Chapter 21 — Traces of the Demonic

Shui Yue's manner toward Daoyan could hardly be called friendly, but all present knew that Shui Jing Dashi always spoke so to everyone. Daoyan Zhenren took no offense, only sighed: "There is something you do not know, junior sister. Half a year ago I received a letter from Fenxia Valley, saying that of late there had been signs of demonic remnants stirring near the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Grotto, and asking my opinion. After some thought, I sent my second disciple, Yicai, at once to Kongsang to investigate."

At this Shang Zhenglang of Chaoyang Peak laughed: "Then all is well. Our nephew Xiao Yichen is a man of surpassing talent and profound cultivation, truly among the foremost of Canglan Sect—and at the last Seven Peaks Martial Gathering he took the laurel besides. With him on the case, what could not be accomplished?"

Daoyan Zhenren smiled faintly: "You overpraise him, senior brother. But after Yicai went to Kongsang, some months later word came confirming that demonic cultists were indeed active near the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Grotto—and their purpose was more startling still."

All were startled. Zeng Shuchang asked: "How so?"

Daoyan Zhenren's face was calm, betraying neither joy nor anger: "Yicai's letter said that he had captured a demonic cultist and forced the truth from him. It seems the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Grotto was, eight hundred years ago, the headquarters of the Blood-Refining Hall, a branch sect of the demonic cult. In those days the Hall was powerful, one of the five great forces of the demonic cult; but after our righteous forebears broke them, they never recovered, and the grotto fell into ruin. Yet somehow, in recent years, the long-declined Blood-Refining Hall seems to be raising its head again. And it is handed down among them that at the battle of the grotto eight hundred years ago, though all the chief figures of the Hall were slain by the swords of our righteous cultivators, there remained within the grotto a treasure vault, hidden with utmost cunning, filled with rare treasures and sorcerous books and scrolls, which was never found."

By this point everyone understood. Cangyan Daoren gave a cold laugh: "Heretics and deviants—wishful thinking!"

Daoyan Zhenren shook his head: "Whether the rumor is true or not, from what I know, after that battle eight hundred years ago the righteous cultivators indeed found no hidden vault or treasure hoard in the grotto. The rest would not matter—but if such a vault does exist, I fear it may hold a thing of great evil, and against that we must guard."

All eyes turned to Daoyan. Tianyun Daoren asked: "Senior brother, what manner of evil thing do you mean, that it should be so urgent?"

Daoyan Zhenren looked at those around him and said in a low voice: "The Blood-Devouring Orb!"

The assembly was visibly shaken. Cangyan Daoren said in amazement: "Did that evil thing not vanish long ago with the death of the Black-Hearted Elder?"

Daoyan Zhenren shook his head: "Not so. The Black-Hearted Elder is dead, but the Blood-Devouring Orb need not have perished from the world. A thing of such evil cannot be mastered by ordinary folk; if the demonic practitioners lacked the cultivation to wield it, they may well have hidden it away. And since the Black-Hearted Elder came from the Blood-Refining Hall line of the demonic cult, I surmise it quite likely lies within that vault."

At these words of Daoyan Zhenren, all fell silent for a time. At length it was the icy Shui Jing Dashi who spoke: "Then what does the Sect Leader propose?"

Daoyan Zhenren said: "When I received Yicai's letter, I at once sent word to Fenxia Valley and the Fanyin Temple. Before long both replied that they too would send their finest disciples to Kongsang to stop the demonic villains and uphold the Way against evil."

Tian Buhui frowned: "Then the Sect Leader means—"

A smile appeared on Daoyan Zhenren's face: "This is, if you think on it, a rare and excellent chance for tempering. Our Canglan Sect has many fine young talents, but most have never gone out to cultivate, and these years the world has been at peace, so they have never stood against demonic foes. Taking advantage of this Seven Peaks Martial Gathering, I intend to send the top four young disciples together to Kongsang—on the one hand to stop the demonic villains from their perverse deeds, and on the other to temper themselves and broaden their experience. And moreover—" his smile faded, his face turning grave—"moreover, I hear that in the past century both the Fanyin Temple and Fenxia Valley have produced several remarkable disciples of outstanding gifts. If we sit by and do nothing, I fear we shall not long hold our place as leaders of the righteous path. And if that came to pass, I, Daoyan, would have no face to meet the patriarchs of our line!"

All nodded together. Cangyan Daoren spoke first: "The Sect Leader sees far and speaks truly."

Daoyan looked over the seat-holders: "Then there is no objection from any of you."

All nodded and voiced their assent.

Daoist Zhenren Daoyan said, "Good, then it is settled. Quarters have already been prepared for you senior brothers in the Yuheng Hall. Please go and rest." With that, he clapped his palms three times in quick succession, and several Daoist novices at once came hurrying in from beyond the door. "Lead these masters to their rooms to rest."

The novices answered and stepped forward. Each of the masters rose to his feet, bowed once to Daoist Zhenren Daoyan, and followed them out.

Note, Book Four, the Classic of the Eastern Mountains: within the second eastern range, there is Mount Kongsang, facing the Shi River to the north, gazing upon Juwu to the east, Shaling to the south, and the Min Marsh to the west.