Chapter Fifty-Two: The Nine-Child Ghost Mother

Liaochen swung his peach-wood sword, and countless purple thunderbolts surged from the blade, exploding into a chorus of thunderclaps within the nearly solidified darkness. Lightning streaked across the void, yet the surrounding nether barrier remained unshaken. Biting his lip, Liaochen pulled out a golden talisman, pricked his middle finger, and pressed a firm print onto it.

"Heaven and Earth, profound and obscure; the universe as one. Divine thunder shatters evil, the heavenly blade obeys the command!" Liaochen formed the Seal of Five Thunders. The golden talisman flickered and soared into mid-air, instantly transforming into a fist-sized ball of golden lightning as he ceased his chant. "Strike!" Liaochen pointed his sword forward. The thunderball shot forth like a beam of light, slamming into the barrier. A blinding white light flooded the world, followed by a thunderous boom that shook the very space around them. Liaochen raised his sword again, slashing heavily at the point of impact. After another burst of thunder, moonlight finally pierced through the darkness. Overjoyed, Liaochen surged toward the light with Yunhua and Yunlingzi in tow.

"Do not fight where the enemy holds the advantage." This was common knowledge to everyone. Liaochen needed to break out, not engage in a protracted battle against the Mother of Nine Ghosts within her domain. In the blink of an eye, he reached the gap in the barrier, the moonlight within arm's reach. He did not hesitate, preparing to dash through, when suddenly, several bolts of lightning struck from above. Liaochen was forced to pause to deflect them. In that brief moment, the nether barrier sealed shut once more. The moonlight vanished, replaced by the endless darkness of the nether realm.

Liaochen’s face turned as black as ink, his anger surging. Even a fool would know he had walked into a trap, but that a Maoshan Taoist would collude with the Ghost Mother was a possibility he had never imagined. Yet, with things as they were, more words were useless. He hovered in mid-air, fully alert, awaiting the appearance of the Mother of Nine Ghosts.

Inside the barrier, the yin energy was thick and pitch-black, devouring all light. It made one lose track of time, as if the world had dissolved into nothingness—a sensation that wore down the spirit. Then, the laughter of children began to echo, growing from faint to distinct, as if a large group were approaching from afar. The laughter was interspersed with the whispering chant of a nursery rhyme. Soon, the laughter faded, replaced by the uniform, rhythmic recitation of a children's song.

"Willows sprout, spin the top; willows green, ring the hollow bell; willows wither, kick the shuttlecock; willows bud, play the game." Over and over, the silver-bell-like voices sang with a sense of endless desolation in the boundless darkness, chilling the blood in the silence of midnight. Yunhua, who had never heard such things, instinctively huddled closer to Liaochen, seeking a sense of safety. Even the fox’s white fur stood on end, trembling in Yunhua’s arms. Yunlingzi, however, seemed entirely at home in the thick, tangible yin energy, paying no mind to the singing.

"Since the Ghost Mother has arrived, why not show yourself? Such tricks might frighten common mortals, but why attempt to display them before me?" Liaochen produced another talisman, chanted a soft incantation, and pointed his peach-wood sword. The talisman ascended, erupting into a brilliant light within the endless dark barrier.

"Tee-hee, tee-hee! Master Liaochen, you are a guest from afar; why frighten the children? My little ones are sensitive to light; they cry whenever they see it, exhausting me as a mother. Since you possess great arts, Master, why not help me see if my children are well?" In the darkness, a woman as pale as snow slowly manifested. Her features were as beautiful as a painting, her hair like dark silk, and she cradled a bright red swaddle, her face radiating maternal warmth. She looked nothing like the terrifying Mother of Nine Ghosts.

Upon her appearance, not only did Yunhua and Yunlingzi widen their eyes, but even Liaochen was greatly astonished. The Mother of Nine Ghosts lacked the expected aura of blood and resentment; instead, she appeared serene. Most incredibly, Liaochen faintly sensed traces of divinity about her—the scent of incense and prayer. Given time, she might even manifest as a deity in the mortal realm. Yet, this was far too bizarre. Anything abnormal is a demon; Liaochen raised his guard to the highest level.

"Heh, there is no need for such pretenses, Ghost Mother. Your child will not survive until dawn, so what difference does it make whether I look or not? I wonder, who guided you to acquire the power of incense and prayer, cleansing your demonic aura? Are you perhaps prepared to lay down the butcher's knife and convert to my path?" Liaochen asked solemnly.

"Tee-hee-hee," the Ghost Mother covered her teeth and giggled, displaying the charm of a young woman. Yunhua and Yunlingzi ignored her, and Liaochen kept his gaze focused, unmoved. "Master Liaochen, why be so cold? I have long since turned from evil. It was your old friend who enlightened me. I seek the Dao with sincerity; I hope the Master will show mercy and grant me a chance to reform." With that, the Mother of Nine Ghosts bowed deeply.

This unexpected turn of events left Liaochen, who had been prepared for a life-or-death struggle, feeling utterly bewildered. Yunhua and Yunlingzi looked at their master, equally confused. What was happening?

"Which of my old friends did you meet?" Liaochen suppressed his doubts. He did not have many old friends, nor did he fully trust the words of a ghost. Ancient monsters are treacherous; if he were deceived by a ghost today, he would be a laughingstock, unworthy of spreading the Dao or seeking immortality.

"I would not dare deceive you, Master. It was indeed the Daoist 'Xuanxuzi' who saw my pitiable background and, unable to bear seeing me sink into the demonic path, enlightened me. He hoped I would turn over a new leaf and return to the righteous path. He even imparted the method of incense and prayer, telling me that a Master Liaochen would pass through here, and that I could pray to him for the path to enlightenment." The Ghost Mother remained bowed, cradling the infant.

"Xuanxuzi?" Liaochen frowned. Few in the world knew that name. The Ghost Mother could not have fabricated it. But what was Xuanxuzi planning? The mere thought of their meeting in the valley gave Liaochen a headache. Even after attaining the Golden Core, he could not fathom the depths of Xuanxuzi. The ten-year pact hung over him like a heavy stone. Yet, a promise was a promise; to break it would be to damage his own Daoist heart, hindering his path to immortality.

"I do indeed know Xuanxuzi, but how can I know if you are truly converted? And the path of divinity is a fruit of immortality; it cannot be granted lightly," Liaochen said, looking at the kneeling ghost. "Since you no longer wish to do evil, why use this nether barrier to trap us? Is there some other cause and effect? And where is that Maoshan colleague of yours? I would like to meet him."