Starting Cultivation by Marrying the Weaver Girl

Chapter 18: The Bell Toll

Returning to his room, Lin Yao continued poring over the books.

Yan Chixia’s collection fell into three categories:

1. Taoist talismans

2. Geographical records of this world’s anomalies

3. Deity summoning rituals—the subject of his initial study

According to the texts, primordial gods divided into two classes:

– Yang Deities ruling the ancient celestial court

– Yin Deities governing demons and restless dead

Beneath these existed countless subdivisions Lin Yao couldn’t fully grasp yet.

Strangely, Zhi Nü’s name appeared nowhere in the divine records.

“Zhi Nü possesses a divine ability and is undoubtedly a primordial goddess. Why wouldn’t she be documented?”

Frowning, he read deeper as time slipped away.

Dong—

A bell tolled from the pagoda’s peak, signaling nightfall in the Temple of Lanruo.

“Still some time before the Hour of the Rat. Now we’ll see if Nie Xiaoqian comes.”

Lin Yao shelved the books, coiling Green Edge at his waist for emergencies.

Lying on the bed with closed eyes, sleep eluded him.

Near midnight, shuffling footsteps finally approached.

“Young master?”

Nie Xiaoqian’s voice floated through the door. Lin Yao rose to greet her—and froze.

She stood there holding medicinal ointment, her expression startled.

Lin Yao sensed traces of a curse within the salve.

“The Black Mountain Demon still schemes to control Xiao Qing through me?”

Adopting his rakehell persona, he ushered her inside.

“What brings the lady here so late?”

He advanced with deliberate steps as Nie Xiaoqian flushed.

“Grandmother worried about your injuries and sent me to tend them.”

She raised the ointment jar. Lin Yao accepted it, detecting faint curse energy.

“How thoughtful. My dear wife has a fiery temper—but some wounds are hard to reach alone. Might the lady assist?”

Handing back the jar, he began undressing.

Nie Xiaoqian hesitated. She knew the demon’s true purpose—but the approaching Hour of the Rat meant corruption would soon erupt within her.

If Lin Yao came to harm during the transformation, how would she face Xiao Qing?

“Young master, I’ve urgent matters. I’ll leave the ointment—”

As she turned to leave, Lin Yao seized her wrist.

“I hear a scholar lodges with you. I’d love to meet him—you wouldn’t refuse me?”

She struggled futilely—the demon had suppressed her ghostly powers with curses until midnight’s corruption broke the seals.

Trapped, Nie Xiaoqian relented.

Lin Yao followed her through corridors, pleased the demon had unwittingly aided him.

She halted before a lit room where a bookish silhouette flickered behind paper windows.

“Please wait while I prepare the chamber.”

Nie Xiaoqian slipped inside.

As Lin Yao leaned against the doorframe, sudden heat flared against his chest.

“The oxhide? Now?”

[Translator: sauron05]

Glancing around, he retrieved the parchment:

[I am Lin Yao. I’ve reached the Flesh Lotus.]

[The green serpent told me the white serpent is dead—this is Leifeng Pagoda.]

[On the first level, I met Nie Xiaoqian and the Black Mountain Demon.]

[They took interest in me. I performed an act, absorbing Xiaoqian’s curse.]

[Xiao Qing brought Yan Chixia’s texts. I found god-summoning methods—for this, I endured flogging to temper my body in the blood pool.]

[At night, Nie Xiaoqian came. I seized the chance to meet Ning Caichen, hoping to learn Lanruo’s secrets.]

[I didn’t expect this decision would kill me.]

Lin Yao’s fingers tightened.

“Why does the oxhide keep recording my deaths?”

The writing continued:

[Here, I track time only by bells.]

[Nie Xiaoqian led me to her chamber, asking me to wait.]

[Then the midnight bell tolled—though nightfall’s chime had just sounded.]

[I drew Green Edge too late.]

[Mist poured from the room.]

[I covered my mouth, but the corridor no longer led back.]

[Moonlight revealed gnarled trees like grasping specters.]

[Above me, a plaque read: TEMPLE OF LANRUO.]

[The gates opened. Sweat slicked my grip on Green Edge.]

[A limping figure emerged through fog.]

[As it neared, I recoiled—]

[Not a man, but a corpse walking on backwards limbs.]

[A woman rode its shoulders, shuddering with each step.]

[Moans of pleasure filled the night.]

[I retreated until the rider looked up—]

[Nie Xiaoqian’s face half-flayed to raw muscle.]

[She smiled: Young master, didn’t you want to meet my Ning?]

[My sword stroke failed.]

[Ning Caichen tore open my chest.]

[The last thing I heard:

*Now I have company at night, my love.*

Dong—

The bell tolled in reality.

Lin Yao looked up as thick mist unfurled.

Girlish laughter rippled through the fog:

“Young master… won’t you come meet Ning?”

(End of Chapter)