PCJ – Chapter 258 Settling Accounts

Chen Maozhong and his son had become two of the most sought-after figures in Duimen Mountain’s Chen family. They were smoking five-yuan-per-pack Baosha cigarettes, a luxury few in Meizi’ao could afford. Over the past few days, many people had come to seek blessings from the fairy. Initially, it was just villagers from Meizi’ao, but soon people from Gezhuping Town, who were generally wealthier and more generous, started showing up. By evening, when the father and son opened their donation box, they saw it nearly overflowing with money, causing them to smile broadly.

Even their small-time business selling money paper, candles, and incense in the courtyard had become somewhat beneath them. As they put it, it was beneath their dignity. After all, one was the fairy’s husband and the other her son hardly fitting for such trivial work. Instead of running the stall themselves, they had hired Liu Fengman, Chen Hongming’s concubine, to manage it.

Chen Maozhong and Chen Hongming arrived at Chen Shunchang’s house, smoking their cigarettes.

“Is Shunchang home?” Chen Maozhong called into the house with a hint of disdain.

Chen Shunchang’s dog had been missing for several days, so Chen Maozhong dared not enter the yard. Not only had Chen Shunchang’s dog disappeared, but all the local stray dogs had vanished from Duimen Mountain. The villagers were too preoccupied with the fairy business to notice this anomaly.

Chen Shunchang came out of the house, puzzled. “Maozhong? What brings you here at this hour?”

Chen Shunchang noticed the tone of disdain in Chen Maozhong’s voice. Usually, Chen Maozhong would address him as “Brother Shunchang,” but tonight it was just “Shunchang.” It was clear that Chen Maozhong was being petty.

“Shunchang, you must have heard about Chen Shunsheng causing trouble at our place. Normally, you flaunt your position as a village official and bully others, which we can tolerate. But now that Fengying is a fairy descended from the heavens, disturbing her could lead to misfortune for everyone in the village. You can’t afford to take responsibility for that!” Chen Maozhong said, throwing a big accusation.

Chen Shunchang was confused. “No way. I haven’t seen Shunsheng for days. How could he have caused trouble at your place?”

Chen Shunchang knew his brother was eccentric, but he had never caused trouble at someone’s house before. Chen Shunchang knew his brother was no ordinary person but rather a genuine Meishan water warrior.

“Many people in the village saw it. Don’t try to deny it!” Chen Hongming was now quite arrogant, as if the village revolved around them.

“What denial? Even if Shunsheng did cause trouble at your house, what’s that got to do with me? You think just because your family has a fairy, you’re untouchable? Don’t come to my house causing trouble.” Chen Shunchang had never taken these two seriously and certainly wasn’t going to let them push him around at his own doorstep.

“Fine, fine! Stubborn fool! Don’t regret it later,” Chen Maozhong said, dragging the exasperated Chen Hongming away from Chen Shunchang’s house.

“To hell with them!” Chen Shunchang spat angrily at the retreating figures of Chen Maozhong and his son.

“You’re to blame for your crazy brother always causing trouble,” Lin Hongfang, Chen Shunchang’s wife, complained.

“Crazy or not, he’s my brother. Whether he’s mad or not, what can I do? He lives like that,” Chen Shunchang was feeling particularly distressed.

“I’m not saying anything wrong. I raised his daughter as my own. He nearly messed things up last time, and now he’s back causing more trouble. Are we supposed to clean up his mess again?” Lin Hongfang was also holding onto old grievances.

“Fenglian is my daughter! Get that straight! If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll tear your mouth off!” Chen Shunchang was enraged, this was his absolute boundary.

Lin Hongfang, scared by Chen Shunchang’s outburst, took a few steps back, muttering, “Yes, yes, she’s your daughter. I didn’t say she wasn’t.”

“Just keep quiet about it. Fenglian is my daughter,” Chen Shunchang softened his tone a bit, knowing his wife treated Fenglian just like her own child.

Chen Dianzhi wandered around the village all day and only came back as night fell, carrying various items. Under the cover of darkness, he sneaked around Chen Maozhong’s house, setting up strange yellow papers with odd symbols.

In the past, Duimen Mountain was always noisy with barking dogs at this hour, but now it was eerily quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Unfortunately, halfway through Chen Dianzhi’s setup, Chen Maozhong and his son returned with flashlights. Seeing a shadowy figure sneaking around, they initially thought there was a thief. When they shone their flashlights, they saw Chen Dianzhi sticking yellow papers with strange symbols all around the yard.

“How dare you, Chen Dianzhi! Trying to cause trouble here! Do you think our family is easy to bully?” Chen Hongming quickly picked up a wooden stick and charged at Chen Dianzhi.

Chen Dianzhi tried to hide, but continued to place the yellow papers. His odd behavior raised suspicions with Chen Maozhong and his son.

“Father, tear down those papers quickly. There might be something wrong with them!” Chen Hongming, not caring to chase Chen Dianzhi, quickly began tearing down the yellow papers. Chen Maozhong joined him.

Chen Dianzhi, in a panic, shouted, “You two are crazy! I’m trying to help you. Do you really think Liu Fengying is possessed by a fairy? She’s been possessed by a malevolent spirit. Her vitality is almost drained. If you think she’s a fairy, you’re mistaken! I’m setting up this formation to deal with that spirit. If Liu Fengying is lucky, she might survive. Otherwise, you two won’t make it. Duimen Mountain will suffer!”

“Who would believe your nonsense? I’m telling you, you’re not getting away today. I’m going to break your legs!” Chen Hongming threatened as he chased after him.

Chen Dianzhi had no choice but to flee. Chen Maozhong, though worried, continued tearing down the yellow papers.

“This is outrageous! You keep offending me. Do you think I’m made of clay?” Liu Fengying, disheveled and furious, burst out from the main room.

Her hair was blown open by the wind, revealing her face and startling Chen Maozhong. The yellow papers in his hand fell to the ground and were blown toward Liu Fengying.