Chapter 128 — Tracking
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 3 of 5
Xiao Bai smiled bitterly, shook her head with a sigh, and followed, muttering under her breath, "These days even monkeys have attitude..."
When they reached Qili Tong, the Miao they encountered all regarded them with resentment and hatred in their eyes. Some of them, having seen Ming Li the night before in his blood-soaked, demon-mad state, now wore expressions of sheer terror.
Seeing how hard Ming Li was struggling to walk, Xiao Bai quickened her steps and took hold of him. Just as Ming Li was about to pull free, she whispered, "I'm afraid these Miao won't let us go see the Great Wizard."
Ming Li, unaccustomed to being supported by Xiao Bai, was about to shake her off and walk on his own when he heard this. He paused, startled, and said, "Why?"
Xiao Bai glanced ahead. Ming Li followed her gaze—they were heading toward the mountain where the Miao sacrificial altar stood, but at its foot dozens of sturdy Miao men were now gathered, blocking the only path up. And when they saw the two outlanders approaching, it was as though every one of them faced a mortal enemy; some warriors had already raised their blades and spears, leveling them at Ming Li and Xiao Bai.
Ming Li said nothing, but his steps did not falter; he kept walking toward the crowd. Xiao Bai, at his side, stole a glance at him and said, "If they won't let us up, what then?"
Ming Li did not answer.
Xiao Hui, still perched on Ming Li's shoulder, was looking around in all directions with an expression of great astonishment, evidently unable to comprehend how the world could have been turned upside down after a single night's sleep.
They drew near, and sure enough, just as Xiao Bai had guessed, not a single Miao warrior gave way. Every eye was hostile; they thronged the path leading up to the altar halfway up the mountain, blades drawn and leveled at Ming Li and Xiao Bai.
The corner of Ming Li's mouth twitched, and a flicker of irritation passed through his eyes. Yet at such a moment he knew well enough that this was no time to force matters. Dealing with these Miao warriors would be easy enough, but once a Miao was injured, then even if the Great Wizard were safe and sound, he would likely refuse to heal Bi Li for him.
He drew a deep breath and said humbly, "We wish to request an audience with the Great Wizard."
Whether they could not understand his words or simply had no intention of paying him any mind, the Miao warriors' expressions did not change in the slightest. Even Xiao Bai was frowning now, finding the situation decidedly thorny.
Just then, from behind the crowd came the voice of the Miao chieftain, Tu Magu: "The Great Wizard is gravely injured and cannot receive visitors. You had best go back!"
The crowd parted, and Tu Magu slowly stepped forward from behind. His face was cold, and his clothes still bore bloodstains—plainly his night had not been an easy one either. The look he now turned on Ming Li and Xiao Bai was utterly different from the day before.
Ming Li was silent for a moment, then said, "Is the Great Wizard all right?"
Tu Magu gave a cold laugh. "Thanks to the two of you, the old man is not yet dead."
Ming Li breathed a sigh of relief, but Xiao Bai could not let that pass. She said coolly, "The Great Wizard's injury has nothing to do with the two of us. Even if you are angry, Chieftain, you cannot vent it on our heads."
Tu Magu had been nursing a bellyful of fury since the night before. The only reason he still deigned to speak with these two outlanders was that they had not killed any Miao the previous night, and Ming Li had even saved a child. But now, hearing Xiao Bai's cold words, his temper flared at once; his brows shot up and he was about to erupt.
Suddenly, hurried footsteps sounded again from behind the crowd. A young Miao who looked like a wizard came running down from the mountain, sized up Ming Li and the others with a few glances, then leaned close to Tu Magu's ear and whispered a few words.