hoped that Zhan Zeyan and Xiao Wange would help introduce her to Mu Yunhao. But after everything that had happened, she knew that was impossible. So she’d lowered her sights — if she could just borrow some money, she could go to the county on her own and find Mu Yunhao herself.

Her father had even given her a talisman today, saying that if she pasted it onto the man she loved and recited a spell, that man would instantly fall for her — would refuse to marry anyone but her.

She’d been eager to try it, but she had no money for the trip. Her father and brother had none to spare either. Desperate, she’d come to Zhan Zeyan.

After finishing her plea, she even smiled faintly, thinking it made her look sincere.

From the kitchen doorway, Xiao Wange stood leaning against the frame, bones in hand, watching coolly.

Honestly, she hadn’t expected Zhan Hongxin to be this shameless — coming to borrow money after everything that had happened. Had she completely forgotten the past? Was she brain-damaged?

Perhaps that whole family next door was missing a few screws — otherwise they wouldn’t have done such stupid and malicious things.

Zhan Zeyan’s brow twitched. He looked at Hongxin with a mix of disbelief and disgust — amazed at how thick-skinned she was, daring to ask him for money.

His face hardened, his tone cold as steel. “I don’t have any money. If you need a loan, go ask someone else.”

He paused, then added sharply, “And we’re busy. Leave. Now.”

Zhan Hongxin: “…”

She hadn’t expected him to be so heartless — not only refusing to lend her money but actually driving her away!

They were cousins! How could he treat his own cousin like this?

Grinding her teeth, she snapped, voice trembling with anger, “If I could borrow from someone else, I wouldn’t come here! Brother Zeyan, please — I really need it. I swear I’ll pay you back, I swear on my life!”

She even held up four fingers, taking a solemn oath.

Zhan Zeyan’s tone grew even colder. “No means no. Swear all you want — it won’t change anything. Now get out! We’re not entertaining guests today.”

“You—!”

“Out!”

A wave of fierce spiritual pressure rolled off him, freezing her in place.

She stumbled back a step, eyes wide with hurt and fury. “You’re such a bastard, Brother Zeyan! I’m your cousin! You have money but won’t help your own family — you’re heartless!”

With that, she spun around and ran out of the courtyard.

Zhan Zeyan watched her go, face filled with disgust. Her mother had killed his — and he was the one being called heartless?

Xiao Wange glanced at the fleeing figure, tossed the bones into a basin, then turned to Zhan Zeyan. “I need to go out for a bit. Someone’s about to do something foolish, and I have to stop it.”

Zhan Zeyan frowned. “You mean Zhan Hongxin? I’ll handle it. Stay here.”

Xiao Wange shook her head. “You can’t. That talisman she has — you wouldn’t be able to stop it.”