The Record of Exterminating Evil from Ashes

The wind and snow suddenly stopped, and the night grew still.

The falling snowflakes seemed frozen in place by an invisible hand, plunging the entire blood-red village into a deathly silence. Xiao Yu's words, "Then join my Evil-Slaying Division and cultivate my Evil-Slaying Path," resounded like a thunderclap in Cen Jin's desolate and lifeless heart, cleaving through the boundless darkness that enveloped his entire being.

Cen Jin stood frozen in the wind and snow, cradling his younger sister, whose body was slightly cold, as this sentence echoed repeatedly in his ears. These seven short words were not gentle comfort, nor a promise of worldly peace, but rather the only piece of driftwood to grasp in a desperate situation, the only path to redemption amidst a sea of ​​blood feuds.

Before this, he was just an ordinary mountain boy whose only aspirations in life were to gather herbs to support his family, protect his relatives, and live peacefully year after year. Court intrigues, the righteous and evil of the martial world, and the millennia-old demonic calamity were all distant and unattainable clouds. But one night of hell shattered all his ordinary expectations, forcibly dragging him into the bloody truth hidden beneath the veneer of a prosperous era.

He looked up at the blue-clad warrior before him, the confusion and despair in his eyes gradually fading, replaced by a burning and unwavering light. That light emanated from the depths of his broken heart, heavy with the weight of blood and tears, carrying the obsession with his deceased loved ones, clear and fervent.

"The Exorcising Evil Division... what kind of place is that?" Cen Jin's voice was still hoarse, but the sobbing from his breakdown had faded, replaced by a calmness that showed he was clinging to hope.

Xiao Yu stood on the blood-red snowfield, his body surrounded by a vast and pure aura. His gaze was fixed on the deep night in the distance, on the magnificent landscape of Dayong, and his tone was slow and solemn.

"It is the last line of defense for the common people in chaotic times."

"For a hundred years, the Great Yong Dynasty enjoyed peace and prosperity, and people indulged in comfort, believing that the world was safe and sound. Little did they know that for thousands of years, demonic calamities had never ceased. Wraiths roamed the mountains and cities, devouring souls and flesh, slaughtering countless living beings. Ordinary swords and blades could not harm their bodies, and the imperial court and its troops were helpless. Human power was simply no match for the evil demonic forces."

He slowly revealed the secrets of the world, exposing the cruel truth beneath the surface of a prosperous era.

"A hundred years ago, cultivators and martial artists, unable to bear seeing the world perish from the demonic calamity, gathered in the mountains and established the Exorcising Demons Bureau. Our bureau is independent of the court and the imperial power, hidden among the mountains and rivers, with the lifelong mission of slaying evil spirits, eliminating demon lords, and protecting all people. We cultivate the breathing techniques of heaven and earth, refine the pure Yang energy, and wield the divine weapon of meteorite iron to break evil. We are the only righteous sect in this world that can resist the Xuan Ye demonic calamity."

Cen Jin listened quietly, every word and sentence deeply imprinted in his heart. He finally understood that the destruction of Qingzhu Village was not accidental, not a calamity from heaven, but a trivial yet extremely tragic sacrifice in this thousand-year-old battle between humans and demons.

The peace and security of mortals can be completely destroyed in the blink of an eye by the demon lord.

"What you just said, that you can save Wantang, is that true?" Cen Jin clenched his palms, his knuckles turning white. This was his most pressing and persistent desire at this moment.

Xiao Yu lowered his gaze to the sleeping girl in his arms, his eyes softening slightly, yet remaining objective and stern: "She is infected with Xuan Ye's natal demon blood, a demon root personally tamed by the Demon Lord. Ordinary Taoist methods and medical techniques in the world are ineffective against it. If left untreated, within three years, the demon blood will completely devour her soul, extinguishing her humanity and turning her into a bloodthirsty demon with no chance of redemption."

Cen Jin's heart tightened, and a bone-chilling cold swept over his entire body once again.

"But the Exorcising Bureau possesses the supreme Yang cultivation method of Heaven and Earth, which can temper righteousness, suppress demonic power, and slowly seal the spread of demonic blood within her. The only chance in the world to reverse her demonic transformation, cleanse her demonic roots, and guide her back to humanity is through cultivation." Xiao Yu changed the subject, offering a way out of this desperate situation, "If you join my sect, dedicate yourself to arduous cultivation, and comprehend the true essence of martial arts, you might be able to defy fate and save your sister."

The path to survival is clear and unambiguous.

But this path is destined to be fraught with thorns and a life-or-death struggle.

Looking at the young man before him, whose eyes were bloodshot but whose original intentions remained unchanged, Xiao Yu solemnly warned him: "I must tell you in advance that the path of slaying evil is a path of killing, a path of asceticism, and a path of destiny. If you join my department, you must abandon your mortal body, forsake your peace, traverse mountains and rivers, and slay all evil. From now on, you will fight demons and monsters day and night, and gamble with life and death every day. Being wounded, dying, and being buried in the mountains will all be commonplace."

"You can still extricate yourself now, take her and hide in the mountains to live out the rest of your lives. Although you cannot eradicate the demon blood, you can ensure her human dignity for several years. Once you embark on the path, there is no turning back."

These words are both a final admonition and a final test.

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The snow fell silently, the night was as cold and dark as ink, and the blood-stained remains lay silently on the ground, telling the cruel story of the demonic calamity. Cen Jin looked down at his younger sister's pale and delicate face in his arms, at the faint black demonic markings writhing beneath her skin, then looked up at the entire destroyed village, at the land where his ancestors lay buried, at this devastated hell on earth.

To eke out a living?

How could he dare to live on?

Over a hundred lives were lost in the village due to the demonic calamity; ancestors died with resentment, and neighbors perished in the mountains. He alone survived, having already walked a path paved with blood. If he were to live a life of seclusion, allowing Wan Tang to gradually transform into a demon and become an evil being, and allowing Xuan Ye Zun to roam the world freely and continue slaughtering the common people, then all the suffering and sacrifices he has endured today would become a joke.

Seventeen years of gentle years nurtured his soft heart, yet never fostered a trace of cowardice or timidity. Gentleness was his essence, resilience his very being. Tempered in dire straits, his youthful spirit could withstand a thousand years of darkness and bear the weight of deep-seated hatred.

Cen Jin slowly bent his knees, kneeling heavily on the cold, blood-red snow.

The moment his knees touched the ground, the wind and snow seemed to stand still again. The boy's back straightened like bamboo, his head held high, and all the fragility and confusion in his eyes faded away, leaving only a clear and burning sincerity. Every word was filled with tears, every sentence was resounding, and he made the three most important vows of his life.

"I, Cen Jin, swear this oath today with my broken body."

"I swear to cultivate diligently, vanquish evil, break through the limits of martial arts, wash away the demon blood of Wan Tang, and guide her back to her mortal form, so that she may live in peace year after year."

"Second oath: In this life, I will wield my blade to slay evil, cut down all the malevolent spirits under heaven, destroy the demon lord Xuan Ye, and avenge the blood feud of my entire family."

"Three oaths: to protect all living beings with my own body, to bear the calamity of a thousand years with my humble body, to end the chaos and gloom of the world, and to restore peace to the land of Dayong."

Three vows, resounding through the wind and snow, echoed in the deathly silence of Green Bamboo Village, clear, resolute, and unwavering.

No flowery words, no grand ambitions, only a heart forged in blood and tears, and an unwavering sincerity that remains even in dire straits.

Xiao Yu looked at him quietly, a hint of approval and emotion flashing in his cool eyes. When faced with such a desperate situation, most young people in the world would succumb to hatred, become obsessed and insane, or shrink back in fear and give up on redemption. But this young man, burdened with the blood feud of his family's annihilation, still cared for the common people, had clear distinctions between love and hate, and possessed a pure heart, which was truly rare.

A pure and sincere heart is the first foundation for cultivating the Tao.

"Alright." Xiao Yu nodded slightly, his voice solemn. "Since you have made this vow, I will pass on to you the fundamental techniques for entering the sect."

He slowly stepped forward, stood in front of the boy, raised his hand and condensed a wisp of pure yang spiritual energy, gently sending it into Cen Jin's brow. There was no forceful pressure, only to help him open the door to cultivation.

"The fundamental mental cultivation method of my Demon Extermination Division is called the Azure Wave Breathing Method."

"This method draws inspiration from the flowing water and long wind of heaven and earth. It is long-lasting and steady, combining offense and defense. It can absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to temper the body, and can cultivate righteous energy to suppress evil. It is most suitable for beginners to establish a solid foundation in martial arts."

As spiritual energy entered his body, a warm and lingering power instantly coursed through his limbs and bones, dispelling the chill and fatigue that had gripped Cen Jin. Countless obscure mental cultivation techniques and incantations flowed with the spiritual energy, imprinting themselves clearly and distinctly into his mind, unforgettable.

Xiao Yu spoke calmly, carefully instructing on the essentials of cultivation: "The Canglan Heart Method emphasizes calming the mind, guarding simplicity, consolidating the foundation, and cultivating one's vitality. One must not be impatient for quick results or greedy for merit. You bear a deep-seated blood feud, making you most susceptible to obsessions that can overwhelm your mind and cause your Dao heart to become unbalanced. In your future cultivation, you must stabilize your mind, use righteousness to suppress inner demons, and use sincerity to ward off evil spirits."

Cen Jin closed his eyes and concentrated, memorizing everything. Every word of instruction was firmly engraved in his heart, and he dared not overlook the slightest detail.

After transmitting the mental cultivation method, Xiao Yu's gaze returned to Cen Wantang, his eyes slightly narrowed: "The demonic blood within her is extremely active, eroding her soul day and night. She cannot stay in the snow for long, nor can she be exposed to strangers. Once the demonic energy leaks out, it will surely attract the pursuit of the righteous path."

After speaking, he raised his hand and conjured a powerful, righteous yang barrier, gently enveloping the girl's entire body. A pale golden righteous energy circulated throughout her body, instantly suppressing the restless yin energy and the spreading demonic patterns, firmly sealing that piercing demonic power deep within her meridians, temporarily extinguishing its demonic agitation.

"This righteous yang seal of mine can stabilize her demonic blood for two years and suppress the awakening of her demonic nature," Xiao Yu said in a deep voice. "Two years is the time limit I'm giving you for cultivation. Within two years, you must thoroughly solidify your foundation, connect the entire cosmic energy chain, pass the three death trials of the Exorcising Evil Division, and formally join the sect. If you fail to do so within the time limit, the seal will collapse, the demonic blood will run rampant, and there will be no way to save her."

Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.

This is not tolerance, but the only way out in a desperate situation, the heaviest shackles weighing on the shoulders of a young man.

Cen Jin nodded heavily, his gaze unwavering: "This disciple will remember this, and will never fail to meet the deadline, nor will I betray the vow I made in this life."

Xiao Yu nodded slightly, then took out a smooth, dark ancient wood blank and a small, exquisite blade from his storage bag and handed them to Cen Jin.

"This wood grows in the ancient forest of pure yang, absorbing the purest yang light year-round. It has the effect of warding off evil and dispelling yin, and can isolate demonic energy and conceal demonic presence. You can carve it into a box yourself and place it in your sister's home for two years to ensure her safety, preventing her from being disturbed by demonic power and from being noticed by the world."

Cen Jin reached out and took it. The ancient wood felt warm to the touch, radiating a faint warmth that could clearly ward off the surrounding cold and evil energy. He ran his fingertips along the rough surface of the wood, his mind already made up. He would carve it day and night, personally crafting a safe cage for his sister to protect her for two years.

"I still have important sect inspection duties to attend to, and I cannot stay here any longer." Xiao Yu raised his eyes and looked at the distant night sky, his gaze deep and serious. "Two years from now, outside the gates of the Exorcising Demons Division, I will be waiting for you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he said no more. He lightly touched the snow with his toes, and his green shadow rose into the air again, shattering the night's wind and snow. In an instant, he disappeared into the misty mountains, leaving only a wisp of pure wind lingering among the blood-red village.

The wind and snow gradually subsided, but the sky was still dark.

The vast Qingzhu Village remained desolate and lifeless, with bloodstains still wet on the ground and silent remains scattered everywhere.

Cen Jin rose alone, cradling his unconscious sister, and stood on this homeland that buried all his past and reshaped his entire life. He did not leave immediately, but instead bowed deeply three times to the dilapidated thatched hut, to the countless dead souls scattered on the ground, and to the ancestors and neighbors who lay buried here.

One bow is a gesture of gratitude to one's homeland for nurturing one's people.

A second kowtow, to mourn the innocent souls who died unjustly.

I kowtow three times, vowing to slay evil in this lifetime.

After the ceremony, he slowly rose, his eyes no longer showing any trace of youthful timidity, but only the composure and fierceness tempered by life and death.

He shouldered the bamboo basket, carefully storing away the razor blade and the dark, ancient wood. He gently embraced his younger sister, then turned and walked step by step out of the dilapidated village. His figure was slender and upright, each step firm, treading through the blood-red snow, leaving behind his homeland and old dreams, embarking on a perilous and unknown path of arduous cultivation.

The road ahead is a desolate mountain valley untouched by human feet, a relentless tempering of muscles and bones, and a sect trial where survival is a matter of life and death. Behind him lies a blood-soaked past of family destruction and the mortal world he can never return to.

From then on, the world never saw Cen Jin, the herb-gathering boy from Qingzhu Village, again.

Only those who bear deep-seated hatred, cherish the obsession with redemption, and dedicate themselves to the path of slaying evil and seeking the Way can achieve this.

Unbeknownst to Cen Jin, deep within the darkest mist of Cangshan Mountain, a faint, cold, and eerie black mist was quietly following Xiao Yu's departing figure.

That was a wisp of Xuan Ye Zun's remaining divine consciousness, which had not completely dissipated.

He witnessed the destruction of the village, planted the demon blood with his own hands, and heard the solemn vow made by the young Yukino.

A mortal boy burdened with an obsession to destroy the demon lord, and a malevolent ghost cub, whom he personally corrupted but who still retains his humanity.

In the depths of darkness, silent and still, a chilling aura, seemingly born of millennia, quietly locked onto the path of the brother and sister. A fateful gamble spanning half a lifetime had begun.