Chapter 90: The Noble Wild Hound

In the depths of the Marsh of Death, as the rain grew heavier, a wind began to blow. The monkey Xiao Hui’s fur was drenched, clinging to his body. He curled up, motionless in Xiao Huan’s arms, his sharp eyes darting back and forth, looking at the distant landscape and then back at Xiao Huan.

Rain fell in a relentless downpour, casting an even darker and grayer shadow over the already gloomy marsh. Zhou Yixian pulled out his robe to cover his head, sitting under a small tree. Xiao Huan, however, couldn’t decide whether to sit or stand. After a moment, she sighed and gently squatted, hugging Xiao Hui tighter to protect him from the rain. As for herself, she was already soaked, and there was little she could do about it.

The Daoist Yegou, feeling quite smug, strode over with an umbrella. His expression was anything but kind, devoid of any chivalry or compassion. He sneered, “Hehe, little girl, want an umbrella? It must be awful being drenched like that, huh?”

Xiao Huan looked up at Yegou through the rain, her face wet and beautiful like scattered pearls. She smiled softly.

Yegou was taken aback. He had come over, hoping to gloat when Xiao Huan begged for the umbrella, but she didn’t say a word, let alone ask. His plan to mock her and then strut away triumphantly was dashed. Frustrated, he glared at Xiao Huan.

But something about her caught his eye. The young, beautiful girl, quietly enduring the rain, seemed to carry all the weight of the world. Every drop of rain seemed to fall on her slight, trembling form. Her clothes clung to her, her black hair was disheveled, and a few strands fell across her pale, weathered cheeks, adding a haunting beauty to her visage.

Yegou suddenly turned away, clutching his umbrella tightly. He muttered to himself, “I’m a bad guy, I’m a bad guy, I’m a bad guy…”

Xiao Huan, who had intended to ignore him, now felt curious. “Daoist, what are you saying?”

Startled, Yegou looked at Xiao Huan, whose eyes were strange and questioning. Her face, white and wet, held a vulnerable look in the storm.

“None of your business!” Yegou roared, his face red with anger.

Xiao Huan, startled, shrugged and looked down. Xiao Hui, who was still in her arms, grinned and chirped.

The rain and wind seemed endless, and Xiao Huan started to feel cold. Suddenly, she noticed the rain had lightened. Looking up, she saw Yegou standing beside her, holding the umbrella over her head, already drenched himself.

“Here, take the umbrella!” Yegou snarled, shoving it into her hands.

Xiao Huan stood up, surprised. “Daoist, you—”

Yegou glanced at her, seeing the shock on her face, and the water droplets glistening on her long lashes, reflecting the sparkle in her eyes. He felt a sudden heat in his face, thrust the umbrella into her hands, and walked away, muttering, “You girls, always pretending to be pitiful. Disgusting, disgusting!”

Xiao Huan, holding the umbrella, watched Yegou’s retreating back and laughed, her voice like a clear bell in the storm. “Daoist, you’re a good person!”

Yegou didn’t turn around. “Bah! I’ve been a bad guy since birth, and I’ll always be against you good people!”

Xiao Huan stood, smiling, as Yegou, drenched, searched for shelter. Finding none, he went back to the small tree where Zhou Yixian sat, pulled his collar over his head, and sulked silently, letting the rain pour down.

Zhou Yixian looked at Yegou’s grim face, noticing his mixed emotions, and burst into laughter. “I’m a bad guy, I’m a bad guy…”

Yegou, humiliated, jumped up, and Zhou Yixian, still laughing, slipped and fell into a mud pit, covered in muck.

Yegou, stunned by the absurdity, also laughed. They bickered and insulted each other, while Xiao Huan, standing at a distance, smiled.

The rain finally stopped, the sky clearing. Xiao Huan closed the umbrella and looked up, the air fresh and free of the stench of decay. She turned to see Zhou Yixian and Yegou still sitting, exhausted from their quarrels. Xiao Huan set Xiao Hui down, and the monkey, shaking off the water, splashed her. She laughed, scolding him lightly.

She approached a nearby pond, the water reflecting a deep, clear green. She looked at her reflection, straightening her hair. The air was sweet after the rain, and the world was peaceful. Suddenly, Xiao Hui let out a sharp, nervous squeak.

Xiao Huan, startled, looked into the pond and saw a pair of enormous eyes staring back, larger than any human’s. She screamed, and from the dense reeds, a massive water jet shot towards her.

Xiao Hui screeched. Xiao Huan, pale but composed, stepped back, pulling something from her left hand. An orange glow formed a barrier, stopping the water jet in mid-air. A hoarse, strangled cry came from the water, and a black shadow emerged, falling back into the pond.

As Xiao Huan was about to retreat, a sharp whistle pierced the air. Jinying, a golden figure, appeared, her face fierce. She raised her right hand, a purple aura surging, and struck the pond. The water surged, and the black shadow was forced out, but it flipped back, landing in the reeds, slithering like a fish.

Everyone was stunned. The creature looked human but moved like no ordinary person. Jinying frowned but did not pursue. As the creature neared the fog, a dark, blood-red light flashed, and it turned, terrified, heading back towards Jinying.

Xiao Huan shouted, “Sister, be careful!”

Jinying, calm, raised her hand, the purple light glowing brightly. She slashed at the creature, and it was flung high into the air, crashing to the ground, twitching. It was dead.

Silence fell. The pond’s waves calmed, and all eyes turned to the creature. It was a monster, but with human features. It had hands and feet, and its skin was covered in scales. Its head, however, was that of a fish, complete with gills and lidless eyes.

Xiao Huan, shivering, hid behind Jinying, who comforted her.

Two figures emerged from the fog: Ghost Li and Qin Wuyan of the Poisonous Sect. They were wary of each other, and Ghost Li’s gaze lingered on Xiao Huan before moving away.

Qin Wuyan examined the creature, declaring it dead. Little Xiao Hui, who had been hiding, jumped onto Ghost Li’s shoulder.

Ghost Li, looking at Yegou and then at Zhou Yixian and Xiao Huan, said, “Enough said. Let’s go.”

He turned to leave, but Qin Wuyan asked, “Ghost Li, this monster’s appearance is strange. What do you think?”

Ghost Li paused, and Jinying replied, “Do you know what it is?”

Qin Wuyan shook his head, and Jinying, looking at Ghost Li, realized neither knew the creature’s origins. Suddenly, Zhou Yixian spoke, “I know this monster. It’s a ‘Fishman’ from the Southern Ten Thousand Mountains, one of sixty-three strange tribes.”

They were all surprised. Though the Southern Ten Thousand Mountains were well-known, the existence of sixty-three tribes was new. But Zhou Yixian’s demeanor was convincing.

Jinying asked, “Why would a Fishman be here, so far from the South?”

Zhou Yixian, stumped, admitted, “I don’t know.”

After a moment, Ghost Li turned and walked away. Little Xiao Hui waved to Xiao Huan, who smiled.

Yegou followed, but Xiao Huan called out, “Daoist, be careful of the dangers ahead!”

Jinying, startled, looked at Xiao Huan, who smiled. Yegou, either not hearing or pretending, walked quickly after Ghost Li.

Qin Wuyan, looking at Ghost Li, then at Jinying, smiled. “Your Purple Light Blade is famous. I can see why.”

Jinying smiled coolly. “I can’t compare to you. Your ‘Duckweed’ poison has turned this pond into a toxic wasteland for fifty years.”

Qin Wuyan’s expression hardened. “That’s a minor trick. I’m impressed you know about it.”

Jinying, unyielding, said, “I’m glad you appreciate it.”

Qin Wuyan, with a cold gleam in his eye, nodded. “I’ll take my leave. About our agreement—”

Jinying interrupted, “I know what to do.”

Qin Wuyan, nodding to Xiao Huan, walked away, disappearing into the mist.

Once he was gone, Jinying relaxed. Xiao Huan, sensing this, asked, “Are you okay, Sister?”

Jinying, looking at Xiao Huan, said, “I’m fine. Were you hurt?”

Xiao Huan smiled, shaking her head. “No, but I forgot to return the umbrella to the Daoist.”

Jinying shrugged. “Keep it. Return it when you see him again.”

Xiao Huan nodded. Jinying, looking into the distance, said, “Be careful of those two men, Xiao Huan. They are ruthless and dangerous. Stay away from them.”

Xiao Huan, silent, nodded, thinking of the young man from the Azure Ethereal Conclave whom her grandfather had once tricked.