Chapter 22: Out of Control

Cheng Shan remained unconscious for nearly two hours. When she woke up, it was deep into the night. She opened her eyes with difficulty and found herself lying on a tattered rush mat. Nearby, a decayed wooden beam supported a thick layer of ancient cobwebs. “Where am I?” Cheng Shan’s voice was hoarse, and her body felt utterly depleted, making even turning her head a laborious task.

Yang Taizai was sitting on the side, meditating and recovering. When he heard Cheng Shan speak, a hint of joy appeared on his face. “Princess is finally awake. This is an abandoned mountain temple. Ouyang Jun is still guarding your father and hasn’t pursued us.”

As it turned out, Yang Taizai was in the midst of a battle with Ouyang Jun. He noticed that Cheng Shan had not made a move and even inexplicably fell from a high place. So, he decided to stop engaging Ouyang Jun, transformed back into his sheep form, caught Cheng Shan in mid-air, and swiftly brought her here.

Cheng Shan realized she was lying on a worn-out rush mat, next to a lame-legged incense table. Behind the table stood a deity statue, covered in years of dust, unable to hide its originally colorful appearance. Cheng Shan surveyed the surrounding environment for a moment before withdrawing her gaze. Her expression was dull, and she was almost drained of energy. Even speaking a word seemed like a considerable effort.

Seeing her lack of spirit, Yang Taizai couldn’t help but ask, “Forgive me for being nosy, but what’s wrong with your true essence? It seems to be full one moment and empty the next.”

Cheng Shan had no words to respond, feeling even more frustrated. Seeing her silence, Yang Taizai felt a bit awkward. He tentatively asked, “Do you want me to find some warming items?”

Struggling to sit up, Cheng Shan leaned against the leg of the nearby incense table, looked up, and saw Yang Taizai bending over, extending his hand as if trying to help her. However, he hesitated and didn’t dare to approach. Cheng Shan sighed softly and said, “You don’t have to. I’m not really a princess.”

Yang Taizai was momentarily stunned, his expression shifting from disappointment to embarrassment. Finally, he put both hands into his sleeves, put on a smiling face, and said, “Well, that’s fine. I was too impatient. When I saw your extraordinary cultivation, I thought you might be more willing. Now, let’s go with the flow. Shall I accompany you back to the Netherworld?”

“Why go to the Netherworld?” Cheng Shan moved her sluggish eyes and looked somewhat disheartened.

Yang Taizai explained, “Ouyang Jun wants to send your father’s soul to the Department of Reincarnation. We can seize the opportunity on the way.”

Cheng Shan’s nose tingled, feeling a bit desperate. “What can I use to confront him? I have almost no cultivation. Moreover, that damn Han Luo is constantly watching me. I hate him for dragging me down at a critical moment.”

Yang Taizai said, “If you trust me, can I examine what’s going on with the true essence in your body?”

“No need to check,” Cheng Shan said, closing her eyes and saying, “It’s the mischief of that Han Luo. No matter how I cultivate, it’s futile. It’s a waste of effort.”

Yang Taizai was shocked. “Han Luo? Isn’t that the black art of Han Bushang, the right-hand man of the Ghost Emperor?”

Cheng Shan winced at the mention of “Han Bushang.” “Yes, it’s him.”

Yang Taizai couldn’t help but fall silent for a moment. He then sighed and said with amazement, “Han Bushang has disappeared for two hundred years. How did you encounter him?”

“Yeah, how did I encounter him?” Cheng Shan muttered to herself, “Why did my mother provoke the Ghost Emperor? Why is my father on the verge of death? How did I inexplicably gain a sea of consciousness, possess true essence, and sit here chatting with a sheep?”

Yang Taizai said, “…”

After speaking a few words, Cheng Shan felt exhausted. She closed her eyes to rest, subconsciously practiced breath control, and entered her sea of consciousness. The Han Luo flower swayed with the waves, seemingly flaunting its brilliance and making Cheng Shan furious. She wished she could crush it under her foot. However, Cheng Shan tried many times, but even in her own sea of consciousness, she couldn’t get close to it. The flower behaved like a cunning loach, staying just out of reach. Cheng Shan had no choice but to ignore it.

Yang Taizai asked again, “Does your father still need saving?”

Cheng Shan thought, “If you’re willing to help, of course, he needs to be saved.

.” However, she had already declared that she was not the Demon King’s consort and felt awkward about commanding him. Struggling to open her eyes, Cheng Shan forced a smile and said, “I’m temporarily unable to deal with Ouyang Jun.”

Not only temporarily, Cheng Shan thought, but even three to five decades might not be enough to face him.

Yang Dazai said without hesitation, “That’s why I said we can enter the underworld. Once we’re there, I might be able to find some help. As long as we can stop Ouyang Jun from entering the Cycle Court, there’s still a chance for your father’s life.”

Cheng Shan, upon hearing this, gained a bit more strength, sat up a bit straighter, and, with shining eyes, asked, “Why are there demons in the underworld?”

Yang Dazai sighed. “In the past, the major demon clans operated mainly in the mortal realm. However, after my king’s death, the Ghost Emperor sent people to eradicate demons in the mortal realm. Some high-level demon cultivators decided to mix into the underworld. They say the most dangerous place is also the safest.”

Cheng Shan felt a renewed sense of vigor and exclaimed, “Then let’s go immediately!”

Yang Dazai cautioned, “Not so fast. Entering the underworld requires the protection of true energy, or else the mortal body won’t withstand the erosion of the underworld. You need to rest for a couple of days.”

Cheng Shan anxiously asked, “Can’t Ouyang Jun wait for me to recover?”

Unable to stop her, Yang Dazai pondered, “Well, if we can get ahead of him, we might set up some ambushes.”

The two agreed and immediately left the mountain temple. Yang Dazai transformed back into a sheep and carried Cheng Shan into the air, flying southwest. Dark clouds loomed overhead, and the cities and mountains gradually retreated below. Cheng Shan felt the strong gusts of wind, and her cheeks were stinging from the cold. She buried her head in the sheep’s fur, gripping the purple lightning staff, silently preparing for the challenges ahead.

In her sea of consciousness, true energy surged, creating layers of snowy waves. The spiritual consciousness of the flowers flickered intermittently. Cheng Shan paid little attention, focusing on accumulating true energy and silently praying for Han Luo to give her some time.

Stimulated by the fresh, true energy, the spiritual consciousness flower shone more brightly. Cheng Shan, worried about a sudden attack, listened intently but heard a familiar voice she hadn’t heard in days: “Where are you?”

Initially unsurprised by the voice, Cheng Shan couldn’t pinpoint her location. Filled with resentment and not in the mood for pleasantries, she responded reluctantly, “Master, you really lack the demeanor of a wise person.”

“Sorry.” Han Luo’s voice was faint, barely audible. Fortunately, Cheng Shan heard it, and her mood improved slightly, even feeling fortunate that he was still alive. She snorted lightly, withholding her words, waiting for him to continue. However, after a long pause, Han Luo’s voice sounded again. This time, Cheng Shan noticed his weakness—a feeble, almost dying tone. Cheng Shan concentrated, holding her breath to hear him say, “Earlier, I lost control.”