Chapter 42: An Unusual Arrival
The Brolga Sword sensed something was amiss. Despite its power, without a master’s refinement, it couldn’t unleash its full potential. Meanwhile, the paper figures, though made from mere paper, were empowered by Jin Hongying's magic, making them incredibly formidable. The paper swords and knives were so durable that even the Brolga Sword couldn’t pierce them with ease.
More and more paper figures climbed up and entered Mirror Lake Manor, forming an imposing force. Outside the manor, Jin Hongying sat by the lake, scissors in hand, cutting paper. Each paper figure she created would flutter to the ground, come to life, and walk towards the manor.
In mere moments, dozens of paper figures were pushing cannons into the manor. Guns were loaded with powder, cannon barrels were stuffed with explosives, and paper figures wielding paper knives and swords surged toward Xiao Wangsun's coffin.
The Brolga Sword prepared to fend them off when suddenly all the paper figures burst into flames. In an instant, they turned to ash, and even the ashes were swept away by a chilling wind from the manor.
A deep and aged voice echoed, "Jin Hongying, Mirror Lake Manor is not a place where you can act with impunity. Leave immediately."
The voice carried immense magical power, reverberating in Jin Hongying's ears like a meteor plunging into a calm lake, stirring massive ripples. She coughed up blood violently, collapsing to the ground, barely able to support herself with trembling hands.
Clenching her teeth, she flung her scissors into the air. The scissors transformed into two large snakes, one green and one white, that coiled protectively around her. The twin snakes carried her into the air, but as they rose, their heads suddenly detached and crashed to the ground outside the manor with a deafening thud.
The moment the snakes fell, Jin Hongying's red robe fluttered in the wind as she fled rapidly.
"Interesting. Your cultivation is not weak," the voice mused. "No wonder you are so arrogant, even daring to dismiss us old folks."
Despite escaping more than ten miles, the voice still reached Jin Hongying's ears. Her body trembled violently mid-flight, causing her to plummet into the forest. She tumbled through the underbrush, her delicate skin scratched by thorns, leaving streaks of blood on her pale complexion. Weak and barely conscious, she staggered away. Back at Mirror Lake Manor, the Brolga Sword finally calmed down, only to see a large black dog trotting happily toward the manor. The dog stopped at the entrance, glanced back, and waited as a tall, elderly man followed behind it into the manor.
The voice that had scared off Jin Hongying belonged to Grandpa Chen. Layers of coffins opened, and Xiao Wangsun emerged, dressed in blood-soaked garments, his face pale and lifeless, a shadow of his once-dashing self. But at least he had awakened.
"Thank you, Master Chen, for your help," Xiao Wangsun said, bowing deeply, though he could barely stand.
Grandpa Chen waved him off. "Even if I hadn’t acted, the others would have stepped in. If they had woken, it would’ve been troublesome."
Changing the subject, Xiao Wangsun remarked, "Last night, you secretly followed Little Ten and my carriage to ensure his safety. You can’t hide that from me."
Grandpa Chen did not deny it.
Xiao Wangsun continued, "Little Ten is remarkably resilient. If he could obtain the complete Three Radiance Righteous Qi Method, even without a Divine Embryo, he could carve an extraordinary path. His potential wouldn’t be inferior to ours. You should personally visit the True King’s Tomb to retrieve the full method for him. Instead, you’ve taught him nothing. That puzzles me. With your capabilities, if you guided him, his achievements would be extraordinary."
Grandpa Chen shook his head. "I cannot teach him."
Xiao Wangsun frowned, not understanding. After a pause, Grandpa Chen explained, "You’ve seen the green Ghost Hand on his chest. Behind that hand lies a terrifying existence."
Xiao Wangsun nodded slightly, recalling the events of the past when Chen Shi's soul was saved. He had witnessed it all.
To rescue Chen Shi, Chen Yindu had gathered many skilled individuals, including Xiao Wangsun. Though they saved Chen Shi, a green Ghost Hand mark appeared on his chest. No matter what they tried, the mark couldn’t be removed.
"The Ghost Hand belongs to a being that straddles the realms of life and death," Grandpa Chen said grimly. "If Little Ten grows stronger, so will the Ghost Hand. That’s why I dare not teach him cultivation."
Xiao Wangsun countered, "But he has already found a method at the True King’s Tomb and embarked on this path. You should guide him to deal with the Ghost Hand."
Grandpa Chen sighed. "I’ve been observing him, but I’ve discovered something even more alarming. Over the past two years, as the Ghost Hand has acted up, I’ve tried every remedy to suppress it. At first, it was manageable, but as he cultivated, its frequency and power increased. More troubling, those killed by him lose their souls entirely."
Xiao Wangsun’s expression darkened. "What do you mean?"
"Their souls disappear," Grandpa Chen replied. "Normally, a soul lingers or transitions after death. But those Little Ten has killed leave no trace of their souls. Not in the mortal realm, not in the underworld."
Xiao Wangsun shivered as he listened, recalling several incidents where this had occurred. Grandpa Chen continued with a grim face, "If the Ghost Hand cannot be suppressed, one day, through his body, calamities of unimaginable magnitude may descend."
Xiao Wangsun, visibly shaken, realized the enormity of the situation. As Grandpa Chen left, the black dog, Black Pot, quietly followed, ears drooping nervously.
Alone, Grandpa Chen whispered to himself, "I must find a Spirit Guardian strong enough to suppress the Ghost Hand, or... I’ll have to kill him with my own hands." His face twisted with anguish, torn between love for his grandson and the fear of unleashing catastrophe.
Meanwhile, at the Mountain Lord’s Temple, Chen Shi immersed himself in cultivating the Five-Organ Purity. The sunlight, moonlight, and starlight combined to nourish his body. His strength grew steadily, bringing him closer to achieving the Sacred Embryo Body.
"I may lack a Divine Embryo," Chen Shi thought, "but by mastering the Three Radiance Righteous Qi Method, my body will become one!"