劍問蒼天 - 第95章 夜談 - 翰墨軒

For all their cultivation, Zeng Shuyan and the others paled somewhat. But whether the giant ants feared the Prajna Heart Circle Facheng had set or the blazing fire, though they came close they only gathered half a zhang away and did not approach. Yet out of the darkness poured more and more—surely no fewer than tens of thousands.

Shadows surged. All four faces were pale. The wind wailed sharply across that ancient forest, as if mocking these foolish humans who had disturbed its age-old peace.

And within that distant wind there seemed to drift a faint, mournful flute song, scattered on the breeze.

Li Xun's expression shifted again and again. Suddenly he raised his voice and shouted, "What demon of the Demon Sect is playing tricks here?"

His shout carried no little force; for an instant even the wind seemed to pause.

This time it was not only Zeng Shuyan and Lin Jinghong—even Facheng was startled. When he had gone out to meet Li Xun, he had seen only countless giant ants and no sign of any Demon cultist. He asked at once, "What—these giant ants are the work of Demon Sect villains?"

Li Xun gave a cold snort, his gaze sharp as he swept the surroundings. "That is right. After nightfall I chanced upon a strange man near this place. When I challenged him, he turned on me at once and attacked with the demonic sect's foul arts. As for these monsters, the wretch must have used some crooked, unholy trick to command such savage beasts..."

Before Li Xun had finished speaking, a light laugh suddenly came from the darkness. "This righteous hero tells it so neatly, every detail in place. But I seem to recall it was you who struck at me first, was it not?"

The voice was a man's, and he sounded young, yet it drifted and wavered so that for the moment none could tell from where it came.

Li Xun's expression changed, yet even in such a dire situation he showed not a trace of fear. "You are a fiend of the demonic sect," he cried loudly, "so of course I must slay fiends and subdue demons. If you are a man, step out and face me, and we shall duel three hundred rounds, just the two of us. What manner of hero hides behind these witless beasts?"

The man laughed again, then said mildly, "Hero is a title for righteous gentlemen like yourselves. It is not mine to take."

As he spoke, a flute melody rose faint and distant, and the swarm of giant ants suddenly parted, opening a path through their midst. A young man walked slowly out of the darkness and came to a halt outside the golden ring of the Prajna Heart Circle, standing there with a smile, his bearing refined and composed.

It was Qin Wujiu of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect!

Fachang's face turned grave. He studied the man carefully, then suddenly said, "So young, and yet his cultivation is unfathomably deep, and he can command a myriad poisonous creatures. Could you be that young master of the Ten Thousand Poisons Sect known as the Poison Lord, Qin Wujiu?"

Qin Wujiu frowned, turned his eyes to look Fachang over closely, then suddenly smiled and said, "So it is Master Fachang of the Brahma Sound Temple. No wonder your Dharma eye sees so clearly. I am indeed Qin Wujiu." Here he paused, then went on at his ease, "They say that among the young disciples of the three great righteous sects, Master Fachang of the Brahma Sound Temple is acknowledged the foremost, deep in wisdom and high in virtue. Seeing you today, I find the reputation well earned. Qin Wujiu pays his respects."

With that he gave a slight nod, a smile on his face.

Fachang's brows drew together, and almost at the same instant he heard Li Xun at his side give a soft哼 of contempt. His heart tightened.