fynovel Chapter 56 Past Events
Chapter 56 Past Events
Even looking at the moon from a well, one cannot see its entirety.
Not to mention the Shenmu Village that has fallen into the ground.
The towering tree canopy was scorched by raging flames, and the withered branches, carrying sparks, resembled falling meteors.
Once the dust had settled, Fang Hongxuan finally regained his composure.
The tree spirit's form grew increasingly dim, like a flickering candle in the wind, about to be extinguished.
"Thank you so much for earlier..."
Fang Hongxuan slowly stood up and sheathed his sword.
The tangled tree roots moved Niu Yixuan's head, which had been left on the battlefield, and another imperial edict to Fang Hongxuan's side.
However, he didn't bring the seriously injured Jian Shiqing and Chen Qinghe along. Clearly, the tree spirit had something to say and didn't want anyone else to disturb them.
"I didn't expect you to be an evil spirit too..."
"As long as one adheres to the principles of the Demon Suppression Division, what does it matter if one is a corpse demon? Swords can slay enemies, and they can also protect those who deserve protection."
Upon hearing this, the tree spirit remained silent for a long time but did not mention the matter again.
"Sixty years ago, I was moved here. It was only so that I could use my roots to absorb the essence of the three-clawed poisonous toad."
"Once I have fully absorbed it, it will produce toad sap from the Five Elements Liquid. What is the Five Elements Liquid? It is one of the nine main ingredients for refining the Elixir of Immortality."
"Now that the three-clawed poisonous toad is dead, the toad extract I refined is not only insufficient in quantity, but also lacks purity..."
Fang Hongxuan did not interrupt the tree spirit, and he already had some guesses in his mind. However, the information was too mixed to make any sense of it.
"Those people couldn't wait any longer, which is why they resorted to killing the goose that lays the golden eggs. When we return, we must kill Tian Guangzu."
If he escapes this area, the three of you will never have a peaceful day again. If you are captured, being skinned alive and having your tendons pulled out would be a rare treat.
Upon hearing this, Fang Hongxuan's heart sank slightly. He already knew that he had unintentionally dragged Jian Shiqing and Chen Qinghe into a certain undercurrent.
"Take this order with you as well. I see you have the ability to use the Taoist magic within the talisman, which should be able to save you from dire situations in a critical moment."
"Remember, once activated, you must ensure you can remove the talisman. Otherwise, you will offend the person who gave the order, and even if you can fly to the heavens or dive into the earth, you will not escape their pursuit."
After some hesitation, Fang Hongxuan accepted the exorcism talisman.
Although he had a master, he had never truly been exposed to various magical arts. This talisman, though a double-edged sword, could offer him a glimmer of hope in times of crisis.
Niu Yixuan's head, perched on a root, trembled violently, its mouth opening and closing as if it were trying to say something.
However, without a physical body, this was the only way he could attract Fang Hongxuan's attention.
Startled awake, Fang Hongxuan walked to the head and looked into its eyes.
'Buzz'
Strands of light emanated from between his brows, and Fang Hongxuan was immediately drawn into his memories.
...
"The Qiang and Yi tribes are besieging the city from the outside, and a mysterious plague is ravaging the counties from within... Even the letter I personally wrote for help half a month ago has yet to receive a response..."
"What should we do..."
Niu Yixuan paced back and forth anxiously, only growing more frustrated.
"My lord, there is no need to worry. I have a plan that will surely relieve your worries and quell both external and internal troubles."
Before you see him, you hear his voice.
Wearing an iron mask, the young man dressed as a scholar strolled leisurely into the military tent.
Niu Yixuan, who had been frowning, finally felt a little relieved. He took a few steps to the scholar, put one hand on his shoulder and the other to lead the way.
"Hahaha... Chengping, we've finally been waiting for you..."
Just as Niu Yixuan was about to vent his displeasure, he never expected that Chi Chengping had hidden a broken blade covered in corpse poison under his robe.
Niu Yixuan, whose cultivation had reached the pinnacle of the third stage of refining essence into qi, was completely stabbed in the heart.
"you.."
Niu Yixuan, who had desperately repelled Chi Chengping with his palm, clutched his chest, his face filled with disbelief. This was partly due to Chi Chengping's betrayal and partly due to astonishment at the sharp blade that had pierced his body.
"Hmph... This secluded corner is an ideal location for training exercises."
Chi Chengping, completely unconcerned, revealed the soft gold armor bearing the handprint beneath his robes, his face displaying a mocking smile.
"Instead of struggling, think about how to preserve your own consciousness as much as possible."
"This blade is called Zhelu. Although it is a broken blade, it is a genuine supreme-grade weapon. Naturally, it can break your indestructible golden body unexpectedly."
"If I die, what will become of the lives of the many people in Lintao County? Can you bear that responsibility?"
Niu Yixuan glared angrily and roared out the depression in his heart.
"Heh heh, once you transform into a Rakshasa, they will naturally retreat..."
...
The illusion dissipated, and Fang Hongxuan awoke.
He looked at Niu Yixuan with suspicion and uncertainty.
Niu Yixuan seemed to have no more worries. He nodded slightly to Fang Hongxuan and then lowered his eyes, remaining silent.
"he..."
"I have been confined to this place for over sixty years, how could I possibly know about this person's life and deeds?"
The doubts that had been building up inside him remained unspoken. He remained silent for a long time before finally deciding to forget about them for the time being.
The roots resurfaced, handing Fang Hongxuan a piece of dead wood about the length of a thumb.
"Why is that?"
"I am all alone now, and my time is up. Since we are destined to meet, I entrust this item to you."
The dead wood contained toad venom that had not yet been purified to its limit!
I've heard it said that even a withered tree can bloom again in spring.
Upon hearing this, the tree spirit laughed heartily. He did not respond, but simply pointed to the ruins of Shenmu Village.
Amidst the ruins, beneath the remaining rubble that had not yet been completely destroyed, terrified and fearful zombies emerged one after another.
Aside from their grotesque and terrifying appearance, they are no different from living people.
However, after they saw the tree spirit, all their panic gradually dissipated, replaced by tranquility and peace.
"I have witnessed the rise and fall of this village, but now I am also heading towards my complete demise."
To this old man, they are all seeds. Witnessing their birth and death is a rare experience indeed.
As if sensing Fang Hongxuan's doubts, Shuling laughed even more heartily.
"Plants and trees naturally possess purifying and miasma-repelling properties, and with the fact that I've absorbed most of their corpse poison, I can barely maintain the former prosperity of Shenmu Village..."
The unconscious Jian Shiqing and Chen Qinghe were slowly lowered into the pit by tree branches, and a staircase made of tree branches also appeared in front of Fang Hongxuan.
"Shenmu Village, I'll bid you farewell here, young friend..."
"The tree branch will guide you..."
...
Fang Hongxuan looked at the villagers waving at him from inside the pit, and the tree spirit gradually dissipating, and remained silent for a long time.
The villagers' terrifying appearance was gradually replaced by a kind wooden figure, and the collapsing giant tree and the wooden figure were gradually consumed by flames.
The flames inside the pit grew ever stronger, and the towering flames and thick smoke drifted into the distance. The firelight made Fang Hongxuan's face look rosy, and even the corners of his eyes were slightly red.
It was impossible to tell whether it was from smoke or fire.
The scorching heat melted the surrounding soil, and the collapsing soil extinguished the flames.
Apart from the lingering smoke and scorched earth that prove there was once a village around the giant tree, there are no other traces.
As if recalling the two monks he had met outside the Cliff Gate Inn, Fang Hongxuan also sat cross-legged on the ground and began chanting scriptures, just like them.
Namo Ratna Trayaya...
...