Infinite Professions from a Pearl Collector

Back at the Lu Mansion, the first thing Chen Ye did was wash the makeup from his face and change back into men’s clothing.

The moment he stepped out of his room, he saw Mr. Lu waiting anxiously outside. When Mr. Lu saw him, his face instantly lit up with hope.

"Younger Brother Chen, you’re finally back!"

It turned out that while Chen Ye was investigating at the Celestial Empress Palace, Mr. Lu hadn’t been idle. He had been seeking out experts everywhere, trying to resolve his family’s problem.

Unfortunately, his nouveau riche background meant he had no access to any true masters. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have had to ask his friend Qi Shihao for help finding an expert in the first place.

As for ordinary Daoists and Monks, the moment they heard it was a Fierce Ghost capable of possessing an Actor and continuing to sing and speak, they refused outright without even showing up.

The few who were brave enough to come couldn’t figure anything out—after all, Su Lan’s vengeful spirit wasn’t in the Lu Family home to begin with.

This left Mr. Lu growing even more desperate, and he could only pin all his hopes on Chen Ye.

Chen Ye could see Mr. Lu’s desperation, so he didn’t beat around the bush and directly shared the results of his investigation.

"That place isn’t some sanctuary for spiritual cultivation at all. It’s a cult’s den masquerading as a Daoist Temple."

"They claim to offer guidance to women, but in reality, they’re screening for those filled with hatred toward men and the world. They lead them underground, using a ritual to amplify and harvest their resentment."

"As for this Su Lan you speak of, I’m afraid this was never a simple case of a ghost seeking revenge."

"Her obsession, her hatred—it’s all being exploited by this group. They are constantly feeding her the resentment they’ve collected, forging her into an unprecedentedly Fierce Ghost."

"You and your family are nothing more than a whetstone they’ve chosen—a living sacrifice to put the final edge on their blade."

Mr. Lu trembled all over as he listened, his vision darkening. He slammed a fist on the table.

"How dare they! Those fiendish Daoists have gone too far!"

"This won’t do. I’m going to find Old Qi right now. I’ll have him gather his men and raze that Celestial Empress Palace to the ground."

"Master Lu, please calm yourself," Chen Ye said, his expression serene.

"The Celestial Empress Palace has been in Sea Guardian Guard for many years. It’s extremely popular and deeply entrenched. Right now, you have no concrete evidence. How can you expect the Government Office to dispatch troops based on my word alone?"

The anger on Mr. Lu’s face vanished as if doused by cold water, replaced by profound fear and powerlessness.

’He’s right. If they dare to scheme against the Government Office, they’re hardly a foe to be taken lightly.’

He collapsed into his chair, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant. His voice was hoarse as he pleaded, "Then... then what can be done? Younger Brother Chen, you must save me! Save my daughter! As long as you can protect Jinghong’s life, I’ll do anything!"

Seeing his desperate expression, Chen Ye fell silent for a moment before finally speaking.

"There might be a way."

"What is it?" Mr. Lu asked at once, his spirits reviving.

"We’ll put on another opera. A grand production based on the story of you and Su Lan."

Mr. Lu froze.

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Ye’s eyes. "But this time, our purpose isn’t to pacify her, but to guide her. We will make Su Lan see the truth with her own eyes. We’ll make her understand that she’s merely a tool being used, and get her to turn her burning hatred toward the true masterminds behind all this!"

"Will... will that work?" Mr. Lu asked hesitantly.

"We’ll only know if we try."

"I will play the role of Su Lan." Chen Ye glanced at Mr. Lu. "As for the lure... we’ll need the cooperation of your beloved daughter, Miss Lu Jinghong."

"Absolutely not!"

Before Chen Ye had even finished speaking, Mr. Lu shot to his feet as if he were a cat whose tail had been stepped on, refusing point-blank.

"I will not risk my daughter’s life!" he exclaimed, agitated and red-eyed. "I would rather spend my entire fortune and flee to the ends of the earth with her than put her in harm’s way!"

Chen Ye watched him quietly until his outburst subsided, then said in a cold voice, "Master Lu, do you really think you can escape? Since that ghost was able to find you here, she can follow you to the ends of the earth. When that time comes, your cries to heaven and earth will go unanswered. That, for you and your daughter, will be a true dead end!"

"This is your only chance to survive!"

Mr. Lu fell silent, for he knew Chen Ye was telling the truth.

Just then, a clear, firm voice came from behind the folding screen.

"Father, I’ll do it."

Lu Jinghong walked out slowly. Her eyes were also red-rimmed; she had clearly heard everything.

The spoiled, willful expression she once wore was gone, replaced by a resolve that belied her age.

"Father." She walked to Mr. Lu’s side and took his cold hand. "I want to fight for a way out for our family. For us."

Mr. Lu was silent for a long time before letting out a heavy sigh. "This is my retribution. If I had known it would come to this, I’d have been better off dead back then."

But it was too late for regrets. With the plan decided, Chen Ye immediately found Guan Sihai and informed him of the entire situation.

After listening, Guan Sihai was silent for a long, long time. He was so stunned he even forgot to light the tobacco pipe in his hand.

He never could have imagined that one small private performance would drag them into such a shocking conspiracy.

His first instinct was to refuse. This was far beyond anything an Opera Troupe should meddle in.

But before he could speak, Mr. Lu named a price so astronomical he couldn’t possibly refuse.