Chapter 539: Utterly Crazy

Regardless of whether the final outcome is as everyone speculated, we must deploy according to the worst-case scenario, always ready to strike.

Fang Chuanzong had already placed spies in the Zàng Qū region, but to fully extend his influence there he needed to seek help from the superiors of the Special Affairs Handling Office; the original departure time had to be adjusted, and he left in a hurry.

We few still gathered together, waiting for Liu Junyan's next arrangements.

"Manpower is seriously lacking." Liu Junyan said, "I definitely need to go back to the Zàng Qū side, but here in Wǎngsǐ Chéng we hardly have any usable hands..."

"Yes!" I said, "Seven Halls Yama has taken the Earth Yin Pill and shown initial effectiveness; he is also one of the biggest victims in this whole affair, and on the Wǎngsǐ Chéng side he will take the lead."

He holds one of the four Yin Tiger Talismans of the Nether Realm, able to mobilize large numbers of Yin soldiers, even Nether-armored troops; and I believe that as long as someone takes the lead, the other forces of the Nether Realm will certainly not stand by.

So we only need to act; the rest we leave to heaven's will.

Liu Junyan thought, then said, "If Seven Halls Yama takes the lead, I'd prefer not to drag too many other forces into it."

That's right.

The Nether Realm has too many and too mixed forces; who can guarantee that Dìshì hasn't left a backup there?

If that happens, Wǎngsǐ Chéng will be shrouded in gloom; what if someone takes advantage of the chaos to meet with Dìshì?

I'll still go personally to Hu Shan to talk with him face to face, so everyone knows what to expect." Liu Junyan said, "This is the final battle; success or failure hangs on this one move—we can't rush."

Everyone agreed with his view.

Having said what needed to be said, the Big Family each went off to attend to their own affairs, and they dispersed.

I finally had a chance to tell Liu Junyan about A Cheng: 'Āyàn, I want to go again to that small mountain to see A Cheng; I have a strong feeling he will surely be waiting for me there.'

After hearing my description of that dream, Liu Junyan sighed, 'He is a smart, sensitive, and very kind child, Xiao Jiu—I'll accompany you.'

I shook my head: 'I'll go myself; I happen to enter from the Feng Clan, chat with my aunt about Seven Halls Yama's affairs, let her first discuss with Seven Halls Yama, then you go find Seven Halls Yama to talk.'

Liu Junyan hesitated a moment, then said, "That works; I also have other business to return to the Linghai Dragon Clan. We'll split up and regroup at Seven Halls Yama's place."

My heart gave a jolt: "You're going back to the Linghai Dragon Clan? Anything going on?"

"Xiāo gē might soon undergo his tribulation." Liu Junyan said, "Once he passes his tribulation successfully he will be invested, and by then he will be the true hegemon of all Linghai, and my sword should be taken back."

That ancient bronze sword is suppressed in the depths of the Linghai Forbidden Ground; unless necessary, Liu Junyan will not retrieve it.

Beneath the ancient bronze sword is also suppressed a strand of Dragon Qi.

Is this Dragon Qi to be released, left for Xiāoye, or absorbed by Liu Junyan herself?

He has his own plans.

I didn't ask further, only urging: 'If you've decided, go ahead, take it slow, don't rush—we'll proceed steadily.'

Liu Junyan laughed and ruffled my hair: "Xiao Jiu, you're becoming more steady."

I annoyed, I slapped him lightly, not daring to use force, after all he's covered in wounds.

But who let him tease me!

The pain is his own doing!

Early the next morning, we split up to act.

Liu Junyan returned to the Linghai Dragon Clan; I returned to the Feng Clan.

The Feng Clan is a total mess, but Tang Xun's actions are far faster than I imagined; after just a few days everything looks orderly again.

Besides the Snow Phoenix Clan helping her, I discovered that the Feng Clan actually has Yin troops stationed there.

I pulled Tang Xun aside and whispered, 'Aunt, with Yin troops stationed here, will the Nether Realm side cause trouble?'

Wasn't it previously necessary to avoid suspicion?

Tang Xun said, "Since he took the medicine, his body has gradually recovered; after he figured out some things, I feel he's become even crazier."

I: 'Huh?'

I feel he could at any moment want to single-handedly take on the whole Nether Realm." Tang Xun said, "He's utterly crazy."

I snorted, really hard not to laugh out loud: 'So I informed you the past two days; only you can keep him in check.'

Tang Xun's face instantly flushed: "Never mind him—what about you? Why did you suddenly come back?"

I then told her about A Cheng.

"Ancient Feng Clan?" Tang Xun exclaimed, "I haven't heard that term in ages; that kid, by age, must be far older than me—how many years has he been secretly cultivating in hiding?"

I couldn't help but laugh; it's also a case of rough words, sound reasoning.

"I think some things can't be reached that high just by long-term cultivation, especially since A Cheng has always been alone." I said, "A Cheng's mastery of shamanic arts is very likely tied to his family's inheritance."

Put more simply, A Cheng's shamanic mastery comes from awakening his ancestors' legacy, not from cultivation.

Such awakening is the accumulation of countless generations of predecessors, just like my current cultivation.

As long as I sit in meditation, those predecessors will follow behind with little whips, urging me ear to ear, eager to stuff their entire cultivation methods into me.

A Cheng's existence is my fortune, and will surely also be the fortune of the Feng Clan!

Tang Xun said, "I really want to go with you to see that child, but according to your description, any outsider's intrusion now could provoke his resentment; that small mountain is your siblings' secret base."

I don't know why, hearing Tang Xun say that, my heart instead welled up with a sour ache.

Secret base…… A Cheng has guarded there for far too many years.

He is like a weed forgotten in this vast heaven and earth—feeble and helpless, yet growing wildly…… I owe him an apology.

Tang Xun saw me to the entrance of Random Burial Hill; I passed through the underground cave, went through the willow grove, and when I stepped onto the white bone road, far off I saw a familiar figure bent over, one hand holding a sack, the other gripping a stick, rummaging among the white bones for something.

He was very focused.

But soon he noticed me.

Even though far away and unclear, I could still imagine that any spot where those eyes fell on his body would be sending word on the wind.

A Cheng has no head, but A Cheng has countless eyes.

I lifted my foot and took a step forward.

Before I could even call out to him, the youth's stance stalled, then he suddenly threw away his stick, turned and fled at full speed.

He ran so fast that in a puff of smoke he vanished without a trace.

But this time I didn't lose my way; I knew he was in that mountain.

I assumed my true form, beat my wings, and headed straight for that small hill...