The Residence

Weisheng sheepishly walked behind Xiaoling as she showed him around her residence. It was huge. He hadn't expected a random sorceress to be this wealthy. Maybe that was because his mother had only brought quacks so far. Xiaoling was the real deal, and the proof was right in front of his eyes. 

Her residence was built in a traditional style. There was a large courtyard. Every corner of the house had big windows or sliding doors to view the central courtyard. From wooden columns, decorative screens, ornate details, and traditional yet comfortable furnishings to beautiful artwork and decor. It was spacious and had enough room to accommodate a large number of people. 

The decor was under feng shui principles, making the interior harmonious and balanced. 

As she walked him through the rooms, she mentioned whom the rooms belonged to. She peeked inside Hai's room and let Weisheng see it as well. Then, she peeked inside Ru's room as well. Weisheng got to see it. 

Xiaoling knocked on the door of the next room and waited outside, unlike the other rooms. It made Weisheng wonder who it could be. 

"Qiang?" Xiaoling gently called a girl's name, "Are you in there?" 

After a while, Xiaoling opened to see that the room was empty. She hummed to herself in confusion. 

"This is Xiao Qiang's room. She found your case reports," Xiaoling pressed against her chin, "It's just strange she's not here." She murmured before closing the door, "Anyway, let's go see your room." 

Weisheng nodded and followed her. He was excited to see his room. Xiaoling opened the door to reveal a cozy and spacious room. It had a comfortable bed, a sitting area, a study table, and a sliding door that led to the courtyard. Hai was setting the study table when they arrived. 

"How's the room?" Hai asked, quickly arranging the last calligraphy brush before standing up and walking toward them. 

"It's good," Xiaoling said, "Good work. I'll treat you to a meal later." 

Hai's eyes widened, "Thank you, Master!" 

Xiaoling looked at Weisheng, "Do you like it?" 

Weisheng instantly nodded, "Thank you, Master." 

Xiaoling smiled, "I'll treat you too then." 

Weisheng's eyes widened as he shared a glance with Hai. Xiaoling chuckled in amusement, watching them excited for a future meal. 

"Let's go see my Godmother then," Xiaoling said before walking out of the room. 

Before Weisheng could follow her, Hai grabbed his sleeve, "Be respectful in front of Master's Godmother." He warned him before letting him go. 

Weisheng stood there in a daze, making Xiaoling turn around. 

"Weisheng?" Xiaoling called him, catching his attention, "Follow me." 

Weisheng nodded and followed her. They stood outside the lounge door. Xiaoling looked at Weisheng carefully. She raised her hands toward his hair, fixing some of his strands. He cleared his throat, not knowing what to do. Xiaoling moved her hands to his tie, fixing it for him. 

"When we step inside, don't make eye contact with my Godmother," Xiaoling said while fixing his coat, "Deep kowtow as soon as we kneel in front of her. Understood?" 

Weisheng nervously nodded, "Yes, Master." 

Xiaoling turned to the door and knocked on it before sliding it open. She entered with light steps, and Weisheng made sure to follow the same way. 

Xiaoling kept her gaze on the ground while walking toward the warm fireplace, so Weisheng kept his gaze down as well. He couldn't see the person they were showing this much respect to. 

Xiaoling slowly knelt on one of the pillows put in front of the fireplace, followed by Weisheng on the pillow next to it. She crossed her hands over her forehead such that her palms faced the person in question. Weisheng followed hesitantly. 

"Dear Godmother," Xiaoling said politely, using the lowest tone possible. She bent, putting her forehead on the ground, offering the lady a full kowtow. 

Weisheng watched her in a daze, forgetting to copy her actions. Xiaoling remained in position, pulling one of her hands from under her forehead to tug on Weisheng's coat. 

Weisheng gasped lightly, quickly bowing before he ruined things. He performed a full kowtow for a person he didn't know. 

"Rise, rise," The aged lady said in a cheerful tone, "You left so quickly earlier. Is everything good?" 

Xiaoling slowly raised herself and tugged on Weisheng's sleeve. He rose, keeping his gaze on the ground. 

"I apologize for worrying you. It's my incompetence for not being able to properly greet you before leaving," Xiaoling spoke in a light tone, "Everything is fine. Thank you for your never-ending grace." 

The lady smiled, "Who is this young man?" She asked. 

"This is my disciple, Weisheng." Xiaoling introduced him, "Weisheng, greet my honorable Godmother." She ordered him. 

Weisheng cluelessly looked at Xiaoling before clearing his throat to look down, "G-Good afternoon…" 

Xiaoling frowned. Weisheng could feel her frown in his peripheral vision. He nervously stared at the ground for dear life. 

The lady laughed, "Good afternoon," She said, "Xiaoling, is this kid new to this realm?" 

"Dear Godmother, he is not a spirit but a human," Xiaoling muttered, "Just like you," She added. "This is why I brought him to you," She said softly before kowtowing again, "Although I am not able to do much filial piety, and I always let you down, kindly help me look for a cure for his spiritual roots and curse." 

Weisheng's eyes narrowed when he heard the old lady in front of him wasn't a spirit. He could grasp her relationship with Xiaoling with the limited knowledge he had. They might even have a Master-Student relationship. 

"Come," The lady muttered. 

Xiaoling looked at Weisheng, who was lost in his thoughts. She grabbed his wrist and pushed it forward. The lady chuckled as she held onto Weisheng's wrist. She closed her eyes and laid her fingers flat onto his wrist, feeling his pulse. 

Weisheng gulped as he dared look at the lady. She looked older than his mother. Her gray hair was tied into a bun, and she wore a thick hanfu with a traditional overcoat. One of her hands checked his pulse while the other held a smoking pipe. 

A sudden frown appeared on the lady's face, causing her to open her eyes in surprise. 

"Godmother?" Xiaoling asked in concern. 

The lady instantly let go of Weisheng's wrist and backed off, flipping her pipe in her hand while chanting a spell. She opened her eyes and frowned at Weisheng, pointing her pipe toward Weisheng. 

"Get away!" The lady shouted. 

Weisheng felt a strong wind push him back with such power that he couldn't resist. He got pushed until his back hit the wall. Falling, he grunted in pain and shock. 

Xiaoling's eyes widened while she tried to process the situation, "G-Godmother, what are you doing?" She asked in a wavering voice as she stood up to run toward Weisheng, only to be stopped by the lady. 

"You brought a spawn of the devil to your house?!" The lady shouted at Xiaoling, tugging at her sleeve to keep her from reaching Weisheng, "The Heavens will banish you!" 

Xiaoling's eyes widened, and she shook her head, "The demonic energy is from the Cursed Eye! You're mistaken!" 

The lady furiously pointed her pipe at Weisheng after she noticed he was trying to stand up, bringing him back to his knees. She pushed Xiaoling aside and closed in on Weisheng. 

"I will finish this once and for all!" The lady raised her pipe for the final blow, watching Weisheng as his eyes turned pink to the curse.