Chapter Seventy-Seven: Stirring Restlessness

At midnight, White Crane, Locust Keeper, Cloudless One, and Jade Shards stood together at the mouth of the valley, bidding Clear Breeze farewell. It was only two days later that Song of Strings and Moon was removed from the valley, after which Clear Breeze vanished once more, her whereabouts unknown. But that is another tale.

Let us first speak of the moment when White Crane and the others departed from Weiye Valley. They immediately sensed the subtle stirrings of wind from the shadows and exchanged meaningful glances. Cloudless One declared loudly, “This old man has finished his wine, time to fetch more. Farewell!” Without waiting for a reply, he strode off toward the east. Locust Keeper, seeing this, clasped his hands in a respectful gesture. “Last time at Emperor’s Island, I promised some ladies a favor. Now that all is settled, it’s time to keep my word. As for the matter of the Temple of the Divine Maiden, take care.” With that, he summoned Jade Shards, and together they slipped northward into the night.

White Crane, after scanning his surroundings, also melted into his homeward path, vanishing without a trace.

Those watching from the darkness conferred, deciding to split into three groups: two smaller ones would trail Cloudless One and Locust Keeper, to discern whether this parting was genuine or mere performance; the majority pressed closely behind White Crane, determined to drive him into the Xiaotong watershed, for only then would the intricate scheme laid previously not be in vain.

…

In the Demon Realm

Within the waterside pavilion, the Demon Prince lay stretched upon a soft couch, silently listening to Qingfu’s report. Upon hearing that White Crane had entered the Xiaotong watershed, he suddenly opened his eyes, their cold intensity laced with a strange, ineffable emotion.

“Tell Lin Mao that he absolutely cannot fail this time. Otherwise, I’ll sacrifice his mongrel head.”

“Yes,” Qingfu replied, then paused, recalling the exhausted and hunted Shadow Among Flowers who had been struggling outside. He ventured, “The Chief Palace Mistress is hard-pressed to hold out alone. Shouldn’t we send someone to assist her?”

Red Makeup gathered her robes and rose, gazing silently at the scenery outside the pavilion for a long while before turning back. “Go to Yinshan Lake. Have them bring the person back to me. Remember, bring them back and nothing more—no complications.”

Qingfu breathed easier; the Demon Prince still appreciated talent. Otherwise, he would truly chill their hearts. He nodded, “Understood.” With that, he transformed into drifting smoke and sped off to Yinshan Lake, summoning the Three Evils by secret methods.

The Red Widow, since her last conversation with the Demon Prince, had kept her word, restraining Worm and Chang Dai from acting rashly, waiting patiently for orders from the pavilion. Once Qingfu explained his mission, Worm and Chang Dai cackled weirdly, even Red Widow frowned, “Enough, those screeches are unbearable. Even ghosts cry better.”

“Tsk… Sister Red, that hurts my feelings. We’re fellow cultivators, after all,” Worm complained, tossing his tangled hair in discontent.

With a snap, Red Widow slapped him against the wall, massaging her wrist, “How many times have I told you—call me Lady Red.”

“Hehehe… next time, next time for sure,” Worm grinned, wiping blood from his nose. Lady Red hit hard; even his little worms barely survived.

Qingfu, his message delivered, took his leave, “I have other matters. Please remember the Demon Prince’s words faithfully.”

Red Widow nodded, “Farewell.”

Once Qingfu departed, she turned to Worm and Chang Dai, “Let’s go. Time for us to stir things up again.” Yet, who in these times still remembered them?

Moments later, three streaks of light shot from Yinshan Lake.

Having parted from Red Widow and the others, Qingfu headed alone to Willow Heart Retreat. In the flower hall, Lin Mao dismissed everyone else and received Qingfu himself. However, Qingfu was colder than ever toward him, a slight that deeply enraged Lin Mao.

But Lin Mao could endure, knowing this was not the time for confrontation. He still tried to please, “Miss Qing, your journey must have been tiring. Please, have some tea and rest.”

“No need. Bai Li White Crane is already on his way to Xiaotong watershed. This time, you must seize the opportunity. Otherwise, you know the consequences,” Qingfu glanced at him but did not take the tea.

Lin Mao set down the teapot, his facial muscles twitching despite his best efforts to suppress them, “I understand. Please inform the Demon Prince that he may rest assured. This time, I’ll make sure Bai Li doesn’t return.”

“That’s best. Farewell.”

“I’ll see you out.”

“No need.”

Qingfu departed decisively, never acknowledging him from start to finish. The allure he once felt at their first meeting had now completely faded. Beauty is everywhere; one need not cling to a single tree. But a disobedient beauty has little reason to survive.

Once this matter was settled, he would have to redefine his relationship with the Demon Prince. Was this master truly worth his unwavering loyalty?

After a silent moment, Lin Mao summoned Butler Zou, “Silent One.”

“Master?”

“Go check where Bai Li White Crane is now. Tell everyone to be ready.”

“Yes.” Zou received the order and withdrew, leaving Willow Heart Retreat.

By the time dawn crept over the horizon, White Crane’s figure finally appeared at Xiaotong watershed. In an instant, the aggrieved parties of before surrounded him, “Bai Li White Crane, you dare come here? If we don’t kill you today, we fail those who died because of you.”

“Hmph, you had a path to heaven but refused it; now you crash through the gate of hell. Everyone, attack! Killing him will rid Desire Sea Sky of a great scourge.”

At that moment, someone in the crowd shouted, “Killing him isn’t hard, but don’t forget who backs him. Whose name does he bear?”

With those words, the crowd erupted.

“So what? The Bai Li clan has killed countless ascendants from the lower world. I don’t need to spell it out. Will you let them trample you?”

“Of course not, but their power is overwhelming. If we’re unwilling, what can we do? We still have to accept it and live at their mercy. Look at the Lord of Heaven, look at the other families—aren’t they all the same?”

It’s easy to say you’re unwilling, but who has succeeded in resisting?

“Right, even the Lord of Heaven bows to others; what about us? One Palace, Three Families, Five Islands, Seven Gates—each one is formidable. What can we accomplish?”

“Brother Immortal speaks true. Cultivation is hard, harder still to reach this point. If we lose our path over a few grudges, it’s not worth it.”

“So then…”

“Are we to let him go?”

“I think…”

The crowd grew ever more chaotic, voices overlapping. Then, from the shadows, someone called out, “Do not belittle yourselves. You all ascended here; you are heroes. Why let others grow stronger at your expense? He’s just a disgraced traitor; kill him, and the Bai Li clan might thank you for cleaning house.”

“Who are you? Why not show yourself and clarify things for us?”

“Hehehe, I simply can’t stand to see everyone beaten down. Real men stand tall in the world; why live so humbly? If we unite, surely we’ll have a chance.”

Those words struck home. The days of the mortal world were far behind. Since ascending, every hardship had been bitter. If they’d known, they might have clung to their former glory. From being above others to below—it was all the same. They had pride, too.

Instantly, any lingering doubts were swallowed by anger. Someone shouted, “Prepare to die!”

A sword flashed toward White Crane, fierce and intent on his life.

White Crane dodged, two fingers catching the blade, then gathered his energy and broke free. “Everyone, I’ve come in earnest. I seek justice for the innocent and myself. We agreed to a fortnight’s truce—why not honor it?”

“Save your talk. Who knows how you fooled the Valley Master? You may trick him, but not us. Today, your words are worthless.”

With that, blades danced like a storm, shaking the ground.

“Your words go too far,” White Crane replied, raising a palm to meet the blade, the wind whipping his robes.

“What’s too far? People died because of you; that’s not unjust.”

“Exactly, enough talk. Let’s cut him down together.”

“Take my palm!”

“Watch my Heaven-Shattering Fist!”

White Crane raised his hand, casting immortal light around himself, brows cold and stern. “Do not force me too far.”

“And if we do? What then?”

“Even if you were a dragon, today you must crawl. Whatever name you bear, you will pay.”

“No room for negotiation?”

“Never.”

“Then forgive me.”

With those words, White Crane unleashed his power, scattering his attackers ten lengths away, then shot out of the encirclement like an arrow. Those slow to respond crashed into vendors’ stalls, unable to extricate themselves.

“Pay up, or we fight!”

“This… I rushed out and forgot my money. Can I pay next time?”

“Nice try. Every runaway says that. Pay up, or we fight. If you win, you owe nothing. If you lose, your life is mine.”

With that, weapons flashed and a fight broke out. Battle was inevitable, and some masters seemed to enjoy masquerading as humble vendors, waiting for fools to stumble upon them.

Others, more nimble, quickly disappeared, chasing after White Crane.

White Crane leapt across rooftops, heading straight for Willow Heart Retreat. Glancing back, he thought, “I won’t shake them off.”

He quickened his pace, his form blurring into a fleeting shadow.

Those pursuing him looked around in confusion, “Where is he?”

“He’s there—after him!”

“Don’t let him escape!”

White Crane’s gaze flicked, feigning a pause before darting into Willow Heart Retreat.

Lin Mao, seeing this, led his men to confront him. “It’s you?”

“Master Lin, is an old friend not welcome?”

Lin Mao raised his hand, dispersing his men to stand guard in the corners, smiling sardonically, “Welcome, how could I not? Your arrival is most fortuitous. I daresay my unfortunate daughter misses you dearly.”

“Master Lin, let’s not speak in riddles. You know how your daughter died, as do I. There’s no need for tricks. Why not be straightforward?”

“What do you want to say?” Lin Mao’s cold snort carried unmistakable contempt, as if he knew exactly what White Crane would do next.

White Crane’s heart sank. Had something happened at the Temple of the Divine Maiden? He suppressed the thought, kept his expression neutral, and said, “I wish to tour your esteemed residence, if you would permit it.”

“Haha… we nearly became family by marriage. Perhaps others might refuse, but since you ask, how could I say no?”

“Oh? And if I wish to bring others along, would you still be so agreeable?”

Lin Mao’s face froze, but soon returned to normal, smiling, “Guests from afar bring joy. Let everyone see that I, Lin Mao, have a heart for the righteous.”

He discreetly signaled Butler Zou and quietly slipped away amid the arrival of the crowd.

“So? Have you decided?”

White Crane knew the crowd behind him was fierce, but calmly replied, “Thank you for your trouble.”