The goose demon, Lord Bai, spun in place and let out two loud honks. It straightened its chest and raised its head. Its bean-like eyes shone with severity as it scanned the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect.
If looks could kill, Yin Ci felt like he had been insulted and cursed for eighteen generations. Shi Jingzhi, who was standing beside him, took a step back, his mood not much better.
Su Si hurriedly pulled out a basin of vegetable leaves, and only then did Lord Bai divert its gaze and start pecking at the food.
“Lord Bai is a goose I found near Yongsheng. It kept following me, so I took care of it casually—it has a keen intuition. As long as I follow its lead, my life is always preserved.”
Yin Ci looked at Su Si stroking the big goose and felt a little complicated.
Here they were, a healer, a diviner, a cook, and a vegetable seller, all gathered. Tomorrow, they would dominate the street corner.
Lord Bai seemed to realize that it had been categorized as “vegetable”, and its sharp gaze swept over. Its gaze wasn’t only focused on Yin Ci. It seemed Shi Jingzhi was also considering something similar.
For the first time, the master and disciple of the Kushan Sect stood united, facing the goose in a silent standoff.
Taking advantage of the situation, Su Si moved Lord Bai’s food bowl, took off the mountain ghost coin from its neck, and casually threw it to Yan Qing.
Yan Qing caught it steadily. “If you wanted to remind me that you came, leaving something behind would have been enough. Why bother taking it away?”
“This thing wards off evil spirits. Besides, if I happen to die nearby, you might be able to identify my remains with it and help bury me.”
Yan Qing frowned when he heard this. “Why say something so unlucky?”
Su Si grimaced, and his eyes faintly drifted towards the master and disciple, showing a bit of concern.
Having walked the lower levels of the martial world for a long time, gullibility was most taboo. Trusting others lightly was the last thing Su Si would do. Yin Ci happened to want to leave the room and observe the situation outside.
Shi Jingzhi acted even faster. He coughed twice. “Since there won’t be any immediate danger, I’ll take A’Ci for a stroll nearby. There’s a river not far from here. Can we catch fish there?”
‘Not good,’ Yin Ci thought. It seemed like his master had some unresolved issues with fish.
Su Si happily said, “Of course, it’s a good idea. We can cook some fish later. How about taking Lord Bai with you?”
Both of them shook their heads resolutely.
“Alright then, it’s not far anyway. Just don’t provoke the villagers.” Su Si scratched his head. “The fishing net is behind the door, so help yourselves.”
Su Si’s residence was on the outskirts of the village, near the river. There weren’t many passersby nearby, making it very peaceful. The river water was clear, revealing the riverbed. The fish in the river had plump bodies, leisurely twisting and sucking the tiny flower petals on the water’s surface.
Shi Jingzhi paid no attention to the fishing net. He took off his shoes and socks, tied up his clothes, and took out his bamboo pole as he walked towards the river. The river flowed slowly, barely reaching his knees.
Yin Ci dragged the fishing net and found a stone by the river to use as a seat.
Looking at the scenery in front of him, it was nothing more than a paradise. However, he had noticed all the way here that there was no shrine or medicinal garden. He didn’t know where the immortals mentioned by Yin Deng lived, or where the elixir came from.
As he was thinking, Shi Jingzhi suddenly inserted the bamboo pole into the water and lifted a fish out. The fish’s tail flicked in the air, splashing numerous sparkling water droplets, with a few landing on Yin Ci’s face.
The fish here lived a comfortable life, with their bellies full and their minds at ease. They were only familiar with gentle nets and had never tasted such bitterness. The fat fish, lifted out of the water, was filled with anger, and its tails floundered like steel whips.
Shi Jingzhi closed his eyes.
He carefully stepped in the water, gracefully evading the fish’s tail. Shi Jingzhi’s movements were extremely restrained, like a gentle breeze, not causing a single splash or disturbing the fish in the water.
Yin Ci raised an eyebrow.
His master not only avoided the fish’s tail but even attempted to dodge the water droplets. It was his first attempt, so Shi Jingzhi’s shoulder was still splashed.
Taking advantage of his master’s distraction, Yin Ci lightly tapped the fish with the bamboo pole, causing it to hover in the air. Only when it stopped struggling did Shi Jingzhi stop practicing and toss the fish to Yin Ci on the shore.
Then another fish came, repeating the process.
Yin Ci quickly understood the technique. Shi Jingzhi had stolen various martial arts before and was now blending and modifying them to create something unique to himself.
To keep both his mind and body focused at the same time was undoubtedly a mentally and physically exhausting task. However, his master seemed tireless, practicing for a whole hour. With each movement, he displayed a hint of a daring and desperate feeling.
Surrounded by beautiful scenery and accompanied by Shi Jingzhi’s handsome face, the scene was pleasing to the eye. Unfortunately, Demon Lord Yin’s nature was not cooperative. As the warm breeze blew, he gradually became drowsy. Countless thoughts became muddled and mixed together.
What was Shi Jingzhi desperately trying to achieve? Did he know that his days were numbered? …This man was deep in his thoughts, so perhaps he knew.
His lively master, jumping around and counting the remaining days, was, in a sense, more tormenting than lingering on a sickbed. Yin Ci had witnessed countless talented individuals, unable to fight for their lives, succumbed to despair and madness.
Throughout their journey, this man had remained composed, fearing death. He didn’t seem like someone who had seen through worldly matters, so how could he maintain his sanity?
Yin Ci yawned and hugged the fishing net tightly. Dozens of fat fish were struggling for breath in the net, but there wasn’t much fishy smell. He squinted, basking in the sunlight, feeling light and ethereal, wishing he could lie down on the spot.
Shi Jingzhi was still practicing diligently in the river.
Forget it. It had nothing to do with him. After all, Shi Jingzhi had said when they left the Ghost Tomb that he wouldn’t pry into his personal matters anymore.
Master and disciple were separated by a seemingly nonexistent paper window*, and neither of them would break through it. They would make do with what they had. Shi Jingzhi understood when to advance and retreat, so he probably wouldn’t provoke anyone voluntarily…
*Metaphorically refers to a thin layer that can be poked/pierced through, describing information or secrets that are not well kept or guarded and can be easily exposed.
“Feeling tired?”
Shi Jingzhi appeared out of nowhere, placing a hand on Yin Ci’s forehead and getting extremely close to his face.
His master’s hand was soaked in water which made it slightly cool. Yin Ci lifted his eyelids. “I’m fine.”
“If you’re tired, go to sleep. Master will take care of you.”
Shi Jingzhi smiled again—a smile that wasn’t condescending or deliberately pleasing, but pure and sincere.
Yin Ci felt as if he had been stung by a bee. He instantly became slightly more alert, but a dark restlessness emerged in his heart. Here it was again, that inexplicable sincerity.
He didn’t dislike sincere people, but this smile alone seemed to pierce through him.
Seeing his disciple furrowing his brows, Shi Jingzhi thought it was because Yin Ci was dissatisfied with waiting for so long. He moved his palm upward, taking the opportunity to tidy up Yin Ci’s hair. The gentle spring breeze rustled through, and Yin Ci, half asleep and half awake, had a few wildflower petals stuck in his hair.
That hand gently caressed the top of Yin Ci’s head, naturally sliding down his face, tucking away a few stray hairs behind his ear.
Yin Ci trembled as if struck by lightning, grabbing hold of that wrist.
Fingers brushing through his hair, accompanied by the beautiful scenery beside them, and that sincere smile. He had seen this scene before and suddenly understood the source of his restlessness.
Shi Jingzhi, chasing after a fleeting hope like a bubble with what little life he had left, was no different from himself. However, he had been trapped in a state of unable-to-die for too long, unable to even taste the flavor of hope, only wandering like a walking corpse.
No one could escape from collapse, as long as they had a heart.
Over twenty years ago, at Kushan, Yin Ci was on the verge of losing himself to madness. He had taken refuge in the Juyi Valley, filled with monsters, yet still encountered an outsider—a two- or three-year-old mute child that somehow managed to sneak in.
If it weren’t for that child, Yin Ci would have undoubtedly lost his humanity long ago and turned into a monstrous killer.
Even the mute child would smile with such sincerity. It made sense since an ignorant child wouldn’t know any other way to smile.
But that child would also reach out and slowly touch his hair, from the top of his head to his cheeks, gathering the unruly strands behind his ear.
It was exactly the same.
Yin Ci took care of the mute child for a while, even considering taking the child with him. Although the goodwill of a child couldn’t last, and flowers would always wither, he was better at bidding farewell than anyone else in the world.
But in the end, he couldn’t take the mute child with him.
The mute child died. It was as if it was a slightly bloody twist of fate, forcing him to remain conscious in this world.
The Juyi Valley back then was just as beautiful as a dream.
The familiar scene reappeared, and Yin Ci was once again stung by the fangs of “fate”. He held onto Shi Jingzhi’s wrist tightly, while his mind was muddled as he thought, ‘Yes, this person won’t live much longer either.’
Shi Jingzhi winced in pain. “A’Ci?”
“It’s nothing. I’m just a bit dizzy from being tired.” Yin Ci gradually loosened his grip.
‘If the mute child were still alive, they would be around this age by now,’ he thought absentmindedly.
Ever since Shi Jingzhi made the “unfulfilled” promise, Yin Ci had been waiting for him to betray it. But what would he do if Shi Jingzhi never broke that promise, even until his death?
Now that they were separated by just a layer of paper window, Yin Ci was no longer inclined to continue playing the obedient disciple. Should he give his master a timely “surprise” as a reward?
However, he didn’t have much time to ponder, as a commotion suddenly broke out not far away. A group of villagers blew suonas*, scattering red paper strips in the air, and marched towards the village in a grand procession.
*A traditional double-reeded Chinese musical instrument. It had a distinctively loud and high-pitched sound, and was used frequently in Chinese traditional music ensembles, particularly in those that perform outdoors.
Shi Jingzhi immediately became alert. He lowered his head, lifted the net full of fish, and dragged Yin Ci back into the house.
Upon entering the house, both master and disciple almost thought they had walked into the wrong place.
The floor was covered in neatly folded clothes, some of which had already been washed and were hanging by the window. The table was wiped clean, and the Kushan Sect’s luggage had been organized. Sausages and preserved meat were placed in a basket near the stove.
“No fish allowed inside.” Fortunately, Yan Qing appeared in time, holding a broom as he spoke with a tone carrying a hint of authority. “Otherwise, the house will have a smell that’s hard to get rid of.”
Truly a servant trained by the Taiheng Sect, overly dedicated.
Su Si, on the other hand, was slumped lazily in a chair, with the large goose slumped on top of him. The two of them had turned into interior decorations. Su Si seemed to be in a good mood, apparently having a pleasant chat with Yan Qing.
Seeing the master and disciple return, Su Si straightened up and twirled the meat cleaver in his hand. “You’re guests, so I’ll take care of the fish alone. San Zi told me that Brother Yin is a good cook, so I’m really looking forward to it.”
Shi Jingzhi’s expression wasn’t particularly relaxed. “I saw a group of villagers in red outside, but I didn’t see any sedan chairs. What are they doing?”
“Oh, that’s a funeral procession.” Su Si patted Lord Bai a few times. “I’ve only heard people talk about it. This is the first time I’ve encountered it myself.”
“…They dress so festively for a funeral?” Shi Jingzhi furrowed his brows.
“There are many strange things about this village. Take the funerals, for example—when someone dies, the villagers dress and adorn the corpse, then use wooden sticks to prop up the limbs. Then they mix the deceased among the procession and send them off in a grand procession to the forbidden area, allowing the dead to ‘ascend to immortality’.”
Su Si laughed coldly. With his beautiful appearance and the tear mole accentuating it, he seemed somewhat frivolous.
“I was just telling San Zi. Xizhuang has hundreds of people, but I’ve wandered all over this place and haven’t seen anyone from Xizhuang, nor have I found any graves or corpses. If the people of Xizhuang are truly alive, they can only be in the ‘forbidden area’. I’m new here, so I don’t have the qualifications to approach that place. You guys…”
Lord Bai suddenly stretched its neck and let out a loud “honk”, causing Su Si to immediately shut his mouth.
After a moment, there was a knocking sound at the door. Su Si glanced at them and rolled his eyes, then swiftly opened the door.
Yin Deng stood outside, her big eyes spinning around.
“Mom asked me to bring you some outer garments. Uncle Liu has ascended to immortality today, and there will be a banquet tonight. Remember to come.”
Su Si quickly adjusted his expression and smiled warmly. “Uncle Liu has ascended to immortality?”
“Yes. Dad said he was cutting meat at home yesterday and injured his finger.” Yin Deng shook her head like an adult. “He left too early, and Auntie Liu is reluctant to part with him. But there are new guests in the village, so it doesn’t matter.”
Shi Jingzhi was shocked. “…Just from injuring his finger and he’s gone?”
“What do you mean gone? He ascended into an immortal!” Yin Deng tilted her nose.
Shi Jingzhi looked dazed, and Yin Ci somewhat understood his feelings—this girl was talking about a miraculous elixir that could cure all ailments, but if dying counted as ascending to immortality, that elixir might as well be made of paper ashes.
“Is it really just an injured finger?” Shi Jingzhi confirmed again.
Yin Deng had some patience for Shi Jingzhi. “Well, big brother, you’re not considered one of the villagers, so it’s normal that you don’t know.”
“The villagers don’t get sick. But if they suffer an external injury that doesn’t heal within three days, they will ascend to immortality.”
The author has something to say:
Time for Fox Shi to avenge his shame! 1 Shi = dozens of fish, congratulations!
Demonic Lord Yin: Probing the window paper’s edge repeatedly.jpg
————
I see that there are many friends discussing “side CP” in the comments, so let me explain a bit.
Personally, my habit is that if there are clear and complete romantic storylines for the main supporting characters in the text, I will indicate the side couples in the synopsis.
This novel doesn’t have any indication, similar to the previous two books. Yan Qing and Su Si are both traditional growth-type characters. The main focus of their storyline is on personal growth, and there won’t be a romantic storyline in the main text. If there is any romantic development, it will be in the extra chapters. Of course, you are welcome to freely imagine (wink).
Kinky Thoughts:
I would just say… keep this author note in mind for later…
Don’t expect anything from Su Si and Yan Qing…
