The Crow Taoist, who had roamed the jianghu for a hundred years, his soul scattered, his demonic path at an end, fell by my hand.
Following this, a wisp of white mist dissolved into the Purple Bone Vine.
However, at the very instant the Crow Taoist’s soul dissipated.
A point of black light suddenly illuminated the spot where he had died.
As soon as it appeared, the black light drew everyone's gaze.
My Martial Uncle, upon seeing it, became extremely vigilant and quickly urged,
"Xiao Qin, step back!"
Everyone grew tense.
In the next second, the black light coalesced, forming a shadowy black phantom.
The phantom was tall, its pair of red eyes scanning the surroundings.
A strange aura spread outwards.
"Who goes there?"
Cang Song Zhenren demanded.
The black phantom paid no heed.
Its red eyes swept across the crowd, finally settling on me:
"I have finally found you!"
The voice was deep, even carrying a sense of majesty.
Hearing this, everyone present froze for a moment.
Who dared to refer to themselves as "朕" (zhen - "I", used by emperors)?
Only an emperor.
This black mist figure, proclaiming itself emperor, what was its origin?
"Who are you?"
"Monster, take this talisman!"
"..."
The people around spoke up.
One of the Wudang elders even flung a talisman.
Yet, the talisman passed straight through the black mist phantom.
"What is happening?"
My Martial Uncle discerned the nature of the situation:
"It possesses no soul, merely a psychic mist. It is likely an imprint left within the Crow Taoist's body."
Upon hearing my Martial Uncle's explanation, everyone finally understood.
But they still watched it with vigilance, their gazes filled with curiosity.
As for me, I looked at the black mist phantom without recognition.
I had never heard its voice, nor did it feel familiar.
However, I had a suspicion.
The Crow Taoist was a disciple of the Underworld Sect, an organization founded by remnants of the Xin Dynasty.
Could this self-proclaimed "朕" be the emperor of the Xin Dynasty?
"Are you the emperor of the Xin Dynasty?"
I asked, my brow furrowed slightly.
The red-eyed black mist phantom did not answer, merely nodding slightly.
But this nod left many present utterly bewildered.
Some were even clueless.
"The Xin Dynasty emperor? What Xin Dynasty?"
"The one who overthrew the Western Han and reigned for fifteen years."
"Is that true?"
"..."
Many looked at us with strange expressions.
After all, not everyone knew the hidden secrets behind the Underworld Sect.
My heart trembled.
This was the root of all evil, the ultimate mastermind behind the scenes.
Qing Dai's sworn enemy.
I stared at it, meeting its gaze for a few seconds:
"One day, Qing Dai and I will come for you!"
The black mist phantom's eyes flickered, then it replied:
"朕 awaits!"
With that, a gust of cold wind swept through, and the mist dissipated.
Then, a fingernail-sized iron piece clattered onto the ground.
I glanced at it and noticed inscriptions on the piece, which was also cracked.
If my guess was correct, this iron piece should function similarly to the jade pendant Qing Dai had given me before.
It bore inscribed formations that, at a specific time, would be triggered and released.
Thus, I encountered this, my sworn enemy across ten lifetimes...
The others also moved closer.
Cang Song Zhenren picked up the iron piece, examined it briefly, and then handed it to a Wudang elder for safekeeping.
Now, all the ghostly entities in Li Family Village had been cleared.
And I, having persevered until the end, felt utterly drained and sank onto a nearby bluestone.
Cang Song Zhenren then issued orders to the Wudang disciples:
"Search the entire village and tend to the villagers.
Do not spare any vengeful spirits.
Brothers, follow me to the Ghost Mound to investigate..."
"Yes, Sect Leader!"
"As you command, Senior Brother!"
"..."
The Wudang disciples responded in unison and dispersed, each attending to their duties.
Seeing that I was safe, the demon souls also bowed to me:
"Young Master Qin, we shall take our leave!"
I nodded with a weak "Mm," utterly lacking the strength to say more.
The demon souls retreated and entered my Purple Bone Vine.
My Martial Uncle walked over:
"Xiao Qin, how are you feeling?"
My Martial Uncle squatted down and retrieved a small medicine bottle from his robes.
"I'm alright. A short rest should help me feel better. I can manage."
I replied weakly.
My Martial Uncle produced a pill and had me swallow it.
Then, he patted my shoulder and told me to rest for a while.
He himself walked towards Old Mo and Xiao Yao.
Of our group of nine, apart from Yu Bo, Yi Hai, and Yun Long, who were more severely injured and had fallen unconscious,
The rest of us were still conscious.
But we were all wounded, resting weakly to the side.
I looked at my battered body, feeling the dizziness in my head, and leaned against the stone wall, gazing at the dim sky.
The moon, previously obscured by the dark clouds, reappeared.
The entire village was no longer so dark.
Meanwhile, several female disciples from Wudang began to treat everyone.
Our injuries were simply bandaged.
Fortunately, they were mostly superficial, with no damage to bones or tendons. With some rest, we should recover.
At least, our lives were saved.
The villagers were also gradually waking up.
Upon seeing the arrival of so many Taoists and the clearing of the ghostly entities, they were overjoyed, cheering and celebrating.
Too exhausted and weak, after resting for a while, I fell asleep...