Chapter 42
Chu Xianyue immediately grabbed the blood bead and said, "The blood bead artifact is malfunctioning. I'll help you fix it."
Xie Wen stared at the bright red bead in Chu Xianyue's palm and asked in surprise, "Is it really broken? Can divine artifacts break?"
Chu Xianyue nodded, "Yes."
Xie Wen believed Chu Xianyue, "Then take it to be repaired. This divine artifact originally belonged to you, and it's been hanging around my neck for a while, which makes me feel a bit embarrassed. You can take it back anytime you want."
Chu Xianyue: "I'll give it to you. I'll return it to you once it's fixed."
Xie Wen: "Master, why are you being so polite with me? Do you think I'm someone who takes things for free?"
Chu Xianyue said, "No. Although this blood bead is mine, it chose you. Even if I want to take it back, it won't allow it."
That's how this damn blood bead is; it always turns its elbow to the outside!
Xie Wen opened his mouth, a hint of smugness in his eyes, and said, "So that's how it is. Well, there's nothing I can do about it then. I guess I'll just have to accept it reluctantly."
The blood droplet lying quietly in Chu Xianyue's palm made a childish voice, "Reluctantly accepting me, that's great, Awen reluctantly accepted me!"
Chu Xianyue gets angry whenever he sees or hears about this broken blood bead that's used to judge people's tastes. Who is its real owner?
He flaunted his power and acted like the boss in front of Chu Xianyue, but he tucked his tail between his legs and acted like a little dog in front of Xie Wen.
Chu Xianyue sneered coldly. This was actually his divine weapon. Heh.
Xie Wen sensed that Chu Xianyue was in a bad mood. Seeing that it was getting late and it would probably be dawn if they stayed any longer, Xie Wen scratched his head and slunk away, saying, "Then I'll leave Honghong to Master to deal with. I'm going back now."
After saying that, he hurriedly left.
She left only a fleeting glimpse of Chu Xianyue.
After Xie Wen left, the blood droplet lying in Chu Xianyue's palm cried out mournfully, "Ah Wen, Ah Wen..."
Chu Xianyue slapped Honghong'er and said coldly, "Shut up!"
The next second, Honghong'er's expression changed, and she said seriously, "Chu Xianyue, can't you be a little more reserved?"
Chu Xianyue: "?"
Is this the first time someone has criticized him for not being "reserved" enough?
Blood Bead continued in a disdainful voice, "Who exactly caused this abnormality in me? Everyone knows the answer!"
Chu Xianyue: "Alright, I'll crush you, then you won't act abnormally anymore."
Blood Bead: "You dare! Even if I die, you will be seriously injured. Don't forget that I became a part of you the moment I was sent down by the Heavenly Dao. Otherwise, why would I have such an abnormal reaction when you are moved? Do you think I want to be tied to you? I still prefer A-Wen."
Honghong kept calling him "Awen," a term of endearment that made Chu Xianyue uncomfortable.
Chu Xianyue is not too concerned that the blood bead has exposed the secret hidden deep in his heart. He admits that he is attracted to Xie Wen, and he admits that he has reacted to Xie Wen many times.
If you admit it, then admit it. Being open and honest will actually make you feel better, and you won't have to suffer internally anymore.
Chu Xianyue stared at the blood droplet and said, "I admit it. But I don't intend to expose all my thoughts to Xie Wen. Even if I admit I'm attracted, I'm still me. So what?"
Don't forget, he cultivates the path of ruthlessness. Why doesn't he use magic to imprison this constantly restless heart? He can do it, so why not?
As long as it doesn't throb violently in panic because of that person, the blood bead won't react. Although his ruthless path won't break because of loving one person, he clearly knows that from the very beginning, he cultivated the ruthless path to sever all emotional ties.
Liking and love are the least important things in his life. He doesn't need them. His world is vast with a boundless future and heavy responsibilities; there's no room for anyone else in his heart.
That night, the candlelight burned dimly all night, and the heart that had been in turmoil all night finally calmed down, beating mechanically and rhythmically, no longer reacting violently in panic for anyone.
After Chu Xianyue finished doing all this, it was already broad daylight. The sunlight shone on the faint blood-red flower-shaped mark on his chest, and the mark flickered twice before being firmly imprinted on his fair skin.
The blood bead lying beside him no longer displayed its former excitement and brilliance. The blood bead murmured, "Chu Xianyue, it seems you are truly ruthless to yourself. You even dared to plant this evil curse on yourself? Just because of me, you've gone so far as to seal your heart and lock away your love?"
Chu Xianyue's well-defined knuckles held the blood bead in his mouth, his sharp eyes reflecting its lifeless state. Because of the forbidden spell Chu Xianyue had placed on himself, the power of the blood bead had been weakened.
Chu Xianyue said casually, "Stop talking nonsense. Either you stay here, or you get back to her right now."
With that, she tossed the blood bead lightly, and it hovered in mid-air. "You think I like being by your side?" she said disdainfully, before happily flying off to find Xie Wen.
However, the blood bead had just flown out, drawing a graceful line in the air before circling back and saying to Chu Xianyue, "By the way, hurry up and complete the Heavenly Dao mission. The mission has made a little progress, but don't be complacent, it's just a little."
Chu Xianyue said expressionlessly, "I understand. I have my own considerations. You don't need to urge me."
Blood Bead gave a light "oh," clearly showing his disdain for Chu Xianyue. Blood Bead: How dare he covet our Awen?
Xie Wen and her group had been waiting for Chu Xianyue downstairs for a while. She and Yun Yan were joking around, their usual banter escapades. Xie Wen would occasionally complain about Pei Xuan, then snuggle into Xie Yichun's arms and act coquettishly, which made Yun Yan look extremely disgusted. The more Yun Yan disliked Xie Wen's affected manner, the more satisfied she became.
The table downstairs was noisy with Xie Wen. When the blood droplet flew down, it didn't disturb Xie Wen's playfulness and silently returned to Xie Wen's neck. Not long after the blood droplet flew down, a figure in green quietly stood upstairs and looked down.
As Chu Xianyue walked downstairs, Xie Wen immediately fell silent.
Generally speaking, Chu Xianyue doesn't need to sleep, so why did he get up so late?
This made them wonder if something had happened last night.
Chu Xianyue simply said, "It's time to go."
Everyone glanced at Chu Xianyue a few times, seeing nothing unusual, but not daring to ask directly, they dismissed their doubts.
The five of them walked out of the inn together and passed by the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. From a distance, they could see that there was a great commotion there. Many men and women were gathered around the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, collectively condemning it and shouting that the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion was an evil building and that they had all been bewitched by the evil spirits there.
Chaos erupted inside the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion. The wicked deeds had been exposed, and the madam became the target of everyone's hatred and condemnation. The women packed their valuables and prepared to escape through the back window, while the madam, in her panic, also fled in disarray. In that moment, everyone was in danger, and no one cared about anyone else.
Among them, only one person was completely bewildered. Shen Lizhi stood in this dilapidated golden building, at a loss. Where else could she go but Zuixianglou?
Shen Lizhi was an orphan who was taken in by a madam when she was very young and brought to the Drunken Fragrance Brothel. The madam told Shen Lizhi to serve the customers well and earn lots of money. So she did just that.
She didn't know why she had to do it; someone just told her to do it, so she did it.
Now, where should she go? No one is telling her what to do or where to go.
Until, Shen Lizhi caught a glimpse of a nimble figure amidst the noisy and chaotic crowd outside. She was bathed in light, surrounded by its glow.
When Xie Wen passed by the brothel, he was worried about the sinking pear tree.
Chu Xianyue said, "Now that the brothel is destroyed, isn't she free? Why are you worried about her?"
This is indeed a good thing for Shen Lizhi. Xie Wen said, "If that's really the case, then that would be even better."
Looking back at the brothel, Xie Wen thought that this outcome was a fair one for everyone. The madam received her just deserts and was put to public scrutiny. The women in the brothel were finally able to escape their misery and gain their freedom.
On the way, Yun Yan asked Chu Xianyue, "Where are we going now?"
Chu Xianyue asked, "Where else can we go besides returning to the Sword Sect?"
With the help of Chu Xianyue and Xie Wen, Xie Yichun and Pei Xuan's training trip down the mountain was successfully completed after the incident at the Earth God Temple.
Chu Xianyue raised his hand, and a merit book appeared in his palm. This was a rule of the Tianyan Sword Sect: every time a disciple went down the mountain to eliminate an evil spirit, a mark would be made in the merit book. At the end of the year, they could receive corresponding rewards based on the merit book.
Now, everyone saw that the merit book above Chu Xianyue's palm was filled with densely packed words.
Chu Xianyue waved his hand, attributing the credit for eliminating the Earth God to Xie Yichun and Pei Xuan. A new entry was added to Xie Yichun and Pei Xuan's otherwise clean credit records.
Xie Yichun and Pei Xuan were somewhat flattered and repeatedly thanked Chu Xianyue.
Chu Xianyue summoned a carriage and had Xie Yichun and Pei Xuan ride back to the Sword Sect first, while the rest of them would follow later.
Xie Wenqian repeatedly warned Xie Yichun to be careful on the road and not to linger too long before he allowed Xie Yichun and Pei Xuan to leave.
Xie Wen was still somewhat worried. He knew that Pei Xuan was a spy from another sect who still tried to kill him. Yet, he still had his elder sister stay by this person's side and pretend to be obedient.
There's nothing we can do; we still haven't found out who's behind Pei Xuan.
However, as long as the tracking spell remains in effect, Pei Xuan's exposure is inevitable if he makes any move. They simply need to patiently wait for him to slip up.
Xie Wen turned to Chu Xianyue and asked, "Shouldn't we have other things to do?"
Chu Xianyue said, "I just received a prayer for exorcism from another place. Qingshui Town."
This Qingshui Town was once located near the Ghost Palace of the Mei Mansion, a place where the Ghost Palace Master annihilated the town, leaving rivers of blood. However, after so many years, the name of Qingshui Town as a ghost town has become widely known, and the surrounding area is deserted for miles around.
Years ago, a cultivator came to exorcise evil spirits and ordered everyone to move away immediately. After that, there was no further news about this ghost town. But now, Chu Xianyue has received a prayer for the exorcism of this ghost town.
It's hard to say that no one did it intentionally to lure them there.
Xie Wen and Chu Xianyue had guessed this. Xie Wen looked at Chu Xianyue, who said calmly, "Let's grant that person's wish and go there."
The ghost town was located near the Green Lamp Forest. Now it was deserted and overgrown with weeds. In some places, you could even see the black bloodstains that had accumulated over the years. The air was filled with a faint smell of blood mixed with decay.
As the three walked through, even in broad daylight, they suddenly felt a chill run down their spines, and could almost hear wailing cries. This place was truly eerily gloomy.
Xie Wen said, "It seems there are quite a few evil spirits in this place. Why did only a few minor cultivators come to tell people to move away from this place back then, instead of sending powerful cultivators to completely eradicate these evil spirits?"
Chu Xianyue said, "Back then, I had never heard of this matter, nor had I received any prayers regarding the Ghost Town."
Furthermore, the incident of the fire at the Mei family's residence was only briefly mentioned, and everyone treated it as an accident before letting it pass.
This can only mean that the matter of the ghost town was suppressed by some force back then. Someone didn't want this matter to be publicized too much, but now someone is guiding Chu Xianyue and the others to investigate this matter from back then.
Just then, a click came from an empty thatched hut, sounding particularly eerie in the silence. Yun Yan, not believing in anything supernatural, was about to go forward to see what or who was causing the trouble when Xie Wen stopped him in time. Xie Wen raised his hand and summoned Yao Fang. The blood-red fan unfolded, and with a flick of his wrist, he swung Yao Fang. The fan was as sharp as a sword blade, and the fierce sword energy instantly shaved the shabby thatched hut flat.
A strange, disheveled, and smelly person was revealed. After Xie Wen and the others discovered him, he suddenly ran out, covered his head, and fled in all directions.
This ghost town sometimes still has living things; some homeless beggars linger here. Was that madman who flashed by just now a beggar?
The three of them quickly gave chase.
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