T/N:
Yin Qi > Yin energy
Chapter 80: Sword Heart Converges, Secrets of He’an
The tremors of Jade Peak Mountain gradually subsided.
At the foot of the mountain, a middle-aged couple cautiously approached.
One of them was Niu Liang’an, the innkeeper who had recently hosted Lin Tianlu and Hua Shuya.
He shuffled forward, his eyes filled with fear as he looked up at the towering peak.
“What… what happened to Jade Peak Mountain?!”
He had overheard villagers mentioning that the couple had gone up the mountain, which made him quite anxious. After discussing it with his wife, Jiang Xi, he decided to close the inn and rush over to investigate. If he could persuade them to turn back, it would be even better.
But unexpectedly, the mountain suddenly started shaking violently, frightening them both halfway up. It took them a while to dare to approach again.
His wife, Jiang Xi, seemed to have noticed something and pointed towards the peak with a surprised look. “Look, the thick fog around the mountain seems to have dissipated quite a bit.”
Not only that, but they also felt the unsettling, eerie chill quietly disappear.
“Now, let’s just hope they’re safe and sound.”
Seeing that the mountain had completely calmed down, Niu Liang’an sighed and paced back and forth with a complicated expression.
Jade Peak Mountain was a terrifying legend for He’an Village. And for his Niu family, it was an unforgettable tragedy.
His grandparents, and even his father, had all died at the foot of Jade Peak Mountain, their deaths gruesome.
When he was young, he had countless nightmares, waking up in a cold sweat, always regretting why he hadn’t tried to stop them.
Although he never mentioned it to outsiders, he couldn’t help but feel uneasy if the guests he had just hosted were to die on the mountain.
“Sigh! Wife, this place is dangerous. Let me stay here alone, you go back…”
“What nonsense, you caused this and you want to leave me out?” Jiang Xi lightly punched him, her simple face serious. “Let’s wait a little longer. If we don’t see them by nightfall, we’ll go back… Hmm?”
She suddenly let out a soft exclamation and narrowed her eyes, looking into the distance.
Then, she slapped her husband’s shoulder excitedly. “They’re back, they’re back! Look over there!”
Niu Liang’an quickly followed her gaze and his face lit up with joy.
“They really are safe and soun… What?!”
Before he could finish his sentence, both he and his wife were stunned.
They saw a beautiful woman with flowing white hair seemingly appear from the mountain, as if treading on clouds. Her exquisite jade-like face was breathtakingly beautiful, her figure tall and graceful. Her green gauze robe danced in the wind, making her appear even more ethereal and otherworldly.
Niu Liang’an remembered that captivating face, but now… it was as if she had completely transformed!
Her aloof and distant aura was so dazzling and eye-catching, like the most beautiful sight in the world. But when he looked at her, there was a sharp edge to her gaze, like an ancient sword, piercing his eyes until they ached. He quickly averted his gaze, his eyes still feeling slightly sore, his heart filled with shock and bewilderment.
Could this couple truly be immortals?!
“So beautiful…” Jiang Xi murmured involuntarily.
Then, she suddenly snapped out of it and angrily punched Niu Liang’an in the face.
“Hiss—” Niu Liang’an gasped, covering the corner of his eye. “You shrew! What was that for?!”
“Those two were acting quite intimately, and the fairy’s expression was gentle and tender. Don’t ogle, you married man, it’s easy to cause misunderstandings!”
“But you were the one who pointed and told me to look!”
Niu Liang’an sighed helplessly.
But he knew his wife was just reminding him out of goodwill, so he didn’t say anything more.
“Innkeeper Niu?”
A gentle voice soon reached them.
Lin Tianlu was helping Hua Shuya down the mountain and said in surprise, “Why is Innkeeper Niu here?”
Niu Liang’an rubbed the slightly reddened corner of his eye and put on a smile again, cupping his hands. “I was startled when I heard that you two had suddenly gone up the mountain, so I came to check on the situation. It’s great to see you both safe and sound.”
Lin Tianlu bowed formally. “Innkeeper Niu is truly kindhearted, thank you for your concern. But who is this beside you…”
“This is my wife. She was worried, so she came with me.”
“I’m very grateful.”
Hua Shuya also curtsied slightly, which made Jiang Xi’s face light up with a joyful smile, almost screaming with delight.
Up close, this white-haired fairy was even more stunningly beautiful, her skin as fair and flawless as jade, making her truly envious.
“But I wonder if you, sir, have… in the mountain… mountain…”
Niu Liang’an wanted to say something more, but he and Jiang Xi froze in shock.
Because they discovered…
Jade Peak Mountain behind them was slowly dissipating like a mirage.
—Jade Peak Mountain, was gone?!
…
The sky darkened, and the autumn wind swept through.
The sudden disappearance of Jade Peak Mountain naturally caused a huge commotion in He’an Village. The villagers were all shocked.
But fortunately, He’an Village had a small population and was located in a remote area, so there was no chaos or unrest.
Although they knew that two people had just gone up Jade Peak Mountain and returned safely, the Niu Liang’an family helped to make up some “stories” to explain it away, saying that an immortal had descended from the sky and taken the mountain away. Now, no one could come to bother them, but rumors were still spreading in the village.
By late at night, the once noisy village finally returned to peace.
…
In the slightly old inn room, Lin Tianlu was hugging his arms, lost in thought.
He had experienced quite a lot today.
When he set off from Changling County, he never imagined that he would end up taking away another mountain.
When he took away Mount Taiyi, he had no conscious memory of it, but now he had done it intentionally. This feeling was quite strange.
He didn’t expect that the Soul Binding Lock(Soul-Seizing Chains) could not only capture souls but even extract an entire mountain.
After absorbing Jade Peak Mountain into his body, he could clearly feel that the spiritual energy flowing within him had become more abundant and refined, as if his strength had increased. But he wasn’t sure if he had gained any new abilities yet, and he hadn’t explored the miniature Jade Peak Mountain within his body in depth.
Because there was another matter that was more important at the moment.
He focused his gaze and saw the beautiful girl with snow-white hair sitting upright, her breathing long and even. Even though her eyes were closed and she was silent, her aura was now cold and distant, extremely ethereal and otherworldly, truly possessing the air of a female sword immortal.
After a long silence, she slowly opened her beautiful eyes.
The sharp sword intent that surrounded her seemed to intentionally converge and calm down, the spiritual light fading, but her expression was colder than usual.
“Miss Hua, how are you feeling now?”
“I’m much better now.”
Hua Shuya gently gathered her hair, a hint of apology on her beautiful face. “I’ve caused you so much worry along the way, Senior.”
“It’s good that you’re alright.”
Lin Tianlu waved his hand and smiled.
Seeing that he didn’t blame her at all, Hua Shuya pursed her lips and smiled, a warmth spreading through her heart. She felt that her efforts had not been in vain.
She had succeeded.
During the battle with the black-veiled woman, she had used all her strength and even risked her life to deduce a higher realm using the Yin energy. With the help of the many Daoist secrets that Senior had taught her, she had forcibly simulated a profound and ethereal sword intent.
Although after the deadly battle, she felt as if all the bones in her body were about to shatter, the pain almost making her faint on the spot. It was only thanks to the continuous nourishment of the Yin energy within her that she didn’t reveal her grievous injuries.
But she had ultimately taken this step successfully and hadn’t embarrassed Senior.
However, Hua Shuya was quite exhausted now.
The final strike of her Heart and Mind Sword had almost completely drained her energy. She had only managed to stay standing with sheer willpower. Even now, as she restrained her sword intent and aura, she couldn’t help but feel sleepy.
But she still had many questions in her heart.
“Senior, what exactly happened to my body?”
The girl couldn’t help but touch her more ample chest, murmuring, “Why has it become so…”
The situation had been urgent at the time, and she hadn’t had time to think about the changes in her body.
But now, upon closer inspection, she felt extremely strange, as if it wasn’t her own body.
And her shoulders felt a little sore.
“This…”
Lin Tianlu also had a headache.
The situation was too bizarre, and he was quite confused as well. He just instinctively felt that the jade pendant wouldn’t harm Hua Shuya.
Of course, he had just conducted a thorough examination and confirmed that the vast Yin energy within the girl hadn’t transformed her into some kind of half-human, half-ghost creature.
Thinking about it carefully, perhaps it was Hua Shuya’s sudden idea that had coincidentally allowed her to maintain her human identity.
The Yin energy hadn’t been able to control or erode her mind and body, but instead had become the sharpest sword in her hand. And that Yin energy had helped her develop her nascent, otherworldly Sword Heart.
For now, the matter of the jade pendant… didn’t need to be rushed.
Not only was it not a disaster or tribulation for the girl, but it was a rather wondrous opportunity. And she had seized this fleeting chance to test her swordsmanship with great determination.
Moreover, Lin Tianlu couldn’t find a suitable way to remove the jade pendant from the girl’s body for the time being.
He had secretly called out to it a few times earlier, but the jade pendant was completely unresponsive.
He couldn’t just dig it out with his fingers, could he?
… Dig it out from where?
But as he was pondering, a bright blush crept onto Hua Shuya’s pretty face. She covered her exposed fair thighs with her hands, her long legs rubbing together shyly. “Se-Senior, my current attire… is it a bit strange?”
Although it wasn’t considered too revealing in this era, the two of them were alone now, and the atmosphere in the room was quiet, making the already weak girl feel a little shy. The coldness in her eyes had vanished.
Lin Tianlu chuckled. “Miss Hua looks good in anything.”
Hua Shuya lowered her head, seemingly too shy to speak.
But she soon lifted her snow-white hair that had fallen to the side and murmured, “Senior, is it because I’ve absorbed Yin energy like Miss Cheng that my hair has turned white?”
“Indeed.”
“Senior… do you dislike this kind of hair?”
“Why would I dislike it?” Lin Tianlu smiled and stroked her head. “Miss Hua, you don’t have to overthink it. Your situation is different from Miss Cheng’s. Maybe after a few days of rest, it will recover on its own.”
“Hmm.” Hua Shuya smiled and nodded slightly.
But as if she was exhausted, after a few more whispered exchanges, she soon fainted into Lin Tianlu’s arms, her breathing becoming long and steady as she fell asleep.
Lin Tianlu’s smile faded as he gently placed Hua Shuya on the bed.
“Let’s see how things are tomorrow.”
But at that moment, he faintly saw the candlelight flickering outside the window, followed by a knock on the door.
“Young Master Lin, our village chief… seems to have something to discuss with you.” It was Jiang Xi’s voice, the innkeeper’s wife.
“Coming.”
Lin Tianlu quickly went out of the room and saw Niu Liang’an cupping his hands with a look of shame on his face.
“Mr. Lin, I apologize for the village chief’s late-night visit, disturbing your rest.”
“It’s alright, perhaps there’s an important matter to discuss?”
Not far away stood an elderly man with a walking stick, his figure slightly hunched. Beside him were three middle-aged men, who seemed to be villagers.
Lin Tianlu stepped forward and cupped his hands. “May I know the village chief’s name?”
“Just call me Lu Ming.”
Lu Ming’s voice was incredibly hoarse and low, and he coughed lightly from time to time, seeming quite frail.
“I came here specifically to find you, sir, because I heard that you and your companion just came down from Jade Peak Mountain before nightfall and even took the mountain away. You two immortals…”
“Village Chief, don’t misunderstand.”
Lin Tianlu smiled gently. “We are not immortals, we just happened to take a strange jade stone from the mountaintop. As for Jade Peak Mountain, another immortal came on a cloud and took it away with a wave of his sleeve.”
“Oh?”
Lu Ming said in surprise, “So, sir, you really did find a treasure on the mountain?”
“Naturally, we gained something.” Lin Tianlu smiled. “So, Village Chief Lu is also interested in the rumors of the Jade Peak Mountain treasure?”
“I was born in He’an Village and have lived here for almost eighty years. I grew up listening to the legends of Jade Peak Mountain.” Lu Ming chuckled softly. “Now that I’ve heard that young people can actually come down from Jade Peak Mountain safe and sound, I’m naturally curious and wanted to pay a visit. To see if I can satisfy my curiosity after all these years.”
“If Village Chief(Headman) Lu wants to know, I can naturally tell you in detail.”
Lin Tianlu recounted the events related to Jade Peak Mountain, naturally omitting the part about taking the mountain away.
…
“So, Jade Peak Mountain was actually a completely evil mountain?”
A strange light seemed to flicker in Lu Ming’s cloudy eyes.
“That’s indeed the case.”
Lin Tianlu nodded slightly. “The evil spirit that Jade Peak Mountain had transformed into had been entrenched here for many years. Perhaps many of the disasters in He’an Village were caused by that mountain spirit.”
“Truly… hateful!”
The surrounding men frowned and clenched their fists upon hearing this.
“But Village Chief Lu, you don’t have to worry. Now that the Jade Peak Mountain spirit has been eliminated, He’an Village will surely be peaceful and carefree for a while. You don’t have to fear ghosts and spirits anymore.”
“Good, good!” Lu Ming coughed twice and then quickly put on a satisfied smile.
“But I wonder about the treasure of Jade Peak Mountain…”
“There’s no treasure on the mountaintop, only that strange jade stone, which is difficult for ordinary people to use.”
“So, I heard from the villagers that the young lady who accompanied you has turned her hair white. Could it be that the jade stone is now worn by that young lady?”
Lin Tianlu pondered for a moment and nodded slightly. “It’s not wrong to say that, Village Chief Lu.”
“I see…”
Lu Ming seemed to have a sudden realization.
Then, he quickly smiled kindly. “Since you two have successfully eliminated the evil spirit of Jade Peak Mountain and saved the lives of thousands of people in our He’an Village, as the village chief, I naturally have to hold a banquet and treat you two well!
Please stay in He’an Village for a while, and let our village show you our humble gratitude.”
As he spoke, he bowed deeply and respectfully, even though he was coughing continuously, he didn’t waver.
Lin Tianlu smiled and held his shoulder. “Village Chief Lu, there’s no need to be so polite. I didn’t come here for fame or gratitude. Besides, if it weren’t for Village Chief Lu intentionally spreading rumors about Jade Peak Mountain, how could I have found this place so easily?”
“…”
Lu Ming looked up in a daze.
“Sir, what did you just say…”
“Village Chief Lu, there’s no need to pretend anymore.”
Lin Tianlu chuckled softly. “Now, very few people in He’an Village know about the rumors of the Jade Peak Mountain treasure. Ordinary villagers wouldn’t casually reveal such a dangerous matter to outsiders and let them come here to die in vain.
And I had several colleagues pass through He’an Village and inquire about it. The person who mentioned the Jade Peak Mountain treasure was you, Village Chief Lu.”
“What nonsense are you talking about… Why would I intentionally spread these rumors?!”
Lu Ming took two steps back, his face filled with disbelief.
“Isn’t the reason obvious?”
Lin Tianlu raised his hand and pointed, his voice laced with a sneer. “Yin energy is flowing within Village Chief Lu’s body and is secretly gathering at your fingertips, ready to launch a surprise attack and take my life. It seems that the Jade Peak Mountain treasure is quite valuable to Village Chief Lu.”
“You—”
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