Chapter 104: The Mysterious Old Man
Yi An pondered for a moment, sensing that something was amiss. This place lay just near the Lanruo Temple, and directly north of here was the desolate mountain where the temple once stood. Perhaps influenced by his memories, a greater sense of caution took root within him.
“That old man seems sinister and far from righteous; he is certainly no good. We must be extremely careful.”
“However, if we can avoid provoking him, it’s best we do so.”
“After all, that old man is a stranger to us, with no grievances between us. There’s no need to make an enemy of him.”
Yi An furrowed his brow slightly. In truth, he was reluctant to bring trouble upon himself—not out of cowardice, but guided by fundamental reason.
If one were to act on impulse and invite unnecessary complications, that would be sheer folly.
As the saying goes, curiosity killed the cat. It’s better not to entertain unwarranted thoughts.
“Brother Yi, you worry too much. I am simply curious to know who that old man really is. If he harbors no evil, then why should I seek trouble for myself?”
Upon hearing this, Yan Chixia nodded in agreement at first, then shifted his tone.
“Still, since we have seen him, we cannot just stand idly by.”
“If that old man is some treacherous villain who brings calamity upon the world, allowing it to happen unchecked would be unthinkable.”
“My path is one of righteousness. To shrink back and betray that principle would leave a void in my heart. Since this is a chance occurrence, let’s follow him and see where it leads.”
“That’s true...” Yi An turned his gaze to the old man, who was gradually disappearing into the distance. Against the backdrop of the dim forest, chilled by the night wind, an eerie stillness deepened.
They quietly trailed behind him, keeping a discreet distance to avoid detection. Moreover, since they were underground, it would not be easy for the old man to sense their presence.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, the old man had already crossed the deep, rugged forest.
“Look! The old man has entered that desolate mountain we left earlier!” Yan Chixia exclaimed with a hint of surprise.
While he might mistake other places, he would never confuse this mountain. It held the most cherished memories deep within his heart—every peak, every stream, every blade of grass and tree was etched indelibly in his mind.
---
Yi An looked over as well and, sure enough, the old man had delved into the desolate mountain. The starving wolves that had appeared earlier had already retreated, likely spurred by a primal sense of danger. Yet this only made the old man’s presence more mysterious.
“This forsaken wilderness is devoid of human habitation. Even the once solitary Lanruo Temple has long fallen into ruin. For this old man to brave the biting cold and lonely night alone is strange indeed,” Yi An said gravely.
This was no mere speculation; the signs all pointed to something extraordinary.
The mountain was neither large nor small. A normal person could probably traverse it in a day. Aside from the Lanruo Temple, there was nothing unusual about it.
But Yi An soon realized his naïveté. The question was not about the mountain’s size but about a hidden truth and a masterful scheme.
They followed the enigmatic old man to the edge of Lanruo Temple. Just as they expected him to enter, the old man performed several strange gestures. In an instant, the wind howled and clouds surged, and that small patch of earth seemed to transform before their eyes.
First, faint candlelight flickered, ethereal and unreal. Then, everything around them suddenly became clear and vivid, as if they had been transported into another realm—mysterious and unfathomable.
The once dilapidated Lanruo Temple shed its decay. Every decoration and wall gleamed as if newly built, imbued with grandeur and pristine elegance.
“This is not good. Something’s off here!” Yi An’s face changed. Unbeknownst to them, the environment had undergone a radical transformation. Where moments ago they had been within the dense forest, now they stood in a completely unfamiliar place, yet the newly restored temple remained.
“We came in following that old man,” Yan Chixia sighed, his expression complex. This unknown sensation stirred unease within his heart.
“This place is full of ominous energy. Even several yards away, the chilling wind seems to assault us,” Yi An said with a heavy heart. They could not stay long here. The vantage point they occupied only allowed glimpses of the upper world. Even the strange old man they had been tracking had vanished.
“Even if there are demons or ghosts, they’ll have to reckon with my sword,” Yan Chixia said, a cold gleam flashing in his eyes as he gripped his sword hilt tighter.
“Strangers!”
“Leave!”
“Or... die!”
Suddenly, a hoarse, chilling old voice exploded beside them, echoing endlessly.
---
A cold wind howled intensely, seeping through their clothes, sending chills through their bodies. They were underground—where could this sinister wind be coming from?
“Which evil spirit dares to be so brazen?” Yan Chixia growled, sword light flashing. He unleashed a surge of powerful energy, mingling with sharp sword light. With a thunderous impact, the force spread rapidly, stirring sand and stones.
“Do you not... repent!”
“Die!”
The mysterious voice rang out again, colder and more oppressive, accompanied by gusts of sinister wind.
Boom!
The surrounding space began to fracture!
Rocks and earth beside them parted like curtains, the wind swirling with dust, shrouding everything in a hazy gray mist that spread slowly.
Their expressions shifted. They quickly gathered their vital energy to form a protective barrier, shielding themselves from the flying debris and the strange fog.
Moments later, the dust settled, and the silence fell—like the calm before a storm.
They steadied themselves, prepared to face the next onslaught from the malevolent presence.
Yi An did not place his full trust in Yan Chixia alone. He had sensed the unfathomable mystery of their adversary and feared this foe would be formidable indeed.