Chapter 428: A Malicious Visit, The Locust Sword’s Might
“Q-Quickly, please come in.”
Xueshan snapped out of her daze and hurriedly opened the door: “If others see you, they might become suspicious.”
“Mm.” The long-haired young woman quickly entered the courtyard.
After the gate was closed and secured, she looked around and murmured: “Have you been bothered by anyone these past few days, Miss Xueshan?”
“No… not really.”
Xueshan shook her head, leading her into the main hall.
“Because of the Spring Festival, the medicine shop where I work is temporarily closed, and my grandfather went back to his hometown to visit relatives. I’ve been staying at Master’s house, I haven’t gone out.”
“Then how have you been eating, Miss Xueshan?”
“Our neighbors are very kind, they’ve been bringing me food since I’m living here alone.” Xueshan bit her lip slightly and said anxiously: “The matter of life and death you mentioned earlier, sister…”
The long-haired young woman sighed softly: “I received news that a friend of Master Lin’s has been captured by the Ghost Ming Sect, their fate unknown.”
Xueshan’s eyes widened in shock, covering her mouth with her hand: “Master’s… friend?!”
“When Master Lin returns after visiting his family, just tell him the name ‘Ren Yinshan,’ he should understand.”
The long-haired young woman smiled faintly: “And for now, Miss Xueshan, it’s best for you to stay in this house, just in case.”
“I-I understand.”
Xueshan nodded repeatedly, her face slightly pale.
Although she rarely went out, she had heard about the recent incidents in Changling County from the neighbors.
This Ghost Ming Sect, a mysterious and strange organization, had suddenly appeared. Although they hadn’t directly attacked Changling County, there were many rumors about their sinister activities. And most importantly, a few members of the Ghost Ming Sect had come to Changling, their attitude arrogant and unreasonable, even causing conflict with the local authorities and kidnapping several women.
What happened to those women afterward was unknown to the ordinary residents. But one thing was certain… this Ghost Ming Sect was incredibly powerful, even the local authorities couldn’t do anything about them.
That was why Changling County had been so quiet and deserted during the New Year period, everyone on edge, afraid of going out and encountering those villains from the Ghost Ming Sect.
“The situation is indeed quite worrying.”
The long-haired young woman rubbed her temples and sighed softly: “Although the county seems peaceful, but in secret…”
“But thankfully, that Ghost Ming Sect doesn’t seem to be too interested in Changling County. They’ve only sent a few insignificant disciples to cause trouble, I can still handle them.”
“S-Sister…”
Xueshan’s expression was complex, and she whispered: “Since you’re a friend of Master Lin, if you feel unsafe, you can also stay in this house.”
“It’s fine.”
But the long-haired young woman quickly smiled faintly, regaining her composure: “I just came here to ask you to deliver a message, Miss Xueshan, not to seek refuge. As for the matters outside, we adults will handle them.”
She smiled gently, stroking Xueshan’s cheek: “Living here alone must be inconvenient. If you need anything, I can have someone bring it to you later.”
But before Xueshan could respond, the long-haired young woman’s expression suddenly turned serious as she looked towards the door.
“Sister, what’s wrong? What happened outside—”
“Shh.”
The long-haired young woman quickly put a finger to her lips.
Xueshan immediately fell silent, not daring to even breathe too loudly.
Faint, noisy sounds could be heard from outside.
Could it be the neighbors—
Xueshan listened carefully for a moment, her face suddenly changing: “It’s Old Master Nie next door!”
“You stay here, I’ll go and have a look.” The long-haired young woman waved her sleeve and pulled Xueshan back into the main hall. Then, with light and swift steps, she arrived at the door, and the bolt slid open.
…
Two men stood in the alley outside the Lin residence.
They were both dressed in black, embroidered robes, a seemingly uniform attire, with black tokens bearing the character ‘冥’ (ming, underworld) hanging from their waists, a cold and unapproachable aura emanating from them.
Passersby quickly avoided them, not daring to linger.
Because most of the residents already knew—
That these black robes and tokens were the mark of the Ghost Ming Sect!
One of the middle-aged men, examining the nearby residence, crossed his arms and chuckled: “Jiang Huaihe, you’ve chosen quite a remote place.”
“You, Chen Wei, are ignorant of the subtleties of this place.” The man called Jiang Huaihe was slightly plump, his otherwise handsome face marked with strange, sinister patterns, like fangs or claws, a rather eerie sight.
He narrowed his eyes: “Besides, this place… is a focal point of energy in Changling.”
But just then, a figure approached them.
Dressed in a blue robe, an elderly man with graying hair and beard, lightly dusted with snow, it was Nie Qingyuan, who lived nearby.
He walked towards them, cupped his hands, and bowed respectfully, asking calmly: “Gentlemen, may I ask why you’ve come here?”
“Old man.”
Chen Wei glanced at him coldly, his hands behind his back: “I heard that this residence belongs to the so-called Master Lin, Lin Tianlu, is that correct?”
Nie Qingyuan’s thoughts stirred, and he said gently: “This is indeed Master Lin’s residence. However, he and his family left Changling half a month ago to visit relatives, the house is currently empty.”
“Really?”
But Jiang Huaihe, who was slightly shorter, raised an eyebrow with a playful look: “Are you sure that no one is living in this house?”
Nie Qingyuan’s palms were slightly sweaty, but he still smiled faintly, stroking his beard: “Master Lin’s entire family is away, there’s no one else here. You must be mistaken, gentlemen.
As for a while ago, there were indeed quite a few people coming to visit Master Lin, but after waiting for days without seeing him, they eventually gave up and left. There’s no need for you to waste your time here as well, gentlemen.
Look, the fallen leaves in the courtyard haven’t been swept for a while, and there are even cobwebs on the door frame!”
“Your words are quite convincing.”
Chen Wei smiled casually: “However, we’re not here for Lin Tianlu.”
“Oh?” Nie Qingyuan’s face showed a look of surprise: “You’re not here for Master Lin? Then why—”
“I heard that there are many… beautiful young ladies in this area.”
“This… Master Lin’s wives have also left Changling with him, you’ve come for nothing, gentlemen.”
“If they’re not here, there are still others.”
Chen Wei meaningfully glanced at the surrounding houses: “Besides, this place has a strong spiritual energy, perfect for setting up a formation node.”
Jiang Huaihe beside him chuckled: “And that little girl inside, we can’t miss her either.”
Hearing this, Nie Qingyuan’s heart sank, a sense of unease rising.
These two, they already knew that Xueshan was living in Master Lin’s house, they had come prepared!
“However—”
Chen Wei suddenly changed the subject, a playful glint in his eyes: “I also heard that this residence of Master Lin’s has some… special properties, perhaps some protective measures.”
Then, he waved his sleeve and smiled: “Old man, why don’t you go and… convey a message? Ask the surrounding residents to come out and help us search Master Lin’s house?”
Nie Qingyuan’s expression changed slightly, and he said in a deep voice: “I can’t do that. Trespassing and stealing, if we’re reported to the authorities, we’ll all be imprisoned.”
“Is that so?”
He grinned: “But what if the authorities… approved of this, and even offered a reward?”
“This…”
Nie Qingyuan’s back was drenched in cold sweat, he was speechless.
Even with his knowledge and experience, he didn’t know what to do.
These two from the Ghost Ming Sect clearly had a plan, they hadn’t come here by chance.
Reasoning with them would be useless.
If he was forced to bring the residents here and they barged into Master Lin’s house, besides the loss of property, that Xueshan boy living inside would be— “You would make a good puppet, old man.”
The atmosphere changed as Chen Wei suddenly sneered: “Forcibly dragging them out would cause too much commotion, but if you were to ‘persuade’ them, I’m sure some would listen.”
Nie Qingyuan’s eyes widened, and he took two steps back instinctively: “What… are you planning to do?!”
The Ghost Ming Sect members grinned and raised their right hands, a dark, swirling Yin energy gathering in their palms, a chilling sight that made Nie Qingyuan’s hair stand on end.
These people were truly lawless!
Whoosh—!
Just then, a gentle breeze suddenly blew.
The two Ghost Ming Sect members’ faces changed slightly as they looked at the woman who had suddenly appeared.
As the hem of her lotus-patterned skirt settled around her ankles, her graceful figure was revealed, and just a glance at her beautiful face was enough to recognize her.
“So it’s the Golden Phoenix Mistress, what a surprise to find you here.”
“A friend of mine lives here, I came for a visit, is there a problem?”
The long-haired woman waved her sleeve gracefully, tilting her head slightly, a faint smile on her lips: “Or rather, are you two the ones breaking the rules?”
“Although we promised not to kill indiscriminately in Changling County, we never promised not to enter.”
Chen Wei quickly regained his composure and retorted: “Besides, we weren’t going to harm this old man, just ask him for a small favor.”
“Unfortunately, this old man is a friend of mine, and he’s quite elderly, he can’t help you with anything.” The long-haired woman smiled and spread her hands: “You two guests from the Ghost Ming Sect, shouldn’t you be more concerned about your own affairs? There’s no need for you to worry about Changling County, our Ji Red Workshop will take care of it.”
Chen Wei’s eyes narrowed, his voice turning cold: “Do you really think we’re afraid of you and your Ji Red Workshop?”
“Of course not.” The long-haired woman gently brushed her hair, an elegant smile appearing on her face: “But your sect has just emerged from seclusion, it’s not wise to make enemies everywhere. I don’t think your superiors would approve of you causing trouble and provoking unnecessary conflicts, would they?
It wouldn’t be beneficial to your sect’s expansion.”
“…You’re still as sharp-tongued as ever.”
Chen Wei said slowly and coldly: “But you deliberately came here to intervene, it makes me… want to test your strength.”
“Wait.”
Jiang Huaihe, standing beside him, sneered, his hands behind his back: “It’s fine to give the Ji Red Workshop some face and wait for a few days.
But you can’t protect this Changling County forever. When our Ghost Ming Sect has the time, do you really think you can escape, girl?”
Facing their mockery, the long-haired woman just smiled elegantly: “There’s no need for you to worry about that. Whether I live or die makes no difference to your Ghost Ming Sect.”
“Good!” Chen Wei sneered, his voice sinister: “Since you’ve said so, Golden Phoenix Mistress, I hope you’ll… ‘take good care’ of those little girls under your protection, make sure they don’t… disappear.”
The long-haired woman’s eyes turned cold, her smile fading slightly: “Does your Ghost Ming Sect enjoy making such empty threats?”
“Heh! You dare obstruct our Ghost Ming Sect, you should consider the consequences.”
Jiang Huaihe’s expression turned grim, and he said sharply: “Next time, no matter your status in the Ji Red Workshop, you will face the wrath of our Ghost Ming Sect! You won’t be able to protect a single blade of grass in this mortal county!”
Saying this, he raised his hand, and a black vortex of energy appeared in his palm, just a wisp of its aura making the long-haired woman’s face turn pale. She quickly shielded Nie Qingyuan behind her and shouted: “Enough! Do you truly want to break our agreement and kill someone on our Ji Red Workshop’s territory?!”
“Of course not.”
He grinned sinisterly: “But… a small lesson is necessary.”
As soon as he finished speaking, he flicked his wrist, and the swirling vortex of ghostly energy shot out, crashing into the nearby Lin residence!
“Damn it—”
The long-haired woman’s pupils constricted, her face turning pale, as she was about to intervene.
But just as she moved, Chen Wei, as if having anticipated this, snorted coldly and formed hand seals. Black, bone-like spikes emerged, forming a barrier, blocking her.
In that brief moment of delay, the vortex of baleful energy exploded, creating a fierce and chilling wind!
“Ugh!”
The long-haired woman groaned, shielding Nie Qingyuan behind her, taking the full brunt of the attack.
Nie Qingyuan stumbled a few steps, almost falling, his voice trembling: “X-Xueshan, she…”
“I believe that house… is currently unoccupied, right?”
Jiang Huaihe withdrew his hand and sneered: “We just destroyed half the house, consider it a warning.
I hope you’ll be more sensible in the future, Golden Phoenix Mistress… After all, you seem like a smart woman, not a fool who would disregard the bigger picture for the sake of some petty loyalty or friendship.”
“…”
The long-haired woman bit her lip, her gaze cold as she glanced sideways: “Do you need me to… send you on your way now?”
“There’s no need.” Chen Wei casually waved his sleeve and sneered mockingly: “Why don’t you clean up this mess first, Golden Phoenix Mistress?”
The long-haired woman was about to speak when her expression suddenly changed, and she looked back at the Lin residence in surprise.
A golden light gradually pierced through the dust and smoke, revealing the outline of the Lin residence’s gate— With just a glance, the long-haired woman breathed a sigh of relief.
The Lin residence, despite having just been hit by such a powerful attack, was completely unharmed. As the golden ripples slowly dissipated, the simple and elegant courtyard reappeared.
The dust and smoke had only stirred up the dirt on the outer walls.
“This, this is…”
Chen Wei and Jiang Huaihe also saw this scene, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.
That attack had been effortlessly blocked!
“Jiang Huaihe, did you hold back just now—”
“How could I possibly hold back?”
Jiang Huaihe’s expression darkened as he stared at the Lin residence, his eyes filled with surprise and uncertainty.
He had never seen that strange golden light before. What secrets were hidden within?
Could it be… that this golden light was what the Ghost Lord had specifically instructed them to investigate?
“It seems… you two from the Ghost Ming Sect are truly angry, even wanting to destroy an unoccupied residence.”
The long-haired woman quickly regained her composure and said calmly: “However, since you’re done causing trouble, you should leave Changling and report back to your superiors, I won’t see you out.”
She casually waved her hand dismissively: “I still have to clean up this mess, all this dust and debris is quite unsettling. I’ll have to take another bath tonight after returning.”
“…”
Her words carried a hint of mockery, making Chen Wei and Jiang Huaihe’s faces darken.
Their attempt at intimidation had become…
…a laughable joke.
“Tsk!”
Jiang Huaihe clicked his tongue, glaring at her angrily. He flung his sleeve, and several streaks of Crimson Sun Essence, infused with a terrifying baleful energy, converged, seemingly transforming into a blazing blade.
In an instant, he slashed downwards!
“Break!”
Crack!
A crisp cracking sound echoed as half of the blade flew into the air, not even stirring up any dust.
“…”
Jiang Huaihe and Chen Wei were stunned again.
And Jiang Huaihe, who had unleashed the attack, was filled with disbelief.
This… was impossible!
That strike, its power comparable to a profound technique, should have been enough to kill even a Crimson Demon Realm demon or ghost, how could it not even cause a ripple?!
Hum—
At this moment, a faint light suddenly rose from within the courtyard.
Jiang Huaihe and Chen Wei’s eyes widened as they saw…
…a wooden sword emerge from behind the wall?!
Just as they were surprised, Jiang Huaihe’s pupils constricted abruptly, and without a word, he turned and fled, transforming into a streak of light and disappearing into the distance.
“This—”
Chen Wei was stunned for a moment.
But then, his heart was filled with an indescribable terror, his face pale with fear and despair as he looked up at the sky, howling: “N-No, no, no—”
A streak of sword light, like a divine decree, descended.
Judgment and execution, a single flash.
Chen Wei stood frozen in place, still in his defensive stance.
But a faint bloodline appeared on his forehead, slowly spreading downwards, until his body was cleaved in two.
The next moment, the Locust Sword, its blade shimmering with light, turned towards the direction where Jiang Huaihe had fled, and a brilliant streak of light, like a crack in the heavens, pierced through the sky.
“…”
