Chapter 62: Past Events in Xijing
Li Jindou waited outside the manor, as the rules permitted only two people inside at any time. Madam Sha and Xiao Wangsun were still recovering from their injuries, so he could only bide his time until it was his turn to rest in one of the coffins.
Through this rotation, all three could gradually suppress their injuries.
But seeing these once-great masters reduced to such a state was sobering.
“Good news,” Jin Hongying announced with a hint of triumph. “We’ve eliminated the last kiln worker. The Evil Bodhisattva now has no one left to repair it. If we can recover our initial strength, we can take it down!”
The group’s spirits lifted, but Madam Sha sighed. “The bad news is that all four of us are injured. We’re far from our peak strength.”
Xiao Wangsun added grimly, “Worse still, the Evil Bodhisattva has grown stronger over the past five days.”
Li Jindou frowned. The situation remained dire.
Jin Hongying, unable to contain herself, demanded, “Xiao Wangsun, hand over the Western King Seal! At this point, it’s useless for you to keep it. We’re all on the brink of death!”
Xiao Wangsun replied calmly, “Even if I gave it to you, you couldn’t use it. The seal can only be wielded by those of royal blood. If you plan to use it to open the True King’s Tomb and counter the Evil Bodhisattva, you’re deluding yourself.”
Jin Hongying’s anger flared. “If you don’t hand it over, I’ll send you to the afterlife before the Evil Bodhisattva gets the chance!” Chen Shi and Li Tianqing exchanged glances, puzzled. Jin Hongying, who typically referred to herself as “Aunt” or “Old Lady” around them, was now calling herself “Young Lady” before Xiao Wangsun. The boys couldn’t help but wonder why.
Their earlier debates about whether Jin Hongying favored one of them now seemed laughable—clearly, neither was in the running.
Xiao Wangsun shook his head. “Even after two days of recovery, you’re no match for me.”
Incensed, Jin Hongying turned to Madam Sha. “Fine! Then I’ll fight you, Xiao Wangsun!”
Madam Sha quickly stepped in to mediate. “Now is not the time for infighting. We must set aside past grievances and focus on the greater good.”
Li Jindou cut in, “You all keep arguing. Meanwhile, I’ll head to the coffin to heal. Useless grandson, pick me up and carry me inside! Or are you waiting for me to crawl in myself?”
Li Tianqing sighed, unsure why his grandfather was so angry. He complied, carrying him into the manor.
Inside, Li Jindou grumbled, “Even in death, I can’t get a better coffin? I want Xiao Wangsun’s, not Madam Sha’s!”
Xiao Wangsun frowned subtly, resolving that if he survived, the coffin Li Jindou used would be discarded. He couldn’t bear to reuse it.
Outside, Chen Shi looked around. “Where’s my grandfather? He’s not here?”
He had come with Jin Hongying hoping to find his grandfather, but the elder’s absence made him uneasy.
Madam Sha sneered. “Chen Yindu, that old scoundrel? Bah, mentioning him sullies my mouth!”
Chen Shi was taken aback, unsure how his grandfather had offended her.
Xiao Wangsun explained, “Master Chen is at Xuan Shan. He cannot intervene during this Demonic Transformation.”
Relieved, Chen Shi smiled. “My grandfather is getting old. He’s not as capable as before. It’s better if he stays out of it.”
Madam Sha’s expression turned strange, while Xiao Wangsun coughed to hide his reaction. Jin Hongying, unfamiliar with Chen Yindu, remained clueless, but she could sense his importance based on the others’ reverence.
Eagerly, Chen Shi called Black Pot and set off for Xuan Shan to find his grandfather.
After he left, Madam Sha asked, “Do you think Chen Yindu would intervene for his grandson’s sake?”
Xiao Wangsun shook his head after a moment of silence. “Unlikely. If he does, his demonic tendencies will resurface. He’ll lose more of his reason and humanity, growing increasingly evil and uncontrollable. Should that happen, he would become an even greater threat than the Evil Bodhisattva. I’d rather face the Bodhisattva than a demonized Master Chen.”
Madam Sha shivered at the thought, imagining a far more terrifying scenario.
“The Evil Bodhisattva’s powers pale compared to his. Its abilities are limited to porcelainization and eight weapons. But Master Chen in his demonic form? That’s a nightmare.”
Xiao Wangsun nodded grimly. “Chen Yindu avoids harming the mortal world, but he cannot abandon his grandson either. Madam Sha, could you take him as your godson?”
Madam Sha’s face twisted with fear. “A godmother must be a protector, always available to help. I can’t stay by his side every hour of the day. Besides…” She left the rest unsaid.
Xiao Wangsun understood. “I feel the same. Neither of us can shoulder that responsibility, and Chen Yindu knows it. He’s forcing us to protect Chen Shi ourselves.”
Jin Hongying, still confused, asked, “What’s the big deal about Chen Shi? He seems fine to me. If you won’t take care of him, let him join the Divine Mechanism Battalion!”
Xiao Wangsun shook his head. “The battalion couldn’t handle it—not even with reinforcements from the Five Armies and the Shen Shu battalion combined.”
Jin Hongying scoffed. “There’s nothing my shoulders can’t carry!”
Madam Sha interjected, “Have you heard of the Innate Dao Embryo?”
Jin Hongying frowned. “Only in legends.”
Madam Sha explained, “The Innate Dao Embryo surpasses all other spiritual bodies, representing unparalleled potential. Such an entity was once born in the Chen family.”
“Chen Shi?” Jin Hongying asked, stunned.
“Yes,” Madam Sha confirmed. “But his brilliance made him a target. He became the top child scholar in the Fifty Provinces, blessed by divine descent. Yet his innate embryo was stolen, and he was left for dead.”
Jin Hongying was horrified, recalling an incident from her early days in the battalion—a massacre in Xijing where entire military divisions were wiped out. She had never learned the full truth, but now, the pieces clicked into place.
If Chen Yindu had been behind that carnage…
A shiver ran down her spine. “No wonder he doesn’t want to fight. If someone did that to my grandson, I’d destroy the world!”
Xiao Wangsun broke the silence. “If we have no other options, we’ll need to rely on the residents of Mirror Lake Manor to face the Evil Bodhisattva.”
Madam Sha was horrified. “No! Those in the coffins weren’t right when they were sealed. If they awaken, they could be as dangerous as the Bodhisattva—or worse!”
Xiao Wangsun exhaled heavily. “Then we have one option left. The four of us must fight to the death.”
Madam Sha, her gaze lingering on the Ram-Horn Celestial Lamp, smiled grimly. “If I die, I’ll finally have a chance to find my son in the underworld. Xiao Wangsun, I’ll join you.”
Jin Hongying hesitated but eventually agreed. “If death is the only way, I’ll take my chances.”
From inside his coffin, Li Jindou’s muffled voice emerged. “Count me in. I’ll give my life to ensure my grandson has a future!”
The group prepared for one last stand, each resolved to face the Evil Bodhisattva, whatever the cost.