Chapter 61 — Old Acquaintances

Facheng and Li Xun exchanged a glance, then shook their heads at the same time.

Cangsong said to Li Xun: "Nephew Li, this time the information was first released by your Fenxia Valley. May I ask whether your sect knows the demons' purpose?"

Before Daoist Cangyan, a senior whose name filled the world, Li Xun's face no longer bore its former pride. He said at once: "Replying to Uncle-Master Cangsong, this information was also learned by our sect by chance—that after the demonic cult revived, a great many remnants suddenly made for Liubo Mountain in the East Sea. But as to what they are about, we do not know."

Cangsong and Tian Buhui exchanged a glance.

Facheng suddenly said: "My two uncle-masters, from what this monk has observed these past days, the demonic cult crosses mountains and ridges, and tends to search every hilltop carefully. It looks very much like they are searching for some important thing."

Cangsong mused: "True. My junior brother Tian and I share that view. But what is it they are looking for, that it should be so important?"

Tian Buhui knitted his brows, then said: "Since that is so, we cannot guess it out.

But the demonic cult has always been vicious and treacherous. After you return, you must be careful and on your guard. We will intensify the search here by day, and once we find the demons' lair, we will wipe them out at a single stroke and rid the world of this scourge."

Facheng and Li Xun said together: "Yes."

After that, they conferred a while longer, and then Facheng and Li Xun took their leave. Watching the two of them go out, Cangsong suddenly said: "Junior brother Tian, the aptitude of these two young men is truly excellent!"

Tian Buhui nodded slowly.

Daoist Cangyan said: "Especially Facheng of the Fanyin Temple. I observe that his pupils are black and pure, yet at the edges there seems a faint golden light; his gaze is warm and gentle, yet not scattered. I fear he has already achieved great mastery in the Fanyin Temple's 'Great Brahma Prajna.'"

Tian Buhui gave a cold laugh and said: "Do not underestimate that Li Xun either. Just now he deliberately kept a low profile before us, but according to what my good-for-nothing young disciple told me, his Daoist arts in the Kongsang Mountain and the Fire Dragon Cave were such that his cultivation may well be no worse than Facheng's."

Cangsong gave a cold snort. "For centuries now, both Fanyin Temple and Fenxia Valley have secretly coveted the position of leader of the righteous path that belongs to our Canglan Sect. Now they have deliberately groomed these outstanding disciples and sent them out—most likely to make a show of strength before us."

Tian Buhui glanced at him, then said suddenly, "No matter. As long as you have those fine disciples of yours, Cangsong, there is nothing to fear from them."

Cangsong's expression changed, and he said coldly, "Brother Tian, what is that supposed to mean?"

Tian Buhui rose to his feet and said mildly, "What could I possibly mean? My sect produced a foolish disciple who was lucky enough to win a few bouts in the Seven Branches Trial, and so was permitted to go out and train alongside your outstanding disciples. Yet in the land of the demon cult, after fighting a desperate battle against its followers, he was abandoned beneath that ancient cavern. Had the wretch not been born with a charmed life, I doubt I would ever have laid eyes on him again."

A flash of anger crossed Cangsong's face. "Brother Tian, you had best make yourself clear. What do you mean, abandoned beneath the ancient cavern? After Qi Hao and the others returned, I questioned him closely myself. The truth is that Xue Qi of Xiaozhu Peak was so gravely wounded that we searched for days on end and could find no trace of your disciple. Down in the abyss of the dead, with all those dark spirits and demon beasts about, we were forced to give up the search. How is that any deliberate abandonment?" His voice had risen by the time he finished.

Tian Buhui showed not the slightest sign of backing down. He shot him a look and raised his voice as well. "Hmph! If it were your disciple left down there, fate unknown, you would have torn the heavens apart long ago!"

Their voices carried outside the cave, and the Canglan Sect disciples were instantly roused, every one of them craning their necks to peer inside. Tian Buhui and Cangsong were, after all, men of the Dao, and would never disgrace themselves before these juniors. With a faint "hmph," Tian Buhui turned and walked out without a backward glance.

After a moment, Qi Hao and Lin Jinghong came in. They were the disciples Cangyan Daoren valued most, and the only ones who dared approach him when his mood was less than gracious.

Qi Hao said carefully, "Master, how did you come to quarrel with Uncle Tian?"

Lin Jinghong spoke up indignantly from the side. "That man is the pettiest sort. He hasn't a shred of the dignity proper to a senior, not one bit..."

Cangsong suddenly barked, "Silence!"

Lin Jinghong started, lowered his head, and said, "Yes, Master."

Cangsong gave him a glance, then turned to Qi Hao. "He still holds against you the matter of abandoning the search for Zhang Qingyue."

Qi Hao was taken aback.

Cangsong snorted. "You may think he seems to place little value on that disciple of his day to day, but that is within his own sect. Out in the world, he is the most protective of his own. What is more, this time Zhang Qingyue brought him face before all at the Seven Branches Martial Contest, and I hear privately that in his heart he was exceedingly pleased." He paused there, then said to Qi Hao, "Do you realize that this time, Zhang Qingyue's narrow escape and safe return may prove greatly to your advantage?"

Qi Hao did not grasp his meaning at once. "How so?"

Cangsong gave a cold laugh. "Are you not on good terms with his daughter, Tian Lingsu?"

Qi Hao's face reddened.

Cangsong said, "I did ask our Sect Leader to speak on your behalf, and he reluctantly consented to let the two of you keep company. But from what I saw of his manner today, he clearly nurses a grudge over the matter. Had Zhang Qingyue not come back alive this time, I fear you would have had a bitter road ahead of you."

Qi Hao understood then, and nodded again and again. "Thank you, Master, for smoothing the way for your disciple."

Cangsong waved a hand and walked slowly to the mouth of the cave, gazing toward the cave where Tian Buhui lodged. His face was utterly expressionless, and he said nothing. Yet as Lin Jinghong and Qi Hao watched from the side, his eyes were bright and intent—plainly he was turning something over in his mind.