Chapter 303: A Strange Relationship, An Ambush Laid
Yumin Village wasn’t shrouded in any strange Yin energy or techniques.
After wandering around the village all day, Lin Tianlu hadn’t found any signs of demonic activity.
But it was this incongruous peace and tranquility that made him suspicious.
After all, this place was very close to the Seven Stars Mend the Heavens Formation. It was hard to believe that there wasn’t even a ripple of disturbance.
Moreover—
Lin Tianlu walked silently through the deserted streets, lost in thought.
Although the villagers he had asked today were all hospitable and forthcoming, they had all briefly frowned after learning he was from another province.
It wasn’t disgust or exclusion towards outsiders, but rather as if they were hiding something.
Since he couldn’t get any information from the ordinary villagers, he decided to check out the area near the village head’s house, hoping to find something.
And as the time approached the third or fourth watch, the coldest and darkest part of the night, if there truly were any demons or ghosts deliberately concealing themselves, they wouldn’t be able to remain completely silent.
Just then, Lin Tianlu’s eyes narrowed.
“—There it is.”
A flicker of Yin energy had flashed in the distance.
He quickly gave chase.
…
Inside a dark and gloomy old house, a chilling Yin energy lingered.
An old man slowly walked over, holding a candlestick, stopping in front of an altar with a bronze mirror.
He took out some wood shavings and ashes from his pocket and carefully sprinkled them on the ancient altar in front of the bronze mirror.
A moment later, a faint ripple appeared in the bronze mirror, revealing a blurry and indistinct figure.
The old man quickly bowed respectfully: “Immortal, the matter you asked me to look into has some leads.”
“Oh, some strange people have come to the village?”
“Yes. A young couple arrived in the village today, both handsome and beautiful, truly outstanding individuals. According to the villagers who saw them, they looked like figures from a painting. And after chatting for a bit, they would ask about the village and Fengtai County.”
“Sigh——”
A faint sigh echoed from the bronze mirror, quite eerie.
“Asking about Fengtai County everywhere, they must be after the eight clans’ secret realm.”
The candlelight flickered, reflecting the old man’s worried and uneasy face as he hesitated: “Immortal, will they… target our Yumin Village?”
“There’s no need to worry, they’re not after your small village, their target is Fengtai County.”
“Then will they cause trouble in Fengtai County?”
“Let them come. Those rumors are spreading through the demon and ghost world. The time is approaching, and countless factions will be coming, one more or one less makes no difference. We have our own methods to deal with them, you don’t need to worry.”
The figure in the bronze mirror said in a deep voice: “How is the task I gave you progressing?”
The old man said anxiously: “Please rest assured, Immortal, I’ve already driven the ‘wedge’ into the back mountain.”
“Very good. I hope you’re not lying to me.”
“Y-You jest, Immortal. Our Yumin Village has prospered all these years thanks to your help, Immortal, how could I, as the village head, be careless with your instructions?”
The old man bowed deeply: “I’ve been going to the bamboo forest in the back mountain every day to check and make sure that the wedge hasn’t been tampered with, and that no one is following me. I’ll ensure that your plan proceeds smoothly, Immortal.”
“Heh, you’re quite thoughtful.”
The figure in the bronze mirror chuckled coldly: “If I succeed, I will reward your Yumin Village and protect you from any demons or ghosts for the next fifty years.”
“Th-Thank you for your great kindness, Immortal!” The old man’s face lit up with joy, and he knelt down despite his unsteady legs, kowtowing three times towards the altar: “On behalf of the nearly ten thousand villagers of Yumin Village, I express our deepest gratitude, Immortal!”
The figure in the bronze mirror was silent for a moment, then said softly:
“…Aren’t you curious about the purpose of the wedge in the back mountain?”
“If you don’t tell me, Immortal, I naturally won’t ask.”
“You’re quite loyal to me.” The figure in the bronze mirror suddenly smiled: “Although it’s for the prosperity of Yumin Village, your obedience is quite satisfactory.”
The old man took a deep breath and said sincerely: “Although your words are still cold, Immortal, you have indeed brought great prosperity to our Yumin Village these past few years. In my heart, I sincerely address you as Immortal.”
“You’re a smart man, and also honest and loyal, no wonder the thousands of villagers in Yumin Village have no complaints about you, even praising and admiring you.”
The figure in the bronze mirror slowly said: “If I weren’t so busy, I would like to visit Yumin Village again and see you, old man.”
“Immortal—”
“Who’s outside?!”
But at this moment, the figure in the bronze mirror suddenly shouted coldly: “Why are you hiding? Show yourself!”
The old man’s expression changed drastically, and he quickly turned to look at the door of the old house.
Creak
The old and dilapidated door was gently pushed open, and a handsome scholar quickly walked in with a smile, cupping his hands and bowing: “I couldn’t resist my curiosity and came at night, but it seems I’ve inadvertently interrupted your conversation. Please forgive me.”
“Y-You, how did you…”
The old man’s face was filled with shock after seeing his face, and he hurriedly stood up.
“Although your aura is well-hidden, there are still some traces.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently: “Please calm down, old man, I don’t have any hostile intentions.”
“I-Immortal!” The old man’s expression turned to panic, and he hurriedly explained: “I absolutely haven’t told anyone about—”
“I know, I wouldn’t suspect you because of this.”
The figure in the bronze mirror wasn’t flustered at all and said in a deep voice: “To be able to detect the faint Yin energy fluctuations of the ‘Gray Mirror Technique,’ you’re no ordinary person. What is your purpose in asking about Fengtai County in Yumin Village today?”
“I was just curious and wanted to be prepared.”
Lin Tianlu smiled faintly: “But I didn’t expect to encounter this old man having a harmonious conversation with a demon, it’s quite surprising.”
“Hmph! Knowing this, what are your intentions now?”
The figure in the bronze mirror said coldly: “Are you here to slay demons and eliminate evil, to cause trouble for me? Or are you going to capture this old man and ruin his reputation, or perhaps… you want to uphold justice and slay this mortal who colludes with demons?”
The old man’s expression changed several times, about to speak.
But Lin Tianlu shook his head and chuckled.
“You’re overthinking things, demon. What I want to do now is just sit down and have a chat with you two.”
“Chat?”
The old man was stunned, and even the figure in the mirror exclaimed softly: “A mortal who knows about the existence of demons and ghosts, yet you say such strange things?”
“I don’t have any grudges against you two, why would I resort to violence? I just want to understand your thoughts.”
Lin Tianlu closed the door casually and chuckled: “Let’s chat about Yumin Village, and also about Fengtai County.”
“I-Immortal! What should we do now?”
The old man was at a loss, not knowing what to do.
If this scholar had barged in with the intention to kill, he could have fought back. But the scholar’s gentle and polite demeanor left him puzzled, feeling only a sense of strangeness.
“—Interesting.”
The figure in the bronze mirror suddenly chuckled: “You mortal, knowing about the existence of demons and ghosts, yet still speaking so kindly, you’re truly different from ordinary people.”
“I’ve encountered various demons and ghosts over the past year, some good and some bad, so I can’t generalize.” Lin Tianlu said calmly: “Looking at the relationship between you and this old man, and listening to your conversation, it seems we can communicate and understand each other instead of resorting to violence.”
The figure in the bronze mirror chuckled strangely:
“What do you want to talk about, mortal?”
“I just happened to overhear a few words.” Lin Tianlu smiled at the old man: “Yumin Village has had bountiful harvests and abundant seafood year after year, could it be that you’re secretly helping them, Mr. Demon in the mirror?”
“Indeed, I used a technique to interfere with the destiny and energy flow of this place, making it more prosperous.”
Lin Tianlu couldn’t help but find this both amusing and ridiculous.
This demon, filled with Yin energy, actually understood feng shui and could even bring good fortune and prosperity to a place… It was truly an eye-opener.
As for whether he was lying, just look at the old man’s unwavering expression.
Lin Tianlu didn’t see any signs of demonic influence on the old man, clearly, he wasn’t being controlled.
“Heh, you brat… you actually believe that?”
The figure in the bronze mirror chuckled softly: “Don’t you think I might be deceiving this old man with some superstitious nonsense and some cheap tricks, making him believe it’s true?”
“Although this old man is elderly, his eyes are clear, and his complexion is good, he’s clearly not senile.
And although there are many superstitious beliefs among the common folk, I strolled around the village today and saw with my own eyes… the people of Yumin Village are truly living and working in peace and contentment, with abundant resources, a happy and carefree life.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled and cupped his hands: “At least I’ve never seen a demon who would go through so much trouble to deceive an elderly man without asking for anything in return.”
Even if this old man was the village head, wouldn’t the nearly ten thousand villagers notice if something was wrong with him?
And this demon, instead of harming the nearly ten thousand men, women, and children in the village, was only trying to deceive an elderly man… It was truly contradictory and pointless.
“Heh, you have a good eye, young scholar.”
The figure in the mirror seemed quite surprised.
But he quickly said with interest: “So, are you here to flatter me and get some benefits from me, just like this old man?”
“I won’t accept any unearned rewards, I’m not seeking any favors.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently and cupped his hands: “I just want to ask, why did you choose to help Yumin Village?”
“Why… It was just a whim.”
The figure in the mirror said casually: “I happened to encounter this old man in danger in the mountains, and I just happened to be passing by. Seeing his pitiful state, I saved him and then asked him to manage this small fishing village.
He does some trivial things for me that mortals can help with, and I, in turn, protect this village. It’s a mutually beneficial cooperation.”
“It seems you two are quite fated.”
Lin Tianlu turned to look at the old village head, whose expression had gradually calmed down, clearly realizing that he wasn’t here to cause trouble.
“It’s thanks to the Immortal’s care that I’m in this situation today.”
“Heh, perhaps it is fate.”
The figure in the mirror sneered: “Now that you know, what else do you want to ask?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled: “I’m even more curious now, what is your identity and status in the ancient realm, Mr. Demon?”
“Oh?”
Hearing this, the old man’s slightly relaxed expression turned serious again, and the figure in the mirror exclaimed softly: “Boy, how did you know I’m from the ancient realm?”
“I asked around in Yumin Village today, and their reactions were quite strange whenever I mentioned Fengtai County.” Lin Tianlu explained calmly: “From what I’ve learned recently, there’s a faction called the ancient realm behind Fengtai County, so I naturally made the connection.”
“For information about the ancient realm to be leaked, that’s unexpected.”
The figure in the mirror’s voice turned cold: “You want to know my identity in the ancient realm?”
“Rather than being curious about your identity and status, I’m more curious about the ancient realm’s true intentions.”
Lin Tianlu rubbed his chin and asked curiously: “Before coming to Yumin Village, I happened to encounter another person from the ancient realm. But he was different from you, more cruel and violent, trying to kill people at the slightest disagreement, truly unreasonable.”
“…”
Silence fell upon the old house.
Then, a human-sized figure slowly materialized in the room.
Lin Tianlu was slightly surprised.
Was this… a projected illusion?
A white-bearded old man appeared, his hands behind his back, a mocking look on his wrinkled face: “It seems that the Left Guardian of the Law, who suddenly disappeared a while ago, was killed by you, boy.”
Left Guardian of the Law?
Lin Tianlu’s thoughts stirred, and he quickly recalled the first person he had encountered from the ancient realm.
The old man in black who had suddenly attacked them.
“Are you trying to avenge that villain, old man?”
“Heh, I have nothing to do with him, whether he lives or dies is none of my business.”
The white-bearded old man flung his sleeve, and several chairs flew over from inside the house. He casually leaned back in one of them.
“He had a bad temper and a notorious reputation in the ancient realm. It’s a good thing if you truly killed him. It saves us from all the boring gossip and annoyance.”
Lin Tianlu’s eyes flickered.
It seemed that the ancient realm wasn’t a monolithic entity.
“Since you were able to kill the Left Guardian of the Law, it proves that you do possess extraordinary abilities.”
The white-bearded old man propped his knee up casually and grinned: “Are you also planning to get a share of the pie in Fengtai County?”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment, about to answer frankly.
But just then, both he and the white-bearded old man’s expressions suddenly changed, and they looked around.
A sudden surge of Yin energy appeared around them!
There was an ambush!
“What’s going on? This village is under my protection, how could there be villains causing trouble here?
Wait! Could it be—”
The white-bearded old man’s face turned pale as if he had realized something. He quickly grabbed the bewildered village head beside him and shouted hurriedly: “Boy! You’re quite interesting, it’s a pity we didn’t have time to chat more. If you manage to survive, we’ll meet again if fate allows!”
As soon as he finished speaking, the white-bearded old man disappeared with the village head, escaping at an incredible speed, as if fleeing from a dangerous battlefield.
Lin Tianlu’s gaze narrowed, glancing at the ground beneath his feet, which was emitting a deep black light, and looking up at the collapsing roof.
“—Ignore that child, and ignore this small village.”
Cracks, seemingly leading to an endless void, appeared on the roof of the old house, incredibly terrifying, a powerful and overwhelming pressure faintly emanating from within.
“Just capture this man!”
A deep voice, like the ringing of an ancient bell, echoed from the void.
At the same time, numerous blurry figures quickly emerged from the collapsing house, forming hand seals. Black lights intertwined and coiled, instantly enveloping the area within several dozen feet!
Feeling the rapidly increasing pressure, Lin Tianlu stood his ground, calmly looking around: “I see, you’ve already laid an ambush, trying to lure me into a trap.
And that old man unknowingly became your bait.”
“Lin Tianlu, surrender!”
A thunderous shout suddenly echoed.
Hum—!
Thunderbolts fell from the sky, dark clouds gathering, and a powerful pressure descended from above, the ground beneath his feet crumbling and collapsing.
Countless black light staffs rained down like a torrential downpour, sealing off all directions, as if hundreds or even thousands of spells were being cast simultaneously, intertwining within this strange and terrifying formation!
“Sealing his spiritual energy, severing the earth veins, isolating his aura, you won’t even be able to see the stars in the sky! Let’s see what other tricks you have!”
The resounding voice from the crack echoed: “Quickly cast the spell and avoid further complications. Completely seal and restrain him, and we’ll interrogate him after we capture him. We’ll find out how many secrets he’s hiding!”
Boom——!
The black light formation operated at full power, dozens of blurry figures working together to cast the spell, intending to end this ambush quickly and decisively.
This terrifying power almost shook the entire village. The white-bearded old man, who had fled, glanced back at the surging energy rising into the night sky and couldn’t help but click his tongue.
The dozens of figures who had appeared were all renowned experts in the ancient realm, the techniques they used were forbidden secret arts, incredibly powerful. This combined sealing technique could even trap a true immortal.
This boy was truly unlucky to have attracted the attention of those hidden old monsters.
Perhaps, it also proved that this boy truly possessed the ability to disrupt their plans, and they had to eliminate him as soon as possible.
The white-bearded old man sighed inwardly: “It’s a pity, even with his extraordinary abilities, this boy will fall today—”
Crack!
A crisp cracking sound suddenly echoed through the silence.
“…”
As countless shocked gazes watched, a hand tore through the black light barrier, a faint and indifferent smile appearing amidst the scattering debris.
“Such a grand welcome.
However, I don’t know you at all, there’s no need for such a close encounter.”
Lin Tianlu looked around coldly, glancing at the blurry crack above: “I might as well send you all back home. Or, you can all stay here, don’t go anywhere, just stay in this village.”
