Chapter 45: Volume One: Mountain Ghost Rumor - Chapter 45: Childhood Sweetheart

Volume One: Mountain Ghost Rumor - Chapter 45: Childhood Sweetheart

A Ping's eyes seemed to be glued to the little picture book. He asked: "What's not right?"

"The four of them are discussing things downstairs, and they have blocked the sound." Xie Wan was worried.

"Bai Yuqing and the others?"

"Hmm."

It was nothing more than Bai Yuqing, Bai Youjun, and the newly arrived Xun Lan and Huangfu Changqiu.

With their cultivation, they couldn't feel the aura of Xun Lan and Huangfu Changqiu, and the two were just ordinary women in their eyes.

But as long as it involved Bai Yuqing, the origins of these two would definitely far exceed their expectations.

A Ping put away the little picture book, stood up, and paced with his hands behind his back: "I will go and probe the situation."

"Good, senior brother, be careful."

"It doesn't matter. Although the Xuanwei Sect is not what it was before among the Mountain Sects, it can still say a few words. If they also come from Mountain Sects, they will give the Xuanwei Sect face," A Ping said.

Combining the known news, A Ping immediately judged that the cultivation of Xun Lan and Huangfu Changqiu far exceeded his own. Only then, when they arrived at the Xizhao Inn, had he unknowingly ignored the two.

"How are your injuries?"

"With the Fusheng Pill, my injuries are almost healed. How about you? Didn't you say that after unsealing, you could rise to the Upper Grade by evening? Why are you still in the Middle Grade?"

Xie Wan said helplessly: "I miscalculated. I will definitely be able to rise to the Upper Grade Foundation Establishment Realm by this evening."

"Junior sister, the day after tomorrow is the fifteenth day of the eighth month. Those itinerant cultivators are really able to sit still," A Ping said suddenly at the door.

Xie Wan asked: "What does senior brother mean?"

"Release some news... say that one of them is afraid and regrets it because of the Demon Slayer Division."

"Let them kill each other?"

"No, guide them to make a move on the common people in advance."

"How can these cultivators listen to us?"

A Ping didn't think and said: "Tell them again that the Yang County Demon Slayer Division secretly sent a Hundred-Household official, but this person was attacked by a powerful demon on the road and was seriously injured. However, he brought the Demon Slayer Division's healing pills, and it is said that his injuries will be more than half healed by the fifteenth day of the eighth month."

"Ha, I understand. Senior brother wants to 'falsely pass the imperial decree'?"

"What kind of falsely passing the imperial decree is that? It's forcing them to be at odds

Xie Wan clapped her hands and laughed: "Yellow mud stuck to the crotch—hard to explain even if you try. Senior Brother, did you have this plan in mind all along?"

A Ping laughed upon hearing this: "Does it need thinking? It's just a fact laid out before us; I'm the only one who saw the situation clearly."

He went down the stairs.

First, he picked a nearby bench to sit on, and after a moment, he lifted a hot water kettle and asked with a smile: "Let me add some hot water for you."

He removed the teapot lid and poured in the hot water with a gurgling sound.

"Four young ladies, do you need any tea snacks?"

"Bring us a plate of osmanthus cakes and jujube paste cakes."

"Alright, please wait a moment."

A Ping nimbly ran to the back kitchen, set down the hot water kettle, picked up the osmanthus cakes and jujube paste cakes delivered by the pastry shop early that morning, and quickly returned to the hall, placing them on the table of Bai Yuqing and the others.

"Please enjoy, honored guests."

Huangfu Changqiu and Bai Youjun couldn't wait to pick up the pastries and began to chew them slowly.

A Ping sat back down on the bench and sighed faintly; their cultivation realms were too high. Even though he could see them talking, he couldn't hear a single word of what they were saying.

"Sigh, when will I be able to break through to the Opening Mansion Realm of the Middle Five Realms?"

If he became a cultivator of the Middle Five Realms, he could also become a Peak Master of Zhiwei Peak.

"If I snatch that imitation Demon-Illuminating Mirror, the sect will surely reward me with precious heavenly treasures, right?"

"With heavenly treasures, there will be a much better chance of breaking through from the Knowing Fate Realm to the Opening Mansion Realm."

He murmured to himself, full of longing.

Xie Wan came down the stairs and looked at A Ping, who shook his head imperceptibly.

Xie Wan understood immediately and went to spread the news.

She had been in Youju Town for eight years and had some connections.

As she stepped out of the inn, she looked up at the plaque; the mold that had secretly grown a few days ago had vanished without a trace. She muttered to herself: "The little toad is actually quite capable."

"Oh my, little toad!" As soon as she looked up, she saw Zhao Chan and the Private School Teacher walking out of the wine shop.

The wine gourd hanging at his waist had some wine stains; it must have been when Zhou Bo's hand shook while pouring the wine.

"Hello, Sister Wan'er."

Zhao Chan still greeted her respectfully.

"You're about to become a drunkard," she said, covering her mouth and laughing.

Pan Xiansheng laughed: "This kid won't become a drunkard; he knows what he's doing."

"Teacher, would you like to come to the inn for a meal?"

"For free?"

"Of course... not."

"Then forget it. I'll go back to the private school and cook for myself. Since the children of Daguan Lane are staying home and there's no class, it's the perfect time to make myself a feast."

Xie Wan remembered something: "Teacher, do you think I'm material for studying?"

"Everyone in the world is a seed for learning."

She said with disdain: "Teacher, you're joking. In all of Youju Town, who can study better than Yang Yun? He is the true seed for learning."

"Yang Yun is indeed a seed for learning, but if you don't try, how do you know you can't compare to him?"

"Is the teacher trying to encourage me to study?"

"The knowledge of sages is the best thing in the world. Reading it and memorizing it will always be beneficial," Pan Xiansheng said softly and earnestly.

Xie Wan giggled: "When I have time, I will definitely go to the private school to ask for your guidance, Teacher."

Pan Xiansheng laughed instantly: "If you really want to learn the knowledge of sages, you don't need to find me; I will come to find you."

"Is that a promise?" Xie Wan's eyes sparkled, which, combined with her proud chest and round buttocks, was very alluring.

Pan Xiansheng nodded: "A gentleman's word is as good as a team of four horses."

"In the whole of Youju Town, I only recognize Pan Xiansheng as a gentleman."

"Wrong. There is only one gentleman in this town, and it's not me, it's him." He patted the shirtless Zhao Chan.

Xie Wan then asked curiously: "Little toad, where are your clothes?"

"They were torn by thorns."

"Did you go into the mountains?"

"Yes."

"Sigh, you child are truly bold. With so many demons outside, even if you've become a Demon Slayer, why risk your life?" Xie Wan chided.

"It won't happen next time."

"There's a next time? You are not allowed to treat your own life so lightly!" Xie Wan said heavily.

Zhao Chan smiled: "Okay."

"Right, don't forget to give me an answer!"

She had invited Zhao Chan to become a disciple of the Xuanwei Sect and given him a few days to think about it; he just needed to answer her before the fifteenth of the eighth month.

Xie Wan felt that this move, combined with the small favors accumulated over time, was enough to make Zhao Chan agree.

"I haven't forgotten."

"Hurry home and put on some clothes. The weather is getting colder; don't catch a cold."

Pan Xiansheng carried the wine jar toward Xiliu Lane. As he left, he leaned into Zhao Chan's ear and whispered: "Go ahead and do it; you don't have to fear anything."

"Teacher... you, you also take care; the town is not peaceful."

"It doesn't matter. I am just a stinky schoolteacher now; who cares about me?"

"I care about you, Teacher," Zhao Chan said earnestly.

Pan Xiansheng looked at him deeply: "I knew it; you are the most conscientious person in Youju Town."

After saying this, he walked straight toward Xiliu Lane, and his back soon disappeared.

Zhao Chan turned his head and scanned the area, seeing Xie Wan walking toward the end of the town.

He went to Taoli Lane.

Because demons had broken into the lane, the row of peach and plum trees planted there had been destroyed.

Jogging to the front of Chen Xianggu's house, Zhao Chan thought and thought, silently cheering himself on, before finally raising his hand to knock on the door.

The knocking sound was muffled.

"Who is it?"

"Zhao Chan."

"Zhao Chan!"

Immediately after, he heard the creak of the door opening, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. The gate opened a crack, and she peeked from behind it. Seeing that it was indeed Zhao Chan, she opened the door excitedly: "Why aren't you wearing a top?"

"I went to Yang County and ran into a small mishap."

"You aren't hurt, are you?" She was still wearing that severely faded bean-green narrow-sleeved jacket, and her peach-red camisole looked tight. She had changed into a gray short skirt that didn't match her pink-white pants at all. Even so, worn by Chen Xianggu, she still looked like a fragrant peach blossom.

The saying "clothes make the man" failed when it came to Chen Xianggu; it seemed that any clothes she wore looked perfect on her.

Zhao Chan shook his head: "No. A big shot from the Yang County Demon Slayer Division has arrived. With him here, everyone will be fine."

She lowered her head slightly, then lifted her chin, which was like the tip of a small lotus leaf: "Don't worry, Grandma and I are both doing quite well... With the money you gave me, I went to the pharmacy and got a few doses of medicine. After Grandma drank it, she felt much better. And... and... that coin you gave me, I've been letting Grandma carry it, just as you instructed!"

"You, you take care of yourself."

"Mm, you too," Chen Xianggu said very, very softly.

Zhao Chan originally had a thousand words to say to her, but after seeing her, he had forgotten them all. It seemed that just seeing her once and ensuring she was safe was enough to satisfy the boy.

"I'm going home," he said.

"Zhao Chan!"

"Yes?"

"Grandma asked me to tell you... to tell you..." When the words reached her lips, Chen Xianggu's cheeks turned red, and her alluring peach-blossom eyes seemed to be covered in a layer of moist mist, "You take care."

"Okay," Zhao Chan nodded with extra seriousness.

Perhaps in the green years of youth, sweet words are always hard to say, but even a dry "take care" was sweet to the heart, making one want to savor it repeatedly.

Following him out of Taoli Lane, she stood by Caiyan Street, watching the boy turn into Nongsui Lane, looking back every three steps.

Returning to Taoli Lane, Chen Xianggu pouted, angry at herself for being a coward.

She closed the gate tightly and slid the bolt into place.

Grandma stood on the steps in front of the room and asked: "Did you tell him?"

Chen Xianggu fidgeted, her hands clutching the corners of her clothes: "I didn't dare."

"You silly girl, your wish was granted, so why are you getting cold feet when the time comes?"

"I... I couldn't get the words out."

"Silly girl, it's okay. In a few days, when we pick a good day, Grandma will go find him myself."

"Grandma, will he refuse?"

"Refuse? Grandma doesn't know a basketful of characters, but I know the four words 'childhood sweethearts'," the old woman said, stroking her hair with a smile.

"Oh, Grandma..." Chen Xianggu threw herself into her arms, shy and blushing.

After Zhao Chan killed the old flood dragon with the peach branch, he found a nearby mountain stream to wash the demon blood off his body.

Returning home, he first checked the place where he hid the "Qionglin" and "Broken Cloud Blade Technique," seeing them lying there safely. Then he drew clean water, washed his whole body carefully again, and found a piece of clothing he could wear.

Looking around at his destitute home, he was full of confidence in the future.

On the way to seek help in Yang County, after killing those four outsider cultivators, he had harvested another money bag full of loose silver. After dealing with the demon infestation, he would definitely use this silver to tidy up this ancestral home, buy some furniture, and replace it with a comfortable big bed.

Once he had worked in the Yang County Demon Slayer Division for two years and saved enough money, he would renovate the ancestral home.

The young lad looked up at the blue sky, carrying hope in his heart.

He didn't know what Chen Xianggu's grandmother's attitude was, but if... if...

As he thought, sleepiness surged over him.

Zhao Chan had been tired for a whole night.

He sat on the steps, leaned over his joined legs, yawned, and slowly drifted into a dream.

The dream followed.

It was still the Mountain Ghost with monkey eyebrows, dog eyes, cow ears, leopard nose, and tiger mouth.

It was still introducing how to eat people with great relish.

Zhao Chan watched it very calmly.

At the end of the dream, he asked: "Are you afraid of death?"

The Mountain Ghost did not answer, and the dream shattered into pieces, returning to the yellowed, old book in his mind.

The opened book was still on the first page.

This time, the line of small characters in the lower left corner of the page, which had been almost indistinguishable before, was now a bit clearer.

"Sword Qi Pointing to Mystery Chapter."

"Demons! Demons are here again! Help!"

Zhao Chan woke up with a start.

The cries for help were not far from him.

He immediately rushed out of the house and ran wildly in the direction of the sound.

"Everyone run toward the Demon Slayer Division! Run!"

"Mother, you run, I'll stop the demon!"

"I'll go with you... ah..."

"Demons are eating people! Run!"

Zhao Chan ran out of Nongsui Lane and saw at a glance where the demon infestation had broken out: it was the vacant mansion of a wealthy family where the people of Xiaoshi Village were being housed.

There was only one demon.

He pushed through the chaotic crowd.

Wu Ting was among them, and seeing it was Zhao Chan, she hurriedly shouted: "Watch out..."

Zhao Chan nodded at her.

"Don't panic! The Demon Slayer is here!"

"Don't trample on people!"

This time he did not use the peach branch; he clenched his fists and sprinted toward the demon that was tearing at a human corpse.

The demon's cold gaze fixed on Zhao Chan.

It abandoned the corpse and pounced on him.

At this moment, Bai Yuqing, carrying Bai Youjun, with Huangfu Changqiu and Xun Lan by her side, walked out of the Xizhao Inn.

Xun Lan frowned: "A demon of the Middle-Grade Qi Gathering Realm. Who fed it pills?"

"That is Zhao Chan's aura," Huangfu Changqiu said, squinting.

Hearing it was Zhao Chan, Bai Youjun couldn't wait and ran toward that side.

Bai Yuqing sighed: "I'll go with you."

Holding her hand, they floated to the roof and leaped a few steps, where they saw Zhao Chan engaged in close-quarters combat with the demon.

The man and the demon were temporarily evenly matched.

Huangfu Changqiu and Xun Lan also arrived.

"Sister, hurry and act; the young master is no match for the demon!"

Bai Yuqing patted her head: "Concern leads to chaos! Open your eyes wide and look—who exactly is not the match?"

She observed carefully and slowly let out a breath.

Although the young master was fighting the demon at close quarters, he was evading with perfect rhythm; the demon's sharp claws and bloody mouth couldn't hurt him in the slightest.

Looking at the demon, Zhao Chan was landing punch after punch on its head.

Even though it was a Middle-Grade Qi Gathering Realm demon, it was gradually unable to hold on.

Huangfu Changqiu exclaimed: "A demon's physique is several times stronger than a human's. This kid actually dares to use his Body Refining Realm cultivation to shake a Qi Gathering Realm demon head-on. Not only is he not at a disadvantage, but the demon is actually being beaten to death by him."

Xun Lan confirmed again: "He is stronger than Senior Sister Lin Wei was at the Body Refining Realm."