Chapter 4: Extermination of a Clan (Part 4) Part 2

Yun Jinxue performed a spell in a seemingly practiced manner. At a glance, various places in the room did indeed seem brighter.

Zhao Ping, reassured, no longer followed closely behind her, allowing the Immortal Lord to wander around the house freely.

Yun Jinxue withdrew the Spiritual Power at her fingertips and went to the backyard she had noticed earlier.

This place was even more desolate than the front hall. It truly hadn’t been tidied for a long time.

Beyond the steps, a few steps into a patch of weeds, bits of rotten food were scattered—probably the place where leftovers were dumped.

Against the courtyard’s foundation wall, a hay shed was erected, inside piled with pitch-black, dry grass. The smell was pungent, the ground muddy and damp.

Yun Jinxue’s robes were clean and neat, her boots flowing with silver light, profoundly noble.

Such a person standing on the steps was utterly out of place with the desolate scene.

But she paid it no mind. The hem of her skirt, ethereal like a sea of clouds, swayed as she walked to the front of that hay shed.

Looking down, the feed in the trough had blackened and rotted. Dark red clots of blood were splattered on the ground.

This was likely where Jiang Yanyu had grown up.

Her hands unconsciously clenched into fists. A fury she wasn’t even aware of surged wave after wave from her heart.

A family could have so many children; it was impossible to be so coincidental that every birth was a boy.

Before Jiang Yanyu, other girls must have been born.

But at the family dinner table, no trace of any girl’s existence could be found anymore.

The tragedy of Jiang Yanyu originated from an extremely patriarchal, utterly inhuman family.

She knew that even in modern society, this phenomenon wasn’t nonexistent.

But having grown up in a relatively happy family, with little exposure to the harsher sides of society, she still felt instinctive anger.

Such a small girl, such harsh living conditions. It was a miracle she had survived to the age of 13.

Suddenly, she noticed a splash of bright color inside the pigsty.

Lifting her robes, crouching down, Yun Jinxue untied the object fastened to the railing.

A small, bright yellow bundle, with a little character for “Calamity” embroidered in the bottom right corner.

Carefully opening it, there was a folded paper block inside.

Her heart began to pound.

Yun Jinxue had a faint feeling that her anger would swell even more intensely after seeing the paper’s contents.

Unfolding that not-so-clean piece of paper, on the yellowed surface, a simple room was drawn with charcoal.

The eaves were heavily outlined. Outside the eaves seemed to be rain. Beneath the eaves were a broadly smiling little girl and a pig playing with a rattle-drum.

Turning over the little bundle, that character “Calamity” was exceptionally glaring.

Did she think this small, golden-yellow pouch was something to pray for luck?

Silly child, this is misfortune.

The texture of the paper touching her fingertips was terrible; she didn’t know where it had been scavenged from.

But Yun Jinxue clearly remembered, in some corner of the front courtyard, scattered fragments of torn books discarded by the youngest son who didn’t want to study.

Yet the daughter couldn’t read, couldn’t write down her dreams, and could only seek a future within misfortune.

The pigsty was now empty. The little pig on the paper had probably also been slaughtered already.

Her eye sockets ached. Yun Jinxue lowered her brows, her heart clenching tightly.

Carefully folding the paper back up, she put it away, tucked it into her sleeve, and patted it.

She stood up, resolving to get justice for Jiang Yanyu, no matter what method she had to use.

And at the same moment, a knocking sound came from the front courtyard.

Zhao Ping was joyfully washing dishes, constructing in her mind a scene where, after the Immortal Lord dispelled the house’s misfortune, everyone would soar to success.

Her imagination ran so far ahead that even looking up at the cobweb-covered ceiling felt dear.

Hearing the knock, her heart stirred again.

Could it be another stroke of luck?

Quickly drying her hands on her apron, Zhao Ping nimbly ran to open the door.

But as the door swung open, the several people standing at the threshold made her smile instantly crumble.

Not daring to offend, Zhao Ping could only force a smile. “Jia family, I told you, I really don’t know where that little slut is right now… And it’s unreasonable for you to ask me to return the silver. That was my own daughter I gave you…”

The night was deep; no lamps were lit in the courtyard, and it was very dim.

Outside, the man draped in twilight was tall and large. He said nothing, his head lowered, his face hidden in the darkness. His body seemed to emit waves of decay.

Zhao Ping, still immersed in her dream of imminent prosperity, was already starting to disdain this Jia family she had previously flattered and supported, wishing only to end the conversation quickly so the Immortal Lord inside wouldn’t see.

“That little slut caused Master Jia’s death, that’s true, but it has nothing to do with our Jiang family anymore. Those who owe a debt have their creditor; those who commit a crime have their victim. Don’t come looking for us anymore, alright?”

In the quiet night, a clear, gentle voice sounded: “Those who owe a debt have their creditor; those who commit a crime have their victim? Well said, Mother.”

A maiden covered in fresh blood stepped out from behind the man, her face full of gentle smiles, blazing fire burning in her eyes.

Zhao Ping’s eyes instantly widened in terror. Thinking it was a vengeful ghost seeking her life, she was about to scream.

Jiang Yanyu struck fast as lightning. She seized Zhao Ping’s jaw and jabbed two fingers into her mouth.

With a flick of her wrist, she pulled out an entire tongue. A spray of blood erupted, splashing all over the man beside her.

He shuddered all over and slowly raised his head, revealing a hideous pig snout.

People inside who heard the commotion ran out, one after another, collapsing to the ground, their legs weak with fear.

Jiang Yanyu looked at her intensely familiar family members and smiled. “So, haven’t I come to find you now?”

Yun Jinxue was just about to look for Zhao Ping to ask about Jiang Yanyu when she heard noise from the front courtyard.

She paused slightly. Guests had arrived?

She was considering whether to go take a look when what seemed like the scent of blood drifted over.

Her toes turned. Yun Jinxue frowned and rushed towards the front courtyard.

The closer she got, the stronger the smell became. There were also indistinct shouts and cries; clearly, something had happened.

Yun Jinxue looked up. Spiritual Power circulated as she flew up onto the eaves.

After crossing the rows of roof tiles, she saw the hellish scene in the front courtyard below.

Bright red splashed across the courtyard and walls, chaotic human shadows, severed limbs, tearing bites, blood-red eyes.

The small courtyard resembled a cramped pigsty. A mass of people milled about chaotically, attacking each other, like madmen, with pig squeals rising one after another.

Yun Jinxue didn’t understand where this sudden catastrophe came from. Just moments ago, everything had been perfectly fine!

Then, she saw the Little Villain was also among them. A Pig Demon opened its huge mouth, about to bite down on her.

Bright Star unsheathed, a flash of silver light. The Pig Demon’s head instantly fell to the ground, rolling away with a gurgle.

Yun Jinxue flew over. Stepping forward two paces, she embraced the blood-soaked Jiang Yanyu, then leaped out of the courtyard gate, turning to slam the door shut and lock it with Spiritual Power.

Setting the person in her arms down, Yun Jinxue asked anxiously, “Are you alright? Yanyu?”

Jiang Yanyu’s face was pale, her eyes brimming with tears, looking utterly pitiful. “Immortal Lord, I wanted to come check on you, didn’t expect to run right into this…”

The Pig Demons began ramming the door, the sound shaking the heavens, their squeals growing more piercing and sharp.

Yun Jinxue’s mind was in chaos. She increased her power to lock the door, but the decayed wooden door was gradually cracking, visibly about to give way.

From the shocking glimpse just now, Yun Jinxue could confirm they were all heavily demonized Demon Cultivators, beyond saving.

But just a short while ago, they had all been ordinary mortals.

Had she missed some information?

Jiang Yanyu looked up and suggested, “Immortal Lord, I think using fire might work. I heard before, there’s no monster that a big fire can’t burn to death.”

Yun Jinxue looked down at her, her expression complex. Her hands trembled, her voice weak. “Fire…”

The cracks on the door widened. If she didn’t deal with this quickly and let them escape, the surrounding common people would surely suffer.

But… but…

Jiang Yanyu said, “Immortal Lord, don’t hesitate anymore. They are all bad people.”

Cold sweat broke out down her back. Yun Jinxue opened her mouth, her eyes flickering erratically.

With a crunch, the door burst apart entirely, revealing pig faces crisscrossed with rotting flesh.

Saliva dripped from their mouths as they crowded and pushed against each other, opening their huge mouths to reveal red, fleshy maws.

Jiang Yanyu said softly, “Immortal Lord… we can’t wait any longer…”

The main gate was breached. Yun Jinxue’s mind jolted. The Spiritual Power at her fingertips converted into flames and shot out.

Like a spark falling into a pile of dry hay, it instantly ignited the house and the many Demons.

Flames shot skyward, molten gold sizzling on the ground, a mountain-like heat wave pressing down.

The Pig Demons’ eyeballs bulged. Driven by the intense pain, they crashed wildly in all directions, their screams horrifically shrill.

Was it the fire that was screeching?

Those swaying demonic shadows, the skin and flesh roasted and bursting open, and the sizzling blood clots…

Yun Jinxue’s spell-casting hand hadn’t yet lowered. Her mind went completely blank.

“Hahahaha!”

Turning stiffly, she saw firelight dancing on the young girl’s face, her eyes extremely bright.

The child who had always seemed like cold jade finally revealed the most radiant smile since they had met.

She even laughed until the corners of her eyes slightly brimmed with tears, bending over, clapping and shouting, “Burn these heartless, soulless monsters to death!”

Yun Jinxue’s gaze trembled. She felt as if she were in a dream, everything hazy and distant.

The raging fire roasted her internal organs, making her feel extreme heat yet also shiver uncontrollably.

The night wind was scorching. Tangerine light pushed aside the starry curtain, as if dawn was about to break.

Under the great fire, all remaining ashes fly away.