劍問蒼天 - 第149章 劇毒 - 翰墨軒

Canglan Mountain, the Peak That Touches Heaven.

The fragrance of tea drifted in wisps from the white cups with blue lips and green lids, and from the freshly brewed liquid rose threads of white steam that spread through the room.

This was a quiet chamber in the rear hall of the Yuheng Hall, where the three most powerful and renowned masters of the orthodox path had gathered, tasting tea and conversing with composed expressions.

The Qingyun disciples who had been serving tea and water had at some point quietly withdrawn, leaving only Daoist Zhenren Daoyan, the Venerable Pucheng, and Yun Yifeng in the room.

Daoist Zhenren Daoyan was the first to speak, smiling. "This tea is a local product of the country around Canglan Mountain. It may not be a rare treasure, but it ranks among the fragrant finest. You two should drink and tell me what you think."

Yun Yifeng set down his cup and nodded. "The fragrance lingers in the throat, as though flowing from the mouth straight down into the belly. Truly fine tea."

Daoyan laughed. "If you like it, Yun-shixiong, then once this great calamity of the beast demons is broken, take a good supply back to Fenxia Valley."

Yun Yifeng nodded with a smile. "Splendid. You won't be going back on your word, Zhenren."

The two exchanged a look and smiled, but the Venerable Pucheng chanted a Buddha's name beside them. Daoyan glanced at him. "What troubles you, Dashi?"

The Venerable Pucheng sighed. "In truth, this poor monk knows that facing such a great calamity, one must keep a calm mind to respond with ease. Yet the Buddha's heart is one of compassion. Whenever I think of the common people now plunged into fire and flood, I cannot help burning with anxiety, and I lost my composure for a moment. I ask you both to forgive me."

Yun Yifeng's expression shifted slightly, and a flash of sharp light passed through Daoyan's eyes as well, but his face then grew solemn.

Looking at the Venerable Pucheng, Daoyan said slowly, "The Dashi speaks truly. Since we style ourselves the orthodox path, we must of course take the fate of all under heaven as our own burden. This poor Daoist was rude just now."

The Venerable Pucheng pressed his palms together and shook his head. "What are you saying, Zhenren? I meant no reproach toward you."

Yun Yifeng's expression had already returned to normal, and at these words he smiled. "Enough, enough. The way you two go on so formally is more than anyone can bear. Let us waste no more words and get to the whole business."

Daoyan and the Venerable Pucheng both laughed. Daoyan nodded. "Yun-shixiong is right. In truth, I asked you both here today to discuss this great calamity of the beast demons, for there seem to be strange developments."

Yun Yifeng and the Venerable Pucheng both started. Yun Yifeng said, "What developments? Speak, Zhenren."

Daoyan's face grew grave. "A few days ago I again sent capable disciples of our sect, Xiao Yichen, Lin Jinghong, and others, out to scout the beast demons. They returned just last night and reported a most unusual matter."

Seeing Daoyan's stern face and something in his manner that still seemed puzzled, the Venerable Pucheng could not restrain himself. "What has happened?"

Daoyan paused, then said, "According to Yicai's report, the countless beast demons that surged into the Central Plains from the south have been driving straight north all along, killing as they go. But in recent days, for some unknown reason, a great host of them have suddenly halted their northward march and turned toward the southwest, and the number continuing north toward us appears to be only some forty percent of the original."

Yun Yifeng pondered a moment. "The southwest? Is that not where the demon sect has always been most rampant?"