Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 1533 - 950: A Sword Immortal Arrives from Qing

Baili An’s frigid gaze locked back onto Old Taoist Huang, resembling the chill of a blade sheathed in ice, radiating a bone-deep coldness.

"The esteemed Immortal Huang performed a ritual for the River God; I presume you have communed with him, then?"

At this juncture, how could Old Taoist Huang maintain his charade? He frantically shook his head, admitting, "It was all a pretense to swindle money; there is no such deity! The river is devoid of divinity, populated only by malevolent wandering spirits, which I've personally witnessed. Therefore, I implore everyone to cease washing clothes or drawing water from this section of the river!"

This wily Taoist, realizing his deception was exposed, attempted a cunning maneuver. By feigning concern and issuing a warning about the river's perils, he hoped to garner some sympathy while confessing his deceit.

However, Baili An remained unconvinced.

"So, you admit there is no divine protection within this river. It was you who lured people into its depths, conjuring evil apparitions, yet you slandered my wife, accusing her of consorting with spirits. You even proposed a fiery ordeal to discern human flesh from ghostly essence."

Old Taoist Huang quickly interjected, "No, no, impossible! I was mistaken! I shouldn't have uttered such words, should I?"

"Is that so?" Baili An's lips curled into a cold smirk. "I perceive no confusion; your intentions are quite clear. Your proposed test is rather ingenious. If a test is in order, it should be conducted with utmost thoroughness."

"I would never dare! How could I possibly disrespect your wife!"

Baili An lowered his gaze and continued, "Indeed, you wouldn't dare, for the one in league with spirits is not my wife. Since it was you, Immortal Huang, who led everyone to the river, others might draw certain conclusions. For the sake of upholding Immortal Huang's reputation, I believe a fiery trial to assess your golden integrity would not be amiss."

His words, through a series of twists and turns, now directed the inferno back upon the Taoist.

Terrified, Old Taoist Huang's face contorted as if in agony, his insides twisting. He repeatedly kowtowed, confessing, "No, no, no!!! I am merely a mortal who survives through trickery and falsehood; a common man cannot withstand such a fiery trial."

"Nonsense," Baili An stated calmly, a smile playing on his lips. "I decree that you can endure it; even if you cannot, you must endure it for me. Rest assured, Immortal Huang's mastery of Taoist Techniques is profound; mere flames pose no threat. Furthermore, I am not a man who lacks restraint. Should the trial yield no definitive results, the Taoist will be absolved of all suspicion, which would indeed be a favorable outcome."

Baili An shifted his stance slightly, his gaze settling deliberately on the heap of dry wood and branches collected by the villagers.

With a mere thought, a fierce gust of wind sprang up, swirling the debris and enveloping Old Taoist Huang in a tight vortex.

Overcome with fear, Old Taoist Huang lost control, crying out in pain, trembling. He pointed a shaking finger at Baili An, stammering, "Sorcery... sorcery?"

Baili An calmly responded, "Not so. This is a legitimate Taoist Technique from my Immortal Sect. You may be at ease, Immortal Huang. Although my Cultivation has not spanned forty or fifty years, I have attained a degree of success and certainly will not harm you carelessly."

Disregarding the weeping Old Taoist Huang entirely, Baili An kicked the still-burning torch into the pile of wood.

The small torch, instantly, as if plunged into boiling oil, erupted into flames that soared towards the heavens, painting the sky crimson in a fleeting moment.

This was no ordinary combustion; the riverside forest, damp from the morning dew, would normally resist ignition without the aid of oil or potent spiritual aids.

Let alone erupting into such a towering blaze.

Alas, poor Old Taoist Huang. His withered form was instantly consumed by the conflagration; while a human body typically takes time to ignite, he became a figure of pure fire in the blink of an eye.

Not a single scream was heard; Old Taoist Huang could only stagger and desperately try to escape the fiery inferno.

He attempted to douse the flames engulfing him by rolling on the wet ground.

The assembled crowd watched in horror at the tragic spectacle, their gazes fixed upon Baili An, who stood before the inferno. The blazing fire cast stark shadows, defining the pale, sharp lines of his face.

The surrounding dry grass and branches crackled ferociously under the expanding flames, greedily consuming everything in their path, driven by the wind. Yet, as the fire reached Baili An’s feet, it seemed to gain sentience, veering away.

The terrifying flames licked at his robes but left not a single thread singed.

Baili An looked down, his expression serene, observing as Old Taoist Huang slowly extinguished the flames from his body. His form, charred and cracked, lay prone on the ground, eliciting agonizing cries.