Life is unpredictable, with fate woven like intricate threads.
Divination was never an exact science.
However, those participating in the siege of Longevity Island were all elites from the mystical sect.
Even if there were some discrepancies in the calculation, it should not be too different.
Ouyang Jue’s fate, however, seemed to have greatly surpassed his eight-character fate.
The mystical sects found it peculiar at the time, but this anomaly alone couldn’t prove anything.
It could simply mean their divination was off, or perhaps the birth details they had weren’t Ouyang Jue’s true ones.
Moreover, it was said Ouyang Jue had been engaged in charity work over the years—perhaps he had truly defied fate and rewritten his destiny.
But now, examining the fate of the Ouyang family as a whole, everything became suspicious again.
Yin Cong added that the previous two heads of the Ouyang family had died young.
From a worldly perspective, it was due to incurable illnesses.
But tracing back through metaphysical reasoning, it was because they had committed too many sins in life, causing Heaven and Earth to strip away their allotted years.
Thus, even with the best medical team, Ouyang Jue’s father couldn’t escape death.
And in the afterlife, they would continue to face judgment, sinking into the abyss of ghosts.
In contrast, Ouyang Jue’s fate was an enigma.
Two generations of his family had been steeped in wrongdoing, yet by his generation, no criminal evidence remained.
Even the all-seeing forces of Heaven and Earth couldn’t claim his life.
Had he truly broken from his predecessors’ path and turned to virtue?
Or was there more to the story?
Yan Jing, who had firsthand knowledge, remarked coldly, “The Ouyang family has never turned from evil to good. Ouyang Jue was simply more meticulous than the previous heads he just kept his hands clean of blood.”
Yet even this didn’t add up.
As the saying goes, Heaven knows, Earth knows no evil leaves no trace.
No matter how skillful the method, even if it evaded worldly oversight, it couldn’t escape the unseen hand of fate.
“Could it be… he even deceived Heaven and Earth…?” Shi Pengpeng’s heart stirred as she recalled the illusory eye bead of the Grand Preceptor.
The Grand Preceptor had used the illusory eye bead to conceal his aura, slipping back into the country undetected despite pursuit by numerous mystical sects.
Was it possible Ouyang Jue had also employed some dark art to hide his crimes?
So even if Yu Tian Culture was investigated, he, as the true mastermind, remained confident he could walk away unscathed?
Perhaps it wasn’t that he left no evidence or clues, but that he had used some unnatural force to interfere with the police’s investigation and judgment?
“Th-this…” Yin Cong was stunned.
They had never considered this possibility before—after all, dark arts capable of deceiving Heaven and Earth were beyond imagination.
Yet they had to admit, Shi Pengpeng’s theory was highly plausible.
Had Longevity Island survived for so many years, evading detection time and again, simply because they operated overseas with sophisticated methods?
Could it be the Grand Preceptor possessed other unknown sorceries?
Only this could explain why, under such circumstances, Ouyang Jue could still emerge spotless.
With this line of thought, Yin Cong’s spirits lifted. “I’ll go discuss this with the person in charge.”
Yin Cong hurried off, leaving the others with little else to do.
Yan Jing checked the time and said to Shi Pengpeng, “It’s late. Let me take you back first.”
Shi Pengpeng didn’t decline.
“Alright.”
“What a coincidence, I didn’t drive either.”
Xiao Lingshu naturally moved closer.
“Give me a ride since we’re going the same way.”
Yan Jing coldly refused: “We’re not.”
“Brother Yan, you can’t be like this…” Xiao Lingshu protested.
Yan Jing transferred him 200 yuan: “Take a taxi back.”
Xiao Lingshu instantly accepted the money: “Got it.”
Glancing at the little bat hanging from the chandelier, he enthusiastically added, “Miss Vampire, what are your plans now? I should remind you that without proper registration, you can’t wander around freely.”
“But if you don’t mind, you could stay at my temple temporarily— otherwise you’d have to go to Qinglian Temple.”
“Let me tell you, our Yuan Yi Temple is quite lively. We have a Nian beast, an E beast, and a wood spirit. You could exchange notes with them about local supernatural creatures’ living habits—”
“Squeak “The little bat swooped down and smacked him with its wing to cut him off.
“Fine, I’ll go with you. Just stop talking.”
“Oh, oh.” Xiao Lingshu didn’t mind at all and even praised, “You’ve got good taste! Would you prefer sleeping in a nest like the Nian beast, or just hanging from our rafters?”
“Whatever.”
The bat rolled its eyes.
It didn’t mention that it chose Yuan Yi Temple mainly because Xiao Lingshu seemed weak-if anything happened, escaping would be easier.
Perching on Xiao Lingshu’s shoulder, it asked warily, “Those other creatures at your temple… they aren’t as talkative as you, are they?”
“Not at all! If anything, I’d say they don’t talk enough.” Xiao Lingshu sighed with genuine frustration.
“Usually, I’m the only one talking!”
Everyone else: “…”
Is it possible that they can’t get a word in because you never stop talking?
As the group took the elevator down, they happened to see special police officers escorting members of Yu Tian Culture.
Without the concealing magic of the Wangxiang’s eye, the dark aura around the influencers was completely exposed.
Shi Pengpeng thought of the resentment that affected Yan Jing mind, and her heart moved.
She immediately pinched a tracking spell and probed those internet celebrities.
Soon she found her target.
Sister Hui Xi.
Shi Pengpeng found the person in charge of the special police and expressed her desire to talk to Hui Xi.
The person in charge was her and Yan Jing’s person, and ofcousre she didn’t say anything and even arranged a room for them.
Sitting on the sofa in the room, Hui Xi no longer had the arrogance she had at the dinner party.
Her hands were placed on her thighs awkwardly, her face was pale, and she looked very nervous.
Shi Pengpeng opened the door and asked, “Where did the Yin spirit on you come from.”
“None of your business.” Hui Xi retorted with her usual defiance, though her trembling voice betrayed her.
“Don’t think you can bully me just because you’re with the authorities. I’m not scared of you.”
Shi Pengpeng: =.=
You sure look terrified.
This stubborn attitude bore some resemblance to Yan Jing’s in certain ways.
Could this be why Yan Jing was particularly affected by her?
After a moment’s thought, Shi Pengpeng took out a yellow talisman, activated it with a hand seal, and placed it in Hui Xi’s palm.
“Now, will you answer me?”
Hui Xi suddenly felt her mind clear, the hazy shadow that had been clouding her thoughts was actually suppressed.
Her consciousness finally regained its autonomy.
She looked at Shi Pengpeng in surprise, then at the talisman in her hand: “You… your…”
The next moment, she actually leaned forward, about to kneel before Shi Pengpeng, “Master, please help me!”
“Don’t do that.”
Shi Pengpeng quickly stopped her and guided her back to the sofa, “First, tell me what exactly is going on?”
“This… this…” Hui Xi’s lips trembled, but fear showed on her face, and she couldn’t bring herself to speak for a long time.
Noticing her apprehension, Shi Pengpeng reassured her, “Don’t worry, Meng Zhen has already been arrested, and Ouyang Jue is also under custody. You can speak freely, the police will ensure your safety.”
“Meng Zhen and Ouyang Jue have been arrested too?”
Hui Xi abruptly raised her head, visibly excited, “That’s great! Those bastards, can they be sentenced to death?”
Shi Pengpeng: “…”
…It was clear she really hated them.
Yan Jing, who had been silently observing, suddenly spoke up, “How severe their sentences will be depends on the evidence. Perhaps you could provide some?”
“I can provide a lot,” Hui Xi said through gritted teeth.
Shi Pengpeng:”….”
She couldn’t help but glance at Yan Jing, who noticed her gaze and turned to her with a smile, mouthing the words, “You’re welcome.”
Shi Pengpeng:…Fine.
After calming herself, Hui Xi slowly began to recount her experience.
It turned out that her suggestive content wasn’t voluntary.
Hui Xi had started her account on Cat Paw as an unboxing blogger.
Though her viewership was modest, she enjoyed it and was happy with what she did.
Later, Yu Tian Culture contacted her, saying they saw potential in her and wanted to sign her to become a top influencer.
At the time, Hui Xi only knew that Yu Tian Culture was the biggest company in the industry, unaware of its true internal practices.
Tempted by the high signing bonus and dreams of stardom, she quickly signed the contract.
Her nightmare began from there.
After signing, the company demanded she switch to the so-called “beauty” niche-essentially, posting revealing and suggestive content.
Naturally, Hui Xi refused, but Yu Tian immediately threatened her with the contract.
What had seemed like a promising agreement was actually filled with carefully designed traps.
If Hui Xi didn’t comply with the company’s demands, she would face an exorbitant penalty fee.
Moreover, Yu Tian had an extremely ruthless legal team, making it impossible to win against them in court.
Helpless, under various threats and inducements, Hui Xi had no choice but to yield.
Soon after, Yu Tian pressured her to undergo plastic surgery.
They even took her to a clinic in Korea, forcing her to get various implants.
After returning from that trip, Hui Xi fell into an even more terrifying nightmare.
She discovered a vague shadow had attached itself to her body.
This shadow, like a second soul, began influencing her thoughts and emotions.
Her temper grew increasingly irritable, and her food preferences became bizarre she developed a strong craving for ordinary things like watermelon and pickled side dishes.
Apart from this, her possessiveness had grown alarmingly strong.
Whenever she saw others using elements she had employed in their videos, she immediately accused them of copying her.
Even if someone else had used those elements first, she still believed they rightfully belonged to her.
In daily life, whenever she came across something good, she always felt the urge to claim it as her own.
Because of this, she repeatedly lost control, stirring up conflicts on CatPaw and often making snide, sarcastic remarks about other creators during her livestreams.
Yu Tian was fully aware that this was her issue, yet he delighted in her behavior.
Not only did he fail to stop her, but he also constantly fanned the flames, using these incidents as excuses to suppress bloggers who competed with him.
Hui Xi was tormented by this but felt powerless, forced to watch helplessly as her thoughts were gradually overtaken by that shadow.
That’s why, even though she had undergone plastic surgery to the point of being unrecognizable, she refused to delete her old unboxing videos.
Because that was the version of herself she truly wanted to be.
As she learned more about Yu Tian, she gradually discovered that his company wasn’t just an MCN agency built on softcore content.
A significant number of people there were actually dabbling in-and using dark arts.
In other words, they had known all along that a malevolent spirit was attached to Hui Xi.
Or perhaps, this had been their intention from the start.
The spirit’s presence made it easier for them to control Hui Xi, their cash cow, while also clouding her judgment so she couldn’t clearly seek help from the outside.
At this point, Hui Xi’s entire face twisted with fury.
“I really, truly wish I could kill them with my own hands!”
Shi Pengpeng and Yan Jing exchanged a glance, their expressions grave.
They had long known that Yu Tian Culture was far from reputable, but this level of depravity was appalling.
Shi Pengpeng asked, “Do you know the origin of that malevolent spirit?”
“I have some vague idea,” Hui Xi replied.
It was only after gaining some standing within Yu Tian and spending considerable time probing indirectly that she pieced together the spirit’s background.
“They said my nose wasn’t high enough, so they performed a rib cartilage rhinoplasty on me. But the bone they used wasn’t mine—it was taken from a corpse,” Hui Xi murmured.
“That corpse belonged to a local… from Ssam-da.”
Shi Pengpeng and Yan Jing:”….”
Ah, Ssam-da-no wonder the possessiveness was so extreme!