Chapter 381: The Bright Moon's Clear Radiance Illuminates the Human Heart

The moon sank like water, stars scattered across the sky. Long Qi sat alone on the roof of Youyuan Hall. A cool breeze brushed past, the shadows of the trees swayed, and the messy hair at his temples fluttered in the wind.

The jade flute reflected the clear moonlight. He rubbed the blowhole between his fingers; the warm, smooth texture felt as if it still held a familiar warmth.

Long Qi picked up the wine jar at his side and took a fierce gulp. The bitter-sweet liquid entered his throat, making him much more sober. He carefully tucked the jade flute into his robes, then picked up a painting scroll from the side. He scrutinized it for a long time before he finally sighed.

Was the person Zhao Wuyang met really Lingxiang?

Everything happened after that phoenix cry. Aside from Lingxiang, no one else could be connected to a phoenix; after all, she had once truly swindled a phoenix egg from the Deceit Beast.

But if it really was Lingxiang, why hide and refuse to appear? Could it be that she had other plans?

If there was any change in Long Qi over these years, it was that he learned to think thrice before acting after encountering matters, no longer as reckless as he was in the past.

So even though he was excited in his heart, he dared not speak rashly. After all, he could not determine who that person was. Even if it were Lingxiang, acting rashly would likely disrupt her schemes. But if it were not Lingxiang, she must still be in the hands of the Demon Lord, which made it even more impossible to act carelessly, otherwise, it would only make Lingxiang more dangerous.

Long Qi could not use Lingxiang's life as a gamble. Earlier, when at Wuji Hall, he had not told the whole story about the painting scroll for this very reason.

Lingxiang had gone to great lengths with her arrangements and had even specifically entrusted Luoli; clearly, she did not want to involve too many people. Furthermore, Tumi Xianzi had closed the Painting Realm, so even if he spoke of it, he feared no one would believe him, and besides...

And according to what Tumi Xianzi said, the reason Lingxiang took the Hanyu Pill was that she had prepared herself to kill the Demon Lord—only by using a human body could one slaughter a demon.

It was just that even the former sect leader, with such cultivation, had been defeated by the Demon Lord. Now, relying only on his current abilities, how could he confront the Demon Lord? How could he rescue Lingxiang?

Furthermore, even if the Ghost Gate were re-established, without a guide, he, as a mortal, would have no idea where to search, let alone set foot in Guiyu, let alone reach the Demon Realm.

At the thought of this, Long Qi felt very miserable in his heart and lifted the wine jar for another fierce gulp. But as the saying goes, "borrowing wine to drown sorrows only makes them deeper." After a few mouthfuls, he found his heart even more restless.

Long Qi held the wine, his heart full of sorrow with no one to confide in. The wine reached his lips, then he set it back down.

The collision of the wine jar against the blue tiles made a dull sound, followed by the rhythmic vibration between the rubble.

This sound was very crisp. The pleasant rhythm circled in Long Qi's ears, making him unable to help but recall the crisp sound that accompanied Lingxiang every time she was jumping about.

In his memories, Lingxiang always wore a string of bells at her waist, copper and silver alternating; the copper bells went *ding-ding*, the silver bells went *sha-sha*. Every time he heard it, his mind would become calm, and every time he saw that grinning little figure, he could never resist wanting to tease her.

Long Qi could not help but curl the corners of his mouth. The confusion in his eyes gradually dispersed, and his heart became clear.

Although everything was tangled and complex like falling into clouds and mist, Zhao Wuyang was right about one thing today: even if that person was not Lingxiang, based solely on that Lotus Heart Sword Intent, it was definitely related to Lingxiang.

Finding that person meant finding Lingxiang!

Long Qi lifted the wine jar and took a bold drink, then flew down, leaving the jar of aged wine on the roof. Under the moonlight, the jar reflected a crystalline sheen.

The mountain peak was steep, and a mountain path wound downward like a flying ribbon. Amidst the mottled tree shadows, it was bright and striking. A person walked quickly, yet made no sound, as if not wanting to disturb this tranquility.

The person descending the mountain was Long Qi. Just a moment ago, he had made up his mind to go and find the person Zhao Wuyang spoke of, the one who could use the Lotus Heart Sword Intent.

Long Qi had not prepared anything, just a long sword and a bundle; it could be considered traveling light, though it was unknown what exactly was inside that bundle.

Upon reaching the mountain gate, Long Qi was startled.

He had not expected that there would actually be someone guarding the mountain gate now. This had never happened in the past; wasn't there the Mountain Guarding Array?

Fortunately, the gate-guarding acolyte looked to be sleeping very soundly, seemingly completely unaware that someone had suddenly appeared before him.

Strange, strange. Although these Daoist acolytes did not have high aptitude, they did possess cultivation and skill; they should not be so unguarded. Could it be that the Demon Race was causing trouble again?

Long Qi hurried forward to check, but the acolyte was merely sleeping very deeply and there was nothing else abnormal.

If the Demon Race had invaded, they would certainly not have left him alive, but the Yuanqing Sect disciples should not be this lax either.

What on earth was going on?

Just as he was completely baffled, a light laugh came from the shadows. Long Qi was instantly alert and looked all around, yet he did not see any figure.

"You won't be able to wake him up; he'll have to sleep for a day or two!"

It was a woman, but...

But this voice sounded so very familiar...

Who was it? Who on earth was it?

"Who is acting so sneakily? How dare you act presumptuously at Yuanqing! Show yourself at once!"

Another burst of laughter followed. It was clear that the newcomers were not just one person.

"Look, look, I told you, this guy is always brainless."

"Stop looking! Up there!"

Up there?

Long Qi turned his head and looked up. Under the moonlight, atop the mountain gate, were four figures, their postures different, some sitting, some standing.

He could not see the faces of the newcomers clearly, but he guessed who they were.

"What are you all here for?" Long Qi said helplessly.

Lingxiang had calculated everything and made many arrangements, yet she only let Long Qi enter the mountain array, clearly not wanting to involve others. And the reason he had quietly left the mountain in the middle of the night was for this very reason.

A figure in the shadows flashed out from behind the mountain gate.

"We are all close kin; how could we let you face danger alone? Besides, the Demon Race and we are irreconcilable enemies; how could this journey be without us?"

It was Xin Yi.

That was right. With their experiences over these years, they were long since family, which was why Long Qi did not want them to accompany him into danger.

A floating cloud from nowhere obscured the brightness in the sky, and the faces atop the mountain gate became clear.

It was Liu Xia, Zhao Wuyang, Lianqiao, and...

"Chengkai? When did you return?" Looking at that figure, Long Qi had thought it was Shoucheng; he had not expected it to be Chengkai.

The few of them jumped down one after another, moving closer to Long Qi.

Chengkai did not answer his question, only folding his arms; his sturdy arms were very powerful.

"My mentor was harmed by the Demon Race. How could this journey be without me?"

Zhaoming Zhenren's death, in the final analysis, was still because of the Demon Race. Chengkai was not a person who could not distinguish right from wrong; he was clear on this point.

Long Qi frowned as he looked at them, remaining silent for a long while before he silently turned around, not saying anything else.

That was right. These people, more or less, all had some grievances with the Demon Race; traveling together was not in vain.

The floating clouds dispersed, the moonlight was bright, and the full moon was clear. The few figures walked further and further away, firm and unyielding.

At this moment, on Wangxian Terrace, Fuyin Zhenren stood with his hands behind his back, gazing toward the nebula beyond the heavens, his eyes dark and inscrutable, while behind him stood Hanyang.

"Uncle-Master, those few have left the mountain gate."

Fuyin Zhenren did not answer, only staring intently at that brilliant expanse, not knowing what he was thinking, and only after a long while did he let out a long sigh.

"Issue the Dao Decree, and order the Yuanqing Disciples to return to the sect with all speed."

Hanyang bowed, turned, and left, his figure resolute, his gait steady.

Finally...

Finally, the time for a counterattack has arrived!