Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Defaulting on Debts Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Defaulting on Debts By the time Bai Wuchang had taken the Evil Ghost away and it vanished into the air, the temperature of the entire room promptly began to rise and soon returned to normal.

Aside from Lu Yichen and Zhao Xuanglang, the others’ looks towards Zhong Niangyao underwent a complete transformation. Those who were initially skeptical due to Zhong Niangyao’s young age were now filled with awe when they looked at her.

“Alright, the matter is resolved,” Zhong Niangyao said directly to the parents, “Five million each, just transfer it to my account when the time comes.”

“What? Five million?”

While the others had no objections, Mrs. Wu immediately jumped up, “Just for this, you want five million? Why don’t you go rob a bank?”

As someone from a modest background, hearing Zhong Niangyao demand five million made her lose her composure. Despite marrying Mr. Wu and his wealth, she came from humble beginnings and hadn’t received much from her family. She only had a monthly allowance of one million from her husband. Now, for just a short amount of time, Zhong Niangyao wanted five million, which she simply couldn’t accept.

“Shut your mouth,” Mr. Wu tried to stop Mrs. Wu but was already too late.

“I am robbing,” Zhong Niangyao said coldly, looking at Mrs. Wu with a smirk, “I am robbing you. Do you have a problem with that? If you’re unwilling to pay, then forget it.”

This response stunned everyone.

Clearly, no one had considered that they might opt not to pay.

However, except for Mrs. Wu, nobody at the scene thought of defaulting on their debts. After all, Zhong Niangyao had truly saved their children, and they had witnessed her abilities.

Life is long, and who knows when one might need to seek someone’s help in the future! For someone with such abilities, it was important to form good relationships and avoid hostility.

Moreover, for these families, five million was merely a number. It made no sense to offend a Heavenly Master over such an amount–far too irrational.

Upon hearing she might not have to pay, Mrs. Wu’s eyes lit up. She pushed past Mr. Wu, ecstatic, “Really?”

“Really,” Zhong Niangyao nodded, then her gaze landed on Wu Guangji, “However, since there is no compensation, his life cannot be saved.”

She had no relation to these people and thus would not work for free.

Mrs. Wu’s face turned pale, “What do you mean?”

“The meaning is simple,” Zhong Niangyao said indifferently, “Since you’re unwilling to pay the life-saving money for your son, his life cannot be saved.”

Mrs. Wu became frantic and tried to say something but was pulled back by Mr. Wu.

Upon seeing her husband’s stern look, she shrank back and dared not say more.

Mr. Wu looked at Zhong Niangyao and quickly apologized, “Lady Zhong, my wife is ignorant; please don’t stoop to her level. About the five million, I will have someone transfer it to your account immediately.”

In his youth, he had favored a beautiful face, but as he grew older, he regretted his choice. Still, for the sake of his child, he had never entertained the thought of divorce.

However, today, seeing his wife nearly harm their son, the idea of divorce surfaced in his mind for the first time.

Zhong Niangyao nodded and spoke after a glance around, “The female ghost has been dealt with, and you won’t be in any danger now. However, due to the ghost, a lot of your vitality has been drained over these few days. Your bodies will be weak.”

“Just rest more, catch some sunlight when you can to drive out the yin energy. It’s good for you. Also, since you’re tainted with yin energy, you’ll be particularly unlucky lately. Best not to wander around, especially at night, and avoid places like graveyards, lest you see something you shouldn’t.”

Hearing Zhong Niangyao’s words, Zhou Shaohua and the others nodded repeatedly.

In fact, even if they were asked to leave now, they wouldn’t dare!

“Try to avoid summoning pen spirits in the future because you never know if you’re calling upon a saint or a ghost,” Zhong Niangyao glanced at the group, “Many ancient taboos passed down by ancestors should still be followed.”

A bitter smile appeared on Zhou Shaohua’s face, “Just this once nearly cost me half a lifetime; I wouldn’t dare to do such a thing again in the future!”

“Yes! Yes!” the others chimed in agreement.

After the matter was settled, the other three people went home with their parents.

As for Zhong Niangyao, after much persuasion from Zhou Huai’an and Sun Qin, she finally stayed for dinner before leaving.

With Zhong Niangyao not gone, Lu Yichen naturally didn’t leave either.

As for Zhao Xuanglang, he stayed on his own accord.

At the dinner table, Zhou Huai’an and Sun Qin kept expressing their gratitude to Zhong Niangyao. They had paid her five million as a compensation, but they knew that amount couldn’t possibly be enough for their son’s life.

Zhong Niangyao, however, seemed largely unaffected by it all and just ate her meal.

After dinner, Zhong Niangyao put down her chopsticks and turned to Zhou Shaohua, “I have a piece of advice for you–stay away from your friend named Ling Chao. Otherwise, one day, he will betray you badly.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Huai’an and Sun Qin became wary and serious.

After the ordeal of the day, their trust in Zhong Niangyao was unwavering.

“Shaohua, I know you may value your friendship with Ling Chao, but you might not know his true nature,” Zhou Huai’an spoke up, “I’m not asking you to cut him off completely, but be cautious when you interact with him and don’t confide in him.”

“Exactly,” Sun Qin echoed at his side.

“Dad, Mom, don’t worry, I know what to do.”

If Zhou Shaohua had heard this before, he wouldn’t have listened. But today, after learning about the Blood Covenant and hearing Ling Chao’s self-exonerating words, his view of his best friend had changed.

Even without Zhong Niangyao’s warning today, he had already planned to keep his distance from Ling Chao in the future.

After finishing dinner, Zhong Niangyao stood up to take her leave.

Upon exiting, Zhong Niangyao and Lu Yichen left in their car, leaving Zhao Xuanglang at the door, looking after the departing vehicle with a sense of wanting to cry but being unable to shed a tear.