Chapter 84 — The Journey Afar
劍問蒼天 · Page 5 of 6
Zeng Shuyan said, "The outstanding disciples of the younger generation, sent down the mountain to temper themselves?" He shook his head slightly and sighed. "Why does that phrase sound so familiar to me?"
He and Qi Hao exchanged a look, and suddenly each understood the other's heart. Those four from back then, and now...
As though by common accord they turned their heads toward that beautiful woman. Lu Xueqi stood quietly where she was, as if she had heard nothing at all, or as if she had buried everything deep in her heart; her bright eyes shifted, resting for a moment on Lin Jinghong as though seeking some shadow there—but in the end, they moved away.
Just then, the sound of bells and chimes suddenly rang out above the great hall, and everyone straightened at once. After a moment, Sect Master Daoist Daoyan emerged, accompanied by Xiao Yichen; he glanced at the assembled crowd, greeted them with a smile, and took his seat in the place of honor.
All present saluted together, with Qi Hao standing at the very front. Daoist Daoyan smiled and waved a hand. "Enough, enough. Be seated, all of you."
Yet among the disciples, apart from Qi Hao—whose station was now different—who took a seat below Daoist Daoyan, the rest remained standing.
Daoist Daoyan glanced at Xiao Yichen beside him and said, "Yicai, you tell them."
Xiao Yichen nodded. "Yes, Master."
With that, he stepped forward, swept his gaze over the assembled crowd, and said in a clear voice: "Fellow disciples, I have asked you here today because there is a matter that requires the finest disciples of our Canglan Sect to go and accomplish."
At these words a stir ran through the crowd. Xiao Yichen smiled and went on: "Of late there has been much talk throughout the world—they say that in the great western marshes, a strange light has suddenly shot skyward these past days and has not ceased, and that some world-shaking treasure is likely about to appear. Ordinarily, when Heaven sends down a numinous thing, it belongs to the virtuous; we would take no interest. But once this news spread, we heard that the demon cult's fiends are marching west in great force, intent on laying their hands on it."
"What?"
"Outrageous!" The young disciples of the Canglan Sect were instantly furious, and voices broke out on every side.
When the clamor had somewhat subsided, Xiao Yichen smiled and said: "If this report is false, then no matter. But if there truly is some rare and wondrous treasure, and it falls into the demon cult's hands, would that not be lending claws to the tiger? The Canglan Sect has always been the leader of the righteous path under Heaven; therefore the Sect Master has decided to choose outstanding disciples from among our younger generation and send them together to the western marshes, to uphold the righteousness of the Way and to slay demons and eradicate devils."
Here he paused, then suddenly put on a mysterious air: "Brothers, there is one more weighty matter. I hear that today the Fanyin Temple and the Fenxia Valley have also sent disciples to the western marshes. Since that great battle ten years ago, we all know in our hearts that these two sects keep fair faces toward us while secretly eyeing the seat of leadership of the righteous path—and they have done so for a long while. I hope none of you will lose face for our sect!"
A clamor rose among the crowd, and someone shouted out at once: "Rest easy, Sect Master! We will never disgrace the Canglan Sect!"
"Just so—this time we must show the demon cult, and the men of Fanyin Temple and Fenxia Valley too, just what we are made of!"
Daoist Daoyan smiled and nodded, then rose to his feet and said: "This journey west may hold danger, and the demon cult's people are treacherous and cunning beyond measure; you must be on your guard at all times."
The crowd answered with one voice: "Yes."
Daoist Daoyan turned to Xiao Yichen and said: "Then make the arrangements, and set out early."