Chapter 81: Where Does the Journey Home Lead

Chapter 81: Where Does the Journey Home Lead

Zhang Sanlu took the statue and held it in his hands, feeling an intense discomfort. Its existence seemed to defy every biological principle he knew. Enormous tentacles unfurled from its grotesque head, which possessed nothing but a mouth, while its massive, pillar-like body twisted in a nauseating manner. Under the moonlight, he even thought that the statue’s form was spiraling at a slow, sickening frequency, revolving and forming vortexes like black holes, devouring the light—and his sanity.

Abruptly, Zhang Sanlu snapped back to himself and looked up. Zhang Mancheng was holding a torch, his expression blank as he stared at the statue in Zhang Sanlu’s hands. What unsettled him even more was that, in the flickering firelight, a strange shadow seemed to pass over Zhang Mancheng’s face.

In the wavering glow, half of Zhang Mancheng’s face appeared cloaked in darkness, becoming eerily distorted. Wrinkles gathered and twitched with his unsettling smile, his eyes sunk deep within their sockets, making him look disturbingly peculiar.

Zhang Sanlu took a deep breath, feeling his heart racing.

“This statue… something’s wrong with it,” Zhang Sanlu broke the oppressive silence, his voice low and tinged with hesitation.

“What’s wrong with it?” Zhang Mancheng lowered his head to examine the statue, his gaze reflecting something Zhang Sanlu couldn’t decipher.

Looking down again at the statue under the dim light, its twisted visage seemed almost alluring. “I think we ought to put it back!” Zhang Sanlu said, his voice deep and uncertain.

But Zhang Mancheng shook his head, his eyes flashing. “No, Sanlu. This statue is so bizarre; I must bring it back for our master to examine. If there’s any issue, we need to deal with it quickly to prevent future calamities.”

“But this thing’s origins are unknown. I fear taking it without care could cause even bigger problems…”

“What are you afraid of?!” Zhang Mancheng abruptly interrupted, his tone impatient. “With our master’s unparalleled abilities, he can handle any trouble this statue may bring. Besides, think about it: if we don’t deal with it and something happens after we leave, the consequences would be unimaginable. We’d have come here for nothing.”

Zhang Sanlu sighed, knowing Zhang Mancheng’s argument was sound. Leaving the statue here might indeed lead to greater trouble in the future.

As they rested and discussed, Zhang Sanlu’s wounds had healed enough not to hinder his movements, which astonished Zhang Mancheng.

Outside the stone gate, the sounds of insects had faded. Opening the door, Zhang Mancheng carefully carried the eerie statue ahead in the gloom. Their heartbeats seemed to echo in the silent cave.

Upon exiting the cave, they were greeted by clouds shrouding the sky and gusts of autumn wind. Yet this only deepened the sense of oppression in their hearts, as if something weighed upon them.

They wasted no time, hastily recounting their experiences inside the cave to Zhang Zhi Dao and discussing their next steps. Zhang Zhi Dao regarded the statue with grave concern, suspecting its origins were anything but simple, and that mishandling it could have dire consequences.

“I believe we must deliver this statue to our master as soon as possible,” Zhang Zhi Dao said, his voice low.

Turning to Zhang Sanlu, he added, “Why don’t you come with us, Zhang Dao? You’ve been involved with the local officers here; it’s safer to retreat to the Northern Prefecture for now.”

“Yes, and we’ve felt a kinship since we met,” Zhang Mancheng urged. “Meeting our master would benefit your cultivation greatly.”

Zhang Sanlu was tempted. In these troubled times, if Huiniang and Zheng Ji could have the protection of a great sect, their chances of survival would be much higher. Moreover, he’d killed an officer and would surely face trouble.

“But the little girl is alone now and needs a place to go. And I promised a friend I’d meet him at a certain place soon.”

“That’s easily solved,” Zhang Zhi Dao smiled. “Besides cultivators, our community includes villagers and elders. Our master cherishes all people, treating everyone like family. Here, take this booklet of charms I wrote—you may find them useful.”

Accepting Zhang Zhi Dao’s booklet, Zhang Sanlu felt moved, his impression of the two men rising further.

After agreeing to meet his friend and then proceed together, the three descended the cliff.

The people at the foot of the mountain, upon learning the evil spirits within had been eradicated, cheered with energy and vigor.

Once on the path, Zhang Mancheng and Zhang Zhi Dao bade Zhang Sanlu farewell again, reminding him where to meet, and set off with the statue.

Zhang Sanlu joined Li Guangli’s group, following the winding trail toward Li Family Village.

Before they arrived, word had already spread among the villagers. Learning that the Immortal Masters had banished the evil spirits, many came forth to bow and thank them, and Zhang Sanlu was escorted back to the village amid their enthusiasm.

As he entered the village, a small figure darted from the crowd—Huiniang. Joy radiated from her face, her eyes shining with excitement, as if all her fears and exhaustion had vanished.

“Big Brother Zhang!” Huiniang called, throwing herself into Zhang Sanlu’s arms like a fledgling returning to its nest. She clung tightly to his waist, pressing her head beneath his chin, pouring all her emotion into his warm embrace.

Zhang Sanlu gently patted her back, softly comforting her, “Don’t be afraid, don’t be afraid. I’m back.”

The villagers gathered around, addressing him as Immortal Master and expressing their gratitude.

“Thank you, Immortal Master, for ridding our village of evil spirits!”

“Yes, we can finally live in peace again!”

Everyone’s faces were bright with smiles, their eyes filled with gratitude and respect. They thanked the Immortal Masters for bringing hope and peace to their village.

Zhang Sanlu had never experienced such a scene before; it made him more nervous than facing soldiers in battle. The mountain folk were fierce, but their simplicity was even greater.

He declined the villagers’ invitation to a feast, took only a cart pulled by a donkey and some food for the road, and set off with Huiniang.

Traveling along the rugged mountain path, the cart jolted and swayed. Zhang Sanlu sat at the driver’s seat, holding the reins, his gaze fixed ahead.

“Huiniang.”

“Yes?” she responded instinctively.

“Do you want to know about my past?”

Her happiness was dampened, surprise flickering in her eyes. It was the first time Big Brother Zhang had spoken to her about his past.

Living together day after day, she had long sensed that Zhang was different from everyone else. She couldn’t quite say how, but the feeling was special—a memory of him saving her from the brink of death, his silhouette standing alone against danger. He was unlike any other.

“Actually, I’m not from here.”

“I know—you’re not from this prefecture.”

Zhang Sanlu smiled and shook his head. “I mean, I’m not from this world. I come from another world…”

Huiniang was silent for a long time, seemingly lost in thought. Zhang Sanlu guessed her young mind might struggle to understand.

Suddenly, her small hands grasped his, and he turned to see her stubborn, reddened eyes gazing up at him.

“They say… Father and Mother went to another world. You can’t go!”

After a pause, she declared firmly, “Don’t even think about leaving me…”

In that moment, Zhang Sanlu thought all the misfortune and strangeness had come to an end.

But he was wrong.

It was only the beginning.