A single sword strike, leaving no room for discourse.
The fortune teller stared, dumbfounded, never expecting the young celestial from the mountain to be so decisive. He had shown such humility and courtesy to the boy who drowned innocently in the river, yet here he was, showing no mercy to the old woman who had caused the deaths of her three granddaughters. It was as if he had already decided, deep within his heart, that regardless of any justification, anyone who committed such deeds deserved to die.
In this young sword cultivator, the fortune teller sensed the aura of a scholar, yet also a potent, murderous presence. He had never encountered anyone like him in his life.
"Come, it's your turn."
Lin Zhao raised a fingertip, and two Great Desolate Ancient Swords were placed against the rough-bearded man's nape and the center of his back. Lin Zhao glanced at him and said, "It's time for you to repay your debt."
"You..."
The burly man's face paled, already drenched in cold sweat from fear, yet he still roared defiantly, "Do you think you're a celestial from the mountain, entitled to decide life and death, to control others' fates?"
"That's right. Can't I?"
Lin Zhao smiled, grabbed the man by his collar, and ascended his flying sword, Leaf, like a kite. He flew towards the ancient well at the town's entrance, carrying the man as if he were a small chicken. The fortune teller followed not too far behind, witnessing his brother's death and atonement. He felt a pang of regret, but he understood that his brother was arrogant and unruly, having committed more than just this one wicked deed in the town; he had long deserved death.
Qing Yan, clad in an apricot-yellow dress, followed Lin Zhao. Her lips were pursed. She didn't particularly enjoy witnessing such events; flying kites or eating scallion noodles was more amusing to her. However, she knew her brother was doing what he believed was right, so she supported him wholeheartedly.
The ancient well still echoed with desperate, chilling cries.
"Done."
Lin Zhao kicked out, sending the rough-bearded man crashing to his knees. His legs buckled, and he collapsed, groaning in pain. Lin Zhao then turned to the well, "I have brought the one who wronged you. How you wish to deal with him is up to you."
From within the ancient well, a figure in white drifted out. Her hair was disheveled, but in the moonlight, she possessed a beautiful face, truly the most beautiful woman in Peach Blossom Town. Her gaze was distant as she looked at Lin Zhao, and then at the villain she loathed with all her being. It was this man who had ruined her life, destroyed her reputation and her very existence. For countless nights, she had yearned to break free from the well and slice this villain into a thousand pieces. But the heavenly lightning outside was too fierce. She was merely a ghost bound to the well, not a wandering spirit of legend, lacking the power to exact revenge outside. Yet now, the young sword cultivator had brought him here.
"Look at me."
The ghostly woman stared at the man before her, her laughter eerily sharp. She cried out, "You beast, do you not even have the courage to look at me?"
"Look at her!"
Lin Zhao raised his sword and slashed at the burly man's calf. Blood spurted out profusely. The man cried out in pain and shakily lifted his head, gazing at the woman's ethereal beauty in the moonlight. She was as lovely as she had been in years past, but now, a terrifying aura emanated from her.
"No… no…"
His entire body trembled. He had only heard tales of the ancient well being haunted, of the vengeful spirit that lingered. Now that he truly saw her, his fear was beyond measure.
"Have you forgotten what you said back then?"
The ghostly woman let out a sorrowful, ironic laugh. "You said that what you cannot obtain, you must destroy. Because I refused your proposal, you caused my death… What kind of beast could utter such words, 'If I can't have it, I'll destroy it'?"
"Because he was a beast from the start," Lin Zhao added.
The fortune teller frowned. This was truly the end.
"Now, what do you have to say for yourself?" The ghostly woman's face grew even more ghastly.
"I… I…"
The burly man knelt and kowtowed repeatedly, his forehead bleeding. "I was wrong, I know I was wrong. I am willing to atone… As long as you spare me, I will spend a fortune to hire people to perform masses for your soul. I will financially support your parents. I will… I will spend a fortune to find a virtuous woman for your younger brother to marry. I will…"
"No need."
The ghostly woman smiled sadly. "I do not believe you."
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded gently at the woman, indicating that he too did not believe him. For all these years, he had shown no remorse, no intention of compensating the woman's family. Now, facing death, he suddenly repented. Such repentance was as believable as a ghost appearing.
"Young Master."
The ghostly woman looked at Lin Zhao, pursed her red lips, and said softly, "I still don't know the Young Master's name."
"My surname is Lin, given name Zhao."
"Oh..."
The ghostly woman revealed a beautiful smile and said, "Young Master Lin, this man's sins are grave. I am not the only one he has harmed. I wish for him to die, for only death can atone for his sins. However, I am greatly concerned, if such a sinful person were to die and transform into a fierce ghost, and then torment my family, what then?"
"It's alright. He won't have the chance to become a fierce ghost, nor the chance to reincarnate."
Lin Zhao smiled. "I will ensure he is utterly annihilated."
"..."
The fortune teller was dumbfounded. The burly man's liver and gallbladder were about to rupture. Killing someone and not allowing them to reincarnate, what did that mean? Were mountain celestials so unreasonable?
Lin Zhao chuckled, perceiving the man's thoughts. "I am not some celestial from the mountain. I am merely a sword cultivator, half Confucian, half military strategist. Since I am a military strategist, what is wrong with killing you, and then eradicating any lingering threats?"
"You cannot!"
The burly man turned, his eyes filled with malice. "If you kill me, I will surely transform into a fierce ghost and torment you for ten thousand lifetimes. This hatred will never cease!"
"Oh?!"
Lin Zhao tilted his ear, smiling. "Come, I would very much like to see how you will become a fierce ghost."
As he spoke, Lin Zhao darted forward, his movements incredibly ruthless. With a "swish," his sword flashed, transforming into a streak of white cold light that sliced across the burly man's neck. Instantly, the bearded head tumbled from his neck. Both the fortune teller and the ghostly woman were terrified by the swiftness and mercilessness of the strike, as if it were entirely justified, without a trace of hesitation.
As the burly man's body fell, a grayish soul emerged from it—the man's three souls and seven spirits. These souls pulsed with a bloody hue, imbued with extreme resentment. Left unchecked, they would undoubtedly transform into a fierce ghost and harm others again. However, Lin Zhao's Nascent Soul realm was no illusion. While players of lower cultivation might not see it, Lin Zhao could see this wisp of a soul. With a flick of his foot, his toe, imbued with profound fist intent and true qi of a warrior, sent the cluster of souls flying into the air. Lin Zhao then pointed his sword, activating the "Sword Breaking Art" skill. Instantly, countless flying swords shot forth from the chaotic space behind him!
"Bang, bang, bang—"
A barrage of dense slashes followed, interspersed with faint ghostly wails. Just as Lin Zhao had said, with a single Sword Breaking Art, dozens, even hundreds, of sword qi attacks, had utterly dispersed the burly man's three souls and seven spirits. He was merely an ordinary person, albeit somewhat stout. His soul was no different from that of any other person. For Lin Zhao, a Nascent Soul cultivator, to disperse such a soul was as easy as flipping a hand.
"Done."
Lin Zhao flicked his wrist, shaking off the bloodstains from the Li Quan sword. He cupped his fists towards the ghostly woman and said, "Miss, your revenge has been served. Go now."
"Thank you, Young Master…"
The ghostly woman offered a smile and turned towards the direction of the house east of the river. She decided not to disturb her parents and younger brother, lest she frighten them. In the next moment, the ghostly woman slowly dissipated into heaven and earth. Though there was no grand ritual, this outcome was the best possible salvation.
"Young Hero…"
The fortune teller took a deep breath and looked at his brother's headless corpse on the ground. "He was my brother after all. I… I wish to ask for his body back for burial. May I?"
"Mm."
Lin Zhao nodded. "It is only right. He was your brother, after all. I apologize, Sir. Morally, there was no issue with me killing him, but from a familial perspective, I have wronged you by killing your brother. I hope you do not blame me."
The fortune teller's eyes reddened. "I know the Young Hero is doing what is right. How could I blame you? If I were to blame you, wouldn't I be as misguided as my brother?"
Lin Zhao nodded gently.
The fortune teller looked at Lin Zhao, then at Qing Yan. "Young Hero, you have traveled far and have not had a warm meal. In Peach Blossom Town, we truly…"
"It's alright."
Lin Zhao reached into his怀 and took out four 'Sha Dispelling Talismans.' "I will help your Peach Blossom Town dispel the heavy yin energy. How about you treat me to a meal?"
"Ah?!"
The fortune teller was taken aback.
In the next moment, Lin Zhao simultaneously ignited four Sha Dispelling Talismans and threw them in the four cardinal directions. Instantly, golden, sacred light erupted throughout the street, illuminating the entire Peach Blossom Town. The yin energy that had shrouded the town for so long was instantly dispelled, like mist meeting sunlight. The bright moon hung high in the sky, its pure radiance once again falling upon the town.
"Villagers!"
The fortune teller shouted. "This Young Hero is a celestial from the mountain. He has already dispelled all the ghosts and specters from our Peach Blossom Town! Old Li, hurry and open your noodle shop, make two bowls of eel silk noodles for the Young Hero!"
Lanterns were lit throughout the town. The ghostly figures had indeed vanished without a trace. A few bolder youngsters ventured onto the streets, cheering with joy.
...
After eating two bowls of eel silk noodles, Lin Zhao and Qing Yan burped contentedly and, hand in hand with their donkey, left Peach Blossom Town. It was very late, and with the moon at its peak, it was nearing midnight. As they rode, Qing Yan suddenly swayed weakly and said, "Brother, I have to go…"
"Ah? Qing Yan?!"
Lin Zhao hurriedly carried her down from the donkey's back, only to find her spiritual energy rapidly dissipating.
"How could this happen?"
Lin Zhao's heart was in turmoil. He quickly carried Qing Yan to a peach tree by the roadside, placing her on his lap and tightly grasping her hand. He found her palm becoming translucent, and her jade-like legs were dissolving into light in the grass.
"Brother…"
Qing Yan looked at him, tears sliding down her cheeks. She said softly, "I wanted to stay with you longer. I wanted to lean on you longer, but… but I don't have time anymore…"