Chapter 84: Are You Afraid of Death Too?

Feeling the fierce wind roaring toward him, Ning Xiu watched the humans wielding knives and swords, preparing for a desperate struggle. The Faceless Demon Ghost's eyes glimmered with mocking contempt.

"Since you're so eager to die, I'll grant your wish!"

He flicked his ten fingers, sending out ten streams of shadowy force, which finally coalesced into a purple-black sword that shot toward Ning Xiu.

A sharp sound sliced through the air, and suddenly, everything fell silent. Tables and chairs in the cabin were flung aside, the wooden floor split like a spider’s web, and then, with a thunderous crash, collapsed entirely.

Such was the power of a full-strength strike from a demon of the monstrous class.

Feeling the force as sharp as blades, Ning Xiu did not dodge. He kept running like a leopard, sprinting toward death.

Just as the Faceless Demon Ghost thought it was over, a sudden change occurred.

White steam began to billow from Ning Xiu’s body. Had one been able to see within, they would have witnessed his blood burning throughout his veins.

"The Blood Ignition Technique!"

This secret art, learned from the third floor of the Bamboo Forest Society’s library, had such severe side effects that Ning Xiu had never used it in real combat before.

He stamped his feet, his whole form blurring into a shadow.

The explosive power in that moment was terrifying.

His speed far exceeded the Faceless Demon Ghost’s imagination.

The purple-black sword grazed Ning Xiu’s abdomen, raising a spray of blood, but Ning Xiu ignored the pain, charging forward. He stepped in, his hands crossing.

Blade and sword intersected, stabbing mercilessly toward the demon's heart.

By the Faceless Demon Ghost’s calculations, Ning Xiu could never have survived to reach him. No matter how desperately he fought, he should only have spent his own life in vain.

But reality struck him with a resounding slap.

Seeing the short blade and sword growing ever larger in his pupils, his expression shifted abruptly. Terror surged from deep within, and his body trembled uncontrollably.

He could never have imagined being driven to this by a mere mortal.

But to kill me so easily—never!

A shrill scream burst from the demon’s throat as he finally fought back.

A violent psychic assault, like a heavy blunt instrument, slammed into Ning Xiu’s mind.

Almost instantly, blood gushed from Ning Xiu’s mouth and nose, staining his face red.

"Are you afraid of dying, too?"

Ning Xiu stared fiercely at the Faceless Demon Ghost, grinning savagely.

These were the very words the demon had asked him at the outset.

His blades crossed and, without mercy, he drove them fiercely into the demon's chest.

A sharp crack resonated as blade and sword sank deep, tearing through bone and flesh with a horrifying sound, until they burst out the other side.

The Faceless Demon Ghost’s eyes widened; he looked down in disbelief, confronted with the impossible.

Ning Xiu released the weapons, gripping the wound and tearing with all his strength.

The Nine Suns True Qi surged wildly.

With the Blood Ignition Technique empowering him, Ning Xiu’s strength was immense.

A ripping sound echoed; the demon was torn cleanly in half.

Jet-black blood splattered over Ning Xiu.

A head rolled from the demon’s belly, eyes wide, with a short blade and sword embedded in its forehead.

This head had a face—and not just one.

Ning Xiu watched its features shift, as if masks were peeling away one after another, until it was carried off by the night wind, dissolving into dust.

...

Southling Commandery, headquarters of the Grand River Gang.

Chen Feng bowed deeply. "No matter when, I am willing to advance and retreat with my master, to live and die together!"

Wang Ce looked at the disciple he had raised since childhood, his face full of gratification.

But soon, the smile froze.

Wang Ce lowered his gaze to his chest, his face filled with disbelief. Somehow, it had become hollow, and fresh blood poured relentlessly from the wound.

"Don't look at me like that."

"Chen Feng" held a still-beating heart in his hand, raised his head to address Wang Chan, and spoke.

A clear, feminine voice.

"I am fulfilling your wish for you both—to live and die as master and disciple. Hurry along now; perhaps you’ll meet him again on the road to the underworld."

...

Ning Xiu had no idea how long he had been unconscious.

Fortunately, he awoke at last.

Once conscious, Ning Xiu forced his eyes open and began to examine his surroundings carefully.

Wooden boards, a ship’s cabin... He was still on the boat.

Suddenly, a large face appeared very close to him, startling its owner as Ning Xiu’s eyes snapped open.

"Se... Senior, you’re finally awake!" Zhang Long exclaimed in delight.

Ning Xiu managed to sit up, leaning against the bedhead. He glanced at the bandages on his abdomen and asked, "Did you dress my wounds?"

"Yes, yes!" Zhang Long nodded. "When we heard the commotion and rushed into the cabin, you were lying in a pool of blood, gravely wounded. I found several bottles of healing salve on you and quickly stopped the bleeding and dressed your wounds."

At this, Zhang Long's curiosity got the better of him. He glanced at Ning Xiu’s injury. When he found Ning Xiu, it wasn’t just the abdominal perforation; blood was streaming from his mouth and nose.

He had thought such severe wounds would take months to heal. Yet after only three days, Ning Xiu was awake—a miracle in his eyes.

In truth, Zhang Long did not know that the external injuries were not the greatest concern. Ning Xiu’s most urgent problem was internal. After using the Blood Ignition Technique, his vital energy was depleted, his breath chaotic. Without miraculous herbs or elixirs, recovery in a short time was impossible.

This was why, despite its astonishing effects, the Blood Ignition Technique was rated only two stars by the system.

"Are we still on the Grand River Gang’s boat?" Ning Xiu asked, coughing.

"Yes, Senior, you were too badly hurt to be moved," Zhang Long replied.

"Where is this ship headed?"

"According to the gang’s disciples, we’re following the Jing River all the way to Xiangyang Commandery’s Lu City, where there’s a port."

Zhang Long looked at Ning Xiu, then added, "By then, your wounds should be mostly healed. We can rent a small boat or catch a merchant ship back to Lingnan."

Looking at Zhang Long’s naive face, oblivious to the events unfolding in Lingnan Commandery, Ning Xiu thought that sometimes, ignorance truly was a blessing.

...