294: Chapter 292: Different Paths 294: Chapter 292: Different Paths Ying Xiu’s face was stern as he glanced at the Ghost who remained unharmed under the ghost artifact.
His heart grew heavier, and his voice a bit urgent, “Hongying, have you found what I asked for?”
The Heroic Spirit he addressed as Hongying belonged to the ghostly kind, yet having entered the Central Netherworld and having been baptized by the Vermilion Bird’s holy fire, she was entirely unlike the resentful spirits of this place, with their rage reaching the heavens.
She stood silently amidst the deep night, elegant in stature, exuding the aura of a heroine, likely the daughter of a military family in life.
Adorned with a black veil on top of her traditional hat, her true face concealed, Hongying bowed her head and said, “This time, when I entered the palace to pay my respects, I was unable to meet the Seal Keeper attendant by Her Majesty’s side.
Although your entry into the city was tacitly approved by Elder Qing Xuan, given her attitude, she seems unwilling to readily lend the ancient Soul Suppressing Disk.”
“Unwilling?” Ying Xiu looked somewhat displeased and also bewildered, “If Elder Qing Xuan implicitly allowed me to enter the city to hunt ghosts tonight, why is she unwilling to lend out the ancient Soul Suppressing Disk?
Ghost is a three thousand-year-old Fierce Ghost that is extremely rare to form a conscious shape in the mortal world.
Without the Soul Suppressing Disk to control it, how can we capture and bring back such a fierce ghost to the Central Netherworld for taming?”
Upon hearing these words, Hongying lost her voice, as still as a statue.
Fang Geyu seemed to have seen through his ulterior motives, “How strange it is.
They allow you to enter the city and make trouble under their watch, and on top of that, you’re greedy enough to covet the treasure of this city?
Does Elder Qing Xuan owe the You Imperial Family something, or do you two share some unspeakable private affair, and she’s somehow obliged to lend you the artifact?
Furthermore, didn’t the Crown Prince just say so earlier?
He came to exorcise the ghost for the sake of the common people and to rid them of the ghostly calamity.
It turns out that after all this fuss, what he really cares about is the strength of Ghost and wants to recruit him as a subordinate?”
Having finished, Fang Geyu mischievously poked Hongying’s waist, paying no mind to the fact that she was a dead spirit, “Tell me, sister ghost, weren’t you also recruited ?”
Hongying, who stood straight and proper, was surprised to lift her head.
In the mortal world, no human Cultivator had ever addressed her in such a casual and relaxed manner.
Hongying moved her lips as if she wanted to respond, but in the end, said nothing, lowering her head again.
The mockery in Fang Geyu’s eyes was very apparent, stinging Ying Xiu to the point of a facial twitch.
“Miss Fang is being too severe.
All who submit to the rule of the Central Netherworld do so willingly unless they are evil spirits guilty of the most heinous crimes.
We of the You Imperial Family naturally would not resort to violence in dealing with them.
With the Demon Sect growing stronger and on the verge of resurgence, Ghost is indeed an exceptional entity.
For our Central Netherworld, if we could subdue him, it would be a significant force for the righteous cause.
Today, Miss Fang may accuse me of selfishly desiring to capture Ghost, but remember these words, for on a future day upon the battlefield between righteousness and demons, you will see Ghost fighting for our side.”
Fang Geyu couldn’t help but frown.
Although Ying Xiu spoke with righteousness and appeared to command moral high ground, she just couldn’t shake off her discomfort.
Just as she was about to retort, Baili An stopped her by grabbing her wrist, with his sash covering his eyes and his red pupils hidden.
At that moment, he was still biting on one of Fang Geyu’s fingers.
To outsiders, his demeanor seemed somewhat frivolous, yet his expression remained calm.
“If you have the ability to take Ghost away, whether to kill him or subdue him, that is your right.”
Ying Xiu’s expression softened as he looked at Baili An with a hint of exploration and curiosity in his eyes, and with a slight smile, he said, “This gentleman seems to possess a wondrous treasure.
The ancient coffin adorned with the Vermilion Bird boasts formidable defensive power, which is indeed admirable.
If you are willing, would you join me in subduing this calamity?”
Baili An shook his head, “No need.”
Suddenly standing from his kneeling position, the young Wu Bu showed displeasure, “Fellow Daoist, don’t be ungrateful.
Traveling with our Young Master will ensure your safety, and if you could subdue this fierce ghost, it would make you famous in one battle.”
Baili An laughed, “Our paths differ; I cannot plot with you.”
His words caused everyone present to freeze.
Ying Xiu’s expression changed slightly, as if he found the statement unbelievable, and repeated, “Our paths differ…
I cannot plot with you?”
Baili An said, “I am merely a minor Guest Cultivator in the city, while you harbor great ambitions as the Crown Prince of Central Netherworld.
Being well aware of my own limitations, I dare not desire to recruit a terrifying ghost like Ghost under my command.”
His tone revealed a wariness towards Ghost, which Baili Xianxian found especially puzzling, and she asked, “If that’s the case, then why are you here tonight?”
Baili An weighed the Autumnwater Sword in his hand, calmly responding, “I am neither a Taoist nor a Judge of Central Netherworld.
I don’t capture ghosts.
I came here tonight solely to slay this ghost.”
Such big talk from you, young man!” Wu Bu instantly became furious, “My Young Master has the world in his heart, wishing to recruit Ghost for the benefit of humanity.
You are intentionally opposing my Young Master!”
Ying Xiu knitted his brows, looking at the young man with growing displeasure.
Although proud, he had no desire to flaunt his status oppressively.
His decision to stay or leave was at his own discretion, and Wu Bu’s behavior seemed petty.
Facing the young man’s questioning, Baili An found him naively troublesome, and with an impassive furrowing of his brow, said, “Between Heaven and Earth, there are five distinct paths.
Good and evil receive their due, fortune and misfortune follow in turn.
The virtuous do good deeds, rejoicing in joy, brightening in brightness.
The wicked commit evil, sinking into sorrow, descending into darkness.”
Wu Bu, born of humble origins just like his plain short robe, had not studied much, and though talented in cultivation, his power was only on par with Fang Geyu.
His impressive display of force from earlier was solely due to his thunderous halberd.
Confounded by this fastidious speech, Wu Bu couldn’t understand a word, yet didn’t want to appear lesser in front of others.
He was just about to put up a pretentious retort.
“Enough,” said Ying Xiu firmly, interrupting him.
Nodding towards Baili An, his eyes conveyed an apology, “This child is a new Disciple recently taken in by my father, just turned twenty this year, with unavoidably impulsive and foolish behavior.
Please do not take offense at his words.”
Baili An didn’t say much, just, “Then, farewell.”
Ying Xiu was stunned, glancing at Ghost emerging from the Barrier in the distance.
He touched his nose and chuckled, “Very well, both you and Miss Fang have sustained injuries.
Instead of engaging in the upcoming battle, it would be better to find a safe place for proper healing.”
Truly fitting for the Crown Prince of Central Netherworld, his words were measured and seemed modest, but ultimately, he viewed the notion of Baili An wanting to kill Ghost as ludicrously unrealistic.
You don’t wish to join forces with me, and I won’t insist.
But I want you to know that without me to counterbalance Ghost tonight, you won’t even have time to rest and heal your wounds.
And yet you dare to talk of slaying him.