Chapter 21 — Traces of the Demonic
劍問蒼天 · Page 3 of 6
Zhang Qingyue looked wildly about: "I was so busy talking with Jingyu that I forgot all about Xiao Hui! I don't know where he's run off to!"
Only then did the others remember—indeed, none of them had noticed the whereabouts of the little gray monkey. They all began searching high and low, but saw only the vast white clouds and the disciples of the various peaks gradually dispersing; there was no trace of the monkey Xiao Hui.
Zhang Qingyue's heart clenched with anxiety. Ever since he had brought Xiao Hui back from that secluded valley two years ago, the two of them—man and monkey (later joined by the big yellow dog, Da Huang)—had shared a room these two years, and their bond was deep. This Jietian Peak soared into the clouds, its extent beyond imagining up and down; if Xiao Hui had run off somewhere to forage for wild fruit, how could he ever find him?
In the midst of his worry, Zhang Qingyue suddenly heard Tian Lingsu give a cry of "Eh?" from the other side. He turned to look: her face had broken into a smile, and she was pointing ahead. "Look," she laughed.
The others looked, and could not help laughing aloud. There sat Xiao Hui, perched quite at ease on the back of the big yellow dog that Tian Buhui kept, squeaking "chee-chee-chee-chee" and waving a monkey paw toward Zhang Qingyue—while the yellow dog came trotting toward them, jaws clamped tight, carrying a meat bone he had got hold of heaven knew where.
Before long Da Huang came running up with Xiao Hui on his back. Xiao Hui leapt in two or three bounds onto Zhang Qingyue's shoulder. Zhang Qingyue hastily rubbed the monkey's head and put on a stern face: "Where did you run off to?"
Xiao Hui was not the least bit afraid. Grinning, he pointed at Da Huang, who was lying on the ground gnawing his meat bone, and with much "chee-chee" and waving of arms he gesticulated wildly. Zhang Qingyue watched for a good while, then suddenly asked: "Where did that meat bone come from?"
At this Xiao Hui gesticulated some more, pointing all the while toward one end of the plaza. Zhang Qingyue looked at Song Dayi, who quickly glanced around, his face a study in embarrassment and amusement, and whispered: "That's where the disciples of the Eldest Peak take their meals—the kitchen."
The others stared, then burst out laughing and shook their heads. Song Dayi led the way toward the other side: "Let's get to the dormitories and rest. Oh, that's right—little junior sister, you're a girl, so we've arranged for you to stay with the junior sisters of Xiaozhu Peak. You don't mind, do you?"
Tian Lingsu shook her head, smiling: "I was hoping to chat a while with Sister Wen Pei anyway—and put in a good word or two for you, eldest senior brother."
Everyone roared with laughter. Song Dayi flushed and pretended not to hear, striding out ahead while the others followed, talking and joking. Zhang Qingyue, bringing up the rear, did not join in; instead he glared at the gray monkey on his shoulder: "You damn monkey, if you go off thieving again, just see what I'll do to you."
Xiao Hui squeaked twice and grinned wide—whether he did not understand, or simply did not take Zhang Qingyue's words to heart, was impossible to say.
Zhang Qingyue scolded him a few more times as they walked on. After a few steps he thought of something else, turned his head, and called out loudly: "Get a move on, you damn dog—all you know is eating!"
Da Huang, still sprawled on the ground gnawing his bone, reluctantly lifted his eyes, saw that the others had gone far ahead, and only then got to his feet, picked up the half-gnawed bone in his teeth, and padded lazily after them.
In the Yuheng Hall, the seven seat-holders of Canglan Sect had gathered, and all their attention was now fixed on Daoyan Zhenren.
Tianyun Daoren, seat-holder of Luoxia Peak, rose first: "Sect Leader, did you discern what was wrong with the Spirit Venerable just now?"