Chapter 50
Chapter Summary: [Two sharp whooshing sounds pierced the air. Wei Wuxian remained motionless as Wen Ning flashed in front of him, intercepting two venomous bullets…]
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Two sharp whooshing sounds came from behind. Wei Wuxian remained motionless as Wen Ning flashed in front of him, intercepting two skull-piercing nails that gleamed with a sinister black light.
Xue Yang let out a chilling laugh, like that of a night owl, then abruptly stopped, falling silent. He ignored him and continued his battle with Lan Wangji in the mist. Wei Wuxian thought to himself, "Too bad! I won't fall for it. This little rascal is too resilient. He seems completely impervious to pain, as if he's unharmed no matter where he's injured. If he says a few more words, and Lan Zhan stabs him a few more times, I don't believe he'll still be alive and kicking even after his limbs are cut off."
Just then, a crisp cracking sound of bamboo poles came from the mist.
Wei Wuxian's mind raced, and he said, "Lan Zhan, the place where the thorny bamboo stick makes a sound!"
Lan Wangji immediately drew his sword. Xue Yang grunted. A moment later, the bamboo pole suddenly rang out again from another place several feet away!
Lan Wangji continued thrusting towards the source of the sound. Xue Yang said coldly, "Little blind man, aren't you afraid I'll crush you if you follow behind me?"
Since being killed by Xue Yang, A-Qing had been constantly on the run, trying to avoid being found. For some reason, Xue Yang didn't seem to care much for this insignificant, wandering ghost. Meanwhile, A-Qing, amidst the mist, followed Xue Yang like a shadow, tapping on a bamboo pole to reveal his location and guide Lan Wangji in the direction of their attack!
Xue Yang moved with incredible speed, appearing in another location in the blink of an eye. However, A-Qing, who was also a fast runner in life, clung to him like a curse after becoming a ghost, never leaving his side, her bamboo cane striking the ground incessantly. The clattering sound seemed to come from near and far, left and right, forward and backward, impossible to shake off. And whenever it sounded, Bichen's sharp edge would follow!
Xue Yang, who had previously moved with ease through the mist, able to hide and launch surprise attacks, now had to divert his attention to deal with A-Qing. He suddenly flung a talisman backward, and in that moment of distraction, accompanied by A-Qing's strange scream, Bichen pierced his chest!
This sword strike hit a vital point. Although A-Qing's vengeful spirit had been defeated by Xue Yang's talisman, and the sound of the bamboo pole striking the ground no longer betrayed his presence, Xue Yang's steps had become heavy, and he could no longer be as elusive and elusive as before!
After this, Lan Wangji suddenly stood up and bowed to A-Qing: "Thank you for saving me that day, Miss A-Qing."
Ah Qing's face turned bright red instantly, and she shook her head repeatedly.
The shadow in the sky allowed everyone to see clearly even what was happening in the fog.
Just moments ago, I was praising the intense battle of wits and courage between Xue Yang, Lan Wangji, and Wei Wuxian, but now I'm grieving for A-Qing's tragic sacrifice.
"I didn't see the actual situation at the time; I only heard Senior Wei recount it. I never imagined that A-Qing died so tragically," Lan Jingyi said to Lan Sizhui, his eyes reddening.
Lan Sizhui: Yeah, you were so busy watching Wen Ning and Song Lan's exciting fight that you didn't pay any attention to A-Qing.
Wei Wuxian tossed out an empty Soul-Locking Pouch, sending it to rescue and absorb A-Qing's soul. From within the mist, several coughs of blood were heard. Xue Yang took a few steps, then suddenly lunged forward, roaring, "Give it to me!"
Lan Wangji remained silent as Bichen unleashed a blue light that severed one of his arms.
Blood gushed out, and the air around Wei Wuxian was filled with the stench of blood. In the hazy white mist ahead, a patch of something seemed to have been dyed red.
Although there was still no cry of pain, there was a heavy thud of knees hitting the ground.
Xue Yang seemed to have lost too much blood and finally collapsed to his knees, unable to walk any further.
Without wasting a moment, Lan Wangji summoned Bichen again. Just as he was about to sever Xue Yang's head with his next sword strike, a towering blue flame suddenly erupted from the white mist!
The flames of the teleportation scroll!
Wei Wuxian's gaze sharpened, realizing something was terribly wrong. Ignoring the dangers in the fog, he rushed forward.
The most pungent smell of blood was on the ground, which was covered with wet, fresh blood that had gushed out from the severed arm.
However, Xue Yang had vanished.
Lan Wangji approached, holding Bichen, which emitted a blue light. Wei Wuxian asked, "Is it that gravedigger?"
Xue Yang was struck in a vital spot by Bichen and lost an arm. Judging from the amount of blood loss, he was certain to die. It was impossible for him to have any extra energy or spiritual power to use a teleportation talisman. Lan Wangji said, "That should be it. I stabbed that gravedigger three times, which would have been enough to capture him alive. But when a large number of walking corpses attacked, he escaped."
The gravedigger, already stabbed, was still willing to expend even more spiritual energy to take Xue Yang's body away. What was he trying to do?
Wei Wuxian clicked his tongue and shook his head: "You really run fast!"
Xue Yang: I was just dragged away like a corpse, it wasn't my idea to run away! Besides, I don't want to be dragged around by some coward.
Wei Wuxian said solemnly, "...I'm afraid he also knew Xue Yang. He took Xue Yang's body away to search for the Yin Tiger Seal on his body."
After Xue Yang was "eliminated" by Jin Guangyao, the whereabouts of the Yin Tiger Seal became unknown, and rumors circulated that it had been lost. However, it now seems highly likely that it is on Xue Yang's person. Hundreds upon hundreds of living corpses and walking corpses inhabit Yicheng, and simply scattering corpse poison powder would be difficult to control. Only the use of the Yin Tiger Seal can explain why Xue Yang could command them to obey his orders and attack relentlessly.
A suspicious and cunning person like Xue Yang would never place the Yin Tiger Seal where he couldn't see it; he would most likely hide it on his person, where he could access it at all times for a sense of security. Since the gravediggers took his body, there's a 90% chance the Yin Tiger Seal will fall into their hands.
Wei Wuxian said, "Now that things have come to this, we can only hope that the Yin Tiger Seal that Xue Yang restored has limited power."
He knew this was no small matter, and his tone was grave. After a moment of silence, Lan Wangji said, "I have found the corpse's right hand."
Wei Wuxian then remembered what had guided them into the city and asked, "My good brother's right hand? You found it? When did you find it? You fought with the gravedigger and were surrounded by a group of walking corpses, and you still found that right hand?"
Lan Wangji replied, "Mm."
Wei Wuxian praised enthusiastically, "Truly worthy of being called Hanguang-jun! In that case, we've gotten ahead of everyone else again. It's just a pity it's not a head... Wait, where's Song Lan?"
After Xue Yang's body disappeared, the white mist flowed faster and seemed to thinner, making it easier to see. Because of this, Wei Wuxian suddenly realized that Song Lan was gone. He thought to himself, "Wen Ning didn't give a warning, which means Song Lan didn't show any intention to attack. Could it be that he's already awake?"
The skull nail in Song Lan's brain was much thinner and made of different materials than the one in Wen Ning's brain. It's possible that Xue Yang couldn't find a suitable material at the time, which is why Song Lan recovered so quickly, many times faster than Wen Ning. Thinking of this, Wei Wuxian turned around and whistled in the direction Wen Ning was. Wen Ning lowered his head, retreated upon hearing the sound, and disappeared into the white mist.
The sound of chains dragging on the ground gradually faded away. Lan Wangji glanced at him, sheathed his sword, and said nothing more than calmly, "Let's go."
Just as they were about to take a step, suddenly, amidst the pool of blood, they saw something else all alone on the ground.
A severed left hand.
Four fingers are clenched tightly, but the little finger is missing.
The fist was clenched very tightly. Wei Wuxian squatted down and used all his strength to pry it open one by one. In his palm, he held a piece of candy.
This candy is slightly blackened; it definitely shouldn't be eaten.
It was held too tightly; it's already a little broken.
Xue Yang rolled his eyes again. Was this even going to end?!
Xiao Xingchen turned to look at Xue Yang, hesitated for a moment, then took out a nearly melted candy from his pocket and handed it to Xue Yang.
Xue Yang suddenly looked up, his eyes filled with astonishment as he stared at Xiao Xingchen.
After a moment, he slightly raised his hand and took the candy:
"Thank you." I understand what you mean.
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji returned to the Yizhuang together. The gate was open, and sure enough, Song Lan was standing next to the coffin where Xiao Xingchen was lying, looking down into it.
The young men from various noble families drew their swords, crowded together, and stood guard over the fierce corpse.
Wei Wuxian stepped into the Yizhuang and introduced Lan Wangji: "Song Lan, Daoist Song Zichen."
Lan Wangji gracefully lifted his robes and stepped over the high threshold, nodding slightly. Song Lan raised his head, his gaze turning to them.
His mind had returned to normal, and his pupils had returned to normal, revealing a pair of clear black eyes in their sockets.
These eyes, which originally belonged to Xiao Xingchen, were filled with unspeakable sorrow.
Without needing to ask any further questions, Wei Wuxian knew that during the time he was turned into a fierce corpse by Xue Yang, he had seen and remembered everything.
Asking further or saying more will only increase helplessness and pain.
After a moment of silence, Wei Wuxian took out two identical, small spirit-locking pouches and handed them to him, saying, "For Daoist Xiao Xingchen and A-Qing."
Although A-Qing was killed by Xue Yang and was terrified of him, she still followed him closely just now, making it impossible for him to shake her off or hide.
She was nearly shattered to pieces by Xue Yang's single talisman, and Wei Wuxian painstakingly pieced together fragments, using all his strength, to barely manage to salvage some of them. Now, they were shattered into countless pieces, much like Xiao Xingchen's. The two weakened souls were each curled up in a spirit-locking pouch, as if a slight bump would cause them to scatter inside.
Song Lan's hands trembled slightly as she took them, cradling them in her palms.
Wei Wuxian asked, "Master Song, what do you plan to do with Master Xiao Xingchen's body?"
Song Lan carefully tucked the two spirit-locking pouches into one hand, and with the other hand, she drew out the Snow-Sweeping Brush and wrote two lines on the ground: "Cremate the body. Let the soul rest in peace."
With Xiao Xingchen's soul shattered like this, it's certain he can never return to his body. Cremation is for the best. This body dissipates, leaving only a pure soul to slowly recuperate. Perhaps one day, he can return to the world.
Wei Wuxian then asked, "What are your plans for the future?"
Song Lan wrote: "Bearing the frost and snow, we walk the path of life. Together with the stardust, we vanquish demons and annihilate evil."
She paused, then wrote: "When he wakes up, he will say sorry, it wasn't your fault."
These are the words he was unable to say to Xiao Xingchen before he died.
The eerie fog over Yicheng gradually dissipated, and the main street and side streets could be roughly seen.
Lan Wangji and Wei Wuxian led a group of young masters from various aristocratic families out of the desolate ghost city. Song Lan bid them farewell at the city gate.
He was still dressed in that same jet-black Taoist robe, all alone, carrying two swords on his back, Shuanghua and Fuxue. With two souls, Xiao Xingchen and A-Qing, he embarked on another path.
It wasn't the road they took to get to Yicheng.
Lan Sizhui stared at his retreating figure for a moment, then said, "'Bright moon and gentle breeze, Xiao Xingchen; proud snow and frost, Song Zichen'... I wonder if those two will ever meet again."
Lan Sizhui saw Song Lan's lonely figure leaving in the sky and breathed a sigh of relief: "Now, we can finally be considered truly reunited."
Xiao Xingchen looked at Song Lan: "Zichen, from now on we will work together to eliminate demons and evil, and never let the things of the past life repeat themselves."
Song Lan nodded solemnly.
Wei Wuxian leaned lazily on Lan Wangji's shoulder, thinking to himself: The story of Yicheng has come to an end. Now, what's next...?
Wei Wuxian walked along the overgrown path and came across a patch of grass. He thought to himself, "It was here that Xiao Xingchen and A-Qing rescued Xue Yang."
Lan Jingyi said, "Now you should tell us what you saw when you were empathizing, right? How could that person be Xue Yang? Why did he impersonate Xiao Xingchen?"
"And another thing, was that the Ghost General just now? Where is the Ghost General now? Why haven't we seen him? Is he still in Yicheng? How could he suddenly appear?"
Wei Wuxian pretended not to hear the second question and said, "Well, that's a very complicated story..."
As he walked along, after he finished speaking, a gloomy atmosphere enveloped him, and no one remembered the Ghost General anymore.
Lan Jingyi was the first to burst into tears, saying, "How could such a thing happen in the world!"
Jin Ling roared in fury: "That Xue Yang, scum! Trash! He died too easily!"
The young man who had praised A-Qing while peeking through the crack in the door cried out in despair, "A-Qing, A-Qing!"
Lan Jingyi cried the loudest, completely losing his composure. This time, no one reminded him to be quiet, because Lan Sizhui's eyes were also red. Fortunately, Lan Wangji didn't silence him. With snot and tears streaming down his face, Lan Jingyi suggested, "Shall we go burn some paper money for Daoist Xiao Xingchen and Miss A-Qing? Isn't there a village at the crossroads ahead? Let's go buy some things and pay our respects to them."
Everyone agreed: "Great! Great!"
They arrived at the village at the stone tablet intersection. Lan Jingyi and Lan Sizhui rushed in, bought some miscellaneous incense sticks, candles, and red and yellow paper money. They went to the side and built a makeshift stove out of mud bricks and stones. A group of teenagers squatted in a circle around it and began burning paper money, muttering incantations as they burned. Wei Wuxian, who had been in a heavy mood and hadn't said many witty remarks on the way, couldn't help but say to Lan Wangji, "Hanguang-jun, look at them doing this at someone's doorstep, aren't you going to stop them?"
Lan Wangji said calmly, "Go and stop them."
Wei Wuxian said, "Alright, I'll help you discipline them."
He went over and said, "Am I mistaken? You are all scions of immortal families. Didn't your fathers, mothers, uncles, and elders teach you that the dead cannot receive paper money? What money does a dead person need? They can't receive it. Besides, this is someone else's doorstep, and you're all here..."
Lan Jingyi waved his hand and said, "Move aside, move aside, you're blocking the wind. It won't burn properly. Besides, you've never died, how do you know the dead don't receive paper money?"
Everyone: ...Pfft!!!
What are these young people thinking? Burning joss paper in front of someone else's house, aren't they afraid that those village women who were just shy and demure in front of outsiders will turn into shrewish street hustlers and start cursing at us in three seconds?
It was a tragedy that turned into a comedy in an instant.
Lan Jingyi stared wide-eyed at his own foolish, crying self back then: "Was I really this stupid back then?! Sizhui, can you tell if there's a crack in the ground for me?"
Lan Sizhui: "...I also need a crack in the ground."
Wei Wuxian nudged Lan Wangji's arm: "Hanguang-jun, have you disciplined these kids properly yet?"
Lan Wangji looked down at him: "Now I'll discipline you."
Wei Wuxian: ...
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