Ch 386: Permission
Just as the Twenty-Four Solar Terms were preparing to leave, Rainwater suddenly stopped everyone.
“That…” Rainwater began hesitantly, “We Twenty-Four Solar Terms, have finally gathered together, how about we have a drink before we go?”
His suggestion surprised everyone, but soon everyone smiled. After all, such a gathering was indeed rare, and having some wine would add to the atmosphere.
So, everyone sat back down at the round table. Seeing this, Rainwater smiled slightly, and with a flick of his sleeve, more than thirty wine jars appeared on the table. Immediately afterward, with another flick of his sleeve, twenty-four bowls were neatly placed in front of each person.
Rainwater skillfully controlled the wine jars, filling everyone’s cups. Looking at everyone, he said with a smile, “Everyone, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this wine, drink with confidence!”
Greater Cold also stood up at this time. He took a bamboo basket from his waist, gently patted it, and with a “whoosh,” countless plates flew out of the basket, accurately landing in front of each person.
Upon closer inspection, each plate held a dish: sashimi on ice, boiled pig’s head, braised beef, fried peanuts, braised pork knuckle, stir-fried cabbage, fried shrimp, and shredded potatoes—eight dishes in total, a feast for the eyes and palate.
Greater Cold raised his wine bowl first, and said to everyone, “Come, let’s all have a drink together!” After saying this, he raised his wine bowl high, then threw it forcefully.
The wine bowl flew through the air like a meteor, tracing an arc, and collided with the other twenty-three bowls, emitting a crisp sound. However, magically, these bowls, after colliding, seemed to have come alive, steadily flying back into everyone’s hands.
Seeing this, everyone laughed, and then without hesitation, drank the wine in their bowls in one gulp.
However, in this joyful atmosphere, three people seemed somewhat different. Winter Solstice, Gu Yu, and Xiaoxue; they did not seem accustomed to drinking, only taking a small sip.
Summer Solstice waved her lotus flower and replaced their drinks with amrita.
However, Beginning of Autumn seemed to dislike the food; she took a long-rotten mouse from under the table and ate it. The other Solar Terms were already used to it.
The atmosphere of the Twenty-Four Solar Terms was peculiar, sometimes attacking each other and sometimes cooperating.
After returning to Blade Catcher Gate, Liu Ke, after three days of rest, his physical condition had basically recovered. He gave the fifteen taels of silver to Xu Liang and said to him, “Xu Liang, autumn is approaching, and the weather will gradually turn colder. Remember to get yourself some more clothing, don’t catch a cold.”
After thanking Liu Ke, Xu Liang turned and left. Liu Ke watched Xu Liang’s receding figure, his heart filled with emotion.
After Xu Liang left, Liu Ke went to the place where missions were assigned. He said to the person in charge of missions, “I have completed my previous mission. Can I now accept the Bloody Rain Village mission?”
The man glanced at Liu Ke and replied, “Yes.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Ke was overjoyed, but before he could be happy for too long, the other party continued, “However, Liu Ke, I must warn you. Bloody Rain Village is not an ordinary place; it is shrouded in a mysterious curse. Anyone who attempts to go to Bloody Rain Village may encounter various dangers, and there may even be a risk to life. Therefore, before making a decision, you must think carefully.”
After hearing these words, Liu Ke’s heart tightened, but he was not intimidated, and instead firmly replied, “I have thought it through. No matter how many difficulties and dangers there are, I am willing to try.”
Seeing Liu Ke’s determination, the man couldn’t say anything more, so he said, “Alright, since you’ve decided, give me your Blade Catcher token.”
Liu Ke unhesitatingly handed over his token. After receiving the token, the other party briefly inspected it and quickly returned it to him.
Liu Ke took the token and examined it closely, discovering that his token’s rank had been upgraded from You-Rank to Shen-Rank.
The man said to Liu Ke, “Congratulations, Liu Ke, you are now a Shen-Rank Blade Catcher.
From now on, your monthly stipend will increase to sixteen taels of silver. Moreover, your Blade Catcher token now possesses a certain attack ability, although not very strong, it may come in handy in critical moments.”
This time, Liu Ke not only brought the mantis, but also a chicken. He quickly mounted his horse and galloped away like an arrow from a bow.
“Liu Ke, why are you so persistent in going to Bloody Rain Village?” the mantis curiously asked.
Liu Ke answered briefly, “I have an important matter to attend to.”
“Just one thing? Could it be your trade with the Sacrifice Ritual?” the mantis continued to press.
Liu Ke shook his head and said, “No, this matter is even more peculiar.”
After saying this, Liu Ke said nothing more. He tightened his grip on the horse’s belly, urging the horse to run faster.
After a whole day’s journey, Liu Ke finally arrived at an unfamiliar place. At that moment, he suddenly discovered a demon—Lu Jing.
This type of demon feeds on human tongues and is a very ferocious monster. However, the strangest thing is that this type of demon shouldn’t exist here.
Liu Ke immediately raised his blade, pointing it directly at the demon. The demon was equally unyielding; it stared at Liu Ke with eight eyes, exuding an evil aura.
Seeing this, Liu Ke immediately created a mark. The mark flashed through the air, and Lu Jing disappeared like smoke.
Suddenly, Lu Jing reappeared behind him.
Liu Ke reacted quickly, turning around to strike with his blade, but Lu Jing disappeared again like a ghost.
Liu Ke secretly knew things were bad; he immediately used the Four Nuo Seal.
In an instant, four huge golden seals descended like meteors, tightly surrounding him.
“Alright, die!” Liu Ke roared, the Four Nuo Seal’s light intensified, sweeping toward Lu Jing’s hidden location. Just as it was about to hit, Lu Jing once again reappeared in a strange manner, its speed as fast as lightning, bypassing the Four Nuo Seal and directly charging at Liu Ke.
Liu Ke was startled; he struck a mark onto his blade.
The blade instantly flashed with dazzling light. He blocked with his blade. With a loud “clang,” Lu Jing’s attack was repelled. However, Lu Jing’s offensive did not lessen; it charged again, faster than before.
Liu Ke gritted his teeth, the light from his blade surged, transforming into a huge blade of light that slashed toward Lu Jing.
Lu Jing did not dodge, directly meeting the blade of light and was instantly cut in half. But just as Liu Ke thought he had succeeded, the two halves of Lu Jing merged back together, becoming even larger. Its eight eyes gleamed with an eerie red light, letting out a roar that made the surrounding trees tremble.
