Entering the Spirit Void 140. Fierce Deity of the Ancient Temple

The bell had long since ceased tolling, leaving the inside and outside of the ancient temple with a chilling, eerie silence. Suddenly, steady footsteps echoed from the stone steps before the temple gates. The steps drew closer, crossed the front courtyard of the main hall, and stopped right at the threshold!

The footsteps ceased. A slender silhouette was cast into the doorway. The shadow shifted, the footsteps resumed, and the figure arrived at the center of the main hall.

The man's facial features could not be clearly discerned, but his piercing gaze shone through the darkness with an increasingly awe-inspiring and terrifying intensity. That sharp light first swept toward the chair where the young scholar had been bound. The chair was now empty, leaving only a heap of severed bonds and broken ropes upon the floor!

The man let out a cold snort, his piercing gaze shifting to the divine statue upon the altar. He said coldly, "Hu Mengxiong, did you come out on your own, or must I come and invite you?"

No one answered, nor was there any sound in response. The altar remained deathly still!

The man snorted once more and said, "It is useless, Hu Mengxiong. Ever since I began walking the path of justice in Bayan under the moniker 'Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul,' I have never rashly misjudged any matter without absolute certainty. You cannot harbor any hope of escaping by luck!"

Mid-sentence, the man extended his right hand toward the divine statue in the distance and lashed out with a fierce fling!

Under the impact of that palm strike, the divine statue on the altar shattered and collapsed. A human figure burst forth from behind the ruins, darting like a shooting star toward the gap in the ruined wall at the back of the hall to escape!

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul emitted a dark chuckle, his form shifting slightly. He had already blocked the opening in the crumbled wall. Although the escaping figure rose swiftly, he was still a step too slow!

Though Hu Mengxiong reacted quickly, the cultivation and mastery of the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul far surpassed his own, cutting off his path of retreat precisely. Hu Mengxiong lowered his stance and stepped sideways, attempting to change direction, but another shadow flickered before him. With his handsome face chilled, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul intercepted him once more!

Hu Mengxiong let out a long sigh. He slowly raised his right hand, then let it drop gently. At that moment, inspiration struck Hu Mengxiong, and he opened his mouth as if to say something.

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul said coldly, "If you wish to make arrangements for your afterlife, speak now. Otherwise, keep your mouth shut!"

Hu Mengxiong's eyes rolled, and he said, "You cannot kill me!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul cast a disdainful glance at Hu Mengxiong and raised his right palm once again!

Hu Mengxiong hurriedly blurted out, "I will trade an object and a piece of intelligence in exchange for my life!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul raised a dark eyebrow and asked, "What object? What intelligence?"

Hu Mengxiong replied, "Would you like to know that there is someone else who looks remarkably like you?"

"Silence! Such preposterous nonsense!" The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul did not wait for Hu Mengxiong to finish; he cut him off with a stern rebuke.

Hu Mengxiong was dumbfounded. Both he and Hao Fu had firmly believed that the young scholar in plain robes was a decoy for the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul. When he finally captured him after meticulous planning and tracking, he had no idea he had fallen right into the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul's diversionary tactic of "replacing the peach tree with plum blossom."

Yet now, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul explicitly accused him of spouting nonsense. While the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul was certainly merciless toward the likes of him, he had never made a false statement. His declaration that Hu Mengxiong was talking nonsense was proof enough that the plain-robed youth was not his decoy.

Though the truth had come to light, Hu Mengxiong found himself even more bewildered. At that moment, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul spoke coldly once more: "Hu Mengxiong, this piece of news has only hastened your death. However, as for the item you mentioned..."

Before he could finish, Hu Mengxiong interrupted, "Yes, yes! The item, the item! I almost forgot!"

As he spoke, Hu Mengxiong reached into his pouch and groped for a half-moon-shaped ancient coin. Upon drawing it out, he did not immediately hand it to the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul. Instead, he said, "Regarding this item of mine, I must first trade it for an admission from you."

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul gave a cold snort and said, "I can acquire this item just as easily after I kill you!"

With those words, his right hand rose for a third time, poised to strike!

Hu Mengxiong had no choice but to hastily open his right palm and cry out, "Look at what this is!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul glanced at the object in Hu Mengxiong's palm, and his expression altered instantly!

Being an old and crafty scoundrel, Hu Mengxiong caught the shift in demeanor. Fearing he might not get another chance, he quickly clenched his right hand shut again and said, "The item is right here."

Before he could finish, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul calmly interrupted, "Give me that half-coin, and answer a few more questions of mine. Then you may leave!"

Hu Mengxiong asked eagerly, "Is that true?"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul grunted and replied, "Hand over the coin first!"

This time, Hu Mengxiong did not hesitate; he surrendered the coin to the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul.

Taking the half-moon coin, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul immediately commanded, "Light a lantern!"

Hu Mengxiong obediently complied, lighting a lantern.

At that precise moment, a strange noise echoed from outside the main hall. Shortly after, Tian Gengjiu stumbled inside, leaning against the remains of a doorframe that had not yet collapsed, looking sluggish and devoid of strength.

With the lantern illuminating the interior of the hall, they could see one another clearly. Tian Gengjiu gasped in shock first: "Ah! It's... it's you?"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul smiled at Tian Gengjiu and said, "Indeed, it is me!"

Hu Mengxiong was stunned. He turned to Tian Gengjiu and asked, "You know him?"

Before Tian Gengjiu could speak, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul answered for him: "Tonight, before you arrived, I met this friend Tian. Later, Hao Fu arrived, and I left for a moment to deal with his vicious underlings. Then I ran into your two sworn brothers, and finally, the bell rang, so I went to take a look."

Hearing this, Hu Mengxiong understood everything, while Tian Gengjiu inwardly thanked his lucky stars. Who could possibly believe that the gentle, frail, and sickly scholar who appeared powerless to truss a chicken was actually the feared Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul?

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul paused, his expression turning cold once again. From beginning to end, he had not moved his left hand; it turned out he was gripping the other half-moon coin tightly within his left palm.

Hu Mengxiong understood that this was a habit of the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul. His left hand perpetually played with that strange broken coin—dealing with enemies and handling affairs required only a single hand!

At this moment, the two half-moon coins were united into a single, complete circle! Watching coldly from the sidelines, Hu Mengxiong grew deeply anxious and apprehensive as he saw the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul's visible agitation.

Suddenly, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul put the coin away and asked, "Where did you get this coin?"

Hu Mengxiong answered truthfully, causing the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul to harbor a surge of secret regret!

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul naturally knew who the young man in the plain purple robe was. He had worried over the youth day and night, yet tonight, due to a moment of carelessness—focusing entirely on eradicating the remnants of the Southern Overlord before investigating this ancient temple—he had missed him. He glared fiercely at Hu Mengxiong and demanded, "Where is he?"

Hu Mengxiong lowered his head and replied, "He was rescued by someone. At the time, I assumed you were the one who saved him!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul realized, "After the bell rang!"

Hu Mengxiong nodded repeatedly.

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul swept his gaze over the severed bonds and broken ropes on the ground, asking, "How was that person dressed? Did he carry a treasured blade?"

Hu Mengxiong offered a bitter smile and said, "To be honest, I didn't dare stick my head out to look!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul chuckled dryly. "And you call yourself the Northern Overlord?"

Hu Mengxiong flushed and muttered, "Everyone fears death!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul let out a cold hum and abruptly changed the subject: "To your underlings, are you the one who issues all commands?"

Hu Mengxiong answered firmly this time: "Of course."

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul sneered, "I am afraid that might not be true, is it?"

Hu Mengxiong froze and said, "I naturally understand my own affairs, and my subordinates naturally obey my orders. How can you say it might not be true?"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul grunted. "Have you ever met me before?"

Hu Mengxiong shook his head. "No, this is the first time."

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul sneered once more. "Then how did you dare to be certain who I am? Speak!"

Hu Mengxiong was struck dumb, his expression changing abruptly!

As thoughts raced through his mind, Hu Mengxiong raised his head and said, "That 'half-moon' coin..."

Before he could finish, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul cut him off with a stern rebuke: "Hu Mengxiong, I advise you to answer truthfully. It is true that I have a habit of toying with this coin. However, a year ago, after hearing rumors concerning it, I stopped!"

Hu Mengxiong lowered his head again. At that moment, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul cast his gaze toward Tian Gengjiu and continued, "Earlier, I deliberately appeared before your men, yet he still failed to recognize me. Do you understand?"

Indeed, Hu Mengxiong understood completely. He understood not only the reason behind the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul's words, but also why the other man had delayed killing him! Yet he could not—and dared not—express his "understanding."

If the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul grew irritated, he would undoubtedly take his life. He did not wish to die. If he were forced to choose between "revealing the truth" and "death," he would choose "death" without a moment's hesitation!

The brilliance of the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul lay precisely here. Rumor had it that this man slaughtered like hemp without blinking an eye—and indeed he did, when it came to purging evil and exterminating malice.

Yet on the other hand, he also possessed a virtuous nature of mercy and tolerance, though it always depended on the circumstances and the person involved. No one could ever sway this personal yardstick of his!

After a brief moment of reflection, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul said gently, "You cannot speak of it?"

Hu Mengxiong nodded. "You may kill me!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul gave a detached smile and said, "Hu Mengxiong, your disposition tonight is quite simple. You need only light lanterns and torches all over this temple, inside and out, so that light clearly illuminates every corner of the place. Then you may leave!"

Such a disposition left Hu Mengxiong as if caught in a dream. He stared with gaping mouth and tongue, frozen in place.

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul smiled again. "What? Did you not hear clearly?"

Hu Mengxiong shook his head, blinking repeatedly, still finding it hard to believe.

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul sighed softly, "Rumors are often far from the truth. True, I have always been utterly ruthless toward the utterly wicked, and you are certainly one of them. But a moment ago, a certain matter saved your life."

Hu Mengxiong asked in astonishment, "What matter?"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul replied, "It was a sentence. You said you would rather choose 'death' than speak the truth about what I asked you!"

Hu Mengxiong became even more dumbfounded and muttered involuntarily, "I was only thinking—"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul interrupted, "A man who can think of the lives of his wife and children and choose death rather than betrayal still possesses a conscience and can reform. Therefore, I will not kill you!"

Hu Mengxiong lowered his head once more, his mind locked in fierce internal battle. A split second later, he suddenly raised his face, fixed his gaze upon the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul, and said, "I—"

He managed only a single word before the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul raised a hand to stop him.

He froze in surprise, but the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul said solemnly, "I will no longer ask you that previous question, so you need not act under duress and compromise the lives of your wife and children."

Hu Mengxiong seemed to have more to say, but his gaze drifted toward Tian Gengjiu standing nearby. The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul smiled faintly and added, "I said I would no longer question you about your affairs, so even if you told me now, I would not listen. As for this subordinate of yours surnamed Tian, you can rest easy. I believe he will not speak of tonight's events to anyone else!"

Tian Gengjiu hurriedly chimed in, "Chief, this subordinate swears—"

Hu Mengxiong waved his hand. "Old Tian, from now on, let us speak no more of these matters. You have lost your cultivation; you should take advantage of the remaining night and flee far away from here before dawn breaks."

Tian Gengjiu hesitated slightly. The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul nodded and said, "Your Chief Hu's words are sound. The sooner you leave, the better. You can hurry back, fetch some silver, saddle a horse, and seek another path in life!"

After pondering for a moment, Tian Gengjiu finally lowered his head and departed without another word. The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul watched as Tian Gengjiu's shadow crossed the broken wall, then turned back to Hu Mengxiong. "You should light the lanterns now."

Hu Mengxiong complied and carried out the task.

In less than the span of half an hour, the partially collapsed ancient temple was transformed into a realm of brilliant light, with lanterns and torches planted everywhere. Satisfied, the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul did not allow Hu Mengxiong to speak, waving his hand as he said, "You may go. When you see your master, you may tell him the truth, so long as you conceal your own personal thoughts. As for your future fate, it all depends on your own future deeds!"

Hu Mengxiong stepped forward a few paces and lowered his voice. "As for the person who rescued that scholar, I caught a glimpse of their back. They wore fitted martial attire, their head was covered, and they did not look like a man!"

The Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul smiled, waving his hand once more. "Very well, I thank you."

Hu Mengxiong looked at the Soul-Chasing Moon-Soul, but the latter merely wore a cold, formidable expression. Lowering his head with a sigh, Hu Mengxiong turned and walked away.

Meanwhile, Mo Dao and his companion had found an establishment called the Ma Family Inn in Bayan Town and settled in first. The two of them intended to stay for a few days before returning to Xinjing.