Demon Emperor

Chapter 42 Fang Xiangshi

The remains of Fang Xiangshi were carried to the courtyard of another residence. Fearing that he might still be haunting the dead, Yuchi Chongwu chained him up with iron chains.

And this time.

In the attic behind the garden, Ruan Hu was talking to the purple-clad celestial maiden on duty in the mirror of the Illusionary Reality Chamber.

The person being discussed was none other than this Fang Xiangshi.

Ruan Hu stood in the hall, looking at the purple-clad celestial maiden by the window and asked.

Who is Fang Xiangshi?

The windowsill was like the moon, making the celestial maiden's shadow appear even more aloof and superior.

"Fangxiangshi is not a person, but an official position in ancient times that performed exorcisms for the emperor, in charge of exorcising plague demons and mountain and river spirits."

Ruan Hu: "So, this is also a shaman?"

Purple-clad celestial maiden: "They are shamans, but not the common shamans. They are a clan that has been passed down through generations since ancient times and has been bestowed titles by the emperors in each generation."

"Their duty is to exorcise evil spirits for the emperor."

"Some of these ancient and renowned lineages possess abilities that are as extraordinary and inconceivable as the Chu people of the Chu people's Kingdom."

Ruan Hu then asked, "Why is this Fang Xiangshi here? And why is he headless?"

The purple-clad celestial maiden said, "That's beyond my knowledge."

As Ruan Hu was deep in thought, a servant outside announced that Yuchi Chongwu had arrived.

"Your Majesty, the remains of the Prime Minister have been brought."

Ruan Hu got off, and Yuchi Chongwu followed closely behind.

Once we got to the courtyard...

Yuchi Chongwu immediately stepped forward and ordered his men to tighten the chains binding Fang Xiangshi's corpse.

Ruan Hu looked at the corpse; even without a head, it was still taller than a normal person.

He examined the thing closely. If it was a ghost, it had the characteristics of a living person, and unlike possession, it could not exist in the mortal world for a short time.

If he were a living person, he would possess supernatural powers, and could even cause trouble even without a head.

Ruan Hu recalled the words of the purple-clad celestial maiden: "Like a treacherous beast."

However, it was impossible to discern with the naked eye what secrets were hidden within the other party's extraordinary body. Therefore, Ruan Hu gave an order to Yuchi Chongwu.

"Go into the bamboo forest and see if you can find his head."

"Yes!"

After a whole night of running around, Ruan Hu was also feeling a bit tired.

He could give orders for the rest; he didn't need to do it himself. So he had Fang Xiangshi's body collected and went back to rest.

In the woods.

Yuchi Chongwu led a group of people and ordered the servants of the estate to search the bamboo forest inside and out. The once quiet and elegant forest was now completely destroyed.

However, neither the owner of the estate, Li Hongdao, nor the servants or tenants complained. Had they known that such a terrifying "evil spirit" was buried here, they would never have dared to stay.

Now that we have subdued this "evil spirit" with the help of His Majesty's imperial aura, we should take this opportunity to eradicate it completely and prevent future troubles.

Otherwise, when this "evil spirit" causes trouble again, who will be able to stop it?

However, despite so many people digging inside and outside the bamboo forest, they still couldn't find Fang Xiangshi's head.

"Can't find it?"

Yuchi Chongwu stood in front of a large pit, inside which lay a charred, headless corpse—the same white-faced, round-faced man from before.

This should be the place where Fang Xiangshi was originally buried, but he felt very strange.

"Could it be that this Fang Xiangshi never had a head to begin with?"

"Or perhaps his head wasn't buried here at all, or someone took it away."

The act of beheading immediately evokes images of military merits being achieved through decapitation on the battlefield, a custom that has existed since ancient times.

However, recalling Fang Xiangshi's bravery, Yuchi Chongwu found it hard to imagine who could have killed him on the battlefield.
Or perhaps, in the end, he also died surrounded by thousands of troops.

the other side.

Ruan Hu had just lain down and drifted off to sleep.

A tall, indistinct figure passed through the courtyard, ascending step by step to higher ground. He walked through the corridors draped with mats, past guards, servants, and eunuchs, yet no one could see him.

The figure walked along, speaking in a low voice.

"The Emperor!"

"The Emperor!"

Where is the Emperor?

on the bed.

Ruan Hu opened his eyes, and the purple-clad celestial maiden called out softly.

"Your Majesty, something has arrived."

“I kept him out of the door, he couldn’t get in.”

Ruan Hu looked around and found that there was a hazy mist outside the window.

Then I knew that this was not the human world.

It's either a spiritual realm or an illusion.

Ruan Hu stood up and looked outside the paper door. Through the moonlight, he could see a tall figure kneeling outside.

just.

Even kneeling, its figure still appears tall and majestic, like a mountain pressing down on the entrance.

Upon seeing this figure, Ruan Hu immediately understood who was kneeling outside; it must be Fang Xiangshi.

However, Ruan Hu still asked, "Who is kneeling outside?"

A voice came from outside: "Your Majesty, I am Fang Xiangshi. I have come to pay my respects upon hearing that Your Majesty is here."

Ruan Hu found it quite peculiar that Fang Xiangshi treated him as if he were his own subject, judging from his every word and action.

This Fang Xiangshi, no one knew which dynasty he came from, yet he still recognized him as the emperor. But since the other party did recognize him, Ruan Hu naturally went along with it.

Ruan Hu rebuked him, "Why did you kill my court officials and harm the innocent? Do you know your crime?"

Fang Xiangshi's voice was deep and resonant: "Your Majesty, I know my crime. However, I was in a daze and forgot my past until Your Majesty revealed my identity. Only then did I finally remember who I am."

"As for the person I beheaded, it was because his words were disrespectful to the Emperor. Although I was in a daze and didn't remember anything at the time, I couldn't help but feel angry."

"Therefore, we took his head and have come to present it to Your Majesty."

As soon as he finished speaking, something fell outside, rolled around once, and then landed right in front of the door.

Judging from its appearance, it seems to be the head of that pale-faced, round, and fat man.

Not only that, Ruan Hu also saw a ghostly figure, not yet fully formed, floating above his head, emitting screams.

It was extremely shrill, seemingly begging for mercy, but it was hard to hear clearly unless you listened carefully.

However, at this moment, neither Ruan Hu nor the others paid attention to the wailing and begging little devil.

Ruan Hu then asked, "Since that's the case, I will pardon your crime. In truth, it was I who disturbed you, and it cannot be entirely said that it was your fault."

However, Fang Xiangshi said...

"It was not Your Majesty who woke me up, but rather I have recently felt that my head is being controlled, which is why I woke up."

"That head is flying towards us."

Ruan Hu's eyes sharpened instantly, and his first thought was whether someone was coming for him.

Although he was somewhat overly suspicious, his high position forced him to be cautious.

Just as I was about to ask another question, a sharp cry dispelled the fog outside, bringing in a ray of golden sunlight through the window.

At the same time, it also engulfs the shadows outside.

"Oh oh oh!"

Its daybreak.

Ruan Hu opened his eyes and looked out the door again.

The ghost of Fang Xiangshi had vanished, leaving only a bloodstained head with wide-open eyes placed beside the threshold.

(End of this chapter)