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Chapter 154 The female ghost is so pitiful, Old Ning is in for a treat! (Please subscribe)

What a cautious tree spirit!

Niu Jun was speechless as he watched the tree demon, Granny, pretending to be dead, hiding her primordial spirit in a withered branch thousands of meters underground.

He never expected that his little lesson to the tree demon would elicit such a strong reaction, prompting her to abandon her physical form and family business, and hide thousands of meters underground to feign death.

All I can say is that he's cowardly enough, decisive enough, and cautious enough!
No wonder it's a tree spirit that appears multiple times in the A Chinese Ghost Story series.

This alone puts them ahead of 90% of the demons in the world.

However, this is not hard to understand.

This old demon has been rooted in Lanruo Temple for over a thousand years. For the first five hundred years, she was a sacred tree in Buddhism, and for the next five hundred years, she transformed into a demon. For over a thousand years, she has been a tree that can't go anywhere. If she hadn't been cautious and decisive, she wouldn't have survived to this day.

Who can be offended, and who cannot?

The Tree Demon Granny knew very well.

When faced with powerful cultivators and demons, it bows its head and acts humbly, never caring about its status as a great demon that has existed for thousands of years.

When faced with a young cultivator with a distinguished background and lineage who came to Lanruo Temple to slay demons, it would withdraw once it gained the upper hand, then reason with him, build ties, and send him down the mountain, thus forming a benevolent connection.

But facing a peerless master like Niu Jun, who has an eccentric temper, unfathomable strength, and a ruthless approach from the start, is a different story.

The Tree Demon Granny abandoned her body, which had been tempered for thousands of years, and the family fortune she had painstakingly accumulated over a thousand years, and ran away without hesitation.

Such a demon.

If you say it won't succeed, then who can?
This is also the real reason why Granny Tree Demon was able to manage her own little plot of land peacefully and diligently, making a great name for herself in the Great Pine Divine Dynasty, without being cut down by others to refine treasures.

Niu Jun sighed inwardly, completely unconcerned about the tree demon's escape, and never even considered eliminating her completely.

That's not nice to say.

The Tree Demon Granny only kills a few people a year. As a thousand-year-old demon, the number of people she kills in a year is probably less than the number of people that a few powerful clans in Guobei County at the foot of the mountain force to their deaths in a month.

especially.

In today's world, even the officials of the Great Pine Dynasty probably don't have as many principles as the Tree Demon Granny.

Niu Jun wasn't a righteous cultivator like Fahai who was rigidly bound by principles. For the sake of mythical power, he could find a reason to injure the Tree Demon Granny and have some sense of participation; there was absolutely no need to go so far as to kill her.

“Brother Niu!”

Just as Niu Jun was marveling at how decisive and cautious the Tree Demon Granny was, there was a knock and a call coming from outside the door.

Ning Caichen stood there looking somewhat anxious, as if something urgent had happened.

Beside him, Nie Xiaoqian looked obedient, like a little wife.

Upon seeing this, Niu Jun fell silent.

Honestly.

He was somewhat envious.

Ning Caichen truly lives up to his reputation as the protagonist of the story of A Chinese Ghost Story. With just a slight gesture, he managed to subdue a stunningly beautiful female ghost, making her willing to risk her life to deliver a message, and even changing her allegiance with just a few words from him.

Of course, from Nie Xiaoqian's perspective, she had her reasons for doing so.

As the saying goes: the more skilled the hunter, the more likely they are to appear as prey.

Judging from the timeline, Nie Xiaoqian did not follow Granny Tree for very long, the shortest among all the female ghosts.

Yet she was the most favored, and knew a great deal about Granny Tree, earning the trust of Granny Tree Demon.

The problem is coming.

Why was Nie Xiaoqian favored by the emperor? And how did she know about the tree demon?
Furthermore, in the story of Nie Xiaoqian in "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio", Nie Xiaoqian can also predict from Ning Caichen's appearance that he has the appearance of wealth and nobility and will give birth to three sons who will bring glory to their ancestors.

Even after spending several years with Ning Caichen, she regained popularity and was able to successfully return to life.

This is something no ordinary female ghost could do.

Let alone an ordinary female ghost.

Even the King of Ghosts in the underworld probably couldn't do that.

Therefore, it's not good to think about many things too much!

"Brother Ning, you've come to see me so late, is something wrong?"

Niu Jun asked calmly, without even glancing at Nie Xiaoqian beside Ning Caichen.

He didn't care about Nie Xiaoqian's true origins, nor did he care about her secret thoughts.

Because everyone in this world has some secrets and opportunities. If you really try to dig deep into someone's background and secrets, how can they keep up?

Most importantly, given Niu Jun's current level of cultivation, even a complete thousand-level universe wouldn't tempt him, let alone a nobody who hasn't even become an immortal yet.

"Brother Niu, it's so good to know you're alright."

"I just received news that a great demon, the Tree Granny, from Lanruo Temple will come to cause you trouble."

When Ning Caichen saw that Niu Jun was sitting unharmed in the monk's quarters, he breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly told him the news he had received from Nie Xiaoqian.

Hear this.

Niu Jun was quite happy.

All I can say is that Ning Caichen, this scholar, is truly kind and loyal.

After all, Nie Xiaoqian had tried her best to stop him from going to Yan Sheng's place to hide, because she was afraid that Ning Caichen would be targeted by the tree demon.

Upon learning the news, Ning Caichen disregarded his own safety and rushed to inform me, even though the tree demon could arrive at any moment.

Although the tree demon was nothing more than an ant to Niu Jun, who could be destroyed with a flick of his finger.

But this feeling must be acknowledged.

"Brother Ning, there's no need to worry. That tree demon has already come by and was injured by me. It has now escaped to the ground thousands of meters below to recuperate. It shouldn't be able to come out and cause trouble for at least ten or eight years."

Niu Jun smiled slightly and said, "Brother Ning is willing to risk his life to remind me. He is a man of great loyalty and righteousness, even more so than my sworn brothers."

Done.

He also said with emotion, "So I won't hide it from Brother Ning, I am originally a mortal immortal. If that demon hadn't only sent a wisp of a spirit tree, I would have killed him on the spot."

"Although he is not dead now, he cannot come out to harm people again for a short time."

Compare Ning Caichen's actions with those of Ning Caichen.

Think again about the sworn brothers from the Journey to the West universe, as well as many friends and brothers.

Niu Jun was truly filled with emotion.

This is probably why many villains and scoundrels are willing to associate with virtuous people.

Mencius once said: "Life is what I desire, and righteousness is also what I desire. If I cannot have both, I will give up life for righteousness."

Ning Caichen's actions exemplified sacrificing his life for righteousness.

For the sake of the principles in one's heart, one is willing to give one's life.

Think of this.

Niu Jun took out a small, palm-sized pouch and gave it to Ning Caichen.

"I admire Brother Ning's gentlemanly conduct and his loyalty. Considering that demons are rampant in the world today, I wonder how many more incidents like the one at Lanruo Temple will occur."

"This is a sword sheath that I forged myself. Inside is a spirit sword. The spirit sword has a spirit and can ward off evil spirits and protect its master." "Brother Ning can carry it with him. In the future, he will surely no longer be bothered by demons and monsters."

Don't you know how to copy homework?
In the story "Nie Xiaoqian" from "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio", the scholar Yan Chixia gives Ning Caichen a sword pouch.

However, there was no spirit sword in that sword sheath.

Now, I'm giving Ning Caichen a sword case containing a spirit sword to fulfill this bond, which seems to fit the storyline.

Ning Caichen took the sword sheath in a daze, still not recovered from the fact that the tree demon had been injured by Niu Jun.

Nie Xiaoqian, who was standing to the side, suddenly knelt down and pleaded, "Please, young master, save me."

"save you?"

Niu Jun remained expressionless.

Nie Xiaoqian looked distressed and said with a sob in her voice, "I was born into an official family. A year ago, I went to the capital with my father, but I fell ill and died on the way. I was buried next to a temple."

"Unexpectedly, Lanruo Temple has been occupied by a thousand-year-old tree demon. My urn of ashes has fallen into the hands of the tree demon, which uses it to control me and make me seduce passersby and murder them."

"But I am not truly obeying it. In the past year or so, I have let many innocent people go and only attacked evil people covered in blood. Please, young master, have mercy and save me."

Nie Xiaoqian pleaded tearfully.

Niu Jun remained unmoved and said calmly, "And then?"

He has already said it.

The tree demon of Lanruo Temple has been injured by him, and she won't dare to show her face for at least ten or eight years.

During this time, given Nie Xiaoqian's abilities, escaping would not have been difficult at all; she wouldn't have needed his rescue.

As for whether Nie Xiaoqian's words are true or false?

Whether it's true or false.

None of this has anything to do with him.

Nie Xiaoqian continued to cry: "Not long ago, Granny Tree betrothed me to the Black Mountain Demon as a concubine. That Black Mountain Demon has the art of devouring souls. I heard that female ghosts who marry him as concubines will be devoured by him after they get tired of the old ones. If I fall into his hands, I'm afraid I will never be reincarnated."

"That's so pitiful!"

Niu Jun spoke calmly, as if he were talking about something completely unrelated.

Without him!

Does Nie Xiaoqian bear any sins?

If Ning Caichen, a mere mortal, couldn't see it, surely he could?

If we really go to the underworld.

Given what Nie Xiaoqian did, it would be strange if she weren't punished in the deepest hell.

Want to be reincarnated as a human?
Not at all.

This is probably why Nie Xiaoqian in Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio refused to reincarnate and insisted on clinging to Ning Caichen. If nothing unexpected happens, she wanted to use Ning Caichen's wealth and status to cover up her ghostly aura.

As for how Nie Xiaoqian was resurrected as a human in the end?
It's likely that there's more to the story than meets the eye, or some other plan at play.

Hearing Niu Jun's emotionless reply.

Nie Xiaoqian's heart skipped a beat. She cautiously looked up and said, "Young master, you may not know this, but the Black Mountain Demon is the demon behind the Tree Granny. You have injured the Tree Demon, and I'm afraid the Black Mountain Demon will not let this go."

“I have been targeted by that Black Mountain Demon, and I will surely die in the future.”

"If Granny Tree invites the Black Mountain Demon, I will inform you in advance. I only hope that you can take Xiaoqian with you when you leave. Xiaoqian is willing to stay by your side as your servant to repay your kindness."

Nie Xiaoqian cried, her face streaked with tears, looking at him with a mixture of reluctance and attraction.

Niu Jun remained unmoved.

Ning Caichen, standing to the side, felt pity and couldn't help but ask, "Brother Ning, it was Miss Xiaoqian who delivered the message for me earlier. Do you have any way to save Miss Xiaoqian from the fire?"

It's not that Ning Caichen really fell for Nie Xiaoqian or coveted her beauty.

Rather, he was well aware of the risks Nie Xiaoqian had taken to secretly deliver the message for him. A gentleman can be deceived by his own methods, and Nie Xiaoqian undoubtedly had saved his life, so he naturally could not remain indifferent.

Hearing Ning Caichen plead for Nie Xiaoqian.

Niu Jun also understood the cause and effect of this matter and said, "In fact, I don't need to take action at all. Brother Ning, as long as you wear the sword pouch I gave you, you can naturally walk freely in this Lanruo Temple without fear of demons and monsters."

"As for the Black Mountain Demon?"

Niu Jun said with some disdain, "Although the Black Mountain Demon has a great reputation, he is just an insignificant little character in the Netherworld."

"If it doesn't come to cause trouble for Brother Ning, that's fine. But if it really does, Brother Ning has the sword pouch to protect him. That demon will just walk into the trap and won't survive."

Don't be fooled by how powerful the Black Mountain Demon is touted to be.

In fact, in the eyes of true ghosts and gods, he was nothing more than an insignificant little character.

Let alone comparing them to the powerful figures of the underworld, such as the Ten Kings of Hell.

Even ox-headed and horse-faced demons, or soul-reaping ghosts, would be enough to ensure that the Black Mountain Demon would never be reincarnated.

After all, this universe is not some post-Dharma-ending world like Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio, but a top-tier mid-thousand-level or even a great-thousand-level universe. The Black Mountain Demon can only show off his power in the lower realm.

"Thank you, Niu Jun, I understand!"

Ning Caichen was no fool; he had already understood the meaning behind Niu Jun's words.

Niu Jun's meaning was simple: if he wanted to save Nie Xiaoqian, he could do it himself with the sword pouch, without having to trouble the other party. Moreover, with the sword pouch protecting him, he didn't need to be afraid of the Black Mountain Demon.

After saying that, Ning Caichen turned to Nie Xiaoqian and assured her, "Please rest assured, Miss Nie, I will definitely bring out your remains and give them a proper burial."

"Thank you, Young Master Ning. I have fallen into the dark sea and cannot find the shore. Your kindness is boundless. If you could prepare my decaying bones and bury them in my home, it would be a life-saving grace."

Nie Xiaoqian looked at Ning Caichen with a touch of admiration and touched.

Niu Jun looked at the scene before him and smiled without saying a word.

Whether in "Nie Xiaoqian" from "Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio" or in the movie version of "A Chinese Ghost Story," there are many hidden things behind the love story between a human and a ghost.

Now the two stories are combined.

There's even more hidden behind it all.

For example, Nie Xiaoqian right in front of us.

Born into an official family, she was exposed to all sorts of intrigue and power struggles. She probably learned the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, painting, and the art of managing subordinates and fighting within a family from a young age. To say she was naive would be a joke.

If she were truly naive, she wouldn't have gained the favor of the Tree Demon Granny and become her top ace under her command, and mastered a remarkable art of physiognomy, all within a year of becoming a female ghost.

In fact.

Regardless of the version, Nie Xiaoqian is always the biggest winner in her story.

This female ghost is highly skilled.

If you put her in a palace drama, her starting position would be that of a Noble Consort. Even Zhen Huan might not be able to defeat her.

Thinking of this, Niu Jun looked at Ning Caichen with some pity.

Take this ghost woman back with you.

Old Ning is going to be lucky from now on.

(End of this chapter)