Chapter 0, Section 15: Enough
“Of course, but what does Elder Cang Zhou mean?”
Yan Cang Zhou explained, “The Calamity Heavenly Feather is a curse from the Mi Tian Ye Huang Clan. Fellow Daoist Xie Yu has controlled several individuals afflicted by the Heavenly Feather before. Perhaps it can stabilize the situation in this Little World. However, no one has the right to demand anything from Fellow Daoist Xie Yu for the Bi Fang Clan. Therefore, once the tens of thousands of clan members driven mad within the Little World are stabilized and controlled, they will become the combat power for Fellow Daoist Xie Yu and Senior Qin, rather than returning to the Bi Fang Clan.”
“Has it reached that point?” Hearing Yan Cang Zhou’s words, the dire condition of tens of thousands of Fire Crow Bi Fang seemed beyond salvation, impossible to restore their sanity.
“They will attack and kill indiscriminately any living beings within their sight without fear of death. However, their primary targets are other Bi Fang clan members… Currently, due to their limited spiritual intelligence, we can temporarily seal their combat power using the formation of the Little World, but we don’t know how much longer it will last,” Yan Cang Zhou stated the truth.
“I understand. I will summon Xie Yu now, but how it’s done will ultimately be up to that girl.”
Qin Gou nodded slightly. With a single thought, Xie Yu’s slender and graceful figure appeared before Yan Cang Zhou.
Soon, after Yan Cang Zhou explained the whole story again, he suddenly looked into Xie Yu’s eyes, took a step back, his expression serious and solemn. He knelt straight down on both knees and extended the ancient key in his hand forward.
“Elder Yan?”
Xie Yu’s small mouth opened slightly, flustered and at a loss.
She called him ‘Elder Yan’ not only because she was imitating Qin Gou’s behavior, but also because after several encounters, she hadn’t felt the inexplicable innate aversion towards Yan Cang Zhou that she felt towards Yan Shang.
Seeing this, Qin Gou immediately said, “Elder Cang Zhou does not seem to be afflicted by the Calamity Heavenly Feather. I also recall that back then…”
Yan Cang Zhou shook his head, his tone bitter, “During the war between the two clans, I guarded the elder patriarch who was in closed-door cultivation until the very last moment, so I didn’t participate much. However, I also benefited greatly from my clan members’ countless frenzied killings, always feasting and drinking. You, Senior Qin and Fellow Daoist Xie Yu, do not need to think too highly of me for this late repentance… I hope Xie Yu will accept this key to communicate with the Little World. Even if I die at your hands immediately, I will have died with no regrets.”
For a moment, Xie Yu looked at Qin Gou. Seeing that he also chose to completely respect her decision, she then extended her small hand and took the ancient key. “Elder Yan, please rise. I don’t think I can truly resolve the Calamity Heavenly Feather. The only thing I can guarantee is that those afflicted by the Heavenly Feather will never kill innocent people when they are used by me in the future.”
Yan Cang Zhou immediately nodded, his expression relieved. “That is enough. Thank you, Fellow Daoist Xie Yu.”
“Elder Cang Zhou, what are your plans next?” Qin Gou asked after pulling Yan Cang Zhou up with a thread of spiritual power.
“If it’s possible, I want to set off immediately and return to the Beast Land. Afterwards, my clan and I will live in seclusion. On one hand, we will prevent those whose minds are consumed by inner demons from escaping and wreaking havoc in the Beast Land, and on the other hand, we will care for the young children.” While speaking, Yan Cang Zhou looked at Xie Yu again. His offer to exchange his life for Xie Yu’s agreement to accept the key was not just an impulsive remark.
Xie Yu continued, “Elder Yan, you must not trouble Duoyu again in the future.” Duoyu had eliminated many of the Fire Crow Clan over the years, but she did so to avenge Xie Yu. Now that her great vengeance had been realized, Xie Yu did not want Duoyu to have any trouble.
“Never again,” Yan Cang Zhou said with a look of shame. “In the past, I wished I could condense a Divine Soul Split Soul to protect every junior of mine. Over time, it made them all reckless. Some actively entered the Human Race’s territory, or even into the domain of Fellow Daoist Duoyu. To her who was wholeheartedly avenging her friend, wasn’t it no different from provocation? Our conflict over the years stemmed from this… Please help me inform Fellow Daoist Duoyu. I am willing to apologize to Fellow Daoist Duoyu at any cost.”
Xie Yu lightly nodded her head.
Qin Gou also saw that Xie Yu had no intention of making things difficult for Yan Cang Zhou. “Elder Cang Zhou, you’ve traveled a long way, won’t you stay a few more days?”
Yan Cang Zhou smiled calmly, “Whether I stay or go depends on the wishes of Senior Qin and Fellow Daoist Xie Yu.”
“Alright then, but there’s one condition.”
Qin Gou shrugged and said indifferently, “Old boy, don’t disappear without a trace. After you and Duoyu have settled things, if you’re still alive, come to Arc-Moon Mountain for tea. Just you, don’t bring any other Bi Fang clan members.”
Yan Cang Zhou was stunned for a moment, then nodded. He turned and walked a few steps away. With his back to Qin Gou and Xie Yu, his voice was hoarse, dry, and sincere. “Thank you!”
…
Not long after, Qin Gou returned to where the others were. On the way, he encountered Chi Ling and Li Yuanzhen.
Chi Ling, with an honest smile, was inexplicably acting as a tour guide for the little gambler, taking the ever-restless Righteous Valor Fairy around the area and enthusiastically introducing her to everything.
However, thinking about it, the little gambler always seemed to quickly establish a good relationship with these spirit-type fellow Daoists, just like the Ancestral Land Spirit of the Hidden Immortal Absolute Beauty Tower back then.
“Back then, Fellow Daoist Lu would play the zither every night, and I loved to quietly listen to his music… I also liked Fellow Daoist Black Bear’s daily jokes. Unfortunately, they are no longer here.”
“Were they both killed by Yan Shang…”
“Those two returned to the Beast Land many years ago.”
“Then you should have said so clearly from the start!” Li Yuanzhen was extremely annoyed. “This humble Daoist has always been soft-hearted!”
Chi Ling said sheepishly, “I can see that. Fellow Daoist Shuo Zhu always said I was good at judging people, and just by looking at your face, Li Daoist, I knew you must be a very gentle and kind person from the Human Race… It’s also my fault for not speaking well.”
“Everyone says that! By the way, let’s not talk about this for now. Actually, I’ve been wondering since a moment ago, Chi Ling, why have you been imitating A’Qin’s appearance?”
Chi Ling explained, “I don’t have the ability to manifest yet, so I don’t have my own appearance, or even a formal name and gender like real living beings. Whenever I appear, I use the appearance of others.”
“This is similar to Saint Spirit Chu Xian of the Hidden Immortal Tower. Fellow Daoist Duoyu also seemed to be like this before,” Li Yuanzhen nodded. “But, it’s one thing to transform into A’Qin’s appearance, why did you specifically transform into him without his shirt on?”
Chi Ling spoke the truth, “That’s because the first time I saw Fellow Daoist Qin, he wasn’t wearing a shirt.”
“Why?” Li Yuanzhen asked, confused. “Was A’Qin’s magic robe destroyed by Yan Shang? No, it wasn’t, was it? He was still wearing the one that Qingyu personally refined earlier.”
“I’m not too sure. Anyway, when Fellow Daoist Qin and Yan Shang were alone before, Yan Shang was also completely naked.”
“What?!” Li Xiaogou was dumbfounded. “As expected of the man I admire most in this life.”
“You two are enough!” Old Qin, with a face full of black lines, quickly jumped out.
