Su Yan held the Black Water Yellow Springs Scripture, watching the dragon-horse vanish into the dawn mist.
"If ancient times had sword immortals," he said quietly, "they would have been like her."
Yuan Qi coiled outside the temple, his massive body hidden in shadow. "Debts repaid, vengeance claimed, words kept, promises honored. That is the meaning of righteousness."
The ancient bell harrumphed. "Unlike certain people who make promises they don't keep."
Su Yan opened the scripture. By the time he finished reading, the sun had climbed high. He picked up a brush and crossed out "Black Water," replacing it with "Mysterious Water."
"The author had ill intentions," he murmured. "Even the name sounds sinister. But the technique itself is not malicious."
He traced the dragon meridians within his Xiyi Domain and located the Bubbling Spring secret. Something puzzled him. The scripture described two Bubbling Spring secrets, symmetrical left and right. Yet Zhu Zhongquan and Shi Molei had each opened only one. Had their teachers withheld the complete method?
Yuan Qi and the bell began arguing. The snake accused the bell's master of being behind the nuo trap. The bell retaliated with a head-ringing clang. They fought, savaged each other, and made up within the hour. Guo Xiaodie watched in bewilderment.
Li Yingzhu arrived with an invitation. "Join us for a few days, Demon King. We're exploring the marsh. You might find something useful."
Su Yan agreed. He finally had all Six Secrets; he needed time to cultivate the Bubbling Spring method properly.
Li Yingzhu whispered to Guo Yue, "This is our chance to bind him to the Guo family. Once he and Xiaodie share a bed, he'll be our son-in-law."
A soft voice drifted up the mountain. "Is the Demon King present? This humble woman heard the bell and came to pay respects."
Zhu Hongyi approached, cradling her pipa, followed by her brother Zhu Zhongquan. The youth kowtowed with exaggerated reverence.
Su Yan's Heavenly Eye opened. He saw through the young man's disguise instantly. Six secrets fully opened, eighteen cave heavens, Samadhi True Fire and Samadhi Divine Water already circulating. Zhu Zhongquan had prepared a hidden technique in his palm, waiting for Su Yan to help him up.
Su Yan grasped his hand. The hidden technique surged—and collapsed.
Zhu Zhongquan's face turned purple. His blood reversed. Behind him, his Xiyi Domain manifested against his will, all eighteen cave heavens blazing into view.
"My brother is crude," Zhu Hongyi said quickly, separating them. "He meant no offense."
"I meant no harm either," Su Yan replied gently. "As for crude men—I've killed a few."
Zhu Zhongquan retreated down the mountain and entered a black-shrouded prison cart. Inside, an old man hung in chains, his collarbone shattered, his cultivation sealed.
The old man's eyes gleamed. "Your technique was suppressed? That boy has only five secrets open. You have six. Once you reach Dual Refinement and forge your golden core, crushing him will be effortless."
He cackled. "Then you can take your revenge. And afterward, you'll free me as promised."
Zhu Zhongquan kowtowed, eyes flashing with hidden ambition. The old man smiled inwardly. This furnace was almost ready. Soon he could discard his ruined body and seize a new one.