Chapter 75 — The Third Chapter
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 5 of 6
Fairy Sanmiao raised a hand like polished jade and lightly smoothed her temple, her face without expression. "Naturally I heard it. Brother King of Hell, Lady Jinling was an elder founder of our Mihun Sect eight hundred years ago, and the Hehuan Bell she left behind has always been our sect's treasure of treasures. This, I imagine, you also know?"
The King of Hell said no more, but he stood with hands clasped behind his back, bearing composed and erect, not a trace of retreat about him. The harmony of a moment before had in an instant turned to swords drawn and bows bent.
Yuyangzi coughed once and glanced at the Poison God, but the Poison God turned his head away and gazed off at the distant crest of the Canglan Mountains, plainly unwilling to involve himself. Yuyangzi cursed him inwardly. On any other day he himself would have been eager enough to see these two great rivals fight each other to the death, but since he was now the presiding figure here, he had no choice but to step forward. "You two—how is it that words have turned to anger? You are both masters of the Way, and great matters stand before us now. Better to set this aside for the moment, and once matters here are settled, settle it between yourselves. What say you?"
Fairy Sanmiao glanced at him, gave a slight nod, and looked away. The King of Hell's face showed nothing, but inwardly he sneered: this Yuyangzi was no good sort either—constrained by his position to urge peace, yet with a faint hint that once the great matter was done he would set the two sects to fighting each other.
But the Hehuan Bell was truly no small treasure. It had long been named one of the four great marvels of the demonic cult, alongside the King of Hell Sect's "Fulong Cauldron," the Blood Refining Hall's "Blood-Devouring Orb," and the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect's "Ten Thousand Poisons Returning to the Source Pouch." What was more, it was rumored throughout the cult that many of the Mihun Sect's strange arts and uncanny techniques required the Hehuan Bell as their medium before they could unleash their fullest power.
Such a treasure—the King of Hell would never willingly hand it over, fool though he be; and after Bili obtained the marvel from the Blood-Dripping Cave beneath the Pool of Deathly Spirits, he had especially warned her to keep it secret. Yet little did he know that Fairy Sanmiao's powers were no small thing, for she had ferreted out the matter as well.
In that instant the King of Hell ran through in his mind all those about him, but his face showed a faint smile. "Brother Yuyangzi speaks rightly. We may as well leave this matter until after what lies before us is done, and speak of it then."
Seeing that these two, ever headstrong in days past, had this time actually heeded his words, Yuyangzi could not help but feel a fresh swell of satisfaction.
Just then the Poison God suddenly said, "Ah! The sun is out."
At his words all turned to look toward the Canglan Mountains, and indeed a red sun blazed forth, rising slowly from the distant summit of Canglan and spilling its light over the world.
That genial sunlight fell likewise upon the four of them, stretching long shadows out behind them.
Having climbed the last flight of steps, Zhang Qingyue at last came once more before the Jade Balance Hall. That tall and solemn edifice towered before him, majestic and imposing, so that a man standing at its foot seemed no more than an ant.
Chang Jian said, "Let us go in!"
Song Dayi and Tian Lingsu both nodded assent. Zhang Qingyue took a step forward, then suddenly started, his gaze drawn aside; there in another corner of the steps a man sat on the ground with his back against the railing. His clothes were still clean enough, though because he had sat down carelessly on the ground the hem had gathered some dust, and his eyes stared blankly toward Zhang Qingyue, his lips muttering something under his breath.
It was none other than Uncle Wang, mad these many years.