Chapter 86: The Haunted Grounds

Mount Azure Ethereal, the Great Bamboo Peak.

Azure ethereal vapors drift through the mountains like gentle white ribbons, shifting and transforming gently. The morning air is fresh and slightly damp, and a cool breeze passes over the emerald bamboo forest, brushing over the top of the Great Bamboo Peak.

The buildings centered around the Hall of Tranquility stand quietly in the morning light, exuding a serene atmosphere…

Suddenly, a cacophony of barking and chittering sounds breaks the silence. A vibrant, fur-coated yellow dog, known as Big Yellow, races towards the peak with Little Gray riding on its back. Little Gray clutches the fur around Big Yellow’s neck with one hand for support, while the other hand waves in the air, showing great excitement.

Ten years ago, Zhang Xiaofan left for the Heavenly Reaches Peak and never returned. In the initial period, these two animals fell into a deep melancholy. Little Gray, usually lively, became withdrawn and sullen. As for Big Yellow, it was dejected, possibly due to its fondness for Zhang Xiaofan’s cooking. Whenever Du Bishu, who took over the kitchen, brought food, Big Yellow and Little Gray would roar and grumble, clearly dissatisfied, much to Du Bishu’s frustration.

But time flows like water, and the memories of those days gradually faded. At some point, Little Gray and Big Yellow resumed their playful antics on the Great Bamboo Peak, yet every night, they always returned to Zhang Xiaofan’s old room, as if waiting for something.

Even though, for so many years, that room has remained empty.

“Whew!”

Big Yellow suddenly stops in its tracks, nearly throwing Little Gray off its back. Fortunately, Little Gray grips tightly, stabilizing itself. Big Yellow barks loudly and turns around, sticking out its long tongue to chase its tail, spinning in circles.

Little Gray sits firmly on its back, laughing and chittering, clearly enjoying this repetitive but delightful game. The soft morning light bathes them, and their voices echo across the Great Bamboo Peak, where people still sleep, seemingly leaving this beautiful time solely for them.

In the distance, from the lush bamboo grove on the back mountain, comes the rustling sound of bamboo leaves swaying in the wind, carrying a hint of the forest’s fragrance.

Suddenly!

Big Yellow stops chasing its tail, and Little Gray, on its back, also raises its head at the same moment, looking toward the bamboo grove with wide eyes.

Green mountains, emerald bamboo, the wind passing like an ocean…

Rustle, rustle, rustle…

“Chitter chitter!” Little Gray suddenly screams, and Big Yellow reacts oddly, barking softly. But after a moment, both animals seem to understand something. Little Gray clings tightly to Big Yellow, and Big Yellow immediately sprints towards the dark bamboo grove on the back mountain.

On the familiar path up the back mountain, now overgrown with vegetation, Big Yellow seems to have an innate sense, weaving through the forest, running faster and faster, until it reaches the bamboo grove.

Inside the emerald bamboo grove, which is deep and mysterious, Big Yellow stops, whining softly. Little Gray jumps down and squats beside it, looking at Big Yellow, then peering into the grove, occasionally scratching its head, appearing hesitant.

After a moment, Little Gray makes up its mind. It chitters twice to Big Yellow and leads the way into the grove. Instead of climbing the bamboo, Little Gray uses its front paws to steady itself, hopping along cautiously, filled with anticipation.

Big Yellow whines softly and follows, entering the grove.

Monkey and dog, they move slowly through the tranquil bamboo grove, soon disappearing from sight.

***

The dense bamboo leaves block most of the morning light, but beams of sunlight still filter through, casting finger-sized rays onto the ground.

Little Gray and Big Yellow walk slowly, deeper into the bamboo grove. They reach a small, familiar clearing, where Zhang Xiaofan had once worked hard to chop bamboo.

Little Gray stops, scratches its head, and looks around.

The deep bamboo grove is silent.

Yet, there seems to be an unexplained aura floating here, making their hearts race…

“A soft step breaks the silence deep in the bamboo grove.”

Little Gray and Big Yellow turn, and a figure slowly emerges from behind a thick bamboo stalk.

The bamboo grove becomes silent again, but soon, a cheer erupts. Little Gray leaps up, like a gray flash, and jumps into the figure’s arms!

It clings tightly, laughing joyfully and unabashedly, chittering nonstop.

The figure wraps its arms around Little Gray, his face, once fierce, now softened with a long-missed smile. He holds Little Gray close. After a moment, he notices Big Yellow, bends down, and pets its head, smiling, “How are you, Big Yellow?”

Big Yellow wags its tail and nuzzles the figure’s hand, unable to speak but clearly happy.

In his eyes, a faint light reflects, “Only you two remain as you were, loyal to me.”

He sighs, breathing in the familiar, missed scent of the bamboo grove.

“Rustle, rustle!”

Suddenly, hurried footsteps sound, and Wild Dog Taoist emerges, but his tattered robe shows he has taken a wrong path.

Wild Dog Taoist, disgruntled, complains to the figure, “Hey, brat, are you crazy? This is the Azure Ethereal Conclave! If we’re discovered, we’ll be dead ten times over!”

Big Yellow, who was calm moments ago, now bristles, growls, and lunges at Wild Dog Taoist.

Wild Dog Taoist, startled, instinctively grabs his fang treasure.

Ghost Li, standing nearby, says coldly, “If you dare use your treasure to hurt this dog, I’ll cut off your limbs and throw you in front of the Hall of Tranquility.”

Wild Dog Taoist, stunned, protests, “You…!”

But before he can finish, Big Yellow tackles him, sending them both tumbling into the thorny bushes. The sounds of barking, cursing, and struggling fill the air:

“Ouch, stop biting… Hey, brat, call this dog off, or… Stop, that’s a human leg, not a chicken leg… Argh…”

Ghost Li ignores the commotion, turning to Little Gray, who climbs onto his shoulder, playfully reaching to touch his hair.

Ghost Li stands quietly, then walks to the edge of the bamboo grove, gazing at the cloud-covered area where his home once stood. He gazes deeply, lost in thought.

After a while, Big Yellow, proud and wagging its tail, runs out of the bamboo grove and bounces over to Ghost Li, barking.

Ghost Li smiles and pats its head.

Moments later, Wild Dog Taoist stumbles out, his robe even more tattered, with scratches on his face and feet. Seeing Big Yellow, he hesitates, shouting, “Stupid dog, don’t think you’re safe just because someone’s backing you. One day, I’ll get you!”

Big Yellow snarls, scaring Wild Dog Taoist, who retreats, but Big Yellow just barks and looks away. Wild Dog Taoist, relieved, stops cursing.

The first rays of sunlight fall, draping the mountain in a golden hue.

Ghost Li closes his eyes, taking a deep breath. Then, he turns, holding Little Gray, and tells Wild Dog Taoist, “Let’s go.”

Wild Dog Taoist eagerly follows, muttering, “For a monkey, risking our lives… Stupid!”

Big Yellow, sensing something, stands and looks at Ghost Li. Ghost Li pats its head, then waves his hand, summoning a black rod, and rises into the sky.

Wild Dog Taoist, startled, activates his treasure and follows.

At the edge of the dark bamboo grove, Big Yellow barks continuously, echoing through the mountain, until a pale hand strokes its head, and a soft voice asks, “What’s wrong, Big Yellow? Why are you barking so much?”

Big Yellow, panting, looks at Tian Ling’er, now a young woman, then barks at the sky.

Tian Ling’er frowns, looking around, “What’s going on, Big Yellow? Where’s Little Gray?”

Big Yellow continues barking.

Tian Ling’er looks up, seeing only blue skies and a distant, magnificent cloud. She feels a sudden sense of emptiness, lost in thought.

***

Far to the south of Mount Azure Ethereal, in a remote location, lies Fox Ridge Mountain, the headquarters of the Demon Sect’s Ghost King Clan.

Over the past ten years, the Demon Sect has grown in power, producing many skilled warriors, but internal strife has intensified. The Ghost King Clan, one of the four major factions, has become even stronger under the leadership of the Ghost King, who is grooming it to surpass the Venomous Gate as the sect’s largest faction.

Young Ghost Li, highly favored by the Ghost King, has been promoted to Deputy Clan Leader, viewed as the next clan leader. Despite numerous attempts to sever the bond between the Ghost King and Ghost Li, all have failed.

In the few who know their history, there is a faint sadness about their unbreakable relationship.

A mysterious black-clothed woman, Youji, sits in the most important room of the Ghost King Clan. The room, cold and centered around a transparent ice platform, houses a beautiful woman in green, lying peacefully, her face pale and ethereal, a golden bell clasped in her hands.

Suddenly, the heavy stone door opens, and footsteps approach.

Youji looks up, knowing only a few can enter this room.

Ghost Li, his face pale, appears. Youji’s heart flutters, remembering each visit, his face grows paler.

But his gaze is fixed on the beautiful woman, completely absorbed.

The room falls silent, deathly still.

Youji quietly leaves, closing the door behind her, and finds herself face-to-face with a white-robed Qinglong.

“What’s happening?” Youji asks, her voice soft.

Qinglong glances at the door, “He’s back, talking to Biyao.”

Youji’s veil moves, and she nods, “Yes, he’s in there with her.”

Qinglong frowns, “He’s alone, talking to himself. It’s too sad to talk about.”

Youji stands silently, then says, “Every time he returns, he comes here first.”

Qinglong’s face changes, “Sister, he’s now called Ghost Li. Don’t use that name anymore.”

Youji’s expression is hidden, but her tone remains unchanged, “But the Ghost King hasn’t come here in a long time.”

Qinglong sighs, “These ten years, the Ghost King’s hair has turned white. He misses his daughter, but keeps the pain inside.”

Youji falls silent, then asks, “How’s the search for the Black Witch Clan?”

Qinglong shakes his head, “They vanished a thousand years ago. There’s no clue where to find them.”

Youji turns to leave.

This room, where Biyao rests, is secluded. Few people venture here.

Qinglong watches Youji, then says, “Stay away from Ghost Li.”

Youji freezes, then turns, her voice cold, “What do you mean?”

Qinglong, unfazed, looks at the door, “I know you feel guilty about not protecting Biyao, but your concern for Ghost Li is too much.”

Youji’s aura chills the air, “Are you saying I have feelings for him?”

Qinglong, undeterred, “I didn’t say that. Just be careful. The Ghost King and Ghost Li’s relationship is delicate. Though the Ghost King treats Ghost Li as a son, there’s still pain and resentment.”

Youji, coldly, “Nonsense.” She turns and walks away.

Qinglong sighs, shaking his head.

***

In the stone chamber, Ghost Li sits beside Biyao, gazing at her pale, beautiful face, “I’m back, Biyao.”

…

“I eliminated another sect, the Blood Refinement Hall, where we first met. Do you remember?”

…

“At the end, I couldn’t kill the last person. I thought of you, and how we met here. Will you blame me, Biyao?”

…

“Recently, I went to the Great Bamboo Peak, bringing Little Gray back. Have you seen Little Gray, the monkey I raised?”

…

“I went to the black bamboo grove. Can you guess what I saw?”

…

“The fallen black bamboo still lies there, where we sat together, Biyao. Nothing has changed.”

…

“Biyao…” he whispers, his voice choking, echoing in the stone chamber.