Chapter Forty: Emergence

When Tu Zhu and Fei Fei had both left, Tu Hu finally bid farewell to Shi Xingyi. Shi Xingyi waved his hand, granting him leave, and then turned to Liu Chou.

“Qing Mei has already been sent back to her room by Yuan Qin. If you wish to see her, come with me.”

“Thank you, Instructor,” Liu Chou replied without pretense, following behind Shi Xingyi as they walked towards the quarters of the lesser demons. On the way, Liu Chou asked, “Instructor, I must thank you for today.”

“There’s no need. Since you are Master Fu Lu’s disciple, we will naturally look after you. Tu Hu is not one of the valley people; best not to concern yourself with him in the future.” Shi Xingyi, intent on drawing Liu Chou closer, spoke not only with courtesy but also at length. “Do you know where he comes from?”

“Please enlighten me, Instructor.”

“He is one of the Hundred Officers of the Feathered Forest Guard. He came here by command of the General, seeking Jian Keng to return and take up his post. But Jian Keng went elsewhere, so the General blamed Tu Hu and punished him to serve three years as an instructor here.” Shi Xingyi explained, “His mind is set on making some achievement to earn his way back, so he pinned his hopes on the Wolf Brothers. Now that you have slain them, he is naturally furious and humiliated.”

“So that’s how it is. Thank you for the explanation,” Liu Chou said, finally understanding why the Wolf Brothers dared to set a trap today. Thinking of Tu Hu, he inevitably recalled Tu Zhu and asked, “Why did Instructor Tu come?”

“Tu Zhu? I don’t really know. Yuan Qin encountered him along the way and asked him to help you,” Shi Xingyi replied. “Fei Fei was present at the time and was indifferent, but when he saw I was coming as well, he joined me, mentioning it only briefly.”

Liu Chou felt moved; so there was more to the story. It seemed now he owed him another favor.

When the two arrived at the room, Yuan Qin was still there. Upon seeing Liu Chou return, he said nothing more and left with a smile. Shi Xingyi checked Qing Mei and, finding no serious harm, excused himself to prepare medicine and departed.

Qing Mei had awakened. Yet, being a demon, she made no comment about wearing Liu Chou’s clothing. Hearing from Yuan Qin that Liu Chou had slain the Wolf Brothers, she was slightly troubled, asking what would come next, even suggesting Liu Chou stay with Master Fu Lu and not return. She never mentioned herself, and Liu Chou also spoke little, sharing only cheerful tales to amuse her.

Before long, Ban Nu returned, rushed forward, and embraced Qing Mei, chattering away. Fearing Ban Nu might stir up trouble, Liu Chou found an excuse to leave, meeting a boy delivering medicine along the way.

Seeing this, Liu Chou’s mind stirred and he went to find Shi Xingyi, intending to ask what to do if Tu Hu sought trouble with Qing Mei in the future. Unexpectedly, Shi Xingyi laughed and said, “Just now I sent word to the Valley Master and received an order—Tu Hu is to go to the Shangzhang Brigade camp.”

With that, Liu Chou was finally at ease.

When Master Fu Lu returned, the flowers had all been gathered. He was evidently aware of what had transpired in the camp, but paid it little mind, brushing it aside. Yet, come the next day, Liu Chou’s training was intensified once more, and it continued until the very end.

Afternoon staff training was shortened, with only half devoted to the staff; the rest was spent familiarizing Liu Chou with other weapons—blades, bows, crossbows, even mechanical beasts, each brought forth for him to train with, so he would know how to survive against such foes.

In the final month, he even brought the flying kites and cloud boats Liu Chou had once seen, letting him master their operation and functions.

Then came the evenings. Who knows where Master Fu Lu found so many sheepskin scrolls? Bit by bit, case by case, he explained the thirty-six Heavenly Techniques and seventy-two Earth Techniques of the demon clans, the one hundred and eight arts of the Celestial School most widely spread among humanity, the thirty-six front and thirty-six back techniques of the Doctrine School, the eighty-one Soul Arts of the Severance School, even the three hundred and sixty-five Greater Vehicle arts and forty-nine Lesser Vehicle arts of the Western Barbarian School, and the one hundred and sixty-nine arts of the demon race. He taught their strengths, mysteries, truths, flaws, and more to Liu Chou, not caring if he understood, only requiring him to memorize.

Not only these, but also all manner of poisons, curses, talismans, formations, strange demons, fierce ghosts, spirits, and even the descendants of gods and Buddhas, ancient beasts, and celestial evils—there was nothing he did not know, nothing he did not share. All told in one sitting, which took two full hours.

Master Fu Lu had not intended to do so much at first, only to teach the arts. After finishing in three hours, he wanted to test how much Liu Chou remembered. To his astonishment, Liu Chou recalled every word without omission, prompting Master Fu Lu to arrange such exhaustive instruction.

Liu Chou himself was surprised. He did not know when his memory had become so extraordinary. After much thought, he concluded it was the effect of the Clear Aperture Pill, which enhanced memory and comprehension.

So, after three months of intense and arduous training, Liu Chou was finally forced through the fifth level, and the final examination of Ghost Valley was upon him.

Before departure, Master Fu Lu said little, merely handing Liu Chou a jade ring. “Today we part, and who knows how many years until we meet again. When you reach the realm of Demon King, crush this ring. Your master will know and come to find you.”

“Master, your disciple bids farewell…”

Since Liu Chou had arrived in this world, only three and a half people had treated him well: his earliest friend Gui Che, his friend Qing Mei in the valley, the half-friend Gui Qu who brought him here, and lastly this master, whom he had not known for long, but who had given him the warmest feelings in this world.

Master Fu Lu turned his back, waving behind him, refusing to look again.

Liu Chou knelt deeply, three bows and nine prostrations, before leaving.

Master Fu Lu watched Liu Chou board the cloud boat, then spoke to the darkness, “You’re not going?”

“This matter is handled by the Ten Trunk Instructors. What need have I to go? But you…” The visitor stepped forward—it was the white-haired Ghost Valley Sage. “If you’re worried, I can exempt your disciple from the exam and let him leave directly.”

Master Fu Lu shook his head. “All here is fate. The greatest changes in heaven and earth are rooted here. I am already in violation; further interference may bring unforeseen consequences.”

Ghost Valley Sage was silent a moment before asking, “What do you plan next? Will you linger a while longer, or follow to observe?”

“No need, my wish is fulfilled. I will go pursue another matter now,” Master Fu Lu laughed heartily, then after a moment, said, “Let me leave you a word as parting gift.”

Ghost Valley Sage was overjoyed, bowing deeply. He had been stuck at the threshold of ascension for over a century, his cultivation advancing but never achieving enlightenment, refusing the aid of gods lest he be forever bound. Now, hearing Master Fu Lu’s intent to guide him, he was ecstatic.

Master Fu Lu was silent for a while, then spoke:

“The Five Elements and Yin-Yang open the world,
The interplay of schemes determines life and death;
The philosophers record Spring and Autumn,
The mysteries of Ghost Valley reveal true meaning.”

With that, he laughed aloud, slowly fading before Ghost Valley Sage’s eyes until he vanished completely…

Ghost Valley Sage sat in meditation for eighty-one days, finally achieving enlightenment and drifting away. The Great Zhou searched everywhere for him, but found nothing, only sending others to guard and continue cultivating demon soldiers and generals.

Until the decline of Great Zhou, when the continent was divided by warlords, the traces of Ghost Valley reappeared. It was said that a master had emerged, and countless flocked to study under him. Among them were Su Qin, Zhang Yi, Sun Bin, Pang Juan, Yao Li, Shang Yang, Lü Buwei, Bai Qi, Xu Fu, Li Mu, Wang Jian, Gan Mao, Yue Yi, Zou Yan, Mao Sui, Zhao She, Fan Li, Huang Shi, Ximen Bao, Wei Cheng, Wang He, Wen Zhong, Li Bing, and over five hundred other elites, who together shook the world!

They bewitched hearts, stirred the mundane dust, and moved eight centuries of history!

Ghost Valley Sage himself ascended to heaven and became immortal, revered by all: as a saint by soldiers, as an ancestor by strategists, as a master by diviners, as a sage by tacticians, and as a teacher by philosophers, his legacy enduring through the ages.

But that is another story.

As for Liu Chou, after boarding the cloud boat, he found many strangers among its passengers. Less than a third were from the Yan Feng Brigade. Looking around, he saw familiar lesser demons gathered together, and upon inquiry, learned that there were also people from the Zhan Meng, Rou Zhao, Qiang Yu, and Zhuo Yong brigades, all heading for the exam together.

Two instructors were present: Tu Zhu and Shi Xingyi. Liu Chou greeted them; Shi Xingyi responded politely, but Tu Zhu suddenly drew close and sniffed Liu Chou deeply, startling him into retreating several steps, only for Tu Zhu to burst out laughing.

Truth be told, among all the people in the camp, although Tu Zhu was not the strongest, she was the one Liu Chou feared most.

At that moment, Qing Mei and Ban Nu squeezed up beside Liu Chou. He didn’t know what to say, so he squeezed Qing Mei’s hand and whispered, “Survive.”

Qing Mei nodded, her face solemn.

Ban Nu was the most panicked, nearly in tears. Liu Chou had no words for her, turning his head away.

The cloud boat began to ascend, wind soon roaring through the cabin. Through the cracks of the door, Liu Chou saw black smoke whirling past outside, occasionally accompanied by flashes of silver lightning winding around the boat.

The demons sat upright. The ascent was far from steady—sometimes slow, sometimes sharply rising, with creaks as if the boat might fall apart at any moment. Passengers trembled like leaves in the wind, but none were thrown from the deck; those who survived this far were all exceptional.

After a long ascent, the boat shuddered and the shaking abruptly ceased. No longer surrounded by the pitch-black mountain ring, they could see the stars; though there were neither stars nor moon, faint dawn light was already visible.

The cloud boat had left the mountain ring, soaring above the floating islands. It stopped ascending and began to move toward one side of the island.

At that moment, a man appeared at the front of the boat: browless, square-faced, with a split mouth and a flat nose marked by a scar running from his forehead to his jaw, making him look utterly fierce. He came to the rear cabin door, swept his gaze over everyone, grinned, and suddenly flung the door open. The icy night wind howled in, catching the front row unawares and sending them flying backward.

Only those who reacted quickly enough held onto the deck or walls, bracing themselves, while chaos reigned inside the cabin.

The browless man’s grin widened, clearly delighting in the scene. After a moment, he shouted,

“Now is your final examination!”

“All you have are weapons—no food, no medicine, no supplies. When the cloud boat descends, everyone must jump off, head east to the edge, and reboard. That is passing!”

“This place is only a thousand miles from the eastern edge—three days is more than enough. At midnight on the third day, the boat will depart, delivering those who pass to various brigades throughout Great Zhou.”

“There is no punishment for this exam!”

Having said this, the browless man was so amused by his own wit that he laughed loudly and wildly.

The demons looked at each other, now realizing what awaited them. Thinking of the corpse-demons and monsters outside the mountain ring, which had forced the four great brigades inside, their hearts were filled with unease and apprehension.

Liu Chou began tying his staff to his back, tightening his belt. Qing Mei and Ban Nu hurried to do likewise, as did many lesser demons, scrambling to secure their belongings.

Life or death would be decided in the next three days.