Zhang Tian and Hu Bayi spoke almost in unison.
The two exchanged a glance and quickened their pace.
This smell was all too familiar to them. Wasn't it the same stench of weasel urine they had encountered when they went to Huangpizi Tomb?
But why was this urine smell here, and in Xie Yuchen's home?
This made Zhang Tian and the others a little puzzled.
"A weasel is unlikely to come here. I suspect he's touched something taboo again."
Zhang Tian's voice was serious, and Hu Bayi chimed in.
"This must be the smell from Huang Daxian. No doubt about it."
They walked and talked, and soon stood before a door.
Even without entering, Zhang Tian could smell a strong odor.
More pungent than a fox's.
Even the red and black door was dripping with an unknown yellow liquid.
This was likely the result of the qi transforming into liquid due to excessive demonic energy.
"Young Master Xie, he won't turn into a demon, will he?"
Hu Bayi asked with a hint of disbelief.
"I don't know, but we'll find out when we go in."
Zhang Tian shook his head and then strode forward.
The next moment, the door was opened.
Inside, a gentle breeze swept out, followed by a thick yellow mist.
"Lin."
Zhang Tian made a gesture with his hands without hesitation, and a talisman was drawn.
The talisman emitted a red glow.
"Demon Suppressing Talisman!"
A Demon Suppressing Talisman, as the name suggested, was used to suppress demons and their energies. Zhang Tian had learned it from the Maoshan Taoist teachings given by Daoist Yimei.
As the talisman floated into the air, the surrounding demonic energy visibly diminished, even disappearing.
"This is..."
Suddenly, a scene appeared before their eyes.
On an old, large bed, a person covered in yellow fur looked on in despair.
Beside him, several weasels were also huddled.
Seeing people enter, the weasels scrambled towards the ground.
The scene became chaotic.
"Young Master Xie?"
Zhang Tian called out softly, looking at the person on the bed.
Xie Yuchen, for some reason, was now covered in yellow fur, and his hair had also turned yellow.
The elegant demeanor he once possessed was gone, replaced by a monstrous appearance, neither fully human nor fully weasel.
"Zhang... Cough cough. Young Master Zhang, why are you here?"
Xie Yuchen spoke upon hearing Zhang Tian's voice, then coughed several more times.
"Young Master Xie, what happened? I recall that after we left, you should have been free from the weasel curse."
Zhang Tian frowned slightly. Xie Yuchen's current state was unexpected.
"Alas, it's my own greed."
Xie Yuchen sighed and looked at his body, but there was no trace of regret in his eyes.
Despite his current state, he did not regret his past actions.
In his view, once something was done, there was no room for regret.
Zhang Tian looked into Xie Yuchen's eyes, curious about how he had become this way, and why he remained unrepentant.
"Can you tell us what happened?"
"Also, this is likely the weasel curse. We can help you remove it."
Zhang Tian offered.
This minor curse was something Zhang Tian could handle with his current strength. It was significantly less formidable than the curse from Jingjue Ancient City.
"What? You can remove this?"
Despite his weakness, a flicker of shock appeared on Xie Yuchen's face.
His father had sought help from many people, but none could cure him. Yet, Zhang Tian made it sound so simple.
"Yes, but you must tell us the truth first."
Zhang Tian nodded, his expression serious.
Xie Yuchen nodded slightly and began to recount his actions after secretly following the expert team into the tomb.
"Didn't we leave the ancient tomb together? After we exited, archaeologists from Bei Li received the news and went to the tomb, and I followed them again."
"I also brought some villains with me."
Xie Yuchen explained, and Zhang Tian nodded.
"Which altar were you trying to activate?"
Zhang Tian guessed directly. The altar was the only usable item within the tomb, and with a little thought, Zhang Tian figured it out.
"Yes, I activated the altar, but it wasn't as expected. It couldn't resurrect the dead or open the gate of ghosts."
"Instead, after the altar was activated, the entire tomb became shrouded in an eerie阴气 (yin energy)."
"And when I opened Huang Shuliang's coffin, I saw a weasel. I didn't pay much attention then, but later, my health deteriorated."
"Finally, my body became like this. I should have killed that weasel back then."
Xie Yuchen's voice was filled with anger.
If he could go back, he would have killed the weasel without hesitation, never giving it a chance to escape.
"Do you regret it?"
Zhang Tian asked.
Zhang Tian asked this question primarily because he noticed two peeping toms standing outside Xie Yuchen's house.
One was Er Yuehong, and the other was naturally Xie Lianhuan.
This situation called for a moment of master-disciple affection.
"There's no such thing as regret. For my wish, and my master's wish, I was willing to try."
Xie Yuchen's weak voice echoed.
Combined with his determined gaze from his bed, it seemed as if nothing could shake his resolve.
Outside, Er Yuehong's hand trembled.
This was his most proud and beloved disciple.
And now, this disciple had risked his life in a dangerous ancient tomb for him, even suffering a curse.
He, his master, had been unaware of this, and might not have discovered it if Xie Yuchen hadn't spoken.
Thinking of his own inadequacy, Er Yuehong's heart ached.
"Clang."
The next moment, before Xie Yuchen could say more, the door was opened.
Er Yuehong and Xie Lianhuan stood at the doorway.
Er Yuehong's eyes were red, appearing to have endured immense pain.
"Yuhua."
Er Yuehong whispered.
Then, he rushed forward.
Xie Lianhuan, unsure of what to say, could only watch the scene unfold, waiting for developments.
"Master, why are you here?"
"You heard what I said?"
Xie Yuchen's pupils contracted, and shame flickered across his face.
"I'm sorry, I've disappointed you."
Xie Yuchen's tone was somber.
"No, you are my most proud disciple, now and forever."
"Young Master Zhang, I implore you to help Yuchen. Thank you."
Er Yuehong turned to look at Zhang Tian.
This Er Ye, who had remained unfazed throughout his life and had never begged anyone, now looked at Zhang Tian with pleading eyes.
This sight, this gaze, made Zhang Tian's heart tremble.
Er Ye's gaze made it impossible for Zhang Tian to refuse.