劍問蒼天 - 第94章 奇花 - 清風書屋

To meet familiar faces in this strange land filled Lin Jinghong with such joy that he could not keep from crying out.

Startled by the sudden call, the two in the clearing turned, and seeing Lin Jinghong descending, they too were overjoyed. But a moment later Zeng Shuyan pointed for Lin Jinghong to look ahead; Lin Jinghong steadied himself, and at once was frightened half out of his wits by the monster before them.

The monster that had been facing off against Facheng and Zeng Shuyan was itself a creature of the strangest kind. But first, Lin Jinghong had been stunned in midair by the giant flower before them, and second, he had been so overjoyed at seeing them that for the moment he had paid the monster no mind. Now he looked: the beast resembled a wild duck, yet stood as tall as a man. Its body was blue-green, its eyes pale red, its tail red, with fangs in its beak and wings sprouting from its back—altogether like some fierce bird. (Note 2)

Now the monster gave a low roar and beat its wings, and at once a gust of wind laced with rain came rushing at them.

Lin Jinghong landed beside Zeng Shuyan and Facheng. The three of them now stood with their backs to the wondrous flower. Lin Jinghong frowned and took a step backward.

Unexpectedly, Facheng's expression changed. He reached out hurriedly and caught Lin Jinghong by the arm, saying in a low voice, "Whatever you do, do not go near that flower!"

Lin Jinghong started and halted his steps. But after one glance at Facheng, the smile that had filled his face suddenly went cold, and he quietly brushed Facheng's hand aside.

Facheng frowned and sighed, drawing back his hand. He knew that Lin Jinghong still remembered that tragedy at Willow Temple Village all those years ago, and had never been able to let it go.

Just then Zeng Shuyan suddenly raised his voice and shouted, "Look out!"

The two started and looked forward. Sure enough, the monster had beaten its wings and leaped into the air, rushing at them.

Zeng Shuyan said urgently, "Brother Facheng, we act as planned."

Lin Jinghong had meant to join the fight, but hearing this he could not help but pause, and stopped where he stood.

The monster's charge was fierce and swift, and in the blink of an eye it was upon them. Facheng and Zeng Shuyan gave a low shout in unison and darted apart to either side. The monster looked ferocious, but its wits seemed dull; it landed where it had been and stood there blankly for a moment, as though unable to decide which enemy to chase. And in that instant, Facheng's Samsara Bead and Zeng Shuyan's Xuanyuan Sword struck it from both sides at once.

The monster showed not the slightest fear. It opened its beak and roared; with two thuds, the two artifacts struck home and sent it flying backward. Yet in midair the monster clawed and gnashed, apparently wholly unharmed. Even Lin Jinghong paled at such endurance; had it been himself, he doubted he could have withstood that full-force blow from Zeng Shuyan and Facheng.

He saw the monster beat its wings, and the moment it steadied itself it would surely counterattack savagely. Lin Jinghong gathered himself in readiness—but at that very moment his whole body shuddered, and his mouth fell slightly open, and he could not speak.

The monster flew backward, and behind it there was nothing but that giant wondrous flower. As its body hurtled through the air it struck the red, crystal-clear branches atop the blossom, and suddenly the monster let out a roar—but the sound was now full of terror.