Chapter 47: Ethereal Illusions, Shattered with a Touch
Lin Tianlu frowned slightly.
He had expected to find a gruesome ghost wreaking havoc in the Li residence. He had even heard the clash of swords from outside, assuming a fierce battle was taking place.
But as he stepped inside, he was greeted by a woman clad only in thin silk gauze, standing in the courtyard. This bizarre scene left him confused.
And her seductive pose… was she trying to tempt him?
…
Meanwhile, his arrival had naturally attracted attention.
“—Senior!”
Hua Shuya caught sight of him and cried out, “Many people in this house have been killed by this evil ghost!”
But a wave of Yin energy slammed into her, pushing her back forcefully. She stumbled, falling to one knee, gasping for breath.
After several rounds of fighting, she had managed to protect herself, but her internal energy was almost depleted.
“You talk too much, Miss Hua. Spoiling the mood with such unpleasant words is not very charming.”
The alluring woman chuckled softly, withdrawing her hand and turning to face Lin Tianlu.
“Master Lin, I recognize you. You’ve become quite famous in Changling County lately, known for slaying the evil spirit with your righteous aura. Many people praise you.”
“You flatter me. Such praise is meaningless.”
“But the guards at the gate tried to stop you, Master Lin. Isn’t it a bit rude to barge into the Li residence like this?”
“Those guards have been dead for a while, animated by Yin energy. I have no interest in conversing with corpses.”
Glancing at the gate, which had closed automatically behind him, Lin Tianlu bowed slightly. “But perhaps you should put on some clothes, Miss. This is rather indecent.”
The woman narrowed her eyes, a playful smile on her lips. She tossed her long hair back and swayed her hips seductively.
“Feel free to look, Master Lin. I’m not one of those coy little girls. It would be a shame to hide such a perfect body beneath layers of fabric, wouldn’t it?”
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “You have a point, Miss.”
“Besides—” The woman continued with a mischievous smile, “You bravely faced that evil spirit in the burning building, Sir, allowing me to escape. You could say you’re my savior.”
Lin Tianlu was surprised.
So the “guy” that the brothel spirit had been muttering about was this female ghost?
“What a coincidence.” Lin Tianlu asked curiously, “But you know that I killed that evil spirit. Aren’t you afraid of dying?”
“I’m not like that evil spirit.”
The woman shook her head. “He was a man, and I’m a woman. That makes all the difference.”
She licked her lips seductively, her eyes sparkling. “I’m aware of your power, Master Lin. I wouldn’t dare to try and harm you. But as a scholar who spends most of his time with books, you might not be aware that a woman’s weapon isn’t always a sword or a spear. Sometimes, it’s her delicate touch, her gentle charm.”
“A handsome man like you, Master Lin, captivated me the moment I saw you. And now, meeting you again, my heart trembles. I feel like I’m falling in love.”
As she spoke, the woman approached him, her movements seductive, her gauzy robe swaying alluringly.
She brushed her fingers against the last remaining piece of fabric, letting it fall away. “Master Lin, look at me, so beautiful and alluring. The night is chilly. Why don’t we find a quiet place…
Forget about the mundane world, let’s indulge in heavenly pleasures, ascend to the clouds together.”
A seductive aura filled the air, a faint, intoxicating fragrance mingling with the night breeze.
Hua Shuya sensed something amiss and her expression changed. She was about to shout, but a gust of Yin wind swept over her, paralyzing her body. At the same time, the black-haired girl attacked, her sword whistling through the air. Hua Shuya could only stumble and dodge.
“Hehe~”
The alluring woman glanced at them, her smile widening.
“My name is Xiao Lanzhu. Remember it well, Master Lin. Don’t call out the wrong name when we’re whispering sweet nothings to each other.” Xiao Lanzhu chuckled, her every move seductive and provocative, as if intentionally showcasing her charms. She danced around Lin Tianlu, then leaned in close, standing on tiptoe, her voice a soft whisper. “Let me take a closer look at your—”
Bang!!
A fist shot out, and Xiao Lanzhu was sent flying, crashing into the wall behind her, sending dust and debris flying.
“…”
Lin Tianlu looked at the woman, half her body embedded in the wall, and retracted his fist.
“Fortunately, there’s no such thing as ‘female privilege’ in this world. Otherwise, I’d be beaten to a pulp.”
He muttered to himself, brushing off his clothes.
The seductive atmosphere instantly dissipated, and the alluring woman vanished.
A chilling wind swept through the courtyard, like the wail of a vengeful spirit.
Lin Tianlu turned his head and saw another Xiao Lanzhu standing in the distance…
Or rather, this was her true form.
The one he had just punched was just an illusion.
“—How is this possible?!”
Xiao Lanzhu’s face was filled with shock and anger. “Why aren’t you affected?!”
“You do have a beautiful body, Miss. But I’ve seen many who are even more alluring. Your charms don’t affect me.” Lin Tianlu chuckled. “Besides, your seduction techniques are rather bland and uninspired.”
Just swaying her naked body before him wasn’t as enticing as some of the illustrations he had seen in his previous life.
After all, sometimes, a subtle and suggestive beauty was more alluring than overt displays of nudity.
“What are you talking about…”
Xiao Lanzhu’s expression darkened, and she glared at Hua Shuya. “Is it because of her? You think I’m inferior to this mortal woman?!”
“You and she are worlds apart.”
Lin Tianlu walked towards her with a smile.
Xiao Lanzhu hissed, “Then I’ll steal her life force and her skin, make her a part of me. And you… will stay here and watch as I flay her alive!”
As soon as she finished speaking, she formed hand seals, and the Yin wind around them intensified, transforming into dozens of translucent figures, filling the entire courtyard.
These beautiful women, each with their own unique charm, smiled seductively, whispered sweet nothings, and posed provocatively. The air filled with a seductive aura, like a captivating illusion, enveloping the entire Li residence.
Clang—!
A sword hummed as the black-haired girl emerged from the crowd of alluring women, her blade aimed at Lin Tianlu’s back.
But Lin Tianlu, his eyes closed, casually caught the blade between his fingers, twisting his wrist. The girl’s sword shattered.
Before she could react, he tapped her chest with his finger, expelling all the Yin energy that had been controlling her!
“Ugh—?!”
The black-haired girl collapsed to her knees, her eyes regaining a hint of clarity.
But seeing the seductive illusions surrounding them, she gritted her teeth and cried out, “R-run!”
“Hehe~ You can’t escape!”
The countless ‘Xiao Lanzhus’ laughed mockingly.
Bang!
Lin Tianlu slapped the surrounding illusions, his hand connecting with something solid.
Xiao Lanzhu stumbled out of the crowd, her hair disheveled, her hand covering her cheek, a red handprint clearly visible. “W-what—”
“It seems your Yin techniques have some flaws, Miss.”
Lin Tianlu smiled faintly.
Xiao Lanzhu’s expression darkened, and she secretly formed hand seals, her figure blurring.
Countless illusions appeared, swirling and intertwining, seductive scenes unfolding around them, a dizzying display of beauty.
But Lin Tianlu ignored them. He focused his senses, pinpointed her location, and flicked his finger.
—Slap!
Xiao Lanzhu was forced out of hiding again, her face filled with shock. “H-how… How did you see through my techniques?!”
She gritted her teeth, refusing to believe it, and cast another spell. Layers of ghostly figures filled the courtyard, their claws outstretched, their screams echoing through the air.
Lin Tianlu took out a book of poetry from his pocket, rolled it up, and walked towards her.
Then, he swung the makeshift club, striking her head.
Thwack!
“Ah?!”
Xiao Lanzhu screamed, clutching her forehead as she stumbled back. “Impossible! How could I—”
“Yin techniques, huh?”
Lin Tianlu swung the book again.
Thwack!
“Seduction techniques, huh?”
Thwack!
“Trying to seduce men, huh?”
Thwack!
“You… you bastard… that’s enough!”
Xiao Lanzhu, forced out of her illusions repeatedly, roared in anger. Yin energy erupted from her body as she spread her arms and screamed, “Why can you keep finding me?! My techniques are flawless!”
“Flawless?”
Lin Tianlu scoffed. “You should be more worried about your skin.”
“What are you talking about—”
“Harming innocent women, slaughtering the Li family, your crimes are many.”
Lin Tianlu’s expression turned serious.
Even with his eyes closed, his senses spread out, painting a clear picture in his mind.
Red threads of bloodlust wrapped around the female ghost, connecting to the ‘skin masks’ floating around her. These alluring illusions were the souls of the women she had killed, trapped within their own flesh, weeping and wailing.
This seductive spectacle was a tragic and heartbreaking sight to him.
“Your cruel games end here.”
Lin Tianlu sighed softly.
Xiao Lanzhu’s lips trembled, then her face contorted with rage.
—With all her tricks useless, she had to take a gamble!
She lowered her body, her flexible form coiled like a spring. With a powerful kick, she shot forward with incredible speed, a pale blur in the courtyard, her claws glowing crimson as she struck.
Slap!
But her claws, sharp enough to tear through metal and stone, stopped inches from his chest.
Lin Tianlu had caught her wrist, his face expressionless.
Xiao Lanzhu’s eyes widened in terror. Knowing there was no escape, she pleaded, her voice trembling, “Master Lin! You don’t understand the pain and hardship I endured! Everyone in the Li residence bullied me! Li Yu humiliated me in every way! I didn’t want to hurt anyone—”
“Can you say that to the innocent women you killed?”
“Did you hear their cries and pleas for mercy?!”
Lin Tianlu shook the book in his hand, his voice cold and mocking. “Go find your beautiful skin in a book.”
“Wait! Please, Sir, wait!” Xiao Lanzhu’s face was filled with terror as she begged for mercy. “I’ll be your servant, I’ll do anything! I’ll serve you tea, I’ll even—”
Lin Tianlu swung the book down with a swift motion.
Boom!
A muffled sound, and Xiao Lanzhu’s soul was shattered.
Instantly, a cloud of gray mist erupted from her broken body, along with countless skin masks that fell to the ground, faintly revealing the faces of the women she had killed.
They seemed to be holding back their grief and sorrow, biting their lips as they bowed to Lin Tianlu with tears in their eyes.
Finally, they transformed into a gentle breeze, disappearing into the night.
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