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
He had actually heard of the term “Cuckoo Calamity”. Cuckoo birds lay their eggs in the nests of other birds, and the hatched chicks then become the dominant ones, snatching food from the other nestlings.
The legend of the “Cuckoo Calamity” was only prevalent in remote areas—where unknown monsters impregnate women who give birth to children who are remarkably beautiful and look drastically different from their parents and siblings. Such children often possess astonishing talents and have a much larger appetite than ordinary people.
According to Yan Qing’s account, this “A’Si” completely matched the description.
A’Si was born in the Su Family in Xizhuang. His real name was Su Sigou. He was born with exquisite facial features and delicate skin.
However, in this impoverished and remote village, the Su family could easily be considered ugly. The Su couple looked like a pair of broad-shouldered and stout brothers, with naturally dark skin and eyebrows thicker than thumbs. Their group of children also had crooked lips and misaligned teeth—none of them pleasing to the eye.
And amidst them was Su Sigou, like a white dove among a flock of quails, which was extremely eye-catching.
If a child like him was born in the city, the parents would only consider him to be exceptionally gifted. Even if there were suspicions, they would be limited to questioning the mother’s fidelity and not considering the doings of a monster.
But in the Su family, the fourth son was not much different from a monster—the village was closed-off, everyone knew each other well, and each child was witnessed being born by the villagers, so there was no room for falsehood.
As Su Sigou grew day by day, he became even more delicate. He possessed naturally strong hands and had an appetite that could rival that of an adult. Due to the poverty of the Su family and their aversion to this child of unknown origin, they simply let him roam freely, finding his own food in the mountains.
The other villagers also believed that this child brought misfortune and didn’t treat Su Sigou kindly.
However, Su Sigou was born lacking common sense and was particularly adept at sticking his hot face against a cold butt*, even finding joy in doing so. He spent his days running around, using his strange strength to hunt for food in the mountains, living a somewhat comfortable life.
*Idiom used to describe someone who’s willing to endure humiliation or seek connection with someone who doesn’t treat them well. It conveys the idea of seeking warmth and acceptance from others who are indifferent or even hostile towards them.
He even took a friend for himself—
Yan Qing’s father wasn’t a kind man and only knew how to boss his son around. When Yan Qing was just beginning to understand things, he worked and earned money while also having to serve his father. He was busy all day long, unable to eat a full meal, and ended up skinnier and smaller than a wild cat.
As fellow unfortunate individuals in the village, Su Sigou was particularly curious about Yan Qing. He secretly observed the Yan family’s courtyard for two days and became so enraged that he directly captured Yan Qing to be his friend.
Having grown accustomed to the wilderness in the mountains, Su Sigou was skilled at finding food. Yan Qing relied on him to eat meat and not be burdened by his unreliable father, who could have easily caused his early demise.
“Afterward, there was trouble in my family, so we decided to escape together. Thanks to A’Si’s familiarity with the mountain paths, I wouldn’t have been able to get out on my own.”
Yan Qing finished his breakfast with a heavy heart and gently put down his chopsticks. “We relied on each other to survive for several years before getting separated ten years ago. Only he knows that I buried the mountain ghost coin, and only he would leave a note hidden in my house’s window.”
“I see. So that Su Si… cough, are there any other peculiarities that A’Si has?”
Shi Jingzhi’s eyes brightened, seemingly quite interested in the story of the “Cuckoo Calamity”.
Yan Qing was somewhat surprised. “None. Besides having a good-looking face, he has strong hands. As for his mind… Well, let’s just say A’Si is the type who wouldn’t turn back even if he bumped into a wall*. But he has an excellent character and would never actively provoke others.”
*Metaphor for someone who’s stubborn and unwilling to listen to different opinions.
Shi Jingzhi was too preoccupied with inquiring about A’Si to notice the deepening gaze of his disciple.
The determination of the “Cuckoo Calamity” was inherently ambiguous, with few folk records. Yin Ci had once investigated it but ended with inconclusive results. It had no relation to the region, constellations, or solar terms, and its appearance followed no discernible pattern.
However, through his investigation, he unexpectedly discovered a certain fact.
Every year, there would always be some extraordinary children born—beautiful and exceptionally talented. These individuals were rare, with approximately one in a million people falling into this category. The ratio was interesting, similar to the probability of other species giving birth to monsters.
Yin Ci decided to call these people “monster material*”.
*Clarity: As in potential (not in a physical sense). For example: He’s leadership material, i.e. he’s born to be a leader. In this case, he has material to become a monster [yao] (妖.)
Yin Ci was an orphan and didn’t know if his face was a gift from his parents or something forcibly bestowed upon him by the heavens. But judging by Shi Jingzhi’s reaction, his handsome master was most likely one of those “monster material”.
Apart from individuals like Yin Ci, whose appearances stood out, ordinary people were oblivious to the concept of “monster material”, so it was normal to be curious. Seeing Shi Jingzhi becoming intrigued by the mystery, Yin Ci had no intention of stopping him.
An anomaly in Xizhuang, a one-in-a-million monster material—the simultaneous occurrence of these two phenomena meant that there must be something intriguing about this place.
The three members of the Kushan Sect wandered around the village for another hour but found no new clues. They then shifted their search to the outskirts of the village.
The stray cats and rats from last night had disappeared, and the village had returned to its silent state, raising some uneasy feelings in Yin Ci.
As one grew older, premonitions tended to be more accurate, for the worse. Sure enough, just as they reached the edge of Xizhuang, they spotted two figures in the distance.
With sunrise approaching and no snowfall, their vision was still relatively clear.
A girl of about ten years old stood in the snow. She wore a brand-new red coat and had two pointed pigtails on top of her head, appearing lovely and cute. However, the thing she held in her hand had nothing to do with “cute” no matter how he looked at it.
At a glance, that thing resembled a small foal. Only when the three approached closer did they realize its true identity—
A strangely shaped black dog.
The black dog was extremely tall and had slender and muscular limbs covered in shiny fur. That, in itself, was ordinary. What was strange was its head. The dog had no eyes; its skin on the face was the same as the nose, with dozens of nostril-like holes evenly distributed. Its mouth was large and long, almost splitting its skull in two.
At the moment, it was exhaling white vapor, revealing sharp teeth.
Yin Ci saw Shi Jingzhi’s eyes go from blinking to rubbing, and from rubbing to wanting to pluck out his eyeballs, so he decisively grabbed his master’s wrist.
“Shizun, I’ve seen this kind of thing in the mountains. It’s definitely a monster, and from the looks of it, it’s probably a dog demon.”
“A’Ci, the books say that monsters are the most beautiful among their kind*—”
*Clarity: Remember, there’s a difference between [yao] (妖) and [mo] (魔). Yao/monsters can look divine and pretty like (for example the nine tails demon fox), while mo/demons take on an “evil nature”. This dog demon is a [yao], which is why Shi Jingzhi says this.
Having lived for hundreds of years, Yin Ci had never seen a monster that met human standards of “beauty”. “A dog’s aesthetics of its own kind should be compared to… a dog.”
Shi Jingzhi fell silent. He slowly turned his head, making an effort to ignore the strange-looking black dog.
This time, Yan Qing stepped forward first. His face was pale as he half-squatted down. “Little sister*, do you know where the people here have gone?”
*[Meimei] (妹妹).
“Yes, I know. They’re in Yuanxian Village!” The little girl said softly and delicately. “I’ve come to take you to Yuanxian Village.”
“They just left like that? Without taking anything?”
The little girl blinked her eyes, seeming to not understand the question. “Yuanxian Village has everything. Why would they need to bring extra things? Brother, your eyes are so beautiful. You seem to have immortal potential.”
Yan Qing patted the little girl’s head and stepped back. “I’ve never heard of Yuanxian Village. If there’s a village nearby, A’Si couldn’t possibly be unaware of it.”
He didn’t dare speak openly in front of the girl. Fortunately, both the master and disciple were quick-witted and could sense the hidden meaning.
If “Yuanxian Village” truly was a good place, A’Si wouldn’t have left a blood-written message.
The little girl was patient, waiting in place. Shi Jingzhi pretended to lead the way, but suddenly, the dog demon let out a loud and fierce bark. Thankfully, after their encounter in the Ghost Tomb, Shi Jingzhi remained calm, only stumbling slightly.
Yin Ci took the opportunity to support his master, leaning down to whisper, “Shizun, there are people in the distance.”
While Shi Jingzhi’s attention was focused on the dog demon, he failed to notice several other auras. Besides the girl in the red coat, there were six other auras lingering nearby. Yin Ci caught a glimpse of the nearest one with his peripheral vision—
That person wore a bulky white robe, bound with white ropes and intricate knots. His face was covered by a white mask, and he wore a tall white decorative hat, giving him an eccentric appearance that perfectly blended with the snowy landscape.
The other six people surrounded them, gradually closing in, without uttering a word.
Shi Jingzhi’s felt a bit tongue tied. “Little sister, we have urgent matters, so we won’t be going for now.”
“In that case, I’ll just have A’Huo bite you.” The little girl appeared distressed. “Yuanxian Village is a good place. Only bad people wouldn’t want to go. Right, A’Huo?”
The dog demon barked, showing its approval.
In the next instant, one of the white-robed individuals raised his hand and swiftly struck at Shi Jingzhi.
His attack carried no intent to kill, and it lacked strength. However, the trajectory twisted, as if bones and joints were misplaced. Shi Jingzhi narrowly avoided it, but his mask was knocked off.
Yan Qing and the little girl gasped simultaneously.
During their time in the Ghost Tomb, Shi Jingzhi had always worn his mask, and only took it off when sleeping. Yan Qing usually slept early and had never seen the true face of the sect leader.
When the fox revealed his face, the little girl looked even happier. “This brother also has immortal potential! Everyone will surely like you. Come with me quickly.”
Shi Jingzhi glanced at the dog demon and asked straightforwardly, “In your realm, is immortal potential determined by appearance?”
The little girl shook the dog leash in her hand, and the dog demon obediently sat down, drooling profusely from its mouth.
“Yes, the stronger the immortal potential, the more beautiful and powerful a person becomes! Brother, you must be exceptionally powerful.”
Shi Jingzhi: “…” I’m not talented. I just recently got beaten by a fish.
Yin Ci quickly picked out the key point and nudged Yan Qing. “That girl doesn’t seem to be lying. If the fourth son of the Su family is really a ‘Cuckoo Calamity’, there’s a good chance he’s still alive.”
Yan Qing’s spirits lifted.
Shi Jingzhi also gradually calmed down and looked at his disciple and servant. “Yuanxian Village, immortal potential… Do you have immortals in your village?”
“Of course, we have been serving the immortals for generations.”
The little girl pouted, as if Shi Jingzhi had asked a silly question like whether people need to eat.
“No one who comes to the village wants to leave. The outside world is smelly, desolate, and cold—I hate it… Hey, are you ready? With the protection of the village’s immortals and no guide, no one can find Yuanxian Village.”
Yin Ci was particularly sensitive to tales of immortals. Upon hearing this, his interest was thoroughly piqued. Even if Shi Jingzhi was reluctant, he had to bring his master along.
He cleared his throat. “Little sister, my master is in poor health. Do you have any spiritual medicine over there?”
The little girl seemed to have not heard him speak at all, not even giving him a glance.
…The fake face on the ghostskin robe was indeed ordinary, far from the level of having “immortal potential”.
Shi Jingzhi took a few steps, shielding his disciple behind him. Then, he put on his brightest smile. “Do you have any spiritual medicine that can cure all diseases?”
The little girl smiled sweetly. “Yes, we do.”
Shi Jingzhi’s smile became even more charming. “Let’s go then. We’ll visit Yuanxian Village, and maybe we’ll meet your friend, Yan Qing.”
Yin Ci and Yan Qing were eagerly awaiting those words and had no objections.
At sunrise, the three of them set off. Under the brilliant morning sun, Xizhuang lay silently in the snow, like a crushed cicada shell.
The six bulky white-robed figures lined up behind them, leaving two neat rows of footprints. The last white-robed individual seemed injured and walked with an unsteady gait.
His footprints were oozing with pus and blood, as if he had walked not as a living being but as a highly decomposed corpse.
The three of them went from house to house, conducting a thorough investigation. After half a day, nightfall was approaching, and all they came across was a group of rats and a few dirty and skinny cats.
The houses were well-equipped with living essentials, and there was access to water. There was no sign of any abnormalities.
The mysterious disappearance of the villagers frustrated Shi Jingzhi. He wanted to turn around and find Zheng Fengdao, ready to fight to the death. At least Zheng Fengdao would breathe and could be considered a living being.
“A’Ci, remember to leave some coins after we’re done. Do we… Do we have to spend the night here?”
“It’s getting colder these days, and it’s easy to freeze to death sleeping outdoors.” Yin Ci stated the truth. He wasn’t particular and went ahead and borrowed a pot to steam meat and cook porridge, preparing to rest.
Yin Ci understood Shi Jingzhi’s temper well. It was easy to placate his cheap master—once there was someone to accompany him, after his frantic anxiety subsided, he would ultimately resign himself to the situation.
Sure enough, Shi Jingzhi adjusted his cloak and approached Yin Ci.
“Everything is so tidy. It doesn’t seem like the work of bandits.”
“Mm.”
“If there were herds of animals passing through, they wouldn’t leave the livestock untouched.”
“Mm.”
“A’Ci, where do you think the people here have gone?”
Yin Ci scooped a spoonful of hot porridge, turned his head, and fed it to his master, simultaneously diverting his attention. “Shizun, where do you think Yan Qing has gone?”
Shi Jingzhi got agitated in an instant and nearly choked on the porridge. He forcefully pulled Yin Ci out of the house. Yin Ci didn’t even have a chance to put down the iron spoon, and the steam from the rice broth met the cold wind, instantly freezing into a thin layer of ice.
Fortunately, Yan Qing hadn’t vanished into thin air.
He hadn’t gone far when he stopped at the gate of the courtyard. The young man stood in the white snow like a tree that was too straight. He breathed heavily into his frozen red hands and looked bewilderedly at the empty village.
“Yan Qing, let’s go back inside first. This place is eerie, and when it gets completely dark, who knows what might come out…”
“Sect Master, I want to go home and take a look.”
Shi Jingzhi was momentarily stunned, only then realizing what he meant by “home.”
Yan Qing claimed to be half a resident of Xizhuang. He had concealed his identity and joined the Taiheng Sect when he was eleven. Before that, he must have had a home in this village.
But the mixed emotions on Yan Qing’s face made it difficult to discern which ones, if any, were sadness.
This person had a sensitive background, and Shi Jingzhi had never inquired about his childhood experience. Now it seemed that Yan Qing’s life had been even more difficult than he had imagined.
Shi Jingzhi sniffed and said somewhat absentmindedly, “It’s not safe for you to be alone. We’ll accompany you. Um, if you don’t mind…”
“No, it’s okay,” Yan Qing replied hoarsely.
Xizhuang was small, and each farmhouse was tidy and neat. Yan Qing led them through the empty houses and walked towards a corner of the village, stopping in front of a dilapidated house.
The abandoned house was half the size of the surrounding farmhouses. It looked like it had been abandoned for a long time and appeared to be a chaotic pile of ruins from a distance. The courtyard walls were covered in lumps of soil, and the roof had completely collapsed.
At the entrance of the house stood a broken tree, and under the tree was a huge stone covered with snow. As the night grew darker, the snow crust emitted a cold, bluish-gray color.
Yan Qing squatted in front of that stone, wiping away the snow to reveal a series of crooked and twisted markings—
Yan Ziren’s grave.
There were no birth or death dates, just three simple characters.
Even though Shi Jingzhi lacked refinement, he was still greatly shocked to see one bury one’s own father in the backyard and casually use a stone as a tombstone. He coughed up a mouthful of blood before managing to speak. “Yan Qing, this is…”
“My father,” Yan Qing said with a complicated look. He didn’t perform any rituals.
“Isn’t this a bit… Shouldn’t we choose an auspicious time to move his resting place?”
“No need. He showed me kindness, and I supported him until his death. We owe each other nothing.”
Yan Qing found an empty space and sat down, gently rubbing his temples as if trying to vomit out his emotions. “Sect Master, you didn’t ask about my background before, and I’m grateful for that. But now that we’re here, let me tell you so that you can be at ease.”
Yin Ci sensed a touch of resentment and stood quietly beside Shi Jingzhi, appearing attentive.
Yan Qing’s background didn’t involve much bloodshed; it was simple to the point of being ordinary.
His father had sought refuge with the Ling Sect when he was young, but because he lacked ghost eyes, any tokens, and martial arts skills, he was mistaken for a fake and had half of his leg crippled.
It was difficult to reintegrate and be recognized by the sect, but the pursuers from the martial world never let go. Later, his father married Yan Qing’s mother, and to evade the pursuit, they fled to Xizhuang together.
As far back as Yan Qing could remember, Yan Ziren only knew how to drink.
After Yan Qing finished his work and returned home, he would either hear his father mumbling about the ancestor’s great accomplishments or be beaten by him. In rare moments of clarity, his father would only tell him that when he joined the Ling Sect in the future, he would become a respected figure, enjoying a life of luxury, freely choosing women, and living like an immortal.
At this point, Yan Qing fell silent.
He gazed at the stone, devoid of any hatred, as if he were looking at someone unrelated to himself.
Shi Jingzhi momentarily forgot to be afraid and spoke in a softer tone. “And your mother?”
“My mother was pregnant and supported my disabled father all the way here. After giving birth to me, she was gone. She was so sincere, feeding a dog with all her heart. My father married her only because he didn’t want to cut off the Yan family bloodline… My mother doesn’t even have a grave.”
Yan Qing slowly extended his hand, covering his eyes with his palm.
“My father must have wanted these ghost eyes,” Yan Qing said. “He always dreamt of sending me to the Ling Sect to prove that he was a descendant of the Yan family.”
Shi Jingzhi took a breath and asked, “Then why…?”
Before the question was complete, Yan Qing already understood his meaning. “The villagers knew about my ghost eyes, and they kept a close eye on me. They were afraid of me exposing their secret and tarnishing the village’s reputation as a ‘haven for the successor of a demonic sect.’”
Yan Qing withdrew his hand, revealing an unpleasant smile. His red pupils emitted a faint gleam, like extinguished embers.
“Some people wanted to kill me but fear retaliation from Yan Budu’s vengeful spirits, so they dare not make a move… My father once hoped that I would grow older and take him to escape to the Ling Sect. Unfortunately, when I was nine years old, he had a drunken fit, bumped his head on the doorstep, and died.”
“You know what happened next. I changed my surname and joined the Taiheng Sect, where I stayed for ten years.”
Yin Ci suddenly realized. A child who had to bend down to survive wouldn’t care about those elusive and empty sources of pride. Yan Qing’s father was truly useless, subjecting his son to endless hardships, yet failing to instill in him a sense of cynicism.
Taking care of a disabled drunkard from a young age, it was no wonder Yan Qing was so skilled with his hands. Compared to that, the Taiheng Sect could be considered a paradise on earth.
Shi Jingzhi was deeply moved. “I understand now. You’ve come here to officially bid farewell to your father. Ah…”
Yan Qing shook his head. “My father had a finely carved pure silver mountain ghost coin. He treasured it so much that he didn’t exchange it for alcohol. When I left, I was still young and dared not carry it with me, so I buried it under a tree.”
As it turned out, he had come to retrieve money. Shi Jingzhi’s sense of gratitude gradually froze in the chilling wind.
Yan Qing used his sword to dig the soil, and before long, he pulled out a small wooden box. However, as soon as the box was opened, his face froze—
There was no mountain ghost coin inside the box; only a poorly crafted longevity lock*.
*Usually given to a baby to wear on its hands or neck. It expresses people’s good wishes that the lock will bring health and good luck to the child.
Yan Qing threw the box away and rushed straight into the house. The abandoned house had no roof, and it was covered in thick layers of snow. Yan Qing had a clear goal in mind. He found the window and used his fingers to scrape the gaps in the window frame.
He actually scraped out a piece of cloth. The fabric was pure white, indicating that it had been recently placed there.
Yin Ci and Shi Jingzhi crowded together, leaning in to take a closer look.
Blood words were written on the cloth, with fewer words than on the tombstone*. The handwriting was extremely sloppy, as if hastily written: [San Zi, escape quickly.]
*Clarity: In Chinese, it’s fewer characters.
Shi Jingzhi asked, “Who is San Zi?”
“It’s me.” Yan Qing tightly grasped the longevity lock. “It’s impossible. How could A’Si… Sect Master, can we stay here a bit longer? I want to figure out what happened here.”
Shi Jingzhi’s heart softened even further, but his mind remained clear. “Yan Qing, to be honest, the abilities of the Kushan Sect are limited. The situation in Xizhuang is strange, and your friend advised you to escape quickly. It’s best for us to leave as soon as possible to avoid complications.”
Yan Qing’s loyalty and righteousness were admirable. However, his deep bond with the children during his short stay in Xizhuang couldn’t compare to the lives of three members of the Kushan Sect.
As the words left his mouth, Yan Qing also realized that his request was somewhat excessive. Being honest and straightforward, he didn’t know how to manipulate others, so he could only hold the small longevity lock in his hand, feeling helpless.
Yin Ci timely stepped in to mediate. “How about this, let’s wake up earlier tomorrow and explore a bit more before we leave.”
Shi Jingzhi was cautious in his approach, while Demonic Lord Yin was always eager for something new. The longer one lived, the rarer it was to encounter fresh events. Missing out on this village would mean missing out on this opportunity.
Shi Jingzhi didn’t answer, but his jaw was tense, clearly still concerned.
Yin Ci grabbed his master’s arm, adding fuel to the fire. “Grandfather used to tell a similar story. These people may have ‘bumped into an immortal*’. And on Yan Budu’s map, it mentioned Zongwu Mountain, which might be related to this.”
*(撞仙) A term used to refer to accidentally stumbling upon or encountering an immortal or supernatural being, often resulting in unexpected consequences or a supernatural experience.
After pondering for a while, Shi Jingzhi finally relented. “We’ll wake up at the hour of the tiger and spend another three hours investigating before we depart.”
The three of them returned to the house, each with a bowl of meat porridge, and carefully sealed the doors and windows. Yan Qing tidied up his few belongings, sat down against the wall, and didn’t close his eyes all night.
The night passed without any incidents.
Shi Jingzhi kept his word and woke up precisely at the hour of the tiger. It was freezing cold, and Yin Ci clung to the bed, unwilling to get up. The room was too small for the bamboo rod method to be effective, making it difficult to employ the poking technique.
Shi Jingzhi sneered twice and went outside to take a walk. When he returned to the room, he rolled up his sleeves and, with his two icy hands, reached into the blanket and touched Yin Ci’s shoulder and neck.
Demonic Lord Yin nearly exploded on the spot.
He had no choice but to begrudgingly get out of bed, intentionally preparing a tasteless breakfast.
Throughout the night, nothing unusual happened, which gave Shi Jingzhi some confidence. He comforted Yan Qing, who had lost his appetite. “Yesterday, we arrived too late, and it was too dark to see clearly. Now that it’s getting brighter outside, we might find some clues.”
Yan Qing’s eyes turned green, and he absent-mindedly responded, “May the Sect Master’s words be true.”
Yin Ci finished his breakfast early, feeling bored. “Tell me about your friend. With such a close relationship, have you stayed in contact all this time?”
“We haven’t seen each other in ten years, so I thought he was dead.”
Yan Qing had a blank expression on his face, and his chopsticks were suspended in mid-air.
“…A’Si wouldn’t come back to the village just to stay. He must have come specifically to find me.”
The master and disciple exchanged a glance—based on this statement, “A’Si” didn’t seem like an ordinary childhood playmate. It was also understandable considering that Yan Qing had grown up with a pair of blood-red ghost eyes, even if the villagers reluctantly accepted him, they wouldn’t allow their own children to get involved with such “dirty things”.
If someone could play with Yan Qing, they must not be an ordinary person.
Shi Jingzhi took over the conversation. “Your friend doesn’t live in the village?”
“No. The shortcut we took when we came here was the route he used to help me escape.”
“People in the village call him the ‘Cuckoo Calamity’, keeping their distance… Now that I think about it, I don’t know if he can be considered human.”
The author has something to say:
Present-time Fox Shi: Slips a cold hand into the blanket.
Demonic Lord Yin: ?!
Future Fox Shi: Entirely burrows into the blanket.
Everyone had just left the mountainous area, and the ground beneath their feet was still mixed with rocks and gravel. The surroundings were desolate, with sparse weeds and no signs of villages. The shadows of the mountains loomed close, making the night even darker.
The cold of the winter night was as sharp as a thin blade, slicing through the feeling of fear and seeping into their limbs. Looking at the panicked Shi Jingzhi, Zheng Fengdao seemed to be enjoying himself. “Have you made up your mind? Tell me.”
Shi Jingzhi clenched his fists tightly. “If I hand over the prayer beads, Senior won’t hurt us, right?”
Zheng Fengdao’s long face revealed a smile. His small, triangular eyes glanced from top to bottom, resembling someone sizing up three dead dogs.
“Huh? Well, maybe.”
“Swear on your Hierarch. Otherwise, I’ll burn the prayer beads to ashes, and no one will be able to take them.”
Shi Jingzhi’s fingers slightly spread, and a ball of flame appeared in his palm. He didn’t take off his mask, but his determined expression clearly showed the characters “burning jade and stone*” written all over his face.
*(玉石俱焚) Idiom describing a situation where everything, regardless of its value or worth, is destroyed or sacrificed together.
Zheng Fengdao exhaled a white mist, and his smile turned cold. “Tsk… I, Zheng Fengdao, swear on my Hierarch that I won’t harm the three members of the Kushan Sect after obtaining the Buddhist beads today.”
He stared at Shi Jingzhi fiercely, revealing his slightly sharp teeth.
“Is that enough?”
Yan Qing whispered, “Sect Master, he said he won’t harm us today. You have to think it through—ugh!”
Zheng Fengdao suddenly flashed in front of the two of them, striking Yan Qing’s abdomen with the back of his saber. Yan Qing was tall, but he was sent flying three zhang away. He fell to the ground in pain, vomiting in the snow foam.
Yin Ci almost exclaimed, ‘Elder, you just sent the endangered heir of your Hierarch flying.’
Shi Jingzhi couldn’t afford to indulge in random thoughts. He swallowed his saliva nervously. If Elder Zheng had used his blade, Yan Qing would have been literally cut in half.
“After obtaining the Buddhist beads today, I won’t harm the three members of the Kushan Sect.” Zheng Fengdao took two steps back and slowly repeated it, dragging out the word “after” for a long time.
Shi Jingzhi took a deep breath and took out two Buddhist beads that smelled of rice wine. His fingers were stiff, and his palm trembled, whether from the cold or fear.
“I’m still not satisfied. You have so many tricks up your sleeve, kid. How about Sect Master Shi also make a solemn oath? Hurry up.”
Shi Jingzhi closed his eyes. “If these Buddhist beads are fake, let me, Shi Jingzhi, be childless and without descendants.”
Zheng Fengdao took the Buddhist beads with satisfaction and sniffed them hard. “Not bad, you know your place.”
He put away his nine-ringed saber and swaggered away. Shi Jingzhi quickly walked to Yan Qing’s side and checked his injuries.
Yin Ci watched the scene with some displeasure. “Shizun, you actually gave it to him?”
Shi Jingzhi replied, “How is that possible? Those beads are fake.”
Yin Ci: “…”
Yan Qing: “?”
The panic on Shi Jingzhi’s face disappeared instantly. “Thanks to Matron Wuxue, I’ve gained a lot of experience with fear. A’Ci, do I look convincing?”
“Very convincing.” Shi Jingzhi had astonishing natural talent; even Yin Ci was deceived.
“I had guessed that the Ling Sect would block our way. Zheng Fengdao has been loitering around us these past few days. I got old Buddhist beads similar to the real ones from a monk and boiled them in glutinous rice wine. Now, with the sky so dark, he can’t tell the difference since he’s not from the Chigou Sect.”
Yan Qing trembled as he said, “Sect Master, you didn’t mention this before.”
“If you two were aware and reacted accordingly, what would we do if we exposed ourselves?” Shi Jingzhi’s relaxed attitude had returned as he handed Yan Qing a bottle of medicine.
Yan Qing was somewhat dazed. “But you swore…”
“Swore? I don’t believe in all that nonsense. The Kushan Sect has been mingling with the Taiheng Sect for too long, and Zheng Fengdao actually took us for righteous individuals.”
Yan Qing became even more confused. “Aren’t we?”
Shi Jingzhi smiled. “When did I ever say I wanted to join the righteous path?”
Yan Qing groaned, unsure if it was the pain in his abdomen or the stomachache from being caught off guard. He curled up like a lonely shrimp, exuding a faint sense of resignation.
Yin Ci was satisfied and began to play along. “Shizun, let’s escape quickly. Once Zheng Fengdao realizes something is wrong, he’ll expose it and kill us all… At this point, should we still go to Qizhou?”
Although the Ling Sect was declining, its disciples were akin to mad dogs. Even if they suffered a setback the size of a grain of rice, they would fiercely fight back. Zheng Fengdao, as an esteemed elder, would probably grow resentful of being played around by Shi Jingzhi, a novice. They would most likely become annoyances in his eyes.
Qizhou was prosperous, which undoubtedly meant there were spies from the Ling Sect. It was possible to go there, but it would inevitably lead to a chaotic situation and several complications.
Constant vigilance against thieves could be exhausting. Shi Jingzhi and Yan Qing were both fragile, and if he happened to look away for a moment, they might disappear without a trace, which would be a huge disappointment.
With these thoughts in mind, Yin Ci proactively approached Shi Jingzhi and softened his voice. “Shizun, let’s not go to Qizhou. It’s better to find a small place to hide for a while.”
Shi Jingzhi, overflowing with the heart of a good master, fell for his words. “A’Ci makes a good point. Let me think…”
Yan Qing remained curled up for a while, but when he heard the crucial point, he finally got up from the ground. “I—cough—I know a place where we can temporarily hide.”
He brushed off the ice debris from his body, and the contrast against the darkened ground made his complexion even paler.
“Sect Master, this location is connected to the same mountain range as Zongwu Mountain. We can travel along the mountain. Inside Zongwu Mountain, there’s a village called Xizhuang. It’s usually cut off from the outside world, which makes it very difficult to find, so hardly anyone knows about it.”
Shi Jingzhi’s eyes lit up. “How do you know about it?”
Yan Qing’s gaze dropped to his feet. “I’m half a Xizhuang native.”
This was like dozing off and being handed a pillow. Shi Jingzhi immediately became enthusiastic, grabbing Yan Qing and bombarding him with questions, almost asking him to recite the genealogy of the Xizhuang villagers. Yan Qing answered honestly, but there was no trace of nostalgia in his words.
Yin Ci had never heard of Xizhuang, but he was familiar with Zongwu Mountain.
Zongwu Mountain was vast, with Yongsheng to the west, Qizhou to the east, and the Ling Sect’s territory to the south. The northern side of the mountain was treacherous and filled with steep peaks, and the land was particularly barren, with hardly any human presence.
To travel from Qizhou to Yongsheng, one had to take a detour to the north.
Coincidentally, the Ghost Tomb wasn’t far from Zongwu Mountain. By turning southwest, they could directly enter the Zongwu Mountain range. According to Yan Qing, he knew a shortcut—if they were willing to take a risky path and endure hardship, they could reach Xizhuang in three or four days.
Now that their destination was confirmed, Shi Jingzhi, eager to survive, led them on an overnight escape. The three of them kept running until the sun was high, and then they settled in the forest.
The place they arrived at was near a river. The water was clear and not completely frozen, making it a suitable resting spot.
After their trip to the Ghost Tomb, they had another mouth to feed, and there was little food left in their bags. Shi Jingzhi looked earnestly at Yin Ci. “Good disciple, I want to eat fish, but a pheasant will do.”
He even placed an order.
However, the winter forest was desolate, with no wild fruits to be found. They could only rely on hunting for meat. With his mountain-dwelling background, Yin Ci could be regarded as returning to his original occupation.
Yin Ci stood up. “Martial artists can withstand the cold. Shizun, go catch the fish. I’ll look for pheasants and rabbits, and Yan Qing can gather some firewood. I’ll cook for you later.”
An hour passed.
Yin Ci carried three pheasants in his hands and looked up to see his pitiful master—Shi Jingzhi was sitting by the river, using his inner force to dry his clothes. Steam rose from his body, turning him into a freshly steamed bun.
Demonic Lord Yin asked cruelly, “Shizun, where’s the fish?”
The steamed bun of a master looked mournful and pointed to the red mark on his chin. “I caught a big one, but… cough, it almost knocked me unconscious.”
Yin Ci’s mouth twitched. “It’s fine if there’s no fish. The pheasant meat is enough.”
Indeed, his master had amazing inner force but lacked practical combat and life experience. He definitely didn’t take the strength of the fish into account and ended up with his dignity wounded.
“You’re laughing at me,” Shi Jingzhi said bitterly.
“No, Shizun, you just misjudged.”
“A’Ci…”
Before they could continue their banter, Yan Qing returned. Seeing his spoils, the master and disciple both fell silent.
Yan Qing carried a bundle of tall firewood on his back and dragged a small, skinny wild boar in his hand. His head and neck were covered in sweat and mud, clearly indicating a tough battle.
Receiving the surprised gazes of the other two, he explained while gasping for breath, “I found it while gathering firewood and decided to try catching it.”
Shi Jingzhi’s gaze became vacant. “Does the Taiheng Sect have this kind of training?”
“Somebody taught me when I was young.” Yan Qing smiled shyly. “I don’t know how to cook, so I have to trouble Brother Yin. Oh, no fish?”
Shi Jingzhi looked at the pheasants in Yin Ci’s hands and then glanced at the wild boar Yan Qing had dragged along. He raised his head and said, “As the Sect Master, I suddenly don’t feel like eating fish. It’s too extravagant in this remote wilderness. We’ll have it another day, yes, another day.”
Master Zhuang could never have imagined that his masterpiece would be used for slaughtering chickens and pigs a hundred years later—Yin Ci unsheathed the Hanging Shadow Sword and efficiently dealt with the prey.
The three pheasants were stuffed with herbs and spices, salted, smoked with pine branches, and then roasted. The whole boar was skillfully butchered by Yin Ci into neat pieces. He smoked the pork ribs and fried the herbs and salt on a stone slab, instructing Yan Qing to heat water, peel the sausage casings, and make some sausages as dry rations.
The aroma of roasted meat filled the air, and golden fat dripped onto the flames, sizzling and crackling.
Yan Qing watched with respect. “Indeed, you come from a hunting background. I thought using a sword would be more troublesome…”
Yin Ci didn’t even lift his head. “As long as you’re familiar with the connection of bones and flesh, you can pick the meat with your bare hands.”
Shi Jingzhi’s gaze finally shifted away from the roasted pheasant, seemingly enlightened.
But when he started eating, any trace of seriousness vanished.
With his mouth full of pheasant and holding a rib in his hand, the Sect Master said, “Yan Qing, you’ve got ghost eyes. Why didn’t you join the Ling Sect? If you open your eyes in front of Zheng Fengdao, he would never dare to harm you.”
Yan Qing’s face turned red from eating. “I would never want to have any association with the Ling Sect, even if it costs me my life.”
“Why?”
“The people in the demonic sects are all crazy. The Chigou Sect worships Su Zhi, and the Ling Sect is fanatically obsessed with the Yan family bloodline. I’m just a servant who doesn’t understand anything. Even if I were to obtain a high position in the Ling Sect, I would only be a puppet, and countless enemies would emerge out of thin air.”
“The so-called ‘benefits’ would be nothing more than having enough food to eat and being forced to mate with innocent women like an animal.”
The more Yan Qing spoke, the more aggrieved he seemed.
“It’s better to be a law-abiding citizen. You can support yourself legally and spend your life with the person you love.”
Yin Ci: “…” This kid is realistic, and he sees things quite clearly.
Ironically, Yan Qing, who had the highest talent among the descendants of the Yan family that Yin Ci had seen, had no interest in the Ling Sect.
Shi Jingzhi was also satisfied with this answer. After they finished eating and resumed their journey, he helped Yan Qing carry the smoked sausages and bacon.
With the wild boar, the group had no shortage of food. They were young and strong, and they all had a foundation in martial arts, so they traveled quite quickly. In just under two days, the Kushan Sect found Xizhuang.
However, something seemed odd about Xizhuang.
The small village lay silently beneath the accumulated snow, with no smoke rising from chimneys, and the crops in the fields were completely buried under the snow. The houses were well-preserved, with cured meats and fish hanging from the eaves, fresh rice in jars, and cold leftovers on the stove.
Livestock lay frozen stiff in their sheds.
But the villagers seemed to have vanished into thin air.
The author has something to say:
Considering that Demonic Lord Yin is skilled in everything except… Well, he can’t give birth (…) Shi Jingzhi’s oath seems to have come true.
Also, as modern people in reality, let’s stay away from so-called “wild game”! Trustworthy meat is the one that has gone through quarantine. ☆-∑(>ω0)b
Kinky Thoughts:
Well, technically, he will be punished for lying (though I don’t think he’ll consider that punishment).
He wasn’t the only one taken aback. Even Matron Wuxue didn’t expect Yin Ci to be so straightforward—she was momentarily stunned before shifting her gaze to Yin Ci.
“Is this an admission that your Kushan Sect has concealed the treasures? Or is it that you are truly the person in white?”
Yin Ci didn’t answer immediately.
He put on the appearance of an inexperienced youth, released his grip on Shi Jingzhi’s hand, and stepped forward to stand in front of his cheap master. “I was making a living in the mountains before, and I don’t recognize any of you seniors. But I know that all of you are renowned figures with vast knowledge and experience. I’m sure you can tell that Shizun’s reaction is genuine, and he was completely unaware.”
Even though Shi Jingzhi was cunning, he was only twenty-seven years old and lacked significant life experiences. Faced with such a major turn of events, he couldn’t deceive the likes of Monk Juehui and Matron Wuxue, who were his elders.
But Yin Ci was different.
Having experienced life’s trials and tribulations for hundreds of years, Yin Ci could fake not only his breath, heartbeat, and facial expressions but even cold sweat.
Indeed, Monk Juehui observed Shi Jingzhi for a while, nodded at Shi Zhongyu, and both of them relaxed slightly. As long as Shi Jingzhi didn’t do anything unjust, they could openly protect him.
Even if it was only protecting him alone.
Matron Wuxue’s gaze was sharp, and she let out a wicked chuckle. “So what if Shi Jingzhi doesn’t know? Regardless of whether it’s the master violating the rules or the disciple committing taboos, the Kushan Sect has broken the rules… Of course, if Shi Jingzhi is willing to expel this person and leave him to our discretion, I won’t trouble the Kushan Sect.”
Yin Ci wasn’t surprised.
He was even somewhat secretly hopeful—would Shi Jingzhi, for the sake of self-preservation, ignore the reasons and simply abandon him?
But to his surprise, Shi Jingzhi didn’t hesitate. “A’Ci has a gentle nature and is not a person who is greedy and unprincipled. Since he concealed it from me, there must be his reasons. Let’s listen to his explanation first.”
Yin Ci glanced at him while Shi Jingzhi was still fuming, but his tone remained firm.
Interesting.
Yin Ci deliberately put on a frightened look. “This Buddhist bead was definitely given to me by that person in white. I was too nervous before and didn’t even notice it. I only discovered it in my pocket yesterday.”
“I don’t have a discerning eye and can’t tell if this is the Buddhist bead everyone is looking for. I only dared to confirm it just now.”
Shi Zhongyu asked, “Why didn’t you report it?”
Yin Ci smiled wryly. “Even if I told the truth, would anyone believe me? I don’t even know that person in white, yet he specifically gave me the Buddhist bead. If Matron Wuxue were to say that the Kushan Sect colluded with the person in white, we wouldn’t be able to refute it. If they want to find fault, then…”
“There’s no reason to worry about that,” Shi Jingzhi added in a low voice.
Yin Ci curled his lips in response, then unexpectedly dropped to one knee and performed a grand salute to Matron Wuxue,
There was a sharp tearing sound.
Yin Ci tore off his sect attire, revealing a white inner garment. As soon as everyone saw the clothes, they held their breath.
On the inner garment, there was a row of crooked blood characters, dried and long since faded—
[On the second day after the Human Shaped Coffin was broken, a Buddhist bead was found in my pocket.]
Yin Ci’s expression was sincere. “If Shizun had known in advance, no matter what I do now, Matron can say that Shizun ordered it—but now that Matron has seen that Shizun is completely unaware, it’s clear that I acted alone.”
“To prove that I have no intention of concealing, on the day I found the bead, I wrote the blood inscription on my clothes. After we leave the tomb, the Jinyu Group will thoroughly examine our clothes. This obviously shows I can’t hide it… You’re all highly skilled masters and can certainly tell the freshness of blood.”
Shi Zhongyu suddenly realized something. “Young Friend* Yi, are you afraid of implicating Shi Jingzhi?”
*[Xiaoyou] (小友) Used to address someone younger or less experienced than you in a polite and friendly manner often in a mentorship or guidance context.
As expected, the Taiheng Sect came forward to resolve the situation, aligning perfectly with Yin Ci’s plan. He had prepared this way out when he decided to “play a little longer”.
Yin Ci raised his head. “That’s right. It would be fine if the Buddhist bead was fake. But if it’s real and it’s already in my possession, I can’t pass it on and harm others.”
“Whether reporting it to the Yueshui Pavilion or secretly informing Shizun, it may implicate Shizun. That’s why I came up with this terrible idea.”
Yin Ci’s current words weren’t his true thoughts, but his voice was gentle and pleasing, making it sound extremely convincing.
After speaking, he turned his gaze to Matron Wuxue and inserted a subtle suggestion. “Matron, indeed, Shizun has offended the Chigou Sect, and it’s natural for you to disapprove of him. However, this matter has nothing to do with him. As for what you asked earlier about whether I am the person in white…”
Yin Ci reached up and untied his blood-soaked clothes, revealing his upper body wrapped in the ghostskin robe.
“That master saw the face of the person in white, and a Buddhist monk wouldn’t lie. Master, do you remember what the person looked like?”
The monk joined his hands together. “That person had white skin like jade and an otherworldly appearance that clearly showed they were not an ordinary person. There is not the slightest resemblance between this Young Patron and that person.”
Yin Ci’s upper body was lean and muscular. The ghostskin robe made his skin appear dull and rough, covered in small scars. At a glance, he resembled a lively and beautiful beast.
Unfortunately, there was no connection to “white skin like jade” or an “otherworldly appearance”.
“I grew up in the mountains since I was young and just turned twenty this year. After fulfilling my three years of mourning for my father, Shizun brought me down from the mountain. You can investigate as much as you want. Matron, how could I, a poor mountain dweller, have any connection with that skilled person in white?”
Matron Wuxue was left speechless with a slightly annoyed expression. “The Kushan Sect, the Kushan Sect… What a fox’s den.”
The Chigou Sect placed the most emphasis on lineage and couldn’t stoop as low as the Ling Sect in terms of shamelessness. Although Matron Wuxue was shrewd, throughout the journey, she followed her own rules and couldn’t bring herself to severely punish Yin Ci, who emphasized the importance of respecting “one’s master and teachings”.
Yin Ci took a breath and took out his prepared trump card. “I understand the rules. Even if it’s for the sake of our sect, if I make a mistake, it’s still a mistake. I have a suggestion; I don’t know if everyone can accept it…”
Zheng Fengdao sneered. “Speak up.”
“For the time being, let’s entrust this Buddhist bead to the Jianchen Temple for safekeeping. When we reach the surface, we can use it to make a few maps, with each person having one. As for me—Matron, please give me a palm strike. As long as I can stay alive, I don’t mind.”
When Shi Jingzhi heard the first half of the sentence, he didn’t react much. But when the latter half was spoken, he became anxious. “A’Ci, what nonsense are you talking about?!”
He wanted to rush over, but Shi Zhongyu firmly held him back. “We’re all here. Matron Wuxue wouldn’t dare to kill on the spot… Sect Master Shi, calm down!”
“I only hope Matron won’t make things difficult for Shizun,” Yin Ci lowered his head and continued.
Matron Wuxue coldly said, “If I strike you, your meridians will be severely damaged, and you’ll become a useless person. Your master was just using you to make up the numbers. Whether he wants you back or not is another matter. Even so, are you willing?”
Yin Ci initially shrank back, but then tremblingly said, “Regardless, Shizun has shown me kindness.”
“Good boy.” Matron Wuxue’s tone was complicated. “Fine, I’ll strike you, you little fox, and spare the bigger one.”
Before anyone could react, her palm struck Yin Ci’s chest.
Yin Ci was immediately forced back over ten steps, violently crashing into the wall and spitting out a mouthful of blood. He tried to move a few times but couldn’t stand up, feigning weakness.
On the other side, Shi Jingzhi unexpectedly broke free from Shi Zhongyu’s grip with eyes almost ablaze.
Matron Wuxue halted her steps. “What’s this? Your disciple managed to rescue you at great difficulty, and you want to come and die?”
When Shi Jingzhi spoke, his voice was filled with a sinister chill. “I wouldn’t dare. I just want to remember what happened today.”
Having said that, he rushed to Yin Ci’s side, took off his coat, and covered his disciple. Then he took out a medicine box and carefully fed Yin Ci some medicine.
“After we leave this tomb, I will settle accounts with you.” Shi Jingzhi gritted his teeth. “If she cripples your hands and feet, what will you do in the future?”
“In the future? Does Shizun no longer want me?”
Shi Jingzhi’s hand trembled, spilling half of the medicine. “Nonsense, I would never do such despicable things. Don’t think about those meaningless thoughts.”
Yin Ci chuckled.
Crippled hands and feet were just external injuries that could be healed. The Chigou Sect was ultimately a demonic sect, so Matron Wuxue wouldn’t be so merciful.
She would definitely use the Chichi hand technique, which can sever a person’s meridians* and completely cripple him. Unfortunately, Yin Ci’s meridians had long been ruined, like a sieve with multiple holes, which had no practical significance.
*Clarity: Meridians are a channel of network in the body through which qi flows. By severing/striking/sealing the meridian (or pressure points), it can kill, cripple, or immobilize the person.
Letting Matron Wuxue take action was advantageous because it wouldn’t leave any obvious external injuries, so as not to raise suspicion.
As for internal injuries… Shi Jingzhi would investigate immediately, coinciding with Yin Ci’s incomplete recovery from his internal injuries. All Yin Ci had to do next was act convincingly, allowing Shi Jingzhi to check again after a few days.
In order to make the act more convincing, Yin Ci spat out some medicine with difficulty. Shi Jingzhi’s medicine was extremely bitter, causing his throat to feel sour.
“Don’t force me to drink, Shizun. I have chest pain and can’t swallow,” Yin Ci said sullenly, then spat out another mouthful of medicinal soup.
Shi Jingzhi’s gaze became complicated. He took back the medicine bowl and drank it himself, slowly.
Suddenly, Yin Ci had an ominous premonition.
Sure enough, in the next moment, Shi Jingzhi grabbed his hair and pressed his lips against his. His strength was so strong that it frightened Yin Ci, and he instinctively struggled but was held down by Shi Jingzhi.
Yin Ci was used to teasing others but had never been played with like this.
Yin Ci originally wanted to push Shi Jingzhi away, but there were people watching nearby, so he had to continue the act and obediently let Shi Jingzhi administer the medicine.
…This kid really has a strong desire for revenge.
Yin Ci clenched his teeth reflexively, but Shi Jingzhi took advantage of it and even used his tongue, scaring him into quickly opening his mouth and swallowing all the medicine.
After feeding the medicine, Shi Jingzhi wiped his mouth with a cold expression and silently inserted the Buddhist bead back.
His aura of righteousness was so strong that no one could say a word for a moment. Yan Qing, who had been observing the whole process, sat down slowly, hugging his knees and pretending to be a potted plant.
Yin Ci remained seated, with the taste of bitter medicine in his mouth. It seemed that his plan wasn’t so perfect after all, and he expressionlessly smacked his lips.
An instant barrier appeared, and the ground rumbled as the floor slowly rose.
Everyone stared vigilantly at the ceiling, afraid that Yan Budu would leave behind some tricks. Fortunately, this time it ended safely, and the stone slabs sent them back to a familiar place—the entrance of the first floor.
The injured people who had stayed on the first floor protected their luggage and crowded against the wall, with faces full of lingering fear.
The Buddhist beads were distributed among the group, and the barrier finally disappeared. According to the agreement, Shi Jingzhi took a bead and gave it to the Jianchen Temple. Then he carried his “seriously injured” disciple and stood by the door.
Compared to when they arrived, there were new large characters added to the door, in brownish-red color, written boldly and exuberantly, seemingly in blood.
At the first glance of those characters, Zheng Fengdao respectfully kneeled down and performed a solemn salute.
“‘Tired bones form a tower, disdainful of riding the wind’…” Shi Jingzhi softly recited and looked at Yan Qing. “Is this a message left by Yan Budu? Yan Qing, what does it mean?”
Yan Qing had an expressionless face. “I really don’t know anything.”
Yin Ci didn’t understand it either, but he knew the other meaning behind these characters. Yan Budu wantonly left a message at the exit of the Ghost Tomb, which pointed to one possibility—
“Yan Budu is truly not inside the tomb,” Matron Wuxue said. “This just got interesting.”
“Matriarch, we… We haven’t found a way to unlock this door.” The members of Chigou Sect gathered around Matron Wuxue, relieved to see her return unharmed. “We need your help.”
“At this stage, Yan Budu wouldn’t set up something too difficult. If the Buddhist beads were lost here, how could it cause chaos in the mortal realm? Now get out of the way and let me have a look.”
She circled around the door for a long time, then suddenly burst into laughter.
“Yan Budu, you clever one. No wonder I couldn’t figure out the puzzle before. The blood characters were actually a clue. Everyone, just walk straight out.”
Jin Lan remembered the horrific state of the servant of the Changle Sect and shivered. “But this door devours people!”
“Is that so? Then why didn’t it devour these blood characters? I’ve observed them, the blood characters are deeply soaked into the door, and the bloodstains are still visible. This door can be penetrated by flesh and blood and is unlikely to be broken with other tools.”
Matron Wuxue prodded her cane against her attendant.
“Go on, you. Walk over and take a look. Remember, use your true qi to cover your clothes, and after you go out, don’t touch the surface of the door. And make some noise when you’re outside.”
The person obediently nodded and walked briskly towards the door. Just as he touched the surface of the door, he seemed to sink into a swamp and was engulfed vertically.
He walked steadily, without struggling or screaming. However, after waiting for a long time, there was no sound heard from the other side.
“Hmm, it seems there’s another mystery on the other side of the door. No matter, I won’t misjudge Yan Budu’s character. Children, let’s go.”
“Wait, Matron.” Monk Juehui suddenly spoke.
Matron Wuxue didn’t mince her words. “What is it?”
Monk Juehui took out his own three Buddhist beads and put them together with the one Yin Ci had given them earlier. “Your sect still has sticky rice wine, right?”
“…Monk, what do you mean?”
“Amitabha Buddha. The Buddhist map beads are ominous objects, and our temple has no intention of getting involved in the dispute. It’s better to copy all four Buddhist beads here. Once the copying is done, I will destroy them myself.”
Yan Qing was shocked. “Sect Master, you said ‘I can give them away, and naturally, I can take them back ‘ …Did you know that Venerable Juehui would do this?”
“Mm. The monks aren’t interested in immortality. They retrieved the <Woodless Sutra>, so their purpose has been achieved. They certainly don’t want to see the martial world in chaos,” Shi Jingzhi said absentmindedly. “They can’t control other major sects, but at least they can take care of themselves.”
Yan Qing: “But…”
“Yin Ci handed over the Buddhist bead of the white-clothed person. The Jianchen Temple has four beads, while the other sects each have two. With this revelation, everyone will have three-sevenths of the map, which will save a lot of trouble.”
He turned his head and looked at Yin Ci on his shoulder. “I just didn’t expect that you, A’Ci, would come up with a similar idea. You really get along well with the monks.”
Yin Ci hummed twice and continued to feign his injuries with closed eyes.
Shi Jingzhi and Yin Ci had been thinking along the same lines. Yin Ci made that suggestion precisely to influence Monk Juehui’s thinking. Now it was his turn to say some foolish words and act innocent.
However, the taste of the medicine made him reluctant to open his mouth. Not to mention that he still felt Shi Jingzhi’s touch on his lips.
So Yin Ci remained silent and started to think about how to get back at him.
Yan Qing continued to be confused. “I can’t understand. You already guessed it, so why did you give the Human Shaped Coffin’s beads to the monks? Isn’t that giving everyone an undeserved advantage?”
“We don’t have many Buddhist beads in our hands. If everyone focuses on snatching them, we’ll definitely be targeted. But if everyone has enough of the map, they will be more concerned about the major sects conducting a carpet search. It will reduce the attention directed towards us.”
As the members of the Kushan Sect muttered among themselves, Monk Juehui finished copying the precious map and began distributing them. After each representative received their copy, Monk Juehui clutched the four Buddhist beads in his palm and crushed them into powder.
After the dust settled, Monk Juehui let out a long sigh.
“Is it over? I’m going first then.” Matron Wuxue waved her hand and instructed the members of her sect to use their true qi to protect their belongings as she led the way through the gate.
The members of the Chigou Sect left, yet outside the gate, there was still silence—not even the sound of footsteps.
Shi Jingzhi took a deep breath. “Let’s go too.”
Yan Qing tensed up with fear, but Shi Jingzhi immediately grabbed the back of his collar and dragged him forward. “Don’t worry, even if someone has to encounter trouble, it won’t be you.”
While saying that, Shi Jingzhi’s warm inner force enveloped Yin Ci again. Yin Ci simply buried his nose in his master’s shoulder and closed his eyes.
Matron Wuxue’s judgment was correct.
However, the “other side of the door” no longer existed. The tomb passage was packed with grotesque creatures, with their slimy limbs pushing them towards the exit. In an instant, the three of them were pushed out and fell to the ground.
They opened their eyes.
A certain ash-red creature filled the tunnel. Its limbs were intertwined and covered in mucus, each one as thick as a thigh. Those who couldn’t enter the tomb on the first day were probably squeezed to death by these things.
Yan Qing silently took out the farewell letter from his pocket and tore it into pieces. Shi Jingzhi sat on the ground, desperately shaking off the sticky fluid from his body, almost shaking his head off.
Yin Ci looked up at the sky—it had been so long since he had carefully looked at the blue sky, almost forgetting how refreshing it could be.
Perhaps Yan Budu had obtained an opportunity and truly found the path to immortality. And they, holding three-sevenths of the map, were going to play this treasure hunt game with the major sects. All he had to do was enjoy the process and claim the treasure in the end.
Regardless of whether it held any physical clues, he wouldn’t be bored in the coming year.
They didn’t wait long before the other sects were also thrown out by those creatures. Once everyone had left, the creatures let out a sharp screech, retracting back, and the tomb passage was left empty and dark.
The Ghost Tomb was sealed once again.
The legend of the Shirou, circulating for a hundred years, didn’t fade away with it but revealed a potential blaze.
The scattered group of people lay in front of the tomb square. The Jinyu Group provided dry robes and offered hot water, towels, and sweet porridge. While everyone cleaned themselves up, the Jinyu Group finished organizing the list of treasures.
Except for the Kushan Sect, all the other sects could be considered returning with full loads. Aside from the treasures that belonged to their respective sects, there were countless other valuable items that could be traded.
Within the designated area of the Jinyu Group, there was no conflict among the representatives of various sects. They maintained tacit understanding, allowing the Jinyu Group to inspect and purchase the treasures, which they would then immediately sell to those interested. Those who didn’t want to trade were already packing their treasures and planning a safe return route.
The cold square suddenly became lively, faintly resembling a marketplace.
“We don’t have much from our sect, so we won’t stay here. We’ll go to the resting area first. Please help pass on the message to the Jinyu Group.” Shi Jingzhi bowed to Shen Zhu.
The disciples of the Jinyu Group who were nearby immediately approached. “Sect Master Shi, you can still buy even if you don’t sell! We obtained a large batch of divine weapons this time, and the leader has invited masters to maintain and repair them. Huh, they’re even better than new.”
Shi Jingzhi slowly took out the golden hairpin, and his eyes filled with sadness. “This is all I have.”
The smile on the face of the Jinyu Group’s disciple froze. “This… um, isn’t this the Hanging Shadow Sword you’re wearing? It certainly can be exchanged for a handsome sum.”
Shi Jingzhi: “No. This that’s a gift I gave to my disciple. I can’t just sell it.”
Yan Qing looked at the pained Shi Jingzhi and pursed his lips as he handed over his own backpack, “Sect Master.”
“Hmm?”
“When we were at the Paper Figures Street, Senior Shi asked me to collect some jewels as hardship pay. You can take half of it.”
Shi Jingzhi was shocked. “That wouldn’t be right, would it?”
“If Sect Master Shi hadn’t taken me in, I would have died down there a long time ago. I’ll have the remaining half delivered to Senior Shi… Thank you both for saving my life.”
Shi Jingzhi’s eyes were filled with tears. “Good, good. Yan Qing, I’m raising your monthly allowance to 800 wen!”
Yan Qing looked numb.
Yin Ci, relying on his identity as an injured person, was once again carried on Shi Jingzhi’s back. Seizing the opportunity, he cleared his throat. “Shizun, what about me?”
Shi Jingzhi replied, “A’Ci, after going through so much, you and I are like father and son. What’s mine is yours, so why bother about such trivial matters?”
Yin Ci: “?” You bastard. Who’s the father and who’s the son?
Shi Jingzhi knew that Yin Ci’s meridians were already damaged, and when Matron Wuxue struck him, it only added some internal injuries that could be slowly healed. But since his disciple liked being carried on his back, he would carry him.
He winked at Shen Zhu, asking her to step back, and then walked towards the depths of the marketplace.
Yan Qing was quite knowledgeable and didn’t take too many jewels when Shi Zhongyu asked him to. Shi Jingzhi looked longingly at the divine weapons, and a small sigh escaped his throat.
Yin Ci was comfortable lying down but was annoyed by Shi Jingzhi’s groaning. He whispered in his master’s ear, “Shizun, Yan Budu lived a luxurious life so even his daily necessities are top-notch. Your flag is damaged, so why not go over there and see if there are any alternative materials…”
Before Yin Ci could finish speaking, Shi Jingzhi put him down on the ground and swiftly rushed out.
Yin Ci: “?”
Yan Qing patted him sympathetically. “Brother, it’s not easy.”
Yin Ci gritted his teeth. “Indeed.”
Half an hour later, Shi Jingzhi returned happily, holding a large pile of things in his hands.
“A’Ci was right; the burial objects are treasures… Look at this Clear Silver bamboo pole; it was taken from a burial fan and is much sturdier than ordinary swords. Do you see this piece of fabric? It’s cold-silk hemp cloth used to wrap divine weapons, impervious to water and fire. The feel of it, tsk tsk.”
Shi Jingzhi’s face was filled with happiness, as if he wanted to hug them tightly and kiss them fervently.
Seeing Yin Ci’s and Yan Qing’s deadpan expressions, Shi Jingzhi revealed a mysterious smile.
“These are for you… Here! This is a self-defense sword for Yan Qing. It may not be a famous sword, but at least it’s something from the Ghost Tomb, which is stronger than ninety percent of the weapons on the market. Yan Qing, you’ll be in charge of the remaining money. Use it for future food, drink, and daily needs as you see fit.”
Yan Qing received the money pouch and the sword, remained silent for a while, and finally showed a shallow smile.
“Next is A’Ci… I bought a scabbard made of ambergris for your Hanging Shadow Sword. I had it painted black, which suits it perfectly.”
Shi Jingzhi placed the Hanging Shadow Sword into the scabbard and handed it to Yin Ci with both hands. “Its sharpness can harm others, so be sure to keep it safe… I traded it for the golden hairpin. From now on, I won’t inquire about your personal matters.”
Yin Ci was taken aback.
Shi Jingzhi naturally patted the top of his head. “Let’s consider ourselves a good master and disciple pair, alright?”
His tone was gentle, and his smile was unchanged. Yet, there was a hint of hidden vigilance in his eyes, along with a touch of sadness and a plea.
Yin Ci pretended not to understand but ambiguously responded, “What is Shizun saying? As long as you don’t kick me out, you will always be my good master.”
Shi Jingzhi’s smile brightened a bit. “Mm.”
Then, he proudly took out two delicate pastries and whispered, “Look, these are high-quality pastries sold by the Jinyu Group. You two have been waiting for so long, so let’s eat some before we leave.”
As he said that, he didn’t take a single bite himself. Instead, he pulled out a leftover pancake from his bag and gobbled it up.
Yin Ci stopped nibbling on the pastry. “Shizun, aren’t you going to eat?”
“I’ve already eaten.”
It was a lie. Shi Jingzhi still had traces of monster slime on him, but he didn’t touch a single crumb of the pastries. It seemed that he was trying to save money and didn’t want to buy anything for himself.
They say life is short, and this kid’s life is especially short. Why bother?
Yin Ci handed over the pastry. “I don’t like sweet things. Shizun, please have it.”
Shi Jingzhi solemnly accepted it. “To receive such a good disciple like you is truly a blessing from heaven.”
However, in that instant, when Shi Jingzhi picked up the pastry, his movement slightly stiffened.
Immediately, he elegantly began eating, savoring each bite and eating as if he were in a trance. The momentary stiffness seemed like an illusion. Yin Ci didn’t notice anything amiss and let it go.
He took a bite of the pancake that Shi Jingzhi had nibbled on, chewing casually. Although the pancake had been sitting for a few days in the cold of the tomb, it still tasted fresh and delicious.
Yin Ci was used to his own cooking and quickly finished the pancake. Shi Jingzhi and Yan Qing, on the other hand, ate slowly and leisurely, chatting as they ate.
Shi Jingzhi, with a mouth full of powdered sugar, spoke unclearly. “Do you two know the origin of this Hanging Shadow Sword?”
Yan Qing licked the crumbs from his palm and shook his head.
“Have you heard of Zhuang Wufeng? He was a master swordsmith a hundred years ago, and he personally forged the Guanwu Sword that was buried in the Human Shape Coffin. In his later years, he crafted the Hanging Shadow Sword and incorporated wushu ore into the sword—wushu ore is extremely lightweight and can disperse true qi. Nowadays, wushu ore is hard to come by, and there’s not a price for its value.”
Yan Qing politely asked, “So, this sword should be very valuable, right?”
Shi Jingzhi smiled awkwardly. “Well, wushu ore is usually used to make armor. Wushu soft armor can disperse incoming true qi and is a precious protective gear. Using wushu ore to forge a sword means that the user’s own sword techniques cannot be infused with true qi, which is suitable for A’Ci.”
Yan Qing: “But, just like wushu armor, can it also block the enemy’s inner force?”
Yin Ci interjected coldly, “Well, it has to be able to block it in the first place. The enemy won’t be fixated on the sword; they’ll just chase after the person and beat them.”
“Then… what if it’s melted to make wushu armor?”
Shi Jingzhi shook his head. “There’s very little wushu ore inside the sword. If you were to make armor with it, it wouldn’t even cover the back of your hand.”
Yan Qing racked his brains, “This sword can break through inner force, so it can at least be used for assassination.”
Shi Jingzhi’s face was filled with emotion. “Master Zhuang thought the same way, but unfortunately, assassins didn’t buy it—their poison can kill instantly without any additional tricks. The sword is indeed a good one, but he couldn’t find a buyer, which made him furious, so he named it the ‘Hanging Shadow* Sword’… Maybe he thought ‘Lonely Sword’ wasn’t elegant enough.”
*In this context, “hanging shadow” connotes a melancholic or sorrowful state of mind, most likely reflective of the fact that no one wanted to buy his sword.
Yin Ci suddenly realized—it was no wonder the sword looked familiar to him. Zhang Wufeng had tried to sell it to him years ago.
What did he say at that time? Something like, “Even if I don’t have inner force, I can still use a top-notch sword. At most, this sword is just a decoration. Whoever uses it is a fool.”
The principles of heaven were evident, and retribution was unfailing*. Even as the leader of a demonic sect, one shouldn’t speak carelessly.
*Proverb conveying the idea that the universe is just and fair and consequences of one’s actions, whether positive or negative, will inevitably manifest.
Silently, he hugged his Lonely Sword tightly and let out a sigh.
Zhang Wufeng had excellent skills, but he had long surpassed the stage of relying on weapons. He would make do with it.
The three members of the Kushan Sect spent several days in the temporary marketplace. With the concoctions given by Shi Jingzhi, Yin Ci’s pretense of “weakness” ceased, and he gradually resumed his normal mobility.
However, peace was short-lived.
The Jinyu Group made a fortune, acquiring numerous treasures to be sold at high prices when they left the mountain. This was the last night of revelry, with colorful lanterns and joyful red decorations everywhere.
But as the day of the Buddhist beads emergence drew closer, in the eyes of the martial world, the festive atmosphere gradually turned bloody.
That night, Matron Wuxue was in her tent, calculating the clues on the treasure map. She heard a few extremely subtle sounds outside the tent and perked up her ears, tossing the papers on the table into the brazier.
“Who?” she sternly shouted, but there was no reaction from her nearby disciples.
Then, she saw someone in white attire.
“Shh—” Yin Ci raised a finger.
Matron Wuxue’s eyes widened, and her killing intent suddenly diminished. “You’re the one in the white clothes? You… You look like…”
Her lips trembled for a moment. “You look exactly like the portrait of former Patriarch Su. Who exactly are you?”
Yin Ci smiled. “A member of the Su family.”
“That’s impossible!” Matron Wuxue insisted. “If former Patriarch Su had descendants, our sect would have known!”
“He didn’t want you to know, and he had his reasons.”
Yin Ci casually took her cane and made a few random gestures. As the leader of the Chigou Sect, Matron Wuxue could definitely tell—
“The Sweeping Bones Sword Technique… So you are the successor of former Patriarch Su. No wonder you concealed it so perfectly, leaving me clueless,” Matron Wuxue said hoarsely. “You revealed yourself because of the tomb. I apologize for offending you.”
After speaking, she held her left wrist with her right hand, about to break it, but Yin Ci used the cane to flick it away.
“Ignorance is not a sin. I had secretly entered the tomb beforehand and considering your status as the leader of your divine sect, it’s normal for you to be cautious,” Yin Ci said leisurely. “Since you didn’t find me, let’s just forget about it. I don’t want to torment an old woman.”
“If you want to enter the tomb, why not join my divine sect? I can provide you with any identity other than that of Sect Master.”
Yin Ci raised an eyebrow. “I don’t want to ride on my ancestors’ coattails. Alright, now that you know my identity, tell your people not to probe around anymore. It’s unpleasant.”
“Yes.”
“One more thing. The affairs of the sects are busy. Even if the matter of the Ghost Tomb is significant, a sect leader should not personally attend.”
“I have already selected a successor and am cultivating them within the sect.”
“I see.” Yin Ci nodded and turned to leave.
“Young Friend, please wait!” Matron Wuxue coughed twice. “Aren’t you interested in seeing the Buddhist bead treasure map?”
“At this stage, you still want to test me?” Yin Ci didn’t look back, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. “I have no interest in that thing. I didn’t take it in the tomb, and I certainly won’t take it now.”
He threw the cane behind him.
“I originally wanted to give you a chance to snatch the bead, so I gave it to the young disciple of the Kushan Sect. Who knew that kid would be so stubborn, refusing to report for the sake of his sect.”
Matron Wuxue’s wrinkled face twitched slightly. “This old one is stubborn and failed to create an opportunity to snatch the treasure, wasting your efforts.”
Yin Ci smiled and said, “No need for such words. I’m delighted that you’re willing to abide by our ancestors’ rules… Is there anything else you want to ask?”
Wu Xuepo lowered her head. “Young Friend, take care.”
Yin Ci left the tent, quickly put on the ghostskin robe, and made his way back to the territory of the Kushan Sect. He felt a sense of relief being able to separate the relationship of the “person in white” and the “Kushan Sect”,
The Kushan Sect’s tent was far from comparable to Matron Wuxue’s; it was cramped and had a slight draft.
The scene inside the tent was the same as when he left.
Yan Qing honestly hugged the blanket, curling up in a corner. Shi Jingzhi was also sound asleep with his brows furrowed as if he were having a nightmare.
Just as Yin Ci was about to lie down next to Shi Jingzhi, the latter turned over, and his arm draped over Yin Ci’s waist.
Yin Ci: “…”
He was about to push that arm away when he saw Shi Jingzhi’s brows relax, and his complexion improve.
What’s with this guy?
“A’Ci.” Shi Jingzhi applied a bit of force with his arm and mumbled groggily. “A’Ci, don’t go… Master will treat you well…”
Yin Ci stopped moving and patiently listened.
“If you leave, Master… will have to spend time catching another… obedient one…”
Shi Jingzhi made a few more murmurs before swallowing the rest.
He swallowed it just in time, and Yin Ci snorted. He resolutely pushed away that arm and tucked it back into Shi Jingzhi’s blanket. Shi Jingzhi slept soundly, completely unaware and unresponsive.
However, the next day, before dawn, Shi Jingzhi woke up. He danced with his newly acquired Clear Silver bamboo pole and poked Yin Ci and Yan Qing awake.
Yin Ci wasn’t polite. “Is Shizun hungry again?” It was still the hour of the tiger, but god knows how this slacker managed to wake up so punctually.
Shi Jingzhi: “Am I someone who’s that unreserved? Get up. We have to escape.”
Yan Qing yawned. “We haven’t left the Jinyu Group’s territory yet…”
“You still want to leave with them? The major sects have arrangements outside. We’re like rats sneaking into a beast’s herd, and everyone wants to catch us. You two shouldn’t wear your sect attire. I bought some old servant clothes for you to change into.”
Yan Qing obediently changed his clothes. “Does the Sect Master have to keep wearing a mask?”
A Nuo mask was much more noticeable than their sect attire.
“No, they will definitely be watching groups of three. A’Ci has a pale complexion; smearing something on his face will help him pass as inconspicuous. Yan Qing, you should hunch over, squint your eyes, and stick on a fake beard. Later, I’ll hide in the box, and you two can carry the box to mix into the Jinyu Group. We’ll take the opportunity to leave the mountain.”
Yan Qing had followed the Taiheng Sect for ten years and was used to following the rules, so he was momentarily stunned. Yin Ci, on the other hand, accepted it well. “Listening to Shizun’s plan, it seems like our destination is set.”
“Before you two woke up, I traced our exclusive treasure map. We will follow the Jinyu Group to Qizhou first, then head west to Yongsheng.” Shi Jingzhi shook the paper in his hand. “Yongsheng is marked on the map, and there might be clues there.”
“Wait, Qizhou is separated from Yongsheng by the Zongwu Mountain; it’s impossible to cross. Shouldn’t we go north?” Yan Qing asked.
“Other sects would think the same, so we have to climb the Zongwu Mountain.” Shi Jingzhi said excitedly, “Yan Budu intentionally drew this mountain, so there must be a deeper meaning behind it.”
Yan Qing’s gaze drifted again. “We might have to climb this mountain for over a month…”
Yin Ci interjected at the right moment. “Shizun, aren’t you afraid other sects will get there before us?”
“Demonic Lord Yan’s clues won’t be so easily deciphered. Besides, we’re traveling light, and we have enough stamina. We can climb over in just over ten days.”
Before leaving, Shi Jingzhi sneakily left a light on and arranged the bedding to look like a person. The three of them joined the lower ranks of the Jinyu Group caravan—the servants who transported goods without interruption were already half asleep. They blended in and proceeded smoothly along the way.
Until they left the Jinyu Group’s territory.
The Jinyu Group caravan was taking a break when a nine-ringed blade flew through the air and stabbed directly into a large box.
This group was responsible for transporting daily necessities and had lax security. They were momentarily stunned by the sudden attack.
Who would take the risk of offending the Jinyu Group just to steal pots and pans?
The two people in charge of the box didn’t try to escape; instead, they shouldered the burden and rushed towards the outskirts of the group. It was still dark, and the surroundings were dim. The two people with the box quickly disappeared.
“What were those two carrying? Weren’t we just transporting junk?”
“What are you saying? If it was something valuable, would that person be willing to cut through it with a knife?”
“Even if there was something valuable, it must have been a mistake by the people in charge of supplies… Forget it, let’s hurry and leave. Be careful not to get caught up in it.”
The attackers didn’t make another move against the servants. They sneered coldly, leaped over the tips of the grass, and chased after the two “servants” carrying the box.
“Is Sect Master dead?” Yan Qing gasped for breath.
Yin Ci matched his footsteps. “He’s fine. If that strike had really hit him, we would have heard screams.”
Yan Qing: “…”
Yan Qing: “Why do we still have to carry him? Can’t we run together?”
Yin Ci succinctly replied, “The saber belongs to Zheng Fengdao. We definitely can’t escape—”
Before he could finish his sentence, the nine-ringed saber was snatched away in midair. Zheng Fengdao landed in front of the two, emitting a fierce aura that felt as chilling as an icy wind. Even from a distance of seven or eight steps, they could feel the cold.
The box shifted, and it cracked open. Shi Jingzhi gasped for breath and stuck his head out. His Nuo mask was crooked, and he had a pair of pants on his head.
Zheng Fengdao ignored his appearance. “Sect Master Shi, hand over the Buddhist beads. You’ve caused a lot of trouble for that old witch from the Chigou Sect, and just based on that, I will spare your lives.”
Shi Jingzhi straightened his posture. “And if I don’t hand it over?”
Zheng Fengdao laughed heartily. “If you don’t? Then I’ll settle the score for Elder Lu.”
“Lu Fengxi was killed by the person in white. What does that have to do with my Kushan Sect?”
“He was killed while your disciple was present, so it’s as if your disciple killed him.” Zheng Fengdao brandished his blade with blood stains that were still not wiped clean.
Shi Jingzhi: “…”
Yin Ci dryly coughed. “Grandfather said not to reason with the people from the demonic sects. Shizun, this big brother seems to have made Matron Wuxue back down, so he must be formidable. What should we do?”
That was the truth. Zheng Fengdao was much stronger than Lu Fengxi; at this stage, he could probably take on five Shi Jingzhi.
Zheng Fengdao enjoyed the flattery and was in a good mood. “Oh, the kid understands things well. Here’s the deal, Sect Master Shi. If you don’t hand over the prayer beads, I’ll kill your servant first, then kill your disciple after. So, have you thought of an answer?”
Yan Qing: “?!”
Yin Ci became interested once again. How would Shi Jingzhi resolve this situation? Would he make a desperate move, flee in chaos, or…
Shi Jingzhi’s complexion turned grim, gradually revealing the panic he felt when he was being harassed by Matron Wuxue.
“I’ve thought of it,” he said with difficulty.
Kinky Thoughts:
Maybe Yin Ci should tone down on the acting. He should consider it lucky (unlucky?) it was oral medicine and not a suppository.
As he regained awareness, Yin Ci was lying beside him. Shi Jingzhi felt around and found Yin Ci’s face—he was still breathing, not dead.
Relieved, Shi Jingzhi ignited the yin fire once again, and this time it radiated its usual brightness. After hesitating for a moment, Shi Jingzhi couldn’t help but worry about his disciple. He propped up Yin Ci and slowly moved forward with some effort. Along the way, the others either remained unconscious or unable to move.
If the Human Shaped Coffin were still intact, it wouldn’t have left so many survivors. It was likely that it had been destroyed.
However, if it had been destroyed normally, several masters wouldn’t be completely silent. If they were also knocked unconscious like himself…
It was probably the work of the person in white.
Shi Jingzhi felt a chill down his spine. He searched behind Yin Ci’s neck for a while, relieved when he found the Buddhist bead still there. The person in white was probably not interested in the Buddhist beads; otherwise, they would have taken advantage of the chaos and killed everyone.
The person’s target must be something else.
But Shi Jingzhi didn’t care—he had no interest in any other treasures. As long as he and his disciple were breathing and the Buddhist beads were safe, it was enough.
After dragging Yin Ci for a while, he finally woke up. Yin Ci blinked in confusion, and said in a hoarse voice, “Shizun?”
“Here,” Shi Jingzhi replied softly. “A’Ci, can you walk on your own?”
“I feel a bit dizzy… but I can manage. Shizun, did the seniors win?”
“They did.” Shi Jingzhi still supported him cautiously.
The two of them walked towards the area with the most wounded, and finally found the Human Shaped Coffin in a certain corner—it was heavily damaged, with the gaping wound in its neck particularly striking. Shi Jingzhi finally released Yin Ci and took out a small cutting knife, smearing the yang flame on its blade.
The array was already broken, and the Human Shaped Coffin had become much more fragile. The yang flame naturally countered yin objects, so the Human Shaped Coffin was easily cut open with the small knife.
Inside the coffin, there wasn’t much, but each item was extremely precious.
In addition to Yan Budu’s Death Whip, there was a long-lost famous sword and an infamous demonic knife. There were also various scrolls, some of which were stained with dried blood, likely secret scriptures stolen by the Ling Sect.
Three Buddhist beads lay quietly among them, carefully picked up by Shi Jingzhi.
He pondered for a moment. “A’Ci, I will keep the lamps burning for you. Go and wake up everyone nearby… Don’t forget the people from the Yueshui Pavilion.”
Yin Ci pretended to be puzzled. “Isn’t it first come, first served?”
“‘With gold and jade filling the hall*, none can guard it all’… Our small sect can’t withstand all of this,” Shi Jingzhi said calmly. “Wake them up as soon as possible.”
*(金玉满堂) Idiom referring to abundant wealth. Combined with the next line, it means it’s impossible for anyone to protect or possess it (wealth) all.
“Understood.”
Yin Ci counted the number of people he had knocked out. Before long, he managed to wake up several key figures and brought two disciples from the Yueshui Pavilion.
Meanwhile, Shi Jingzhi arranged the treasures from the coffin in a row, illuminated by a lantern, so that everything was clear and visible. None of the secret scrolls had been opened.
“Esteemed seniors, these are the treasures from the coffin, along with the three precious map beads.” Shi Jingzhi smiled. “The Human Shaped Coffin was defeated together by everyone. This junior dare not be presumptuous and has only cleaned up and not taken anything.”
Faced with these treasures, no one raised the issue of “first come, first served”. Even the disciples from the Yueshui Pavilion remained silent, and the atmosphere grew tense.
“The Human Shaped Coffin wasn’t destroyed by this humble monk; I dare not take credit.” Monk Juehui broke the deadlock.
“Buddhism emphasizes the cycle of life and death and does not cling to worldly possessions. If this junior may speculate, Venerable probably came for the lost secret books and Buddhist treasures. Just a while ago, I saw the <Woodless Sutra> written by the Jianchen Temple…”
At this point, Shi Jingzhi changed the topic. “Thanks to Venerable for lending me the Infinity Prayer Beads, we were able to successfully battle the Human Shaped Coffin.”
The monks couldn’t help but feel helpless, but they weren’t foolish enough to argue at such a crucial moment. The <Woodless Sutra> was a treasure of Buddhism, and the Jianchen Temple had no intention of getting involved in this mess until Yan Budu hid it in the tomb.
Monk Juehui folded his hands together and chanted “Amitabha*.”
*It’s a general term as a greeting or farewell, but also to express apologies, praise, anger, or in this case, gratitude.
“Shall we return the <Woodless Sutra> to the Jianchen Temple?” Shi Jingzhi asked politely.
“Let them have it already. Stop wasting time,” Matron Wuxue said impatiently, clutching her injured arm. “No one cares about that bald donkey’s scriptures.”
“Thank you, Patron.” Monk Juehui received the scripture with both hands, and the pained expression eased from his face.
“The Death Whip originally belonged to the Ling Sect. The Guanwu Sword is from the Taiheng Sect, and the Cuo Yuan Knife is a treasure of the Chigou Sect. There are also these secret scrolls… Esteemed seniors have contributed greatly to this battle, so it’s only fitting that these items be returned to their rightful owners.”
After speaking, without waiting for the reactions of the important figures, Shi Jingzhi respectfully presented the treasures.
With the major threat eliminated and no external enemies, the various sects were on guard against each other. After weighing their options, they silently accepted the treasures.
Zheng Fengdao took the whip and spoke with a displeased tone, “By bribing everyone like this, kid, do you intend to keep the Buddhist map beads for yourself?”
Shi Jingzhi ignored him and said, “There are still some unclaimed items. Let’s give them to the Rong Palace. After all… ahem.”
He stumbled over his words, but everyone understood. Out of consideration for the imperial court’s face, they couldn’t let the Rong Palace leave empty-handed.
Xu Jingming’s face turned pale with anger. Unfortunately, he was facing esteemed and influential figures, and he wasn’t the emperor. He couldn’t risk a confrontation and could only grudgingly agree.
“Lastly, the Buddhist map beads.” Shi Jingzhi’s voice remained steady. “According to the rules, it’s first come, first served…”
Zheng Fengdao: “Ha, just as I suspected!”
“…But I want to distribute them. The Taiheng Sect has been of great help to me along the way, while the Jianchen Temple suffered the heaviest losses in holding off the Human Shaped Coffin. As for my Kushan Sect, I used my inner force to support everyone and maintain the bead net. I will only take one Buddhist bead. Does anyone have any objections?”
As his words reached the end, a faint hint of authority emerged in Shi Jingzhi’s smile.
Yin Ci was amused as he listened from the side.
Shi Jingzhi’s fox tail was now hooked onto the Taiheng Sect and the Jianchen Temple. The Ling Sect was left with only a single member, and the Chigou Sect was severely weakened. They couldn’t afford to be tough against the two major orthodox sects while dealing with the Kushan Sect.
Shi Jingzhi divided the three Buddhist beads, giving one to Monk Juehui and one to Shi Zhongyu. Finally, he made a grand gesture towards Matron Wuxue and said, “Forgive me, Matron, there aren’t enough prayer beads to go around. How about this? My sect will never touch the items in this tomb again.”
Matron Wuxue stared at him for a while. After a moment, she turned away and said, “Instead of that, who was the hero who destroyed the Human Shape Coffin?”
No one responded.
Wrinkling her brow, Matron Wuxue stopped asking. She pondered on the spot for a long time before finally walking away with her cane.
Yin Ci enjoyed the show and even took out a pack of fried rice, crunching on it loudly. Shi Jingzhi was hungry from watching him, so he grabbed Yan Qing from the crowd, and the three of them started a fire and heated their rice on the spot.
The other sects didn’t have the leisure for such things. They were busy tending to the wounded and exploring, each of them as busy as spinning tops. Only the three members of the Kushan Sect remained motionless with full bellies.
Yan Qing ate carefully and attentively, but once he was full, he didn’t touch his food anymore. He glanced at Shi Jingzhi, who was trying to explode himself from food, and hesitated before speaking. “Sect Master Shi, don’t you want the Buddhist beads? Are you really giving them away like this?”
“I can give them away, and naturally, I can take them back.”
Shi Jingzhi happily took a bite of the fried bun, speaking casually but with conviction.
“…And if it’s what I desire, there’s nothing that I can’t obtain.”
Yan Qing stopped packing his food box. “But Sect Master, you are no match for Senior Shi.”
“What are you thinking? I’m not going to steal them. Rest assured, I will make Miss Shi willingly hand them over.”
On the side, Yin Ci no longer bothered to pretend, allowing a smile to creep up on his lips.
Keeping this kid was the right decision.
The three members of the Kushan Sect took turns keeping watch, wasting a full two days in one place. During this time, the various sects thoroughly plundered the Palace of Leisure. The Chigou Sect found the exit and returned as if they were loaded with loot.
However, compared to their initial arrival, their numbers were now reduced by more than half, with only a dozen survivors remaining.
The exit was beneath the bed of the Human Shaped Coffin, and it took considerable effort for everyone to pry open the volcanic rock slab. After the slab was lifted, a set of descending stairs was revealed.
At the end of the stairs was a narrow barrel-shaped space.
The ground was marked with seven lines crossing the center, dividing the circular floor into fourteen equal parts. The surrounding walls were smooth and impossible to climb and there was no ceiling on the top, only darkness.
Around the room, there was a circle of smooth copper rings, with fourteen fist-sized heads attached to them. Each head had an exaggerated, distorted smile, with one eye missing, and the size of the eyeball matched that of the Buddhist beads.
Cautiously, Shi Jingzhi prodded one of the heads, and it smoothly slid and adhered to the nearest head with a ‘pop’. He was startled and hesitated to touch it again, wrinkling his face in disgust.
Shaking his head, Yin Ci stepped forward and effortlessly separated the two heads.
Matron Wuxue glanced at the two of them. “The Yan family won’t let us go so easily. Everyone has to put the Buddhist beads on those faces so we can seize them after leaving the tomb… Children, come over and stand in position.”
After the members of the Chigou Sect stood in place, she collected two heads and placed the Buddhist beads in them one by one. As soon as the beads were in place, two stone slabs beneath her feet lit up.
At the boundary between light and darkness, a transparent barrier gradually rose, shining with reflections. The barrier was as hard as iron, separating the members of the Chigou Sect inside.
Following that, the members of the Jianchen Temple and Monk Juehui took out their three Buddhist beads and placed them in order. The same was done by the Taiheng Sect and Zheng Fengdao of the Ling Sect. Xu Jingming took out two beads and quickly embedded them, remaining vigilant as he glanced at Shi Jingzhi.
Three beads from the Jianchen Temple, two from the Taiheng Sect, two from the Chigou Sect, two from Zheng Fengdao of the Ling Sect, and two from the Rong Palace… a total of eleven beads.
Shi Zhongyu also took out two prayer beads, creating a subtle atmosphere in the room.
Furrowing her brows, Shi Zhongyu asked, “Are we missing one? The disciples of the Yueshui Pavilion, please check.”
The disciples of the Yueshui Pavilion flipped through the records and said, “There were only three prayer beads reported for the ‘Suffering From Parting’. They went respectively to the Rong Palace, the Taiheng Sect, and the Ling Sect… One is missing.”
Shi Zhongyu recalled for a moment and said, “The missing one belongs to the group led by Brother Yin. Sect Master Shi, do you have any clues?”
Xu Jingming added fuel to the fire. “Yes, I heard about it. Sect Master Shi was the first one to leave.”
Shi Zhongyu smiled embarrassedly. “No, I didn’t mean anything by that, just…”
Matron Wuxue sharply interrupted, “The Rong Palace and the Taiheng Sect have obtained the prayer beads, and Zheng Fengdao of the Ling Sect and my sect shared the same room and took the beads in front of me. We will certainly not protect our enemies… Sect Master Shi, if you continue to hide and conceal, none of us will be able to leave.”
She then smiled maliciously. “If it weren’t for Yan Budu leaving a trick, you would have deceived everyone. This is a violation of the rules. Shi Zhongyu and Monk Juehui, two honorable figures, would you protect this insignificant little boy?”
Shi Zhongyu furrowed her brows. “Matron, you’re mistaken. Sect Master Shi was initially with the people from the Rong Palace, and the Buddhist bead was obtained by them. Sect Master Shi rescued two people from another room, and I personally witnessed it—the ‘Suffering From Parting’ had already been deciphered by someone. You should be aware that the ‘Suffering From Parting’ can only be broken from the inside.”
“He rescued Yin Ci and another monk from the Jianchen Temple. Previously, these two were together with Lu Fengxi. With Elder Lu’s skills, they certainly wouldn’t be opponents.”
The monk who had been present at the time also stepped forward. “I can testify that it was a person in white who broke the ‘Suffering From Parting’. Sect Master Shi was initially in another room, so it couldn’t have been him.”
He took a deep breath, muttered a few unclear words, and spoke again, “This humble monk saw the face of the person in white, and it was very… cough. This humble monk can confirm that I have never seen that person before.”
Matron Wuxue narrowed her eyes. “According to your statement, there is a skilled master who disguised their identity and infiltrated the group? No, I heard that you had already fainted. Perhaps the person in white is disguised as that Yin kid. Has anyone heard of this master-disciple pair before entering the Ghost Tomb?”
Her gaze was vicious. “Taking a step back, it’s possible that the person in white didn’t take the Buddhist bead and it was coincidentally picked up by Sect Master Shi.”
Yin Ci sneered inwardly. It seemed that his own junior wanted to kill two birds with one stone—
According to the rules of the Jinyu Group, hoarding loot and hiding one’s identity were major taboos.
If Shi Jingzhi concealed the Buddhist beads, he could be labeled as “breaking the rules”. The Chigou Sect could freely seize them without having to wait until they left the tomb.
If the person in white had taken the Buddhist bead, they would inevitably have to hand them over now, and some flaws would surely be revealed. Likewise, the Chigou Sect could logically besiege that person and see what rare and precious treasures they had obtained.
What was even more wonderful was that the scapegoat would be the monk himself, stirring up trouble.
Yin Ci looked at Shi Jingzhi beside him. His cheap master maintained a calm demeanor, but his lips were slightly pursed, indicating that he had also guessed Matron Wuxue’s intentions.
He was surely aware that if the person in white wanted to continue hiding their identity, they would find a way to shift the blame onto the Kushan Sect.
The Kushan Sect’s prospects were grim.
Shi Jingzhi couldn’t match Matron Wuxue’s expertise, and Zheng Fengdao wouldn’t remain idle. They might even play a trick behind the scenes.
Yin Ci grabbed hold of Shi Jingzhi’s left hand. The hand trembled slightly and was cold as ice.
Matron Wuxue removed the Buddhist beads from the heads, and the barrier slowly disappeared. She tapped her cane on the ground, stepping forward and enunciating each word. “Sect Master Shi, have you thought of an explanation?”
Unfortunately, she had picked the wrong opponent.
Both the prayer beads and Shi Jingzhi were things that Yin Ci had his eyes on. Although the Chigou Sect was a demonic sect, it wasn’t so easy to overstep its boundaries. Matron Wuxue was still too green in his eyes.
The Chigou Sect held great reverence for “persistent authority*”, and he understood its operating rules better than anyone else.
*In this context, it means that they hold high regard for those who hold/held high positions in their sect (like the founder or sect leaders thereafter).
Yin Ci tightened his grip on that hand. “Shizun, as I said—I have a strong destiny and specialize in combating demons and evil. Those in the demonic sect should be associated with the word ‘evil’.”
His words weren’t loud but audible to everyone.
Yin Ci didn’t release Shi Jingzhi’s hand. His other hand reached into his pocket, formed a fist, and then opened his fingers—
“The last one is with me.”
The author has something to say:
The phrase “Nothing can keep a house full of gold and jade” comes from chapter 9 of Laozi’s <Tao Te Ching>.
———
As usual, here’s a promotional preview. If you’re interested, you can find it in the author’s column. The novel <Evil As Humans>.
Yin Ren is a thousand-year-old rare-born evil creature. He chose an ominous day and happily tore apart the seal. Wherever he went, talismans shattered, stone tablets burst open, fierce ghosts shrank into a ball, and even zombies got weak in the knees.
People around him felt uncomfortable within a three-foot radius due to his presence. Yin Ren wandered around, feeling quite restless.
Zhong Chengshuo frowned. “Why does this person always loiter near the crime scene? I’ll go check it out.”
And he casually took Yin Ren with him.
Yin Ren: (；ω；)!
An atheist gong x Ghost King shou
A mini-supernatural criminal investigation story where an atheist brother encounters a supreme evil, and they cooperate (?) to solve cases.
Kinky Thoughts:
This is the last of the free chapters on jjwxc. If you’ve been enjoying the novel so far and are able to, please consider supporting the author by buying the raws. I used Google Chrome with their auto translate and this guide on how to buy novels on jjwxc. Remember, only with your (financial) support can artists continue to produce more great works.
The author note is a summary of her next work (which I’m also working on). You can check it out: Evil As Human.
The people with authority fell silent, and the room became quiet.
A disciple of the Chigou Sect stood up. Judging from his appearance, he held a respectable position. “Our former Hierarch recorded the ‘Human Shaped Coffin’ in our teachings. Its inner shell is made of the skin of a demonic creature that’s extremely tough. It is wrapped in a ghostskin robe made from the silk of ghost silkworms, and its tendrils move like a living person.”
“The coffin is covered in various spells that can control its movements. The body inside the coffin doesn’t decay and can even move normally in the tomb. Yan Budu most likely infused it with his own techniques…”
His voice trembled with fear.
“The Human Shaped Coffin has no teeth and no body inside. Without any corpse interfering, it will only grow stronger. Everyone, be cautious.”
Everyone understood the implicit meaning behind his words.
Yan Budu possessed exquisite martial arts skills, only matched by the Chigou Sect’s Su Zhi, and Kong Shi from Jianchen Temple. When the orthodox sects besieged the Ling Sect, Yan Budu single-handedly slaughtered nine orthodox masters. Even if the Human Shaped Coffin inherited only a small portion of Yan Budu’s power, it would still be more than enough to deal with them—
Except for the personal presence of the Chigou Sect’s Matriarch, Matron Wuxue, no other sect sent their top experts. Not to mention the previous events in the tomb had already exhausted everyone’s resources, leaving them weary.
“Yan Budu’s corpse isn’t here?” Xu Jingming couldn’t help but gasp, a chill running down his spine. “Has he truly ascended to immortality?”
No one answered him.
Shi Zhongyu acted decisively. With a flick of her yin fire, she aimed to cut off the arm of the Human Shaped Coffin that was holding the smoking pipe. Unexpectedly, the divine weapon that was covered by the yin fire, produced only a light “ding” sound. The sword blade barely broke through the outer layer of the ghostskin robe, revealing the inner layer of demonic skin.
The Human Shaped Coffin casually reversed its hand, directly snapping the slender sword. With its fingers gathered together, it stabbed towards Shi Zhongyu’s neck.
Shi Zhongyu couldn’t dodge in time, and it seemed like blood would splatter on the spot. However, a long string of prayer beads caught her waist, pulling her back towards the entrance. Monk Juehui swung his prayer beads. “You’re welcome.”
The Human Shaped Coffin didn’t immediately pursue but instead calmly got off the bed. Its red robe was of fine material—though it had some signs of decay and fading, there was no trace of decay.
Even so, the Human Shaped Coffin’s clothes were still in disarray, exposing half of its shoulder.
Shi Jingzhi took two steps back and rushed to the outside of the room. Just as Matron Wuxue frowned, he returned and made random gestures towards Monk Juehui.
Seeing that no one reacted, Shi Jingzhi directly took action.
He crossed over the Human Shaped Coffin, stepping on the bedpost, and slammed his palm towards the ceiling. His palm emitted a blaze of golden fire, shattering the roof and revealing the empty sky outside.
When Shi Jingzhi landed on the ground, he snatched the prayer beads from Monk Juehui, and then leaped onto the broken wall, swinging the prayer beads in all directions.
The monk from the Jianchen Temple couldn’t contain his anger any longer. “That is the treasured possession of our temple, Patron…”
Before the monk could finish his sentence, Shen Zhu interrupted him with a single hand. Shen Zhu smiled at him and said, “Master, I believe Sect Master Shi borrowed it precisely because he recognizes that its’ the Infinity Prayer Beads.”
The Infinity Prayer Beads could condense true qi into new prayer beads. As long as one had enough inner force and could maintain it, the length of the beads wasn’t a problem. Shi Jingzhi held his breath and hooked the prayer beads onto the rocks and trees outside, creating a network of prayer beads.
Matron Wuxue reacted swiftly. “Good kid—everyone, go! Finish this quickly!”
She pulled her cane, which unexpectedly came apart into several segments. Each segment was connected by black and red demonic tendons, and at the bends of the cane, there were hook-like structures resembling scorpion tails. The disciples of the Chigou Sect simultaneously rushed toward the Human Shaped Coffin with wind surging in their palms. The Human Shaped Coffin was pushed back two steps and got hooked by the elongated cane.
Matron Wuxue let out a silent sinister smile as she stepped steadily onto the prayer bead network. “Sect Master Shi, hold on!”
The others didn’t fall behind, leaping onto the prayer beads network together and leaving the dream-like objects on the ground.
The smile on the face of the Human Shaped Coffin gradually disappeared.
It gripped the crimson hook, coated in a deadly poison, causing its palm to hiss. The monks took advantage of the situation and set themselves up in their formation. Their chanting resounded, enclosing the Human Shaped Coffin in the middle.
Disturbed by the Buddhist mantras, the movements of the Human Shaped Coffin became stiff and unnerving. It held the smoking pipe like a dagger, and in the next instant, the nearest monk had their entire face pierced through, their features vanishing without a trace, leaving only a circular skull.
The red jade smoking pipe was covered in blood and brain matter, and the sweet fragrance of incense became even heavier.
The Human Shaped Coffin waved the smoking pipe, and several sword qi cleaved in all directions. The smoking pipe was so thin that it could break with a slight bend, yet at this moment, it felt as heavy as a thousand catties, exuding an endless chill with each swing.
It was merely a dead object without a brain, yet remnants of countless arrogance lingered within its techniques. The Demonic Hierarch from a hundred years ago, whose whereabouts were unknown, could create a burst of blood flowers just by lifting an empty coffin, turning its might into a spectacle.
And it didn’t even have any killing intent.
What kind of strength did Yan Budu, the lunatic who fought against the orthodox sects for two years, possess when he was still alive?
One corpse after another fell from the prayer beads network, their blood flowing and staining the golden light of the beads. While none of the lamps were extinguished, the shadows around grew increasingly dense.
The formation of the Jianchen Temple remained steadfast, and the speed of the monks’ chanting grew faster, causing the golden light of the nearby prayer beads to intensify. Monk Juehui, Shi Zhongyu, and Matron Wuxue launched an attack simultaneously, with Zheng Fengdao stepping onto the prayer beads network as well.
“I have come to support the flourishing Ling Sect. I hope Hierarch understands.”
The Human Shaped Coffin ignored him; its bloody eyes fixed on Shi Jingzhi outside the encirclement.
The masters from various sects were accustomed to battle and could easily hold their breath. However, Shi Jingzhi had to exert all his true qi and couldn’t multitask. His face turned purple from the effort.
He struggled to organize his scattered thoughts—
As the master of the dream realm, the Human Shaped Coffin would definitely distort the dream realm spontaneously, creating illusions to deal with him. Unfortunately, he also had to be concerned about the ongoing battle around him and couldn’t close his eyes to escape.
Fortunately, the Human Shaped Coffin didn’t possess Yan Budu’s strength. The young monks had entered the tent and hadn’t encountered any problems so far. It seemed that even if it could dominate the dream realm, it could only focus on dealing with one person.
Like himself. Shi Jingzhi forced a wry smile.
Sure enough, the Human Shaped Coffin lowered its eyes, disregarding the blood on the smoking pipe, and took another puff. This time, the smoke it exhaled was as white as bone, like overlapping silk, lingering for a long time.
A cry of astonishment came from the disciples of the Yueshui Pavilion below. “Sect Master Shi, hold on! The Human Shaped Coffin has taken control of the dream-like entities and is coming straight for you!”
Shi Jingzhi really didn’t want to know what the approaching dream-like entities looked like. While holding his breath, he continued to channel true qi into the Infinity Prayer Beads, maintaining their form.
Although hindered slightly by the masters from various sects, the Human Shaped Coffin was still getting closer.
Shi Jingzhi involuntarily clenched his empty hand but didn’t touch another warm hand. Ah, his disciple was still below. Yin Ci was nestled in the clean air of the tent, unaffected by nightmares.
…Perhaps he had become accustomed too quickly. Shi Jingzhi clenched his fist in frustration.
He had to hold on.
Once he started to breathe again, the illusions would take effect, and he would see the dream-like entities approaching him. If he was forced to touch them, he would undoubtedly meet an unpleasant end.
If he fell, the Infinity Prayer Beads would immediately return to their original state, and everyone would plummet to the ground. And the ground would be filled with dream-like entities, ensuring certain death for everyone.
The battlefield was like a formation, and Shi Jingzhi was the key point.
The masters from various sects could naturally see the situation clearly, and each one made fierce attacks. The Human Shaped Coffin’s beautiful appearance was destroyed by more than half, but it stubbornly continued to advance towards Shi Jingzhi. The red jade smoking pipe was missing a significant portion, emitting intermittent puffs of incense.
If he could hold on a little longer, the smoking pipe would be destroyed. Unfortunately, channeling true qi was an exhausting task, and Shi Jingzhi’s entire body felt drained. Holding his breath, he was on the verge of passing out, and his vision was filled with golden stars.
Just a little longer…
‘No, I can’t hold on,’ Shi Jingzhi thought in a daze.
His brain felt as if it were being roasted over a fire, and his heart and lungs were burning one after another. The taste of rusty blood surged in his mouth, and a suffocating acidity accumulated in his chest. He was about to lose consciousness, dying alone and taking everyone with him in this place.
Was this his destined end?
‘What a pity,’ Shi Jingzhi thought. If he had to die, he would rather die by someone’s side.
Anyone would do, as long as that person was willing to look at him seriously, just like back then…
At this moment, the prayer bead network trembled lightly. A pair of steady hands held Shi Jingzhi’s face, and something soft pressed against his cold lips.
The other person’s familiar and warm breath was so warm that it almost burned.
Pure air was brought into his mouth, and Shi Jingzhi greedily took a few mouthfuls, finally catching his breath as his thoughts gradually became clear.
Wait, everyone was dealing with the Human Shaped Coffin, so there should be enough leeway to breathe—
Shi Jingzhi looked at Yin Ci in front of him and barely managed to suppress his exclamation. He gently patted his disciple’s back in a discreet manner, making a muffled sound. Yin Ci ignored his flailing master and continued to press their lips together, focusing on transferring air, turning his cheap master into a scorching-hot tomato.
While Shi Jingzhi’s face turned tomato-red, he didn’t forget to channel true qi through his hands, keeping the prayer bead network stable. However, his thoughts were almost stagnant, and the sensation of their skin touching felt like a potent poison, causing his internal organs to burn again.
A soft crack lightly sounded.
The red jade smoking pipe shattered, and the fragrance of incense instantly faded.
Under the sacrificial attacks of the masters risking their lives, the situation on the battlefield finally improved. The magnificent scenery within the Palace of Leisure gradually deteriorated, and the illusions dissipated like snow under the scorching sun, quickly disappearing without a trace.
Shi Jingzhi embraced his disciple’s waist, gradually ceasing the flow of true qi. The Infinity Prayer Beads returned to their original state, and everyone, including the Human Shaped Coffin, fell to the ground.
As the illusions vanished, everything turned dim, and no one noticed that the Sect Master’s face was flushed.
“A’Ci, I… You… Didn’t I tell you to stay put?!” Shi Jingzhi even spat out a mouthful of blood, which was rare for him.
Yin Ci had an innocent expression. “I calculated the time and was afraid that Shizun couldn’t hold on, so I asked Miss Shen Zhu to throw me up here.”
The Sect Master’s face remained blank. “…”
“If Shizun were to fall here, how far do you think I could run alone?”
“If you have such plans in the future, let me know first.” Shi Jingzhi rubbed his face and finally regained his composure.
Yin Ci timely changed the subject. “Now that the illusions are gone, all the seniors should be fine, right?”
Just as he finished speaking, the Human Shaped Coffin picked up the Buddhist bead pendant on the smoking pipe, tilted its head back, and swallowed it along with the fragments of the pipe.
Half of its face retained a stunning appearance, revealing a faint smile. The other half of its ghostskin robe was covered in scars, looking extremely grotesque. After swallowing the Buddhist beads, the Human Shaped Coffin didn’t immediately close its mouth. It reached into its mouth again and pulled out a whip.
Zheng Fengdao spat out blood. “It’s the Death Whip of the Hierarch.”
Matron Wuxue’s wrist was broken, and she was panting heavily. “Now that the illusions have been broken, this thing will focus on dealing with us.”
The Human Shaped Coffin tilted its head slightly and swung the pitch-black whip in its hand.
The sound of the whip exploded, and all the lanterns, torches, and yin fire and yang fire extinguished instantly, unable to be reignited. Thick darkness enveloped everyone’s vision, making it difficult to breathe.
Shi Jingzhi stood up cautiously, repeatedly trying to ignite his yang fire, but there was no trace of light.
“A’Ci, stay by my side and don’t go anywhere…”
Before he could finish his sentence, he collapsed limply.
Yin Ci withdrew his hand and pressed his lips to Shi Jingzhi’s ear. “You did well. Take a rest for a while.”
He gently laid Shi Jingzhi on the ground and walked towards the densest darkness.
The darkness underground was heavier than outside, but Yin Ci was already accustomed to it. He seemed to dissolve into the shadows, without breath, emotion, or the slightest sound, leaving only a void behind.
Not far away, blood splattered, mixing with groans and screams, piercing the eardrums. The sound of metal colliding, soaked in the scent of blood, sounded particularly tragic.
When Yin Ci found the Human Shaped Coffin, it was busy tearing off the arm of a disciple from the Chigou Sect.
This thing had no inner force, and its power was only about one-tenth of Yan Budu’s. Yan Budu’s martial arts, similar to “Su Zhi’s” Bone Sweeping Sword technique, followed a peculiar and tricky path, giving him many advantages.
However, Yin Ci could fight against Yan Budu himself, let alone a mere Human Shaped Coffin. Moreover, he had dealt with this thing a hundred years ago—he had strip off the ghostskin robe once, and he could do it a second time.
Yin Ci grabbed the Death Whip, ignoring the barbs and curses on it, and pulled the Human Shaped Coffin in front of him.
Just like when he played with Shi Jingzhi earlier, he restored his original voice, and spoke clearly and melodiously. “If you continue to cause trouble, it’ll become annoying.”
Finally sensing the danger, the Human Shaped Coffin tried to stab Yin Ci’s heart with its other hand, but Yin Ci firmly held its wrist. With his other hand, he grabbed the neck of the Human Shaped Coffin and exerted a subtle force, pressing it down, causing it to kneel halfway to the ground.
Despite Yan Budu’s countless tricks, Yin Ci only needed one opening.
The Human Shaped Coffin was firmly pressed to the ground, emitting creaking sounds all over its body. It struggled to break free but couldn’t use any techniques, like a butterfly pinned down by a needle.
Facing Yan Budu’s face, Yin Ci felt no sympathy or tender affection. With strength in his shoulder and arm, he swiftly snapped off one of the Human Shaped Coffin’s arms. The demon skin was forcefully torn apart, emitting a piercing sound.
In the next instant, Yin Ci’s palm turned into a sword as his fingertips swept across the Human Shaped Coffin’s throat like a swift gust of wind. A nauseating sound of fracturing echoed as the Human Shaped Coffin’s neck was severed, revealing a faint red glow at the severed stump.
With its pressure points shattered, the array was broken, and the technique was dispelled. The entire process was precise and swift, resembling a one-sided execution.
Without the support of spells, the Human Shaped Coffin couldn’t bear the weight and collapsed on the ground with its joints folding unnaturally.
Indeed, it didn’t bleed.
Noticing his subconscious thoughts, Yin Ci smiled and kicked Zheng Fengdao, who was about to regain consciousness, to knock him out again.
All fourteen Buddhist ybeads were here.
Everyone was weak, so killing them would be effortless. Once everyone was killed, he could easily collect all the prayer beads and escape alone. The members of the Jinyu Group couldn’t stop him, and the Yueshui Pavilion couldn’t find him.
Next, he just needed to follow the treasure map and slowly search for the hidden treasure. Even if the treasure had nothing to do with the Shirou, this would be just another failure, but at least he had successfully killed some time.
If this was the end, his plan could be considered successful.
However…
Yin Ci walked to Shi Jingzhi’s side, silently bending down to look at his cheap master—although he had passed out, a trace of blush still lingered on Shi Jingzhi’s ears.
It had been too smooth, perhaps a bit too boring.
Yin Ci caught a strand of Shi Jingzhi’s long hair, playing with it between his fingers.
‘…Let’s play a little longer,’ he thought.
The author has something to say:
Yin Ci: This mysterious fox, I can’t figure out his intentions yet, so I’ll keep him as a plaything for now.
The scent of incense grew stronger. Shi Jingzhi opened his eyes slightly and looked towards the nearby bedroom.
The surroundings remained pleasant, with warm lighting and no trace of the gloominess often found in tombs. Shi Jingzhi listened intently and indeed heard shallow breathing coming from the direction of the bedroom.
It was as if someone was sleeping there.
Shi Jingzhi didn’t dare to shake the bell anymore. He held his disciple’s hand tightly. Yin Ci’s hand was warm, with a dry palm. Perhaps it was because he was fearless like a newborn calf, Yin Ci showed no signs of trembling.
That hand held on firmly and steadily, without any stiffness or discomfort. Shi Jingzhi adjusted his breathing for a moment and then took a step forward towards the bedroom.
The bedroom was extremely spacious and extravagantly decorated. The firelight was perfectly balanced, dancing on exquisite decorations.
Across from the bed, there was a translucent wall.
This wall was made of resin bricks, each the size of a human head, with a piece of human skin wrapped around each transparent brick. The skin seemed to be peeled off from living faces, meticulously processed to preserve their shape perfectly, resembling finely carved masks.
Each of those faces had well-proportioned features with their eyes closed without any expression, facing the large bed.
Monk Juehui’s face became even more grim. Shi Zhongyu shivered, whether from astonishment or anger, it was unclear.
Shen Zhu clicked her tongue lightly. “There are many famous figures in there, all righteous people killed by Yan Budu.”
Across from the wall was a large bed. A man was lying on the side of the bed, wearing a simple red robe, facing away from the entrance. His long black hair flowed on the bed, revealing a pale nape of the neck.
Seemingly aware of the sound at the door, the man slowly sat up, causing the red robe to slide off his shoulder, revealing a broad chest. He adjusted his hair and lazily turned his head, allowing everyone to see his face.
Yin Ci had seen Yan Budu while he was alive, and the creature in front of them indeed had the same face as him.
Yan Budu had countless male and female lovers, and it wasn’t solely due to coercion and force. He was undeniably a stunning figure himself—his facial features were enchanting, but completely different from Shi Jingzhi. He had a certain poisonous beauty to him.
A pair of crimson eyes swept over, and no one dared to make a sound. Yan Qing looked around and slowly hid behind the master and disciple.
Yin Ci’s heart sank gradually. Although the thing in front of them was incredibly lifelike, it was clearly not a living creature. Its movements had subtle stiffness, without showing any hostility or murderous intent.
That wasn’t Yan Budu.
The thing didn’t immediately attack; instead, it picked up a red jade smoking pipe from the side. Leaning against the headboard, it leisurely puffed out clouds of smoke. Its half-closed red eyes had no focus within the smoke.
A delicate pendant hung from beneath the red jade smoking pipe, decorated with three Buddhist beads.
Yin Ci quickly calculated in his mind.
There were a total of fourteen Buddhist beads. The Paper Figures Street had three, while the number of beads on the second level was unknown. Considering that the teleportation liquid relied on the beads for positioning, the Ascension Hall probably hid four beads. The “Suffering From Parting” stone pillars had four, and there were four more at the exit… This was highly likely the last three Buddhist beads.
Since they were placed together, the level of danger posed by that thing was self-evident.
It seemed more like a warning than bait.
Shi Jingzhi gritted his teeth and shook the silver bell. “That thing is not an illusion… Matron, what the hell is it?”
“I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s not some cheap corpse puppet.”
Matron Wuxue had a gloomy expression, and every wrinkle on her face was stiff.
“This place is the center of the third level, where the coffin should have been placed. Did that bastard Yan Budu not even make a coffin?”
Her voice was low, but that thing heard it. It tilted its head and smiled at Matron Wuxue, revealing a mouth without teeth or tongue and only a pitch-black void between its lips.
Matron Wuxue immediately took a step back. “Taiheng’s brat!”
Shi Zhongyu instantly understood her meaning. “Senior, the blood essence beads are white. This is not a demonic entity.”
“Hah, our Hierarch Xijing pursues purity. How could he keep such a thing by his bedside?” A cold laugh sounded among the group.
Only one person remained from the Ling Sect. He had a burly figure and carried a nine-ringed saber stained with blood, though his gaze was sharper than the blade itself.
Shi Jingzhi said sincerely, “But he placed a bunch of human faces at the foot of the bed. I still think monsters are cleaner.”
Yin Ci followed his master’s lead. “Indeed.”
That person immediately glared, veins popping on his forehead.
Matron Wuxue snorted, not letting go of any opportunity to taunt her adversary. “Zheng Fengdao, as an esteemed elder, are you really going to have a grudge against someone younger? They didn’t say anything wrong.”
After saying that, she glanced at Shi Jingzhi. “Interesting, I can’t figure out whether you’re brave or timid.”
Shi Jingzhi pointed at the object on the bed. “That thing is a mechanism, not a ghost. Since it’s a mechanism, there must be a triggering condition. Moreover, it hasn’t been activated yet, so there’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“According to you, what is the triggering condition?” Matron Wuxue looked towards the “Yan Budu” leisurely smoking at the head of the bed.
“The distance from it.” Shi Jingzhi scratched his head. “The third level is full of dream traps. After struggling to reach this point, encountering such a dangerous mechanism… If my intuition is correct, this place connects to the exit of the Ghost Tomb.”
“Oh?”
Shi Jingzhi replied confidently, “Moving forward means facing unknown attacks, while retreating means being stuck here waiting for death. This kind of design is the most despair-inducing.”
Jin Lan couldn’t help but interject, “Isn’t it even more deadly if there’s no way out?”
Matron Wuxue chuckled. “Fools will always be fools. Yan Budu, who has always aspired to ascend to immortality, would never exclude the path of resurrection. He must have left a shortcut to the direct exit.”
After a few more exchanges among the people, the tense atmosphere finally relaxed slightly.
However, just as Shi Jingzhi deduced, no one dared to step forward, and there was no way to retreat.
The thing resembling Yan Budu took a tobacco pouch from under the smoking pipe and added some to the pipe. A new incense burned, intensifying the fragrance. The ambiguous firelight and swirling smoke created an eerie scene. With the wall of human faces opposite the bed, the previously exquisite scene sent shivers down everyone’s spines.
With the interference of “Dream Bubble”, even if the exit were right in front of them, no one could see it.
At this point, the personal belongings of everyone had already been consumed to a minimal extent. Without resources, they were left with a sense of being at a dead end.
Thanks to Yan Qing’s heritage, he bypassed the “Suffering From Parting” stone pillar and was directly thrown into the Palace of Leisure, so the belongings of the Kushan Sect were still intact.
However, their bags only contained food, miscellaneous items, and two sets of bedding. The only thing that could be considered a “treasure” was the Hanging Shadow Sword obtained from Paper Figure Street—a collectible that could fetch some money.
Matron Wuxue swept her eyes around the room and made a few clicks with her cane. “The space here is closed off. If we could create a moluo tent and close off the air for a while, it could withstand the enchantment for a short period… Even if the time is limited, at least it would allow me to see the true form of that thing.”
Monk Juehui: “Moluo tent?”
“Immerse fine satin in medicinal water and set up the tent on-site. Use yin fire to burn the outside and yang fire to heat the inside, expelling the incense. Stay inside for the duration of a cup of tea, then go outside and hold your breath for a while to temporarily break free from the incense illusion.”
While Matron Wuxue spoke, she lightly tapped her cane on the ground.
Jin Lan muttered in a low voice, “Why didn’t you mention it earlier…”
Matron Wuxue gave him a sideways glance and continued slowly, “This is a method to buy time under toxic smoke, but its effectiveness is very short. Even if it can be set up, the moluo tent is disposable. Once you leave the tent and come into contact with the incense, you can’t go back.”
After speaking, she lifted her chin towards Zheng Fengdao and said, “If Elder* Zheng had not refused to die in the sacrificial pit, I wouldn’t have abandoned the tomb exploration items. Such a pity, such a pity.”
*Note that Matron Wuxue is addressing him with courtesy, not in respect as a junior would address an elder, and in this case, it’s more sarcastically.
Zheng Fengdao sneered, and the iron rings on his nine-ringed saber clanged loudly. “You old witch…”
Before he could finish his sentence, Shi Jingzhi pushed him aside. Sect Master Shi held a blanket with a pattern of mandarin ducks playing in water with a serious expression and asked with a serious face, “Matron, do you think this can be used?”
Matron Wuxue and Zheng Fengdao: “…”
Matron Wuxue skeptically looked at Shi Jingzhi for a while, then flicked the fabric of the blanket with her fingers. “It can be used in a pinch, but we still need to prepare the medicinal water…”
Shi Jingzhi rummaged through the luggage and presented a medical kit with both hands. “Please.”
Matron Wuxue: “…Kid, you didn’t happen to keep enough water, did you?”
Shi Jingzhi: “I did, I did. My disciple brewed herbal tea. There are ten bamboo tubes in the bag. Matron, can we use herbal tea?”
“The Shi girl from the Taiheng Sect knows how to use yin fire, and we need yang fire—”
Shi Jingzhi rubbed two of his fingers together, and a cluster of golden flames ignited at his fingertips. “How much do you need?”
Matron Wuxue fell silent.
What’s up with the Kushan Sect? How come they have everything, including weird stuff?
After being tormented with large luggage along the way, Yan Qing’s eyes gradually became empty. “In such a creepy place, you dare to carry ten bamboo tubes of herbal tea? Even the Taiheng Sect didn’t bring that much water…”
Shi Jingzhi took out one of the tubes and shook it in front of Yan Qing. “You’ll know when you taste it. A’Ci is especially skilled.”
Matron Wuxue cleared her throat twice and interrupted Shi Jingzhi’s sales pitch. Several members of the Chigou Sect opened the bedding and used blood to draw an array on the satin fabric, while Matron Wuxue took the medical kit and began preparing the medicine on the spot.
The moluo tent was quickly set up. As the great contributor who provided the raw materials, Shi Jingzhi made only one request—to allow his disciple to enter the tent.
After all, there were only two sets of bedding available, and the space inside the muluo tent was limited. At most, it could accommodate eight people.
Each of the four major sects sent a representative, one from Rong Palace, a male disciple from Yueshui Pavilion, and two spots were taken by the Kushan Sect.
Inside the tent, Shi Jingzhi squatted into a ball and rambled on, instructing Yin Ci. “You will stay inside the tent. The air here is clean. I’ll go out first. If things don’t go well, I’ll call you immediately. When that happens, hold your breath and find a clean spot outside the room while the enchantment hasn’t taken effect yet.”
Not far away, Xu Jingming, who was rolling his eyes in exasperation was squeezed together with Monk Juehui. The other prominent figures were aware of Xu Jingming’s identity to some extent, but due to the awkward situation, they could only pretend not to recognize him.
After a cup of tea’s time, one by one, everyone crawled out, leaving Yin Ci alone inside the tent.
With the absence of the “Dream Bubble” covering, the scene inside the room instantly transformed.
There was no trace of light in the room, and the air was chilling. The floor was covered in dust, metal decorations were heavily rusted, and the wall of human faces was covered in a thin layer of gray. The edges of the canopy were decaying unevenly, and the bedding on the bed was tattered, with patches of mold.
However, the person on the bed remained unchanged.
The figure with disheveled long hair still played with the ruby smoking pipe in their slender fingers. The faded and decaying red robe emphasized their striking blood-red eyes.
Matron Wuxue held her breath and succinctly said, “Things are not looking good.”
“…That is a ‘Human Shaped Coffin’.”
The author has something to say:
Shi Jingzhi: Actually, there are also braised pork buns, fried noodles, candies, smoked fish slices, dried fruits, vegetable meat pancakes, salted egg yolks, fried rice…
Yin Ci: Yes, I have been doing it for a long time.
The master and disciple completely unaware that something is amiss.
At the end of the main hall, a row of downward stone steps was set up.
The stone steps were carved with exquisite reliefs, making it difficult for people to step on them. At the end stood a pair of scarlet red doors with the words “Palace of Leisure*” on the plaque. The strokes of the characters were soft, adding a touch of tenderness.
*A mythological place in Chinese mythology that symbolizes utopia, where one can live a harmonious and carefree life, detached from worldly affairs and immersed in spiritual pursuit. It’s often portrayed as a realm for immortals and enlightenment.
Matron Wuxue sniffed at the door and gently tapped it with her cane, and the large doors slowly opened.
“There are no traps on the door, but as for what’s inside…”
She didn’t finish her sentence and was the first to step inside.
The group, which was originally less than a hundred people, now had only about forty left. The Taiheng Sect had the fewest losses, while the lone wanderers had been completely wiped out. After entering the door, everyone stopped in their tracks at the same time—
The scene in front of them was really strange.
They seemed to have entered a large mansion, with swaying tree shadows and gentle starlight visible outside the windows. The interior of the house was dimly lit, with a pleasant aroma of incense. There was not a speck of dust in sight, and the air carried a pleasant warmth.
Half-eaten snacks and tea were arranged on the table. The snacks were fresh and crispy, and the tea was still steaming. The fruits on the fruit plate were covered in water droplets, and the green plants beside them were lush, with some even blooming in vibrant colors.
The atmosphere of life in this place was extremely strong, as if the owner of the mansion had just left and would return soon.
If it was said that Yan Budu was still living here, Yin Ci could almost believe it for a moment.
For a brief moment, Yin Ci even harbored a faint hope—perhaps Yan Budu, like him, was unable to die and had chosen to live in seclusion in a tomb?
However, this thought only lasted temporarily.
Yin Ci had been in too many tombs, and he knew better than anyone. No matter how powerful the arts were, they couldn’t create something out of thin air, and a tomb couldn’t provide fresh water.
It was just an illusion.
Before Shi Jingzhi could tremble, Yin Ci reached out and grabbed his hand. The candlelight flickered, and for a while, no one dared to move, afraid of disturbing something.
“Shizun, should we look for Yan Qing? Senior Shi said he’s not in the main hall, so he should be here,” Yin Ci whispered, diverting Shi Jingzhi’s attention.
“Mm, let’s look for him.” Shi Jingzhi’s voice was dry.
At the same time, possibly due to being too nervous, a disciple from the Yueshui Pavilion dropped his pen. The pen fell on the thick and soft carpet, and after hesitating for a while, he decided to reach out and pick it up.
Shen Zhu let out a light sigh and brushed off the dust on her clothes. “Idiot.”
The room became very quiet, and the person clearly heard this remark. He straightened up and grumbled discontentedly, “Making a fuss over nothing. It’s not like I haven’t been in a tomb before. I was careful enough just now and definitely didn’t trigger anything…”
He hadn’t finished speaking when a series of gasps sounded from inside the room.
The man’s face changed.
He didn’t transform into another person—his facial features slowly slid across his face like a paper painting floating on water. One eye slid down to the position of his mouth, while his mouth slowly slid towards his left ear. His eyes, nose, and mouth were all in the wrong places, yet the man seemed completely unaware, blinking his misplaced eyes.
As if realizing the horror in everyone’s eyes, he reached out a hand and touched his own face. As soon as he touched it, his fingers stuck to his face, melding with his cheek.
The mouth that had slid to the side of his face finally opened, letting out a scream of terror.
“Save me!” He stumbled toward the crowd. “Save—”
For some reason, with each step he took, his body shrunk a little. After a few steps, his entire being had twisted to the point of being unrecognizable, unable to move even a bit.
He no longer made any sounds. It was unknown whether his throat had changed shape, or he had died in the contorted state. The brightly colored fabric clung to his flesh, appearing particularly glaring. His body seemed like a colorful wax figure slowly melting into the ground while his clothes seeped into the earth, gradually disappearing.
Shi Jingzhi: “…”
Shi Jingzhi: “A’Ci, be careful. Don’t move recklessly.”
Yin Ci sighed. “I know… Shizun, you should get off me first.”
Shi Jingzhi’s fear overwhelmed his status as a master—he clung to Yin Ci like a monkey clinging to a tree, not daring to let go.
Yin Ci even somewhat missed Shi Jingzhi’s madness. Even if he distributed one-tenth of that madness to his normal self, it wouldn’t be so… clingy.
Patiently, he slowly peeled Shi Jingzhi off bit by bit. “Yan Qing has made calculations, divining the journey of the Taiheng Sect as auspicious, which is fortunate for us. Let’s stick close to them.”
No one laughed at Shi Jingzhi, including Matron Wuxue. The expressions on everyone’s faces weren’t good. Shi Zhongyu pushed up her sleeve, revealing a string of blood essence beads that were still white. Monk Juehui struck the iron bowl a few times, but the environment in front of them didn’t change at all.
There were no monsters here, nor were there any ordinary illusions.
The aroma of dim sum mixed with incense created a delicate sweetness that lingered. The air was warm and flowed gently. This should have been a soothing environment.
From this position, everyone could see the entrance to the study not far away, filled with books. On the weapon rack, knives and swords shimmered with a cold light, and it was obvious that they weren’t ordinary.
Yin Ci clicked his tongue inwardly—he recognized this situation, but at the moment, perhaps it was only he who could recognize what it was.
This technique was called “Dream Bubble*” and was known as the most dangerous incense illusion. It used the human brain as the main ingredient, along with thousands of materials from monsters, to create the fragrance. If the incense burner was chosen correctly, the fragrance could last for hundreds of years.
*Based off of the idiom (梦幻泡影) that refers to thinking everything in the world is as empty as dreams, illusions, bubbles, and shadows. Metaphorically, it means it’s an easily shattered fantasy (aka a pipe dream).
The effect of “Dream Bubble” was twofold.
First, it allowed people to produce dreams while remaining awake and blend those dreams with reality. Second, if one touched an object within the dream, they would be directly affected by the dream.
The man just now didn’t die from a mechanism; he died from everyone’s nightmares.
Arriving in such an eerie place, people inevitably felt some fear—fear gave rise to imagination, and imagination merged with dreams. The disciple from Yueshui Pavilion became the scapegoat, drawing everyone’s attention and coincidentally touching an object within the dream, becoming the “distorted” object.
As a result, the various fears and speculations of the people mixed together, materializing on the man’s body, erasing him from existence.
After the “Dream Bubble” technique had taken effect, everyone became unconscious practitioners of the technique.
The solution was simple: Destroy the incense burner without touching any objects within the dream.
Unfortunately, amidst the various things in the room, it was difficult to distinguish which ones existed solely within the dream. The most troublesome part was that Yin Ci didn’t want to expose himself; he needed an outsider—anyone—to discover the solution.
“Could it be a problem with that carpet?” Yin Ci deliberately raised his voice. “Shizun, I felt something was off just now. The carpet has no patterns at all. It’s all black, which is completely out of place in this mansion.”
Shi Jingzhi asked, puzzled, “A’Ci, what are you saying? Isn’t there a golden dragon and phoenix pattern on the carpet?”
Shi Zhongyu furrowed her brows upon hearing this. “I saw a red carpet with patterns from the Western Regions. Jin Lan?”
Jin Lan stammered. “I-I saw a regular blue carpet with a pattern of longevity flowers…”
Monk Juehui pondered for a moment. “What kind of dim sum do you see on the table?”
Everyone answered one after another, and then they exchanged glances.
As everyone’s attention focused, both the carpet and the dim sum distorted, taking on bizarre appearances, and eventually twisted away. Only a piece of decaying carpet remnant and a plate of dark residue remained.
“I see now.” Monk Juehui sighed. “I see now.”
Yin Ci wasn’t surprised at all.
That was how objects in dreams were—the power of “Dream Bubble” had its limits, and most of the details were filled in by individuals’ subconscious. However, if everyone concentrated their attention on one thing, it would be shattered by conflicting imaginations, just like what happened to the man earlier.
However, this alone couldn’t break through the “Dream Bubble”, because dreams were never just one layer.
“Shizun, the dim sum disappeared completely just now. It must have been an illusion, right?”
Shi Jingzhi furrowed his brows, seemingly realizing something. “I saw rotten dim sum remnants. Wait, A’Ci, let me think…”
He took a few deep breaths and turned to Monk Juehui. “Master, I’ve read about it in books before. The Xiele Buddhist Sect seems to have a similar technique called… what was it?”
“You are knowledgeable, Young Patron. Yes, the Xiele Buddhist Sect does indeed possess a similar technique. That technique has long been lost, with only incomplete records remaining.”
Monk Juehui closed his eyes. “This technique is born from the burning of incense. All illusions are ominous, and if one touches them casually, they are easily affected by the dreams of all living beings.”
Shi Jingzhi gritted his teeth. “A’Ci, hold my hand.”
“No problem. Shizun, why did you suddenly mention this?”
Shi Jingzhi didn’t answer immediately. He took out the stuffed silver bell, cleared away the bits of paper, and swung the bell. The clear sound of the bell resonated through the room, creating ripples in the air.
“This technique affects the consciousness, deceiving the eyes but not the ears.”
Shi Jingzhi closed his eyes tightly.
“The sound of the bell expands and rebounds when it encounters an object. I can perceive the obstacles. Dream objects have no substance and can be penetrated by sound. If I don’t look at the dream and don’t acknowledge its existence, I shouldn’t be affected by consciousness-based techniques. Monk Juehui said this thing relies on incense to take effect, so we need to find the place with the strongest fragrance and destroy the incense burner.”
His voice was confident and loud, audible to everyone present.
…This kid is truly cunning.
Yin Ci’s lips curled up.
Shi Jingzhi was just spouting nonsense, performing a visual version of covering one’s ears while stealing a bell*. He had no idea whether the “Dream Bubble” would consider him as having “not touched” it.
*(掩耳盗铃) Idiom referring to someone who attempts to deceive others but ends up fooling only themselves. It comes from a story in ancient China where a man wanted to steal a valuable bell but feared that the sound of the bell would alert others. To prevent this, he covered his own ears while stealing the bell, thinking that if he couldn’t hear the sound, no one else would. || In this context, Shi Jingzhi is literally performing that (with a bell even!) but instead of covering his ears, he’s covering his eyes.
Naturally, it would be good if he considered it “not touched”. Even if he was considered as “touched”, he had managed to instill a subconscious sense of reassurance in everyone—they firmly believed that nothing would happen to him and he wouldn’t be affected by everyone’s nightmares, meeting the same gruesome fate as the man earlier.
The various illusions from before weren’t his own hallucinations; Shi Jingzhi indeed had a touch of madness deep down.
Matron Wuxue said with a serious tone, “Kid, do you really think you can do such a thing?”
Shi Jingzhi, wearing the mask, shook the silver bell in his hand, making it ring. “A trivial skill. I was born with heightened senses.”
His voice was steady, but his palms were covered in sweat. Yin Ci held his hand tightly, signaling him to relax.
“A’Ci, follow behind me, and be careful not to touch anything recklessly.”
“Yes.”
No one dared to search for treasure. The group followed Shi Jingzhi’s footsteps, walking cautiously, imitating his every move.
The mansion was large, and the group walked quietly for over an hour before Shi Jingzhi stopped—more precisely, he nearly tripped.
Yan Qing lay at the end of the corridor with his body stretched straight and arms tightly against his sides. The luggage of the Kushan Sect was neatly stacked next to him, with a sealed farewell letter placed on top.
His chest rose and fell calmly as he slept.
Yin Ci: “…Brother Yan, wake up.”
Shi Jingzhi immediately improvised. “Everyone, this is my new servant, recently recruited by our sect. He has been missing for a while. He’s visually impaired, perhaps naturally capable of breaking this technique, which is why he was left alone here.”
Amidst the commotion, Yan Qing slowly woke up, still groggy. “Hmm?”
Yin Ci whispered, “You didn’t touch anything at all?”
Yan Qing, with a bewildered expression, took a while before showing a hint of joy for having survived the ordeal. “This place is extremely dangerous, and I was well aware. Instead of triggering any mechanisms, it’s better to wait here for death… cough—wait for the two of you to rescue me.”
Yin Ci: “……” Well, no need to be that realistic.
Shi Jingzhi cleared his throat and changed the subject. “Have you found any clues?”
Yan Qing’s expression turned serious. He took a deep breath and pointed to a nearby bedroom.
“…There’s the sound of someone’s breathing inside.”
The author has something to say:
Also, although the name “Dream Bubble” may sound a bit like a magical girl technique (…), its origin is actually from Buddhism, specifically the phrase “All conditioned phenomena are like dreams, illusions, bubbles, or shadows,” which is a Buddhist concept.
The literal translation is just too dreamlike, so I had to explain it (…
He knew that Shi Jingzhi was clever and shouldn’t be underestimated. He also understood that the more he spoke, the more mistakes he might make, so he should immediately throw out the smoke bomb and leave the scene. The current Shi Jingzhi wouldn’t be able to stop him.
But he was just too curious—what was Shi Jingzhi going to do to him? And how did he view “Yin Ci” as his disciple?
So he laughed wantonly. “Most likely, I killed him.”
How would Shi Jingzhi react? Surprise, regret, fear, or—
A strong murderous intent suddenly erupted.
The half-broken flagpole instantly aimed at Yin Ci’s throat, but Yin Ci pinched it with two fingers and firmly stopped it. “Kid, you’re no match for me.”
Shi Jingzhi cautiously moved his feet, and the light from the tomb illuminated his face. He wasn’t wearing a mask, and his face flickered in the shadowy light, exuding an unusually strong demonic aura.
“I know,” he said hoarsely, his tone completely different from usual.
Yin Ci was slightly taken aback.
He had never seen Shi Jingzhi so angry before. In Yin Ci’s impression, his cheap master was usually never serious and only knew how to joke. This was the first time Shi Jingzhi had shown anger in front of him.
And it was an anger filled with killing intent.
Although Shi Jingzhi said he knew, he didn’t show the slightest sign of retreat. He refused to let go of the flagpole, and his gaze was like that of a vicious wolf selecting its prey.
All for a disciple he had only been with for less than a month?
Yin Ci’s interest grew. He decisively pulled back the flagpole, but unexpectedly, Shi Jingzhi held on tightly and charged straight at him. Yin Ci sidestepped, hooking Shi Jingzhi’s waist and pressing a finger on his shoulder, firmly pinning him to the stone pillar.
Leaning forward, almost touching noses with Shi Jingzhi, Yin Ci asked, “Since you know, why dare to provoke me?”
Shi Jingzhi struggled a few times, and his tone carried bloodlust. “I can’t kill Senior, but that doesn’t mean I can’t hurt you.”
“You two have a deep master-disciple relationship.”
Shi Jingzhi whispered, “It doesn’t matter if it’s deep or not; it’s ‘my possession’.”
Yin Ci: “…”
What kind of nonsense was this? Why hadn’t he heard about this before?
Yin Ci’s mind wandered for a moment. A layer of golden fire surrounded Shi Jingzhi’s body, and his amber eyes almost reflected a golden hue. The golden fire was scorching. Shi Jingzhi started to struggle fiercely that holding him by the shoulder alone wasn’t enough to restrain him.
He needed to find a better place to subdue him and make him more obedient.
Yin Ci moved his left hand upward, holding down Shi Jingzhi’s chin, forcing him to expose his throat. Just as his right hand was about to clamp down on his neck, Shi Jingzhi suddenly turned his head and bit down on Yin Ci’s left thumb.
Shi Jingzhi’s bite was incredibly strong. His teeth instantly broke the skin and reached the bone, staining his lips with blood that then flowed down his chin, shining brightly in the light of the yang fire.
Yin Ci could feel the scorching sensation of his opponent’s tongue. Shi Jingzhi seemed to be burning all over, like a moth drawn to the flame.
With a cold snort, Yin Ci firmly pressed his hand against Shi Jingzhi’s neck, allowing him to bite.
Leaving a wound would be good; later, the wound would disappear without a trace, and the suspicion of being “Mountain Dweller Yin Ci” would be smaller.
“Forget it, I only killed a few followers of the Ling Sect. Judging from your actions, you don’t seem like someone from the Ling Sect.” Yin Ci saw the other person increasingly losing control, and he didn’t want to take things too far.
Shi Jingzhi’s state was clearly not right.
Previously, he had been cautious and cherished his life. Even if he occasionally said a few foolish words, Yin Ci knew very well in his heart—they were just acquaintances with some good feelings, still guarded against each other, and far from committing their hearts to each other.
During these days, Shi Jingzhi had also not shown any extraordinary interest in “Mountain Dweller Yin Ci”.
Based on such a relationship, would it make Shi Jingzhi abandon his fear of death and fight desperately like this? Moreover, his current state seemed more like he had gone insane rather than being overwhelmed by grief.
…Was this loss of control really due to “his disciple being killed”, or was it because “everything was taken away”?
This person was too abnormal. A faint chill rose on Yin Ci’s back.
On the other hand, upon hearing Yin Ci’s denial, Shi Jingzhi finally loosened his grip. He licked the blood off his lips with a face filled with doubt. “You have his smell on you.”
Yin Ci narrowed his eyes. “Smell? This place is filled with the smell of blood. Where would there be his scent?”
Shi Jingzhi said in a cold voice, “I applied a special-scented ointment on him, so I can’t be mistaken. Senior definitely had contact with him.”
He knew that the peculiar-smelling burn ointment had some tricks. The ointment was applied to the ghostskin robe, so his hands inevitably picked up some of the scent.
Yin Ci sneered, then grabbed the front of Shi Jingzhi’s clothes, lifting him up along the pillar while concealing his healing thumb. “There’s no need for me to deceive you. Considering your young age, you wouldn’t have been able to take in disciples for many years. How did things escalate to this point? Are you and your disciple involved romantically?”
Shi Jingzhi clenched Yin Ci’s wrist with great force. “A’Ci saved my life, understands my emotions, and cooks delicious food…”
As he said this, he suddenly smiled, and the madness in his eyes diminished slightly. “He is ‘my’ disciple. As his master, I cannot let him down.”
Upon hearing this, the smile on Yin Ci’s face gradually disappeared.
At that moment, another “Suffering From Parting” mechanism was activated, and the dull friction sound reverberated through the hall.
Well, that was good timing.
Yin Ci looked coldly at Shi Jingzhi. “You’re somewhat pleasing to the eye, so I’ll spare you this time.”
He released his cheap master and struck forcefully at the spot where Shi Jingzhi had been. Debris flew as a large piece of the pillar shattered. The entire pillar cracked and slowly toppled.
At the same time, Yin Ci threw the smoke bomb, filling the space with gray-white smoke.
Taking advantage of the smoke not yet dissipating, Yin Ci quickly returned to the room. He put on the freshly dried ghostskin robe and lay down beside the monk, pretending to be unconscious.
Shi Jingzhi soon arrived.
“A’Ci, A’Ci.” He forcefully slapped Yin Ci’s face and shook him vigorously. “Wake up!”
“…Shizun, even if I’m awake, I’ll be knocked unconscious by you.” Yin Ci, irritated by the slaps, had to open his eyes.
Shi Jingzhi had already lost the anger he had before, and that look of madness seemed like an illusion. He checked Yin Ci’s pulse and sincerely breathed a sigh of relief. “Are you injured?”
Yin Ci gritted his teeth. “My face hurts.”
Shi Jingzhi: “It’s good that you’re fine. What happened here?”
“I woke up early and saw people from the Ling Sect, so I found a place to hide,” Yin Ci massaged his face while coming up with a prepared story. “I was discovered by an elder from the Ling Sect halfway through, but it was another person who jumped out. It was a man in white clothes, without any weapons.”
“He fought with the members of the Ling Sect, and that master was knocked unconscious by him while I was also dragged out and knocked unconscious… That’s all I remember.”
The nearby monk also woke up, clasping his hands together. “The Young Patron is right. This humble one also saw the person in white clothes. Unfortunately, my skills were no match for him, and I was knocked out by his palm.”
After the monk finished speaking, he looked up at the void and muttered softly, “Form is emptiness, emptiness is form*.”
*A Buddhist concept associated with the Heart Sutra, a fundamental text of Mahayana Buddhism. Its idea is that everything is interconnected and that all things are fundamentally empty of inherent existence. It points to the interconnectedness and interplay of form and emptiness, challenging dualistic perceptions and inviting a deeper understanding of reality.
“Perhaps it was a skilled master who infiltrated anonymously,” Shi Jingzhi innocently said, his expression unchanged. “This has nothing to do with us. Let’s go and get out of here.”
This was the Shi Jingzhi that Yin Ci was familiar with.
Yin Ci didn’t sit up immediately. “Shizun, how did you get out?”
“Me? I ended up with the people from the Rong Palace. They happen to have some knowledge about these things and didn’t think much of our small sect. I just took advantage of the situation.”
“Your mask…”
“Oh, right. I was in a rush and forgot to put it on.” Shi Jingzhi scratched his head in embarrassment as he gave a radiant smile.
The monk quietly turned away. “Form is emptiness—”
Shi Jingzhi quickly put on his mask. “A’Ci, come here. I’ll carry you.”
Yin Ci obediently extended a hand for Shi Jingzhi to pull him up. He looked straight into Shi Jingzhi’s eyes. “Shizun, you really came to rescue me.”
“Of course.” Shi Jingzhi’s tone was light and cheerful. “I am your master, after all.”
Yin Ci took two steps forward, almost leaning close to Shi Jingzhi’s ear, and asked directly, “I was wondering, why did you give me the Buddhist bead?”
Shi Jingzhi held Yin Ci’s shoulders with both hands, still smiling. “If I had taken away the bead, wouldn’t you feel anxious—afraid that I would abandon you or something. As a good master, there is no reason to make my disciple afraid.”
Yin Ci remained silent and just gazed steadily at Shi Jingzhi.
Previously, he was the “strange man in white”, and Shi Jingzhi had no need to act in front of him. Shi Jingzhi’s words were genuine, but there was an inexplicable sincerity that couldn’t be deduced by conventional reasoning, which made Yin Ci feel a bit uneasy.
Unaware of Yin Ci’s thoughts, Shi Jingzhi held his disciple’s hand.
“A’Ci, hold on a little longer. We have arrived at the entrance to the third level… Do you trust me now?”
“As your master, I will never let you down.”
Yin Ci reflexively wanted to withdraw his hand, but he held back. In the end, his hand trembled in Shi Jingzhi’s palm.
Initially, he agreed to follow Shi Jingzhi for seven parts utilization and three parts interest. Later on, perhaps the balance between “utilization” and “interest” shifted to fifty-fifty, but it still didn’t surpass the realm of “having fun”.
Now, among these reasons, a darker one emerged—he wanted to see if this person would fulfill his promise before dying.
People change. Shi Jingzhi was still too young. He didn’t yet understand that some promises should never be made lightly.
I will never let you down. I will never let you down.
If he considered the recent past, Sun Huaijin had also said these words. But every time he made a move behind Yin Ci’s back, Yin Ci saw it and couldn’t be bothered to point it out.
As for the person who said these words first…
Yin Ci stopped reminiscing, pulling out the most harmless smile and mixing in a perfectly timed sense of gratitude.
“I trust you, Shizun.”
I definitely don’t trust you.
Shi Jingzhi fully regained his spirits and lifted Yin Ci and the monk up from the ground, directly facing the people from the Taiheng Sect and Jianchen Temple.
Shi Zhongyu was in the middle of a conversation with Monk Juehui. Upon seeing the safe return of the Kushan Sect master and his disciple, she stopped talking and had a slight smile on her face. “Both of you are really lucky.”
Yan Qing’s divination was quite accurate. The Taiheng Sect indeed had good luck, and they didn’t suffer many casualties this time. Shi Jingzhi couldn’t hold back his question. “Miss Shi, how did you break the ‘Suffering From Parting’?”
“Thanks to the masters of Jianchen Temple. They have been practicing asceticism for years, with their limbs bound by heavy sand hoops. The sand hoops are extremely heavy, which was more than enough to deal with the stone pillars.”
Yin Ci: “…” He had completely forgotten about this matter. If he had remembered, perhaps he could have avoided losing a few limbs.
Shi Jingzhi didn’t understand his disciple’s pain. He continued cheerfully, “That means only the people from the Ling Sect, Chigou Sect, and Yueshui Pavilion are left.”
Before he finished speaking, the fourth “Suffering From Parting” slowly descended, carrying a strong smell of blood.
Matron Wuxue was the first to jump out. Her eyes scanned the Taiheng Sect and Jianchen Temple, clearly counting the number of people. In the end, a hint of regret could be seen in her gaze.
“Let’s go.”
She flicked the blood off her hand.
“This Ghost Tomb is finally over.”
The author has something to say:
There is a reason why Fox Shi is regarded as an evil by his brothers! Xu Jingming won’t go all out just because of a prophecy… The reasons will be revealed later (?
Let’s rule out two wrong answers: It’s not about multiple personalities or being possessed, haha.
Yin Ci: Are you having an affair with your disciple?
Kinky Translations 