Chapter 8: Shadows of Ghosts Stir the Heart with Fear

The fish-eyed man's vitality was gravely injured, yet there were no traces of demonic influence on him; a few months of rest would see him fully recovered. In these times, when demons run rampant, such a circumstance was highly suspicious.

A few months ago, he had slain a serpent demon, and the woman he and the fish-eyed man had encountered at the Violet Blossom Pavilion—Miss Dream—was very likely the mastermind behind all this. The motive was self-evident.

She sought to lure him out.

But why? He had not left the mountain in recent months, nor had he made any enemies before. Such careful, deliberate efforts to draw him out made him wary.

No matter what, he would meet force with force, water with earth. Yi Fan laughed coldly within.

The moon hung high. Outside the window, all was silent. Suddenly, a cat shrieked, and then silence fell once more.

“They’re here.”

Yi Fan stirred inwardly. One hand gripped the Demon-Slaying Sword; the other pressed a Minor Demon-Repelling Talisman firmly in his palm. He rose but did not move, keeping his gaze fixed on the window.

A sharp crack resounded from the window. A shadow flashed past, accompanied by a strange wind that billowed the curtains and snuffed out the candle.

Yi Fan remained calm, watching quietly, letting the intruder play its tricks, curious what it would attempt.

The door was suddenly flung open with a loud bang. A gust of wind swept in, blinding Yi Fan momentarily. A fleeting shadow darted across the corner of the doorway.

“Demon, where do you think you’re going?”

Yi Fan gave chase, but as soon as he stepped outside, his mind reeled—he knew he had fallen into a trap. Instinctively, he raised the Demon-Slaying Sword, the Minor Demon-Repelling Talisman glimmering faintly yellow, clutched tightly in his palm.

A shadow lunged at him, about to close the distance, but then recoiled suddenly, sensing danger, and vanished into the artificial rockery, hiding in darkness to await its next ambush.

The sounds of battle alerted the guards. The steward arrived with seven or eight men in sturdy attire, wielding clubs and swords, rushing in. Upon seeing Yi Fan, they queried him urgently.

“Master Yi, what happened?”

They saw the extinguished lights and chaos within the room, clear signs of a struggle. Yi Fan’s grim expression and defensive stance with a black sword made them even more apprehensive.

“A demon has entered to cause mischief. No one move—it’s hiding nearby, ready to strike at any moment.”

“A demon?”

Panic swept through the group, their faces pale with terror as they gripped their weapons, nervously scanning the shadows. The steward was the first to regain composure, swallowing hard.

“Master Yi, what should we do next? We’ll follow your lead.”

Their fear was understandable; the recent massacre of the clan north of the city was still fresh in their minds, the entire family slaughtered in gruesome fashion—a chilling memory.

Suddenly, a strange wind rose, swirling sand and stone. A shadow leapt over the rockery, fleeing outward.

“Stay here and don’t move. Wait for my return.”

Yi Fan knew the demon was after him alone. As long as the others kept out of it, their lives were not in immediate danger. With that, he strode into the rear courtyard, sword in hand.

The Chen family estate was vast, sprawling across gardens, courtyards, rockeries, and ponds. After a lengthy chase, Yi Fan was out of breath when he finally cornered the shadow in a quiet spot.

They faced each other for a moment. The shadow stepped from the darkness.

“Stinking priest, look closely—do you know who I am?”

Bathed in moonlight, Miss Dream stood in red robes, her pretty face twisted with malice, cold light flickering in her eyes as she glared at Yi Fan with hatred. A long ribbon in her hand fluttered in the wind, writhing like a serpent.

“Miss Dream. So it is you.”

Yi Fan sneered, unsurprised. Among all he had encountered, Miss Dream of the Violet Blossom Pavilion had always been the most suspicious. He gripped the Minor Demon-Repelling Talisman tightly, his senses alert.

Miss Dream’s expression was ferocious. She wanted to attack, but was wary of the talisman in Yi Fan’s hand. Gritting her teeth, she hissed, “Stinking priest, don’t be so smug. You killed the envoy of the Scarlet Training Sect. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, we’ll flay you alive and torment your soul for a hundred years.”

Scarlet Training Sect? Could it be that the recent murders in Guobei County, the chaos and terror wrought by demons, were their doing?

His only encounter with demons in recent months had been the serpent he slew—clearly the envoy she spoke of.

Yi Fan’s demeanor was calm as he laughed, “What a joke. Do you think I was raised on fear? For people like you, who insist on becoming monsters—neither human nor ghost—whenever I meet one, I kill one.”

With that, the Minor Demon-Repelling Talisman flashed in his hand, ready to strike. Miss Dream’s face changed dramatically; she sprang up and vaulted over the high wall.

“Stinking priest, the Scarlet Training Sect will not spare you!”

Yi Fan hated those flying creatures most. He looked at the wall, knowing he could not catch up, and sensing the demon girl had fled, he turned back.

…

The next day, before dawn, Master Chen arrived with the steward. Yi Fan had just finished his morning practice. Their arrival was no surprise, given the commotion last night; to wait until now showed remarkable restraint.

A maid was sent to prepare tea. Master Chen spoke, “Master Yi, last night a demon infiltrated the estate. Thank you for your righteous intervention, sparing us from disaster.”

Could he tell them the demon was after him? Yi Fan mused inwardly, but outwardly remained courteous.

After some polite conversation, Master Chen could no longer contain himself. “Master Yi, what are your plans now?”

“I am a man of the wild, accustomed to quiet. Naturally, I will return to the mountain and resume my cultivation.”

Hearing this, Master Chen suddenly stood and bowed deeply. “The times are unsettled. Demons plague Guobei County, killing countless people. The Lanruo Temple has sealed its gates and will not intervene, but you possess great magical power. Please protect my Chen family.”

Yi Fan was about to reply when a commotion erupted outside. The steward rushed in, flustered.

“Master, officials from the magistrate’s office have arrived.”

Master Chen’s face changed. He glanced at Yi Fan, hesitated, then forced a bitter smile. “It seems word of your abilities has reached the magistrate. No doubt he has sent someone to invite you.”

He steadied himself, then turned to Yi Fan. “Master Yi, let us go out and greet our guests; we must not keep the county magistrate waiting.”

In the guest hall, three or four officers awaited them. The leader wore a long sword at his waist, an official cap on his head, and had the bearing of a constable. When he saw Master Chen, he greeted him, “Master Chen, the county magistrate sent me to request Master Yi’s presence.”

Master Chen snorted coldly. “The magistrate is well informed—so eager he comes before breakfast.”

The constable did not respond, knowing Master Chen’s displeasure; after all, when a powerful mage arrives at one’s home, few would let him go easily.

He turned to Yi Fan. “You must be Master Yi. I am Wang Zhongzheng, constable of Guobei County.”

Before Yi Fan could reply, Master Chen interjected, “Enough, wait here a moment.” Then, turning to Yi Fan, he said, “I have ordered breakfast prepared. Let us eat before we go.”

The constable could only smile wryly, holding back any anger. Master Chen was well acquainted with the magistrate—rumored to be old classmates. Before coming, the magistrate had instructed him to let his old friend vent his temper, as long as they brought the demon-slaying Master Yi, anything else could be tolerated.

Moreover, the Chen family was a prominent local clan—not someone a humble constable could afford to offend.