022 The Death of Nan Yao.
When Nan Yao was little, her three uncles, in order to vie for Ms. Nan Yuqing’s favor, held countless competitions to prove they were the superior man.
From spiritual power sparring competitions to cricket fighting competitions, and from cricket fighting competitions all the way to competitions to see whose folded paper frog could jump higher.
The contests between the three were varied and bizarre in every way imaginable; a fishing competition was already one of the more normal ones among them.
Of course, the one who always won the fishing competition was her Celestial Venerable uncle.
Ye Yin had a fiery temper. He couldn’t sit still for even a quarter of an hour before he would start yawning, throw down his rod, and issue death threats to the fish from the riverbank.
Ghost Blade was the king of cheating. He had no patience either, but he didn’t play by the rules. He was red-carded out of the competition by Nan Yao, who was supervising while eating grilled fish, when he secretly entered the lake to blast fish with his spiritual power.
Only Chen Wuxin could sit by the lake for an entire night. He even found the time to lecture his opponents. “Being so eager for quick success and so noisy will only scare the fish away. Fishing requires focus and patience.” At this point, his tone shifted. “Just like my devotion to Miss Yuqing. Seeing the big picture from small details, this competition shows that I am the most suitable person to be Nan Yao’s father.”
Ye Yin retorted, “Don’t push your luck. You lost the paper frog competition, didn’t you?”
After speaking, the competitive Ye Yin once again drew his Soul Cutting Blade and began threatening the fish from the bank, demanding they come and get caught within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.
But no fish paid him any mind.
Now, Nan Yao understood. Uncle Ye Yin hadn’t lost because of his method, but because of the location.
She was willing to call the Bone-eating Fish River Ye Yin’s paradise.
She stood on the bank, drew her sword, and shouted, “I’m hungry!”
The Bone-eating fish: The fish are here!
Then, with the speed of a thunderclap, she stabbed her sword into the river three times in a row, neatly skewering three fish, and proudly handed them to Yu Chichi.
Nan Yao: I stab.
Yu Chichi: I grill.
After doing all this, Nan Yao patted down her skirt and sat next to Xie Diao, poking his arm. “Your turn next time. You can’t always use my sword, it’ll make it all fishy. You have to sacrifice your sword too.”
Xie Diao picked up a tree branch from the ground. “Why not use a branch?”
Nan Yao: “…” Because I didn’t think of that.
The talisman cultivator hiding behind a tree fell silent, and the sniffling sword cultivator beside him also said nothing. The two looked at each other. Although not a single word was exchanged, and although the six people by the river were thorns in their side they wished they could eliminate, at that moment, they both read the same sentence in each other’s eyes—
“I really want to join them and be a good-for-nothing.”
It wasn’t just the talisman and sword cultivators who had complicated feelings; the deacons and elders in the Profound Darkness Hall were also feeling very conflicted at this moment.
On the left side of the God-Peering Mirror—
Fierce battles, bloodshed, struggling contestants, tragic scenes of life and death, and desperate fights against schools of fish.
The glint of blades and swords, a magnificent and powerful sight!
On the right side of the God-Peering Mirror—
“Add more numbing spice and chili!”
“Can you save the meat around the fish eye for me?”
Such a disjointed scene was enough to bring one to tears.
Are you guys here to compete or for a spring outing?
Only Ye Yin was the calmest. He lifted the register, secretly tore out a piece of paper, and wrote a sentence on it: [Hold the next fishing competition by the Bone-eating Fish River.]
At the same time, a certain unnamed Celestial Venerable who also saw the scene in the God-Peering Mirror sneered and also made a note: [Do not go fishing at the Bone-eating Fish River.]
Finally, after eating and drinking their fill, the spring outing team remembered they were here for a competition.
But no one knew what lay on the other side of the Bone-eating Fish River.
If they encountered a barren and dangerous land where nothing grew, they might still go hungry.
Nan Yao pondered for a moment, her gaze falling upon the Bone-eating Fish River beside them.
She decided to stock up on provisions.
So she picked up five or six branches and stood by the river. “Hello there.”
But apparently, the Bone-eating fish had evolved this time. The moment they heard Nan Yao’s voice, they froze in the river for a few seconds, then scattered in a panic-stricken escape.
Nan Yao was out of ideas. Without another word, she shoved the branches into Xie Diao’s hands and pointed at the Bone-eating Fish River. “You do it.”
Xiao Huang, perched on her shoulder, began to breathe rapidly. *What is she doing? Ordering the Evil Seed around? And with such a casual tone? That’s the Evil Seed that even the Ming Wang of the underworld is troubled by! How can she just command him like that…*
Before Xiao Huang’s inner turmoil could fully unfold, it saw Xie Diao stare at the branches that had been forcibly placed in his hands for a moment. He then walked to the lakeside, tossed the branches up, and with a flick of his wrist, threw them.
The branches descended like a shower of arrows, plunging firmly into the lake and piercing through the bodies of the Bone-eating fish.
Tang Shaoling, who was waiting by the lake, let out a cheer and used a long pole to pull all the fish skewers over.
Liu Zhiyai stood on the bank, directing Tang Shaoling while flattering Xie Diao. “Yay! Protecting the most amazing Big Brother Xie Diao in the whole world!”
Xiao Huang fell silent.
It had only been lazing around and sleeping in the jade pendant for a few days. What on earth had happened during that time!
Why was this Evil Seed so hardworking and uncomplaining?
Why had this group of people already started mixing with the Evil Seed?
But clearly, no one cared about this dumbfounded little squirrel whose jaw had dropped in shock. The spring outing team was preparing to cross the river in a line. Nan Yao was first, with Xie Diao right behind her. The four hangers-on behind them each held a skewer of fish, carefully hopping from stone to stone on their tiptoes.
Though, there was no need to be so careful.
Because now, the Bone-eating fish fled without a trace at the mere scent of this group.
The sword cultivator hiding behind the tree asked from the bottom of his heart, “Are we still going to throw rocks?”
The talisman cultivator said, “We might as well just withdraw from the competition.”
The river-crossing procession was orderly.
In front of Nan Yao was a female cultivator in a goose-yellow ruqun. She missed her footing and nearly slipped into the turbulent river. Nan Yao’s eyes were sharp and her hands were fast; she reached out and steadied her.
The female cultivator turned her head and gave Nan Yao a shy smile. After getting to the bank, she extended a hand back to her. “Here, let me give you a hand.”
This female cultivator was very beautiful, with skin like fine jade and a faint blush on her cheeks. She looked like a little princess who had been doted on since childhood. She spoke softly and gently, the type of pretty older sister that even other girls would want to get close to.
Nan Yao had a lifelong weakness for pretty older sisters. Just as she was about to take the female cultivator’s hand, Xie Diao grabbed her arm, holding her in place.
She turned her head and saw Xie Diao’s gaze pass over her, quietly staring into the female cultivator’s eyes. Though he said nothing, an undercurrent seemed to surge in the air.
It seemed to be a silent threat.
The female cultivator lowered her eyes, avoiding his gaze, and withdrew her hand, looking clearly a bit flustered.
Just then, someone called out from behind her—
“Wen Yue, what are you still doing there?” Xiao Wuji leaned against a bamboo stalk, his tone carrying a hint of cold arrogance. “Don’t talk to that group of people, lest you bring trouble upon yourself.”
Hearing Xiao Wuji’s voice, the female cultivator quickly answered and hurried towards him, but she didn’t forget to turn back and bow to Nan Yao in thanks. “Thank you so much.”
“Her name is Yun Wen Yue. She’s Senior Brother Xiao Wuji’s junior sister,” Tang Shaoling explained breathlessly, trying hard to keep his balance on the slippery stones. “She’s stuck to Senior Brother Xiao all day long, they’re inseparable.”
Xie Diao said nothing. With a strong pull, he brought Nan Yao onto the bank.
“What’s wrong?” Nan Yao asked him.
Xie Diao lowered his voice. “That female cultivator’s soul does not belong to this body.”
A soul that didn’t match the body.
Nan Yao remembered that before entering the mountain, the rules had clearly stated sixty-six people, but the count had come out to sixty-eight.
Could it be…
This female cultivator was one of the two extra people?
Based on the current situation, Nan Yao couldn’t figure it out. She hadn’t sensed any killing intent or malice from Yun Wen Yue, but she couldn’t rule out the possibility that it was a malicious ghost’s elaborate disguise, planning to play the long game for a big catch. Right now, Nan Yao was more concerned about something else. She leaned in to look at Xie Diao’s face. “Why did you warn me?”
*It couldn’t be to charge me, could it?*
But the spiritual pouch couldn’t be used now. If he wanted to charge her, she could only owe him. But Xie Diao had always said he didn’t accept IOUs… If she couldn’t pay, would he execute her on the spot as a deadbeat?
The more Nan Yao thought about it, the more worried she became, her face showing an expression sadder than if she had missed dinner.
Xie Diao looked at her conflicted expression, seeming to guess what she was thinking. The corners of his lips curled up, and he reached out to gently flick her forehead.
“Ow.” Nan Yao covered her forehead, looking at him innocently. “What are you doing?”
“Because I can’t let anything happen to you,” Xie Diao said.
Xiao Huang: “Wow.”
The eavesdropping hangers-on: “Wow.”
The deacons and elders supervising all this: “Wow.”
Ye Yin’s eyes were bloodshot. *Deduct points. Deduct points from all of them. Deduct points from Xie Diao. The ones who said ‘wow’ get points deducted too.*
Chen Wuxin picked up the Moye Sword and started walking out, but was held back by Chengyang Daoren. “Master, Master, where are you going, Master?”
And in the next second—
“I get paid to do a job. I can’t let anything happen to my client,” Xie Diao bent down to look at her, a smile in his eyes. “It’s a small business; I have to keep my promises.”
Nan Yao clutched her forehead, all the touching feelings in her heart vanishing in an instant.
But Ye Yin and Chen Wuxin understood.
*As expected, this man is only getting close to my precious daughter for money.*
*As long as we have enough money, we can make this dog of a man leave Yao Yao.*
*Hmph. A money-grubbing man. Nothing more than that.*
The only person on the scene who was incredibly moved by Xie Diao’s words was Liu Zhiyai. He stood in the middle of the river, his eyes filled with tears as he looked at Xie Diao, waving his hands and crying out pitifully, “In that case, is there anyone who can help this client? The gap between this rock and that rock is so big, I don’t dare to jump, boohoo. Can someone carry me across?”
Silence fell all around, and all eyes focused on Xie Diao.
“…”
Xie Diao turned and walked away.
*
After crossing the Bone-eating Fish River, the group entered the Soul Summoning Forest.
By now, dusk was gradually falling, and a strange mist filled the Soul Summoning Forest. Rustling sounds came from the surrounding weeds from time to time, as if something was moving through them.
After dusk, the sky quickly darkened.
Half a day was about to pass, but so far, no one had lit a single Soul-Igniting Lantern.
“I’ve heard that Soul-Igniting Lanterns appear in places with dense Ghost Qi.” Qi Guyuan made a small awning over his forehead with his hand and looked around. “I think the Ghost Qi here is quite dense. We might just find one.”
Tang Shaoling was very disdainful. “Do you think Soul-Igniting Lanterns are like wild vegetables you can find everywhere? It’d be a miracle if we found one just by strolling around.”
“What do Soul-Igniting Lanterns look like?” Yu Chichi asked.
Tang Shaoling said, “You don’t even know what a Soul-Igniting Lantern looks like? Firstly, if a Soul-Igniting Lantern is lit, it can guide the dead souls trapped in the area for various reasons to reincarnate. Therefore, such lanterns are usually carved in the shape of a spider lily, with patterns of Ox-Head and Horse-Face on the lamp’s surface. Most importantly, it’s shrouded in Ghost Qi—”
“Oh, oh, and it’s cyan jade-colored when it’s not lit, right?” Yu Chichi chimed in.
“That’s right…” Tang Shaoling suddenly realized. “How did you know?”
Then, he saw Yu Chichi push aside the wild grass, point at an object surrounded by Ghost Qi, and puff out her chest very proudly. “Look! I found it!”
“…”
*Why?*
*Why could you find one just by strolling around holding a fish?*
At this moment, the sky was growing darker bit by bit.
Yu Chichi was only a step away from the Soul-Igniting Lantern. She cut her index finger and walked over, and the mass of Ghost Qi lunged at her.
But the blood from her fingertip slowly dripped onto the Soul-Igniting Lantern.
The cyan jade-colored Soul-Igniting Lantern was gradually permeated by the color of blood. The restless dead souls around them seemed to be soothed and gradually quieted down.
But just then, night fell completely.
The blood inside the Soul-Igniting Lantern suddenly stopped moving, then slowly began to dissipate. The blood-red color faded, and the dead souls grew violent again.
The rustling in the grass grew closer and closer. Suddenly, a crimson shadow flashed past, lunging at Yu Chichi’s arm—
“Watch out!”
Nan Yao, who was closest to her, yanked her away, but her own arm was unavoidably scraped, and beads of blood seeped from the wound.
“Miss Nan Yao!” Yu Chichi was horrified. She looked back and saw a red-and-white shadow dart into the grass. Judging by its shape—it was a snake!
“A snake?”
Qi Guyuan hurried over. “What kind of snake? Could it be poisonous?”
Yu Chichi trembled, her voice tinged with tears. “I saw that the snake was red and white. I think I heard my senior brother say that there’s a type of venomous snake that’s red and white. Its venom is extremely potent, and it can corrode a person’s internal organs within half an incense stick’s time. This snake is called the Chi… Chi…”
“Chifan Python,” Xie Diao said, crossing his arms. “That’s the name, right?”
Nan Yao hadn’t thought much of it at first, but hearing that even Xie Diao knew of this venomous snake, she instantly began to panic. “What? Is this Chifan Python really that powerful?”
She had only gotten a small scratch, and her spiritual power was abundant. She should be able to easily force out any snake venom.
“The Chifan Python is indeed powerful. Its venom cannot be forced out with cultivation. It will instantly merge with a person’s internal organs, and the more one circulates their power, the faster the poison will act. Even if an elder from the Demon Realm or the Immortal Realm were bitten by a Chifan Python, they would likely not escape death if they didn’t receive immediate treatment.” Xie Diao glanced at the sky. “Well, after this much time, the window for treatment has already passed.”
Nan Yao had a complete mental breakdown.
Xiao Huang also had a complete mental breakdown.
*How could this happen?*
*Their great mission to save the world hasn’t even begun, Xie Diao hasn’t even had the chance to fully turn to the dark side, and I’m going to die prematurely?*
Yu Chichi threw herself into Nan Yao’s arms and wailed, “I’m sorry, I’m so sorry, I was too reckless…”
Qi Guyuan couldn’t stop his tears either. “Miss Nan Yao, when I ascend to the throne, I will definitely have your name recorded in the annals of history. I will build a temple in your name in the imperial capital.”
Tang Shaoling sighed. “Miss Nan Yao, in the time I’ve spent with you, I’ve learned that rumors can’t be trusted. Don’t worry, I will make sure those from the Immortal Realm who slandered you without basis receive the punishment they deserve!”
Liu Zhiyai had already started singing a famous modern song, “The Wind Rises.” The high notes had no technique, only pure emotion, making the atmosphere seem particularly desolate.
The originally optimistic Nan Yao completely broke down. She let Yu Chichi hold her like a soulless corpse, and after a long silence, she accepted the fact that she didn’t have long to live.
But even so, she had to do something for the common people of the world.
So she said, “I have something to say.”
The surroundings instantly fell silent.
Nan Yao looked at Yu Chichi. “I don’t blame you. It was an accident. You must try your best to live on and get the Soul Cutting Blade to save your master.”
Nan Yao looked at Qi Guyuan. “Same as above.”
Nan Yao looked at Tang Shaoling. “Study hard.”
Nan Yao looked at Liu Zhiyai. “If you sing another note, I’m taking you with me before I die.”
Finally, Nan Yao looked at Xie Diao. “Big Brother Xie Diao, I have something to say to you.”
Xie Diao lifted his eyelids slightly.
“Although you are a very petty, stingy, and vengeful person who also extorts money from people, your business practices are extremely unfair, you engage in forced sales, and sometimes you even threaten me with death.” Nan Yao paused here to catch her breath. “You have a bad temper and go on killing sprees when you get angry, and you turn to the dark side at the drop of a hat. And if that’s not enough, you steal my thunder, and after stealing my thunder, you actually charge me money for it.”
Finally, Nan Yao couldn’t catch her breath. She patted her chest, her eyes filled with tears. “But that doesn’t stop me from thinking that you are still a righteous and benevolent person with a bright future. So, you must not give up on yourself, you must…”
“Nan Yao,” Xie Diao interrupted her.
Nan Yao: “Huh?”
“The Chifan Snake is indeed venomous, but it’s a Demonic Creature that only appears around the rifts of the underworld. They wouldn’t be in the Soul Summoning Forest at all,” Xie Diao said. “The one that attacked you just now was just an ordinary snake that was scared and scurrying around because of the dead souls. And, after you finished delivering your last words, your wound has almost completely healed.”
Nan Yao: “…” Oh, dear.
Author’s Note: Nan Yao: I died, I lived, I died again.
There will be a double update tomorrow after 11:00 PM.
Thank you to the little angels who voted for me or irrigated me with nutrient solution between 2022-01-09 22:24:14 and 2022-01-10 21:07:14~
Thank you to the little angel who threw a rocket launcher: Bai Ze x1;
Thank you to the little angel who threw a hand grenade: Bai Ze x1;
Thank you to the little angels who threw a landmine: nishiko_lee, He Xinliang x1;
Thank you to the little angels who irrigated with nutrient solution: Nanmu shi Nanmu ya x15 bottles; Nan Jian Wanzi, Si Qi, Bai Ze x10 bottles; Shi Mianmian, ●ε●, Y x5 bottles; Er Er San x3 bottles; Nanshen woyao gei ni jian feizao x2 bottles; Shang Shuang, Ling Du, Haidao Xiao Baihe, Du Xing, Luo Qi Wuhui x1 bottle;
Thank you all so much for your support, I will continue to work hard.