Chapter 820: A “Postponed” Fate

” Ning Caichen…” Meng Qi looked over with great interest.

Since the beginning of these countless Reversion to Emptiness missions, this was the first time he had encountered a familiar “plot” already in progress, and met a known “protagonist.” With the mission pressure not too intense, he couldn’t help but feel relaxed, watching the unfolding scene with a spectator’s curiosity.

Ning Caichen was a typical refined scholar, somewhat thin, his expression revealing traces of panic and fear, muttering to himself: “A gentleman does not speak of strange powers and spirits.”

Apparently, the eerie forest at sunset, the cawing crows, and the chilling winds had frightened him.

Indeed, the dark night made the path more dangerous… Yan Chixia wasn’t a stubborn man. After a moment’s thought, he said: “Master Ning, once night falls, you must stay in this main hall. Never wander elsewhere in Lankai Temple, and certainly don’t sleep in the meditation rooms.”

He glanced at everyone present. Meng Qi was leaning against a pillar, relaxed, half-closed eyes, gently tapping his knee with his right hand. His left-hand companion, Sun Junlin, and Nan Gong Chong, Du Qingqing, were slightly more alert, sensing their surroundings, all possessing strong vitality and formidable strength. Thus, he added: “As long as you’re not alone in the hall, you needn’t fear any ghosts or evil spirits. But if you are left alone, follow me, and absolutely do not act on your own.”

Though Ning Caichen was a scholar, he could sense Yan Chixia’s good intentions. Compared to the others, who seemed indifferent, he quickly nodded: “I understand. May I ask the gentleman’s noble name and surname?”

“Yan is my surname, Chixia my courtesy name. I hail from the north,” Yan Chixia replied succinctly.

After some small talk, Ning Caichen put down his book chest, gathered dry branches and fallen leaves, then took out a fire starter to light a fire for warmth.

Perhaps due to his previous frantic running, he now felt somewhat drained and couldn’t ignite the fire. He grew tired and began panting.

Seeing this, Yan Chixia flicked his finger. A spark flew and landed on the pile of leaves and branches, which immediately caught fire, lighting up the hall.

“Brother Yan, are you one of the legendary sword heroes?” Ning Caichen’s eyes widened with curiosity.

Yan Chixia slightly nodded, seemingly a man of few words.

“Brother Yan, can sword heroes really fly through the skies, banish ghosts and demons, burn mountains and cross seas? Is that sword on your back a treasure beyond the mundane world? Are you here to eliminate ghosts…” Ning Caichen blurted out a string of questions, as if these thoughts had lingered in his heart for a long time.

Meng Qi remained calm and composed, smirking slightly upon hearing this. This world’s Ning Caichen was still a talkative, curious fellow…

Yan Chixia answered Ning Caichen’s questions intermittently, politely declining his offer of roasted buns. Time passed quickly. The sun fully set, the bright moon and countless stars obscured by thick clouds. The earth was plunged into darkness, pitch black, unable to see even one’s hand. Only the fire in the main hall flickered with red light.

Woo~ A gust of wind blew through the ruined hall. Unlike the usual cold, it felt chillingly eerie.

Woo~ Perhaps due to the wind blowing through the cracks, it created a sound like ghostly wails. Ning Caichen couldn’t help but shiver, feeling his scalp tingling.

Drip, drip, drip… His teeth chattered as he edged closer to the fire to warm himself. Suddenly, his pale face flushed with a suspicious redness. After glancing left and right, he clenched his teeth and chose to endure.

Woo woo woo~ The sinister wind grew stronger, as if evil spirits were right beside them.

Ning Caichen suddenly stood up: “Brother Yan, I… I need to go out for a moment.”

He had been holding it for so long!

With many people in the hall, urinating there would be unbearable for someone as sensitive as him. Yet going outside in the pitch-black night, with the chilling wind and possibly real ghosts, made him hesitate and seek advice from the legendary sword hero, Yan Chixia.

Yan Chixia, being a master of the external world, could easily sense his physical condition. He had already considered this and pointed to a large hole in the side wall: “You can climb out from here and take care of it right beside the hall. If there’s any danger, I will sense it.”

Without hesitation, Ning Caichen “hurried” toward the hole in a state of urgency. Although desperate, he couldn’t run, his legs slightly clenched, taking quick, small steps.

Woo~ A gust of cold wind blew past. Sun Junlin, the left-hand assistant of the “Cangtian Sect,” turned his head to look at his sect leader, who still sat with half-closed eyes. The firelight reflected on his green robe, highlighting his profound aura, as if he were asleep.

Thus, the left-hand assistant secretly transmitted his voice: “Leader, why not directly capture the ghost here?”

The leader had already cultivated the Cangtian Great Law to an unprecedented level of “Yellow Heaven Shall Rise,” rivaling the likes of Heishan Laoyao and the Tian Shi Empress. No matter how powerful the ghost in Lankai Temple might be, it couldn’t escape his senses or withstand his might. If he wished, he could capture it effortlessly!

Meng Qi still leaned against the pillar, his aura concealed, eyes half-closed, seemingly indifferent to the entire hall and Lankai Temple, calmly replying: “Don’t rush.”

Indeed, no need to rush. For him, what mattered more was observing Nan Gong Chong’s “performance”!

Moreover, this was the first time experiencing a relatively familiar plot. Although there would certainly be variations and differences, the general storyline was known. How could he not enjoy watching the story of “A Chinese Ghost Story”? How could he not witness the love between Ning Caichen and Nie Xiaoqian?

Though his perception was faint, the entire Lankai Temple and the surrounding woods were fully reflected in Meng Qi’s mind. This state, combined with his foreknowledge of the story, gave him a subtle sense of pleasure, as if observing everything from a “God’s-eye view.”

As Meng Qi watched with great interest, Ning Caichen climbed out of the big hole, walked a few more steps, found a corridor pillar, and loosened his belt.

Ah… Ning Caichen looked relieved as he tied his belt again when suddenly he heard a “Yingyingying” crying sound, soft and sorrowful, filled with grief.

Swish! The hair on Ning Caichen’s back stood straight up. If he hadn’t just finished, he might have wet his pants.

A ghost! A female ghost!

He hurried back but saw that the main hall was gone!

All around were winding corridors!

In the main hall, Yan Chixia suddenly stood up. Just now, a gust of cold wind had blown through, and he had lost all sense of Ning Caichen.

Such a powerful ghost!

He felt somewhat guilty and drew the broadsword from his back. It seemed to be made of bronze, yet was terrifyingly heavy and solid, its surface covered with a faint glow of sword qi.

Yan Chixia took a step forward and appeared outside the big hole. His sword intent spread, dispelling the cold wind as he searched for clues.

He instinctively turned back to glance at that mysterious young man in the green robe, who seemed neither old nor young, still sitting with his eyes closed, appearing unfathomably profound, completely undisturbed by the previous incident.

Nan Gong Chong hesitated for a moment, then pulled Du Qingqing up, whispering to Meng Qi: “Senior, I am a righteous cultivator and cannot stand by while someone is in danger.”

Yan Chixia was a great hero of the world, admired by all. If he formed a negative impression of him, the reputation he had painstakingly built would be greatly damaged.

Meng Qi was pleased with his actions and slightly nodded: “Go ahead. I’ll stay here and hold the fort.”

Without delay, Nan Gong Chong and Du Qingqing leaped out of the big hole and said to Yan Chixia: “Great Hero Yan, we are here to assist you.”

“The ghost is formidable; you must be cautious,” Yan Chixia gave a slight nod of approval.

The main hall was gone, replaced by endless corridors. Ning Caichen was so scared his legs trembled, muttering to himself: “Reading the sages’ books, I possess the righteous Qi, ghosts and spirits cannot approach…”

This self-hypnosis seemed somewhat effective. He calmed down slightly, his fear and dread transforming into motivation, prompting him to sprint.

As he ran, the “Yingyingying” crying grew clearer. Ning Caichen inhaled sharply, turned his head, and changed direction.

However, no matter how he changed his path, the plaintive weeping grew increasingly distinct.

Eventually, Ning Caichen’s face turned serious. He halted, pulled out a book from his bosom, and opened it. The cover read:

“Mencius!”

“The righteous Qi… vast and mighty…” Holding the scroll, Ning Caichen recited its contents as he cautiously advanced.

Suddenly, a figure appeared ahead, draped in a light white gauze, her icy, delicate skin faintly visible, her silhouette alluring yet mysterious. She was crouching in a corner, sobbing softly.

“Evil ghost…” Ning Caichen blurted out.

The figure turned her head, revealing a face that would mesmerize anyone even in such a grim setting. Her eyebrows were slightly thick and dark but in no way detracted from her beauty. Her eyes sparkled like innocent deer, exuding a cold and aloof charm. Her partially visible skin and enchanting allure didn’t make her seem wanton but instead added a touch of purity.

“Master, please flee quickly. My Granny has ordered me to harm you.” The girl’s tear-filled eyes overflowed with sorrow.

Upon hearing this, Ning Caichen was no longer so frightened: “May I ask the young lady’s name? My name is Ning Caichen. I know a swordsman who loves to right wrongs. If you are being forced by this Granny to harm others, he should be able to save you.”

The girl shook her head: “It’s useless. Granny is too powerful. Several sword heroes came before, but she killed them all.”

“My name is Nie Xiaoqian. I am a lonely wandering soul under Granny’s control.”

“That swordsman is Great Hero Yan Chixia, one of the most formidable sword heroes in the world.” Ning Caichen, reciprocating her sincerity, added more information.

The girl’s eyes lit up: “Great Hero Yan Chixia? If it’s truly him, I beg you, ask him to smash my ashes jar beneath a poplar tree with a crow’s nest in the forest. Otherwise, I will never be free from Granny’s control.”

“A poplar tree with a crow’s nest…” Ning Caichen repeated.

At this moment, Yan Chixia, Nan Gong Chong, and Du Qingqing were searching the area separately.

Nan Gong Chong, sword in hand, cautiously opened a meditation room door.

Creak! The door opened, revealing a large water bucket inside, with hot water steaming. A completely naked woman sat inside, hastily covering her chest with her hands, her snowy white skin momentarily exposed.

Nan Gong Chong stared, eyes wide. Suddenly, a dark shadow descended from above, ripping through his protective treasure and piercing his head.

“Ahh!” Witnessing this, Du Qingqing screamed in terror.

In the main hall, Meng Qi’s eyes suddenly flew open, fully focused.

The firelight vanished instantly, his senses once again limited to his immediate surroundings. In just an instant, everything returned to normal. Meng Qi saw Nan Gong Chong and Du Qingqing again, saw Yan Chixia, and saw Ning Caichen, taking small, quick steps toward the big hole!

Was this a reversal of time? Meng Qi’s eyes half-open, seemingly unaffected, yet his mind was in turmoil.

Suddenly, Nan Gong Chong stood up and said loudly: “Master Ning, it’s dangerous outside. Why not stay inside?”

After great effort, he finally convinced Ning Caichen to relieve himself in a corner of the hall.

After that, everything was peaceful, except the cold wind grew colder.

Suddenly, a creaking sound came from the entrance of Lankai Temple. Meng Qi’s eyes abruptly opened, gazing hundreds of zhang away.

At the entrance stood an old monk in gray robes, kind-faced with closed eyes. At this moment, similar qi resonated, and he suddenly opened his eyes, revealing golden, translucent irises, crystal clear, as if seeing everything.

The Divine Eye!

Crackling! Sparks indeed appeared mid-air in the courtyard. A lightning bolt struck down, illuminating the entire Lankai Temple. The sinister wind ceased abruptly, replaced by a slight warmth.

Yan Chixia stood up in pleasant surprise:

“Master Yusheng?”