Chapter 21 — Traces of the Demon

To address Dao Yan so was hardly friendly, but all present knew that Master Shui Jing always spoke to people in that manner, and Dao Yan did not take it to heart. He only sighed. "There is something you do not know, Junior Sister Shui Jing. Half a year ago I received a letter from Fenxia Valley, saying that of late there had again been signs of Demonic Cult remnants stirring near the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats, and asking my opinion. On reflection, I sent my second disciple, Yicai, to Kongsang Mountain to investigate."

Shang Zhengliang of Chaoyang Peak laughed at this. "Then the matter is settled. Our nephew Xiao Yicai is a man of surpassing talent and profound cultivation, one of the finest in the Canglan Sect, and at the last Seven Peaks Martial Contest he carried off the laurels. With him on the case, what could not be done?"

Dao Yan smiled faintly. "You overpraise him, Senior Brother Shang. But after Yicai went to Kongsang Mountain, within a few months word came confirming that Demonic Cult followers were indeed active near the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats—and their purpose was more alarming still."

Everyone was startled. Zeng Shuchang asked, "How so?"

Dao Yan's face was calm, betraying neither pleasure nor anger. "In his letter Yicai says that he captured one of the Demonic Cult's followers and forced the truth out of him. Eight hundred years ago, it seems, the Ancient Cave of Ten Thousand Bats was the headquarters of the Blood Refining Hall, a branch of the Demonic Cult. In those days the Hall was mighty, one of the five great powers of the cult; but after our righteous forebears broke them, they never recovered, and the cave was abandoned. Yet somehow, in recent years, the long-declined Blood Refining Hall seems to be raising its head again. And it is said among them that at the battle of the Ancient Cave eight hundred years ago, though all the chief figures of the Hall fell beneath the swords of our righteous predecessors, there lay within that cave a treasure chamber hidden with the utmost cunning, holding rare treasures and unholy books, which no one ever found."

By now everyone understood. The Daoist Cang Yan gave a cold laugh. "Heretics and their wishful thinking!"

Dao Yan shook his head. "Whether the rumor is true or not, so far as I know, after that battle eight hundred years ago the righteous cultivators indeed found no hidden chamber or treasury in the cave. The rest would not matter—but if such a treasure chamber truly exists, I fear it may hold a thing of great evil, and against that we must be on our guard."

All eyes turned to Dao Yan. The Daoist Tian Yun said, "Senior Brother, what manner of thing do you mean, that it should matter so much?"

Dao Yan glanced at those around him and said in a low voice, "The Blood-Devouring Bead."

Every face changed. The Daoist Cang Yan said in astonishment, "Did that cursed thing not vanish long ago, with the death of Old Man Blackheart?"

Dao Yan shook his head. "Not so. Old Man Blackheart is dead, but the Blood-Devouring Bead need not have perished with him. A thing of such evil cannot be wielded by common hands; if the demonic heretics lacked the cultivation to use it, they may well have simply hidden it away. And since Old Man Blackheart himself came from the Blood Refining Hall of the Demonic Cult, I would guess the Bead lies in that hidden chamber."

At these words of Dao Yan's, for a time no one spoke. At length it was the cold Master Shui Jing who broke the silence. "And what does the Senior Brother Sect Master propose to do?"

Dao Yan said, "Upon receiving Yicai's letter, I at once sent word to Fenxia Valley and Fanyin Temple. Before long both replied that they too would send their finest disciples to Kongsang Mountain, to stop the demonic villains, uphold the Way, and root out evil."

Tian Buhui frowned. "Then the Senior Brother Sect Master means—"

A smile appeared on Dao Yan's face. "As it happens, this is a rare chance for good experience. Our Canglan Sect has many talented young people, but most have never gone out to cultivate, and these years the world has been at peace; never once have they faced the demonic heretics in battle. Taking advantage of this Seven Peaks Martial Contest, I intend to send the four highest-ranked young disciples to Kongsang Mountain together: on the one hand to stop the demonic villains in their perverse designs, on the other to temper themselves and broaden their knowledge. And moreover"—his smile faded and his face grew grave—"moreover, I hear that in the past century both Fanyin Temple and Fenxia Valley have produced several remarkable disciples of dazzling gifts. If we sit by and do nothing, I fear we shall not long hold our place as the leaders of the righteous path. And if so, I, Dao Yan, would have no face to meet the patriarchs of our line!"

All nodded together. The Daoist Cang Yan spoke first. "The Senior Brother Sect Master sees far ahead. He speaks the truth."

Dao Yan looked over the assembled peak lords. "Since it is so, then none of you have any objection."

All nodded and voiced their agreement.

Daoist Zhenren Daoyan said, "Good, then it is settled. Quarters have already been prepared for you senior brothers in the Yuheng Hall. Please go and rest." With that, he clapped his palms three times in quick succession, and several Daoist novices at once came hurrying in from beyond the door. "Lead these masters to their rooms to rest."

The novices answered and stepped forward. Each of the masters rose to his feet, bowed once to Daoist Zhenren Daoyan, and followed them out.

Note, Book Four, the Classic of the Eastern Mountains: within the second eastern range, there is Mount Kongsang, facing the Shi River to the north, gazing upon Juwu to the east, Shaling to the south, and the Min Marsh to the west.