I Can Devour Spirits

Liu Shushan drove the carriage to a stop in front of the Ximen Family’s old estate.

The Ximen Family had moved away more than a year ago.

At this moment, fallen leaves covered the stone steps, and the heads of the two stone lions in front of the door were topped with bird droppings.

Ximen Kankan stood there for a moment, looked around, and sighed, "No matter how fine a mansion is, without human presence, it quickly deteriorates beyond recognition."

Ximen Kankan took out a bunch of keys from his back waist, selected one, and unlocked the large copper lock on the vermilion door, which was bigger than a fist.

The copper lock was already a bit rusty. Ximen Kankan had to turn it several times before the mechanism finally clicked open.

Ximen Kankan pushed open the door and gestured for Liu Shushan to drive the carriage inside.

There was originally a side gate specifically for carriages, but with the estate in such a state of disrepair, why bother with such formalities?

Liu Shushan drove the carriage, clattering up the stone steps and through the main entrance. When the carriage wheels reached the threshold, Ximen Kankan held the bottom of the carriage, infused it with True Qi from his palm, and pushed the carriage inside.

Then, Ximen Kankan closed the main door.

Once the carriage was inside the mansion, Ximen Kankan told Liu Shushan to sit in the back, and he personally drove the carriage along the garden path towards the Snow-Covered Residence.

It was a strict rule in the West Gate Mansion that carriages never passed through the main courtyard entrance. This was the first time. The garden path was already overgrown with wild grass, and as the carriage passed, birds scattered in all directions.

In less than the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the carriage stopped at the entrance of the Snow-Covered Residence.

Ximen Kankan jumped off the carriage, and Shen Mizi and Liu Shushan also jumped down from inside it.

Ximen Kankan glanced at the two and said, "Should we take the things down as well?"

Shen Mizi asked, "Take them down now?"

Ximen Kankan replied, "Yes. Take them down and put them inside. He said he would come by tonight to have a look."

Shen Mizi and Liu Shushan immediately understood whom Ximen Kankan was referring to.

They both jumped back into the carriage.

Liu Shushan punched through the bottom wooden board of the carriage, breaking it and revealing a hidden compartment inside.

The bottom of the carriage had a secret compartment.

Liu Shushan and Shen Mizi lifted a rather heavy iron box out of the carriage and followed Ximen Kankan into the Snow-Covered Residence.

Ximen Kankan gestured for them to place the dark iron box on the floor against the wall next to a cabinet.

The three of them, covered in travel dust and feeling tired, sat down in the chairs to rest for a moment.

Dusk had fallen, and the Snow-Covered Residence quickly darkened.

Ximen Kankan lit a candle lamp, licked his lips, and felt his throat was a bit dry. However, the West Gate Mansion was empty, with no servants available—there was no ready tea to drink.

At that moment, Ximen Kankan’s eyes suddenly lit up. He walked a few quick steps, True Qi coursed through his fingertips, making his fingers sharp as blades, and he sliced open the cabinet lock next to him. He opened the cabinet door and looked inside, revealing a pleased expression.

"The wine I hid here three years ago is still here. I almost forgot about it!"

As Ximen Kankan spoke, he took out a small wine jug from the cabinet.

Shen Mizi and Liu Shushan, also parched, eagerly licked their dry lips at the sight of Ximen Kankan holding out a wine jug.

Though there was no one in the mansion, Ximen Kankan had brought enough Silver Taels with them. They could easily go out for a decent meal to shake off the fatigue of their journey. But as it was already dark, and they didn’t know when Duan Rong would arrive, they didn’t want to risk missing him by going out.

Ximen Kankan brushed off the dust from the wine seal and pecked it open with his hand, releasing an aroma of wine.

Using teacups from the table as drinking vessels, Ximen Kankan poured three cups full from the wine jug. The pale green nectar had white, pearl-like froth floating on top.

Liu Shushan clapped his hands at the sight and exclaimed, "Great wine!"

Shen Mizi had already picked up a cup and tossed it back into her throat.

Ximen Kankan said, "That’s not drinking wine—you’re just wasting it."

Shen Mizi rolled her eyes at Ximen Kankan and retorted, "Does it matter to you? I’ll drink however I want."

Saying this, Shen Mizi poured herself another cup.

Knowing Shen Mizi’s stubborn nature, Ximen Kankan ignored her. He and Liu Shushan each took a cup and slowly sipped it.

Liu Shushan, evidently a wine connoisseur, savored a sip, closed his eyes, and sat there with a faint, blissful smile.

It took several breaths before he began his second sip.

Shen Mizi drank three cups in a row and wanted more because she found the taste surprisingly good.

Ximen Kankan put a hand on the wine jug and said, "No more! This wine has a strong aftereffect; you’ll get drunk if you keep drinking."

Shen Mizi was almost about to mock Ximen Kankan for being stingy, only allowing her three cups, when she suddenly realized her face was flushing slightly. It was then she understood that Ximen Kankan wasn’t bluffing—despite its smooth taste, the wine did pack a punch.

After Shen Mizi had three cups, and Ximen Kankan and Liu Shushan each had two, he returned the remaining half jug of wine to the cabinet.

Ximen Kankan turned around and said to Shen Mizi and Liu Shushan, "The situation in Xianggu County is unstable now; we must be cautious of Secret Agents approaching. Shen Mizi, guard the back of the Snow-Covered Residence. Liu Shushan, you watch the front."

Shen Mizi looked at Ximen Kankan and asked, "What will you do?"

"I’ll be stationed at the Central Palace, waiting for him to arrive," Ximen Kankan replied. "If you don’t want to, we can switch places."

Shen Mizi didn’t respond to his suggestion and turned to patrol the back of the Snow-Covered Residence.

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