Yinshan Record

Chapter 62 Demonic Atmosphere and Miasma
Lin Jiugong has been traveling the world for many years and has quite a few familiar friends.

When things change at Kulin Temple, Lin Jiugong calls on his friends and old acquaintances to gather together to deal with the situation.

The ascetic and the swordsman were the first to arrive.

The red-faced ascetic was named Qin Ben. Although he dressed as an ascetic, he actually came from a heretical sect and was nicknamed "Mighty Yaksha". He practiced Buddhist supernatural powers and was proficient in the witchcraft of the Southern Wilderness. He was also a well-known knight-errant in the martial arts world.

The swordsman's name is Chu Yuan. He comes from Yu Yang Mountain, a major sect in the Southern Liang Dynasty. He is quite well-known in the martial arts world. He has the cultivation level of the seventh rank in swordsmanship and loves to slay demons and monsters and uphold justice.

The other girl, who didn't look like a stranger, was someone the monk later encountered on the road. Her name was Yuan Caiyi, and like Chu Yuan, she came from a major sect, specifically from the Qingwang Valley in the Southern Wilderness.

Qingwang Valley lies between Taoism, Buddhism, and shamanism, taking it upon itself to practice medicine and help the world. Disciples often travel to the mortal realm to practice medicine and deliver herbs, accumulating good deeds.

Yuan Caiyi encountered the red-faced monk Qin Ben on the road. Hearing about the changes in Xuanshan, she came to help.

As soon as they arrived in Guobei County, Lin Jiugong led them to explore the area around Kulin Temple.

Lin Jiugong came from the Shangqing lineage of Taoism, although the lineage of his master had been almost obscured by the mortal world by his generation.

Although the inheritance has flowed into the secular world, it is still within the Xuanmen system. Lin Jiugong is considered a natural-born cultivator, and with his cultivation at the eighth level of the Daoist sect, "Xuanlan," he still managed to see some clues.

While subtle clues and hidden details may deceive the heavens, they ultimately cannot completely conceal the secrets of heaven.

Following the rules of the Xuanmen (Taoist school), Lin Jiugong surveyed the mountain shapes and terrain of Shanyin and Guobei and roughly discerned that a master had used this land to set up an array. Kulin Temple was one of the key points in the array, and there were seven other places that could be considered the core of the array.

They could see the changes, but they couldn't understand the underlying principles.

This single section alone was enough to fill Lin Jiugong with dread.

The master of the Xuanmen sect who set up this scheme used this array to seize all the wonders of heaven and earth, yet remained invisible.

If it weren't for the changes at Kulin Temple that revealed the key to the formation, even if Lin Jiugong had observed it for a hundred years, he wouldn't have been able to discern the clues.

This astonishing technique, described in the Taoist classic as "The greatest sound is silent, the greatest form is formless," truly horrified Lin Jiugong.

If an ordinary practitioner saw this, their first reaction would be to move away with their disciples and never ask about these two places again.

Lin Jiugong, with a chivalrous heart, invited the monk, the swordsman, and the young girl, along with his two disciples, to plan according to the situation and choose a specific point.

While others choose to protect themselves, he decides to venture into the lion's den to hunt down a leopard.

The site chosen was this large tomb from the previous dynasty located in Niushou Mountain behind Niushou Village.

This place is also a node in this situation.

If the entire layout is likened to a great dragon, then this ancient tomb in Niushou Mountain is the dragon's tail.

The saying "a dragon appears but not its tail" refers to a place that is elusive in the whole picture, seemingly insignificant but actually the ending.

Lin Jiugong judged that this place should be the weakest point in the whole situation, so he chose this place as the starting point to break the deadlock.

At first, things went smoothly. Lin Jiugong used the "Xuanlan" method to locate the burial site, and a group of people were about to search for the tomb passage.

As a result, a strange, eerie miasma inexplicably rose from the Xuan Mountain, dark and bitter, descending from the sky.

Within this miasma, many demons and monsters could be vaguely seen. Lin Jiugong and his group encountered enemies in a panic, fighting and retreating. In the chaos, they lost sight of his disciple Wencai.

The group retreated all the way to Niushou Village, where all the villagers had taken refuge in the ancestral hall. Lin Jiugong and the others used the ancestral hall as a base to ensure the safety of the people before considering anything else.

For a moment, I was at a loss, unsure of what to do.

The most important task at present is, of course, to explore the great tomb in Niushou Mountain. However, there are still more than two hundred people here. If no one is looking after them, they will most likely be killed by demons.

Lin Jiugong's disciple, Wen Cai, is also missing.

With only five people in total—to search for disciples, explore tombs, or protect the people—Lin Jiugong found it difficult to make arrangements.

"The miasma is covering the sky and blocking out the sun; this is a sign that the Demon King is going to war."

The red-faced monk Qin Ben frowned deeply: "There are many monsters in Shanyin County, but this is the first time we've seen such a commotion."

A deep, bone-revealing wound ran across his left shoulder, exposing the white bone beneath. Yuan Caiyi was sprinkling a handful of slimy white insects onto the wound. "Those who are not of our kind will surely have different hearts," said the swordsman Chu Yuan, stroking his sword sheath. "The peace we had before was simply because they were keeping quiet. To take it for granted is utterly foolish."

"With such a display of power, it must be at the fifth rank of cultivation." Chu Yuan turned to look at Lin Jiugong: "Brother Jiugong, which monstrous creature do you think is behind this?"

Lin Jiugong lowered his head and pondered for a moment.

"Among the demon kings of Xuanshan, the ones who can be called Black Mountain Old Monster, Dushan Lord, Feng Jiunan, Yutu Lord, and Qing Fuzi are the ones who can be called the most powerful."

"Brother Qin cultivates both Buddhism and witchcraft, and he follows the path of physical training, so his body is strong. He was injured by that monster with a weapon when he fought it in the miasma just now. Only the Black Mountain Monster can command such a great demon."

Chu Yuan glanced at the chaotic group of villagers in the ancestral hall.

“Black Mountain Monster, hehe, Brother Lin, how about this? You and this young brother stay here to take care of Monk Qin, and I will go back into this miasma to see if I can find your disciple.”

The red-faced monk chuckled, "No need, Brother Lin. You and Old Chu go find Wencai. Qiusheng and Miss Caiyi are here, that's enough. It's just a superficial injury, it will heal in a short while."

Lin Jiugong pondered for a moment.

He understood what the two meant.

Chu Yuan wanted to risk going to find Wen Cai, but Qin Toutuo was worried about Chu Yuan's safety and asked him to go with them.

Just now, even with the combined strength of several people in the miasma, they couldn't stop the attacks of those demons. Now, going out separately would only increase the risk.

“Brother Chu, among our group, you have the highest cultivation level and are the sword cultivator most feared by demons. Please stay here and take care of Brother Qin and the people.”

Lin Jiugong looked outside the ancestral hall: "Wencai, I'll go find him myself."

“Master, I’ll go with you to find Wencai.”

Qiu Sheng's eyes reddened upon hearing this.

He knew all too well the dangers outside, and at this moment he could only deeply regret that he hadn't cultivated enough in his daily life, and in the end he couldn't share his master's burdens.

"Fool, anyone can go here, but you are the only one who cannot."

Yuan Caiyi, who had been silent until now, finally spoke, his voice hoarse: "Hero Chu, what do you say?"

"That's right, even if we all die, you must live well."

Chu Yuan chuckled.

The swordsman said boldly, "If we die, the people of this place will die. You must live on, pass on the lineage, cultivate diligently, and continue the Dharma. When your cultivation is high enough, kill all the demons in the world and avenge us."

Lin Jiugong nodded.

"Qiusheng, I have already passed on everything I can to you. If anything happens today, go to the coffin shop in Shanyin County and find Song Qi. He is your senior master. Since we have different paths, we don't work together. He has never taken you around before."

"Go tell him that Lin Jiugong is gone."

"The girl in colorful clothes is off-topic," Chu Yuan laughed. "Sacrificing oneself for others is what makes life worthwhile. Seeking only immortality is no better than staying in your shell like a turtle. Don't worry, Qiu boy. Your grandpa Chu will soon behead all those monsters and bring your junior brother back to you..."

Lin Jiugong's expression suddenly turned serious.

“There’s fighting outside.”

Chu Yuan nodded solemnly as well.

"Go out and take a look?"

"Please, Brother Chu, cover for me."

Outside, the yin energy was rising again, and the demonic energy was churning, clearly indicating that someone had broken into this demonic killing formation.

A thought flashed through Yuan Caiyi's mind.

Could it be that the fox has arrived?

(End of this chapter)