劍問蒼天 - 第151章 煉獄 - 翰墨軒

The Nether King paced slowly to Ming Li's side and looked past him at his daughter, lying quietly upon the cold jade platform. That pale, beautiful face was as clear and lovely as ever, as though in some hidden way she knew that the two men in all the world who cared for her most—the two men most important to her—were both at her side.

Her expression was peaceful, composed, at ease.

The Nether King gazed at Bi Li for a long while, a faint glimmer flickering in his eyes—a tenderness rarely seen. After a long time he let out a slow breath and said mildly, "Why aren't you packing your things?"

Ming Li did not look up, nor answer directly. Instead he asked, "I hear the savage wastes stretch a thousand li in every direction, but it's nothing but barren gobi and boundless desert, scorching all year round—is that so?"

The Nether King nodded. "That's right. I visited the Savage Holy Hall in my younger days; the climate there is indeed as you say."

Ming Li frowned. "Then how can Bi Li go? In her present... state, how could she endure such hardship?"

The Nether King glanced at him. "I never intended to take Yao'er to the wilderness."

Ming Li's expression shifted, and he turned to look at the Nether King, who continued, "The wilderness is barren and scorching—truly no place for Yao'er. My intent was to leave her here on Mount Huqi. After we depart, we will activate the mountain's traps and wards and seal the entrance, and she will be perfectly safe. But to guard against mishap, someone must come in to check on her at least once a month, lest anything go wrong."

Ming Li rose. "Someone is to stay behind? Who?"

The Nether King said mildly, "My original thought was to entrust her to Xiao Bai. Her cultivation is deep, and she was quite willing to rest quietly on Mount Huqi for a few years. But for some reason she cannot be found these past days."

Ming Li's face changed slightly. The Nether King caught it, and something stirred in his heart. "What—do you know where she went?"

Ming Li shook his head slowly, was silent a moment, then said, "Let me stay here and look after Bi Li."

The Nether King regarded him fixedly. "That you would care for Yao'er—of that I have no worry, and you I trust. But the Holy Sect has just suffered a grievous blow, and I mean to restore its prestige. First I must steady the faithful and unify the sect; at my side I have great need of a man of your talents."

For the first time Ming Li's gaze left Bi Li and slowly moved to the Nether King. Suddenly he said, "In this great war with the beast-demons—did all the disciples who followed you out die?"

The Nether King's face changed, and his eyes blazed bright. It was the first time anyone had dared raise the matter to his face. Yet he did not fly into a rage; he only looked deeply at Ming Li in this way, then said slowly, "All dead."

Ming Li withdrew his gaze and returned it to Bi Li. After a long while he said, "After this great war, though the Devil Sect is gravely weakened, the Ten Thousand Venoms Sect and the Enchantment Sect have been wiped out entire. For our Nether King Sect, whose strength remains, this can only be called a grand opportunity to unify the Devil Sect. Such is the situation now—even without me, there is no faction left in the sect that could contest you." Quietly he added, "But Bi Li here still needs someone to look after her. Let me stay and care for her."

The Nether King looked at him a good while, then nodded. "Since you put it that way, I won't press you. Yao'er I entrust to you for now, and I trust you to care for her well. But remember: the beast-demons are fearsome and keen of sense. To guard against mishap, it would be best to seal the mountain gates and wards; then you need only come in to check on her once every month or two, and nothing should go amiss."

Ming Li nodded slowly, taking it as agreed. The Nether King's gaze returned to his daughter; after a moment he heaved a sigh, turned, and walked out.