Chapter 66

Chapter Sixty-Seven

Zhou Xiuqi quickly withdrew his hand and nodded slightly to her. Ling Daozi took my hand and led me outside. Qingyou Temple is perched high in the mountains, with villages nestled at its foot. Wisps of smoke rose from chimneys; for the first time, I witnessed the smoke rising from countless homes.

From that day on, in order to escape the curse of vengeance, I cultivated every day, as Ling Daozi told me. If I didn't cultivate well, I would die suddenly when I turned eighteen.

In the past ten years or so, I have never seen my parents again.

I grew up quickly, and one day, we were invited to the Prince's mansion. I saw the hateful and despicable bastard that some people had mentioned in the book reviews.

That year I was seventeen, stepping into the magnificent royal palace with an air of otherworldly refinement. Normally, within the Taoist temple, I could be as casual as I wanted; my master told me that outside, I mustn't appear frivolous, or no one would trust us. So I stood with my head bowed, seeing the admiration in many eyes. It was a look I had never experienced before; in reality, I rarely socialized, even fearing it.

But here, I became a respected Taoist priest, and they relied on us to protect them.

It was all just formalities; Zhou Xiuqi and his master could handle it. I quietly strolled around the place. I had never seen ancient architecture before, and I wandered around curiously.

It wasn't until a dog barked that I noticed something—a mad dog, baring its teeth and claws, barking at me.

I'm a little afraid of dogs, but behind one stood a person with messy curly hair and flowing, floor-length robes. I squinted at him. The robes were covered in intricate square runes; they were only given magical artifacts when facing ghosts. This boy... was he a ghost?

His eyes were cold and indifferent as he looked at the dog, then his gaze slowly moved up to my face, his eyes instantly turning icy. I thought to myself, "His gaze towards the dog is gentler than his gaze towards me."

The boy suddenly smiled. He was very handsome, and his smile was even more stunning. I was stunned for a moment.

A whistle rang out the next second.

The rabid dog ran towards me, and I thought to myself, "They underestimate me; a dog can't hurt me." Before it could bite me, I threw out a talisman, which stuck to the rabid dog's body.

In the blink of an eye, I was already beside the boy. My hand was a third of the way along his neck, but I didn't get any closer. I questioned him, "Ghost, are you underestimating me?"

"I come from a tranquil place, this cannot harm me."

He was covered in a strong fragrance that made me dizzy.

Just then, a maid rushed over and said to me respectfully, "Taoist, this is our young master. He has been offended." Her voice was trembling.

I was surprised. Why would I put a magical artifact on my young master to suppress him? Could it be that this person is possessed by a ghost? Without saying a word, I grabbed his wrist. The boy quickly shook off my hand, but I could still feel that his hand was very cold.

The maid led him away, and as she turned to leave, he glared at me with disgust. I laughed in exasperation. I was trying to be kind to him, and he treated me like this; I got no reward for my kindness.

The banquet ended, and we were about to leave. I didn't see the so-called heir apparent; I only saw a gentle and refined young man standing beside the prince. He seemed very kind, and it was wise of him to speak little in public. Just as we were about to leave, a high-ranking official passed by me, cupped his hands, and said, "Your Highness."

The young man replied with a cheerful smile, "General, you've come too."

Could they be brothers...? But why didn't he come out...?

I stepped out of the mansion and instantly breathed a sigh of relief. I don't know why, but even in such a luxurious palace, I felt incredibly oppressed. Once outside, Ling Daozi had to return to his Taoist temple, and Zhou Xiuqi had to go to the palace to protect the Princess.

Ling Daozi told me to go out and gain some experience. Although I didn't know what kind of experience I could have in Lin'an, a city full of Taoists, and I figured no ghosts would dare to come, I stayed anyway. My heart was pounding; I had a bad feeling.

I stayed there until late at night, because ghosts only appear at night; very few appear during the day. I didn't see a single ghost. Just as I was about to leave, my face lit up—a huge fire suddenly broke out.

That place...

It's the Prince's Mansion!

I ran without a care in the world, even using a speed talisman, and finally reached the front of the palace. The fire wasn't too big yet. I shouted, "Fire! Fire!" No one answered. I put on a talisman and was about to rush in when I tripped over something. A formation stone was lying on the ground. My face immediately turned grim. No wonder there was no one outside even though it was on fire; a barrier had been set up here.

Someone wants to harm the people inside.

I frowned, summoned the calamity, and rushed into the sea of ​​fire, first searching for places where people were. Thick smoke billowed, and although I was not afraid of the fire, the smoke made it impossible for me to find anyone.

Suddenly I heard a woman's voice, but it was somewhat mournful.

"Get out of here! You monster! Get out of here!!" I went toward the source of the sound and saw a woman lying on the ground, while the brocade robe of the richly dressed young man was being consumed by flames. His eyes were red, the color of bloodlust.

I cursed him under my breath and lunged forward to tear at his magnificent robes. The robes were heavily enchanted, yet incredibly thin; with a single, forceful tear, they were ripped to shreds. The boy, regaining his composure, angrily berated me: "You!"

"Get away! Don't tear it!" He spoke as if he couldn't speak, each word coming out one by one.

I grabbed his shoulder: "Now that I'm here, I won't let you die right under my nose."

As the magnificent robes fell to the ground and burned to ashes, the splendid royal palace was about to vanish completely. The boy stood there, staring blankly at the robes, muttering, "Father... Mother... Father... Mother..." He seemed to have lost his mind.

I reached out and took his hand to transfer my magic to him, but I felt a strong resistance. I didn't care anymore and held him tightly to prevent him from breaking free.

"Don't be afraid," I reassured him, fully understanding that his state was that of an out-of-control ghost.

Before I even stepped out of the mansion gate, a dense array of swords rained down upon me. A sword pierced my abdomen... damn it...

Behind me, the boy saw blood, and the red in his eyes became even more vivid.

These people are truly vicious. Setting fires wasn't enough; they even had to use a sword formation. A fire burned in my heart, but the thing I've never believed in in my life is fate. They want me dead? I won't.

Raise the calamity, and I chant the incantation.

"The universe resounds, the laws of heaven are myriad—reverse!" With my shout, the sword formation stopped in mid-air. This was a forbidden technique, one that my master forbade me to learn. Time began to rewind. I grabbed the boy and ran frantically, feeling as if my internal organs were about to explode. Anyway, I would die at eighteen, but at least I saved someone today.

I ran him out and leaned him against a safe corner of the wall. I spat a mouthful of blood onto his face. I was embarrassed for a moment, but I just couldn't hold it in.

He looked confused, staring at me and asking, "Who...are you?"

"who I am?"

I don't understand what's wrong with him. I just feel that I must go back to Qingyou to find my master immediately, otherwise I will surely die. No, I have to go home.

"I am Meng Yuan."

I told him.