Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1526 - 946: Night Row on the River (Part 2)

"If you are willing to assist us and help everyone navigate this challenging period, your kindness will be etched in our memories forever."

Shu Ci, however, was not the sort to be moved by either gentle persuasion or forceful demands. With a cold sneer, she retorted, "What use is it for you to remember my kindness for a lifetime? Will your memory of my benevolence provide me with sustenance or shield me from calamity?"

"Do not loiter here and obstruct the path. Should you persist in bothering me, do not hold me accountable for any lack of courtesy!"

Having grown accustomed to the imposing presence expected in the Demon World, Shu Ci did not perceive these words as overly harsh, even directed towards the formidable Mohe Lord.

Nevertheless, when these very words reached the ears of the assembled humans, they struck a jarringly discordant note.

This incited a significant degree of resentment among them.

"This woman is utterly unreasonable, displaying such insolence. Were it not for our compassion in taking her and her husband in, her barely-alive spouse would have long since met the King of Hell!"

"Precisely! Since she lacks gratitude, why should we extend any politeness to her? With such minimal empathy, why not simply expel her ailing husband from the village and leave him to the whims of fate?!"

These declarations were clearly uttered in a fit of pique.

Yet, this sentiment struck a fundamental chord within Shu Ci, igniting a fiery defiance in her eyes, fierce and menacing: "How dare you!"

"Esteemed Lady Shu, what is the necessity for such an escalation? All that is required is your cooperation. Once the ritual is concluded, we shall naturally cease to cause you any distress. Should your husband's chronic ailment worsen due to your obstinacy, it would be most regrettable, and this old Taoist would certainly bear a heavy conscience."

An aged voice resonated through the air as the assembled crowd gradually made way, forming a passage.

The venerable Taoist Huang, adorned in a striking new Daoist robe and brandishing a horsetail whisk, regarded Shu Ci with earnestness.

In the intricate dance of worldly matters, Shu Ci was indeed far less adept than a novice.

However, when it came to matters of strategy and cunning, within the entirety of the Demon World, save for the Demon Lord himself, she stood unmatched.

Gazing upon the figure of Old Taoist Huang before her, how could Shu Ci possibly fail to discern that his intentions were specifically aimed at her?

A mere mortal dared to plot against the sovereign of Mohe.

Shu Ci, never one to passively endure an affront, felt a cold amusement bloom within her heart.

Since this aged Taoist insisted on proceeding to the riverbank for the adoration of some purported deity, she harbored no hesitation in facilitating his departure.

"Given the circumstances, I shall not decline."

Old Taoist Huang displayed a flicker of surprise, having anticipated that, aware of her personal vendetta, she would certainly mount a vigorous resistance.

This anticipated resistance would have provided him with a pretext to skillfully employ the villagers in creating obstacles for her.

Yet, to his astonishment, she acquiesced with such startling readiness.

Observing her eventual compliance, the villagers ceased their aggressive posturing, dispersing to their respective dwellings to commence preparations for the impending ritual.

Under the guidance of the five chosen maidens, Shu Ci proceeded with the throng towards the river's edge.

Before departing, she cast a sideways glance at the old Taoist, her eyes holding an enigmatic and disquieting intensity.

Half of her countenance was enshrouded in shadow, exuding a beauty that was both captivating and spectral.

Old Taoist Huang experienced a profound shiver, his expression morphing into one of grim contemplation.

"Master..." the young Taoist accompanying him murmured deferentially, "Is there not a possibility that your scheme might falter? Considering the peculiar occurrences within this village, where solitary women have mysteriously vanished near the river; are we truly intending to join them on the boat tonight?"

The young Taoist's voice snapped Old Taoist Huang from his reverie, and he responded with a frown: "Cease your fretting. You yourself stated earlier that only those who venture out alone disappear without explanation. This old Taoist has assembled a group of eight individuals for an excursion today; should any malevolent spirits or chaotic deities be lurking, it is unlikely any incidents will transpire this evening."

Old Taoist Huang narrowed his eyes: "Furthermore, if that individual truly possesses the ability to commune with birds and beasts, as you allege, he must command sorcery and extraordinary powers. Now, if we can exploit his current infirmity and attribute these unfortunate deaths to him, that woman, Shu, will undoubtedly be implicated, ultimately leaving her entirely at my mercy!"

The young Taoist appeared utterly resigned to the situation.

......

The assembled multitude soon reached the riverbank, with Old Taoist Huang taking the lead, erecting an altar and conducting venerations, dramatically expelling flames to consume a Talisman Sword. He uttered incantations in an arcane tongue, the meaning of which remained elusive even to Shu Ci.

The old Taoist's eyes suddenly widened: "Clear skies, hallowed earth, burning incense to summon Heavenly Master Zhang! A thousand stars of Thunder God, a thousand stars' might, ten thousand stars of radiant light, ten thousand stars illuminating all! With hands pressing the treasured blade to vanquish malevolent spirits, should any defiant radiance persist, I shall tread upon the evil specter to its destruction! Divine Weapon, swift as my decree!"

A gush of fiery breath spewed from the old Taoist’s mouth, its formidable momentum eliciting gasps from the onlookers.

Yet, Shu Ci found the whole affair rather wearisome.

Following a ritualistic chant, the old Taoist declared, "The hour is upon us."

What ensued was a strange, uncoordinated dance, a depiction of the fabled shamanistic rite.

He then gently guided the women onto the makeshift boat, which had been outfitted with sacrificial animals, fruits, and flowers.

The sliver of a moon was gradually consumed by encroaching dark clouds, casting a gloom over the sky.

As the old Taoist propelled the boat against the current with his pole, a resounding crack echoed through the sky, the world plunged into darkness, and rain began to drum upon the water in heavy sheets.

This downpour arrived with sudden ferocity, catching everyone unprepared and drenching them instantly as they lacked any protection.

The old Taoist Huang’s beard, once pristine, now hung wetly, his cap askew, completely stripping him of his divine aura.

The chilling night, the deserted river, and the melancholic deluge combined to create an undeniably eerie atmosphere.

The five women, present for the ritual, huddled together, their arms wrapped around themselves against the biting cold. The lantern on the small vessel had been extinguished by the rain, and the encroaching darkness felt as if it were closing in to consume them.

With the moonlight obscured by clouds, their visibility was severely limited. Darkness enveloped them entirely, causing their bodies to tremble with fear as they darted glances in every direction.

Upon boarding, they had placed their trust in the immense magical capabilities of Huang the Immortal to ensure their safety.

However, now, amidst this unknown terror and peril, their hearts grew cold with apprehension.

Shu Ci, having anticipated such a turn, was crouched in a corner, using a half-overturned iron pot to shield his head from the wind and rain.

The rain had been relentless for days, pausing for only two before the nighttime deluge resumed. This particular downpour seemed poised to escalate into a true tempest.

Onboard the boat, a sense of panic began to spread when a woman timidly inquired,

"Huang... Taoist Huang, has the ritual concluded? When will we reach the shore? The fruits and animals on the boat have been swept into the river. If we don't disembark soon, might something unforeseen occur?"

Some of the women started to weep. "I saw this river during the day, and it was unremarkable. But tonight, it's terrifying. We've been sailing for so long, yet we haven't seen the riverbank."

What amplified their fear was the realization that, looking back, they could no longer discern the lights of the village they had departed from on the banks.

All that was visible was the inky, turbulent expanse of the river water.

It evoked an overwhelming feeling of despair, akin to walking a precarious edge with no discernible path forward.

Numerous strange fish with dark scales began to surge through the river.

They affirmed, having lived in this mountain village for decades and fished these waters for years,

that they had never encountered such peculiar fish, their scales bristling with spines, as they did on this particular night.

These fish appeared to swim without direction, yet they repeatedly struck the bottom of the bamboo boat, creating loud thuds and loosening the ropes that secured it.

This unexpected turn of events intensified everyone’s growing unease.

The young Taoist was clearly perturbed as well; he shook the old Taoist Huang, asking, "Master, what shall we do now?"

Even at this moment, the old Taoist Huang strove to maintain his dignified facade, feigning composure.

"Fear not, it's merely the wind and rain. With my presence, you will all be safely protected."

Despite his words, such a torrential downpour was certainly not part of his original plan.

He had surveyed the river for several days, recalling that during the night, a massive, turbulent whirlpool formed at a specific point. Anyone caught within its grasp would undoubtedly face mortal danger.

If this frail boat were to be drawn into it, he would be called upon to rescue everyone aboard.

He had instructed his disciple to pre-emptively set up mechanisms and stakes in the water. The old Taoist was adept on water, and he intended to use the stakes to showcase his water-walking abilities.

He would then rescue these women one by one, with the sole exception of Mistress Shu.

She alone was meant to endure hardship and plead for mercy, only then would she become compliant and sensible.

But now, with the lashing rain, the extinguished lanterns, the solitary boat was adrift, carried unpredictably by the strong river currents.

Its location was unknown, and it was uncertain if the stakes had been dislodged by the torrential rain.

The old Taoist himself felt a growing sense of anxiety and dread, contemplating whether they had truly encountered some malevolent entity tonight.