“It’s a desolate mountain with three graves, the only ones in Evil City with blank tombstones. No one knows when they appeared, but they’ve been there since the founding of Evil City. People didn’t know what to call it, so over time, it became known as Nameless Mountain. It also has another name…”
“What’s the other name?”
“Coffin Nest.”
Coffin Nest? Didn’t the woman just tell that old man to go back to his…?
“That old man just now?” Bai Shuo suddenly understood, pointing toward where the old man had gone, but he was already out of sight.
“He’s the caretaker of Nameless Mountain’s graves. The tombstones there are the only nameless ones in Evil City. Perhaps what you call the Strange One’s Tomb is Nameless Mountain.”
“It must be!” Bai Shuo’s face lit up. “Madam, where can we find Nameless Mountain?”
“Oh, it’s easy to find,” the woman said, pointing to the ground. “Just follow the wine jars the drunken old man dropped. Keep going until the jars are piled up, and you’ll be there.”
That simple? Bai Shuo looked out at the path from the courtyard, noticing a trail of scattered wine jars winding into the distance.
“Thank you, Madam!”
“No need. You saved Hu’er, so let’s call it even.” The woman added a warning, “But the old man has a bad temper. If you make it to Nameless Mountain, don’t provoke him, or you won’t get any information.”
With that, she turned and went back into the house.
“Your Majesty, I told you this was worth it…” Bai Shuo turned, eager to impress Nan Wan. But before she could finish, Nan Wan had already started following the trail of wine jars without a word.
Tsk, some people are just so pragmatic! Bai Shuo barely had time to huff before Er Yun also leaped up and chased after Nan Wan.
“Senior Brother, hurry up!”
Er Yun hurried on, but Chong Zhao stayed behind, not following. In a moment, the courtyard was left with just Bai Shuo, Fan Yue, and Chong Zhao.
“Mumu! Quickly, go with them!”
Fan Yue, always obedient to Bai Shuo’s words, shook his head as he looked at her, his gaze steady. “No, I want to stay with Master.”
Bai Shuo felt a chill down her spine and didn’t dare look back. Hastily, she nudged her young disciple. “Mumu, go play for a bit. I need to talk to your martial uncle.”
Fan Yue pursed his lips, casting a wary look at Chong Zhao, and refused to move.
“Be good, listen!” Bai Shuo’s tone grew firmer. Fan Yue, visibly disappointed, pouted and reluctantly moved to the side.
With an exasperated sigh, Bai Shuo gave Hua Da Tie a slight push toward Fan Yue. Completely unprepared, Hua Da Tie stumbled, nearly face-planting into the ground.
Finally rid of the meddling apprentice and blacksmith, Bai Shuo turned, intending to speak. But before she could, Chong Zhao’s angry voice cut in.
“What’s going on here? Why are you in Evil City? And is he…?”
“Yes, yes, he is!” Bai Shuo quickly clamped her hand over Chong Zhao’s mouth, casting a cautious glance at Fan Yue, who had his back turned, sulking at a tree stump. She let out a relieved sigh.
“Shh,” she whispered, lowering her voice. “This is too complicated to explain right now. I’ll tell you when we’re out of here. All you need to know is that he’s my disciple now. A-Zhao, listen, there’s no time. The first piece of the Wu Tong Heartfire is in the Strange One’s Tomb. I’m guessing that’s Nameless Mountain. Only by obtaining the first piece can I locate the remaining two. Let Nan Wan lead the charge, and once we gather the Heartfire, I’ll help you—A-Zhao! What are you doing?”
Chong Zhao suddenly placed a seal of spiritual energy on Bai Shuo’s shoulder, immobilizing her.
Not far away, Fan Yue turned abruptly and, in an instant, was by Bai Shuo’s side, his hand raised to strike Chong Zhao.
“Mumu, stop!” Bai Shuo shouted, her voice stern. Fan Yue’s hand froze mid-air before he angrily pulled back, glaring at Chong Zhao.
“A-Zhao, let me go!” Bai Shuo demanded.
“Do you even understand why I told you to stay away from Miao Miao?” Chong Zhao’s tone was grave.
“Yes,” Bai Shuo mumbled, lowering her head.
“If you know, then why are you here? The Three Realms are filled with danger, and as a half-immortal, you’re barely scraping by. Why throw yourself into such peril?” Chong Zhao’s anger grew, especially as he thought of the dark creature that had appeared in Evil City the previous night. His expression hardened. “The Wu Tong Martial Banquet is a fair contest between the two realms. If I win, I want it to be fair and square. I don’t need your interference.”
0 Comments