Chapter 254 - 282: Yinfu Store, Netherworld Hall! Linjiang Daoist, Flag-Carrying Daoist Child
The old Daoist was a bit suspicious, but he didn’t pay it too much mind.
After all, every time he used a Daoist Skill, he could travel hundreds or even thousands of miles a day. It was hardly surprising to occasionally miss a roadside inn or tavern.
"Senior! We’re not too far from the State Mansion now—only about thirty miles to go. Why don’t we stop here for a bite to eat before we continue?"
The old Daoist turned his head, having already cast his doubts aside. He looked at Su Bai and asked.
"This roadside inn..."
Su Bai stopped in his tracks, his expression shifting slightly.
The roadside inn before them was perfectly integrated with the surrounding landscape—the mountains, the earth, and its feng shui Presence.
Moreover, the mysterious Presence emanating from the inn unconsciously drew people closer, making them forget anything strange about it.
It carried a strong sense of mental suggestion.
If this state were to manifest in a person, it would be what’s known as achieving harmony with nature, a unity of man and heaven.
If found in a famed mountain or Holy Land, it would be known as a Blessed Land, a Grotto Heaven, a Daoist sanctum, or a place of great fortune.
But for such a quality to appear in a humble inn by a small path, it was more than a little strange.
RUSTLE—
The cold night wind rustled past. The massive Silver-White Dog Demon began to whine, its eyes wide and round. It had clearly caught the scent of roasting meat; drool dripped from the corners of its mouth, splashing onto the ground.
It wasn’t just the humans; even the Silver-White Dog Demon was affected.
Meanwhile, the blade-wielding woman behind the two men furrowed her brow, apparently sensing that something was amiss.
"Let’s find another way."
Su Bai glanced ahead and said calmly.
His voice carried a tranquil, peaceful Presence. Instantly, both the old Daoist and the Silver-White Dog Demon snapped out of their captivated state.
"Senior..."
The old Daoist’s expression changed. He clutched the bell hanging from his waist in astonishment; it was a treasure he had gone to great lengths to acquire from the Gui Chen Sect.
While it couldn’t assist him in using Daoist Skills or provide any powerful offensive capabilities, it was extremely sensitive to the unnatural.
’The bell isn’t ringing, so there shouldn’t be a problem.’
’But the Senior has spoken. Could there really be something strange about this inn?’
"Let’s go."
Su Bai’s gaze fell upon the inn. After one last, deep look, he turned and walked in another direction.
His purpose on this journey was to reach the State Mansion and imprison several of its most important figures in the Dharma Tripod Prison.
No matter how strange this inn was, it had nothing to do with him.
"Alright."
The old Daoist shook his head.
A thought popped into his mind.
’This Senior is clearly incredibly powerful, yet he’s far too cautious.’
’It’s just a roadside inn. It can’t be some kind of man-eating Demon Fiend or monster, can it?’
The Silver-White Dog Demon beside them was also reluctant to part, glancing back every few steps.
But since Su Bai had given the word, they could only suppress their desires and obediently follow him as they turned to leave.
However, not long after, the bright moon hanging in the sky climbed to its zenith.
The three people and one dog once again came to a halt.
At a bend in the mountain path ahead, on the right side of the road, they again saw the blood-red wine banner dancing in the wind.
The inn had appeared again.
At this, the old Daoist’s expression changed dramatically.
’We clearly took a different road. How are we seeing this inn again?’
"Is this a ghost-erected wall, or something else?"
The old Daoist’s face went pale with fright, the hand clutching his bell trembling.
He had heard of and even personally experienced strange encounters like being trapped by a ghost, but one on this vast a scale was simply absurd.
They had walked more than three miles, hadn’t they?
"This isn’t a case of being trapped by a ghost, but a special kind of technique."
Su Bai’s eyes glinted.
With the power of his Divine Thoughts, even if he could be deceived, he wouldn’t fail to notice the slightest flaw.
This was, indeed, a different road. The path and the surrounding wilderness were not the same as before.
The only constant was the inn before them.
The inn was clearly moving as they moved. A rather clever technique.
"Senior, what should we do?"
The old Daoist’s face was a little pale.
The scene before them was simply too bizarre.
"Since they’ve extended such a warm invitation, we might as well go in and have a look."
Su Bai’s expression remained unchanged. With a profound look in his eyes, he took the lead and strode toward the inn.
The old Daoist watched the woman and the dog follow close behind. After a moment’s hesitation, he gritted his teeth and hurried after them.
’If even the Senior meets his end here, then there’s likely nothing I can do myself.’
As time passed, the group drew closer and closer to the inn.
The inn was quite large and looked ancient. The blood-red banner was noticeably faded, and the surrounding wooden planks exuded the stench of decay.
Strangely, this inn had no main door.
NEIGH—
As the three people and one dog approached, a series of neighs suddenly erupted from the stables outside the inn.
They were shrill, miserable wails.
The old Daoist jumped in fright. Inside the stables, over thirty horses were tethered. The one screaming was the largest of the herd.
The horse was tall and majestic, with long, powerful legs. Standing among the herd, it was particularly eye-catching.
Upon seeing the group look its way, the screaming horse suddenly fell to its knees, large tears streaming from its eyes.
’The horse is crying?’
"What is..."
The old Daoist was baffled. ’Why would this perfectly fine horse suddenly start crying?’
And for some reason, the longer he looked, the more a horrifying feeling crept over the old Daoist.
"Honored guests!"
Just then, a waiter from the inn came out, all smiles as he bowed obsequiously.
"Honored guests, please, come in!"
"That... that horse?"
The old Daoist’s fingers were trembling.
"What excellent taste you have, sir!"
"This horse was raised free-range in the deep mountains, running every day, so its meat is exceptionally tender and delicious. If you’d like, I can have it slaughtered right now and prepare a full horse banquet for you!"
"Let’s go."
Just as the old Daoist was about to say something, Su Bai cut him off and strode into the inn.
The old Daoist gritted his teeth and followed him inside.
Seeing this, the horse’s cries grew even more mournful and desperate.
"HALT!!"
The moment the three people and one dog stepped into the inn, a thunderous shout erupted from the distant forest.
WHOOSH!
A figure shot onto the main road, practically skimming the ground. He stared at the inn in the distance as it gradually dimmed, dissipating into the void like a cloud of mist. His face was a mask of utter frustration.
"Sigh... For all my careful planning, I was still a step too slow!"
A soft, silver ray from the bright moon in the sky descended, illuminating the newcomer.
He was of average height and build, dressed in a simple, faded white Daoist Robe. His white beard trembled as his expression soured.
"Master! Wait up!"
Not long after he landed, a panting young Daoist carrying a golden flag hurried to catch up.
This young Daoist was about thirteen or fourteen, with refined features and a pair of exceptionally bright, silver-white eyes.
"The Yinfu Store! A once-in-a-century opportunity, and it vanishes once the moon is high! Nianxin, it’s all your fault! Your drunken stupor made us miss our window!"
The old Daoist stomped his foot in resentment, his eyes filled with indignation.
"This is infuriating!"
The Nianxin Daoist Child shot his master a look, rolling his eyes.
"You can’t blame me. You’re the one who got a craving on the road, went to a tavern for a drinking binge, and insisted on having one too many. I only had a single cup with you. How was I supposed to know it would be so potent?"
"If we miss this chance with the Yinfu Store, it won’t appear again for at least another century. I spent a fortune in treasures and even called in a personal favor, asking the Celestial Secret Sect Leader to divine its location... I never imagined we’d still be a step too late."
The Linjiang Daoist looked up at the bright moon in the sky and sighed deeply.
"Man proposes, but Heaven disposes. It’s true."
"Even a great opportunity depends on destiny!"
His time was running out. A breakthrough to the next Realm was nowhere in sight. To continue living, his only hope was to seek help from the Netherworld Hall.
However, the Netherworld, where the Netherworld Hall resides, is incredibly difficult to enter. The only method he could think of was through this Yinfu Store.
"So what if we missed it?"
But the Nianxin Daoist Child tried to console him. "Didn’t the Celestial Secret Sect Leader say that great changes are happening in the Netherworld and it’s not a good time to enter?"
The legendary Netherworld is no welcoming place, especially for the living.
"The chaos in the Netherworld is precisely what makes it a good opportunity for us. If the Netherworld were peaceful, not even the Officials in the State Mansion—or even a Martial Arts Great Power like the Lord of the State himself—would dare set foot inside."
The Linjiang Daoist stroked his beard and sighed.
"I don’t even know if I can last another hundred years. By then, Lord Bai You and Lord Hei Ming of the Netherworld Hall are bound to appear for the sacrifice to the Netherworld Venerable Master..."
His words stopped abruptly.
The Linjiang Daoist shivered and scrambled backward, cupping his hands in a salute toward the ground. His face was a mask of terror as he stammered:
"My Lords, please forgive me! This humble Daoist didn’t mean to speak that name..."
"Master..."
The Nianxin Daoist Child couldn’t help but shiver.
In his eyes, the ground seemed to turn into a Bright Mirror, reflecting a vast and gloomy world.
That world was filled with swirling yin qi and churning deathly energy.
In a trance, he seemed to see a majestic, sprawling city flash into existence and vanish just as quickly.
In that fleeting glimpse, he saw the city gates were wide open. The city itself was empty, devoid of people. Only on the city walls, shrouded in swirling yin mist, could he make out two figures, one black and one white, sitting cross-legged.
It was as if they were the only two figures in the entire world.
Desolate. Bleak. Lonely.
"This humble Daoist will sever this memory, I’ll sever it right now..."
The Linjiang Elder’s face was ashen. He instantly raised his right hand and slapped himself on the forehead, hitting himself over and over until he saw stars.
While he was at it, he landed another slap—this time, directly on his disciple’s face.
The Nianxin Daoist Child didn’t even make a peep as he was sent spinning through the air like a top. He crashed headfirst into a nearby bush, only his two small legs left sticking out.
They twitched a few times before he was knocked out completely...
WHOOSH!
In the next instant, a gust of yin wind blew past. The reflection on the ground scattered, the mirror shattered, and the earth returned to its normal appearance.
The Linjiang Daoist, drenched in sweat and utterly drained of strength, collapsed to the ground.
His heart pounded with lingering fear as he muttered to himself:
"Infinite Venerable! They..."
"They’re already awake!"