Chapter 40 Part 1

Wu He was indeed looking for Chu Yi, because the sounds from Old Master Kang’s room inside were no longer just waves of groans, but were almost screams.

The guests sitting in the courtyard exchanged glances, but clearly, they all had significant backgrounds and did not panic like ordinary people. They merely whispered to each other.

“Old Master, we’ll talk next time.” Chu Yi apologized to the Yu Patriarch, gave Yu Qingxian a meaningful glance, then turned and walked to Wu He’s side, joining the others as they headed toward the backyard.

“Grandpa, I’ll go take a look too.” Yu Qingxian helped the old man sit down properly before saying so.

“Go ahead.” The Yu Patriarch waved his hand. He was actually quite curious about the situation in the backyard too, but he was getting on in years and feared seeing something unpleasant.

Hadn’t all the old folks of his generation stayed seated? Yet none of the younger ones were around? Everyone had a bit of gossip in their hearts!

Chu Yi and the others had just reached the backyard entrance when a tall man hurried out, coming face-to-face with them. Chu Yi took a closer look—it was none other than Kang Zeyu.

“Director Wu, you’ve finally arrived. I was just about to go out and greet you…” Kang Zeyu was drenched in sweat and grabbed Wu He as he spoke.

Before he finished, he noticed Chu Yi beside him, and his face immediately fell. “How is it you? What are you doing here!”

Chu Yi was utterly exasperated by him. What time was it, and he still had the mood to nitpick?

If it weren’t for the sake of the Righteous Path’s common people, someone like Kang Zeyu wouldn’t get him to come even if asked!

Wu He noticed his attitude and frowned. “Young Master Kang, this is Master Chu Yi, whom I specially invited. Please show some respect when you speak to him.”

The implication was that if Kang Zeyu gave Chu Yi a hard time, it meant he was dissatisfied with Wu He’s arrangements. In that case, Wu He could just leave and find someone else—though he wondered if Old Master Kang could wait.

“Heh, Director Wu, that’s not what I meant…” Kang Zeyu could only swallow his anger and force a smile, though in his heart, he cursed Wu He for currying favor with the high and stepping on the low, kicking him when he was down.

If their Old Master had been healthy, would he dare speak to him like that? He was just throwing his weight around now that the family patriarch was failing—such a spineless opportunist!

In truth, Kang Zeyu was overthinking it. With Old Master Kang in trouble, whether it was the Special Affairs Office or masters like Chu Yi, they had all come to help. No matter what grudges he held, at a time like this, he should have acted as the host and treated them properly.

Questioning Chu Yi like that only embarrassed Wu He. Who knew if it was from playing the Eldest Young Master for too long, but he didn’t even know basic etiquette anymore.

And crucially, with their Old Master lying inside, his cries echoing all the way to the front courtyard—some filial grandson he was!

It was just a minor interlude. Kang Zeyu quickly backed down and led them inside.

In Old Master Kang’s room, an array had already been set up. A circle of monks sat along the bed, silently chanting scriptures. Leading them, wearing a cassock, was none other than Master Wuzhen, whom Chu Yi had met once before.

Old Master Kang’s bed was an antique redwood canopy bed with thin gauze hanging at the sides. The crowd couldn’t see the person on the bed clearly, only that he seemed to be in great pain, constantly struggling and clawing on the bed.

He was clearly an old man past seventy, yet his movements gave an eerie feeling, his body seemingly stretched out. Even covered by the quilt, his feet nearly reached the foot of the bed.

Wu He paled at the sight. Old Master Kang’s appearance was strikingly similar to the monsters he had seen on Dragon Soaring Mountain!

“What happened?” Yu Qingxian had somehow come to Chu Yi’s side at some point, leaning in for a closer look with a thoughtful expression. “I remember Old Master Kang wasn’t this tall before?”

Chu Yi instinctively pulled him behind himself. “Don’t get too close. It’s dangerous.”

Yu Qingxian obediently stayed back and only asked, “What’s wrong?”

For some reason, seeing Chu Yi’s action made him want to laugh, and the faint resentment from Chu Yi’s deliberate distance vanished.

Chu Yi turned his head and whispered into his ear, “He’s about to turn into a Living Zombie.”

Yu Qingxian drew in a sharp breath. “Can’t he be saved?”

“No.” Chu Yi shook his head. If it had been just a guess before, seeing Old Master Kang’s state confirmed it—he must have risked consuming that thing.

“What… what did he eat?”

“Mountain God Blood Exhaust.” Chu Yi said flatly, glancing at Wu He not far away. “Or maybe they call it something else…”

He didn’t hold back with President Yu, softly recounting everything Wu He had just told him right into his ear.

Yu Qingxian’s pupils dilated in shock. “You mean Old Master Kang, to cure his illness—”

Chu Yi nodded slowly. “Old Master Kang originally had Merit Golden Light and could hold out for a while, but by desecrating the Mountain God, his Merit Golden Light was already consumed by Sinful Force.”