Chapter 52: Pursuit Catches Up

"Phew, it's finally reacting a bit."

Shen Chang'an touched the ancient animal-skin book inside his tunic. The book was growing slightly warm, and he knew he was getting closer.

"Daoist Shen, just where on earth are you heading?" Jiang Yunyi asked from the side.

Shen Chang'an thought for a moment and replied, "It's hard to say for sure right now, but I am definitely heading in this direction."

Jiang Yunyi did not press further. She simply nodded and then smiled, "I remember we should reach a town not far ahead. At least we won't have to sleep out in the open today."

Shen Chang'an nodded, then asked, "Miss Jiang has been following this poor Taoist for quite some time now. When do you plan to return?"

Jiang Yunyi's expression froze. She lowered her head, looking somewhat disappointed. "Is Daoist Shen trying to drive me away?"

Shen Chang'an gave a wry smile and said, "It's not quite like that, but..."

The pages of the book inside his tunic were already growing warm. It would probably not be long before they encountered the fiend recorded within.

Every single evil spirit and specter recorded on those pages was terrifyingly difficult to deal with.

The first malicious ghost he encountered—had it not been for the intervention of Wuyouzi—would have been practically insurmountable given his strength at the time. The wandering souls and malevolent entities he faced afterward also required a great deal of effort to barely defeat.

And finally, there was the Abyss—that amalgamation of resentment, filth, and pests—which had thrown Shen Chang'an into a frantic struggle. Had it not been for the seal given by Master Jade Toad, Shen Chang'an likely would not have survived either.

It could be said that dealing with these monsters relied heavily on Shen Chang'an's sheer luck.

As for the Taisui demonic manifestation he was about to face, though he had yet to encounter it, it was bound to be a formidable adversary. Having previously killed a Taisui, he was already deeply aware of how tricky such evil entities were. And the one he was tracking carried the additional moniker of "demonic manifestation." Shen Chang'an could hardly imagine what kind of terrifying existence it would turn out to be.

With Jiang Yunyi in tow, if they were to cross paths with this creature midway, Shen Chang'an certainly could not guarantee he would be able to protect her life.

"It's not that I wish to chase Miss Jiang away, but my current journey is to subdue demons and exterminate fiends. We are already nearing this monster's lair. If Miss Jiang continues to follow me, the danger will be immense."

Jiang Yunyi raised her head instead, offering a faint smile as she asked, "Is Daoist Shen concerned about me?"

Shen Chang'an did not deny it. He nodded and said, "Miss Jiang has traveled with me for several days; naturally, this poor Taoist is concerned for your safety."

Jiang Yunyi let out a soft huff. "Daoist Shen doesn't need to worry too much. I have already recovered a fraction of my spiritual power. While it won't be of much use in direct combat, escaping with my life is still entirely possible."

Shen Chang'an hesitated slightly. They hadn't reached the Taisui yet; he could travel a bit further with Jiang Yunyi, gently persuade her to leave, and that would be that. If she insisted on throwing a tantrum, he could simply part ways and go on his own.

Having made up his mind, Shen Chang'an said nothing more and prepared to continue forward with Jiang Yunyi.

However, just as the two of them drew close to the outskirts of the town and were about to proceed, sudden movements erupted from all around them. Before they could react, a troop of men rushed out from hiding.

Leading the charge was a man wielding a steel saber, his eyes fierce as he roared furiously, "Shen Chang'an, pay with your life for the brothers of our cult!"

A slight chill ran through Shen Chang'an's heart, but he quickly realized that these people were all members of the White Lotus Cult.

"Hmph, Li Qingqing is still sending people to hunt me down? You're courting death!"

Shen Chang'an held not an ounce of goodwill toward these scoundrels of the White Lotus Cult.

This pack of beasts in human skin was capable of boiling human flesh and drinking human blood. Every single one of them deserved to die, and executing them all would not be an injustice in the slightest.

Seeing the man charge at him, Shen Chang'an widened his eyes. Two streams of telekinetic energy shot forth instantly, violently hooking into the man's eyeballs. With a sharp shove, he drove those two eyeballs straight back into the man's brain!

Bang!

While still running forward, the man tipped backward and crashed to the ground, startling the followers behind him into abruptly halting their advance.

Unwilling to entangle himself with this mob, Shen Chang'an shouted sternly, "Where is Li Qingqing? Tell her to come out and face me!"

Just as his shout faded, a response echoed from the distance: "If you want to see Li Qingqing, you might as well go down to the Yellow Springs and wait for her there!"

Shen Chang'an paused for a moment as a graceful young gentleman dressed in pristine white slowly descended from above, holding a folding fan and gently fanning himself with a rather flamboyant air.

Seeing him descend in such a pretentious manner, Shen Chang'an sneered. With a flicker of his telekinetic power, the soil beneath the newcomer's feet suddenly loosened. As the gentleman landed, his footing gave way. He staggered and stumbled through a series of awkward leaps before barely managing to steady himself.

Seeing this, Jiang Yunyi could not help but let out a sudden giggle.

The man in white instantly flared up with rage, shouting indignantly, "Shen Chang'an! How remarkably bold of you! Do you know..."

Shen Chang'an had no intention of listening to any nonsense. He kicked up a stone, sending it hurtling directly toward the man like a cannonball fired from a barrel.

"You!"

The man was both shocked and angry. Since he had first made a name for himself, he had never encountered someone as utterly unreasonable as Shen Chang'an. He wouldn't even let people finish speaking before launching consecutive attacks, leaving the man choked with suppressed fury.

Seeing the incoming stone, he had no choice but to use an extremely swift movement technique to dodge sideways.

However, while he could dodge, the men behind him could not. One of them took the full impact straight to the chest and was sent flying backward. When he hit the ground, the stone had already shattered through his chest, leaving a gaping hole.

Only then did Shen Chang'an say coldly, "You White Lotus dogs, what else is there you want to say to your grandfather?"

The face of the man in white was contorted with rage, but he ground his teeth and said, "Shen Chang'an, consider yourself lucky. Hand over the Dragon Girl, and our White Lotus Cult will spare your life."

Shen Chang'an raised an eyebrow slightly. He had originally thought these people were here to settle scores with him, but he hadn't expected them to be targeting Jiang Yunyi.

Earlier, Xue Lie and his gang had tried to abduct Jiang Yunyi for seemingly similar reasons. Yet Xue Lie had insisted on stirring up trouble, provoking Shen Chang'an into taking Jiang Yunyi away while he himself was severely injured and unable to continue the pursuit, forcing him to give up.

Shen Chang'an had initially assumed the matter was solely tied to Xue Lie and his associates. But looking at it now, the Dragon Girl Jiang Yunyi was clearly embroiled in something much deeper.

Still, Shen Chang'an didn't give a damn what ulterior motives were involved. Anyone who dared to snatch someone right out of his hands would just have to try their luck!

"Very well! If you want her, come and take her with your head!"

Shen Chang'an let out a cold huff, flicking his long staff as he assumed a combat stance. Even though they were heavily outnumbered, not a trace of fear showed on his face.