Chapter 221 — Rescue

Xiao Wan and the others saw clearly enough: this fat man was the very person who had saved their lives from that demon's hands that day. Yet in this hurried glimpse, after being imprisoned in the coffin for so many days, for some reason the fat man's figure seemed, if anything, to have grown a good deal fatter.

Lu Xueling helped the fat man sit down on the stone steps before the house and said softly, "Martial Uncle Tian, are you all right?"

Everyone present was slightly startled at these words. They all knew well what Lu Xueling's standing was, and to hear her address this fat man so—could it be that he too was of the Canglan Sect, and moreover appeared to be an elder of no low seniority?

This fat man was, of course, Tian Buji, the head of Dazhu Peak, who had mysteriously vanished some time ago together with Dao Yan Zhenren, the sect master of the Canglan Sect.

Tian Buji glanced at Lu Xueling and nodded, but said little. Keen-witted as she was, Lu Xueling understood at once and asked no further questions—though for some reason her heart was pounding wildly, and the tension she had felt before was now, if anything, growing stronger.

If Tian Buji was here, then where was that far more important person at this moment?

Could it be the demon that Xiao Wan and the others had spoken of?

The thought flashed through Lu Xueling's mind, and for some reason a faint prickling sensation ran down her back, as though she had been pricked by needles.

The Witch Demon stood to one side, its gaze falling on Tian Buji, studying the fat man deeply. This was the first time it had seen Tian Buji's features clearly, yet as it looked at him, a strange light flickered in its eyes. It had little leisure to observe anyone else, however; moments later Xiao Bai's voice was echoing in its ear: "Where is the thing I asked for?"

The Witch Demon's heart lurched, and it gave another bitter laugh, turning to Xiao Bai before it and saying with a rueful smile, "I have already told you."

Xiao Bai spat. "The Southern Frontier is a thousand li away—do you expect me to make the journey on the strength of one sentence of yours that may or may not be true? Let me give you a word of advice: hand over what I want, honestly."

The Witch Demon was silent for a moment. Its face was masked, so none could read its expression, but it was plain it was pondering something. Xiao Bai grew impatient. "You know well enough what sort of person I am—I am not like that old devil of the Fenxia Valley. Your master, when he was alive, promised me that thing as well, did he not?"

The Witch Demon nodded silently, as though Xiao Bai's words had moved it. It walked slowly to Xiao Bai's side, lowered its voice, and said a few words.

Xiao Bai suddenly frowned. "Truly?"

The Witch Demon said mildly, "This is not your first encounter with witchcraft. You know something of the taboos and prohibitions of the ancient witch clan of the Southern Frontier."

Xiao Bai pondered a moment, then nodded. "Fine. I will trust you this once. But if you dare deceive me, sooner or later I will find you and make you pay."

The Witch Demon gave a bitter laugh and shook its head.

Xiao Bai turned to look at the others, her gaze finally settling on Lu Xueling—who happened to be looking at her as well. Xiao Bai suddenly smiled faintly, and about her brows and the corners of her lips there came an indescribable allure, yet with no trace of lewdness in it; rather it only enhanced her beauty. "Miss Lu," she said with a smile, "it has been a long time."

Lu Xueling's face was expressionless. She looked at Xiao Bai and gave only a faint nod.

Xiao Bai's smile deepened. "I wonder—have you seen him lately?"

Lu Xueling's elegant brows knitted, and she gave a cold snort, her expression turning frosty. Watching her face, Xiao Bai suddenly covered her mouth and laughed, then shook her head, turned, and strode away, soon vanishing from everyone's sight.