Siheyuan: Hang Jia Dongxu, smash Banggeng to death!

Yi Zhonghai said in a low voice, "Everyone, let's disperse for now. This matter is only known to a few of us. Don't tell anyone else."

Everyone nodded, their minds heavy.

Everyone dispersed.

Wang Cuilan helped the deaf old lady back into the house.

Xu Damao looked at the cold moonlight in the courtyard and felt a chill run down his spine. He hurried towards his father-in-law's house, as he needed to quickly discuss the matter with his wife, Lou Xiao'e, and his father-in-law.

Although she went back to her parents' home these past two days, this matter is extremely serious.

I still need to ask my father, Xu Fugui, for advice. After he and his wife got married, my parents and sister moved out of the courtyard house, but not far away.

Qin Huairu lagged behind, and only after everyone had gone far away did she cautiously move to Yi Zhonghai's side, her voice trembling as she asked, "Uncle...that person who offered the sacrifice..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but the fear in her eyes said it all.

Yi Zhonghai sneered inwardly, but outwardly patted her shoulder gently: "Huai Ru, don't be afraid. Don't I know your true feelings?"

He paused, then said meaningfully, "Let's go and discuss Dongxu's funeral with your mother-in-law first."

By the way... get Dongxu's body back. There are some things... you know how to say, right?

Qin Huairu felt a chill in her heart.

Is this some kind of excuse to take Jia Dongxu's bones?

The phrase "You know what to say, right?" is a blatant warning.

If she dared to tell Jia Zhangshi the truth, she herself would likely be the one chosen for the human sacrifice.

"Okay...okay, sir."

Qin Huairu's voice was a little unsteady. She pinched her palm hard to barely maintain her composure.

The two walked towards the Jia family home, one after the other.

……

Inside the Jia family's house.

Madam Jia was sitting cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed), muttering something sadly. When she saw Qin Huairu bring Yi Zhonghai in, her triangular eyes immediately lit up.

"Dongxu's master, you've arrived!"

Madam Jia was unusually polite, even wanting to get off the kang (heated brick bed), saying, "Please sit down, please sit down!"

Yi Zhonghai waved his hand: "Sister-in-law, don't move, I'll sit here."

He sat down on the bench, and Qin Huairu silently stood to the side, picked up Xiaodang, and used the child as a cover to hide her pale face.

Madam Jia Zhang didn't notice her daughter-in-law's unusual behavior; her mind was entirely focused on the funeral and money: "Qin Huairu, there was a commotion in the courtyard just now, what happened?"

Qin Huairu's heart tightened, and she lowered her head and whispered, "It's...it's about Liu Guangtian..."

"oh!"

Jia Zhangshi curled her lip, "That old bastard Liu Haizhong deserves to go to jail, he even beat his own son to death."

She cursed a couple of times, then changed the subject, looking expectantly at Yi Zhonghai: "Dongxu's master, look... Dongxu's funeral..."

"I know."

Yi Zhonghai took over the conversation, his tone heavy, "Huai Ru has already told me that Dong Xu is my apprentice, and he has been with me for so many years."

Leave his funeral to me; it will at least fulfill our bond as teacher and student.

Upon hearing this, Madam Jia was overjoyed.

That saved us a lot of money!

Her mind raced. Yi Zhonghai had covered the funeral expenses, so could she... take the opportunity to host a banquet?

Are you asking for some monetary gifts?

Another windfall!

"Dongxu's master, Dongxu is blessed to have you as his master for three lifetimes."

Madam Jia wiped away non-existent tears. "I'll follow your arrangements, but... but I was wondering if we could have a banquet?"

I don't want my son to leave this world lonely and miserable...

She spoke with sorrow, but the calculation in her eyes was unmistakable.

Yi Zhonghai sneered inwardly, but his face was full of "understanding": "Sister-in-law is right. Dongxu left so suddenly, we should give him a proper send-off. Let's have a banquet, I'll arrange it."

"Very good!"

Madam Jia almost burst out laughing, then quickly lowered her head and pretended to wipe away tears. "Master Dongxu, we, the Jia family, will remember your great kindness for the rest of our lives."

Yi Zhonghai nodded, then sighed, "Alas, Dongxu... it's such a pity he passed away. My condolences, sister-in-law."

Tomorrow I'll go to the police station to retrieve Dongxu's body, and we... will give him a proper send-off.

"Hey! Hey!"

Madam Jia nodded repeatedly, already calculating in her mind how much money she could receive as gifts.

Qin Huairu stood to the side, her hands trembling slightly as she held Xiao Dang.

She knew all too well what Yi Zhonghai wanted to do.

Retrieving the body... "Give them a proper final farewell"...

Collect the ashes, perform a ritual, and ward off great misfortune.

And the choice of the human sacrifice...

Qin Huairu dared not think any further.

It's clear.

Inside the house, Madam Jia was still rambling on about how many tables to set up for the banquet, who to invite, and how much money to give as gifts.

Yi Zhonghai listened patiently, nodding occasionally, but his eyes were icy cold.

He can't touch the Liu family.

Although Liu Haizhong was imprisoned, Liu Guangqi and Liu Guangfu were still there.

Moreover, the Liu family's resentment towards Lin Tian may not be deep enough. Strictly speaking, Liu Guangtian's death was caused by Liu Haizhong's mistake.

The Liu family may not hold Lin Tian entirely responsible.

But the Jia family is different.

Jia Dongxu was the pillar of the Jia family and the lifeblood of Jia Zhangshi.

Jia Zhangshi's hatred for Lin Tian was genuine.

She is the best candidate...

Yi Zhonghai's gaze swept over Jia Zhangshi, intentionally or unintentionally.

That old hag is a menace even in life.

He throws tantrums all day, offending people, and today he even dares to say he's childless...

Taking this opportunity...

Yi Zhonghai had made up his mind.

"Sister-in-law," he interrupted Jia Zhangshi's rambling, "it's getting late, you should rest. I'll take care of Dongxu's business tomorrow."

"Yes! Okay! Okay!" Madam Jia readily agreed. "Thank you for your hard work, Master Dongxu!"

Yi Zhonghai stood up, glanced at Qin Huairu, and said, "Huairu, take good care of your mother-in-law. If anything happens... come to me anytime."

Qin Huairu understood the deeper meaning in his words, and her heart grew even colder, but she could only nod and say, "Understood, sir."

Yi Zhonghai is gone.

As soon as Jia Zhangshi closed the door, a smug smile appeared on her face: "Qin Huairu, well done! That old bastard Yi Zhonghai actually falls for it!"

She sat down, calculating: "He's paid for the funeral, he's hosted the banquet... how much money can we save? And then we can collect the gift money... hehe..."

Looking at her mother-in-law's greedy face, Qin Huairu suddenly felt nauseous.

This woman, her son has died, and instead of feeling grief, she's thinking about how much money she can save and how many gifts she can collect...

"Mom," Qin Huairu said softly, "Let's keep Dongxu's funeral simple... after all... after all, he's already gone..."

"Simple my foot!"

Madam Jia glared at her. "My son died unjustly. We must hold a grand funeral for him so that everyone in the courtyard can see that the Jia family is not to be trifled with."

She paused, then lowered her voice: "Besides, once the banquet is held and the gift money is collected... we'll have our living expenses for the next few months, right? Are you stupid!"

Qin Huairu fell silent.

She carried Xiaodang into the inner room, put her daughter on the kang (a heated brick bed), and sat down beside her, lost in thought.

tomorrow...

Tomorrow, Yi Zhonghai will go to retrieve Dongxu's remains.

and then?

Take the bones and perform a ritual.

and then?

Human sacrifice...

Madam Jia was still rambling on about accounting in the outer room, her voice filled with excitement, completely unlike someone who had just lost her son.

I don't know if she's truly heartless or just using this to numb herself.

Qin Huairu closed her eyes, and tears silently streamed down her face.

Dongxu, I'm sorry...

I...I had no choice...

To survive, for the sake of the children...

Lin Tian's ghostly figure stood silently in the darkness of the room, a cold smile curving his lips.

Looking at the stick in the corner, he still silently knocked it unconscious and put it into his space. The spiritual spring space can hold living people.

……