Chapter 122: Swordplay to Drive Away the Monkeys

The silver waterfall roared like a suspended colorful chain, spraying pearls and spitting jade. Before the white jade cave dwelling on its left, two figures were dueling with flying swords.

One yellow and one green beam of light darted through the air, separating and merging, chasing and striking. They grew more dazzling under the sunlight. The green light feigned a move, revealing a flaw that looked remarkably authentic. As expected, the yellow light struck down, but the green light swirled in mid-air, the blade vibrating to stir the ether with a thunderous crack, knocking the yellow light back over a dozen yards and darting toward Qin Yu like a lightning bolt piercing the clouds.

Fortunately, Qin Yu was no weakling. With a flick of his fingers, the yellow light split into three, intercepting the green light from above, middle, and below. In a hair-raising moment, he blocked the green light a yard before his chest. As they clashed, they merged into a mass of freezing light and snowy shadows, the sound of metal striking metal ringing incessantly.

After about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the yellow light gradually overwhelmed the green. With a series of thrusts, it forced the green light to reveal its true form: a verdant bamboo sword. The flying sword then shifted from a thrust to a swat, sending the bamboo sword spinning wildly in the air. Zhou Qian leaped seven feet high, grasped the sword hilt, his robes fluttering as he landed with a turn.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, he laughed, "Senior Brother’s sword-control technique is truly formidable. I have lost again."

Qin Yu recalled the yellow light, which transformed into a gold pellet in his hand. He sighed with emotion, "I should be the one saying that. To reach this level in just ten days—it seems that compared to breath cultivation and physical training, Little Junior Brother has an even greater talent for the way of the sword."

Three escape lights circled from the side of Mount Yuxu, revealing the figures of the three senior brothers: He Qin, He Qi, and He Hua. He Hua laughed first, "Senior Brother is shameless! Using sword-light fragmentation—that is a skill only mastered after the fifth level of the Azure Cloud Heart Sutra. Isn't that bullying the weak with the strong?"

"Haha, my hands were just itching, and I couldn't hold back. I used it without thinking," Qin Yu admitted with a laugh.

"Doesn't that mean if your magic power and cultivation levels were equal, you wouldn't be a match for Little Junior Brother based on swordplay alone?" Lu Xiaoxian flew in from the direction of Chaoyang Peak, giggling.

"You lot, stop teasing your senior brother," Qin Yu shook his head, smiling wryly.

"Sword dueling relies on the quality of the flying sword, the profundity of sword arts, and the depth of magic power. If you ignore all three, it’s like fighting with your hands and feet bound; of course, it feels uncomfortable and you can't even show one-tenth of your true strength," Song Dazhu descended from the sky, his massive frame creating two small craters in the ground as he spoke with blunt honesty. "But for Little Junior Brother to break through the barrier of 'Object Manipulation' in such a short time, it truly surprised me."

"Indeed, indeed. Little Junior Brother seems so clever, yet I didn't think he was a dunce. Hee hee, but how did you manage it, Little Junior Brother?" Lu Xiaoxian asked curiously.

Zhou Qian’s expression faltered. He shook his head and feigned indifference, "I do not know either. A flash of inspiration came, and it was done."

"I sent for you today not for idle chatter. Enter my cave dwelling first."

The Yuxu lineage gathered in the white jade cave, taking their seats as host and guests. Behind them, the water-fire alchemy furnace hissed and bubbled, its lightning seals and wind patterns flickering rhythmically.

"The mountain-sealing order has been lifted. Second Junior Brother, Third Junior Brother, you two prepare to head down the mountain tomorrow."

The two were stunned. He Qi quickly asked, "We are heading down tomorrow? Where to? To do what?"

"There seem to be ghosts causing trouble at the old temple below the mountain, suspected to be mountain spirits or wood demons. The nearby villagers are all suffering. Once you have eliminated them, go to the location written in this letter; there will be fellow practitioners waiting to receive you." Qin Yu handed over a letter. Song Dazhu took it, and upon reading it, both were startled.

"The Wicked Ghost Sect? Senior Brother, this..."

Qin Yu’s gaze silenced them. He said solemnly, "This matter is confidential. Not a word must leak out!"

He Qi and Song Dazhu nodded repeatedly. Although Zhou Qian did not know which sect the Wicked Ghost Sect was, he could guess part of the truth. Since the battles of Emei and Tianmen, the righteous path had risen while the demonic path had waned. The evil cults and heterodox paths of the Central Plains had become thorns in the side of the righteous, and their own mountain gate was about to take action!

"I want to go too! I want to go!" Lu Xiaoxian, naive and worldly-unwise, shouted repeatedly.

"Actually, there is a more important task for Junior Sister Xiaoxian. Would you be willing?" Qin Yu asked, full of smiles.

"What is it?"

"Little Junior Brother has already mastered the first level of the Heart Sutra and can break through at any time. Mount Yuangong has Emerald Fruits that can help increase magic power. Why doesn't Junior Sister Xiaoxian take Little Junior Brother there to gather some?"

"Great! Great! I haven't been to Mount Yuangong yet. Little Junior Brother, let's go now! Staying here is so boring!" Lu Xiaoxian tugged at the corner of Zhou Qian’s robe, impatient.

"Don't be in such a rush, Little Senior Sister. We must listen to what Senior Brother has to say first," Zhou Qian comforted her.

"You may go now, but Mount Yuangong has always been plagued by spirits. You two must be careful."

"Then we shall depart. Little Senior Sister, wait for me while I gather some things."

As soon as they left, He Hua hesitated but eventually said, "Senior Brother, I heard from Senior Brother Su of Chaoyang Peak that Mount Yuangong is occupied by a group of demon monkeys. Will Junior Sister and the others be in danger?"

"It seems you finally admit to fooling around at Chaoyang Peak again!" Qin Yu glanced sideways at He Hua before saying, "I knew about this long ago; this exercise is meant to temper them."

"But Junior Sister Lu is young, and Junior Brother Zhou has only just entered the sect. Is this not too hasty?" Song Dazhu also frowned.

"Jade must be polished to become a vessel. In this world, it is better to be early than late. Junior Sister Lu is gifted but too playful. Although Little Junior Brother is new to the sect, he is exceptionally resourceful. With their combined efforts, I believe it is not impossible for them to not only gather the Emerald Fruits but also drive away the demon monkeys." Qin Yu was full of confidence.

Seeing that the others remained skeptical, he did not explain further, turning instead to say, "I have refined a batch of pills that can dispel corpse poison and suppress ghosts. Take a bottle each when you leave, just in case."

"As for Junior Brother He Qi and Junior Brother He Hua, I will supervise you both personally these next few days, so you don't embarrass us again during the Five Peaks Sword Competition!!!"

Suddenly, two wails echoed from within the white jade cave.

Meanwhile, Lu Xiaoxian was piloting her escape light, carrying Zhou Qian toward Mount Yuangong. Seeing her extreme excitement, Zhou Qian couldn't help but ask, "Little Senior Sister, you grew up in Qingcheng. How is it that you have never been to Mount Yuangong?"

"Of course I haven't been there! My parents wouldn't let me!"

"Why is that?"

Lu Xiaoxian turned to look at Zhou Qian, as if finding it strange that he didn't know such things. She teased, "Little Junior Brother, you are so silly. The thirty-six peaks surrounding my Mount Qingcheng are all spiritual, immortal mountains. Many are inhabited by spirits and monsters. Some possess deep cultivation that even some of our sect’s elders cannot defeat. But since they do not commit evil, we leave them be. That is why there are places even we disciples of Qingcheng are not allowed to go."

"Does Mount Yuangong also have great demons or old monsters?" Zhou Qian asked, startled.

"Well, there used to be a thousand-year-old ape that occupied it, but it died of old age years ago. I haven't heard of any powerful monsters appearing there recently."

"Little Junior Brother, you don't need to be afraid. Little Senior Sister will surely protect you," Lu Xiaoxian promised firmly.

Mount Yuangong was the westernmost of the thirty-six peaks, nearly outside the Qionglai mountain range. The mountains were continuous. Although Lu Xiaoxian’s escape light was not slow, it still took them four or five days, during which they had to rest several times—after all, she was still a young girl, and both her cultivation and stamina were limited.

"Little Senior Sister, Little Senior Sister, we should be going!" Zhou Qian said softly. Lu Xiaoxian, who was lying in his arms, was fast asleep. The two had stayed for the night at Fallen Leaf Peak, a few dozen miles from Mount Yuangong. These past few days, the journey had been truly exhausting for her, and she had uncharacteristically lost her usual spirit.

"Let me sleep a little longer!"

Zhou Qian had no choice but to gently pick her up and lay her aside, while he prepared some food.

A strange fragrance wafted over, causing Lu Xiaoxian to sniff in her sleep. Without opening her eyes, she snuggled toward the source like a snake. When she finally opened her dazed eyes, she saw a large ball of earth burning slowly in a campfire, giving off a mouth-watering aroma. She couldn't help but swallow.

"Little Senior Sister, come, wipe your face and hands," Zhou Qian said, holding a spring-water bowl made from a tree leaf.

Lying on the mountain floor had left her face dirty, so she followed his instructions and cleaned up. Seeing a few dead leaves in her hair and her two pigtails in disarray, Zhou Qian shook his head, walked behind her, and carefully unraveled them, combed her hair, and tied it up neatly.

"Other than my mother, this is the first time anyone has braided my hair!" She was stunned for a moment, but before she could think about it, she jumped up excitedly, "Little Junior Brother, what is this delicious thing?"

These past few days, whenever they rested, Zhou Qian would forage for wild things to roast or bake. His skills were beyond doubt, and he had truly nurtured a little glutton.

"This is Beggar's Chicken, also known as Wealthy Chicken. The method is extremely simple: remove the feathers and organs, then wrap it in yellow mud and straw. But there are two keys: first, the heat must be controlled well, and second, the chicken must be chosen carefully. When I went to fetch water, I happened to see a flock of wild chickens. One had a large red crest, thick legs, and a sharp beak—it was just..." Zhou Qian was in the middle of talking enthusiastically when he was interrupted. "Stop with the nonsense, Little Junior Brother! Just tell me when it’s ready to eat!"

He sighed, tapped the hardened black mud ball, waited a moment, and nodded, "It’s ready."

Lu Xiaoxian quickly extinguished the fire. She didn't know how to start with the mud ball, so Zhou Qian gave it a light tap. The earth shell cracked open, revealing succulent chicken meat. The fresh aroma and white steam wafted out. Lu Xiaoxian let out a happy cry and rushed to shove it into her mouth, not even caring that it was piping hot.

Zhou Qian also tasted a piece. The meat was tender, smooth, fresh, and savory. It was worthy of an immortal blessed land; even the wild chicken tasted far better than those in the mortal realm, likely due to being nourished by spiritual energy. Seeing Lu Xiaoxian eating with such delight, he stopped and watched her.

"Eat, Little Junior Brother! It won't taste good if it gets cold!" The little senior sister was generous; seeing Zhou Qian wasn't eating, she tore off a chicken leg and offered it to him.

"No need, you go ahead," Zhou Qian smiled.

After a while, Lu Xiaoxian was satisfied. She patted her belly, full of energy. "Let's go!"

The escape light finally landed on Mount Yuangong. The peak was covered in a sea of pink, with banana trees, peach trees, and apricot trees scattered across the mountainside. The sounds of apes playing echoed from time to time.

"On which tree do the Emerald Fruits grow?" Lu Xiaoxian was very confused.

Before she could finish her sentence, groups of monkeys darted out from the trees and grass, their chattering incessant. They held spears and bows, or gripped rocks in their claws. These monkeys were all the size of ordinary humans and wrapped in animal skins, unlike common beasts.

A white, tailless ape stepped forward, leaning on a staff. Its face was filled with sorrow, and it opened its mouth as if it wanted to say something...