The wind howled mournfully, the ancient path lay desolate and lonely, stretching endlessly into the distance.
Zhou Yixian and his granddaughter Xiaohuan had departed from the Dead Marsh and journeyed east for three days. On this midday, they were still treading the ancient road, but the once-flat wasteland on either side had been gradually replaced by rising hills and dense forests.
Zhou Yixian glanced ahead and saw a dilapidated stone pavilion not far from the road. Feeling tired, he turned to Xiaohuan and said, “Let’s go there and rest.”
Xiaohuan nodded, then looked back with a smile in her eyes. “Venerable Daoist, come sit with us.”
The Wild Dog Daoist, who had been following them, smiled and nodded. After leaving the Dead Marsh, for some reason, he had kept a distant watch over Zhou Yixian and Xiaohuan, which made Zhou somewhat uneasy. However, after encountering that middle-aged man who called himself Wanren Wang a few days ago, Xiaohuan had spoken with him, and their relationship had grown closer. Since then, the Wild Dog Daoist had been more openly following them.
As Zhou Yixian walked into the pavilion, he watched the Wild Dog Daoist follow Xiaohuan inside. He was not as polite to the Wild Dog as Xiaohuan was, and he rolled his eyes, saying in a sarcastic tone, “Wild Dog Venerable, why are you always following us? We’re just poor wanderers; there’s nothing for you to steal.”
The Wild Dog Daoist glared at Zhou Yixian and retorted, “Old fool, don’t act so poor. I know your bamboo stick has something to hide!”
Zhou Yixian and Xiaohuan were both taken aback. Zhou leapt up as if stung, his face red with anger. “You scoundrel! I knew you were up to no good. So you’re after my money, are you?”
The Wild Dog Daoist gave him a withering look, but before he could speak, Xiaohuan, slightly surprised, asked, “How did you know about the bamboo stick, Venerable?”
As soon as Xiaohuan spoke, the Wild Dog Daoist’s voice softened. He hesitated, then said sheepishly, “He never lets go of that bamboo stick, even sleeping with it. What’s more, every little while, he can’t help but touch it. Any fool would know there’s something odd about it.”
Xiaohuan laughed, and Zhou Yixian’s face turned even redder. He harrumphed and turned away, then, feeling embarrassed, he swiveled back and demanded, “Even if my bamboo stick is special, it’s none of your business. Why are you really following us?”
The Wild Dog Daoist was momentarily speechless.
Zhou Yixian smirked, a smile spreading across his face. He pointed at the Wild Dog Daoist. “Hah, don’t think I don’t know. You want my wealth and my granddaughter’s beauty. You’ve been scheming against us…”
“Grandpa!” Xiaohuan’s face turned crimson, and she shouted at Zhou Yixian, who realized he had said too much. But unable to back down, he muttered, “Well, is it…?”
The Wild Dog Daoist stole a glance at Xiaohuan. The girl’s fair skin, now blushing, and her bright, sparkling eyes exuded a youthful beauty. He felt a sudden sense of inadequacy and lowered his head.
Xiaohuan glared at her grandfather. Having wandered with Zhou Yixian since childhood, she was more worldly than most girls. She turned to the Wild Dog Daoist and said, “Venerable, don’t listen to my grandpa. His mouth spouts only nonsense…”
Zhou Yixian exploded, “You dare call me a dog? That one is the Wild Dog!”
Xiaohuan stuck out her tongue and made a face at the Wild Dog Daoist. He felt a strange buzzing in his head, his vision filled with her beautiful face, and he forgot about Zhou Yixian’s mockery.
Zhou Yixian, annoyed, turned to the Wild Dog Daoist. “Hey, you haven’t explained why you’re following us. If you have a good reason, I’ll let you stay. If not, I’ll show you my power!”
The Wild Dog Daoist slowly withdrew his gaze, silent for a long time. “I don’t know.”
“Hah!” Zhou Yixian laughed disdainfully, but Xiaohuan looked at the Wild Dog Daoist with interest. “Venerable, what’s the matter? Don’t tell me you have nowhere to go.”
The Wild Dog Daoist sighed. “You’re right.” For some reason, he felt compelled to speak to this girl. “I was born strange, and my parents abandoned me in the wilderness. I was left to die…”
“Ah!” Xiaohuan covered her mouth in shock, but Zhou Yixian rolled his eyes, looking skeptical.
The Wild Dog Daoist continued, “Later, a pack of wild dogs found me. Instead of eating me, they brought me food. So when I grew up, I named myself the Wild Dog.”
Zhou Yixian snorted, but Xiaohuan listened intently, nodding.
Ignoring Zhou Yixian, the Wild Dog Daoist smiled at Xiaohuan. “So I never had a real home. If I must say, the dog den was my home. Later, an elder from the Blood Refining Sect found me and, out of pity, took me in and taught me Daoist magic. From then on, I considered the Blood Refining Sect my home.”
Zhou Yixian sneered, “Then you should return to the Blood Refining Sect. Why are you wandering around?”
The Wild Dog Daoist’s face darkened. “The Blood Refining Sect was destroyed by the Ghost King Sect. The one leading the attack was the Ghost Li, whom you met.”
“What?” Zhou Yixian and Xiaohuan were both shocked. The fierce internal strife of the Cult of Evil was not widely known, so they were unaware of the Ghost King Sect’s takeover. Their reactions, however, were different.
Zhou Yixian frowned, thinking deeply, then sighed, “What a pity. In the days of the Blackheart Elder, the Blood Refining Sect was so powerful…”
Xiaohuan, less concerned with the past, asked, “Was it Ghost Li who led the attack? Why are you still following him?”
The Wild Dog Daoist’s mouth twitched, and he recounted the events briefly.
Xiaohuan humphed and said to Zhou Yixian, “Those like Year Laoda have no backbone.”
Zhou Yixian glared at her. “You’re young. What do you know about backbone? It’s not something everyone has when life is on the line.”
Xiaohuan replied, “But isn’t this Venerable Wild Dog someone who would rather die than surrender?”
Zhou Yixian looked at the Wild Dog Daoist and nodded. “I didn’t realize you had such backbone. But these years, Ghost Li has become the Blood Prince, killing countless. Why did he spare you?”
The Wild Dog Daoist shook his head. “I don’t know.”
Zhou Yixian pondered, his usual jovial demeanor fading. The Wild Dog Daoist, seeing the change, was surprised, but Xiaohuan spoke, drawing his attention.
Xiaohuan whispered, “Doesn’t it bother you to follow him? He destroyed the sect that showed you kindness. You must hate him, right?”
The Wild Dog Daoist was lost in thought, then shook his head. “I don’t know. I hated him, but I’ve come to realize, what use is blame? Even if not him, not the Ghost King Sect, the Poison Sect or the Delightful Sect would have done the same. The Ghost King Sect just acted first.”
“Uh?” Xiaohuan was silent, but Zhou Yixian was impressed. “You’ve thought deeply. I underestimated you.”
The Wild Dog Daoist glared at Zhou Yixian, clearly not caring for his praise. Zhou Yixian, unfazed, chuckled.
The Wild Dog Daoist looked at Xiaohuan, her eyes like shimmering water. He quickly looked away, saying, “When I left the Dead Marsh, I was tired of being among the Ghost King Sect. Especially seeing Year Laoda and others. When I saw you, I followed without thinking.”
He paused, then added, “But I have no ill intentions. I just wander. If you don’t want me, I’ll leave.”
Xiaohuan smiled. “It’s fine. Join us. The world is big, and it seems you have nowhere to go.”
Zhou Yixian was alarmed and pulled Xiaohuan aside, whispering, “Foolish girl, why bring this trouble along?”
Xiaohuan glared at her grandfather. “He’s not a ‘trouble.’ He has a name. Besides, he means no harm. There’s nothing to fear.”
Zhou Yixian argued, “You don’t understand. He’s infamous in the Cult of Evil. He’s done terrible things…”
Zhou Yixian stopped, and Xiaohuan pressed, “What did he do? Tell me about these terrible deeds.”
Zhou Yixian scratched his head, then said, “I… I haven’t heard of anything specific…”
Xiaohuan laughed, then reminded him, “Remember last night when we passed the barren hill, and a wild boar appeared? You hid, but the Venerable chased it away. Otherwise, I’d have faced it alone.”
Zhou Yixian blushed. “I’m old and weak. Besides, you’re not weak. Even a tiger wouldn’t—”
Xiaohuan coughed, and Zhou Yixian stopped.
Xiaohuan turned to the Wild Dog Daoist, smiling. “Venerable, please take care of us.”
The Wild Dog Daoist stood, saying, “Of course, if you need any heavy lifting, just ask.”
Zhou Yixian harrumphed from afar.
Suddenly, a cold, calm voice came from outside the pavilion. “So you’re here.”
The Wild Dog Daoist stiffened, turning to see Ghost Li standing on the ancient road, his gray monkey perched on his shoulder.
* * *
It was early autumn, the sun less harsh than in summer, and a cool breeze blew.
Yet, the atmosphere in the pavilion turned tense with the arrival of the uninvited guest, Ghost Li.
The Wild Dog Daoist’s face flushed and paled, staring at the ground, visibly nervous. Ghost Li, expressionless, stood on one side, focusing on Zhou Yixian.
Xiaohuan, looking between them, cautiously asked, “Ghost Li, why are you here?”
Ghost Li looked at her. “I came to see your grandfather.”
Zhou Yixian was surprised. “Me?”
Ghost Li nodded. “Yes, I have a question for the elder.”
Xiaohuan relaxed, smiling at the Wild Dog Daoist, and then turned to Ghost Li, curious. “What question could someone as powerful as you have for my grandpa?”
As she spoke, she noticed the monkey, Xiao Hui, on Ghost Li’s shoulder. Its eyes twinkled, and it grinned at her, making her laugh. “Ha, I’m the one who gave you the candied hawthorn!”
“Chirp, chirp!” Xiao Hui chattered, nodding vigorously, then leapt into Xiaohuan’s arms. The monkey seemed to have a fond memory of the treat.
Xiaohuan, smiling, caught Xiao Hui, but it was unexpectedly heavy, almost slipping from her grasp. She quickly steadied herself, holding Xiao Hui, amazed at its increased weight in just a few days.
Ghost Li watched Xiaohuan play with Xiao Hui, his eyes briefly softening. Then, he turned to Zhou Yixian.
Zhou Yixian shrugged. “I am a man of vast knowledge. Ask me anything. But it’s strange you seek my wisdom. What is it?”
Ghost Li ignored his boasting. “In the Dead Marsh, a fish-headed monster attacked your granddaughter. Do you remember?”
Zhou Yixian, the Wild Dog Daoist, and Xiaohuan all looked at each other. Xiaohuan, holding Xiao Hui, said, “Yes, that monster was fierce. If not for Ghost Li and Bottleyan, I might have been hurt.”
Ghost Li continued, “You said it was a Fishman from one of the Sixty-Three Tribes of Nanjiang. Is that correct?”
Zhou Yixian paused, then nodded. “Yes.”
Ghost Li bowed. “Do you know anything else about the Fishmen?”
Zhou Yixian looked at Ghost Li. “Why are you suddenly interested?”
Ghost Li thought, then said, “After you left, my men were attacked by similar monsters, suffering heavy losses. I seek your knowledge.”
Zhou Yixian frowned, straightening. “Were the bodies mutilated, cut into pieces, a horrifying sight?”
“Ah!” Xiaohuan gasped, her face pale with shock.
Ghost Li nodded. “Yes, exactly.”
Zhou Yixian nodded. “Then it’s certain. These are the Fishmen from Nanjiang. They are a brutal race, believing that slicing the body destroys the soul, preventing vengeance. Thus, they ensure no whole corpses remain.”
Xiaohuan, looking pale, winced. Zhou Yixian sighed, “There are many cruel things in the world yet unknown to you.”
Ghost Li, though not as affected as Xiaohuan, frowned. “How is it that such a savage tribe has not been known before?”
Zhou Yixian said, “You live in the Central Plains, where such barbaric tribes are unknown. In the harsh mountains of Nanjiang, people live like savages, unlike the civilized Central Plains. The entrance to Nanjiang is guarded by the Incense Valley, a major orthodox sect. Occasionally, a few tribesmen slip through, but the Incense Valley disciples eliminate them. Thus, the Central Plains know little about the Nanjiang tribes.”
Ghost Li nodded, his eyes gleaming. “If, as you say, a single tribesman might slip through, a large group entering the Central Plains and reaching the Dead Marsh is impossible unless the Incense Valley is compromised…”
Zhou Yixian yawned. “That’s your problem. I don’t care.”
Ghost Li pondered, then thanked him. Turning, he saw Xiaohuan playing with Xiao Hui, which made him smile. “This monkey is charming. How did it get so heavy, and why does it have a deep gray mark on its forehead, like another eye?”
Xiaohuan giggled, making a face at Xiao Hui, who chattered, wagging its tail.
Ghost Li thought back to the mysterious liquid and stone Xiao Hui consumed in the Treasure Hall. It had slept for two days, then awakened, heavier and with changing fur. The gray mark on its forehead became more prominent.
Xiaohuan, reluctant, said, “You’re leaving already?”
Ghost Li nodded, bowing to Zhou Yixian, then a green light enveloped him, and he ascended, vanishing into the sky.
Seeing Ghost Li leave, the Wild Dog Daoist breathed a sigh of relief, the pressure of his presence lifting.
Xiaohuan, about to tease him, heard a soft, alluring voice behind her. “Sister, we meet again.”
Xiaohuan, recognizing the voice, smiled. “Bottleyan.”
Turning, she saw the enchanting Jinyin Ping standing behind her.
The Wild Dog Daoist, intimidated by Jinyin Ping, fidgeted, but Xiaohuan was delighted, pulling her to chat.
Jinyin Ping, affectionate, patted Xiaohuan’s head, then glanced at the sky. “Xiaohuan, I came to ask your grandfather a few questions about the Fishmen.”
All three were surprised.
Jinyin Ping, looking at Zhou Yixian, said, “I have a few more questions for you about the Fishmen.”
Zhou Yixian was speechless, and Jinyin Ping’s gaze drifted to the sky, where a faint light moved toward the south.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage