Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 39 Sword Qi Sweeps Away Demons

After the Liu sisters settled in Lanruo Temple, Zhou Ning's life gained another element.

He treated Xin Shisi Niang's injuries every day.

Although Xin Shisi Niang's injuries were no longer serious, the cold and damp energy in her body had not been completely eliminated.

Yan Chixia taught Zhou Ning a technique to dispel the cold poison with his internal energy, and instructed him to use his internal energy to heal Xin Shisi Niang's injuries every day.

"Your internal energy is pure and gentle, and it has a remarkable effect on dispelling cold and dampness," Yan Chixia said.

"This is also a good opportunity to hone your ability to control your internal energy."

Zhou Ning nodded, and every afternoon he would go to the stone chamber on the back mountain to heal Xin Shisi Niang's injuries using his internal energy.

Xin Shisi Niang sat on the stone bed, and Zhou Ning sat cross-legged behind her, pressing his palms against her back and slowly channeling his inner energy into her body.

The qi traveled along the meridians, probing all the way and gradually forcing out the hidden, cold qi.

Xin Shisi Niang's complexion gradually turned from pale to rosy, and her breathing became much more steady.

"Young Master Zhou, your protective energy is so warm," Xin Shisi Niang said softly.

Zhou Ning did not answer, focusing intently on guiding the flow of Qi.

After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he withdrew his palm and exhaled a long breath.

"Alright. That concludes today's treatment."

Xin Shisi Niang turned around and bowed deeply to him:

"Thank you, Young Master Zhou."

Zhou Ning helped her up: "No need for formalities. Most of the cold poison in your body has been expelled. In another two or three days, you should be fine."

Xin Shisi Niang's eyes were filled with gratitude:

"Young Master Zhou, we have no way to repay your great kindness to us sisters."

Zhou Ning smiled and said, "It was nothing, don't worry about it."

He stood up, about to leave, when he suddenly heard hurried footsteps coming from down the mountain.

"Brother Zhou, Brother Zhou, something terrible has happened!"

It was Li Laoshuan's voice.

Zhou Ning felt a chill run down his spine and quickly walked down the mountain.

Li Laoshuan was standing at the entrance of Lanruo Temple, panting heavily, his face pale.

"Village head, what happened?" Zhou Ning asked.

Li Laoshuan said in a trembling voice, "The people from Heishan are here again. They...they kidnapped several young men from the village, saying they want to...take them back as sacrifices."

Zhou Ning frowned: "How many people?"

"Five or six of them, all dressed in black robes, and they know sorcery," said Li Laoshuan.

"The Taoist priests hired by the village were all injured by them!"

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "Village head, you go back first and tell the villagers not to panic. I'll go right away."

He returned to the main hall and reported the situation to Yan Chixia.

Yan Chixia was meditating when he heard this. He opened his eyes and said calmly, "Go. Be careful."

Zhou Ning nodded, took the Qingfeng Sword and the Bixie Sword, packed the talismans, and followed Li Laoshuan down the mountain.

Baihe Village is not far from Lanruo Temple, and the two of them rode at full speed, arriving in less than half an hour.

At the village entrance, several men in black robes stood there. The leader was a tall man with a dark complexion, deep-set eyes, and a sinister smile on his lips.

Behind him stood five men in black robes, each holding a villager who was bound hand and foot.

The villagers were pale-faced, their eyes filled with fear.

"Wang, you're quick on your way out," the tall, black-robed man sneered.

"But do you think you can save them by bringing in some greenhorn?"

Zhou Ning dismounted, walked up to the man in black, and said coldly, "Release them."

The man in black robes looked him up and down and sneered:

"Who do you think you are? How dare you interfere in the affairs of Montenegro?"

Without wasting words, Zhou Ning drew his Qingfeng sword and poured his inner energy into it.

The sword glowed with a bluish light, standing out prominently in the twilight.

The man in black robes' expression changed slightly: "A cultivator? Which sect are you from?"

"Qingyun Mountain, a disciple of Yan Chixia," Zhou Ning said.

A flicker of apprehension crossed the black-robed man's eyes, but it quickly vanished, replaced by a cold smile.

"Yan Chixia? That old man is long gone. Even if he were here, he wouldn't dare interfere in the affairs of our Black Mountain."

He raised his hand, and a black beam of light shot towards Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning was prepared and dodged the attack with a quick movement.

The beam of light struck a large tree behind him, causing the trunk to explode instantly, sending splinters flying everywhere.

"Kid, you've got some skills." The man in black robes sneered, forming hand seals and chanting incantations.

The ground began to tremble, and countless black vines surged from the ground, wrapping around Zhou Ning.

This wasn't the first time Zhou Ning had faced this kind of magic.

He used his lightness skill to weave and dodge among the vines, while simultaneously drawing a "talisman to ward off evil" from his waist and throwing it at the man in black robes.

"disease!"

The talisman transformed into a golden ray of light, heading straight for the man in black robes.

The man in black robes snorted coldly and raised his hand, blocking the golden light with a wisp of black mist.

But the moment the golden light collided with the black mist, he took a step back, clearly shaken quite badly.

"This kid... there's something strange about him." The man in black robes' expression changed slightly.

Zhou Ning seized the opportunity to press his advantage, condensing his inner energy at the tip of his sword and unleashing the "Demon-Slaying Slash".

A dazzling cyan sword aura shot out from the tip of the sword, slashing towards the black-robed man like a crescent moon.

The man in black robes was shocked and quickly used magic to dodge.

However, the sword energy was too fast and still grazed his shoulder.

"what!"

The man in black robes let out a scream as a deep wound was slashed open on his shoulder by the sword energy, and black blood gushed out.

He clutched his wound, glaring venomously at Zhou Ning:

"You...you dare to hurt me?"

Zhou Ning did not answer, and slashed out with his sword again.

The man in black robes dared not take the blow head-on. He suddenly crushed a black token, which turned into a wisp of black mist and disappeared into the air.

Upon seeing this, the other five men in black robes dropped the villagers they were holding and scattered in all directions.

Zhou Ning did not give chase. He sheathed his sword, turned around, walked to the villagers, and helped them untie their ropes.

"It's alright. You're safe now."

The villagers knelt down and kowtowed, expressing their deepest gratitude.

Li Laoshuan stepped forward, grasped Zhou Ning's hand tightly, and tears streamed down his face.

"Brother Zhou, you've saved us again."

Zhou Ning shook his head: "Village head, you're too kind. However, Baihe Village is no longer safe. The people from Heishan could come back at any time. You'd better move somewhere else."

Old Li sighed, "Move? Where to? Our ancestors have lived here for generations, we can't bear to leave."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "Then you should at least be prepared. I'll draw some talismans for you to put at the village entrance and on the door of each house. If the Black Mountain people come again, at least we can hold them off for a while."

Li Laoshuan nodded repeatedly.

Zhou Ning took out cinnabar, yellow paper, and a pen from his bag and drew more than a dozen "evil-suppressing talismans" on the spot, which he then handed to Li Laoshuan.

"These talismans should be pasted at the village entrance and on the door of each house. Remember to replace them every month."

Li Laoshuan accepted the talisman with profuse thanks.

Zhou Ning gave a few more instructions, then mounted his horse and returned to Lanruo Temple.

It was already late when we returned to the temple.

Yan Chixia was meditating in the main hall when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.

"Resolved?"

Zhou Ning nodded and briefly recounted what had happened.

Yan Chixia was silent for a moment, then said:

"The people of Montenegro are getting increasingly audacious. It seems they're preparing something."

He stood up, hands behind his back, and paced back and forth:

"Your 'Demon-Slaying Slash' is already enough to injure the people of Black Mountain, but it's not enough. To truly defeat them, you need even greater power."

Zhou Ning said, "This disciple understands. This disciple will continue to cultivate diligently."

Yan Chixia nodded: "Go. Rest for the night, and continue practicing your sword tomorrow."