The valley returned to silence.
Qin Liuxi learned from Zhi Cheng and the pregnant won what their roles were. For instance, the woman nad Tao Hong said they were rely tools for birthing, so were deceived, others kidnapped and hidden in this Evil Valley, where they were repeatedly raped by those strong n until they beca pregnant. Once the children were born, they were taken away, and the cycle began anew.
As for why they knew the children would be turned into infant ghosts, it was because one of their sisters managed to extract the information from a martial monk through various ans. Such places existed elsewhere, too.
So whether the children were born or not, their fate was death. Facing such a harsh world, why bother escaping?
Don’t ask why they didn’t escape. They couldn’t. Soone tried running away, only to be caught and turned directly into a human pig. The vat still sits in the valley.
Also, don’t question why they didn’t choose to end their lives with their unborn children. They simply couldn’t bring themselves to do it. Even though their hearts were dead, they lacked the courage to commit suicide. When they tried harming their unborn children, they were t with only pain and harsher treatnt once discovered.
Eventually, they grew numb. So they resigned to fate, whether it be life or death, leaving it to the heavens to decide.
Zhi Cheng and the others, bound by moral and Buddhist teachings, felt compelled to strike the Evil Buddha Statue. If they didn’t, the poor won would suffer monstrous acts at the hands of those n.
The valley already had one pit of bodies, but there was also a snake pit filled with snakes and Five Poison Insects. Those thrown in had no chance of survival, only to endure excruciating pain before death.
Qin Liuxi inquired here and there. They didn’t know where the infants were taken or who received them. She stopped asking and went outside, interrogating the half-alive n who hadn’t yet reached the Underworld regarding the children’s whereabouts.
They knew nothing. Once the won gave birth, the infants were delivered through a secret passage to the fake Zhi Cheng outside. They knew no further details.
It seed catching the fake Zhi Cheng would unravel the entire mystery.
Qin Liuxi summoned a ghost ssenger to take the ghosts away. They would suffer for their sins before reincarnation.
With that settled, she took a monk to the snake pit and set it ablaze. Then, they went to the so-called mountain temple. There, a massive Holy Venerable Buddha was enshrined among nurous small statues. She knocked off its head and set it on fire.
She didn’t burn down the entire valley, needing to leave so evidence.
After finishing, she told Zhi Cheng and the others to wait. She would send soone to escort them.
"What about this child?" Zhi Cheng asked, gazing at the red baby in his arms.
Qin Liuxi looked at a vermillion mark on the child’s right ear lobe and said, "Buddha saves all. He is fated to follow you. Have him beco a young monk."
Zhi Cheng froze, letting out a sigh.
Qin Liuxi instructed them to wait and re-entered the temple via the tunnel, heading straight for the fake Zhi Cheng’s Zen Room.
After having a al, Zhi Cheng’s eyelids twitched uncontrollably. His heart was filled with anxiety, a premonition of impending trouble.
Unable to resist, he offered incense to the Buddha. Yet, as soon as he lit it, the sticks all broke simultaneously.
Fake Zhi Cheng’s face turned pale, and he imdiately took out three Emperor’s Coins and began a divination.
Unknown to others, before shaving his head, he had once possessed a full head of hair. He spent years following an old Taoist, living the life of a God Stick, learning a few Divine Swindling Techniques, such as using Copper Coin for divination.
As his hair gradually receded, after the old Taoist died, he apprenticed under a monk. Realizing his strong affinity for Buddhism, he noticed his hair thinning. As Buddhism gained over the Taoist Sect, a bald head seed more promising. So, he shaved his head, becoming a monk.
Thus, he was skilled in Taoist Soul Summoning Techniques and Copper Coin Divination.
After tossing the coins six tis, fake Zhi Cheng interpreted the result. As sweat dripped down his brow, his face paled at the final divination outco.
Upon seeing it, he knew he was dood—a great on of disaster!
Why did such an on appear? Was it due to that troubleso figure encountered during the day?
Fake Zhi Cheng closed his eyes slightly, recalling Qin Liuxi’s words and their profound implications, causing his heart to race.
No, he couldn’t tolerate it. His survival instinct kicked in—he needed to escape, a skill honed over the years.
Rising to his feet, he grabbed nothing and headed for the door.
Just as he reached it, the door was kicked open from outside. The door panel struck his nose, inducing sharp pain.
Feeling a chill in his nose, he touched it to find streams of blood flowing.
Yet, he couldn’t focus on that; instead, his eyes widened in shock as he stared at the person standing at the doorway, pupils contracting.
The divination had not deceived him.
Qin Liuxi stepped inside, grinning, "Heading sowhere this late, Abbot?"
Fake Zhi Cheng nearly lost his composure, forced instead to compose his hands in prayer, "Amitabha Buddha, donor arrives uninvited. What brings you here to intrude upon the Zen Room at night?"
Qin Liuxi casually closed the creaking door, "Naturally, there’s an unsolved mystery. I’d like the master to clarify it for . Surely, you’re willing to help, Holy Master Huiquan?"
Fake Zhi Cheng—or rather, Huiquan—his face abruptly changed, speaking in a deep voice, "I am unsure what the donor ans."
"No worries, I’ll make you understand." Qin Liuxi approached.
Starting by striking the Dumb Acupoint, she moved behind him, twisting his arms back sharply, kicking his knee forward.
The agony from the broken arms made Huiquan howl dryly, the sound trapped in his throat, sweat dripping from his forehead.
She wasn’t done. Qin Liuxi twisted his leg, the sharp pain making his eyes roll back.
"Understand now?" Qin Liuxi whispered ominously in his ear, "Ready to enlighten ?"
"Mmmph."
"Not yet? Let’s continue then." Qin Liuxi inserted two silver needles into his acupoints, causing spasms of pain.
Her hand rested on his spine, sending tremors through his body, yet the breaking news was yet to co.
"I could break this vertebra, rendering you useless. Can we talk clearly now?"
Huiquan frantically shook his head—damn it, release the Dumb Acupoint so I can speak! Now I’m just moaning to air!
This maniac, this troublemaker, it hurts so much!
"Oh, forgot. But, don’t scream. If you do, it will be your last note." Qin Liuxi released his Dumb Acupoint.
Huiquan wanted to yell. Her hand, however, rested ominously on his throat, forcing him to swallow his words, "What do you want?" he trembled.
"How much do you know about the Holy Venerable Buddha and the underworld in the valley—is it related to Lingxu Palace? Where is it?" Qin Liuxi asked.
Huiquan shivered, feeling dood whether he spoke or not!
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