Chapter 63 — The Ghost King
劍問蒼天 · Page 2 of 6
By now even Zhang Qingyue could sense that although this Little Zhou spoke gently, every sentence was aimed at the Ghost King Sect, and the intent to sow discord could not have been plainer. He only did not know what the man's true purpose was. But judging by Elder Nian's and the others' astonished looks, it did not appear that he had been put up to it by the Blood Refining Hall faction.
By this time the other Demonic adherents in the gathering were even more agitated, their voices gradually rising. Facing the Ghost King Sect's people, hostility was slowly showing on their faces. Bili frowned slightly, stepped back, and turned to exchange a few quick, low words with those behind her.
Looking from afar, Zhang Qingyue saw only the burning torches, which did not give much light. Beside Bili stood a tall man, and behind that tall man there seemed to be a middle-aged man as well—only the place where he stood was very dim, and blocked by the tall man in front, so his face could not be clearly seen.
Bili exchanged a few words with that man, then turned back, stepped forward, and coldly swept her gaze around the assembly.
Her beautiful face was like frost, like snow; in the dim yellow light of the burning torches there was a faint, desolate, bleak beauty about her.
The voices around them swiftly died down, and every eye came to rest upon her.
"Fellow adherents—" Her voice echoed through the cave: "The Ghost King Sect is like the rest of you, all disciples of the Holy Sect. We too believe in the Holy Mother of the Dark and the Heaven-Slaying Bright King. A thing so contrary to the teachings of the sect—even if the Ghost King Sect were ten times as powerful, we would not dare do it. Rest your minds at ease."
At these words, the faces of most of the Demonic adherents present relaxed. Elder Nian let out a long breath, hurried forward, caught hold of Little Zhou, and whispered: "Have you not said enough?"
Little Zhou turned his head and smiled at Elder Nian, then suddenly said in a clear voice: "In that case, we may set our minds somewhat at ease. Only, Miss Bili, I beg you also to explain the matter of the Kui Ox. If the Kui Ox truly cannot be found, it would be well to let us leave earlier. Otherwise, even if the Ghost King Sect means us no harm, we shall all die at the hands of the righteous path!"
Bili and the others of the Ghost King Sect fixed their eyes on this Little Zhou almost at once, but Little Zhou, as though unaware of what a great trouble he had brought on himself, simply stood there smiling. Yet the several dozen Demonic adherents around him all cried out at once.
"He is right!"
"Just so—Miss Bili, give us an answer!"
"..."
Only when the voices around them had gradually quieted did Bili take her eyes from Little Zhou. She knew this was no time to quibble over trifles. "Whether he speaks or not, our Ghost King Sect owes everyone an explanation. The truth is, our coming to Flowing Waves Mountain in the Eastern Sea was for no other purpose than—"
"Rumble—"
The whole vast cave seemed suddenly to shake. Zhang Qingyue and Tian Lingsu, deep within the cave, nearly stumbled, and the Demonic adherents in the gathering were even more startled. Someone cried out at once.
"What was that?"
"Is it an earthquake?"
But soon they had their answer. From outside the cave came a howling wind, like thunder in the ears, and a deep, powerful voice pierced the long cavern and came in to them: "Villains of the Demonic sect, come out quickly and meet your deaths!"
The crowd exchanged fearful glances, but Zhang Qingyue and Tian Lingsu looked at each other with joy on their faces. The instant they heard it, they recognized the voice of Daoist Cangyan of the Dragon Peak Seat.