Chapter 498: Chapter 490: This New Year’s Money is Somewhat Overwhelming
Everyone says the New Year brings new prospects, but Qin Liuxi feels not a single bit of joy. For she has become disabled again, temporarily, but this time the disability is more extensive—both of her legs are incapacitated.
Five Disadvantages and Three Deficiencies, that’s kinda toxic.
Pfft, hahaha.
Feng Zheng, however, looks on as if watching a good show, unable to hold back his laughter and earning a vicious glare from Teng Zhao.
“Hey, what’s with that petty look in your eyes? It’s your master who pretends to be a good person, insisting on handling this matter, going against fate to change destiny. If Heavenly Dao doesn’t punish her, then who?”
Teng Zhao snorts coldly: “If it weren’t for the kindness of master, you’d find it difficult to even become Feng Zheng. And now you still have the nerve to make sarcastic remarks.”
A stab to Feng Zheng’s heart: “!”
This little ghost has grown quite capable, a sword through the heart indeed.
Si Lengyue and Si Tu walk in and see Qin Liuxi just sitting in the chair, their eyes revealing undisguised concern: “Little Xi, your legs…”
The disabilities from the Five Disadvantages and Three Deficiencies, is this what she must endure for changing her destiny for her? Among the disadvantages being disabled, and what are the deficiencies? Power, life, or wealth?
Si Lengyue’s face turns cold as she falls into a deep guilt.
“It’s fine, I’ll get used to it. It’s just a temporary disability, I won’t be like this forever. I was better after half a month last time,” Qin Liuxi smiles.
Feng Zheng snorts: “That prior incident was minor, thus only half a month. But you, you actually changed her fate. To recover in half a month? I think that’s unlikely.”
Changing fate is practically like fighting with heaven. Those who go against heaven will indeed receive Heavenly Punishment. To make her disabled is already lenient—I thought she would be struck by lightning directly!
“Keep blabbering and I’ll burn your fur,” Qin Liuxi glares at him.
Feng Zheng lazily slouches in his chair. My mouth doesn’t blabber—who’s going to hear my inner complaints, you?
Seeing the frown between Si Lengyue’s brows forming the character ‘丑’, Qin Liuxi speaks: “Don’t listen to this shady fox’s nonsense. I just can’t walk for now, I’ll be fine after some time. Actually, this is rather good—it’s just a disability. I thought I would get struck by lightning once the Blood Curse was lifted, uh…”
The further Qin Liuxi talks, the more troubled Si Lengyue’s face becomes. She quickly interjects: “Look at me, I wasn’t hit by lightning, which shows saving you is also an act of merit recognized by Heavenly Dao.”
Comforting people is truly a skill, and I’m definitely not cut out for it!
Si Lengyue asks: “What can I do to make amends? You mentioned doing good deeds to accumulate merit before, does that still stand?”
Qin Liuxi smiles: “Although doing good to accumulate merit, a good deed remains a good deed, and the merit will be attributed to you.”
While acting benevolent for the sake of a goal might be deemed hypocritical by some high-minded people, if the kindness genuinely reaches those in need, then it’s a great virtue.
Si Lengyue: “I understand. This year the snow is heavy and it must have crushed many poor people’s homes. Father, go instruct the Old Clan Chief to arrange, in the name of Qingping Temple’s Junior Temple Master Buqiu, to give alms and do good deeds.”
“Hmm,” Si Tu looks at Qin Liuxi’s feet, his eyes filled with guilt, then suddenly thinks of something and stuffs the contract back into Si Lengyue’s hands: “You give it to her yourself.”
Si Lengyue, upon seeing the familiar contract, walks over and hands it to Qin Liuxi: “Here’s your New Year’s money.”
Qin Liuxi’s eyes curve into a smile as she takes it: “There’s even New Year’s money… What is this?”
She flinches, and the contract falls down.
She thought Si Lengyue’s New Year’s money would be a silver note, but what is this thing, a contract for a jade mine?
No, I mean, Si… Isn’t this New Year’s money a bit too heavy to hold?
“What’s wrong?” Si Lengyue picks up the contract and says, “Don’t you like it? You’ve said before you needed more jade to set up Array Formations and to make talismans and Magic Artifacts.”
Qin Liuxi’s heart was crumbling. They were all young girls of similar age, yet the simple New Year’s gift from the other was an entire jade mine, while she had to scrounge and scrape with Qing Yuan for a few coins worth of incense oil.
To compare oneself with another is to invite despair.
“This is an entire jade mine, not just a single piece. If I accept it, would your clan agree?” Qin Liuxi spoke in disbelief.
Si Lengyue replied coldly: “I am the Family Head of the Si Family and in the future, a white witch of the White Witch lineage. As for the Si Family, my word is final.”
Qin Liuxi was stunned.
Even Feng Zheng turned to look.
A witch?
Si Lengyue did not hide the truth, saying: “While I was not fully conscious before, I received guidance and inheritance from the Holy Maiden. From now on, I will cultivate Witch Power and ensure the legacy of the Si Family’s White Witch lineage.”
Qin Liuxi sighed: “Your family’s Holy Maiden is truly something else.”
Such a long-lasting remnant of thought—how much cultivation must it cost, and how much planning?
Si Lengyue said: “Thus, it’s not just about a jade mine; even the entire Si Family can be yours. Have you forgotten what the Holy Maiden’s handwritten notes stipulated? Once the Blood Curse of the Si family is lifted, we must serve you faithfully without hesitation.”
Qin Liuxi nearly jumped in fright at Si Lengyue’s solemn oath, saying: “There’s no need for all this.”
Si Lengyue’s beautiful eyes dimmed: “Am I unworthy?”
“It’s not like that.” Qin Liuxi, seeing the sorrowful and helpless look on the beauty’s face, felt a mixture of guilt and sympathy, saying: “What I mean is, those of us who follow the Dao do not take in servants or underlings. Ayue, just be yourself.”
Feng Zheng felt something was amiss. Observing Si Lengyue’s demeanor and Qin Liuxi’s guilt, he suddenly understood.
This Si Lengyue was taking a step back in order to advance, using her beauty to entice her.
And clearly, Qin Liuxi couldn’t resist; he knew her weakness for good looks was perilous.
Feng Zheng said: “Indeed, witches remain witches, the Dao stays with the Dao; how could they be confused? Now that the Blood Curse is resolved, the Spiritual Energy of this land seems to have revived as well. If you intend to carry on the White Witch’s legacy, then peacefully cultivate here in this land. After all, you’re about sixteen or seventeen and only just starting to practice Witch Power—it’s already quite late.”
Whoever attracts the attention of our little ancestor, be they male or female, causes a stir.
Si Lengyue glanced at him, retorting: “If Demons and Dao can be intertwined, why can’t witchcraft and Dao? Ultimately, they originate from the same source.”
Their gazes met in midair, sparking a confrontation.
Feng Zheng: Fight for my position? Dream on, little girl!
Si Lengyue: I’m not stealing your place; I’m claiming my own!
Qin Liuxi felt the two were engaging in a battle of wits and cleared her throat, asking: “Um, are you two arguing?”
“No (Not at all).”
They spoke in unison.
Si Lengyue still offered the Contract to Qin Liuxi, saying: “What belongs to my Si Family is yours; take it, it’s not worth much.”
This Blood Curse has been lifted, so why has her temper become more domineering? Where is that aloof beauty?
Qin Liuxi did not accept, saying: “I don’t need this much; just send me some every year. Ayue, I don’t need your compensation or your guilt. I didn’t dispel this Blood Curse for money, but because I felt that saving you is like saving a myriad of lives, which counts as merit for me. Therefore, there’s no need for guilt or feelings of sin, and no need for compensation. All you need to do is uphold the White Witch’s bottom line, do good deeds, accumulate merit, help others. Ayue, when you do good, I gain merit; if you do evil, I will face Heavenly Punishment.”
Some people, when saved, end up harming numerous others, while saving some can save many. This is the measure by which Qin Liuxi conducts her affairs.