nownovels Chapter 12: Entering the Mountain to Search for the Demon
Chapter 12: Entering the Mountain to Search for the Demon
At the eastern end of the town, a cluster of abandoned houses was burned to the ground twenty years ago by a mysterious fire, leaving only ruins. Over the years, wild grass has grown to waist-high, its withered stems rustling in the morning breeze. Collapsed beams and shattered tiles are half-hidden in the weeds, while a few remaining earthen walls stand stubbornly, their plaster peeling away to reveal the compacted yellow earth beneath. Sunlight struggles to penetrate the broken window openings and gaps in the weeds, casting fragmented patches of light on the ground.
Lin Yan pushed aside the tangled withered vines and waist-high weeds, trudging through the ruins. In the angle formed by a half-collapsed wall and a thick, charred beam, he moved aside several moss-covered, rotten planks, revealing a dark, downward-pointing opening. The stone steps were incredibly slippery, covered in dark green moss.
The cellar was dimly lit, the air carrying the cool scent of earth and old wood. Yet, deep within, a steady, faint, warm yellow light emanated. Lin Yan, supporting himself against the cold, damp walls, descended step by step. At the end of the stone steps was a roughly square stone chamber, its walls rough, with empty pottery jars piled in the corners, their age unknown.
Su Qingyao sat cross-legged on a relatively flat stone slab in the center of the stone chamber. Before her lay the "Demon-Slaying Manual," and the three blood crystals, unlike the previous night, were not floating but resting quietly on the manual, held in her hands. A very faint, milky-white halo emanated from her palms, flowing slowly like living water, seeping into the crimson core of the blood crystals. The originally eerie, restless red light of the blood crystals, under the influence of this milky-white halo, was visibly softening and calming, and the blood-red threads moving within them were gradually fading.
Hearing footsteps, Su Qingyao let out a long breath, and the halo in her palm slowly faded. She opened her eyes, and although there was a trace of undisguised fatigue in them, there was also a bright look of relief.
"How is it?" Lin Yan walked over and placed the dried meat, water pouch, and medicine he had brought on a relatively clean stone next to her.
Su Qingyao stood up, stretched her slightly stiff neck, and a faint but genuine smile appeared on her beautiful face: "It went more smoothly than expected. The demonic energy and malevolent intent remaining in the blood crystal stone have been purified by about seven or eight tenths. Although some of the spiritual energy contained within it has been depleted, it's more than enough to serve as the core of the array, and it's now more stable and pure. How about your side? Would Uncle Zhang be willing to help?"
"It's more than just a wish." Lin Yan briefly recounted the key points of his meeting with Uncle Zhang that morning: "The iron oxide powder, cinnabar, and black dog blood will be ready today. He also has some leads on how to get them.
Su Qingyao nodded slightly, then turned her gaze back to the unfolded diagram, her slender fingertips tracing over a complex array diagram on one page: "According to the diagram, setting up a simplified version of the 'Three Yang Trapping Wolf Formation' will take at least three days. One day to prepare materials and draw talismans, one day to gather manpower for practice, and one day to choose a location to set up the formation and lure the enemy."
"Chen Fuhai may not give us three days of peace." Lin Yan shook his head, his eyes sharp as a drawn blade. "With the contract lost, he'll be on pins and needles. At the latest, a thorough investigation throughout the town will begin tomorrow. We must disrupt the situation and divert his attention before he does."
"How do we transfer them?" Su Qingyao frowned.
"Canglang Mountain." Lin Yan uttered these three words, his tone calm yet carrying an unwavering force. "If, at this moment, the demonic wolf pack of Canglang Mountain suddenly becomes active, or even if small groups of wolves harass the outskirts of the town, how much time and manpower will Chen Fuhai and Zhao Mang have left to search for us?"
Upon hearing this, Su Qingyao's bright eyes widened suddenly as she stared intently at Lin Yan: "You want to infiltrate Canglang Mountain? That's the lair of demon wolves, with hundreds of them, and that... wolf king who seems to have reached the threshold of the Profound Realm is also there. If the two of us go there rashly, wouldn't that be like walking into a trap?"
"It wasn't just the two of us acting rashly," Lin Yan corrected, meeting her gaze. "With you by my side, you have the Demon-Slaying Manual to guide you, know how to track and conceal your tracks, and have been lingering here for nearly a month, familiar with the terrain. With you here, the danger of this journey will be at least halved."
Su Qingyao pursed her lips and remained silent. She did indeed have some understanding of the terrain and general activity patterns of the wolf packs in the outer and even part of the central area of Canglang Mountain, but this was completely different from her original plan of a well-prepared reconnaissance. She knew better than anyone the risks of venturing deep into the wolf den's territory and deliberately provoking them.
"Besides," Lin Yan's voice deepened, his fingers unconsciously pressing against the slightly warm mark beneath his clothes. He paused briefly, then looked up at Su Qingyao, his gaze open yet tinged with a complex darkness, as if he had finally decided to expose a corner of his deepest secret to the light of day, "There are some things I no longer want to hide from you. I need to improve my strength as soon as possible. While my late-stage Body Tempering has improved considerably, it might be enough to deal with Zhao Mang, but against the Wolf King, or the hidden trump cards behind Chen Fuhai, it's still far from sufficient."
He took a slight breath, speaking slowly yet clearly: "I possess a... special physique. This physique allows me to refine and devour the blood and energy of demons, even their primordial power, making it my own to help me increase my cultivation and temper my body."
Su Qingyao's pupils suddenly contracted, and her fingers gripping the talisman tightened unconsciously. Devouring demons? This was no ordinary martial artist's method; it was more akin to a legendary evil technique. Her gaze towards Lin Yan instantly filled with surprise, scrutiny, and even a hint of barely perceptible wariness.
Lin Yan met her gaze calmly, without flinching, as if he had anticipated her reaction. "I know this sounds shocking, even... bizarre. But it's a gift I was born with, awakened only recently. It's not something I sought, nor something I could choose. The only certainty is that it's the only asset I can rely on in this chaotic world, and perhaps the only thing that will allow me to go further."
He shifted his gaze to the gloomy outline of Canglang Mountain, his voice carrying a hint of coldness and resolve: "Therefore, those demonic wolves in Canglang Mountain, which others would avoid at all costs, are indispensable 'resources' for tempering myself and breaking through to new heights, and even... a path that might lead to a more distant place. This journey is perilous, but for me personally, it is a necessary one."
After the words were spoken, silence fell over the stone chamber. Only the soft breathing of the two figures and the flickering oil lamp cast their shadows in disarray. Su Qingyao stared intently at Lin Yan, as if trying to see through his young yet overly composed face to uncover the truth hidden behind his words. After a long while, her tightly pressed lips relaxed slightly, and the wariness in her eyes was gradually replaced by a more complex emotion—shock, realization, and perhaps even a hint of…a shared sense of belonging, a struggle for survival?
She didn't press for the specific name or origin of that physique, but simply nodded slowly, her voice regaining its usual coolness, though less distant than before: "I see. No wonder your cultivation has progressed so rapidly... That's right, without extraordinary means, how could one dare to do such a heaven-defying thing with a body tempered?"
She paused, her gaze returning to the unfolded demon-slaying manual, her fingertips tracing the lines depicting the demons' weaknesses. "In that case, this journey is indeed necessary for you. However, absorbing the power of demons is ultimately a perilous path. Although the manual doesn't explicitly state this method, it does warn you that demons possess mixed and violent blood and qi, containing remnants of resentment within them. If not properly controlled, they can easily corrupt your mind and lead you down the demonic path. You... must be extremely cautious."
Lin Yan felt a slight warmth in her heart. Although shocked, she did not back down, nor did she look at it with strange eyes. Instead, she spoke up to remind her, "I understand. Since awakening, I have also felt the danger with each devouring. But the path is already ahead, and we have no choice but to proceed."
"Alright." Su Qingyao said no more, but in the depths of her gaze towards him, there seemed to be a hint of solemnity and concern between comrades-in-arms that she had never shown before. "Then Canglang Mountain is even more worth exploring."
Lin Yan nodded and continued, "This trip will also allow us to investigate the source of the Blood Crystal Stone. This thing was definitely not naturally conceived by the demon wolf. The key to its existence may be hidden deep within the wolf's den. If we can find clues, not only will we be able to sever Chen Fuhai's arm, but it may also be beneficial to your investigation of the Su family's old case and even the real culprit behind it."
This last sentence, like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, sent ripples through Su Qingyao's heart. The origin of the Blood Crystal Stone had always been a key focus of her investigation, and one of the points of contention her father had vaguely mentioned years ago. If this trip could truly uncover a glimpse of the truth…
She remained silent for a long time. The only sounds in the stone room were the two people's soft breathing and the occasional rustling of unknown insects from the depths of the cellar.
Finally, she looked up, met Lin Yan's waiting gaze, and nodded slowly but firmly.
"Alright. But we must plan carefully before acting, and not act rashly. The manual contains simple talisman-making methods such as the 'Concealment Talisman' and the 'Lightness Talisman.' Let's draw enough of them first, and then plan the route and retreat strategies in detail."
She turned the pages and pointed to one. It depicted several basic talisman diagrams, with the required materials and drawing instructions noted in small characters beside them. "The 'Concealment Talisman' requires a drop of the caster's own blood, mixed with cinnabar, to be drawn so that it perfectly blends with their own aura, concealing their presence. The 'Lightness Talisman' is similar, temporarily increasing speed for easier escape from dangerous situations."
"Is the depletion of essence and blood a serious problem?" Lin Yan asked.
"Each talisman costs one drop and will not damage your foundation. However, you will feel weak and powerless for a short time after drawing it. You can adjust your breathing for a while and it will be fine," Su Qingyao explained. "If you and I each draw five 'Concealing Qi Talismans' and three 'Light Body Talismans,' that should be enough to deal with the outer and middle abdominal areas."
Lin Yan nodded and took out newly purchased yellow paper and cinnabar from the bamboo basket. The two sat facing each other in the dim light of the stone chamber. Su Qingyao demonstrated first, biting the tip of her right index finger, squeezing out a drop of bright red blood, and dripping it into a small stone mortar containing cinnabar powder, stirring it slowly with a thin bamboo stick. The cinnabar mixed with her blood seemed to become deeper and more subdued in color. She held the brush (actually a sharpened piece of bamboo), held her breath, and dipped the brush tip, now saturated with blood and cinnabar, onto the cut yellow talisman paper. Her wrist was as steady as a rock, and the brush moved like a dragon, producing complex and ancient runes that flowed smoothly with her movements. With the last stroke, the entire talisman paper glowed slightly, emitting a very faint golden light, which then subsided. The talisman paper looked no different from ordinary yellow paper, but when held in the hand, one could feel a faint warmth that subtly connected to oneself.
Lin Yan followed the instructions. His mind was calm, and he channeled a wisp of his Soul-Devouring True Essence around his fingertip, causing only a slight pain when he bit it. As the blood dripped into the cinnabar, he was surprised to find that the cinnabar, mixed with his own blood essence, had a faint, almost grayish-black hue, but it quickly returned to normal. He didn't have time to delve into it, focusing instead on his brush. Drawing runes seemed simple, but it actually consumed a great deal of mental energy, requiring a single, continuous stroke. The slightest hesitation or deviation would ruin the entire rune. The first two, due to his unfamiliarity, had slightly stiff lines and failed to evoke any spiritual light, becoming useless runes. By the third, he gradually found his rhythm, his mind and brush becoming one, the runes flowing naturally. With the final stroke, the paper shimmered with golden light—success!
The two worked silently, the only sounds in the stone room being the soft scratching of the pen against the paper and the occasional soft rustling of discarded talismans being gently set aside. By the time ten "Concealment Talismans" and six "Lightness Talismans" were laid out before them, sweat was beading on their foreheads and their faces were paler than before, indicating that their spirit and essence had been depleted.
Lin Yan handed the dried meat and water he had brought to Su Qingyao, ate a few bites himself, and took a short break to catch his breath.
"We need to make things clear with Uncle Zhang." Su Qingyao swallowed, her voice a little hoarse. "If we don't return in three days, or if something unexpected happens in the town, then have him follow the plan and take the brothers who are willing to leave and copies of the evidence to leave this place quickly and head to Qingzhou Prefecture. I've heard that the Qingzhou Inspector General, Lord Zhou, has a decent reputation; perhaps we could give it a try."
"I will explain it to him," Lin Yan replied. "In addition, I need to go to the refugee camp again to ensure the temporary safety of Zhou and her son, and to move them to a more secluded place."
The two then meticulously planned their route into the Canglang Mountain, referring to the simplified map Su Qingyao had drawn from memory: they would infiltrate from the relatively lush, less demonic slope on the south side; use concealment talismans to avoid scattered wolf packs on the periphery; gradually venture into the central region, searching for lone or small groups of demonic wolves to hunt down, both to enhance their strength and create chaos; finally, depending on the situation, they would decide whether to risk approaching the core area of the wolf den to investigate clues about the blood crystal stones. They agreed on the signals for advancing and retreating, the rendezvous point in case of an unexpected separation, and the latest evacuation time.
With everything settled, the sun was already beginning to set. Lin Yan left the cellar and first went to the refugee camp. Using his familiarity with the terrain, he avoided the eyes and ears of his spies and quietly moved Zhou and her son to a more dilapidated, long-abandoned courtyard on North Street. He left them some dry food and water, repeatedly instructing them not to go out. Afterward, he went to the blacksmith's shop to finalize the contact methods and contingency plans with Uncle Zhang. Only when dusk fell did he return to his own small courtyard, which might already be under surveillance.
***
The next day, just past dawn, the world was still shrouded in an impenetrable darkness. A bone-chilling cold permeated the air, and even the stars and moon were hidden behind thick clouds. Lin Yan, carrying his packed bag and with his long sword concealed close to his body, left the courtyard silently like a ghost, heading to the agreed-upon spot in the withered grove east of the town to meet Su Qingyao.
Su Qingyao had changed into a dark green outfit suitable for movement in the mountains, her long hair neatly tied back and secured with a wooden hairpin. Besides the short sword at her waist, she also carried a bulging leather pouch, clearly containing essential items such as diagrams, talismans, and medicine. In her hand, she held a palm-sized bronze compass; the jade pointer at its center trembled slightly in the still air, stubbornly pointing northwest—towards Canglang Mountain.
"Is everything ready?" Lin Yan asked in a low voice, his gaze sweeping over her waist.
Su Qingyao nodded, took out two "concealment talismans" from her leather bag, and handed one over: "Put this on. From this point on, you must conceal your tracks."
The talisman was placed between his eyebrows; it felt slightly cool, then transformed into a warm current that flowed into his skin. Lin Yan immediately felt his aura become almost imperceptible, even his breathing seemed much softer, and the boundary between him and his surroundings became blurred.
Without another word, the two exchanged a glance, then simultaneously darted out, disappearing into the deeper, darker forest ahead. Their figures moved swiftly among the trees and rocks, as light as night owls and as agile as monkeys, quickly leaving the slumbering Blackstone Town far behind.
The mountain path leading to Canglang Mountain was rugged and difficult to traverse. The dew was extremely heavy, soaking my trouser legs and shoes, and it was icy cold. Thorns and bushes constantly snagged my clothes, making a soft "shh" sound. Lin Yan walked half a step behind Su Qingyao, so he could provide support at any time and also observe her footwork. He saw that she landed extremely lightly, as if walking on clouds. Often, she would use a little force on the withered leaves or soft soil, and her body would have already glided several feet, leaving almost no trace. Clearly, she possessed exquisite lightness and agility.
About an hour later, though it was still dark, the two could already sense a noticeable change in their surroundings. A faint, almost imperceptible, fishy odor began to permeate the air, growing stronger the further they went. The vegetation on the ground became sparse and strange, some plants displaying an unnatural dark green or grayish-brown hue, with occasional serrated notches on their leaves. Scattered bones began to appear in the soil, some small, resembling those of mountain rats or rabbits, others much larger, even including half a human arm or leg bone, carelessly discarded in the grass, their surfaces covered in tooth marks.
Su Qingyao suddenly stopped and raised her left hand, signaling Lin Yan to stop. She looked down at the compass in her hand and saw that the jade pointer was trembling more and more violently, almost jumping off the surface, pointing straight to a darker, dense forest to the left.
"From here on, this is the boundary where the demon wolves usually roam." She lowered her voice to almost Lin Yan's ear, "The concealment talisman's effect lasts about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. We need to calculate the time carefully and use it alternately."
Lin Yan nodded, his late-stage Body Tempering True Essence quietly accelerating its flow through his meridians, boosting his five senses to their current limits. He could hear the faint sound of withered leaves being crushed a hundred meters away, smell the increasingly intense stench in the air, a mixture of blood and wild animal scents, and even vaguely feel the extremely slight, rhythmic vibrations coming from the ground beneath his feet—tremors caused by the movement of large creatures.
"Watch out, there's something ahead." Lin Yan suddenly reached out and gently pulled Su Qingyao's arm, leading her silently behind a giant tree that would require two people to encircle. The bark was rough and cracked, emitting a faint woody fragrance that temporarily masked the fishy smell.
Just as the two had completely concealed themselves in the shadows behind the tree, a rustling sound came from the bushes ahead, as if the branches and leaves were being moved. The sound was unhurried, yet carried a certain composure and oppressive feeling unique to predators.
Immediately afterwards, three enormous figures slowly stepped into a small, relatively open meadow in the woods ahead.
The moonlight struggled to penetrate the gaps in the dense canopy, sparingly casting a few rays of light that barely outlined the silhouette of the three-headed creature.
Those were three bluish-gray demon wolves.
They were far larger than ordinary forest wolves, standing over five feet tall at the shoulder, almost the size of a teenager. Their bodies were covered in steel-needle-like bluish-gray fur that gleamed with a cold, metallic sheen in the dim light. Their broad chests, with clearly defined muscles, rose and fell slightly with their breath, exuding explosive power. Their limbs were thick as pillars, their claws curled up, revealing half-inch-long, hook-like, jet-black claws that dug deeply into the damp soil.
Most terrifying of all are their heads. Their snouts protrude, revealing a mouthful of interlocking, outward-facing fangs that gleam a ghastly white in the dim light. Thick saliva drips slowly from between their teeth, landing on the ground with a soft "plop." And their eyes—not the eerie green or amber of ordinary wild beasts, but a murky, bloodshot, and ferocious gaze, devoid of any reason, containing only the most primal and pure hunger and bloodlust.
At this moment, the three blue-haired demon wolves were huddled together, greedily tearing and gnawing at the "thing" on the ground.
It was a human corpse. Perhaps it was a "sacrifice" dragged here not long ago, or perhaps it was a hunter or refugee who had unfortunately stumbled upon this place. The body was already mutilated, its clothes torn, revealing the mangled, bloody limbs and chest and abdomen beneath. The pungent stench of blood and the distinctive odor of internal organs, even from a distance, was overwhelming and nauseating.
Su Qingyao's face instantly turned deathly pale, devoid of any color. She bit her lower lip tightly, almost drawing blood, and her fingers gripping the hilt of the short sword trembled slightly, her knuckles white from the excessive force. This wasn't the first time she had witnessed such a horrific scene, but each time, the unforgettable hatred and grief would overwhelm her like a tidal wave.
Lin Yan felt the tension in her body and the slight trembling. He released his grip on her arm and gently pressed her shoulder instead, the movement light but carrying a steady strength.
Just then, the largest of the three demon wolves, with the thickest neck fur, suddenly stopped tearing at them. It abruptly raised its head, its large nostrils twitching violently and rapidly, exhaling two streams of white vapor carrying the smell of blood. Its crimson wolf eyes warily scanned its surroundings, and finally, it slowly turned towards the giant tree where Lin Yan and Su Qingyao were hiding.
A low, hoarse, threatening "groove" sound came from his throat.
Upon hearing the sound, the other two demonic wolves immediately raised their heads, stopped eating, bared their fangs, and drooled. Their three pairs of ferocious red eyes locked onto the area behind the giant tree.
"We've been detected." Su Qingyao's voice was very soft, with a hint of tension. "Although the concealment talisman can hide most of the aura, at such close range, their sense of smell is too sharp. Perhaps... the smell of blood stimulated them."
The three blue-furred demon wolves slowly advanced, forming a loose triangular formation as they surrounded the giant tree. Their steps were steady, their paws crunching and rustling on the withered branches and leaves, the sounds particularly clear in the silent forest. They did not rush to attack, but instead, with the cruel patience of cats toying with mice, they gradually tightened their encirclement.
Lin Yan's hand silently gripped the hilt of the knife at his waist. The cold touch made him even more focused. He turned his head and gave Su Qingyao a wink, then whispered, "I'll handle the left and right sides. You keep them occupied on the right. Be quick, don't get tangled up, and avoid attracting more attention."
Su Qingyao took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the churning in her stomach and the palpitations in her heart. She nodded vigorously, and the short sword had already been drawn half an inch from its sheath. The bright blade flashed a cold light in the shadows of the trees.
The two exchanged a glance, needing no further words.
In the next instant, Lin Yan, like a cheetah that had been poised for a long time, suddenly burst out from behind the tree! Almost at the same time, Su Qingyao's figure also floated out like a wisp of smoke, pouncing towards the demon wolf on the right!
The battle suddenly broke out in the darkest hour before dawn on Canglang Mountain!