Chapter 26: The Gallant Knight Errant

  At night, when Xu Xian and the others returned to the Lanruo Temple, they only then learned that Shu Sheng had died. Upon hearing the news, Xu Xian was stunned for a moment, then let out a sigh, knowing in the end he couldn't save him. The path is one's own to walk, what others can do is merely remind and help, but cannot make choices on your behalf.

  Both of them were bold and dared to enter the east wing room to take a look at the corpse. There was no wound on the body, and the deceased scholar still had a dazed smile on his face. Only the sole of his foot had a small hole, from which blood was slowly flowing out. This bizarre scene made both of them, who were not ordinary people, catch their breath in cold air.

  That child was crying towards the corpse, but what he was crying about was himself. The master had died inexplicably, and even if he could wash his hands of the matter, his own fate would probably not be much better. The faint sound added to the eerie atmosphere.

  Xu Xian and Ning Cai Chen lit a bonfire in the Buddhist temple, warming up the chilly air. Today, they bought some things and planned to invite Yan Chi Xia to drink together tonight as a return for yesterday's hospitality. The wine was simmering on the fire, and the paper-wrapped cooked food was placed aside. Both of them were somewhat silent. They also asked that book boy to come over, but he said he needed to tidy up some things before coming.

  After a long time, the book boy still didn't come back, so Xu Xian went to look for him. He found the book boy's corpse in the grass outside the courtyard, with a hole in his chest and his heart gone. Next to him was a package that had spilled some gold and silver, apparently the book boy had wanted to steal the money and run away, but he didn't know that evil thoughts would summon an evil spirit.

  The bonfire is burning fiercely, and behind it is the solemn Buddha's treasure appearance. Is the Buddhist Dharma boundless, or can't it control people's hearts? Or is this evil spirit killing people also a part of the Buddhist Dharma? Otherwise, why is there the Six Paths of Reincarnation? Why is there the underworld and hell?

  Xu Xian sat, pondering that the deaths of these two were just a plot twist in the book. He had done his part as a human and had no regrets. As for their greedy and lustful behavior, he didn't have any good feelings towards them either. But something still bothered him - could it be that good people would die like this? Whether it was greed or lust, weren't they just normal human emotions? Just like how fishermen let down their fishing hooks, and the fish swallow the bait, did they really deserve to die?

  Yan Chi Xia returned, and the stagnant atmosphere in the courtyard was finally dispelled. He strode into the hall with his broad shoulders and long arms, laughing loudly: "As soon as I entered the temple gate, I asked about the wine." But then he noticed the unusual expressions on their faces: "What's wrong, why are you both looking so gloomy?"

  Xu Xian looked at the rough and burly man and felt a bit safer, so he told him about what had happened today.

  Yan Chi Xia furrowed her brow, her two thick eyebrows knotting together. "It's probably a demon harming people! However, with an unyielding heart, demons can't invade." Her tone carried a hint of disdain, but it was unclear whether the disdain was for ghosts or humans, perhaps it was both.

  Ning Caichen said in a loud voice: "That's the truth, don't do anything shameful, and you won't be afraid of ghosts knocking on your door. Brother Yan, for this sentence, I'll toast to you."

  Xu Xian furrowed his brow, still unable to fully agree with the thoughts of the ancients. Yan Chi Xia had lived here for a long time, and although he went out early and returned late every day, with his abilities, he should have known that there were ghosts and spirits here, so why didn't he care?

  Thinking of the demonic method of killing people, Xu Xian sighed. This person probably felt that those who died were to blame for themselves! It's just that being greedy and lustful is enough to deserve death, but it shouldn't be dying in such a trap. Life is determined by heaven, but the path is one's own. Xu Xian didn't want to question other people's choices, but he made up his mind to sweep away the ghosts and monsters of Lanruo Temple. The Qinghong Sword was lying beside him, but he still needed to borrow someone else's strength.

  Three men drinking and eating meat, three straightforward and generous fellows met together, with a feeling of "wine meets bosom friends, a thousand cups are not enough". In the dark and majestic hall, the heroic spirit, chivalrous spirit, and righteous spirit filled the entire hall.

  In the even deeper darkness outside the grand hall, countless faintly peering eyes were intimidated by this aura, and no one dared to approach.

  When the wine was getting stronger, Xu Xian asked Yan Chixia about his life story with a smile.

  Yan Chixia only mentioned it briefly, without any hint of pride. Ning Caichen then realized that the man in front of him was a swordsman and suddenly became interested, asking question after question. Yan Chixia concealed nothing and answered frankly, neither pretending to be humble nor boastful.

  Execute the treacherous and deceitful, slaughter those who are unjust, look around and kill people, take ten steps without leaving a trace.

  Both of them were so excited and eager that they wished they could be the one wielding the sword, and Ning Zuicheng wanted to learn from him on the spot.

  Yan Chixia said: "Your surname is honest and upright, you can learn this way, but your elderly parents are still at home, how can you not take the imperial examination to serve your old mother?"

  Ning Caichen immediately said seriously: "Yan brother's words are reasonable, I was too impulsive. Among the hundred good deeds, filial piety comes first. A person who is unfilial cannot be considered a chivalrous hero." After finishing speaking, he self-penalized himself with a cup of wine.

  Laughing and chatting, the meat was eaten up, but there was still wine left. Xu Xian felt that for these two people, why did they need others to toast them, naturally when the wine arrived, they would drink it, after hearing about Yan Chixia's affairs, even more so, not a single drop of white wine was enough to satisfy his heart.

  "I heard a poem, which was made for you." Xuxian said and then loudly recited:

  Zhao's guest hat is tied with a Hu ribbon, Wu hook frost and snow are bright. The silver saddle shines on the white horse, swift and rapid like a shooting star.

  Kill one person with ten steps, and leave no trail for a thousand miles. Once the deed is done, roll up your sleeves and go, hiding both body and name deeply.

  Idle over Xinling wine, sword drawn in front of knee. About to roast Zhu Hai, holding goblet to urge Hou Ying.

  Three cups of wine and all scruples are gone; five mountains crumble into nothingness. After intoxication, eyes blurred and ears hot, the spirit is born with a pure aura.

  Zhuo's rescue with a golden mace shocked Handan first. Two robust men for a thousand autumns, brilliant and resplendent in the great city of Liang.

  "Though a heroic death may be fragrant, it is not worth being ashamed of in this world. Who can write under the pavilion, with white hair, the Tai Xuan Jing?"

  Yan Chi Xia muttered to herself, "Even if a heroic death is fragrant, it's not shameful in the world of heroes." Her eyes grew brighter and she laughed loudly: "We are also cultivators, but our age is only about 100 years, no different from ordinary people. What do we seek? Not immortality, but to die without regret."

  Drinking hot wine to dispel the lump in my chest, holding a cold blade to soothe the intent in my heart. Although this mundane world is dark and unclear, I have one person relying on the sword to travel alone.

  Xu Xian deeply exhaled a mouthful of wine breath and loudly said: "Please lend me your sword for a look!"

  Yan Chixia proudly took out a small sword, about the length of a foot, with a gleaming blade. Looking at Xu Xian, under his thick eyebrows, a pair of bright eyes shone clearly black and white.

  Xu Xian said: "Please lend me your sword for a moment." He stared straight at Yan Chi Xia's pair of sharp, sword-like eyes, which were unyielding due to their selflessness.

  After staring at each other for a long time, Yan Chixia burst out laughing loudly, "Alright alright alright, today I, Yan, will help you dispel the evil aura and make this place clear and bright once again."

  After speaking, he abandoned his sword scabbard and tossed the small sword in his hand high into the air. With a long whistle, the small sword met the wind and grew longer, transforming into a beam of sword light that shot out rapidly. Yan Chixia leapt out of the palace, with Xu Xian closely following behind him, holding the Qinghong Sword.

  Innumerable terrified and resentful cries echoed through the darkness, but where the sword light shone, all was immediately silenced. Yan Chixia's laughter was even more dazzling than this sword light.

  In the temple, many years of harming people, being harmed, and becoming vengeful spirits to harm people again. The evil yaksha ghosts are countless, at this moment they encounter great difficulties, gritting their teeth, and swarm up together.

  From the pond under the stairs, several ghostly creatures that resembled humans crawled out and pounced on Yan Chixia. The sword light flashing in the air pierced through them all, and the ghostly creatures collapsed into a puddle of foul-smelling mud. A demonic creature with electric eyes and a blood-red tongue flew in, shrieking, but Yan Chixia pointed at it like a sword, and it immediately fell to the ground. As he quickly stepped across the corridor, a giant hand suddenly reached out from around the corner, grasping for him with enough force to shatter gold or stone, but when it grabbed Yan Chixia, it was as if it had been pricked by a needle, and it instantly recoiled.

  Xu Xian did not expect that there would be so many demons and monsters here, thinking that he actually lived in such a haunted place, also breaking out in a cold sweat. But seeing Yan Chixia's face as iron, fearless, with heroic spirit, Xu Xian loudly said: "Brother Yan, I'll help you with all my might."

  At this time, a black shadow that seemed to be real and illusory at the same time pounced on Xu Xian. Xu Xian swung his sword backhandedly, and the black shadow sneered: "A mortal sword also wants to kill me." The voice was mournful and unparalleled, and it didn't dodge.

  Xu Xian only managed to slash down with one sword, and the black shadow instantly split into two ends, letting out a cry of surprise: "How is this possible?" Twisting and turning, it tried to reassemble itself, but Xu Xian slashed down again, and in an instant it dispersed into green smoke. The resentful curse that had been aimed at Xu Xian was now unheard. A faint golden light began to emanate from his body, and the Green Rainbow Sword in his hand also took on a layer of golden splendor.

  A pair of golden eyes gradually revealed a ruthless aura, and he quickly followed Yan Chixia, who was under siege. The pressure on Yan Chixia eased slightly, and she felt a faint warmth. The golden light on Xu Xian's body grew stronger and stronger, illuminating the group of ghosts and causing them to let out a pained cry, as if they were being roasted.

  A cold snort, the giant hand came again, this time grabbing towards Xu Xian. Yan Chixia's sword light was flying three zhang away, unable to arrive in time. Xu Xian had a good cultivation method, but his body was still that of an ordinary person, how could he withstand this grab?

  Xu Xian swung his sword with a loud crash, sparks flying everywhere, but he couldn't cut through. At this moment, the giant hand had already grabbed Xu Xian, and all it needed was a slight squeeze to crush him into powder.

  Xu Xian also knew that he had reached a critical moment, and with great strength, he infused the main star to its limit. In an instant, the radiance emitted was like igniting a small sun in the courtyard. The golden light transformed into golden flames, and the giant hand withdrew at a speed even faster than when it grasped Yan Xue's Red Clouds. Flames had already erupted on his hand.

  The majestic flames with a momentum that burns everything, Yan Chixia's eyes narrowed and blurted out "True Sun Fire!"