Offering Incense to Ask the Way, Slaying Ghosts and Exterminating Demons

After cleaving away the darkness, Lin Yan held up his lantern and pressed onward, his steps swift.

This time, he managed to travel several miles.

But then, more darkness blocked his path.

These Malevolent Spirits, appearing at night, were simply everywhere.

As soon as one group was repelled, another would appear.

This was because, in the dead of night, Lin Yan was the only living soul.

The taste of flesh and blood.

The aura of life.

A complete soul.

It was like a rare delicacy placed before a horde of Malevolent Spirits.

Lin Yan understood that the farther he got from Gao Liu City, the farther he was from the Willow Venerate's true body, and thus the weaker the Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamp's effect would be.

Here, too far away, the light of the Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamp alone could no longer suppress the Malevolent Spirits and demons.

So, at this moment, Lin Yan set down the Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamp and drew his long saber.

"The Willow Venerate isn't here after all, so I understand if you don't show it respect."

Lin Yan pointed his saber forward and said in a deep voice, "But I am here, and you will show me respect."

He swung his saber and shouted, "Who the hell doesn't show respect? Step out!"

In the past year, he had killed over a hundred people, more than any executioner!

Already brimming with ferocious killing intent, amplified by the Demon Quelling Divine Ability, his ferocity seemed to surge a thousandfold in an instant!

In a daze, it was as if a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood appeared, killing intent churning like a tsunami.

This was the might of Demon Quelling!

The darkness surged, as if its "emotions were fluctuating," hesitant and uncertain.

A moment later, the darkness receded like a tide.

The light from the Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamp gradually illuminated the path ahead.

"You don't know what's good for you!"

Lin Yan picked up the Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamp, holding his long saber in one hand, and charged forward.

If anything blocked his path again, he wouldn't say a word before cleaving it with his saber.

His original intention was to abide by the rules of this world, avoid unnecessary fighting, and conserve his strength.

Because he knew in his heart that a bloody battle was inevitable later on.

But he was too far from Gao Liu City now, and these Malevolent Spirits clearly weren't willing to play by the rules.

Then he could only use the long saber in his hand, and his own killing intent and murderous aura, to teach these obstacles the rules of him, the harbinger of death!

He continued to rush forward, another three to five miles, entering the mountains.

"Almost there!"

Following the rugged mountain path, Lin Yan finally found an old Sophora tree on the mountainside.

Legend had it that this old Sophora tree had gained sentience, and travelers passing by had to offer three sticks of incense to ensure a safe journey.

"I've heard there are tigers in the vicinity. This junior has an urgent matter and needs to consult with this 'Mountain Lord'!"

Lin Yan said in a low voice, re-lit the three sticks of incense, stuck them into the ground in front of the tree, and bowed in respect.

"Tonight, I offer three sticks of incense. I trouble the Sophora Venerate to guide me!"

Before his voice had even faded, a gust of wind suddenly arose.

The three sticks of incense fell, blown by the wind.

His offering was not accepted!

"..."

Lin Yan's brow furrowed tightly.

Perhaps the Sophora Venerate feared the Mountain Lord.

Or perhaps, if these three sticks of incense had previously been offered to the black mist Malevolent Spirits blocking his path, offering them again to the Sophora Venerate now would be like offering leftovers.

He sighed and bowed again, "This junior left in too much haste and was unprepared, which was disrespectful. Once this matter is concluded, I will surely offer a sacrificial feast and wine to the Sophora Venerate!"

As his voice fell, he picked up the three sticks of incense again and stuck them into the ground.

This time, he pushed the bottom of the three sticks of incense all the way in, burying them deep in the soil.

But before he could even stand up.

The three sticks of incense fell again.

"..."

Lin Yan took a deep breath, thinking his second brother was in mortal danger.

Then, a bright light flashed in the darkness.

The blade of the saber sliced across the tree.

The bark split open under the blade.

A shallow cut was left on the tree.

Then he picked up the three incense sticks and, with a blank expression, stuck them into the cut on the tree.

The cut was very shallow, less than an inch deep.

As soon as Lin Yan let go after sticking the three incense sticks in, they were about to fall.

But suddenly, an eerie wind blew!

The fallen incense sticks were blown by the night wind to stick to the tree, stable and firm, like branches naturally growing from it.

Then the eerie wind grew more urgent, and the treetops swayed.

All the branches pointed towards the back left.

"Thank you!"

Lin Yan, his expression unchanged, bowed.

Then, carrying his long saber, he quickly headed in the direction the Sophora Venerate had indicated, not daring to delay for half a moment.

A desolate wilderness, with a rugged mountain path.

Darkness lay ahead, but three figures could be seen walking side-by-side, their steps steady as if treading on level ground.

The person in the middle was carrying half a roasted chicken and seemed somewhat dazed, looking up at the pitch-black sky.

But he squinted his eyes, as if the light was still too bright and dazzling.

"Dabao, did you move your house this far away?"

Lin Lei said with some worry, "The sun is almost setting. If it gets dark later, I'm afraid I won't make it home in time."

He was dressed simply, with an honest face, but seemed a bit troubled.

"It's fine, it's only afternoon. Come to my place first, we'll chat about important matters, and you can go home in the evening. If you really can't make it, you can stay the night at my place."

Another figure's voice was somewhat stiff and hoarse.

"That won't do. My wife is waiting for me at home."

Lin Lei immediately shook his head, then smiled and said, "By the way, when did you adopt a daughter, and when did she hit it off with our third brother?"

Chen Jiangbao didn't reply, just kept walking.

The figure on the far right, small and delicate, like a girl, quickened her pace upon hearing this, as if shy.

Seeing this, Lin Lei couldn't help but chuckle. He then pulled Chen Jiangbao and lowered his voice, "Let me tell you, you owe me two taels of silver. You have to pay me back first, so I can gather enough money to prepare the betrothal gifts, book the banquet, and invite guests."

"The old house is too small. It's enough for my younger brother to live alone, but it won't be convenient after he gets married. Later, I'll let the young couple move into my house first."

"My Ah Yan can earn money now, he just needs a wife to manage him."

"Have your daughter keep a close eye on him then, so he can save money. As for me, I'll save for another three to five years, and then my brother and I will pool our resources, borrow a bit from relatives, and we can build them another house."

Lin Lei said this, then looked around. "Speaking of which, your new place is too far away. My legs are sore from walking. By the time we finish our business, it'll probably be dark, and I won't be able to walk back."

As soon as he finished speaking, they saw a town ahead, bustling with people.

"We're here, we're here."

Chen Jiangbao raised his hand and pointed at the dark sky, saying, "The sun is still up. If we finish chatting early, you can still make it back to Gao Liu City before nightfall."

At this moment, the girl's voice rang out again, "I also have the Tiger Whisker Night-Illuminating Lamp in this city."

Chen Jiangbao replied, "That's right. With the city's illuminating lamps and the 'Mountain Lord's' might, you can travel more than ten li back, and Malevolent Spirits won't dare to approach you on the road."

Lin Lei was still worried, "But if it's too far, the city's illuminating lamps might not be able to suppress Malevolent Spirits."

"That's fine. I still have Willow Branch Night-Illuminating Lamps saved. Take them with you."

Chen Jiangbao said, "If you're far from here, then you're closer to Gao Liu City... The first half of the journey will be under the 'Mountain Lord's' care, and the second half under the 'Willow Venerate's' protection. The road will be safe and worry-free."

The girl's voice sounded again, "Even if it's late, you can stay at my place. Second Uncle can stay in my elder brother's room first."

Lin Lei was delighted upon hearing this, "You're a lovely girl. You haven't even married yet, but you're already changing your address."

He said this and continued forward.

In his eyes, they had already entered the town.

The sky was still bright, with streets and shops on both sides.

People were coming and going, quite lively.

But for some reason, it seemed that at this moment, everyone was looking towards them, their eyes somewhat vacant.

Lin Lei met the gazes of the crowd, feeling uneasy.

The girl then said, "My family just moved here. The neighbors are quite hospitable and very friendly."

"That's very good, very good," Lin Lei said, his eyes beginning to glaze over, not noticing anything amiss.

It wasn't until they were nearing Chen Jiangbao's new house that he suddenly sensed something was wrong and snapped back to reality.

"Dabao, why is your house a temple?"

"..."

Chen Jiangbao's voice, stiff at first, began to tremble and crack with sobs. "I didn't want to... You were kind enough to lend me money, but I never intended to pay you back."

"Now that I'm dead, if I don't trick you here to be eaten by the Mountain Lord, how will you collect your debt from my son in the future?"

"You can't blame me for this. Who else in Lin Jiang Ward was kind enough to lend me money?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

A chill ran down Lin Lei's spine. He turned his head to look.

He saw Chen Jiangbao.

But through Chen Jiangbao's body, he also saw the vegetation behind him.

Was Chen Jiangbao's body just an illusion?

In an instant, Lin Lei's hair stood on end.

The night wind blew, carrying a bone-chilling cold.

In a daze, the scene shifted.

Where was the town?

Where were the streets and shops?

There were no bricks or stones on the ground, only grass and dirt.

The surrounding withered grass and dead trees, with figures flickering in and out of sight, all seemed illusory.

All the illusory figures stiffly turned their heads, their faces blank, their eyes hollow.

A howling sound arose, sharp and piercing.

It was the cold, biting wind blowing through the treetops, scraping against dead branches, its sound like a mournful cry.

Were these all ghosts?

Lin Lei's pupils contracted. He turned to flee, but found his body completely unresponsive to his will.

At that moment, he was stiff all over, his legs weak.

Simultaneously, within the temple, cold and cruel eyes, like a night lamp, slowly lit up.

The howling wind grew more intense.

The ghost-like howling became more piercing and desolate.

The girl walking ahead took Lin Lei's arm and said softly, "Second Uncle, we're here. Let's go."

Lin Lei tried to struggle but found himself completely frozen.

The girl practically dragged him towards the temple.

Lin Lei's gaze grew increasingly dazed, gradually becoming vacant.

"A major life event, why don't I handle it myself?"

Just then, a cold voice rang out.

The atmosphere instantly became tense.

The surrounding ghost cries grew more piercing and chilling.

But this time, it wasn't the sound of the wind rustling through branches.

It was the genuine cry of ghosts.

The Ghoul spirits on the periphery cried out in terror.

Not far away, a light flickered to life.

It was a tiny flame, swaying in the wind, yet emitting a warm glow.

It was a stick of incense.

A hand holding the incense stick reached forward.

Where the firelight shone, it was like a raging inferno. The Ghoul spirits cried out and fled in panic.

In the blink of an eye, they scattered like catkins blown by the wind.

Under the firelight, the person who had arrived had messy hair and was slightly out of breath, as if they had been running intensely.

But their face remained expressionless, utterly cold.

They were clad in a black robe, and in their other hand, they held a long, narrow saber.

The blade was slightly dark, about three and a half fingers wide, and three feet three inches long.

This saber had once slain over a hundred men!

Today, it would slay ghosts!

And then demons!