Chapter 34: Mountains and Rain

Jiang Yang was very simple-hearted. People like her were easy to control, yet also not easy to control. Once you became someone she trusted, she would pour her heart and soul out to you. If she didn’t trust you, even if you poured your heart and soul out to her, you’d just get a face full of dust for your trouble.

And once she misplaced her trust, the consequences would be unthinkable.

Lian had gained the title of Chuci’s former subordinate, and with it, somehow earned a place in Jiang Yang’s trust. Whether this was fortunate or unfortunate remained to be seen.

However, ever since learning that Chuci was still alive, Lian, weighed down by pressure, had unconsciously become much less talkative. Even her teasing of Jiang Yang seemed to lack its usual vigor. Jiang Yang was happy to see it. Feng Jun continued on course for Lanzhou City. The three of them still traveled together, but the calculations hidden in their hearts had long since diverged.

Feng Jun was eight hundred li from Lanzhou City when he received a message from Star Lord Du Heng: the location of the Array’s Eye had been found, and his swift arrival was eagerly awaited.

So, after half a month of leisurely wandering, the group cast a spell on the local officials, harnessed the wind, and reached Lanzhou City within a single day.

Because they were all in the Mortal Realm at the time, they missed some news.

For instance: the Baling Flood Dragon of the South Sea had finally cultivated into a Dragon and was stirring up storms, throwing the South Sea into chaos. The Heavenly Court dispatched a large army to suppress it, but they were utterly defeated. Three of the four Heavenly King brothers leading the troops were injured, leaving only the Broad-Eyed Heavenly King unscathed. For instance: within the territory of Da Liang, at Heavenly Spring Sect on Evening Cloud Mountain, a moment’s carelessness allowed a junior disciple to break open a seal. The White Dragon Steed, which the Ancestral Master had locked away at the cost of exhausting the entire sect’s reserves, burst into the world, and countless Dao Cultivators lost their lives to its jaws.

That same year, Emperor Yuan of Liang passed away. The Grand Preceptor colluded with the imperial harem to install a Young Emperor on the throne, growing ever more deferential to the Saintess, to the point where the Saintess Palace seemed to overshadow imperial authority.

Further example: the news of the Demon King’s return to the world suddenly spread far and wide. She possessed an innate Demon Physique and currently had no power to protect herself. Whoever consumed her would gain her strength and become the second Chuci. When that time came, even ruling the Demon World—or even going up to Heaven for a stint as Heavenly Emperor—would be a trivial matter…

It was as if all the world’s misfortunes had agreed to happen at the same time. The Mengliang State, which shared a tense border with Da Liang to the west, seemed to have lost its mind, sending a vanguard force to raid Cangzhou City. Da Liang rose up in retaliation, and the two nations went to war. Lanzhou City became collateral damage. Traveling merchants, their noses keener than a dog’s, swiftly withdrew inland to escape the flames of war.

Even the Myriad Demon Grotto, hidden deep beneath Mount Kunlun, stirred faintly.

The current stewards of the Myriad Demon Grotto were Left Emissary Kunpeng and Right Emissary Peacock. They were once Chuci’s two most capable subordinates. While Chuci was alive, the two were outwardly aligned but inwardly at odds. After Chuci’s execution, they began openly competing and clashing against each other. Both coveted the throne, yet neither possessed the ability to move against the other.

“Oh? She’s still alive?” Peacock lounged bonelessly on the daybed. Though male, his skin was so fair and his features so beautiful that even women felt inferior. He gently stroked the magnificent Peacock Plume at his back and said softly, “Well now… this complicates things.”

Though his words suggested difficulty, his expression told a completely different story. His eyes were curved in a smile, as if some happy event were about to occur.

“Reporting to the Right Emissary, the Left Emissary requests an audience.” The messenger was kicked into the room, scrambling and crawling.

“Out of my way!”

The attendant by the bed bowed, offering a hand. Looking fragile and unwell, Peacock pressed down on the attendant’s hand to sit up and said with a tinkling laugh, “It’s been quite some time since the Left Emissary set foot in my Millennium Palace. Heard the news of Chuci’s return? Can’t sit still anymore? Perfect timing, I was just thinking of going to find the Left Emissary myself.”

“Don’t beat around the bush with me!” Kunpeng strode over boldly and sat down heavily at the head of the bed. She was a decisive and vigorous warrior woman. Reaching behind her back, she drew the narrow-bladed longsword she carried and rested it against Peacock’s neck. “Feathered bastard, I want to cooperate with you.”

Peacock raised two fingers, pressing them against the blade’s edge and slowly pushing it away. The corners of his phoenix eyes tilted slightly upward. “I’ve always followed the Left Emissary’s orders. As for cooperation—just give the command.”

“You sickly wretch, did you take the wrong medicine today?”

Even Peacock, whose smile seemed permanently affixed to his face, couldn’t help but stiffen for a moment. He responded with an “Mm,” then said flatly, “I haven’t had the chance yet today.”

“That explains it. It’s settled then. We each contribute half our forces. If we capture Chuci…” Kunpeng hesitated briefly. “We’ll decide when we capture her. Don’t you go pulling any tricks behind my back. This matter concerns the survival of the Myriad Demon Grotto. Let’s set our personal grudges aside for now.”

Peacock: “That goes without saying. The news that’s been released is still unverified. We don’t yet know if someone behind the scenes is manipulating this to kill with a borrowed knife. Once I send people to investigate and clarify the situation, I will invite the Left Emissary to discuss important matters together.”

Kunpeng waved a hand. “No need. I’ve already sent someone.”

“Who did you send?”

“Wu You.”

“That Black Qilin under your command? Is he trustworthy?”

“Wu You has followed me for so long. If he isn’t trustworthy, are you? If I find out you’re up to something, I’ll come back and behead you!” Kunpeng turned, used the longsword in her hand to part the beaded curtain, ducked slightly, and left.

Peacock shook his head helplessly and asked the attendant, “Do I have a personal grudge with the Left Emissary?”

Attendant: “…”

Peacock pressed a hand to his forehead. “Since a hundred thousand years ago, she’s always claimed we have a personal grudge. After becoming Left and Right Emissaries, she’s been hindering me at every turn. If I hadn’t pleaded for her, who knows how many times the King would have taken her head.”

Attendant: “…”

“I forgot,” Peacock tapped a cold finger on the attendant’s lips. “This emissary permits you to speak.”

Attendant: “Then why does the Right Emissary still oppose the Left Emissary?”

Why?

Peacock tilted his head and thought for a moment. The corner of his mouth hooked slightly, and then he slowly lay back down, closing his eyes without answering.

Coming to find him so recklessly and impulsively—it seemed the strategist he’d found for her last time still hadn’t managed to temper her. He should look for a couple more in a few days. Still… despite the same attire, Kunpeng seemed to look even better than the last time he’d seen her.

Kunpeng, ah, Kunpeng, think about it. If I were truly intent on opposing you, would I have allowed you to live until today?

Even as his thoughts lingered on Kunpeng, he didn’t forget the other, more urgent matter to consider: Chuci’s return. Better to believe it true than false. Back then, the Myriad Demon Grotto had become estranged from Chuci because she had grown close to a Divine Lord of the Divine Realm, neglecting the long-cherished wishes of the Demon Clan. Although Chuci’s execution went against the will of many in the Demon World, it actually served to push their agenda forward.

If she truly had returned from the dead, the first thing she’d likely do was make an example of people like them. If she could lead the Demon Clan back to dominance over the Three Realms, then their sacrifice would mean nothing. But if she remained as stubborn and unenlightened as before, then perhaps it was time to change the master of the Demon World. Even if they had to pave a road with blood, pave it they would.

Their people had been forced to grovel beneath the earth for far, far too long.

Throughout the Three Realms, forces were stirring restlessly. Powers lurking in the darkness slowly revealed their menacing scales and claws, moving stealthily in the shadows.

And Chuci, at this very moment, was fuming over Jing Mo, completely oblivious to it all.

Du Heng might have been able to slip away from Chuci unnoticed, but returning without alerting them was impossible.

When Du Heng entered the inn’s main door and saw the two people sitting directly across from him, calmly drinking tea, he was utterly composed on the inside. He had already prepared himself to sacrifice both arms and both legs.

He faced death with equanimity. Chuci looked at him with a smile that wasn’t quite a smile. “Star Lord Du has returned. Hungry, aren’t you? Want to come over and have a couple of bites?”

The title ‘Star Lord’ was pronounced with perfect enunciation, her voice clear and bright. Some patrons immediately bared their fangs on the spot. Du Heng’s arms and legs nearly gave out on their own. He hurriedly clasped his fists and addressed the other demons, monsters, and fiends seated around him, stammering, “This young man’s surname is Du, given name Xing, courtesy name Xingjun. Bestowed by my parents. If any immortals are present here, I beg you not to take offense at the presumption.”

“Young Du, come. Sit.” Chuci, chopsticks still in hand, pointed at him from afar.

Under the covetous gaze of tigers and wolves, Du Heng tremblingly made his way to Chuci’s side.

“Young Master Du, just now, you…” Chuci paused briefly, pursed her lips in a smile, and then asked, her voice soft and gentle, “Where did you go?”

Du Heng shuddered. “Replying to Madam, I went to find an old friend for a chat.”

Chuci jutted her chin at him. “A chat that leaves your wrist looking like that?—Ah, don’t try to hide it. Too late.”

“Here, let me see.”

Du Heng extended his hand. Then he watched, powerless, as Chuci produced a dagger from nowhere and sliced open the already deep wound anew. Beads of blood welled up continuously, but surprisingly, Du Heng felt no pain.

Moments later, the bleeding stopped on its own. The scar also healed at a visible rate, perfectly restored.

Chuci looked at him as if expecting praise.

Du Heng’s face flushed red as he forced out a single word through his teeth: “Thanks.”

Chuci: “Star Lord Du may go up now.”

Du Heng was genuinely hungry. His gaze fell upon the food on the table. Stammering, he said, “This, you just now…”

“Hm? What?”

Du Heng shook his head. “Nothing. This minor official will return to his room now.”

He glanced at Kunlun again. Kunlun gave a slight nod. Only then did Du Heng take his leave.

After Du Heng left, Chuci pulled out the dagger she’d just used. It was stained with quite a bit of Du Heng’s blood. A crafty grin spread across her face, revealing her small fangs. “Kunlun, we can go see exactly where this Star Lord Du Heng went now.”

“Alright.” Kunlun rose. With a sweep of her long sleeve, the other patrons in the inn vanished without a trace. Where were the tiger and wolf demons? It turned out to be nothing more than an illusion Chuci had asked her to create to frighten Du Heng.

Star Lord Du Heng would probably be living in fear for quite some time to come.