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Chapter 8: The Vermilion Bird Hell
Ji Zichen carried Yuxuan over, while Yukang placed one hand on Yuxuan's abdomen. A deep blue light hovered over her wound, emanating from the blue ring on Yukang's index finger, a rare healing artifact in the world.
After a moment, the light began to fade, and Yuxuan's breathing gradually stabilized. She slightly opened her eyes and murmured, "Third Uncle..."
Yukang smiled gently. "It's alright now. Just rest more."
Shen Bifan remarked in surprise, "This artifact can heal not only flesh but also internal organs."
Yukang praised Shen Bifan, "You can even tell that? Have you used a healing artifact before?"
Shen Bifan smiled awkwardly. "I have a Water Curtain Necklace that has some healing functions, but it can only repair damaged flesh."
Yukang turned to Ji Zichen and apologized, "I'm sorry for keeping her in the cage for so long; she couldn't even walk. Thank you for your help."
Carrying Yuxuan to Yukang for treatment was merely a small favor, but Ji Zichen appeared somewhat anxious. "Elder, let's set aside other matters for now. What about the Revival Technique?"
At the mention of the Revival Technique, Yukang's expression darkened. "Thanks to you, I was able to survive, and I should thank you for that. However, regarding the Revival Technique, we need to discuss it further. First, I need to understand why you want it."
Ji Zichen did not hide anything; there was no need to do so. With a heavy heart, he said, "I have a friend I must save. I promised her something that I haven't fulfilled yet; I can't let her die like this."
Yukang sighed. "Life and death are fated; some things cannot be forced. Going against fate will only lead to suffering..."
Ji Zichen clenched his fists angrily and interrupted, "Old man, are you trying to back out?"
Yukang smiled bitterly. "Let me show you some things first; after you've seen them, then reply to me."
Yuxuan weakly stirred her body as if trying to get up, but she lacked the strength to do so. Shen Bifan felt a pang of guilt; it was because she had sealed Yuxuan's acupoints that she had been captured by the monster. This thought weighed heavily on Shen Bifan's mind as she saw Yuxuan attempting to rise. She stepped forward to assist her and said apologetically, "I shouldn't have left you outside."
The words sounded like an apology, but they could also mean otherwise. Yuxuan smiled bitterly and said, "This is not your concern; regardless, that monster will eventually come in."
Yuxuan turned to Yukang and asked, "Third Uncle, do you really want to open the door?"
Yukang glanced at the three of them. "Isn't the reason you all came here because of this?"
Yuxuan shook his head. "I came because of the Suffering Evil God. I heard my brother mention this place, but I didn't expect to run into you here, Third Uncle."
Yukang smiled faintly. "Some things cannot be hidden. Now that you've grown up, you should know about what happens here."
Seeing Yukang's intention to open the door, Ji Zichen said, "If we're going to open it, let's do it quickly. I want to see what’s so mysterious behind that door."
Yukang replied seriously, "Behind this door lies the Doomed Court's secrets hidden for a thousand years. Don't get too excited just yet; once you see it, you can imagine your friend's future."
Yuxuan glanced at Yukang with a hint of hesitation and asked, "Third Uncle, are you really going to open the door?"
Ji Zichen, noticing Yuxuan's disruption, shouted, "Shut up! The door must be opened!"
Yukang stepped forward to support Yuxuan. Together with Shen Bifan, they helped Yuxuan up. Yukang said to Ji Zichen, "Since you insist on this, I won't say much more. But I hope that once you enter, it will serve as a warning or lesson for you."
Yukang approached the door. In the center of the entrance was a handprint guide. He took a dagger from his pocket and made a shallow cut on his right palm. Blood flowed from the wound as he said, "This door requires our blood and incantation to open; both are essential."
Yuxuan remarked, "So that's how it is. Second Uncle didn't know the incantation, which is why that monster imprisoned you here."
Yukang sighed but refrained from commenting further as he needed to concentrate. He pressed one hand against the handprint and murmured an obscure incantation.
Once he finished reciting the incantation, the stone door trembled and slowly began to open.
Behind the door was a long corridor, well-lit, with lamps mounted on the walls. The lamps were old and worn, and it was unclear how many years they had been shining.
Ji Zichen paused in surprise. "Another corridor? These passages seem endless."
The group moved along the corridor, and Ji Zichen counted at least four or five dozen lamps. "This corridor is really long," he remarked.
Shen Bifan echoed his sentiment. "Yeah, how long do we have to walk?"
Yukang smiled lightly, seemingly amused by the impatience of the younger ones. "We’ll be there soon."
Though Ji Zichen complained a bit, he couldn't help but wonder, "What ancient secrets are hidden at the end of such a long corridor?"
After walking for a while, they finally exited the corridor into another area. Before them lay the ruins of an underground city. Two large stone pillars lay toppled beside the passage, and debris littered the ground. As Ji Zichen gazed at the shattered remnants of this underground city, he felt that it must have suffered a terrible disaster that led to its destruction. He silently prayed that such calamities would never befall the world again.
The columns lining the road were askew, appearing to have once supported magnificent structures. As they walked further, they could see dilapidated shops and residences. At the end of the road stood a half-collapsed city wall, with one side of the gate crumbled to the ground. Beyond the gate loomed a dim and desolate palace that had long lost its former grandeur.
Despite the desolation, Yukang held an air of pride in his eyes. "Before that great uprising, this was once the wealthiest city in the Desolate Central Plain."
Yukang's gaze dimmed as he continued, "However, that uprising happened over a thousand years ago during what was known as the Age of Suffering and Prosperity. I doubt you’ve heard of it; it was so long ago. The cause of that uprising was related to the Vermilion Bird. A millennium ago, my royal family sought to find Divine Dawn and captured many Vermilion Birds. At that time, there was a Vermilion Bird Cage built here, which was essentially a hell for them."
Ji Zichen gasped in shock. "A hell for Vermilion Birds! How many must have died for it to be called hell? Aren't there only two Vermilion Birds in this world—a male and a female guarding the Divine Dawn Ruins?"
Yukang chuckled at Ji Zichen's ignorance. "Don't be misled; there are far more than just two Vermilion Birds in this world. Those two are merely what remains. It’s true that they guard the ruins, but their kind is not numerous either. According to records, there were thousands of them back then. People knew well that Vermilion Birds possessed special abilities; their eyes could see into people's hearts, and their blood had healing properties."
"The Vermilion Birds were kind and helped each other out. However, due to their uniqueness, some began capturing them—partly for Ruins Wealth and partly to claim their powers for themselves. The Vermilion Birds did not wish to be enemies with humans, but out of necessity for survival, they began to fight back. Their power was terrifying and beyond human capability to withstand; thus, some sought help from the divine beings."
"I heard that there was a great battle between the divine beings and the Vermilion Birds, after which the divine beings vanished, leaving behind only artifacts and gaps created during the conflict. After that battle, very few Vermilion Birds remained in this world. Some were captured here as well; to avoid causing unrest, we had no choice but to keep it hidden. Everything I’ve shared with you is recorded on the walls of the Chronicle Hall in the palace."
"I didn't come here to listen to your history lesson," Ji Zichen said.
Yukang smiled lightly. "I know, please forgive me. I haven't spoken to anyone in a long time, and once I start talking, I can't stop. Let me take you to see the Vermilion Bird Hell."
The group walked to a building resembling a stone prison. The structure had collapsed significantly, and Yukang led them through the ruins, entering through a side where the wall had fallen.
Upon reaching the hall, Ji Zichen could smell the stench of blood; it was a foul odor that had lingered for over a thousand years, sending chills down his spine.
Inside the prison, there were large cages on both sides, but there was not a single light source. Ji Zichen couldn't decipher Yukang's intentions and asked, "What are you bringing us to this pitch-black prison for?"
Yukang smiled mysteriously. "You'll find out soon enough."
Ji Zichen felt increasingly uneasy; Yukang's cryptic demeanor was unsettling.
The dim light made it hard to see, and Shen Bifan's eyes widened in surprise as she furrowed her brows. She turned to Ji Zichen and said, "Brother Zichen, wait. I think I heard something..."
"Heard what?" Ji Zichen asked.
Yuxuan chimed in, "It sounds like some breathing."
"Breathing?" Ji Zichen's heart sank as he listened intently. Indeed, within the prison, there was a faint sound of breathing—something akin to that of a wild beast.
The sound emanated from deep within the prison, from a shadowy area where one could not see their own hand in front of their face.
Ji Zichen grew more alarmed as he realized that they were not alone; there were living creatures here as well. What could it be...? He dared not think further.
The answer soon revealed itself as a pair of red eyes slowly emerged from the darkness, gradually approaching Ji Zichen.
Those eyes were unmistakably the Vermilion Bird!
Ji Zichen had seen the Vermilion Bird's Eye multiple times, and even in the absence of light, he could never forget it.
Yukang slowly lit the lamp, and the light immediately spread throughout the prison.
“Vermilion Bird!” Ji Zichen exclaimed involuntarily upon seeing the creature. He never dreamed he would encounter a living Vermilion Bird at this very moment.
Yuxuan and Shen Bifan simultaneously screamed, “It’s... the Vermilion Bird!”
This Vermilion Bird was emaciated, its feathers in disarray, resembling a drenched chicken. Its eyes glared at them with resentment and intimidation through the sturdy bars of its cage.
Yuxuan's complexion had improved significantly since she had been injured by Seductive Charm's claws; after half an hour of recuperation, her wounds had healed considerably.
However, upon seeing the Vermilion Bird, her rosy cheeks turned pale in an instant.
In a flash, the Vermilion Bird let out a sharp cry. Humans had ruthlessly hunted Vermilion Birds; how could it show Ji Zichen any kindness?
As soon as this Vermilion Bird called out, a series of cries echoed throughout the prison.
Ji Zichen ’s face was filled with astonishment. “How many Vermilion Birds are there in this place?”
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