Chapter 63: 62 The Bright Moon Casts Upon My Window

62 The Bright Moon Casts Upon My Window

"Sword Seed? How could there be a Sword Seed in a Demon Cave?"

Ping Jiangqiu was reading an old book he had already read over a dozen times, not really immersed in it, and said casually, "Hmm, it's possible, but it doesn't mean it's certain."

Tang Zhao said, "Isn't it said that Sword Seeds are very rare? What does a Demon Cave have to do with a Sword Seed?"

Ping Jiangqiu said, "They are very rare, yes, enough to attract the covetousness of Heavenly Demons."

He put down the book and explained, "A long time ago, everyone also felt that Sword Seeds were hard to come by, but they were often discovered in Demon Caves, so people wondered if killing Heavenly Demons would yield a Sword Seed. At that time, some even thought Sword Guests were evil heretics, which stirred up a wave of anti-Sword Guest sentiment. However, later everyone realized that it wasn't that there were Sword Seeds in Demon Caves, but that Sword Seeds would attract Demon Caves."

"Demon Caves, Heavenly Demons, and Phantoms are essentially trash from outside the realm. Heavenly Demons are the strongest, but they rarely descend; once they do, it is inevitably accompanied by a Demon Cave, and even the environment will change. It is not easy for them to descend; they must have something to gain, for instance, a Sword Seed. It is said they can eat Sword Seeds raw to increase their strength. Those Phantoms and the like are servants of the Heavenly Demons; their strength varies, but most are not strong, and powerful Martial Artists can deal with them. However, they are extremely eerie and exist in vast numbers. Once the Calamity Moon arrives, they drop down with a patter, zip into the ground, and hide somewhere to harm people, making them impossible to guard against. The Yin Calamity people generally speak of is mostly caused by Phantoms."

"As for Fierce Beasts, those don't even count. They are local wild beasts that have been affected by baleful Qi and changed after going mad. They are just a bit tougher-skinned, and usually, they are left to the equally tough-skinned martial world men to deal with—you know, giving them some title like 'Righteous Hero' or something."

Tang Zhao was silent, then said, "Those are also heroes who protect the borders and the people."

Ping Jiangqiu said, "In the past, once a Demon Cave descended, it was always chasing after a Sword Seed; it was a disaster but also an opportunity, and many people would come to snatch it. But later, Demon Caves descended more and more frequently, without needing a reason—they descended whenever they wanted. Ninety percent of Demon Caves had no Sword Seeds, and instead became increasingly powerful and increasingly unprofitable, so everyone lost interest. Unless the Imperial Court conscripts them, they only go to put on a show. Only those small, unsophisticated local forces and desperate outlaws want to take the risk."

He shook his head, his expression turning dejected, and said, "This world is finished. Demon Caves are a permanent disaster. Even if you wipe out the Heavenly Demons, the Demon Caves won't disappear. They are like scars, one here and one there, sooner or later covering the entire land, leaving not even a place to farm. Wild beasts have all become Fierce Beasts, and you can't kill them all; oxen and horses either mutate or die out. Not to mention that Heavenly Demons and Phantoms are increasing—our world is a sieve... sooner or later everyone will die! It's safer here with me."

He rambled on endlessly, always with that hopeless attitude. Tang Zhao found it very annoying; regardless of whether it made sense, it just made one feel despondent to listen to.

Tang Zhao asked, "I saw it said that the environments of Demon Caves vary, and some eventually turn into forests or marshes. Are there no Demon Caves that make the land fertile? Can't the changed land be utilized?"

Ping Jiangqiu scoffed, "What are you thinking? Demon Caves are full of Yin Qi. An ordinary person eroded by Yin Qi would at the very least fall deathly ill; how could it be utilized?"

Tang Zhao said, "Are there no crops that can grow in Yin Qi? What if they were specially cultivated? If ordinary people can't get close, what about experts with vigorous Blood Qi? What about Loose Practitioners who have practiced Gang Qi?"

Ping Jiangqiu's expression was strange, and he said, "What are you thinking? Never mind Loose Practitioners, even high-level martial arts heroes in the martial world live comfortably outside; why would they go into a Demon Cave to farm?"

Tang Zhao said, "They don't have to farm themselves; they could let strong Fierce Beasts farm, right? Divide up the land in the Demon Cave—isn't it good to make money? Besides, although Fierce Beasts are hard to eat, they are edible and highly nourishing; why not raise them to harvest their meat?"

The more Ping Jiangqiu heard, the more bizarre he found it, and he said, "What is going on in your head? You are a Scholar by background, aren't you? How did you come to think of farming?"

Tang Zhao wanted to say that Chen Zong taught him this, but thinking that he had never even seen a Demon Cave and didn't know the situation inside, and that talking empty words here didn't align with the principles of conduct taught by Chen Zong, he didn't mention it and just noted this matter down.

He continued reading the materials. The rest consisted of various introductions and speculations about the environments of Demon Caves and various demon creatures, mainly Heavenly Demons and various Phantoms. The Phantoms were drawn in great detail, looking strange and somewhat terrifying, but fortunately, they were just pictures, so their terror was limited. As for the Heavenly Demons, only their size was estimated; they couldn't even draw a picture.

"One quarter of an hour left," Ping Jiangqiu suddenly reminded.

Tang Zhao turned his head and said, "What?"

Ping Jiangqiu said, "Someone is looking for you outside."

Tang Zhao hurriedly stood up and said, "Ah? Then I..."

Ping Jiangqiu said, "The two of us are reading here; what are the others worth? Tell them to wait."

Tang Zhao said, "How could I have as much status as you? I have to go—"

Ping Jiangqiu said, "I realized it early on, so I reserved an extra hour for you. There is still a quarter of an hour left; you can comb your hair, wash your face, and make preparations."

Tang Zhao breathed a sigh of relief, washed his face by the water, and said, "Who is here?"

Kicking the door in the middle of the night—it wouldn't be the Judge again, would it?

If he climbed out of the Time Jar then, wouldn't he be exposed on the spot?

"It's the young Manor Master of Black Spider Villa," Ping Jiangqiu said.

It's Black Widow? Why would she come?

Did Xing Ji tell her to come?

Does she have business with him?

"Be careful of her."

Tang Zhao felt a chill: "Of course."

"She is very charming; don't get bewitched by her."

When Tang Zhao climbed out from under the bed, he happened to see the Shadow outside the window.

Someone had arrived, but hadn't entered the window yet.

Sword Hero Ping's senses were very sharp.

Although Tang Zhao knew it was Black Widow, he had to act normal, so he pulled his Art Tool from under the pillow and whispered, "Who is it?"

Someone outside the window laughed, "Who do you say I am?"

The voice was sweet and clear, permeated with a sense of languor.

Yuan Qing's voice was very coquettish, but that coquettishness always felt somewhat deliberate; Black Widow's voice wouldn't be intentionally soft, but rather fresh and bright, only it would give one a tingling sensation when heard.

Just like how she never made those seductive gestures, yet possessed a natural charm.

It was just that Tang Zhao was too young; he only felt she was quite approachable, and had no other feelings.

Opening the window, Tang Zhao said in surprise, "Manor Master? You are..."

It was indeed Black Widow outside; under the moonlight, her face was even more radiant, like the clear glow of a new moon.

But she was not wearing her usual white clothes, but a Daoist robe, with a crown on her head, looking like a female Daoist who had taken vows.

Black Widow smiled, "Won't you invite me in?"

Tang Zhao said, "Please come in. Ah, no, wait, I'll open the door." Saying this, he went around to the door and opened it.

Of course, he couldn't refuse Black Widow entry; this was her own villa, and he was just a guest. Besides, even if he tried to stop her, could he? Ping Jiangqiu had already told him not to provoke Black Widow.

Moreover, he was too young; even inviting a woman in in the middle of the night wouldn't arouse any suspicion.

Black Widow entered, looked around his small room, and said, "It's so small here. It's not comfortable to live in, is it? There isn't even a Mirror."

Tang Zhao thought to himself: A Mirror? Is that some kind of necessity?

Black Widow actually brought a bundle, placed it on the table, and inside was indeed a Mirror. She propped up the Mirror, then took out rouge, powder, eyebrow pencils, and the like, placing them on the table one by one.

Tang Zhao's eyes widened; he couldn't believe it: Black Widow visited in the middle of the night just to put on makeup in his room?

Black Widow indeed began to pick out powder, saying, "I have to go to a place tonight and need to disguise myself. It's windy on the road, so I'll borrow your place for a moment. That's alright, right?"

Tang Zhao nodded; whether he objected or not, she had already started.

She smiled and said, "Right, do you want to go? The place I am going to has a bit of a connection to your mission."

Tang Zhao was stunned and said, "Me? Does Lord Xing know?"

Black Widow said, "Is there anything he doesn't know? You saw the materials he gave you, right? There are a few people in there that I need to go see. This is the mission he gave me."

Tang Zhao said, "Are they our own people or enemies?"

Black Widow said, "Enemies, of course. Why would I need to see our own people? The deadline is approaching, and some people were hiding before, but now their tracks have been found. I am going to Ask them on his behalf."

Tang Zhao realized and said, "We are going to see enemies, so we need to disguise ourselves?"

Black Widow tilted her head and said, "That's right."

As she tilted her head like that, Tang Zhao was startled; the corners of her glistening, almond-shaped eyes drooped, and they suddenly lost half their luster.

So fast, makeup really is a dark art.

"If you want to come with me, change into the clothes in the bundle."

There was a set of Daoist robes in the bundle. Tang Zhao held them up to himself; they were similar to his own build, almost as if they were tailor-made. He thought: Good grief, wasn't this all prepared already? Did you make up your mind to make me go?

Immediately after, he thought of Xing Ji asking him if he was bored and if he wanted the Manor Master to arrange a little task for him to play with.

Could it be this?

Disguised reconnaissance sounded good, and spying on future enemies was also proper business. Tang Zhao quite wanted to go as well. Since it was permitted by Xing Ji and he would be led by an expert like Black Widow, this trip would only broaden his horizons and hold no danger, so why not do it?

"Can we be back in a day?" His time was running out; although he had the Time Jar to replenish it, it was better not to waste too much.

"Rest assured, it will just be this one night. We can be back before tomorrow night."

"Then I shall follow the Manor Master's instructions."

It was inconvenient for him to change clothes in front of Black Widow, so he opened the door and changed into the Daoist robes behind the door panel. When he came back out, Black Widow had already stood up from in front of the mirror.

At this moment, she was still a beauty, but not at all charming. Instead, she was extremely dignified, even somewhat stern, which made her lovely appearance dim by several degrees.

She beckoned and said, "Come, let me put some makeup on you."

Tang Zhao said, "Do I need it too? No one would recognize me, right?"

Black Widow teased, "Not necessarily. I remember you still have a bounty of one thousand taels of silver on your head."

Tang Zhao said sullenly, "I heard it's some mysterious Sword Guest who insists on finding me. Where exactly am I worth so much money?"

Black Widow said, "Do you want to be a little Daoist Child or a little girl? With your features, a little makeup and you'd be a cute girl."

Tang Zhao immediately said, "I want to be a boy!"

Black Widow said, "A female Daoist traveling with a male Daoist Child—that's not exactly a proper Daoist nun." Seeing Tang Zhao speechless, she chuckled, "But I am indeed not a proper Daoist nun. Then a boy it is."

As she spoke, she tidied Tang Zhao up and helped him tie his hair into a Daoist bun, then said, "Alright, let's set off."