Chapter One Hundred Thirty-Nine: A Thousand Miles Away

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It was afternoon.

The sky was clear and bright. Beside the lake, the trees stood sparse, their shadows scattered across the shore. Ripples shimmered over the water.

At that very moment, a flash of light appeared from nowhere. Two figures then plummeted from the sky, striking the lake with two resounding splashes. Before the waves had settled, two young men surfaced and, seeing the shore not far away, hurriedly swam toward it, churning the water with their arms.

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Yu Ye was the first to reach land.

His bamboo hat was gone. His face was deathly pale. Leaving a trail of water behind him, he crawled onto the bank, hastily wrapped both arms around the trunk of an old tree, and began to gasp for breath.

Dang Guiyi came ashore a moment later. He was soaked through, his clothes in tatters. Still trembling, he had not yet managed to climb fully onto the bank when he collapsed face-first with a splash, several thin trails of bright red blood spilling from his nose and mouth.

Yu Ye slowly regained his senses.

They had landed beside a stretch of lakeshore. On one side lay a vast lake whose far shore could not be seen; on the other was a desolate wetland, empty of all human presence.

Leaning against the tree trunk, Yu Ye slowly sat down, still somewhat dazed.

What had happened before this?

They had encountered Qi Huan, the Lord of Ten Thousand Beasts Manor—a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment stage. Against such an expert, Yu Ye’s Incarnation Technique, Heavenly Dragon Shield, and Seven-Kill Sword Aura had been utterly useless. The difference between them had been far too great. He had suffered a crushing assault, unable either to resist or defend himself. He had thought himself certain to die, yet, unexpectedly, Dang Guiyi had saved his life.

“Ahh…”

A groan came from Dang Guiyi, who was still sprawled on the ground. He was covered in mud and water, his clothes torn to shreds, blood leaking from his nose and mouth. He looked utterly miserable.

“Fellow Daoist, are you badly injured?”

“Ahh, I nearly didn’t make it out alive!”

“How did this happen?”

Yu Ye was concerned, but also deeply puzzled.

How could a single talisman have caused Dang Guiyi such suffering?

And what was the talisman called? Oh—The Strange Gate Escape Armor Talisman. Not only was its power immense, it was exceedingly bizarre as well. At the time, it had felt as though someone had seized him, swung him around, and hurled him away with tremendous force. The impact had nearly torn him apart. Even with the Heavenly Dragon Shield protecting him, Yu Ye had been barely able to endure it.

“My Strange Gate Escape Armor Talisman…”

Dang Guiyi finally rolled over and sat up. He took out several pills and stuffed them into his mouth. His face remained waxen and his hands trembled, making it clear how terribly he had suffered from the talisman’s effects.

Yu Ye did not press him for details.

But where were they now?

Would Lord Qi pursue them?

Fortunately, there was no black eagle circling overhead, which meant that, for the time being, they were not in danger.

“Master…”

Perhaps the medicine had begun to take effect. Dang Guiyi recovered a little of his strength, but then began muttering about his master. Talking to himself, he said, “If not for the life-saving talisman you left behind, your disciple would have been killed today. You also warned me that my cultivation was too weak and that I must not use talismans lightly. And just as you said…”

Though covered in mud and water, dressed in rags, and speaking sorrowfully, he looked pitiful indeed. Yet his small eyes glittered with light. He thrust out his chest and declared, “So what if he was a ninth-level Foundation Establishment expert? It isn’t so easy for him to kill me!”

An hour earlier, Yu Ye would certainly have thought Dang Guiyi was boasting. Now, however, he had no choice but to reassess this heir of the Orthodox Five-Thunder Method.

Whether immortal or mortal, good or evil, a wandering hero or a peddler in the streets—everyone possessed some redeeming quality. How much more so a practitioner of Daoist arts with a true lineage.

“Those who survive a great calamity are sure to enjoy good fortune afterward!”

Dang Guiyi gradually regained his spirits and staggered to his feet.

“Let’s find somewhere to get a meal, then rest for two days. After that, we’ll continue our journey!”

“Aren’t you afraid that people from Ten Thousand Beasts Manor will pursue us?”

“Ha! We’ve already fled a thousand miles away.”

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“A thousand miles away?”

Yu Ye was secretly astonished.

Dang Guiyi brushed back a lock of disheveled hair, lifted his chin, and said arrogantly, “The Strange Gate Escape Armor Talisman can carry us a thousand miles in a single escape. Tell me, Fellow Daoist, how could Lord Qi possibly catch up with us?”

No wonder the talisman’s power had been so unbearable. It had actually transported them a thousand miles in an instant!

Yu Ye still found it difficult to believe.

“Forgive my limited understanding.”

“Heh, just as I said—if you and I join forces, we’ll be invincible beneath the heavens!”

“Where are we?”

“Well… I don’t know that either.”

Dang Guiyi was still basking in his pride when embarrassment suddenly crossed his face. “Although the Strange Gate Escape Armor Talisman can carry us a thousand miles in an instant, it can determine only our general direction. Where we finally end up depends entirely on luck!”

Yu Ye leaned against the tree and rose to his feet, hopeful. “As long as we have this talisman, it shouldn’t matter. Within a month, we should be able to reach Zhongshan. You truly have not broken your word…”

Since the talisman could transport them a thousand miles in an instant, repeated use would be enough to carry them to the Cloud River Immortal Gate within a short time.

Dang Guiyi shook his head. “That won’t do!”

Yu Ye looked at him in surprise. “What’s wrong?”

Dang Guiyi blinked several times before answering hesitantly, “The Strange Gate Escape Armor Talismans left behind by my master—there are only two remaining. I’m saving them for emergencies. How could I waste them on travel?”

“And what about what you said earlier?”

“Follow me, and you’ll see.”

“If the talisman is so miraculous, why not make more for future use?”

“Though Qizhou is home to many immortal sects, no one knows how to make the Strange Gate Escape Armor Talisman. My master obtained this talisman by chance and passed it on to me before his death. You… you aren’t thinking of killing me and taking it, are you?”

Dang Guiyi suddenly grew wary and quietly retreated several steps.

Yu Ye stepped forward and waved a hand. “Farewell, Fellow Daoist!”

“Wait for me!”

Dang Guiyi hurried after him. “Wealth can move the human heart. I have to be careful! Besides, you can’t do without me. Otherwise, who will take you to the Cloud River Immortal Gate? Ahh…”

His body was injured, and in his haste he slipped, stumbling sideways.

Yu Ye casually snapped off a branch and handed it to him.

Dang Guiyi accepted it as a walking stick, which made his steps steadier. He nodded toward the distance. “There seems to be a village more than ten miles away. Let’s go ask for directions.”

More than ten miles away, at the far end of the lake, stood a village beside the water.

The village lay along the lakeshore and contained some twenty or thirty households. Beneath a large tree at the entrance sat several old men. Children played nearby with a few dogs. Two small boats were moored in a distant cove, while fishing nets and dried fish hung along the bank.

It was a small fishing village.

By then, dusk was approaching. Two young men came walking from afar. One was short and carried a wooden sword, but his clothes were torn, his body covered in mud, and he leaned on a tree branch. The other was likewise disheveled and bedraggled.

“Woof, woof!”

Before they reached the village entrance, several dogs came rushing toward them.

“Get away!”

Dang Guiyi raised his branch and brandished it threateningly.

The dogs retreated, only to be followed by the laughter of the children.

Dang Guiyi straightened his clothes, quickened his pace, and called out, “I am an immortal master traveling abroad. I came here in pursuit of a demon. May I ask you elders—what is the name of this lake, and what is the name of this village?”

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Among the elders were both old men and old women. Upon hearing the words “immortal master,” they hurriedly rose to greet him. One gray-haired elder raised both hands respectfully and said, “This old man pays his respects to the immortal master. This is Lingyu Village, north of Peng Lake…”

“Oh, north of Peng Lake?”

Dang Guiyi nodded. “Thank you, Elder. Farewell!”

“Immortal master…”

“Mm. No need to see us off!”

Dang Guiyi exchanged a glance with Yu Ye and said, “Now that I know where we are, let’s go.”

But the old man called after them, “This old man has a request. Immortal master, please wait!”

“What is it?”

Dang Guiyi turned around and hurriedly said, “Oh, there’s no need for that!”

The five elders at the village entrance had all fallen to their knees.

Dang Guiyi threw aside his branch and went forward to help them up. “I dare not accept such a grand gesture. It will shorten my life!”

But the elder who had spoken remained kneeling and pleaded, “A demon has appeared in Peng Lake. We beg the immortal master to save our sons and nephews!”

“This…”

Dang Guiyi had not expected this at all. He turned his head toward Yu Ye.

Wherever he went in the towns and villages, Dang Guiyi presented himself as an immortal master. He had slain very few demons, yet had caused himself no end of trouble. Today, after arriving at such a remote fishing village, he had intended merely to boast a little, ask for directions, and leave. Who could have imagined that his words would unexpectedly lead someone to ask him to exterminate a demon?

Yu Ye paid no attention to the consequences of Dang Guiyi’s own actions and instead studied the small village before them.

It was already dusk. Smoke from cooking fires should have been rising, yet the little fishing village was unnaturally quiet, with hardly a person in sight.

After a brief hesitation, Dang Guiyi thrust out his chest and declared proudly, “Exterminating demons and dispelling evil is the duty of this immortal master. Rise, Elder, and tell me everything slowly.”

“Many thanks, immortal master!”

The old man hurriedly rose. Together with the other elders, he surrounded Dang Guiyi and began telling him about the demon in Peng Lake and the village’s desperate circumstances.

The village had more than twenty households, all of whom made their living by fishing and farming. Every winter, during the agricultural slack season, the able-bodied young men of the village would go fishing in Peng Lake. Several days ago, someone had returned with a message saying that a school of large fish had been discovered near Peng Island, and that the women who had remained at home were being summoned to help. Yet five days had now passed, and none of them had returned.

Only a few elderly, infirm, and weak villagers remained. At a loss, they had begun to suspect that a monster had appeared in the lake. By coincidence, an immortal master who exterminated demons and dispelled evil had arrived…

Night descended.

The small courtyard was brightly lit.

A wooden table had been set with wine and food. Dang Guiyi had changed into a Daoist robe, though his peachwood sword still rested across his shoulder. Two elders sat beside him, while an old woman busied herself boiling fish soup. Several children had fallen asleep in the kitchen. Only the dogs continued racing joyfully around the courtyard.

“Elder, you may rest assured. I will go to Peng Island tomorrow morning.”

“The men, women, old, and young of Lingyu Village are all relying on you, immortal master. Please, have another cup of wine!”

“Haha, let us drink together…”

Dang Guiyi had agreed to go to Peng Island and exterminate the demon, and the elders treated him generously. Yu Ye, however, did not dare accept their hospitality. He took a wooden bucket to the village well. After washing himself clean, he changed into a short tunic and went alone to the lakeshore, where he sat down on a patch of grass.

Dang Guiyi could hardly be blamed for meddling. Since the village had fallen into difficulty and several elders had begged for help, they could not simply stand by and do nothing. Yet Yu Ye did not believe the story about a monster. It was entirely possible that the strong winds and rough waves on the lake had caused an accident.

Yu Ye now had two storage rings in his possession.

They had belonged to Qi Shi, and each was sealed with a layer of restriction.

Holding the two rings, he examined them intently and attempted to break the seals using the methods of the Heavenly Prohibition Art. After a short while, he finally erased the restrictions with two sharp pops.

One ring was an ordinary storage ring, containing spirit stones, cultivation manuals, pills, and various personal belongings.

The other, however, contained all kinds of snakes, insects, birds, and beasts—all of them alive…