Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 30: Immortal Potential

After obtaining Su Si’s consent, the group brought Auntie Liu back to their lodging.

Yin Ci cooked a bowl of porridge and had Yan Qing feed it to Auntie Liu little by little. Auntie Liu made a few raspy sounds in her throat. A glimmer of light returned to her eyes, and her eye sockets became moist again. Her face had few wrinkles, but she appeared like a flower wilting after being away from water for a few days, emitting a strange sense of withering.

“No, the bleeding won’t stop. Yan Qing, get some hot water and prepare needle and thread.” Shi Jingzhi gritted his teeth.

Although it had been bandaged, the small wound continued to ooze blood slowly, staining the cloth a dark red. Shi Jingzhi heated the needle, sewed up the wound with a thread, and carefully wiped the sutured area with pure alcohol—while the bleeding had stopped, another kind of liquid slowly seeped out.

The liquid resembled diluted blood, with a faint green glow on the surface. It was translucent and contained many fine, filamentous impurities. Those filaments seemed to possess life as they slowly crawled, reopening the sutured wound, and the blood began to flow again.

It was as if something was trying to break free from her veins.

Yin Ci had seen people who naturally bled uncontrollably, but Auntie Liu’s symptoms were completely different from theirs, exuding an eerie aura.

Shi Jingzhi was still trying to clean up those filaments, but they were endless and couldn’t be completely removed no matter what he did.

His hand gradually began to tremble.

Seeing the blood flowing again, Auntie Liu wasn’t surprised; instead, a hint of sorrow appeared on her face.

“That’s enough. This is the ‘three-day wound’. It’s useless,” she said. “Thank you all. It’s better this way… Anyway, there’s no one left in my family.”

Yan Qing walked to the bedside and tried to console her. “You just asked the Goddess for the miraculous elixir. It seems that this ‘three-day wound’ is not necessarily fatal.”

“Ah, the Great Goddess does have a miraculous elixir. That medicine can resurrect the dead and turn flesh into bones, but it’s only given to children and women in childbirth. Ordinary people can’t use it.” Auntie Liu smiled bitterly as her lips turned paler. “It was my impulsiveness. Lao Liu and I are both sixty years old, so it’s normal for the Goddess not to give it to us… I just miss Lao Liu.”

Yan Qing was startled. “Sixty?”

Auntie Liu looked no older than forty and still retained her charm. Seeing Yan Qing’s reaction, she wasn’t surprised. “I’ve heard that people outside age quickly. It seems to be true.”

Then she pushed the soup bowl away wearily. “I appreciate your kindness, but please send me back. If I die here, the house will also be tainted with bad luck.”

Su Si raised an eyebrow. “You just stay here. I’m not afraid of bad luck. What kind of person would I be if I let an old person go back and die alone?”

Auntie Liu smiled wearily and tightly held Yan Qing’s hand.

Yan Qing was a bit nervous but didn’t retract his hand. “Is it true that if someone stays in the village, they will die from the ‘three-day wound’?”

“Don’t worry for now. After the village initiation ceremony, you will become like this… Lao Liu came to the village several decades ago, and he told me…”

Yan Qing: “We won’t participate in the initiation ceremony.”

“If you don’t participate in the initiation ceremony, you will never be able to leave the village. Actually, the ceremony is quite good… As long as you don’t suffer a major injury, you’ll live a life free of illness and calamity and age slowly.” Auntie Liu exhaled slowly. “Child, don’t be disgusted. Let me hold your hand for a little longer… When Lao Liu was young, his hands were this big and so warm…”

She held onto Yan Qing’s hand like so, slowly closing her eyes, with a few tears streaming down her cheeks.

Shi Jingzhi collected his tools expressionlessly and suddenly stood up, walking towards the door. This fox might have discovered something, and Yin Ci hesitated for a moment before following him.

Outside the door, the night was deep, and the stars filled the sky.

Shi Jingzhi looked up at the sky, not saying a word. Yin Ci took a few steps forward and tapped his master’s back. “Shizun, what’s wrong?”

“When people died in the Ghost Tomb, it was only a moment with a fitting end,” Shi Jingzhi whispered, “But Auntie Liu doesn’t have to die. It’s just a minor wound… but I can’t find a solution, and I don’t even know the reason.”

It turned out their pulse was similar and so was their despair. Shi Jingzhi felt grief similar to Auntie Liu*.

*The fox is sad at the death of a hare (兔死狐悲) Idiom referring to feeling sorrow or sympathy for others who are in a similar situation or facing a similar fate.

Yin Ci had just discovered a new way of dying and happened to be in the right mood, so he couldn’t help but offer a few words of comfort. “At least Shizun has found a new clue. And the miraculous elixir does exist; it can cure Auntie Liu, so it must be able to cure Shizun too.”

Shi Jingzhi turned his head and looked at Yin Ci intently. Suddenly, he extended his arms and tightly embraced his disciple.

“Shizun?”

“A’Ci, let me hold you for a moment.” Shi Jingzhi lowered his head and held Yin Ci tightly.

Shi Jingzhi’s body temperature was slightly higher, and the warmth permeated through the thin fabric, giving the sensation of being invaded. But Yin Ci had always liked warm things, so he closed his eyes and allowed Shi Jingzhi to embrace him.

It was fine for the younger generation to act spoiled; there was no harm in it.

The other’s breath was somewhat hurried; perhaps they had once again encountered an incomprehensible dead end, and despair surged up again. Yin Ci remained motionless, with his hands hanging by his sides. He didn’t hug Shi Jingzhi back, but he didn’t break free either.

After holding Yin Ci for quite a while, Shi Jingzhi finally let out a breath. “I feel better now. Thank you.”

He didn’t say anything more, turned around, and walked a few steps towards the door before stopping and waiting for Yin Ci to catch up. Yin Ci watched his master’s figure and suddenly felt that this person was somewhat pitiful.

Seeing someone else being embraced, Shi Jingzhi seemed to be attracted by that emotional connection and had to experience it firsthand.

He often had moments of panic, indicating that he might not be naturally timid. That day in the Ghost Tomb, his emotions were like a turbulent sea, rushing forth relentlessly. His master seemed to be unable to handle his own emotions. Like a little beast abandoned by its pack, there was no one to teach him.

But he happened to be extremely knowledgeable and had formidable inner force.

The longer they spent together, the more Yin Ci found it difficult to fathom his master’s background. But today, when he remembered the mute boy, he felt a bit more tolerant towards Shi Jingzhi.

Although this fox was cunning in a thousand ways, what was the point of competing with a dying person?

The night passed uneventfully.

Su Si slept in bed, sprawled in all directions. Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci squeezed together, wrapped in a blanket. Auntie Liu held Yan Qing’s hand, and Yan Qing couldn’t bring himself to let go of her. He sat by the bed the whole night.

With the sunrise and the crowing of the rooster, everyone felt refreshed. However, Yan Qing’s face was pale and dark. He was nodding off at the edge of the bed, on the verge of slipping off the chair.

Auntie Liu lay quietly in bed. Her face was pale, and her chest rose and fell slowly, as if she was deeply asleep.

“She… She’s fine,” Yan Qing explained to the empty air in a daze. “Her hand is still warm. She’s fine.”

Su Si angrily pried his fingers apart. “Are you an idiot? Didn’t you think of calling for a replacement when you felt tired? Go to sleep now!”

Yan Qing stumbled to his feet and flopped onto Su Si’s bed, falling asleep in that position. Shi Jingzhi cleaned himself up and went to check Auntie Liu’s pulse.

Yin Ci didn’t bother with them and started a fire to cook rice porridge.

As the window opened, the air carried flower petals and grass fragments, gently pouring in with the sunlight. The morning in Yuanxian Village was particularly pleasant. The eerie aspects were somewhat blurred, giving a sense of peace and tranquility.

Breakfast was prepared, and Shi Jingzhi filled an extra bowl of porridge and set it aside by Auntie Liu’s bed.

The tranquility persisted until everyone finished breakfast.

Suddenly, voices came from outside the window. Yin Ci was the first to lean out and take a look.

There were five or six people gathered at the door of Su Si’s home. One person carried a roll of green grass mat on his shoulder, while another held a small white porcelain bottle with a jade-carved twig inside.

Lord Bai didn’t make a fuss; it was lying in its nest with its head tucked under its wing, still sound asleep. Su Si glanced at it, set down his bowl of porridge, and opened the door with relief.

The leader of the group was a young man. “Sorry to disturb you. We’ve come to collect the body.”

Su Si furrowed his brows. “What body? Auntie Liu is perfectly fine.”

The man smiled and shook his head. “You’re all outsiders, so perhaps you don’t understand.”

With that, he confidently entered the house and approached Auntie Liu. He lifted her eyelids.

“Here, see for yourselves.”

This time, not only Shi Jingzhi but even Su Si took a step back. Only Yin Ci secretly moved closer to get a clear look.

Countless strands of light green thread emerged from Auntie Liu’s pupils. These threads were strikingly similar to the ones flowing out of her wound yesterday. They squeezed within her eyeballs, tearing her pupils into fragmented pieces and sealing them tightly. Her eyes were in complete disarray, looking nothing like those of a living person.

But she still had breath, a heartbeat, and body temperature.

“People from Yuanxian Village ascend to immortality like this,” the leader of the group said calmly. “Since she won’t wake up, let us take her away.”

As he reached out his hand, Shi Jingzhi stopped him. “Wait a moment! Let me try again.”

He took a silver needle and pierced several major acupoints on Auntie Liu’s body. Even if Auntie Liu remained unconscious, her body should have shown some reaction. However, Auntie Liu continued to lie motionless, resembling a wooden sculpture that could breathe.

“Is that enough? If you want to try other methods, I won’t stop you… but everything you can think of, we’ve already tried. Who hasn’t had a family member ascend to immortality? Who doesn’t want their loved ones to stay a few more years?”

Shi Jingzhi didn’t move away; he stood in front of Auntie Liu. “But she is still alive.”

His voice was somewhat soft, and it was unclear whom he was trying to convince.

“Auntie Liu is considered half of our family—not some spectacle for you to see. If the body remains here, the Goddess will surely be angry, and you all may suffer.” The man’s tone grew heavier.

Su Si immediately stepped back, Yin Ci remained silent, and Yan Qing continued to sleep on the bed, weakly gripping his hand.

After a while, Shi Jingzhi finally moved aside and turned his back.

Seeing that he no longer resisted, the villagers unfolded the grass mat and carefully wrapped Auntie Liu in it, carrying her on their shoulders.

“We have one more thing to do on this trip. First, wake up the person on the bed. Yes, you three, come a little closer—according to the Goddess’ orders, you need to test your immortal potential.”

The atmosphere had been tense before, so the man deliberately softened his tone when saying this.

Under the eaves, they had to lower their heads. The situation was unique, and no one wanted to antagonize the Goddess now. Shi Jingzhi took advantage of the situation, forced a smile, and approached as requested.

Yan Qing was also pulled off the bed by Su Si, dazedly joining them. Only Yin Ci calmly returned to his seat, continuing to drink his porridge, completely ignored.

The man took the white porcelain bottle and extracted a few drops of liquid that resembled water onto the backs of the three individuals’ hands.

As soon as the droplets touched Shi Jingzhi’s hand, they instantly turned bright emerald green. The droplets on Su Si’s hand also changed color, revealing a pale green hue. However, the droplets on Yan Qing’s hand were different—his turned into a murky grayish-yellow.

“Indeed, it’s not easy to find hospitable guests. It’s rare for two of you to come at once. Brother, it’s a pity. Like the young man over there, you have no immortal potential.”

The man sighed at Yan Qing, shaking his head regretfully.

“To be honest, people without immortal potential are usually not allowed to stay in the village. If you want to stay, you’ll have to marry a woman from the village. But with your looks, brother, it shouldn’t be difficult for you to stay.”

He once again dismissively ignored Yin Ci.

Facing Shi Jingzhi and Su Si, especially Shi Jingzhi, the man’s smile became brighter. “As for you two. You are our compatriots by nature. Take the time to explore the village first. When the full moon arrives, the Goddess will conduct the ceremony to officially welcome you into the village.”

“Can my disciple be tested as well?” Shi Jingzhi negotiated. “It wouldn’t be fair to skip him like this, would it?”

“There’s no need to test him. Anyone with immortal potential is undoubtedly attractive.”

Shi Jingzhi’s smile froze on his face. “Does A’Ci have to get married in order to stay… What if he and Yan Qing can’t find someone to marry?”

The man pondered for a moment and replied vaguely, “The Great Goddess will handle it.”

“Brother Qing and I are married,” a crisp female voice suddenly spoke up.

Su Si hugged Yan Qing’s arm and spoke in a playful tone, mimicking a female voice. “Anyway, I have entered the village so does this count?”

Yin Ci: “…”

Shi Jingzhi: “???”

All the melancholy on his face was suddenly blown away, replaced by astonishment.

Even the villagers were startled. “You…”

“I was originally a girl, but it’s inconvenient to travel alone, so I disguised myself as a boy. I didn’t dare to reveal my identity when I was suddenly brought to the village… Now that my lover is here and you haven’t given me any trouble, I have nothing to worry about.”

Su Si was originally delicate in appearance and not particularly tall. Now he deliberately hunched his body, making himself appear even shorter. Strangely, his demeanor and voice were incredibly natural, without any sense of awkwardness. He looked like a tall and slender girl dressed as a boy.

Villager: “Well… that shouldn’t be a problem. Miss, we apologize for any offense before. Ahem, now there’s only the other young man left. Time is limited, so you should think of a solution quickly.”

Yin Ci turned his head slowly and looked at Shi Jingzhi.

Shi Jingzhi immediately shook his head vigorously, like a tambourine. No, no, he really couldn’t do this. He had a much larger build than Su Si and lacked any feminine features. He couldn’t fool anyone.

Yin Ci found Shi Jingzhi’s panicked appearance amusing.

He had no intention of pursuing the village women just to “avoid being dealt with”. On the contrary, he wanted to be captured by the Great Goddess as soon as possible and experience her abilities. However, such thoughts were too extraordinary and couldn’t be revealed to others.

Yan Qing, who already had insufficient sleep and was startled by Su Si’s revelation, remained dumbfounded in place. Even when the villagers left he couldn’t come back to his senses for a long time. “A’Si, are you really a girl?”

“San Zi, are you an idiot?” Su Si reverted to his normal voice. Then, in a granny’s tone, he continued, “If I speak like this, will you think of me as your grandma? It’s one thing if others get fooled, but you still believe it?”

“But your actions just now—”

Su Si stretched his muscles, and his gaze turned cold. “I’ve scraped by in the lowest levels of the martial world, performing ventriloquism and singing. Let’s not dwell on that. San Zi, this is just a temporary measure. Escaping as soon as possible is the main priority… Look at Auntie Liu’s condition. Something is increasingly wrong with this place.”

Yan Qing’s expression changed completely. “Auntie Liu’s condition? What condition? I was just about to ask, where is Auntie Liu?”

Su Si looked troubled, and Yin Ci stepped forward. “Let me explain.”

Not far away, the porridge left by Shi Jingzhi for Auntie Liu was still at the bedside. It gradually cooled down until it was completely cold.

……

At the same time, in the center of the village.

The Goddess sat in her room, holding the pen with her fair fingers, and started to write a letter on the “word cloth” in front of her. She didn’t address it to anyone by name, only writing the characters “To the Esteemed.”

[From Zongwu Mountain’s Yuanxian Village. One person born this month, two newly acquired individuals with immortal potential, excluding two elderly individuals. The number of villagers has increased by one, but it has not exceeded the predetermined limit.]

The Goddess wrote slowly, holding her breath and concentrating, afraid of making the slightest mistake. After writing a few characters, she would stop, wiping the sweat off her forehead.

[If this continues, the idol will be completed within the year.]

The author has something to say:

“Word cloth” was mentioned in Chapter 4. They are fish demon skins that can transmit information in real-time~

Comrade Yan Qing doesn’t have immortal potential. How pitiful. He’s handsome, unaffected by [spoiler noise], thanks to his hereditary handsomeness √

Actually, if we peel off the ghostskin of Demonic Lord Yin and test it, there might be some surprises! The villagers—

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 29: The Goddess

Su Si had a way of dealing with villagers. He showed no surprise or fear, always smiling and amusing Yin Deng.

After collecting their clothes and closing the door, Su Si’s expression turned serious. “It seems they really like Sect Master Shi. I’ve been in this village for almost half a month and haven’t heard anyone mention it.”

Shi Jingzhi frowned. “I’ve never heard of such a symptom. Brother Su, have you encountered any other strange things during your time here?”

“Believe me, this is definitely not a good place.” Su Si played with the cleaver absentmindedly. “The weather, the temperature, the humidity of the wind—nothing has changed in half a month. What’s even more terrifying is that they haven’t asked me to do anything.”

Upon hearing this, Yan Qing’s expression became increasingly puzzled.

Su Si casually tossed the cleaver onto the table and reached out to pull Yan Qing’s face. “San Zi, we lived together for two years, and I should have taken you out more often. In this world, there’s no pie in the sky that’s force-fed to you; only cases of forcibly taking you as a wife, not as a father.”

Shi Jingzhi intervened to ease the tension. “Forcing someone to come but not allowing them to leave, without any ulterior motives, can only mean they want to harm you.”

Yan Qing suddenly realized.

“The Taiheng Sect has a clean and upright reputation, but I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing. It seems the children have all turned foolish.” Su Si let go of Yan Qing’s face with an expression filled with concern.

With limited information in their hands, the group couldn’t plan ahead. After chatting for a while, it was time for lunch. Shi Jingzhi had an impressive record, so Yin Ci had prepared a table full of fish.

Su Si didn’t touch his chopsticks. “San Zi, can you still return to Taiheng? According to what you said, Senior Shi doesn’t seem angry with you. How about changing your identity… You two, I’m not saying that the Kushan Sect isn’t good. But as you can see, my brother here is just a piece of wood and can’t withstand any storms.”

Yan Qing lowered his eyes. “I’m afraid I can’t go back.”

Su Si shook his head and wiggled it. “Forget it, forget it. If you can’t go back, then you can’t. When I become a great hero, I’ll protect you. How about this, once we leave this place, you can come with me…”

Seeing the master and disciple start eating, Su Si finally picked up a piece of fish with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.

“I’ll go with you.” After swallowing the fish, Su Si spoke seriously. “Being realistic is important, even for a great hero. Sect Master Shi, does your Kushan Sect still need people?”

Shi Jingzhi: “…”

Shi Jingzhi: “To be honest, I’m out of money.”

“Forget about money. Let’s not worry about that. I still have some silver on hand, and that’s enough for meals.” Su Si was enthusiastic.

Yin Ci glanced at Lord Bai and suddenly interjected, “Brother Su, what can you do?”

“Ah?”

“Since Shizun isn’t taking on disciples, then you can only be a servant. Yan Qing is good at miscellaneous tasks, while I handle hunting and cooking. So, what does Brother Su plan to do?”

Su Si scratched his head for a moment. “How about I lend you Lord Bai?” he suggested.

‘Now it’s in my hands,’ thought Yin Ci. ‘If that goose demon really has extraordinary intuition, it can be used when searching for the Shirou.’

He thought to himself and glanced at Shi Jingzhi, only to find his master looking at him with an affectionate gaze that gave him goosebumps.

Yin Ci nearly choked on the fish soup.

“A’Ci, eat slowly.” Shi Jingzhi patted his back.

Despite his fears, Shi Jingzhi still held more fondness than caution for his disciple.

Before entering the Ghost Tomb, he had entrusted Shen Zhu to thoroughly investigate everyone. Along the way, while he was fearful, he had secretly observed each person. If someone had assumed another’s identity, he should have noticed. But he didn’t.

He had also fought against that person in white. Judging from their bone structure, the white-clad person was only around twenty years old. After reaching the third level, with only a few dozen people remaining, the range became even smaller. Yet, he still couldn’t find them.

And the one whose background he couldn’t uncover was none other than Yin Ci. He had tried probing multiple times, but Yin Ci remained unmoved like a mountain, making it impossible for Shi Jingzhi to come to a definite conclusion.

So, he resorted to a compromise—he would place a layer of window paper between the two of them and put the matter on the back burner. By saying “I don’t care about private matters”, regardless of whether Yin Ci was the person in white or not, it wouldn’t harm their relationship.

Apart from these things, Yin Ci was a perfect disciple—thoughtful, sensible, and skilled in cooking. If an ordinary person were caught up in these extraordinary events, they would inevitably harbor resentment and grievances. However, Yin Ci not only had no complaints but also raised objections to Su Si’s desire to join them.

Shi Jingzhi inexplicably remembered the cat he had secretly raised in his childhood.

That cat had an extremely strong sense of territory and was keen on hissing at everything unfamiliar. Other than that, it was good to pet. The current situation seemed to be black and white, as if it wasn’t that important.

Lost in his thoughts, Shi Jingzhi burned his tongue with a fish ball. Before he could say anything, Yin Ci handed him a cup of cold water.

If their encounter at Kushan was truly fate, then this time fate was rather gentle to him.

After satisfying their hunger and thirst, Shi Jingzhi took out the clear silver bamboo pole and compared it to the coarse hemp cloth, sighing.

Su Si was eager to prove his worth. Even before he finished swallowing the fish in his mouth, he became more talkative. “Sect Master Shi, what are you worried about?”

“The previous flag is damaged, and I want to make a new one. Going to the banquet at night with just a bamboo pole will only raise suspicions,” Shi Jingzhi explained while smearing some soot from the stove and skillfully drawing the bold and vigorous characters: “Medicine Cures Illness”.

“Surely there must be an embroidery expert in this village. But I’m not at ease with taking things out. Bringing in an outsider would also be inconvenient for conversation. Brother Su, do you have any ideas?”

“I have needles and thread… but San Zi can at most do some patchwork, not embroidery. How about Sect Master bring a kitchen knife and keep it in your pocket?”

Wouldn’t that make it even more suspicious? Shi Jingzhi firmly shook his head.

After finishing his fish soup with a loud gulp, Su Si let out a big burp. “Well, then I have no solution. There are only four grown men here. Who would have the idle time to learn embroidery?”

Yin Ci replied expressionlessly, “I can.”

Su Si: “…You can both cook and do embroidery. Brother, are you really his disciple and not his wife?”

Yin Ci couldn’t be bothered with arguing with the younger generation. “I happen to know a little bit.”

It wasn’t that he enjoyed it; he was simply bored and had tried all kinds of crafts to pass the time. Even if Shi Jingzhi wanted a sugar painting right now, he could easily create a zodiac animal on the spot.

Ignoring his astonished master, Yin Ci directly took the bamboo pole and fabric and skillfully started sewing the flag. In no time, the flag took shape, even more exquisite than the previous one.

Shi Jingzhi was deeply moved. “A’Ci, if you were a girl, with this skill alone, you would definitely marry well.”

Yin Ci coldly raised his eyes. “Shizun, what characters do you want to embroider on this flag? Let me think… ‘Medicine Cures Illness’, right?”

Shi Jingzhi suddenly fell silent, not daring to say another word.

In less than half an hour, the flag was embroidered. Yin Ci’s stitches were delicate and neat, the characters on the flag were clear and full, and the fabric was well stretched. Shi Jingzhi hung his jade pendant on it and vigorously rubbed his face against the flag, clearly delighted.

Su Si looked at Yan Qing. “San Zi, I thought you enjoyed doing housework, but there are people in this world even crazier than you… You can’t admit defeat!”

Yan Qing: “???”

While the three of them were busy with their own discussions, Yin Ci secretly approached Lord Bai, attempting to touch it. If this goose demon’s intuition was truly remarkable, perhaps it could help him find a dead end. Although he despised this creature, it was necessary to build a good relationship.

But to his surprise, Lord Bai widened its round black eyes, and the two flesh antennae on its head slowly stood upright. It opened its mouth at Yin Ci, revealing rows of fine teeth.

Yin Ci continued to reach out—he had tamed countless demons, so how could he be afraid of this creature?

As it turned out, it dared indeed.

Lord Bai slowly bit down on Yin Ci’s hand and twisted it forcefully. It stared at him defiantly, as if issuing a warning. Helplessly, Yin Ci had to pry open its beak and retract his hand.

Fine, there’s always tomorrow.

Nightfall arrived quickly.

The four of them changed into ordinary attire from the village and headed to the banquet with Yin Deng. Considering the situation, Lord Bai would easily be mistaken for an extra dish, so they had to leave it behind to guard the house.

The banquet was set up in an open space on the side of the village, with round tables arranged. The four of them joined the Yin family at one table, and the table was filled with abundant dishes. Laughter and joy surrounded them. If they hadn’t just found out that someone had died, this scene wouldn’t be much different from a countryside wedding feast.

Having eaten a lot for lunch, the four of them didn’t have much appetite now and barely touched their chopsticks.

Yin Deng thought they were being reserved. She put down the spoon she was using to feed her younger sister and smiled at Shi Jingzhi. “Big brother, from now on, the whole village is one big family. Don’t feel like outsiders.”

“Yes, half of this banquet is for you. It’s been a long time since we had new guests in the village, so everyone is very happy,” Yin Deng’s mother added in a gentle voice. “Tonight, the Goddess will make an appearance. It’s a big event.”

Shi Jingzhi: “The Goddess?”

“The village immortal!” Yin Deng cheerfully said. “Mom said that the Goddess has been here for over fifty years but usually doesn’t show herself. However, if a child is born in the village or new people arrive, she comes out to greet them.”

Yin Ci happily sucked on the tip of his chopsticks. Everyone at the banquet treated him as if he were invisible. He felt more at ease than the attention-grabbing Shi Jingzhi and could freely look around.

As scheduled, the Goddess made her appearance after the banquet.

The Goddess was exquisitely beautiful, appearing to be less than thirty years old. She wore a casually styled light green dress and her black hair loosely tied in a bun, with a jade hairpin inserted that swayed with her steps.

She walked through the lively banquet, and the surrounding festive atmosphere instantly dissipated by half. The villagers dared not touch the Goddess and their eyes were filled with reverence and infatuation.

…An immortal?

Yin Ci didn’t sense anything particularly special about her.

The Goddess stopped in front of Shi Jingzhi and carefully examined him, showing a satisfied expression. But before she could speak, a woman rushed over from the side.

The woman hurriedly knelt down, holding the hem of the Goddess’s clothes, and stammered, “Great Goddess, could you make an exception and let Lao Liu come back to accompany me for two more years? I know ascending to immortality is a good thing, but, but…”

“Auntie Liu, what are you doing?!” Yin Deng’s father lowly scolded. “The elixir is not meant for ordinary people. Have you forgotten the rules?”

Auntie Liu looked like she was in her middle years, but there was still a youthful lament in her eyes. “Lao Liu left too early. I suddenly said at noon that I wanted to drink broth, and he went to cut…”

Yin Deng couldn’t understand the underlying sadness in the conversation. “But that was Uncle Liu’s own carelessness, and besides, ascending to immortality isn’t a bad thing.”

Auntie Liu just continued crying.

The Goddess wasn’t angered; she gently helped Auntie Liu up. “Parting from life and death is always hard to get used to. It’s normal if you’re not accustomed. The banquet is too noisy; you should go home and rest for a while.”

The Goddess had a gentle and compassionate appearance, exuding a somewhat merciful Bodhisattva-like temperament. As Auntie Liu looked at her face, her tears gradually stopped, and she nodded absentmindedly.

She got up, bowed to the Goddess, and staggered back. But just halfway, she suddenly fell to the ground and cut her palm deeply.

Shi Jingzhi instinctively reached for the medicine box.

“No need to bother. She’s also ascending to immortality,” Yin Deng exclaimed loudly.

Auntie Liu cowered on the ground, sitting there as if she hadn’t reacted. A large amount of blood gushed from her palm, seeping into the ground.

Shi Jingzhi still paid no attention and stood up to go over and bandage her. Auntie Liu was like an unconscious puppet, motionless, allowing Shi Jingzhi to clean the wound and apply ointment.

“Auntie Liu, go home and get ready. You don’t have much time left…” someone nearby said to her.

“She’ll come with us, and I’ll treat her,” Shi Jingzhi interrupted. “This injury isn’t a big deal; it shouldn’t be fatal.”

The Goddess watched with interest. “Very well, everyone needs to adapt, so let him go. In a few days, he will surely come to find me.”

Yin Ci stared fixedly at the Goddess, sensing something vaguely.

In that brief moment, he felt the aura of magic from the Goddess. The incident with Auntie Liu just now wasn’t an accidental fall; it was intentional by the Goddess.

Shi Jingzhi’s behavior also surprised him.

Although his master couldn’t be considered evil, his kindness wasn’t so overflowing. Shi Jingzhi had already reached his limit by tending to Auntie Liu’s wound, so it didn’t make sense to bring her along. However, this convenience worked in Yin Ci’s favor. If he could discover the secret of the villagers’ easy deaths, he might be able to conduct some experiments on himself.

Shi Jingzhi said, “Yan Qing, carry Auntie Liu on your back. We’re leaving.”

“Shizun, why do we have to take her back?”

Shi Jingzhi glanced at Yin Ci with burning eyes and whispered, “You know that my health isn’t good.”

“Yes.”

“Auntie Liu’s pulse is three parts similar to mine.”

The author has something to say:

Yin Ci: He’s a fox. Happy, pet him and touch him.

Shi Jingzhi: He’s a cat. Happy, pet him and touch him.

Some time later.

Yin Ci: Change back!

Shi Jingzhi: You change back first!

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 28: Ascension of the Dead

The goose demon, Lord Bai, spun in place and let out two loud honks. It straightened its chest and raised its head. Its bean-like eyes shone with severity as it scanned the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect.

If looks could kill, Yin Ci felt like he had been insulted and cursed for eighteen generations. Shi Jingzhi, who was standing beside him, took a step back, his mood not much better.

Su Si hurriedly pulled out a basin of vegetable leaves, and only then did Lord Bai divert its gaze and start pecking at the food.

“Lord Bai is a goose I found near Yongsheng. It kept following me, so I took care of it casually—it has a keen intuition. As long as I follow its lead, my life is always preserved.”

Yin Ci looked at Su Si stroking the big goose and felt a little complicated.

Here they were, a healer, a diviner, a cook, and a vegetable seller, all gathered. Tomorrow, they would dominate the street corner.

Lord Bai seemed to realize that it had been categorized as “vegetable”, and its sharp gaze swept over. Its gaze wasn’t only focused on Yin Ci. It seemed Shi Jingzhi was also considering something similar.

For the first time, the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect stood united, facing the goose in a silent standoff.

Taking advantage of the situation, Su Si moved Lord Bai’s food bowl, took off the mountain ghost coin from its neck, and casually threw it to Yan Qing.

Yan Qing caught it steadily. “If you wanted to remind me that you came, leaving something behind would have been enough. Why bother taking it away?”

“This thing wards off evil spirits. Besides, if I happen to die nearby, you might be able to identify my remains with it and help bury me.”

Yan Qing frowned when he heard this. “Why say something so unlucky?”

Su Si grimaced, and his eyes faintly drifted towards the master and disciple, showing a bit of concern.

Having walked the lower levels of the martial world for a long time, gullibility was most taboo. Trusting others lightly was the last thing Su Si would do. Yin Ci happened to want to leave the room and observe the situation outside.

Shi Jingzhi acted even faster. He coughed twice. “Since there won’t be any immediate danger, I’ll take A’Ci for a stroll nearby. There’s a river not far from here. Can we catch fish there?”

‘Not good,’ Yin Ci thought. It seemed like his master had some unresolved issues with fish.

Su Si happily said, “Of course, it’s a good idea. We can cook some fish later. How about taking Lord Bai with you?”

Both of them shook their heads resolutely.

“Alright then, it’s not far anyway. Just don’t provoke the villagers.” Su Si scratched his head. “The fishing net is behind the door, so help yourselves.”

Su Si’s residence was on the outskirts of the village, near the river. There weren’t many passersby nearby, making it very peaceful. The river water was clear, revealing the riverbed. The fish in the river had plump bodies, leisurely twisting and sucking the tiny flower petals on the water’s surface.

Shi Jingzhi paid no attention to the fishing net. He took off his shoes and socks, tied up his clothes, and took out his bamboo pole as he walked towards the river. The river flowed slowly, barely reaching his knees.

Yin Ci dragged the fishing net and found a stone by the river to use as a seat.

Looking at the scenery in front of him, it was nothing more than a paradise. However, he had noticed all the way here that there was no shrine or medicinal garden. He didn’t know where the immortals mentioned by Yin Deng lived, or where the elixir came from.

As he was thinking, Shi Jingzhi suddenly inserted the bamboo pole into the water and lifted a fish out. The fish’s tail flicked in the air, splashing numerous sparkling water droplets, with a few landing on Yin Ci’s face.

The fish here lived a comfortable life, with their bellies full and their minds at ease. They were only familiar with gentle nets and had never tasted such bitterness. The fat fish, lifted out of the water, was filled with anger, and its tails floundered like steel whips.

Shi Jingzhi closed his eyes.

He carefully stepped in the water, gracefully evading the fish’s tail. Shi Jingzhi’s movements were extremely restrained, like a gentle breeze, not causing a single splash or disturbing the fish in the water.

Yin Ci raised an eyebrow.

His master not only avoided the fish’s tail but even attempted to dodge the water droplets. It was his first attempt, so Shi Jingzhi’s shoulder was still splashed.

Taking advantage of his master’s distraction, Yin Ci lightly tapped the fish with the bamboo pole, causing it to hover in the air. Only when it stopped struggling did Shi Jingzhi stop practicing and toss the fish to Yin Ci on the shore.

Then another fish came, repeating the process.

Yin Ci quickly understood the technique. Shi Jingzhi had stolen various martial arts before and was now blending and modifying them to create something unique to himself.

To keep both his mind and body focused at the same time was undoubtedly a mentally and physically exhausting task. However, his master seemed tireless, practicing for a whole hour. With each movement, he displayed a hint of a daring and desperate feeling.

Surrounded by beautiful scenery and accompanied by Shi Jingzhi’s handsome face, the scene was pleasing to the eye. Unfortunately, Demon Lord Yin’s nature was not cooperative. As the warm breeze blew, he gradually became drowsy. Countless thoughts became muddled and mixed together.

What was Shi Jingzhi desperately trying to achieve? Did he know that his days were numbered? …This man was deep in his thoughts, so perhaps he knew.

His lively master, jumping around and counting the remaining days, was, in a sense, more tormenting than lingering on a sickbed. Yin Ci had witnessed countless talented individuals, unable to fight for their lives, succumbed to despair and madness.

Throughout their journey, this man had remained composed, fearing death. He didn’t seem like someone who had seen through worldly matters, so how could he maintain his sanity?

Yin Ci yawned and hugged the fishing net tightly. Dozens of fat fish were struggling for breath in the net, but there wasn’t much fishy smell. He squinted, basking in the sunlight, feeling light and ethereal, wishing he could lie down on the spot.

Shi Jingzhi was still practicing diligently in the river.

Forget it. It had nothing to do with him. After all, Shi Jingzhi had said when they left the Ghost Tomb that he wouldn’t pry into his personal matters anymore.

Master and disciple were separated by a seemingly nonexistent paper window*, and neither of them would break through it. They would make do with what they had. Shi Jingzhi understood when to advance and retreat, so he probably wouldn’t provoke anyone voluntarily…

*Metaphorically refers to a thin layer that can be poked/pierced through, describing information or secrets that are not well kept or guarded and can be easily exposed.

“Feeling tired?”

Shi Jingzhi appeared out of nowhere, placing a hand on Yin Ci’s forehead and getting extremely close to his face.

His master’s hand was soaked in water which made it slightly cool. Yin Ci lifted his eyelids. “I’m fine.”

“If you’re tired, go to sleep. Master will take care of you.”

Shi Jingzhi smiled again—a smile that wasn’t condescending or deliberately pleasing, but pure and sincere.

Yin Ci felt as if he had been stung by a bee. He instantly became slightly more alert, but a dark restlessness emerged in his heart. Here it was again, that inexplicable sincerity.

He didn’t dislike sincere people, but this smile alone seemed to pierce through him.

Seeing his disciple furrowing his brows, Shi Jingzhi thought it was because Yin Ci was dissatisfied with waiting for so long. He moved his palm upward, taking the opportunity to tidy up Yin Ci’s hair. The gentle spring breeze rustled through, and Yin Ci, half asleep and half awake, had a few wildflower petals stuck in his hair.

That hand gently caressed the top of Yin Ci’s head, naturally sliding down his face, tucking away a few stray hairs behind his ear.

Yin Ci trembled as if struck by lightning, grabbing hold of that wrist.

Fingers brushing through his hair, accompanied by the beautiful scenery beside them, and that sincere smile. He had seen this scene before and suddenly understood the source of his restlessness.

Shi Jingzhi, chasing after a fleeting hope like a bubble with what little life he had left, was no different from himself. However, he had been trapped in a state of unable-to-die for too long, unable to even taste the flavor of hope, only wandering like a walking corpse.

No one could escape from collapse, as long as they had a heart.

Over twenty years ago, at Kushan, Yin Ci was on the verge of losing himself to madness. He had taken refuge in the Juyi Valley, filled with monsters, yet still encountered an outsider—a two- or three-year-old mute child that somehow managed to sneak in.

If it weren’t for that child, Yin Ci would have undoubtedly lost his humanity long ago and turned into a monstrous killer.

Even the mute child would smile with such sincerity. It made sense since an ignorant child wouldn’t know any other way to smile.

But that child would also reach out and slowly touch his hair, from the top of his head to his cheeks, gathering the unruly strands behind his ear.

It was exactly the same.

Yin Ci took care of the mute child for a while, even considering taking the child with him. Although the goodwill of a child couldn’t last, and flowers would always wither, he was better at bidding farewell than anyone else in the world.

But in the end, he couldn’t take the mute child with him.

The mute child died. It was as if it was a slightly bloody twist of fate, forcing him to remain conscious in this world.

The Juyi Valley back then was just as beautiful as a dream.

The familiar scene reappeared, and Yin Ci was once again stung by the fangs of “fate”. He held onto Shi Jingzhi’s wrist tightly, while his mind was muddled as he thought, ‘Yes, this person won’t live much longer either.’

Shi Jingzhi winced in pain. “A’Ci?”

“It’s nothing. I’m just a bit dizzy from being tired.” Yin Ci gradually loosened his grip.

‘If the mute child were still alive, they would be around this age by now,’ he thought absentmindedly.

Ever since Shi Jingzhi made the “unfulfilled” promise, Yin Ci had been waiting for him to betray it. But what would he do if Shi Jingzhi never broke that promise, even until his death?

Now that they were separated by just a layer of paper window, Yin Ci was no longer inclined to continue playing the obedient disciple. Should he give his master a timely “surprise” as a reward?

However, he didn’t have much time to ponder, as a commotion suddenly broke out not far away. A group of villagers blew suonas*, scattering red paper strips in the air, and marched towards the village in a grand procession.

*A traditional double-reeded Chinese musical instrument. It had a distinctively loud and high-pitched sound, and was used frequently in Chinese traditional music ensembles, particularly in those that perform outdoors.

Shi Jingzhi immediately became alert. He lowered his head, lifted the net full of fish, and dragged Yin Ci back into the house.

Upon entering the house, both master and disciple almost thought they had walked into the wrong place.

The floor was covered in neatly folded clothes, some of which had already been washed and were hanging by the window. The table was wiped clean, and the Kushan Sect’s luggage had been organized. Sausages and preserved meat were placed in a basket near the stove.

“No fish allowed inside.” Fortunately, Yan Qing appeared in time, holding a broom as he spoke with a tone carrying a hint of authority. “Otherwise, the house will have a smell that’s hard to get rid of.”

Truly a servant trained by the Taiheng Sect, overly dedicated.

Su Si, on the other hand, was slumped lazily in a chair, with the large goose slumped on top of him. The two of them had turned into interior decorations. Su Si seemed to be in a good mood, apparently having a pleasant chat with Yan Qing.

Seeing the master and disciple return, Su Si straightened up and twirled the meat cleaver in his hand. “You’re guests, so I’ll take care of the fish alone. San Zi told me that Brother Yin is a good cook, so I’m really looking forward to it.”

Shi Jingzhi’s expression wasn’t particularly relaxed. “I saw a group of villagers in red outside, but I didn’t see any sedan chairs. What are they doing?”

“Oh, that’s a funeral procession.” Su Si patted Lord Bai a few times. “I’ve only heard people talk about it. This is the first time I’ve encountered it myself.”

“…They dress so festively for a funeral?” Shi Jingzhi furrowed his brows.

“There are many strange things about this village. Take the funerals, for example—when someone dies, the villagers dress and adorn the corpse, then use wooden sticks to prop up the limbs. Then they mix the deceased among the procession and send them off in a grand procession to the forbidden area, allowing the dead to ‘ascend to immortality’.”

Su Si laughed coldly. With his beautiful appearance and the tear mole accentuating it, he seemed somewhat frivolous.

“I was just telling San Zi. Xizhuang has hundreds of people, but I’ve wandered all over this place and haven’t seen anyone from Xizhuang, nor have I found any graves or corpses. If the people of Xizhuang are truly alive, they can only be in the ‘forbidden area’. I’m new here, so I don’t have the qualifications to approach that place. You guys…”

Lord Bai suddenly stretched its neck and let out a loud “honk”, causing Su Si to immediately shut his mouth.

After a moment, there was a knocking sound at the door. Su Si glanced at them and rolled his eyes, then swiftly opened the door.

Yin Deng stood outside, her big eyes spinning around.

“Mom asked me to bring you some outer garments. Uncle Liu has ascended to immortality today, and there will be a banquet tonight. Remember to come.”

Su Si quickly adjusted his expression and smiled warmly. “Uncle Liu has ascended to immortality?”

“Yes. Dad said he was cutting meat at home yesterday and injured his finger.” Yin Deng shook her head like an adult. “He left too early, and Auntie Liu is reluctant to part with him. But there are new guests in the village, so it doesn’t matter.”

Shi Jingzhi was shocked. “…Just from injuring his finger and he’s gone?”

“What do you mean gone? He ascended into an immortal!” Yin Deng tilted her nose.

Shi Jingzhi looked dazed, and Yin Ci somewhat understood his feelings—this girl was talking about a miraculous elixir that could cure all ailments, but if dying counted as ascending to immortality, that elixir might as well be made of paper ashes.

“Is it really just an injured finger?” Shi Jingzhi confirmed again.

Yin Deng had some patience for Shi Jingzhi. “Well, big brother, you’re not considered one of the villagers, so it’s normal that you don’t know.”

“The villagers don’t get sick. But if they suffer an external injury that doesn’t heal within three days, they will ascend to immortality.”

The author has something to say:

Time for Fox Shi to avenge his shame! 1 Shi = dozens of fish, congratulations!

Demonic Lord Yin: Probing the window paper’s edge repeatedly.jpg

————

I see that there are many friends discussing “side CP” in the comments, so let me explain a bit.

Personally, my habit is that if there are clear and complete romantic storylines for the main supporting characters in the text, I will indicate the side couples in the synopsis.

This novel doesn’t have any indication, similar to the previous two books. Yan Qing and Su Si are both traditional growth-type characters. The main focus of their storyline is on personal growth, and there won’t be a romantic storyline in the main text. If there is any romantic development, it will be in the extra chapters. Of course, you are welcome to freely imagine (wink).

Kinky Thoughts:

I would just say… keep this author note in mind for later…

Don’t expect anything from Su Si and Yan Qing…

<<< || Table of Contents || >>>

Author: 年终 / Nian Zhong

Translator: Kinky || https://kinkytranslations.com/

Chapter 27: Su Si

The little girl led the three of them into the mountains, then wandered around in the woods. They didn’t know how many times they had walked in the same place. The disciples of the Kushan Sect followed silently. The snow was thick, making it physically demanding to walk, but the girl lightly stepped on the snow crust as if walking on level ground.

When she got tired, she hopped onto the back of the dog demon and rode it.

“I’m Yin Deng.” The little girl happily hummed a tune. “I’ve brought two good guests this time. Dad and Mom will definitely praise me.”

Yan Qing took a few steps forward. “Apart from the people of Xizhuang, have you seen any other ‘guests’ recently?”

Yin Deng turned around, tilted her head, and thought for a moment. “No, I’m not the only guide. Brother, do you want to find acquaintances? When we arrive at the village, I’ll ask Mom for you.”

Yin Ci, who was not favored by Yin Deng, walked at the back of the group. He observed his surroundings attentively, feeling a slight sense of suffocation in his chest.

There were unfamiliar arrays nearby, techniques he had never seen before. The presence of the arrays was extremely faint, but the oppressive feeling wasn’t weak. Ordinary people who walked here would probably feel uncomfortable or fearful for no reason and instinctively stay away.

The scale of the arrays was terrifying. Yin Ci tried to sense their boundaries but couldn’t find them.

He couldn’t help but glance at Shi Jingzhi a few more times. Although this master was picked up casually, he seemed quite fortunate—within less than a month of knowing each other, Yin Ci had seen many things he had never seen before.

Very fortunate indeed.

Shi Jingzhi had deep inner force and wouldn’t be affected by the arrays. Yan Qing, on the other hand, wasn’t as lucky. After staying in the arrays for too long, he became dizzy and nauseous, vomiting several times in a row, but he didn’t complain.

Yin Ci considered him the benchmark of an “ordinary person”. If Yan Qing vomited three times, he would vomit twice. Shi Jingzhi had an empty expression, seemingly detached from the mortal world, as they continued forward amidst the alternating retching sounds of the two.

The three of them went from sunrise to sunset.

No one questioned the little girl’s words anymore. With this dreadful route, even monkeys living in the mountains wouldn’t be able to traverse it in a hundred and eighty years of sprinting as a group.

They finally stopped in the middle of a dense forest, where a shrine stood.

The shrine wasn’t large, had an ancient style, and was well-maintained, standing out from the surrounding mountains and woods. It looked as if it had been scooped up from the city and forcibly moved here.

There was no plaque hanging, and the main gate was tightly closed.

Yin Deng jumped down from the dog’s back, struggling to tiptoe and knock on the door handle three times.

Shi Jingzhi had somehow reached the back of the group. He exhaled warm breath into his palms and discreetly glanced to the side—a plump sparrow was perched on a branch, bending it under its weight.

He gently shook his head at the sparrow and made a hand gesture. The sparrow tilted its head to look at him, then laboriously flew away.

At that moment, the door slowly opened inward.

The interior was in a dilapidated state, without any candles or even a statue of a deity. The altar was empty, and there was a tattered cloth curtain that hung down.

As soon as the group entered the temple, the door closed on its own.

With a few jumps, the little girl named Yin Deng climbed onto the altar and walked towards the wall behind it. Shi Jingzhi rubbed his eyes—there was a passage there now where the mahogany board had sealed off the altar just a moment ago.

The passage wasn’t long, and warm air rushed in from the other side, making them feel refreshed. Beyond the passage, the view suddenly opened up, and the three members of the Kushan Sect stopped in their tracks.

Yin Deng turned around and waved her short arms with a triumphant expression. “Look, isn’t it beautiful?”

‘No,’ Yin Ci thought. Yan Qing didn’t know, but Shi Jingzhi was probably frozen with fear.

Outside, it was still freezing cold, but here it felt like a warm spring. The sky was crystal clear, without a single cloud or flying snow. Colorful wildflowers covered the ground, and a gentle fragrance floated in the air. The crops in the fields were lush and vibrant, and the rural houses were neat and spacious. The paths in the fields were paved with stones, and everything appeared clean as if it had been washed.

The men and women passing by couldn’t be described as heavenly beauties, but their faces were rosy and attractive.

Looking back, there was no longer a tunnel behind them but a small stone bridge spanning the dry ground. The long tunnel they had just walked through had turned into a short bridge hole in the blink of an eye. On the other side of the bridge, there was an endless expanse of spring scenery.

There was no shrine and no sign of the surrounding mountains and forests.

If they had come in spring or summer, this place would indeed resemble a paradise. But venturing here in the midst of severe cold, it felt more like an illusion.

Having just experienced the “Dream Bubble” in the Ghost Tomb, Shi Jingzhi had suffered enough and was afraid of going through it again. He cautiously kept a straight face, without showing any admiration.

Yin Deng, feeling that she was being ignored, pouted even more. She turned her head and rushed into the arms of a woman behind her. “Mom, Mom, I brought two good guests!”

The woman had a good appearance, with a plump and round figure. She raised her head and smiled at Shi Jingzhi. “Husband, change into some clothes. It’ll be hot in a moment.”

She patted Yin Deng’s head again. “Go find your father and ask him to pick out two sets of clothes.”

Yin Deng cheered and took the dog demon with her, running off without looking back.

“Mian Jie*, these three… two are my friends. Let me take care of them. I’m the only bachelor in my family, so it’s convenient for me.” A voice came from behind the crowd.

*Older sister. Generally a term used to address a woman who’s older/higher rank than you.

The three turned around abruptly.

A young man was sitting on the edge of the stone bridge, with an innocent smile on his face.

He had willow leaf-shaped eyes and a small black mole under his right eye. His features were exquisite and lively, not as detached from ordinary people like the Kushan Sect master and disciple, making people feel close to him just by looking at him.

“A’Si!” Yan Qing let out a rare shout.

A’Si politely bowed to him without saying anything and continued to look at the woman. “Mian Jie, I’ll take them away first.”

Mian Jie smiled and said, “Alright. If the guests can’t fit into your clothes, let me know, and I’ll help you make adjustments.”

“Okay.”

A’Si turned around and led the three of them. Though he smiled along the way, his attitude was lukewarm, and he didn’t respond to any questions. Yan Qing was on the verge of exploding, when they finally arrived at A’Si’s residence.

The room was spacious and clean, large enough to accommodate four people. The furniture inside was simple and rustic, and the wooden surfaces were polished to a shine. However, the bed was messy, clothes were strewn everywhere, and a meat cleaver was even leaning on the table.

A’Si entered the room, closed the door, and cautiously looked around. Making sure there was no one else, he grabbed Yan Qing by the collar, lifting the eight-foot-tall man off the ground by his feet.

“Didn’t I tell you to run away?” The gentleness on his face vanished, leaving only a mix of resentment and frustration. “And this is what you call running away? Running into the thieves’ den? Huh?”

“I was worried about you…” Yan Qing said absentmindedly.

“You idiot! I can fight better than you, and I couldn’t even run away. You came to join me in death? Great, just great…”

A’Si glanced at the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect, smiled politely, then changed his expression, looking stern again.

“So you’ve brought two more unfortunate people with you? They are innocent!”

Shi Jingzhi quickly explained, “Little brother, it’s cold outside, and we were planning to spend the night here. That’s why we arrived late, not because Yan Qing persuaded us. He told us about you yesterday. You’re Su Sigou, right…?”

Little did he know that he was only making matters worse.

“You told them my name is Su Sigou?! You gave me a new name, and now you’re eating it yourself?”

“Su Si, Su Si, please let go first.” Yan Qing spoke in a friendly tone. “Everyone, this is my friend, Su Si. The Si from reckless. When I changed my own surname, I also helped him change his name*.”

*Before, Su Si’s name was [Su Sigou] (苏四狗), with the [si] deriving from four [四]. His current (new) name is [Su Si] (苏肆) with the [si] deriving from wanton/reckless (肆意). Note: Yan Qing did not change Su Si’s surname (just his own).

Only then did Su Si release his grip, and Yan Qing rubbed his neck, feeling relieved.

“You’ve grown stronger than before, even taller than me.” Su Si finally spoke after a long silence as his eyes slightly reddened. “That’s good.”

Yan Qing’s expression softened. “I went to Taiheng. Since you never came, I thought…”

Su Si shook his head and smiled sincerely.

“Let’s not talk about that now. It’s good to see each other. San Zi*, come here and give me a hug.”

*Third Son. It’ll be explained later why he’s called this but think of it as a nickname.

Seeing the two young men reuniting after a long separation and embracing tightly, Shi Jingzhi looked at his disciple with longing. “It’s really nice. I also want such friends.”

Yin Ci broke off a piece of smoked meat and stuffed it into his master’s hand. “We haven’t been separated for a long time. Here Shizun, eat some meat.”

Shi Jingzhi started chewing the meat sadly.

“I apologize for earlier. We were being watched outside, so I couldn’t show too much enthusiasm.” After calming down for a while, Su Si’s emotions finally eased. “And who are these two?”

“Shi Jingzhi of the Kushan Sect. This is my disciple, Yin Ci. Yan Qing is currently following me and serving as a servant in our sect.”

Su Si nodded readily. “Su Si, no family, no sect. I know some self-defense skills.”

“I pretended to like it here and have been staying for nearly half a month without any trouble so far. With the appearances of Sect Master Shi and San Zi, there shouldn’t be any issues for now. However, it’s uncertain for Brother Yin. Now, what I’m about to say is all true, so please stay calm.”

Su Si’s story was humbler than Yan Qing’s.

Ten years ago, he got separated from Yan Qing and ended up in an unfamiliar place. At first, due to his naturally strong grip, he was tricked into doing labor work, and later, because of his appearance, he was bought by a wealthy family as a servant. When the wealthy family was robbed, he joined the group of bandits and spent a few years in a daze. Eventually, the gang dispersed, and Su Si, without any identity, became a beggar on the streets.

In short, he had encountered all sorts of lowly people.

Fortunately, Su Si had learned some butcher skills and had learned to read a few characters under Yan Qing’s insistence. A butcher in Yongsheng was willing to take him in, and that was when he settled down. After saving enough money, he started wandering, and ten years had already passed.

To prove his identity, Su Si pointed to the cleaver inserted in the table. The cleaver shimmered with a cold light, with a rough wooden handle, soaked in blood and oil, emitting a faint smell of pork.

Yin Ci’s gaze paused for a moment. He always felt that the cleaver looked somewhat familiar. However, considering that the cleaver was quite shabby, he withdrew his gaze and continued listening to Su Si’s account.

Su Si chose Xizhuang as his first stop. He decided to return to the village to see if Yan Qing had dug up the coin, but he ended up in a situation exactly like that of the Kushan Sect. When he tried to leave the village, he was intercepted by the people from Yuanxian Village.

Su Si was even more reckless than them. He wasn’t afraid of the dog and directly drew his cleaver, fighting against the white-robed strange people.

“I chopped one of them in the sole of the foot and cut their throat. Their tendons should have snapped, but they continued to move as if nothing happened.” Su Si rubbed his chin. “At that time, I saw something wrapped in a cloth.”

Shi Jingzhi sat up slowly and asked, “Something? “

“Well, it definitely wasn’t a person. Through the gaps in the fabric, I saw fleshy pieces that looked like internal organs… Who has internal organs growing on their feet these days? I chopped it fiercely with my cleaver, but it didn’t even make a sound. Is that normal?” Su Si asked.

“It doesn’t feel pain, and there were so many of them. I knew I had no chance of winning, so I admitted defeat and made one request—to dig up something from San Zi’s house. There was no one else in the village, so they let me go.”

He grabbed a glass of water, drank most of it in one gulp, and cursed a few more vulgar words.

“San Zi might not come back to dig up the money, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. I didn’t know how long they would guard the place, so I left a note… and then you! I was captured on the front foot, and you came right after. Haa—”

Su Si slammed his head on the table, creating a loud thud.

Yan Qing had nothing to say and could only pat his back soothingly.

Shi Jingzhi, having been frightened many times, gradually grew accustomed to it. “We came here to hide from people, and everything that happened was purely accidental. It’s fortunate to have someone reliable here.”

Yin Ci remained silent.

Someone reliable? He didn’t think so, and Shi Jingzhi might not have spoken sincerely either.

Along this journey, he did smell the scent of pus and blood from the white-robed individuals… the white-robed monsters. He smelled it, and this fox wouldn’t miss it either. Su Si claimed to have injured one of the white-robed monsters, and it was probably not a lie.

However, the white-robed monsters were capable of easily overpowering Shi Jingzhi. Could Su Si, a butcher, really have had a chance to injure it?

But Su Si’s encounter with Yan Qing didn’t seem fake, and his emotions appeared genuine. Yin Ci decided to observe a little longer.

Yan Qing, on the other hand, seemed to unconditionally trust Su Si, and his focus was elsewhere.

“A’Si, should we discuss it here? Won’t the villagers eavesdrop?”

Su Si slapped his head. “No, no, I have a helper. Come, let me introduce my ally. I owe my survival to it.”

Before anyone could react, Su Si opened the window and stuck his head out. “Lord Bai, Lord Bai—dinner is ready!”

In an instant, a snow-white creature smashed in.

It knocked Su Si to the ground, with its two feet stepping on Su Si’s face, arrogantly surveying the world. Then it flapped its wings and let out a loud honk.

It looked like a goose, but much larger than an ordinary one. Its beak had a particularly plump lump of flesh on top. Unlike a regular goose, it had two antennae-like things on its head, about the length of a human finger, covered in short feathers and drooping softly.

Yin Ci, rarely puzzled, murmured, “A goose?”

“It’s a goose demon.”

Su Si quickly got up.

“If we use it right, it’s stronger than any monster in Yuanxian Village.”

The author has something to say:

Yan Qing is not really the pet (…). The pet in this story officially appears!

It’s a true combat force, Fox Shi, danger.

Demonic Lord Yin announces a no-prize guessing game: Lord Bai =? Shi

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