劍問蒼天 - 第132章 兇靈 - 清風書屋

The Nether King frowned. Qing Long was the chief of the four great holy envoys of the Nether King Sect's previous generation, and moreover his right hand and trusted confidant, one on whom he had always relied heavily. His conduct had always been prudent; never would he presume to disturb the Nether King's time with Bi Li.

It seemed some grave matter had indeed arisen.

The Nether King looked at him, and Qing Long said in a low voice, "Word has come back from the southern lands."

The Nether King frowned. "What word?"

Qing Long glanced at the Nether King. "I hear Ming Li has found the one who knows the lost art of soul-returning, and has set out with him on the road back."

This was no small matter. Even one of the Nether King's composure could not keep joy from his face; he could not help stepping forward. "Is it true?"

Qing Long nodded, sighing inwardly. Blood is thicker than water—truly none can sever it.

The Nether King raised his head to the sky, drew a deep breath, and steadied his agitated heart, though his hands still trembled faintly. "Who is this man? How did Ming Li find him?"

Qing Long said, "The man is the Great Shaman of the Miao, one of the five tribes of the southern borderlands. As for how Ming Li knew he possessed the lost art of soul-returning, that I do not know."

The Nether King nodded. "No matter. So long as he can save Yao'er, so long as he can save Yao'er, all is well..." His words came urgent and earnest, as though he wished the Great Shaman and Ming Li were before him at this very moment.

"How many days have they been on the road? How long until they arrive?" the Nether King pressed.

Qing Long said, "This word was passed back by Ming Li himself, through our scouts in the southern region. I hear it is because the Great Shaman is gravely wounded and cannot fly, and so they must make their way slowly on foot."

The Ghost King started. "Badly wounded? What happened?"

"From what I hear, the wound was taken in infighting among the five tribes of the southern border. And also," Qing Long hesitated a moment, "it seems Ming Li was badly hurt as well—and the wound came from the hand of the righteous path."

The Ghost King's gaze sharpened. "What happened?"

Qing Long shook his head. "The particulars are still unclear. That stretch of the southern border has always been the territory of the Fenxia Valley; our people have difficulty getting in. I fear the details will have to wait until Ming Li returns. But the south has always been Bai Hu's charge, and it was he who sent back this news. Yet in his words there seemed to be..."

The Ghost King said coldly, "What did Bai Hu say?"

Qing Long was silent a moment. "Bai Hu mentioned that returning together with Ming Li was a—a seductive woman."

The Ghost King's expression changed.

Qing Long glanced at the Ghost King and slowly went on, "Moreover, Bai Hu made a point of mentioning one thing in his report: that the monkey at Ming Li's side seems... not quite the same as before."

A cold gleam flashed in the Ghost King's eyes. After a long while he said slowly, "The Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey—has it opened its spirit eye?"

Qing Long was silent, and said nothing.

Outside the Cold Ice Stone Chamber, all at once a hush fell. The Ghost King turned slowly, his gaze coming to rest upon that stone door. His eyes seemed to pass through the thick stone and behold that tranquil woman.

"Yao'er, are you watching your father..."

In his heart, the Ghost King murmured this softly.

The Ten Thousand Wild Mountains, the Ancient Cave of Demon Suppression.

Jin Pingyue moved without a sound, drawing near the mouth of that mysterious, sinister ancient cave.

By now the shaman demon had been inside a long while, and that vicious spirit had vanished and not appeared again. The whole cave mouth lay in cold, desolate silence; only the baleful wind blowing out from the Ancient Cave of Demon Suppression still howled without cease.