Chapter 297: Free Soul

Chapter 297: Free Soul

“Oh no, you’re not getting away. Die!”

Xiao Feng was currently in a heightened state of body and spirit and could perceive everything and anything within the Demon’s Tomb, so Ye Qing’s speech and action had caught his attention immediately. That was how he saw the young man shouting and unleashing a furious punch at an escaping soul fragment after breaking out of the xiangqi board he was trapped in.

“Xiangqi Demon? That’s... is that its main soul?!” Xiao Feng exclaimed in surprise and delight. It was because the soul fragment Ye Qing was attacking was none other than Xiangqi Demon’s main soul.

“No wonder I couldn’t find the bastard even after using the ‘Soul Scouring Eye of Sky and Earth’! He was hiding in my blind spot this whole time!”

Xiao Feng had to admit that Xiangqi Demon was smarter and more audacious than he gave him credit for. They must have played their games on that xiangqi board for centuries, which was why he had subconsciously overlooked the object while searching for his main soul.

Moreover, Xiangqi Demon had intentionally strengthened his subsoul instead of his main soul like most people would. It was to fool him into thinking that his subsoul was his main soul, and the ruse had worked like a charm.

Of course, he was smarter than Xiangqi Demon. If the circumstances weren’t as desperate as they were, or if he had just a bit more time, he would’ve figured out the ruse eventually. The problem was he didn’t have enough time. By the time he figured it out, the Boundless Heart Demon would’ve broken free from its prison already.

But then, a variable that no one had placed any significance on—a living piece of their game—had emerged and ruined it all for Xiangqi Demon. It was such irony that one could almost say that it was, as the cultists of the Boundless Heart Demon loved to put it, fate.

Xiao Feng’s lips curled into a smile that was both mocking and wistful. “Hahaha! What an unpredictable world this is! What a fateful ending!”

Xiangqi Demon could never dream that he would fall to a nobody after successfully fooling everyone and everything.

If he hadn’t captured that youngster and tossed him into their game, the youngster wouldn’t have had the chance to kill him.

If he had killed the youngster immediately after winning the game, he could’ve avoided the same fate as well.

Or if he had strengthened his main soul just enough that even a late-stage Astral Refiner couldn't kill him, then maybe he could’ve averted the worst case scenario.

The what-ifs were infinite, but there was only one reality.

That was why people came up with the concept of fate.

That was why people believed in fate.

Xiao Feng barked out another laugh before crushing the silver lines covering the Mountain of Demons with his bare hands. The array couldn’t possibly resist as the one person who could’ve controlled it was no more. As a result, it began crumbling upon itself and spilling demonic qi everywhere.

The next moment, Xiao Feng moved his hands down and suppressed the origin qi and demonic qi rampaging throughout the world. Then, he directed the energies to heal the cracks covering the entire mountain.

After the Mountain of Demons had recovered, the gigantic face that was this close from breaking out of its eternal prison slowly subsided back into the ground.

“OooooOoooooOo...” The origin of this chapter's debut can be traced to N0v3l--B1n.

For the first time, the disturbing smile on the face curled into a sad expression. At the same time, a pair of bloody tears began streaming down its cheeks. A ghastly wail also resounded throughout the Demon’s Tomb. The sky began raining blood, and every human and Stranger under the rain felt sad all of a sudden.

It didn’t matter if they were sentient or not. Everyone and everything began to feel sad and weep tears of blood as well.

“Do not make contact with the blood rain, boy. They’re unsafe,” The Fog Demon floated out into the open and warned.

“I know.”

Ye Qing wiped away the bloody tears pooling under his tear ducts and expanded his astral qi into a protective cocoon. At the same time, he visualized the “Emperor Fuxi Visualization Method” to protect his mind.

After the golden light had dispelled the formless, invisible energy affecting his mind, the unnatural sorrow afflicting him subsided considerably.

What the hell happened in the Guixu? Ye Qing wondered as he stared at the tattered center of the Graveyard of Demons.

He couldn’t have been trapped in the xiangqi board for more than an hour or two, so why the hell did it feel like the entire world had changed?

Shit! Surely that old fuck can’t control time, right? What if a century had already passed while I was trapped inside the board...?

He was none other than Mountain Bearer.

Xiao Feng smirked and tapped Ye Qing on the head again. “What can I do? It’s what he asked for.”

Mountain Bearer slapped his hands on his cheeks. “Oh my heavens! It’s bad enough you murdered your benefactor, you would desecrate his corpse too? Monster! Monster!”

Then, Ye Qing’s aura began growing stronger and stronger. From time to time, he would emit powerful spiritual shockwaves.

Mountain Bearer turned serious when he saw this. “You unlocked his Xuanguan point for him? Are you actually going to make him your successor, Xiao Feng?”

“Aren’t you the one who keeps pushing me to repay the favor?” Xiao Feng countered.

It was at this moment Nine Mountains joined the trio. “Amitabha. Have you decided, Xiao Feng?”

“I have,” Xiao Feng responded with a smile. “You Buddhists are very concerned with karmic bonds and destiny, aren’t you? Well, to borrow your words, this boy shares a karmic bond with me.”

“Not only did he do us a huge favor, he just so happens to be carrying an item that I left outside[1]. I see no reason not to pass down my signature martial art to him.”

“All arts must not be passed down carelessly, not to mention that your signature martial art is more dangerous than most. You really should consider this carefully.” Nine Mountains said with a frown, “Do you know what type of person he is? Do you even know if he’s good? If he’s a villainous monster, then what you’re doing is no different from committing mass slaughter. Are you aware of that?”

Xiao Feng shook his head. “Heavens, you just can’t help but be a goody-two-shoes, can you? When you were alive, you hunted countless evils and protected many from disaster. After you died, you kept watch over the Demon’s Tomb and act as his watchdog. Now, you’re still worrying about the future of humanity. Aren’t you tired, man?”

“Amitabha! My Buddha is merciful!” Nine Mountains chanted solemnly in response.

“Heh. Truly, you and I cannot be anymore different. You’re a Buddhist and a goodie-two-shoes. I’m a demon who does whatever I like. We literally don’t even pee in the same jar.” Xiao Feng scoffed. “Seriously, if you hadn't saved my life back when we were still alive, I wouldn’t even leave a wisp of my consciousness in this place. I swear, it’s a laborious and thankless job.”

“To be free when I was alive, and to be ash after I’m dead. That’s the kind of life I wanted to lead.”

“On behalf of all of humanity, this poor monk thanks you for your selfless service,” Nine Mountains saluted him deeply.

“Save it. That doesn’t work on me.” Xiao Feng chuckled. “All I ask is that you stop trying to change my mind. My eardrums are a little sore after all that noise from earlier, you see.”

Knowing that Xiao Feng truly had made up his mind, Nine Mountains shook his head and chanted, “Amitabha.”

“If it helps you rest easier, know that this boy does not cultivate any unsavory martial art. Yes, his bloodthirst is stronger than most, but he isn’t a full blown monster either. He won’t cause the kind of disasters you fear.”

Mountain Bearer interrupted, “You have a good eye for people, Xiao Feng. For someone so young, this boy already possesses a powerful physique and flawless talent and aptitude. He’s definitely qualified to be called a once-in-a-century genius. Assuming he doesn’t die young, he’s destined to leave his name in the annals of history. You’re one lucky bastard, Xiao Feng.”

It was clear that Mountain Bearer was jealous.

Xiao Feng chuckled. “Why are you jealous? You can teach him your skills if you want to. As you say, he’s quite compatible with your ‘Pan Emperor Mountain Bearing Sutra’, isn’t he?”

“You’re not wrong,” Mountain Bearer rubbed his chin as if seriously considering the opinion.

Then, Nine Mountains interrupted with a cough, “Ahem. Amitabha...”

Mountain Bearer got the hint and laughed. “Hahaha... forget it. The monk’s already pretty annoyed that you passed him your signature martial art. If I passed him my signature martial art as well, I’m afraid that he would pass onto the afterlife this instant!”

Nine Mountains said seriously, “Amitabha, I am not annoyed.”

“Sure, I believe you.” Mountain Bearer laughed again before urging, “Come on, monk. There is still stuff to clean up regarding the Boundless Heart Demon, and I’m sure Xiao Feng could use some peace and quiet.”

“Amitabha...” Nine Mountains shot Xiao Feng one last complicated look before taking his leave. Mountain Bearer was gone as well.

Xiao Feng paid their departure no heed. He simply smiled at Ye Qing’s unconscious figure and tapped his forehead again.

“Since you’re going to inherit my signature martial art, I consider you my disciple. My name is Xiao Feng, and I was a free soul who toured every walk of life, followed my heart, and changed the world as I pleased. Back in the day, they called me the Demon Lord of Freedom.”

“I don’t really care, but try not to forget me as soon as you leave this place, hahaha...”

1. He’s talking about the silver page. ?