Chapter Forty-Eight: Releasing the Spirit

A sudden gust of wind arose, whipping Xie Shen’s disheveled hair into the air. He barely had time to hurl out Heavenly Weep before a searing light swept his vision—so blinding, he could not look directly. Xie Shen knew this was Yin Sha’s most formidable move; if he turned his head now, his unguarded eyes might be struck blind by the glare, leaving him completely helpless!

The technique was as familiar as ever, but now it was deadlier, swifter, and colder than before.

Even without looking, Xie Shen could sense the direction of the attack. His body fell to the right like a felled tree, his right hand sweeping out flat. Instantly, three silver streaks sank into the icy mist. Xie Shen’s movements were as swift as lightning, weightless and uncanny, as if he himself were floating.

With such momentum, even Yin Sha could not avoid in time.

Yet, she seemed never to intend evasion. She faced Xie Shen’s assault without slowing or blocking, pushing her speed to the utmost. Her spear flashed like lightning, swirling a storm of ice crystals as it stabbed fiercely toward Xie Shen’s shoulder.

Suddenly, Xie Shen’s body shifted two feet. The ice spear, meant for his shoulder, now aimed straight at his throat.

Yin Sha’s face changed dramatically. She tried to pull back her spear, but her momentum could not be undone. Seeing Xie Shen about to perish under her attack, she bit down on her silver teeth, hurling herself toward the three silver flashes, twisting with all her might in hopes of nudging the spearpoint aside…

The three flying daggers struck, but there was no expected impact; they simply sank in—silent and without disturbance, not even tearing the silk-thin brocade she wore. They vanished, dissipating into nothingness.

In that split second, something suddenly appeared between the spear and Xie Shen. With a soft sound, the spear pierced it through, instantly freezing it solid. It shattered to icy dust upon hitting the ground. Then, a languid voice drifted to their ears:

“How perilous! The two of you keep throwing yourselves at each other’s blades as if determined to die together—what a curious way to fight!”

It was Fei Fei who had acted, but the speaker was Shi Xingyi.

The spear in Yin Sha’s hand fell to the ground; her beautiful face was drained of color, her shoulders trembling with fright. Who would have thought that Yin Sha, who had killed without mercy, could be so terrified?

He did not wish to harm her, and she was afraid for him. Who owed whom a debt of love? Who was whose fated misfortune? It was all a muddle, sigh upon sigh!

Awkwardly, Xie Shen climbed to his feet, wanting to speak but unable to utter a word. In the end, he could only force a smile, baring his teeth, before turning away toward the Bixi construct beast.

“Don’t go!” Yin Sha suddenly screamed, leaping forward to throw her arms tightly around Xie Shen from behind, pressing her whole face against him, murmuring over and over, “Don’t go… Xie Shen, don’t leave…”

Xie Shen’s face flushed crimson, like a cooked crab. He was about to pry her off, but his hands touched a soft, yielding form, and his panic grew. He could neither stand nor walk, rooted to the spot, only stammering:

“Let—let go! Let me go!”

Such a scene on the training ground was unprecedented; not just the Six Churls and the other demons, but even the other instructors looked on in astonishment. Only when a voice finally rang out did their reverie break:

“All of you, turn around! Patrol captains, come collect your chosen candidates; the rest, enter the construct beasts and await orders!”

“Yes, sir!”

At once, the assembled demons spun around, not daring to look back. The four patrol captains, though eager to witness the spectacle, feared Yin Sha and Heavenly Weep’s wrath, so they hurried by, each leading their charges away. Somehow, witnessing this drama, their earlier grievances dissipated, and they mused on how to recount the tale later, snickering all the while.

Even Heavenly Weep twitched his nose in excitement, rounding up the three little demons he’d selected and returning to the pavilion. In a few short breaths, only Yin Sha, Xie Shen, Fei Fei, and Shi Xingyi remained on the field.

Xie Shen and Shi Xingyi were old acquaintances, but that only made Xie Shen’s embarrassment worse. Trying to break free, he found Yin Sha’s grip even stronger, binding him tighter with every attempt.

“I won’t let you go. You must stay and marry me…” Now emboldened, Yin Sha pressed a kiss to Xie Shen’s cheek, growing ever more brazen. She clung to him, scolding and shouting without a care for her dignity: “You promised to marry me! You said you would!”

“I—I—I…” Xie Shen repeated himself three times, unable to finish, nearly fainting from lack of air. Yet Shi Xingyi and Fei Fei not only remained, but suddenly bowed deeply.

“Congratulations, Brother Xie! May your union be as enduring as the fragrant orchid and harmonious as the zither and lute for a hundred years.”

“My congratulations as well!” Fei Fei added, hands clasped in a salute and smiling. “Brother Xie, your wedding draws near. Shi Xingyi and I have nothing but our respects to offer. May you both have eyes as bright as autumn waters, a hero’s ambition, a shared burden for a hundred years, and boundless love that returns through countless lives.”

At this, a flush of shyness stole over Yin Sha’s face. She struggled to compose herself in Xie Shen’s arms, breathless as she murmured, “Thank you, thank you both, uncles…”

“Bah! Are you mocking me?” Xie Shen, indebted to Yin Sha, dared not scold her, but he had no such patience for Shi Xingyi and Fei Fei. His face darkening, he shouted, “Once I’m free, I’ll thrash you both within an inch of your lives!” With renewed effort, he broke free of Yin Sha’s grip, darting thirty feet away.

Yin Sha’s expression shifted, about to give chase, when Shi Xingyi’s clear voice called out:

“Don’t rush off, Brother Xie. I have the Valley Master’s directive.”

With the Valley Master’s command, nothing could take precedence. Xie Shen, halfway into his stride, was forced to stop, stamping his foot in frustration and groaning, “Shi Xingyi, after all our years of friendship, must you deliver orders now? What do you want of me?”

“Nothing much, just hoping for a cup of wedding wine.” Shi Xingyi replied with unhurried calm.

Xie Shen sighed deeply, watching Yin Sha approach him, her steps slow and graceful. Resigned, he shook his head. “Brother Shi, you know my circumstances. This is hardly a matter for jest.”

Shi Xingyi did not answer, instead producing a bronze incense burner from his robe. Fei Fei took out half a stick of incense, lit it, and placed it in the vessel. As the blue smoke curled upward, the Valley Master’s voice echoed in Xie Shen’s ears, deep and distant:

“Ghost Valley of the Dead is no more. Instructors and all, seek your own paths.”

When the words had faded, the incense’s flame lifted itself, landing in Xie Shen’s palm.

Sixteen simple words, yet they rang like celestial music to Xie Shen. For a moment he felt as though in a dream, watching the flame fade and die before his eyes. Only then did he start, eyes wide. “Brother Shi, does this mean…?” His gaze brimmed with hope, but also disbelief, afraid of what Shi Xingyi might say.

Shi Xingyi smiled and nodded firmly. “Indeed.”

Joy burst forth on Xie Shen’s face, brilliant as a bloom. “The Valley Master truly found it?”

All at once, Xie Shen felt light as air, a youth of sixteen again, longing to shout, to leap and run, to proclaim his happiness to the world and share it with all!

Fei Fei laughed heartily, clasping his hands. “Congratulations, Brother Xie. Years ago, you stayed willingly as an instructor for a decade, all for the sake of a cure. Today, your vow is fulfilled.”

Though these words were few, Yin Sha instantly recalled how, when she lay grievously wounded and Xie Shen disappeared, rare medicine had soon arrived from Jie Kong, saving her life. She had never imagined the story behind it all. Her heart surged with inexpressible emotion; all at once, she bit down hard on Xie Shen’s shoulder.

Pain shot through Xie Shen, blood flowing, but he showed no sign of suffering. Instead, he spun around and crushed Yin Sha in a fierce embrace, laughing out loud, exultant. “Little Yin, marry me—be my wife! Hahaha…”

Bashful and brimming with affection, Yin Sha buried her head in his chest, nodding fervently. At last, the tears she’d held back flowed freely—sweet, so very sweet!

Shi Xingyi and Fei Fei exchanged a glance before returning to the Bixi construct to confer with the other instructors. Upon hearing the news, reactions varied—some, like Xie Shen, were overjoyed; others sighed with disappointment, and some, having received special instructions from the Valley Master, were given new paths. Each met his own fate.

The flower blooms in two branches; each with its own tale.

While Xie Shen and Yin Sha tangled with their destinies, the Six Churls bid farewell to Wu Li, Yuan Qin, and the other young demons, following Heavenly Weep to the pavilion to await their turn. The remaining patrol captains chose their own and left, unwilling to disturb Yin Sha. Watching his sister’s twists and turns with Xie Shen, Heavenly Weep was delighted, uncharacteristically cordial in his greetings, his joy unconcealed.

Few had seen Heavenly Weep cry, but many had seen him kill.

Curiously, the two young demons accompanying the Six Churls were the opposite—they’d seen him weep but never kill, and even watched him desperately trying to please someone, shouting that he’d “be good” and “wouldn’t slack off anymore.”

First impressions are powerful—so powerful they can lead to death, or even a fate worse than death.

Heavenly Weep had not waited long in the pavilion when Yin Sha’s retainer entered and saluted. “Lord Shadow Ghost says she is accompanying Xie Shen to meet the Hidden Chief. Lord Heavenly Ghost, you are to begin the retainer assessment. Once the wedding date is set, you will be notified immediately.”

“Ah!” Heavenly Weep leaped three fathoms high, elated. “It’s settled? Brother Xie Shen is really to be my brother-in-law?”

“Yes, it’s set for this month, though the exact day awaits the Hidden Chief’s approval,” the retainer replied, beaming. “Congratulations to my lady Shadow Ghost—her long-cherished wish is fulfilled at last.”

“Heheheheheh…” Heavenly Weep was beside himself with joy, hopping and skipping. “Wonderful! Now that Brother Xie Shen is back, let’s see which annoying flies dare approach. Just the thought of their faces delights me!”

Shadow Ghost’s retainer took his leave, and in moments, cloudships ascended from the training ground, soaring into the sky. The Bixi construct beasts returned to the Heavenly Tower, the patrol captains led their charges away, and Heavenly Weep drew his broad, square-tipped sword from the flagstones, grinning as he headed for his own cloudship. His retainer followed, the Six Churls and the two young demons hesitating before trailing after.

Seeing Heavenly Weep in high spirits, his retainer made small talk:

“Lord Heavenly Ghost, that Brother Xie Shen was truly formidable.”

“Brother Xie Shen? Better get used to a new title—once you meet the Hidden Chief, you’ll be calling him Lord Ghost Xie!”

“Huh?”

“What’s so surprising? Brother Xie Shen was always the head of our Ghost Banquet. Now that he’s back, do you think Brother Gu Chen could still claim first place?”

“That’s true. From the way he fought just now, Lord Ghost Xie’s strength seemed unfathomable…”

“Pah! You call that a fight? To tell the truth, you lot, even I and my sister together, couldn’t last half an hour under Brother Xie Shen’s hand!”

As they spoke, they reached the cloudship, which soon climbed skyward and soared away.

One song for gentle love, one for heartfelt joy,

One song for sorrowful parting, one for wild delight,

Life is like a song, sung by wanderers with broken hearts,

Yet it can also play forth happiness as boundless as the sea!