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墨書 Inktalez
Human Sacrifice
I buried Grandma Wu in the Ancestral Grave of Shanquan Village, next to her late husband’s tomb. The conflicts within the Daoist Sect had dragged an innocent old woman into their turmoil. She had only taken out the medicine I gave her when she saw a child from our village nearly dying from a wolf's bite; there was nothing wrong with that. But Wang Hai was already dead, so I would take revenge for her.
I put on the layered shoes that Grandma Wu had sewn for me and returned to the Azure Cloud Sect under the starlit sky. As I approached the gate, two Gatekeeper Disciples blocked my way. I took out the silver token given to me by Outer Sect Steward Elder Jin. After they examined it, they let me pass. I walked up to one of the Gatekeeper Disciples and asked, “Do you think I look familiar?”
The disciple replied, “You do look a bit familiar. Who are you?”
I said, “I’m that slightly limping uncle, the one who worked in the Water Storage Room wearing a big cotton coat.”
“Oh, it’s you! How have you changed…”
Bang! Bang!
I landed two punches on the Gatekeeper Disciple's face, cutting off his words. His eyes immediately swelled and turned purple. Then I kneed him in the stomach and said, “From now on, when you see me, call me Senior Brother. And don’t waste your breath; otherwise, every time I see you, I’ll hit you.”
The other disciple stood there dumbfounded as he watched me walk away.
By noon the next day, I was carrying some wine I had snatched from the Miscellaneous Room to the Scripture Repository when I spotted the Scruffy Old Daoist lying alone on the ground at the entrance, basking in the sun. When he saw me with the wine jar, he lazily remarked, “It’s been a while since I’ve had any wine.”
I replied, “I haven’t had the chance to ask for your esteemed title until now.”
The Scruffy Old Daoist said, “My name is Li Chang'an. Why do you suddenly want to know my name?”
I responded, “It’s good to have a name to call you by; from now on, I'll just call you Li Lao. It won’t be a slight against you.”
The Scruffy Old Daoist smiled and said, "You are too straightforward; it's inevitable that you'll attract others' disdain. I couldn't help with that old woman's situation."
I replied, "This matter can't be blamed on Li Lao. Grandma Wu, Immortal, and Elder Hong won't let it go easily. Fortunately, Grandma Wu understands the bigger picture, but it's a pity I deceived her by telling her that her son is still alive."
Li Lao led me to a nearby stone table and sat down, taking out two stone bowls and filling each with a cup. "When I first entered the Dao, I was also quite sentimental. Back then, I always wondered why I never provoked anyone, yet others always came after me. Later, when I reached the Inner Sect, no one dared to bother me anymore, but I faced even greater troubles."
We clinked our cups and drank. Li Lao continued, "The tall tree stands out in the forest; the wind must blow it down. I believe you understand this principle as well. The trouble this time originated from your medicine. Everyone knows this well; you kindly gave the medicine to Grandma Wu, but no matter how she used it, it ultimately revealed your secret. In the Daoist World, it's best to keep your secrets to yourself; otherwise, your good intentions will only lead others to their demise sooner. This is why some things should not be told to others—once they know, it can become a matter of life and death."
We drank a few more bowls together. Li Lao's face turned slightly red as he said, "Alright, let's stop here for today. There's still half a jar left; I'll take it to Old Jin tomorrow for him to taste. In two days, eight thousand Outer Sect Disciples will be heading out to gather herbs. You'd better prepare yourself; preserving your life is the most important thing."
I bid farewell to Li Lao and then went to find Elder Jin's Dao Child to get the list of the Outer Sect Top Ten.
After receiving the list, I saw their detailed information, including which Cultivation Method they practiced, and promptly set it ablaze.
The day soon arrived. On the morning of our departure, I joined the large group of Outer Sect Disciples as we exited the mountain gate under the guidance of Elder Hong and others, heading grandly towards the depths of Qinling.
The sect provided everyone with materials for refining Qi Gathering Pills and listed some incredibly precious medicinal herbs among them—century-old ginseng was prominently featured, along with several Holy Medicines. Anyone who found Holy Medicine must hand it over to the sect as an offering; each person would receive a substantial reward along with the freedom to choose any Cultivation Method or treasure.
After traveling halfway and crossing five or six mountain peaks, we arrived at a range covered in a blanket of white snow.
Elder Hong signaled for everyone to stop and pointed towards the mountains ahead. "All Azure Cloud Disciples listen up! The mountain before us is one of the main peaks of Transverse Mountain. It has snow that hasn't melted for a thousand years. Currently, it's winter and snow is falling on the mountain. However, once we cross this peak, we'll reach Herb Valley where spring prevails all year round. That area belongs to the Great Mountains; you can dig for ginseng on the snowy mountains or search for rare herbs in Herb Valley. We need to return here in three days—do you understand?"
"We understand!" everyone replied in unison.
Elder Hong divided the Eight Thousand Disciples into several teams, and I was assigned to Xiong Wanjun's group. There were about fifty people in Xiong Wanjun's team, including Zhang Zhao and two plump Thin Stewards from the Miscellaneous Room. I noticed that everyone in this group was vigorous and spirited; one person had a sharp knife hidden in his sleeve, which I caught a glimpse of from the corner of my eye.
I smiled slightly and, along with the others, carried the Medicine Basket as we headed toward the snowy mountains. Upon reaching the base of the mountain, Xiong Wanjun turned around and said, "Let's take attendance before we enter the mountains to avoid anyone going missing."
Zhang Zhao replied, "No need for that; some people are already missing."
Everyone followed Zhang Zhao's gaze and saw a bamboo basket on the snow. Zhang Zhao exclaimed angrily, "That bastard actually ran away!"
"When did Yang Hao run off?" Xiong Wanjun's expression turned grim upon hearing this news.
"I don't know; I just saw him a moment ago, and then he suddenly disappeared," one of the young men said.
"I thought we were dealing with some formidable character that would require three of us from the Outer Sect Top Ten to handle. To think he just ran away like this is really disappointing. You all can have your fun; I don't have time to mess around with you. You'll only hold me back," said a pale-faced young man, smirking as he revealed a sharp tiger tooth, exuding an aura of Evil Energy.
Another person, carrying a bamboo basket and humming while holding a large scroll that looked like a painting, stepped out of the crowd and said, "I also don't have time to walk with you lot—just a bunch of good-for-nothings."
Xiong Wanjun's face darkened. He snorted and said, "You two unruly ones can leave if you want. Just make sure you don't encounter any danger; we won't come to your rescue."
The group moved forward toward the snowy mountains, appearing from afar like ants covering a white hillside. Wherever they passed, various medicinal herbs such as ginseng, deer antler, and snow spirit mushrooms were uprooted.
Elder Hong looked at the two Dao Children beside him and said, "It seems you both want to go as well?"
Brother Ma replied, "Master, we are already thirteen years old. We've been here with you at least eight times. This time we finally have the chance to cross the snowy mountains to Herb Valley; let me gather a Holy Medicine for you to honor you."
Elder Hong nodded and said, "Alright, since you are so filial, go ahead. I will wait for your news here. However, you must be cautious. If there is any danger, make sure to signal; I will come to you quickly."
"Don't worry, Master. Our cultivation has already reached the later stage of the Purple Qi Coming from the East Realm; we are not much weaker than our junior brothers," another Dao Child replied.
The two Dao Children exchanged smiles and set off together towards the snowy mountain.
Elder Hong looked at the two managers in the group, one fat and one thin, and said, "You two should go with them and keep an eye on my disciples. Don't let anything happen to them."
"Huh?" The Fat Steward seemed reluctant. "We are managers."
Elder Hong insisted, "Not anymore. Follow them now! If they lose even a single hair, I will hold you accountable!"
The fat and thin managers exchanged glances, their expressions awkward, and they had no choice but to follow the two Dao Children from a distance.
The eight thousand Outer Sect Disciples swept across the snowy mountain, leaving chaos in their wake. Many aged medicinal herbs were dug up along their path. I stood atop the highest peak of the snowy mountain, observing their route from afar when a sharp-eyed disciple pointed towards the peak and said, "Isn't there someone up there watching us?"
Upon hearing this, everyone looked up and responded, "Are you seeing things? Who could run that fast? Don't tell me there's a snowman on this mountain."
I was the first to spot Elder Hong's two Dao Children at the back of the crowd, along with the miscellaneous Room Managers trailing behind them.
By the time we crossed five or six mountains from Azure Cloud Sect to reach the snowy mountain, it was already afternoon. If it had been earlier, I wouldn't have been able to cover that much ground in three nights. Now, I felt as if I was walking on flat ground without breaking a sweat. As night fell, some continued onward in hopes of finding high-quality medicinal herbs, while others set up tents to spend the night or sought out caves for shelter.
In the midst of wind and snow, the two Miscellaneous Room Managers kept following behind the two Dao Children. The Fat Steward said, "Maybe we shouldn't follow them anymore; if we get discovered, we'll just be scolded. Besides, their skills are far superior to ours; they won't be in any danger."
The Thin Steward nodded and said, "Elder Hong is truly something else. He just wants us to take care of his disciples' daily lives. They are all cultivators, yet they complain about being hungry every three hours."
The Fat Steward shivered and sneezed. The Thin Steward continued, "The snow is getting heavier. We didn't bring much warm clothing when we came. Let's find a cave to hide in."
Half an hour later, the two managers, one fat and one thin, were huddled in a cave, roasting a fire with a plump snow rabbit on the spit.
I appeared at the cave entrance, holding a knife in my hand. The two of them were startled and nearly lost their wits. The Thin Steward exclaimed, "Yang Hao! What are you doing here? Let me explain. We were forced into this! We never intended to frame you, and we certainly didn't want to harm that old woman."
"You've already testified that I wrote to Shanquan Village. No need for more words," I said, throwing the knife down in front of them. "Before I finish this wild rabbit, you must decide who lives and who dies. If I finish the rabbit and you haven't made your move, both of you will die."
The two managers knelt on the ground, begging for mercy. I ignored them, taking the golden-brown rabbit off the fire and tearing off pieces to chew as I ate. Just as I had consumed half of it, the Fat Steward suddenly picked up the knife from the ground and said, "I'm sorry, brother, but if we don't kill you, neither of us will survive."
Before he could strike, the Thin Steward pulled out a knife from behind him and stabbed it into the Fat Steward's neck.
His eyes widened in shock as he died before us. The Thin Steward trembled as he looked at me and asked, "Can I leave now?"
I licked my fingers and replied, "Sorry, I'm done eating."
With a swift motion, I snatched the knife from the Fat Steward's hand as it arced through the air and stood up to exit the cave. The Thin Steward's eyes widened in horror as his neck was severed cleanly.
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