“The soul of the Holy Woman?” Li Si’s gaze focused intensely as he opened his mouth to ask, “What exactly is going on?”
“Since I came to find you, I don’t want to hide anything from you. Actually, since Clan Chief Shi Ze founded the Ancient Yao Sect, there has always been a mysterious Holy Woman in the sacred land. Aside from successive Grand Elders, no one can see her. The doctrine says the Holy Woman possesses world-destroying power, can live forever, and can control all living things. Clan Chief Shi Ze used the Holy Woman’s miracles to subdue the four tribes and eight villages of Shifang Mountain and establish the Ancient Yao Sect. The Ancient Yao Sect has existed for five hundred forty-five years now, spanning six Grand Elders. Grand Elder Wu Yan is the sixth, yet the Holy Woman in the sacred land has truly lived immortally like a celestial being. She has lived for over five hundred years.” Mita’s tone was like recounting a mythical legend. Li Si listened with his expression changing several times and couldn’t help but ask, “Has she really lived this long?”
Mita nodded. “However, the Holy Woman hasn’t lived five hundred years easily, because the Holy Woman’s mental and spiritual power is too formidable, far exceeding what the physical body can withstand. So every so often, the Holy Woman discards her previous body, selects a new Holy Woman host body, and transfers the Holy Woman’s soul to the host body. So in this sense, it’s not the entire Holy Woman who lives eternally, but only the Holy Woman’s soul.”
Li Si understood the general situation. He sighed, “Then the Holy Woman host body that’s selected is the Holy Maiden?”
Mita silently nodded again.
“If Amu is possessed by the Holy Woman’s soul, then what will happen to the real Amu?” Li Si asked this profoundly mysterious question, himself sighing endlessly. Mita’s eyes were covered with a layer of mist as she said sadly, “Amu’s consciousness and memories will be devoured by the Holy Woman’s soul. She will disappear from this world forever.”
Li Si looked at Mita blankly and suddenly said, “Mita, this so-called Holy Woman’s soul is just vague terminology told to you by the Ancient Yao Sect. Have you considered that perhaps the Holy Woman’s soul doesn’t exist at all, that it’s merely a fabrication by successive Grand Elders to consolidate the Ancient Yao Sect’s authority? In that case, Amu wouldn’t die, and she would become a true Holy Woman.”
Mita’s face showed grief. “Even if, as you say, the Holy Woman’s soul doesn’t exist, during the long five hundred forty-five years, sixteen Holy Maidens have been sent into the sacred land, and not one has come out alive. Moreover, the ritual ceremony for the Holy Maiden was initially held once every hundred years—meaning one Holy Maiden was sent in every century. Later it changed to once every twenty-five years. By the time of Grand Elder Wu Yan, it had become once every fifteen years. Replacing the Holy Woman every fifteen years means that in the sunless sacred land, Amu has only one path—death. So I must save her!”
“If I’m not mistaken, Amu was tricked by you into becoming the Holy Maiden.” Li Si said slowly.
Mita lowered her head guiltily and mustered her greatest courage to say, “Yes.”
“Why not select the Holy Maiden from within the Ancient Yao Sect, or choose from other tribe villages in Shifang Mountain, but instead run outside to find one?” Li Si asked in confusion.
Mita shook her head. “Not every young woman can become a Holy Maiden. Two conditions must be met: The first condition is that she must be a virgin. The second condition is that the maiden must possess the Fierce Star Water and Fire Double Calamity fate pattern. If not, the Holy Woman’s soul cannot enter the body. Those who meet the first condition are easy to find, but meeting the second condition is difficult to find in Shifang Mountain, so before each ritual ceremony, the Grand Elder specially sends someone out to search for the Holy Maiden.”
“And this time, the one sent out was me.” Mita said bleakly.
“After I left Shifang Mountain, I wandered everywhere, my heart full of anxiety to quickly find a maiden with the Water and Fire Double fate pattern. As a result, my anxiety made me ill and I collapsed in a small mountain village. Just when I was on the verge of death, I met Amu. Amu was kind-hearted and saved me. But I inadvertently learned that Amu was precisely the Water and Fire Double fate pattern maiden I was looking for. It was like an evil spirit had possessed my mind. To complete my mission, I deceived Amu. Amu had been desperately searching for someone. I lied to Amu, saying that the person she sought was in Xingtian City and that he had sent me to meet her. Amu believed me and followed me to Shifang Mountain.” Mita choked up. “But in Shifang Mountain, Amu saved me twice—once at Fuwa Village when she frightened away the murderous demon, and another time on Black Stone Bridge when she threw herself forward without hesitation to help me block the three-handed heretic. I felt terribly guilty. My possessed mind gradually cleared, and I felt I could no longer wrong Amu, so I tried to persuade her to leave. But Amu didn’t listen. Later we encountered Wu Ying, and I couldn’t speak anymore and could only secretly look for a chance to let Amu go.”
Next, Mita told Li Si about breaking into the Star Palace at night to rescue Amu, encountering Wu Ying at the seventh gate and nearly losing her life, then being saved by the Grand Elder and You Huai. Li Si sighed deeply, “I understand your distress. Alright, I’ll help with this favor, but how do we save Amu?”
“I have an idea. Yun Yan divined that today is the day of the ritual ceremony. After the ceremony in Shifang Hall, Amu will be sent to the side hall. The main hall will hold a ritual feast according to custom. The Grand Elder, Wu Ying, and other core figures will all attend. I’ll take advantage of this time to infiltrate the side hall and rescue Amu. Li Si, you will also be invited to attend the ritual feast. What you need to do is delay Wu Ying and the others for half an hour after the feast begins, so I can successfully rescue Amu. Use any method—just try to delay them for half an hour.” Mita knew this was asking a lot. “Originally I wanted to ask both you and the fat Taoist, but I couldn’t find the fat Taoist. Where did he go?”
Li Si smiled bitterly. “Who knows? That fellow is crazy.”
Mita said helplessly, “I don’t have much time. I can only ask you to tell the fat Taoist for me. I hope he can also help Amu. Right now in Xingtian City, you two are the only ones I can trust. Gongyang Yan is too close to Wu Ying. I don’t dare look for him.”
“I understand. Rest assured and do as you plan. I will definitely help you.” Li Si smiled faintly. Mita showed a grateful expression. “I’m leaving.”
After Mita left, Li Si, who hadn’t slept all night, felt extremely tired and leaned on the bed to sleep for a while. Who knew that this sleep would last until noon? When he woke up, the stone house was still empty of others. The fat Taoist still hadn’t returned. Li Si came out from the stone house and happened to run into Gongyang Yan.
Gongyang Yan was startled. “You haven’t left yet?”
Li Si responded, “Not yet, but soon. How did things go for you? Did the Grand Elder give you a reply?”
Gongyang Yan shook his head listlessly. “The Grand Elder said he needs to consider it. However, I’ve already discussed it with Guardian Wu Ying, and he’ll do his best to help me negotiate with the Grand Elder. After all, there was an agreement beforehand. Surely a dignified Grand Elder of the Ancient Yao Sect won’t go back on his word.”
“I hope everything goes as you wish.” Li Si paused, then added, “However, you’d better not trust Wu Ying too easily.”
“Li Si, thank you. If it weren’t for your dozen slaps at Fuwa Village, I probably would have collapsed long ago. No matter what the outcome is this time in Xingtian City, at least I came with my chest out and head held high. I didn’t lose to myself.” Gongyang Yan said sincerely.
Li Si smiled. “I believe this is also what Uncle Chang most wanted to see and what would comfort him most.”
“Where’s the fat Taoist?” Gongyang Yan also asked.
“Him? I estimate he’s hiding somewhere secretly drinking wine and eating meat! Hahaha!” Li Si suddenly laughed heartily, just to sweep away all the oppressive feelings in his chest. Gongyang Yan was infected by Li Si and also laughed heartily. Ancient tribe people passing by the stone house looked strangely at the two men laughing heartily, not understanding why.
His stomach suddenly rumbled. Having not eaten for most of the day, Li Si felt hungry.
After hearing this, Gongyang Yan said, “I still have wine and meat in my room. Want some?”
“I’d be a fool not to eat.” Li Si patted Gongyang Yan’s shoulder, and the two returned to Gongyang Yan’s stone house to feast heartily.
At the Hour of the Monkey, Wu Yan sent someone to invite Li Si, Gongyang Yan, and the fat Taoist to attend the Ancient Yao Sect’s ritual feast. The fat Taoist was still without any news, as if this Taoist had vanished into thin air in Xingtian City. Li Si was helpless and could only first go with Gongyang Yan to the seventh city and enter Shifang Hall.
On both sides of the main hall of Shifang Hall, dim yellow oil lamps were lit. In the depths hung an Ancient Yao Sect banner that incorporated water and fire patterns. On the stone wall behind the banner, red and white gems were embedded like stars, shining brilliantly. About a zhang below the banner was a stone table with three closed stone boxes the size of fists.
Before the stone table stood the expressionless Grand Elder Wu Yan. To Wu Yan’s left was Ritual Follower Yun Yan decorated in red and festive colors. To his right were the two Guardians, Wu Ying and You Huai. Further down, standing solemnly on the left and right, were all upper-level figures with status in the Ancient Yao Sect. At the very bottom were Li Si and Gongyang Yan. Everyone waited silently. Li Si and Gongyang Yan also dared not speak. After about three quarters of an hour, Wu Yan’s hoarse, drawn-out voice sounded: “The third quarter of the Hour of the Monkey has arrived. Respectfully invite the Holy Maiden.”
From the side door of the main hall slowly walked out a maiden wearing a silver-white cloak. It was Amu, whom they hadn’t seen for a day. Amu seemed even more haggard. Without a word, she walked slowly before Wu Yan and raised her face. Wu Yan gazed at Amu, then brought his face close to hers and began reciting complex, obscure ancient ritual prayers. The rhythm of the prayers was like a Spring and Autumn war song—initially gentle, then suddenly fluctuating dramatically, continuing with long repetitions, and finally returning to silence.
Wu Yan turned and opened the first stone box. Inside was flame-red pigment paste. Wu Yan used his pinky finger to scoop out the pigment and gently and evenly applied it between Amu’s brows, outlining a red oval resembling an eye. Then Wu Yan opened the second stone box. Inside was ice-blue pigment paste. Wu Yan drew another blue oval outside the red one. Wu Yan paused to catch his breath slightly, then opened the third stone box. Inside was glittering golden powder. Wu Yan carefully touched the gold powder and embellished the edges of the red and blue outline with gold symbolizing status.
Everything complete, Wu Yan carefully wiped his hands. Amu remained cold and silent like an ice sculpture.
Wu Yan glanced at Yun Yan and retreated two steps to the side. Yun Yan, with over a dozen ritual stones hanging from him, shuffled with his cane to the stone table. Facing outside the hall, he clapped his hands. Four ancient tribe people from outside the main hall carried in a heavy black box upon hearing the sound, along with a yellow and white stone bell and a four-foot-long bamboo tube. Yun Yan bowed to Wu Yan and Amu, then took out two bizarre blue-wrapped-red stones from the black box. The blue was like ice, the red like fire—these two contradictory colors were perfectly fused on the stones.
Li Si looked curiously at the blue-wrapped-red stones. He was even more curious about what Yun Yan would do next.
Yun Yan took a deep breath and violently struck the two stones together in his hands. “Clang, clang, clang…” After striking twenty or thirty times, the two stones abruptly emitted a wisp of seven-colored smoke, cloudy and mist-like. The seven-colored smoke cloud wafted over Yun Yan’s head but no longer rose upward. Yun Yan said softly, “It’s ready.” A prepared ancient tribe person held up the four-foot bamboo tube to suck the stagnant seven-colored smoke cloud into the tube, then blew it into the stone bell that was sealed tightly with only a small hole at the top that could be opened and closed. This was repeated over ten times before the wisp of seven-colored smoke cloud was completely collected.
Li Si didn’t understand the detailed steps of the Ancient Yao Sect’s ritual ceremony, but just watching was eye-opening, especially the blue-wrapped-red stones striking each other and producing seven-colored smoke cloud—truly remarkable.
The ritual ceremony ended. Ancient tribe warriors collected the stone boxes, black box, stone bell, and bamboo tube one by one. Then Wu Yan waved his hand, and two maidservants came up to help Amu leave. As Amu passed by Li Si, Li Si suddenly pinched his nose, his expression subtle and difficult to describe. The feast must be about to start. Amu should have been sent to the side hall.
Mita, everything depends on you. Li Si watched Amu leave, thinking silently.
The feast’s sumptuous dishes were placed in the main hall. Li Si ate two tasteless bites with his chopsticks and drank a sip of the ancient tribe’s specially brewed rice wine. Gongyang Yan sat beside Li Si, his gaze wandering between Wu Yan and Wu Ying, his brows tightly furrowed. Wu Yan came over to toast Li Si and Gongyang Yan to fulfill his duty as host. The two men hurriedly stood up to return the toast.
After one round of wine, Wu Ying gave Gongyang Yan a look. Gongyang Yan quickly said respectfully, “Grand Elder, this junior came to Xingtian City for the first time and received your understanding and care. This junior is overwhelmed with gratitude. Please allow this junior to pour a cup of wine for the Grand Elder on behalf of myself and also on behalf of the Evergreen Duke.”
Wu Yan smiled without speaking. Wu Ying interjected, “It’s rare that you have this intention. Come forward.”
Gongyang Yan walked quickly with small steps to Wu Yan and carefully filled Wu Yan’s wine cup. Wu Yan nodded and drank the wine. “Together honor the Evergreen Duke.”
“Yes.” Gongyang Yan also raised his cup and drank it all.
Gongyang Yan retreated. Wu Ying’s gaze inadvertently glanced toward the side hall. Li Si was secretly alarmed. Could Wu Ying have noticed something? This won’t do. He needed to think of a way to attract the attention of Wu Ying and the others. But what good method was there? Li Si looked worriedly at the rice wine on the table, his heart stirring. Could it be that he could only rely on the foolish method of pretending to be drunk?
“Sigh.” Li Si was just preparing to pretend to be dead drunk.
Suddenly, two swift winds attacked the oil lamps on both sides of the main hall. The lamps were extinguished simultaneously. Shifang Hall fell into darkness for a moment. Only Wu Ying’s sharp shout could be heard: “Who’s playing tricks? Someone, quickly relight the fires!”
Murmurs of voices filled Shifang Hall. Amid the cacophony came a painful wail. The cry came from Wu Yan’s direction. The oil lamps were lit again. Everyone’s eyes were instantly drawn to Wu Yan’s ferocious face. Wu Yan, sitting in his original position, had bulging eyes and a purple-black face suddenly showing blood vessels like feathers. Black blood with a foul smell also flowed from the corners of his mouth.
“Grand Elder!” Yun Yan rushed forward with a miserable cry.
“Grand Elder!” You Huai gave a muffled shout, his body swaying precariously.
“Man Kua!” Wu Ying angrily drew his whip in hand.
All the Ancient Yao Sect elites called out to the Grand Elder. After a moment, Yun Yan turned back with vacant eyes and looked at the people in the hall, saying sorrowfully, “The Grand Elder, the Grand Elder died suddenly…”
“Grand Elder…”
Li Si was also stunned by the scene before him. He stepped over the ancient tribe people blocking his view and gazed from afar at the suddenly deceased Grand Elder.
“How did Man Kua die?” Wu Ying’s eyes blazed with fury.
Yun Yan wailed, “The Grand Elder died of poisoning. His face has feather-like blood vessels. I remember this kind of poison. This is… one of the legendary Seven Great Rare Poisons, Phoenix Gallbladder.”
Wu Ying’s hawk-like gaze swept through the hall. His black whip coiled like lightning around someone’s arm, pulling him flying to the center of the hall. Wu Ying said sinisterly, “Gongyang Yan, only you just poured wine for Man Kua. The Phoenix Gallbladder poison must have been administered by you. You resented Man Kua for not agreeing to help you, so you poisoned him. Someone, search him thoroughly!”
Five or six powerful ancient tribe warriors came up and pinned down Gongyang Yan. Gongyang Yan was still in extreme shock. At this moment, he suddenly came to his senses and struggled, saying, “I didn’t poison him. Guardian Wu Ying, believe me, it wasn’t me!”
Who knew that before his words fell, an ancient tribe warrior questioned, “What is this?”
The ancient tribe warrior found a tightly wrapped small paper packet in a hidden pocket of Gongyang Yan’s robe. Wu Ying directly handed it to Yun Yan. Yun Yan unfolded the paper packet. Inside was a small handful of cyan powder. Yun Yan said angrily, “Although I haven’t personally seen Phoenix Gallbladder, from the smell and color, I can judge that this is one of the Seven Poisons, Phoenix Gallbladder. You really poisoned the Grand Elder to death!”
Gongyang Yan was stunned. Staring at the deadly Phoenix Gallbladder, he even forgot to defend himself. After a long while, he mumbled, “How could it be on me… Impossible, this definitely isn’t Phoenix Gallbladder!”
Wu Ying said coldly, “You say it isn’t Phoenix Gallbladder. Do you dare to eat it?”
Gongyang Yan froze, then showed a crazed expression. “I dare!”
Wu Ying handed the cyan powder back to Gongyang Yan. Gongyang Yan raised his head, closed his eyes, and was about to eat it when out of nowhere a hand suddenly reached out and knocked the paper packet away.
Li Si knocked away the paper packet and said helplessly, “Don’t do anything foolish. This really is Phoenix Gallbladder.”
“How can it be Phoenix Gallbladder? I didn’t poison anyone. Li Si, believe me, I’ve been wrongly accused!” Gongyang Yan grabbed Li Si’s arm, his eyes confused. Li Si patted Gongyang Yan’s hand and said quietly, “I believe you.”
Li Si turned to gaze intently at Wu Yan’s bulging eyes. Deep purple bruised blood already filled the eyes.
“What do you want to do?” Wu Ying blocked Li Si and questioned him. Li Si replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, “I want to look at Grand Elder Wu Yan’s body.”
“Gongyang Yan is the murderer who killed Man Kua. You are also an accomplice. You still dare to fantasize about defiling Man Kua’s remains. Seek death!” Wu Ying repeatedly swung his black whip. Whip shadows like fangs and poisonous snakes entangled Li Si. Li Si first pulled the dispirited Gongyang Yan behind him, simultaneously drawing his sword to guard them both. Sword light and whip shadows mixed into a mass in the midair of Shifang Hall. You Huai coldly watched the two men fighting. Several times he wanted to draw his blade but held back.
Wu Ying glanced at the indifferent You Huai and couldn’t help but harbor resentment in his heart. Just as the two were fighting evenly matched, suddenly Banna and Banxi ran over from the side hall. Banxi shouted breathlessly, “Guardian, the Holy Maiden has disappeared!”
“Damn it!” Wu Ying’s black whip forced Li Si back half a step. He roared angrily at You Huai, “You Huai, Man Kua has been murdered, and now the Holy Maiden has been abducted! I, in my capacity as Left Chief Guardian, temporarily assume the position of Grand Elder. Will you not act to help me?”
You Huai sighed half a breath, then held his curved bone blade in hand and charged toward Li Si. Wu Ying and You Huai together besieged Li Si. The many ancient tribe elites on the side who followed the two Guardians’ lead also struck out one after another. Li Si immediately fell into a passive position. In less than twenty exchanges, Li Si was struck on his Shentang point by the back of You Huai’s blade. His vision went black and he collapsed to the ground. Ancient tribe people swarmed up and bound both Li Si and Gongyang Yan.
Wu Ying withdrew his whip and said, “First lock them in the Prisoner Tower. When we capture the thief who abducted the Holy Maiden, we’ll deal with them all together.”
“The time when the fire cave is extinguished is about to arrive. The Holy Maiden absolutely must not be lost. Otherwise, if the Holy Woman becomes enraged, Xingtian City will face catastrophic disaster! Left Guardian, you must find the Holy Maiden.” Yun Yan urged anxiously.
“Rest assured, Ritual Follower. She can’t escape.” Wu Ying said with a cold laugh.
Mita rescued Amu from the side hall. The two moved swiftly outward, planning to escape from Xingtian City. Mita raised her head and discovered she could already see the flame-red city gate. She said happily, “We’re about to reach the outer third city. Wu Ying shouldn’t be able to catch up.”
Who knew that as soon as Mita’s words fell, from the third city gate, a large black net suddenly dropped down, covering Mita and Amu from head to toe. Then four ancient tribe warriors with agile skills climbed down from the city wall and tied up the black net. Mita tried to cut through the black net with her dagger but was discovered by two ancient tribe warriors. Mita said in frustrated annoyance, “I’m sorry, Amu. I failed again. We were just one step away from getting you out. It must be Wu Ying’s doing again.”
Amu didn’t show a sad expression. She tightly grasped Mita’s hand. Mita didn’t notice that at this moment, the hand holding hers was cold as ice.
“What big fish have fallen into the net here? Banna, Banxi, come take a look.” Wu Ying, who had arrived, sneered. Banna and Banxi echoed with strange, chattering laughter.
Mita’s delicate brows moved. She said angrily, “Stop laughing. Each of you is showing your ugly side.”
Wu Ying laughed even more triumphantly and said with a cruel expression, “Ugliness won’t kill anyone, but I can guarantee you’ll die very soon. Hmph!”
“Banxi, escort the Holy Maiden back to the Star Palace. Banna, send Mita to the Prisoner Tower. I want to let her taste bit by bit what it means for life to be worse than death. That will truly be interesting.” Wu Ying flicked his black whip. The whip hit the ground with an explosive “crack” sound.
In the gloomy, bloody fifth city, Wu Ying looked at the sharp, cone-like Prisoner Tower and was about to enter when the Ritual Follower’s personal attendant suddenly appeared behind him. The attendant knelt on one knee. “Grand Elder Wu Ying, the Ritual Follower has urgent matters and requests that you return to Shifang Hall to discuss them.”
Wu Ying’s harsh eyebrows relaxed. The attendant’s phrase “Grand Elder” pleased him physically and mentally. Wu Ying abandoned the idea of immediately punishing Mita and the others and first returned with the attendant to Shifang Hall.
In Shifang Hall, Yun Yan had already learned the news that the Holy Maiden had been found. Upon seeing Wu Ying, he said urgently, “The Grand Elder’s unexpected death cannot be undone, but the matter of offering the Holy Maiden cannot be delayed. Wu Ying, you are the Ancient Yao Sect’s Left Chief Guardian and also the only son of the late Grand Elder Wu Yan. For you to inherit the position of Grand Elder is reasonable and proper. Right now, there are less than two hours until the sacred land’s fire cave is extinguished. You must quickly lead the ritual procession to escort the Holy Maiden to the sacred land.”
“Since the Ritual Follower recommends it, I won’t decline. Effective immediately, I, Wu Ying, succeed as the seventh generation Grand Elder of the Ancient Yao Sect. I hope not to dishonor Man Kua’s spirit.” Wu Ying bowed to heaven and earth, then entered the inner hall of Shifang Hall to kowtow before the bronze statue of the first Grand Elder Shi Ze. After completing the devout rituals, Wu Ying called for Yun Yan, You Huai, Banxi, and Banna.
“Man Kua suffered a tragic poisoning. His remains were also defiled by Phoenix Gallbladder. To avoid more clan members seeing this and causing panic, Banna, quickly move the remains to the ancestral tomb outside Xingtian City for respectful burial.” Wu Ying’s tone was superior and beyond question.
“Banna obeys the Grand Elder’s instructions.” Banna knelt on one knee.
“Ritual Follower Yun Yan and Banxi will accompany me to the sacred land.” Wu Ying continued issuing orders. Yun Yan and Banxi also knelt to receive orders.
Wu Ying turned toward You Huai in the corner and said coldly, “While I enter the sacred land, all matters of punishment in Xingtian City, large and small, are entrusted to Guardian You Huai to decide. Especially Gongyang Yan and Li Si who poisoned my Man Kua, and Mita who repeatedly abducted the Holy Maiden—I don’t want to see these people when I return. Guardian You Huai, do you understand clearly?”
You Huai’s gaze deepened slightly. He respectfully knelt on one knee and said, “You Huai obeys the Grand Elder’s instructions.”
“Very good, very good.” Wu Ying exhaled toward the sky. “Next, we go to the sacred land.”