Volume Three: Wandering Without Restraint, Chapter 100

"Ajin... Ajin, please, wake up. Won't you wake up? Ajin, I beg you... someone, please, help me save her."

Inside the pitch-black cave, the young man’s pleading voice was filled with boundless sorrow. His voice trembled, yet Jin Li, cradled in his arms, showed no signs of waking.

The girl in his arms was drenched in blood. When he had first descended, the scene that met his eyes was Jin Li lying amidst a pool of gore and skeletal remains. He was terrified—terrified that Jin Li would leave him once again. This scene was hauntingly similar to that night when she had plunged into the freezing river.

"Ajin... Ajin..."

Jin Li vaguely heard someone calling her name. As her consciousness slowly cleared, the voice grew louder, like ripples spreading across a calm lake, each circle growing wider than the last. She wanted to open her eyes, but she felt an overwhelming exhaustion, so profound that she could not even lift her eyelids.

*It’s Ayuan. That is Ayuan’s voice.*

The sky gradually turned an inky black, devoid of a single star. The night wind howled through the withered trees outside, creating an eerie, rustling sound. Perched on the branches, crows stared with dark, hollow eyes at the lonely, scattered tombstones below. From time to time, a sound would startle them, sending them flapping into the air, leaving behind only the long, dark night and the faint, haunting sound of chanting.

Geng Yuan’s eyes were rimmed with red as he looked at the unconscious Jin Li, pressing his fingers together to channel his spiritual energy into her. Just then, the surroundings began to brighten. Geng Yuan closed his eyes, and the air filled with the sharp, rhythmic crackle of burning torches.

He slowly opened his eyes.

What greeted him was a cave illuminated by torches. However, it no longer felt as sinister as before. On either side stood lantern-bearing ghost spirits. Geng Yuan looked up and saw a woman in red, reclining languidly on a massive stone throne. She was a strange sight: her face covered by a red veil, her hair adorned with a phoenix crown—a crown that, upon closer inspection, was clearly a funerary object. Several boys in black robes knelt around her, attending to her needs. The young man’s cold gaze was sharp with vigilance.

The woman opened her eyes, having only been feigning sleep. She glanced at Geng Yuan and gave a slight wave of her hand; the boys bowed and departed. The woman in red rose, and the red veil draped over her lap fell away, revealing long, porcelain-white legs.

"Who are you?" she asked, her voice dripping with allure. "How dare you trespass here?"

Geng Yuan spoke coldly, "Are you the master of this place?"

The woman laughed, but her expression darkened instantly, and a man’s voice echoed from her throat: "You two are truly reckless! To think you would dare to storm the Se-Curse Temple alone!"

*Se-Curse Temple?* That temple buried deep underground since the primordial era? It was a ghost temple. Neither human nor god who entered ever left.

The eerie woman in red caught sight of the unconscious Jin Li. "Heh... and you brought a woman with you?"

*She could see through Ajin’s disguise?*

Geng Yuan asked, "Those soul beasts—were they raised by you?"

"Hahaha... yes. They are very obedient."

"By doing this, are you not afraid of having to answer to the King of Hell?!"

"Answer? Ha! What answer? Who do you think the King of Hell is? How could he possibly be worthy of my notice?"

*It seems she is not of the Underworld race.*

*Then, she must be... a Demon!*

Like a phantom, the woman appeared before him. She raised her hand and slowly brushed it against Geng Yuan’s face. He felt a wave of nausea and tried to recoil, only to find himself completely paralyzed.

The woman in red sneered, "Hehe... this little face is quite exquisite. Tell me... are you betrothed?"

Geng Yuan did not want to speak, but his mouth moved against his will. "I have no betrothal."

His heart skipped a beat. *A Soul-Snatching Demon.*

The answer clearly pleased her. "Hahaha! Since that is the case, who do you think is more beautiful: I, or her?" She gestured toward the unconscious Jin Li.

"You are," he replied, again against his own will.

The woman in red walked behind Geng Yuan, wrapped her arms around him, and whispered into his ear, "You carry demonic energy."

*This is bad.* Geng Yuan’s gaze flickered.

In the next second, she snatched Jin Li from his arms and gripped her by the throat.

*Let her go!*

Geng Yuan could do nothing, his eyes burning with rage. The woman inspected Jin Li closely. "A member of the Heavenly Clan? How does she also possess demonic energy?" Suddenly, she flung Jin Li away with immense force. The girl crashed hard against the ground.

*Ajin!*

Geng Yuan’s eyes blazed with fury. The woman in red roared at Geng Yuan, who remained frozen on his knees, "I do not like that look in your eyes!" She leaned toward him again, her expression shifting to one of profound apology. "I’m sorry... I’m sorry, my husband."

*Husband?!!*

Yet a moment later, the man’s voice returned, "Wiping out all my descendants! Such audacity!"

*She is emotionally unstable.*

The lantern-bearing ghosts stood motionless around them, as if no one else could speak to her. But what of the boys who had been serving her? *How could this be?*

As she spoke, the woman reached out and grabbed one of the lantern-bearing ghosts by the neck. With a *crack*, the ghost went limp and slowly dissolved into nothingness. The woman returned to her ghost-throne, her eyes cold and indifferent.

Geng Yuan scrambled up to help Jin Li, whispering tenderly, "Ajin? Ajin?"

Jin Li finally opened her eyes. Geng Yuan smiled with relief. "You’re awake, you’re awake. Thank goodness." He buried his face in her shoulder as he embraced her. Jin Li gave a weak smile, reached up to stroke his hair, and whispered, "It’s alright now."

But at that moment, the woman in red moved like a streak of crimson, grabbing Jin Li by the throat once more.

"Let her go!" Geng Yuan roared, but he was blocked by the lantern-bearing ghosts.

Jin Li clawed at the woman’s hand, struggling. "Heh... how effortless. I didn’t expect yet another god to come seeking death."

She did not notice the girl’s eyes darken, filled with a murderous intent.

"Release her!"

The woman in red looked at the frantic Geng Yuan and laughed wickedly. "What? Worried?"

"You..."

"Your celestial powers have been sealed by me. With what will you resist me?"

She let go, dropping Jin Li, and with a flick of her hand, sent Geng Yuan crashing to the ground with the force of her soul-power. He struggled to rise, clutching his chest in agony before coughing up a mouthful of blood.

Just then, the girl in her grasp spoke softly, "Resist you? Do I need celestial power to do that?"

The demoness stiffened, staring at the girl in disbelief. The girl’s eyes were dim, overflowing with a killing aura. She spoke coldly once more: "Have you seen other members of the Heavenly Clan?"

She had seen Tu Shan Yan.

The demoness began to dread the primordial power the girl was awakening. The pressure of the Phoenix Primordial Spirit bore down on her, leaving her unable to catch her breath. The girl gripped the demoness’s hand tightly, her voice frigid, while faint blue flames seemed to ignite across her body.

"Answer me."

The demoness let out a sharp cry of pain. Jin Li approached her as she slumped to the ground, looking down at her with a condescending gaze, her peach-blossom eyes filled with endless killing intent.

"Did you kill them?"

Geng Yuan was startled, filled with confusion and shock. The woman scrambled up, acting arrogant once more. "What are you talking about? I don’t understand."

"You don’t understand? Hmph."

Jin Li spread her hands, and the blue Profound Spirit Flame made the demoness tremble with fear. But she was not one to be intimidated easily. Suddenly, a red silk ribbon lashed out toward Jin Li.

*Finally, she attacks.*

Jin Li closed her eyes and tapped her forehead with her fingers. A blue fire phoenix, soaring toward the heavens, manifested above her. The girl slowly opened her eyes and smiled faintly. The fire phoenix unleashed a torrent of flame, incinerating the red ribbon.

The Ghost Bride stood up, her eyes wide with disbelief. "How can this be?"

Jin Li lowered her hands. Geng Yuan stepped forward. "Ajin, are you alright?"

Jin Li shook her head and turned her gaze toward the Ghost Bride. "I asked you a question, so answer me. Have you or have you not seen Emperor Yao Cen?"

"Guess. I underestimated you two. But... I don’t have time to play with you... Hahaha..."

*What does she mean?!*

The seductive laughter echoed throughout the cave. Before they could react, a thick cloud of red mist filled the air. Geng Yuan grabbed Jin Li, and they watched their surroundings with extreme vigilance.

*It seems the only way to find the truth is to leave this place.*

Just then, something lightly brushed against Geng Yuan’s waist. He froze, his ears turning red.

"Ajin?"

"Yes?"

"Why... why are you touching my waist?"

"I’m holding my sword, Ayuan. I have no hands free to touch your waist."

They both froze. Realizing something was wrong, Jin Li swung her sword, followed by a piercing shriek. The mist dissipated, and everything returned to the cave, but the Ghost Bride was gone, as were the lantern-bearing ghosts.

However, the things crawling down from the walls were terrifying. They were a pack of red-clad, faceless monsters with four limbs pressed to the ground, oozing a sticky, foul-smelling liquid. They were nothing but walking skeletons. Provocative screeches emanated from their bellies.

*What are these things?!*

"They are Red-Bone Demons," Geng Yuan said calmly, shielding Jin Li behind him.

"Red-Bone Demons?"

Geng Yuan nodded. "These Red-Bone Demons feed on human flesh and blood. Once they scent a human, they attack."

Jin Li swallowed hard, her expression one of disgust. "How revolting."

Suddenly, swarms of Red-Bone Demons crawled out from countless small holes in the cave walls, a sight that made one’s skin crawl.

"Do we have any chance of winning?"

Geng Yuan smiled slightly. "Even if we don't, it’s worth a fight."

Jin Li smiled back, though her expression soon faded. A blue-purple light shimmered in her pupils. The Red-Bone Demons lunged, shrieking, their viscous liquid dripping down. Jin Li ducked, used the momentum to deliver a powerful kick, sending a demon flying. With a spin, her Xuanyin Sword gleamed with a cold, blue-purple light, instantly slicing through the encroaching monsters. The cuts were smooth, a testament to the sword's sharpness.

Beside her, Geng Yuan unleashed the Tairan Sword Technique, waves of blades raining down on the creatures. The miserable wails of the Red-Bone Demons filled the cave.

Suddenly, a demon lunged at Jin Li from behind. She sidestepped, spun, and pushed her palm forward. A bloody silver hook pierced the demon from behind, while a bloody blade erupted from its chest. With a swift pull, the demon was cleaved in two.

Jin Li looked at the young man standing opposite her. She smiled, walked over, and took his hand. Together, they leaped into the air, pushing two seals toward the remaining demons. The Red-Bone Demons shattered instantly.

In moments, the floor of the Ghost Bride’s lair was littered with the bone fragments of the monsters. Standing back-to-back in the center, the black and white figures looked perfectly matched.

Geng Yuan’s eyes softened as he turned to Jin Li. "Are you alright?"

Jin Li shook her head. "What could happen to me? I should be asking you if you’re alright."

Geng Yuan laughed. Jin Li walked to his side and looked at him. "As expected of someone from Buzhao Mountain; your sword skills have improved significantly."

She reached out and brushed the hair from the young man’s forehead, her eyes filled with seven parts laughter and three parts starlight.

That gaze made the young man’s heart skip a beat.