Nachtgespräche in seltsamen Geschichten

Kapitel 6

"Of course not. We're from the Lushan Sect, while those people are disciples of the Yin-Yang Sect. They have no real skills but love to brag. Once, they wanted to have a magic duel with me, and coincidentally, A-Xian invited me to Gantian Village to help Xiaoyue. So I dragged them up the mountain to bet on how to deal with the evil spirit. I didn't expect them to be so weak; they were defeated in no time. Ha!" Fang Long said casually.

I was completely confused and didn't really like this glib-tongued guy who treated human lives like a joke.

We buried the five people in five caves in a place with good feng shui behind the mountain. The white banners and paper money are all from today, and they are in the bags of those people. Usually, they are the ones who perform rites for others and send paper money flying everywhere. Today it is their turn. Is this karma?

Once everything was settled, I remembered the two undead that were playing chess in the pavilion. I asked them what kind of evil spirits they were, and why they were so powerful.

---janeadam

Reply [25]: "One branch is called Mingqu, and the other is called Huanfa. They are famous ghosts of the desolate mountains. They are just like Fanglong, idle and always looking for trouble. Now that such a group of ghosts has appeared here, they are adding fuel to the fire. Originally, they wanted to use Bafeng Pavilion and the vengeful spirit of Tianyizi to open the Southeast Little Ghost Gate, but you ruined it by accident." Then she stared at me strangely and said with a tsk-tsk of amazement:

“I originally thought you were all doomed in the pavilion, because those two famous ghosts activated the Heaven-Defying Eight Trigrams Formation and mobilized all the vengeful spirits to attack, which can trap even gods. We discovered that the spiritual energy field here was abnormal, so we came down the mountain to help, but the Heaven-Defying Eight Trigrams Formation is too powerful. We were only outside the formation, so we could only try to save our lives. It seems that you are the lucky star. This time, we might be saved!”

After the fog cleared, the sun was high in the sky. I love this kind of weather. Lying on a rope bed tied to the branches under the sunlight in the woods, with a warm breeze gently brushing against my washbasin, how pleasant that would be! Then I thought, these Taoist practitioners are no longer pursuing worldly love and family happiness. What they want is nothingness. Although they were lost and desperate, they finally found it at the last moment.

I don't know whether to feel sympathy or sadness. At that moment, I thought of Xiaoqingzi. The white clouds in the sky come and go, everything is like smoke and clouds, everything will pass, and what has passed, we will meet again in the next life.

I stood silently before the newly erected grave, overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

Ashen was a cheerful and opinionated young woman who looked to be in her early twenties. Like everyone else who saw my magical psychic abilities for the first time, she was full of curiosity.

But I don't want to say anything, and I'm too lazy to say anything. After the battle just now, I'm still a little scared. Although I don't care about life and death, I don't want to foam at the mouth and die of disgust for no reason. In my early dream, I hoped to see someone walk up the long stone steps and present me with a bouquet of flowers for my glorious life.

"It's all your fault! You knew they were no good, yet you still encouraged them to come. Now that they're dead, who knows how to explain this to their master, Master Huizhi!" Ya Xian said worriedly.

"It's alright. If a cultivator values life so much, can they still be considered a cultivator? Besides, the Yin-Yang Sect always says that their master is the reincarnation of Maitreya Buddha, and that those who believe in him will go to heaven after death. Now they have gone, and it's for the benefit of all mankind. They were born ordinary, but died great. The Yin-Yang Sect will definitely be proud and hold a grand memorial service. What clothes should we wear then?"

"Stop making sarcastic remarks! Last night, the office computer kept popping up porn sites. Did you accidentally cause that, adding a lot of malicious links to the browser?"

"Is that possible? In my experience, how could someone be so careless in doing that kind of thing, leaving a mess for others to catch? It must be Xiao Yan. He's always clumsy and doesn't even wipe his mouth clean after he's done something."

...

---janeadam

Reply [26]: Chapter Twelve is amazing

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On the way up the mountain, there were still scattered, scattered undead spirits wandering in the dark ravines. We had to keep exorcising them. Fortunately, as my experience increased, I became more and more comfortable with the release of psychic energy.

For some reason, after the halfway point on the mountain, there were huge, dense banana groves on both sides of the road. Underneath the banana trees were thick layers of rotten mud and foul-smelling water. This was the favorite place of mountain spirits and evil spirits.

Ya Xian was very interested in me. She told me that there were three major witchcraft sects in the province: Sanlu, Yin Yang, and Linshui. Sanlu was the most orthodox, with extremely strict rules and few disciples, but all of them were highly accomplished. Yin Yang was the only sect that was semi-public, with many disciples, but many of them had been charlatans, and their skill levels varied greatly. Linshui was originally a branch of the Five Mothers Sect. It was named after a remarkable young witch named Xiao Jing Gu, who was given the title of Lady Linshui. It was a very unique family sect with a small number of members, but all of them were experts. (At this point, A Feng nodded repeatedly and struck a cool pose.)

“Our daily job is as secretaries in an office of a certain unit. My junior brother is my master’s only son, but he is smart but not good at studying. He is not accepted into my master’s school, but only has a nominal title. Otherwise, it would damage the reputation of our school.”

“Ah Xian, it hurts me to hear you say that. Just thinking about all those old Taoist priests and nuns in the sect gives me the creeps. A person only lives to be happy and at peace with themselves; why waste your youth for a reputation?” Fang Long winked at me and said, “Brother Luo, do you think my outfit is cool? My dad put a spell on me; my magic only works when I wear a Taoist robe. Haha, I didn’t expect to look so modern and stylish! I’m planning to design a Taoist robe with a matching fabric; it’s sure to cause a sensation!”

"Stop! If you keep acting like this, you'll drive your master crazy."

They chatted like that and made their way to Gantian Village in a relaxed manner.

After walking for more than ten miles along a narrow mountain path, we arrived at a mountain valley. Suddenly, the view opened up before us. The weather was fine and sunny. A stream cascaded down from a cliff on the other side of the mountain, forming a beautiful and elegant waterfall. It then flowed gently through the middle of the village, with flowers blooming on both banks and buildings arranged in an orderly manner.

Gantian Village is located in a mountain valley, surrounded by mountains on three sides and a steep slope on the other. Cliffs and precipices, some tens of meters high, are hidden among the trees and wild vines. It doesn't look like a village, but rather a small, self-sufficient military fortress.

Entering the village, all was quiet except for the gentle murmur of flowing water. Spring water, drawn from the mountain, was piped into the kitchens of every household via old-fashioned bamboo pipes. Although it was the 21st century, the village still consisted mostly of two-story houses built of wood and brick, giving it a nostalgic feel. The most novel feature was a statue of a general in Ming Dynasty attire standing in the center of the village, sword in hand, exuding an imposing aura, with a small fountain at his feet. If I'm not mistaken, this was originally a Ming Dynasty camp. After the Qing Dynasty destroyed the Ming, the soldiers and their families stationed here remained, living in anonymity.

This little village is so beautiful that I suddenly felt like I wanted to spend my whole life here. I felt inexplicably angry at those ghosts and demons who had ruined the beautiful and peaceful atmosphere of this place.

"Xiaoyue and we advised the villagers to temporarily reside in Shanggantian Village. The haunted house, namely the Lin family ancestral hall, is located on the barren slope to the north. Xiaoyue is currently there to see how to repair the fourth seal."

What is sealing? I didn't ask, but it's mentioned in many novels. It's about a highly skilled sorcerer using the power of the magnetic field of heaven and earth, along with talismans or similar spells, to trap evil spirits, ghosts, or spiritual weapons that cannot be destroyed immediately in a certain place.

But the seal is not omnipotent; at certain times, someone will intentionally or unintentionally break it. This is also a kind of divine will.

I've walked for so long and worked so hard all afternoon, I'm feeling hungry and tired. I told everyone to take a break first, and then I plopped down on a patch of grass, lay down and looked at the blue sky and white clouds, humming Enya's country tune. Fang Long, feeling the same way, lay down, crossed his legs, and started singing a song by Chen Xiaodong.

They had probably never seen two listless people together before. Ya Xian looked like she wanted to kick us, but Xiao Feng and Lin Caixia couldn't wait any longer. The two of them, one human and one ghost, suddenly flashed to a distant field and disappeared into a grove of trees.

Ya Xian ran off right after her.

Actually, I'm not such an irresponsible person. Firstly, there are still two days until the day when Tianyi opens the seal, and secondly, I know nothing about sealing. Since I'll only cause trouble, why not just have a good sleep? Besides, this village is so quiet, and the wind is so gentle. Of course, the guy next to me is so annoying!

I gradually drifted off to sleep. In my dream, I saw Xiaoqingzi. She looked at me with a half-smile, then took the jade pendant from my body. I was startled and sat up abruptly. I immediately saw Fang Long leaning close to my face, carefully examining the jade pendant hanging around my neck. His large eyes held a malicious glint as he said:

"Green blossoms fill the fragrant steps, two small mandarin ducks stand side by side; they revel in the long spring days, oblivious to the early autumn winds. This must be a gift from your lover!"

I snatched it away, stuffed it into my chest, and said irritably, "Let's go help them!"

Fang Long shook his head.

"You don't want that treasure anymore!"

One sentence made his face light up, and the two of them rushed towards the north slope.

As soon as we stepped out of the grove, it felt like we had entered another world: the sky and the earth were shrouded in darkness and chaos, with gusts of eerie wind carrying countless shrill screams. A vast wilderness unfolded before us, with a wide brick road running through the middle, overgrown with knee-high weeds. The road was estimated to be 500 meters long, ending at a massive ancestral hall that covered at least 100 acres. From a distance, the rooftops stood in neat rows, and a black tornado swirled and rose above the largest main hall, enveloping an area within a kilometer radius.

I thought a haunted house was just a room or a house, but it turned out to be a palace.

Fang Long was also dumbfounded, then exclaimed with delight, "Ha, we're rich! Such a huge palace must be full of treasures. Any one of them could fetch an astronomical price. I won't have to wear counterfeit brands anymore, and I won't have to worry about my wallet when I take girls out to dinner. I declare that from today onwards, it will be Fang Long's new century! Long live Fang Long!"

A whirlwind appeared, and Fang Long vanished.

---janeadam

Reply [27]: I stood alone in the wilderness, surrounded by eerie winds and howling ghosts. My hair stood on end, and I quickly ran towards the Lin family ancestral hall.

A phantom appeared in front of the mountain gate. It was Lin Caixia. She stamped her feet anxiously and said, "Why are you so slow? We are all so worried. You don't know, Tianyizi is already struggling to break free, and Xiaoyue is having such a hard time supporting him."

I apologized repeatedly and rushed inside. In the spacious front hall, I saw Fang Long standing motionless like a clay statue, his eyes glazed over. He's already possessed before the fight even started! It seems Tianyizi is truly powerful!

I nudged Fang Long, and he pointed to the roof ridge with a brick carving of two dragons playing with a pearl. I looked at it and stared in disbelief.

A small, coin-sized hole appeared in the overcast sky, letting in a weak beam of sunlight that shone down onto a stunningly beautiful young woman standing on a rooftop. She appeared to be only eighteen or nineteen years old, her face exquisitely beautiful, like a lustrous gem, radiant and captivating, possessing a serene and noble air. She wore a pale yellow Taoist robe, neither silk nor linen, but as thin as a cicada's wing, soft and smooth—exquisitely beautiful. Especially striking was the faint, holy radiance emanating from her entire body; if she weren't wearing a Taoist robe but a lotus-patterned skirt, she would have been a veritable flower fairy.

Looking at the woman in the ancestral hall from our angle, the sunlight shone perfectly on her face, making her look like a fairy descended from heaven.

I was overwhelmed with amazement.

Because of her appearance, the space that was originally like a ghostly realm immediately transformed into a beautiful and enchanting place, so real yet so dreamlike, and so incredibly moving.

Although she has appeared in the mortal world, she seems to be in a place that is unworthy of her status.

Her beautiful eyes were clear and bright like the sun rising in the morning glow, yet they could always maintain a mysterious and unpredictable calm.

Fang Long stared at her, speechless for a moment.

Xiaofeng and Yaxian walked out of the hall.

"You've never seen a beautiful woman before, have you? Look at yourselves!" Ya Xian said with a hint of sourness.

"I've seen countless beauties, including you, Senior Sister, who is a rare beauty, but to be this beautiful is a once-in-a-millennium occurrence. You're truly like a celestial being descended to earth!" Fang Long's mouth was watering as he looked at her. I was no better off. The woman in front of me looked very much like Xiao Qingzi, but she had more radiance and purity. Therefore, in addition to her stunning beauty, there was also a sense of déjà vu that made me feel a sense of shock.

"Boss Luo, this is my sister, what do you think? She's a super beauty!" Ah Feng looked like a pimp just starting out, only to be suddenly smacked on the head by his older sister, who then exclaimed:

"Shut up, Ah Feng!"

"My name is Fang Long, 21 years old, unmarried, a high school graduate, currently studying at the 'university of life.' My father is Fang Jianxiong, the leader of the Sanlu Sect, which is on par with your sect. I am young and promising, hailed as a Sanlu prodigy at the age of 13. I have always been enterprising, innovative, and progressive, and am the hope of our sect in the 21st century. May I ask if Xiaoyue would like to have dinner with me, as representatives of our two sects, to discuss the theories and insights of witchcraft?" Fang Long volunteered loudly, his face full of piety, ignoring the nauseating expressions on Ya Xian and Lin Caixia's faces.

"Okay! Could you please go up to the roof and help me hold it up for a bit?" Xiaoyue's smooth face remained calm.

"Great!" Fang Long was about to leap up when he suddenly realized something. "You mean to draw that beam of sunlight down continuously?"

"Yes, only by using the most intense sunlight can we withstand the destruction of the three underground seals, giving me time to repair the fourth seal."

"Oh—such a difficult task, please forgive me for being powerless! I came here to seek wealth, but I didn't expect to run out of energy and die." Fang Long's eyes darted around, and he wisely withdrew from the fray. It seems he wasn't so lustful that he lost all reason.

I stepped forward and said calmly, "Let me do it!"

---janeadam

Reply [28]: Chapter Thirteen: Passion (Part 1)

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I went inside and looked around for something, with Ya Xian, Xiao Feng, Fang Long, and Lin Caixia following closely behind.

"What are you doing?" Lin Caixia asked.

"Find a ladder, otherwise how am I supposed to get up there?"

With a few thuds, they all fell to the ground. Only then did I remember that anyone who practices spiritual energy must first train their qi, and lightness skill is a required course, unlike a monster like me who reaps rewards without sowing.

Xiaofeng taught me how to circulate my energy, how to transform spiritual energy into powerful energy, and how to shoot it out from the Yongquan acupoint on the soles of my feet, like riding a rocket. With a scream, I wobbled and leaped onto the roof. Standing beside Xiaoyue, I felt like I was in a fairyland. I smiled foolishly at her and asked:

How can I keep the sunlight from leaving?

Xiaoyue said calmly, "It's very simple. Use your spiritual energy to pierce through the dark clouds, and the sunlight will naturally come down. However, you must control your energy, otherwise you will run out of energy and be unable to stop." Then she said strangely, "Your spiritual energy is similar to that of my Linshui Sect, but your method of using it is a complete mess."

I smiled wryly and said, "It's not that I'm completely confused, it's that I'm utterly clueless."

Then, following her instructions, I shot my psychic energy from my fingertips. At first, the energy beam was larger than a large beam of sunlight, which immediately weakened the black tornado considerably. However, I immediately felt that I was running out of energy and quickly reduced my psychic energy. But the beam of light I drew down was still much larger than Xiaoyue's. However, when I thought about how she had stood on the roof for two days and two nights, I felt a sense of respect.

Xiaoyue led Yaxian and the others through the lower hall to the upper hall. On the steps, she suddenly stopped and said to me, "Don't show off. If you can't hold on, just say it out loud."

I responded loudly. To be honest, standing on the rooftop, surrounded by chilling winds, I felt a chill run down my spine. What's more, there was a small tornado right in front of me. I saw countless spirits being swept up and screaming within it, as if they were right next to me, ready to engulf me at any moment. Just thinking about it sent shivers down my spine. But subconsciously, I always wanted to go through fire and water for Xiaoyue, even at the cost of my life. Not for any other reason than that Xiaoyue was another Xiaoqingzi. My life was saved by Xiaoqingzi, and to repay her with my own life would only bring me peace of mind.

Thinking on the rooftop, I realized that all along, my reason for living has been because of Xiaoqingzi—in the darkness, her beautiful eyes have always been watching me, and I haven't done anything right.

I stood quietly, looking at nothing, silently channeling my energy, swaying in the wind. Spiritual energy continuously surged from my dantian, shooting straight up into the sky from my fingertips along the meridians. I felt the fullness in my dantian gradually weakening. This method of shooting spiritual energy thousands of meters directly was consuming energy like a river bursting its banks, endlessly.

During this time, the main hall was silent. An hour later, the hall and the entire earth shook, but it stopped after only a dozen seconds. The black tornado grew larger and larger, completely enveloping the hall. Worried about the people inside, I immediately amplified my psionic energy, hoping to weaken the psionic storm through my efforts.

Time flew by, and my senses gradually became numb. At the same time, I noticed a strange phenomenon: a thin stream of spiritual energy was slowly forming at the lower part of my dantian. If I wasn't mistaken, spiritual energy, like other natural energies, was endlessly generated and swirling. No wonder Xiaoyue could maintain it for so long with her twenty years of cultivation, while I, with fifty years of cultivation, could hardly maintain it. It was because my spiritual energy was generated too slowly, and I couldn't speed up the generation of spiritual energy to make it self-sufficient.

---janeadam

Reply [29]: Two hours have passed, and I am so confused that I can no longer control the size of my spiritual energy. The sunlight around me is getting brighter and brighter, and I am becoming more and more exhausted. Just as Xiaoyue said, I have lost control and am about to die from exhaustion. But even so, I will do my best to hold on.

Finally, I saw a golden light shoot out from the hall, and several figures flashed out. My heart relaxed, and my body felt like it had fallen apart. I fainted. In my dazed state, I felt like a withered leaf, drifting lightly down from the roof. The wind howled around me. In the instant I lost consciousness, I felt light and landed in a soft, gentle embrace. In my hazy state, I seemed to see Xiaoqingzi, murmuring contentedly:

"I see you again, Xiaoqingzi. I've missed you so much."

I don't know how much time passed, but I found myself regaining consciousness. When I opened my eyes, I saw a bright moon in the sky, the autumn wind was dry and cool, and I heard the beautiful sound of flowing water and the mournful chirping of a few cicadas.

I'm still alive. Apart from feeling sore and weak all over, I can control my body now. Haha, it seems I haven't gone mad or died from exhaustion. At least I'm still alive and well.