“He is asleep in the room next door,” Qi Yelan said. “We are staying in this one tonight.”
“Huh?” Lu Wu froze. An ominous premonition swept through his heart. He had never been good at dealing with gloomy youths like this. It seemed tonight would be a sleepless night.
After many consecutive days of sleeping in the wild, Yan Jue finally had a rare good night’s rest.
“Good morning!” Yan Jue pushed open his door, feeling refreshed, only to see A-Ye and Lu Wu emerging from the adjacent room at the same time. He was stunned. “Why are you two?”
A few seconds later, he slapped his forehead. “Ah, I am so sorry. I must have stumbled into the wrong room last night. A-Ye, thank you for your hard work.”
“It is fine. I helped you inside. Since you were unwilling to stay with me, I would not force you,” A-Ye replied calmly.
Qi Yelan had intended to stay in Yan Jue’s room the previous night, but even though the man was drunk, he had been incredibly stubborn. He refused to let Qi Yelan stay and insisted that he find Lu Wu. Qi Yelan had not stayed, but he certainly did not let Lu Wu take his place either. Regardless of their relationship, as long as Qi Yelan was there, he would not let Lu Wu have his way.
Yan Jue sensed a strange tension between them. “Are you two alright?”
A-Ye was still wearing his mask, so nothing could be gleaned from him. Lu Wu, however, looked quite miserable. His eyes were swollen like a bruised bird’s, and he looked like he had lost his soul. His usual dashing elegance was nowhere to be found.
Lu Wu rubbed his throbbing head. “You might not believe this, but I think someone beat me up last night. It hurts so much. Fuchen, blow on it for me!”
Yan Jue was about to offer sympathy, but upon hearing that, he gave Lu Wu a look of disdain. “Did you fall off the eaves?” He stepped forward to examine the injuries on Lu Wu’s face.
Seeing Lu Wu in such a sorry state for the first time, Yan Jue felt more curiosity than pity. He reached out to poke at the swelling. Before his hand could land, it was intercepted. Qi Yelan gently but firmly gripped Yan Jue’s slender wrist. “Do not touch him. He is fine.”
I went quite easy on him, Qi Yelan thought. This person is simply being dramatic.
After leaving the inn, they headed up the mountain early. With so many cultivators on the road, they wanted to get a head start. Lu Wu had arranged for several well-equipped carriages, white-maned horses with long legs, and a few professional-looking temporary followers.
During the journey, they traveled by carriage. With Qin Wei leading and Lu Wu assisting, the two talked incessantly. Qin Wei, having rarely left the palace, was curious about everything. Lu Wu, possessing a flamboyant personality, seemed to have an endless supply of stories.
“Does your Penglai have more beautiful scenery than Moshan?” Qin Wei asked.
Lu Wu described a place he had never visited with vivid detail. “Of course. Penglai is a celestial island with forests of purple bamboo and flower petals like snow. It is like spring all year round.”
Qin Wei looked at the description of Penglai with longing. “No wonder you are all so well-nourished. Especially Brother Wen. He has jade bones and porcelain skin. He is truly a natural beauty.”
Yan Jue was not good at lying, especially about something so ethereal, so he could only offer a polite smile. Furthermore, being praised like that by his grand-disciple felt incredibly eerie. Lu Wu chuckled on the side, while Qi Yelan’s expression turned dark.
Qi Yelan was secretly calculating. He had just finished disciplining one person, and now another had appeared. Why were there so many people coveting this man? He felt he truly ought to lock him away in an underground palace to end all these troubles. Even keeping him by his side felt unsafe. Yet this man remained so harmless, foolish, and pure. It seemed the last lesson was not enough.
Yan Jue was oblivious to the changing atmosphere and focused entirely on the surrounding scenery. Although the sect was in disarray, there were many more buildings around the foot of the mountain than a hundred years ago. It was far more prosperous now. Unlike the Danyang region, Lanling had enjoyed favorable weather and peace over the years. His temples were everywhere, and the scent of incense reached the heavens. Being here made his spirits lift considerably.
The Moshan Sect was an orthodox immortal sect situated at the peak of Mount Mo. Carriages could only stop at the relay station at the base. Only after the sect members confirmed the identities of the visitors were they allowed to enter.
Yan Jue and the others joined the queue. Lu Wu used the tip of his fan to lift the carriage curtain and look out. The plains within his sight were filled with people and carriages. A meaningful smile suddenly appeared on Lu Wu’s face. “It seems this Great Immortal Sect Assembly is destined to be exceptionally lively.”
Yan Jue knew Lu Wu well enough to know that this expression usually signaled trouble. “What is wrong?”
Lu Wu arched an eyebrow and gestured toward the crowd. “Demons. In this area alone, at least ten of those cultivators are demons in disguise.”
Yan Jue squinted and looked closely but could not see anything unusual. “Are you sure? Is something wrong with your eyes?”
It was not that Yan Jue did not believe him, but since that morning, Lu Wu’s eyes had been bloodshot. However, he then remembered Qi Yelan’s order for the demons to find Yanxiu. Since Yanxiu was likely to appear today, Lu Wu’s words were plausible.
“Ten? Can you handle them?” Yan Jue asked.
Lu Wu rubbed his aching eyes. “Handle them? There is no need. Just like these cultivators, the demons have gathered here today. They did not attack Moshan directly but chose to disguise themselves among the disciples of other sects. This indicates they are not here to slaughter the immortals but to find someone. In this situation, we should wait and see.”
Yan Jue could not help but sigh in admiration. “I did not expect Brother Lu to have such foresight.” He had guessed most of Qi Yelan’s goal.
Lu Wu immediately struck a pose. “Of course!” A few seconds later, he leaned in and whispered to Yan Jue, “Actually, it is just a hassle to deal with them. I only have one spell left, so I must be cautious!”
Yan Jue was speechless. That final spell was for Lu Wu’s ultimate purpose for descending to the mortal realm.
After queuing all morning, they finally reached the mountain gate. Qin Wei presented a jade pendant he had been carrying. “Excuse me, senior brother. I am a disciple of Elder Changxing.”
The receiving disciple took the pendant with a neutral expression. After examining it, he quickly offered a polite smile. “So it is Little Uncle Qin. Junior Sister, please lead Little Uncle Qin up personally.” Knowing his identity, the Moshan disciples treated him with great respect.
“And who are these people?” The disciple noticed Yan Jue and the others behind Qin Wei. “Followers?”
“Ahem,” Lu Wu cleared his throat, assuming the air of a head disciple. “We are Penglai disciples from afar. We happened to meet this friend on the road.”
“Penglai disciples?” the disciple whispered to the person behind him. “Does such a place exist?”
The female disciple behind him gave him a light smack on the head. “Do not be so talkative. Just because you have not heard of it does not mean it does not exist. Do not embarrass our Moshan Sect. Look at their equipment and the fact they came with Little Uncle Qin. How could they be just anyone?”
“True.” The disciple bowed to Lu Wu. “Forgive the offense. Please, everyone, head up the mountain with Little Uncle Qin.”
The group successfully slipped in. Thanks to Qin Wei’s status, they were even given the best rooms. The assembly would not begin until the following day, so they had to spend the night there.
Yan Jue took the opportunity to walk around. The interior of the Moshan Sect had not changed much in a hundred years, though most of the people were different. There was an ancestral hall in the rear palace dedicated to Yan Jue, housing his true likeness.
Seeing this, Yan Jue thought he finally understood why A-Ye wanted to come here. It was not that Yan Jue was more important, but rather because of his devotion.
He asked A-Ye, “This is the sect where Immortal Qingyan used to be. Do you want to practice here?”
A-Ye did not look as excited as Yan Jue expected. He remained as calm as water. “Why would you ask that?”
“Are you not his follower? Do you not want to?”
A-Ye was silent for a moment before speaking. “Did I ever say I was his follower?”
Yan Jue felt a sudden pang of disappointment. Was it just my own sentimental delusion?
Yan Jue was not ready to give up and asked again, “Then why did you stay there? Why did you?”
“Because I had nowhere else to go,” A-Ye replied.