Chapter Forty-Nine: Breaking Free!

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Yufan retraced the path he had just taken, running as he laughed, “Ha! You rotten old man. You thought you could oppose me? Today, you finally ran into yours truly!”

His laughter skipped across the rain-slick flagstones, sending tiny splashes dancing into the air.

His footsteps were light, as though even the raindrops were cheering him on, tracing joyful arcs through the air. All around him, the curtain of rain blurred the distant scenery. Only his advancing figure remained sharply visible through the haze.

Triumph and wild freedom shone in Yufan’s eyes. He suddenly thrust off the ground and soared into the air, leaping over a shallow puddle as if declaring victory over some unseen opponent.

Raindrops slid from the strands of hair at his forehead and fell onto his collar, instantly absorbed by the fabric, leaving behind only faint traces.

At that moment, the entire world seemed to be his stage, and Yufan reveled in his own unruly freedom.

His laughter abruptly ceased, jarringly out of place amid the rain. Taking three steps in two, he quickly approached Fang Yu and Xingchenzi.

The rain wove a fine net around them, yet it seemed to scatter before Yufan’s urgent, exhilarated presence.

He rose lightly onto his toes, nimble fingers threading through the wooden vines wrapped around Fang Yu’s waist. Several faintly glowing talismans were entwined among the vines, lending them an air of profound mystery.

At the gentle flick of Yufan’s fingers, the talismans seemed to sense some hidden force. They slowly loosened, then came free with a soft snap and dropped into his palm.

A glint of satisfaction flashed through his eyes. He turned at once and sprang toward Xingchenzi. Almost simultaneously, the wooden vines around Xingchenzi gave a faint cracking sound, as though heralding the breaking of an ancient spell.

The noise startled Xingchenzi awake.

“Eh?”

Looking thoroughly displeased, Xingchenzi scrambled to his feet. “That old man really went all out, didn’t he? He looked so mild and harmless. Who would have thought he was so ruthless?”

Rubbing his aching waist, Xingchenzi knitted his brows, his face caught between displeasure and astonishment. He suddenly slapped the wet ground beside him, sending water splashing in every direction, as though he meant to vent his frustration along with it.

The instant he rose, his body swayed, evidently still suffering from the lingering pain of the vines’ restraint. He soon steadied himself, however, a hint of resolve flashing in his eyes. After surveying his surroundings, he finally turned his gaze upon Yufan, a mischievous smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

“Hey, Brother Yufan, it seems that today we not only have to deal with this strange rain, but also unravel the trap that old man laid for us.”

Nearby, Fang Yu slowly stretched her arms, gently kneading her wrists. Each movement was accompanied by a faint crack, the sound of long-imprisoned bones loosening and vitality returning.

Her gaze was deep and composed as it swept over the blurred landscape behind the veil of rain. At last, she exchanged a glance with Xingchenzi. No words were necessary; the two had already reached an understanding.

“This rain, these vines, and that missing old man—nothing about them is simple. We must proceed carefully.”

With that, Fang Yu leapt lightly and landed on a comparatively dry flagstone, ready to face whatever unknown challenge lay ahead.

“Xingchenzi, just call me by my name. I don’t think we’re that far apart in age.”

“That won’t do. Let’s address each other as brothers!” Yufan said happily.

“All right, then. Say it once.”

“Brother Yufan,” Xingchenzi said slowly.

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At those words, Yufan’s eyes brightened even more. He slapped Xingchenzi on the shoulder, excitement and heroic spirit lending strength to the gesture, and laughed.

“Well said, Brother Xing! From this day forth, we fight side by side. Whether it’s this torrential rain or that old man lurking in the shadows, nothing will stop us from moving forward!”

He drew a deep breath, as though he meant to draw the freshness of the rain and the courage it carried into his chest.

Within the curtain of rain, the two figures stood closer together. Water streamed from the hems of their clothes, sketching a series of lively ink-wash paintings in motion.

Xingchenzi smiled faintly, determination and trust shining in his eyes. He patted his chest and said, “Brother Yufan, though we have only just met, our bond is already deep as the sea. From here on, whether we face raging storms or mountains of blades and seas of fire, I will advance and retreat with you!”

Fang Yu approached with quiet steps, making scarcely a sound upon the damp ground, like a spirit flitting through the forest. She came to stand between Yufan and Xingchenzi. Her clear eyes held a touch of tenderness and reproach as she lightly patted Yufan’s shoulder.

“Don’t lead Xingchenzi astray. He may appear mature, but there is still a boy living in his heart. The three of us are comrades who fight side by side, and guardians of one another on the road to growth. Remember, true strength lies not only in overcoming the difficulties outside us, but also in preserving the purity and resilience within our hearts.”

As she spoke, Fang Yu’s gentle gaze passed over Xingchenzi. He lowered his head slightly, an almost imperceptible flush rising to his cheeks, while warmth welled up inside him.

Seeing this, Yufan also restrained his earlier laughter and nodded solemnly. The three exchanged smiles, and their understanding and trust quietly took root beneath the rain, as if even the surrounding air had grown warmer.

Yufan’s laughter echoed through the rain, carrying both sincerity and a hint of wildness. He leaned slightly toward Fang Yu, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of mischief and warmth.

He reached out and lightly patted her shoulder. The gesture held both the respect due to an elder apprentice sister and a measure of affectionate teasing.

“Hahaha, Senior Sister, calling one another brothers shows just how deep our bond is. It means we make no distinction between us. No matter how rugged the road ahead, we can cross it together, can’t we?”

Fang Yu’s lips curved into a helpless yet indulgent smile, gentle light shimmering in her clear eyes.

She shook her head softly. Yufan’s playfulness was impossible to resist, yet it filled her with joy. A raindrop slid from the tip of her hair and fell onto the back of Yufan’s outstretched hand. Between them, a subtle connection seemed to take shape, drawing them closer beneath the rain.

“We should get moving. I’m worried that old man may catch up with us,” Yufan stammered.

“By the way, Brother Yufan, how did you break free from him?” Xingchenzi asked, his face filled with bewilderment.

Yufan clasped his right hand behind his back while his other hand gestured freely through the air.

“You don’t know the half of it. That old man may be powerful, but he has no idea who I am. I have ties to another world. Luckily, I met my good brother, Lord Blood Demon, and together we beat him back again and again.”

Yufan’s eyes shifted as he spoke, yet his manner was utterly convincing.

Xingchenzi gazed at him with open admiration. “Wow! You’re incredible! You even have a brother in the Valley of the Dead!”

Yufan’s face radiated smug satisfaction, as though the thrilling battle had just unfolded before him once more.

He waved both hands lightly, as if the lingering power of fighting beside Lord Blood Demon still remained in the air. Mysterious, unfathomable light shone in his eyes.

“You have no idea. That day, Lord Blood Demon and I happened to meet in the Valley of the Dead, just as that old man was behaving arrogantly and planning some wicked deed.

“The moment Lord Blood Demon struck, heaven and earth changed color. Black demonic energy coiled around him like a giant dragon, dispelling the old man’s spells one by one.

“With the two of us working together, how could that old man have stood a chance? He could only flee in panic, his very silhouette looking utterly wretched.”

By then, Yufan’s voice had unconsciously risen with excitement. His figure seemed to grow taller beneath the rain, as though he had truly become a hero capable of commanding wind and rain and dancing alongside demons.

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Xingchenzi listened, utterly captivated. His eyes were filled with admiration and longing for Yufan, and he could not help imagining the breathtaking battle, as though he too could feel the immense power that had come from another world.

Yufan drew a deep breath of damp air and continued.

“That day, dark clouds pressed low overhead, and ghostly winds swept through the Valley of the Dead. I was about to cross that forbidden land when the old man suddenly appeared, clad in black robes, icy light flashing from his eyes.

“Just when I thought I would never escape disaster, Lord Blood Demon descended like lightning in the dead of night. Black demonic energy wrapped tightly around his figure. Every step he took sent a faint tremor through the ground, as though all of space itself were trembling beneath his pressure.”

Xingchenzi was so absorbed that he unconsciously leaned closer, afraid of missing even the smallest detail.

Yufan’s gestures grew more animated, as if he were directing an invisible battle.

“Lord Blood Demon gave a furious roar, and his voice exploded like thunder. The rain around us was shaken apart, spraying in every direction.

“He swung the scarlet whip in his hand. It moved like a living creature, drawing streaks of blood-red light through the air. Every strike landed precisely against the old man’s defenses, forcing him steadily backward.

“As for me, I supported him from the side. Using my knowledge of the terrain, I laid trap after trap, leaving the old man even more helpless and frantic.”

“All right, I’m going to get moving. I’m worried that old man will come after us,” Yufan said, finally bringing his tale to an end.

“But didn’t you say the old man was trapped by the two of you?” Xingchenzi asked.

“I’m not completely sure. That fellow is very powerful. We’d better leave this place while we can,” Yufan replied slowly.

“Mm, quite right. We should hurry and get on our way,” Fang Yu said, picking up the sword from the ground.

Before Yufan’s voice had even faded, he had already shifted slightly to one side, his wary gaze sweeping across the surroundings as though it could pierce the dense curtain of rain and detect any hidden danger.

Xingchenzi’s expression also turned grave. He clenched his fists, silently gathering spiritual energy within his body, ready to respond to any sudden threat.

Fang Yu leapt lightly onto a rock polished smooth by the rain. She gently swept her long sword through the air, its tip touching the water and sending delicate ripples across the surface. Then she pointed the blade toward the distance, firm and resolute.

“We’ll go that way. The path is concealed, but it will take us away from here quickly.”

Her voice was calm and clear, a guiding light piercing the wind and rain. At that moment, the Zen Sword in Fang Yu’s hand acted like a compass, directing them onward.