Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 104 Peace in the North

The stone chamber was completely silent.

Zhou Ning slumped to the ground, panting heavily.

Looking at the Black Mountain Demon lying on the ground, he felt a surge of complex emotions that were hard to describe.

This scourge that had plagued the northern lands for decades has finally died.

Yan Chixia walked to his side and extended her hand.

Get up.

Zhou Ning grasped his hand and struggled to stand up.

"Master, your injuries..."

Yan Chixia waved his hand: "You won't die. But you almost ruined your cultivation."

Zhou Ning lowered his head: "This disciple is ashamed."

Yan Chixia shook his head: "You've done very well. Without your sword strike, I couldn't have killed him."

He looked at the mess on the ground and said, "Let's go. This place is about to collapse."

The two of them helped each other out of the stone chamber.

When I stepped out of the palace, it was already dawn.

The morning light shone on Black Mountain, bathing everything in a golden glow.

At the foot of the mountain, Han Wei, Xuan Zhenzi, Yu Zhenzi, and others were waiting.

They both breathed a sigh of relief when they saw Zhou Ning and Yan Chixia come out.

"Where is the Black Mountain Demon?" Han Wei asked.

Yan Chixia said, "He's dead."

The crowd cheered.

"The Black Mountain Demon is dead!"

"We won!"

"The North is finally at peace!"

Cheers echoed through the valley, lingering for a long time.

Standing atop the mountain, gazing at the rising sun, Zhou Ning felt an unprecedented sense of peace wash over him.

The Black Mountain Demon is dead.

The people of the North can finally live a peaceful life.

But his path of cultivation is far from over.

He raised his head, gazing at the sky with a determined look in his eyes.

"There is still a long way to go."

The news of the Black Mountain Demon's death spread like wildfire throughout the northern lands and even the entire Central Plains.

Those people who had been oppressed by the Black Mountain forces for decades, those villages that had been barely surviving under the shadow of the Black Mountain, and those families that had been torn apart by the Black Mountain's iron heel—all shed tears of emotion upon hearing this news.

Some people knelt down and kowtowed, thanking God.

Some people burst into tears, releasing their pent-up fear and sorrow.

Others spread the word, passing on this good news to everyone still struggling in the darkness.

On the ruins of Qingfeng City, the survivors began to rebuild their homes.

They cleared away the rubble, built simple wooden houses, and reclaimed the abandoned fields.

Despite the scarcity of supplies and the harsh conditions, everyone's face was filled with hopeful smiles.

They knew that from now on, no more black-robed men would come to capture them for blood sacrifice, no more demon generals would come to slaughter the village on black tigers, and no more shadows of the Black Mountain Demon would loom over their heads.

Standing on the ruins of Qingfeng City, Zhou Ning looked at the busy people and felt an indescribable sense of satisfaction welling up in his heart.

He cultivated for three years, transforming from a weak scholar into a Golden Core cultivator.

He encountered the Painted Skin Demon, the Mountain Goblin, the Corpse King, the Fox Demon, the Black Mountain Guardian, and the Black Mountain Demon King...

Every battle is a matter of life and death.

Every choice is a test of one's moral compass.

But he never regretted it.

Because behind him are people who need protection.

"Young Master Zhou." Han Wei's voice came from behind.

Zhou Ning turned around and saw Han Wei walking towards him.

He had a smile on his face, but there was a hint of fatigue in his eyes.

The continuous fighting and running around have made this tough guy lose weight.

"Lord Han," Zhou Ning said, bowing.

Han Wei walked up to him and handed him a flask of wine:

"This is something I got from the people of the North. It's not some fancy wine, but it's made with sincerity."

Zhou Ning took the wine pot and took a sip.

The liquor was very strong, making him wince.

Han Wei laughed heartily: "Young Master Zhou is still not good at drinking."

Zhou Ning smiled wryly: "Lord Han, you flatter me."

Han Wei patted him on the shoulder and said seriously:

"Young Master Zhou, you have made a great contribution in eliminating the Black Mountain Demon this time. I have already reported your merits to the court, and the court will soon issue an edict to reward you."

Zhou Ning shook his head: "Lord Han, I don't want any rewards. I just want to return to Lanruo Temple and continue my cultivation."

Han Wei was taken aback: "Cultivation? The North is in dire need of rebuilding right now, and it needs someone like you."

Zhou Ning said, "Lord Han, although the Black Mountain Demon is dead, the remnants of the Black Mountain's forces still exist. Some of his subordinates have fled, some have gone into hiding, and some are still operating in the shadows."

"What you need to do is wipe out these remaining forces, not reward me."

Han Wei was silent for a moment, then nodded.

"You're right. But you should still accept the imperial reward. It's what you deserve."

Zhou Ning did not respond.

The two stood on the ruins, gazing at the distant Black Mountain.

The once fearsome Demon Mountain is now free of black clouds, and sunlight shines on its summit, bathing everything in a golden glow.

"Lord Han, have all the array formations and restrictions on Black Mountain been dealt with?"

Han Wei nodded: "Senior Yu Zhenzi and the disciples of Qingcheng Mountain are currently cleaning it up. They say that there is still a lot of demonic energy and resentment remaining on Black Mountain, which needs to be thoroughly purified, otherwise it will breed evil spirits in the future."

Zhou Ning asked, "Do you need my help?"

Han Wei shook his head: "You've done enough. Go back and rest. Leave the rest to us."

Zhou Ning did not insist any further.

He bid farewell to Han Wei, left Qingfeng City, and headed towards Qingyun Mountain.

After walking for three days, he returned to Lanruo Temple.

Lanruo Temple still stands atop the mountain, its green bricks and gray tiles nestled among the evergreen pines and cypresses.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the temple rooftops, gilding everything with a warm golden hue.

Standing at the mountain gate, Zhou Ning looked at the familiar temple and felt a long-lost sense of peace welling up in his heart.

"Master, your disciple has returned."

He entered the main hall.

Yan Chixia was meditating when he heard footsteps and opened his eyes.

His face was still pale and his breathing was somewhat weak, but his eyes remained sharp.

The Black Mountain Demon's backlash before his death severely injured him, but after several days of recuperation, he has recovered considerably.

"You're back?" Yan Chixia's voice was calm, but Zhou Ning detected a hint of relief in it.

Zhou Ning nodded. After the Black Mountain Demon died, he stayed in the North to help with some aftermath, which is why he returned a little late.

He reported everything he had seen and heard in the North to his master.

After listening, Yan Chixia remained silent for a moment, then said, "Although the Black Mountain Demon is dead, his residual poison remains. You must continue your cultivation and not slack off."

Zhou Ning bowed his head: "This disciple understands."

Yan Chixia took out a jade slip from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning:

"This is the complete version of the 'Nascent Soul Chapter.' Take it back and study it. Once you truly understand its meaning, the Nascent Soul stage will naturally come."

Zhou Ning accepted the jade slip and solemnly said, "Thank you, Master."

He left the main hall and returned to his residence.

Sitting cross-legged on the bed, he probed the jade slip with his divine sense and studied it carefully.