Volume One: The Most Heartless Phoenix Tung Blossom Chapter Ten: Suspicious Clouds

The crowd followed the surging masses to gather beneath the proclamation. The official tasked with reading the edict announced in a loud, clear voice: “By order of the King of Yan, as the northern provinces have suffered repeated attacks from the Mountain-Cleaving Beasts, and in compassion for his people, His Majesty has relocated the citizens of the nine northern towns to the south. Now, brave warriors are being recruited to slay these wicked beasts. Whoever can put an end to the scourge shall receive a thousand gold pieces and be granted a marquisate governing ten thousand households.”

At these words, the crowd erupted in commotion. A scholar in white attire clicked his tongue in admiration. “A thousand gold pieces and a marquisate! A lifetime’s worth of wealth and honor could be won in a single stroke!” Beside him, an elderly man with a white beard cautioned, “Young man, don’t let yourself be ensnared by empty dreams. You might seek riches and glory but lose your life instead. They say the beast troubling the borders this time is a Mountain-Cleaving Beast. With your frail body, you wouldn’t survive even one of its charges.” Though the scholar was indignant, he knew the old man spoke the truth. He pursed his lips and fell silent.

Old Jiao turned his head and whispered to Zhuo Hua, “Lord Yuan, these Mountain-Cleaving Beasts, though ferocious and powerful, are naturally timid. They dwell in the desolate northern wilds and would not, without cause, attack the great border towns.”

Zhuo Hua nodded in agreement and said to Jiao, “Old Jiao, this matter is not as simple as it appears. Whatever the reason may be, saving the people from calamity is our priority. Take down the proclamation, and let’s investigate for ourselves.” Old Jiao grinned, vaulted onto the platform, and, after a courteous bow to the official, removed the proclamation under the watchful and complex gazes of the onlookers.

Gongs sounded and officials cleared the way as the citizens thronged about them, escorting them to the palace. The king held a banquet in the grand hall to welcome Zhuo Hua and his companions, beaming as he clasped Old Jiao’s hand, showering him with titles of hero and champion. Yet each time his eyes met Zhuo Hua’s, he deliberately looked away. Behind the king stood a young woman, no more than fifteen or sixteen. She wore a golden headdress adorned with seven phoenix feathers and a robe embroidered with golden clouds and phoenixes, holding a jade scepter—a radiant and noble princess.

As expected, after exchanging pleasantries with Old Jiao, the king introduced her. “Honored heroes, this is my eldest daughter, the Princess of Guangping.” The crowd bowed as one, “Greetings, Your Highness.” Princess Guangping smiled gracefully and returned the salute, saying, “You are all heroes of great renown. I fervently hope you can rid us of these beasts and ensure the safety of our people.” Old Jiao clasped his fists and replied, “I am Lin Bai, of a great northern border clan. Having suffered the beast’s attacks, I came with my lord to the capital, my heart tied to my kin. For their sake and for the king, I will do my utmost to rid the land of these beasts, even at the cost of my life.”

Princess Guangping gazed at Lin Bai with deep emotion. Though Old Jiao had lived thousands of years, his appearance remained that of a man of twenty-five or six. Though the Jiao clan could not rival the dragons in nobility, Old Jiao himself had once been of dragon lineage, the foremost of spiritual beasts. He had long white hair to his waist, his hair tied in a topknot adorned with a ceremonial cap, gold and jade hairpins lacing through it, a golden band circling his brow, dressed in a dark, wide-sleeved silk robe with a jade belt at his waist, and a dragon-carved jade the size of a fist hanging at his side—a figure of scholarly elegance. Sensing the princess’s gaze, Old Jiao blushed and, after another awkward bow, withdrew with the others.

At that moment, the princess called out, “Honored heroes, please wait. As pillars of the realm, allow me to host a farewell banquet for you at the city gate.”

Outside the north gate of Xunyang, the princess hosted their send-off. When toasting Old Jiao, she spoke softly, “Master Lin, you must take great care on this journey. If the beast proves formidable, do not act rashly. I shall await your triumphant return in the capital.” Old Jiao bowed low. “Thank you, Princess Guangping. I will do my utmost.”

Once the farewell was over, the princess ascended the city tower to watch them depart. Riding his horse, Zhuo Hua glanced back at the receding figure of the princess and teased Old Jiao, “I say, Master Lin, perhaps the noble families of the north will soon see one of their own become the prince consort of Yan!”

“Yes! Yes!” Qin Ying chimed in from the carriage, laughing. “Did you see the way the princess looked at Old Jiao? Her eyes spoke a thousand words!” Zhuo Yun poked her head out, glanced at Jiao, then at Jingmu Han, and declared, “I think Master Lin and Princess Guangping are well matched.” From the rear, Su Xin’s voice drifted over, “Then we must ask Master Lin for his thoughts on the matter.” Laughter erupted from the carriage.

Zhuo Hua glanced back at Old Jiao, whose face was a shifting palette of red and green. He remained silent the entire way until, unable to bear it any longer, he spun his horse around and declared, “I’ll go deal with that so-called princess and king right now—let’s see what you’ll gossip about then!” Zhuo Hua laughed, pulling on his reins. “Enough, Old Jiao, we’ve important business to attend to.”

Su Xin stuck her head out of the carriage, needling him, “Yes, Lord Yuan has given you an out, best take it. We all know you’re reluctant to leave that princess behind!” Another round of laughter followed. Jiao, his face flushed, complained, “Lord Yuan, these women are far too noisy. In the past, one Qin Ying was troublesome enough, now there’s a whole company!”

With jest and banter, the journey passed swiftly, and in a few days, they reached the valley of Mount Muyan. It was the heart of winter, the mountains snowbound, and no birds or beasts in sight. Old Jiao proposed they split up to search. They summoned three flying beasts to scour in three directions. Before parting, Zhuo Hua reminded them, “Fly high—do not let mortals see these creatures.”

Jiao rode atop his Red Cloud Beast, with the trembling Zhuo Yun clinging to his back. He patted his chest, “Rest assured, Lord Yuan.” He turned to Zhuo Yun, “Don’t be afraid, Yun’er. In the Celestial Palace, my riding skills are unmatched—steady as can be.” With a flick of the reins, the Red Cloud Beast soared into the clouds, vanishing from sight.

Jingmu Han watched Old Jiao’s receding figure and said to Zhuo Hua, “Are you sure you want me to go alone?” I nodded and, seeing Su Xin seated behind me, said, “This is a good opportunity to teach Su Xin how to use her vital energy to withstand the celestial winds.” Jingmu Han snorted, shot me a glance, and mounted her Seven-Colored Vermilion Bird, which took off in a burst of wings.

I patted my Water-walking Cloud Colt. The steed, intelligent and spirited, neighed as it leapt into the sky. I turned to Su Xin, “Xiner, now focus your vital energy around your body. Soon, we’ll encounter the celestial winds—the strongest force in the void. It will help you concentrate your energy.” Su Xin replied, “Yes,” and began to circulate her energy in silence.

After half a day’s fruitless searching, I looked back to see Su Xin nearly exhausted. I guided the Cloud Colt down into a nearby valley. We rested on a rock, and seeing her pale face, I knew her energy was nearly spent. I took a porcelain bottle from my robe and handed it to her. She glanced at it, then at me, and asked weakly, “Is this a pill to replenish vital energy?” I nodded.

She reached out, then paused and withdrew her hand, shaking her head. “The immortal told me before—relying on pills only temporarily increases the efficiency of the energy orb, but does nothing to enhance one’s own ability to draw in energy. Only by relying on one’s own cultivation to restore vital energy can the foundation be strengthened, and the energy made purer.” I silently put away the bottle and nodded. “She often said that about me—accusing me of chasing after marvelous tricks. These pills merely hasten the conversion of sunlight’s essence into vital energy, nothing more—hardly cheating.”

Just then, a firework burst overhead, its colors pale in the setting sun. Su Xin asked in confusion, “Who would set off fireworks in this wilderness?” I looked up at the fading sparkles, then swung onto the Cloud Colt and beckoned, “Come quickly, this is the signal for the Celestial Palace to gather. They’ve found the Mountain-Cleaving Beast.”

Soon, we arrived at the rendezvous. Old Jiao signaled us to keep low, so as not to startle the beast. We hid in the dense forest, quietly tailing the gigantic creature. The Mountain-Cleaving Beast stood a hundred feet tall and a hundred and twenty feet long, with axe-shaped horns atop its head. When angered, it could shatter boulders with a single charge, earning its name. We trailed it from afar and saw it stop every so often to lick its hind leg. Expanding my spiritual sense, I saw the wound on its leg and was shocked.

Qin Ying whispered, “Lord Yuan, what did you discover?” I steadied myself and replied softly, “It’s a wound from a weapon of the Dark Fiend Clan.” At these words, Lin Bai and Qin Ying halted, then hurried to catch up. “The Dark Fiend Clan has come to our realm?” Qin Ying asked, voice trembling. I shook my head. “Not their assassins. It must have been done by mortals—judging by the wound, the attacker’s cultivation is low, not yet past their first tribulation.”

Before long, we followed the beast to Honglu Pass. The giant creature began to batter the city walls in desperation. The walls, already riddled with scars and hasty repairs, stood little chance. Honglu Pass, a crucial northern fortress, was strong, but even it could not withstand the beast’s onslaught. After several strikes, the wall had collapsed by over twenty feet. I heard the anguished cries of soldiers atop the wall and felt a pang of sorrow. I turned to Jiao, “Old Jiao, drive the beast away—remember, do not harm it.”

Old Jiao leapt into the air, channeling his vital energy, and unleashed three energy blades to drive the beast back. Three beams of light flashed, leaving three scorched pits on the beast’s body, smoke curling upwards. Then, using a magnetic ring, he remotely lifted a thousand-pound boulder and hurled it at the beast’s softest flank. Howling in pain, the beast stumbled backwards, then turned and fled. After running a short distance, it looked back longingly at the ruined pass, as if reluctant to leave.

Seeing the beast retreat, the defenders and townsfolk of Honglu Pass cheered with joy. Suddenly, the gates swung open, and a general led the people out to welcome us into the city.