92: Chapter 92 The Su Family Mansion

Su Qinghan led the three of them, arriving leisurely in front of a residence.

The main gate was tightly shut, and above the entrance hung a large plaque inscribed with the two characters "Su Family."

This residence could be considered the only large mansion in the town, surrounded by a wall one zhang high.

With its blue-tiled roofs and carved, painted pillars, it appeared quite grand.

"Bang, bang, bang..."

Su Qinghan stepped forward and knocked on the gate, waiting for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

"Creak, creak..."

The gate slowly opened to reveal an elderly man of about fifty.

His face was full of wrinkles, he looked as if he hadn't fully woken up, and he let out a huge yawn.

Su Qinghan moved with graceful, light steps, her tone filled with concern yet tinged with a hint of reproach.

"Steward Zhao, why do you still look so sleepy? Don't tell me you haven't woken up yet?"

Steward Zhao perked up slightly: "Oh my, the Young Miss is back. I don't know what's going on lately; I just can't seem to wake up."

The four entered the courtyard. Steward Zhao didn't last long before he began to doze off again, following behind the four of them while yawning from time to time.

Su Qinghan took a small porcelain bottle from her Storage Pouch, poured out a yellow Medicinal Pill, and said.

"Steward Zhao, take this medicine. Go notify my father that we are waiting for him in the main hall."

"Remember, do not make a scene. Keep it quiet, and then go prepare three guest rooms."

Yu Yang hurriedly interjected: "Just one room is fine. We are three grown men; we can stay together and cultivate our friendship."

Su Qinghan raised her eyebrows at the three of them and said: "None of you are allowed to drink alcohol. We have real work to do tonight."

Yu Yang said with a serious face: "Senior Sister, we promise not to touch a drop of alcohol."

Su Qinghan added to Steward Zhao: "Prepare one larger guest room with three beds; that will suffice."

Steward Zhao took the Medicinal Pill and put it in his mouth: "Young Miss, I will go arrange it right away."

The four arrived at the main hall, where a faint scent of sandalwood drifted throughout.

In the center of the wall hung a plaque inscribed with the words "A Model for Generations."

Below it stood an Eight Immortals table, with armchairs on both the left and right sides.

The walls on the left and right were also adorned with calligraphy and paintings.

The right wall read: "A Fragrant Legacy for a Hundred Generations."

The left wall read: "A Heavy Responsibility and a Long Road Ahead."

The four sat quietly for a moment, when faint footsteps could be heard coming from the entrance of the hall.

Looking toward the sound, they saw a man and a woman walking slowly into the hall with somewhat sluggish steps.

The man was dressed in a plain robe; although his posture remained upright, his expression could not hide his exhaustion, as he was around fifty years old.

The woman wore a light blue brocade dress, and the jade hairpin slanted in her hair swayed slightly with her movements.

Her face was gentle, but there were faint dark circles under her eyes, revealing her utter exhaustion.

Sleepiness washed over her like a tide, making her steps no longer light.

Seeing them like this, Su Qinghan's face revealed a trace of sorrow, and she hurried forward to support the woman.

Then, she took a small jade bottle from her Storage Pouch, poured out two yellow Medicinal Pills, and said.

"Father, Mother, take these Medicinal Pills; they can consolidate your foundation and restore your vitality. These three are my fellow disciples."

Yun Song and the two Senior Brothers stood up and bowed with cupped hands to show respect.

Su's father smiled and said: "Three young friends, please sit. There is no need for such formalities."

The two took the Medicinal Pills, and after a moment, the wrinkles on their foreheads slowly faded slightly, and their mental state appeared much better.

Su Qinghan's father wore a grave expression as he began to speak slowly.

About twenty days ago, a strange occurrence quietly descended.

Since then, the common people living in this vicinity...

have slept sufficiently at night, yet every morning upon waking, they appear exhausted.

Upon hearing this, the three suddenly realized, looked at each other, and understood in their hearts.

The normal people they had seen on the journey were simply not living within the range affected by this strangeness.

Although, as of now, there have been no deaths.

If this strange situation is allowed to continue, it won't be long before the lives of the nearby residents are in danger.

Hearing what her father said, Su Qinghan's ink-black, slender eyebrows furrowed slightly.

A look of contemplation flashed across her beautiful eyes, and after a brief moment of reflection, she spoke slowly.

"To be able to cause such a large area of residents to lose their Vital Essence simultaneously, this matter is definitely not ordinary."

"In this daughter's opinion, it is highly likely that a Ghost Demon is utilizing the power of some extremely formidable Formation to absorb everyone's Vital Essence."

Su's father's originally composed face was instantly covered with a look of nervousness, and he asked urgently: "A Ghost Demon? What is that? Is it very formidable?"

Seeing this, Su Qinghan moved with graceful steps to her father's side and comforted him softly.

"Father, there is no need to worry too much. Although the Ghost Demon has some tricks, I have learned many skills over these years, so please set your heart at ease."

Seeing her parents' worried faces, warmth welled up in Su Qinghan's heart, and she said softly: "Father, Mother, I have already made plans for this matter; leave it to me to handle."

As she spoke, she held her mother's arm and said gently: "Mother, look at the dark circles under your eyes; go and rest."

Her mother patted her hand, full of reluctance and concern: "Han'er, you must be careful in everything."

"Don't worry, Mother, I know."

Su Qinghan looked at her father: "Father, you should go rest as well. I have grown up and can handle this; with my fellow disciples helping, nothing will happen."

Her father nodded, his eyes full of trust and expectation: "Alright, young friends, please be careful. We will go and rest first."

After the two elders left, Su Qinghan's expression turned grave as she spoke slowly.

"The place where the Formation is set up can only be easily found once night falls."

She paused slightly, as if in thought, and then continued.

"This Ghost Demon is quite cunning; it did not choose to absorb the Vital Essence of only one person, otherwise, it would have likely exposed its tracks long ago."

Yu Yang looked puzzled and couldn't help but ask Su Qinghan: "Senior Sister, why would the Ghost Demon be exposed early if it only absorbed the Vital Essence of one person?"

Su Qinghan's expression was calm as she explained methodically.

"If the Ghost Demon were to absorb the Vital Essence of only one person, that person would be drained completely."

"Once a person's Vital Essence is completely lost, even with a Divine Pill, it would be beyond saving."

"If such a situation happened to multiple people, the Sect would definitely notice and would have sent people to investigate long ago."

Yun Song, who was to the side, also became curious and immediately asked: "Senior Sister, why must we wait until night to find the place where the Formation is set up? Can't we do it during the day?"

Su Qinghan patiently explained: "During the day, the Ghost Demon cannot set up the Formation to absorb Vital Essence at all."

"Vital Essence is something extremely special; once exposed to sunlight, it would dissipate into the world like thin smoke in the blink of an eye."

"Moreover, if the villagers have not entered a deep sleep state, the Ghost Demon has no way to absorb their Vital Essence."

"In a moment, you should go to the guest rooms and stay there obediently. Do not run around, lest you startle the snake."

"As for the specific method, you will naturally know when night comes."

"Young Miss, the guest room is prepared." Steward Zhao walked quickly into the hall, his complexion noticeably better than before.

"Good."

Su Qinghan nodded slightly and said to Yu Yang, Yun Song, and Senior Brother Gu Licheng.

"The three of you, please go with the Steward. I will notify everyone tonight."

After saying this, she turned her head to look at Steward Zhao and instructed: "Steward Zhao, there is no need to prepare food."

The three replied and followed Steward Zhao to the guest rooms.