"Because I'm afraid it... looks inappropriate during class... that's why..." Song Qingyi hesitantly explained, then furrowed her brows, "Why am I telling you this? If you don't have anything related to the mysterious case to say, then just go back!"
"Sorry, I'm just a little curious," Chu Liang smiled, then started asking about the main issue, "Have you checked the bodies of those two students, were they really killed by vengeful spirits?"
"Their deaths were gruesome, with strong yin energy, confirming that they were killed by ghosts," Song Qingyi replied, "It's just that... I feel like it's not vengeful spirits, but something more advanced..."
Vengeful spirits have limited intelligence and unclear thinking, often only appearing repeatedly in the same place. Despite deep resentment, they wouldn't carry out complex operations like luring two students from their homes to the lakeside to kill them.
"Minzuizi is just an ordinary girl without any cultivation..." Chu Liang said.
An ordinary person without cultivation has limited strength of the soul, even if they have deep resentment after death, they would at most become a slightly stronger vengeful spirit. If anyone could turn into a fierce ghost and have unlimited strength, then death would just be a leap to power.
Advanced ghosts either continue to enhance themselves by chance and practice after becoming a ghost, or they possess powerful souls before death, that's for sure.
And Situ Yan, who recently died, clearly doesn't meet either of these conditions.
"So it's possible that another type of spirit committed the murders," Song Qingyi said, "It's also possible... that a dark cultivator is at work."
Chu Liang nodded in agreement.
Some dark cultivators specialize in refining deeply resentful souls, using them as tools or weapons for their cultivation, with cruel and inhumane methods.
Like the rising dark cult Mingwang Sect, which has many methods that involve refining souls of the deceased.
Chu Liang then divulged a bit of the information Li Jue had shared with him to Song Qingyi, without mentioning the story between Li Jue and Situ Yan, only the names of those in the class who might be targets of Situ Yan's revenge.
"Chen Da, Yan Xiaohu..." Song Qingyi nodded, "I will go see them tomorrow."
After the first meeting, Chu Liang left the back mountain.
He returned to the Li Mansion in Yanjiao City.
"So, Song Master is a member of the Gentlemen's Hall." Linbei was a little surprised to hear this news.
There are only two Confucian sects in the world, one being the Shenglong Academy, which is backed by the court, and is responsible for cultivating talents throughout the entire Yu Dynasty. The other is the relatively independent Gentlemen's Hall.
In the beginning, the Jiangnan Gentlemen's Hall was established by a few great Confucian scholars. At that time, several contemporary great Confucian scholars often discussed and exchanged knowledge and learning on the Jiangnan Smoke Rain Tower, which became a popular topic. Later, any great Confucian scholar who was recognized by them could join, so it became a place for exchanging ideas.
After that, some people proposed to simply name this place the Gentlemen's Hall. Any Confucian gentleman who has been recognized for his conduct, learning, and cultivation can have their name inscribed at the Gentlemen's Hall, which will be passed down to future generations and become renowned throughout history.
Since then, the Gentlemen's Hall has become a prestigious hall of Confucianism, and countless Confucian students have made it their lifelong goal to have their names recorded at the Gentlemen's Hall. Gradually, the Jiangnan Gentlemen's Hall also developed its own inheritance and became one of the ten great sects.
"The affairs of the Academy are managed by the Confucianists, so we shouldn't worry too much," Chu Liang said.
"Confucianism is great," Linbei said with a strange smile on his face. "I really like Confucianism."
...
"Chen Da is dead?"
The next afternoon, Song Qingyi suddenly found Chu Liang and Linbei, bringing with her some bad news.
After finishing her morning classes, she went to visit the student Chen Da's home as a instructor, only to witness the gloom at the Chen family.
"This matter is quite mysterious," Song Master said with a serious expression.
Listening to her account, Chu Liang and Linbei also became serious.
According to the Chen family, since the deaths of Zhang Cong and Wu Shao'an, Chen Da had been locking himself in his room, too scared to go out. Only when his parents came to bring him food could they see him.
"Last night, when Chen Da's father was taking food to his son, he happened to see Chen's mother walking in with a tray. Chen's father found it strange because it was clearly Chen's mother who called him to bring the food, why would she come herself?"
"However, when he returned to the room, he found Chen's mother lying in bed."
"Chen's father immediately felt something was wrong, and when he ran to Chen Da's room, he found Chen Da lying on the ground, charred all over, as if burned to death."
"But there was no smoke or fire in the room, no trace of burning, and Chen Da didn't make any calls for help... he was burned to death out of thin air."
"I checked, and there's a strong Yin energy, it's the work of a ghost."
Song Qingyi told the whole story without any concealment. For her, the sooner the matter was resolved, the better, and it was good if someone could help.
"The person Chen's father saw... entering Chen Da's room, was a transformation by a ghost," Chu Liang pondered and said, "To freely transform into the appearance of someone else, there are not many ghosts that can do that."
The art of illusory transformation into human form is not difficult; many evils can do it. But to transform into the appearance of just about anyone is quite difficult.
Other than possessing extraordinary supernatural abilities, there are some unique racial talents, such as the fox clan among the monsters, or among the ghost creatures...
"The Painted Skin Ghost!" Linbei also exclaimed.
"Yes, only a Painted Skin Ghost can freely transform into other people. The two students from earlier were probably deceived to the lake by the Painted Skin Ghost," said Song Qingyi.
But how could Situ Yan, who had just died, become such a powerful Painted Skin Ghost?
If the murderous apparition wasn't Situ Yan, then why were the victims all people she wanted to take revenge on?
The Painted Skin Ghost is unpredictable and elusive, far more difficult to deal with than vengeful spirits.
It was evident from the furrow of Song Qingyi's brow that she was deeply troubled.
"Song Instructor, rest assured. We disciples of Shushan have always been dedicated to eradicating evil and upholding justice. We will exert all efforts to assist you!" Linbei pledged, pounding his chest.
Returning to the Li residence, he kept a close eye on Chuliang.
"Think of a way, handsome," he urged, "I sought your intelligence and wit when inviting you to the task."
"What do you need me for, after making assurances to Song Instructor?" Chuliang smiled. "Isn't our task just to keep an eye on Li Jue?"
"Don't you want to see Song Instructor's sweet smile?" Linbei retorted.
"I only want to vanquish evil," Chuliang coldly responded.
However, he would certainly not hold back, knowing the grave danger posed by the Painted Skin Ghost.
After pondering, he said, "Regardless of the identity of this Painted Skin Ghost, its actions follow Situ Yan's revenge trail. If so, as long as we safeguard its targets, we will eventually catch it."
With that, he stood up. "Watch over Li Jue, I'll go find Yan Xiaohu."
"Why do you have to go out again? You went out last night and ran into Song Instructor. Today, I want to go out!" Linbei stood up.
Chuliang said, "I have a way to distinguish the Painted Skin Ghost. Do you?"
"..." Linbei sat back down, "Bring me back some late-night snacks."
Chuliang made his way to Yan Xiaohu's home, claiming to be a good friend wanting to inquire about his injuries. However, the household servants informed him that the young master had gone out to play.
He had been beaten so badly just yesterday, and yet he had gone out to play, rather than staying at home to recuperate. It seemed his physical toughness was impressive.
Chuliang then asked, "Where did Yan Xiaohu go to play?"
The servant chuckled and replied, "You must not be very familiar with our young master. He went to the Colorful Moon Pavilion, of course."