Seven Songs(Yin Deng Jue/Secret Of Leading The Light) - Chapter 27
Chapter 27: The Demon Hunter is Not a Taoist (1)
Yan Qige was selecting leather water pouches with Ming ran at a leather goods shop.
Just as he picked up a rhinoceros hide water pouch adorned with bamboo patterns, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his chest, causing the pouch to drop onto the table.
An unprecedented sense of unease and foreboding surged within him.
“Young master, what’s wrong?”
Ming ran, who was also browsing, asked softly upon noticing his distress.
“It’s nothing. This one is quite beautiful. Please call the shopkeeper to wrap it up.”
“Alright, I’ll go fetch the shopkeeper right away,” Ming ran replied with a smile, then turned to call the shopkeeper who was busy reviewing accounts at the counter.
As soon as Ming ran turned away, Yan Qige quickly formed a hand seal over his chest, murmuring an spell under his breath.
He closed his eyes, using his spiritual energy to sense Yusang’s condition.
“Young master, which one would you like?”
The shopkeeper approached and inquired.
Yan Qige discreetly withdrew his hand, turning back with a composed expression.
He handed the water pouch to the shopkeeper.
“Please wait a moment, young master. I’ll go punch holes and thread it for you, so it’s easier to hang on your horse during travels,” the shopkeeper said with a smile before leaving.
The main hall of the shop was now empty except for Ming ran and Yan Qige.
Yan Qige turned around, pretending to continue browsing, while Ming ran also turned away, seemingly engrossed in something else.
However, in the next instant, they both suddenly turned back simultaneously.
Ming ran now held a fishbone dagger, her usual gentle demeanor replaced by a fierce, murderous intent.
Her pupils turned a jade-green hue as she thrust the dagger towards Yan Qige’s chest.
Yan Qige stepped back, swiftly forming a protective barrier with his hands.
He chanted an incantation, using his spiritual energy to create a shield that caught the dagger between his fingers.
“With your skills, you think you can kill me?” Yan Qige said coldly.
“You were prepared all along. It seems I underestimated you,” Ming ran snorted in frustration, revealing a hint of unwillingness.
“I’ve spent centuries learning the mannerisms of human women, and I thought I was flawless. When did you discover the truth?”
Yan Qige remained silent, his expression as calm as ever.
Ming ran met his gaze, then began to show signs of disbelief and frustration.
“Could it be… you knew from the moment you pulled me out of the river?”
“Demons are demons. No matter how much you transform or disguise yourself, you’re still just a demon,” Yan Qige said coldly.
“Impossible. If you knew I wasn’t human, why did you keep me by your side these past few days? Could it be… that you, a mere mortal, couldn’t bear to part with my beauty?”
Ming ran smiled seductively.
Yan Qige, now deeply concerned about Yusang’s safety, was unwilling to waste any more time with Ming ran.
His anger surfaced as he impatiently asked, “What have you done to Yusang?”
“I almost forgot about your little pet. So, this is why you’re so eager to turn against me,” Ming ran said, thinking she had found Yan Qige’s weakness, her tone growing more assertive.
“If it weren’t for her, do you think you could have gotten close to me? She’s innocent. Let her go, and deal with me directly.”
“How do you know I’m after you? Who do you think you are? Just a mortal with some minor magic skills. In the end, you’re still just a mortal. What makes you think you can negotiate with me? Of course… you are quite handsome. If you’re willing to stay with me, I might consider letting your pet go.”
“Is that so?” Yan Qige’s lips curled into a cold, almost mocking smile.
His expression was both sinister and captivating, causing Ming ran to hesitate momentarily.
As a demon, she had seen many handsome young men, but Yan Qige’s unique aura and appearance were truly rare.
Her grip on the dagger wavered slightly.
But in that instant, Yan Qige suddenly unleashed his spiritual power.
Before Ming ran could react, he had already knocked the fishbone dagger from her hand.
A spiritual blade sliced through her protective aura, leaving a wound from her shoulder to her chest.
Yan Qige sidestepped and caught the falling dagger.
The blade that had been aimed at him moments ago was now pressed against Mingran’s throat.
“The Red Pearl River is one of the three great rivers of the world, the source of the dragon vein of Wanling Kingdom. This place should be abundant with spiritual energy, with clear waters. Yet now, it’s shrouded in demonic aura. Tell me, who are your accomplices? What kind of demons are you?”
Ming ran, restrained by the dagger, showed no fear.
She looked at Yan Qige with a cold smile and said leisurely, “I didn’t expect you to be not only handsome but also clever and quick. Much smarter than those demon-hunting Taoists and monks who came here before. But what does it matter? That little demon is in our hands now. If you dare harm me, she’ll lose an arm. You care for her, so you won’t dare touch me.”
“She’s just a little demon who follows me. There are countless demons in the world. If you think I would spare you and your kind for her sake, you’re gravely mistaken.”
Yan Qige’s eyes were filled with killing intent.
The dagger at Ming ran’s throat pierced her skin, and blood trickled down her neck.
Ming ran, looking at Yan Qige’s cold, calm face and the unyielding determination in his eyes, began to show fear and panic.
She started to believe that Yan Qige truly didn’t care about Yusang.
Trembling, she said, “I’ll talk… I’ll talk…”
Yan Qige stopped pressing the dagger into Ming ran’s flesh, waiting for her to continue.
But before he could hear her next words, he suddenly felt a heavy blow to his back.
The fishbone dagger fell from Yan Qige’s hand as he collapsed backward.
Ming ran picked up the dagger with a cold smile and nodded to the shopkeeper, who was holding a club.
“I’ll remember your contribution.”
“Thank you, Divine Lady. Thank you,” the shopkeeper said joyfully, dropping the club and kneeling to kowtow to Ming ran.
Ming ran looked down at the fallen man with a mix of pride and disdain.
Just as she was about to speak, the sky suddenly darkened.
The bright sunny weather turned gloomy and overcast.
After a flash of lightning, an androgynous voice echoed from all directions.
“The eighty-first soul is enough. Keep her safe. The ritual will be performed tonight during the full moon.”
With these words, a person was thrown through the door and landed on the ground.
Upon closer inspection, it was Yusang, but she was under a spell, unable to move, her eyes closed.
“Yes, I will handle it,” Ming ran replied, walking to the door and looking up at the dark clouds.
As quickly as the clouds had gathered, they dissipated in the blink of an eye.
The bright sunlight returned, illuminating the room.
Ming Ran kicked Yusang’s leg, confirming she was immobile, then felt reassured.
She casually instructed the shopkeeper to lock up Yusang and Yan Qige, planning to deal with them personally upon her return.
