A dim, ashen glow emanated gently from the cold edge of the fang, gliding over the face of Daoist Ye Gou. The man lying in front of him was none other than the very culprit who had personally annihilated the Blood Refining Hall.
His eyes flickered with conflicting thoughts, yet this opportunity was truly once in a lifetime. Ordinarily, how could someone like Ye Gou even dare to think about killing a man like Gui Li? But now, the latter seemed to have lost his wits, making it a golden chance for revenge.
A murderous glint flashed in Ye Gou’s eyes as he brought down his fang weapon.
The wind whistled, and a faint, sharp sound tore through the silence of the night.
Before the weapon could reach its target, the gust of wind already brushed against the desolate figure, sweeping away the disheveled hair from his forehead, revealing a face with closed eyes.
Ye Gou thought to himself that the man looked rather pale. Throughout his life, he had never seen such an odd man as Gui Li. He couldn’t fathom what it was that had left this seemingly unbreakable man so utterly defeated. Yet, he didn’t wish to know. In his heart, the Blood Refining Hall held a place of utmost importance, far beyond the significance of Nian Lao Da and the others who had once ruled it. Thus, when forced into a corner by Gui Li, Nian Lao Da and the others surrendered, but Ye Gou, surprisingly, stood firm.
Now, it was the perfect moment for vengeance!
Ye Gou began to envision blood spraying out, splattering onto his face. Just as the crucial moment arrived, another thought crossed his mind: If he killed this man, would Xiaohuan be heartbroken? Would she ever speak to him again?
After all, there was a past between Xiaohuan and Gui Li that Ye Gou knew nothing about. But seeing her insistence on taking care of Gui Li, he understood their deep bond.
Ye Gou’s mind was in a muddle, countless thoughts swirling through his head. Yet, the fang in his hand continued its descent, piercing through the air!
As the fang was about to strike the despondent man’s throat, a massive arm suddenly emerged from the darkness.
Silently, like a specter, the enormous hand appeared before Ye Gou, catching the fang in its grasp before he could react. The fang’s powerful momentum still dragged the hand down slightly, but only just. After that, the fang was held firmly, suspended mere inches from Gui Li’s throat, immovable no matter how Ye Gou struggled or chanted spells.
Ye Gou paled in shock, looking up to see three blazing flames in a triangular formation in the dark above. The topmost flame flickered with a solemn gold and a sinister, blood-red hue.
Ye Gou could not comprehend why the golden light, representing the power to vanquish demons, and the blood-red, representing a voracious hunger, could coexist. But one thing was clear: this creature in the darkness, capable of holding the fang with one hand, was far beyond his ability to fight.
Suddenly, the invisible darkness around them roared, like a monstrous beast bellowing, and the darkness surged, threatening to swallow him whole.
Ye Gou did not dare hesitate. Instinctively, he released the fang and turned to flee. As he leapt away, a fierce gale swept downward, smashing the ground where he had stood, creating a massive crater with a thunderous boom, shaking the small hill.
Far away, Zhou Yixian and Xiaohuan were startled awake by the commotion. They saw Ye Gou flying backward, landing near the fire, unable to steady himself and stumbling backward.
On his face was a look of terror, and he muttered, “Monster… monster…”
Zhou Yixian and Xiaohuan looked back, their faces soon turning pale.
In the darkness, a massive figure slowly emerged, standing at least four or five zhang tall, towering over everyone present. Its three burning eyes, large and sharp fangs, and bulging muscles exuded a malevolent aura.
Zhou Yixian drew a sharp breath, muttering, “Three-eyed spirit… No, it’s the Three-Eyed Fierce Ape.”
Xiaohuan stared in disbelief, “Grandpa, what are you saying? Could it be Xiao Hui?”
Zhou Yixian grunted, pulling Xiaohuan back, and snarled at Ye Gou, “What have you done to provoke this monster?”
Ye Gou remained silent.
Seeing his demeanor, Zhou Yixian grew even angrier. Just as he was about to curse, a roar echoed from the front. The Three-Eyed Fierce Ape, its eyes glowing red, leapt into the air, causing a great commotion and casting a shadow over everything.
Zhou Yixian and the others, pale-faced, scattered in terror. The giant ape, enraged by Ye Gou’s attempt to harm its master, bore down with a ferocious intent.
They narrowly avoided the giant hand, which smashed into the ground, creating another crater. Even the nearby campfire was scattered, sending embers flying, illuminating the colossal figure of the giant ape like a demonic apparition.
With a roar, the ape swiped its right hand, a gray light flashing and hurtling toward Ye Gou. In a flash, it reached him.
Feeling the fierce wind, Ye Gou barely managed to dodge. The gray light grazed his back, causing him intense pain. A force from behind pushed him, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
In his peripheral vision, he saw the gray light was his own fang weapon.
Before he could even smile bitterly, the giant ape loomed over him, crashing down. Ye Gou tried to dodge but found himself frozen, and he could only sigh and close his eyes, awaiting death.
Just as the giant ape was about to tear Ye Gou to pieces, Zhou Yixian and Xiaohuan, stunned, stood helplessly. Suddenly, the giant ape’s body tilted strangely, and it fell to the ground with a thud, sitting on its haunches with a comical pose.
“Boom!”
The fall was so powerful it sent a shockwave. The giant ape, bewildered, scratched its head and looked around.
Zhou Yixian, Xiaohuan, and the lucky-to-be-alive Ye Gou all turned to look.
Gui Li, who had regained consciousness, suddenly appeared behind the giant ape, a desolate look on his face. He held the ape’s tail, having pulled it down from the air, saving Ye Gou’s life.
The giant ape blinked its three eyes, roaring at the man who was only half its size. Gui Li shook his head gently.
The giant ape’s body trembled, and a cacophony of cracking bones sounded. To the amazement of the onlookers, the giant ape shrank, transforming back into the adorable three-eyed monkey. It looked around, then scampered up to perch on Gui Li’s shoulder.
Gui Li reached out and stroked the monkey’s head. The monkey, somewhat reluctantly, made a few chirping sounds and pointed at Ye Gou.
Ye Gou’s heart raced as Gui Li turned to him, asking, “Do you want to kill me?”
Ye Gou’s expression wavered, and under the gaze of Xiaohuan, he felt a deep sadness. He blurted out, “Yes, I want to kill you! You destroyed the Blood Refining Hall, killed my fellow disciples. Am I not justified in seeking revenge?”
Gui Li stared at him coldly, while the monkey on his shoulder chirped mockingly.
Feeling uneasy under Gui Li’s gaze and Xiaohuan’s silence, Ye Gou gritted his teeth and said, “Kill me if you will, what are you waiting for?”
Gui Li slowly turned away from the cowering Ye Gou, his expression changing to one of desolation and pain.
“What use is killing you? If killing could save her, I would have slaughtered the entire world…” he murmured, “Ten years, what have I done besides killing? Why am I still alive…”
His face bleak, he turned and walked away, ignoring the others.
Ye Gou stood in shock, while Xiaohuan’s face changed, and she ran after Gui Li. Zhou Yixian, startled, tried to grab her but missed.
Xiaohuan caught up to Gui Li, grabbing his hand, “What’s wrong? Where are you going?”
Gui Li, asked this, felt the world shake. Those four words echoed in his mind.
“Where are you going… Where are you going… Where are you going…”
“Where… can I go?”
Lifting his head, he gazed at the endless, dark sky, devoid of any light, engulfing his figure…
Where should I go…
In the darkness, a soft, whispering voice repeated the question.
※ ※ ※
At the border of the Southlands, in Qili Cave.
A somber atmosphere enveloped the valley as countless Miao people gathered from all directions, lining the path to the mountain altar. Elders, children, strong men, and women all bore sorrow in their eyes. Some women began to weep, and soon, sobs echoed through the crowd.
Qinglong followed Chief Tu Magu, carefully holding a vase containing the ashes of the deceased Great Shaman. They slowly ascended to the altar.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on the vase. Young men clenched their fists, women wept, and the elders’ faces reflected only desolation.
Chief Tu Magu remained silent, his face grim, but he seemed more composed than the others.
As they passed through the mournful crowd, the mountain breeze gently blew, creating a soft, musical sound as it touched the vase.
This was their homeland!
Qinglong, accustomed to great events, wore a solemn expression as he followed Chief Tu Magu to the altar.
On the platform, a circle of shamans stood, some with white hair, some black, but all shared the same reverence.
The eldest shaman, approaching Qinglong, bowed deeply and spoke in Miao. Qinglong, not understanding, looked to Chief Tu Magu.
Chief Tu Magu translated, “This is White Sheep Shaman, the leader of the altar. He greets you and thanks you for bringing the revered Great Shaman’s remains back home.”
Qinglong replied, “The Great Shaman was highly respected, and he spared no effort for our Ghost King Sect. I have done only my duty.”
Tu Magu translated, and the shaman nodded, taking the vase reverently. As he took it, the other shamans broke their silence, chanting a strange incantation in a haunting, ethereal voice.
The incantation grew louder, echoing through the mountains, and more weeping rose from the crowd below.
White Sheep Shaman, bowing to Qinglong and Tu Magu, carried the vase into the altar, followed by the other shamans. Qinglong, still hearing the distant sobs, sighed deeply.
Chief Tu Magu, his face grave, said, “On behalf of the Miao people, I thank the noble messenger for bringing the Great Shaman back to his homeland.”
Qinglong responded, “The Chief is too kind. The Great Shaman was a great benefactor to our Ghost King Sect. We hold him in the highest regard. Our Ghost King intended to bring him back himself, but urgent matters prevented him. He asks me to convey his apologies.”
Tu Magu nodded, “The Ghost King is too humble. Please, this way.”
He gestured for Qinglong to enter the altar. Qinglong, puzzled, followed, noticing that only Tu Magu accompanied him. The other Miao warriors and shamans had disappeared.
Seeing no one around, Tu Magu stopped, and Qinglong followed suit. “Chief, do you have something else to say?”
Tu Magu hesitated, “I do have one more thing to ask.”
Qinglong prompted him, “Please speak.”
Tu Magu said, “The young man who came to our Qili Cave and took the Great Shaman, what has become of him?”
Qinglong, thinking of Gui Li, replied, “The young man is our Ghost King Sect’s Deputy Sect Leader. But he is in deep grief, and no one knows where he is.”
Disappointment showed on Tu Magu’s face, but he continued, “Could you, when you have the chance, pass on a message to him?”
Qinglong, feeling uneasy, agreed, “Of course, Chief. What is the message?”
Tu Magu, his gaze distant, said, “Please remind him of the request made by an old man in the Qili Cave, and that he should keep it in his heart.”
Qinglong frowned, sensing that Gui Li had made a promise to the Miao people, leading the Great Shaman to risk everything to save Bi Yao. But since Gui Li wasn’t here, he couldn’t ask further.
Nodding, Qinglong said, “I will convey your message, Chief.”
Tu Magu sighed, about to say more, when a sharp, ear-piercing scream echoed from outside the altar.
The scream, seeming to come from the heavens, was also deep and earthy, filled with the intent to slay. A surge of relentless malice rolled in, and in the daylight, the mountains of Qili Cave were filled with ghostly wails and the roar of beasts.
Chief Tu Magu’s face turned pale, and Qinglong, too, was taken aback. They rushed out of the altar, only to see the sky, once clear, now covered in dark, ominous clouds.
The chilling wind blew from the clouds, and the Miao people below, especially the children and women, screamed in fear.
A heavy, pounding sound approached, and from the distant mountains, a massive figure emerged—a white-boned, serpent-like creature with six brilliantly colored wings, but its body, except for the head, was entirely skeletal, making it terrifyingly beautiful.
The bone serpent, nearly ten feet long, flapped its wings, its tongue flickering and spewing black gas.
From behind and around it, a horde of bizarre creatures and monsters emerged, their screeches and snarls filling the air as they charged down the mountain, attacking the terrified people in the valley.
Suddenly, a thunderclap shook the sky, and a deep, rumbling sound, like a wave, rolled in, shaking the earth. Amidst the howling, a faint, mournful cry rang out:
Linglong…
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