I stood there, still feeling somewhat awkward.
Although I found Zhang Yunyao beautiful, I absolutely had no improper thoughts about her.
Just moments ago, it was Zhang Yunyao who had taken the initiative to place my hand on her shoulder to help me up.
I never imagined that Zhang Yunliang would make a fuss out of it.
Fortunately, Zhang Yucheng, knowing his son's temperament well, scowled and snapped angrily, "Stop making trouble! Young Master Wu got injured trying to help our family. What did you do last night? If it weren't for you, would he be in this state?"
"Dad, I'm talking about Yunyao here. This guy never had good intentions. He didn't agree to help even after several visits, but suddenly agreed when my sister asked him alone. Clearly, he's after her! We never should've invited him. It's not too late—kick him out now before it's too late," Zhang Yunliang said, casting a malicious glance at me.
Zhang Yucheng hesitated for a moment, his face showing a trace of doubt.
Indeed, the facts were hard to ignore. He had taken Zhang Yunyao to my place multiple times, only to be turned away by Uncle Huzi. It was only after Yunyao spoke to me privately at Wang Chaoyang's banquet that I agreed to help.
The reason I didn't agree earlier was because of the three rules my master had given me—one of which was to never accept business in Yanbei.
But the Zhang family knew nothing about this, and I had no intention of explaining.
The atmosphere became tense and awkward, but what occupied my mind more was the growing suspicion: from the very beginning, Zhang Yunliang had been hostile toward me. Now he was so eager to drive me away, it made me think—was he hiding something? Was he afraid I'd discover something about him?
That would explain why he was so desperate to push me out.
Just then, Zhang Yunyao stepped forward again, visibly angry. She snapped at Zhang Yunliang, "Brother, not everyone is as filthy-minded as you, always flirting around. Where's your conscience? Young Master Wu nearly died saving you last night, and you still have the nerve to slander him?"
"Yunyao, why are you siding with an outsider? We're family! That Wu guy is nothing to us. Don't tell me you actually like him?" Zhang Yunliang yelled.
As soon as those words left his mouth, Zhang Yunyao's face turned red. She went silent, her eyes flicking nervously toward me.
Zhang Yucheng's face darkened further. He walked over to Zhang Yunliang and shouted, "Enough from you! Get out of here—right now! Don't let me see you again!"
"Dad!" Zhang Yunliang protested weakly.
"Out!" Zhang Yucheng roared.
Zhang Yunliang shot me a hateful glare and stormed out, slamming the door behind him.
Uncle Huzi had disliked him from the start. If I hadn't held him back, he probably would've beaten him to a pulp right there.
After Zhang Yunliang left, Zhang Yucheng hurried over to apologize. "Young Master Wu, I'm terribly sorry. We didn't discipline Yunliang properly growing up. Please don't take his behavior to heart."
I nodded, then steered the conversation away. "Mr. Zhang, I need to head out now to find a new ancestral burial site for your family. We still have to relocate the graves tonight."
"You're injured—can your body handle it?" Zhang Yucheng asked, concerned.
"It's nothing, just a surface wound. I'll be fine after a few days of rest."
With that, I called Uncle Huzi and headed out. After all the drama, I really didn't want to stay there any longer.
To my surprise, Zhang Yunyao followed me outside and said, "Young Master Wu, I'd like to come with you."
"No need. I've got Uncle Huzi with me. Go back," I replied flatly.
She looked visibly uneasy and murmured, "Is it because of what my brother said?"
"No. I just think there's no need for so many people. Your father is still recovering from being possessed last night. You should stay and take care of him."
I turned and walked away with Uncle Huzi toward the edge of the village.
After we had walked a good distance, I glanced back and saw Zhang Yunyao still standing at the doorway.
Uncle Huzi looked back too, then chuckled. "Young Master, do you actually like Miss Zhang?"
"Don't talk nonsense. I'm just doing a job. I have no interest in her," I said.
"But I think she likes you. Honestly, she's a decent girl. If you're into her, go for it. The Zhangs are rich, and you're the apprentice of Feng Shui King Li Tongxuan—that's more than enough to match them," Uncle Huzi said.
"Come on, Uncle Huzi, aren't things messy enough? If I really had feelings for her, Zhang Yunliang would probably try to kill me."
"Don't mention that brat! If you hadn't held me back earlier, I'd have slapped him into next week," Uncle Huzi growled.
To be honest, if this hadn't been my first official job, I might've quit already.
Screw them all.
Still, talk is cheap—the job had to be done. Uncle Huzi and I spent the entire afternoon searching the outskirts of the village for a new ancestral burial site. Eventually, we found a decent Feng Shui location just as night fell.
With the new grave site settled, we headed back to the Zhang family's old estate. Just then, my phone rang. It was a call from Zhang Yunyao. I answered immediately.
Her voice was trembling and tearful. "Young Master Wu, please come back quickly. Something happened to my brother."
I was stunned. "He was fine when I left. What happened?"
"I… I don't know. After you left, he had a huge argument with my dad, then locked himself in his room. He never came out. Just now, when it was time for dinner, I went to call him. No one answered after knocking for a while, so I went in… and found him lying there, not moving. His face was covered in blood. Please, come quickly!"
"I'm on my way. Don't panic, I'll be there soon," I reassured her.
Uncle Huzi had overheard everything and frowned. "Why does something always happen to that guy? He was off yesterday too."
"Let's go. We need to check on him now," I said, quickening my pace.
About ten minutes later, we arrived at Zhang Yunliang's room.
When I saw his condition, I was startled.
He was bleeding from all seven orifices—and the blood was black.