The Exorcist

Book 8: Chapter 35: Heartmend Spell

“Don’t cry, Da Tong. When you cry like this, you don’t look as heroic and mighty as I did when I was young.” Uncle Bao chuckled and tried to comfort his son, but to Xiao Xia, it sounded particularly desolate. “Both your Uncle Ruan and I have gotten what we wanted, so there’s no need for reluctance. Regardless of anything, you should send your old man off with a smile. It seems that I am more fortunate than your Uncle Ruan. I have a son to see me off at the end.”

Bao Da Tong instinctively rushed over to hug his father, but he embraced only air and fell directly to the ground. He didn’t get up, and cried with abandon while on the ground.

“Oh, silly child, silly child, why can’t you accept it?” Uncle Bao felt a deep sorrow in his heart. Although he was a practitioner of Daoism, he thought of the tenets of Buddhism on “suffering”. As expected, separation between life and death was the most painful thing in life!

“What kind of unfilial son are you? Do you want your father to leave this world with regrets?” His voice turned stern, but his eyes were bright and gentle, “Get up quickly. Be a man, there are still friends waiting for you to save them!”

Bao Da Tong cried for a while before getting up, “You must visit me in my dreams often.” He said reluctantly.

“If your daddy wants to see you, I’ll come directly. Why would I bother going through dreams? If you’re capable, live a long life, a couple centuries. Lets see if your daddy can outlast you while in hell!” Uncle Bao tried his best to comfort his son, even though he knew that the paths of humans and ghosts are different and the future is bleak. How could he bear to see his son so heartbroken? Da Tong was naturally warm-hearted and passionate, an emotional person. Because he valued emotions, parting was the hardest thing for him.

He turned to look at Xiao Xia and saw that the girl was in pain and at a loss. Her beloved is dead, and the path to resurrection unclear; her best friend is in a coma. Even if they told her he was fine, how could she feel at ease? Her other friend grieved at losing his father. She wanted to comfort him, but didn’t know how. At that moment, this child was under more pressure than Da Tong!

Uncle Bao walked over, wanting to comfort Xiao Xia with a few words, when he suddenly caught a glimpse of the necklace hanging on Xiao Xia’s chest. Because Xiaoxia gave the amulet of Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva to Ruan Zhan, what she wore around her neck was the bone necklace he had given her and another strange necklace: green rope wrapped around a small stone. Silver wreathed the corners of the stone and the green rope wrapped tightly around it, almost packaging it inside. Despite this, a hint of beautiful red still shone through the green.

This stone was extremely beautiful and full of spiritual energy, but that wasn’t the point. The most important thing was that the stone looked like a human heart, and faintly seemed to be beating.

Xiao Xia was a bit puzzled, but she still took off the necklace. Uncle Bao couldn’t even wait for Xiao Xia to hand it to him. He reached for it telepathically and brought over for closer inspection. He clasped it in his palm and closed his eyes to sense it. The stone really was alive. It pulsed in his hand and it was also quite compatible, like an actual heart. Yet it also had some slight resentment, and seemed hard to control. It was also toxic. This meant the stone was an opportunity, but could also be lethal.

“Xiao Xia, where did you get this stone from?” Uncle Bao asked.

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“It was given to me by a friend. Her name is Ah Bai, and she was the most famous witch doctor of the Lisu tribe.” Xiao Xia felt a bit nervous, sensing that Uncle Bao was going to tell her something related to Ruan Zhan’s resurrection.

Uncle Bao immediately remembered this matter. Da Tong had briefly mentioned it to him, but the specific details were unclear. He only knew that this respectable yet pitiful woman had fallen in love with Tian Yi’s master, Si Ma Nan. In the end, it could only end in heartbreak.

“Did she tell you anything about this stone?”

“She said that others called this stone the Philosopher’s Stone, but its actual name is the Test of Heart Stone. It can test whether a man has true love in his heart, but she didn’t say exactly how to use it. Uncle, this stone…”

“This stone may be used to mend Ah Zhan’s heart.” Uncle Bao said excitedly but also somewhat awkwardly. “His heart was pierced by a fragment of the silver dagger. It is a physical injury that cannot be treated based on today’s medical standards. Therefore, we can only rely on magic or witchcraft. However, it’s just a possibility. It’s a stone after all. Figuring out how to integrate it into the body would be a problem. It would be best to ask this Witch Doctor to come and help.”

“This means Ah Zhan can live?” Xiao Xia was delighted, but then she thought of Uncle Bao’s death and felt sad again.

But Uncle Bao shook his head, “Everything remains uncertain. That’s why Ah Zhan’s fate is indistinct. It’ll depend on your efforts, and whether the stone can really be used. You must do your best, understand?”

The uncertain answer disappointed Xiao Xia, but it was still hope after all. She looked at Uncle Bao and said: “I will definitely save him. Please tell Uncle Ruan that I will definitely bring Ah Zhan back to life, love him well, and make up for all the pain and harm he suffered in the past thirty years.”

“He knows.” Uncle Bao raised the string of beads in his hand, and without waiting for Xiao Xia to understand, he walked to Bao Da Tong’s side, whispered some unfinished family matters to him, and bid him a final farewell.

The pale light of dawn rose slowly from the mountainside. The moment of parting had finally come. Watching his father’s figure gradually disappear into the misty morning light, Bao Da Tong felt that a part of his own life had vanished with him. Now, despite his thorough reluctance, he had to be strong in facing what was to come. As the final member of their sect, he had to do better than his father so his spirit would be comforted in heaven.

He believed his father was watching him, and he would never let him down!

Enduring the heartache, Bao Da Tong moved Wan Li and Ruan Zhan to the innermost part of the cave, then set up illusions and barriers. Meanwhile, Xiao Xia went down the mountain to handle the remaining matters.

“Wipe away your tears. Don’t look like a little widow. It will draw attention, and besides, it’s not a good look.” Bao Da Tong couldn’t help but shout after her as he watched her frail figure vanish behind the rocks.

Xiao Xia waved to him and walked down the mountain, trying hard to maintain a normal expression.

Ruan Zhan’s fated task had been completed. According to the original trajectory of fate, it was time for him to depart. But since she had met him and fallen in love with him, she wasn’t going to let him go. She had once told him she would pursue him to the ends of the earth, from the highest heavens to the deepest underworld, to bring him back.

The moment she learned of his physical death, she despaired, feeling that the world had lost all its color. However, after recovering for a few hours, she successfully set new goals and regained her confidence. She resolved to bring him back at any cost, even if it meant giving him half of her heart; she would do anything to revive him! She boasted to Ruan Zhan’s father that she would create a miracle for him, so that was what she had to do.

She encouraged herself all the way back to the town at the foot of the mountain, trying not to attract attention, then checked out of the hotel, bought some things, and returned to the mountain. At this moment, Bao Da Tong’s barrier was already set up, making the clearing in the mountain look no different from usual. Even Xiao Xia couldn’t find the entrance, but fortunately, Bao Da Tong came out to meet her.

“What are these things?” Bao Da Tong asked, looking at the various packages she had worked hard to carry.

Xiao Xia did not answer him, but went into the cave to see the two men. Wan Li lay quietly, his breathing sometimes rapid, sometimes calm. It was clear that he was enduring pain, but he couldn’t express it.

Xiao Xia caressed his face and said softly: “You need to get better, or I won’t forgive you either.” Although her words were threatening, her tone was extremely gentle, “What’s up with you guys? Even if you are good friends, you can’t go lie down together. A sister at the firm once told me that men are unreliable. When you need them, they are never around. Now it seems that sister was right. You better wake up obediently, or else…or else…” She repeated the last part for a while but wasn’t able to continue speaking. Her eyes were wet with tears.

That was human nature. You got used to people being around you and ignored their existence. Only when they were gone would you realize their importance, and how indispensable they are! Wan Li was her best friend, someone even closer to her than a brother. He had become a part of her life, and losing him would leave an irreparable void.

“I have decided that I will treat you better in the future, and then help you find a wife, so that Nana’s death will no longer hinder your happiness. Then we will live a long, long life together, and when we are old, we can go to the park to practice Tai Chi together.” She bent down and kissed him on the cheek, then looked at the man next to him.

That man was even quieter, not even breathing, yet he captured her entire mind and body. To him, she had nothing to say, because everything was in her heart, and she believed it was the same in his. Now his heart was damaged, she had to find a way to mend it.

Kissing his cold lips, letting tears fall drop by drop on his face, she swore to save him and then have him compensate her for all her tears.

“How many days does he have?” She asked Bao Da Tong without even looking up.

“Ten days at most.” Bao Da Tong sorted out the food and water that Xiao Xia brought up, “Why buy bedding? It’s good for them to be connected to the earth. It’s fine to just have them lay on the ground. Unless it’s for yourself? Well, that’s good too. The cave is too cold and damp. You should take care.”

“It’s not for me, it’s for you. You will guard this place while I go find Ah Bai.” Xiao Xia said seriously.

“Can you do it?”

“I can’t, but I must.”  Xiao Xia said honestly. “With such a huge even last night, it’s hard to guarantee there aren’t a couple things still lurking in the dark. If you left and they attacked, I won’t be able to protect these two. Besides, you need to maintain the barrier here. Compared to finding Ah Bai, the task here is more important.”

Bao Da Tong thought for a moment and knew that Xiao Xia was right. But he was worried about Xiao Xia going so far alone to find Ah Bai, and couldn’t help but hesitate.

Don’t worry, the last time I ran off, I was alone for several months, and there wasn’t a single problem, right?

Bao Da Tong nodded, wanting to ease his mind, but he still felt a bit anxious. He never believed in premonitions or anything like that, but this time he really had a bit of a ominous feeling.

Xiao Xia’s Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva amulet had already shattered. Within the deadly formation, what protected Ah Zhan wasn’t just Uncle Ruan’s power, but also the amulet’s energy. Although Xiao Xia’s heart ached, it had just been a memento that reminded her of her grandmother’s love. Therefore, she was still grateful that its power had protected her beloved. Although the amulet could no longer protect her in the future, she still wrapped up the pieces and kept them close to her body.

Also, the impact from the formation breaking had also snapped the Bloodwood Sword. Whether it could be fixed was up in the air, just like its owner’s resurrection. The annihilation seal had been the primary cause of the formation’s destruction and had been completely destroyed. As for the tattered banner, Xiao Xia wasn’t able to use it. Therefore, the current Xiao Xia had no protective objects. She had to rely on her own strength to find a way to save Ruan Zhan.

They suffered heavy losses this battle, both in terms of people and equipment. However, there was hope. As long as there was hope, what couldn’t she overcome?

“How about I draw some more talismans for you to bring along.” Bao Da Tong said helplessly. “Promise me to be careful along the way. Don’t get careless, who knows what you might encounter! Remember, the bone necklace my father gave you can also protect you. Each bead has a glyph carved on it, but because it is not a treasure, its protective power is limited. You still have to rely on yourself.

“Ok, draw me some now. I’ll leave immediately.” Xiao Xia looked at Ruan Zhan.

He only had ten days, so she couldn’t waste any time.

Fortunately, Bao Da Tong had brought his stuff on this trip. Therefore, he had everything he needed to draw talismans. He cut open his wrist and started drawing bloodspells.

“Now that’s what I call bleeding me dry.” He casually made a joke, but his face was extremely serious, “Remember to use the Five Elements Spell, and don’t panic when something happens. Just remember that the three men here are waiting for you to come save us. Ah Zhan’s case is obvious, and that fellow Wan Li is also relying on you. Me too. If you don’t return, I won’t leave the mountain. If you really have the heart not to return, I’ll just have to starve in here.”

“I’ll be back.”

“I knew you had a conscience.” “Don’t worry about Ah Zhan. I won’t let him wake before you return. Even if he does, I’ll seal his soul back inside.” Bao Da Tong smiled, revealing his white canines. Only after fussing another round did he let Xiao Xia descend the mountain.

Bao Da Tong felt uneasy as he watched her figure vanish again. He would rather face dangers himself than remain here waiting. Sometimes, confronting danger directly was easier than worrying about it. Hopefully Xiao Xia can find Ah Bai smoothly. Hopefully her trip will be perfectly safe. Even if she was born unlucky and encounters evil spirits, hopefully she can turn misfortune into fortune as she did in the past. Most of all, hopefully Ah Bai has a way to save Ah Zhan!