Plum Blossom One Zhao fell silent for a moment. “At first, I couldn’t understand why death-sworn followers were required. I thought it was because the malevolent slips were so vicious that subduing them meant risking life and death.”
He pushed aside the cups and bowls before him, bent down, and pulled out a bundle from beneath the table, tossing it onto the tabletop with a clang.
The bundle came undone. Mu Dai saw clearly—it was the seven malevolent slips, sealed by the phoenix–luan clasps. Golden radiance and black baleful energy intertwined on the slips, appearing and disappearing.
She was puzzled for a split second, then understood: Plum Blossom One Zhao and the others had already gathered all seven slips.
She heard him say, “Along the way, the slips revealed many brief messages—blades, fire, water. But the silk manuscript explains it clearly. In the end, it all comes down to one thing: the human heart.”
“The human heart is hard to define. It can be small or vast, complex or simple, poisonous or kind. The resentment of the slips comes from the human heart—and in this world, the only thing that can suppress the human heart is another human heart.”
“Without resentment attached, the malevolent slips are just ordinary pieces of wood. Without additional power infused, the phoenix–luan clasps are nothing more than ordinary bronze.”
His final words were spoken very softly.
“This is a contest between two forces. Perhaps one is righteous and one is evil—but both require sacrifice. Without the final seal, the phoenix–luan clasps can only suppress the slips for seven days. And that final seal requires a life.”
Cao Yanhua’s anger flared. Forgetting the situation entirely, he charged forward to argue—but after just two steps, everything blurred. In the next instant, it became clear again.
The scene had changed. They were in a desolate wilderness. A stream of blood arced through the air, suddenly changing direction as if drawn by something, flying straight toward a phoenix–luan clasp lying at an angle on the ground. Strangely, when the blood touched the clasp, it vanished instantly, the clasp remaining bright and pristine, while the black baleful energy on the slips weakened slightly as blood spread over them.
Looking closer, the young woman in martial attire from before collapsed limply, blood gushing from her neck. Plum Blossom One Zhao held her tightly and murmured, “I’ve sent you all off properly. I’ll be joining you soon.”
Nearby lay two bodies already. The bearded man tipped back his head, drank the last of the wine in his gourd, staggered to the phoenix–luan clasp, and laughed loudly. “Come on—this life of mine. If you want it, take it.”
As he spoke, his hand slashed across. A flash of blade. The smile never left his face as his body fell straight onto the clasp.
The scene changed again. Rain poured down, howls echoed, and the surrounding mountains looked exactly like—no, they were—Fengzi Ridge.
In the downpour, Plum Blossom One Zhao stumbled forward. Behind him, two or three rain-soaked, starving wolves crept along.
He seemed to know already and didn’t care. He looked around, then casually walked into a bright cave in the mountainside and sat down against the rock wall.
From his chest he drew the malevolent slips sealed by the clasps and laughed loudly. He pulled out the dagger with the gold beast-mouth hilt and stabbed it into the ground beside him.
Murmuring, he said, “I’ve heard this place is called Fengzi Ridge. I’ve been here before. They say the three mountain peaks, seen from above, look like three phoenixes linked head to tail.”
“Maybe this is where I first sealed you.”
“For thousands of years, you’ve been stored and released in different places, but you always return to the world. So let’s go back to the beginning. With the spirit of the sages watching from above, perhaps this time you’ll stay sealed longer.”
He threw back his head and laughed, pulled out the dagger, and drove it straight into his heart.
Then, with the last of his strength, he clasped the slips tightly in both hands.
Amid thunder and lightning, the stench of blood filled the air. Nearby, the wolves arched their backs, restless…
At that moment, a brilliant golden light burst forth. Elegant phoenix and luan silhouettes flowed through the rain. Then, with a thunderous crash, the ground split open. Plum Blossom One Zhao, along with the slips he held, vanished instantly underground.
Mud mixed with rain poured over the spot. Only the wolves remained, wandering over, sniffing the ground again and again—finding nothing.
A soft click sounded.
The phoenix–luan clasps loosened. The tightly bound slips scattered back onto the cloth, overlapping in disarray.
All the images faded into silence.
The sun had risen to its highest point. The air was cool, yet the mountains were still filled with birdsong and the scent of flowers.
No one spoke. Cao Jiefang wobbled about, here and there, tail raised, sniffing through the scrub.
After a long pause, Luo Ren crouched down to gather the slips and clasps. “Let’s head back first…”
Before he could finish, Cao Yanhua suddenly shouted, “I’m done!”
He kicked the entrenching tool aside. It flew off and clanged against the rock wall. Cao Jiefang startled and flapped far away.
Cao Yanhua’s eyes were red. “I’m done. I won’t accept this!”
“What kind of bullshit is this? Phoenix–luan clasps—and in the end, everyone dies? All of them?”
“This is what happens to good people? Then why be good? I’d rather go back to being a thief. Even if I get caught and thrown in jail, at least they won’t make me die!”
Mu Dai bit her lip, trying to calm him. “Cao Fatty…”
Veins bulged on Cao Yanhua’s forehead. “Little Master, our ancestor—that Zhao—maybe he led it, maybe not. But he knew to pick people who were different—people already sentenced to death, or dying of illness. Those people didn’t care about dying. We’re not like that!”
The more he spoke, the more aggrieved he sounded. “This journey’s been hell. I almost died more than once, and I never complained. I kept thinking, we’re doing something good, saving people—it would give me peace of mind. But this is just bullying!”
“I’m not doing it. I will never put a knife to my own neck. If I do, I’m a bastard. That’s final.”
He said it through clenched teeth. Wan San wanted to laugh—but he had to admit, Cao Yanhua had voiced what he was feeling too.
Yeah. Why should they?
He looked at Luo Ren. “Luo Ren, say something.”
Luo Ren kept packing, not even looking up. “Cao Fatty’s this angry—who are you mad at? Me? Your little master? Or Wan San and Hongsha?”
Cao Yanhua stiffened his neck. “At blind heaven and an unfair world!”
Yan Hongsha found it all rather pointless and whispered, “Luo Ren, what do we do?”
Luo Ren zipped his pack shut with a rasp. “This is easy.”
“Didn’t everyone see it just now? Those five people discussed it together and all agreed. If we don’t know what to do, we vote. Anyone who wants to die, raise your hand.”
The question was blunt. No one raised a hand. No one wanted to die.
Luo Ren shrugged. “There you go. Unanimous decision—not doing it.”
He pointed at the pit. “Someone help me fill in the grave. The living will handle the living’s affairs. Let the dead rest in peace.”
Wan San stood there for a moment, then went over to help. Mu Dai and Yan Hongsha assisted. Cao Yanhua stood awkwardly, feeling that everyone else was far calmer than he was.
Once they finished, Luo Ren said, “Let’s go.”
He slung on his pack and pulled Mu Dai along. Wan San and Yan Hongsha hesitated briefly, then followed. Cao Yanhua stood there in a daze. When he saw they were really leaving without looking back, he panicked.
“Where are you going?”
“Back.”
“Back for what?”
“To eat, sleep, shower—do whatever we want.”
“Really not doing it anymore?”
Luo Ren stopped and turned around.
“Didn’t we just vote, Cao Fatty? You think I was joking with you?”
GhostCloudd On WBICDPH Chapter 93