Chapter 96: The Witch of the Dawn (2 / 2)

Though the tricycle wasn't much to look at, it was still a vehicle. Jiang Shiyu pressed on the accelerator without once using the brakes, heading straight for the site of the old cave. When Master Yicheng talked about it, he laughed, saying that it was the most thrilling ride he had ever experienced in his life. Thinking back to how Jiang Shiyu's driving skills had almost made him throw up several times, it was easy to understand how Master Yicheng felt.

At the same time, as Jiang Shiyu and Master Yicheng sped toward the Wan Burial Pass, I was enduring the torment of the cursed insects. Honestly, Wang Yi had been quite considerate. Every time I opened my eyes, I could see him there, and even doctors from Beijing came to consult. They all agreed there was no saving me.

I was conscious, fully aware of everything happening around me, and I could hear every word that was said. One day, Wang Yi said something that stirred a strong emotion in me. He mentioned my grandfather and sighed deeply. "Disciple, if you don't make it through this, I'll tell you where your grandfather went before you close your eyes. But if you somehow survive, I won't say a word."

I felt confused. Was he wishing for my death or my survival?

He sighed again. "I've had your fate read, and you're not someone destined to die young. But how did you end up cursed by the insect curse of the Li Witch? I hope Old Yuan can find a way to lift it, but for now, I have no answers. It's all my fault for not learning the full teachings of the Grandmaster. Oh, forget it, I'm starving. I'll go get something to eat. I know you can hear everything. Just lie there, I'll be back soon."

Lying in the hospital bed, my mind was surprisingly calm. Although facing death should have instilled fear, when the time came to truly face it, everything I had pursued in life seemed so insignificant. Fame, wealth, classmates' mockery, the vanity brought by Yizhai, the fleeting joy from money—all of it seemed so trivial to someone on the brink of death. In the end, the most important thing was the people who truly cared for you.

The insect curse flared up again, and the contents of my stomach were drained by machines. The heart monitor beside me beeped steadily, counting down my remaining time.

I suddenly thought of my grandfather with an overwhelming sense of longing. It was suffocating, and the sound of the heart monitor quickened. As I began to cry, a figure entered my hospital room—someone wearing a mask.

He stood in front of me, his gaze unusually familiar, as though I had seen him before during my collapse. I realized with a jolt—this was the man from the minority group!

I panicked! There was nothing I could do except watch as he approached. He stood at the side of my bed, bent down, and slowly removed his mask. Just as I feared, it was him—the man from the minority tribe. His neck and the area behind his ears were adorned with strange tattoos.

He grinned and fixed his cold, malicious eyes on me. "Kid, I never thought the curse I placed on you would allow you to survive this long. It's quite the mystery."

He circled me, scrutinizing every part of my body, before continuing, "You're probably wondering who I am. Let me introduce myself. My name is Kunji, and I am the Grand Witch of the Li Tribe! I am also Li Qian's father. You killed my son-in-law and caused my daughter's death. Today, I've come to claim your life."

His voice was icy, and as I looked closer, I saw that even his tongue was covered with strange, ritualistic symbols.

The Li Witch, a power that has existed since ancient times, was a formidable force. Before the gods were born, there were only witches. The Li people referred to witches as "Jin," with "Jin" being the term for their powerful practitioners of dark arts. The Li Tribe believed that the "Jin arts" could cause illness or even death, and those who possessed these powers were feared by all. Men who wielded these powers were called "Jin Gong," while women were known as "Jin Mu." "Jin Mu" could heal, while "Jin Gong" was capable of wreaking havoc and using their powers to harm and kill.

The Li people were terrified of "Jin Gong" and "Jin Mu." There was a saying among the common folk: "Heaven fears Thunder Lord, the earth fears Grandfather, and people fear Jin Gong." It was clear how deeply the fear of the "Jin Gong" ran.

Kunji suddenly pulled out a bright red dagger from his robes. The dagger glowed with an eerie, blood-like hue, and I could clearly see the spirits of the dead swirling around it. If that knife plunged into me, my body wouldn't just die—I would be turned into a vengeful spirit under his control!

"No matter who you are, anyone who kills my Li Tribe must repay with their eternal life! You shall die today!" Kunji roared, raising the dagger high and aiming it at my heart.