Chapter 232 — Killing Intent
The Sword Questions the Heavens · Page 6 of 7
The Nether King regarded Jin Pingyue blandly. Beneath his gaze, a faint chill seemed to seep from her heart, yet her smile did not diminish—until even she felt the muscles of her face growing sore from holding it. Then the Nether King suddenly shifted his gaze away.
Only then did Jin Pingyue secretly breathe a sigh of relief, even as she was inwardly aghast. This time, upon her return, the Nether King's bearing was utterly different from before. His whole air of killing intent pressed upon her like a mighty tide, surging over her—and from the look of him, he seemed to make no effort to conceal it at all.
This was vastly different from his usual manner. Could something have happened in these past days?
As Jin Pingyue was inwardly pondering, the Nether King spoke: "Daoist priest, why not take a look as well—how is this character I've written?"
Jin Pingyue's heart jolted again. She turned in astonishment—there in the corner of the stone chamber stood another person, robed in Daoist attire, expression solemn. Jin Pingyue's thoughts raced, and she felt a measure of alarm and doubt: after she had entered this stone chamber, though she had been momentarily shaken by the Nether King's strange killing aura, this person had stood to one side with all his breath suppressed and escaped her notice entirely. He was clearly not to be underestimated.
The Daoist stepped forward slowly at the summons and looked at the character on the white paper for a while. After a long moment, he said, "A fine character!"
The chill remained in the Nether King's eyes, but he smiled and said, "How so?"
The Daoist said, "This character is fine in that the flow of its strokes answers to its meaning. The character holds killing intent, and the intent pierces through the paper—rare indeed, rare indeed!"
The Nether King stared at the Daoist, whose expression did not change. He slowly stepped back and came to stand three feet from Jin Pingyue's side. Then the Nether King's expression broke into loud laughter, and he said, "Well said, well said—the Daoist priest's words strike to my heart."
The Daoist bowed his head slightly, as if in thanks.
Jin Pingyue could not help glancing at the Daoist once more. Then she heard the Nether King say, "Ping'er, let me introduce you. This is a devoted patron and powerful ally of our sect—Daoist Cangsong."
Jin Pingyue arched her brows, a flash of sharpness passing through her eyes, then she looked at Cangsong with a smile and said, "I have heard much of you, much indeed..."
Daoist Cangyan nodded to Jin Pingyue. Then the Nether King spoke again, "Pinger, I have called you back this time because our Holy Cult is about to undertake a matter rarely seen in a thousand years, and we need you to lend a hand."
Jin Pingyue smiled and said, "Whatever the Cult Master commands, Pinger will do her utmost."
The Nether King said with a smile, "As for the particulars, I have already explained them in general to Daoist Cangsong. Ask him presently and you will know. Though this matter does not demand haste at this moment, it must still be pressed forward. Go down first, the two of you, and discuss it thoroughly."
Jin Pingyue nodded, and she and Daoist Cangyan bowed to the Nether King at the same time, then withdrew.
The stone door slowly closed. The two walked side by side through the passage, neither speaking for a time. Only when they passed the three-way junction did Jin Pingyue involuntarily glance once more toward the road on the left.
It was at that very moment that Daoist Cangyan's voice suddenly reached her ear: "Vice Cult Master Ming Li has been gone from Mount Huqi for many days now and has still not returned."
Jin Pingyue frowned, her gaze turning cold as well, and she turned to look at Daoist Cangyan, but he acted as though he had not noticed, and having said only this, went on walking forward by himself.