Chapter 34

Old Man August led Zhenbao through the mountains and valleys, reaching Huangliang Ridge. Under the cover of night, they slipped into Ling Tianqi’s shop, made their way to the back courtyard, and just as they found the donkey cart, they heard a faint sigh: “Are you really leaving?”

He pushed the bewildered Zhenbao onto the cart, climbed up himself, and then gazed at the crescent moon in the sky, saying softly, “I bear the weight of three layers of cause and effect, and by saving the son of a ghost, I have deepened the cycle of rebirth. To have raised this brat for eight years in the City God Temple is already a great favor from heaven. How dare I ask for more? If it is my fate to face this calamity again, it is the will of heaven—Old friend, we have known each other for so many years, it must be fate. Let us part ways here!”

Zhenbao opened his eyes wide and looked around, only to see a clay statue in the darkness move and then walk out—it was Ling Tianqi.

Still in his long robe and white fan, still as refined and scholarly, he lacked the vulgar stench of a merchant. He was as ethereal and transcendent as a solitary crane in the snow, extraordinary and otherworldly! He recited, “Green mountains lie across the northern outskirts, white waters wind around the eastern city; here we part, and you will journey alone like a solitary蓬. The floating clouds reflect the wanderer’s heart, the setting sun the old friend’s sentiment; with a wave, we part, and the horses neigh in farewell.”

After reciting, he flicked his sleeves and said no more, walking straight back into the house.

Old Man August watched the figure disappear into the house, sighed again, and without moving his hand, the whip cracked in the air. The donkey’s hooves kicked out, and the cart slowly rolled out of the gate.

With a wave, we part, and the horses neigh in farewell...

This time, the old donkey seemed to know the urgency, and without stopping, it headed straight for Rongcheng. By dawn, they could already see the city walls of Rongcheng in the distance. The two got off the cart, and Old Man August removed the bridle and bit from the donkey’s head, saying, “I have arrived, but you have not... Find a forest to rest and cultivate, to atone for your sins in this life. I can no longer help you.”

With that, he took Zhenbao and left!

Zhenbao looked back several times, seeing the old donkey standing still. It wasn’t until they were almost out of sight that the donkey let out a long neigh and ran back the way it came...

The two mixed in with the crowd and entered the city. They found a pawnshop and bought two sets of tattered clothes, dressing themselves like peasants from the countryside. In their rough coats and blue headwraps, carrying a tattered bundle, they looked like refugees. Who would have thought they were practitioners of the Daoist arts?

Upon reaching the Rongcheng wharf, Old Man August took out a foreign wallet and hired a small boat, instructing the boatman to sail down the Liu River. The boatman paid the required fee at the Wharf of the Brotherhood and, after a quick inspection, set off early in the morning.

The Rongcheng wharf was under the control of the Brotherhood, and the boatman was no exception. To avoid unnecessary trouble, Old Man August only chatted with Zhenbao about trivial matters to pass the time, saying nothing about the City God Temple or their destination. By lunchtime, the boat had left Rongcheng’s territory. Surrounded by high mountains and wide waters, the Liu River’s waves were turbulent, and the small boat swayed. Old Man August’s thoughts were as turbulent as the waves—

He had spent his life exploring the will of heaven and the solutions to life, but at this moment, he did not know what lay ahead...

Just as he was thinking, a voice came from the river: “You really ran away! Stop the boat and hand over the child, and I will spare your life. If you delay, do not blame me for the arrows!”

The voice was sharp and piercing, but it carried clearly across the river, showing the speaker’s strong voice and considerable skill.

Old Man August was furious, thinking, “We left the City God Temple to avoid unnecessary killing, not because we feared you. You dare to chase us here and threaten to shoot me with arrows? Do you think my injuries make me powerless?”

Looking up, he saw two boats speeding towards them, one in front of the other, as if in hot pursuit.

On the front boat, an old woman sat cross-legged with her eyes closed, a censer of incense before her, her fingers forming the Five Kings Lotus Mudra. Despite the boat’s rocking, she remained motionless. In the cabin behind her was a girl about Zhenbao’s age, crouched and hugging the side of the boat in fear. Behind her—

The two oars were moving on their own!

“Practitioners of the Daoist arts?” Old Man August’s heart raced as he stood up, thinking, “Is this an illusion?”

In the short time, the distance between the boats had closed significantly. Standing higher, he could see that the oars were attached to two paper figures, one on each side!

The oars were being moved by these small, yellow-paper figures!

The rear boat was larger, with four men on the bow, bows drawn and arrows nocked, and seven or eight more men rowing. The voice came from the rear boat. Old Man August realized that the child they were after was the girl on the front boat.

Without waiting for Old Man August’s command, the boatman steered his boat slightly to the side, saying, “Someone is chasing their enemy. You two, crouch down and don’t get hit by the arrows!”

Old Man August did not want to get involved, so he crouched down and told Zhenbao to hide. But just as Zhenbao was about to crouch, he suddenly stood up and pointed at the front boat: “Master, I recognize her, I recognize her!”

“Huh? You recognize her?” Old Man August was surprised. The two boats were approaching quickly, and Zhenbao could now see the girl’s face. It was none other than Yan’er, the girl they had met on the mountain!

He quickly recounted the story of their encounter on Que’er Mountain.

Swish, swish, swish—

The sound of arrows breaking the air came from the rear boat, flying towards the old woman on the front boat. As they approached, the oars suddenly sprang up, snapping the arrows.

The paper figures were moving the oars!

“This old woman is formidable. Everyone, let’s see how long she can hold out!” someone on the rear boat shouted, and everyone drew their bows and aimed.

The distance between the boats was closing!

Zhenbao, seeing his master’s silence, was already anxious. Now, he couldn’t hold back and threw himself at Old Man August, pleading, “Master, save her! Master, please save her…”

How could the consequences of actions be predetermined?

Old Man August had already been hesitating. Seeing his disciple’s desperate plea, his heart softened, and he snatched the oar, rowing the boat towards the rear boat.

The boatman, surprised by the loss of his oar, crouched on the boat, shouting, “Don’t go over there, don’t go over there!”

But how could Old Man August listen?

The men on the rear boat did not let the small boat go. Seeing it heading straight for them, someone shouted, “Who dares to interfere? The White Lotus Sect is handling this, stay out of it!”

Hearing it was the White Lotus Sect, Old Man August hesitated no longer. With a laugh, he picked up the iron anchor and threw it, smashing through the rear boat’s hull and hooking onto it. He held a talisman in his hand, shook it in the air, and shouted:

“Descend! Three Worlds, Three Samadhis! Nine Words of Lin!”

The talisman scattered into the air, and the water began to churn, forming columns that twisted and turned, scattering as they met the flying ash.

“By the command of the Supreme, I liberate your lonely souls; all ghosts and spirits, receive my blessing... Command!”

The old woman on the small boat suddenly opened her eyes!

Someone on the rear boat cried out in shock, “This is the Corpse Immersion Technique! This is the Corpse Immersion Technique!!! We’ve encountered a ghost master!!!” Panic ensued, and the arrows turned to aim at Old Man August. The one who had spoken shouted, “Who are you? Why are you opposing the White Lotus Sect? Don’t you fear the destruction of your lineage?”

Old Man August laughed, “Oppose? I’ve been opposing the White Lotus Sect for over a decade, and it doesn’t matter if it’s once or twice! If you had the power to destroy my lineage, you wouldn’t wait until now—The people on the front boat are old acquaintances. If you know what’s good for you, leave now. Otherwise, when I use this finger seal, the corpses in the river will rise, and it won’t be so simple!”

The one who had spoken gave a signal and asked, “Even if we leave, leave your name so we know who we’ve lost to and can report back.” Before Old Man August could answer, the sound of a bowstring rang out, and an arrow shot towards him!

The arrow was fast, and the boats were close, leaving no room to dodge. Just as Old Man August was about to be hit, a water column suddenly shot out from the river, striking the arrow and deflecting it!

Old Man August, furious, pointed his finger and shouted, “Lin! Command!”

The river churned, and countless skeletal hands emerged from the sides of the rear boat, grabbing the sides and pulling themselves up. As they climbed, more and more distorted, bloated, and rotting corpses appeared!

The rear boat was filled with screams and cries, as the men attacked the corpses with arrows and weapons!

These corpses were not ordinary spirits. They were unafraid of weapons, and instead grabbed the weapons and pulled the men into the water, where they sank without a struggle, their bodies covered in bone claws!

Old Man August said nothing more, grabbed the chain, and pulled, tearing the rear boat apart and retrieving the anchor. He then shouted, “I won’t kill you or use any techniques. Your fate is in your hands to escape these corpses!”

He grabbed the oar and rowed hard, chasing after the small boat with the old woman and the girl!

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