Chapter Twenty-Six: Recuperation! The Abandoned Temple

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“There’s a little light in the distance, Elder Sword, Senior Sister.” A faint smile lifted Yufan’s lips, and a glimmer of hope shone in his eyes.

“Fang Yu, put me down. I need to tend to my wounds for a while,” Elder Sword said in a low, heavy voice.

“Yufan, wait a moment. Elder Sword needs time to recover.” Fang Yu raised her head slightly and looked toward Yufan. She slowly stopped, helped Elder Sword over to a tree, and settled him beneath it.

“Senior Sister, keep an eye on Elder Sword. I’ll scout ahead.” Yufan turned back toward Fang Yu, his eyes bright and resolute.

Elder Sword adjusted his posture, crossing his legs. He slowly raised both hands and pressed his palms together. True energy surged through his meridians, racing through his body as he forced the sword energy out from within. That sword energy transformed into true energy and was absorbed by Elder Sword.

A while later…

“Elder Sword! Senior Sister! The exit is just ahead!” Yufan waved at Fang Yu with a smile.

Elder Sword slowly opened his eyes. A sharp glint flashed across them, bright as the brightest star in the night sky. He gracefully separated his hands, which had been pressed together, turning his palms upward before lowering them gently before his knees. The faint sword energy and true energy surrounding him seemed to have found their destination, gradually merging into his body.

Even the air around them seemed to tremble faintly with his movement. Strands of moonlight filtering through the leaves were stirred by the invisible force, scattering mottled shadows across the ground. Elder Sword closed his eyes and gathered his spirit. His expression was calm and solemn, as though he had become one with the heavens and earth, the moonlight, and the drifting breeze, entering some profound and mysterious state. An indescribable peace and tranquility filled the air.

Elder Sword slowly rose to his feet and said kindly, “Let us go.”

Fang Yu stood before Elder Sword with both hands wrapped around her sword. As she looked toward Yufan, Elder Sword’s sudden movement startled her.

“Elder Sword, are you feeling better?” Fang Yu asked, turning around.

“It is nothing serious.” Elder Sword smiled gently and slowly stood.

“Elder Sword! Senior Sister! I looked ahead. There’s a temple up front. We can rest there!” Yufan exclaimed excitedly.

Fang Yu said impatiently, “Junior Brother, why are you making such a fuss? Out here in the middle of nowhere, it is obviously just a ruined temple. Is there really any need to be so happy?”

Yufan straightened his back and paced before her with a solemn expression. “Even if it is a ruined temple, it is still much better than sleeping out here. There are insects everywhere, not to mention bloodsuckers. They are truly disgusting.”

Elder Sword laughed kindly. “All right, shall we go? It is getting late.”

There was a trace of concern in his voice beneath his teasing tone toward the younger generation.

Moonlight flowed like water over the winding path. The figures of the three travelers appeared and disappeared among the mottled shadows of the trees. Elder Sword’s stride was steady, each step seeming to resonate with the earth as he led the group onward.

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Fang Yu held her long sword with its tip lightly touching the ground. From time to time, she swept her sharp, resolute gaze across their surroundings, as though she could see through every hidden danger lurking in the darkness.

After a while…

Pointing ahead, Yufan said, “Senior Sister, Elder Sword, we are here! I am exhausted. I absolutely have to sleep well tonight.”

Yufan quickened his pace and hurried into the temple. “I am coming!” he called, a trace of longing in his expression.

His footsteps grew lighter and faster, as if even the night were making way for him. Moonlight slipped through the sparse clouds and fell upon his lively figure, coating him in a faint silver glow. He pushed open the temple’s weathered wooden door. It creaked, like the whisper of time awakening the slumbering ancient shrine.

Inside, candlelight flickered. Several statues of the Buddha sat quietly in the dimness, their gazes compassionate and profound, as though they could see through all things in the world. Yufan drew in a deep breath of the cool air. A faint scent of incense mingled with the old fragrance of wood, instantly easing the tension in his nerves. He gently stepped over the threshold and entered this tranquil world.

“Senior Sister, Elder Sword, come quickly! This place is quite nice!” Yufan shouted.

Fang Yu reached the entrance. “Elder Sword, please.”

Elder Sword slowly stepped into the ruined temple, and Fang Yu closed the door behind him.

Yufan stared at the Buddha statues. He clasped his hands, dropped to both knees, and said, “Revered Buddhas, we mean no offense. Please allow us to stay here for one night.”

After speaking, he knocked his head against the floor several times.

Fang Yu slowly entered, then kicked Yufan lightly. “You believe in the Buddha too, Junior Brother?”

Yufan kept his eyes tightly shut. “Senior Sister, do not disturb my prayers. My grandmother told me that the Buddha protects us, so we must show reverence.”

Fang Yu sneered disdainfully. “Hmph.”

After finishing his prayers, Yufan looked around. “Where is Elder Sword?”

“He is outside.” Fang Yu placed her sword into its sheath.

Elder Sword entered and surveyed the surroundings. In a grave, earnest tone, he said, “The yin energy here is extremely heavy.”

Yufan lay on the floor, propping up his head with his right hand. With his left, he patted his mouth as if yawning. “Elder Sword, do not worry about it. Besides, it is getting darker outside. We can sleep here for one night. I refuse to believe that any ghosts or monsters would object.”

Elder Sword burst into laughter. “Ha ha! Yufan, oh, Yufan…”

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Fang Yu cursed angrily, “Yufan! Sleep—that is all you ever think about!”

“Senior Sister, I am going to sleep. I have no strength left.”

Yufan slowly lay down. His body seemed to be enveloped by the peace and antiquity surrounding him, and even his breathing became long and steady. Moonlight streamed through the broken lattice window and fell across his slightly weary face, tracing its features with a soft outline.

He gently closed his eyes, a peaceful smile resting on his lips, as though all his troubles and exhaustion had vanished with sleep.

The air around them seemed to solidify. Only the occasional cry of a night bird in the distance and the soft rustling of leaves outside the temple lent a touch of life to the tranquil night.

Yufan’s breathing gradually blended with the sounds of nature. His chest rose and fell gently with each breath, like a small boat drifting upon the sea, rocking softly beneath the serene night sky.

Elder Sword reached out to stop Fang Yu from waking Yufan. “Let him be. I am tired as well.”

“Elder Sword, you indulge him too much!” Fang Yu said, her eyes filled with the desire to strike Yufan.

Elder Sword smiled. “Ha ha. You should rest too.”

“Mmm.” Fang Yu placed her sword on the ground and cast a sidelong glance at Yufan. A hint of viciousness flickered in her eyes. She then slowly sat down.

“Elder Sword, I still think we should leave now. It is better not to invite trouble by staying too long.” Fang Yu leaned against one of the temple pillars.

Elder Sword answered in a calm tone, “Your opinion deserves serious consideration. However, it is already late. Traveling through the night is difficult, and the dangers are far greater than they would be after daybreak.”

Elder Sword looked out at the pitch-black night. With both hands clasped behind his back, he leaned against the wall and said, “In the Other Realm, evil spirits and malevolent creatures are far more ferocious at night. In the past, your father and I traveled across the land and encountered all kinds of strange spirit beasts, each one extraordinarily savage. The Other Realm is filled with powerful experts, and it is no wonder that people have come to call it the Valley of the Dead.”

Fang Yu listened quietly, a trace of fear creeping into her voice. “Yes, Elder Sword.”

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