Chapter 232: It Was Actually Fake

Upon hearing these words, Bai Feng, the female ghost in the room, felt her face flush repeatedly.

She found it somewhat hard to accept that people in this modern era could be so bold and nonchalant, especially about uttering the word “love.”

Li Lan was also momentarily stunned.

Because Shui Miao’s words seemed directed at Wang Xiaomi.

Wang Xiaomi, excited, nodded repeatedly, “I know, you’re the real Shui Miao. She isn’t. She only wants to build temples and monasteries. Her actions are cold and ruthless. She definitely isn’t you.”

“Build temples and monasteries!”

Shui Miao looked at Bai Feng, “Bai Jie, looks like I wasn’t wrong. She wants to gather massive amounts of incense offerings and then go to the immortal realm for cultivation.”

Li Lan and Wang Xiaomi looked in the direction Shui Miao was facing, but saw no one.

At that moment, Bai Feng revealed herself and gently nodded in response, “She once told me she wanted to go to the immortal realm too. But I don’t think it’s for cultivation. She probably wants to find a heartless man.”

“So beautiful!”

Seeing Bai Feng, Wang Xiaomi couldn’t help but sincerely exclaim.

Li Lan was equally stunned. Was this a fairy?

Women always appreciate compliments. Seeing Wang Xiaomi praise her beauty, Bai Feng smiled slightly and politely nodded.

After all, she was a refined lady from ancient times, a talented and graceful gentlewoman.

“Oh, let me introduce everyone…”

Shui Miao hurriedly introduced everyone to each other.

Then, everyone began chatting.

To Shui Miao’s relief, the thousand-year-old female ghost Bai Niangniang was indeed as the middle-aged scholar described—someone who had transcended the worldly realm. She hadn’t harmed her own family or friends, only wanting to gather massive amounts of incense.

Now that the facts were confirmed, Shui Miao finally felt relieved.

But immediately afterward, Shui Miao started thinking again. The middle-aged scholar had said Bai Niangniang had a nemesis in the immortal realm, and Bai Feng said she was going there to find a heartless man. This information also proved correct. Then, why was Bai Niangniang so determined to protect him, a mere pawn? What benefit could he possibly bring her? The middle-aged scholar had also mentioned she was wicked, likely referring to her true inner nature.

A wicked-hearted woman must be guarded against.

After a moment of contemplation, Shui Miao flipped his hand and summoned two Yin Holy Spirits from his spiritual realm. “Sister Li Lan, Sister Xiaomi, these are two Holy Spirits that can enhance your souls. If you consume them, you will gain tremendous benefits.”

“No, absolutely not! If they consume them now, my master will sense something wrong. Unless they leave this place and go far away.” Bai Feng quickly stepped forward to stop them.

Shui Miao waved his hand, “They must leave. My master told me Bai Niangniang has a wicked heart. I can’t allow them to remain here in danger.”

“If that’s the case, then are you willing?” Bai Feng turned to Wang Xiaomi and Li Lan.

Wang Xiaomi nodded and immediately took one of the Yin Holy Spirits and consumed it. “Shui Miao, I believe you.”

Li Lan frowned slightly and walked directly toward Shui Miao. “Answer me one question, and I’ll believe you.”

“Alright, go ahead.”

Shui Miao knew Li Lan wouldn’t easily trust him.

Li Lan originally wanted to ask about the awkward moment in the dry well back in Jing Shui Village. But after thinking for a moment, she shook her head instead. “Forget it. I’ll take my chances. Even if you’re lying to me, I accept it.” With that, Li Lan also took a Yin Holy Spirit and swallowed it.

As soon as the Yin Holy Spirit entered their bodies, its powerful spiritual energy began to work immediately. Li Lan and Wang Xiaomi felt their bodies suddenly become light and airy. Their thoughts became incredibly clear, their minds refreshed and spirits uplifted. Each breath they took made them feel their bodies transforming—becoming lighter and more agile.

“Master, give me one too, okay!?”

Hei Sheyao licked his lips. He hadn’t tasted a Yin Holy Spirit yet.

“Forget it. I’ll share one with you, but honestly, it’s a waste. Since you’re a demon, your soul is a demonic one, so the Yin Holy Spirit won’t benefit you much.” Bai Feng shook her head and handed Hei Sheyao a Yin Holy Spirit anyway.

As Bai Feng predicted, after Hei Sheyao swallowed his Yin Holy Spirit, it was like a snake swallowing a stone—completely indigestible.

“So comfortable! I feel like I’m about to become an immortal!”

“I feel the same! I seem to have become smarter. Things I didn’t understand before now make perfect sense!”

Li Lan and Wang Xiaomi both exclaimed in delight.

Shui Miao smiled faintly, “This is just the beginning. As time goes on, your souls and physical bodies will undergo thorough purification. You’ll discover that this world holds countless unknown mysteries. At that point, you might even become more devoted to cultivation than I am.”

“No, merely having the Yin Holy Spirit isn’t enough. Let me teach you how to regulate your breathing and energy flow.”

Bai Feng stepped forward, willing to help.

Hei Sheyao also quickly stood up, expressing his willingness to assist.

However, one glare from Shui Miao sent Hei Sheyao rolling away in fear.

After careful consideration, Shui Miao decided to temporarily find a hiding place for Li Lan and Wang Xiaomi first. Then, he would relocate all his family and friends. Once everyone was safe, he would negotiate with Bai Niangniang, ensuring absolute safety. Consulting Bai Feng, the best hiding spot would be somewhere crowded with chaotic energy fields. After much thought, Shui Miao decided the area near the train station was most suitable. With its dense population and chaotic energy, even if he spread his divine senses, it would take a while to detect anything.

Bai Niangniang volunteered to personally protect everyone.

Now with greatly enhanced cultivation from absorbing the Yin Holy Spirits, Bai Niangniang could protect a few people without being easily detected, even by herself.

Bai Niangniang transformed into Shui Miao’s appearance. During the day, she urged the old-timers of the Zhonghai Chamber of Commerce to build temples and monasteries. At night, she traveled to various locations to accelerate the construction progress. Especially these past two days, she had been extremely busy. Except for tonight’s dinner with everyone, she had barely interacted with Wang Xiaomi and others, as she considered them useless.

However, Chen Meiling often accompanied her.

Wang Xiaomi called Chen Meiling and learned that the Bai Niangniang-impersonating Shui Miao would be traveling tonight with several old-timers to another province to negotiate the acquisition of dozens of ancient temples. This rare opportunity prompted Shui Miao to call everyone to Linhai Hotel for an urgent meeting.

More than an hour later, things were progressing smoothly.

Xiao Tang Jie, Xiao Shuang, and Xiao Tudou all arrived.

Director Zhang’s family also came.

Even Chen Meiling made it.

Only Chen Xiang and Shui Miao’s mother couldn’t be reached by phone.

Shui Miao didn’t explain the details. He simply told everyone this matter was critical—failure could cost all their lives. He instructed everyone to turn off their phones, stay put at the hotel, and wait. He and Wang Xiaomi would personally go to pick up his mother and Chen Xiang. Half an hour later, Shui Miao picked up his mother and Chen Xiang, then got hold of a large bus. Wang Xiaomi drove, and everyone left Zhonghai City overnight.

On the bus, Shui Miao promised everyone he would reveal the truth at noon the next day.

Protected by Shui Miao and Bai Feng, the bus traveled unimpeded.

By noon the next day, the bus arrived in another city. Shui Miao had Chen Meiling buy everyone plane tickets to Tibet. Then, at a hotel near the airport, he revealed the truth and gave each person a Yin Holy Spirit to consume. Warned and awakened, everyone immediately sensed something was wrong. They realized they had been deceived by the fake Shui Miao.

Thus, Director Zhang, Xiao Shuang, Wang Xiaomi, Chen Meiling, and others changed their phone numbers, handled company affairs, transferred funds, and then the whole group boarded planes again, flying off to Tibet.

After sending everyone off, Shui Miao finally exhaled in relief.

Then, Shui Miao, Bai Feng, and Hei Sheyao hurriedly returned to Zhonghai City.

It was night again. This time, Shui Miao directly returned to Jing Shui Village.

Jing Shui Village was where Shui Miao had just started and then paused his business journey. He had a special fondness for this place. Although Xiao Shuang and the others had left, they had assigned management tasks, and the construction progress continued. Before Shui Miao could even enter the house, he sensed a sudden gust of cold wind behind him. Turning around, the person standing there was none other than the thousand-year-old female ghost Bai Niangniang.

“Didn’t expect us to meet again so soon.” Shui Miao sighed deeply, then smiled, “Plans change quickly. Senior Bai Niangniang, have you been well lately?”

“…”

Bai Feng remained silent, her eyes locked onto Bai Niangniang’s gaze.

“Who are you all?” Bai Niangniang suddenly demanded harshly.

This puzzled both Shui Miao and Bai Feng. Bai Niangniang seemed unfamiliar, not the real one.

“Bai Niangniang Senior, even if you don’t recognize me, surely you wouldn’t forget her?” Shui Miao pointed at Bai Feng, his mind racing. Could this Bai Niangniang be a substitute? That was indeed possible! The real Bai Niangniang, after all, was a thousand-year-old ghost. How could she expose herself publicly, busily overseeing temple and monastery construction every day?

“Enough nonsense! Either you speak now, or I’ll take action!” Bai Niangniang shook her hands, and two blood-colored swords materialized.

“She isn’t my master. She’s an impostor. My master only uses white silk ribbons, never other weapons.” Bai Feng finally spoke, producing a long sword in her hand.

Seeing this, Hei Sheyao also quickly conjured a black spear.

Shui Miao narrowed his eyes, stepped forward two paces, and coldly smiled, “Interesting. Unexpectedly, Shui Miao is fake, and Bai Niangniang is fake too. Truly fake together! You dare impersonate Bai Niangniang. You must be one of her trusted disciples. As a trusted disciple, surely you know about your fellow disciple Bai Feng?”

“Hmph! My master has no disciple named Bai Feng. There are only our three Golden Orchid Sisters!” As the fake Bai Niangniang finished speaking, two streams of black mist emerged beside her, transforming into two black-robed female ghosts, each wielding a blood-colored sword.

“Sister, we’re here!”

“Sister, what’s going on? Who are they?”

The two black-robed female ghosts asked, one after the other.

The fake Bai Niangniang coldly snorted, “Whoever they are, they’re not good people. Join me and kill them all!”

“Alright!”

“Kill!”

The fake Bai Niangniang and the two black-robed female ghosts immediately surged forward with rolling waves of dark energy, charging toward Shui Miao and his companions.