"Master Kui, let me bring you another jar!"
In the inn, the dwarf waiter had a look of flattery, full of the joy of surviving a disaster.
"No problem, and get some food too."
Zhang Kui laughed heartily, "After a busy night, I'm hungry again."
"Alright..."
The dwarf waiter tossed a towel over his shoulder and happily ran to the kitchen.
Seeing Zhang Kui return, the master and disciple Liu Mao'Er and Wu Siyuan were both surprised and delighted. Hearing that the ghostly creatures were exterminated, they were even more relieved.
Zhang Kui did not go into details about the process, laughed it off, and just said that these ghostly creatures were not worth mentioning.
The others didn't mind, only Eunuch Yin and Old Weasel looked enviously at the black umbrella behind Zhang Kui.
After a scare, no one felt like sleeping anymore.
Zhang Kui drank and ate by himself, while Wu Siyuan with a slightly heavy expression asked Old Weasel about the situation in Qingzhou.
Old Weasel, puffing on his dry tobacco, was silent for a while before he spoke solemnly:
"All of you are knowledgeable people, surely you've heard of Golden Light Cave?"
"Stone Man Tomb!"
Wu Siyuan was shocked and blurted out:
"Is the chaos in Qingzhou related to Stone Man Tomb?"
The others were also taken aback, even Zhang Kui, who was drinking, became serious.
"Three Mountains, Four Caves, and Five Water Mansions!"
This phrase, though not written in historical books, even actively suppressed from public discussion by various dynasties, has always been a chilling legend passed down in the Jianghu.
"Three Mountains" refers to the three mountain ranges at the Qian Dynasty's border and the inner sea uninhabited zones, namely "Fallen Immortal," "Cangkong," and "Profound Yin," barren for a thousand miles, any who approach die mysteriously.
No one knows how tall these mountains are; they are either shrouded in vibrant clouds or covered in dark clouds and lightning.
Not to mention ordinary people, even National Guardian True Men and powerful demons dare not approach.
Fortunately, nothing has ever been heard of emerging from the Three Mountains to harm the world.
However, some say that once they emerge, they will bury an entire era, hence no records.
"Four Caves" refers to the lairs of demons and ghosts within Qian territory, namely the "General's Tomb" of Dead Man's Cave, the "Chai Kingdom" of Colorful Cloud Cave, the "Stone Man Tomb" of Golden Light Cave, and the "Spiritual Sect" of Ten Thousand Demon Cave.
These places are like countries within the Qian Dynasty, forbidden to outsiders, each appearance accompanied by violence.
The gravest incident rendered an entire province a ghostly land, with these places casting shadows over historical disasters and regime changes.
The Five Water Mansions are similarly situated in key, eerie and perilous locations along Qian Dynasty's five main waterways.
This is just the situation within the Qian Dynasty. According to Liu Mao'Er, Ghost Rong Kingdom to the north of Qian, and Peacock Buddha Country to the west, are similar.
It can be said that the foundation of human dynasties is not external wars but who can survive and thrive in this demon-infested danger.
Seeing the shocked expressions on everyone's face, Old Weasel nodded, a hint of fear flashing beneath his white long eyebrows in his cloudy eyes.
"More than ten years ago, I was still practicing at Little Lone Mountain. Though my Tao Cultivation was low, I had vast connections and a brood of descendants, enjoying tranquility."
"But one day, an extraordinary light appeared, earth and mountains shook, two streams of evil light clashed, leaving devastation in their wake. On the mountain range of Little Lone Mountain, all perished save for me by sheer luck."
"Days later, Stone Man Tomb released news that they have a traitor reincarnated as human, who would appear in Qingzhou, offering a cultivation skill that could reach Mahayana to whoever finds them."
"Mahayana?!"
Eunuch Yin stood up abruptly, shock filling his eyes.
Zhang Kui also furrowed his brow in contemplation.
Among the myriad cultivation skills, Tao Cultivation talks of different levels, unlike previous life's cultivation novels with strict hierarchies.
Some warlocks with skills might not triumph over martial arts experts like Eunuch Yin, yet may perfectly counter powerful demon ghosts.
Overall, Tao Cultivation is also divided into realms.
They are Enlightenment, Avoiding Grain, Celestial Tribulation, Divine Travel, and Mahayana, with Immortals and Buddhas above.
Enlightenment transcends the mundane, extending life for humans and awakening spiritual wisdom for demons, allowing cultivation of skills.
He saw along the way that warlocks and demon ghosts mostly remained in this realm, including Lotus and her evil monk master, differing only in Tao Cultivation.
Avoiding Grain then requires no mortal food, beginning to inhale the Qi of heaven and earth, rapidly advancing in cultivation.
Accumulate enough, undergo trials of thunder, fire, and wind continuously refining oneself, reaching the realm of Celestial Tribulation.
Passing Celestial Tribulation, forming a nascent Spirit Body, one then embarks on Divine Travel, comprehending the Great Path, gaining Divine Powers until Mahayana is reached.
Zhang Kui smiled as he drained the old wine in his bowl, "If I'm not mistaken, the chaos in Qingzhou is related to this cultivation skill?"
"Exactly!"
Old Weasel smoked, his face full of helplessness.
"As soon as the news broke, demons, ghosts, and evil cultivators with any ambition rush to Qingzhou, and over the years, though they didn't find the reincarnated person, Qingzhou became chaotic. Demons claiming kingship everywhere, villagers must offer to evil ghosts to survive..."
Wu Siyuan, suddenly enlightened, then looked resentful, "No wonder other provinces have been so peaceful in recent years. Where are the National Guardian True Men, where is the Astronomical Bureau, why hide this news!"
"That National Guardian True Man of Qingzhou began seclusion over twenty years ago, the vassal king turns a blind eye, any officials wanting to intervene died mysteriously, as for the Astronomical Bureau..."
Old Weasel's eyes were full of mockery,
"The reward from Stone Man Tomb does not discriminate between humans and demons."
"Outrageous!"
Wu Siyuan's face flushed red with anger.
Eunuch Yin also smiled sinisterly, "No wonder Eunuch Liu stopped competing, just sending gifts year-round, turns out this is the reason."
The old yellow weasel tapped his tobacco pipe on the wooden bench, scattering ash all over the ground, and said eerily:
"In light of our shared hardships, I'll give you all a piece of advice: turn back now."
"The chaos in Qingzhou is already irreversible, not even a National Guardian True Man can help now..."
After hearing the old demon's words, Wu Siyuan looked uncertain, while Eunuch Yin's eyes were mysterious, contemplating something.
Zhang Kui found it amusing, laughed heartily, and turned to walk towards the room.
As soon as he entered, Liu Mao'Er anxiously advised:
"Master Kui, the old demon is right. Qingzhou is indeed not a safe place. We should take a different route."
Zhang Kui chuckled softly,
"Old Liu, do you think I'm wandering around for nothing? I've already decided on Qingzhou!"
"But the two of you can return now."
Liu Mao'Er was stunned, then smiled bitterly,
"After all, just travelers in the Jianghu, right?"
"Who said that..."
Zhang Kui blinked, "Old Zhang is not like those pretentious Taoist masters. After meeting, how can we part so easily."
"I have a brewing technique that can produce excellent spirits. You can use this recipe to run a business, and continue helping me collect rare herbs."
"As for Dong'Er, I know your intentions, but Old Zhang's magic technique isn't suitable for you. When a fitting one is found, I'll have someone send it."
Liu Mao'Er and his master exchanged glances, then the old man smiled bitterly and said: "Master Kui, your idea is good, but we're afraid we can't handle it."
"Don't worry..."
Zhang Kui laughed heartily and lay down on the bed,
"Someone will be eager to help."
Meanwhile, Wu Siyuan knocked on Eunuch Yin's door and greeted him with a deep bow.
Eunuch Yin immediately sidestepped,
"Lord Wu, I'm just a small figure, I cannot accept your grand gesture."
Wu Siyuan smiled wryly, "Eunuch Yin, I'll be frank. I must go to Qingzhou. If I retreat out of fear, it would be a disgrace to my lifelong learning and I would have no face to appear in court again, shaming my mentor."
"Please return to the Capital City swiftly, report Qingzhou's situation to His Majesty, and gather elite forces to reassemble the Astronomical Bureau, only then will I have room to maneuver."
Eunuch Yin twitched his lips,
"Lord Wu, let me be honest too. Helping you relay a message is no problem, but wait until I survive first. Capturing the demon Taoist was His Majesty's order. If I return without success, I might face execution before seeing His Majesty."
"Whether I want to go to Qingzhou or not, I have no choice."
Wu Siyuan was suddenly put in a difficult spot. Qingzhou is perilous—if Eunuch Yin dies, who will carry his message over such a long distance?
Moreover, the current political situation is delicate, and only this person could pass on the message without arousing suspicion.
Suddenly, his eyes lit up.
"I have it!"
A while later, Zhang Kui looked at the two visitors, a faint smile on his lips.
"You want me to help kill the demon Taoist?"
Wu Siyuan nodded and bowed,
"Taoist, your chivalry knows no equal..."
"Stop it!"
Zhang Kui waved his hand,
"I'm just a commoner. Besides, how do I know you're not framing a loyalist? Isn't that a eunuch's favorite trick in operas?"
Eunuch Yin turned dark-faced at once,
"Don't talk nonsense! That Black Corpse Taoist used demon skills in the Capital City to violate and murder dozens of boys and girls, then refined them into demon ghosts. How can that be a loyalist!"
"Boys and girls... indeed, that's unforgivable!"
Zhang Kui nodded, "Just right, I also have a small favor to ask of Lord Wu..."
An hour later,
Zhang Kui waved to the people at the inn's entrance,
"You all return now and wait for my news."
Having said that, he pulled out the black umbrella behind him, turned around, and immediately transformed into a cloud of black mist, swiftly drifting into the distance.
From within the black mist came an exasperated voice,
"You rush to risk your life, dragging old Huang along for what!"
"Nonsense, just using you as a guide, why so fussy."
"Dream on, old Huang won't court trouble."
"Hahaha, you old demon say one thing and mean another. If you truly loved peace, you would have left for another place long ago. Why stay here running an inn and putting on a show?"
"......"
"Hmph, nothing to say now, eh? All things are born under the sky, who can truly escape the bonds of the mortal world. Only by going against the current and carving through, can one attain true freedom!"
Inside the black mist, silence ensued.
The black mist spread swiftly, like the wind brushing across the open wilderness.
In the distant horizon, as dawn broke, the faint outline of a city appeared...