Chapter 1796: Carriage

"Ghost!"

"A sword-wielding vengeful spirit, beheading Uncle Jin with a single strike?"

"Such a pale ghost, it startled me... Wait, is that a person? A human face?"

"Uncle Jin was too weak; he just disappeared like that."

"He's all black now; could his soul have been severed, or was it eaten by this pale-faced ghost?"

"Is this a special effect?"

"Look quickly, Uncle Jin's chest, it really looks like there's a scar..."

"This ghost is no ordinary ghost. It's clear the Ghost-Buddha Realm is undergoing a transformation, and a Saint-level entity is about to be born. Ancestral Path Lord, listen to this Saint's advice: go home."

"Elder Fu, quickly protect her!"

"Hong Niang, get ready!"

After a brief pause, a stream of comments flashed across the Golden Apricot screen. They floated before her eyes, but Hong Niang didn't read a single one. Unlike the Spirit Masters who watched from a distance with a buffer, Hong Niang's direct experience was overwhelmingly shocking. Uncle Jin was beheaded, and a pale face suddenly appeared before her. When the ghost spoke human words, she could even smell a foul, decaying stench, and her thoughts froze: "Uncle Jin is dead... A vengeful spirit wielding a sword... And it's intelligent, it can speak..."

The pale-faced ghost's jaw was still resting on Uncle Jin's headless corpse, just an arm's length from Hong Niang. It sniffed greedily and intoxicatingly, its long tongue darting out, almost touching Hong Niang's cheek. "Run!" An urgent shout came from a distance: "Miss! Hong Niang! Snap out of it, run!" Hong Niang turned and fled.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss..." The pale-faced ghost savored the thrill of the hunt, not rushing to pursue. Its lips stretched to its temples, and its eyes narrowed into slits as it smiled. It gave a light nudge with its chin. Uncle Jin's corpse promptly fell to the ground. The Golden Apricot screen's fixed direction was backward. Only then did the viewers realize that Uncle Jin wasn't joking; he might truly be gone forever. Elder Fu's panic and Hong Niang's fright were clearly not just for show. Their Tai Xu team had encountered a terrifying vengeful spirit capable of wiping out an entire team—something unheard of in the past six months!

"Miss..." The pale-faced ghost, clad in an old green robe and holding a black longsword, declared, "No one can escape my sword." He held the sword with both hands and slowly, elegantly, made a single slash. "Spirit Slicer." With a whoosh, a faint blue sword light blossomed. Hong Niang was running ahead, but the sword light, though launched later, arrived first, instantly cutting towards the back of her neck. From the Golden Apricot's perspective, the sword light grew from small to large, as if it were about to cleave through the screen itself.

"Hong Niang!" At that critical moment, Elder Fu, from a distance, threw a talisman high into the air, enchanting it with blood: "Golden Yuan Shield!" Hong Niang stumbled, and a golden spirit energy shield materialized around her, providing a profound sense of security. The faint blue sword light struck the Golden Yuan Shield, but it didn't even leave a faint white scratch.

A flurry of messages instantly appeared before her eyes: "Good! She's protected!" "This pale-faced ghost doesn't seem that strong after all. It's a shame Uncle Jin died from its sneak attack, but it definitely can't defeat a prepared Elder Fu." Some clear-headed viewers, however, noticed something else: "No! If Uncle Jin was completely unaware before he died, and Elder Fu is at the same level as Uncle Jin, how could he save Hong Niang?" "Look quickly, that ghost... is it smiling?" "Oh no, a scheming ghost! Elder Fu is in danger!"

Hong Niang snapped back to reality, relieved to have survived the ordeal. She slightly tilted the Golden Bead to show Elder Fu, and then her entire body trembled: "Elder Fu..." She cried out in pain, "No!" On the screen, Elder Fu, with his goatee, was bleeding from all seven orifices, frozen in place, with no preceding signs. Nine bloody holes had appeared on his forehead, neck, chest, abdomen, hips, both shoulders, and knees, at some unknown point. The afterimage of the black sword's attack had only just faded. The pale-faced ghost was already straddling Elder Fu's shoulders, its lips pulled back in a grin. The sword in its hand, like a skewer through a roasted lamb, was plunged from top to bottom, fiercely piercing Elder Fu's skull.

"Pfft!" The sword pierced through the body, and blood splattered. Before the Golden Apricot screen, the number of viewers had surged to nearly a million, and they all felt their hearts pound. "When did that ghost get over there?" "And when did it draw its sword? I didn't see anything!" "Nine sword wounds, Ghost Sword Nine Nails? Isn't that a ghost-hunting technique? I remember it was from the previous generation of Seven Sword Immortals... what was his name again?" Comments flooded comments. Everyone was busy posting; few were selectively reading. In reality, most people probably turned off other comments and focused solely on the screen. The Golden Apricot displayed a wide-angle view. Elder Fu and the pale-faced ghost never left the frame from beginning to end; one was centered, the other was on the side. But how could nine bloody holes appear on Elder Fu's body in the single instant when he moved to protect Hong Niang, and the focus of the screen shifted?

"Is it truly Saint-level?" Among the comments, there had always been someone boasting as "this Saint," whom few initially paid attention to. But after constantly seeing it scroll, people started to remember. Now, it seemed, if it wasn't Saint-level, how could it kill Tai Xu cultivators as easily as chickens? "Elder Fu is dead too?" "No way, it must be an act! Uncle Jin isn't dead either!" "Look quickly! Elder Fu's fingers are still moving; he's clutching a talisman..."

Some sharp-eyed viewers saw Elder Fu, his body riddled with piercing wounds, trembling as he pulled out a thunder-purple talisman from beneath his sleeve. A faint Saint-level energy fluctuation was discernible on it. This was, in fact, despair-inducing. Elder Fu mumbled unconscious sounds, his crippled body shaking like a sieve, yet he managed to pull out a Saint-level talisman. If this was an act, the cost was considerable. And his acting would have to surpass even 'Lord Shou'.

"Hiss, hiss, hiss..." Amidst everyone's anticipation, the talisman in Elder Fu's hand hadn't even fully lit up when the pale-faced ghost, still straddling his shoulders, smirked mockingly. Without a moment's hesitation, with a ripping sound, it pulled the black longsword—which had pierced Elder Fu from head to foot—out of his torso, sneering: "A clay Buddha crossing the river can't even save itself, let alone save others?" The wind stirred. Elder Fu's body turned black and fell to the ground with a thud, utterly lifeless. The pale-faced ghost then extended its long, snake-like tongue and licked from the tip of the black sword all the way down. After savoring the blood and absorbing the soul, its body glowed faintly, and its deathly pale face gained a hint of color. "Delicious." "But he was old after all; there's a slight musky stench."

With a flash, its two eyes, glowing with ghostly fire, instantly fixed on Hong Niang, and on the million-plus viewers before the Golden Apricot screen. The Ghost-Buddha Realm wind howled eerily. Sounds of wolves howling and ghosts wailing echoed incessantly. Mist enveloped the Stone Stele Land of the Central Yuan Realm, and even through the Golden Apricot screen, the million viewers couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines. "Dead!" "Truly dead!" "Elder Fu's soul was sucked dry, and so was Uncle Jin's. So next is... Hong Niang, run!"

Millions of people simultaneously realized that things had gone terribly wrong. In today's outdoor preaching world, the top streamer, Drunk in the Wind, wasn't so dedicated, only occasionally chatting with everyone. Hong Niang, as the top female streamer, though not quite on par with Drunk in the Wind, had nonetheless risen to prominence. Crucially, she possessed a beautiful face, a graceful figure, and her conversational style perfectly suited everyone's taste. Her financial resources, background, and guards far surpassed those of others. If she fell, the preaching world would lose a pillar of support!

"I..." Hong Niang genuinely wanted to run but found her legs wouldn't move. Her legs felt like they were filled with lead, exposed to the biting cold wind, and the stinging snow flurries caused an unbearable, bone-chilling pain. "I can't move..." She spoke with a sob, unsure if it was the oppressive aura of a half-Saint or just terror. When the pale-faced ghost tilted its head and smirked at her, she felt utterly alone and helpless, like a small boat about to capsize, and burst into tears. "Run!" "Move your left foot first, then your right. Can't you do that?" A flood of comments floated before her eyes, but Hong Niang couldn't move at all.

She could only watch helplessly as the pale-faced ghost, having lost interest, distantly drew its sword and pointed it in the air: "Path-piercer..." A chilling glint of light shone with stunning brilliance. Millions of people before the Golden Apricot held their breath.

Just then, a "ding-dong" sound rang out. Mist drifted and swirled everywhere, and the distant ringing of a travel bell could be heard. Accompanying it were the creaking sounds of carriage wheels rolling over the ground, and a melancholic poetic chant: "At dawn, the travel bell rings, a traveler grieves for his homeland..."

"Who's that?" "Where did this fool come from? Not running away at a time like this, but jumping into the fire pit? Didn't he hear Elder Fu's scream just now?" "That voice sounds a bit familiar?" "A carriage? And driving a carriage? Laughable! Which young master is this, training in the Ghost-Buddha Realm, only to encounter a half-Saint-level vengeful spirit right at the outset? Good! All these privileged brats should die!" "Wait, this fragrant osmanthus carriage, why does it also seem a bit familiar?" "Is no one analyzing this poem? It carries a sense of homesickness..." "Hong Niang really should be thinking of home now. She barely stayed in the Apricot Realm, always messing around in the Ghost-Buddha Realm. Well, she spent all her days hunting geese, and now she's been pecked by one."

Another long string of messages floated before her eyes, filled with feelings of helplessness and even some resentment towards the wealthy. After all, separated by an ethereal Golden Apricot screen, they couldn't intervene or help. Hong Niang didn't expect any of these people to actually be a half-Saint who could suddenly teleport over and save her. Her only hope now was the fragrant osmanthus carriage slowly emerging from the mist, and the guardian of the Tai Xu family heir that the carriage represented: "Save me! Help me!" "I'm Hong Niang. I can give you many things, everything! I can even help you settle in the Apricot Realm!"

"Settle in the Apricot Realm." These four words were incredibly sought after in the five domains today. Even if it were a sworn enemy, if, when dying, they offered face-to-face to help "settle in the Apricot Realm" and swore a solemn oath, the avenger might genuinely reply, "When will this cycle of vengeance end?" then drop their weapon and turn back from the brink.

"Huh?" The pale-faced ghost, its sword pointed at Hong Niang, uttered a sound of confusion. It had already unleashed its sword strike, but when the line "At dawn, the travel bell rings, a traveler grieves for his homeland" emerged, it couldn't help but feel... a strong desire to know what came next. So, enduring the backlash of its aborted sword strike, the pale-faced ghost forcibly withdrew the attack, twisting its head to the other side to look at the carriage from which the 'travel bell' sound emanated.

"Creak, creak..." The slowly approaching bronze-colored fragrant osmanthus carriage was truly luxurious; even its wheels exuded an expensive aura, indicative of an heir from a prominent Tai Xu family. In reality, few true wastrels from wealthy families ventured out for spiritual cultivation on the Sacred Divine Continent; most were cultured and well-mannered. Even those who enjoyed frivolities, when faced with cultivation talent, found such things to be minor flaws overshadowed by greater virtues. But this carriage was different. From the appearance of its occupants, it gave off an air of being strong on the outside but weak on the inside. Even the old, thin coachman sitting at the front of the carriage looked somewhat disreputable, and his words were extremely crude: "Young master, there's a frail young woman up ahead, with a beautiful face, slender and 'juicy.' And she's conveniently in distress, offering anything. Should we stop?"

"Old Man Li, stop trying. Is this your quota for today?" A faint cough came from inside the carriage; it was the voice of the sickly young master. "Heh heh, young master, this old servant also has to report back, you know. Just give me a small answer... save her, or not?" "Don't save her. The world is full of unfortunate souls; how many truly love all living beings? If we save them one by one, who would have the time?" "Alright then, Giddy up!" Creak, creak... The carriage slowly moved away, leaving behind utter silence.

Hong Niang stood stunned, unable to believe what had just happened. In over twenty years of life, she had never seen a single man—a normal man—whose gaze lingered on her for less than three breaths. But this carriage duo... Old Man Li glanced and immediately looked away, as if he saw beauties from the 'Absolute Beauty List' every day. And the sickly young master, from start to finish, didn't even pull back the carriage curtain once, his words full of polite distance. "Your voice sounds like you're suffering from kidney essence deficiency. If you don't save me, are you rushing to reincarnate?" Hong Niang bit her lower lip, her eyes brimming with tears, remaining silent. She understood, in truth, that not saving her was the correct choice. It would give her a way out, perhaps allowing her to bypass the pale-faced ghost and leave the Central Yuan Realm alive. This carriage master and servant were smart people. But... What about me? You're leaving, but what about me, Hong Niang?

Hong Niang remained silent, but the Golden Apricot comments instantly erupted, everyone clearly unable to hold back: "Who is this! Arrogant and disrespectful! And talking about 'loving all living beings'—that's the 'Great Emperor of All Beings'! Do you think you're Lord Shou, to compare yourself to an Emperor?" "He's not saving anyone! His voice sounds so weak he couldn't even tie up a chicken. He just saw Hong Niang on Golden Apricot, knew millions of people were watching, and put on an act because he couldn't bear to lose face. In reality, he's probably peed his pants inside the carriage!" "If he's not saving her, then don't! Our Hong Niang doesn't need your help, Tai Xu heir, may you die a terrible death! Hong Niang, run!" "This pale-faced ghost is foolish too, why is it frozen? If I were that ghost, I'd go forward right now with one sword each, kill the wicked servant first, then slay the sickly young master, to vent my anger!" "Everyone calm down, haven't you noticed something off about the pale-faced ghost? It seems to be under some kind of control..."

No one could calm down. No one even noticed why, the moment the sickly young master spoke, even the pale-faced ghost stopped and respectfully paid attention. "Tsk..." The pale-faced ghost itself didn't know why. It held its sword, huffing cold air, feeling a loss of face—it had actually interrupted its own attack and suffered a backlash! But true to its nature as a pale-faced ghost, it possessed the keenest intuition for battle. From its primal senses, it felt that letting the carriage go might be better than pursuing them. For some unknown reason, this feeling made the ghost even more irritable, making it want to brutally smash something. "Kill!" The pale-faced ghost swung its black sword. It actually followed the guidance of its heart, no longer staring at the carriage. Instead, it turned back to glance at Hong Niang, licking its lips as it said: "Those two good-for-nothings would only defile my soul if eaten, so let them go." "But you, my beauty, your taste is incredibly fresh... Gack?"

The pale-faced ghost's words suddenly stopped, and a chill ran down its spine. Behind it, the carriage that should have driven far into the mist had abruptly halted, and Old Man Li's voice came from it: "Young master, it's insulting us."

Thanks to Xu Xiaoshou for the generous tip to Cao Erzhu. Keep going!