The young swordsman from the Mohist Sect habitually rested his elbows on the hilt of his sword and the tip of his sword scabbard as he stood under the plaque in front of the female ghost's residence. Even so, he didn't give off a feeling of exhaustion. "Lady Chu," he called softly.

However, he didn't say anything else after this.

The palace minister with the large lantern and the great river god of the Embroidered Flower River both slowed their breathing down at the same time as if in tacit understanding. Their expressions were solemn.

"What, you want to dish out punishment now?" the female ghost sneered.

The young swordsman looked up at the location where Wei Jin's flying sword had pierced through the barrier. "Lady Chu, there's no need to utter such words out of anger. I have no intention of doing anything of the sort. However, I hope that you won't interfere with the children leaving this place or the blind old Daoist priest and his two disciples' journey up north. 

"Regardless of whether your actions were intentional or not at that time, the Great Li Empire's Song Clan has always felt gratitude toward Lady Chu. After all, your actions helped the Song Clan extend the lifespan of the empire. Afterward, the Great Li Empire's Song Clan also performed a deed that left them feeling guilty toward Lady Chu. Even though I didn't feel scorching rage and indignation after learning about that tragic event, as an outsider, I definitely still felt a sense of compassion."

Silence.

The female ghost raised a hand and twirled her hair, displaying her delicate and gentle nature as a woman. She smiled with squinted eyes and said, "And now you can explain your 'but'."

Sure enough, the young swordsman nodded and continued, "But Lady Chu's act of wantonly killing scholars has become increasingly difficult to conceal. The truth will eventually come out, and something will eventually have to be done. For example, today. 

"I don't dare to speculate what the emperor will think, but if I ever hear about a scholar vanishing from here again, I'll definitely pay Lady Chu a visit and personally bring you to the water dungeons. Rest assured, the emperor values relationships, but he definitely values rules even more. Moreover, no matter how much goodwill exists between people, this is something that can eventually be exhausted."

The young swordsman sighed and said with a sincere expression, "Lady Chu, regardless of whether you believe this or not, I dearly hope that such a day will never arrive."

The female ghost gazed into the distance, with her fingers lightly pinching the sleeves of her wedding dress. This was a rare moment of calm for her, and she replied in a gentle voice, "Seeing how you were willing to lower your voice and speak so patiently with a young boy, I believe you."

After pausing for a long moment, her expression gradually became cold. "Right now, I promise not to kill passing scholars anymore. However, I hope you understand that I might not...