Chapter 212 — Return

"I know that the teachings handed down by our founding masters over the thousands of years of the Canglan Sect can never be wrong — that we mortals, seeking to escape the cycle of reincarnation, may through such cultivation perhaps attain long life. In the past, I thought the same, and so I cultivated with all my heart. But now—" Lu Xueling smiled faintly and low, as though speaking to the depths of her own heart: "If I must live all my years without feeling, without love, if I must make my heart blank as white paper to ascend as an immortal — then what use is such long life, and how could such an immortal state be what I want!"

Wen Pei stammered, "Younger Sister, wh-what are you saying?"

As though she had not heard Wen Pei, Lu Xueling went on of her own accord: "I know what you are thinking, Senior Sister. You are most likely calling me ignorant of the world, unaware of how treacherous this life is, and thinking that most of what my heart desires can never come to pass. And in truth, do I not know it too? If you speak of a heart in torment, I have indeed been tormented by it. But now I have come to see it clearly. People say the world will not suffer it, that it cannot be forgiven, and in the end I cannot do as he did and renounce the sect to take holy orders. But even so, I ask only that there be someone in my heart to long for, and I know as well that I am in his. So long as that is so, my heart is content."

Wen Pei gave a cold laugh. "Do you not know that there can never be any outcome for the two of you? Does that not matter to you either?"

For the first time, Lu Xueling's expression changed; a deep shadow seemed to pass quietly over her face, and only after a long moment did she say in a low voice: "Of course it matters to me. If it were possible, who would not wish to stay together always, who would not wish for it to last forever? It is only that, knowing clearly it can hardly be achieved, I have simply stopped thinking of it. In any case, who can say what the future holds? But this much I will never let go."

Wen Pei gazed deeply at the fair, clear-featured woman before her. In the night she was beautiful and serene as a lily, blooming in her solitude. She gave a soft sigh and said, "In any case, I knew long ago that I could not persuade you. Tomorrow morning, go and see our master."

Lu Xueling was startled and turned her head. "It is not that I am unwilling to pay my respects to our master, only that if I go, it will most likely anger her again."

Wen Pei shook her head. "Today our master privately bade me come and summon you. It concerns proper business — set your mind at ease."

Lu Xueling hesitated, then said, "The journey to the southern borderlands, the fall of the Beast Sovereign — the great threat to the righteous path is gone. What else could there be?"

Wen Pei hesitated a moment, then said, "The Demonic Cult has risen from the ashes."

Lu Xueling's body gave a start, and at the same time a fleeting, complex, and unreadable look crossed her eyes. "What?"

Wen Pei took in every trace of Lu Xueling's strange expression, and sighed inwardly, though her voice remained calm as she said, "There have been rumors without end of late. Those demon cult wretches who were routed at the hands of the Beast Sovereign during the great calamity of the beast demons—it seems there are still remnants left, and they appear bent on returning. And our Canglan Sect is now beset by troubles within and without; even our master seems weighed down with worry. You know she has always thought most highly of you, and it is very likely for this very matter that she has summoned you."

Lu Xueling was silent for a long while, then nodded and said, "Yes. Then I shall go pay my respects to our master first thing tomorrow morning."

Wen Pei nodded and said, "Then you should rest early as well. I'll be going."

Lu Xueling did not press her to stay. She saw her to the door, and there Wen Pei suddenly halted, turned, and looked at Lu Xueling. "Little sister, in the days to come, if ever something troubles you, you must not keep it bottled up inside. If you trust me as your elder sister, then tell me of it—that is surely better than letting it fester in silence."

Lu Xueling nodded slowly and said in a low voice, "Yes, elder sister. I understand."

Wen Pei studied her expression and knew that though she had agreed, given Lu Xueling's temperament, she would most likely say nothing even if some bitter hardship had befallen her. There was nothing for it but to give a rueful laugh, turn, and go.

Leaning against the door, Lu Xueling watched Wen Pei walk away into the distance.

Slowly she drew her gaze back. The night was black as ink, the wind and rain moaned softly, and this heaven and earth stood hushed, as though a chill of desolation breathed through it all.

For a time she simply gazed, lost to herself, and only after a long, long while did she seem to wake from a dream. Silently she turned and softly closed the door.

The wind and rain of heaven and earth were shut outside with it.

Just as the Canglan Sect had secretly learned, far away beyond a thousand li, on Mount Huqi, the once-desolate mountain had suddenly come to life. Great throngs of demon cult disciples returned to the stronghold of the Hades Sect; the mechanisms long sealed away were opened one by one, and the abandoned watch posts, under orderly command, were restored one after another.

On a clear day, the last of the demon cult's factions—and the strongest at present—the Hades Sect, under the leadership of the Hades Lord, returned once more to the Central Plains.

Bundles great and small, a long procession stretching beyond sight, like a colony of ants returning from afar to their nest. And within that procession, what drew the eye most was that every few dozen zhang, a hundred or more demon cult disciples would escort some colossal object, all of it draped in heavy grey cloth, presenting a vast square shape. Beneath the cloth came, from time to time, low and startling roars, roars brimming with savage fury—yet somehow they sounded lacking in vigor, as though they came from some monstrous beast utterly exhausted.

These vast and mysterious things were swiftly borne by these demon cult disciples, who seemed long accustomed to the work, into the great caverns of the Hades Sect on Mount Huqi, worked by generations of the sect. In the air, nothing remained but the fading, faintly echoing mournful howls and roars of unknown monsters; and at the same time, in the wind, some strange and singular stench of blood gradually rose and drifted about.

The Hades Lord stood with hands clasped behind him at one side of the cavern, watching the last of the mysterious colossal objects borne deep into the cave. His face was expressionless, and at a glance he seemed utterly unchanged—save that at his temples and among his hair, the white strands that had once come for his daughter's sake had grown a few more.

Behind him stood two figures. One was Yousi, still veiled in black gauze and silent; the other was cloaked wholly in black shadow—none other than Mr. Ghost.

When nearly all the demon cult disciples had entered the cavern, several men quickly ran up and reported to the Hades Lord in low voices. The Hades Lord listened in silence, said nothing, and only gave a slow nod. The demon cult members soon dispersed, and under silent command, the great stone mechanism at the cavern entrance slowly descended, shutting out the light of the world beyond.

In the darkness, the Hades Lord let out a soft breath.

This familiar smell of the cavern.

Deep in the winding passage of the cave, light slowly kindled—demon cult disciples lighting one by one the torches hung above the corridor. In the familiar dim yellow glow, shadows too began to sway.

Behind him, Yousi slowly stepped forward and said softly, "Sect Master, would you go and see Ming Li?"