Chapter 11: Burning the Wronged Bones, Burying Them in the Earthen Altar

Sand and gravel scattered, forceful energy surged in all directions, mingled with demonic black smoke, like dreadful monsters destroying everything nearby. The houses within several yards were left in ruins, clouds of dust rising high into the sky.

Five or six demon followers attacked together with astonishing momentum, their strikes tearing through the air in the blink of an eye, slashing straight toward their target.

"Now this is interesting," said Xiahou, unafraid, sword in hand, bursting into laughter. With a tremor of his body, he charged forward to meet them head-on.

Like lightning and thunder, the clash resounded, forcing Yi Fan to retreat a dozen meters, steadying himself and narrowing his eyes to watch the battle above.

At this moment, Zhou Lixing arrived with a large group of men, rushing to the scene. Upon witnessing the fight, he immediately halted, glanced inside the Purple Blossom Pavilion, and his expression changed, turning somewhat grim.

"Seal off the street! No one is allowed to enter. Anyone who trespasses will be executed without mercy."

So many had died here; Zhou Lixing would have a severe headache dealing with the aftermath. The web of connections involved was enough to make anyone's scalp tingle.

Suddenly, a sword rang out, followed by a miserable scream. A head fell to the ground—it was Simeng, her body close by.

"There are demons who yearn to be human, and yet some people aspire to become demons. Isn't the human form the hardest thing to attain in this world? Yet those who possess it often cast it aside, living neither as human nor demon, and in death, unable even to become a ghost."

Yi Fan sighed and turned his focus back to the fight above, where Xiahou now held the advantage.

The remaining demon followers could barely hold out, growing more desperate by the moment. Xiahou, on the other hand, moved with ease, leaping across rooftops as if walking on air.

In another moment, one more demon was slain. The rest could hold out no longer and scattered in all directions.

"Trying to escape?"

With a cold snort, Xiahou's sword flashed like lightning, splitting the air and killing two instantly. He dashed forward with unmatched speed, intercepting the remaining demons before they could flee far. With only a brief resistance, they, too, met their end.

Sheathing his sword, Xiahou landed atop his horse and grabbed his wine gourd, taking a hearty drink. "Exhilarating! Truly exhilarating!"

"General, are you injured?" Zhou Lixing immediately regretted his words, wishing he could slap himself. As expected, Xiahou's gaze turned cold, his eyes slanting toward him. "Do you think I could be hurt?"

"I wouldn’t dare. I spoke out of turn," Zhou Lixing replied, sweat beading on his forehead, not daring to say another word. Xiahou snorted and continued drinking from his wine gourd.

...

By noon, the black-armored cavalry emerged one after another, each expressionless and covered in blood, their murderous aura chilling to the bone. In no time they had assembled.

"County Magistrate Zhou, the demons have been dealt with; I’ve returned your world to peace. You need not thank me—just send a hundred jars of fine wine tonight."

With that, Xiahou flicked his long cloak and led three hundred imperial guards away at a gallop.

Zhou Lixing, his brows furrowed, glanced at Yi Fan. "Daoist Yi, accompany me inside for a look."

As they approached the entrance, a thick stench of blood assailed them. Zhou Lixing took one look inside and immediately vomited, fleeing in panic. Yi Fan, too, turned pale, unable to bear the sight.

It was a ghastly scene, truly unbearable—the ground littered with mangled corpses, flesh torn from bone, rivers of blood flowing along the cracks in the floor.

"Someone, burn it."

It took Zhou Lixing a long moment to recover, his face ashen. Gritting his teeth, he ordered the place to be set ablaze.

With so many bodies, gathering them would be troublesome and might cause panic among the people. Better to burn everything at once and declare it the work of demons.

The flames roared, heat waves rolling through the noonday sun, yet an icy chill crept into the heart, sending shivers down the spine.

Soon the smell of burning flesh wafted out, making people retch. Curious onlookers were kept away by soldiers, forced to disperse and not allowed near.

"Lord Zhou, I’ll need you to prepare a dozen large jars and assign some men—a few with strong nerves."

Yi Fan sighed. "I fear that so many innocent souls have died unjustly. If not properly handled, their spirits may become vengeful and bring harm."

Zhou Lixing agreed at once and sent people to make preparations.

By evening, the fire within had died down. Yi Fan led a dozen soldiers inside, where choking ash hung in the air. Fortunately, Yi Fan had ordered them to bring damp cloths to cover their faces, allowing them to breathe.

The corpses had been reduced to ashes, indistinguishable from one another. Yi Fan instructed, "Gentlemen, please gather the ashes into the jars. Be careful not to injure your hands or spill blood—otherwise, disaster may follow."

The officers, already briefed by Zhou Lixing, obeyed without objection, each using a shovel to collect the ashes from the floor.

It was nearly midnight before all was finished. Yi Fan instructed them to seal the jars and affixed a "Minor Demon-Dispelling Talisman" to each, finally able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Returning to the yamen, he saw several carriages outside, with people coming and going—all dressed in fine silks and brocades, jade belts at their waists, clearly the gentry of Guobei County.

"Out! Get them all out! Unless they bring a thousand taels of silver, I’ll personally come for it tomorrow!"

Upon entering the hall, Yi Fan heard a furious roar. Xiahou was seated at the head, speaking with Zhou Lixing about something that left Zhou looking deeply troubled.

"General, isn’t a thousand taels a bit much?"

"Too much? I think it’s not enough—in fact, it’s far too little! Look at you all, fat and greasy, layers upon layers—peeling a few off would fetch far more than a thousand taels!"

With that, Xiahou tossed down his teacup and strode out, giving Zhou Lixing no chance to respond.

"Lord Zhou, what’s all this?" Yi Fan asked in confusion as he entered.

Only then did he learn that that afternoon, the county’s wealthy gentry had come bearing gifts, only for Xiahou to open them in public and drive out anyone whose offering was worth less than a thousand taels of silver.

Zhou Lixing sighed and waved his hand. "Let’s not dwell on these troubles. Daoist Yi, have you finished gathering the remains?"

Yi Fan nodded. "All done. The jars are locked in the courtyard. Tomorrow morning, I’ll trouble you to send men to take them up the mountain."

Though the ashes were sealed with the talismans, Yi Fan worried that the longer they lingered, the greater the risk. It was best to have them taken to the mountains and securely sealed as soon as possible.

After a brief conversation, Yi Fan went to find Daoist Zhao. As for the three monks, they had already left, unwilling to interact with someone as fierce as Xiahou.

Daoist Zhao was still awake and welcomed Yi Fan inside, serving him tea as they sat together.

Yi Fan recounted the matter of gathering the wronged souls’ remains and said, "Senior Zhao, though I sealed the ashes with talismans, this is only a temporary measure. Please, might you advise me?"

Daoist Zhao replied, "No need for such formality, my friend. This is a deed of great merit—I shall do all I can to help." After a moment’s thought, he retrieved a wooden box from his room. "Inside are fifteen 'Transcendence' talismans, which can subdue vengeful spirits without harming their essence. The rest will depend on you."

Yi Fan was overjoyed and gave his heartfelt thanks. Though he had minor demon-dispelling talismans, these were instruments of destruction—if used for long-term sealing, the souls within would be utterly annihilated, unable to enter the underworld or be reborn.