The chilling wind grew fiercer, howling through the air and causing the garments of Ghost Li and Golden Bell to flutter wildly. They stood at the entrance of the ancient cave, known as the Demonic Quelling Abyss, watching as a sinister and monstrous figure slowly materialized before them.
Eyes as large as bronze bells snapped open in the mist, emanating a faint, blood-red glow. The gigantic figure loomed over them, its gaze falling upon the two mortals standing beneath it.
“Who dares to tread upon this hallowed ground?”
The voice of the malevolent spirit thundered forth, powerful and resonant, seeming to shake the very mountains around them. But then, after a moment, the wraith paused, its gaze shifting to Golden Bell, who stood slightly behind Ghost Li: “You… again?”
Golden Bell gave a delicate, enchanting smile, her voice soft and alluring, “Yes, it’s me. We meet once more.”
The wraith let out an enraged roar that echoed far and wide, reverberating within the deep, shadowy cavern behind it. “Why have you returned here? Was disrupting the Lady’s statue not enough for you last time?”
While Golden Bell was contemplating how to deal with the wraith—recalling that the guardian of the Demonic Quelling Abyss was no easy foe—she maintained a serene, smiling expression. Just as she was about to speak, Ghost Li suddenly said, “Are you the Black Tiger, one of the seven heroes who followed the sorceress Linglong into the Southern Territories, beyond the Ten Thousand Mountains?”
Golden Bell was taken aback, turning to stare at Ghost Li, whose expression remained impassive, his eyes fixed on the colossal figure. Almost simultaneously, the wraith seemed struck by the name “Black Tiger,” as if a heavy blow had landed deep within his heart.
Even as a wraith, even abandoned by the world, enduring countless millennia of solitude, there were still some memories that lingered in his heart…
“Who… are you?” The wraith’s voice, once powerful and resonant, now sounded hoarse and altered, a stark contrast to the earlier bellow.
Ghost Li gazed at the figure enveloped in the eerie, ghostly aura, his eyes flickering with complex emotions. Slowly, he spoke, “Of the seven who followed the sorceress Linglong, five returned and founded the Five Tribes of the South. The remaining two, the closest brothers to the sorceress, Black Tiger and Black Wood, never returned. It is said that the elder, Black Tiger, was loyal and brave, while the younger, Black Wood, was resolute and steadfast. Your reverence for the statue and your unwavering dedication, even as a wraith, make me believe you are Black Tiger. Am I right?”
The wraith remained silent for a long while, its gaze fixed on Ghost Li, who, under the menacing glare, showed no fear. Gradually, the white, ghostly miasma surrounding the wraith began to swirl, and the blood-red hue in its eyes intensified, making the already frigid air of the cave entrance even colder.
The small monkey, Little Ash, perched on Ghost Li’s shoulder, appeared uneasy, emitting a low, anxious cry.
“Who are you to know the tales of the witch tribe?” The wraith’s voice, once filled with anger, now carried an icy chill.
Ghost Li, seemingly unfazed, continued to look at the immense shadow, saying, “Most people forget the past, but there are always legends, passed down bit by bit.” He looked directly at the wraith, speaking each word with deliberate clarity, “Today, the descendants of the witches in the Southern Territories still remember you!”
The wraith’s eyes closed, and they remained closed for a long time.
Golden Bell, standing behind, frowned slightly, glancing between the wraith and Ghost Li. She knew nothing of the ancient witch tribe or the statue, but the wraith’s reaction suggested that Ghost Li’s words were true. She had always believed herself to be the most knowledgeable among the Demon Sect, but it seemed Ghost Li held many secrets.
She looked at the man’s silhouette, a chill running down her spine, her gaze growing colder.
For a long time, the chilling wind continued to blow. Above, dark clouds churned silently, and the cold wind howled, creating a desolate scene.
Amidst the silence, the wraith, Black Tiger, suddenly lifted his head, letting out a sorrowful howl that reverberated through the distant mountains. As the echoes faded, he turned back, his voice now a mix of intense emotion and suppressed rage.
“Thank you!”
The wraith, staring at Ghost Li for a long time, finally bowed his head slightly, uttering those words.
Ghost Li, expressionless, took a step back, closing his eyes and inclining his head in return.
The wraith nodded, his voice gradually calming, “I never thought there would be anyone left in the world who remembers the Lady and us. But when we followed the sorceress into the Ten Thousand Mountains, we never imagined our names would endure for eternity.”
His gaze shifted to the statue of the sorceress at the cave’s entrance, his eyes softening, and his voice lowering, “But you must have come here for a reason other than to say these few words to me, a creature neither fully human nor ghost.”
After a moment of silence, Ghost Li replied, “Yes, I came here knowing only the legend of the sorceress and the seven heroes, but I did not know of your current situation or that you would be here…” He looked up at the wraith, slowly adding, “I came for the beast god in this cave.”
The enormous figure shuddered, the name apparently instilling even the wraith with fear.
However, the wraith’s gaze did not waver, remaining fixed on the statue, “What do you want with him?”
Ghost Li’s voice was calm, “We need to find him and kill him.”
The wraith turned abruptly, staring at Ghost Li, “Just the two of you?”
Ghost Li nodded, “Yes.”
The white, ghostly miasma around the wraith began to swirl faster, making his figure blur. After a moment, he spoke coldly, “Indeed, the beast god is within the Demonic Quelling Abyss.”
Golden Bell felt a surge of hope, but Ghost Li’s expression remained unaltered, still gazing at the wraith.
The wraith also looked at him, suddenly asking, “Your attire suggests you are not from the Southern Territories. Are you from the Central Lands?”
Ghost Li nodded, “Yes.”
The wraith pondered for a moment, his expression fluctuating, “Do you know why I guard this entrance?”
Ghost Li shook his head, “No.”
The wraith continued, “I guard the Lady’s statue, but also to prevent any force from resurrecting this fiend and to stop ignorant souls from entering their doom. Do you understand?”
Ghost Li nodded.
The wraith gave a grim smile, “But I have failed the Lady’s trust, deceived by that beast, leading to the resurrection of the fiend and the suffering of the world…” His voice trailed off, and then he steadied himself, “I had given up, thinking no one could stop this fiend, but recently, he returned severely injured. The Central Lands must have produced a formidable adversary, which I did not expect.”
Ghost Li’s eyes twitched, and he laughed coldly, “Do not worry too much. Even though the beast god has been defeated, the one who defeated him may not be in a much better state!”
The wraith was momentarily puzzled by Ghost Li’s words but did not delve deeper, “If you can rid the world of this fiend, it would be best. I have wished for this for thousands of years, but even in his slumber, I could not stop him. Perhaps you, from the Central Lands, can. If you succeed…” The wraith’s ghostly miasma suddenly retracted, and he roared, “I will thank you on behalf of the Lady!”
With that, he moved aside, revealing the deep, bottomless abyss behind him.
Ghost Li cast a deep glance into the cave, then at the wraith, who was also looking intently at him. Slowly, he nodded and entered the cave. As he passed the wraith, the small monkey, Little Ash, on his shoulder, looked curiously at the giant figure, its three eyes unblinking.
The wraith called out to Ghost Li’s retreating back, “There is one more thing. When the beast god returned, he was not alone. Besides the beast Glutton, there was another fiend, immensely powerful. Be careful.”
Ghost Li paused, “I was told his thirteen beasts were all destroyed.”
The wraith shook his head, “This fiend is not one of the thirteen. I have never seen it before. You must be careful.”
Ghost Li nodded, continuing deeper into the cave.
Golden Bell followed, and the trio’s figures slowly merged into the darkness, disappearing from sight.
The wraith’s ghostly miasma gradually faded, but his eyes remained fixed on the dark depths. Suddenly, he let out a thunderous roar, so powerful that even the chilling wind reversed, and the rock walls rumbled as if the world was tearing apart.
In the midst of the roar, the wraith’s colossal figure slowly vanished into the darkness…
However, just as the wraith disappeared, a dark figure emerged from behind the statue, the one who had orchestrated the chaos among the Five Tribes and revived the beast god: Black Wood.
Clad in a black, flowing robe, Black Wood exuded a chilling aura. His eyes, however, were filled with a complex mix of emotions as he gazed into the dark depths of the cave. Only after the wraith, his former elder brother, had disappeared did he retract his gaze, settling it back on the statue of the sorceress.
In the chilling wind, he whispered, “Lady…”
Meanwhile, in the distance, a group of about a dozen people emerged from the dense, dark forest, led by a woman in snow-white robes, her beauty unmatched, holding a blue celestial sword, her face like frost, her eyes carrying a deep sorrow and a sense of history. She gazed silently at the charred mountain peak…
※ ※ ※
Thirty miles outside the city of River Yang, in the Central Lands.
On the main road, most of the refugees had returned to their southern homes, but ragged travelers still wandered near the foot of the Azure Ethereal Conclave. The place was busier now, with traders and peddlers, a stark improvement from the chaos a few months ago.
“Divine guidance! Let me tell your fate!” A loud voice broke the silence, echoing along the road, drawing everyone’s attention.
“Fortune, officialdom, love, destiny; feng shui, physiognomy, divination, bone reading—I excel in all! Come, come, only five taels of silver, a great deal!”
Monday Immortal, holding a bamboo pole with the sign “Divine Guidance,” walked briskly, his voice attracting curious looks from passersby.
Behind him, Wild Dog Taoist remained silent, carrying all their luggage, while Little Ring, who had been engrossed in a black, unmarked book, looked up in surprise, “Grandpa, what did you say, five taels of silver each?”
Monday Immortal turned, smiled, and extended five fingers, emphasizing, “Five taels of silver.”
Little Ring frowned, “But yesterday you asked for three taels. What’s going on? A few days ago, we charged five mace of silver per person, but you’ve been increasing the price every day. From five mace to one tael, then two, and now five. What’s the matter with you?”
She examined Monday Immortal closely, making him nervous. He stepped back, coughing, “What are you doing, little girl?”
Ignoring him, she reached for his forehead, causing him to flinch and step back, “What are you doing?”
Little Ring spat, “You’re the one acting strange. I’m checking if you have a fever and if you’re delirious!” She turned to Wild Dog Taoist, “Taoist, do you think my grandpa is losing his mind?”
Wild Dog Taoist, with his face wrapped as usual, chuckled and nodded, “Well, with age, one can get a bit…”
“Rubbish!” Monday Immortal shouted, livid.
Little Ring glared at him, “Grandpa, why are you so upset? Taoist makes sense. You’ve been acting odd lately.”
Monday Immortal, especially sensitive to the term “old and confused,” grew even angrier, “What do you two know? How old are you? How much do you understand about life? This isn’t…”
Cutting him off, Little Ring said, “Then explain why you keep raising the price.”
Monday Immortal harrumphed, waving his bamboo pole, “Look at these people. Everyone we’ve met is a refugee. How many would normally consider having their fortune read?”
Little Ring nodded, “True, including us.”
Monday Immortal’s face reddened, but he pretended not to hear. Little Ring continued, “Since they are refugees, few would think of having their fortune read. I was thinking we should lower the price, but you keep raising it.”
Monday Immortal crossed his arms, smirking, “So, according to you, I’m wrong. But tell me, have more or fewer people been coming to have their fortunes read lately?”
Little Ring hesitated, frowning, while Wild Dog Taoist interjected, “Actually, more people seem to be getting their fortunes read.”
Monday Immortal harrumphed, a smug look on his face, “See? You’re young, what do you know? In times of disaster, everyone is uncertain, fearing for their lives. My guidance is a beacon of hope, and many are willing to pay for it.”
Little Ring pondered, shaking her head in bewilderment.
Wild Dog Taoist, still puzzled, asked, “But why raise the price so much?”
Monday Immortal glared, “Such profound knowledge is beyond you!”
Wild Dog Taoist retreated, and Little Ring sighed, “I think I understand now.”
Both men were surprised. Monday Immortal prompted, “Oh, explain then.”
Little Ring shrugged, “It’s simple. People are scared and don’t care about money. The higher the price, the more they believe in your abilities. I didn’t think people would fall for such a trick, but I guess they do.”
Monday Immortal shook his head, “You’re wrong, Little Ring.”
Confused, she asked, “What do you mean?”
He replied, “You’re right about the desperation, but they aren’t fooled. They just want to believe in something.”
Wild Dog Taoist, still lost, asked, “What do you mean, ‘believe in something’?”
Monday Immortal glanced at the passing travelers, “People in desperate times want to believe. They pay for the hope that their future will be better. It’s a comfort to them.”
Little Ring, surprised, asked, “Do you really tell the truth, or do you just make it up?”
Monday Immortal smiled, “I make it up.”
Little Ring and Wild Dog Taoist exchanged glances, speechless.
Monday Immortal looked up at the sky, gazing at the vast heavens, and said, “Such a calamity cannot happen twice. The future must be better, and I’m not lying. I’ve brought hope to countless displaced people, and many have found new life because of my words. That’s a greater virtue than the monks and priests chanting in their temples.”
He patted Little Ring’s head, his face full of righteous resolve, “Life is truly lonely…”
Suddenly, the area fell silent, and Monday Immortal, frowning, looked around.
“Hey, why are you two walking so fast…”
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage