Chapter 55: Staying Here…Didn’t Seem So Bad
The snow on Mount Chao Yao fell relentlessly throughout the night, finally ceasing at dawn.
The unfinished demon-slaying formation shimmered on the mist-shrouded Cloud Platform.
The spiritual runes of the formation glowed with a golden, sun-like light.
In two days, at most, when the formation was complete, the little wolf demon with the Demon Bone, imprisoned in the Spirit Restraint Hall, would be destroyed.
But last night, she escaped.
The person who helped her escape was her master, the guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp’s seal—Li Yu, the Exalted Immortal.
Four thousand years ago, when the Heavenly Realm severed its connection with the human realm, she was the only god willing to stay and protect the world, the only one who could open the Heavenly Gate from the human realm.
For four thousand years, all the immortal sects in the human realm revered her; countless people considered meeting her an honor.
Yet, this Exalted Immortal, without telling anyone, took in a wolf demon with a Demon Bone as her disciple, raising her for over two hundred years!
If it weren’t for the theft of the Upper Spirit Lamp and the incident in Lingzhou, everyone would still be in the dark!
According to the disciples on the mountain, this Exalted Immortal was indifferent to everything except for her little disciple.
Just how much she favored her disciple was common knowledge.
“Cangming Revered One always preferred quiet. Without her permission, no disciple could enter or leave Chaoxi Pond. But that Mu Tao was different; she could come and go as she pleased…”
“We didn’t know what was so special about her. Such weak aptitude, yet she was accepted as Cangming Revered One’s direct disciple. And during the Cloud Platform Trial, it’s normal for disciples to get injured during sparring, but only she was rescued by Cangming Revered One herself…”
“Cangming Revered One hasn’t left the mountain in four thousand years, not even Chaoxi Pond. It’s incredibly rare for disciples to even see her!”
“Yet, she not only personally took Mu Tao to the human realm for training, but upon returning, she even established a rule! No one was allowed to gossip about Mu Tao or bully her, and if she found out anyone had wronged her, there would be severe consequences!”
For the guardian of the Upper Spirit Lamp to favor a girl with a Demon Bone was unsettling.
More importantly, since the demon’s imprisonment, the Exalted Immortal hadn’t made any public statements.
Making a statement didn’t guarantee trustworthiness, but not making one was definitely a problem.
The surge of resentment in the human realm, the breach of Mount Chao Yao’s mountain gate, the theft of the Upper Spirit Lamp, the awakening of the Demon Bone, these consecutive events made people suspect a conspiracy.
Although many claimed that Li Yu harboring the Demon Bone suggested ulterior motives, everyone knew that if she was truly evil, the Upper Spirit Lamp wouldn’t have remained sealed for four thousand years.
Their accusations were simply a way to pressure Mount Chao Yao into handing over and destroying the Demon Bone.
This way, they could prevent anyone from using it to harm the human realm.
As for Li Yu, having guarded the Upper Spirit Lamp for four thousand years, they believed that her protection of the Demon Bone stemmed from compassion, unwilling to see an innocent child bear such a burden.
And because of this belief, they were even more worried about her rescuing the demon.
Her disciple had been imprisoned for so long, yet she neither agreed to destroy the Demon Bone nor offered an explanation, her motives clear.
She was severely injured in the human realm, too weak to protect her disciple. Afraid of others realizing this and acting recklessly, she avoided them, trying to buy time.
So, the assembled immortals created a temporary no-fly zone.
This barrier was so vast that even Winged Clan members couldn’t easily escape.
—At least, not a severely injured immortal like her.
Qingxuan Revered One, Si Qinglan, didn’t object to destroying the Demon Bone.
She had cooperated, albeit reluctantly, with everything they asked of her.
The breach of the mountain gate had indeed weakened her significantly; her depleted spiritual energy was evident; she likely couldn’t, and didn’t have the strength to, help Li Yu.
Li Yu, although a god from the West Sea and not afraid of the ocean, was severely injured, burdened by Mu Tao, and pursued relentlessly; escaping beyond the barrier was almost impossible.
The immortals had considered every possibility, yet they never imagined that their plan would be foiled by an ordinarily rule-abiding junior.
No one would have guessed that a junior from Mount Chao Yao would have the audacity and the ability to freeze the sea, create a protective formation, and help Li Yu and the Demon Bone escape right before their eyes!
Although he hadn’t said anything, he must have been instructed by someone!
Everyone turned to look at the most likely culprit.
Within the Flower Soul Hall of Qianlizhu,
Facing the immortals’ fury and accusations, Si Qinglan was enraged, unleashing a torrent of insults at the kneeling Mo Yichu.
As she raged, the usually vibrant flowers in the hall withered silently.
“How dare you! That’s the…Heavenly! Demon! Demon Bone!!!” she shouted, her brow furrowed. “Tell me, how dare you?!”
The usually amiable Qingxuan Revered One was now terrifyingly furious.
The disciples of Mount Chao Yao were terrified, and the other immortals were stunned.
She declared that she never would have imagined such recklessness from a Mount Chao Yao junior!
She was heartbroken, she was furious!
Her emotions surged, her breathing ragged!
She almost hated this useless disciple!
She declared:
Such a grave mistake at such a young age, this couldn’t be tolerated!
He must be punished, severely punished!
—But!
He wasn’t her disciple…
“Everyone knows Lingyao Revered One’s temper.” Si Qinglan’s expression turned troubled. “Mo Yichu is his only disciple, his precious treasure. I cannot overstep my boundaries…”
She turned to the other immortals and raised a finger. “How about this, I’ll confine him to the Spirit Restraint Hall, and we’ll decide on his punishment after Lingyao Revered One awakens?”
Protecting him! This was blatant favoritism!
Such a dramatic performance, only to let him off lightly in the end!
How could the other immortals tolerate this?
“Qingxuan Revered One, isn’t this a bit…inappropriate?” someone said with a sneer. “Everyone knows that Kun Peng Monarch’s hibernation lasts for centuries, perhaps even a millennium. Your junior released the Demon Bone, and we’re supposed to wait for him to wake up before getting an explanation?!”
“You’re right; this isn’t appropriate… How about this!” Si Qinglan conjured paper, brush, and ink. “I wouldn’t dare punish Lingyao Revered One’s disciple, but all of you, with your high cultivation and great power, are surely fearless. Whoever wants an explanation, write your name and sect here, and leave your mark. Everyone will bear witness, so when Lingyao Revered One awakens, he won’t come looking for me.”
The immortals exchanged glances.
Si Qinglan: “As long as there’s a single name on this paper, I’ll hand him over, life or death, no longer Mount Chao Yao’s concern.”
This was clearly a list of enemies.
If everyone signed, it wouldn’t be a problem, but Si Qinglan said that even a single signature was enough for an explanation.
Once their goal was achieved, who could guarantee that others would share the responsibility?
If there were only a few names, or even just one, they would live in constant fear for centuries.
After a long silence, someone coughed and said, “Now that the Demon Bone has escaped, punishing a junior won’t change anything…”
“Yes, yes, Qingxuan Revered One, there’s no need to make things so difficult.”
“Just confine him for now, and we can discuss his punishment later. The priority is retrieving the Demon Bone!”
“And the demon-slaying formation must be completed!”
Si Qinglan inwardly breathed a sigh of relief as they spoke.
She looked at the injured Mo Yichu, her heart aching, but she could only say coldly, “You’ve committed a grave mistake, reflect on your actions in the Spirit Restraint Hall.”
She sighed and ordered someone to take him away.
Half an hour later, after everyone left the Flower Soul Hall, Si Qinglan wandered through Qianlizhu.
Looking at the flowers, their colors muted by the snow, a sense of melancholy washed over her.
No matter how beautiful, they were out of season, out of place.
Just a single snowfall, and they were buried…
How meaningless.
Si Qinglan smiled wryly.
The no-fly zone had been lifted, and over a hundred disciples from the mountain were now pursuing the escaped demon.
The immortal sects were also sending messengers; soon, the entire human realm would be searching for her.
Li Yu, I can’t help you anymore.
Can you handle this alone…?
She couldn’t handle it anymore; she was exhausted.
Although she was reluctant to admit it, her internal injuries were severe.
Even without expending energy to conceal herself in the human realm, she didn’t have the strength to maintain the crane’s form and fly to the Demon Realm with Mu Tao.
When even the speed-enhancing technique dissipated, she stumbled in the deep snow.
Mu Tao quickly supported her, her light brown eyes filled with concern.
Her eyes slightly red, she whispered, “Master, let’s stop, let’s rest for a bit, alright?”
They were moving slowly; the pursuing cultivators might catch up soon…
Li Yu wanted to appear strong, but after a moment of thought, she nodded silently and let Mu Tao lead her to a large tree to rest.
As she sat down, she silently comforted herself.
It’s okay, you’ve done your best.
You’re exhausted; it’s fine to rest.
Sharpening the axe won’t delay the chopping of wood; there was no need to work herself to death.
As she was comforting herself, Mu Tao conjured a wind barrier and crouched down beside her, her eyes filled with worry. “Master, rest for a while. I’ll go find us something to eat.”
Li Yu nodded, holding onto her wrist. “Don’t use your demonic energy, it will attract attention.”
Mu Tao: “Don’t worry, Master, I won’t!”
Li Yu: “Don’t go too far.”
Mu Tao: “Mm!”
Li Yu: “If you encounter any danger…”
Mu Tao raised her right hand and gently shook the Harmony Bells. “One chime means I’m safe, three quick chimes mean danger! Don’t worry, Master, I won’t be reckless! I’ll ring the bells immediately if I’m in danger!”
Reassured, Li Yu released her wrist.
Mu Tao took a deep breath and ran into the snow.
As the red figure disappeared into the distance, Li Yu closed her eyes, focusing on regulating her breathing.
Finding food in this snowy wilderness wouldn’t be easy, and Mu Tao was gone for a long time.
Thankfully, the Harmony Bells connected them. Whenever Li Yu felt uneasy, a soft chime would reassure her of Mu Tao’s safety.
When Mu Tao returned, she carried an armful of firewood and two fish she had caught somewhere.
Having already cleaned the fish by the river, she built a fire, then returned to Li Yu, sat down beside her with a smile, and started grilling the fish on skewers.
Li Yu: “You caught fish in this weather?”
Mu Tao smiled and raised an eyebrow. “It wasn’t easy, but I know where fish like to hide in winter!”
Li Yu chuckled. “You even know that?”
“We can exchange spirit stones for food, and the spirit stones Master gives me every year are more than enough, but the other disciples don’t like me. They always make fun of me when I go down the mountain. If I can get it myself, it’s better to avoid them and save the spirit stones.”
“…”
“There are two rivers in the mountains, plenty of fish! Whether it’s spring, summer, autumn, or winter, I can catch them whenever I want!” A hint of pride appeared in Mu Tao’s eyes. “Master, you have no idea how good I am at catching fish. Even some cats can’t compare to me!”
“So impressive.”
“Not just fish, I can catch many small animals!”
The sky darkened, and the flickering firelight illuminated the girl’s smiling face.
Li Yu hugged her knees, watching the girl happily grilling the fish, her anxiety easing.
The last time she sat by a fire like this, there were many people around, she thought.
It was summer then, no snow, they sat around the fire, with pots and bowls, meat and vegetables, and a carriage to sleep in.
Life was full of ups and downs. Just half a year, and her life had changed so drastically.
But this wasn’t so bad.
The fire was bright, its warmth seemingly dispelling the winter chill, crackling in the night wind, illuminating the falling snow.
The faint smell of smoke and grilling fish drifted away in the wind, a tranquility she had never experienced, even in her dreams.
She and Mu Tao, like protagonists on the run.
With nothing but each other.
And when night fell, they sat by a fire, grilling whatever food they could find, sharing memories.
And at the end of their conversation, one of them would say—No matter what, we’ll find a place to belong!
She suddenly felt the urge to say something to Mu Tao.
She had many stories to tell.
But Mu Tao probably wouldn’t understand, and she couldn’t explain, so she suppressed the urge.
As the night deepened, the fish was cooked.
Li Yu took the skewers, and Mu Tao sat beside her, reminding her, “Be careful, Master, it’s hot!”
Li Yu nodded, carefully tore off a piece, cooled it down, and then took a bite.
The fish…how to describe it…
Li Yu, not a picky eater, had a simple thought.
—Those scenes in movies and novels where protagonists caught fish or chicken and grilled them over a fire, enjoying a delicious meal, without any seasoning, were all lies.
The fish smelled good, but it didn’t taste good.
It had an earthy taste, a hint of bitterness from the smoke, and tiny bones hidden within the flesh. Nothing about it was praiseworthy.
But she didn’t find the taste particularly bad; she could eat it.
When she argued with her family as a child, even when she felt like running away, her mother would still drag her to the dinner table.
She would refuse to eat any dishes out of spite, just forcing down plain rice, tears streaming down her face.
Of course, she wasn’t being spiteful now, and there were no tears, just this bland, slightly tender grilled fish.
It was Mu Tao’s cooking; she could eat it.
The fire burned throughout the night.
They leaned against the tree, its warmth lulling them to sleep.
The wind and snow howled, yet the world seemed incredibly still.
As if all their fatigue could be dispelled in this quiet night.
In the following days, they continued their journey, hiding and resting.
Even a weakened god was still powerful. The spells cast by the only remaining god in the human realm weren’t easily seen through by ordinary cultivators. As long as they avoided high-ranking disciples, they wouldn’t be in too much danger.
Li Yu, realizing this, relaxed slightly.
Her exhausted body couldn’t handle a fast pace anyway, so she and Mu Tao slowed down, using their recovered spiritual energy for concealment.
Li Yu was grateful she hadn’t refused Qin Yuan’s gifts.
Those small, exquisite pieces of jewelry, forgotten in her spatial pouch, were now their source of funds.
They didn’t have to worry about food or travel expenses.
Having left Mount Chao Yao in a hurry, empty-handed, after visiting a human town, Mu Tao’s small bundle returned.
It wasn’t a full kitchen this time, but it contained all the essential seasonings.
Even though they were constantly hiding, often awakened in the middle of the night by searching parties, forced to flee, she still insisted on preparing proper meals.
Li Yu thought that perhaps this was the greatest comfort in their current situation.
She didn’t know how far the Demon Realm was, but this journey wasn’t as tiring as their previous trip to the human realm.
It felt like…a vacation.
A vacation combined with a game of hide-and-seek.
She lost track of time and distance, the towns and villages they passed, the nights they spent in the wilderness.
She had never been to so many places, even including those childhood trips she barely remembered.
But it also didn’t feel like a long time.
At least, winter hadn’t ended yet.
The snow in the human realm fell and melted, melted and fell again.
A faint miasma lingered in the air, but the ordinary people, oblivious to it, continued their lives.
As they traveled, they stumbled upon a scene of festive red.
Children wearing tiger hats played in the streets, houses decorated with red paper and lanterns.
A snowman outside a house even had a red scarf.
Li Yu suddenly realized that the long winter was almost over.
“Master, what are they doing? It looks so lively!”
Mu Tao asked curiously, her light brown eyes scanning the festive scene, seemingly enjoying it.
“They are celebrating the New Year,” Li Yu replied softly, a smile in her eyes. “It’s also called the Spring Festival, the first day of the first lunar month. After the New Year, it will be spring soon.”
There were no such festivals on Mount Chao Yao. Mu Tao nodded, not quite understanding, and followed Li Yu into an inn.
That night, the innkeeper gave them two plates of dumplings.
She said it was New Year’s Eve, her staff had gone home, there weren’t many guests, and she had made a lot of dumplings with her children. She had just cooked some and, feeling sympathetic towards the two travelers, brought them some extra.
“It’s New Year’s Eve; you have to eat dumplings. This is a gift, no charge.” The innkeeper smiled warmly. “Eat up! Let me know if you want more.”
Li Yu thanked her, and the innkeeper left.
Before they finished their dumplings, crackling sounds came from outside.
They walked to the window and looked down to see the innkeeper and her two children lighting firecrackers.
Mu Tao’s eyes widened. “Master, what are those? Can I play with them too?”
“Those are firecrackers,” Li Yu said, smiling. “If you want to try, you can ask them.”
Mu Tao called out, “Innkeeper! I want to light firecrackers too!”
The innkeeper looked up, surprised, then smiled and waved.
“Come down here, little girl!” she called out, her breath misting in the cold air.
Mu Tao, abandoning her dumplings, happily ran downstairs.
Li Yu smiled and shook her head, then took the remaining dumplings, walked to the window, leaned against the frame, and watched Mu Tao playing below, enjoying the night breeze.
There were no firecrackers on Mount Chao Yao. Mu Tao, fascinated by them, seemed even more excited than the two children.
Li Yu looked at her carefree smile and had a thought.
Staying here…didn’t seem so bad…
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