AWB Chapter 139: The Ghost Shadow Sect's lingering presence
Chapter 139: The Ghost Shadow Sect's lingering presence
Chapter 139 The Ghost Shadow Sect's lingering presence
After questioning for most of the night, Ji Yun remained silent, saying nothing. This was his promise to his son, and a man's promise is as heavy as Mount Tai, never to be broken lightly. As for Gu Yazhu, her heart seemed to be burning with anger, yet also frozen by the ice of helplessness. She wanted to ask, but she couldn't pry open her tightly closed mouth, like a fishbone stuck in her throat. Sigh, whatever. Hey, he'll fight back, and sleep is the most practical thing.
As the night deepened, the moonlight cast a silvery glow against the inky sky, gently covering the earth like a veil of silver gauze. The chirping of crickets accompanied the gentle breeze, as if playing a nighttime symphony. Everyone fell asleep, each preoccupied with their own thoughts. Gu Yichen lay on his bamboo bed, his heart a turbulent sea, restless and unable to rest. He remembered Lu Ling'er's gentle smile, like a flower blooming in spring. Thinking of the child they would soon welcome, endless hope welled up in his heart, like the light before dawn. Yet, the unknown ahead filled him with unease, shrouded in a fog.
Ji Yun tossed and turned in bed, his heart swollen with guilt and self-blame, like a heavy stone weighing down his heart. He kept wondering if his past had truly, like a demon, shaped his son's future. This heavy sense of responsibility plunged him into an abyss, unable to let go. Both of them pondered their own predicaments, yet neither knew how the future would unfold, or what trials awaited them. It was like a mysterious maze, a place to lose oneself.
The morning sun filtered through the ancient pines of Lingyin Temple, scattering like golden arrows onto the stone steps. The scent of incense hung heavy within the temple's main hall, swirling like clouds and mist. Xuankong, along with the younger monks of Lingyin Temple and the common people of Jianghu, worked together to conduct a Dharma assembly. The atmosphere of universal salvation was solemn and awe-inspiring, like a sacred ritual. The whispering of the ancient trees blended with the morning birdsong, creating a remarkably tranquil atmosphere, like a symphony of nature, captivating the heart. The assembly lasted two hours. Though seemingly young, Xuankong shone like a shining star. His profound understanding of Buddhist principles and exceptional medical skills earned him the respect and trust of the crowd. They all recognized him as a rare master, like a towering mountain, commanding admiration.
The vegetarian dishes in the afternoon were simple but full of flavor. After the meal, everyone sat in the courtyard of Lingyin Temple, exchanging their experiences and insights on cultivation like stars surrounding the moon. The atmosphere was filled with a sense of ease and warmth, but the uneasy feeling was quietly spreading in the heart like a poisonous snake. Time passed by in a flash, and everyone said goodbye in front of the mountain gate of Lingyin Temple. Gu Yichen gazed at this place that once made him feel peaceful, and his heart was as mixed as if a bottle of five flavors had been overturned. When Xuankong said goodbye to Gu Yichen, he bowed slightly and performed a Buddhist ceremony, with an unfathomable smile on his face. "Donor Qingyi, we will meet again." His voice was like a morning bell and an evening drum, ringing in Gu Yichen's ears, warning him of the unpredictable future. Gu Yichen politely returned the greeting, thinking to himself: "The master's words are always so mysterious."
However, he had no time to dwell on the deeper meaning of this. After all, his top priority was to rush back to Nanyang Prefecture and protect his family. He turned and boarded the carriage with Ji Yun, Gu Yazhu, and Ji Junche beside him. The wheels rumbled along the stone road, making a low, muffled sound, as if expressing their unwavering determination and the difficulties they had faced on this journey.
Despite the bumpy ride, Gu Yichen felt a subtle unease. He sensed that members of the Ghost Shadow Sect were lingering like ghosts in the farmyard at the foot of the mountain, as if secretly spying on them. Although the Lingyin Temple ceremony had given them some relief, he knew the treacherous nature of the martial arts world and could not let anyone know they were the masters of Taoyuan Villa. He silently muttered to himself, "We must not reveal our identities, especially not let them know about Lu Ling'er and the child."
After settling into the small farmhouse they'd previously stayed in, Gu Yichen, Ji Yun, Gu Yazhu, and Ji Junche quietly conferred within the house. Although the Ghost Shadow Sect's members seemed to be approaching, they had no intention of fleeing. Gu Yichen's martial arts skills far surpassed Ji Yun's, and Gu Yazhu's were also not to be underestimated. Although Ji Junche's martial arts skills were the weakest of the four, they were still capable of handling ordinary enemies.
"We must remain vigilant," Gu Yichen said in a deep voice, "The Ghost Shadow Sect will never give up. If they find our whereabouts, the consequences will be disastrous."
Ji Yun nodded, a look of determination in his eyes. "I'll keep an eye on the surroundings. You should be careful too."