Chapter 124: The Ghostly Wall

Along the mountain path, there were no tall branches to rely on, and the white paper lanterns hung suspended in mid-air, swaying in the wind. They had long since turned into blood-red lanterns, with blood boiling like water, splashing and clashing against the lanterns, emitting eerie crackling sounds. The bride ghost, wrapped in her wedding dress, sobbed uncontrollably, unwilling to lower her hands, completely ignoring the presence of the shadowy deity.

The deity's spirit stirred slightly, and through a secret technique of mental communication, he conveyed to Lin Shouyi: "If the boy has the opportunity, he should use the Barrier-Breaking Talisman belonging to the Mountain Qi charm. I will try my best to entangle the bride ghost. Once the 'Yellow Springs Road' is opened, lead Chen Ping'an out of the mountain without looking back. Remember, do not take this mountain path again; use that auspicious talisman to open a new way."

Lin Shouyi agreed and cautiously inquired, "Do you need me to leave behind the famed sword talisman?"

The shadowy deity shook his head. "I cannot wield it. The sword's aura is too heavy. It is best used to forge a path, as its radiant energy will naturally counteract any yin entities. This will make it difficult for the enemy to continue employing ghostly tricks."

The bride ghost swept her hands outward, revealing a ghastly pale face with no trace of blood. She sneered, saying, "First, you come uninvited, and then you leave without a word—this is hardly the conduct of a gentleman."

The deity's visage blurred, melting away like a candle, transforming into a swirling mass of black smoke that surged toward the bride ghost. She raised her hand, sweeping her sleeves outward, large as bird wings, shielding herself. The bride ghost was thrown back seven or eight zhang, and the lanterns along her retreat exploded one by one. The blood within the lanterns did not scatter across the mountain but instead flew toward the ghost, like swallows returning to their nests.

The scene was reminiscent of the old Taoist's soul summoning banner, which absorbed the remaining souls of the yin entities.

Lin Shouyi spoke gravely: "Prepare to follow behind me. First, we will leave this mountain path. Chen Ping'an, we need to cut a new route through the trees to exit the mountain. The senior deity wants you to use the auspicious sword talisman to clear the way."

Chen Ping'an nodded. "I'll carry the old Taoist; I can't just leave him behind."

The blind Taoist lay just a few steps away, on the brink of death. Chen Ping'an dashed over, picked up the poor Taoist, and turned around. Lin Shouyi paused, his fingers pinching a yellow talisman, muttering incantations. It was the Barrier-Breaking Talisman, one of the Mountain and Water Talismans. According to the shadowy deity's explanation, Mountain and Water Talismans came in a myriad of varieties, essential for Qi cultivators venturing into mountains or waters. These talismans were used to protect against the so-called "ghostly walls"—not a mere illusion, but rather, a trap set by hidden dangers such as mountain guards or powerful mountain spirits, especially in ancient battlefield ruins or mass burial grounds. Without talismans like the Barrier-Breaking, Sunlight Lamp, or Three Purities Meditation Talisman, an ordinary cultivator was practically walking into a snare.

Lin Shouyi suddenly opened his eyes, his gaze deep and shining with a golden light. "We will follow the talisman's guidance," he murmured.

The Barrier-Breaking Talisman floated from his fingertips, hovering in the air at the height of a person. It swayed erratically, resembling a drunken man trying to find his way. The talisman drifted toward the path beside the mountain wall, stopped, and hovered still.

Li Huai asked, "Are we supposed to crash into it?"

Lin Shouyi took the lead and stepped forward. His figure vanished in an instant. Li Baoping, Li Huai, and the others followed. Finally, Chen Ping'an, carrying the old Taoist and leading the donkey, disappeared down the mountain path. The yellow talisman had initially intended to follow them, but it seemed to be quietly pulled back, its spiritual energy dissipating before it dropped to the ground.

The group emerged in the heart of a dense forest, looking around in confusion. Even Lin Shouyi, who had used the Barrier-Breaking Talisman himself, was momentarily at a loss.

Chen Ping'an instructed Lin Shouyi to help carry the old Taoist. He then climbed a large tree to survey their surroundings. From his vantage point, it seemed they were in a mountain hollow surrounded by peaks on three sides. Even with his sharp eyes, he could barely make out the scenery, only a vague outline.

Before leaving the mountain path, the fierce battle between the shadowy deity and the bride ghost raged on, with lanterns continually exploding in the distance. After exiting the path with the help of the Barrier-Breaking Talisman, the silence was deafening. The air was eerily still, amplifying the growing unease in Li Huai's heart.

Chen Ping'an took a deep breath, holding the auspicious sword talisman tightly. "No matter what happens, we head south. There, we will find a way through, for there are no towering mountains to block our path."

In the hollow of an ancient tree, a grand mansion stood, more splendid than any earthly palace, its architecture rivaling the grandeur of the Duke's manor. The mansion's golden plaque read "Elegant Waters and Winds," the calligraphy resembling that of an immortal.

Outside the gate, two colossal stone lions stood guard, each as tall as a man. One lion held a stone child beneath its paw in a stance of authority. An old man in a blue robe approached, holding a large red lantern, and the air shimmered as he stepped forward. It was the senior official from the Ministry of Rites.

He sighed, his brow furrowed in concern. It was clear that this visit would not be easy. He placed the lantern beneath the stone lion's foot, and almost instantly, the once dim mansion burst into light. Lanterns of all sizes, hundreds of them, flickered to life throughout the estate. Doors opened, and people of all sorts—maids, cooks, stewards, and bodyguards—emerged in unison, as though summoned by a single command. Yet, all of them had pale faces, their eyes devoid of spirit.

In a garden, a limping young boy and a round-faced girl huddled together against a wall. The boy, bleeding from all seven orifices, was gravely wounded, barely able to move. The girl, though similarly injured, seemed to suffer from a sickness far worse than the physical wounds. Her face was pale, and the foul energy of the ghost clung to her.

As the lanterns flared to life, the boy's expression grew darker. He quickly covered the girl's eyes, though his own gaze fell upon the decayed, half-buried corpses scattered across the ground. Dozens of them, as though planted like vegetables in a garden, lay there in silent witness. Among them, one skeleton stood out, its backbones faintly golden, while its limbs were as white as jade—an unmistakable sign of a cultivator at the Fifth Realm.

The boy's despair deepened, realizing the immense disparity in strength. The scene was one of overwhelming defeat.

At the mansion's gate, the grand doors opened to welcome one of the three most powerful officials of the Great Li. Yet, the old man did not enter. Instead, he sat on the threshold, gazing out at the wide street. He spoke softly, "Madam Chu, may I offer you a word of advice? Do not make things difficult for these young ones."

The red lantern outside swayed violently, and the characters "Soul Go, Return" written in vermilion paint gleamed in the light.

The old man emphasized, "Madam Chu, if any harm befalls these children within your domain, it will not just be your estate that suffers. The entire Great Li will bear the consequences."

But there was no response. The old man's anger grew. "Madam Chu!"

An elderly steward, wearing a felt hat, stood within the doorway, laughing lightly despite his cough. "The Great Li has claimed these mountains and waters for my young lady's domain for countless years. During the long years before I became steward, my young lady even helped one of your ancestors. We still keep the 'Mountain Waters Harmony' plaque as proof. After that unfortunate event, from your previous emperor to the current one, they have all allowed my young lady to seek revenge. Why is it that now, it's suddenly unacceptable?"

The old man stood, turning to face the steward. "Not only is it unacceptable today, but harming traveling scholars in the future will no longer be tolerated. The reasons, I will explain to Madam Chu in person. But if she refuses to relent and refuses to meet with me, do not blame the Great Li for forgetting old ties."

The steward laughed, patting his chest. "The Great Li is in turmoil. Unless Master Ruan personally intervenes, my young lady fears no one. Even if she can't defeat some of your secret offerings, if she truly wishes to hide, do you really have the guts to sever these mountains and rivers, and block off the embroidered flowers on the river? Do you not fear that this will involve Qi Duan Mountain and the fallen Li Zhu Cave Heaven?"

The old

man sneered, "Those waters, whether they're Qi Duan Mountain or the caves of Li Zhu, are just things of the past. Don't count on those miscalculations." He turned, and with a quiet flick of his finger, a glowing talisman darted toward the mansion's walls, striking the ceiling and splitting it with a loud crack.

This was the clearest signal that the matter had reached a boiling point.