To Raise a Soul 29.2

“Components for the scaffolding were purchased by the company and inspected by an expert, so the problem does not stem from the raw materials.” Yin Yan looked away from the scaffolding and bent over, picking up a discarded plan of the construction site. “Do you feel the presence of any ghosts?”

After entering the Way, Yu Zhen had slowly become more perceptive to the presence of souls. He closed his eyes for a short while to search the surroundings, then shook his head. Yu Zhen replied, “No. There’s not even a single trace.”

“So it’s not related to ghosts either.” Yin Yan handed Yu Zhen the plans and continued, “Have a look. Do you sense something?”

Yu Zhen accepted the tattered and soiled plan and studied the design of the sharp triangular building. In the bottom right corner was the rendering of the completed leisure center. Yu Zhen Instinctively frowned as he looked at it.

The designers hired by Yin Hexiang were naturally very good. The design of the leisure center had a modern feel to it and, to make good use of the land, the building had a triangular shape. As a unique touch, it had an angled protrusion¹ at the top of the building, which would be used for stargazing.

It’s a very grand design, but having a triangle on top of another triangle, and also having a sharp point sticking out, it’s a bit too dazzling. But, isn’t it…En, it’s a bit too sharp.

“Schools and gymnasiums – these are all places with strong yang energy, which makes them suitable for subduing the negative energy. The people who planned this area were clever and likely Taoists.”

Yu Zhen looked at him. “Strong yang energy – you mean…”

“This area used to be a prison. Specifically, the area directly under our feet was the execution ground for the prison. It’s where the blood disasters have occurred most often and the malicious energy is most concentrated.”

Upon hearing those words, Yu Zhen’s heart started palpitating and he felt a cold breeze across his ankles. Shifting closer to Yin Yan, he said, “In that case, what should we do? Would it help if I sweep the site with merits?”

I remember Yin Yan mentioning that negative energy can only be removed by merits.

But it was a very stupid proposal. Yin Yan looked at him and asked, “Do you want to commit suicide?”

“???”

Yu Zhen blankly shook his head. 

“Then why would you suggest something which would cause your cultivation to be exhausted and sign your own death warrant?”

Yu Zhen: “…” 

Returning to the construction site’s entrance, Yin Yan tore off the construction site plan from the project’s signboard. He also tore off the rendered design and burned both of them with a spark of spiritual energy. Next, he took out the pouch containing the lotus seeds and petals and handed it to Yu Zhen. 

Yu Zhen looked on in puzzlement.

“The meritorious lotus can suppress the negative energy. Plant one. Until the issue has been resolved, we’ll use a lotus seed to suppress it.”

Without hesitation, Yu Zhen took out a lotus seed and planted it at a spot he deemed most pleasing to his eye. After the seed had been sowed, he patted the soil as he usually did.

“Let’s go.” Yin Yan walked to the passenger’s side of the car and opened the door, indicating that Yu Zhen should get in. 

Yu Zhen obediently walked over but asked, “Is a single lotus seed really enough?” We don’t need to perform rites?

Yin Yan glanced at him, pretending not to understand the uncultured words of one just entering the Way and replied, “For now, this is the only thing that can be done. The leisure center needs to be redesigned. You also have other responsibilities.”

The two got in the car and fastened their seatbelts. Yu Zhen asked, “What responsibilities?”

Yin Yan started up the car as he explained, “Although the gymnasium and school have the negative energy here under control, they don’t dispel it. It has caused this entire area to be more accident-prone compared to other areas. Your task is to do what you’ve just done – plant a lot of meritorious seeds. Then, let them slowly dispel the negative energy here.”

“This is something that benefits the country and the people. If you’re successful, you’ll receive enough merits to advance your rank.”

Meritorious plants.

Yu Zhen looked down at the brocade pouch in his hand and asked, “Are meritorious plants the plants that I matured using merits?”

“Not entirely.” Yin Yan didn’t reply with the details. He continued, “This is your way of cultivation, you’ll need to learn about it on your own.”

With the pouch still in his hand, Yu Zhen’s eyebrows pinched together in his contemplation.

At dinner, Yin Yan proposed changing the design of the leisure center to Yin Hexiang. 

Yin Hexiang frowned, but he didn’t object. He expressed that since the project had been handed over, Yin Yan could do as he pleased. The contact details of the architects were in the document so Yin Yan could get in touch with them for discussions on changing the design.

After talking about work, Yin Yan mentioned Wu Xuan’s accident.

“Car accident? Wu Xuan?” Qiu Feiqian was surprised. She coldly scoffed, “Drunk driving. Hah! Han Ya sure is capable, causing him to also end up in a hospital. Do you know the details of the accident’s cause? What did the police conclude?”

Yin Yan shook his head, “I don’t know. After cooperating with the police investigating the scene of the accident, we left for the construction site.”

“Not continuing to take part in that was the right choice.” Qiu Feiqian was eager for her son to stay far away from that Han Ya. Satisfied, she nodded. She felt that in comparison, Yu Zhen, who quietly ate beside Yin Yan, was good in all aspects. She moved the plate of pork chops from in front of Yin Le to Yu Zhen. “Come. Yu Zhen, eat some more. You’re still growing taller, you need more nutrition.” 

Yin Le, about to pick up some spare ribs: “???”

Am I not growing? I’m at the age of development!