pertwk Chapter 81 Shadow Spider
Chapter 81 Shadow Spider
The winding and rugged Weishan Mountain is located in the northwest of Shiliang Village.
This mountain is completely different from the surrounding towering peaks; it is almost barren of vegetation and animals.
From a distance, it appears to be an old man with a bristling beard and hair roaring to the sky.
Zhiquan rode on horseback, followed by a large crowd.
The temple has been built for over a hundred years, and among its most senior members are Daode Yuanming and Zonghui Zhiguang.
The current abbot of Daruo Temple is named Huidu. Therefore, this wise monk has become a pillar of Daruo Temple.
"Master Zhiquan, something must have happened to the Bodhi tree at the entrance of the Great Immortal Cave. Otherwise, the villagers wouldn't be going missing one after another..."
"Dear benefactors, please be patient and allow me to investigate further before drawing a conclusion."
I came here on the behalf of my senior brother, Zhiyong. He once said that three years later, a demon would be born in this place, which would surely bring bloodshed to the families within a radius of sixty miles.
It must be eradicated within forty-nine days of its birth.
Therefore, even if one is born a few days earlier, it doesn't matter to this humble monk.
Luo Guisheng walked shakily to Master Zhiquan, who greeted him with a face full of reverence, his hands clasped together in prayer.
"Master Zhiquan, it is not that I am being nosy. It is that three years ago, Master Zhiyong made an appointment with me."
He once said, "I have a karmic connection with Buddhism. Three years later, I will be guided to the Great Temple..."
A hint of ferocity suddenly surfaced on his calm, intelligent face.
"Damn Zhiyong, if it weren't for my master's quick thinking, you two would have really turned the tables. Now that everything has settled, I'll gladly accept these materials for the first time to cultivate the Peng King Demonic Flame."
Thinking of this, Zhiquan's face showed an even greater sense of pride.
"With just five more hearts, seven tongues, and twelve small intestines, we can refine the Body-Burning Tempering Ointment... At that time, in the competition among the various rooms, my fasting room will have a place."
...
The closer they got to the Great Immortal Cave, the more pronounced the chilling cold became.
The remaining vegetation around the area is no longer lush; instead, it is barren and lifeless.
Zhiquan, his expression shifting repeatedly, spurred his horse forward. Before long, they arrived at the Bodhi tree that had long since withered.
To the right of the tree, there is a human-shaped mark and a newly reconstructed grave mound.
"Damn it, who dares to ruin my plans!"
Zhiquan glared angrily at the crowd that had rushed over.
"What's going on now?!"
It is obvious that the Bodhi tree has been dead for far longer than the few days Luo Guisheng mentioned!
Only after everyone saw the human skin and the new grave were they able to confirm that it was indeed the missing Luo Yixiang and his son.
"How could this happen!"
Niu Cuicui stumbled out of the crowd, knelt before the grave mound, and wailed in grief. Her hands dug furiously into the yellow mud.
Only after her hands were slashed and bleeding profusely did she pull a rolled-up human skin from the grave mound.
"This human skin is stained with resentment, but it's perfect material for making a sister's drum..."
"Master Zhiquan, what should we do now...?"
The human tendency to grieve over the death of a rabbit is innate; in an instant, extreme fear and turmoil once again permeated people's hearts.
"The evil spirits inside have escaped. Are there any suspicious individuals in your village?"
His entire being was gloomy, yet the indifference in his speech betrayed no joy or sorrow.
"Luo Ji! It must be him!"
"Yes, he's the most suspicious person in the whole village. Maybe he's the one who released this evil spirit."
The indignant villagers of Shiliang Village seemed to have found a way out, and all their fear and panic turned into anger.
"Master Zhiquan, there are still two thieves impersonating Da Ruo Temple in Luo Ji's house."
One of them had a cold, aloof expression; it was clear at a glance he wasn't a good person. The other, about eight or nine years old, was dressed as a novice monk.
"Indeed, our fellow villagers almost made a mistake earlier."
"Perhaps, that evil spirit was also released by those two thieves."
With Zhiquan's backing, the Luo family member quickly uncovered every suspicious detail.
Upon hearing this, Zhiquan, already gloomy, bulged his veins even more, and the nameless rage in his heart almost made him lose his mind.
"How dare you! You actually dared to touch the things in the meditation room! Since you stole them, no matter which room you monks are from, you will all be buried here!"
Even if I grind you to dust, it will not quell the hatred in my heart!
Zhiquan naturally wouldn't let the two thieves who ruined his plans get away with it.
"Lead the way! We must get there before dark, lest they escape under the cover of night!"
"Master, I am familiar with the situation at Luo Ji's house. I will take you there."
A strong young man stepped out from the crowd, staring at Zhiquan with anticipation.
"Amitabha Buddha, you have a karmic connection with the Buddha. Once this matter is settled, this humble monk will guide you to take refuge in the Great Ruo Temple."
Upon hearing this, the young man's face lit up with joy. He quickly knelt down and kowtowed, shouting out in unison.
"Thank you, Master Zhiquan. I will now lead the way for you."
He galloped toward Luo Ji's house, with Zhi Quan on horseback close behind.
Those who missed their chance were so angry they beat their chests and stamped their feet. Even the usually kind and amiable Luo Guisheng looked grim.
"That kid Luo Quanzhou is really clever. If I had known this would happen, I would have tried it even at the risk of offending a mage."
"That's right, if he takes refuge in the Great Monastery, from now on he won't have to work anymore. He can just chant scriptures and recite Buddhist mantras, and enjoy vegetarian meals while always by the Buddha's side..."
In an instant, envious glances and expressions of regret appeared on the faces of the villagers of Shiliang.
"Hmph, if Luo Quanzhou can convert to the Great Ruo Temple, there's no reason why I can't. Even if they truly refuse me entry, I'll make sure their attempt to go to Luo Quanzhou fails!"
As Luo Guisheng, whose mood was unpredictable, thought this, his depression subsided somewhat.
...
As dusk settled, cold, damp, leaden clouds completely enveloped the sky, leaving not a single gap.
Fang Hongxuan sat upright on the threshold, sword in hand, his scarlet eyes scanning the surroundings.
"Tap...tap..."
The sound of hurried and disordered footsteps came from behind the bushes.
Suddenly, a beautiful but thin woman darted out from among them.
Before the smile on her face could fade, she met Fang Hongxuan's eyes.
"Who are you, and why are you sitting in my house?"
Fang Hongxuan drew his knife and stood up, coldly staring at the woman before him.
"Are you sure this is your home? Are you trying to deceive me?"
In the pitch-black night, the enormous spider shadow above the woman's head bared its teeth at Fang Hongxuan, and foul-smelling salty water gushed out.
"What a joke! If this isn't my home, is it yours? If you don't leave, don't blame me for being heartless!"
Seemingly intrigued, Fang Hongxuan sized up the woman before him, who was utterly powerless.
"I'd like to see just how ruthless you can be."
"Could it be that you intend to use that spider that's dangling you?"
Upon hearing this, the woman's expression changed drastically; her gentle and kind oval face instantly transformed into a ferocious and terrifying ghost.
Even the spider shadow behind him looked solemnly at the seemingly harmless Fang Hongxuan.
"Who exactly are you?!"