Journey to the End of the Night Chapter 5 - 5 5 Going to Sea
Previously on Journey to the End of the Night...
Baili An made a sound of acknowledgement and set the jade piece aside, continuing to pack other items. He remarked, “Fortunately, this thing is small. You can wear one on each hand, and they won’t occupy any space; it’s incredibly convenient.”
Convenient my foot!
A vein pulsed on Li Jiujiu’s forehead as she silently chided the boy for his cluelessness. She picked up the Green Jade Ring, firmly tugged at his right hand, and placed the ring onto his thumb. “If these are a pair, wouldn’t it look terrible for one person to have both?”
Baili An was momentarily taken aback. She intended for them to each have one. This… this… the implication was quite significant.
“Idiot,” Li Jiujiu stated with irritation.
With a slight cough, Baili An awkwardly responded, “Alright then, let’s each take one.”
As Li Jiujiu reached for the Glazed Umbrella, she suddenly grasped his arm, preventing him from storing it away. “Keep this Glazed Treasure Umbrella. I observed your aura is merely at the Second Grade of cultivation. While I don’t know what stroke of luck you encountered to walk and converse like a normal person despite your low realm and your body not being stiff at all, that doesn’t mean you’re immune to sunlight.
If you were to be exposed to the harsh sun during the day, I’m afraid I couldn’t wait for you to come find me. This treasure umbrella can shield you from the intense sun, allowing you to appear in public even during the day, which would be greatly beneficial for you.”
Caught by surprise, Baili An suddenly recalled that corpse demons could not endure daylight. A hint of melancholy immediately filled his heart. He didn’t decline, nodding his head as he said, “Alright, then this umbrella is mine, and all the rest belong to you.”
After collecting all the treasures scattered on the ground, both of their thumbs were adorned with a Green Jade Ring. Li Jiujiu assessed Baili An from a distance of three steps, examining him thoroughly. “Ah!” Li Jiujiu exclaimed with sudden realization, “That’s right, there’s still the sword.”
Baili An inquired, puzzled, “What sword?”
Li Jiujiu replied, “You are venturing out alone, without any weapon for self-defense; I cannot feel at ease. I can’t give you my senior brother’s sword, as I fear it might connect his disappearance to you if seen by members of our sect. Why don’t you take my Autumnwater Sword instead?”
Li Jiujiu removed the three-foot-long Greenedge Longsword from her waist and offered it to Baili An. Although her eyes held no trace of reluctance, it didn’t mean she didn’t cherish the sword. Her casual yet sincere words, ‘I cannot feel at ease,’ warmed Baili An’s heart. He carefully accepted the Autumnwater Sword with both hands, earnestly expressing his gratitude, “Thank you.”
Li Jiujiu casually remarked, “This sword was a coming-of-age gift from my father; you must treasure it and not lose or damage it. When you attain sufficient strength to no longer require it, you must return it to me.”
Holding the Autumnwater Sword, Baili An chuckled and nodded, “Mm, when I come to retrieve you, I will return this sword to you.”
Li Jiujiu’s cheeks flushed slightly as she pretended not to grasp the meaning behind his words, and let out a small cough. “You haven’t commenced your cultivation and cannot perform Sword Flight. You shall ride with me on a sword; I will escort you out of this forsaken place.”
“Okay.”
Although Li Jiujiu was a First Grade cultivator capable of Sword Flight, she was still able to carry Baili An with her. Just then, something unexpected happened. The enormous Purple Gold Coffin, which had been drifting on the waves, suddenly shot upright with a swishing sound.
Baili An: “…”
Li Jiujiu: “…”
The Seven Stars Spirit Sword carried them both as they slowly ascended into the sky. The coffin lid remained still for a moment before, much like a small dog following its master, it began to hop after them with loud thuds. What was even more alarming was that the coffin lid miraculously tapped on the void, defying gravity.
Li Jiujiu’s face turned ashen. “It’s haunted!” she exclaimed. She then executed a Sword technique, causing their Sword Flight speed to more than double. Baili An mused to himself, what was so terrifying about being haunted? He himself was a resurrected being. Casting a glance back at the persistent coffin lid bounding towards them, its speed of approach was nearly equal to Li Jiujiu’s, reaching them in the blink of an eye.
The expansive coffin lid loomed above them, an inanimate object yet exuding a peculiar clinginess as it threatened to enclose them.
Before Li Jiujiu could even register panic, the lid transformed into a streak of purple light with a swift *whoosh*, vanishing into the Green Jade Ring held by Baili An.
Li Jiujiu exclaimed, “This…”
Baili An let out a chuckle, stating, “Perhaps it’s because we’ve been companions for a few hundred years, and it simply can’t bear to be separated from me?”
Who would have imagined that slumbering for centuries would not only revive him but also imbue a coffin lid with sentience.
Li Jiujiu grudgingly accepted his explanation. After steadying the sword’s form, she resumed their journey.
Despite the vastness of the sea realm, Li Jiujiu’s adept Sword Flight and keen sense of direction allowed for rapid progress.
Once attuned to the Spirit Sword, their travel speed saw a significant increase.
Gradually, the imposing Demon Cave behind them diminished to a mere speck, and the crimson sea realm, bathed in the glow of the moonlight, finally receded into the distance.
Not far ahead, the sight of a verdant forest emerged, accompanied by the faint wisps of cooking smoke drifting from a humble village nestled at the mountain’s base.
Li Jiujiu opted not to take Baili An to the village. Instead, she alighted by the shoreline and set him down there.
Considering Baili An’s current weakened state, any unforeseen circumstances could prove perilous, even if his corpse demon nature wasn't visibly apparent.
This was reminiscent of his earlier loss of control within the coffin upon detecting the scent of fresh blood.
She shuddered to contemplate the potential horror if she were to introduce a corpse demon, starved for centuries, into a populated human village.
Furthermore, this region fell under the jurisdiction of numerous minor Cultivation Sects. The village harbored many disciples, and an accidental encounter could lead to him being apprehended, a truly catastrophic outcome.
After situating Baili An, Li Jiujiu ascended into the air, her Seven Stars Spirit Sword beneath her feet, and fixed him with a profound gaze.
With lingering apprehension, she declared, “I can escort you only this far.
Heed my words: until you can withstand the direct sunlight, do not venture recklessly into the human world.
That realm is inhabited by a considerable number of high-level cultivators.
Seek out a secluded spot and diligently pursue your cultivation.
Should hunger arise, hunt for game like deer or rabbits. Draw their blood for sustenance, but refrain from taking their lives.
Ensure you tend to their wounds before releasing them. Absolutely avoid harming humans, do you understand?”
Baili An responded with a firm nod.
“Speaking of which, that diminutive sword at your waist…
If I recall correctly, it was the very blade that caused your demise.
It possesses a malevolent aura and an ability to absorb a person's Essence Blood.
Would you permit me to convey it to my Sect for destruction, thereby eradicating such an iniquitous artifact?”
Li Jiujiu’s gaze drifted to the small sword fastened to his belt, a frown creasing her brow.
Her senior brother had met his end because of that particular sword; even an exceptionally skilled Third Grade expert had no chance against its power.
Baili An shook his head, explaining, “While the origins of this small sword remain unknown to me, my instincts and residual memories strongly suggest it should not be handled by the living.
Should I entrust it to you, you might suffer the same fate as your senior brother.
Therefore, I cannot pass it on, nor can I simply discard it.
If a hunter were to find it, its capacity to kill would be unleashed anew.
However, as I am a corpse demon and the sword has already claimed my life once, its influence over me has waned.
I shall safeguard it diligently; you may rest assured.”