Chapter 1: A Narrow Escape from the Clutches of Evil
The old Daoist sighed inwardly, feeling a great headache over the issue of this unworthy disciple who was unaware of the vastness of the heavens and the earth. However, he soon thought that perhaps his junior brother's daughter was even less capable than his only disciple—though the likelihood was almost nonexistent. After a moment's contemplation, the old Daoist replied: "If that day truly comes, and if she has not committed any sins, then for the sake of our shared sect, you may grant her a chance at life; if she is deeply sinful and acts against the heavens, then you should follow the method your master used on your uncle and send her to the East Sea."
The old Daoist smiled gently and shook his head, saying, "You think too much. Your progress in cultivating immortal arts is slow, not because you lack effort, but due to your innate deficiencies; this is the will of heaven, and you should not blame yourself. Moreover, your character is resilient, unyielding, and you never give up, harboring a deep hatred for evil. As your master, I feel nothing but pride to have a disciple like you; how could there be any shame? Hard work will not betray the diligent. As long as you devote yourself to cultivation in the mortal realm, given time, you will surely transcend and become an immortal, allowing us, master and disciple, to reunite once more.
The middle-aged man persisted so resolutely that the old priest, both helpless and satisfied with the results of his teachings,苦笑道: "Alright, as you wish"
"Where is this place? Why am I here?" He Hao looked around in confusion. This was a simple and ancient room, with walls made of earthen bricks, a relic from an unknown era. The furnishings were minimal, consisting only of a low table and a bed. He Hao could not discern what was placed on the low table, but on the thin white linen-covered bed sat an old Taoist priest dressed in a robe and a crane cloak. His hair was as white as silver, and his long beard reached his waist. He appeared to be at least ninety years old, if not a hundred, yet he had a face as smooth and rosy as that of an infant. However, He Hao could not make out what was on the low table.
At this point, An Jiejie, whose face was flushed to the roots of her neck, spoke in a voice barely louder than a mosquito, "Rest assured, I have not been with Bai Shizhou..."
"Elder, may I ask who you are? Where is this place?" He Hao asked the old Taoist, but at that moment, He Hao realized that he could not make a sound at all. The old Taoist seemed unaware of He Hao's presence, merely sitting there with his eyes closed in meditation. Sensing something was amiss, He Hao wanted to step forward and shake the old Taoist awake, but he found that he was utterly unable to move, as if he were floating in mid-air, unable to advance or retreat.
The old master coughed lightly, turning his head away, unable to meet the hopeful gaze of his disciple. The robust man immediately understood his master's meaning and, feeling dejected, said: "I am useless; even after three thousand years, I cannot attain immortality through cultivation." However, the robust man quickly regained his composure and declared loudly: "But that is fine; at least I can fulfill my master's wish, making the three thousand years of waiting worthwhile"
"Enough," Zhang Keke interrupted An Jiejie’s confession with a cold smile. She had no intention of giving away He Hao, her cash cow, to anyone else. Zhang Keke initially wanted to mention that she held He Hao's contract, but considering the An family had plenty of money, that 100,000 yuan was merely a drop in the bucket for them. Thus, Zhang Keke simply changed her words: "He Hao will not marry you, you old woman. He already has a girlfriend who is younger and more beautiful than you, and wealthier as well."
From a distance, Zhang Keke saw Uncle Jiu in a perilous situation. Gritting her silver teeth, she grabbed He Hao's arm, intending to use his blood to activate the Spirit Blood Sword. However, just as she opened her mouth, an overwhelming force surged past her, so powerful that it made it difficult to breathe. The terrifying pressure left Zhang Keke stunned. As this immense force approached Zhang Mu Jiu and the two demon spirits, Mo Zhuang Sha and Mo Shu Sha instinctively jumped back, both kneeling on one knee, as if they were also greatly afraid of that force.
From Zhang Keke's vantage point, it appeared that the woman was conversing with Mo Zhuangsha and Mo Shusha. Meanwhile, Zhang Miujiu stood to the side, not moving at all. After a while, the woman suddenly waved her hand gently towards Zhang Miujiu. From Zhang Keke's perspective, although the woman's hand did not touch Zhang Miujiu, a burst of blue electric sparks flashed from Zhang Miujiu's body, and with a scream, he was propelled into the air, crashing heavily onto the rain-soaked ground, motionless, leaving his fate uncertain.
"Uncle Jiu!" Zhang Keke screamed in fright, just as she was about to rush over to check on Zhang Moujiu's injuries. The woman had already appeared silently in front of Zhang Keke, accompanied by the Demon Brute and the Demon Rat. Just then, a flash of lightning streaked across the sky, allowing Zhang Keke to finally see the woman's face clearly. It was a breathtakingly beautiful face. Although Zhang Keke herself was a rare beauty, she could not help but feel envious of the woman's looks. However, the woman's face was cold and devoid of any emotion, like a piece of ancient ice.
He Hao, you finally woke up. An Jiejie, with tears streaming down her face, rushed into He Hao's arms, sobbing and repeatedly apologizing, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's all my fault, I misunderstood you, you are the best man in the world." The former dream lover was actually crying in his embrace, calling him the best man in the world. He Hao almost doubted whether he was dreaming, but after pinching his thigh a few times, he finally confirmed—this was not a dream!
"Be obedient." The old priest smiled and said, "When I was young, I also swore never to marry, but by the time I was over seventy, I still ended up getting married."
Yes, it is. He Hao did not realize that he had just missed a golden opportunity to escape his tragic fate. After meekly agreeing, He Hao closed his eyes and said to himself: "He Hao, stop daydreaming in broad daylight. An Jiejie is both beautiful and wealthy, while you are poor and unattractive, and not good at sports. How could you possibly be worthy of An Jiejie? You might as well wait until you return to the countryside and find a wife there, just to get through this life."
The old Taoist extended his thin left hand, lightly tapping the middle finger on the forehead of the robust young man. A flash of white light entered the young man's crown. The old Taoist smiled and said, "I will teach you another method of yin collection and yang supplementation. After breaking your body, you can practice according to the method to compensate for your losses. Is that clear now?"
He Hao originally wanted to mention that he had a beautiful and wealthy girlfriend, but upon seeing Zhang Keke's delicate white hands in front of him forming the hand sign for the Soul-Calling Talisman, he quickly and obediently closed his mouth
If He Hao, this lecher, were awake and saw the appearance of this enchantress, he would undoubtedly recklessly rush forward to pursue her. A twinge of sourness suddenly flashed through Zhang Keke's mind, but by the time she finished this thought, the cold woman and the two demonic creatures had vanished into thin air, leaving not even a shadow behind
The woman did not answer Zhang Keke's question, but merely said lightly: "The man in your arms must be your lover, right? If you want to live, abandon him immediately; no man is worth anything. Focus on your cultivation, otherwise, with your current strength at the You level, even our weakest demon would easily take your life." After saying this, the woman lightly patted the black tiger beneath her and swept past Zhang Keke, while the Demon Strongman and Demon Rat followed closely behind her like servants, not daring to lift their heads.
Whoosh! He Hao heard the sound of wind by his ear, and a tremendous force pulled him into the air. His body directly pierced through the thatched roof of the earthen house, soaring into the pitch-black sky. In the air, countless demons and monsters with green faces and sharp fangs were rushing towards He Hao. A voice echoed in He Hao's ear, remarkably similar to that of the robust man from the library, "I have maintained the body of a hundred generations of a virgin practitioner; you must not casually ruin it!"
Compared to An Jiejie’s skills, Zhang Keke’s culinary abilities leave much to be desired. The sea bass soup, which should have been a milky white, turned out to be even darker than soy sauce, and it emitted a pungent and strange odor. Even though He Hao was so hungry that his stomach felt like it was touching his back, he had no appetite upon seeing such a dish. However, Zhang Keke paid no mind to this and pushed the food box in front of He Hao, saying, "Eat this, I made it for you myself." Even though He Hao was so hungry that his stomach felt like it was touching his back, he had no appetite upon seeing such a dish. However, Zhang Keke paid no mind to this and pushed the food box in front of He Hao, saying, "Eat this, I made it for you myself."
"Who are you asking my grandfather to find? And who are you? The destruction of Longhushan?" Zhang Keke asked in surprise
Before the old man could finish his words, the robust young man had already jumped up, his face flushed as he declared: "No, no, my disciple will never marry"
Finally, the old master gazed affectionately at his beloved disciple and smiled, saying: "The third matter I wish for you to attend to, which has also been a concern of mine, is your marriage. You are already 34 years old and should find a woman to marry. Although losing your virginity may slightly hinder your cultivation, the immortal arts I have taught you do not strictly require you to remain a virgin. Having a companion is still a good thing..."
The robust man solemnly agreed, and the old Taoist continued: "The second matter I have investigated is that your master's uncle has an illegitimate daughter, who is also your junior sister. After your master cleared the way, your junior sister disappeared without a trace. You must be cautious of her. Your master's uncle and I have been at odds for many years, and we are sworn enemies. She knows you are still cultivating in this world, and she may seek to take revenge on you for her master's grievances. You are in the light, while she is in the dark; you must be extremely careful."
At that moment, Zhang Keke finally saw the master of that powerful force. To Zhang Keke's astonishment, standing before Mo Zhuangsha and Mo Shusha was a woman in black, seated cross-legged on a black tiger. She had a well-proportioned and beautiful figure, with long hair reaching her waist. However, due to the considerable distance, Zhang Keke could not discern the woman's features. What was most peculiar was that, amidst the heavy rain that made it difficult for one to open their eyes, the woman was completely dry, her black clothing and hair gently swaying.
... ...
In the torrential rain, Zhang Keke, drenched to the bone, held the unconscious He Hao and cried out loud, regretting her indifference to He Hao's illness over the past few days. Not far from her, the Demon Rat Sha Huabin had already defeated the last two police officers with special abilities, wielding a three-meter-long sickle to join the Demon Strong Sha Zhang Daniu in the assault on Zhang Moujiu. Zhang Moujiu was already evenly matched with Demon Strong Sha Zhang Daniu, and with the addition of the agile and slender Demon Rat Sha, he was soon in disarray, repeatedly getting hit, and within moments, he was covered in injuries. Not far from her, the Demon Rat Sha Huabin had already defeated the last two police officers with special abilities, wielding a three-meter-long sickle to join the Demon Strong Sha Zhang Daniu in the assault on Zhang Moujiu. Zhang Moujiu was already evenly matched with Demon Strong Sha Zhang Daniu, and with the addition of the agile and slender Demon Rat Sha, he was soon in disarray, repeatedly getting hit, and within moments, he was covered in injuries.
The old Taoist opened his eyes, revealing a pair of bright, piercing eyes that were completely incongruous with his age. The old Taoist said gently, "Child, I must leave now. The immense burden of this country will henceforth rest solely on your shoulders."
"Clap, clap, clap." He Hao suddenly heard the sound of his fingers snapping. When he looked up, he found that it was Zhang Keke, whose face was ashen, making the sound with her clenched fists. Her beautiful large eyes seemed to be spewing fierce flames as she glared menacingly at He Hao and the child in his arms.
An Jiejie’s culinary skills seem to be quite good. As soon as the insulated food box was opened, He Hao, who was ravenous, caught a whiff of the rich aroma of chicken congee. However, Zhang Keke, already fuming, shouted, "He Hao, if you dare to eat her food, just wait to die." Saying this, Zhang Keke quickly grabbed another food box from the bedside, glanced at An Jiejie, and then said, "This is the snow fish soup I made for you, and you are only allowed to eat mine."
No," the robust man repeatedly waved his hands and said, "Master, I will comply with whatever you say, but this matter I cannot accept. You once said that I am the least gifted and the most lacking among the third generation disciples of this sect. After ten years of cultivation, I still cannot compare to my senior brothers who have cultivated for just one year. If I were to break my childhood form, wouldn’t it mean I would need twenty years to catch up to their one year? Delaying my own cultivation is a minor issue, but delaying what you have instructed is a major concern.
Master! The middle-aged man, tears streaming down his face, threw himself into the old Taoist's embrace and cried out loud, yet he could not utter a single word. The old Taoist held him close, his withered hand gently stroking the man's black hair, and his murky old tears also flowed freely, a deep paternal affection evident beyond words
The robust young man felt somewhat embarrassed and awkwardly said: "Master, it is all my fault for not being diligent. After so many years, I have not learned a single spell, causing you to lose face in front of your esteemed peers and elders."
The old master said solemnly: "Therefore, I hope that you will inherit my mission in due time, to seal demons and eliminate monsters, and restore peace to the mortal realm"
Ah! Suddenly, Zhang Miujiu, who was in a coma, shouted loudly, and blue light erupted from his body, causing him to jump up from the ground as if he had been electrocuted
Although the dishes prepared by An Jiejie were clearly much better than those made by Zhang Keke, they paled in comparison to Zhang Keke's fists and charms. Therefore, He Hao obediently accepted the soy sauce soup from Zhang Keke and, steeling himself, drank the bass soup that was evidently made after a salt merchant was murdered. Fortunately, He Hao had not eaten or drunk anything for three days, and surprisingly, he managed to keep the bass soup down. Seeing this, An Jiejie felt her once fiery heart plummet into an abyss of despair, thinking to herself: "He has truly forgotten me. He has this woman, who is more beautiful than I am; will he still have a place for me in his heart? No wonder, my previous attitude towards him was indeed too excessive."
"Is Zhang Keke alright?" He Hao's mind first flashed this thought, and then he recalled, "Who brought me to the hospital? I wonder how An Jiejie is doing now?" With this in mind, He Hao quickly struggled and shouted, "Is anyone there? Is anyone there? Please help me contact the police, I want to report a crime." He Hao had barely shouted a few times when the ward door was forcefully pushed open, and two striking figures rushed into the room one after the other. To He Hao's astonishment, the two who entered were actually Zhang Keke and An Jiejie! ... He Hao quickly struggled and shouted, "Is anyone there? Is anyone there? Please help me contact the police, I want to report a crime." He Hao had barely shouted a few times when the ward door was forcefully pushed open, and two striking figures rushed into the room one after the other. To He Hao's astonishment, the two who entered were actually Zhang Keke and An Jiejie! ... However, what He Hao found even more unimaginable was yet to come ...
"He Hao, you better honestly explain to me, who is this woman?" Zhang Keke squeezed out a fierce voice from between her teeth, "Why does she come to you every day? And she even brings you roses when she comes? What exactly is your relationship with her? Don't you dare tell me she is just someone you know."
The robust young man nodded in agreement and suddenly asked, "Master, if she is captured by me, how should I deal with her?"
"One should not only look at appearances; true beauty lies in the beauty of the soul," An Jiejie said to He Hao with a hint of bitterness. This was something An Jiejie often heard her female classmates say in front of her during university. He Hao forced a smile, wanting to deny his relationship with Zhang Keke, but he lacked the strength to do so, as his stomach, having gone hungry for several days, began to rumble. Upon hearing this, An Jiejie immediately picked up the lunchbox she had brought from He Hao's bedside and gently said, "You have been unconscious for two days; you should eat something first. I personally made you some mixed chicken porridge, and it is still warm."
The robust young man stubbornly replied: "No, Master, you have said that taking from the yin to supplement the yang is detrimental to others and beneficial to oneself. I, as your disciple, will never engage in such immoral acts."
"Listen well, from now on, you are not allowed to meet with that vixen again!" As An Jiejie and Tu Shugang had just left, Zhang Keke, who had just moments ago appeared gentle like a virtuous wife, immediately changed her expression. She waved her fists in front of He Hao and whispered fiercely, "Otherwise, just wait to die. Besides summoning the Heartbreaking Soul Binding Talisman, I will also let you experience the power of the Hundred Ghosts Entangling Talisman, making it so you cannot live or die!"
Help!" He Hao opened his eyes and shouted desperately, but no one responded to his cries for help, and the monsters did not come to attack him. As He Hao calmed down and looked around more carefully, he realized he was lying in a treatment room of a hospital, specifically in an expensive single patient room. The IV drip hanging by his bedside had a tube inserted into his right arm, and at the head of his bed, there was a vibrant bouquet of red roses and two food containers.
It turned out that it was just a dream. He Haosong let out a sigh of relief as he recalled the events that occurred before his unconsciousness. At that time, Fei Yu colluded with Bai Shizhou and hired an old monk to use dark sorcery to haunt Se An's family, attempting to seize the An family's wealth. Since Se An's daughter, An Jiejie, had once been He Hao's dream lover, upon discovering the truth, He Hao tried to stop Fei Yu and Bai Shizhou's despicable actions. However, outnumbered, He Hao was beaten unconscious by several people, and thereafter, he could remember nothing.
"Master, the disciple has arrived." Just as He Hao was in a state of panic, a steady and resonant voice sounded from outside the room. The door was pushed open, and a middle-aged man dressed in ordinary attire knelt before the old Daoist. The man, who appeared to be in his thirties, had an unremarkable yet strong and resolute face, exuding a sense of strength and determination. However, at this moment, he was in tears, crying like a child.
The old Daoist pointed to the low table and said: "Child, this is a magical artifact used by me to slay demons and eliminate evil. After I return to the celestial realm, I will no longer need it, so I will leave it to you. Also, this heart-seeking spear is specially crafted for you, as you cannot use celestial techniques; it will greatly assist you in your mission." The sturdy man responded with an acknowledgment, lifting from the table what He Hao could no longer see clearly. It was only at this moment that He Hao saw that the sturdy man was holding a long spear, an ancient war whip, and a light yellow flag.
The old Daoist nodded slightly and said gently: "Be careful, those demons are not only numerous, but among them are also many skilled individuals. At that time, you will be all alone, unlike before when you had many senior brothers from your masters to assist you. Now, there will be no one to help you; you will have to rely entirely on yourself."
"Uncle Jiu, Uncle Jiu," Zhang Keke cried as she ran to Zhang Moujiu's side. She reached out to check under Zhang Moujiu's nostrils, and after a moment, Zhang Keke breathed a sigh of relief—Zhang Moujiu was still breathing. At this moment, other ordinary police officers, seeing that the battle here had ended, gathered around to lift the special investigation unit's officers onto the ambulance, preparing to rush them to the hospital for emergency treatment. However, as the officers were about to move Zhang Moujiu...
He is my grandfather. Zhang Keke instinctively held the unconscious He Hao tightly, burying He Hao's face completely in her embrace, and mustered the courage to respond. The oppressive presence of the woman made Zhang Keke feel uncomfortable, prompting her to speak the truth.
I am leaving, forget what I just said. An Jiajia, born into a wealthy family, is proud and haughty. How could she tolerate Zhang Keke and He Hao being affectionate in front of her? Angrily, she stood up and rushed out of the hospital room, turning her head to coldly say, "I wish you happiness." Without looking back, she slammed the door behind her. As soon as the door closed, An Jiajia's sobs echoed in the corridor, leaving He Hao, bewildered, and Zhang Keke, with a smug expression, in the hospital room.
Master... that strong man wanted to say something while crying, but he stopped himself and choked out: "Congratulations, Master, on returning to the celestial realm. Although I, as your disciple, am the most unworthy among the disciples, I will inherit your wishes and do my utmost to protect the country."
The robust young man stopped crying, wiped away his tears, sat up straight, and choked out: "Master, please give your instructions, and I will certainly comply."
"Child, the time is drawing near," the old priest gently said to the middle-aged man. "I have three important matters to entrust to you, which are of great significance. You must remember them well."
The first matter is that, over the years, I have eradicated numerous demons in the name of justice. To escape divine retribution, these demons, with the assistance of your master uncle, fled to a place unknown even to me. Later, your master uncle was subdued but never revealed this location, which has weighed heavily on my mind. I have consulted divination and deduced that these demons will return to the mortal realm in three thousand years. By that time, the celestial beings and Buddhas will have taken their positions, and no mortal cultivator will be able to contend with those demons
He Hao is my university classmate. Without waiting for He Hao to respond, An Jiejie had already answered first. Wiping away her tears, a slight blush appeared on her beautiful face, "He is my boyfriend now, and he will be my husband in the future." At that moment, He Hao, after not believing his eyes, once again could not believe his ears. But An Jiejie, still blushing, explained to He Hao: "Bai Shizhou and Fei Yu have all confessed. I have already applied to the court for a divorce from Bai Shizhou. Once the procedures are completed, I will marry you."
"Good, disciple, remember!" The robust man replied solemnly, but he hesitated slightly, "Master, if within these three thousand years, I have perfected my celestial arts and achieved the ultimate success to ascend to the celestial realm, would I not then have to return to the celestial world and be unable to fulfill your wishes any longer?"
"Very well," the woman said in an exceptionally cold voice. "Go back and tell your grandfather that we are coming back. Let him hurry to find that person. Otherwise, when we return to the earth, it will be the time of the destruction of Longhu Mountain. Anyone who dares to resist us should not expect to survive."
"Little girl, seeing the spiritual power and heart method you possess, what is your relationship with Zhang Xiuye, the current leader of Longhu Mountain?" the woman inquired. Her expression was as cold as her tone, which sent a chill through Zhang Keke, making her feel as if she had fallen into an ice cellar. Meanwhile, the black-clad woman rode a black tiger that continuously sniffed around Zhang Keke and He Hao, as if it might swallow them whole at any moment.
"He Hao's girlfriend? You must be talking about yourself, right?" An Jiexie raised her head from He Hao's embrace, suspiciously scrutinizing Zhang Keke, who arrogantly lifted her beautiful little head and disdainfully responded to An Jiexie's question. To be fair, in terms of appearance alone, Zhang Keke indeed surpassed An Jiexie by quite a bit. During the two days that He Hao has been unconscious, the jealous An Jiexie has been harboring doubts about the relationship between Zhang Keke and He Hao. Now, having finally received confirmation from Zhang Keke herself, An Jiexie couldn't help but feel a surge of bitterness in her heart. To be fair, in terms of appearance alone, Zhang Keke indeed surpassed An Jiexie by quite a bit. During the two days that He Hao has been unconscious, the jealous An Jiexie has been harboring doubts about the relationship between Zhang Keke and He Hao. Now, having finally received confirmation from Zhang Keke herself, An Jiexie couldn't help but feel a surge of bitterness in her heart.
... ...
The old Daoist smiled and nodded, quite pleased with his disciple's words. However, he suddenly sighed and said, "Unfortunately, your innate talent is quite poor, and your natural endowment is dull. Unlike your senior brothers, who either achieved sanctity in their physical forms or transformed into lotus flowers, allowing them to cultivate the immortal arts with twice the result for half the effort. Otherwise, if you could attain the true fruit of your cultivation, we could return to the celestial realm together as master and disciple, spending day and night in each other's company. That would be the highest good."
Seeing He Hao so obedient, Zhang Keke's beautiful little face blossomed with a smile. She first cast a triumphant glance at An Jiezhi before helping He Hao lie down comfortably, softly saying: "Be good and sleep well. Once you recover from your illness, I will take you out of the hospital." After saying this, Zhang Keke unexpectedly leaned down and gently kissed He Hao on the forehead. The fragrance of orchids and musk emanating from Zhang Keke left He Hao even more bewildered. When did this girl become so nice to me?