Chapter 73: Though Dead, Yet Living

The implication is that I am very busy right now; if you have something to say, say it quickly, otherwise I should be leaving. Ouyang Jianyi suppressed the sorrow in his heart and spoke respectfully.

"My master, Danyangzi, has been bedridden with illness for a long time, and my Yaoguang Sword Sect is gradually declining. Now that I have passed away, those martial uncles and aunts, junior brothers and sisters of mine are not talented enough. Thinking it over, I am always uneasy. With me here, I could still suppress those petty people with malicious intentions; now that I am gone, I fear those petty people will have no more scruples.

My Yaoguang Sword Sect is in danger! But after thinking it over and searching everywhere, in the territory of Huangliang Xian, there is no one suitable to entrust this to except you, Prefect. Therefore, I have come specifically to ask for your help, Prefect."

Su Yuanshan frowned slightly, thinking to himself, what does the danger of your Yaoguang Sword Sect have to do with me?

He said indifferently.

"Young Master Ouyang, I am afraid you have found the wrong person. I am not a disciple of Yaoguang; how can I interfere in the affairs of your Yaoguang Sect? That is the first point. Secondly, everything and everyone has a destined fate, and the Yaoguang Sword Sect is the same. If it is to decline, it is not something I can reverse with my own strength; if it is to flourish, it is not something I can block with my own strength. Do you understand?"

Seeing Su Yuanshan refuse, Ouyang Jianyi's face turned ashen. Just as he was about to beg bitterly, a gust of yin wind blew past, and two blurry figures, one black and one white, appeared beside him. They bowed to Su Yuanshan.

"Fan Wujiu!"

"Xie Bi'an!"

"We pay our respects to the Chenghuangfu Prefect!"

Su Yuanshan smiled slightly.

"Yin Commanders, please rise. How has Guangwang Shenjun been lately?"

The white-hatted Xie Bi'an replied.

"The Shenjun is very well, and in his spare time, he often asks about the Prefect's recent situation. Learning that the Prefect exterminated the centipede spirit and beheaded Huo Jun—although that was only an external incarnation of Huo Jun, its strength was not trivial—the fact that the Prefect could kill it shows that the Prefect has made significant progress!"

Su Yuanshan was somewhat surprised. He did not expect that the dignified Guang Wang, one of the Ten Palace Kings of the Fengdu Yinsi, was actually paying attention to him, an impostor. What could be the reason for this? Is it a blessing or a curse?

However, he did not show it, only saying.

"You flatter me!"

The black-hatted Fan Wujiu said indifferently.

"We have other important matters to attend to. We shall chat with the Prefect another day. Farewell!"

Su Yuanshan nodded slightly, and he saw the black and white figures lock onto Ouyang Jianyi and ride the mist away. Before leaving, Ouyang Jianyi did not forget to turn back and bow to him from the mist, as if wanting to say something.

But he did not say anything before disappearing with the black and white figures, leaving behind only a breeze.

"Clatter." Something seemed to fall in front of Su Yuanshan. A puppet servant was about to pick it up for him diligently, but the object repelled the hand, startling the surrounding Yinchai puppets.

Su Yuanshan picked it up and saw that it was a waist token. On one side, two small seal script characters were carved: Yaoguang.

On the other side, a name was carved: Ouyang Jianyi!

Su Yuanshan sighed slightly but kept it. He seemed to understand Ouyang Jianyi's intention before leaving.

He originally wanted to put it into his Spirit Void Ring, but his heart suddenly stirred. He thought, I don't know what kind of people I will encounter on the way to the Gumu Jinxu; couldn't the identity of this Yaoguang Sword Sect disciple be used as a cover for the time being? After all, no one knows that the first disciple of the Yaoguang Sword Sect, Ouyang Jianyi, is already dead, and died at the hands of Huo Jun.

Perhaps this was Ouyang Jianyi's true scheme, and also the true purpose of Ouyang Jianyi asking him to look after the Yaoguang Sword Sect: to live on as Ouyang Jianyi, so that though he is dead, he still lives.

Suddenly, Su Yuanshan felt a bit of admiration for this guy. From birth to death, all he cared about was his own sect, completely disregarding himself. Even after death, he wanted to give up his identity for someone else to take his place, just so his sect could continue, and just because he was afraid his untalented martial uncles, aunts, and junior siblings would be bullied.

In one respect, this Ouyang Jianyi was indeed a bit foolish, but in another respect, he was loyal and righteous. His brilliance lay in his camaraderie and that sense of responsibility as a Yaoguang disciple.

He suddenly understood a little of what Ouyang Jianyi wanted to say before leaving.

Holding the waist token of the Yaoguang Sword Sect disciple, Su Yuanshan remained silent for a long time. Just as the little white fox and the puppets were confused, Su Yuanshan flicked his long sleeves and turned around abruptly. As he stepped forward, divine light flashed around his body, and in an instant, his robes fluttered as he transformed into another person—Ouyang Jianyi.

Thick brows and starry eyes like Pan Lang, his temperament elegant as jade!

With a three-foot precious sword at his waist, he was truly the number one chief disciple!

The puppets stared, the little white fox gaped, but Su Yuanshan's expression remained unchanged, his heart as steady as a mountain, as calm as before!

"Let's go!" he said indifferently to the little white fox.

One person and one fox gradually disappeared on the Chenghuangfu main road of Huangliang Xian.

The street was cold and quiet, with occasional sounds of chickens crowing and dogs barking.

……….

The night wind was sharp, the moonlight cold. The Yaoguang Sword Sect's martial uncle Huang Yang, second senior brother Luo Yunfan, third senior brother Fang Changzai, and junior sister Tian Ruoyun gathered at the entrance of the secret realm. Tonight, they were going to explore a mysterious secret realm: the Gumu Jinxu.

The area in front of the ancient tomb complex was overgrown with wild grass, appearing somewhat desolate under the moonlight. Some tombstones had broken and fallen to the ground, becoming mottled and dilapidated.

Huang Yang wore a yellow robe, his slender eyes flashing with wisdom. He was not very old, but his seniority was extremely high, and he held great prestige in the sect. Luo Yunfan had sword-like brows and starry eyes, a sturdy posture, and quite a bit of flair. Fang Changzai was honest and simple, with a pair of bright eyes. Tian Ruoyun was petite and exquisite, her eyes as bright as stars, giving one a sense of being a delicate bird.

The four stood at the entrance, all looking full of ambition. Huang Yang glanced at the group, a confident smile curling at the corner of his mouth. "This exploration to find spiritual herbs to cure the Sect Master is only one of the tasks; it is also a great opportunity for our Yaoguang Sword Sect to make a name for itself. As long as we can find one or two magic treasures or Daoist secret manuals inside, our Yaoguang Sword Sect will naturally be much better off."

Hearing this, Luo Yunfan's eyes revealed a burning light. "Martial Uncle is absolutely right. We four are the elites of the sect. This trip, we shall definitely slay demons when we meet demons, kill monsters when we meet monsters, take treasures when we find them, and spread the martial prestige of our Yaoguang Sword Sect!"

Fang Changzai couldn't help but nod in agreement, saying in a simple, honest voice, "Second Senior Brother is right! We must not fail the expectations of Martial Uncle and Master. Not only must we find the spiritual herbs to cure her, but it would be best if we could pick up some treasures to take back."

As soon as he spoke, the others laughed, leaving him feeling somewhat baffled.

Tian Ruoyun did not speak, only watching them silently, but her heart was equally full of anticipation and confidence. Having entered a treasure mountain, how could they return empty-handed?

However, they did not notice that on a mound in the distance, a man in white stood with his hands behind his back, watching them.

Crouched at his feet was a little white fox.

It raised its small front paws from time to time to lick them.

The little white fox said in a small, delicate voice while licking.

"Prefect, what a coincidence. Listening to their conversation, those people seem to be from the Yaoguang Sword Sect."

It paused and said with concern.

"With the appearance you have transformed into, I am afraid it will cause misunderstandings and lead to unnecessary trouble."

Su Yuanshan smiled indifferently and said.

"You have improved now; you even know it will cause trouble. Not bad!"

As he spoke, Su Yuanshan took a piece of black gauze from his Spirit Void Ring to cover his face.