Chapter 21: Owing a Favor Limits One's Freedom

“Lord Wang Qi acts with great righteousness; I, the junior, am convinced!” Xiao She said again at this moment.

Grandpa waved his hand. “Enough, don’t flatter me. I’ll give you two suggestions. If you don’t agree, we’ll leave immediately, and you can continue your quarrel. As for me, if I don’t see it, I don’t have to be troubled.”

“Uncle Qi, please speak,” Xiao She quickly replied.

“Since they were at fault first, have them pay you tribute, and then have them find you a new place to cultivate. Let them build a temple for you and offer incense for ten years. How about that?” Grandpa proposed.

Xiao She immediately turned to my grandmother, urgently exclaiming, “Third Aunt! That’s unfair!”

“Ah, the paths of mortals and immortals are different; absolute fairness doesn’t exist. Since we can’t achieve fairness, let’s withdraw for now and let you all discuss it yourselves,” Grandma shook her head and was about to leave.

“Third Aunt, twenty years of incense!” Xiao She called out hurriedly.

“Twenty years? That’s a lifetime. I don’t even know if I’ll live that long. How can I guarantee that for you?” Grandma looked at Xiao She and said.

“Fifteen years!” Xiao She quickly amended.

“Ten years. I won’t guarantee the remaining five,” Grandma said firmly.

“Alright! Third Aunt, your righteousness is admirable!” Xiao She immediately agreed.

Grandma turned to Li Changfeng. “You little bastard, I’ve finished talking with you. You were at fault first. Pay the tribute, rebuild a temple, and ensure incense offerings for fifteen years without interruption. Can you do that?”

“Third Aunt, I promise to do it.” Li Changfeng said, then let out a sigh of relief and sat down heavily, his face pale and drenched in sweat.

Suddenly, I felt a gust of wind behind me. I immediately turned around as a shadow flew over from Wu Qiang’s direction.

A chill ran through me—it was a mass of ghostly mist, clearly the manifestation of a restless spirit.

“Xiao Fangyuan, it’s up to you. Scatter him!” Grandpa’s voice was low and filled with anger.

I stepped forward to protect Grandma, who said, “Channel your energy into your arm; naturally, you can strike him.”

Following her advice, I began to circulate the technique, feeling a cool energy flow through my arm.

The black mist flew past Wu Qiang and rushed toward me rapidly. But after seeing Grandma and Grandpa, I could tell from its strange expression that it was extremely reluctant.

Its flight was unsteady, glancing left and right. I stepped forward, and it even trembled slightly.

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I kicked out, feeling my foot connect solidly with something. The ghostly energy surged and rolled, and its expression momentarily froze.

I didn’t care what that meant. Behind me stood two mighty deities—Grandma’s presence was unquestionable, and I had just witnessed Grandpa’s formidable aura. I mimicked Grandpa, channeling my energy to attack the ghost.

Still, I was somewhat afraid—after all, this was an otherworldly creature, and I didn’t know its full power.

“Hmph!” Grandpa seemed displeased with my performance. “Boy, do you know how to fight with your life at stake? Humans fear ghosts thirty percent, but ghosts fear humans seventy percent.”

Hearing this, I charged at the ghost like a madman and began to fight.

It was my first real encounter with a ghostly entity. I wanted this experience because if it happened again, I would face it alone.

Grandpa’s snort seemed to enrage the ghost, which entered a frenzy, and we began to exchange blows.

However, I found the creature was not as formidable as imagined—it felt pain when I struck it. I also realized I could only hit it effectively when channeling my energy.

The fight dragged on. I saw Wu Qiang under the lighthouse continuously casting spells, his magical power flowing steadily into a black object in his hand.

“Fighting ghosts is like fighting people. Your fists rely on your breath; your breath must follow your fists to land a blow,” Grandpa said from behind, arms crossed.

After two minutes, I gradually steadied myself from panic. Following Grandpa’s advice, I struck with steady, deliberate blows—each strike driven by breath born of intent, forcing the ghost to retreat.

The black ghost fought like a rough country brawler—no technique, just wild punches and kicks in a chaotic melee.

Far away, Wu Qiang was starting to falter. His leg was injured, blood staining his pants crimson. His pale face showed he was struggling to maintain his spellcasting.

By contrast, I had grown accustomed to the fight. When the ghost charged, I was ready to respond and no longer flailed wildly.

“Alright, that’s enough; just gain some experience,” Grandpa said, shaking his head.

I wondered at his words—did he mean to take over the fight himself since the ghost was still standing?

The ghost paused, stunned by Grandpa’s words. I seized the moment, launching a flying kick that sent the black spirit hurtling backward. It glanced at Grandpa once more before turning and fleeing.

Meanwhile, Wu Qiang, still seated on the ground, struggled to control the object in his hand. But I noticed the ghost no longer obeyed his manipulation.

The spirit flew toward Wu Qiang, suddenly extending ten fingers to pierce him.

“Ah!” Wu Qiang screamed in agony, falling backward with a mouthful of blood spraying out.

The black ghost shook itself, snatched the object from Wu Qiang’s grasp, and vanished into the darkness. At once, a yellow talisman flew from Wu Qiang’s body and ignited spontaneously.

I stood frozen, bewildered by the scene.

“Cough, cough… Wu Qiang nurtured ghosts but was counterattacked by them, his magical power destroyed, unable to cultivate anymore,” Grandpa explained.

Grandma added, “The talisman that self-ignited was a ghost seal, essentially the ghost’s birth chart—its identification. Wu Qiang controlled the ghost’s ‘identity,’ which is why he could control the creature.”

Listening to Grandma’s explanation, I realized these were precious experiences I needed to encounter in the future.

“Alright, Xiao Fangyuan, remember this: as long as you are doing right, don’t be afraid. When you fight, you must subdue them completely; if you’re frightened, it will bring endless trouble later,” Grandpa said, then turned to Li Changfeng.

“You two better remember this—if you dare to cause trouble again, beware the fate of the Wu family!” Grandpa’s voice was low and angry.

Grandma also said, “If you dare collude with the Wu family to commit evil, don’t expect Third Aunt to spare your family’s face.”

Yang Guangcai stepped forward and knelt. “Uncle Qi, Third Aunt, it wasn’t me showing off beyond my bounds this time. I was incited by the Wu family. I have already apologized to the Wang family and came to you two for help.”

“Yes, yes, we’ve apologized. The old man ordered that Wu Qiang be left here for your disposal,” Li Changfeng also knelt. It was clear they had prepared for this.

Within a few days, the matter was resolved under Grandma’s careful arrangements.

Relying on his wealth, Li Changfeng successfully purchased a nearby mountain and built a temple there.

This time, I learned a lot. Grandpa’s words, “As long as we are not wrong, if they don’t accept it, then fight,” were deeply engraved in my mind.

That phrase reminded me of someone—Wang Jing—who had once said the same thing.

After everything was settled, we stayed another day in the provincial city. Li Changfeng and Yang Guangcai accompanied Grandpa drinking.

Li Changfeng’s son, Li Si, accompanied me on walks, and from then on, we became friends. Li Si even bought me my first mobile phone.

When Grandma saw my phone, she said, “When you accept someone’s help, you’re indebted.”