Chapter Twenty-Six: A Sudden Upheaval

Wu Jue was still somewhat dazed, but suddenly recalled the difference between men and women. He quickly let go, closed his eyes, and began to recite a Buddhist mantra: "Amitabha, forgive me, forgive me!"

Seeing his panic, Princess An Yi couldn’t help but laugh. "Look at how scared you are. What’s the big deal? Are you really planning to be a monk your whole life?"

Wu Jue was momentarily stunned by her question. Since the apocalypse, many old rules had been broken. To remain a monk of pure heart and few desires—he feared even the Buddha would no longer accept him.

But now wasn’t the time for such thoughts; the pressing matter was to deal with the monster below. Glancing at the hulking zombie beneath him, Wu Jue turned to Princess An Yi. "What should we do? How do you want to handle this?"

Princess An Yi clenched her fists and smiled. "We can’t keep hiding like this. Help me defeat it, and I’ll go back with you as your teammate."

With those words, she darted down, raising her whip and lashing it fiercely at the zombie. Two sharp cracks rang out, and the zombie let out a deafening roar, lunging at An Yi.

Wu Jue had already leapt down. As the zombie attacked, he faced it with confidence, channeling the power of the Blood-Transmutation realm. His blood surged, and a tremendous force erupted from his flesh.

With a thunderous crash, Wu Jue’s fist struck the zombie, this time piercing through its flesh with no resistance, sending it flying.

Princess An Yi followed up, her whip dancing wildly, creating countless shadows that rained down upon the zombie, tearing its skin and flesh.

The two combined their efforts, and in no time, the creature was reduced to scattered fragments across the ground.

"Didn’t expect it to be settled so quickly," Princess An Yi said, retracting her whip, her excitement fading. "Cooperating with you makes things less challenging, but also much easier."

"So, will you come back with me?" Wu Jue invited her. "Everyone misses you, and we truly need you."

An Yi nodded. "I’ll return, but my beloved horse became separated from me. Give me half a day to find it, and I’ll join you all."

Wu Jue was overjoyed. "Very well. I need to look for some medicines myself. Let’s split up and meet back here tonight."

Thus, the two parted ways, leaving the woods and sealing their agreement.

After separating, Wu Jue continued toward the city center, feeling much lighter in spirit. With An Yi persuaded to return, a heavy burden had finally lifted from his heart.

He hadn’t enjoyed his relief for long before sensing a shadow trailing him. His brow furrowed, and he suddenly sped up.

As he began to sprint, the shadow accelerated as well. They ran in a tug-of-war for some time, until the pursuer seemed exhausted, suddenly calling out, "Alright, monk, stop running! I’m done playing. Wait for me!"

The voice was that of a young woman, oddly familiar. Wu Jue turned to look, astonished.

It was the prisoner he had met in the jail—the witch Xun’er.

"How did you sneak out, little girl?" Wu Jue scolded her sternly. "And secretly followed me? If I hadn’t recognized you, what if I’d hurt you?"

Xun’er just giggled with her hands behind her back. "You wouldn’t, monk. You’re so powerful, how could you hurt a cute little girl like me? Besides, aren’t you bored wandering alone? I was dying of boredom in jail and wanted to get out and stretch my legs."

Wu Jue had heard from Xiao Yang that Xun’er was far from simple. Today, it seemed true; in these perilous times, she could still be so at ease—she was certainly not as innocent as she appeared.

He didn’t stand on ceremony. "You should go back. I have important business in the city and no time to entertain you. If you delay me, it’ll affect everyone."

But Xun’er wouldn’t relent, stamping her feet and pouting. "You’re such a hypocrite, monk. Just now you risked your life in the woods to save Sister An Yi, but now you say you’re too busy for me. Aren’t you afraid I’ll be in danger going back alone?"

Wu Jue realized she’d been following them earlier, and his face hardened as he strode forward. "Xun’er, there’s no need for theatrics. I know exactly who you are; let’s drop the act."

"Is that so?" Xun’er smiled, her eyes narrowing into a straight line, her pupils shifting to a strange color as she muttered words under her breath—though he couldn’t quite hear them.

Wu Jue took a step, and the world spun. His head grew dizzy.

Huron’s voice echoed in his mind, warning him urgently: "Careful, she’s using hypnosis on you. Don’t fall for it!"

Wu Jue shook his head, silently reciting Buddhist scriptures to resist Xun’er’s influence with his own will.

But Xun’er suddenly laughed, her voice like silver bells, carrying a captivating power.

Wu Jue couldn’t help being drawn in by her gestures. In a haze, he saw a string of bells tied to Xun’er’s wrist, and in an instant, he seemed to enter an unknown dream.

Vaguely, he recalled scenes from childhood.

He had known a girl with bells as well, named A Yao.

Back then, Wu Jue was just a cowherd in a mountain village, and A Yao was his childhood companion, carefree as they grew up together. But later, fate changed with the chaos of war; they were separated, and Wu Jue became a monk at Great Forest Temple, never seeing her again…

Wu Jue awoke from his reverie, realizing Xun’er had tricked him.

He was immobilized, standing blankly, while Xun’er looked as if she’d cried, her eyes red and sorrowful.

"Why are you still crying? Do you want pity before you kill me?" Wu Jue said coldly, gathering all his energy to maintain clarity with the Bodhi Mind Technique, resisting her witchcraft.

But Xun’er sobbed, "It’s all your fault, monk! Why do you have such heartbreaking memories—and drag me into them? Don’t you know Xun’er fears nothing more than love and separation?"

Wu Jue frowned deeply. What was this girl up to, crying and fussing like this?

He sensed her spell had ceased and could slowly move his limbs again. Relieved, he stepped back. "Enough. I won’t let you cause any more trouble. If you’re unhappy with me, you can leave; I won’t stop you. But don’t interfere with my mission—I must find the cure for everyone."

He was uneasy inside, disturbed by Xun’er’s uncanny resemblance to A Yao. It shook him, and he knew he had to steel himself and keep his distance.

Wu Jue strode ahead, Xun’er wiping her tears as she followed, saying, "Why are you running, monk? Have you forgotten the past? I remember it all—you carried me once, and promised to take care of A Yao for life. Why don’t you keep your promise now?"

Wu Jue felt a headache coming on. She really believed he was A Yao reborn—how troublesome.

He turned back, helpless, and tried to comfort her. "Fine, I won’t hold your earlier tricks against you. But I’m now a monk; the past is behind me. At this moment, I only wish to help people escape this disaster."

Xun’er shook her head and tried to grab him, pouting, "I don’t care. Monk, you owe me and you’ll have to repay it all!"

Wu Jue’s headache worsened, but fortunately his reflexes were quick. He dodged her, hurrying ahead. "If you want to follow, suit yourself. But don’t blame me if you run into danger."

So, one sped ahead and the other gave chase, like debtor and creditor, moving deeper toward the city center.

End of Chapter Twenty-Six—Unexpected Change.