Chapter Twenty-Three: Sudden Calamity

The predicament Lin Yanghao found himself in could only be described as: “Having brute strength with nowhere to use it.” It was the most fitting phrase for his situation.

Once again, Lin Yanghao drew from his breast the mysterious dagger that had lain dormant for two years. The dagger remained as dull and unremarkable as ever, yet its edge was still razor sharp. Lin Yanghao concealed it in his palm, though his heart was far from calm. He had used the dagger before against fourth- and fifth-tier monsters, but now, facing a ninth-tier beast for the first time, he was nervous.

He gathered all the power of the Four Symbols from his body and the inner force in his dantian, channeling everything into his left hand, preparing to slay the undead hound in one decisive blow. Success or failure would be determined in this moment.

Yet, as so often happens, events took an unexpected turn. Just as he concentrated his inner force into his left hand, the dagger began to tremble violently, emitting a dazzling white light.

“What is this? What on earth is happening?” Lin Yanghao wondered, searching his memory for any weapon possessing a spirit. After weighing the possibilities, he concluded that this dagger must be some kind of cultivator’s magical artifact. The joy in his heart was indescribable. “If this truly is an immortal treasure, then I, Lin Yanghao, shall soon be invincible! Ha ha ha!”

He poured his inner force into the dagger again, and just as before, it responded with that peculiar vitality.

“No wonder! So my inner force can activate this dagger—could it be that I can control it like the legendary sword-flying technique? No, perhaps I can fly the dagger instead!” Lin Yanghao was elated. He had long heard that cultivators could command immortal weapons to fight their enemies, and now he was certain that this ordinary-looking dagger was such an artifact. He immediately tried to manipulate it with his force.

As expected, his inner force moved the dagger, but since it was his first attempt, the dagger barely rose before falling to the ground. So, as he sparred with the undead hound, Lin Yanghao practiced controlling the dagger. Under his guidance, the mysterious blade grew more agile and responsive.

After careful deliberation, Lin Yanghao devised a strategy against the undead hound. Stroking his chin, he pressed his fists and palms together, launching a flurry of attacks. As anticipated, the hound evaded each blow. Lin Yanghao grinned wickedly, and from behind, he secretly directed the dagger to strike at the hound’s flank, ending its life with a single thrust.

He stood and hoisted the slain undead hound, heading home.

“Shihan, come out quickly! Look what I’ve brought back!” As he entered, Lin Yanghao saw Feng Shihan making shoes for him. His heart warmed, and he happily raised his trophy for her to see.

“Oh my, this is a ninth-tier beast! Are you trying to get yourself killed? What would I do if you died? Boo hoo hoo…” Instead of rejoicing, Feng Shihan threw herself into Lin Yanghao’s arms and wept, a testament to her deep love for him.

“Shihan, don’t cry. Listen to me: I promise, I’ll never take such risks again. This is the last time, truly.” Lin Yanghao was anxious, quickly comforting Shihan.

“Are you telling the truth? You mustn’t lie to me.” With Lin Yanghao’s promise, Feng Shihan wiped her tears and smiled, then continued, “Are you hurt? This undead hound isn’t something you can handle at your current strength. Although you’re much stronger than others at your level, you shouldn’t be able to defeat it, right?”

Although Feng Shihan had never trained in martial arts, her grandfather was a Martial Emperor, so she knew far more about the path of the warrior than Lin Yanghao did. She was practically an encyclopedia of martial knowledge—most of Lin Yanghao’s understanding came from her.

“Well, take a look at this.” Lin Yanghao produced the mysterious dagger, feigning a secretive air as he handed it to Feng Shihan.

“What’s so special about this dagger? It’s just sharper than usual. Spit it out, or I won’t speak to you anymore.” Feng Shihan examined the dark blade closely, but found nothing remarkable. Coupled with Lin Yanghao’s reckless hunt for a ninth-tier beast, her anger flared again.

“Don’t be angry, Shihan. Sit down and let me explain…” Lin Yanghao recounted his adventure in the cave, the dagger’s strange behavior, and his discovery that inner force could control it. Then he added, “Don’t worry. It won’t be long before I avenge your past. I promise, you’ll have the chance to take vengeance yourself!”

“You’re so good to me!” Feng Shihan was moved to tears by his words. She never expected Lin Yanghao to think of her revenge at every moment. She leaned her head on his shoulder, and the two drifted into a gentle, peaceful sleep.

The night passed without incident. Early the next morning, Lin Yanghao rose and went to a secluded field to practice controlling the dagger.

He once more infused his inner force into the dagger. This time, instead of being controlled as before, it emitted a white light that shot toward him. Lin Yanghao was startled and immediately ran, but the white light was much faster. Before he had gone far, it caught up with him.

“Boy, surrender your body to me!” The white light paused, revealing a tiny white-bearded figure, no larger than a fist, resembling a baby. Thanks to Feng Shihan, Lin Yanghao was well-read, but he had never heard of such a thing. It seemed more like a spectral soul or spirit. Knowing that running was futile, he stopped, determined to see what the creature intended.

“Ha ha! Here comes your ancestor!” The old monster cackled, its chilling laughter echoing in Lin Yanghao's ears. Then, in a flash, it vanished.

“Ah—ah—” Lin Yanghao felt his mind go blank, numbness washing over him, mingled with dizziness so intense he nearly fainted. “Ah, my inner force, what’s happening to it? No!” The next moment, he realized not only was he dizzy, but his inner force in his dantian was draining rapidly, faster and faster, until it was exhausted.

“Who are you? We have no enmity—why are you harming me? If you don’t stop, I’ll kill myself before you succeed!” For the first time in years, Lin Yanghao was truly afraid. In the past, death would have meant nothing, but now he had Feng Shihan. As long as there was a sliver of hope, he would fight to survive—for her sake. Leaving her alone would make her life unbearable, and he had promised Feng Batian as well.

“Hmph, boy, I advise you to surrender and let me possess your body. Then you’ll be spared any suffering, and I’ll make good use of it.” The chilling voice of the bearded infant echoed in Lin Yanghao’s consciousness; he now realized the creature had entered his body.