Chapter 109: The Intertwining of Hidden Forces
The night was illuminated by the glow of lanterns, yet an eerie silence hung in the air.
Inside the most luxurious restaurant in Jianggai County, the atmosphere was unusually still.
The spacious dining hall, usually bustling with activity, was now occupied by only a handful of people, each quietly enjoying their tea and meals, not a word spoken.
By the window on the second floor sat a woman with azure hair, her expression cold and distant as she gazed out, ignoring the untouched dishes on her table.
At that moment, an elderly man slowly ascended the stairs to the second floor.
“Apologies for my late arrival, Miss Yang. I hope you’ll forgive this old man.”
“There’s no need for formalities, Mr. Shang. As a junior, it’s only natural for me to wait.”
The azure-haired woman waved her hand dismissively, and a chair flew from across the room, landing softly at the table opposite her.
Shang Yan looked at the chair and smiled faintly. “As expected of the Azure Maiden of Mount Wen*. You’ve refined your Yin energy to such a subtle level, silent and traceless. Ordinary people wouldn’t even notice anything amiss.”
“It’s just a small trick.”
“Compared to you, my cultivation is not even worth mentioning.”
Shang Yan chuckled, stroking his beard, and sat down.
“It’s been many years. How are things in Mount Wen…”
“Everything is as usual.”
The azure-haired woman said indifferently. “There’s no need to discuss Mount Wen, Mr. Shang. The most important thing for everyone now is the Path of the Netherworld.”
Shang Yan bowed solemnly. “Indeed. That’s why I specifically asked for your help, Miss Yang. The ritual will begin in two days. I hope you can provide some protection during this time.”
“Is someone trying to disrupt the ritual?”
He shook his head. “I just want you to protect my academy and ensure the safety of the scholars there.”
The azure-haired woman’s gaze remained calm. “You’re truly different from other demons and ghosts, Mr. Shang, wanting to protect those mortals.”
“I’m just an old man who wants to leave behind some legacy.”
Shang Yan chuckled. “Although I don’t teach them Yin techniques, it’s quite fascinating to see them improve their knowledge and pass the imperial examinations through their own efforts.”
The azure-haired woman remained silent.
Although she hadn’t spoken to anyone in the county, she had overheard some conversations among the townspeople…
Many of them spoke of “Mr. Shang” with respect, their words filled with admiration and gratitude.
This wasn’t achieved through manipulation or threats.
It was his years of good deeds that had earned him the respect of the people.
“I understand.” The azure-haired woman said softly. “I’ll do my best to protect the academy.”
“Then I can focus on presiding over the Path of the Netherworld ritual.”
Shang Yan sighed in relief.
But his expression quickly turned serious as he took out a piece of jade from his sleeve and handed it to her. “This is the jade you asked for, Miss Yang.”
“Where did you find it?”
“I stumbled upon it at a pawn shop. I sensed a faint fluctuation of Yin energy, so I bought it.” Shang Yan sighed. “I didn’t expect it to be related to you.”
“It’s a family heirloom. I can’t forget it.”
The azure-haired woman carefully wrapped the jade and put it away.
Shang Yan glanced at the delicious food and wine on the table and said with a gentle smile, “This is a bit wasteful, Miss Yang. I have to go back and have dinner with my granddaughter.”
“It’s alright.”
“Very well. Since we’ve made an agreement, I won’t stay any longer. Farewell.”
“See you tomorrow.”
The azure-haired woman paused, then said, “Mr. Shang, is there a scholar named Lin in your academy?”
“Hmm?”
Shang Yan, who was about to leave, paused, his expression turning serious. “What do you mean, Miss Yang?”
“I met him by chance today, and he left a deep impression on me.”
The azure-haired woman said softly. “I just felt that he’s not an ordinary man, and I want to see him again.”
“Although there is a scholar named Lin in my academy, I’m afraid he’s not the one you’re thinking of.”
Shang Yan looked surprised. “A man who can catch your attention, Miss Yang, I would like to meet him and see what kind of extraordinary aura he possesses… Wait!”
He suddenly frowned and asked in confusion, “Was the man you met today accompanied by a voluptuous woman?”
“Yes.”
“This is… quite a coincidence.”
Shang Yan shook his head with a wry smile. “I also met him yesterday and chatted with him for a while. Although it was just a brief encounter, his speech and demeanor were truly extraordinary. I didn’t expect him to come to the county. This trip might be a bit dangerous—”
“No.”
But the azure-haired woman said slowly, “He’ll be fine.”
“You’re so sure, Miss Yang?”
“I can’t see through him.”
Those simple words made Shang Yan’s eyes widen in surprise.
He knew very well the identity and status of the veiled woman in front of him, as well as her profound cultivation.
She had already reached the Crimson Demon realm several years ago. What level she was at now, no one knew. Perhaps she could even rival the Luo Xing’s Soultakers.
But even so, she had said those words…
The Azure Maiden of Mount Wen was indifferent and rarely spoke, but her words were always certain.
“It seems I’ve underestimated this Mr. Lin.”
Shang Yan couldn’t help but sigh, stroking his beard. “Although I felt he was learned and extraordinary when we first met, it seems he’s far more than that!”
“This man might become a variable in the Path of the Netherworld.” The azure-haired woman said softly. “Do not provoke him.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
Shang Yan bowed respectfully. “Take care, Miss Yang.”
After his figure vanished into thin air, peace returned to the tea room on the second floor.
But soon, a commotion broke out in the restaurant.
Thump, thump, thump…
Heavy footsteps echoed from the stairs, and a middle-aged man with a solemn expression appeared. He was dressed in luxurious robes, an air of authority surrounding him, suggesting a high status.
And he wasn’t alone.
Several other unfathomable auras surged within the restaurant, belonging to those who had arrived from afar and silently entered the building.
The azure-haired woman’s gaze remained steady as she looked out the window.
The ghosts and ghost practitioners in the restaurant were mostly from small, insignificant factions in various provinces and counties. They weren’t a threat.
And none of them could see through her concealment techniques and detect her presence.
“The Crimson Feather disciples and the Zhaoxiao Institute have arrived.”
“The Cihang Monastery and the Ji Hong Sect haven’t—”
“Yang Chanzhen, have you forgotten about me?”
A seductive chuckle suddenly rang out beside her ear.
The azure-haired woman, Yang Chanzhen, blinked slightly and said calmly, “I didn’t expect anyone from the Lingluo Valley to come here.”
“I should say the same to you. I didn’t expect the Azure Maiden of Mount Wen to lower herself and participate in the Path of the Netherworld.”
A mysterious woman leaned in from behind her, her voice a soft, seductive purr. “But unfortunately, this might be the most regrettable decision of your life.”
…
Meanwhile, as dusk settled over the streets…
Lin Tianlu was about to return to the inn with Mao Ruoyu when he suddenly stopped in his tracks.
Not only him, but even Mao Ruoyu beside him turned pale, looking around in alarm.
“The concentration of Yin energy… is rising!”
***
T/N:
呡山青女 (Wen Mountain Green Girl)
- (wěn) 呡 – lips
- (shān) 山- mountain
- (qīng) 青 – blue or green(azure)
- (nǚ) 女 – girl, woman, maiden, etc
I’ll use for 青女:
-
The Azure Maiden (emphasizing the blue/green aspect)
I’ll use Azure instead of Green from now on.
The Azure Maiden of Mount Wen
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