Chapter Forty-Three: The Human Heart Is Full of Doubt
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Under the moonlight, the night wind swept through with a howling sound, carrying a sinister chill that made one’s heart quiver with fear.
“I warned you all before, there’s something wrong with this Mountain God Temple. Many have died here in the past. I’ve guided people down this road many times, but no one ever dared stop at this temple.”
A man, likely the guide, cursed furiously. “It’s your first time taking this route and you just had to tempt fate, insisting on resting here. Now someone’s dead… Damn it, looks like we’ve really run into something evil this time. Who knows if we’ll even get out alive.”
“Shut up.”
The leader, a bald man with a fierce, imposing gaze and calloused hands—clearly no stranger to martial arts—barked out, “You took the money, so quit your whining… Who the hell could’ve known this place was really cursed?”
When it came to the supernatural, even those skilled in combat could not help but feel uneasy.
Trying to remain composed, he said, “Pack up. We’ll leave this place tonight and find somewhere else to rest.”
The guide stamped his foot in frustration. “It’s already night. The deep woods are even more dangerous now. We didn’t find a place ahead of time—how are we supposed to find one in the dead of night?”
The bald man snapped, “So you want to stay here instead?”
The guide shivered and fell silent, not daring to argue.
“Move!”
...
“Boss, that group is leaving. What about us?”
“I didn’t expect this place to be so deadly. We can’t stay here either. We’ll leave.”
“Follow them?”
“We only know one path through these mountains. Without a guide, we have no choice but to follow them.”
...
The crowd returned to the temple, eager to gather their belongings and depart.
Someone wanted to go outside and tend to the body of the man who’d hanged himself, but was stopped by those nearby.
The pair of siblings, witnessing all this, were even more terrified. If they tried to follow, they would most likely be chased away by the others; but if they stayed, were they to remain here alone?
“Sir… will you be leaving?” The bald man addressed someone in the corner.
Earlier, this man had revealed a glimpse of his skill—a sheathed blade resting in his arms had landed with such force that it cracked the stone beneath it. Clearly, his martial prowess was formidable. Having him travel with them would make things safer.
The man didn’t reply at first. After a moment, he answered in a low, deep voice, “Why should I leave?”
The bald man hesitated, then said, “My companion died outside—his death was horrific. From the look of it, it wasn’t done by a man, but by a beast, or even something supernatural… I’d heard rumors of demons haunting this temple, preying on passing merchants. This is my first time down this road, so I didn’t believe it at first—now my friend is dead because of it… We’re following the guide to find shelter elsewhere, that’s all…”
“You certainly act decisively.”
The man snorted. “But why is it that when we were here, nothing happened, yet within a quarter of an hour after you all arrived, someone died?”
The temple suddenly fell silent.
The fire crackled, sparks snapping.
Many eyes turned to Qingyuan, suspicion and unease in their gaze.
Including the two siblings.
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Only Gu Cang remained unmoved, his unfamiliar long spear propped beside him and his hand on his broadsword. Through the shadow of his dark hat, his eyes glinted with menace.
Qingyuan gripped his iron staff, lifting his chin slightly, a faint smile on his lips. “Since I entered, I haven’t left, and that man only went outside after I arrived.”
At this, realization began to dawn on the group.
“How do we know you didn’t have an accomplice?”
The man in the corner remained hidden, his face indistinct, voice cold and hoarse. “All these people are merchants, carrying valuables. Murder for profit… it’s hardly unheard of in this world.”
He paused, a cold laugh escaping him. “Besides, you—a frail and scholarly looking young man—appear in the depths of the mountains, yet show not a trace of distress. Perhaps you are the demon, skilled in sorcery, killing in secret while seeming to stand innocently here.”
The tension in the temple grew thick as the crowd held its breath.
They too felt the strangeness of it all.
But this “hero” had acted before, driving away a group of ten or so merchants, two of whom were skilled fighters. Whatever else, he was more trustworthy than this newcomer, Qingyuan.
And what he said was not without merit.
“Sir…”
The bald man placed his hand on his sword and signaled to several men to surround Qingyuan. “You don’t seem like a villain, but allow us some peace of mind. Cooperate, and we won’t harm you…”
“Courting death…”
A deep voice rumbled from Gu Cang, who slowly drew his sword, its cold glint chilling the air.
“Gu Cang.” Qingyuan shook his head slightly. “Go outside and clear out whatever’s there. Leave this to me.”
Gu Cang hesitated, unwilling to leave.
Qingyuan smiled. “Don’t tell me you doubt my ability compared to theirs?”
Gu Cang paused, then said, “Be careful, sir.”
With that, he strode outside.
Someone tried to stop him.
But the bald man was not reckless; he signaled to let the formidable Gu Cang pass.
The rest surrounded Qingyuan, seeing him as the easier target.
Three or four men closed in on Qingyuan, while others ringed the perimeter, gripping their weapons.
“Wait…”
At that moment, the delicate girl suddenly squeezed forward—her brother tried to block her, but was a step too late.
She placed herself in front of Qingyuan. “This gentleman isn’t a bad person… He’s good…”
“Giving you a cake makes him a good man?” the bald man barked. “Girl, step aside. I don’t want to hurt the innocent. But if you insist on getting in my way, don’t blame me.”
Someone beside him muttered, “You don’t think he’s a good man just because he’s handsome, do you?”
The girl flushed with embarrassment, but her expression quickly turned indignant.
“Step aside.”
Qingyuan reached out and gently pushed her behind him. “This doesn’t concern you.”
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The girl seemed as if she wanted to say more, but Qingyuan had already turned away.
His gaze swept across the room and landed on the man in the corner. He smiled. “You little monster—wouldn’t it be better to act yourself? Do you really think these people can take me down? Or do you believe that I am too soft-hearted to kill, that I would hesitate to strike?”
With a sudden swish, someone beside him seized the moment and slashed with a blade.
Qingyuan didn’t even lift his eyes, still focused on the man in the corner.
He simply swung his iron staff.
A crisp snap rang out.
The steel blade broke in two.
“What…”
The attacker froze in shock.
Qingyuan withdrew his gaze and swept it over those before him, his voice icy. “Stand aside.”
The bald man’s expression shifted between shock and doubt. He glanced at the broken sword on the ground, realizing he was no match, and quickly stepped back.
Earlier, Qingyuan had called out “little monster.”
There was more to this than met the eye.
Could it be that the two had some hidden enmity, and he and his men were just pawns in a greater game?
Qingyuan tilted his head, addressing the crowd, “Keep your eyes open and watch closely…”
With that, he raised his hand and struck from a distance.
A powerful gust roared.
The “hero” in the corner toppled to the ground.
The flickering firelight cast its glow across his face—tinged with a bluish-black pallor.
It was unmistakably a corpse, long since dead.
Cries of horror erupted within the temple.
“He was a ghost?”
The night wind was bitter cold.
The faces of all present turned ashen.
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