Chapter 70: The Black Dog Drives Away Spirits

Tan Qingjiu turned to glance at Qingdai, who responded with a gentle nod. Only then did Tan Qingjiu look back at the drifting incense smoke. The smoke shifted direction once more, and the staff followed suit.

Master Hede’s expression was grave. “This evil spirit is truly formidable. To appear in broad daylight and even dare watch us perform the ritual from afar—it's as if it fears nothing at all.”

“All of you present are women,” he continued, “and women are naturally of the yin, making you more susceptible. You must be careful not to let the evil spirit possess you.”

At these words, the concubines and maidservants behind them grew visibly uneasy. “What should we do? Should we leave?”

“No, absolutely not,” Master Hede quickly interjected, shaking his head. “If you leave and she possesses one of you, she’ll be taken out of the courtyard, making her even harder to track down.”

Chen Yueru bit her lip, then turned to comfort the others. “There’s nothing to fear while the master is here. With his protection, nothing will happen.”

Only then did the group regain a measure of calm, though their eyes remained fixed on the swirling incense.

Both the smoke and the staff continued to shift, until finally they pointed toward the place where Tan Qingjiu, Chen Yueru, and the other concubines were standing.

“Just as I suspected,” Master Hede declared, “the female ghost is seeking a living host among us.”

“But there’s no need to worry. Once the black dog is brought here, we’ll see who she has possessed. The dog will find her, and then I will use my staff to drive the evil spirit out.”

Soon, a servant led in a large black dog. The beast was immense, nearly as tall as a person when it stood up, its eyes jet black and gleaming. The way it fixed its gaze upon people made them instinctively shrink back.

Tan Qingjiu could not help but curl her lips in a wry smile. No wonder black dogs were said to ward off evil—such a fearsome creature could probably scare away a ghost.

Master Hede approached the dog, murmured a few chants, then hung his prayer beads around the dog’s neck. He pressed his hand to the dog's brow and intoned, “I open your eyes to the worlds of yin and yang. Go—find the living soul possessed by the evil spirit.”

The servant released the leash. The black dog swept its gaze across the gathered women, and then—suddenly—it lunged.

The dog charged directly at the spot where Tan Qingjiu and Chen Yueru stood.

A sly smile played at the corner of Chen Yueru’s mouth. She stood her ground, thinking to herself, Excellent—let it knock Tan Qingjiu down and tear into her.

Yet before her triumphant thoughts had fully settled, she was abruptly knocked over by an overwhelming force.

The massive dog pinned her to the ground.

Unprepared, Chen Yueru crashed down hard. When she looked up, she found herself staring into the dog’s panting, tongue-lolling face, its eyes filled with a terrifying clarity.

“What’s happening? Someone, quickly—pull this beast away from me!” she cried.

The servants surged forward, but Tan Qingjiu stopped them. “Master Hede said it himself: the black dog will reveal the one possessed by the evil spirit. Now, with no hesitation, it has leapt at Madam, which means the spirit is within her.”

“Don’t panic,” Tan Qingjiu continued. “Wait a moment. Master Hede will drive the spirit out with his staff, and once it’s destroyed, the evil will be gone.”

But the black dog bit down hard on Chen Yueru’s arm. She shrieked in pain, “I am not possessed! Get this dog off me, now!”

“Master Hede,” Tan Qingjiu called, turning to the priest, “will you not hurry and drive out the spirit?”

Clutching his staff, the master stepped forward and struck at Chen Yueru.

She could do nothing but raise her arm to shield her face, writhing in agony on the ground as the dog continued to bite.

“Enough! The master has done his part—now get this dog away from me!” she screamed, fury and confusion mingling in her heart.

The servants looked again to Tan Qingjiu, and seeing she made no objection, hurried to drag the black dog away.

The matrons and maids rushed to help Chen Yueru up. Her hair was in disarray, her clothes covered in dust, and blood seeped from several bite wounds.

“Who is it? Who did this to me?” Chen Yueru’s gaze fixed on Tan Qingjiu, her tone almost venomous. “Second Miss, was this your doing?”

Tan Qingjiu blinked, all innocence. “Whatever do you mean, Madam? Was it not you who claimed to have seen a ghost in this courtyard and insisted on inviting Master Hede to exorcise it?”

“And is not the black dog yours, Madam?”

“Master Hede said the evil spirit would possess someone, the black dog would find them, and he would drive the spirit out—it was all arranged beforehand, was it not?”

“It just so happened the spirit chose you.”

Tan Qingjiu’s gaze was light, but her eyes danced with mockery.

“If one has a clear conscience, one need not fear being possessed. The spirit clings to Madam and even chooses you for possession—perhaps you have too many guilty secrets?”

“A few dog bites are far better than being haunted by a ghost, aren’t they? Now you needn’t be afraid—Master Hede has already destroyed the evil spirit, and you may rest easy.”

Chen Yueru clenched her jaw. Yes, it was she who had summoned Master Hede, arranged the ritual, even painstakingly raised the black dog herself.

But nothing had unfolded according to her plan!

Yet she could not utter a word of this. If she spoke, everyone would know the ritual was a sham, a mere pretense to target Tan Qingjiu.

She had no choice but to swallow her grievances in silence.

Her hand curled tightly in her sleeve. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the servants. “Can’t you see I’m injured? Go fetch the doctor immediately!”

The servants glanced at Tan Qingjiu, and, seeing she said nothing, left without a word.

Tan Qingjiu laughed lightly. “Madam, I am a doctor.”

“No need,” Chen Yueru replied through gritted teeth. “I wouldn’t dare trouble you, Second Miss. Come, let’s go.”

Tan Qingjiu fluttered her lashes. “So the ritual is over, then? Master Hede has not yet left, and you would flounce off so rudely—how ill-mannered.”

Chen Yueru turned to retort, but before she could speak, a piece of paper came flying from nowhere and slapped across her face.

Furious, she tore the paper away, about to rip it up, when Master Hede’s trembling voice rang out. “W-wait! That was sent by the evil spirit—it hasn’t left yet!”