Not every encounter with a ghost is fatal; this time, Young Master Grant was just lucky.

But what about once or twice, three or four times, eight or ten times? Do you think you can survive that?”

Old Madam Grant said anxiously, “Then what should we do?”

William Carter spread his hands and said, “There are three ways. One is to just let it be. If you always stay in crowded places, it’s less likely for ghosts and monsters to cling to you. If you don’t encounter any of these evil spirits for a while, the yin energy will gradually dissipate. Of course, this is entirely up to luck. If you run into ghosts again during this period, the yin energy will only get heavier.

The second way is to find a truly accomplished monk or Taoist priest to purify the yin energy for Young Master Grant.

Of course, I mean real cultivators with true skills, not those monks and Taoists who only collect incense money and interpret fortunes.

But people like that—Madam, forgive me for being blunt—with the current state of the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household, you simply can’t afford to invite such experts.”

Old Madam Grant asked, “Then are there any such capable people in the Jingyesi? I’ve heard that there are many cultivators in the Jingyesi, so there should be monks and Taoists as well, right?”

William Carter said, “Indeed, there are quite a few people who practice Taoist arts, but to be honest, even the Loyal and Brave Marquis’s household can’t invite people of that caliber.

Even I am only here out of respect for the late Marquis.

Otherwise, by normal procedure, the Jingyesi in the capital only handles bizarre cases involving deaths. Since Young Master Grant isn’t in mortal danger, the Jingyesi wouldn’t have sent anyone at all.

If it weren’t for the late Marquis saving my life back then, I might have died on the battlefield long ago, let alone later joining the Jingyesi.

But I am just a man of martial prowess. I can kill men and ghosts, but I’m not skilled at saving people.

Within the Jingyesi in the capital, I’m just an ordinary Xuanjia Guard. I have no access to those higher up. In this, I am truly powerless.”

At this moment, Edward Grant asked, “Then what’s the last method?”

William Carter said in a deep voice, “The first two methods rely on luck. The last one depends on yourself.

You are the son of a noble family, with a clean background. You don’t need to go through selection; I can recommend you to join the Jingyesi.”

“Will joining the Jingyesi make it safe?”

William Carter shook his head. “It’s just as unsafe. Do you know what kind of place the Jingyesi is?”

Before Edward Grant could ask, William Carter continued with a slightly proud tone, “The Jingyesi is one of the most important institutions of the Great Qian Dynasty.

Five hundred years ago, during the war among the Ten Kingdoms, chaos and slaughter swept the land, ghosts ran rampant, and evil cultivators acted with impunity.

At that time, in some places, the streets were bustling by day, but at night, a hundred ghosts roamed, and there were more ghosts than people.

The founding emperor ordered the recruitment of talented individuals and established the Jingyesi to suppress demons, evil spirits, and those lawless cultivators.

So, the Jingyesi deals with demons and evil spirits all day long, or with those ruthless and vicious cultivators. Do you think that’s safe?”

“Then why should I join the Jingyesi?”

William Carter stared at Edward Grant: “Because the Jingyesi can teach you cultivation, so you’ll have the strength to fight those evil spirits and ghosts.

The world is in chaos, ghosts run rampant—other than yourself, no one can truly protect you.

Whether you survive doesn’t depend on the Jingyesi, but on yourself.”

When Old Madam Grant heard William Carter say this, she quickly shook her head. “No, absolutely not!

Edward can’t go to such a dangerous place. When he comes of age, I’m planning to send him to his second uncle to join the army.

The rebellion in the Western Frontier has already been quelled. If Edward goes, he can gain some military merit and experience. How can he go to the Jingyesi to deal with demons and ghosts?

Edward, don’t worry. Even if I have to use up all the family’s savings, I’ll find an expert to purify the yin energy from your body!”

Hearing Old Madam Grant say this, The Bolton Family immediately became anxious.

She spent five thousand taels just to hire an evil cultivator to kill someone—how much silver would Old Madam Grant spend to find an expert to exorcise evil? That’s all her money!

After thinking for a moment, Edward Grant suddenly said, “I’m willing to join the Jingyesi!”

Chapter 3: Cultivator

Edward Grant’s current situation is quite dire. The only person he can trust is his grandmother, Old Madam Grant. As for everyone else—who knows if they’re working for The Bolton Family?

Especially since Old Madam Grant still wants to send him to his second uncle to join the army. That’s like sending a lamb into a tiger’s den.

The Bolton Family already wants him dead. Who knows what his second uncle is thinking? Edward Grant doesn’t dare to take that gamble.

In Old Madam Grant’s eyes, The Bolton Family is just a bit mean. She never imagined that her daughter-in-law would actually be willing to kill for the title.

From his past experience of job-hopping at various companies, Edward Grant knows that if you can’t make it somewhere, just go somewhere else. There’s no need to hang yourself from a single tree.

Edward Grant said in a low voice, “Grandmother, your grandson is almost of age. It’s time for me to find my own path. I can’t just keep idling away in the mansion.

I’m neither good at civil nor military affairs. If I go to my second uncle, I’ll probably just drag him down. Now that I’ve run into this situation, joining the Jingyesi is just right.”

Old Madam Grant wiped her tears and said, “What are you saying? We’re family—there’s no such thing as dragging anyone down. If it weren’t for the military merits your father left behind, your second uncle wouldn’t even be a deputy general.”