Chapter 628: Late Night

On the long street.

Three clusters of light darted about like lightning, locked in an unceasing struggle.

"It's him!"

Yu Liancheng looked at the burly man wielding the golden mace and recalled the man's identity; he was a disciple of Dali Zunzhe of the Vajra Sect, known as Shitou.

The Vajra Sect had deep ties to Tianyin Temple, being one of its branches, seemingly established after a certain Tianyin Temple disciple returned to secular life.

The reason Yu Liancheng had this memory was that the moment he was tonsured, he became a high monk of the Puzhen generation, the highest rank in Tianyin Temple; thus, on the day of his tonsure, he invited many people associated with Tianyin Temple to observe the ceremony. Dali Zunzhe had brought Shitou along in the crowd of observers. At the time, Shitou had looked a bit younger, but his appearance had not changed much, otherwise, he would not have been so easily recognized by Yu Liancheng.

As for the two Demon Sect evildoers, Bi Yao had firmly memorized the famous figures of both the righteous and evil paths before leaving the Ghost King Sect, and at this moment, she explained them to Yu Liancheng.

"The one in white clothes is called Lin Feng. He is considered an up-and-coming talent who has risen to fame in our Holy Sect in recent years. It is also rumored that the gate-guarding treasure of Fengyue Laozu of Jieshi Mountain has fallen into this man's hands."

"As for the other person, he is a disciple of Xixue Laoyao, known as Zhang Laosan. Now that Xixue Laoyao has defected to the Myriad Poison Sect, I wonder how his disciple ended up here?"

The fierce battle in the air grew increasingly intense.

Shitou was fighting two opponents at once and was slightly at a disadvantage, but his foundation was very solid, so at least he would not be defeated in the short term.

Lin Feng's pale complexion flushed due to the intense fighting, and he shouted angrily, "You thieving bald donkey, since you are looking for death, don't blame me."

While speaking, he had already pulled a gold-traced fan from his bosom.

He tossed the fan into the air, and the entire fan emitted a faint golden light in the air before opening with a *swish*.

On the gold-traced fan surface, a mountain, a river, and a great roc were painted with fine brushwork, vivid and lifelike.

Boom!

The moment the fan surface opened, wind rose, clouds surged, thunder rumbled, and lightning flashed. The previously clear sky suddenly appeared filled with strange phenomena, yet it seemed as if it were merely an illusion.

Boom!

Another loud noise exploded. Shitou saw the precious fan trembling in the air, and a moment later, the towering mountain within the fan was actually moved out. It grew as it met the wind, and amidst a rumbling sound, it grew into a hill a hundred feet high. A large shadow was cast down, pressing down like Mount Tai, with an irresistible force.

"It really is the Mountain and River Fan of Fengyue Laozu." Bi Yao's expression turned slightly solemn.

Fengyue Laozu was a famous cultivator on Jieshi Mountain in the east, with profound Daoist attainments and quite a reputation in the cultivation world. He usually acted between the righteous and the evil, living a life of non-contention, so no one from either the righteous or evil paths had ever provoked him. Yet, it was unexpected that his Mountain and River Fan would fall into the hands of a young man.

Shitou was completely enveloped by the Mountain and River Fan.

He gave a sharp shout and exerted all his strength to drive the mace, which radiated a brilliant golden light to resist.

This mace was named "Broken," and although it did not look outstanding, it was a very famous treasure of the Vajra Sect, absorbing the essence of earth and wood to extinguish demonic evil energy. Its power was infinite, and its marvelous uses were boundless.

It was a pity that under the suppression of the Mountain and River Fan, it gradually began to tremble, its golden light dimming, and it was pressed down inch by inch.

Meanwhile, Shitou formed seals with both hands, his tall body trembling slightly, sweat pouring down like rain, and the ground beneath his feet cracking inch by inch; clearly, he was already extremely strained.

Yet, just at this moment, a hand rested on Shitou's shoulder. This hand was withered and foul, smelling of a nauseating stench, instantly causing Shitou's whole body to lose strength. A cold, evil voice rang out: "Baldy of the Vajra Sect, this is you seeking your own death. Obediently give me your essence and blood."

It was Zhang Laosan, who had appeared behind Shitou at some point. He opened his bloody maw, intending to bite into the left side of Shitou's neck, a scarlet light emerging from his turbid eyes.

The blood of this cultivator was much more nourishing than that of ordinary humans and was beneficial for the growth of his magic power. If he sucked this monk dry, his cultivation would increase by at least ten percent.

However, as this bite landed, the texture felt strange, and not a drop of blood was sucked into his mouth; it was as if he had bitten into a piece of wood.

More accurately, it was like biting into a bamboo pole.

On the other side of the bamboo pole hung a piece of worn canvas with the four characters "Immortal Pointing the Way" written on it.

"This benefactor, drinking human blood is not very healthy; you had better eat some vegetarian food." The one holding the bamboo pole was a monk in fluttering white robes, handsome to the point of being almost dazzling.

Blood-sucking spells were considered extremely evil and bizarre even among the evil path, and were even less tolerated by the righteous path; furthermore, blood-sucking techniques would make a person look extremely ferocious and ugly.

Zhang Laosan hated people of the righteous path, and he hated handsome men even more.

Without a doubt, the monk before him occupied both, so he immediately attracted Zhang Laosan's hatred.

"Stinking monk, you're looking for death."

Zhang Laosan drove a small dark-red fork, which transformed into a streak of blood-red lightning and stabbed toward Yu Liancheng.

But before this small fork could strike in front of Yu Liancheng, it "clinked" and fell to the ground.

Looking at Zhang Laosan again, he had actually fallen backward, a bloody hole having appeared on his throat, with fresh blood gurgling out.

On the bamboo pole hanging with "Immortal Pointing the Way," fresh blood was still dripping.

It was precisely at the moment Zhang Laosan drove his treasure that this bamboo pole had suddenly pierced into his throat, running it through. The force of the treasure flying out was insufficient, which was why it fell to the ground.

Although cultivators were high and mighty, the physical bodies of many cultivators were not necessarily better than those of martial artists who tempered their strength and practiced external hard-body arts.

However, almost no cultivator had ever died at the hands of a martial artist, mainly because the Martial Dao system of the Zhu Xian World was not very sophisticated, and cultivators mostly drove their treasures from a distance, rarely giving people a chance to get close.

But with Yu Liancheng's Martial Dao cultivation, a bamboo pole was no less than a Divine Sword; a casual thrust had the power to pierce metal and stone, let alone a mere evil cultivator.

Once Yu Liancheng got close, death was certain.

Shitou, who had escaped death on the side, watched the scene of Yu Liancheng poking a Demon Sect expert to death with a single bamboo pole; his jaw almost dropped to the ground, his expression dazed and incredulous.

What was going on?

Could one deal with a cultivator without using treasures or spells?

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly at Shitou and flew off as a streak of white light.

A moment later, another scream rang out. Shitou felt the pressure on his "Broken" mace disappear. He looked up and saw that the hundred-foot mountain above his head had been retracted into the gold-traced fan at some point.

At the same time, a figure fell from the sky, his throat also pierced with a large hole, fresh blood gurgling out, his eyes still revealing an expression of disbelief. Who else could it be but Lin Feng?

Yu Liancheng held the "Immortal Pointing the Way" bamboo pole in one hand and the Mountain and River Fan in the other, slowly descending from the sky. The Mountain and River Fan, paired with his white robes, made him appear even more elegant, carefree, and extraordinarily handsome. Even though he was dressed as a monk, if one said he was a royal prince, there would absolutely not be a single person who would not believe it.

"Nephew Shitou, what is the matter? Are you injured?" Yu Liancheng looked at the dazed Shitou.

Shitou finally came to his senses, and at the same time, a flash of inspiration struck his mind: "Wait, are you Uncle-Master Puzhen?"

Yu Liancheng smiled slightly.

Shitou hurriedly bowed: "Shitou of the Vajra Sect pays respects to Uncle-Master Puzhen. Many thanks to Uncle-Master for your life-saving grace; if not for Uncle-Master's help, Shitou would have been in great danger today."

At the same time, Shitou finally felt a sense of relief in his heart.

Uncle-Master Puzhen was a peerless genius of the Buddhist path, appearing once in a millennium. After three years of seclusion, he had emerged with the aura of Wanfo Chaozong. According to what his master said, Uncle-Master Puzhen had even created a "Thirty-Two Appearances" that was not inferior to the Great Brahma Prajna. It stood to reason that he had just relied on the "Thirty-Two Appearances" to kill the two Demon Sect evildoers.

It was just that his own insight was insufficient, which was why he had not seen how his Uncle-Master had made his move.

"The Vajra Sect has always been close with Tianyin Temple, so there is no need for you to be so polite."

The two exchanged pleasantries, then performed funeral rites for Zhang Laosan and Lin Feng, and tidied up the aftermath of the battle.

This was perhaps the difference between the righteous and the evil paths; after a fight, those of the evil path could just brush off their bottoms and leave, while those of the righteous path had to handle the aftermath.

Fortunately, no one had been killed by the shockwaves; only some houses had collapsed, which could be resolved with money.

"This young woman thanks the two of you for your life-saving grace. It is only a pity that my entire family has been murdered. I am all alone, and in this vast world, where is my place to return to..."

The woman in yellow walked forward and bowed in thanks to Yu Liancheng and Shitou.

Just having suffered a tragedy at home, her appearance—brows slightly furrowed, face full of sorrow—was enough to break even the heart of Shitou, a man who did not understand the feelings between men and women.

"Hee hee, little sister, I have a one-hundred-tael silver note here. Take this note, go bury your family first, and then find a relative to rely on."

Bi Yao walked over at this moment, took out a hundred-tael silver note with her fair hand, and stuffed it into the hand of the woman in yellow.

One hundred taels of silver was by no means a small amount; it could even allow a person to live comfortably for several years.

The woman in yellow said in a panic: "It's too much, it's too much, and... and this young woman has been sitting in a carriage the whole way, I truly cannot find my way home. Also... as a young woman, how can I..."

Shitou also nodded and said: "If we just let you travel alone, it would be too dangerous. If you were to encounter any accidents, how could you protect yourself? Rest assured, miss, I will escort you home on this journey..."

"Many thanks, Master, but..." The woman in yellow looked toward Yu Liancheng with a pair of beautiful eyes, her gaze shimmering; anyone could see her intentions and affection.

Bi Yao let out a cold snort and was about to make a sarcastic remark when she heard Yu Liancheng wave his sleeve and say: "Enough, it is getting late. Let us find an inn to stay at first."

Yu Liancheng set the tone, and the group of four departed.

Zhou Yixian looked at his banner that read "Immortal Pointing the Way," sighed, and turned his head to look at his granddaughter: "Xiaohuan, did you see that person's physiognomy?"

Xiaohuan shook her head: "Xiaohuan cannot see it, not even his past-life physiognomy can be discerned."

Zhou Yixian shook his head: "I cannot see it either."

Xiaohuan rolled her eyes: "As if you could see it before."

Zhou Yixian laughed awkwardly: "Let's go, we should also go find a place to stay."

Night.

Deep.

In the inn.

A graceful figure walked out of a room, light-footed and stealthy, just like a little cat stealing cream.

The graceful figure slowly walked outside another room and knocked gently on the door.

She waited for a good while, and seeing no one in the room respond, she knocked softly three more times; after doing this three times, it remained deathly silent.

With a "click" sound from the door frame, the woman in yellow, who appeared to have no strength to truss a chicken, actually used magic power to force open the bolt and floated into the room amidst a sweet, cloying, and alluring fragrance.

Seeing the lump raised by the bedsheets, the uninvited guest giggled and dove into the covers, only to immediately let out a startled cry: "You are not Master Puzhen, who are you?"

"Giggle, little sister, guess who I am." Another giggle, sounding like silver bells, rang out.