Chapter 25: The sea is vast, allowing birds to fly freely; the river flows, not belonging to a pond.
“Such a swift sword…” As the Snake Captain murmured through gushing blood, his words trailed into silence.
The blade had not only pierced his heart—the infused spiritual energy within ravaged his organs mercilessly.
He collapsed stiffly, as though his strength had been siphoned away.
The sword withdrew itself without Jiang Liuer’s effort.
The bloodstained blade abruptly pivoted midair.
It pointed toward Hu Yuyu and Monk Faming in the distance.
“Stop!” Jiang Liuer intervened, seizing the hilt. He sheathed the sword swiftly.
Glancing at the fallen Snake Captain, he confirmed the life had fled the body.
This marked Jiang Liuer’s first deliberate act of killing in days—a premeditated strike, distinct from the “accidental” bandit deaths.
“Hah…”
Exhaling, his expression hardened from confusion to resolve. “You shouldn’t have threatened Elder Faming. Harming him is akin to harming my own parents.”
He deemed slaying the demon justified.
Huang Mei’s words surfaced in his mind: No cessation of hatred without bloodshed.
Hatred…
Indeed.
By disrupting the Wolf King’s wedding, Jiang Liuer had earned the ire of the Wolf Grotto’s denizens. The Snake Captain’s vendetta was inevitable.
Leaving him alive would perpetuate endless strife.
Today’s abduction of Elder Faming proved it.
Yet the Wolf Grotto harbored more than one grudge. Several captains lingered in memory—and the Wolf King himself, thwarted and furious.
That one’s hatred runs deepest.
So…
Must they all perish?
Dangerous thoughts swirled as Jiang Liuer silently recited the Great Scripture of Karmic Retribution for Killing, channeling the turmoil of broken vows into surging spiritual power.
“Benefactor! Are you unharmed?” Hu Yuyu hurried over.
“Fine,” Jiang Liuer replied, turning to Elder Faming. The monk gazed solemnly at the corpse.
Anxiety prickled Jiang Liuer—he’d killed before the elder’s eyes.
“Master, I…”
“Amitabha.” Monk Faming clasped his hands, weathered face solemn. “This serpent sowed bitterness; today’s death is its harvest. Bury him, Jiang Liuer. Chant sutras for his next life’s virtue.”
Relief flooded Jiang Liuer—the elder absolved his deed.
“At once!” He seized the Snake Captain’s halberd, using it to dig.
Monk Faming joined with a bamboo pole. Hu Yuyu, reverting to fox form, clawed the earth.
After half an hour’s labor, the corpse was interred.
“Should we carve a tombstone?” panted Hu Yuyu.
Monk Faming shook his head. “Conceal the grave with dead leaves. Let none know a body lies here.” His practiced movements drew Jiang Liuer’s notice.
“Master… you seem experienced.”
The elder remained silent.
“Benefactor,” Hu Yuyu telepathized, “perhaps he’s the ‘repentant butcher’ type. The world’s only known peace for a decade. Who knows what he survived?”
Jiang Liuer nodded. Such burial skill couldn’t be innate.
By the time the grave was hidden, Monk Faming had begun chanting.
After prolonged sutras, he addressed Jiang Liuer: “The authorities seek you. Remain at Golden Light Temple, and guards will arrest you.”
“Perhaps you and Buddha walk separate paths. Return to the temple with me.”
Jiang Liuer understood. “...Understood.”
Under night’s cloak, they slipped through the temple’s back door.
From a roof beam, Monk Faming retrieved a wooden box. “This was meant for your adulthood. How unpredictable fate proves.”
Jiang Liuer received it reverently. “Is this…?”
“You know.”
Inside lay a blood-written letter and a undershirt. Though forewarned by Senior Tang Sanzang, seeing his mother’s script brought tears.
“With your skills, you might meet your mother,” said Monk Faming. “Take these to Jiangzhou’s magistrate office. Beware bandits and demons en route.”
He then produced 500 copper coins from beneath his bed. “Travel requires funds. Take these. No stealing—show compassion.”
“I understand.”
“Go.” The elder sighed. “The ocean awaits soaring birds; no pond contains flowing rivers. Visit in disguise when you can.”
