Chapter 194

The moment the door opened, a chilly wind blew against me, and the rotten wooden door creaked like some kind of evil grin, sending shivers down my spine.

A person and a monkey stood stiffly at the doorway for ten breaths, then walked inside.

"A ghost-ruined temple, I suddenly thought of Liaozhai."

"Chitter!"

"How about we grab a little Qian and make her dance the big dance? What do you think?"

"Chitter!"

"I don't know if this world has ghosts."

"Chitter..."

"Creak—"

Heng Xian walked to the courtyard, pushed open a relatively intact side hall, and a wave of rot and mold hit him; inside was pitch black, nothing visible.

Heng Xian formed a seal with his right hand, unleashing a Five Elements Fire Technique usable at the Qi Hai Realm; a fist-sized fireball shot out, lighting the room.

The room was small, covered in spiderwebs, with a hard plank bed, a few futons, and a rotten table—likely a monk's meditation chamber before.

However, in the corner stood a relatively new large red coffin, looking somewhat ominous.

Heng Xian conjured another fireball, walked over, and lightly lifted the coffin lid—it wouldn't budge, as if something inside had sealed it shut.

"Rest in peace, sorry for the disturbance."

Heng Xian pressed his palms together and silently recited a phrase.

He didn't plan to change rooms; this rundown place, no matter which room, the environment was hardly good.

He immediately ordered Puppy to go gather firewood, then he swept the room clean.

Puppy, not knowing what fear was, ran out excitedly, as if he'd found the monks' old firewood shed, and soon returned with a big bundle of neat firewood.

The person and monkey sat cross-legged; Heng Xian conjured another flame, igniting the firewood, and sparks shot up instantly.

The advantage of a Five Elements Spirit Root is that one can practice any minor Five Elements technique, with no limitations—something those with single or dual spirit roots could only dream of.

While roasting by the fire, he took out chicken legs, roasted chicken, pastries, and liquor, spreading them all over the ground, and master and servant began to eat.

Outside, lightning flashed and thunder rumbled as rain poured down; inside, torches were lit and food was eaten, feeling not lazy.

"Just wandering around like this isn't bad, but the spiritual energy is insufficient for cultivation!" Heng Xian took a sip of liquor.

"Chitter..." Puppy also took a sip of liquor, the spice making him grimace.

"Whooo..."

Suddenly, a howl came from outside the house.

A chilly seepage slowly drifted in from outside the meditation chamber's rear window.

Heng Xian gave it a cold glance, about to scold.

Just then, hurried footsteps and clamor came from outside the temple:

"There's a temple here; let's go in and hide!"

"Quick..."

"Sir, this place isn't clean!"

"Never mind that; it's better than being killed by those bandits!"

"But, this place..."

"No buts, go in!"

"Creak—"

The temple doors opened, and it seemed many people had rushed in.

The chilly seepage from behind the rear window also vanished.

Heng Xian walked to the back of the door, looked through the crack toward the light, and saw a line of about seven or eight people stumbling in; it was too dark to make out their faces.

"Huh? Someone's in the temple!"

Among the group, someone let out a startled cry.

Another person said: 'Could it be the monk from the temple?'

A familiar voice said: 'It must be that pedantic brat, bold enough to really come here.'

It was indeed the scholar who had called out to Heng Xian.

Heng Xian wondered in surprise, 'This guy said there were demons on the mountain, yet he dares to come up, chased here by pursuers?'

At that moment, the scholar and his group rushed into a meditation room nearby.

Then came the sound of a striker and a rustling, and only after a while did they settle down.

An aged voice, tinged with worry, said: 'I don't know if that band of thief-soldiers will still pursue us.'

The scholar said: 'Sir Yang, rest assured, these people have been here for some days; they are greatly wary of the mountain and would never dare to chase us!'

'That's good.' The aged voice sighed, 'Think of me, having served as an official for several decades, pouring my heart and blood for the court, only in the end to be utterly ruined by the Third Prince; even on this road home after retirement, I am still hunted by rebel troops...'

'Father! Once we return to our hometown, everything will settle down; don't worry.' A girl's voice said crisply.

'I hope so.' The aged voice sighed again.

The scholar's voice trembled slightly: 'Sir Yang, speaking of which, the rain is about to stop; we had better leave at once!'

The aged voice spoke righteously: 'Wu Sheng, you, a scholar, should not speak of strange powers and chaos; you must not spout nonsense—I will not leave.'

'I...' the scholar was left speechless.

Then followed a silence.

Heng Xian lost interest, clinked cups with Gou Dan, and gulped down a mouthful of baijiu.

Time slipped away quietly; in the blink of an eye it neared midnight, Heng Xian sat cross-legged, circulating his cultivation technique.

Just then, a knocking sound came from outside.

Heng Xian frowned slightly: "The door isn't closed, please come in!"

"Creak—"

The door was pushed open, a timid little maid walked in, handing over a small bundle: "Inside is some food, wine, and beef jerky; our master says, when you're out and about, even sharing a roof is fate, so please don't decline, sir."

"Old sir, you're so righteous; then I won't refuse!" Heng Xian took the bundle and smiled.

The little maid's face turned red, and she retreated.

Soon a voice came from next door: "Ah, it's a young lad, more handsome than a girl!"

The young lady's voice scolded: "You, keep your voice down, lest people hear and laugh at you!"

Then it fell silent.

Heng Xian shook his head, set the bundle aside, was about to continue meditating when the door opened again; the scholar entered, clasped his fists, and said: "Indeed it's you; I am Wu Sheng, may I ask your name, young brother?"

Heng Xian casually replied: "Murong De."

"So you're Murong brother." Wu Sheng lowered his voice and asked: "You've been here a while; have you noticed anything amiss?"

Heng Xian feigned surprise, pointing at the coffin inside: "Does this count? It seems there's a corpse inside!"

Wu Sheng only then saw the coffin and shuddered: "Goodness, what a bold youngster!"

He fled, as if escaping, to the next room.

Heng Xian simply got up, bolted the door, and raised his voice slightly to Gou Dan: "If anyone knocks again, scratch them!"

Not waiting for Gou Dan's reply,

Next door immediately came a rebuke: "Truly rude!"

"As if anyone would want to go over there!"

"Hmph!"

Heng Xian couldn't be bothered to reply, sat cross-legged, and circulated his cultivation technique.

Practicing the twelve heavenly circuits twice daily is essential; afterward he must also train swordsmanship, and the process must not be disturbed or distracted, otherwise he will surely become vexed and unfocused.

No wonder reclusive sages like to retreat to the deep mountains to cultivate.

………

Midnight had already passed.

In a vague manner, the surroundings were filled with a strange qi; it started to feel cool, then became warm.

In the wilderness behind the meditation hall, suddenly there came strains of music and a soft, timid girl's singing.

Someone next door exclaimed in surprise: "How come there's a door at the back?"

"Oh dear! I hadn't noticed, and someone is singing—could there be people living back there?"

"Run!" Wu Sheng shouted in terror.

"Run your head off, you bookworm—your brain's gone wrong!" someone shouted.

"Come over and take a look, Wu Sheng, you too." an old voice commanded.

Immediately came the sound of a crowd pushing the door and heading toward the back.

Heng Xian opened his eyes, shook his head, and thought this bunch probably didn't want to live.

"Ge—"

Just then, the coffin in the corner was suddenly pushed open a crack by something, emitting a faint scraping sound.

Immediately, a white figure flitted out lightly.

(End of chapter)