White Bone Demon Trail

Chapter 64 The Skeleton Recitation
As the devout villagers knelt at Li Xiangzhi's feet, wisps of energy emanated from them and gathered above Li Xiangzhi's head on the high platform.

The white mist that was originally just thicker than that of an ordinary person on his head actually turned into a wisp of blue mist after it gathered with hundreds of believers.

As soon as this wisp of green mist appeared, the formless statue that had been brought out from the homes of the villagers of Xiaohui Village and sat on the high platform silently lost its divine power.

Inside the White Bone Cave, after withdrawing the incense and spiritual power from the statue, Bai Wuxiang finally breathed a sigh of relief.

This man is quite bold, daring to establish a religion and gain followers in the countryside, and has already become involved in the conflicts between human dynasties.

This is now a struggle between people, no longer a struggle of suspicion and conflict between gods and humans, or between demons and humans.

Bai Wuxiang withdrew his spiritual power. Even if the City God came to patrol, he would only see a lifeless stone statue.

He did not want to get too involved with the incense-burning beliefs and deities of the human world, after all, the gods of the incense-burning deities were not as easy to talk to as the village gods of Yunze Mountain.

However, this person established a religion under his own name, which was quite effective in conveying the meaning of formlessness and expanding the scope of his collection of resentment.

However, this matter involved many things, so Bai Wuxiang decided to sit on the sidelines and observe for the time being to see if this person had any real skills.

The newly established Wuxiang Shangjiao sect outside Zhangyang County, led by a man named Li Xiangzhi, was spreading its teachings outside the county with four or five hundred villagers. However, they dared not enter the city for the time being.

Li Xiangzhi had studied the Four Books and Five Classics in his early years, and his ancestors were nobles who had privately collected several rare books. When it came to curing diseases and saving lives, his folk remedies, combined with the psychological effect of faith, were remarkably effective. For a time, the local villagers truly regarded him as someone appointed by the God of No Form.

As he cured several patients with difficult and complicated diseases, the reputation of Wuxiang Shangjiao spread far and wide, becoming increasingly well-known.

After seeing that this person was calm and composed, Bai Wuxiang, who was deep in the mountains, pondered for a while, then reached out and beckoned. A black crow flew over from outside the cave and landed on Bai Wuxiang's shoulder as he sat cross-legged on the stone platform.

"Ya'er, go and see if that person down the mountain can survive."

The black crow perched on his shoulder, listened intently, cawed softly, and then flapped its wings and flew out of the cave.

"Fluttering~"

In Xiaohui Village, a bird landed on a withered old elm tree, and a table under the tree was laden with fine wine and food.

Li Xiangzhi stood in front of the table, smiling as he addressed the group of strong men: "Gentlemen, as long as you follow me from now on, you'll have good wine and food every day. You can even enjoy the beautiful women in the homes of the city's gentry and officials."

This group of men were all street thugs who rarely ate good food and drank good wine. The table full of food and wine in front of them dazzled them, and they couldn't stop drooling.

They immediately replied, "As long as there's good food and wine, we'll do whatever you say!"

Upon hearing this, Li Xiangzhi laughed heartily, "I see that all of you brothers are destined for great things."

Today, I pledge my blood as a pledge, beneath this statue of the Formless God, to become sworn brothers with eleven heroes! Let us plot our great cause together! I wonder if you are all willing?

"Big news? What big news?" Upon hearing this, the group of men all looked up at Li Xiangzhi.

"Hehe, it has long been rumored that the scholars and relatives of the empress in the palace have been interfering in politics, causing chaos in the world. As citizens of the Great Zhao, how can we not be angry at such traitors who are guarding the emperor's side?"

Li Xiangzhi suddenly flung his white robe around his neck, the hem rustling in the night wind, and glared angrily, saying:
"Brothers, are you willing to join me in undertaking a great undertaking and achieving the status of kings and nobles?"

Upon hearing this, the men's legs went weak; this was tantamount to a rebellion!

They were just trying to make a living, how did that turn into a rebellion?

Liu Dazhu, the leader of the street thugs, broke out in a cold sweat, but when he heard about the business of kings and nobles, a lustful fire ignited in his small, beady eyes.

He looked at his scantily clad brothers behind him, gritted his teeth, and slammed his fist on the table, saying:

"Alright! We believe you! We are all good citizens of the Great Zhao!"

Seeing this man grit his teeth and slam his fist on the table, Li Xiangzhi, sitting in front of the table, felt a sudden sense of relief. He knew that he had won the bet!
"That's for sure! We are all good citizens of the Great Zhao. The Wen family, who are related to the emperor, have seized power and imprisoned the young emperor. This has long aroused dissatisfaction throughout the country, and we are surrounded by enemies!"

Though we are but country bumpkins, we too have a heart to defend our homeland. We should raise an army and lead thousands of troops into Luoyang to slaughter the Wen clan!

Li Xiangzhi immediately echoed this long speech, which startled all the local ruffians and villagers.

Why does this person speak in such a formal, literary way? They don't sound like a local.

Liu Dazhu was a man of experience, and he noticed Li Xiangzhi's strangeness. He couldn't help but ask, "Brother, since we became sworn brothers under the statue of the formless god, we are now family."

We are all true citizens of the Great Zhao Dynasty! You mustn't..."

Li Xiangzhi raised his wine cup with a smile, "Brothers, please don't panic. I am really no big shot. It's just that my house and land were all seized by the servants of the Wen family, and my mother died with resentment. That's why I have this strong desire to avenge this great hatred!"
"Rest assured, everyone. For now, we're only using this Wuxiang Shangjiao (Formless Supreme Sect) for protection, relying on this clay statue to gain some prestige. Once we've secretly stockpiled enough provisions and troops, we'll launch our uprising, seize Zhangyang City, and ensure our brothers live a life of luxury!"

"Hahaha, good! I knew long ago that you were no ordinary man, and I was right! All eleven of us are willing to acknowledge you as our leader and obey your orders!"

After drinking and eating meat, the men responded with great enthusiasm, proving that alcohol truly emboldens men.

The black crow on the old tree watched the noisy group of people around the table without saying a word, only staring at the statue of the formless god enshrined in front of them.

Xuan Ya was puzzled. These people clearly had no connection with their master, yet they were linked together just because of this name.

Eerie laughter echoed from within the cave. A skeletal skeleton writhed on a stone platform. Bai Wuxiang sneered, "Ya'er, just you wait and see."

Where in this world are there so many gods? Most are just people using the names of gods and ghosts, just like me, a skeleton, wearing human skin, with a powdered face and clothes, singing "Noya yi".

Tang'er, can you see it?

This last question was directed at the little white fox crouching in the corner.

The white fox looked at the cave master, who looked unusual, with some fear, and could only nod in response.

In the white fox's mind, the cave master usually had a calm and indifferent appearance, but he could also be so strange as to be today. She didn't know why the cave master was so unpredictable, but she knew that she must not disobey the cave master at this time.

Bai Wuxiang straightened his slightly fractured neck with both hands. He could tell from the fear in the white fox's eyes that he had frightened it again.

Since his demonic power had grown to the mid-stage of the Spirit Building Realm, evil thoughts would occasionally arise in his heart, whether cold, kind, sarcastic, or heartless. All sorts of emotions were somewhat beyond his control.

Even though Bai Wuxiang had spent three years in that dark coffin underground and cultivated a fearless heart, he was now finding it difficult to suppress these resentments.

However, he was ultimately a man of great spiritual strength, and he had always learned from others to suppress evil with his heart. These resentments could only occasionally make his emotions somewhat unstable.

This change in mood may seem bad, but it actually fits his true nature as a monster.

Bai Wuxiang picked up the cyan jade pendant in his hand, sensing the peaceful and pure spiritual power of the Xuanmen within it. He calculated the time; the child was still a few years too young, so there was no need to rush.

As the first snowflake fell outside the cave, another year drew to a close. Bai Wuxiang, inside the cave, remembered that after this year, it would be the forty-first year of the Nanzhao Kingdom.

Snowflakes fluttered down on Skull Mountain, and the spider lilies that bloomed in August had long since faded, leaving only skulls half-buried by the wind and snow.

Bai Wuxiang, dressed in a plain white robe, walked to the summit of Skull Mountain. He gazed at the Yunze Mountains, where all the peaks were white, and heard the howling wind and snow that tossed his long hair into a fluttering mess, but his heart remained calm.

Gazing at the smoke rising from the chimneys above Black Stone Village, he stood alone on the hilltop, a white fox nestled beneath him, its head tilted against his boots, watching the wind and snow with him.

Bai Wuxiang said softly, "I was born from a coffin in the spring of the thirty-seventh year of Nanzhao. I have been 'living' here for five years."

"Ah~"

No one answered his words in the wind and snow; only a black crow folded its wings and landed on his shoulder.

A demon, a crow, and a fox stood atop Skull Mountain, gazing at the wind and snow.

On this year's Lunar New Year's Day, Bai Wuxiang resisted the urge to stand on the mountaintop and absorb the energy of heaven and earth for circulation.

Inside the White Bone Cave, a dim firelight flickered. Bai Wuxiang sat on the platform, carving bone sculptures with a mysterious needle. Every now and then, he would blow on the bone powder carved on the bones and scatter it onto the frozen pool.

Inside the cave, the black crow folded its wings and walked with a limp, while the little white fox followed behind, mimicking its movements by pinching its paws and raising its hands.

Bai Wuxiang meticulously carved the bone sculpture, stitch by stitch. On this day of the year, all the demons and spirits in the world could not cultivate the Dao and could only gaze at the bustling lights of the human world.

However, the fun in the cave is no less than the loneliness of being on earth.

The black crow turned its head away and saw the fox imitating it, so it let out a strange cawing.

The little white fox couldn't help but grin and laugh, its crescent-shaped fox eyes flashing with a hint of human features.

The crow looked up and glared angrily at the fox, while the fox swayed its tail and covered its mouth with one paw, laughing.

When You Junzi entered, this was the scene that greeted him: holding a book in both hands, he smiled and respectfully said, "Happy New Year to Lord Wuxiang!"

Bai Wuxiang, who was sitting on the stone platform, raised his head and said with a smile, "Brother You, it's rare that you still remember me. What kind of things did you send this year?"

As You Junzi walked past the crow and the fox, both of them turned their heads to make way for him.

"This is a Prajnaparamita Buddhist scripture that my ancestor once copied."

"Oh? You're bringing me Buddhist scriptures?" Bai Wuxiang couldn't help but laugh. "Aren't you afraid this monster will eat you?"

"Lord Wuxiang is joking." You Junzi was no longer as easily frightened as before. He also knew that the demon in front of him was no ordinary monster. "This Buddhist scripture is an ancient scripture from the esoteric Buddhism, which involves the concept of Wuxiang."

Although I do not know the origins of Master Wuxiang, since we share the name "Wuxiang," it must be fate. I thought I would offer this to you, Master, in the hope that it might be of some benefit.

Bai Wuxiang, intrigued by this, took the book and tucked it into his sleeve. “Brother You has gone to so much trouble for me. When the ice and snow melt next spring, I will seek you out again to play chess.”

"This humble servant awaits the arrival of Lord Wuxiang." You Junzi said with a smile, "If you require anything else, please feel free to convey your wishes to Black Stone Village, or have the High Priest inform us. All four hundred or so people of Black Stone Village will certainly serve Lord Wuxiang!"

"Alright, there's no need to pledge your loyalty to me anymore." Bai Wuxiang pointed, and three pieces of Wuxiang Bone Jade fell into You Junzi's hands.

“From now on, there will be no need for seasonal sacrifices; one sacrifice per year will suffice. I also do not need so many believers.”

You Junzi accepted the Wuxiang Bone Jade from his hand and bowed with joy, saying, "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Wuxiang!"

High Priest A-Liu had previously insisted on holding sacrifices in the village every season to demonstrate his status as high priest. You Junzi couldn't stop him, so he could only let him do as he pleased.

Now that Wuxiang has spoken personally, Ah Liu can no longer act arrogantly.

Thinking of this, he couldn't help but mention, "Lord Wuxiang, I've heard that someone in the north of the mountain has established a rural sect using your name. This matter..."

Bai Wuxiang raised an eyebrow. "It's alright. This person won't receive my divine power. Let him make a scene."

"But you, I heard you've taken on an apprentice?"

"That's right, I didn't intend to hide it from Lord Wuxiang. After all, I am the only heir of the You family, the only bloodline, but I am restricted by the imperial decree from marrying, so I can only continue the You family line under the name of master and disciple."

"But rest assured, Lord Wuxiang, after I instruct this disciple in the You family's teachings, I will send him down the mountain. I will not offend you," You Junzi explained.

"Hehe, Brother You, we're old friends. How could I not take care of your disciple?" Bai Wuxiang looked at You Junzi, whose face was slightly pale, and comforted him, "Don't worry, I'm not some bloodthirsty demon."

"Lord Wuxiang is right!" You Junzi bowed respectfully. "This humble one will now take his leave!"

After saying that, he turned and walked out of the cave where he was all alone.

The little white fox curiously observed the departing figure, someone she couldn't quite understand.

The black crow cawed twice, which could be considered a reluctant farewell.

A ghostly fire rose, and in the bone cave of Skull Mountain, a Buddhist scripture was placed on a stone platform.

A black crow, a fox, and a skeleton were all curiously looking around at the yellowed old Buddhist scripture.

Bai Wuxiang couldn't help but laugh out loud and asked, "Can you two understand it?"

The little white fox cooed twice and shook its fluffy little head, indicating that it didn't understand.

The crow, its wings outstretched, couldn't resist pecking at the Buddhist scripture with its beak, wanting to taste what it was like, but unexpectedly pecked through two ancient characters on the scripture.

Its long, pointed beak twitched, and finding it uninteresting, it flapped its wings and flew to the white fox's head.

The white fox propped its head up, its long, narrow fox eyes staring at the crow on its head.

Bai Wuxiang smiled as he picked up the Buddhist scriptures and said to the fox squatting in front of him, "Then I will tell you about the Buddhist scriptures, but I wonder what wonderful use the Buddhist scriptures recited by demons have?"

As he spoke, he picked up the Buddhist scripture and began to recite: "The Sutra of Cause and Effect in Three Lifetimes: What is the reason for being an official in this life? In the previous life, it was because the Buddha's body was adorned with gold..."

He murmured softly, and the white fox's eyelids drooped after only a few words, its head bobbing up and down. The black crow also found it unpleasant to listen to and flew to the stone cave to nestle and sleep.

In the dark cave of bones, skeletons chant Buddhist scriptures, white foxes listen and sleep, and black crows sleep in the cave.

(End of this chapter)