Chapter 129: The Pursuit

The sky gradually brightened, and the fierce fire that had raged all night in the Qili Cave finally began to subside. After the flames died down, all that remained were ruined walls and charred, smoldering wood.

Though Fashang and his companions were highly skilled, a night of effort had left them with several scorches on their clothes. Some of the less experienced disciples of the Immortalbane Nexus had sooty marks on their faces.

However, when they stood up, catching their breath, and looked around, they found the common Miao people gazing at them with hostility. The outsiders’ help seemed to have done little to win their favor.

Fashang sighed wryly, feeling wronged but unable to explain. Just as he was about to speak to the others, a commotion arose from the Immortalbane Nexus disciples behind him.

Fashang turned to see Shangguan Ce descending from the sky and landing gracefully. The first to leave last night, this elder of the Immortalbane Nexus was now the last to arrive, causing everyone present to exchange puzzled glances.

“Ha!” A cold laugh came from Lü Shun of the Immortalbane Nexus. “Brother, you’re certainly early today!”

Shangguan Ce’s face remained expressionless, but his furrowed brows revealed a heavy heart. He ignored Lü Shun and, after surveying the surroundings and shaking his head, addressed Li Xun: “It’s almost over here. You take the junior disciples back to the Immortalbane Nexus.”

Li Xun, though furious and curious, did not dare offend Shangguan Ce, who ranked second only to the sect leader Yun Yilan. He responded quietly, “Yes.”

Lü Shun, fuming, challenged Shangguan Ce, “What do you mean? You disappear without a trace last night, and now you come back giving orders?”

Shangguan Ce replied calmly, “I encountered an unexpected situation last night. I will explain once we return to the valley.”

Lü Shun’s face changed, but before he could say more, Shangguan Ce, visibly impatient, snapped, “Fourth, we’ll discuss this back at the valley!”

His authoritative demeanor silenced Lü Shun, and Li Xun, after a moment’s hesitation, asked, “Uncle, what about the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox…?”

Shangguan Ce shook his head, “That can wait. We’ll discuss it back at the valley.”

Li Xun, resigned, led the group away, casting one last look at Lu Xueqi standing with Fashang. The cold, white-robed woman never even glanced at him.

Li Xun sighed inwardly, a mix of emotions welling up, as he slowly departed. Lü Shun, albeit unwilling, followed.

Shangguan Ce sighed and, turning to Fashang and Lu Xueqi, bowed, “I am deeply grateful for your assistance, friends. It is much appreciated.”

Fashang and Lu Xueqi, maintaining proper decorum, returned the gesture. Fashang smiled warmly, “You are too kind, Uncle Shangguan. The Azure Ethereal Vapors, the Temple of Heaven Sound, and the Immortalbane Nexus are all allies. It is our duty to aid each other. But, you seem unwell. Was there anything troubling last night?”

Fashang looked at Shangguan Ce, his face radiating compassion, embodying the benevolence of a high monk.

Shangguan Ce, inwardly dismissive, but outwardly grateful, replied, “Nothing major. I ran into some petty thieves, wasted some time, that’s all. Since things here are under control, I wouldn’t want to trouble you further. Please return to your mountain. Perhaps in the future, my fellow sect leader Yun Yilan and I can visit you properly.”

Fashang and Lu Xueqi exchanged a glance, both discerning. They knew Shangguan Ce’s story was likely untrue, but they could not call him out. They bowed and agreed, and after some formalities, Shangguan Ce departed.

As they watched his retreating figure, Lu Xueqi commented, “He carries a heavy burden.”

Fashang smiled faintly, “Indeed. I wonder what he really did last night…” His voice trailed off, noting the coldness in Lu Xueqi’s expression. Her thoughts seemed even heavier than Shangguan Ce’s, her eyes distant and complex as she gazed into the distance.

Fashang muttered a prayer, saying no more.

On the mountaintop, Xiao Bai, supporting Guili, watched the final two figures of the outsiders flying into the sky and vanishing.

“They’re gone,” Xiao Bai said, smiling.

Guili silently retracted his gaze from the clouds and, after a pause, said, “Let’s go down.”

Xiao Bai nodded, but, noticing Guili’s bleeding wounds, suggested, “Maybe we should rest first. You’ve lost a lot of blood.”

Guili shook his head, “It’s fine. Finding the Great Witch Doctor is more important.”

With that, he rose.

A familiar screech echoed nearby, and Little Gray, still a bit unsteady from the alcohol, jumped onto Guili’s shoulder, grinning widely, clearly in high spirits.

Xiao Bai stood, glancing disapprovingly at Little Gray, “What’s there to be happy about? Your foolish master was nearly dead last night, didn’t you know?”

Little Gray bared his teeth in a mock snarl, baring his sharp teeth and clenching his fists, ready for a fight.

Xiao Bai rolled her eyes, “Stop posturing, you’re always late to the party.”

Little Gray stuck out his tongue, ignoring Xiao Bai and clinging to Guili, refusing to budge.

Guili patted Little Gray’s head and continued walking. As they approached the Qili Cave, the Miao people, filled with anger, recognized Guili. Some, having witnessed his demon-like appearance the previous night, were visibly shaken.

Xiao Bai, seeing Guili’s struggle, hurried to support him, whispering, “These Miao people might not let us see the Great Witch Doctor.”

Guili, initially resistant to Xiao Bai’s help, paused, “What do you mean?”

Xiao Bai pointed ahead. Following her gaze, Guili saw a group of Miao warriors blocking the path to the mountain. Upon seeing the outsiders, the warriors, weapons drawn, were tense and ready.

Silent, Guili continued forward. Xiao Bai, concerned, asked, “What if they won’t let us through?”

Guili did not answer.

Little Gray, perched on Guili’s shoulder, was bewildered by the hostile change in the atmosphere. As they approached, the Miao warriors, weapons at the ready, blocked their path.

Guili’s jaw clenched, but he spoke softly, “We seek an audience with the Great Witch Doctor.”

The Miao warriors, unmoved, remained hostile. Xiao Bai, frustrated, saw the chieftain, Tumagou, step forward. His icy expression and bloodstained clothes indicated a difficult night.

Tumagou, his tone biting, said, “The Great Witch Doctor is gravely injured and cannot receive visitors. Leave.”

Xiao Bai, coolly, countered, “We had nothing to do with the Great Witch Doctor’s injuries. Your anger shouldn’t be directed at us.”

Tumagou, seething, was about to respond when a young shaman rushed down, speaking briefly with Tumagou. Tumagou, stunned, turned to the outsiders, “The Great Witch Doctor wishes to see you. Follow this shaman.”

Surprised, Guili and Xiao Bai followed the young shaman, passing through the hostile crowd. The Miao people, though angry, did not stop them, still reverent of the Great Witch Doctor’s authority.

Reaching the platform in front of the altar, they noticed the shattered and cracked ground, evidence of the Great Witch Doctor’s power. Exchanging a look, Xiao Bai remained indifferent, but Guili was deeply moved.

In the borderlands of Southern Jiang, far removed from the central regions, the arcane and unfathomable Miao witchcraft proved to be formidable.

“Follow me,” the shaman urged in his native tongue. Guili and Xiao Bai followed into the dim, seemingly endless tunnel of the altar.

Far south of the Qili Cave, the fearsome Wanzhang Mountains loomed, a place shrouded in darkness and terror, where no hunter dared venture.

Generations of warnings forbade entering these evil mountains, home to a feared demon lord and his terrifying minions. Over the years, the mystery of the Wanzhang Mountains, shrouded in black clouds, grew deeper.

The only passage to this dark realm, a sinister cave at the base of the mountains, emitted eerie, chilling sounds. Legend had it that the demonic roars heard were the fury of the dreaded demon lord.

Suddenly, a shadowy figure, the Warlock Demon, appeared near the cave, accompanied by a massive, dragon-like beast. Despite the light, darkness enveloped the area.

The beast, bowing respectfully to the Warlock Demon, growled its assent. The Warlock Demon, reassured, vanished into the darkness, leaving the beast, after a moment’s hesitation, to climb the steep mountainside, disappearing into the clouds.

Moments later, from the bushes, Jin Ping’er emerged, watching the beast’s departure. She then, after a moment’s resolve, entered the dark cave, venturing into the mysterious world beyond.