Chapter 12: Is There Really Such a Cultivation Technique?
Wei Zixi reacted with lightning speed, rising to his feet a step before Ming Ji could feel embarrassed.
Although he had intended to provoke his two senior brothers, he didn’t enjoy being gawked at like a monkey in the streets himself.
The scene fell into a momentary silence, yet Wei Zixi maintained an expression that didn’t change color. He even spouted nonsense with a straight face: “Oh, it’s not what you think. Master was simply teaching me a cultivation technique in private.”
He deliberately emphasized the words in private.
To think the cultivation world has a technique involving cuddling and embracing?
Guan Yuce’s clear eyes blinked, filled with immense confusion.
“It is indeed so. But Master also said that only I can learn it.”
Relying on Guan Yuce’s bewilderment, Wei Zixi bluffed with utter self-righteousness, even shaking Ming Ji’s arm as he finished speaking.
“…En.” Ming Ji’s mind was still wandering; he hadn’t truly heard what his little disciple said, merely responding out of habit.
Hearing his Master’s affirmation, Wei Zixi looked as if he had received a prize. His heroic eyebrows curved into crescents, his face brimming with a smile.
Yan Shiman and Chu Yunduan were rendered speechless. Seeing Wei Zixi’s triumphant expression, they had reached a point where they could remain expressionless.
Master, you really just spoil him.
Ming Ji didn’t notice their twisting thoughts; his mind was focused on what was to come.
If he remembered correctly, the journey down the mountain for experience in a few days was the most critical matter. He couldn’t avoid discussing it forever.
Thinking of this, Ming Ji’s eyes darkened slightly. After a moment of contemplation, he straightened his expression and addressed his disciples. “When the time comes, I will entrust the sect to Junior Brother Liu, and then lead you down the mountain for experience.”
He paused, glanced at Yan Shiman, and added, “We will go to Yanjing.”
The others didn’t understand why, but Yan Shiman had a rough idea.
He originally belonged to a wealthy family in Yanjing. He would return home every year during his breaks, so he was somewhat aware of the rumors among the common folk.
Yan Shiman said, “Could it be that Master has also heard that Yanjing is haunted by ghosts, and many young maidens have gone missing recently?”
Ming Ji lowered his eyes and gave a faint affirmation. “En. From what I know, the perpetrator acts with great arrogance, often abducting people in broad daylight under the eyes of the public.”
“Those missing are all in the prime of their youth, mostly around twenty years of age, and possess beautiful appearances.”
He paused before continuing, “It should be the Ghost Race, specifically the Thousand-Faced Ghost, which enjoys collecting human faces.”
The Thousand-Faced Ghost—a type of ghost that loves to mimic humans. It peels off the skin of the humans it captures and wears it as a mask.
These human skins have a short shelf life. To maintain their appearance, the Thousand-Faced Ghost must hunt for fresh faces every month.
Most Thousand-Faced Ghosts are not particularly powerful, but their forms are extremely similar to humans, making them difficult to catch once they hide in a crowd.
Fortunately, a hundred years ago, after the Ghost King’s soul was scattered, many Thousand-Faced Ghosts were eradicated. Only a few remnants were left hiding in the shadows, and they hadn’t appeared for a century.
And now… they had actually made a comeback.
Hearing that it was the Ghost Race, the others showed surprise on their faces. After all, these harmful creatures hadn’t emerged for nearly a century, yet now they dared to harm innocent commoners in broad daylight right under the Emperor’s nose.
Wei Zixi, however, fell silent. Usually wearing a smile, he now looked lacking in spirit.
Seeing his pitiful expression, Ming Ji’s face filled with worry.
He knew that Wei Zixi must hate these kinds of ghosts to the bone.
No matter how much time passed, whenever Wei Zixi thought of that day, his eyes would still be filled with hatred.
“Run! Don’t look back!”
It was on that day that the laughter and joy of his family ceased forever.
He watched helplessly as, in a single night, he went from a carefree young master of a wealthy family to a homeless, pitiful wretch.
—Because a Thousand-Faced Ghost had mimicked his relatives, slaughtering them with tyrannical cruelty.
Wei Zixi couldn’t remember most of the details; only fragmented scenes remained in his mind.
A small child hiding timidly in a wardrobe, the cruel glint of a blade illuminating a twisted, dark, and ghostly face, about to strike in the next moment.
A hand with well-defined joints effortlessly intercepted the blade. Wei Zixi followed the arm and hazy saw a figure before fainting.
A pair of warm hands held his while he was in a daze. Wei Zixi looked up at Ming Ji, who was looking at him with concern.
The scene was just like many years ago, when that person, who seemed as cold as frost, tried his best to soften his voice to comfort him.
He had said, Don’t be afraid. From now on, I am your Master.
Ming Ji knew that the events of that year had a significant impact on Wei Zixi. Out of selfishness, he had subconsciously erased the memories of that night from Wei Zixi’s mind, leaving only a few scattered images.
He sighed softly, looking at Wei Zixi with concern. “Zixi, do not let this give birth to inner demons.”
Wei Zixi restrained his expression, forcing a smile onto his face. “Master, don’t worry.”
Aside from Guan Yuce, the dim-witted fox, Yan Shiman and Chu Yunduan were also confused by the exchange.
But they had always been sensible. Knowing Ming Ji didn’t wish to speak of it, they tactfully didn’t ask.
“This trip is not solely because of the Thousand-Faced Ghost,” Ming Ji continued. “The Ghost Race has been recuperating for a long time, yet now they suddenly cause trouble in the human capital of Yanjing.”
Yan Shiman immediately understood Ming Ji’s meaning. “Is Master worried that the Ghost Race is planning a resurgence?”
Ming Ji raised his eyes to look at his disciples. “This trip carries a certain degree of danger. Reasonably speaking, I shouldn’t take you. However, if I were to appear alone, it would be too conspicuous and might arouse suspicion. If you can complete this mission, it will be of great benefit to your experience.”
“As your teacher, I will do my utmost to protect you.” Ming Ji’s words were firm as his gaze swept over everyone present.
“If you succeed this time, your claim to the Secret Realm quota will be even more justified.”
How could the four of them not understand Ming Ji’s well-intentioned efforts? Furthermore, for cultivators, exorcising demons and defending the Dao was an inescapable duty.
Thus, they spoke in unison: “Disciples understand.”
“It is late. Go rest now; we will discuss further in the coming days.”
…
To tell the truth, these past few days, even with Guan Yuce around, Wei Zixi had been incredibly happy just being with his Master.
So, when the time came for them to descend the mountain, he felt somewhat unhappy.
“Master, aren’t you going to wear a veil hat?”
Ming Ji was stunned by Chu Yunduan’s question. He clearly hadn’t realized how much impact his appearance would have. He frowned, puzzled. “Why should I wear one?”
Yan Shiman immediately chimed in, “Master’s appearance is too eye-catching; it is inconvenient for travel.”
Ming Ji was even more puzzled. “Shouldn’t we attract attention? That way, the Thousand-Faced Ghost will take the bait.”
Wei Zixi had an idea. He took a white veil hat from his storage bag and handed it to Ming Ji.
He spouted nonsense with a straight face: “I heard that the women in Yanjing are quite open. If they meet a man they like, they express their affection directly. If Master is seen by them, I fear it will be quite a bit of trouble.”
Ming Ji actually believed it, his eyes flickering slightly.
After all, according to his little disciple, these commoners bore no malice, so it was better to avoid complications.
Ming Ji pursed his lips slightly and put on the veil hat.
However, given his excellent temperament, it only added a sense of mystery. Coupled with his aloof aura, bystanders wouldn’t dare approach him after just one glance.
Wei Zixi admitted he was being petty.
He simply didn’t want those people to see his Master. Those commoners, having never seen a banished immortal, would surely stare straight at Ming Ji in awe.
Just the thought of it fueled a nameless fire in his heart, even knowing Ming Ji would have no interest in them.
After all, who wouldn’t like such a god-like figure?
It wasn’t just Wei Zixi watching closely; Yan Shiman and Chu Yunduan also fixed their eyes on Ming Ji.
None of them wanted Ming Ji to be tainted by the mortal world.
While the thoughts of these three churned, there was naturally an exception—Guan Yuce.
He had truly believed Wei Zixi’s words. His mind couldn’t help but think: If the Immortal Venerable is really fancied by the bold women of Yanjing, wouldn’t he be carried straight home? His innocence wouldn’t be safe!
Guan Yuce shivered just imagining a group of women throwing fruit and melons at him.
He even reached for his Qiankun bag, considering whether he should wear a mask or something similar…
Unexpectedly, his petty thoughts were seen through by Wei Zixi, who even let out a kind of benevolent mockery.
“Senior Brother Guan, rest assured.” Wei Zixi suppressed a loud laugh, looking Guan Yuce up and down. “Rest assured, no girl will set her sights on you.”
Hearing this comfort, Guan Yuce’s worries lessened. It took him a long while to react.
Hey! What do you mean no girl will set her sights on me?!
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