The intimidating presence of Ethan Shu left Lady Li paralyzed with fear. Her voice quivered, "W-What... what would happen?"
Ethan's expression softened into a knowing smile. "Ku Xuan planned to fuse the five ghosts with the child you carry, creating a demon-child that would serve as his legacy in the Heavenly Demon Sect."
Her face turned pale, and her hands instinctively rested on her stomach, only to pull back as if burned, a new horror dawning on her. "No… no…"
Li Squire's face was stone-cold as he motioned to his servant. "Ah Fu, take this woman away. We'll address her actions later."
Ah Fu nodded, and with a wave, gathered a few servants to escort the trembling Lady Li from the room.
Ethan continued with a calm yet stern tone, "This demon-child's arrival would have driven your son to madness and ultimately brought ruin upon your household, Squire Li."
In stunned reverence, Squire Li bowed low, his voice thick with gratitude. "Had I not met you, Saintly Monk, my household would have been destroyed."
The sinister scheme now unraveled in Squire Li's mind. Ku Xuan had plotted to corrupt him, use the five-ghost ritual to bring great misfortune, and make him unwittingly cultivate the seed of a dark force. In the end, Ku Xuan would have escaped with Li's riches and left nothing but devastation in his wake.
"It was I who misjudged you, Holy Monk. Even a hundred taels of gold wouldn't be enough to express my gratitude now!"
Squire Li attempted to bow again, but Ethan held him up with a gentle hand.
"Do not dwell on what's past. Focus instead on your son's future." Ethan gestured to the crimson, lotus-shaped tumor suspended above Li Moxuan's brow. "We must rid him of the curse completely."
Squire Li's resolve deepened. Following Ethan's instructions, he bit his finger and let his blood drip upon the figure of the lotus-root doll, watching in wonder as the lotus-form of the karmic tumor floated toward it, attaching itself like a parasitic bloom. The lotus-root doll began to rot and wither as it absorbed the curse, but the crimson lotus seemed ready to escape again.
Ethan brought the flame of an ancient lamp close, burning away the strands of hair connecting Li Moxuan to the doll. Finally, with a swift mantra, he ignited the lotus-root figure in sacred flames, watching it disintegrate into ashes.
As the cleansing ritual concluded, Li Moxuan stirred, murmuring, "Father…"
"My son… my son is saved!" Overcome with joy, Squire Li embraced him tightly. "It's you. You've truly come back to us!"
Ethan's gaze softened as he observed their reunion. "But remember, Squire Li, without repentance, the roots of this curse will persist. More acts of kindness and compassion will protect your family's future."
Moved, Squire Li nodded fervently. "I swear, I'll devote myself to good deeds and faithfulness from now on."
Ethan, ever calm, lowered his eyes. "Good. Good."
With his mission nearing completion, Ethan glanced around and, in a moment of practical resolve, turned to Squire Li. "Now, if you don't mind, could I borrow a broom?"
"A… broom?" Squire Li looked bewildered. But in this moment of reverence, he was quick to respond, signaling for Ah Fu to fetch one.
When it arrived, Ethan took it up and started to sweep the room with meticulous care. Ah Fu quickly protested, "Saintly Monk, how could I let you do such menial work? Allow me."
But Ethan only smiled, gently pushing Ah Fu aside. "Sweeping a single room is no burden," he said. "After all, how can one sweep the world clean without first sweeping their own house?"
Ah Fu fell silent, contemplating the monk's profound words, while Squire Li, filled with awe, looked on in admiration.
As Ethan Shu continued to sweep with quiet dedication, he mused to himself. After all, he had yet to receive his daily reward from the system.
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