Chapter Forty-Four: The Origin of Obsession

Yu Menglan’s words halted abruptly; the night was terrifyingly still, its darkness oppressive. After a long silence, the cold, chilling voice sounded again.

“It was I who killed my little sister. I beat my own dear sister to death with my own hands.”

Hearing this, Chen Yao softly recited the Purity Incantation, intent on preventing Menglan’s turbulent emotions from giving rise to further evil thoughts.

Sure enough, Menglan’s body trembled; her features contorted into a mask of malice, a sinister energy within her beginning to stir restlessly. Her voice turned even more chilling. “I took a branch and struck her head again and again. She was the one who bit Father to death! She was the one! She was the one!”

“And Mother too! Mother was also bitten to death by her!” She lifted her head, staring at Chen Yao and Zilong. “But I killed my little sister with my own hands! I killed her! I killed her!”

Zilong felt that Menglan seemed to have descended into madness, babbling incoherently.

After repeating herself three times, Menglan suddenly gritted her teeth and glared at Chen Yao. “No one can separate me from Miaomiao! Just wait—you’ll pay for this! I’ll return for my revenge!”

With a sudden leap, she sprang into the trees, attempting to escape into the night!

A bitter taste filled Chen Yao’s heart. “This obsession has tormented Menglan so much she’s hardly a ghost anymore. To think she can still resist my Purity Incantation!”

He turned to Zilong. “Zilong, your Spirit Trap Incantation may no longer hold this evil spirit! Use your ‘Violet Night Dragon Spell’ to restrain her—I must drive out the yin energy within her!”

“Yes, Master!” Zilong didn’t hesitate. Spiritual talismans flickered through his hands, igniting without flame. “Violet stars shimmer, one roar shakes heaven and earth. Dragon soul dances, its strike outshines sun and moon! Taiyi Celestial Lord, in haste as the law commands!”

A deafening dragon’s roar split the night. The talismans Zilong had cast into the air combusted, transforming into a magnificent violet dragon!

“Dragon soul, subdue this ghost!” At Zilong’s command, the violet dragon let out an angry roar and soared upward, coiling tightly around the core of Menglan’s being as she tried to break through the spirit trap.

Bound by the dragon and controlled by evil thoughts, Menglan could only curse furiously. “Let me go! Let me go! I’ll kill you all, you villains!”

Chen Yao’s eyes were like lightning, never leaving Menglan’s face. “Menglan, do you still recognize me?”

“Of course I do! You’re the wicked Taoist trying to separate me from Miaomiao! I’ll kill you! Kill you!”

Menglan was nearly foaming at the mouth with rage, barely restraining herself from biting.

Chen Yao shook his head and sighed. “Gold, wood, water, fire, earth—the mandate of heaven lies in my hands. Restore balance, Five Elements, stray not!”

As before, five spiritual talismans began to circle above Menglan’s head, drawing the yin energy from her body.

“Master, to forcibly extract the yin energy like this will harm her very core. I fear the consequences…”

Chen Yao interrupted Zilong’s plea. “Zilong, now is not the time for mercy. It’s better she suffers a little now than become forever lost to evil!”

Zilong gritted his teeth and nodded. “Your teachings are right, Master.”

“Ah! Aaah!”

Menglan’s screams rang out again and again, but Chen Yao seemed deaf to her agony and did not waver. Instead, he recited in haste, “Power of the Five Elements, the origin of all things, cycling endlessly, life unceasing. Now, with my cultivation and blood as guide, I beseech the supreme power to vanquish the evil qi within this ghost, restoring the human way!”

He bit his finger, sending drops of his own potent blood flying to Menglan’s brow. “Begin! In haste as the law commands!”

The blood transformed into blazing fire, scorching Menglan’s body, making her writhe with pain. “Wicked Taoist! I’ll kill you! Kill you! Ah! Aaah!”

The flames blazed higher, the screams growing ever more intense.

About a minute later, a dense black energy began to seep from Menglan’s body. “She can’t withstand Master’s True Flame any longer,” Zilong thought, overjoyed. “Menglan, hold on! You must hold on!”

Menglan lost consciousness from the pain, only to be burned awake again and again. Her voice began to shift back and forth from her own to a hoarse, ancient tone. “Taoist, I can’t go on… Wicked Taoist! I’ll kill you!!”

Chen Yao saw the evil thought finally take form—he felt both anger and relief. He hardened his resolve, making the flames burn fiercer. “Menglan! You must endure!”

As the black energy continued to flow out, Menglan’s mind seemed to clear. “It… hurts so much… I can’t… take it anymore!”

Chen Yao shouted, “Don’t you want to see Miaomiao again?!”

At the mention of Miaomiao, Menglan’s dazed eyes flickered. “I do!”

“Then grit your teeth and hold on! Expel this yin energy! If you can’t bear this pain, how will you protect her?”

Menglan’s eyes filled with tears from the unbearable pain. “It’s too much… Just kill me! Wicked Taoist! I’ll tear you to pieces!”

Her skin began to melt, her bloodied face scarcely recognizable. Suddenly, in a broken, tragic sob, she cried out, “Taoist, I can endure! Please, continue!”

Relief filled Chen Yao’s heart. He brandished his talismans once more. “Heaven and earth without limit, wind and thunder at command! Taiyi Celestial Lord, in haste as the law commands!”

The talismans transformed into wind and thunder, rushing at the black yin energy torn from Menglan’s body. The dust and dead leaves on the ground were swept up in a wild gale. The process lasted more than two minutes before the evil energy was finally worn away by the whirling wind and crackling thunder of the Dao.

Chen Yao closed his eyes and calmed his breath. “Zilong, set Menglan down. The yin energy has been expelled.”

The violet dragon gently lowered Menglan’s body to the ground. Zilong hurried over. “Menglan, you’ve been reborn!”

Menglan now seemed like a different person. The coldness within her was gone, her pale face gradually growing ruddy, her expression ever brighter.

She gazed in wonder at her body, amazed at the miraculous change. “What… what on earth has happened to me?”

Chen Yao replied thoughtfully, “You have endured the trial of the Five Elements’ power. You are reborn. Congratulations.”

Menglan frowned, puzzled. “Master Taoist, what do you mean?”

Zilong beamed with joy. “You’re free from the corruption of yin energy. The Five Elements within you are wholly purified. You are now a pure and untainted ghost.”

A surge of happiness welled in Menglan’s heart. “Pure and untainted?”

Chen Yao nodded. “You were once trapped by evil thoughts and yin energy, unable to reincarnate. Now, all external obstacles are gone. As long as you resolve your inner regrets, you can pass on in peace.”

Tears of gratitude welled up in Menglan’s eyes as she dropped to her knees. “Master Taoist, your power reaches the heavens—please, grant justice to my family!”

Chen Yao gently lifted her to her feet. “Upholding justice is the very duty of a cultivator. I will do everything in my power to clear your family’s grievances.”

Seeing Zilong’s puzzled look, Chen Yao explained, “The reason I say ‘clear your grievances’ is because your sister did not kill your parents, nor did you kill your sister.”

Menglan paled in shock. “Master Taoist, what do you mean?”

Chen Yao explained, “It was the villain’s black magic that killed your parents, not your sister’s will. Nor did you kill your sister with a branch. That man would never let her die so easily—she was a rare and important yin vessel. Even if she had to die, it would not be by your hand.”

Menglan staggered back a few steps. “I didn’t kill my sister? I didn’t kill her?”

Chen Yao affirmed again, “That’s right. Your sister was definitely not dead at that time. If I’m not mistaken, she was ultimately killed by that villain, in a tomb filled with dense yin energy.”

Menglan’s eyes widened. “I didn’t kill her? I…”

Zilong quickly added, “My master’s cultivation is profound and his experience vast; he would never speak without reason. If he says you didn’t kill her, then you didn’t!”

A great weight seemed to lift from Menglan’s heart, and she collapsed to the ground. “So I didn’t kill my sister…”

Chen Yao sighed. “You’ve been tormented by this obsession for decades. It’s time to let go.”

Suddenly, Menglan clung to Chen Yao’s leg, sobbing bitterly. “Master Taoist! Please avenge my sister, bring the villain to justice! I beg you! I beg you!”

Chen Yao gently helped the heartbroken Menglan to her feet. “Rest assured, I will see justice done for you.”

With a solemn expression, he took Zilong’s hand. “Disciple, repeat after me.”

Zilong nodded deeply. “Yes, Master!”

Chen Yao raised three fingers in oath. “I, Ouyang Zilong, swear to heaven: for the villain who has committed countless crimes, I shall seize his body in life, his soul in death, to avenge the innocent lives he has taken!”

Zilong imitated him. “I, Ouyang Zilong, swear to heaven: for the villain who has committed countless crimes, I shall seize his body in life, his soul in death, to avenge the innocent lives he has taken!”

Chen Yao patted Menglan’s shoulder. “Did you hear? My eldest disciple has sworn before heaven to uphold justice. Have you thanked him yet?”

Menglan was overjoyed. “Let me bow to you both! Thank you, Master Taoist and Big Brother Zilong, for your great kindness!”

Zilong quickly helped her up. “Exorcising evil is the duty of all cultivators. There’s no need to kneel.”

Menglan was overwhelmed with gratitude, tears flowing silently down her cheeks.

Zilong turned to Chen Yao and whispered, “Master, why am I the one making the vow? Wouldn’t it fit the plot better if you did it?”

Chen Yao replied in a low voice, “Silly disciple, your master’s status is special, and I’ve long since outgrown the age for making oaths. Such things are for the young—your master is old now.”

Zilong glared at him in mock anger. “Master, you’ve changed. You don’t love me anymore.”

Chen Yao cut him off. “Let’s discuss our matters later. We have pressing business here.”

Zilong grumbled inwardly, “Guard against thieves by day and night, but never against your master! He’s a master at tricking his disciple!”

Chen Yao turned to Menglan and said, “Menglan, please continue your story…”