What a handsome young man he is.

Swordmaster Dongmen, ashamed, said, “This has nothing to do with your Brother Xie. The Hall of Yama disregards the authority of the Danxia Sect’s leader, and it’s known in the martial world that the Hall of Yama often commits evil, oppresses the innocent, and pursues profit. For the sake of bounties, who knows how many good officials and honest people they've killed? Sooner or later, they must be eradicated...”

His body trembled, and the nine treasured swords on his back suddenly assembled with a mechanical flair to form a massive sword. He stepped onto it.

Clearly, Dongmen Swordmaster’s explanation did little to ease Dongmen Qianyun’s worries. At that moment, he exchanged a glance with Xie Wuyi, signaling for him to speak as well.

Xie Wuyi caught on, knowing this was his cue. He said, “Qianyun, we’re not going for amusement. If we were, we’d definitely bring you and Fat Dragon and Skinny Tiger along. But rest assured, however many of us go, just as many will return. We’re not going there seeking bloodshed; we intend to reason with the people of the Hall of Yama.”

“Don’t think I’m so easily fooled just because you think I’m naive. I know perfectly well why my father sent you. The other side is powerful and influential, and there are only four of you. You’re walking right into the tiger’s den!” Dongmen Qianyun protested.

“It’s hardly a tiger’s den—more like a marmot’s burrow! But don’t worry; as long as we can reason, we’ll reason. If that doesn’t work, we’ll fight. If we can win, we’ll fight; if not, we’ll run. Nothing is more precious than our own lives—don’t you agree?” Xie Wuyi laughed.

Seeing Xie Wuyi’s smile, Dongmen Qianyun felt a little more at ease. She knew that if she went along, she would only be a burden, so she nodded obediently and said, “Very well. Be careful. I’ll wait for you here—every one of you must come back, not a single one missing!”

“Don’t worry, Sister,” Ji Liancheng assured her.

The others bid their farewells in turn. Xie Wuyi, riding the Fire-Tailed Rooster King, trailed at the rear; though its speed in flight wasn’t lacking, its stamina was no match for these mechanical constructs.

Once the Alchemy Hall fell quiet again, someone leaned against the back of the building—it was Baili Qingyan, toying with two iron balls in his hands, just as Dongmen Qianyun emerged.

She frowned, having no fondness for this handsome man.

“Well, what a surprise, seeing you here. Are you here to eavesdrop?” she asked.

Baili Qingyan stood up, dressed in a male disciple’s robes, his figure even more slender than a woman’s. In a woman’s voice, he replied, “Don’t worry, Sister Qianyun. I won’t tell my master where Wuyi and the others are going. After all, Wuyi is my friend too.”

“You’d best stay away from Brother Xie. He doesn’t like men,” Dongmen Qianyun huffed.

Baili Qingyan laughed heartily. “But what if a man is more alluring than a woman, more womanly than a woman herself? Who can say...”

With that, he turned and strode away.

Dongmen Qianyun felt a chill crawl over her scalp. Shaking her head, she hurried back inside.

On his own way back, Baili Qingyan sighed softly, “So it’s fated after all, that you’ll end up opposing my master? Alas...”

He looked up at the sky, in the direction Xie Wuyi and the others had vanished, his gaze and emotions both deeply conflicted.

Meanwhile, Xie Wuyi was all smiles. “Oh, this flying is fantastic—though the wind’s a bit much up here!”

He opened his mouth wide, and his cheeks instantly puffed up like balloons.

Standing atop the Azure Edge Sword, Ji Liancheng called out, “Junior Brother, you could try forming a shield of spiritual energy to block the air in front of you—keep the wind from hitting you and your rooster.”

“Don’t mention roosters—let’s keep things happy!” quipped Yang Hongliu from nearby.

Xie Wuyi gave it a try, shielding the Fire-Tailed Rooster King with his Inextinguishable True Flame. Their speed picked up a notch, and he was delighted.

He asked, “By the way, Swordmaster says you’re quite capable, Brother Ji?”

“You have no idea. His martial skills may be average, but when it comes to formations, he’s personally taught by Master. Give him a day and he can set dozens of arrays—formidable stuff!” Yang Hongliu said, waggling his eyebrows.

Ji Liancheng smiled modestly. “Brother Hongliu flatters me. I’m a mere amateur compared to Master. Only the sect leader knows the Great Danxia Formation.”

“I see,” Xie Wuyi murmured.

Before long, they reached a sunless, pitch-black forest. The Fire-Tailed Rooster King was utterly exhausted, lying on the ground to rest.

“Meat’s here—a whole wild boar!” Yang Hongliu, muscles bulging, tossed a massive boar to the ground and clapped his hands. “Fourth, time to show us your cooking skills!”

“Fourth?” Xie Wuyi was bewildered.

Yang Hongliu slung an arm around his neck. “You’re Master’s fourth disciple—who else would be ‘Fourth’? Hahaha!”

“Hongliu, how’s the road ahead?” Swordmaster asked.

At his words, Yang Hongliu stood ramrod straight—clearly, he deeply respected Dongmen Swordmaster.

“Reporting, Boss—the Hall of Yama is thirty li west from here!” Yang Hongliu declared.

“Alright, let’s eat our fill before the battle,” Dongmen Swordmaster said. “A war meal—fill your bellies.”

“Why does cooking always fall to me...” Xie Wuyi sighed, setting up a spit and preparing the boar. After cleaning it, he began roasting.

Thanks to his ring, he had every spice imaginable—rice wine, cumin, curry, pepper, black pepper, oil, salt, soy sauce, vinegar—all at hand.

“I’ll help,” Ji Liancheng offered, coming over to clean the boar’s innards.

Xie Wuyi found this Senior Brother Ji quite easygoing, and began barbecuing, brushing on seasonings. The aroma soon filled the air.

They used fruitwood for the fire, adding a natural fragrance to the rich smell of roasting pork—enough to make anyone’s mouth water.

“I suddenly understand why my little sister clings to you,” Dongmen Swordmaster said, biting into a juicy pork leg with satisfaction. “She’s been a foodie since childhood—anyone who feeds her wins her favor.”

“Qianyun’s appetite is no joke,” Xie Wuyi replied. “I eat a lot, but she can match me bite for bite.”

Dongmen Swordmaster laughed. “You’re not the one feeding her, so quit worrying. Cooking for my sister is a blessing—if you dare complain, I’ll cut you down where you stand.”

Though he was joking, given his reputation as a super-protective brother, his words weren’t taken lightly.

Once, Xie Wuyi had almost been beaten up for accidentally upsetting Dongmen Qianyun.

“Tomorrow, let’s try reason before force,” Ji Liancheng said. “I’ll pay a formal visit to the Hall of Yama on behalf of Danxia Sect.”

“Hold on, those folks don’t know the meaning of courtesy. You may be clever, but your cultivation isn’t much to boast about,” Yang Hongliu said, gnawing on a boar’s kidney.

“Don’t worry. If they show disrespect, then they don’t deserve to exist,” Ji Liancheng replied, sucking marrow from the boar’s skull.

As team leader, Dongmen Swordmaster coughed and said, “Let’s discuss tomorrow’s matters in the morning. Tonight, let’s sort out night watch. I’ve heard this forest is haunted at night.”

“Haunted?” Xie Wuyi’s ears perked up.

“Could it be our Fourth is afraid of ghosts?” Yang Hongliu snickered.

“Me? Afraid of ghosts? Ghosts should be afraid of me!” Xie Wuyi retorted.

“Fine—then you take first watch tonight. If the ghost is female, maybe your cooking will win her over! Time to sleep, everyone!” Dongmen Swordmaster called.

Xie Wuyi was dumbfounded. “Hey, don’t set me up like this!”

With no other choice, he took the first watch. Luckily, Yang Hongliu would take over in the second half of the night, so Xie Wuyi only had to stay up for the first half. The four of them camped around a large tree, each with a makeshift tent. In the center blazed a campfire. Xie Wuyi pulled out a sweet potato, roasting it while pondering the terrain—after all, this area was close to Xiaoliang City, where there were clues to the Seventh Protector.

The world around him was pitch black, and as his thoughts wandered, a sudden chill whipped past his ear.

“Heehee... what a handsome young man...”