Chapter Five: The Netherfiend King Weaves a Sinister Plot

Sigh...

Ling Yan shook her head with a bitter smile, then reached up to wipe the sweat from her brow before gently reassuring, “Bai Mu, my father has always taught me to be grateful and repay kindness.”

“Just think—if it weren’t for saving me, you would probably already have reached the borderless city in the land of Siyou, enjoying all its wonders. How would you have ended up stranded in this mountain hut, suffering the agony of shattered meridians?”

“So as for the matter of the Firefly Silken Fan, let’s never mention it again.”

Bai Mu had wanted to continue persuading Ling Yan, but seeing her resolute and composed expression, he could only swallow his words. Besides, the Firefly Silken Fan had already fallen into the old hunter’s hands; to try and retrieve it now would be going back on their word, so he had no choice but to let it go.

Still, in his heart, Bai Mu secretly vowed that one day he would find a treasure even more powerful than the Firefly Silken Fan and present it to Ling Yan in gratitude for her kindness.

Three days slipped by. With Ling Yan caring for him tirelessly every moment, Bai Mu’s health improved steadily, and the pain in his organs—once lacerated by sword energy—faded away.

By the morning of the third day, he could walk about freely, and all his cultivation had returned, his vitality even greater than before he was wounded. This proved that the humanoid lingzhi was truly a miraculous treasure—even after such severe injury by sword energy, just three days of recuperation were enough to restore him, and his skills had advanced further. The effect was truly astonishing.

Of course, these two youths, already otherworldly by nature, found their bond growing deeper with each day spent together. From the initial formality, they had come to speak of everything—these three days were an unexpectedly pleasant interlude for both Bai Mu and the sheltered Ling Yan.

Yet whenever he was with her, Bai Mu always caught a faint trace of anxiety in Ling Yan’s eyes and brow. Whenever he asked, she would brush off his concerns with an excuse. But Bai Mu knew in his heart that Ling Yan was definitely hiding something important from him.

As for the old hunter who had given up the lingzhi to save Bai Mu, he had remained elusive and mysterious these past few days, appearing and disappearing unpredictably.

On the afternoon of the third day, after returning from hunting in the forest, the old hunter found Ling Yan packing her belongings, ready to bid him farewell.

“Elder, you have sheltered and cared for me these past few days, for which I am deeply grateful. But urgent matters require my attention, so I must take my leave.”

“Bai Mu still needs some time to recover, so I entrust him to your care!”

“No trouble at all,” the old hunter replied with a smile. “I’m happy to look after Bai Mu. But why are you in such a hurry to leave? What urgent matter presses you so?”

Ling Yan’s heart tightened at his question, and she replied warily, “It’s just some family business my father asked me to handle. Please don’t concern yourself…”

“You’re leaving already?” Bai Mu hurried out from the inner room, anxious.

“Yes,” Ling Yan nodded hesitantly, then admonished him with reluctance, “Bai Mu, you are my first friend. I will always remember you. Once I’ve finished my business, I’ll come to Dongwang Mountain—”

“No!” Bai Mu cut her off without hesitation, speaking earnestly, “You’ve lost the Firefly Silken Fan and your power is diminished. It’s one thing to handle ordinary spirits, but if you encounter the fierce bird Bi Fang again, you’ll be in grave danger!”

“If you must go, then take me with you. I have no intention of returning to Dongwang Mountain for the time being anyway.”

“That won’t do,” Ling Yan refused gently, apologetically. “Your wounds have only just healed; too much travel would be unwise. So I can’t take you with me!”

“Young lady, I think you’d be better off bringing him along,” the old hunter interjected. “First, you’ll have someone to look out for on the road. Second, you seem pressed for time, and perhaps Bai Mu could help you with your great task. After all, he is now the master of the Azure Dragon Sword!”

At the mention of the Azure Dragon Sword, Ling Yan hesitated. The sword had been forged by her father, Ling Xiao, from stones used to mend the heavens, and was one of the two great treasures of the divine clan.

According to the predictions of the boy who interpreted the way of heaven, the fate of the divine clan depended entirely on the Azure Dragon Sword and the Demon-transforming Vase. If she could keep both the sword and its master by her side, it would be the safest course.

But she also knew that if Bai Mu were taken back to the divine clan to face her father, the gods of the heavenly realm would surely demand her father use his power to sever the bond between Bai Mu and the sword. As a mere mortal, Bai Mu would be grievously wounded, and likely fare no better than death.

Rather than risk his life, it was kinder to leave him in the wilderness. With the divine beast Bai Ze protecting him, surely nothing terrible would happen.

“Ling Yan, take me with you,” Bai Mu pleaded, running up to grasp her slender wrist. “You know I’m inexperienced and know nothing of the wilds. Wouldn’t I be in danger traveling to the borderless city alone?”

Truthfully, for all her calm and meticulous nature, Ling Yan was still a passionate young woman at heart. And what youth is immune to longing or affection? These days spent side by side in the forest hut had already stirred feelings between them; the thought of leaving Bai Mu to travel alone was difficult to bear.

Seeing his sincere expression, she could only shrug helplessly and tell him to pack his things. And so, the two set out together, hand-in-hand, upon the perilous quest for the Demon-transforming Vase.

Once they had left Luchai Mountain, their figures disappearing beneath the ancient trees, the old hunter finally drew the Firefly Silken Fan from his waist, examining it with a triumphant glint.

After a moment, he raised his white eyebrows and, looking in the direction Bai Mu and Ling Yan had gone, let out a sinister laugh. “The Azure Dragon has appeared, and the Demon-transforming Vase is not far behind. The beloved disciple of that old monster Bai Ze, and the cherished daughter of Heavenly Emperor Ling Xiao—such powerful backgrounds! Surely these two will clear every obstacle for me. When the twin treasures are mine, the day will come when I, the Netherworld Demon King, will unite the entire wilderness!”

His laughter echoed through the woods as the hut behind him faded, transforming into a gloomy cavern wreathed in black mist. The kindly old hunter himself changed form, becoming a handsome man in a black robe embroidered with gold.

Of course, Bai Mu and Ling Yan knew nothing of the strange events at the hut; by now, they had already sped away from Luchai Mountain, following Bai Ze’s spirit map toward the borderless city.