Chapter 108: The Metal Element

The people inside the torture chamber now finally understood the situation. The Weeping Buddha had planned to use Ah Dan to search for the other primordial spirit fragment of the wild monk who had been dealt with the God’s punishment.

The jade knife Guo Huan spoke in a surprised tone, “Without a suitable vessel to live in, the badly shattered primordial spirit couldn’t have survived the forces of nature, it would have surely died within a few days. You’re not giving up even after a thousand years?”

“If the Master had said that the primordial spirit fragment was still around before he had entered the ghost’s flesh mushroom, then it is!” The paranoia in demon monk San Duan’s voice was unbearable. However, his dull gaze was focused on the old monk Bu Le.

The old monk Bu Le did not hesitate and nodded at him solemnly, “I’ll do my best! But as to how we should go about searching for him, I’ll still need you to guide me.”

The demon monk San Duan looked as if he wanted to shake his head but only a sound of bones rubbing together that made people cringe came from his neck. He could no longer move his head, “There must be some connection between the two soul fragments so they’ll attract one another. Your only choice is to bring the little zombie out to the four seas and see if he has any reaction!”

The demon monk had just finished his sentence when Wen Buzuo chuckled. He announced, “Ah Dan… seems to be close to the little divine monk Hope Voice.” Ah Dan and the little monk Hope Voice were like long lost friends in the Miao stockade village. Their friendship can be summarised in ten words – Ah Dan is very happy, Hope Voice is quite helpless.

The old monk Bu Le smiled confidently, “We’ll know once we’ve tried it!”

Wen Leyang was clenching onto half a carrot, “How do we try it?”

“Go gather some more young and green little acolytes or any little bald boys. Let’s see if Ah Dan warms up to any little bald heads or only to Hope Voice.” Although the old monk’s suggestion was unconventional, it was simple and practical. Grand Elder Wen laughed, “That’s easy! Tunhai, go shave the heads of those children in the village and bring them before Ah Dan.”

Wen Tunhai departed with his mission. Soon after, Ah Dan’s excited cheer could be heard coming from the village… everybody was uncertain whether they should be disappointed or if they should sigh with relief.

The demon monk San Duan saw that the old monk Bu Le had made him a promise but he did not relax. He solemnly exhorted, “This must be done before the little zombie is hit by the God’s punishment. If he survives the punishment and is reborn into a human, Master’s soul will disintegrate completely and we won’t be able to sense anything. If he does not survive, the utter destruction of his body and soul is self-explanatory. The first punishment had been redirected by another, the second one could strike at any hour, you must… please hurry and find the Master.”

After he finished speaking, the demon monk San Duan closed his eyes and cut off his dead fish’s gaze, “Then I’ll thank the monk Bu Le in advance! Time is running short, if you have anything more to ask, do so quickly!”

As expected, Wen Buzuo was the first to ask a question, “How did you know that Ah Dan was on Nine Peaks Mountain and that the first God’s punishment had been redirected by another?”

The demon monk San Duan sat on the wooden bed. Save for the vigorous head raise just now, he did not move another muscle, “The Master’s primordial spirit which had been consumed by the zombie had trained with the Weeping Buddha in the unholy land for a thousand years. After I became one with the Weeping Buddha, I could always feel his presence. If it weren’t for the God’s punishment, I wouldn’t have rushed here before completing my magical power for fear of it being too late. Heh, I never would have thought that the old demon monk which Master had left behind would slay this half-baked Buddhist demon monk.”

The old monk Bu Le chuckled twice. Although his chuckle was moderate and free from any trace of worldliness, there was still some uncertainty lurking within his gaze, “The fairy maiden Shikhandini was formed by the spiritual vitality of nature, the bronze skin and iron bones of the Weeping Buddha were unable to stop it.” Since the Weeping Buddha had ascended the mountain, although the elites of the Five Blessings could do nothing to it, in terms of magic power, other than its bronze skin iron bones and super strength, it has only its Weeping Eyes.

The demon monk San Duan replied the old monk laughingly, “Other than its Weeping Eyes, there’s also the Ageing Cry, Soul-Crushing Cry, Heaven-Shattering Cry, and the ultimate one was the Utter Lamentation!” He did not have much longer to live and it did not hurt to brag and trick the others. An act like this is could only possibly be done by Wen Buzuo on his deathbed.

Wen Buzuo muttered in a low voice, “If this was true, then I want to learn the method!”

The jade knife Guo Huan scoffed, “This evil practice, though powerful, would only spell trouble for you and others.”

The demon monk San Duan let out an indifferent laugh, “You lot will never understand the pain. After I’ve become one with the Weeping Buddha, I transformed into an iron-skinned brute. Other than the word ‘Master’, I don’t remember anything else. When the fairy maiden Shikhandini broke the bronze Buddha’s Weeping Eyes with the Fearless Seal, I was wailing outwardly but inwardly I was laughing. Hehe, to have a moment of peace before I die, that’s always nice.”

The old monk Bu Le sighed, at a loss for words. He asked, “The land of evil spirits has been destroyed, the Weeping Buddha has lost its violent root, where did you train then?”

The demon monk San Duan replied curtly, “In Mount Qilian, there’s a Gold-Consuming Lair.”

Wen Leyang repeated with a face full of wonder, “A Gold-Consuming Lair?”

The old monk Bu Le explained while chuckling, “It’s the land of the Metal (gold) element of the Five Elements. In the realm of cultivators of the righteous path, it’s known as the Gold-Consuming Lair, which is not the same thing as a gambling den though they sound the same.”

Wen Leyang was amused, “The divine monk knows about gambling dens?”

The old monk Bu Le quickly changed the subject, “The Metal element bears foulness, the Wood element bears life, the Water element bears gentleness, the Fire element bears fierceness, the Earth element bears solidity. Therefore, inside the Gold-Consuming Lair, foulness would be created. Although it’s not entirely like the Yin foulness in the unholy land, it should be enough just to refine a Weeping Buddha.”

The demon monk San Duan grunted, “The Weeping Buddha’s bronze skin and iron bones were refined using the heightened force of the Metal element there. It’s a shame that the duration was too short.”

The demon monk San Duan had, for a thousand years, scoured the entire realm just to find the other fragment of the Wild Monk’s primordial spirit. He had accidentally stumbled upon the land of Metal element deep within Mount Qilian. When he retreated after receiving serious wounds at the Miao stockade village, he brought along the Weeping Buddha and escaped into the Gold-Consuming Lair on Mount Qilian.

The jade knife Guo Huan laughed in a low, muffled tone, “Things are getting interesting. The primordial spirit energies of heaven and earth were accumulated by the Exquisite Ice, Mount Qilian was also one of the Blessed Lands. But ever since little Chang Li had destroyed the Exquisite Ice, the spiritual force of the mountain has also been abandoned.” The Immortals of Qilian had a rank that was higher than the current Five Blessings in the realm of the cultivators of the righteous path. They did not make any enemies and had kept to their cave but disaster struck them from above. Their life vitality accumulating spiritual tool was destroyed by Chang Li and the mighty sect tumbled like a tree while its disciples scattered like monkeys.

Guo Huan’s cheeriness was getting more obvious in his tone, “In the mutual generation of the Five Elements, if you reduce metal you’ll obtain water. Under such a water-based spiritual tool such as the Exquisite Ice, it’s only natural to have a Gold-Consuming Lair underneath it!” The metal element, in its extreme, generates water. Over the millennia it has formed the treasure Exquisite Ice which helped the mountain accumulate the spirit primordial energy, allowing Mount Qilian to become one of the Blessed Lands. While the Exquisite Ice was accumulating spirit primordial energy, it muffled the temperament of the Gold-Consuming Lair and also suppressed the mountain’s Yin Foulness underneath it.

The Gold-Consuming Lair generated the Exquisite Ice, the Exquisite Ice attracted the Mountain Yin Foulness which in turn nourished the Gold-Consuming Lair. When the Gold-Consuming Lair is nourished, the Exquisite Ice flourished.

It would have been the perfect match for unlimited multiplication and generation, then came the ancestral cat demon up the mountain, who had then snapped the Exquisite Ice in two. The rocks of the mountain could not suppress the metal element’s temperament any longer and the Gold-Consuming Lair was released once again.

The jade knife chattered on, “It’s true that Mount Qilian was a Blessed Land, but the Immortals of Qilian, hehe, they had the gall to call themselves ‘Immortals’. It would not be surprising if little Chang Li had gone and snapped their Exquisite Ice just because of that word!”

Guo Huan’s speech sounded suspiciously like it was licking its Grand Master Chang Li’s boots. Wen Leyang scratched the back of his head while chuckling, “That’s true, Grand Master Chang Li went to chase after the Immortals of Qilian’s Mountain Divine Guardian Beast, the Giant Pangolin ‘Po Tu’.”

Guo Huan laughed louder, “A pangolin like that can also be called a divine beast? During that time Chang Li had removed all the scales from its body, it was so bald that it looked like a shell-less b*stard!”

The giant pangolin Po Tu’s nickname ‘shell-less b*stard’ was common knowledge for the older generation of demons.

At this moment, the demon monk San Duan continued on the topic, “Giant pangolin? Not long ago I did see one on Mount Qilian.”

Before San Duan could finish his sentence, all those who had been seated jumped up from their seats. Once again, Wen Buzuo was the first to speak. Like a machine gun, he fired the first question, “When did you encounter it? Was it one-armed? Was it called Po Tu? Was there anyone else besides it?”

Wen Leyang’s expression was serious, “This is of the utmost importance. I implore you…”

The demon monk San Duan smiled faintly before he finished his sentence, “A dying person should keep no secrets. I’ll tell you everything that I can remember. Before I went off, a knoll passed by me. I could tell that the knoll was a fully-formed pangolin demon but since it did not bother me, I didn’t disturb it either.”

The demon monk San Duan only had thoughts about catching Ah Dan and finding his Master, as for the name of the pangolin or if it was single-armed he had no recollection whatsoever. However, after encountering the giant pangolin, he did not meet anyone else.

Nobody expected to hear such an astonishing news from the mouth of the demon monk San Duan.

The force which kills demons and picks up primordial energy had the ability to severely injure the mountain elf Guo Huan at least two thousand years ago. It was even able to match Grand Master Tuo Xie’s skill. It definitely wasn’t a skill like the remnant of the Blood Sect’s favus-headed old man. This group of people naturally feared for Chang Li’s well-being.

Now, with word that the giant pangolin has shown itself while Chang Li has disappeared, the air in the torture chamber grew heavier.

Chang Li did leave her number behind but it had never been connected.

Wen Buzuo managed a laugh, “Maybe… this pangolin wasn’t Po Tu.”

The old monk Bu Le harrumphed, “No matter what, we need to go to Mount Qilian!” As he was saying this his body was shaking on the chair but he couldn’t stand up no matter how much he struggled. Eventually, he became so frustrated that his face turned livid. He scolded himself remorsefully, “B*stard monk! If it weren’t to salvage a moment’s consciousness of the demon monk, I wouldn’t be unable to move my body!” The old rabbit demon flustered out of character. Now that they have a clue about Grand Master Chang Li, he had completely drained his own magic powers until he had no strength left even to stand up. He was frustrated out of his mind.

Such was the nature of things. If Bu Le had conserved his strength to find the Grand Master, then he would not have been able to awaken the demon monk San Duan. But if he did not awaken the demon monk San Duan, he would not have known about the clue on Chang Li’s whereabouts.

Wen Leyang hastily stood up to stop the old monk Bu Le. He told the three elders in the torture chamber, “I’ll go first to Mount Qilian.”

Regarding the whereabouts of Chang Li, the jade knife Guo Huan was supportive a hundred and twenty percent, “I’ll go with you. There shouldn’t be much danger looking for one pangolin. If that shell-less b*stard dares to cause any trouble, I can just go berserk, summon Yin’s Error Yang’s Mistake and chop it up!”

Wen Leyang rejoiced when he heard that. If Guo Huan was willing to use the Demon Body Breaking spell, there’s no danger that he should fear. He spoke to Grand Elder Wen with a relaxed face, “My wounds have healed a lot overnight. They should heal completely by the time I reach Mount Qilian. This time I’ll go ahead to Mount Qilian. If I cannot find Po Tu, then the divine monk can come meet me after he has recovered.”

Grand Elder Wen hesitated a little before saying, “Then, I’ll send some men to help you. Us few old bones will also go with you…”

Guo Huan interrupted, “A big number would only complicate things. If we frighten the shell-less b*stard, it won’t be so easy to catch him the next time. It would be enough to pick two agile, smart and able persons.”

Grand Elder Wen did not waste any more words. He let Wen Leyang return to the village to prepare for the journey.

The old monk Bu Le’s expression turned even sourer. The five hosts of Great Mercy Temple and the little stutterer Hope Voice had all injured their life vitality due to them casting the protective circle. As for the other disciples and Buddhist Sects, Bu Le had no authority over them and only the current abbot, the little rabbit demon Shan Duan can dispatch them. Shan Duan was now spying on the Jilong Taoist School while hiding his presence so his cell phone was unreachable.

Wen Tunhai was as agitated as the old monk, “Can’t you send a flying sword message or something?”

Bu Le replied dejectedly, “A flying sword? I can’t even fart right now!”

The demon monk San Duan was also completely spent. After he had finished speaking about the location of the Gold-Consuming Lair, there was no longer any trace of life left. An emaciated skull was still unnaturally raised, forming a weird angle on its rickety body.

The old monk Bu Le put his hands together. With help from the others, he tottered towards the bed and spoke in a low voice, “Go in peace. What I have promised you I will do my best to fulfill.”

He had just finished saying that when the raised skull of San Duan drooped down, curling up with his whole body. The skin then visibly turned into a greyish black color…

Wen Leyang was ready to embark with the jade knife around his neck. He was startled when he saw the five companions that his family had made ready for him.

The smiling chatterbox Wen Buzuo, the nail-like silent Wen Bushuo, an excited Wen Xiaoyi, a slightly grown up, frowning Chi Maojiu who was acting heavy-hearted, and a youth from the Luo family whom he had never met before. The youth was slightly younger than Wen Leyang. His facial features were like Mumu’s but without the seductive charm, in its place instead was a peaceful smile.

The brothers Bushuo and Buzuo, one is well-versed in Jianghu experiences while the other was forbearing, tough and brave. The two of them were on Wen Leyang’s list of expected people. Wen Leyang, however, had not expected Wen Xiaoyi and little Chi Maojiu to be tagging along.

The Second Mother walked over and put her hands on little Chi Maojiu’s shoulders. She chuckled at Wen Leyang, “Chi Maojiu will be inheriting the position of the Big Dragon’s Root. Let him gain some experience with you!”

Wen Leyang did not dare to promise anything, what if he were to die in the process? He waved his hands frantically to decline when the Second Mother shook her head while smiling, “Relax. This child has advanced greatly in his study of witchcraft during these two years. He’s almost as good as I was! If you’re traversing through the mountains and forest, bringing him along will come in handy.”

During the fierce battle in the Miao stockade village between the Second Mother and the demon lady Chi Liang, she had destroyed her own Ben Ming parasite. She also lost most of her witchcraft powers and had not been able to fully recover even until now. Little Chi Maojiu’s progress, on the other hand, was so fast that all the Miao Bujiao were stunned. He was now capable of casting many high-leveled witchcraft spells.

The Second Mother had her own reasons for insisting that little Chi Maojiu follow Wen Leyang. The three families of the Wen, Miao, and Luo were all descendants of Tuo Xie. The Wen and the Luo families all have close relations with Grandmaster Chang Li thanks to Wen Leyang, Wen Xiaoyi, and Mumu. The internal strife of the Miao Stockade Village had not only greatly reduced its power, it had also caused them to miss out on the quest to rescue Chang Li on Mount Emei. For the Miao stockade village, and for little Chi Maojiu to sit snugly on the position of the Great Dragon’s Root, the Second Mother wants to salvage their relationship with Chang Li no matter what. Naturally, amongst the Miao Bujiao, there were experts who were more highly skilled in witchcraft than little Chi Maojiu, but it was only right for little Chi Maojiu to be the one to go.

Grand Elder Luo waited for the Second Mother to finish and he smiled at Wen Leyang, “This is Mumu’s younger brother, Luo Wanggen!”

Luo Wanggen smiled and nodded at Wen Leyang. The zombie behind him also twitched its bruised face, seemingly greeting Wen Leyang as well.

To search for Grand Master Chang Li, both the Wen family and the Qing Miao has dispatched their own personnel. Therefore, the Luo would not look on and do nothing as well. As to whether the people that it had sent was to help or to make matters worse was still open for debate.

Fourth Elder Wen walked slowly towards Wen Leyang and said in an extremely low voice, “From today onwards, as long as the identity of the one “Who’s Tied to the Fate of Good and Evil” is found out, Wen Xiaoyi will be always by your side. In Nine Peaks Mountain there are only three who do not bear the surname of Wen, but it’s impossible it could be Old Wolf and Yuan.”

Wen Leyang was astonished, he eyes bulged as he asked in a hushed tone, “You think it’s Xiaoyi?”

Fourth Elder Wen’s expressions did not change, he only shook his head slowly, “I don’t know yet. I have already sent people to investigate her background. But after some ten years, nothing has been confirmed yet.” Wen Leyang now understood. The reason the elders had arranged for Xiaoyi and Wen Leyang to travel together was to let her avoid the limelight for a while. In the rare chance that the Jilong Sect has spread the news, Xiaoyi’s position would become dangerous.

Grand Elder Wen came and patted Wen Leyang’s shoulder, “Be careful out there. Don’t worry about the family!” As he said this, he tiptoed and looked around the village before urging, “Go now while the seven fat men are still eating, if they hold you down it’ll be troublesome. Hurry up and go!”

Wen Leyang led the group hurriedly down the mountain. The journey was arranged by Wen Buzuo so the others did not have to worry. The transportation, accommodation, and meals had all been perfectly arranged by him. Wen Buzuo was high-spirited and showed off his skills purposely. He arranged for a new set of clothes for everyone while they were resting. He even got a pair of pants with many pockets for Wen Leyang.

Wen Leyang’s group was given a new look. Wearing his Baleno while walking beside Xiaoyi made her Prada looked like a knockoff.

The jade knife Guo Huan changed his impression of Wen Buzuo and praised him genuinely, “While I was roaming the earth I’ve always wanted to look for a clever junior like him, but I never did find one!”

Wen Buzuo was unflattered, “Don’t compare me with demons! I serve my two little brothers and two brothers of the same sect… err, and Xiaoyi. You’re just tagging along.”

The mountain elf Guo Huan was furious and growled, “If you’re disrespectful to me again, I’ll definitely beat you up once I recovered my body!”

Wen Buzuo did not back down, “If you cross me again, you better forget about becoming a living person again!”

Guo Huan bellowed and was looking for a fight but Wen Buzuo ignored him and stood in front of Luo Wanggen, “Brother, who thought up the names for you and your sister? Although… they’re quite auspicious.”

Luo Wanggen was still awkward and he replied politely, “To reply Brother Wen’s question, it was our Grand Elder. You can just call me Ah Gen.”

Little Chi Maojiu was already close with Wen Buzuo, Wen Leyang, and the others during the Miao stockade village’s internal strife. He showed his true colors even before they had descended the mountain, discarding all prudence.

Wen Xiaoyi’s excitement and joy were written all over her clear face. Her smile showed genuine happiness. The itinerary and accommodation were arranged by Wen Buzuo but Wen Leyang’s meals were personally prepared by her. She rolled up her sleeves and barged into the kitchen once they reached the hotel. Nobody could stop her, making both the kitchen staff and Wen Leyang feel helpless.

The Nine Peaks Mountain in Southern Chuan was not too far from Mount Qilian. After a day and a half’s journey, they arrived at the foot of the mountain. Wen Buzuo unexpectedly found a great helper during the journey – on Luo Wanggen’s zombie’s back was a backpack the size of a small hill.

The zombie looked as if he wanted to say something to his master.

Wen Buzuo heartlessly smirked at Luo Wanggen, “Ah Gen, this zombie of yours can make faces too?”

Luo Wanggen smiled proudly without uttering a word.

It was the interchange period between spring and summer. Mount Qilian was a famous mountain range in the North-West and there were many visitors here on an outing. Wen Leyang’s group laid low. They followed the demon monk San Duan’s directions before he had passed on, proceeding in a North-Westerly direction until the crowd of tourists eventually thinned out and they were alone. When the mountain rid itself from the poets’ artificial inscriptions and the red and yellow background of men’s presumptuous forest planning, that primordial bleakness and majesty finally expanded itself, dominating the whole view.

The frozen valley overlapped with the green fields as a huge and wide valley would show itself before their eyes without warning every time they climbed over a ridge. Broad mountain backs connected seamlessly with majestic lake basins.

The North-Western mountain range was magnificently spectacular and has a certain wildness to it. Compared to the elegant landscape of Shu, there was a trace of madness to it. The group of youths traveled swiftly through the mountain, allowing the view of tough and bold mountainous terrain rush into their eyes. Unwittingly, their hearts were filled with forthright satisfaction.

The Life and Death Poison inside Wen Leyang’s body was flowing cheerfully. The grave wounds which he had received in the Wen village have healed themselves within a few days.

Although the jade knife Guo Huan has yet to regain his freedom after two thousand years of slumber, he was overjoyed in the mountains. He could not help himself from singing joyously, “I lived in a bamboo grove, the sky unseen, I arrived alone and late on the road dangerous and steep, alone I stood on the mountaintop, while the clouds gathered beneath me, gloomy and dark is the day, the east wind drifts and the gods sent down rain…”

Wen Xiaoyi chuckled and sang along with the jade knife Guo Huan, “Grandly the thunder rolled on the south of Nanshan. How was it that he went away from this, not daring to take a little rest? My noble lord, may he return! May he return!”

Of the two of them, one was singing the Songs of Chu while the other was singing from the Book of Songs. The jade knife Guo Huan sang the famous piece “Mountain Ghost”, which was perfect for the occasion. Wen Xiaoyi just sang whatever came to her mind but her voice was crisp, singing out the joy in her heart which blended harmoniously with the mountain range.

Wen Buzuo also squinted his eyes with an excited face, joining with his own song, “From hill to hill no bird in flight, from path to path no man in sight. The bright sun falls beneath the mountains, the Huang He empties into the ocean.”

The jade knife Guo Huan momentarily forgot his quarrel with Wen Buzuo and praised in a loud voice, “Nice poem!”

Wen Leyang laughed loudly and wanted to say something when loud clanging sound of metal on metal echoed throughout the mountains. It sounded like ten thousand swords clashing, golden dragons dancing, and numerous bells tolling all at the same time. The countless birds resting in the forest were startled and took flight. From afar they looked like dark clouds covering the earth, rolling and toiling among the mountains. It was a majestic view beyond words!

The group of people was startled and stopped their merrymaking immediately. They focused and looked as far as they could see. The sound of metal clanging seemed to be coming from far away and it wasn’t too loud but the fearsomeness and sharpness of the sound were still clearly heard in the air, steadily beating deeply on everyone’s eardrums.

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