Chapter 81: The World's Shackles Trap the True Self

Chapter 81: The World's Shackles Trap the True Self

The sky was overcast, as if it had lost its vigor.

Rain fell sparsely, like blood flowing after castration, yet no one sprinkled ash to stop the bleeding.

Gong Zi Hua quickly stepped in front of Meng Yuan, stopping him from moving forward, and repeatedly bowed to Xie Shen, saying, "Young Master Xie, all the credit this time belongs to you. We don't want anything."

After speaking, he pulled Meng Yuan to leave, but the latter remained unmoved.

"There are countless people in the world who are suffering more than them. Can you save them all?" Gong Zi Hua whispered, trying to persuade Meng Yuan.

"Brother Gong, do you remember that old monk? He told me to accept Heaven's will and bear the karmic shackles that trap the true self. I didn't believe it then, and I still don't accept Heaven's will or bear the karmic shackles. How can I be trapped by shackles? I can let go of the credit, and I can endure their insults and humiliation. But if I retreat and avoid this time, where can I retreat next? Where can I hide next? Can I fight back after learning some skills? But once people die, the heart demon is planted."

Meng Yuan remained unmoving, "Before, I was like this family of three, only able to struggle for survival. At that time, I had no sword, no money, and no power. It was only through others' kindness that I have today. Now that I have a sword, should I just watch idly? In my opinion, it's about evading Heaven's will, avoiding karmic shackles, and trapping the true self. Since others have helped me, I will continue this karmic cycle. When trouble comes, someone must stand up."

He pushed Gong Zi Hua out and said, "Please send a fast horse to invite Zhang Bahu. I can hold on."

After hearing this, Gong Zi Hua fell silent for a moment and whistled.

A magpie cawed from the sky and then flew away.

"Don't think that Gong is a crude and vulgar person! You saved my life, how can I leave you alone? I also studied the sages' books!" Gong Zi Hua drew his sword impatiently and said, "Damn it! Xie Shen! One word, will you release or not release them?"

Xie Shen seemed accustomed to being arrogant, having never encountered such direct refutation. He was stunned for a moment and forced a laugh, "What will you do if I don't release them?"

"Xie Shen, do you really think we're afraid of you? You're just a profligate, relying on your father and brother's power, and they give you some face. Who do you think you are? Are your fists strong, or your sword sharp?"

Gong Zi Hua was truly enraged, "It's you people who harm the common folk, unable to withstand even a single drought! Why does our Demon Suppressing Bureau need to go out and suppress demons or hunt down the Luo Sect? Man-made disasters surpass heavenly calamities! Fake demons emerge from the wilderness to eat people, while true demons hide in aristocratic families and eat people!"

Meng Yuan was surprised to see the usually gentle and scholarly Gong Zi Hua being so resolute at this moment.

There was no need to say more. Meng Yuan stood side by side with Gong Zi Hua.

Xie Shen held the woman with one hand and drew his sword with the other, while his followers also drew their swords.

Both sides stood off, the old man and the youth sat paralyzed on the ground, not daring to make a sound.

Outside, the rain fell steadily, and the cool breeze brought in the aroma of stewed dog meat and a bloody stench.

Inside, an unusual silence prevailed, as if no one was there.

Xie Shen frowned, holding the woman with one hand and the sword with the other. He finally stopped smiling, as he truly felt the indignation and killing intent from the two men before him.

Earlier, when they fought for credit, these two men remained silent, tacitly accepting the situation.

But now, for the sake of this insignificant woman, they had drawn their swords and were determined.

Xie Shen couldn't quite understand.

"You two are both Eighth Stage, we three are Eighth Stage, and there are five Ninth Stage." Xie Shen sneered.

Hearing this display of strength, Meng Yuan knew they had been intimidated.

These so-called aristocrats, if they had any real blood, would have gone out to strive for a cause. Those remaining were either without true blood or had fake blood, only daring to be fierce against those weaker than them.

But as soon as the swords were drawn, revealing their fear and the threat to their lives, their blood boiled over.

Meng Yuan, as a castrate master, knew how to castrate such people's power. As soon as the castration sword was revealed, they immediately became obedient.

"You can try if you wish!" Meng Yuan slightly raised his sword, the residual blood of Mother Dog Ancestor still on it, and looked around, "I just split Mother Dog Ancestor, which friend wants to test my sword again?"

"Flower"

Upon hearing this, the entourage became alert, some having witnessed Meng Yuan's knife attack, while others did not.

However, the two eighth-rank entourage members did see it, and they appeared even more solemn, merely shaking their heads slightly at Xie Shen.

Xie Shen was already annoyed by their obstruction, and now, seeing his subordinates' advice, he couldn't help but feel even angrier. He laughed mockingly at Meng Yuan, "If you want to save her, I'll kill her first!"

Before Meng Yuan could respond, Gong Zi Hua shouted, "Xie, we're not here to save her. We're here to help this young couple and this old man. We're demon hunters, here to protect the realm and its people."

His teeth clenched, and his eyes had already turned red, "Go ahead and kill, but let's see if you can make it out alive."

Meng Yuan and Gong Zi Hua's knives were pointed at Xie Shen, like castration knives.

Xie Shen stood at the doorway of the inner room, clearly the innermost one, and if a fight broke out, he would inevitably be caught in the crossfire.

"What's so important about this matter that we're starting a fight?"

The tension was about to erupt into a battle, when a middle-aged entourage member suddenly dropped his knife, raised his hand, and laughed, "We were just fighting side by side, why are we raising our knives at each other? Put them down, put them all down!"

He first gestured to the entourage, who hesitated for a moment before genuinely lowering their weapons.

Meng Yuan and Gong Zi Hua naturally wouldn't drop their knives, but the middle-aged man didn't insist, only approaching Xie Shen.

"We're all here to slay demons, there's no need to lose our temper." The middle-aged entourage member held down Xie Shen's knife and said, "Young Master, look at this ugly girl, can you really bear to harm her? If this gets out, won't others laugh at you? When we return to the city, there will be countless beautiful ladies waiting for you!"

As he spoke, the middle-aged entourage member pulled the girl out of Xie Shen's embrace.

"Haha, I don't need to get angry with these two ungrateful peasants!" Xie Shen also decided to let it go, releasing the girl.

"Who are you calling a dog?" Gong Zi Hua's eyes were still red with anger.

Meng Yuan quickly held Gong Zi Hua back, thinking that this scholar couldn't control his temper once it was ignited.

Xie Shen was stunned for a moment, and the middle-aged entourage member quickly pushed him into the inner room.

"We're here to kill demons, how could we bully people? My young master was just joking with you." The middle-aged entourage member took out a silver ingot and stuffed it into the old man's hand, saying, "Now that the demon's chaos is over, take this money to repay your seedling loan and live a good life. Your granddaughter and grandson-in-law are both blessed, and your good fortune is yet to come!"

The old man took the money and kept bowing to the middle-aged man. The young man, however, had some insight and bowed to Meng Yuan and Gong Zi Hua.

Meng Yuan helped him up and didn't say a word.

"Sirs, please go ahead," the middle-aged entourage member said with a smile.

"After you," Meng Yuan replied.

"May I ask for your esteemed name?" the middle-aged entourage member asked with a bow.

"I dare not claim such a title, my humble name is Meng Yuan," Meng Yuan responded with a bow.

The middle-aged entourage member bowed again, led out Xie Shen, and together with the other entourage members, they truly all mounted their horses and left.

Stepping through the mud and blood, Xie Shen glanced at Meng Yuan and coldly laughed, as if saying something.

"Your Grace," the young man knelt again at this moment.

Meng Yuan helped him up and gave him another ingot, saying, "People's hearts change easily. Take your family and leave this place, find a new life elsewhere."

The young man was stunned for a moment, then knelt and knocked his head before leaving with his family.

Summer was approaching, and the spring rain was soft and gentle.

"Brother Gong, Teacher Nie asked me to listen to you. I've wronged you, and there may be consequences later. It's my fault," Meng Yuan said, bowing deeply.

"Then invite me for a drink when we return," Gong Zi Hua smiled, as if a burden had been lifted, and he returned the bow.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end