Chapter 90: Yinshan Ghost King, Return After Ten Years (5k-word Chapter)

The next day, early morning.

On Provincial Highway 213, a Wuling Hongguang sped past, kicking up soda cans on the road and sending them clattering.

"Why do you look like you haven't woken up yet?" Jiang Hu looked at Zhang Fan's appearance through the rearview mirror and couldn't help but speak up.

"An uncle came over, had a couple too many drinks last night."

Zhang Fan rubbed his temples, watching the cars speeding past outside the window.

"The Xiong family isn't in Yujing City."

"They have quite a few businesses in Yujing City, but their roots are outside the city; I heard it's a village." Jiang Hu said casually while driving.

"You haven't been there?"

"Old Yu always went in the past. The Xiong family belongs to the Yinshan lineage, which clashes with me a bit." Jiang Hu said indifferently.

He practiced the orthodox Maoshan Shangqing Talisman Dao, so he had an instinctive aversion to the Yinshan Sect.

"Why has Old Yu been asking for leave so often lately? I haven't seen him in half a month." Zhang Fan couldn't help but ask.

If it were any other company, such frequent leave would have gotten him fired long ago.

"You don't know, summer has many thunderstorms, and Old Yu's old rheumatism usually forces him to take leave for over a month." Jiang Hu said, not turning his head while driving.

"Where is Old Yu from? Does he have any family around him?" Zhang Fan asked.

Come to think of it, Old Yu was quite old, yet he had never mentioned his family; he seemed to have always been alone.

"From Bashu, doesn't seem to have any family." Jiang Hu shook his head.

Old Yu rarely talked about his own affairs at the company; regarding him, perhaps only Bai Buran knew the truth.

In fact, everyone at Ye Buliang had their own stories and their own secrets.

"Hmm!?"

Just then, Zhang Fan reached out and touched something in the gap of the seat back, pulling out a small booklet. On the black cover were two large characters written in winding, crooked strokes.

"Dragon Records!"

"Whose is this?" Zhang Fan shook it.

Through the rearview mirror, Jiang Hu glanced at it and said casually, "It should be Old Yu's. I seem to have seen it in his bag."

"Dragon Records!?" Zhang Fan curiously opened the booklet.

"Gaoyou Lake Dragon Water-Sucking Incident!"

"Qinghai Lake Dragon Ascension Incident!"

"Mazang Mountain Dragon Fall Incident!"

"What is this?" Zhang Fan couldn't help but show a strange expression, immediately flipping to a page at random.

"Bashu Dongyang Dragon Transformation Chronicle!"

In southern Bashu, Dongyang Town had a poor household, impoverished for five generations. By this generation, he could only survive by begging, and at over thirty, he hadn't even taken a wife. No one in the village wanted to associate with him; they avoided him like the plague.

However, people have their ups and downs. That year, the poor man suddenly became wealthy. He not only acquired good farmland and property but even bought the hill behind the village and moved his ancestral graves there. The neighbors were all greatly astonished.

Not long after, he became a famous wealthy merchant, with wives and concubines galore, throwing around gold and silver. When asked how he made his fortune, he would never speak of it.

It wasn't until his eightieth birthday banquet that he called his children to his side and revealed the secret he had hidden his whole life.

That winter when he was thirty-six, heavy snow blocked the mountains, and his food supplies had long run out. He had expected to starve to death in that harsh winter.

Who would have thought that on that night, winter thunder rumbled like a terrifying drum? The poor man's thatched hut was blown down. When he crawled out of the ruins, he saw heat rising from the hill behind.

The poor man was bold and ran over, only to see a koi carp lying on the bank of a small stream by the hill, its whole body steaming as if it had been scorched by thunder fire.

The scales on that koi carp shimmered with a faint golden light, and its mouth emitted a sound like a beast's roar, which was extremely terrifying.

The poor man was stunned on the spot, but because he had been begging everywhere for years, he had some knowledge. He had heard people say before that this thing was called a Dragon Fish, a monster that had failed to ascend to heaven and transform into a dragon. If an ordinary person encountered one, they would have unexpected good fortune.

The poor man dragged the koi carp back home and raised it in a vat. Sure enough, not long after, his life gradually improved.

Later, he spent a huge sum of money to find a master who gave him an idea. The master told the poor man to dig a deep well on the hill behind to keep the koi carp, then build a tomb over it and move his ancestral graves inside. This would ensure his descendants' wealth for generations, but ten years after his death, the tomb must be opened and the well dug to release the koi carp.

After the poor man finished telling his children this, he passed away the next day. Ten years later, his children followed his will, chose an auspicious day, and opened the ancestral tomb. Three feet underground, there was indeed an ancient well sealed with chains. When everyone opened the ancient well, they heard the water below boiling violently, accompanied by beast roars. Later, rumors spread that someone had seen a dragon flying out from the deep mountains that day.

"Dragon transformation!? Is there really such a thing as a dragon in this world?" Zhang Fan whispered to himself.

"What's in that booklet?"

Just then, Jiang Hu's voice pulled Zhang Fan's thoughts back.

"Some little stories, quite interesting."

As he spoke, Zhang Fan intended to keep reading, but the road ahead wound around, and a village came into view, attracting all his attention.

"Xiong Village!"

This was the foundation of the Xiong family of the Yinshan Sect. The original site was just a dilapidated Daoist temple on a dirt mound, the location of the Xiong family ancestor's practice. He came from the Yinshan Sect, set up an altar here to receive incense, borrowed the Yujing dragon energy, and his influence grew.

Only then did the Xiong family have its current foundation.

"This village leans against the north of the mountain and sits by the southern water; its momentum is Yin." Jiang Hu introduced.

Zhang Fan looked up and saw that the village was indeed leaning against the north side of the mountain, surrounded by a river that happened to enclose it on the south bank.

North of the mountain is Yin, and south of the water is also Yin.

Thus, the "Taiyin Hidden Momentum" formation was formed. If an ordinary family lived here, within three generations, their descendants would surely wither, and their wealth would vanish.

But the Xiong family happened to come from the Yinshan lineage; Taiyin Hidden Momentum actually helped their Dharma lineage.

"This is called seeking Pure Yang within Extreme Yin, a point of vitality breaking through the dead storage."

Jiang Hu was worthy of his Maoshan Great Sect background, especially after breaking through his trials; his cultivation had improved by leaps and bounds.

"This village is xenophobic, don't run around later." Jiang Hu warned.

"Don't worry, I'm not a troublemaker." Zhang Fan nodded heavily, unable to help but look at the trunk.

Inside was a coffin, only about half a meter long, with seven copper nails driven into the lid and a Maoshan Corpse-Suppressing Talisman pasted on it. He didn't know what kind of cargo was inside.

But hearing Jiang Hu say it, the net profit for this trip alone was seven figures.

As the Wuling Hongguang drove into the village, Zhang Fan saw many luxury cars parked at the entrance. Some had circular logos, some had bulls, some had horses... In comparison, the Wuling Hongguang...

"The Xiong family is really rich."

"What is that?"

Just then, Zhang Fan saw a strange plant in the center of the village. At the top of its long root-stem grew a cluster of fleshy crowns. Even from far away, he could smell a faint, clear fragrance, and strange patterns covered its whole body.

Zhang Fan had never seen this kind of plant before.

"That is Ruyi."

"Ruyi!? The kind of Ruyi we know?" Zhang Fan showed curiosity.

"This is a treasure." Jiang Hu couldn't help but flick it.

"Nanyang Strange Records" records that during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, a woodcutter in Luling went into the mountains to cut wood and saw a strange tree by a mountain stream.

The strange tree grew between giant rocks, looking like fleshy whiskers, with a top like a bud, emitting a faint, clear fragrance. The woodcutter found it strange and picked it. After returning home, the fragrance attracted the attention of the neighbors.

Someone recognized it and felt that the strange tree looked exactly like the Ruyi in the hands of the gods and Buddhas in the temple. This matter reached the ears of a great wealthy merchant, who rushed over overnight, wanting to spend a huge sum of money to buy it.

Who would have thought that when the great merchant arrived, the woodcutter had listened to the neighbors' words, saying that eating the Ruyi would allow one to become an immortal, so he had boiled the strange tree into soup and drank it all.

When the great merchant heard this, he was devastated. He said that Ruyi was a spiritual root of heaven and earth, mostly growing in mountains, marshes, and great rivers, and was extremely rare. If found, it was a blessing. If enshrined in a home and worshipped with incense day and night, one could have everything go as one wished and enjoy wealth forever.

Now that the woodcutter had eaten such a spiritual root, it was truly damaging to his Yin virtue, and he feared the disaster would be no small matter. After saying this, the great merchant left.

Five days later, a great fire broke out in the woodcutter's home. Of the five people in the family, all but him were buried in the sea of fire.

Although the woodcutter survived, he lost his legs and was covered in festering sores, spending the rest of his life begging, which was very miserable.

"Ruyi, Ruyi, according to my heart's desire... If this thing is placed in an ordinary family, it can be passed down and ensure seven generations of wealth... A Ruyi grown this big must be at least eight figures, and even with money, you can't buy it." Jiang Hu said softly.

"Eight figures? This must be the most valuable thing in this village."

Zhang Fan couldn't help but look at it a few more times, wishing he could pull it up by the roots and take it away.

A moment later, the Wuling Hongguang stopped under a crooked-neck tree in the village. Jiang Hu went around to the back of the car, opened the trunk, and dragged the coffin out.

Just then, two young men in Daoist robes walked over.

"From the Nightless City?"

"Yes, we're here to deliver goods." Jiang Hu took out the receipt, and the other party took it and glanced at it.

"Follow me." As they spoke, the two Daoists stepped forward to help lift the coffin.

"Wait here for me, don't run around. I'll come back after finishing the handover." Jiang Hu warned, then followed the two young men.

"Brother Fan... Brother Fan..."

Just then, a low roar came from a corner. Zhang Fan turned his head and saw Xiong Ba popping out from somewhere.

"You really came."

"Let's go, the ancestral hall is over there." Xiong Ba beckoned.

"This... wouldn't it be bad for you if you were discovered?"

A clan ancestral hall is of utmost importance. If an outsider like him entered and exited at will and was discovered, Xiong Ba would surely be unable to escape responsibility.

"The clan elders are all performing sacrifices today, so we shouldn't be discovered." Xiong Ba whispered.

He vaguely knew that the clan seemed to be refining an incredible treasure recently, and many elders were in seclusion.

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Moreover, in a place like the ancestral hall, there wouldn't be people coming and going on weekdays, so it wouldn't attract attention.

Even if the worst happened, given Zhang Fan's kindness and friendship toward him, even if he were discovered, at worst he'd be expelled from the sect. Anyway, he wasn't a direct disciple of the Xiong family.

"Let's go, delay leads to changes."

Xiong Ba beckoned, leading the way. Zhang Fan hesitated slightly but followed.

"Is this the Xiong family ancestral hall?"

Zhang Fan looked up. The gate was wide open, and two lanterns were hung high, looking like a ghost's mouth, with the uneven threshold looking like exposed fangs.

Just arriving here, Zhang Fan felt uncomfortable. The surrounding magnetic field seemed to have changed. Even in the scorching summer, he felt a chill. The closer he got, the more intense it became, making even the hair on his body stand up.

"That fierce god is suppressed in the innermost part." Xiong Ba lowered his voice.

He vaguely guessed that the fierce god had a great relationship with Zhang Fan.

"I have some feeling now..."

Zhang Fan clenched his fists tightly, looking into the depths of the ancestral hall. He followed Xiong Ba inside, walking through a long, quiet corridor. At the end was the ancestral hall where the Xiong family worshipped their ancestors through the generations.

"Xiong Ba, you have such guts, daring to bring an outsider to trespass into our clan's ancestral hall!?"

Just then, a cold voice resounded through the long corridor. Immediately after, Xiong Qianxing slowly walked out, blocking the end of the corridor.

"Xiong Qianxing, you remember the beating but not the pain, your skin is itching again, right?"

Xiong Ba was stunned for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. Since he had already been discovered, he might as well be fearless.

It must be said that after practicing with Zhang Fan for a period of time, his cultivation had progressed, and his temperament had changed.

Facing such a situation, if it were before, he would surely have been flustered and panicked, but now, a sense of courage surged within him, domineering and extraordinary.

"You're looking for death?"

"I'm looking for your mother. You go first, I'll block him." Xiong Ba spat. Anyway, after today, he wouldn't be able to stay in the Xiong family, so he might as well stop hiding.

"Xiong Ba, I underestimated you. I didn't expect our Xiong family to have a rebel like you."

Just then, a figure slowly walked out from behind Xiong Qianxing. A cold aura, like a ghost mist, permeated the air, instantly shrouding the corridor.

"Xiong Qianshan!?" Xiong Ba's eyes narrowed slightly, showing a defensive posture.

"Today, neither you nor him will walk out of the Xiong family." Xiong Qianshan was calm and composed. His cold gaze swept over Xiong Ba, but finally landed on Zhang Fan.

At the same time, on the dirt mound in Xiong Village, stood an ancient, simple Daoist temple.

This was the place where the Xiong family made their fortune.

"That little brat Xiong Ba is self-depraved, actually bringing an outsider to trespass into the ancestral hall?"

Xiong Baoping looked toward the ancestral hall, unable to help but show a cold expression.

"Some little brats always turn their elbows outward, just like Xiong Sanqi back then, always unteachable."

Beside him, a middle-aged man in a Daoist robe with half-gray hair laughed coldly.

"Xiong Baofeng, that man has been gone for ten years, why bring him up?" Xiong Baoping raised an eyebrow, seemingly allergic to that name.

"Hehe..." Xiong Baofeng grinned. As a high-up in the Xiong family, he naturally knew the taboos, so he stopped speaking.

"Sigh, I originally thought he was a talent, but unfortunately, he was born with a rebellious bone."

Just then, Xiong Guanchen walked out. He hunched his body, looked toward the ancestral hall, and shook his head.

"Let's just cripple him, don't raise another Xiong Sanqi."

"Good." Xiong Baoping nodded heavily.

In all these years of the Xiong family, having one Xiong Sanqi was enough. They must not repeat the same mistake; unteachable white-eyed wolves should be strangled in the cradle.

"Young people today are really too naive. Daring to trespass into the Xiong family alone?"

Xiong Baoping couldn't help but sneer.

In fact, from the moment Zhang Fan followed Xiong Ba toward the ancestral hall, he had already noticed.

Such a young man, without any depth or foundation, actually dared to break into the empty gate; it was simply seeking his own death.

"Dad, that kid who followed Xiong Ba in..."

"Deal with him too... People from the Nightless City, if they can't discipline themselves and break the rules, they naturally have to pay the price." Xiong Guanchen didn't even blink.

"What about Bai Buran..."

"A Zhenwu outcast, what kind of waves can he stir up in Yujing?" Xiong Baofeng sneered.

The Yinshan Xiong family was an existence in Yujing City that could make the ground shake just by stomping their feet. They naturally knew Bai Buran's background, but so what?

The Xiong family had always had a good relationship with the Jiangnan Province Dao Alliance, and their annual sponsorship was an astronomical figure, which made them like a fish in water in Jiangnan Province.

As for Bai Buran, let alone being a Zhenwu outcast, even if he were still within the Zhenwu Mountain walls, his hand couldn't reach this far.

Precisely because of this, in Xiong Baofeng's eyes, that young man was truly stupid. In this village, let alone him, even if Bai Buran came in person, he wouldn't dare to trespass.

Being so brainless, wasn't that just seeking death?

"In this world, there are always people who think they have too long a life." Xiong Guanchen's one sentence decided Zhang Fan's fate.

Who did that little brat think he was? The Xiong family wasn't a place he could come and go as he pleased.

Unless a miracle happened, he would only be able to stay here as fertilizer today.

Rumble...

At this moment, dark clouds surged in the sky, and a fierce wind rose. In the bright daylight, a muffled thunderclap rang out, startling all parties.

"Hmm!?" Xiong Guanchen's aged face trembled slightly. Suddenly, a sense of unease rose in his heart.

"Ten years have passed, are you all well!?"

Just then, a loud, clear voice, as if containing hidden energy, spread throughout the entire Xiong Village.

"This is..."

Xiong Guanchen's hunched body trembled violently, and his wrinkled face was instantly covered in shock.

Even Xiong Baoping and Xiong Baofeng beside him couldn't remain calm. They looked at each other, seeing the horror and disbelief in each other's eyes.

Bang bang bang...

Terrifying auras surged into the sky from the depths of the Xiong family, like surging flames and fierce winds, as if this whisper made all the hidden experts of the Xiong family unable to remain calm.

"Impossible... he's back... that man is back!?"

"He took a heavy oath that in this life, he would absolutely never step foot in Yujing again."

"Damn it... damn it... he's back again..."

Roars came from the depths of Xiong Village, filled with deep anger and fear. The bits and pieces of the past descended again like a nightmare, pressing on the nerves of every high-up in the Xiong family.

At the same time, a rugged man with an eye patch over his left eye walked with long strides, appearing at the entrance of Xiong Village.

At this moment, the whole village was silent, like a stagnant pool of cold water. No one dared to even breathe loudly.

"He really came back after all..."

Xiong Guanchen's aged face trembled violently, and he closed his eyes powerlessly.

"Yinshan Ghost King, Xiong Sanqi!" Xiong Baoping gritted his teeth, the fear in his eyes no longer suppressible.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 91 =====