The Husky and His White Cat Shizun - Chap 198
After ten days of fasting, Nangong Si and Ye Wangxi could set off for Jiao Mountain. Due to Nangong Si’s injuries, Nangong Si’s vitality was greatly damaged. Therefore, he could not carry his master on a long journey for the time being. This huge demon wolf transformed itself into a cub the size of a palm. It placed itself in Nangong Si’s quiver and stuck its furry head out.
Mo Ran sent the two of them to the entrance of the mountain. He stroked the mane of the handsome horse beside him and smiled, “Jiao Mountain is far away, and riding a sword is tiring. These two horses are for you. They grew up eating spirit herbs and can travel a thousand miles in a day. Although they are not as powerful as Naobaijin, they are still passable. ”
Nangong Si thanked Mo Ran and mounted his horse with Ye Wangxi. He bowed his head and cupped his fist, “Thank you, Brother Mo. Brother Mo, you don’t have to send us off. We will meet again someday.”
“En, be careful.”
He stood at the entrance of the mountain and watched as Nangong Si and Ye Wangxi’s figures gradually disappeared into the distance. Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly heard a crunching sound from the woods to his left. It sounded like a dead branch had broken off and fallen to the ground.
“Meow …”
Mo Ran narrowed his eyes slightly and muttered, “A cat?”
On the other side, Ye Wangxi and Nangong Si rode side by side and went down the mountain. There was still a desolate path from the Peak of Life and Death to Wuchang Town. The sun shone through the mottled branches and leaves. With every step of the horse’s hooves, the scattered light was trampled into specks of dust.
Nangong Si looked sideways at Ye Wangxi. Just as he was about to say something, Naobaijin, who had already returned to its quiver, popped its head out and revealed two snow-white front claws. “Ao — Ao —” It howled twice. Nangong Si was startled, he suddenly pulled the reins and said, “Be careful!”
Just as he finished speaking, a torrential rain of needles shot towards them from all directions. Nangong Si and Ye Wangxi drew their swords at the same time. The two of them had trained together since childhood, so they had a tacit understanding of each other. They leaped into the air, one on the left and one on the right. Nangong Si wielded her sword on the left, while Ye Wangxi wielded his sword on the right. After a series of clinking sounds, the poisoned Pear Blossom Needles fell to the ground one after another. Immediately after, Ye Wangxi raised his hand and threw out a talisman. A barrier soared into the air and enveloped the two of them.
Nangong Si said sternly, “Who are you?!”
The sun was dim, but it was not blocked by the clouds. Instead, a person was standing on a slender branch. He was wearing a wide robe with long sleeves, and his beard and hair were flying in the wind. He stood against the light and looked down with a hateful expression.
He was the older cousin of the former Sect Leader of Jiang Dongtang, Huang Xiaoyue.
He stood on the branch like an immortal. He did not make a sound and only stared coldly at Ye Wangxi’s face. Immediately after, rustling sounds came from the dense forest. More than a hundred disciples of Jiang Dongtang walked out of the forest. Each of them had a bright red headband on their heads. They were all elite disciples of Jiang Dongtang.
Huang Xiaoyue stroked his beard and said, “The two of you, were you comfortable at the Peak of Life and Death? You hid there for ten days and ten nights before you came out. You really made this old man wait for a long time. ”
Nangong Si was furious. “Huang Xiaoyue, why is it you again?!”
“So what if it’s me?” Huang Xiaoyue said coldly. “You are well aware of the enmity between Jiang Dongtang and Confucian Wind Sect.”
Nangong Si gritted his teeth and said, “From Linyi to Sichuan, we defeated your sect four times. You still want to chase us? What enmity? Are you done yet? Xu Shuanglin revealed the truth. Your sister-in-law killed your younger brother. You come to us again and again to argue with us. Where is your face?! ”
“Face? This old man thinks that Little Gongzi is the one who really doesn’t care about face. ” Huang Xiaoyue said gloomily, “It was clearly your Confucian Wind Sect that caused my Jiang Dongtang to suffer a great loss and fall apart. Don’t tell me you dare to flatly deny it?”
Ye Wangxi said, “Even if Your Excellency wants to seek revenge against Confucian Wind Sect, you should be fair and square. What kind of conduct are you using to assassinate others?”
“Shut up. When men speak, it’s not up to a little girl like you to speak. ” Huang Xiaoyue flicked his sleeve. “Don’t think that just because your animal father raised you as a man, you’re a real man. A little girl will always be a little girl. Women should be cooking in the kitchen. You’re a woman. What qualifications do you have to come out and show off in front of this old man? ”
Nangong Si angrily said, “Huang Xiaoyue, be reasonable!”
“Very well, then this old man will reason with you and settle the account.” As soon as Huang Xiaoyue finished speaking, he pointed at Nangong Si and sternly said, “Your father has no regard for honor and shame. He had an affair with a married woman and instigated that poisonous woman to poison my younger brother to seize power and usurp the throne. As for the one next to you — ”
He fiercely pointed at Ye Wangxi again. “She is an animal’s daughter. Her Yifu spread my, Jiang Dongtang’s, private affairs to the world, damaging my, Jiang Dongtang’s, vast and clean reputation. Today this old man personally led our school’s outstanding talents to intercept you thieves, all in order to return Jiang Dongtang and return justice to the world! ”
He waved his hand and the hundred disciples who were eyeing them covetously immediately swarmed forward to attack. Unexpectedly, as soon as they rushed out of the forest, a burst of flame suddenly fell from the sky. It fiercely drew back the astral wind and threw the disciples a few feet away.
Nangong Si was shocked. “Brother Mo?”
The person who came was indeed Mo Ran. He held a willow vine in his hand and stood on top of a tree facing Huang Xiaoyue. He coldly stared at the other party.
Huang Xiaoyue didn’t expect Mo Ran to appear. His expression instantly became very unsightly. After a long time, his lips moved and he slowly said, “Grandmaster Mo, how did you find the interest to come to the foot of the mountain to watch the show?”
“Then we should ask the Grandmaster’s disciples. Why don’t they just be good people and insist on hiding in the forest and meowing like a cat?”
Huang Xiaoyue’s expression was very gloomy. His face was almost the same as his surname. He said in surprise, “What does the Grandmaster mean?”
“I should be the one asking Senior Huang this question.” Mo Ran said, “In the boundary of the Life and Death Summit, you attacked a guest of the Life and Death Summit. Does Senior Huang think that my mountain gate is too clean and tidy and wants to spill some blood on the ground?”
“Since it’s out of the mountain gate, it’s not up to your sect to control it. I’m avenging my dead brother, so I don’t need Grandmaster Mo to interfere! ”
Mo Ran said, “Senior Huang is right. Personal grudges are not under the jurisdiction of the Life and Death Summit after leaving the mountain gate.”
Huang Xiaoyue coldly snorted. “Then why won’t the Grandmaster move out of the way?”
Mo Ran didn’t move. He saw that the ghost’s bloody light was even brighter, and the willow leaves on its head were almost like strings of blood beads. He said, “But what if I want to control it myself?”
“You –!”
Huang Xiaoyue couldn’t be unaware of Mo Ran’s strength, but he couldn’t be reconciled if he didn’t get his revenge. He had no choice but to threaten angrily, “Grandmaster Mo, do you want to become an enemy of Jiang Dongtang?”
“I don’t mean that. I just want my honored guest to leave Sichuan safely. As for whether it’s Jiang Dongtang or Jiangxi Tang stopping me, it’s the same.”
Huang Xiaoyue narrowed his eyes. The hatred in his brown eyes could almost turn into a tangible fire, burning Mo Ran and the cypress tree he was standing on into ashes.
“You insist on shielding these two remnants of the Confucian Wind Sect?”
“What do the remnants say?” Mo Ran asked coldly. “I ask Senior, how much did Miss Ye and Nangong Gongzi participate in the Jiang Dongtang incident?”
“… …”
“Did they plan the internal strife in Jiang Dongtang? Or did they expose the scandal of Jiang Dongtang? “Mo Ran looked at Huang Xiaoyue.” Did they kill the former Sect Leader, or deliberately participate in the murder of your younger brother? ”
“But so what!” Huang Xiaoyue angrily said, “The son must repay the father’s debt! It’s only right and proper! ”
“What a good ‘only right and proper’.” Mo Ran said indifferently, “Enough, I think there’s no need to reason with Senior Huang. Weapons talk, let’s exchange blows.”
Huang Xiaoyue was extremely angry. He angrily shouted, “Mo Weiyu! You’re so unreasonable! ”
“Interesting, who’s the unreasonable one?” At this time, another voice came from the mountain path, the tone arrogant. Xue Meng slowly walked out of the forest with the Dragon’s Sword. The hilt was cold and sharp. When the sun shone on it, it was so dazzling that people could barely open their eyes.
“Shouting and shouting in front of my house and starting a massacre, Jiang Dongtang is at the pinnacle of life and death? Do you want to die? ”
If it was only Mo Ran before, Huang Xiaoyue might not be able to defeat him. However, with their numbers, they might be able to escape from Mo Ran and take advantage of the situation to kill their enemy. But at this time, Phoenix Xue Meng stepped out. He was the Heaven’s Chosen who won first place in the Spiritual Mountain Conference. Who didn’t know the ferocity of the Dragon’s Sword in his hand?
The two brothers appeared in front of the mountain gate, wanting to protect the lives of Nangong Si and Ye Wangxi. Even if Huang Xiaoyue fought with his life on the line, he definitely wouldn’t be able to find an opening.
When Mo Ran saw Xue Meng come, his expression became serious. He said to Xue Meng, “Go back.”
“I’ll help you.”
“This matter has nothing to do with the pinnacle of life and death. I’m helping out of selfishness. Don’t get involved.” Mo Ran frowned. He wondered if his younger brother was stupid. Although Jiang Dongtang’s strength was no longer the same, a starving camel was still bigger than a horse. He was still from one of the Nine Great Sects of Upper Cultivation. Moreover, the niece of Jiang Dongtang’s old Hall Master and the eldest martial brother of Fire Phoenix Pavilion were Dao companions. They were married. If Xue Meng came out to help, it would clearly be using the name of the pinnacle of life and death to shed all pretense of cordiality with the two Great Sects of Upper Cultivation.
He definitely couldn’t do that.
Mo Ran said, “Go back quickly.”
However, Xue Meng was a simple-minded person. He didn’t understand the subtle difference between the two. On the contrary, he was angry that Mo Ran didn’t want his help. While they were in a deadlock, they suddenly saw dust flying in the distance. A snow-white horse arrived in the blink of an eye. The person on the horse’s back was wearing snow-white clothes. She was extremely beautiful and carried a pipa on her back. It was the Fairy of Kunlun’s Treading in Snow Palace.
“Urgent report! Urgent report! “The Fairy frowned. She spurred the horse forward and shouted in a clear voice.
She didn’t expect that after turning a corner in the dust, she would see such a tense scene at the foot of the mountain. She suddenly pulled on the reins. For a moment, she was stunned. She straddled the horse’s back and blinked her eyes blankly.
“Urgent … Uh … You guys … What are you doing?”
Because the female messenger from Treading in Snow Palace of Kunlun had suddenly arrived, Mo Ran and Huang Xiaoyue didn’t have a chance to fight. Huang Xiaoyue was invited by Xue Zhengyong to the pinnacle of life and death. She was also summoned back along with Ye Wangxi and Nangong Si.
The Fairy of Treading in Snow Palace stood in the Dan Xin Palace. Her red lips opened and closed as she bowed.
Then she said, “Urgent report! We’ve found Xu Shuanglin’s whereabouts.”
As soon as she said this, Ye Wangxi’s face suddenly changed. In an instant, all the blood drained from his face.
The Fairy said, “Our sect released more than ten thousand Jade Butterflies to track down Xu Shuanglin’s whereabouts. This morning, we finally returned two of them. We found that there was a strange spell near Mount Huang. Palace Master guessed that Xu Shuanglin should be hiding there. He specially ordered us to rush to all the major sects to report this urgent report and discuss what to do next.”
Xue Zhengyong was surprised and happy. “You found him just like that?”
The Fairy said, “We can’t be sure. However, the Jade Butterflies reported that recently, the smell of blood has been faintly lingering around Mount Huang. It hasn’t dissipated at all. There is already a strange phenomenon. It should be close.”
Xue Zhengyong stood up. “Good! Since we have a clue, let’s not delay any longer. Speed is the most important thing in war. What does your Palace Master think? ”
“Palace Master and Sect Leader have the same opinion. She also feels that there is no time to lose. We should go there as soon as possible to investigate.”
“That’s great!” Xue Zhengyong turned his head toward Huang Xiaoyue and said, “Huang Daozhang, why don’t we go together? If this time we can catch the main culprit, Xu Shuanglin, we can avenge our younger brother’s death. ”
Huang Xiaoyue’s heart thumped. He was very clear that his chance of killing Xu Shuanglin was very small. Moreover, the so-called revenge was just a pretense.
Actually, how much could his younger brother’s death have to do with Nangong Si and Ye Wangxi, these two juniors?
Although he was shouting the slogan of avenging his younger brother, he was actually scheming something else in his mind. It should be known that after this disaster, Jiang Dongtang’s strength had declined greatly. He had already heard that the Confucian Wind Sect was hiding a rich treasure, so he planned to catch both Ye Wangxi and Nangong Si in one fell swoop and force them to spit out their ancestral treasures for his own use.
Huang Xiaoyue suddenly clenched his fists under the sleeves of his gown. After weighing the pros and cons for a long time, he squeezed out a yellow-brown smile that resembled a wrinkled orange. He said, “We still don’t know whether the one on Phoenix Mountain is really Xu Shuanglin or not. Moreover, Jiang Dongtang has already formed a grudge with the Confucian Wind Sect. This is not a personal grudge, but a major matter that concerns the reputation of the sect. We must settle this properly.”
“That’s right,” Xue Zhengyong said, “Then we’ll look for Xu Shuanglin to avenge our personal grudge first, and then we’ll look for the Confucian Wind Sect to settle our grudge?”
“Sect Leader Xue’s words are interesting. The Confucian Wind Sect is now a scorched earth. How do you want me to settle this account?”
“I don’t know. You’ll have to ask Daoist Huang yourself.” Xue Zhengyong said with a smile, “Why is the Confucian Wind Sect in such a hurry to exterminate those two juniors when the Confucian Wind Sect is already in ruins?”
“You –!” Huang Xiaoyue calmly flicked his sleeve and rebuked, “This is a personal matter of mine.”
Xue Meng said with a smile, “Just now you said it was a major matter that concerns the sect’s reputation, but now it’s a personal matter. Jiang Dongtang is one of the Nine Great Cultivation Sects in the Upper Cultivation World. How can you act so casually?”
Huang Xiaoyue knew he was in the wrong, but he didn’t know how to defend himself, so he simply remained silent. He glared fiercely at Xue Zhengyong. With a wave of his sleeve, he led a group of Jiang Dongtang disciples out of the Peak of Life and Death’s gate. They took the lead and flew on their swords towards Phoenix Mountain.
Ye Wangxi was extremely apologetic. He said to Xue Zhengyong, “Sect Leader Xue, I’m really sorry. We –”
“Even if the nestling falls into the net, the hunter won’t kill it.” Watching the people from Jiang Dongtang leave, the smile on Xue Zhengyong’s face slowly disappeared. His gaze became cold. He said, “It’s Jiang Dongtang who has gone too far.”
He looked at the sky outside the main hall. The space between his eyebrows was very low, and there was a faint crease in the middle. After a long time, he sighed and said, “Let’s go. We’re going to Phoenix Mountain.”
Phoenix Mountain Road was long, so everyone chose to fly on their swords. When they arrived at Phoenix Mountain, there was already a large group of cultivators at the foot of the mountain. The rest of the Nine Great Cultivation Sects had all arrived. Blurry faces came and went, bustling about like a school of carps crossing the river. However, no one knew what they were busy with.
Chu Wanning was the first to come down from the flying sword. When he came down, his steps were slightly unsteady and his face was very pale. Fortunately, his face was originally pale and didn’t have any good color. Other people couldn’t see anything strange, but Mo Ran noticed. He walked over. While no one was paying attention, he lightly rubbed the back of Chu Wanning’s hand.
“Shizun, you flew very well.”
“Hmm?”
Mo Ran smiled and said, “Really.”
Chu Wanning coughed lightly and turned his gaze away.
Looking up, there was indeed a layer of miasma and evil Qi that could be seen with the naked eye at the top of Phoenix Mountain. The other eight sect leaders had already arrived. They were standing at the very front of the foot of the mountain, in front of a barrier that reached the sky. They raised their hands and poured their spiritual energy into it. Xue Zhengyong also immediately rushed over to help.
The people at the Peak of Life and Death arrived one after another. After a while, Xue Meng also arrived. He steadily landed beside the two people. When he saw the situation in front of him, he immediately frowned and said, “What are they doing? Why aren’t they going up the mountain? ”
When Mo Ran saw him come, he explained to him, “It’s not that they don’t want to go up, but that they can’t go up.”
Xue Meng was confused, “Why?”
Chu Wanning said, “Phoenix Mountain is one of the Four Great Evil Mountains of the Cultivation World. This mountain is very strange. It’s not that easy to break in.
Xue Meng was a little surprised, “I only know that there are Four Great Holy Mountains. So there are Four Great Evil Mountains? Which four are they? ”
Chu Wanning said, “Jiao Mountain, Jia Mountain — —”
Xue Meng was stunned, “Rockery?”
“… … Black Tortoise Armor.”
“Oh, oh.” Xue Meng blushed, “Yes.”
“Liao Mountain, and this one in front of us, Phoenix Mountain.”
Chu Wanning paused and then said, “This is the bloody past of the Cultivation World. Nowadays, it’s rarely mentioned. Only by reading some books can you possibly read about the Four Great Evil Mountains.”
“Then why are there such things as evil mountains?”
Chu Wanning didn’t answer directly. Instead, he asked Xue Meng, “Do you still remember when the first leader of the Confucian Wind School subdued the evil Jiao Dragon?”
“Yes.” Xue Meng said, “There was an evil Jiao Dragon in the East Sea. It was he who defeated the evil Jiao Dragon and sealed it in the Golden Drum Pagoda. Later, he signed a blood contract with the Jiao Dragon and used it for himself. After the first leader of the Confucian Wind School died, the evil Jiao Dragon turned into a hill, the dragon tendons became the earth’s mantle, the dragon blood became the river, the dragon bones became the mountain rocks, and the dragon armor became the trees. This mountain has been guarding the tombs of the Confucian Wind School’s disciples for generations. Therefore, it’s called the Hero’s Tomb, also known as Jiao Mountain. ”
Chu Wanning nodded, “Yes, so Jiao Mountain was formed by the Azure Dragon’s evil spirit. You all know that the Four Auspicious Beasts are the Azure Dragon, the Vermillion Bird, the White Tiger, and the Black Tortoise. But under these Four Auspicious Beasts, evil descendants will also be born, stirring up trouble everywhere. ”
Xue Meng slowly understood, “So, the remaining mountains are like Jiao Mountain, formed by evil beasts’ spirits?”
“Yes.”
Xue Meng said, “Then Phoenix Mountain is … the Vermillion Bird?”
He suddenly raised his head to look at the giant beast-like mountain shrouded in haze. Sure enough, he found that the middle of the mountain was tall and flat, like a phoenix with its neck outstretched.
Chu Wanning said, “That’s right. In addition, the Four Great Evil Mountains each have their own evil techniques. For example, Jiao Mountain only allows the descendants of the Confucian Wind School to lead others into it. Trespassers will be dragged into the soil by the dragon tendons and buried alive. This Phoenix Mountain is the same. ”
“But it’s so strange.” Xue Meng turned his head to look at the sect leaders who were casting their techniques. His father also went over to help, “Jiao Mountain is the Confucian Wind School’s mountain, this is known by everyone. Then what about Phoenix Mountain? Wouldn’t it be fine as long as we drag the descendant of the sect that subdued the Vermillion Bird evil spirit here? ”
Mo Ran, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke, “That person died unexpectedly not long ago. If she was still alive, we could have done that. ”
Xue Meng was stunned, “You know who it was?”
“I know.” Mo Ran said indifferently, “It was a woman, we all know her.”
