Chapter 31

The young girl led Wei Shizhi through the peach grove to an open valley. Surrounded by two mountains, the valley was warm like spring, with wooden houses and thatched cottages nestled among the green trees and ancient vines, resembling a fairyland.

"Take me to your master," she said.

Wei Shizhi calmly muttered, "This is my first time here too..." He randomly chose the nearest wooden house, knocked on the door, but no one answered. Pushing the door open, he saw a sturdy man squatting in the corner, staring at him intently, though he looked somewhat familiar.

"Excuse me, Senior Brother, where is Daoist Yunhe?" He suddenly remembered the day the caravan arrived at the foot of Tiandu Peak, when the outer disciple leading the horses, with the jingling of the camel bells, was unloading bags of rice, flour, and vegetables. It was the man in front of him.

After waiting for a while with no response, Wei Shizhi patiently said, "I am Daoist Yunhe's disciple and have important matters to report. Please, Senior Brother, help me out."

The man pointed to the northwest and said, "Under a crooked-neck tree is Senior Brother Yunhe's residence. Also, you should call me Senior Uncle; it's better to address me with respect."

Wei Shizhi didn't get angry. He clasped his hands and bowed, "Thank you, Senior Uncle, for your guidance. I apologize for the intrusion." He stepped out of the wooden house and closed the door behind him.

"Please follow me, young lady." Wei Shizhi led the way to the northwest, passing several towering ancient trees and dilapidated wooden houses. In the distance, they saw a crooked-neck tree, bent as if by a strong wind, with a small thatched cottage under its sparse branches.

"That's it."

The young girl nodded and walked toward the thatched cottage. Although Wei Shizhi thought she was being rash, he followed closely behind. He had placed his bet on her rather than the old woman.

Pushing open the drafty door, the thatched cottage was empty, with only a table, a chair, and a bed. On the table was a half-drunk cup of tea, and on the bed was a thin blanket, truly fitting the saying "the tea cools when the person leaves."

The young girl pointed to the blanket and said, "There's something underneath."

Wei Shizhi wisely lifted the blanket and saw a flat piece of human skin on the bed. At first, he didn't recognize it, but upon closer inspection, it was none other than the dirty old Daoist Qi Yunhe!

"It's my master's skin. The old woman has already left."

"She fled from Liushi Peak to here, severely injured. The Great Sun Yang Fire flares up every seven days, causing unbearable pain. She must have hidden in some 'yin' place to endure, and will return after an hour."

Wei Shizhi rolled up his master's skin, not minding the dirt, and tucked it under his arm. The young girl smiled approvingly, "Your filial piety is commendable. People like you with a good conscience are becoming rare."

Wei Shizhi lowered his head and remained silent, thinking, "This has nothing to do with conscience. Qi Yunhe led me to Xiandu, and I will see him through his final journey. From now on, we will be even." His silence earned him more approval from the young girl.

The two left the thatched cottage. The young girl lightly leaped onto the crooked-neck tree, scanning the surroundings. After a moment, she jumped down and said, "Follow me, don't move around. Falling down won't be fun."

She grabbed Wei Shizhi's arm, and with a wave of her sleeve, a sword light carried them into the air. In an instant, they flew dozens of miles and landed in front of a graveyard at the deepest part of Qiutao Valley. It was Wei Shizhi's first time experiencing sword flight, and he was slightly excited, but he quickly calmed down, just like his first kiss in his previous life.

It was nearly noon, the time of the strongest yang energy, yet a mysterious chill permeated the air. Countless stone steles stood in the ground, varying in size, stretching as far as the eye could see. All the outer disciples of Xiandu who died were buried here, even if they died elsewhere, their bodies would be transported back for burial. This place was their final resting place, sooner or later.

"Look carefully. Don't speak unless I tell you. You'll benefit from it," the young girl warned Wei Shizhi. She took out a small jade whistle and blew it hard, producing a clear and resonant sound that echoed for a long time.

"Is this the East Sea White Jade Whistle? Does it sound good?"

Wei Shizhi nodded, saying nothing. The young girl was taken aback for a moment, then laughed heartily.

A sword light rose from the southeastern mountain peak and headed straight for Qiutao Valley. Soon after, two more sword lights flew from Xianyun Peak's Changying Temple and landed in front of the young girl.

The two Daoists from Changying Temple were in front and behind. The one in front was about forty years old, with a grayish complexion and a worried look. The one behind had a face like jade, resembling Xu Li somewhat.

The one from the southeastern mountain peak was a tall, green-robed man, accompanied by a seven- or eight-year-old boy with a topknot, his eyes darting around, extremely clever.

The gray-faced Daoist was the Xiandu Sect's leader, Xi Huzi. The one with a face like jade was Xu Li's uncle, Deng Yuantong. The green-robed man was Qi Du from the Pingyuan Sect, and the boy with the topknot was his disciple, Sun Ergou.

Xi Huzi raised his eyebrows, pleasantly surprised. He politely greeted the young girl with a bow, "I didn't know Immortal Ruan was visiting from afar. I apologize for not welcoming you properly!"

The young girl turned sideways and smiled, "Daoist, you are too kind. I don't dare to be called an immortal. I was ordered by my master to capture two beautiful pythons. I lost their trail in the Qianren Peak area and had to seek help from Senior Brother Qi Du from the Pingyuan Sect. We killed one, and the other escaped to Xianyun Peak. I should have visited Changying Temple earlier, but I indulged in a few immortal peaches outside Qiutao Valley, which delayed me. I met a trial disciple and learned that the beautiful python had transformed into Daoist Yunhe and was hiding in the graveyard of Qiutao Valley."

Xi Huzi's gaze swept over, and he immediately recognized the human skin under Wei Shizhi's arm as Qi Yunhe's, and the beautiful python was hiding underground, absorbing yin energy to nourish itself. The relationship between Xiandu and Pingyuan was tense, and he didn't want Qi Du to get involved. He instructed, "Since that's the case, Yuantong, go and capture the beautiful python and hand it over to Immortal Ruan for disposal."