Chapter 005: Cannibalism

Chi Xiaoran was still dressed in a purple robe, rarely without painted brows or powdered face, her countenance as cold as a white urn, her voice resembling the chilling winds of the underworld, "Young man, let's see how you escape this time"

A delicate young lady from a noble family has been trapped in this hellish kitchen for two days. It is no small feat that she has not gone mad and still has the courage to escape. After a while, the Master Chongyi finally calmed his mind and said with hatred, "To feed on one's own kind, as vicious as tigers and wolves, devoid of any humanity, this person deserves to die a thousand deaths"

Chi Xiaoran stared at him, secretly drawing a knife from her sleeve, "Unless you bind your own hands and crawl to the Tianxing Gate to plead for forgiveness"

The person was of a slight and short stature, with a disordered gait, and their clothes were so caked with mud that their original color was unrecognizable. They rushed to this place as if exhausted, slipped, and fell into the stream, barely able to stand up. Fortunately, the stream was not deep, and the murky yellow water washed away the mud from the person's body, revealing skin as white as snow, and it turned out to be a young girl, though it was unclear how she had come to be in such a predicament

The burly man in the stream was about to drag the young girl away when suddenly a man's voice said, "Hold on."

The western part of the city has almost turned into a barren wasteland, with only a few dilapidated houses remaining, leaning at precarious angles and on the verge of collapse. The Water Gate has become a hollow gap, with half of the city gate embedded in a pile of rubble, coated in muddy brown. Outside the walls, countless refugees once gathered, hoping for a morsel of food, but now it is desolate, leaving only murky mud and water.

Su Xuan was stabbed in the arm, but fortunately the wound is not deep

Is it only the youth who understands how to use strength against strength? Since the opponent's swordsmanship is exquisite and hails from the Zhengyang Palace, killing them would lead to endless troubles. It would be entirely possible to employ a clever scheme to lead the youth to his own demise. Whether to take this path or not lies entirely in the hands of the youth. However, a young hero from a prestigious sect, who has just stepped into the martial world with a heart for the world, how could he possibly stand by and watch as someone dies, especially when he is capable of killing five ghosts for the sake of a village girl?

Su Xuan was watching from several zhang away when suddenly an object rushed towards him. He caught it in his hand, and a figure in the distance flashed and disappeared into the night

As dusk settled, Su Xuan loosened the firewood inside the house, struck a match to ignite it, and the roaring flames engulfed the old dwelling. The wind carried the sparks high into the sky, while Chong Yi recited a lengthy Daoist scripture to exorcise the unknown vengeful spirits.

Su Xuan said nothing, and Chong Yi Zhenren looked at her strangely, "Don't you feel disgusted?"

Chi Xiaoran eagerly anticipates the exhilarating rush of blood flowing out, gradually turning cold little by little

The flower between the gaps licked its sharp teeth, its demeanor frivolous, "I saw this beauty a few days ago, but unfortunately, someone interrupted. I came here today intending to deal with that brat, but unexpectedly ran into this. It was all too easy to obtain."

In the distance, someone approached swiftly using lightness skills. The newcomer was dressed in a Daoist robe, with a long sword hanging at the waist. Chi Xiaoran knew that this must be a fellow disciple of the young man. Realizing that staying any longer would not yield good results, she immediately took flight and left.

Although the Han man did not understand clearly, he knew that the other party had set their sights on the prey in his hands. Upon hearing this, he became furious, raising his fist, which was as large as a vinegar jar, revealing a fierce demeanor. "I see you are looking for trouble and do not wish to live any longer"

Su Xuan remained neither humble nor arrogant, "What must the two doors do to be willing to let go?"

A rough, burly man with a fierce appearance came rushing from the same direction, his face filled with anger as he clearly pursued the former. In an instant, he jumped into the stream and seized the young girl, causing her to be so frightened that her soul seemed to leave her body, and she let out a piercing scream

In the year of great desolation, the strong prey upon the weak, and there is little distinction between humans and sheep

On a wooden boat, more than ten corpses were piled up. Several workers covered their mouths and noses with cloth as they searched for unclaimed bodies, simultaneously sprinkling purifying powder. The weather was too hot, and it was imperative to clean up quickly; otherwise, if delayed, it could lead to an outbreak of disease, resulting in another calamity

Chi Xiaoran soared through the night, the wound at her waist still aching, yet she longed to laugh out loud

Su Xuan is the exact opposite, a green branch evading the shadow of the blade, seeking every flaw to pierce through, each movement clear and bright, an indescribable lightness falling gracefully, like a high-minded scholar treading on snow in the mountains, untouched by the slightest trace of worldly dust

"Uncle Shi need not worry, it is merely a minor injury." Su Xuan suppressed her breath, a trace of regret in her eyes, "I was unable to save her; she was still taken away by Hua Jian Tao."

The Immortal Chongyi seemed to be struck by lightning, taking a step back, the soles of his shoes making a creaking sound. Upon closer inspection, the ground was covered with shattered bones, causing his hair to stand on end. He immediately rushed out of the house, his stomach churning, nearly vomiting in the courtyard

He swiftly darted away, and Su Xuan grew increasingly anxious. Chi Xiaoran sensed that her opponent was already in disarray, and with a flick of her blade, shadows danced like flying willow catkins in the forest, each one imbued with murderous intent, deliberately aiming to slay the young man beneath her sword

Simple straw huts have been erected in the city to accommodate the displaced citizens. The wailing that was once heard everywhere has gradually diminished over the past few days. After all, the deceased are gone, and those who remain must continue to live their lives.

The tall man immediately raised his eyebrows, glaring fiercely in that direction. The two individuals on the opposite bank were engaged in a fight, clearly too preoccupied to make a sound, while on the other side stood a lecherous-looking man in gray, his hands concealed within his sleeves, his eyes darting around as he fixated on the young girl in his grasp

Despite having heard of the suffering of the starving people, how could one compare it to witnessing it firsthand? After a long pause, I spoke in a hoarse voice, "Heaven and Earth are indifferent; what more can be said?"

The flower between the trees has been gone for quite a while, its whereabouts unknown, and it can no longer be pursued

The Immortal Chongyi sensed something unusual, broke the lock, and pushed the door open. Inside, it was both dirty and dark, filled with smudges of soot. In one corner, a pile of disordered firewood was stacked, and beside the stove stood a thick wooden table stained with oil and ash, its color indiscernible. A gleaming kitchen knife was chopping, and next to it was a deep wooden tub. The firewood in the stove still had some residual warmth, and the air inside was thick and hot, carrying a strange greasiness.

The visitor this time is none other than the True Man Chongyi. News of the fighting within the city spread rapidly, and upon hearing it, he hurriedly searched and rushed over in a state of anxiety. Startled, he drove back Chi Xiaoran, and without caring to pursue further, he quickly supported Su Xuan and examined him, only to be taken aback upon seeing his blood-soaked clothes

Even though there were not many people in this corner, the struggle between the two attracted dozens of onlookers. Debris swept up by the blade's wind struck the crowd, causing several screams. Su Xuan, unwilling to involve the innocent, leaped over the broken city gate and dashed out of the city, skimming over the water.

Before the words had left his mouth, the knife from his sleeve had already struck.

Although Chi Xiaoran has not seen blood, she is still shaken. The opponent holds only a green branch; if it were replaced with a fine iron sword, one can only imagine the outcome

At such a young age, possessing such abilities, their future is indeed remarkable. Chi Xiaoran's murderous intent has grown even stronger, and after several changes in tactics, the two are locked in a fierce battle. Suddenly, a person came rushing from below the stream.

At this point, Su Xuan simply confessed, "I am Su Xuan from the Zhengyang Palace. The evil of the Five Ghosts is intolerable by the heavens, and I ask for your forgiveness for my reckless actions"

Chi Xiaoran said it was a matter of life and death, every move was lethal. His swordsmanship was characterized by its sinister and cunning nature, emanating a chilling light. Each gust of his blade resembled a lingering vengeful spirit, relentlessly pursuing, suffocating those caught in its grasp

Chi Xiaoran had searched through various inns in Jingzhou for several days, yet he found nothing. After the flood, he resumed his search and, indeed, his efforts were not in vain. He had not felt such intense killing intent in a long time, nor had he encountered such a troublesome young man. Each time they faced each other, the other remained calm and collected, always managing to find a slight opening to escape effortlessly, leaving no trace of his origins or training. In this encounter, Chi Xiaoran became even more ruthless, his strikes sharp and relentless, determined not to give the other any chance to flee.

Chi Xiaoran's pupils narrowed, and after a long pause, she coldly said, "I should have realized that you must have some backing. Even if you come from Zhengyang Palace, the fact that you killed members of my Tianxing Sect cannot be erased by just a single statement."

Su Xuan remained calm as she peered into the kitchen for a while, then came out and said, "This person is a butcher, accustomed to eating human flesh. He might have picked a living person to keep for a couple of days before consuming them. However, it seems that a hole was dug by wild dogs behind the woodpile, and the person escaped through that hole."

Su Xuan lowered her head to look at the bark in her palm, and in the flickering firelight, she could faintly see the words traced by the charcoal ash

Outside the city, the landscape was desolate. Su Xuan fled towards the direction where water was scarce, while the two pursued and fought each other. As the terrain gradually rose, the muddy ground transformed into sand-covered hills, and with each step, a cloud of yellow dust was kicked up. Ahead appeared a sparse grove of trees.

The unexpected change affected the two combatants. Chi Xiaoran noticed that her opponent's moves were slightly disordered, distracted by the pull from the stream. With a sudden tightening of the blade's wind, she seized the opportunity to sever a section of green branch, forcing Su Xuan to focus intently on the confrontation

At a glance, he discovered that the girl, though her hair was disheveled and her face streaked with tears after being washed by the mud and sand, had delicate features like those carved from jade, and her skin was as pure and glistening as snow. She was clearly a rare light beauty, and her drenched garments were exquisite and luxurious, far from ordinary, which instantly filled him with joy

Su Xuan fled into the forest, leaping and dodging yet still unable to shake off the pursuit. After jumping over a stream, he broke a branch and turned back, executing a sweeping motion with it.

The blood of youth is always hot, and their eyes are clear and bright, so radiant that it evokes hatred

Taking food from the hands of the Long Sky Ancestor, the outcome is predictable; Chi Xiaoran is just waiting for the young man to crash into an indestructible boulder

Chi Xiaoran instinctively retreated several feet, and by the time she regained her composure, the distance had widened again, leaving her momentarily dazed with anger. The young man held a wooden branch; how could he possibly contend with a sharp blade? He could have struck directly, yet he was instead captivated by the aura of anger, missing the opportunity. In her fury, Chi Xiaoran also recognized the gravity of the situation; this strike embodied a profound sword intent, far beyond that of an ordinary sect. "Which sect are you a disciple of?"

Outside the city, the ground was littered with the dead from starvation, yet this kitchen surprisingly still had something happening. Cooking. The thought of the Immortal Chongyi crossed his mind as he lifted the pot lid, revealing a filthy large pot filled to the brim with white meat. In an instant, a thought struck him as he glanced at the deep bucket beside it, which surprisingly contained severed human limbs.

Suddenly, a golden hook swept across, and a line of blood burst forth from the chest and abdomen of the strong man, with his internal organs spilling out, as if he had been directly disemboweled. His fierce face was filled with horror, unable to cover his entrails, and he let out a desperate howl before collapsing.

The man in gray lifted the fainted girl and turned to the two on the slope, smiling proudly. "This brother, I originally intended to deal with this little brat together with you, but now I will leave him to you. I will take my leave first, and we shall meet again in the future"

Su Xuan said softly, "On the way into Jingzhou, it is common to see starving people exchanging children for food, cooking each other by the roadside"

Su Xuan had just set the elderly person down when a cold gleam suddenly flashed by, the icy blade even grazing the tips of his hair. In an instant, he sprang up, narrowly evading a vicious strike.

If I were to accept such conditions, Master Chongyi would likely expel me from the sect. Su Xuan certainly would not agree, "I believe my actions are just and have no regrets in my heart. I cannot comply with the words of the second sect master, and I ask for your understanding."

Su Xuan truly found herself at a loss for words, believing that she had successfully protected her in safety, only to realize that her efforts were in vain and made no difference

The strong and robust man, confident in his physical prowess, swung his fist with great force, which would have left anyone else with bruised faces. However, he unexpectedly encountered an even more formidable and ruthless adversary

As Chong Yi Zhenren bandaged Su Xuan's wounds, he listened to him recount the events from beginning to end, and couldn't help but sigh. "The Ke family has been secretly searching for someone in the city these past two days. It is said that when the flood breached the city, a family member was out and unfortunately swept away by the water. She is likely the person you encountered. I never expected that she would end up outside the city and once again encounter villains. This girl is probably destined to face such a calamity."

On the third day after the dam burst, the floodwaters had receded significantly, the land in the eastern part of the city was dry, while the standing water in the western part of the city still reached the waist

The Elder of the Long Sky is currently in Yuzhou

The blazing sun scorched the skin, causing pain, and with dizziness and blurred vision, Su Xuan was constantly busy helping others. Even though she was young and healthy, she felt utterly exhausted.

The cold light pursued relentlessly, each strike faster than the last. Su Xuan, busy saving others, had not brought her sword and lost the opportunity. She dodged in a particularly awkward manner, and in a moment of desperation, she kicked off the tips of her toes, sending several shards of broken tiles flying, which were shredded to pieces by the blade's light, creating a slight distance and allowing her to see the approaching person clearly

Chi Xiaoran had long harbored extreme hatred, and at this moment, with no one around, her eyelids narrowed with malice, "Since it is thus, you may as well leave behind one hand."

Unexpectedly, the green branches suddenly parted, and in an instant, the Nine Stars were seized. In that moment, a shadow passed by, and this move was extremely exquisite. Chi Xiaoran dodged several times, but still received a blow to her waist, which ached faintly.

A common green branch suddenly emanated a chilling sword intent, causing a shiver at the brow.

The Han dynasty has long since perished, and it is unclear how one could have fallen into his hands. The two followed the direction in which the young girl had fled and, after a few miles, discovered a solitary village house. The outer door was ajar, and there was no one inside, while a peculiar large lock hung on the door of the kitchen.

The burly man, confident in his strength, saw that the gray-clad figure was slender and had no reason to be cautious. Just as the girl in his grasp began to struggle, the man impatiently raised his hand to strike, but was suddenly taken aback.

With a thunderous roar, the earthen house submerged in water completely collapsed, and the shattered tiles fell, injuring those who were searching for usable items, leaving them bloodied and bruised. Su Xuan timely pulled an elderly person from beneath a broken wooden beam, thus saving yet another soul from demise