Book 4: Chapter 16: Yuki-Onna

Book 4: Chapter 16: Yuki-Onna

Snowflakes fell scattered on the river surface like cherry blossom petals, but were swiftly swallowed by the redness.

This had to be an illusion, right?

But there was truly a head bobbing up and down. In the darkness, she wasnt able to confirm whether it was the person she was looking for. The old man still had a good head of hair, but it hadnt been that thick.

Steady! She had to remain calm!

She warned herself and relied on her life and death experiences with Ruan Zhan to walk forward. She felt something soft and slippery underfoot that didnt feel like snow. It was as though she was stepping on something alive. A sort of revulsion and numbness spread from her feet to her heart, making her grit her teeth before she could continue forward.

The beautiful vixen had already vanished without a trace. Xiao Xia, feeling about while she moved forward, was left behind with the flowing river of blood. Only after getting closer did Xiao Xia realize the blood river stretched into the darkness. It appeared extremely abruptly and the surface of the water was deathly still. However, the gurgling sound made it seem like the water was flowing. Therefore, instead of a blood river, it was actually just a scene of red.

Xiao Xia vigilantly approached the clump of hair. She could already see that it wasnt the old mans head. She knew it was the thing causing mischief, leaving her with two choices: pretend not to have noticed or expose it.

Whoever the opponent was, their ultimate target was Ruan Zhan. If she ignored that monster, it would naturally come after her. Furthermore, she didnt want her desire to save someone to put him in danger again. Therefore, she braced herself and walked over.

She stretched out her right hand, wanting to grab onto the hair. However, the hair suddenly moved and drifted a little further. Xiao Xia reached out again and it drifted again. Gradually, it drifted towards the center of the river. Xiao Xia crouched down and picked up a huge rock from the snow. She exerted herself and flung it over viciously. There was a splash as the rock landed heavily in the river, but it didnt sink right away as though it needed time to react. It only sunk after a while.

Its an illusion!

She was very certain, but still didnt dare to act rashly. She clenched her left hand and probingly stepped into the river.

When her foot entered the water, the ice cold river immediately soaked her trousers and flooded into her leather boots. The cold made her teeth chatter. Despite knowing it was an illusion, she still couldnt stop her brain from telling her she was going to freeze to death.

She persisted and waded forward, reminding herself to ignore the waters resistance. She rushed to the clump of hair as fast as she could. Yet it seemed to be alive as it drifted back and forth, preventing her from grabbing it. This lasted until she took a breath and grabbed over violently.

It was wet yet extremely light. This made Xiao Xia almost tip over face first. Only now did she see there wasnt anything under the hair. It was just a clump of hair that floated on the river surface like a plant.

She let out a breath of relief but was also a little annoyed. She wanted to throw the hair away but realized it was stuck to her, as though it was growing out of her hand.

She was extremely startled and shook her hand with all her might. However, she wasnt able to get free! The hair started swelling up like a balloon before raising up towards her.

How about rescuing me!? A face appeared from beneath the hair. It was exceptionally beautiful with white, lustrous snow-like skin. The lips that seemed without blood stretched in a fathomless smile.

Sure, have a taste of this first! Xiao Xia found calm within the terror. She stretched her tightly held hand out and directly pressed it in the center of the beautys brows. The talisman drawn by Ruan Zhan and her amulet flashed, one red and one yellow ray of light!

Ahhh!!!!!!

A piercing and tragic scream echoed through the mountains. It sounded like metal scraping against ice.

Xiao Xia looked as if she was about to throw up as she held the beautys head. It had deflated like a leaking ball. It finally got free of her palm, allowing Xiao Xia to get away from that hairy thing.

Since she knew something was up with the hair, she naturally made some preparations. These monsters never understood that when things reached an extreme, they may swing in the opposite direction. After being frightened half to death, she would eventually give birth to courage.

Beauty isnt enough without a pleasant voice. She mocked. She turned, planning to continue her search.

Wan Li stood in the center of the hallway. He could act as backup and block off escape attempts while also rushing back to Xiao Xia if anything happened there. This way he could protect himself and others as well.

The sword in Ruan Zhans hand was just a spell-enhanced peachwood sword. Although its might wasnt sufficient, he had his own powers. There shouldnt be any problems. He had just been too rash due to his righteous anger and fell into a trap.

Despite this, he knew the ghost had also been wounded by the peachwood sword. Although the sword was broken, the ghost was also heavily hurt, hiding in the wall not daring to come out. He was able to tell with his strike that the little ghost was far from recovered, and hadnt completely digested Kenji Ganmuras soul yet. It also wasnt smart or powerful enough to set up such an ambush!

The person behind the scenes who was helping Yang Mu You. Why did he come so quickly? Why did the little ghost still dare come out in that persons presence?

Many doubts flashed through Ruan Zhans mind in several seconds. However, he was still focused on that wall.

He slowly approached and raised his arm. He could sense the black smoke wanting to escape but it was pinned in place by the upper portion of the sword and the spells upon it. It could only shiver irregularly, seeming extremely frightened.

Ruan Zhan didnt show the slightest bit of sympathy. He was always unfeeling when facing off against evil spirits. He drew symbols in the air and chanted a spell. A fiery red glyph shot towards the wall.

Heehee.

A womans voice rang out. The windowless room was suddenly filled with a blizzard. The unexpected brightness obscured Ruan Zhans sight for a moment. By the time he was able to see again, the black smoke had already vanished.

He didnt hesitate. Fishing out several talismans from his pocket, he stuck them on the unconscious girl and immediately charged out.

Wan Li. He called.

Here. At such moments, Wan Li was dependable and absolutely not his usual sloppy self.

Theres a traumatized girl in the last room. Go. He instructed briefly. Gather everyone up. Im going to get Xiao Xia.

Wan Li agreed and left immediately. However, after two steps he stopped. Take the bloodwood sword! He had seen the broken sword in his hand and the suspicious bloodstain around his mouth.

Ruan Zhan shook his head and didnt take it. He left without looking back.

He knew Wan Li understood his intent. They were able to communicate without words.

It wasnt as simple as a ghost this time. The opponent had more people and strength on average so they had to spread their strength out.

It was too chaotic at this moment and he didnt have time to think things through carefully. He only knew the opponent was creating a diversion and trying to split them up. Wan Li could protect many people with the bloodwood sword here and prevent the ghost from harming others. This way, he could focus his attention on the boss battle.

The snowstorm just now had been too weird. This was probably the source of his unease earlier when looking out the window with Xiao Xia. That woman was too abnormal. He was afraid the tattered banner wouldnt be able to protect Xiao Xia.

He charged into the room and saw everything was calm. However, the tattered banner had been moved to the window and Xiao Xia was gone.

He was extremely anxious and rushed over. Suddenly, he sensed a hint of blood.

On the wall underneath the window, several eye-catching words were written: white-clothed beauty, dont follow me, its a trap!

The bright red words were clearly written in blood. Thinking of the sudden snow and the mysterious laughter, along with Kenji Ganmuras Japanese background, he muttered two words to himself. Yuki-Onna!