Chapter 253: Village Crisis, Sinister Sorcery
Mao Ruoyu lounged languidly on a long chair in the corridor, a contented smile on her face as she watched Yun Yue and Hua Shuya practicing with branches in the courtyard, her eyes filled with warmth and affection.
“With the wedding so close, you’re still so magnanimous, Ruoyu?”
A calm voice echoed beside her. Turning, she saw Yun Yue quietly sipping her tea.
Mao Ruoyu played with her braid, a soft smile on her face. “How is this peaceful life any different from being married? To me, our relationship is already like that of an old married couple. Just like you and Tianlu, Sister Yun—”
“Me?” Yun Yue’s normally impassive face turned towards her.
Mao Ruoyu smiled knowingly. “If you and Tianlu were to become closer, I would be happy for you both. If it pleases Tianlu, we could even have another wedding ceremony.”
“…”
Yun Yue remained silent, her expression still calm and cool.
But her lips, which had been sipping her tea, pressed together slightly.
…
As night approached, dark, heavy clouds gathered overhead.
The quiet, desolate village became even more silent under the howling wind, like an abandoned settlement, devoid of life and sound.
Only the unsettling chirping of insects and the dripping of water echoed through the village.
“…”
Inside a dilapidated thatched hut, two figures huddled together by the window, trembling slightly with fear, soft whimpers escaping their lips.
“It’s alright… it’s alright—”
A woman in coarse linen clothes fought back her fear, holding her daughter close, gently stroking her back and head, whispering reassurances. “It’ll be over soon. Just go to sleep.”
“Mmm…” In her arms, a young girl, barely past infancy, whimpered softly, tears welling up in her eyes, her small body trembling. But she didn’t cry out, burying her face in her mother’s embrace, seeking comfort and warmth.
The woman exhaled slowly, ignoring the dirt on her face, and glanced out the window.
—A figure in strange, sinister clothing stood motionless in the center of the village, unmoving for over an hour.
“…Monster!”
The woman quickly looked away, her face paling, her heart pounding with terror.
What was happening tonight was unlike anything she had ever experienced, or even imagined.
Yangzhu Village had always been peaceful and tranquil, the villagers helping each other. Although their lives were simple, they were content.
But tonight, that peace had been shattered.
The men, returning home from the fields, had suddenly collapsed, clutching their chests. The women felt dizzy and weak, unable to stand.
And after the strange figure appeared in the center of the village, all the villagers, hundreds of them, had lost consciousness, collapsing to the ground. Men, women, children, even the strong hunters, all lay motionless, as if drained of their strength.
A chilling silence descended upon the village.
She and her daughter had witnessed this horrifying scene from their doorstep.
Terror gripped her heart, but her survival instincts kicked in, and she grabbed her dazed daughter, running back inside and hiding.
As an hour passed, feeling like an eternity, her unease grew. Although she couldn’t understand what was happening, the ominous presence of that strange figure filled her with dread.
“We can’t stay here. We have to go to town and report this! If we stay… we’ll die!”
Her mind screamed.
But she realized her legs were weak, her hands cold and stiff, a chilling coldness creeping up her spine, paralyzing her with fear.
And if she tried to escape and was discovered…
“I didn’t expect to find two mortals with such unusual constitutions in this small village.”
A cold chuckle echoed through the room, like a demonic whisper.
The woman’s face paled, and she looked up in terror.
A middle-aged man in a luxurious black robe stood in the room, his build imposing, his dark eyes like bottomless pits. Their gazes met, and the woman’s heart lurched, her body trembling, a scream caught in her throat.
“W-Who are you—!”
“I’m not… ‘human.'”
The man in black grinned sinisterly. “Excellent. Although childbirth has weakened your Yin energy, your foundation is still quite good. With proper refinement, you’ll become a valuable asset. As for this little girl… tainted by mortal blood, she’s inferior. She can be a servant.”
“However—”
He glanced out the window. “Time is of the essence. An extra burden would be troublesome. I’ll just kill her now and have you consume her essence blood. It should restore some of your lost Yin energy.”
With that, the man raised his hand, a green light gathering in his palm, and struck out at the mother and daughter.
“No!”
The woman’s eyes widened in terror, her body trembling violently. She instinctively shielded her daughter, screaming in despair.
Crack!
A sound like exploding air echoed through the room, a gentle breeze brushing against their faces.
The woman squeezed her eyes shut, waiting for the pain, but felt nothing. She opened her eyes and looked at her daughter, who was also unharmed, trembling but without any injuries.
“Who… are you?”
A cold, displeased voice echoed from the man in black.
The woman looked up, startled.
A stranger was crouching before them, a faint green light lingering on their raised hand.
Judging by the slender, graceful figure, it was a woman!
“You don’t need to know my name.”
The black-haired woman stood up gracefully, turning to look at the mother and daughter huddled in the corner, a gentle smile on her face. “Take your daughter and move away, Miss. But don’t go too far. There might be other enemies lurking around. Stay within my sight.”
“B-Be careful, Miss…”
The woman stammered, standing up stiffly and stumbling away with her daughter.
She was bewildered, the black-haired woman who had suddenly appeared seeming like a celestial being, her beauty radiant even in the darkness.
“C-Could she be… a goddess sent to save our village?”
…
Ren Yinshan turned back to the man in black, her gaze calm. “You’re truly audacious, performing such a dangerous ritual and stealing the life force of mortals within Luo Xing territory. If they discover this, even with your high cultivation, you won’t escape their wrath.”
“The Luo Xing have many rules,” the man scoffed. “But this area… doesn’t seem to be under their control anymore, does it?”
Ren Yinshan’s eyes narrowed. “Even without the Luo Xing, stealing lives is a heinous crime against heaven and humanity. Do you really think you can escape karmic retribution?”
She felt a chill run down her spine.
This man, and the other one in the center of the village, were truly ruthless, casually taking the lives of an entire village.
If she had arrived any later, not only would the mother and daughter be dead, but the entire village would have been transformed into a demonic realm, the miasma spreading like a curse to other villages.
If she didn’t stop them, the casualties would be unimaginable!
“Hmph! What heavenly retribution can punish us in this world of demons and ghosts?” The man in black sneered, stepping closer. “I remember now… you’re Ren Yinshan, that former Luo Xing member who disappeared a few years ago after disagreeing with their principles. To think you’ve come to this remote place to uphold justice… how laughable!”
“Whether I’m laughable or not is not for you to judge, you vile creature.”
Seeing him reach towards her, Ren Yinshan’s eyes flashed coldly. She waved her sleeve, a gust of Yin energy blasting the man back, sending him crashing through the wall. He stumbled, then regained his footing.
“Heh, quite a temper for a woman.”
The man casually shook his hand, which was smoking slightly, a sinister smile on his face. “It’s been a while, Ren Yinshan. I’m curious to see how much strength you have left after leaving the Luo Xing. If you’re all talk, I might just take you back with me and… have a little chat.”
A chilling aura washed over Ren Yinshan, and she stepped back, disgusted by his gaze.
“Qi Xucai, the ‘Evil Ghost.’ You truly live up to your name.”
His name had been quite infamous a few years ago…
Among demons and ghosts, at least.
His methods were considered cruel and terrifying, even by their standards. The mortals he killed were often left in gruesome states, their bodies mutilated beyond recognition. His wanton slaughter had even displeased the Luo Xing, who had sent people after him.
But he was elusive and had gone into hiding after hearing the rumors. The pursuit had eventually been abandoned.
She hadn’t expected this incident to attract such a ruthless individual.
“I’m honored that you remember my name, Miss Ren.”
Qi Xucai pulled back his hood, revealing his hands, glowing with a sinister green light, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “But I’m more interested in draining your Yin energy and devouring you whole, turning you into nourishment for my own cultivation!”
“You wish!” Ren Yinshan summoned her zither, its form solidified by dense Yin energy. Her fingers plucked the strings, a sharp, metallic sound transforming into an invisible blade that sliced through Qi Xucai’s body.
Slash!
But his body instantly shattered into countless afterimages, grinning as they charged towards her from all directions.
Ren Yinshan’s expression remained calm. Her fingers moved across the strings, creating waves of invisible sound that shattered the approaching afterimages.
“Using music as a medium for Yin techniques… interesting.”
A mocking voice echoed from behind her. “But even within the Crimson Demon Realm, there are levels of power.”
Ren Yinshan’s expression changed, and she turned, using her zither as a shield, just as a powerful force slammed into her, sending her flying.
“Ugh!”
She landed on the rubble, regaining her balance, and looked back to see Qi Xucai grinning, a green light swirling in his hand.
Cracks had appeared on her zither, no longer able to withstand the strain.
“You’re weaker than I thought, Miss Ren. Such paltry tricks… you’re just asking for trouble.”
Qi Xucai’s expression darkened, killing intent surging in his eyes. “Since you’re no longer with the Luo Xing, I might as well break your limbs and take you back with me… to play. Such abundant Yin energy is wasted on you. I’ll help you… release it.”
He began chanting, his hands forming seals, and a powerful wind swirled around them. As Ren Yinshan watched warily, green lights spread out in a mysterious pattern, enveloping the area.
“What kind of technique… Ugh!?”
Ren Yinshan felt dizzy and nauseous, her limbs weakening, her Yin energy surging uncontrollably.
“You were trapped the moment you stepped into this formation. Your soul and Yin energy will be completely devoured.”
Qi Xucai grinned, intensifying the power of the ritual. “Just lie down and accept your fate! I have countless ways to make you suffer—”
Shink!
An ice blade pierced his back, emerging from his chest, freezing his triumphant smile.
Before he could turn around, the ice blade exploded, freezing him solid, transforming him into a lifelike ice sculpture.
The green light surrounding them vanished.
In that final moment, Qi Xucai caught a glimpse of a pale figure in white.
