**Chapter 24: The Immortal's Guidance and the Song of the Opera Ghost**
"Senior Sister…" Qingyun watched as Qingxuan unhesitatingly stepped in front of him, a wave of gratitude swelling in his heart.
Qingxuan's entire focus was locked on the figure slowly emerging from the mist. As a Taoist who had never hunted an *Immortal* alone, the pressure she felt was no less than Qingyun's. In fact, the presence of Qingyun only added to the weight on her mind.
Qingyun, too, stared intently at the approaching figure. As the mist parted to reveal the opera performer's smiling face, a sudden, piercing pain exploded in his head, crashing over him like a relentless tide.
The pain surged in waves, each more agonizing than the last, as if someone were hammering his skull with increasing force. His body weakened, and he nearly collapsed.
Just as he was on the verge of losing consciousness, the *Lesser Evolution Scripture* imparted by Chixiao flowed through his mind.
Instantly, the profound text captivated him, and the once-obscure passages became clear. His body began to move in sync with the scripture, just as it had in the enlightenment chamber.
Without entering meditation, Qingyun's body autonomously began practicing the foundational techniques of the *Lesser Evolution Void Travel Technique*.
But this left Qingxuan in a dire situation.
Realizing her junior brother had lost consciousness, Qingxuan half-turned and tightly embraced his limp form, stepping back in an attempt to distance them from the opera *Immortal*.
The opera *Immortal* continued its deliberate steps, each footfall syncing with Qingxuan's heartbeat. As her pulse quickened, so did the *Immortal*'s pace, always in rhythm, its eerie mask of joy and sorrow growing ever more unsettling.
Noticing this, Qingxuan struggled to slow her heartbeat, refusing to let the *Immortal*'s steps dictate her fate.
But her heart, usually so easily controlled, now defied her. It pounded faster with each step the *Immortal* took, threatening to burst from her chest.
Her face paled. She knew she had fallen into its trap.
As a practitioner of the *Kunwu Body Refining Technique*, she should have mastery over her body, yet her heartbeat eluded her control. With each frantic beat, her limbs grew weak, her head spun, and nausea rose from her stomach.
*Knock.*
A distant wooden fish resonated in her ears, snapping her back to clarity. The discomfort plaguing her body dissipated with the sound.
The opera *Immortal* seemed to sense the interference. Its mask of mingled joy and sorrow trembled, and a sinister, high-pitched laugh echoed through the mist.
Qingxuan didn't know who had aided her, but the subtle intervention spoke volumes. Seizing the moment, she activated the *Kunwu Technique*, her strength surging.
Though she had yet to cultivate the *Kunwu Battle Body*, her physical prowess far exceeded that of an ordinary Taoist. Moreover, she now "stood upon the Dao," facing an *Immortal*.
A golden radiance enveloped her, shimmering with five-colored light, lending her the aura of a celestial maiden—noble and resplendent.
The Dao power left by the founding Taoists now cloaked her. As the saying went, "Where the path lies, the Dao Ancestor protects"—such was the essence of being a "Taoist."
Holding Qingyun's limp body, Qingxuan chanted an incantation. With each step, talismanic seals formed in white light beneath her feet, shrinking the distance as she rapidly closed in on the opera *Immortal*.
Mid-stride, she drew a long blade from her waist with her free hand. The blade gleamed with the same golden light, trailing a streak of flame as she slashed toward the still-unresponsive *Immortal* like a falling star.
The opera *Immortal*'s pallid face finally turned toward her. Just as the blade neared, Qingxuan heard a melodic verse from the performer.
"Brief meetings, long partings, bitter haste—"
The blade cut through empty air. Qingxuan spun with the momentum, only to find the *Immortal*, now clad in a crimson opera robe, standing elsewhere, fan unfurled, swaying gracefully as it sang the next line: "Fragrance fades, jade perishes, fate flows against the stream—"
Qingxuan's expression hardened. With each verse, a deeper sorrow welled within her. She could only grit her teeth and swing the blade once more.
Again, the blade missed, and the *Immortal* reached the fourth line.
"A lonely soul with nowhere to rest—"
A profound grief gripped Qingxuan, as if she stood before a thousand gazes, her emotions no longer her own, forced to dance to the whims of an unseen audience.
She knew the *Immortal* outmatched her. Even with the Dao's protection, defeat was inevitable if this continued.
*Clang—*
A killing intent from behind jolted her. Instinctively, she dodged forward, catching a glimpse of the *Immortal* now behind her, its fan clashing with the golden light in a metallic ring.
Without the Dao's shield, that strike would have severed her head. Yet, she felt no sense of danger, only the cold realization that tears had already streaked her cheeks as the *Immortal* sang on.
Resolving to escape, Qingxuan tapped her toes and darted away, each step carrying her farther from the *Immortal*. But the mournful verses clung to her, whispering in her ear.
Her face grew wooden, her eyes shadowed with sorrow, tears soaking her cheeks. A thousand griefs weighed on her heart, urging her to collapse and wail.
As she neared the street's end, she saw the opera *Immortal*'s face in the mist—once rigid and pale, now flushed with a hint of rouge, its expression vivid.
It was as if the life drained from Qingxuan's face was slowly transferring to the *Immortal*.
She skidded to a halt, scanned her surroundings, and chose a new direction, sprinting once more. But after a few steps, the *Immortal*'s silhouette loomed again in the fog. Her pace faltered, a tremor of despair seizing her heart.
The *Immortal* twirled, fan flourishing, its face animated with song. In contrast, the girl retreated slowly, her expression blank, eyes mingling fear and sorrow. The mist swirled around them, heightening the stark disparity.
Qingxuan's tears fell onto the boy in her arms.
She knew the *Immortal*, though lacking true wisdom, sought to break her spirit, to lead her astray from the Dao. But could she hold fast to her Dao heart?
Her emotions surged, nearly compelling her to kneel and release her anguish.
Then, the boy's voice broke through: "Senior Sister…"
Like a morning bell, his words rang in her soul, reigniting her resolve. She couldn't let her junior brother die here. It was her whim that had pulled him from his studies; no matter what, she had to get him back to the Five Elements Sect safely.
Qingyun had been conscious the entire time, though his body moved on its own, practicing the technique. He had watched, as if from outside himself, from the *Immortal*'s first move to his Senior Sister's retreat.
When her tears fell, his anxious heart finally regained control.
Qingyun awoke.
"Senior Sister, let me guide the way," he urged.
"Junior Brother?" Qingxuan was bewildered. Why would he say that upon waking?
*Clang—*
The *Immortal* sensed the change in Qingxuan's expression, realizing she had regained some will to fight. It lunged forward, fan slashing, only to be repelled by the golden light once more.
The sound snapped Qingxuan back to reality. Without hesitation, she scooped up Qingyun and fled.
Though his face flushed with embarrassment, Qingyun knew he had to let her carry him; running on his own would only slow them down.
Yet he didn't idle. Pinching his fingers in calculation, he pointed to a courtyard wall. "Senior Sister, over that wall!"
Qingxuan hesitated, suspicion flickering in her eyes. If there was no path beyond, they'd both be killed instantly by the opera *Immortal*.
"Senior Sister, trust me!" Qingyun saw her doubt and pleaded.
Qingxuan bit her lip. For some reason, a voice in her mind urged her to believe him, even if the choice seemed foolish.
She couldn't tell if it was the *Immortal* meddling with her Dao heart or a true intuition. But in the end, she chose to trust Qingyun. After all, her previous attempts had only led her in circles.
"Qingyun, I trust you," she whispered, as much to herself as to him.
With a tap of her foot, she leaped over the wall, holding him tightly.
The *Immortal* appeared where they had stood, but instead of a street, there lay a desolate courtyard. The wall Qingxuan had crossed was merely a parked cart, distorted into a wall by the *Immortal*'s influence on her mind.
Landing on the other side, Qingxuan saw the mist thinning. Though still present, it was now faint enough to discern the street's end.
Curious as to how Qingyun had seen through the illusion, she knew the *Immortal* would soon pursue. Without pausing, she sprinted forward.
"Senior Sister, turn right at the street's end," Qingyun directed.
Qingxuan nodded, discreetly wiping her tear-streaked cheeks as she ran.
Behind them, the opera *Immortal* did not give chase. Instead, it froze, fan raised to its face, posing with eerie grace.
A sorrowful melody flowed from its lips, as if lamenting not a lost prey, but a lover's cruel departure.
As the final verse ended, tears slid down its face, the thick makeup fading to reveal the visage beneath.
Memories of countless performances flooded its mind, time reversing to a season of blooming peach blossoms, when it first met the young man in the audience.
He left to seek fame, promising to return, but upon his homecoming, the flower had become a vengeful spirit in a well.
To see her beloved once more, the corpse became an *Immortal*, yet vengeance consumed it. It saw the murderer not only blame her but also leer at the new opera star each day, while it could only dance and sing on stage.
Finally, it consumed souls, becoming a true *Immortal*.
It avenged itself, but in madness, it slew the young man, cradling his head, eyes wide in disbelief that his love had killed him.
The crimson robe scattered into petals, drifting away.
Before departing, the opera *Immortal*'s makeup vanished, revealing a delicate, refined face.
A breeze carried the petals and the now-peaceful head of her beloved into the distance.
Yet the opera ghost's song lingered in the air:
*"In youth's bloom, love yet to begin,
First on stage, our fates entwine.
Humble garb hides noble dreams,
Words unsaid, hearts already bound.
Wishing this bond would linger long,
Brief meetings, partings bitter and swift,
For fame he left, hands clasped in vow.
Alas, cruel winds and frost,
Heartless kites defile pure snow,
Thrown to the well, shamed without cause.
Fragrance fades, jade perishes, fate flows against.
A lonely soul with nowhere to rest,
For her beloved, she became an Immortal.
On stage, a spring breeze smile,
Strings pulled by clouds and rain.
In the deep well, bones charred,
Yet love in her heart never fades.
He knew not the old peach's bloom,
Flowers fall and bloom, but she remains."*
A gaunt monk approached, lifting his gaze toward where the petals had flown, as if seeing through the mist.
"Amitabha."
原始中文文本
「師姐⋯⋯」青雲看著毫不猶豫就擋在他身前的青璇,心下不禁一陣感動.
青璇全副心神都鎖定在霧中緩步的那道身影上,作為沒有獨自尋過仙的道士,感受到的壓力絲毫不比青雲小,甚至因為青雲的存在,反倒讓她心頭更沉甸了幾分.
青雲同樣緊盯著對手,霧中身形逐漸顯露,當他看清楚那張戲子笑臉的剎那,腦海嗡鳴一聲,突如其來的劇痛如同海嘯一般席捲而至.
這股一浪高過一浪,不間斷的劇痛,就像是有人拿著鐵鎚不停敲擊他的腦袋,一槌重過一槌,讓他疼得身軀一軟就要癱倒.
就在他快要失去意識時,赤霄傳授的『小衍』經文突然從他心間流淌而過.
他瞬間被深奧的經文吸引了心神,許多原本滯澀難通的部份一見即懂,身體也在此刻隨經文而動,就像當時在悟道室中那般.
青雲未入定觀元,身體卻在此時自動開始修練『小衍空行訣』的基礎.
可這下,護著青雲的青璇就慘了.
發覺師弟突然失去了意識,青璇半轉過身緊緊摟著青雲虛浮的上身,並開始後退,嘗試離戲子仙遠一些.
戲子仙依舊用同樣的姿態抬腳與落步,響聲隨著青璇的心跳聲而動,她的心跳加快多少,戲子的腳步便快上幾分,始終貼合著節奏,未有任何改變,但臉上那張似喜似悲的妝容卻越發詭異.
發覺了這件事的青璇,努力讓心跳減緩,不要被對方的腳步所影響.
然而,她卻發現平時很輕易就能控制的心跳,此時卻不再被自己所主導,隨著戲子仙逐漸加快的腳步,一下又一下有力的跳動,好像隨時會從胸膛中跳出來.
青璇臉色煞白,她知道自己已經中了招.
同樣修行昆吾煉體訣的她,此時卻無法控制自己的心跳,隨著心跳加快,開始渾身痠軟無力,腦海也逐漸感到暈眩,一股嘔吐感從胸腹間升起.
叩.
一聲天外傳來的木魚聲在青璇耳邊乍響,讓青璇頓時清醒過來,渾身的不適也在這聲聲響中被驅逐殆盡.
戲子仙彷彿有所察覺,悲喜參雜的面容開始劇烈顫抖,在濃霧中發出一陣詭譎的細聲奸笑.
青璇不知道是誰幫了自己,但隱晦的出手已經表明了態度.於是她趁此時機,運轉昆吾訣,力氣霎時大增.
雖然還未修煉出昆吾戰體,但青璇的肉體強度依舊不是普通道士可比.而且,此刻她可是正「立足於道」,而且對手還是仙.
一道金霞緩緩披上青璇身軀,其間五彩流溢,讓青璇猶如天女一般,凜然而華貴.
當年開道道士所留下的道力,在此刻加持於身,所謂『路之所在,道祖庇護』,即是「道士」!
青璇攬著青雲綿軟的身驅,口中唸動咒語,步履落處「符」印凝成白光,足下縮地成寸,迅速接近不遠處的戲子仙.
奔馳之間,她又用空出的那隻手,從腰間繫帶內抽出長刀,刀面隨之染上霞光,在空中拖曳出一道金焰,如流星墜地般疾速斬向尚無反應的對手.
戲子仙慘白的臉龐終於看向青璇,就在長刀臨身時,青璇卻聽見一聲戲子唱調.
「聚少離多苦匆匆──」
長刀揮空,青璇借勢旋身,卻發現穿著大紅色戲服的戲子仙已經出現在另外一個方向,正手展摺扇,蓮步生搖地唱出下一句:「香消玉殞命逆流──」
青璇臉色凝重,她發覺每當花旦戲子唱出一句,心中生出的愁思便愈加深重,只能繃緊俏臉,再度舉刀揮向戲子仙.
然而,長刀再度揮空,花旦口中戲曲已經來到第四句.
「紅顏孤魂無處寄──」
青璇心中淒楚,彷彿立身於萬千眾生面前,卻喜笑悲嗔皆不由己,只能因戲而動,趨意逢迎台下看客.
她知道對手實力遠超自己,再這樣下去,即便有道相護,也遲早會落敗.
鏘──
青璇摟緊青雲,被身後殺氣一激,下意識朝前閃躲,眼角餘光看見戲子仙不知何時出現在她身後,摺扇迴旋間與金光相觸,發出金鐵交擊聲.
如果不是立於道上,剛才那一下便能將青璇身首分離,但她心中卻無法生出半絲危機感,伴隨花旦戲子唱出下一句,青璇才察覺到臉頰上竟已一片冰涼.
當下,青璇立即決定脫身.
她足尖連點,身形朝遠離戲子仙的方向一步一挪,迅速遠去.只是,那一句一句哀婉的戲曲,卻彷彿貼在頸後,清晰地傳進她耳裡.
青璇面容如木,眉目間卻露出一抹哀色,雙頰早已被淚痕濡濕,心中有萬千悲痛,讓她只想停下腳步放聲嚎啕.
就在她接近街尾時,卻看見濃霧中那張宜嗔宜喜的花旦臉龐,其上不再死板蒼白,臉頰抹上些微胭脂,表情生動.
彷彿從青璇臉上的生氣,正在緩緩地轉移到花旦戲子的臉上.
青璇足下急煞,眉目一掃,挑了個方向又開始飛馳.卻在數步後,再度看見霧中的戲子身影.她忍不住慢下腳步,心間有些發顫,無法逃離的絕望感似乎將要攫住心靈.
旋身舞動,手展摺扇,面目生動唱著戲曲的戲子.表情木然,眼中恐懼悲傷夾雜,緩步後退的少女.兩者在周遭繚繞的濃霧裡,顯現出鮮明的對比.
青璇的淚水,滴落在懷中少年身上.
對於戲子的緩步進逼,她知道戲子仙雖然不是有智慧的仙,卻仍然知道必須先擊潰道士的心靈,將她引離道.但是,她真的能謹守道心嗎?
心中的情緒已經濃到讓青璇想要就此跪地,不管不顧地釋放.
卻在此時,少年的聲音響起:「師姐⋯⋯」
這句話,猶如暮鼓晨鐘一般,敲響在少女的內心,讓她又提起幾分鬥志,至少不能讓師弟死在這裡,是自己任性地將正在苦讀道經的師弟帶出師門,不管怎樣也要將他安全的送回五行觀.
青雲其實一直都清醒著,只是身體的自發修練讓他無法控制,剛才他彷彿靈魂出竅一般看著,從戲子出手到師姐敗退,直至此時的每一刻.
當青璇的淚水滴落,他一直焦急的心情才得到身軀的回應.
青雲,醒了過來.
「師姐,讓我來指路.」他急切地向青璇說著.
「師弟?」青璇有些發楞,她不知道為什麼師弟一清醒就這麼說.
鏘──
原來是戲子仙察覺了青璇臉部表情不再木然,知道她心中又生起幾分掙扎之意,迅速朝前幾步,揮舞摺扇想要痛下殺手,卻再次被金光彈開.
這聲響同時也驚醒了青璇,她不再發呆,一把抱起青雲轉身就跑.
青雲雖然面色羞赧,卻也知道自己此時只能任由師姐抱著,自己下來跑反到拖累了對方.
但他同樣沒閒著,手上掐指連點,指向一處院牆,對青璇說道:「師姐,翻過那面牆!」
青璇有些猶豫,甚至有些懷疑青雲已經被戲子仙所迷惑,懷疑的目光投向他,因為翻過牆,如果牆的對面沒有道路,那麼兩人可能都會在瞬間被花旦戲子所殺.
「師姐,相信我!」青雲看穿了少女所想,連忙出聲保證.
青璇一咬牙,不知為何腦海中有個聲音,讓她想要相信青雲.即使這個選擇看上去很愚蠢.
少女開始分不清楚,這是仙在擾亂道心,還是靈照示警.但最後,她還是選擇相信了青雲,畢竟剛才她已經嘗試過了,如果繼續下去,最終結果只會回到原點.
「青雲,師姐相信你!」青璇低聲說道,彷彿也是在為自己穩定決心.
足尖踏地,青璇抱著青雲瞬間翻過院牆.
戲子仙出現在兩人方才所站的地方,此時卻看見,前方早已不是街道,而是一片荒蕪的院落.反倒是旁邊青璇翻過的院牆,竟是一輛停在路邊的推車,只是方才在青璇逐漸被戲子仙操弄的心緒中,幻化為院牆.
翻牆而出的少女,在踏上路面的那一刻,也瞬間看清楚了周遭,濃霧變得稀薄了些,雖然還是遮罩著,卻已經勉強能看清楚街尾的輪廓.
雖然對青雲為何能看穿這一切感到好奇,但青璇也明白,戲子仙肯定很快就會追上來,腳下絲毫不敢停頓,繼續朝前奔馳.
「師姐,街尾處右拐.」此時,青雲再度提醒.
青璇頷首,並趁著疾馳的空檔偷偷伸手抹去臉頰上的淚跡.
在他們身後,戲子仙卻沒有追逐,而是如同石化一般,維持著舉扇遮面的姿勢,展現出窈窕身段.
悲涼的戲曲從她嘴間流瀉而出,彷彿追丟的不是獵物,而是無情離去的情郎.
直到最後一句唱完,淚水滑落戲子仙臉孔,臉上濃妝逐漸淡去,顯露出下方的人臉.
無數唱戲的過往在戲子仙腦海中演繹,時光彷彿倒流,回到那段桃李芳華時,與台下的少年郎相識.
少年郎奔向功名,兩人許下歸期,卻在歸來時,嬌花已成井中冤魂.
為見情郎一面,屍化作仙,卻逐漸迷失在了仇恨裡,戲子仙看見將她殺死的凶手,不只將過錯全推給她,還每日到台下對新來的花旦點評.祂卻只能在台上隨戲而舞,隨曲而唱.
最後,祂吸食生魂,真正成為了一名仙.
不只報了仇,也在瘋狂中錯殺了當年的少年郎,懷中的那顆頭顱,至此仍無法瞑目,似乎無法相信自己竟然會被愛人所殺.
紅色的戲服逐漸飄散,最後化為片片.
離去前,花旦臉上的濃妝已然消散,展露出那張精緻容顏.
風捲起細碎的花瓣,與那顆終於瞑目的情郎頭顱,逐漸飄向遠方.
而戲子的歌聲,彷彿仍在空中迴盪著.
『荳蔻年時,情未始.
初登戲臺,便相識.
布衣不掩軒昂志,欲說還休,心已繫.
惟願此緣長久滯,聚少離多苦若失,為赴功名,始與相執.
只恨苦風霜,無情鷂.
汙清雪,井底投,
又話我不知羞.
香消玉殞命逆流,情意難休.
一縷孤魂無處留,為待良人終成仙.
化為臺上春風笑,雲雨提線梢枝搖.
深井寂寥,白骨如焦,心中相思情不消.
君卻不知舊桃夭,花謝花開是故人.』
枯瘦僧侶走到近前,抬首望向花瓣離去的方向,目光像是能透過濃霧看見遠處一般.
「阿彌陀佛.」