https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-400-Annihilating-the-Nightmare-Demon/12980634/
Chapter 401: That Year, That Night, That Storm, That Person
Chapter 401: That Year, That Night, That Storm, That Person
Bing Shangxue spoke with a hint of anger in her voice, "Why didn't you inform the family? When a child is injured, especially with a soul injury, only a mother's embrace can truly comfort and aid their recovery. What were you thinking?"
Ye Meng spoke cautiously, "Teacher Bing, it's like this. When Fang Che first fell unconscious, he was in great pain. Sometimes, even in his unconscious state, he would sweat profusely, convulse, and twist in agony, his face contorted..."
"But after two days, he became calm and quiet. He only frowned occasionally."
"After another two days, he didn't even frown. He was just like a sleeping person..."
Ye Meng spoke carefully, "I discussed with my cousin, and we both thought this was a sign of improvement..."
"So, you're waiting for him to wake up?"
Bing Shangxue sighed and reluctantly nodded, "Perhaps you're right."
Although she usually appeared cold and distant, she had a soft and sentimental heart. She couldn't bring herself to say anything that would make them feel guilty.
In her heart, she thought, 'Maybe you're mistaken. His violent reactions were his struggle, his fight within the soul, trying to wake up. And when he shows no reaction, it might be when he's closest to awakening.' But she kept these thoughts to herself.
Instead, she advised, "When a person's divine sense is severely injured, leading to a deep coma, even for high-level martial artists, there's usually a three-month limit. If they can't wake up within this period, it's unlikely they'll ever recover."
"So, you need to plan and manage this situation well."
"If you wait until three months have passed before informing the family, you two will probably be beaten to death."
Bing Shangxue warned, "It's understandable that you want to wait, fearing an overly intense reaction from the family that might lead to other accidents. But you also need to set a time limit."
"For example, one month, or one and a half months. But you must inform the family within one and a half months, no matter what!"
Ye Meng and Fang Qingyun nodded repeatedly.
The two had considered this.
But their greatest hope was for Fang Che to wake up before that deadline.
For Fang Che's side, Fang Qian Yi had raised him alone, and her son was her life—this was no exaggeration. If she knew that Fang Che might not wake up from his coma, Fang Qian Yi might very well have a mental breakdown.
Her pillar of life would crumble.
For Fang Che's maternal uncle, Fang Qingyun's father, Fang Zheng Hang, Fang Che was the pride and hope of the entire family! This hope was tangible, unlike Fang Qingyun's, which was still uncertain.
If they told him that his nephew was in a coma and might not wake up, Fang Zheng Hang's reaction, even if stronger than Fang Qian Yi's, would still be intense!
Moreover, if such a situation occurred, even if Fang Che woke up, he would never find peace for the rest of his life.
But the problem now was that if they didn't tell the family, the pressure would be unbearable, and if they did, they would face the same consequences if something went wrong.
Ye Meng was in a slightly better position.
Fang Qingyun, on the other hand, was in a dire situation. He felt that no matter whether his cousin woke up or not, his legs would probably be broken by his father several times over.
But now, as Fang Che's closest cousin, he had to support his cousin's wife through this difficult time.
He had to support her, even if it meant breaking his own body.
If Fang Qingyun were to abandon the situation or become helpless, Ye Meng, in his place, truly feared that she might not be able to bear the pressure and do something foolish.
Similarly, Fang Che's injury also affected various high-level figures.
Yin Shen Palace kept asking, "Has he woken up?"
"No, he's still unconscious, and it's not looking good."
For several days, Yin Shen Palace had been so worried that he couldn't eat. He didn't even feel like practicing martial arts, and he had no desire to drink. Every day, he seemed like an old poet who had lost all eight of his sons die, filled with melancholy and sensitivity.
His lack of appetite affected Mu Linyuan and Qian Sanjiang as well. Hou Fang was so worried that he got drunk, only to be beaten up by the three of them.
"The kid is in a coma, and he's on the brink of death. How can you still drink? I'll beat you to death, you old bastard!"
...
Dong Fang Si Wu had been surprised since his arrival.
Who was this comatose young man?
Why was he receiving so much attention?
The Martial Academy, the Guardian Palace, and the Southeast Headquarters were all involved, but that was not all.
Even I was personally assigned to keep watch over him.
Moreover, Dong Fang San San sent a message every day, asking, "Any updates? Has he woken up?"
"No abnormalities, no suspicious individuals, and he's still unconscious."
There was no response from the other side.
The next day, another message arrived, "Any news? Has he woken up?"
"No, it's the same as yesterday."
Again, there was no response.
Dong Fang San San was growing increasingly impatient at the Guardian Headquarters.
Half a month had already passed.
How could this be... Had he not taken the Soul Fusion Pill yet?
Dong Fang San San was becoming increasingly worried about Fang Che.
Ning Xue Jian had returned to headquarters after sending Zhao Ying'er off, and it had been twelve days since he arrived at the Guardian Headquarters.
These twelve days felt like an eternity to Ning Xue Jian.
It wasn't because of anything else.
Every day, when Dong Fang San San saw him, his gaze was like looking at the corpse of an enemy! Although he hadn't been scolded.
Ning Xue Jian couldn't help but feel more and more inferior, visibly shrinking day by day.
When facing Dongfang Sansan, his back would straighten and his expression would become pleasingly submissive...
Especially these past few days, it had reached the point where he would immediately turn and flee at the mere sight of Dongfang Sansan, his heart pounding with panic.
Xue Fuxiao finally returned with Yu Tianqi, dragging Ningxue Jian to discuss their next plan with Dongfang Sansan.
But Ningxue Jian refused to go.
He shook his head like a rattle drum, "No, no, no... I'm not going, you guys go ahead."
Xue Fuxiao was stunned, "What's wrong with you? Are you afraid that your Ninth Brother will eat you?"
"I wasn't afraid before."
Ningxue Jian replied.
"And now?"
"Now, it's not a matter of fear."
Ningxue Jian's face contorted in distress, "He can really eat me! And he'll do it while I'm still alive!"
Xue Fuxiao was shocked, "What did you do to him? It's definitely your fault! You damn scoundrel, you must have caused trouble!"
Xue Fuxiao was certain. So, the way he looked at Ningxue Jian became somewhat unkind: Should I beat this scoundrel up? He's been acting a bit arrogant lately.
"I... I... I don't know what I did to him."
Ningxue Jian's face had already turned bitter.
Xue Fuxiao left and then returned with an order.
"Rui Qian Shan is ordered to spar with Yu Tianqi three hundred times within five days to restore his strength and adapt to the combat rhythm."
Yu Tianqi was thrilled, "Ninth Lord really understands me! Rui Qian Shan is just the right level of challenge. Once I recover, I can beat him!"
But for Ningxue Jian, this order was utterly infuriating.
This is clearly asking me to take three hundred beatings!
That Soul-Severing Axe is so heavy, and I'm just a light and agile sword. I can't even use my killing moves!
Isn't this deliberately tormenting me? But this order clearly left no room for negotiation.
Apparently, Dongfang Sansan had made up his mind.
Because: "Xue Fuxiao will supervise the fight!"
Alright, it's 'Supervising the fight!'
Ningxue Jian, on the verge of tears, went to suffer the beating.
But to outsiders, this was all very normal: Yu Tianqi needed to recover, so naturally, he had to fight. And since Xue Fuxiao had become a bit too strong, Ningxue Jian would serve as his sparring partner.
So, Sword Grandee's voluntary sacrifice was the most appropriate choice.
That evening, Ningxue Jian returned with a pig-like face and a limp, just as Ding Jieran was practicing. Seeing this, he was surprised, "Master, why have you been so disheveled these past few days? Who's been bullying you?"
"Nonsense! In the Guardian Headquarters, only I bully others. Who dares to bully me? Ridiculous!"
Ningxue Jian spoke with authority, "Focus on your sword practice!"
Then, he limped into the room and lay down, sighing heavily.
Ding Jieran, concerned, followed to attend to him, but Ningxue Jian sent him away.
Damn it, I've already lost enough face, and now I need someone to attend to me... Do I not have any dignity left?
Not even my disciple!
He had wanted to tell Ding Jieran about Fang Che, but remembering that he was this life's big brother, he wisely abandoned the idea.
If Ding Jieran found out that I had caused his brother's condition, he might even poison my medicine...
"Ah, what the hell is this?"
The Guardian Headquarters was filled with melancholy, and secrecy.
The Only Righteous Sect Headquarters was also filled with melancholy, and secrecy.
Yan Nan sighed heavily every day, more so than Dongfang Sansan—the Guardians had only lost Fang Che.
But on my side, we lost two: Ye Meng and Meng Mo! One was a seasoned, reliable veteran, and the other was a promising newcomer!
Damn it... Yan Nan sighed whenever he thought about it.
Yan Nan also asked daily, "Is he awake yet?"
"Not yet."
"How many days has it been?"
"Ten days."
"Damn it!"
Yan Nan cursed in frustration.
"Do you feel anything?"
"Yes."
"What do you feel?"
"There's someone monitoring nearby, and it's a peak-level expert from the Guardians. At the very least, the monitor's strength should be within the top thirty of the Cloud-End Arsenal Rankings, and they're extremely skilled in stealth. I dare not approach, staying a hundred zhang away."
"Damn it!"
Yan Nan, at his wit's end, cursed, "Dongfang Sansan, that old silver coin, is indeed not a good person! There's definitely monitoring! This is indeed a trap!
After cursing, he sent a message, "Keep watching, don't take risks! Even if it means breaking into pieces, you must not expose yourself!"
"Yes!"
A few days later, Yan Nan asked again, "How is it? Is he awake?"
"No."
"How many days has it been?"
"Half a month, fifteen days."
"Damn it!"
Yan Nan couldn't hold back his anger, cursing heaven and earth, too frustrated to speak, "Meng Mo, you damn old bastard, who the hell did you possess? There are over a hundred million people under the heavens, and you chose the one person you shouldn't have!"
"How the hell did you choose so accurately!"
"Among those who went with Ningxue Jian to capture you, it couldn't have been just Fang Che!"
"Among all the Protectors in the Guardian Palace, why did you choose Fang Che?!"
"Damn it, what the hell is this... Damn it, nothing has gone my way for tens of thousands of years!"
Bang! The table turned into powder.
"Will Meng Mo survive this?"
"Damn it, will the Night Demon ever wake up?"
"Fk!"
Yan Zong Jiao Zhu, the Vice Sect Leader, was so furious that he was foaming at the mouth, his words incoherent.
Suddenly, he felt that everyone under his command, including Duan Xiyang and Chen Gu, were all a bunch of idiots! In his extreme frustration, he gathered several Vice Sect Leaders and scolded them one by one.
Chen Gu was confused: "What did we do wrong?"
Bi Changhong, in particular, asked, "I just recovered from my injuries... I didn't provoke anyone, and now I'm getting cursed at. Yan Wu, are you smoking something?"
"I have your grandpa's cookies!"
Yan Nan's voice was filled with anger.
Then, seeing that everyone was as clueless as a monk trying to touch his head, and since these were all people who knew the Night Demon's identity, Yan Nan, feeling extremely frustrated, explained the situation.
At that, the brothers in the room were stunned.
"What the hell is the Nightmare Demon up to? He's immortal, why does he have to target someone so tricky?" Xiang Beidou asked.
"Are you serious?"
Yu Hanyan seized the opportunity to strike at Xiang Beidou: "Is Fang Che's talent better than others?"
"Are you serious? Even if his talent is better, can he make use of it?" Xiang Beidou cursed.
"You fool, that Divine Soul is more real to the Nightmare Demon than others' cultivation, right?"
Yu Hanyan scoffed, "You know nothing."
Xiang Beidou's face turned red with anger: "You know nothing!"
Chen Gu furrowed his brows: "We have to think of a way. If we can't protect Fang Che, we must at least protect the Nightmare Demon, and if we can't protect the Nightmare Demon, we should still protect Fang Che."
"That's easy for you to say. Now, Dong Fang Sansan is also suspicious, and he thinks that the Night Demon is one of us. So this time, his coma has become an excellent opportunity to test us. He arranged for a master of stealth to monitor the situation. As long as one of us goes, we won't escape his surveillance. If we revive Fang Che, it will be proof that Fang Che is definitely from the Only Righteous Sect! The crime will be confirmed!"
Yan Nan spoke.
"But that's still better than not waking up."
"Waking up only to be captured, disabled, or killed is better than being in a coma now? What are you thinking?"
The old devils were at a loss.
Chen Gu said, "It's said that the Fuyun Sect is still investigating the Night Demon's killing of the Heavenly Palace members... Before they even finished the investigation, the Night Demon fell into a coma. This is a mess."
Yan Nan's face turned gloomy as he said, "Killing a few people from the Heavenly Palace, what's the big deal? We were going to kill the people from the Heavenly Palace sooner or later. It's better to lure them out and finish them off now than to be stabbed in the back unexpectedly later."
This statement was indeed true. The old devil heads slowly nodded.
"Moreover, there's a reason for what happened. Our people killed a few of theirs, and they're investigating? Fuyun's brain must be broken!"
"You're right, Fifth Brother."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
In reality, they also understood: Fuyun's influence among the younger generation was indeed too overwhelming.
And Yan Bei Han had just started his growth, and it seemed he couldn't catch up.
So it was normal for Yan Nan to feel a bit displeased with Fuyun.
Chen Gu thought further: It's said that the Night Demon is Yan Bei Han's man. Perhaps Fuyun is suppressing the Night Demon to suppress Yan Bei Han's faction? And Yan Nan is angry because of this?...
It must be said that the old foxes' thinking was extremely impressive.
"Could it be that we have such powerful strength, yet we can't use it?"
Bai Jing was extremely frustrated.
When these words were spoken, the old devils fell silent.
Their faces turned grim.
Everyone had the same thought in their hearts: Over the years, since encountering Dong Fang Sansan, when haven't we been in this situation of having powerful strength but being unable to use it?
Do you find it amusing to keep repeating this?
"So, what should we do now?"
Bai Jing asked.
"How would I know what to do?"
Yan Nan replied with frustration.
"..."
Bai Jing pondered for a moment and said, "How about I personally go to White Cloud Continent? It'll also be a chance for me to take a break."
As soon as these words came out, everyone turned to look at him.
They were a bit puzzled, wondering why Bai Jing was so proactive today.
Only Xiang Beidou, after a moment of realization, said, "To see the unknown generations of your disciples?"
"Damn it!"
Everyone finally understood the connection: The Night Demon belonged to the One Heart Sect, and his master was the leader of the One Heart Sect, Yin Shen Palace, who was Bai Jing's disciple of unknown generations...
From this perspective, it was only natural and righteous to say that the Night Demon was Bai Jing's disciple of unknown generations. No wonder Bai Jing was so anxious.
Even Bi Changhong was surprised: "Old Bai, if you hadn't said it, I wouldn't have realized that the Night Demon is your disciple!"
Bai Jing's face turned serious: "What do you mean, my disciple or your disciple? That's a very factional statement."
"Then you shouldn't go either."
Yan Nan scoffed: "As a Vice Sect Leader, going out for such a trivial matter, don't you think it's embarrassing?"
Bai Jing sighed: "Should we just wait and see? Isn't this exactly what Dong Fang Sansan wants?"
"Duan Xiyang went."
Yan Nan scoffed.
Everyone heaved a sigh of relief.
Bi Changhong was furious: "No wonder that idiot came to beat me up. He must have been worried that he couldn't find me for a long time..."
Everyone asked, "Who did Old Duan go with?"
"I'm going with Xiao Han, who's about to journey through the martial world." Yan Nan spoke with a relaxed tone.
Chen Gu was taken aback, "Fifth Brother, you should've told me earlier. I could've brought Chen Yin along for the journey."
"It's not appropriate for a man and woman to travel together," Yan Nan said, cutting off any further discussion.
Chen Gu was about to argue when a messenger arrived with news.
"Yan Zong Jiao Zhu, Sun Wutian..."
Yan Nan was surprised and his eyes narrowed, "What happened to him?"
"Sun Wutian has been in deep slumber for recovery, but recently, he's been continuously coughing up blood..."
The group of elders was shocked, "What's going on?"
"Let's go see."
They hurriedly left their seats and headed over.
After a while, they arrived at Sun Wutian's bedside, where he lay in a deep coma, his body like a lifeless skeleton. Everyone exchanged puzzled glances.
What's happening? Why is he coughing up blood again?
But Sun Wutian didn't regain consciousness.
You look at me, and I'll look at you. We're like monks, clueless about the situation.
...
Two groups of martial warriors approached quietly, entering the martial world. One group wore black like ink, and the other, white like snow.
They were the people from the Palace of the Netherworld and the Palace of the Azure, with Lan Xin Xue among them, her face filled with anticipation.
Southeast, I'm here!
Brother Fang, I've arrived!
In the north, a few people also quietly entered the southeast.
One of them was the Moon Slaughter God General, Shang Chang Zhen.
Around the same time...
Feng Yun, accompanied by two others, didn't conceal their identities. They strolled leisurely through the Seventeen Provinces of the Southeast Region.
Along the way, they enjoyed the scenery and nature.
However, two thousand li away from the southeast, an elderly man with a lean and withered appearance, exuding a celestial aura, walked with a young girl who seemed to be his granddaughter. The granddaughter even had a wet nurse with her...
They slowly made their way towards the southeast.
The long journey ahead, and the three of them walked, not even riding a single unicorn dragon horse.
"That Faceless Soul Reaper, your combat skills are a bit rushed. Although your cultivation is not as high, your martial prowess, techniques, and combat skills are enough to defeat him."
The elderly man asked the girl, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
"My granddaughter wants to... reach the White Cloud Continent sooner."
The girl lowered her head in embarrassment, and blood stained her shoulders.
She had been injured in the previous battle, but the old man didn't care, and he didn't even let the wet nurse tend to her. He let her endure the injury. According to the old man, it was a lesson: No injury, no lesson learned!
"On this journey, you've fought more than thirty times. What have you learned from it?" the old man asked.
"This is the martial world," the girl replied.
"The martial world... Haha, you're still far from it!"
The old man said indifferently, "You haven't encountered a true opponent yet. The Guardians are more difficult to deal with."
"Are the Guardians that troublesome? I really want to find one to test my skills."
"You've just reached the Monarch level. To deal with the Guardians, you're still lacking, even the weakest of the Guardians, let alone the advanced-stage Imperial-level ones."
"It's not that you can't defeat them, but it's not that you're not their match. It's just that... if you want to kill one of them, you'll have to pay a heavy price."
"Those people, each one of them, have experienced life-and-death battles hundreds of times. Remember this: Guardians and Protectors are from different worlds. They are people from two different worlds."
The girl was none other than Yan Bei Han, who frowned and asked, "People from two different worlds?"
A flash of memory passed through Duan Xi Yang's eyes, and he said, "Do you think my spear is fast?"
"Fast!"
"But once, a peak Imperial-level warrior blocked my spear."
Duan Xi Yang's eyes deepened, his thoughts returning to that stormy night.
The ruined temple on the sacred mountain, the stormy night, and the raging wind and rain.
And especially, the spear that pierced through a soul, causing a heavenly anomaly, and that dazzling white light.
That year, that night, that temple, that storm raging through the mortal realm, and that lightning illuminating the heavens and earth.
That spear, and the person who leaped to meet it.
The man's face bore a relieved smile.
Duan Xi Yang never forgot that moment, and it left a deep impression.
...
Struggling to write the draft...
(End of Chapter)
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