Chapter 129: Demons of the Heart

Chen Jianchen severed the ghost's head with a single stroke. In an instant, the creature transformed into a wisp of azure smoke that drifted and twisted in the void, eventually coalescing into a human shape. This figure’s appearance was bizarrely shifting; one moment it possessed the features of a man, the next a woman, flickering between the likeness of Chen Jianchen himself and the delicate beauty of Jiaona. It was deeply unsettling.

Chen Jianchen raised an eyebrow, preparing to command the "True Chapters of the Three Foundations" behind him to utterly annihilate the smoky figure. Yet, in the blink of an eye, the figure grinned with uncanny humanity and a spectral voice emerged: "The heart has no constant form, man has no constant state; between a single thought lies the decree of life and death."

With those words, it dissipated into the wind, leaving no trace behind.

Inner demons—where there is a heart, there is a demon. It is exceedingly difficult to purge them entirely. After all, even the most profound cultivators, despite possessing extraordinary power, remain human beings burdened with seven emotions and six desires; they are neither saints nor immortals.

Where there is emotion and desire, there is a demon!

Chen Jianchen fell into silent contemplation, realizing that the struggle between himself and his inner demon had only just begun. While the current manifestation was linked to Jiaona’s inner demon, it still belonged to a lower form.

"May I see you?"

At that moment, a sound as faint as the buzzing of a fly reached his ears, as if a tiny person were hiding inside, whispering a question.

Chen Jianchen’s heart stirred, and he replied, "You may."

In an instant, he felt an itch in his left ear. Soon, a creature crawled out and leaped lightly to the floor. Upon closer inspection, it was a tiny being, three inches tall and roughly the size of a finger, with a fierce, demonic face reminiscent of a Yaksha.

The little ghost looked up, saw the Yangwu Sword in Chen Jianchen’s hand and the radiant "True Chapters of the Three Foundations" behind him, and was struck with such terror that it looked like a mouse seeing a cat. Panicked, it turned to flee.

Hmm? What is this?

Surprised, Chen Jianchen acted without hesitation, striking down with his sword.

"Master, spare me!"

The sword light, bright as lightning, illuminated the creature's terror. It collapsed to its knees, pressing its small, azure hands against the floor and kowtowing repeatedly with thumping sounds.

Chen Jianchen steadied the Yangwu Sword and demanded, "What kind of little ghost are you, daring to hide within my soul-spirit?"

The creature knocked its head like a pounding pestle, tears streaming down its face. "I am the Master’s Heart Ghost. Only because the Master slew the inner demon was I able to condense into physical form."

Heart Ghost?

Everyone has ghosts in their hearts...

Chen Jianchen had never heard of such a thing. Realizing it was a new concept beyond his current understanding, he pondered briefly. Unconcerned that it might escape, he withdrew from the world of his soul-spirit and opened his eyes.

As he did, he saw Master Huangfu and his daughter, Jiaona, staring at him anxiously from either side. *So, Jiaona has successfully passed her tribulation?*

"Father, the Master is awake!"

Jiaona was the first to speak, her voice filled with ecstatic joy. Her face was pale with fatigue—clearly suffering from the aftermath of the tribulation—yet she had insisted on staying by Chen Jianchen’s side.

Seeing him awake, Master Huangfu was also overjoyed. "Liuxian, you have finally awakened. You truly frightened this old man."

Chen Jianchen offered a weak smile, only then realizing his entire body was aching, especially his mouth and nose, where the blood had frozen in the snow, causing him great discomfort.

"Congratulations to Miss Huangfu on successfully passing the tribulation!"

Jiaona looked at his disheveled state. It was rare to see the "refined and cultured" Master in such a comical, unkempt condition. She wanted to laugh, but instead, tears welled up and spilled over. Choked with emotion, she sobbed, "Master..."

Chen Jianchen had drawn her inner demon into his own body, risking his life to shoulder the immense pressure for her. Such a debt of gratitude was no less than the gift of life itself. Overwhelmed, she suddenly collapsed to the floor in a faint.

"Nana, what is wrong?"

A frantic cry rang out as Songniang flapped her wings, throwing herself onto Jiaona. She used her small beak to check Jiaona’s breathing, and with remarkably human-like gestures, used her wings to touch her forehead.

Master Huangfu remained composed. "Songniang, do not panic. Na'er is merely suffering from overexertion of spirit and exhaustion of body. She will recover in a few days."

Jiaona had passed the heavenly tribulation, but the process was akin to a great battle, leaving her physically and mentally drained. She should have gone to bed immediately, but her worry for Chen Jianchen had kept her anchored. Now that she saw him safely awake, her taut nerves snapped, and she lost consciousness.

Master Huangfu picked her up and carried her to the western side chamber where Lu Xiyue had been staying. He laid his daughter on the bed, tucked her in, fed her a medicinal pill, and instructed Songniang to keep watch before hurrying back to check on Chen Jianchen.

By then, Chen Jianchen was struggling to move from the snow-covered courtyard.

"Be careful, Liuxian, do not move recklessly."

Master Huangfu rushed over to support him, helping him back to the bed in the eastern side chamber.

Chen Jianchen said, "Master Huangfu, I have a question."

"Please speak, Liuxian."

Chen Jianchen recounted the matter of the Heart Ghost.

Master Huangfu was startled, then laughed. "Liuxian, this is a blessing in disguise! By purging the Heart Ghost from your soul-spirit, you have eliminated a hidden affliction."

"How so?" Chen Jianchen asked.

Master Huangfu explained, "Everyone harbors ghosts in their hearts. These 'Heart Ghosts' can cause mischief, clouding one's will and judgment, leading people to commit foolish acts that invite disaster."

This was easy for Chen Jianchen to grasp. In reality, some people occasionally acted in ways that were utterly irrational, defying their own principles—what was commonly called "losing one's head." For example, a steady person suddenly going on a rampage, or an honest man turning into a thief. It turned out these were all the work of Heart Ghosts, temporarily obscuring the true nature of the heart.

Master Huangfu continued, "Beyond Heart Ghosts, there are also 'Sickness Demons,' known as 'The Childish Ones,' which harm the body itself... One ghost and one demon are collectively called 'Bodily Decay,' one of the three great tribulations of humanity."

There are three human tribulations: Bodily Decay, Familial Decay, and Fate Decay. Bodily Decay is further divided into Heart Ghosts and Sickness Demons. Chen Jianchen listened with fascination, learning these vital truths about the world. He then asked, "Since I have purged the Heart Ghost, how should I deal with it?"

Master Huangfu chuckled, "It should be mastered, not slaughtered!"

"How does one master it?" Chen Jianchen asked eagerly. If he could command the Heart Ghost for his own use, it would be a powerful asset.

Master Huangfu stroked his beard. "For an ordinary cultivator, even if they force a Heart Ghost to reveal itself, it is nearly impossible to kill it, let alone command it. However, you are different, Liuxian. You possess Righteous Qi, which is the ultimate tool for controlling a Heart Ghost. I happen to possess the 'Ghost-Control Technique,' which can command a hundred ghosts, the Heart Ghost among them. I shall pass it on to you."

Chen Jianchen was overjoyed. "Thank you, Master Huangfu!"

Master Huangfu spoke solemnly, "Your righteousness, Liuxian, is something the Huangfu family will never forget. What is a mere 'Ghost-Control Technique' in return?"

He focused his mind, extended his right thumb, and pressed it to the center of Chen Jianchen’s forehead. An inheritance of consciousness instantly entered Chen Jianchen's soul-spirit world.

Chen Jianchen’s cultivation of the "True Chapters of the Three Foundations" was distinct and often conflicted with the traditions of Taoism or Buddhism. However, the "Ghost-Control Technique" was a method of craft, not a path of the Great Dao. Provided it was taught through direct transmission, it could be learned. Yet, such a transmission caused permanent loss of magic power to the giver. In the world of cultivation, where every bit of power was hard-won and treasured, few would sacrifice themselves for another.

As the knowledge entered his mind, Chen Jianchen grasped the technique with ease. *So that is how it works,* he thought. After a brief adjustment, he recited the incantation. Two large characters, "Will" and "Intent," flew out from the scroll of the "True Chapters of the Three Foundations."

The characters twisted and transformed into two streams of white vapor, which merged into a glowing white ring that settled perfectly around the forehead of the Heart Ghost.

The Heart Ghost trembled violently, unable to move. Held by the white light, its tiny body slumped to the ground, frozen in terror.

Chen Jianchen commanded, "This is the 'Ghost-Suppressing Ring.' I spare your life, but from this day forward, you shall harbor no second thoughts. If you do, a single thought from me will reduce you to ashes."

The Heart Ghost dared not protest, bowing its head repeatedly in gratitude.

Having subdued the Heart Ghost and resolved a pressing concern, Chen Jianchen returned his consciousness to his body and said to Master Huangfu, "Your technique is truly wondrous. I have successfully tamed the Heart Ghost."

Master Huangfu sighed, "You are no ordinary man, Liuxian." He felt a flicker of envy. While the Heart Ghost was not a powerful, aggressive entity, it was born of the heart and possessed a nature comparable to an inner demon. Inner demons were illusory and endless, while Heart Ghosts were protean and masters of concealment. That Chen Jianchen had not only forced it into the open but also tamed it with such ease was a feat impossible without the foundation of Righteous Qi. Though Master Huangfu was an old fox with centuries of cultivation, he too had a Heart Ghost, merely suppressed for the time being.

"Wait here, Liuxian, I will fetch a basin of hot water for you to wash."

He stepped out, and before long returned with a large basin of hot water, intending to help Chen Jianchen clean up and change his clothes. But when he returned, he found Chen Jianchen had fallen asleep against his pillows. His cheeks were flushed with an unnatural, burning crimson, as if he were on fire.

"Not good!"

Master Huangfu set down the basin and reached out to touch Chen Jianchen’s forehead. It was scorching like hot coals. He took his pulse and his face turned grim. He stomped his foot in frustration, "The Heart Ghost is purged, but now the Sickness Demon has come! This 'Childish One' is wreaking havoc—truly hateful!"