Chapter 117: The Spirit Tamer (Part One)

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Inside Qiu Shiyan’s chamber, two beautiful women lay on the bed, clad in white undergarments, their dark hair scattered upon the pillows as they held each other close, asleep. The piercing cries of a baby outside shattered the silence, rousing Qiu Shiyan from her dreams. The vigilance of a martial artist stirred within her at that moment.

She sat up abruptly, her movement somewhat forceful, which also awakened Bai Tao’er, who shared the bed. Groggily clutching at empty space, Bai Tao’er asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”

“Shh, don’t speak. Listen carefully,” Qiu Shiyan whispered.

The shrill, chaotic wails of the infant outside dispelled all traces of drowsiness from Bai Tao’er’s eyes. “Miss, what is that sound? It’s terrifying!” she exclaimed in alarm.

At that moment, a sudden knocking echoed from outside the door. Bai Tao’er’s heart leapt to her throat as she gripped the embroidered quilt tightly.

Neither Qiu Shiyan nor Bai Tao’er responded; in such strange times, answering would only expose themselves.

“Senior Sister, Senior Sister Bai, it’s me, Fang Yue. There’s an enemy attack outside. Be careful!” came a clear voice from outside.

Bai Tao’er’s face brightened. “It’s our junior brother out there!” she said joyfully.

Qiu Shiyan replied, “Understood.”

Swiftly, she rose, draped a garment over herself, and took the treasured sword from beside the bed.

The clear voice outside heard the response from within and continued, “There may be several waves of attackers, with strange methods, possibly even ghosts. Inform the others; don’t fall into their traps. I’ll go check the situation.”

“Alright,” Qiu Shiyan answered decisively.

Bai Tao’er couldn’t help but call out, “Junior brother, be careful.”

No response followed, indicating Fang Yue had silently slipped away.

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The short-statured man named She Shanhai was also a martial artist. Beyond that, he was a ghost tamer.

In this world, apart from the noble families born with “spiritual blood,” the main extraordinary power systems for humanity were martial arts and cultivation.

Yet, beyond martial artists and cultivators, there existed many strange and mystical professions—curse masters, blood poisoners, venom specialists, lamp bearers, puppeteers, shadow puppeteers, paper craftsmen, corpse sewers, strongmen, half-humans, grave keepers, shadow walkers, lantern maidens, and so forth.

She Shanhai’s identity as a ghost tamer was one of these peculiar, mystical professions, collectively known as “heterodox paths.”

Martial arts and cultivation, when mastered to profound levels, strengthen the body and prolong life.

But these heterodox paths often shorten one’s lifespan; the greater the power, the swifter the demise.

Their cultivation methods were cruel—not only to others but especially to themselves.

For instance, the three eerie, dark green infants floating around She Shanhai were painfully carved out of the womb of an eight-month pregnant woman, forged through secret arts in an extreme act of cruelty.

Yet, precisely because of such brutality, they could create vast clouds of resentment and deliberately forge terrifying spirits.

...

She Shanhai and another heterodox practitioner each gathered a group of martial artists and came tonight to the Fengyang Martial Hall, aiming for the Martial Saint’s Secret Manual.

Was there really such a manual in Fengyang Martial Hall?

They didn’t know for sure; it was just a guess and an excuse to amass forces and plunder the hall.

Various rumors about the Martial Saint’s Secret Manual circulated everywhere, but none were certain.

The former head of Fengyang Martial Hall, Qiu Rubai, became a central figure in some minor rumors.

Some said Qiu Rubai obtained the manual, which explained how he advanced so rapidly—reaching the Innate Grandmaster realm before twenty and the Innate Peak Martial Artist stage just past thirty.

He was even hailed as the most promising Innate Martial Artist to become a Martial Saint in Yunzhou in the past decade.

It was known that Qiu Rubai’s sect, the Five Hong Sect, had flourished decades ago but had long since declined.

Before Qiu Rubai, no Innate Martial Artists had emerged for a long time.

His sudden rise was like a golden phoenix soaring from a chicken coop.

Locals in Longchong Prefecture believed it was due to his exceptional martial talent, and indeed it was.

But these out-of-state martial artists, lurking in Longchong Prefecture, hearing tales of Qiu Rubai, couldn’t help but speculate about the Martial Saint’s Secret Manual.

Of course, there were countless rumors; the story about Qiu Rubai obtaining the manual was just one among many.

...

In the city of Longchong Prefecture, government control grew increasingly strict.

Out-of-state martial artists had to behave cautiously, and those like She Shanhai, with their heterodox affiliations, found it even harder to survive.

The imperial court regarded the heterodox paths as rebels; keeping a low profile was one thing, but if caught, they were treated as monsters and slain without mercy.

She Shanhai decided to leave the city and roam the counties of Yunzhou, hoping by luck to acquire the Martial Saint’s Secret Manual.

Counties and towns were places where the imperial court’s influence was weaker, allowing such individuals to show off, unlike in the city where they had to keep their heads down.

Before departing, She Shanhai resolved to pull off one big score.

He had heard rumors that Qiu Rubai had obtained the manual years ago, so he set his sights on Fengyang Martial Hall as his target.

She Shanhai confirmed that since Qiu Rubai’s madness and fall from the Innate realm, no Innate Martial Artists remained in Fengyang Martial Hall—making it an unguarded, rich prize.

But out of long-developed caution, he did not act alone. He found a kindred spirit in another heterodox practitioner, each gathering their forces.

...

“First, capture someone to ask for directions,” She Shanhai instructed, leading several armed martial artists.

Guided by the ghost infants, they headed toward the rear courtyard where male disciples and servants lived.

His goal was the Innate cultivation method of Fengyang Martial Hall, which had produced someone like Qiu Rubai, the Innate Peak Martial Artist.

Even if they failed to uncover the Martial Saint’s Secret Manual, obtaining the Innate cultivation manual would justify the risk.

In truth, She Shanhai did not entirely believe the rumors of Qiu Rubai’s acquisition of the manual; there were simply too many hearsay.

“Boss She, I heard that Miss Qiu and her maid are quite beautiful. Tonight, can the brothers have some fun?” a lecherous-looking martial artist said, glancing nervously at the ghost infants circling She Shanhai.

“Focus on the task,” She Shanhai replied coldly.

Meanwhile, Qiu Shiyan’s friend Qian Rutao, another heterodox practitioner, had come with his group.

Qiu Shiyan was the daughter of Qiu Rubai. Though her father had gone mad, he had once been an Innate Peak Martial Artist, one step from becoming a Martial Saint.

Who could say he hadn’t left contingencies for his daughter? Sending someone to scout was just part of the plan; these so-called friends were just tools to be used.

Qian Rutao was a lustful man who felt honored to be entrusted with dealing with Miss Qiu, believing She Shanhai understood him—a true friend.

Beforehand, Qian Rutao had confidently promised that he was skilled with women and would extract the whereabouts of the Martial Saint’s Secret Manual, sharing it generously with his good buddy She Shanhai.

Of course, She Shanhai doubted his sincerity—they all harbored secret motives.

Under the dark moon and howling wind, the cold air cut through the night.

As they walked, the ghost infants suddenly cried out sharply. She Shanhai’s expression changed, and he hurriedly stepped back.

A chilling sword light suddenly flashed from the darkness—silent and deadly.