Villain Path

Chapter 40.1 Dead and Living Waters

Before Shen could take another step towards the spring, Volchara sprang from her seat and darted into the forest.

"Volchara!" He shouted after her, bewildered. "Where are you going?"

He heard a wolf growl, followed by a shriek. Shen excitedly rushed after her, but before he could even enter the forest, Honee was standing right in front of his path. The demonic spirit grinned, licking his fingers.

"Where is Volchara?!" shouted Shen. "What have you done to her!"

Honee continued to smirk, looking at his dismay. Shen wanted to run around him, ignoring that beast, but Honee stranded right in front of him again, as if playing.

An angry Shen gathered spiritual powers in his palms and struck the spirit with it. Contrary to expectation, it did not work: the spiritual powers seemed to be absorbed by the darkness, and Honee was struck by an ordinary man's hand. The spirit didn't even flinch.

"What the?.." Shen startled and looked at his palm.

Honee stretched his thin pale lips into a nasty smile. And then Shen's temple was pierced with such a sharp pain as if an arrow had pierced his head. Shen grabbed his head, struggling to stay on his feet.

"I didn't really intend to do anything like that," Honee shared his feelings. "But what can I do? You must not go into that spring."

"What?" hissed Shen. "What's it to you?!"

"We are waiting for your return. And even if you get angry with me later, I will never let you postpone your return again!"

"Return... to where?"

"To us," the spirit grinned defiantly.

"Wouldn't you go take a running jump in the lake?" Shen snapped indignantly.

The spike in his head, which had loosened its pressure slightly, screwed into his temple with renewed vigour. Shen's whole body shook from the pain, but he did not give himself permission to fall. Instead, he took a step back. Another step. The lake was getting closer.

"Stop!" shouted Honee.

Shen turned around and sprinted towards the goldish water. But when the water was only two steps away, he felt black hairs wrapped around him. There was no getting away from it; it was worse than a spider's web. It was like a hydra: tear one strand and you'll be tangled in five more!

Shen summoned his immortal sword, but it was of little use in the scabbard, and he was unable to unsheathe it because of the hair holding his hands together. The hair wrapped itself around the scabbard and finally swallowed the sword completely, tearing it from Shen's hands.

Honee approached him.

"You don't need those golden waters," he coaxed. "There is another lake near here - this is perfect for you!"

With these words he pulled him away.

"Let me go! I will kill you! I'll splinter you into molecules!"

Shen fluttered angrily, tangled in hair, but it made little impression on Onae. Slow pace, with absolutely no concern for the immortal cultivator in tow, he made his way through the black forest and out onto the rocky ledge. Hair came back to life, throwing Shen back to the very edge. Taking a couple of turns around his axis, he sprang to his feet fairly quickly and couldn't resist glancing down. About three meters below him there was a lake of the same shape and size as the sacred golden spring. Except that its waters seemed to be a murky green.

"You've got there," Honee jerked his head, pointing down.

"I'm going to end you anyway," Shen hissed angrily. "Do you really think you can take me on?"