Chapter 120: The Loss of Clear Skies and the Absence of Sound

A massive swarm of birds, mingled with spectral avian souls, surged overwhelmingly toward Fang You and Bai Ling. Bai Ling tucked Xiao Douzi behind her, drawing the black blade at her waist in preparation for battle. Both of them, however, were utterly exhausted, cold sweat beading on their brows.

Suddenly, a strange cry pierced the air. The wild animals that had previously barred the path of Bai Ling and Gao Changyi gathered once more. Looking back, they realized the Xiezhi had never truly left; its mission was to guard the remains of Shennong. Hearing the roar of the King of Beasts, the birds in the sky were instantly terrified, scattering in frantic, chaotic disorder. Meanwhile, the rhinos, wild boars, and tigers in the vicinity began to close in.

Shi Qing, seeing the situation turn dire, quickly embraced his sister, Wu Yin. He recalled his trained birds, which plucked at their clothes, and cried out, "I never expected such dangers here. Master Abe Haruya only sent us to investigate, not to throw our lives away. You two are lucky this time!" With that, the birds lifted Shi Qing and Wu Yin into the air and bore them away.

"Thank you, Sacred Beast, for your aid!" Fang You bowed deeply to the Xiezhi. The creature nodded with remarkable intelligence. "Finally, we can go back and find Zhang Shengnan."

Meanwhile, having left Dragon God Mountain, Wu Qing and Shi Yin returned to the outskirts of Mount Taiwu with the help of the birds. After landing, they stood panting for a few moments. Wu Qing held his sister, saying, "Don't be afraid, we are back."

"It seems you have failed," a grating voice sounded from behind them.

"Blood Ghost Dragon, did the Master not assign you other tasks?" Wu Qing asked with annoyance.

"You mean that fellow Abe Haruya? It seems that after the battle in Tianshen Town, because I ignored his commands, he has confined me to Mount Taiwu. It feels like he is forcing me to reflect on my mistakes, ha-ha-ha!" Blood Ghost Dragon laughed wildly, the Ghost Slayer Blade in his hand radiating waves of chilling frost.

"Mind your tone; that is our Master!" Although Shi Qing’s eyes were covered, the expression on his face was one of deep displeasure.

"I hear you are a descendant of the Hanchō-ga, capable of observing the surroundings through birds and even using them to transmit messages. I wonder how your combat prowess measures up? And is that sorcerer named Fang You really as strong as they say?" Blood Ghost Dragon asked with keen interest.

"Enough. I must see the Master," Shi Qing said slowly, stepping past him.

"I know you all loathe me, but I did not come to the Eastern Lands to be liked. I came to find the greatest enemy of my life. Unfortunately, you are all too weak."

Shi Qing entered the Yin-Yang Pavilion’s headquarters, only to be struck dumb by the scene before him.

"Do not be surprised. I heard that Xi Long had finally mastered the Sixteen Ghost Child Technique, so I came to spar with him. I suppose I was a bit heavy-handed, and it turned out like this. However, since Xi Long has repeatedly been defeated by that sorcerer Fang You, I am quite eager to meet him."

Before Shi Qing lay the Thai sorcerer Xi Long, sprawled in the room. The sixteen Buddhist amulets he carried had been sliced in two; his death was gruesome.

Shi Qing reacted instantly, sending a messenger bird to notify Abe Haruya. But no sooner had the bird taken flight than Blood Ghost Dragon seized Shi Qing’s sister, Wu Yin.

"The sixteen ghosts of a Thai sorcerer cannot compare to the seven spectral demons I have trapped and control within my Ghost Slayer Blade. I could control eight, but I wish to save the final spot for our great Master, Abe Haruya!"

"I let you send that message on purpose. Of the twelve members of the Yin-Yang Pavilion, besides the Thai sorcerer Xi Long whom I killed, there is also the puppeteer Yuan Xi, who went to the Gu Sect to steal the Gu King and disappeared without a trace after failing to persuade their elder, He Bi'an, to join us."

"Excluding myself, that leaves Abe Haruya and the others, including the two of you—nine in total. I intend to slaughter them all. Let them come! I am the strongest, ha-ha-ha! I hope to turn Abe Haruya into one of my spectral demons as well. And that sorcerer, Fang You... I truly cannot wait to meet him!"

Looking at his sister in the clutches of Blood Ghost Dragon, Shi Qing could only cry out in desperation, "Master Abe Haruya, please, you must stay safe!"

Hours later, on a nearby mountain, Abe Haruya was surveying the geomancy of the land. He looked over the terrain and spoke slowly: "With a fish playing and a dragon spitting pearls in the front, a high mountain behind for stability, forests rising on the left and right, and a hanging plateau in the center—this is a site of excellent Feng Shui."

Behind him, the Beishi tycoon Xu Qiang nodded. "Among the sorcerers in my employ, you are the only one who satisfies me. Although you are a foreigner, it is your fortune to work for me."

This Mr. Xu was the same tycoon who had previously hired Fang You to help him loot Cao Anman’s tomb, and he was one of the most prominent wealthy figures in Beishi.

"I am honored," Abe Haruya murmured.

Xu Qiang continued, "I like you because you never ask questions. You simply do the job for money, never prying, never distinguishing between right and wrong. That is what satisfies me most."

"There is an old saying: take a man's money, resolve his troubles. I understand this well. I only do the work for the pay; I never ask or say more than is necessary. As long as the task is done, that is enough," Abe Haruya replied respectfully.

"Here is your payment for locating the site. Take it." Xu Qiang tossed a bag of money to him. Abe Haruya thanked him and turned to leave.

In truth, Abe Haruya’s desperate need for money—his willingness to do anything for a price—was driven by his desire to build the Yin-Yang Pavilion in this land. Establishing a sect was no easy task, especially since most of its members were foreigners. They were bound to be ostracized by local Taoists and Yin-Yang masters. Therefore, vast amounts of wealth were essential, which was why he was so urgent.

Just as he was about to return to Mount Taiwu, a colorful bird flew down from the sky. Abe Haruya recognized it as the Nautilus, a messenger bird raised by his subordinate Shi Qing. It must be something urgent.

Abe Haruya extended his arm, and the Nautilus landed. It cleared its throat and spoke: "Master Abe Haruya, Blood Ghost Dragon has gone mad. He has killed Xi Long. You must be careful!"

"Blood Ghost Dragon killed Xi Long?"