Chapter 69 — The Past
劍問蒼天 · Page 5 of 6
He seemed to have thought of something and did not go on. Instead he said, "At the time we all assumed that among the Canglan Sect, this man must surely take the seat of sect leader. Yet not long after, word came that his elder brother Daoyan had taken the position, and from then on this brilliant, dazzling figure vanished without a trace—until today, when I learn that he is dead."
He sighed as he spoke, full of regret.
The Nether King smiled. "Indeed. A pity I could not test myself against such a hero—truly a regret of my life."
Qinglong raised his head, glanced at the sky, and suddenly gave a cold laugh. "Duanmu and Baidu Zi and the rest of that lot—back then they fled from Canglan Mountain into the wilds, and before they even reached the Holy Hall they ran into Wan Jiangu and the other four and were sent scattering, not daring even to return to the Holy Hall. And just now they dared to shout and ask whether Wan Jiangu had come—what shamelessness!"
The Nether King smiled faintly. "They are no more than running dogs of that old monster in the Wandu Sect. Why should you be angry, Brother Long?"
Qinglong reached out and lightly brushed the white robe he wore, then said mildly, "Wan Jiangu's break into the Holy Hall was the greatest shame of our Holy Cult. For a hundred years I have cultivated bitterly, and at great risk I found the Qiankun Qingguang Ring, all so that one day I might contend with him again. Today I learn he has passed away, and my heart holds only disappointment and regret—yet these men speak shamelessly of digging up his grave and dragging out his corpse. I am ashamed to be counted among them!"
The Nether King shook his head with a smile and looked up to watch the battle. The light in the sky grew ever brighter, until the four figures were all but invisible; and the clouds that filled the heavens were now nearly all lit by the radiance of their treasures.
The vault of heaven was silent; only from the distant sea came those long howls, growing gradually more shrill.
The Nether King suddenly frowned, turned to Qinglong, and said, "Do you not think tonight's night has something strange about it?"
Qinglong looked up and was silent a moment; then his expression changed. "You mean..."
The Nether King nodded. "Legend says that whenever that strange beast appears in the world, heaven and earth change color and great wind and rain attend it. Thus the ancient scroll 'Records of Gods and Demons' notes that this creature is the mount of the Thunder God."
Qinglong's face grew grave. He frowned. "How could it be so ill-timed—tonight of all nights?"
The Nether King pondered a moment, then said, "I have been on Mount Liubo some days now, yet on previous nights there was never such a strange howling as tonight. I fear the Kui Ox truly means to appear tonight. It seems we must make ready early."
Qinglong nodded slowly. "Yes. The Kui Ox is the great matter, after all. Leave this place to the Wandu Sect lot. Heh—heh—once the Kui Ox is subdued, and with the other three spirit beasts, our..."
The Nether King suddenly coughed. Qinglong started, then laughed and shook his head. "A hundred years of bitter cultivation have addled my wits. Ha—hah—forgive me, Sect Master!"
The Nether King smiled faintly, turned, and walked away, not glancing back at the crowd still fighting fiercely on the field. Qinglong cast a glance into the distance, where the orthodox disciples were scattering and fading into the forest, their figures vanishing; something stirred faintly in his heart, and with a sigh he turned and followed the Nether King.
The dark night was soundless, yet in the darkness it seemed countless savage eyes watched hungrily. As the crowd ran, cries came from who knew where, rising faintly and echoing deep in the forest, mingled with that nameless mysterious howling from the distant sea.
This night seemed especially grim!