“This Bai family is truly interesting,” Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile. “After Bai Qianqian died and became a strange entity, the Bai family, to prevent Leaving Immortal Town from suffering a calamity, proactively had their Spirit Master suppress and Seal her. Now, Bai Qianqian has broken the Seal and continues to kill, targeting faithless men. And this generation of the Bai family has produced another faithless man. No matter how you look at it, it’s always related to the Bai family. Since that’s the case, why doesn’t the Bai family act again and Seal Bai Qianqian?”
This situation seems quite interesting.
“The Bai family’s Spirit Master is not at home, so they can only seek outside help now. Moreover, Bai Qianqian is already a strange entity. No matter what, we cannot let her continue to kill freely in the town. Otherwise, the townspeople will panic, and great chaos will erupt,” Yu Qianjing said with a deep breath and a solemn expression.
According to what he knew, some townspeople were already preparing to move out, as several people had already died. If they didn’t find a solution soon, who would dare to stay?
Currently, Bai Qianqian only kills faithless men, but what if she escalates her actions later? Who dares to measure the behavior of a strange entity?
“When did Bai Qianqian appear, and at what time does she strike each time? How many people in town can be defined as faithless?” Yun Qinghe asked in a deep voice.
Now that the situation is mostly understood, Bai Qianqian, having become a strange entity, has the obsession to kill all faithless men in the world. It can be confirmed that her targets are faithless men, and she will not easily deviate from this rule. Once she deviates, it means the strange entity is out of control and has violated its principles, which is a denial of its own obsession. Once denied, it means the strange entity is no longer a strange entity, and their source is denied. Naturally, they will no longer possess the characteristic of being immortal and indestructible.
They exist because of obsession and will perish because of obsession.
However, many obsessions are imperishable. How many faithless men are there in the world? If one day everyone truly died, perhaps strange entities would no longer exist.
“I don’t know about that,” Yu Qianjing said, shaking his head with a bitter smile when he heard this.
Such things are impossible to count. Some things, once done, if not spoken, who would know who is faithless?
But clearly, Bai Yutang, the Bai family’s eldest legitimate son, is one confirmed case. And the Bai family is the one who least wants to see this happen, which is why they offered a large reward, hoping a Spirit Master could Seal and suppress her.
“According to the current situation, Bai Qianqian appears once every three days, and each time she appears, she will kill one person. Based on the timing, one person died the day before yesterday, and considering yesterday and today, it means Bai Qianqian will strike again today. Therefore, I implore the three Immortal Masters to Seal her and rid my Leaving Immortal Town of this great menace,” Yu Qianjing pleaded again.
This was urgent.
Leaving Immortal Town could not afford to be in chaos. If it truly descended into chaos, his position as town chief would not end well.
“Town Chief, rest assured, since we have taken on the notice, we will certainly do our best. However, at this moment, Zhuang feels that we should still go and take a look at the Bai family,” Zhuang Buzhou said with a smile.
“That’s right. Since the Bai family Sealed Bai Qianqian back then, they must know more secrets. A trip to the Bai family is necessary,” Yun Qinghe also nodded in agreement. Besides, there’s someone in the Bai family who’s being targeted. That makes it interesting; how can we not meet him?
“Alright, I’ll have someone take you to the Bai family right away,” Yu Qianjing said without hesitation, immediately agreeing.
Leaving the Town Guard Office and walking on the streets, one could see that Leaving Immortal Town should be very prosperous. The shops and restaurants along the way were quite magnificent, giving off a sense of extreme high-end. Unfortunately, the streets now seemed a bit deserted.
The strange events had a significant impact on the town. Along the way, one could hear the common people discussing it.
The strange incidents were already known to everyone.
Fear!
Everyone was afraid of strange entities.
After all, once you encountered one of these, nine out of ten times you would be unlucky. Moreover, this particular one specifically dug out hearts, which made it even more terrifying. It was said that the victims’ appearances were extremely gruesome. This point made people even more fearful.
“If you ask me, this strange entity is doing a good job. Faithless men should have their hearts dug out and die. They should see if their hearts are red or black.”
“That’s right, good riddance. Anyway, those who die are all faithless men. It has nothing to do with us. All faithless men should die.”
On the way to the Bai residence, a discussion fell into their ears. Zhuang Buzhou looked up and saw several courtesans talking in a brothel. From their words, it was clear they weren’t afraid of the strange entity.
After all, it only killed men, and specifically faithless men.
It was already good enough that they weren’t cheering.
“In this world, when a strange entity kills, people instead feel it is Karma. Especially when it kills those who are unpopular, people even applaud it. Yet, they don’t know that strange entities are not human after all. Strange entities bring harm and poison for ten thousand years,” Yun Qinghe sighed.
“May I ask where Mr. Yun resides?” Zhuang Buzhou asked with slight curiosity.
“A man of the mountains, Cultivating in the Heavenly Heart Temple,” Yun Qinghe said with a smile.
“Heavenly Heart Temple? No wonder. You are from the Lower Realm branch of the Heavenly Heart Sword Sect. You possess Sword Intent, but its sharpness is hidden and hard to detect. You have indeed received the True Legacy. You are a Sword Immortal seed,” Xia Sangong said with interest, taking a swig from his gourd when he heard this.
“Senior, you flatter me. Qinghe is merely a junior Sword Cultivator who has just embarked on the path of Cultivation. I do not deserve the title of Sword Immortal seed,” Yun Qinghe said, cupping his hands towards Xia Sangong.
“Those who can Awaken a Sword Spiritual Root can all be called Sword Immortal seeds. Those who achieve Sword Cultivator status through Sword-type cursed relics, though called Sword Immortals, are in reality merely Sword Slaves, just ordinary Sword Cultivators who find it difficult to reach the Peak of the Sword Dao,” Xia Sangong said with a light chuckle, glancing at him with his murky eyes.
The path of the Sword Immortal is one of the top professional Legacies. A top-tier Sword Immortal can break all spells with a single sword, destroy stars, take a person’s head from a thousand miles away. With a sword in hand, their power in killing heaven and earth is among the very few in existence.
However, the Dao of the Sword Immortal requires first Awakening a Sword Spiritual Root within the body. Only those with a Sword Spiritual Root are qualified to walk the Dao of the Sword Immortal. This is the threshold, the Innate barrier. Of course, there are other shortcuts, which is to contract Sword-type cursed relics. As long as the contract is successful, one can also become a Sword Cultivator.
However, for this type of Sword Cultivator, the sword is not their own Spiritual Root after all, and there is a barrier. Cultivating the sword is more like Cultivating for the Sword-type cursed relic. After their eventual demise, all their essence, Qi, and spirit nourish the sword within their body. Calling them Sword Slaves is perfectly accurate. However, they naturally cannot be referred to as such externally. Respectful individuals call them Sword Immortals, while commonly they are called Sword Masters.
Therefore, Sword Cultivator Sects generally collect various Sword-type cursed relics on a large scale. Within the Sect, they establish a Sword Tomb, seeking out young children with good Aptitude but who have not Awakened a Spiritual Root. These children are admitted to branch academies to attempt to contract with a sword. If the contract is successful, they are sent to the Sect for Cultivation. If they cannot contract, they can only be sent away, or even die on the spot.
Of course, Sword Cultivator Sects all have orthodox cultivation methods. For example, they start training them in sword techniques from a young age, fostering a rapport with the sword, and increasing the success rate during contracting. This often yields excellent results. Every so often, they can recruit a batch of Disciples into the Sect.
Of course, these Sword Masters who contract with swords are only the lower-level members of the Sect. True Disciples must Awaken their own Spiritual Root, and it must be a Sword-type Spiritual Root. This is a prerequisite, an Innate threshold. Any True Disciple of this type, as long as they don’t perish midway, will have combat power that can be said to be unparalleled among their peers.
And Yun Qinghe was a Sword Immortal who had Awakened a Sword Spiritual Root.
How could Yun Qinghe not know that the Xia Sangong before him was a powerful expert?
He could see through his true nature at a glance, showing extraordinary insight.
“The Sword of a Sword Immortal contains Sword Intent and can destroy all spells, even kill strange entities. However, it can only kill them temporarily; it cannot eradicate them from the root. After a period of time, they will still revive. How long that peace will last, no one can be sure,” Xia Sangong said slowly.
Talking all the way, they unknowingly arrived at the Bai residence.
One could see that the Bai residence truly lived up to its reputation as a scholarly family. Its overall layout could be described as quite grand and imbued with ancient charm. One immediately saw the main gate, with its high-ceilinged entrance hall and imposing doors, yet refined and not vulgar. Above it were inscribed the two characters “Bai Residence.” They truly possessed a profound charm and astonishing brushwork. One could tell at a glance that the calligrapher’s Realm of calligraphy was extremely high, extraordinary and refined, as if a master calligrapher was present.
“The Bai family, known for its calligraphy and painting, Cultivates a Qi that is truly extraordinary,” Xia Sangong said with a smile and a nod.
A subordinate from the Town Guard Office went to knock on the door. Upon hearing that they were Spirit Masters who had come to resolve the strange entity issue for the Bai family, someone immediately went to inform the inner residence, while inviting them inside and leading them towards the reception hall.
Upon entering, they realized that the Bai residence was indeed extraordinary.
The circular arched windows and corner stone masonry fully displayed its elegance and luxury.
On the walls hung tapestries embroidered with hunting scenes using gold and various colored threads, the embroidery truly exquisite.
On both sides were covered walkways, with a central passageway where a large screen made of rosewood and marble was placed.
Turning past the screen, there was a small three-room hall, and behind the hall was the main courtyard.
The five main rooms facing forward were all carved and painted, and on both sides, there were covered walkways and side rooms with various parrots, thrushes, and other birds hanging. On the stone steps, sat several young maids dressed in red and green.
Pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls, along with ponds and waterside pavilions, were reflected amidst green pines and cypresses; rockeries, grotesque stones, flower beds, potted plants, wisteria, and green bamboo adorned the surroundings, making it elegant yet not vulgar. The layout made one feel comfortable, like a painting.
There was none of that so-called nouveau riche vulgarity.
Just this point alone indicated that the layout had been guided by an expert.
Before long, they arrived in the main hall. The Bai residence’s steward had hot tea served, and they didn’t wait long.
Then they heard movement from outside the door.
“Second Master,” the steward greeted.
As the voice fell, a refined middle-aged man in a scholar’s robe walked in. Seeing Zhuang Buzhou and the others, he said with a smile, “Three Immortal Masters, your presence at my Bai residence truly brings honor to our humble home.”
