Chapter 29: The Half-Souled One

Yun Qing had slain fifteen soul corpses during the mission. Judging from the images she’d seen, they had indeed been villagers from Ye Family Village. Even if she hadn’t killed them, the village guards would have. Yet, if one’s own kin were to become soul corpses—watching them be slain before one’s eyes—even understanding the necessity, the pain would be unbearable.

She recognized that stifled voice—it belonged to Xiao Shan. She had heard his story. His family was not well off; his father had never reached the martial stage, and there were two sons and two daughters, with Xiao Shan as the eldest. To support his family and open his son’s meridians, Xiao Shan’s father often collected poisonous resources, slowly ruining his health. At last, he succumbed in this dark night, tainted by the soul-devouring insect’s aura, becoming a soul corpse and leaving behind a weak wife and four children.

What fate awaited them? Yun Qing did not know, but supposed other families met similar ends. At last, she understood why legend said the people of Ye Family Village had an average lifespan of forty years. At first, she thought it was due to infant mortality and poor medical care. Now she knew: it was the poisonous air, and people's hearts unwilling to accept ordinary lives.

Few, like Master Liu from the slaughterhouse, were willing to live quietly without opening their meridians or seeking martial advancement, content to grow old alone.

Genes dictated that in their prime, people would seek partners and create offspring, sacrificing everything for the perpetuation of their genetic line. Genes achieved immortality. For themselves and their children, they would risk all for greater strength and a better life.

Yun Qing had no power to change this. She struggled even to preserve her own life. Even if she survived, she would risk all for greater power and higher cultivation, perhaps dying on the path like countless seekers before her.

She searched the medical hall but could not find Ye Mingyu. Upon inquiry, she learned that before the immortal arrived, his family had taken him home.

Outside Ye Mingyu’s house, Yun Qing arrived to find the guards already there.

“Ye Mingyu isn’t home. He just left. He should be at the square, you can find him there,” a voice called as she approached.

She looked and saw a middle-aged woman standing at the door, blocking the entrance, indicating Ye Mingyu was not home. It was his mother, level twenty-one.

Facing her were two guards, their levels unreadable.

Yun Qing felt uneasy; her intuition told her Mingyu’s mother was lying.

She had paid special attention to whether Ye Mingyu had gone to the square. Though there were many people, the system’s name notification helped, and she had not seen him. If Ye Mingyu had gone to see the immortal, his mother would have been at the square too, not lingering at home, anxious that someone might come.

The mission had been issued by Xuyuan Immortal; Yun Qing doubted she had cured all the poisoned villagers or eliminated all soul corpses.

The guards, faces weary, said, “We’re only concerned for everyone’s safety. We must check every household, please cooperate.”

“There’s only me at home. Qi Laosan, must you trouble a lone woman?” Mingyu’s mother blocked the door, her body language showing she would never yield.

“Sister, I have no choice,” the guards tried to persuade her with reason and emotion, but she remained unmoved.

As the stalemate continued, Ye Wei, the captain, arrived. Compared to the others, he was more strict and impartial.

Ye Wei waved his hand, speaking curtly, “Search the house!”

The two armed guards stepped forward. Qi Laosan said, “Sorry, sister, forgive us.”

Mingyu’s mother shrieked, shoving at them, “Don’t you dare! If you want in, you’ll have to walk over my corpse.”

Despite her level, her strength paled before the post-martial guards. Even as she exerted herself, she couldn’t push them out. Instead, she fell to the ground from her own force.

“Don’t touch my mother!” A cold voice came from inside, followed by a youth’s silhouette. As soon as he appeared, he threw the two guards outside.

It was Ye Mingyu, the one Yun Qing sought. But unlike his usual healthy complexion, his face was shockingly pale, devoid of any color. If he hadn’t spoken and had his name above his head, Yun Qing might have thought he was a soul corpse.

Ye Mingyu, level unknown, with faint black threads swirling around him.

Wait—wasn’t Ye Mingyu level twenty-six?

A half-soul!

The term flashed in Yun Qing’s mind: Ye Mingyu had become what Ye Wenjing once mentioned—a half-soul. He had not fully resisted the soul-devouring insect’s toxic attack; the poison had altered his body and damaged his soul.

An incomplete soul—was he still human? Did he still know her? Would he go mad?

They had been in the same squad for half a month, both working odd jobs. Ye Mingyu had often looked after her, warning her not to touch anything surrounded by poisonous air.

He himself would handle such things. She had always thought he had opened his meridians and was close to the martial stage, so touching those things was no issue. She never expected this outcome.

Thousands of thoughts flooded her mind; Yun Qing was overwhelmed by the sudden change, unsure how to face her former teammate.

Ye Mingyu, upon appearing, took in everyone’s reactions. Seeing the indescribable expression on Yun Qing’s face, he said, “I won’t trouble you. I’ll go on my own.”

Mingyu’s mother, still on the ground, held back tears. “Mingyu, you can’t go. What will I do if you leave?”

Ye Wei said, “He’s unfit to live with you and the others. The poison in his body will infect anyone who gets close. If you want to stay with your son, become a martial cultivator.”

Yun Qing asked anxiously, “Captain, where is Ye Mingyu going? Will it be dangerous?”

“There’s a city specifically for half-souls. Ye Family Village has several villagers who’ve mutated into half-souls this time; they can go together, so he won’t be alone.”

Watching his mother cry her heart out, Ye Mingyu said to Ye Wei, “Captain, could I have two more days? I won’t return home, just gather some resources so my mother can have some security in the near future.”

Ye Wei nodded. “All right. Come with us now. Before opening the village gates, you’ll be put in solitary quarantine.”

Ye Mingyu nodded. Qi Laosan, the guard, turned to Yun Qing. “Please help Mingyu’s mother outside.”

“Of course.”

Yun Qing stepped forward. Mingyu’s mother struggled fiercely, but though Yun Qing’s level was low, her strength far surpassed Mingyu’s mother. She easily helped her up and walked out toward Ye Mingyu.

Before she could approach, Ye Mingyu retreated, raising a hand to stop her. “Don’t come any closer. It’s not safe for you.”

Mingyu’s mother was sobbing uncontrollably, calling, “Mingyu… Mingyu…”