PCJ – Chapter 259 Father and Son’s Decision

Chen Maozhong was horrified by the sight of his wife, Liu Fengying. She looked almost lifeless, with deep-set eyes and dark bruises around them. Her appearance was a stark contrast to before she became a celestial being. He began to believe Chen Dianzhi’s claims—perhaps Liu Fengying was possessed not by a deity but by something malevolent.

Chen Hongming, however, was entirely focused on chasing Chen Dianzhi and didn’t notice Liu Fengying’s disturbing transformation or the yellow papers blown onto her.

The yellow papers, initially seeming ordinary, ignited in flames when they touched Liu Fengying, as if a spark had fallen into gasoline. Liu Fengying emitted a strange, horrifying scream.

The sound sent Chen Maozhong’s face pale; it was not his wife’s voice but a guttural, wild scream. Liu Fengying turned towards him, her expression horrifying through her partially wind-blown hair.

Slowly, she approached Chen Maozhong, her voice filled with hatred. “You… you are so despicable! You are very despicable!”

Chen Maozhong, terrified, backed away and tried to throw the yellow papers at Liu Fengying. However, the papers were carried away by the wind.

“You dare to harm me! I granted you wealth and prosperity because of our connection through this mortal body. And you repay me with betrayal and harm! How dare you!” Liu Fengying moved swiftly and blocked Chen Maozhong’s path. His unintended actions had inadvertently relieved Chen Dianzhi from danger.

Chen Dianzhi was unaware of the commotion involving Chen Maozhong and Liu Fengying. Having used up all his yellow papers, he found his formation disrupted and impossible to activate. Frustrated, he jumped up and down.

“It’s ruined! Chen Hongming, Chen Maozhong, you two are blind fools! I should have listened to the beggar and stayed out of your affairs. Forget it, I won’t interfere with your family anymore!” Chen Dianzhi dodged a blow from Chen Hongming and fled.

Chen Hongming threw the stick at Chen Dianzhi’s retreating figure. “You madman! You better not cross my path again or you’ll regret it!”

Turning back to his courtyard, Chen Hongming was shocked to see his mother, Liu Fengying, fiercely choking his father, Chen Maozhong.

“Mother! Why are you fighting with Father? Let go! You’re about to strangle him!” Chen Hongming rushed forward and pried Liu Fengying’s hands off.

Liu Fengying momentarily regained some awareness, releasing Chen Maozhong, who sat down on the ground, pale and gasping.

“Are you alright?” Chen Hongming looked at his father with concern, sensing an odd atmosphere.

“You both listen to me carefully. As long as you follow my instructions, I guarantee you wealth and prosperity in the future. But do not listen to others’ nonsense. I am the Mieshan Celestial Lady, the Upper Cave’s Huang Clan Matron, the Middle Cave’s Li Clan Second Matron, and the Lower Cave’s Zhou Clan Third Matron, a Nine Palaces Immortal Saint. The treasures and blessings you receive are a result of your ancestors’ virtue. Others can’t obtain them, no matter how hard they try. You may be frightened by this mortal appearance, but don’t worry. Tomorrow, after I receive the incense offerings, I will restore your wife’s mortal body. However, if you do not cherish this blessing and repeat today’s mistakes, I can take it back as easily as I gave it. How you act will determine your fate.” Liu Fengying’s voice was chilling.

“Forgive us, great immortal. We will be more cautious and ensure that madman doesn’t cause any more trouble. We’ll clean the incense hall immediately. Please calm your anger,” Chen Hongming kowtowed repeatedly.

Chen Maozhong stood to the side, and Chen Hongming quickly pulled him to kneel beside him.

“Hmph!” Liu Fengying’s snort was terrifying, making both Chen Maozhong and Chen Hongming feel as if they had fallen into an icy pit.

After cleaning up the courtyard and gathering the yellow papers, Chen Hongming wanted to burn them, but Chen Maozhong quickly stopped him and secretly stuffed the papers into his pocket. Liu Fengying seemed not to notice.

Once the father and son finished, Chen Maozhong discreetly led Chen Hongming outside. Despite several attempts to speak, Chen Maozhong prevented him from doing so.

“Let’s go. We haven’t checked the fields in days. Let’s take a look,” Chen Maozhong said, pulling Chen Hongming along.

Once they were out of the village and by the fields, Chen Maozhong stopped.

“Father, what’s the point of coming to the fields in the middle of the night?” Chen Hongming asked.

“Hongming, haven’t you noticed anything strange about your mother? If it weren’t for you, she might have strangled me,” Chen Maozhong said, troubled.

“There is something odd, but so what? If Mother were normal, we wouldn’t be making so much money, right? We’ve filled the merit box with money we could never earn in a lifetime. Last time, we worked hard for days at the tea plantation, and it barely paid off. Now, even if they offer ten times the money, I wouldn’t go back!” Chen Hongming was entirely consumed by greed.

“But your mother looks like a ghost. Don’t you feel any sadness?” Chen Maozhong felt a deep sadness.

“But the immortal said she would be fully restored after receiving the incense tomorrow. Why worry if the immortal says so?” Chen Hongming dismissed the strange feelings he had earlier.

“What if Chen Dianzhi was telling the truth?” Chen Maozhong looked at his son, whom he had cherished deeply, feeling a deep sense of despair.

“Chen Dianzhi is mad. His words can’t be trusted. Someone must have manipulated him to cause trouble. Don’t be fooled, Father! Let’s go back. Don’t give the immortal any more reason to be suspicious.” Chen Hongming was resolute, clearly having made his decision.

The next morning, the usually crowing roosters of Dui Men Shan were silent, and the village began its day in eerie quietness. Without the usual crowing, the village seemed incomplete.

On the top of Meishan, Chen Dianzhi sang loudly: “…The source of Yixi is the most fertile ground, choosing a place to build a city, and people compete. Opening the school to promote rites and music, poetry can be inscribed on Meishan’s cliff. This poem can be carved but not forgotten, the lonely bronze pillar and the Yanran…”