Chapter 44
— Hu Chang rashly stole special props without making any attempt to disguise the scene of the theft, and was quickly discovered by the bodyguards.
—The Jiang family head flew into a rage, his fury directed at every player, and ordered the Jiang family servants to capture all the players and execute them by extreme torture.
The above information was extracted from the bewildered young couple who were suddenly surrounded by burly bodyguards, and from their angry shouts and questions.
While wandering around the Jiang family's house, a scapegoat suddenly appears.
The two of them practically wanted to beat Hu Chang to death with a frying pan.
Right now, all they can do is run as fast as they can, and they'll meet another player along the way.
Little did they know what grave taboo the Jiang family's secret technique, kept in the sandalwood box, had violated! The moment he learned of their whereabouts, the Jiang family head could no longer sit in his wheelchair and ordered the old steward to push him out of the study, relentlessly pursuing them in the wake of the commotion.
Seeing the disabled but determined Jiang family head charging towards them with a ferocious expression, surrounded by his servants, the rapidly spinning wheels and the granite ground sizzling and sparking, the players couldn't hold back their expressions, their faces almost petrifying and cracking.
Furthermore, due to the appearance of the Jiang family head, the summoned servants were affected and rioted again. Their bodies, which could still be considered humanoid, swelled up and became larger, vaguely revealing a strange bluish-black appearance.
Their expressions were stiff, their eyes were empty, and they stared at each other in unison, exuding an inorganic chill. Their various values increased exponentially in an instant, and they could smash through steel fences with a casual punch!
Such terrifying power and the sheer size of the monster horde were simply too much for the three players to handle.
Even worse, once the death condition is triggered, even if they are lucky enough to survive, the monsters will lock onto their location and chase them to the ends of the earth, so there's no point in escaping.
Seeing that Yan Yue had not replied to their messages, the three players used a rallying order in desperation.
The rallying order was not a mandatory summons, but it also had a communication function. They hoped that Yan Yue could quickly realize the urgency of the situation.
Who knew that a cicada would suddenly fall from the sky?
Before Chan Sheng was born, he always stayed with Jiang Kaile, while low-level monsters would be intimidated by the aura of the Ghost King.
The servants dared not approach them easily, and Chan Sheng was unaware that the player group was being hunted down.
He landed and was quickly pulled away by the man in the trench coat. When he hurriedly turned his head, he saw that there were fierce-looking servants of the Jiang family behind him and was stunned: "Ah, so many people."
Meeting Chan Sheng's clear yet foolish eyes, the three players were speechless.
Despair in capital letters.JPG
Soon, the players were cornered by the surging monsters and forced to fight again. Everyone was injured, including Chan Sheng.
When Jiang Kaile rushed over, he saw a monster suddenly leap up, raise its iron-hook-like claws, and scratch five deep, bone-revealing wounds on Chan Sheng's chest!
The cicada, attempting to break free, was violently impacted, instantly lost its balance, and plummeted straight down from mid-air.
Jiang Kaile suddenly froze on the spot.
At that moment, time seemed to stretch on endlessly.
The boy's pupils reflected the blood splattering in the air, as if they were stained by the dazzling crimson, the dark parts gradually revealing scarlet blood until they were completely red.
The other three players had no intention of dragging the silly kid Chan Sheng into the battle royale, but now was clearly not the time for apologies or remorse. Seeing that he was injured, they quickly pulled him over and used items to heal him.
Although cicadas cannot feel pain, excessive blood loss inevitably causes them to feel dizzy and disoriented.
At that time, the gloomy-faced Jiang family head was in the center of the monster horde. Because of his order to attack, the players were surrounded by raging monsters.
The enormous roar was like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami crashing, making people's hearts pound wildly. Everywhere they looked, there were gaping maws and sharp claws.
The players were already doing their best to deal with the attack and had no time to notice Jiang Kaile suddenly appearing.
Until scorching flames shot into the sky, forcefully carving a path through the surging tide of monsters.
Countless monsters vaporized in the extreme heat before they even had a chance to roar. A ravine burned through by flames stretched from the boy's feet all the way to the open space in front of the player. The broken and jagged stone bricks were covered with black scorch marks and emitted a strong burnt smell.
The Jiang family head looked up in horror, and the surviving monsters retreated in panic.
The once crowded road suddenly became empty, and the noisy scene became deathly silent. Only Jiang Kaile covered his mouth with one hand, panting heavily.
The players present turned around and stared wide-eyed at the colorful red phosphorus spots on the boy's cheeks.
After a moment of stunned silence, Chan Sheng realized that Jiang Kaile was acting strangely and wanted to rush over to check on him.
The other players were horrified and quickly grabbed Chan Sheng, their voices filled with terror: "Are you stupid?! The Demon King has entered a berserk state; rushing in now is just suicide!"
Jiang Kaile's temples throbbed with veins, and fine beads of cold sweat seeped from his pores, only to evaporate in the high temperature.
He heard the players' shouts and glanced at Chan Sheng out of the corner of his eye.
Seeing that the other person's wound had healed, Jiang Kaile's tightly furrowed brows suddenly relaxed. But soon, he could no longer feel the joy and relief that his friend was still alive.
My mouth is so itchy, it feels like lots of teeth are popping out.
—My breath feels so hot, my body feels so hot, I feel so tired and uncomfortable.
—Is someone speaking in my ear?
Jiang Kaile desperately covered his mouth, but even pressing his jaw down hard couldn't stop the fangs from rapidly growing inside his mouth.
The scorching breath felt like lava flowing through his nasal passages, and his consciousness was blurred by the surging heat. He could almost hear whispers echoing from the monster horde.
With malice, with pain, with despair.
Why kill Old Zhou? Just because Fourth Master suspected him of having shady dealings?!
How can I save Ayi? Is she still alive?
The whip marks on my back have become infected, and I have a fever. Am I going to die?
My toe is bleeding again, it hurts so much, I have to bear it, otherwise my fingernails will get hurt too...
Two more people were recently admitted to Jiang's Hospital and haven't come out yet.
[Damn Jiang Shi'an, I'll drag him down with me to my father's grave!]
My sister was tortured to death by my cousin from the Jiang family. I've finally found the evidence, but what can I do?
We can't back down, we can't run away. If even I'm afraid, who else can avenge my grandfather and the others?
Suddenly, the hateful tones abruptly changed, filled with grief and uncontrollable madness.
[What incredible luck did Jiang Shirong have to survive being in a wheelchair and not die?!]
[Can't kill him?]
[Can't kill him!]
The Jiang family is protected by spirits and deities; we cannot kill them.
Another person has been publicly executed. What should we do? Who can save us?
Where is the eldest young master?
[Yes, yes, yes! We also have our eldest son. His wish during his first birthday celebration came true; he can help us deal with the Jiang family!]
The young master is so kind; let him see how the Jiang family bullies us. He'll definitely sympathize with us.
Tell him all the wicked things the Jiang family has done.
Let him know how disgusting the Jiang family is.
He is a Buddhist disciple.
He fulfills the wishes of all beings.
Jiang Kaile's body rose and fell with his hot, labored breathing, his shoulders trembling as if an invisible burden was pressing down on him.
From some point onward, he lowered his hand that was desperately clenching his mouth, no longer suppressing the rampant growth of his fangs.
Why would the eldest son suddenly run off to burn down the ancestral hall? Did he realize that this would implicate everyone?!
[Has someone died...? Did the Buddhist disciple kill?]
Is he truly a Buddhist disciple? He also has Jiang family blood, yet he can still protect the Jiang family and ensure their smooth sailing.
He's a monster!
How could this happen... We watched him grow up, he shouldn't be like this, he shouldn't be like this...
The murmurs, filled with incomprehension and pain, drifted away on the wind, growing ever more distant.
Numerous malicious thoughts intertwined, buzzing incessantly in Jiang Kaile's ears like a noisy buzzing of bees.
A scalding tear slid down Jiang Kaile's cheek, but before it could fall to the ground, it was evaporated by the flames.
"I……"
Jiang Kaile raised his eyes and looked at the group of grotesque monsters that were no longer human. He opened his mouth in a hoarse voice, but heard a series of dragon roars coming from his own throat. He sniffed hard.
Don't cry.
The boy wiped away his tears and said to himself.
He shifted his gaze, his scarlet beastly eyes fixed on the terrifying Jiang family head, and grinned broadly: "Father, I don't want the position of family head anymore."
"The Jiang family deserves to die. The Jiang family should never have existed."
As soon as he uttered that sentence, the red phosphorus on his body almost doubled in size.
The Demon King's domain then unfolded, and the ground spontaneously combusted without fire.
“So,” Jiang Kaile straightened his back, raised his chin, and looked as arrogant as the once spirited young man, “everything…”
But he couldn't suppress the tremor in his voice, nor could he hold back the tears in his eyes. His face, quickly covered in red phosphorus, forced a smile that looked more like a grimace: "It's all over..."
Bang.
A slender figure charged forward with all his might under the immense pressure of the Ghost King, defying the high temperature and the still lingering flames, and pulled Jiang Kaile into his arms from behind.
Jiang Kaile's back suddenly bumped into a familiar chest, and his mind was instantly jolted apart.
The moment he turned and looked up, he saw Xie Xubai with red eyes, raising his hand as if he wanted to slap him.
But he couldn't deliver the slap because Xie Xubai's other hand was gripping him tightly, blocking his position and preventing him from striking.
Or perhaps, he simply couldn't bear to continue the fight.
After all, his student was in so much pain.
Meeting Jiang Kaile's bloodshot eyes, Xie Xubai said, word by word, "Jiang, when you were ready to die for the villains, did you ever think about how the people who love you would feel?"
When he arrived, he saw Jiang Kaile raising his chin; that suddenly relaxed posture clearly indicated that he didn't want to live anymore.
He didn't know which evil thought had triggered Jiang Kaile's suicidal idea, but in any case, he had to immediately dispel Jiang Kaile's thoughts of suicide.
Therefore, Xie Xubai turned to Chan Sheng, who was struggling wildly in his teammates' hands: "Chan Sheng, come here and help me knock him out!"
Jiang Kaile knew exactly what he looked like; the revelation of his true form left him panicked and at a loss.
However, all the unease paled in comparison to the next second when he heard Xie Xubai angrily say that he wanted to knock him unconscious.
Jiang Kaile: "...Teacher?"
Xie Xubai gripped Jiang Kaile's arm, which was covered in red phosphorus, and gently wiped away the tears from the boy's eyes with his other hand, which he couldn't bear to hit him.
Jiang Kaile couldn't even imagine this scene. He thought the teacher would be scared when he saw it, because any normal person would be scared.
Xie Xubai met his gaze, his firm and resolute tone convincing: "Jiang trusts his teacher, right? Then listen to your teacher and get a good night's sleep."
"Everything will be alright when you wake up."
Jiang Kaile stared blankly at Xie Xubai.
He didn't know what he was thinking. He clearly felt that the Jiang family was dirty, and that he himself was dirty. He planned to destroy everything that was dirty, but his crazy idea was dispelled by the teacher with just two sentences.
Perhaps it was the first time I had seen Xie Xubai so angry that he lost his composure, or perhaps it was the first time I had seen my teacher's eyes redden.
Or perhaps the hand gripping his arm was too strong, as if no matter how dark the abyss he fell into, this thin yet sturdy hand would try its best to pull him back to the world of the living.
"I believe in you, teacher." Jiang Kaile hugged Xie Xubai tightly. Now that someone could lean on him, he no longer needed to suppress his sobs. "I've always believed in you!"
The other players looked at each other in bewilderment, then released the control effect of the item that bound the cicada.
She dashed over like a cicada in the wind, saw Jiang Kaile crying his eyes out, and awkwardly patted his head: "Don't cry, don't cry..."
He met Xie Xubai's gaze, and although he didn't understand why, he still delivered a chop to the back of Jiang Kaile's neck.
Jiang Kaile did not resist and was knocked unconscious. Even as she closed her eyes, the corners of them were still red.
Xie Xubai couldn't help but tenderly ruffle his hair, then handed the boy to Chansheng. Speaking rapidly, he solemnly instructed, "Take Jiang Kaile back to the bedroom. Don't let anyone get within fifty meters of him. I'll come find you, understand?"
Chan Sheng nodded vigorously, hoisted Jiang Kaile onto his shoulder, jumped onto the building with both feet, and ran away without looking back.
With the Demon King unconscious and his domain gone, the monsters, no longer suppressed by his aura and power, began to stir again.
The Jiang family head, as the primary target of the domain's suppression, was completely unable to move.
After Jiang Kaile fell into a coma, he bounced violently like a broken puppet that had been suddenly wound up, his whole body drenched in cold sweat, his cloudy eyes filled with fear.
Before the Jiang family head could react and make a move, the Jiang family members gathered together in the distance and slowly walked over under Xie Xubai's threatening gaze.
The loss of the ancient book recording the Jiang family's secret techniques is undoubtedly a serious crime for the family head who kept it.
However, the Jiang family head had long held considerable power, and he was certain that even if others knew he had lost the secret technique, as long as it could be recovered later, no one would dare to say anything, which is why he made such a grand show of it.
Even now, he sees most of the Jiang family members, who were once somewhat powerful, rushing towards him as if they were about to stage a collective rebellion.
"Jiang Shi'an, what are you trying to do?" The Jiang family head's voice was sinister, as if it were poisoned.
Jiang Shi'an was a little intimidated, but when he caught a glimpse of Xie Xubai's cold eyes and thought about the consequences of letting the Jiang family head know that he had lost hundreds of millions, he immediately shivered and said with a forced smile, "Second brother, don't overthink it. We came here together to talk to you about Kaile's education."
Patriarch Jiang: "What?"
Jiang Shi'an's chubby face turned as red as a pig's liver: "I mean, is it possible that you've ruined our family's precious son?"
The Jiang family head's anger flared even more: "What exactly are you trying to say?!"
Madam Jiang stepped forward and said sternly, "He meant that you have ruined the hope of the Jiang family to revive this once-in-a-century Buddhist disciple!"
"Shut up! What business is it of yours, a woman from another family, to interfere in the affairs of the Jiang family?"
Suddenly remembering something, the Jiang family head turned and stared at Xie Xubai with an unfriendly tone, his eyes bloodshot: "I know you, the tutor Jiang Kaile hired himself. Did you call them all over?"
"Ha, I had no idea such a big shot had emerged in the aristocratic circles, making such a grand gesture right in front of me! Just who are you, and what do you intend to do to the Jiang family?"
Hearing his harsh and piercing question, Xie Xubai replied in a cold and stern tone: "Just as you heard, you have no right to control Jiang Kaile anymore."
The Jiang family head found it both absurd and funny.
Jiang Kaile's importance is beyond doubt; controlling him is equivalent to controlling the entire Jiang family.
He was laughing at Xie Xubai, an outsider. What right did he have to tell a father that he had no right to discipline his own son? Judging from his tone, it seemed that he wanted to fight for custody.
This is absolutely ridiculous!
He opened his mouth and was about to order his men to seize Xie Xubai.
This person is very strange. He was able to calm down the berserk Jiang Kaile just now, and he couldn't kill him even if he wanted to.
Unexpectedly, after Xie Xubai spoke, the Jiang family members, as if under some kind of spell, began to chime in with their own opinions, echoing the outsider's words.
"Second Brother, Kai Le has become like this, don't you realize the problem with yourself?"
“Master, we just witnessed Kailer’s madness. We can’t let this continue.”
"You have been teaching Kaile for more than ten years, but instead, he has drifted further and further away from the Jiang family, which proves that your educational philosophy is wrong."
"Let go, Patriarch, he is the Buddha's son, our..."
"Enough!"
The Jiang family head's face twisted in pain, and he slammed his cane on the ground with a loud thud: "Tell me, what exactly does he have on you that you're all siding with an outsider to interrogate me? Are you crazy?!"
The Jiang family members were startled when their secret was revealed.
But they dared not show it; the Jiang family's strict rules were not just empty words.
Jiang Shi'an, in particular, rebuked him with a fierce but weak tone, "Second brother, this is where you're wrong. Everyone says it's your fault, how can you deny it?"
The Jiang family head glared at them all, momentarily speechless with anger. The sense of absurdity in his heart grew stronger, and he couldn't understand why his authority as the family head had failed him.
These people actually took it seriously and started discussing Jiang Kaile's education with Xie Xubai, something that could have been easily forced into submission by force.
When have the Jiang family ever reasoned with anyone?
He almost wanted to fly into a rage and punish these people one by one, but doing so would undoubtedly push him into a situation where he was abandoned by everyone.
Most importantly, why would the clan elders, who firmly prioritize the family, side with Xie Xubai?
The Jiang family head gripped his cane, suppressing his anger, and looked at the clan elder with a sinister gaze: "Elder Cai, you must give me an explanation."
Old Cai was frail and his back was deeply hunched. His voice was rough like sandpaper as he hoarsely said, "Patriarch...didn't you just see that the Buddha almost destroyed the Jiang family?"
The head of the Jiang family opened his mouth.
How could he not see it?
It was precisely because he saw through it that when Xie Xubai ordered Chansheng to knock Jiang Kaile unconscious and take her away, he was so scared that he couldn't utter a single word of objection. That's why he wanted to control Xie Xubai, who was able to keep Jiang Kaile calm!
As if sensing the Jiang family head's malicious intent, Elder Cai shook his head and looked at Xie Xubai with an indescribable awe: "We must not harm him. He... possesses the aura of Buddha!"
The Jiang family members present were all dumbfounded when they heard this.
Xie Xubai glanced at Old Cai without leaving a trace.
He had coerced all the other members of the Jiang family into coming by secret means, but this old man was the only one who waited by the roadside and insisted on coming with him.
The old man's eyes then held the same reverence as they do now.
Xie Xubai was confident that, under the combined pressure from the Jiang family, the Jiang family head would ultimately not dare to lay a hand on him. Therefore, he brought Elder Cai along, wanting to know what other advantageous bargaining chips this old man could offer him.
But what is the aura of Buddha?
The Jiang family's reaction was extremely strong.
Like the Jiang family head, even if they temporarily sided with Xie Xubai, they could not believe that the young man possessed Buddhist aura.
It should be noted that when Xie Xubai asked them for help, he only requested temporary access to Jiang Kaile's education, not that they completely overthrow the Jiang family head's rule, which is why they reluctantly agreed to step forward.
They are members of the Jiang family, a den of snakes and rats, and are all in the same boat. They would never actually help outsiders to deal with the head of the Jiang family.
But if Xie Xubai is associated with Buddhism, then his identity will be completely different, and the impact it could have is immeasurable!
Seeing that Mr. Cai, who had never made a mistake, nodded affirmatively, the Jiang family felt a chill run down their spines and repeatedly asked, "That's impossible. Please look again, isn't he just an ordinary person?"
Old Cai looked bitter and tapped the floor tiles with his cane: "If none of you believe, you can ask him to invite Buddha."
In an instant, all was silent.
The players knew that the current plot was beyond their control, so they secretly hid in the back to observe the situation, not daring to utter a sound.
The Jiang family members, as if struck dumb by Cai Lao's words, exchanged bewildered glances after regaining their senses.
"But the current Living Buddha... has never responded to the Jiang family's requests."
After these words were spoken, the room fell into a deathly silence.
The gloomy-faced Jiang family head said, "Then let him invite him. I want to see what kind of nonsense he can come up with."
The young man's voice suddenly interrupted the Jiang family head, forcefully cutting him off: "Jiang family head, perhaps I haven't made myself clear. I will not cooperate with you in inviting any Buddha, and you are not qualified to teach Jiang Kaile anymore."
Everyone turned to look at him.
Those who know Xie Xubai know that he is an extremely gentle person with a heart that is incredibly soft.
Even if someone accidentally injures him seriously, he will smile and reassure the other person that it's nothing.
However, at this moment, Xie Xubai's eyes changed.
Those jade-like, clear eyes remained calm and resolute, yet they exuded an unquestionable, chilling aura that seemed to penetrate the lingering heat and transform into a tangible pressure.
He was filled with anger because of what had happened to his students.
It's inexplicable why a human could have the aura to suppress a monster, when any small monster here could easily kill him.
The Jiang family head even instinctively flinched and looked away when his eyes met.
Then, annoyed that he was afraid of an ordinary person, he scoffed disdainfully, "Who do you think you are? You—"
"I will wake Jiang Kaile." Xie Xubai's words nearly made the Jiang family members present lose their minds. "If you don't relinquish guardianship, then let him destroy the Jiang family."
"Don't doubt my ability to do it. You all saw it. Jiang Kaile almost went berserk just now, and I successfully calmed him down."
"Want to give it a try, Patriarch Jiang? I'll only give you five seconds to consider."
Xie Xubai met the Jiang family head's unsteady, trembling eyes with a blank expression. Anyone who heard his cold and resolute tone would not doubt that he was joking.
The young man opened his mouth and said, "Five, four, three..."
The countdown seemed to transform into sharp claws, gripping the Jiang family head's throat! His heart leaped into his throat, and before Xie Xubai could finish speaking, he blurted out, "Wait!"
At this moment, Old Cai, leaning on his cane, took a step forward with faltering steps and urgently grabbed Xie Xubai's clothes: "Why do you have to do this?"
He took a short breath and said sternly, "I'll make the decision. As long as you're willing to invite Buddha, Jiang Kaile will be under your care from now on!"
The Jiang family members, including the patriarch, immediately shouted, "Old Cai, what are you doing—"
Before they could finish speaking, they felt excruciating pain throughout their limbs. All their attempts to rush forward to stop them froze halfway, as if their joints were being forcibly pulled by invisible threads.
They were terrified.
This is the Jiang family's secret technique at work, but why?!
"Is that alright, sir?" Old Cai gripped his cane, his already frail body seeming to age ten years in an instant, his back almost hunched over to the ground.
Xie Xubai frowned as he looked at the old man's subservient posture and helped him up: "But you should know that I know nothing about Buddhism and Taoism and have never studied them. It is impossible for me to invite any living Buddha."
He felt that the newly appointed elder of the Jiang family must have misunderstood something.
"No, no..."
Old Cai trembled as he pointed his finger at Xie Xubai's shadow: "After all, He likes you so much and stays with you all the time. As long as you are willing to call Him, He will definitely respond."
Xie Xubai followed his gaze to his own shadow, but for a moment he couldn't understand what Elder Cai meant.
Suddenly, he abruptly lifted his eyelids, realizing a possibility!
Before long, a large group of people headed towards the back mountain, where the Jiang family's altar was located.
Altars were the standard form of prayer and worship in ancient times.
At the bottom is a circular base, connected by layers of steps, flat and wide, with every pattern detail showcasing an ancient and timeless charm. The Temple of Heaven has a small palace built there, with its altar and surrounding walls covered with glazed tiles of various colors.
Xie Xubai thought he should first burn incense and bathe, but Cai Lao said it wasn't necessary, so he climbed the steps and went up to the altar.
At this moment, he harbored a vague sense of anticipation, but he couldn't tell whether Old Cai was plotting against him, so his leg muscles remained tense, ready to retreat at any moment if things went wrong.
The Jiang family looked at Old Man Cai. As far as they knew, there were many complicated procedures involved in inviting a Buddha statue. From the decorations and furnishings to the offerings and incense, everything was extremely particular. Just choosing an auspicious time required repeated divination.
Why is it that when it comes to Xie Xubai, nothing is used?
Old Cai's withered hands kept stroking the cracks on his cane, his eyes half-closed, remaining silent.
Only he knew in his heart that the Jiang family's fate was sealed the moment Xie Xubai appeared.
He only hoped that by showing weakness to Xie Xubai, he could ensure that the Jiang family could have a few more descendants.
Not knowing what power this altar possessed, Xie Xubai stood on it and gradually felt the air thicken, rising in a damp, cold white mist.
The familiar scent seeped into my skin, cool and smooth, and then wrapped around my ankles.
Including the night of the Jiang family dance, three days later, he finally heard the voice of an old friend again, and his heart skipped a beat.
【Hmm, bye-bye, good morning... How long have I been asleep?】
Little Tentacle was unaware of Xie Xubai's excitement.
It seemed to be having a long dream, lazily rubbing its suction cup against Xie Xubai's arm, its tone revealing unconscious dependence.
Suddenly, it "smelled" the stench of decay emanating from the Jiang family, so strong that its tentacles vomited on the spot, instantly sobering it up and letting out a shocked roar.
[Who kidnapped you, Bai Bai? How did you end up in the garbage dump??]
Author's Note:
7,000 words today!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com