Chapter 119 — The Pursuit
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 4 of 6
From Canglan Mountain, however, word had it that the eldest disciple, Xiao Yichen, was the young man Daoist Daoyan valued most. Yet Lu Xueling's star had shone dazzling and fierce these years as well, and with her matchless beauty she was much spoken of among cultivators everywhere.
Shangguan Lue turned these thoughts over, secretly wondering whether the Canglan Sect had some other purpose in sending Lu Xueling—though of course he showed nothing on his face. As always, he smiled at the company and said, "My friends, I am Shangguan Lue. I thank you all for your concern for our humble valley. The volcanic eruption of some days past was indeed a natural change of heaven and earth, and thanks to your good fortune, our valley has suffered no great harm."
Facheng smiled. "Amitabha, that is best of all. Still, I had heard rumors that Elder Yun Yifeng, master of Burning Cloud Valley, had met with some misfortune. My master, Master Pucheng, has long been on good terms with Elder Yun, and so he sent me to inquire on his behalf."
His words gave voice to what most present were thinking. After all, Burning Cloud Valley had been acting strangely, and above all, in so great a crisis, the valley master had never once shown himself—that was strange indeed.
For a time the company chimed in, all eyes turning to Shangguan Lue.
Shangguan Lue smiled. "In truth, I will not deceive you: I have just come from the valley master's dwelling, Tianxiang Lodge."
A chorus of "Ah" and "Oh" rose at once. When the company had quieted a little, Shangguan Lue stood, cupped his hands to them all, and smiled. "Your kind concern I have reported to the valley master one by one, and Master Yun is deeply grateful. It is only that Senior Brother Yun is indeed at a critical stage of his retreat and cannot receive guests; I beg you all to forgive the discourtesy."
With that he smiled and clasped his hands; beside him Li Xun rose as well and saluted with him.
The company exchanged glances. After a moment Facheng stood, smiling, and said, "Since Almsgiver Shangguan puts it so, Elder Yun must surely be well, and we are reassured. We have intruded upon you."
Shangguan Lue and Li Xun said together, "Not at all, not at all."
Facheng glanced at Lu Xueling beside him, and saw that the woman's face was without expression, almost like ice—her complexion, in particular, looked so pale as to be nearly transparent, with a faint air of desolation about it.
Facheng smiled bitterly to himself, knowing Lu Xueling would never speak up of her own accord, and so he must speak for her as well. "If Elder Yun is in good health, then nothing could be better. Also, Brother Li Xun said just now that demonic cultivators seem to have stirred up trouble in the chaos—is there any way we might be of help?"
Shangguan Lue considered a moment, then said, "The demonic cultivators are full of cunning, and love nothing better than to strike a man when he is down; to take advantage of a natural calamity to secretly move against our humble valley is truly hateful. Fortunately our defenses were tight and we drove them from the valley. Still, we cannot let the matter rest—yet we can find no trace of them for the moment. Burning Cloud Valley has sent out many disciples, and to this day, apart from a few small fry, only last night did our nephew-disciple Li Xun and Miss Lu Xueling track down Jin Pingyue of the Enchanting Sect—and unluckily she slipped away again. We do not know now how to pursue the matter."
Facheng frowned, and the others were at a loss for words as well. The Demonic Cult was powerful now, and Jin Pingyue was a woman of notorious ruthlessness; cultivators of lesser attainment might not care to provoke her.
And Burning Cloud Valley, for various reasons, in truth did not wish other factions to interfere.