Chapter 113: Parting Ways

Xuānxuān’s meaning was clear: she was competent at raising spirits, capturing ghosts, and playing tricks, but when it came to subduing demons… that was somewhat outside her expertise.

And indeed, the facts confirmed this. That creature was far more than a mere flower demon; it had reached a level where it was no longer confined to its growing ground and could move freely even after leaving the soil… its cultivation must be formidable.

Moreover, this demon truly targeted humans directly. It likely grew near Jinyan Village for a long time but hadn’t harmed the local villagers much. Only after outsiders like Qi Yan arrived did it fixate on its prey.

Xuānxuān said, “If it’s a demon of this caliber, it indeed has the ability to strike a lone person like Da Long directly. Even a life talisman wouldn’t be enough to block it…”

Qi Yan listened as she spoke increasingly mysteriously. Coupled with his own recent experience… he almost died in this creature’s ‘tender embrace,’ didn’t he?

The fleshly illusion was simply too hard to resist. Though there’s an old saying, “To die under the peony is still elegant, even as a ghost,” that’s just poetic. In hindsight, when consciousness returns, it’s still a terrifying ordeal.

But Qi Yan had also noticed something just now. He had intended to unseal the Yin talisman’s charm but, in panic, mistakenly opened the shell of the “Walking Buddha” instead, which he now held in his palm. Was this thing… so powerful? Was it why Xuānxuān suddenly fought back? At that moment, the flower demon’s vines clinging to his body instantly withdrew.

“Xuānxuān, look, this Buddha talisman Keke gave me—is it really effective? I think I broke free from the flower demon’s illusion because of it.”

He showed the talisman directly to Xuānxuān. Although it was very dark around them, Xuānxuān had her own way—Buddha talismans are carved with raised figures, right? She touched it with her fingers and instantly recognized it by feel, like picking up a mahjong tile.

“This is… the Venerable Sivalī? Keke gave this to you? Let me think—it should be the first Buddha talisman I once gave her to wear. Its power is to dispel misfortune.”

Qi Yan was stunned, thinking, “So powerful? She really is an old mahjong master… able to recognize a Buddha talisman by touch like a mahjong tile?”

In fact, they were quite similar.

But Xuānxuān looked puzzled. “This doesn’t add up. Although I’ve never faced a true demon head-on, they should all be very strong. Even if Buddha talismans provide some protection, it shouldn’t be so direct…”

Mid-sentence, she realized this wasn’t the time to dwell on it. The floral fragrance in the air had thinned considerably compared to before.

“It… must have left. Then you should leave now and go back to tell Old Yan about our discovery.”

Qi Yan was surprised. “You want me to go back first? What about you? Are you staying here?”

Knowing full well that ghosts and demons were here, she didn’t want to retreat.

Xuānxuān’s expression was wary but resolute. “If Da Long really met this thing… I must stay and keep searching. Since his life is uncertain and we haven’t found a body, I won’t wait until dawn to come back and search.”

Before Qi Yan could say more, she continued, “Don’t worry too much. Don’t underestimate me, Xuānxuān. Though I admit this demon is powerful, if I want to leave unscathed, it won’t stop me. The Yin talisman is currently dormant. If I stay with you and danger arises again, I might not be able to protect you both. So the best plan is for you to go back and find Old Yan. He has far more knowledge and experience than I do; he might have a solution. But you must bring back news about the flower demon—he still doesn’t know.”

Qi Yan opened his mouth to speak, but Xuānxuān interrupted again. “Stop babbling. I’m telling you to get help, not to go die… Hurry up. You hold the seventh Yin talisman. Our group must ensure your and Ding Lingzi’s safety.”

Finally, Qi Yan seized the chance to speak. “I just want to say, big sister, you take care of yourself… and wear this Buddha talisman. Maybe it really is powerful. I’m no hero; I’ve wanted to run away for a long time!”

“Heh… you’re not polite at all, huh? Then go quickly—if the demon flower returns, it’ll be trouble.”

Qi Yan didn’t want to delay any longer. At first, they were in the dark about the source of the danger, which is why Xuānxuān and Qi Yan recklessly came looking for Hao Da Long. But now things were different… Even Old Yan had miscalculated—the dangerous entity was not a ghost but a demon.

This raised the danger level exponentially. Even knowing its identity, they remained passive and needed more help. Such matters couldn’t be easily explained by phone, and the signal here was weak anyway. The distance wasn’t far; it was better for one person to go back and report.

Besides, they should also ask the local villagers if they had any information about this creature. That was the wisest choice.

Because Xuānxuān and Hao Da Long’s relationship was more than just partners, she wouldn’t easily give up out of concern, especially since she had some skills herself.

After Qi Yan took a few steps away, Xuānxuān called out to him again.

“Qi Yan.”

“What’s up?”

“Do you have cigarettes on you?”

“Uh… yeah.” Qi Yan was taken aback but pulled out half a pack of Furongwang and a lighter to hand her.

Xuānxuān skillfully lit one and held it between her lips. Whether to calm her nerves or stay alert, her posture looked remarkably like a big sister who collected protection fees.

Qi Yan no longer hesitated. Gripping his battered steel rod, he ran back toward the direction from which they had come, leaving the old village’s borders.

As his footsteps faded, Xuānxuān took a deep drag, exhaling two thick white clouds through her nose. A faint smile curled her lips; she twisted her neck left and right and muttered to herself:

“I’ve never faced a true demon head-on before. Damn… did not check the almanac before going out; when you’re unlucky, you even bump into camphor trees.

“Hao Da Long, you thick-skinned, heartless bastard, our business isn’t over yet. If you dare to expose your corpse in the wilderness so easily, I’ll make your ghost into a Yin talisman and throw it into a cesspit!”

She flicked the ash and pulled from the side pocket of her backpack a handful of the white “insect powder” she had sprinkled earlier. Setting off toward the southeastern hills beyond the old village, she scattered the powder in a line, leaving a trail.

Not only that, she quietly chanted the seductive scripture again as she walked. After a few seconds, she was no longer alone; another light, playful sound of children laughing appeared.

Suddenly, a chubby little boy, wearing only a bellyband and with slightly dark skin, appeared beside her.

The “Buddha Child” Guman manifested—one of the three little spirits she had raised for years in Thailand.

Xuānxuān felt a twinge of bitter self-mockery. Hunan was her hometown, yet now she had to rely on spirits raised in Thailand to fight demons from her own land…