Chapter Fifty-Nine: The Book Spirit, Anan

“This...”
“I am Anan.”
Just as Yu Shu was still hesitating, a young woman appeared behind him, slightly annoyed. After speaking, she timidly glanced at Jiang Pingchuan, hiding behind Yu Shu and pouting. It was clear that Anan was displeased with Jiang Pingchuan’s sudden visit, but she found herself standing before him, suddenly bereft of the courage to continue speaking.

Jiang Pingchuan reached out and gently pulled Yu Shu aside, scrutinizing Anan from head to toe. In her presence, he sensed something distinctly different from the aura of those ghostly beings. Anan did not resemble something from the depths of hell; rather, she was like a being of legendary spiritual nature, the sort of entity Jiang Pingchuan believed could only be encountered after ascending the Road to the Heavens.

He had never expected to meet Anan now, which made him realize that the boundaries between the Three Realms were not as sharply defined as legend claimed. There were many living creatures who could appear in different realms, like Anan.

“You do not belong here,” Jiang Pingchuan said softly, gazing at Anan. Yu Shu felt dazed; he knew well enough that Anan did not belong here, but only Anan truly understood what Jiang Pingchuan meant.

“Yes,” Anan relaxed her vigilance when she saw Jiang Pingchuan meant no harm.

“How did you come to be here?” Jiang Pingchuan saw that Anan understood his implication. Speaking with someone intelligent was easy—there was no need for veiled words, and intentions were clear.

“I have always existed here. What I needed was the right moment. Yu Shu happened upon that moment, so he met me,” Anan said, blushing as she glanced at Yu Shu beside her. Yu Shu, baffled as a monk lost in thought, stared blankly at Jiang Pingchuan and Anan. Whatever they were discussing, even with two heads, he could not comprehend.

“Are you a book spirit? Did you manifest from that book?”
Jiang Pingchuan clapped his hands, and a book appeared in his palm. Yu Shu stared in shock at the book in Jiang Pingchuan’s hand and quickly patted his own chest. The book he had kept there was now in Jiang Pingchuan’s possession.

Seeing Jiang Pingchuan holding the book, both Anan and Yu Shu grew tense. If Jiang Pingchuan was correct, then this book was Anan’s very source. Destroying her source would mean Anan could never find peace.

“I am a book spirit, but I bear no ill will toward Yu Shu. Please do not separate us,” Anan clasped Yu Shu’s hand, her voice urgent. Yu Shu’s face was etched with anxiety. Every gesture Jiang Pingchuan made now affected whether Anan could remain with him.

“I know you mean no harm. But you must understand that entities such as you are repelled by the Heavenly Prohibition. Sooner or later, you will be forced apart,” Jiang Pingchuan opened the book and carefully browsed through its contents. To summon the book spirit from within, it was clear Yu Shu had truly been captivated by this book.

Jiang Pingchuan closed the book and handed it back to Yu Shu, who carefully received it and quickly tucked it back into his chest, wrapping it tight, fearful that a careless moment might see Jiang Pingchuan take it again.

“Mr. Pingchuan, thank you for allowing us,” Yu Shu said.

Yu Shu bowed respectfully to Jiang Pingchuan, and Anan followed suit, bowing as well to express her gratitude.

“I have not granted you anything. Even if I do not interfere, someone else will come to investigate your matter. When that happens, I fear...” Jiang Pingchuan trailed off. He knew that, although there were few peak cultivators and practitioners on the Changfeng Continent, surely someone else could sense Anan’s presence as he had. If someone harbored ill intentions then, Yu Shu and Anan would struggle to protect themselves.

“Please rest assured, Mr. Pingchuan. Anan and I will act with caution,” Yu Shu replied, seeing the concern on Jiang Pingchuan’s face. He understood that Jiang Pingchuan’s warnings were not unfounded. Anan had already warned him that the further east they traveled, the greater the chance of exposure. Yet they longed to journey to bustling places, and after much deliberation, they left Sanjiang County.

“Where are you heading?” Jiang Pingchuan asked casually. It was the dead of night, and he was surprised at their boldness in traveling after dark.

“We are going to Southern Province,” Yu Shu answered, holding Anan’s hand. The two exchanged a glance, and Anan grinned at Jiang Pingchuan. He nodded; Southern Province lay at the southernmost edge of Changfeng Continent, the frontier of the Lan Dynasty.

He himself needed to travel to the Royal Capital in the far east of Changfeng Continent. The place was not called Eastern Province; Eastern Province was merely the first defensive line of the imperial city.

“Very well, I am heading to the Royal Capital. Here is where I bid you farewell,” Jiang Pingchuan thought for a moment. Their paths diverged, and he could not accompany them. He suspected they would not wish him to follow, so he directly took his leave. Yu Shu was surprised to hear Jiang Pingchuan’s intention.

“You wish to go to the Royal Capital? It is far from here, and the journey is arduous, full of mountain bandits. The road is treacherous,” Yu Shu said, worried for Jiang Pingchuan. Jiang Pingchuan smiled, waved his hand, and turned toward a small path in the forest. Yu Shu tried to call after him, but the darkness swallowed Jiang Pingchuan’s figure, and Yu Shu lowered his hand, swallowing his words.

Yu Shu turned and saw Anan smiling mischievously at him. He felt awkward, pinched Anan’s cheek, and took her hand, leading her back the way they had come.

“Anan, what are you smiling about?” Yu Shu asked, perplexed. He felt he had kindly warned Jiang Pingchuan, yet Anan had looked at him as if he were a fool.

“I am laughing at your foolishness. Jiang Pingchuan is not someone on the same level as us. I doubt anyone could trouble him. You saw for yourself—he ignored your warning entirely, yet you still insisted on reminding him. Tell me, isn’t that silly?” Anan giggled. Yu Shu coughed and realized he had indeed spoken out of turn. Someone like Jiang Pingchuan would hardly encounter trouble; it was he and Anan who required his concern.

Jiang Pingchuan walked alone among the mountain ridges. Tonight, moonlight was shrouded by mist, the beams that touched the earth faint and dim. He slowed his pace accordingly.

Having left Sanjiang County, he had already traveled a hundred miles. Though he still had a long journey ahead to reach the Royal Capital, Jiang Pingchuan was not anxious. He had not yet properly toured the scenery of Changfeng Continent, and this journey afforded him the chance to appreciate its customs and landscapes.

“Squeak, squeak, squeak...”
“Boom, boom, boom...”
“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh...”

Jiang Pingchuan heard the sound of arrows slicing through the air from the forest ahead, accompanied by the frantic movement of a large, shadowy creature darting back and forth among the trees.

Leaping onto a branch, Jiang Pingchuan surveyed the surroundings. Just as he found his perch, the massive black beast crashed hard into the tree where he concealed himself and collapsed unconscious.

The creature was enormous, with two huge upward-curving tusks, black fur covering its body, and strong limbs. Its back bristled with black arrows.

Jiang Pingchuan understood that the beast had been hunted, though he wondered who had the courage to pursue such a giant. After the beast fell, the forest echoed with the soft sounds of movement—people walking, shouting in celebration, or complaining about lost comrades.

A group of over ten hunters emerged from the woods. Jiang Pingchuan saw that they wore little protection, merely thickened coarse cloth garments. Their bows and crossbows appeared roughly handmade, not refined. How could such a hunting party dare attack this enormous creature?

Their leader was a middle-aged man, muscles taut, skin bronzed, nose straight, with sword-like brows and cold eyes. Most of those following him were similarly robust and strong.

The leader drew a large blade from his back and cautiously approached the beast. As he neared, Jiang Pingchuan’s brow furrowed—the beast stirred. Just as the man raised his blade beside the prone beast, something unexpected happened.

“Roar...”
The beast suddenly bellowed, its voice deep and deafening, causing the forest leaves to rustle and clatter. The man’s pupils widened in shock as the towering creature stood before him, head lowered, baring its tusks, saliva dripping onto his face.

He gripped his blade tightly, yet could not swing it. The man closed his eyes; behind him, his companions bled from every orifice, suddenly powerless. The beast opened its blood-red mouth and lunged at him, and the man closed his eyes with a sigh.

“Boom... Aaargh...”
He felt a gust of wind rise from the ground beside him, yet nothing amiss befell him.

When he opened his eyes again, the sight before him stunned him anew.