Zhang Yunyao noticed my pale face and the blood I had just coughed up. She worriedly said, "Young Master Wu, are you really up to this? Maybe we should postpone it."
I shook my head firmly. "No. The coffins in the ancestral tomb should have been removed yesterday. We delayed one day already. The coffins can't be exposed too long—too much time means more risks. We found a good feng shui spot today, and the reburial must happen first thing tomorrow morning."
Zhang Yucheng smiled, nodding. "Young Master Wu is right. This auspicious day must not be delayed. It's better to arrange everything early so we can have peace of mind."
Uncle Huzi glanced at Zhang Yucheng with clear displeasure—he was unhappy. I knew what he was thinking: he cared about me and didn't want me rushing the relocation, especially after the heavy mental attack I'd suffered. Both my body and mind were weak.
But Zhang Yucheng didn't say a polite word; he pushed for moving quickly, caring only about himself. No wonder he had raised such a worthless son.
Actually, Zhang Yucheng himself wasn't a good man, but at least he had a good daughter, obedient and sensible.
After a quick tidy-up, Zhang Yunyao drove us—Uncle Huzi and me—to the Zhang family ancestral tomb.
Because Zhang Yucheng and Butler Wang had been possessed by spirits recently, their bodies were still weak. Plus, someone had to watch over Zhang Yunliang, so they stayed behind.
Before leaving, I left them all protective talismans and set some defensive arrangements in the house, just in case that ghostly entity returned to cause trouble.
From my judgment, that person likely wouldn't act again for a day or two. Using the Lu Ban's "Nightmare Array" technique brings backlash, and since he had already fought me and been forced to stop by Uncle Huzi, his condition should be no better than mine, if not worse.
If Uncle Huzi hadn't gone out at the right time, I might have lost my life.
I could sense that person's power was greater than mine.
Because of the spiritual injury and helping Zhang Yucheng cleanse evil, I was exhausted. Sitting in the car, I felt listless and sleepy.
My insides churned violently, as if a heavy weight pressed down on my throat—wanting to vomit but unable to, extremely uncomfortable.
Zhang Yunyao glanced back at me anxiously from the driver's seat.
Near the tomb, she finally asked, "Young Master Wu, can you hold on? You've done so much for the Zhang family. Don't overexert yourself—your health matters."
"I'm fine, I can hold on," I smiled weakly.
We arrived at the ancestral tomb, where Butler Wang had hired new workers at high cost to help with the relocation.
I gave Uncle Huzi a talisman to wear and told him to patrol the graveyard carefully, especially watching the direction of the small woods.
That was where I saw the shadow last night.
Zhang Yunyao helped me walk toward the tomb.
They had already unearthed four or five coffins, but many more remained buried—this place held generations of Zhang family ancestors over a hundred years.
I walked the site, determined the best spot, and gave the workers clear instructions on the order of exhumation.
At first, I could stand and oversee.
But soon I felt dizzy and faint, the inner turmoil growing worse, and finally I vomited.
Zhang Yunyao was startled and supported me. "Young Master Wu... what's wrong?"
My vision darkened, nearly passing out. After a moment, I felt somewhat better, even more comfortable than before.
"I'm fine. Just help me back to the car to rest," I said weakly.
Despite training with my master for eight years, this first job was unexpectedly tough, blocked by a formidable adversary.
Seeing me so pale, Zhang Yunyao hurriedly helped me back to the car.
Once seated, I shivered uncontrollably, chilled to the bone.
My lack of experience and weaker cultivation showed—if my master had been here to save Zhang Yunliang, that disruptor might have been killed.
Noticing my trembling, Zhang Yunyao worriedly asked what was wrong.
I said weakly, "Cold... that person's attack harmed me. I'm feeling the backlash."
She looked around for something to cover me but found nothing.
Unexpectedly, Zhang Yunyao suddenly hugged me tightly.
"Young Master Wu, do you feel better now?" she asked.
Her warm embrace flushed my face slightly with embarrassment, but the warmth spread through me, easing the chill.
"Much better," I said.
She shyly lowered her head, burying it in my chest. I smelled her fragrant shampoo.
The mood suddenly grew tender and intimate—I forgot my injuries, and my heart raced.
I had never been held by a girl like this before. It felt... surprisingly good.
We stayed like that in silence.
Suddenly, a "squeaking" noise came from outside the windshield.
I looked up and saw several yellow rats climbing on the glass, scratching and banging noisily.
Zhang Yunyao, still in my arms, blushed and turned to look. She saw the rats too.
I was puzzled—when I was young, I often saw these yellow rats, but after training with my master, I never saw them again.
Why did they suddenly appear here now?
After a moment, the rats seemed startled and all jumped away.
But then, a pale woman's face appeared pressed against the windshield, giving me a strange, eerie smile.