Chapter 197: No Haunting

The two others traveling with Zhong Kui.

One, about forty, named Zhang Haoxue, from a humble family, slender and weak, with downcast eyes, looking somewhat timid.

The other is Lu Xiu, about the same age as Zhong Kui, seemingly of good background, with red lips and white teeth, considered the most handsome among the three.

Especially beside Zhong Kui, he stood there like an unparalleled handsome man.

However, his temperament is fine, he is well-cultivated; the moment after being startled by Zhong Kui's appearance, he reacted and quickly apologized to Zhong Kui.

Zhong Kui could tell he wasn't pretending, so his attitude toward him was also good.

It's unclear why, given his background, he could go to Chang'an alone, yet he chose to travel with them.

As for the other escorts, the official messengers.

There are two of them, brothers named Wang Da and Wang Er; their strength... probably still not a match for Zhong Kui.

Zhong Kui is naturally tall and strong, but lacks the talent for physical cultivation.

Now having cultivated the Soul-Body Cultivation Method, with the soul nourishing the body, he is only stronger than before.

If they really encounter anything, they'd likely need Zhong Kui to protect them.

But since they've already been sent, going together is fine.

In short, Zhong Kui's party set out on the road to Chang'an.

From Zhongnan Mountain to Chang'an is roughly fifty or sixty li; counting mountain paths, the walking distance will be a bit longer.

On foot, it takes about two days to get there.

Thus, in ancient poetry and records, the distance between Zhongnan Mountain and Chang'an is depicted as a perfect 'advanceable-retreateable' distance.

It conveniently allows city officials and scholars to go into the mountains for sightseeing and seclusion, and also allows mountain recluses and Daoists to stay in contact with the capital.

It perfectly balances the needs of 'leaving the world' and 'entering the world'.

For example, the saying 'Zhongnan Shortcut' itself shows that recluses living in Zhongnan Mountain can easily have their fame known to the emperor and nobles in Chang'an, and thus be summoned to court as officials.

If the distance were too great, this 'shortcut' would not hold.

That's enough for the digression.

Zhong Kui and company walked on like that until evening, when the sunset's afterglow filtered through the gaps in the trees.

Wang Da pointed ahead and said to Zhong Kui's group: "Gentlemen, there's a ruined temple ahead; we'll stay there for the night."

"We'll continue the journey tomorrow morning, to avoid any mishaps at night."

Hearing that, Lu Xiu immediately asked: "Isn't it better to avoid a ruined temple at night? Ordinary people say there are ghosts!"

Wang Da waved his hand, laughing: "We brothers have stayed in this ruined temple countless times; travelers who couldn't make it to the city often spend the night there."

"Who knows, maybe someone's already staying inside! Besides, if we don't stay there, do you want to camp out here?"

"You young masters aren't afraid of the cold, but we brothers are!"

Hearing him say that, Lu Xiu thought it made sense and nodded:

"Then I'll follow your lead."

Seeing his agreement, Zhong Kui and Zhang Haoxue had no objections, and the Wang brothers led them toward the ruined temple.

As they went, just as he had guessed, there were already shadows and flickering firelight inside.

Wang Da went in first and saw two men who looked like peddlers, about thirty years old, with some goods piled beside them.

Seeing him enter in an official messenger's uniform, the two immediately rose and smiled: "Greetings, sir official."

Wang Da waved his hand: "No need for that, you rest as you are."

Then he turned and shouted outward: "Come in!"

Zhong Kui's party entered the temple.

Though the temple is dilapidated, it's still fairly spacious; in the center stands a mottled earth deity statue, and the ritual altar is covered with thick dust.

Besides, there are a few new incense sticks, likely offered by those two peddlers.

The two peddlers had already lit a fire in the corner; seeing more people arrive, they hurriedly shifted over to make space.

"Thank you both," Lu Xiu said politely, bowing his hands.

"You're welcome," one of the peddlers laughed:

"When out and about, we look out for each other."

"Looking at you all, are you heading to the city to take the exams?"

Lu Xiu nodded: "Yes."

This.............

He chatted easily with the two peddlers.

Zhong Kui intended to take out a baked cake from his travel pack, heat it, and eat it; but as soon as he grabbed the cake...

... he saw a silver coin pressed underneath it.

He blinked, then realized something, and couldn't help but shake his head and chuckle: "Brother Du and little sister these two..."

His heart felt warm, and even the outside cold seemed to lessen considerably.

After eating and drinking his fill,

he took out his books and began reviewing.

Zhang Haoxue beside him saw this, also took out a book, came to his side and whispered:

"I've heard that Elder Brother Zhong is widely learned; I have a few questions I'd like to ask, if that's alright?"

Zhong Kui nodded: "Feel free to speak."

"Learning has no end; perhaps what you ask is exactly what I also want to know."

Seeing his agreement, Zhang Haoxue immediately opened his book, pointed and stood up to ask:

"The ancients said..."

No one knew how long they had been chatting.

Outside, the moon rose high, climbing over the branches, only to be shrouded by dark clouds, leaving the world in gloom.

Suddenly a piercing wolf howl split the night sky; Lu Xiu inside the temple couldn't help shivering, his face showing fear.

Wang Er rose and said, "I'll go check it out."

He took up the Long Sword, grabbed a burning wooden stick, and headed out.

Wang Da warned, "Be careful."

But he did not rise; instead, he watched his brother walk out of the temple door.

Wang Er patrolled outside with a torch; amid the flickering firelight he saw only swaying tree shadows, nothing unusual.

He was about to turn back when suddenly his shoulder felt a heavy weight——

A deathly pale hand rested on his shoulder.

That hand was shockingly white, paler than his deceased father's had been a few days ago, its nails black as charcoal!

Wang Er swallowed, fear rising that the Ghost Claw would drag him away, and he shouted hoarsely, "Mother!"

"Big brother! There's a ghost!"

Before his words faded, the hand suddenly exerted force!

Wang Er felt a bone‑chilling yin force surge through him, his whole body yanked backward.

The torch slipped from his grasp, hit the snow with a hiss, and went out instantly.

Hearing the sound, everyone inside the temple turned pale; Wang Da rushed out first, with Zhong Kui close behind.

All they saw was pitch darkness outside the temple; Wang Er's figure had vanished, only that piercing cry still echoing in the night sky.............

"Damn it!"

"You dare kill my second brother—no matter what ghost you are, I'll fight you to the death!"

Wang Da's eyes turned blood‑red; he turned and ran back into the temple, soon emerged with a bundle of torches, then chased after Wang Er's footprints.

But as soon as he rushed into the woods, all the torches went out; he let out a cry and then fell silent.

"...... Is he going to his death?" Lu Xiu wiped the cold sweat from his brow, turned to Zhong Kui and asked:

"Brother Zhong, what should we do?"

Zhong Kui frowned, looking ahead, yet felt no fear in his heart.

For what people fear is the unknown; he had already seen who was behind the hand, turning the unknown into the known.

He then said, "You wait here; I'll go take a look."

Speaking, without waiting for Lu Xiu's reaction, he strode straight ahead and likewise vanished into the darkness.

Lu Xiu saw this, twitched the corner of his mouth:

"How can you all be so reckless?"