CHAPTER 618: 114 CHAPTERS_4

Li Zhiyuan responded, "Exorcising demons and defending the way inherently requires sacrifices."

Yu Xuzi showed a hint of reluctance on his face, but finally nodded, "Ultimately, it is everyone’s individual destiny, which cannot be forced."

After expressing this sentiment, Yu Xuzi continued forward.

As they passed the closed room Li Zhiyuan had entered earlier, Yu Xuzi asked, "Did you just go in and take a look, my young friend?"

"Wasn’t it at your arrangement, Daoist, that they took us in for a visit?"

"The Yellow Robed Daoist inside is my senior brother. I came upon hearing that my senior brother had brought his disciples here to subdue demons and exorcise, but when I arrived, I found it was all too late.

For so many years, I often wondered, if my senior brother had waited for me to set off together, with the two of us working in unison, would the situation have turned out differently."

"Ultimately, it is everyone’s individual destiny, which cannot be forced."

"Indeed."

The five continued forward.

Yu Xuzi spoke again, "Have you ever heard of the Dragon King family on the river, my young friend?"

"I have heard some things from the elders at home."

"Then do you know Dragon King Liu?"

"Dragon King Liu, it seems, has fallen into decline."

"Oh?" Yu Xuzi expressed surprise, "How can it have fallen into decline in such a short time?"

"Specifically, I don’t know, but Dragon King Liu has not sent anyone to the River Crossing for several decades."

"Oh..." Yu Xuzi let out a long sigh, as if releasing some burden.

"Daoist?"

"I just feel a sense of lament, never imagined that a powerful entity like the Dragon King family could also fall into decline. My young friend, do you know that this monster was originally subdued by a Dragon King of the Liu family?"

"The woman in the green robe in the painting—is she the Dragon King of the Liu Family?"

"Indeed."

"However, why did that Dragon King of the Liu Family severely injure this monster but not completely deal with it?"

"You are unaware, my young friend, some monsters and evil spirits are extremely hard to completely eradicate, they can only be suppressed over time. That Dragon King of the Liu Family must have come here, but upon seeing that I had already set the Array and opened the suppression, believed everything was settled and left."

"Daoist, you did indeed accomplish it."

"It’s unfortunate, my senior brother greatly admired the Liu family back then, yet he died without ever seeing that Dragon King, it must be one of my senior brother’s biggest regrets."

"Is it really that exaggerated?"

"Not exaggerated at all."

"But Daoist, aren’t you a man of the Daoist sect?"

"But the Dragon King resides over the River Crossing, not always staying on the boat.

Even if the Magic Techniques differ, the schools vary, and understandings of the Heavenly Dao differ, in the end, we all live within this Jianghu. When looking up to the horizon, you can still catch a glimpse of their figure."

"It seems not only your senior brother, even you, Daoist, admired that Dragon King of the Liu family."

"That is natural."

"Though it seems like an illusion, with death extinguishing like a light, I truly wish for you, Daoist, to fulfill your desires."

Hearing this, Yu Xuzi’s scales gently quivered.

It was almost imperceptible, but Li Zhiyuan noticed it.

*Just now, upon hearing his words, the other’s mind was shaken. Despite trying hard to suppress it, a sliver of emotion leaked through.*

*Admiration was admiration, but now, he truly did not want to see that Dragon King, did not even dare to think...*

A small stream wound through the village path, extending to the mortuary.

Li Zhiyuan pointed to the six coffins on the mortuary ground and asked, "Daoist, did those six people once live here?"

"Yes, when they first arrived, they were so frightened by the pervasive ghostly malicious thoughts that they chose to hide inside the coffins for a while. I really don’t understand what they were thinking.

Later, seeing they were indeed tormented quite severely, I stepped in to assist them, at least leaving them with a spark of life and thought."

Li Zhiyuan said apologetically, "I ultimately let you down, Daoist."

Yu Xuzi waved his hand, "No one is perfect, being true to your conscience is enough. Helping me to subdue and kill this monster was already a great Merit."

The five reached the end of the village.

The "small stream" meandered onward, continuing to extend.

Yu Xuzi stopped and looked at the lamp in his hand, brushing his hand lightly over the white flame, his eyes filled with nostalgia and reminiscence.

Finally, he handed the lamp to Li Zhiyuan, "Please, my young friend, take it out and extinguish it."

Li Zhiyuan held the stone slab with both hands and looked at Tan Wenbin.

Tan Wenbin reached out to take it, feeling as if he were holding another person’s still-beating heart.

Yu Xuzi solemnly bowed to the four of them again, "Thank you, all of you, the Righteous is not alone!"

Li Zhiyuan nodded in acknowledgment to Yu Xuzi. Tan Wenbin, Run Sheng, and Yin Meng clasped their fists in salute in return.

Then, Yu Xuzi remained where he stood.

The four continued along the "small stream," moving forward, when they were about to enter the boundary of the Array, Li Zhiyuan spoke:

"Follow me."

Tan Wenbin held the lamp in his right hand and grabbed Li Zhiyuan’s shoulder with his left.

Behind them, Yin Meng and Run Sheng each held onto the shoulder of the person in front of them.

The four took step by step forward, as they were about to step into the Barrier of the Array, a loud shout came from behind:

"Stop!"

Li Zhiyuan stopped and turned back.

Yu Xuzi was lying on the ground in pain, his eyes showing struggle, reaching out his arm towards them:

"It’s deceiving you, stop, don’t be fooled!"

Li Zhiyuan immediately walked back, followed closely by Run Sheng and the others.

Seeing them return, Yu Xuzi’s face showed a relieved expression, but the next moment, black mist began to rise from his body.

"Ah ah ah!"

Yu Xuzi let out a scream, as if an invisible chain had wrapped around his neck and was pulling him back fiercely.

"That lamp’s flame is not mine, it belongs to that monster, the monster controlled me to deceive you, do not fall for the monster’s trick!"

After shouting again, not only did black mist rise from Yu Xuzi’s body, but flames also surged, making it appear extremely terrifying.