Chapter 104 — The Inquiry
劍問蒼天 · Page 3 of 7
Zhou Yixuan glanced at the wild dog and nodded. "I never saw before that you had that kind of backbone. Not simple at all. But all these years, that Ming Li has been known as the Blood Young Master, and has killed countless men—why would he spare you, of all people?"
The Wild Wolf Daoist shook his head. "I don't know either."
Zhou Yixuan fell silent, a thoughtful look in his eyes, and his usual flippant grin gradually faded. Seeing Zhou Yixuan suddenly wear such an expression, so unlike his usual self, the Wild Wolf Daoist was taken aback; but just then Xiaowan spoke, and his attention was drawn away.
Xiaowan looked at him for a moment and said in a low voice, "Then following him about like this day after day—doesn't it pain you? He destroyed the Blood Refining Hall, which was so kind to you. You must hate him bitterly."
The wild dog was at a loss, then fell silent, and after a long while slowly shook his head. "I don't know either. I used to hate this man with all my heart, but in these days past it has slowly come to me: what use is there in blaming him? Even if it weren't him, even if it weren't the Underworld King Sect, the Ten Thousand Venoms Sect and the Soul-Bewitching Faction would have done the same. The Underworld King Sect simply got there first."
"Hm?" Xiaowan said nothing, but Zhou Yixuan was the first to make a sound of faint surprise. He looked the Wild Wolf Daoist up and down anew, with the air of one seeing him in a new light. "You can actually see that far? I underestimated you."
The Wild Wolf Daoist rolled his eyes at Zhou Yixuan, plainly uninterested in his praise. Zhou Yixuan, rebuffed, chuckled and was not offended.
The Wild Wolf Daoist glanced at Xiaowan. Her bright eyes were like water, their gleaming ripples seeming to flow, truly captivating, and somehow he dared not look long. He lowered his head and said, "That day when I came out of the Death Marsh, I was sick to death of spending my days among that crowd from the Underworld King Sect, especially of the occasional glimpses of Chief Nian and the rest. Then I happened to see you two, and before I knew it I had followed along."
The Wild Wolf Daoist suddenly seemed to recall something and quickly raised his head. "But I never had the slightest thought of harming you—I don't know myself what came over me, I suppose I just wanted to walk about. If... if you'd rather not, I'll leave right now."
Xiaowan smiled faintly. "It's all right! I don't mind. Then from now on, walk with us! The world's a big place, and it looks to me like you've nowhere else to go."
Zhou Yixuan was startled. He pulled Xiaowan aside and lowered his voice. "Silly girl, what are you doing, dragging this fellow along with us?"
Xiaowan rolled her eyes at her grandfather. "What do you mean, this fellow and that fellow? He has a name. Besides, he means no harm—he only wants to walk with us. What's there to be afraid of?"
Zhou Yixuan said angrily, "You don't know the height of the heavens or the depth of the earth, girl. He's a notorious figure in the demonic cult. I've heard that in the past he..."
Zhou Yixuan suddenly broke off. Xiaowan stared at him. "What did he do in the past? Go on, tell me—what unpardonable crime have you heard he committed?"
Zhou Yixuan scratched his head and thought for a long while, then said awkwardly, "I don't seem to have heard of him doing anything..."
Xiaowan burst out laughing. She was about to turn away when Zhou Yixuan caught her by the arm. "But having this man beside us can't be any good! Why must you?"
Xiaowan said coolly, "Last night, when we passed that barren ridge, a wild boar came charging out from the roadside. Grandfather, you hid yourself far away, and it was this Daoist who rushed up and drove the boar off. Otherwise this weak girl would have had to face a great wild boar all alone."