Chapter 21 — Traces of the Demonic

Zhang Qingyue looked wildly about: "I was so busy talking with Jingyu that I forgot all about Xiao Hui! I don't know where he's run off to!"

Only then did the others remember—indeed, none of them had noticed the whereabouts of the little gray monkey. They all began searching high and low, but saw only the vast white clouds and the disciples of the various peaks gradually dispersing; there was no trace of the monkey Xiao Hui.

Zhang Qingyue's heart clenched with anxiety. Ever since he had brought Xiao Hui back from that secluded valley two years ago, the two of them—man and monkey (later joined by the big yellow dog, Da Huang)—had shared a room these two years, and their bond was deep. This Jietian Peak soared into the clouds, its extent beyond imagining up and down; if Xiao Hui had run off somewhere to forage for wild fruit, how could he ever find him?

In the midst of his worry, Zhang Qingyue suddenly heard Tian Lingsu give a cry of "Eh?" from the other side. He turned to look: her face had broken into a smile, and she was pointing ahead. "Look," she laughed.

The others looked, and could not help laughing aloud. There sat Xiao Hui, perched quite at ease on the back of the big yellow dog that Tian Buhui kept, squeaking "chee-chee-chee-chee" and waving a monkey paw toward Zhang Qingyue—while the yellow dog came trotting toward them, jaws clamped tight, carrying a meat bone he had got hold of heaven knew where.

Before long Da Huang came running up with Xiao Hui on his back. Xiao Hui leapt in two or three bounds onto Zhang Qingyue's shoulder. Zhang Qingyue hastily rubbed the monkey's head and put on a stern face: "Where did you run off to?"

Xiao Hui was not the least bit afraid. Grinning, he pointed at Da Huang, who was lying on the ground gnawing his meat bone, and with much "chee-chee" and waving of arms he gesticulated wildly. Zhang Qingyue watched for a good while, then suddenly asked: "Where did that meat bone come from?"

At this Xiao Hui gesticulated some more, pointing all the while toward one end of the plaza. Zhang Qingyue looked at Song Dayi, who quickly glanced around, his face a study in embarrassment and amusement, and whispered: "That's where the disciples of the Eldest Peak take their meals—the kitchen."

The others stared, then burst out laughing and shook their heads. Song Dayi led the way toward the other side: "Let's get to the dormitories and rest. Oh, that's right—little junior sister, you're a girl, so we've arranged for you to stay with the junior sisters of Xiaozhu Peak. You don't mind, do you?"

Tian Lingsu shook her head, smiling: "I was hoping to chat a while with Sister Wen Pei anyway—and put in a good word or two for you, eldest senior brother."

Everyone roared with laughter. Song Dayi flushed and pretended not to hear, striding out ahead while the others followed, talking and joking. Zhang Qingyue, bringing up the rear, did not join in; instead he glared at the gray monkey on his shoulder: "You damn monkey, if you go off thieving again, just see what I'll do to you."

Xiao Hui squeaked twice and grinned wide—whether he did not understand, or simply did not take Zhang Qingyue's words to heart, was impossible to say.

Zhang Qingyue scolded him a few more times as they walked on. After a few steps he thought of something else, turned his head, and called out loudly: "Get a move on, you damn dog—all you know is eating!"

Da Huang, still sprawled on the ground gnawing his bone, reluctantly lifted his eyes, saw that the others had gone far ahead, and only then got to his feet, picked up the half-gnawed bone in his teeth, and padded lazily after them.

In the Yuheng Hall, the seven seat-holders of Canglan Sect had gathered, and all their attention was now fixed on Daoyan Zhenren.

Tianyun Daoren, seat-holder of Luoxia Peak, rose first: "Sect Leader, did you discern what was wrong with the Spirit Venerable just now?"

Daoyan Zhenren sighed and said slowly: "I examined it carefully. There is nothing amiss with the Spirit Venerable."

"What?" Astonishment rose on every seat-holder's face.

Daoyan Zhenren looked at his fellow disciples: "It is so. I looked several times over, and the Spirit Venerable was in every way as usual. I truly cannot fathom why it should have flown into such a rage so suddenly—and then vanished again so quickly!"

Tian Buhui pondered a moment: "The target of the Spirit Venerable's attack seemed to be the young disciples. Could someone have provoked it?"

Shui Jing Dashi, seat-holder of Xiaozhu Peak, took it up: "Impossible. If a disciple had truly provoked the Spirit Venerable, why would it abandon the attack after a single strike?"

Shui Yue was rather beautiful, but when she spoke her tone was icy, as though carrying a breath of cold air. Tian Buhui glanced at her and said no more.

Daoyan Zhenren shook his head: "The Spirit Venerable is an ancient spirit beast, long since endowed with awareness. In a thousand years it has never suffered such a sudden lapse. There must be a reason."

Zeng Shuchang, seat-holder of Fenghui Peak, seated on the left, his temples frosted white and looking the oldest of the seven, spoke: "Could it be, Sect Leader, that you have already formed a conclusion?"

Daoyan Zhenren sighed softly: "To be frank with you all, I am as much in the dark as anyone. But the Spirit Venerable is the guardian beast of our Canglan Sect—no small matter. I meant to use the sect's secret 'Spirit Communion Art' to probe the truth. To my surprise—"

Here Daoyan Zhenren suddenly broke off. The others, having heard half of it, were left hanging. Tian Buhui pressed him first: "Sect Leader, what then?"

Daoyan Zhenren looked embarrassed: "The Spirit Communion Art is a minor side-technique, but it allows some communication with the Spirit Venerable. To my surprise, just as I meant to use it, the Spirit Venerable had already fallen asleep, and there was nothing I could do."

The others were struck dumb.

Daoyan Zhenren cleared his throat twice and said gravely: "There is no need to worry over this matter. When the Spirit Venerable wakes, we shall consider it further. But there is another matter I wish to discuss with you, my senior brothers."

Seeing Daoyan Zhenren's grave expression, the others judged it no small matter. Their smiles faded and they sat up straight.

Daoyan Zhenren returned to his own seat and pondered a moment before speaking: "My friends, are you aware that three thousand li to the east there is a mountain called Kongsang?" (Note 1)

The others were taken aback. Cangyan Daoren was the first to recover: "Does the Sect Leader mean the Kongsang Mountain where the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Grotto lies?"

Daoyan Zhenren nodded: "The same."

Zeng Shuchang frowned: "I have heard that the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Grotto is a natural cavern of immense size, plunging straight into the earth, its depths unfathomable. It is cold and damp within, and nothing dwells there but countless bats—millions of them, they say. Why would you bring up such a barren place, senior brother?"

Daoyan Zhenren said slowly: "There is much you do not know. Barren as the Ten Thousand Bats Ancient Grotto looks, unfit for man or beast, eight hundred years ago it was an important stronghold of the demonic cult. Its cold and damp suited those heretics well for cultivating their sorcerous arts. Later, when we of the righteous path besieged them, the demonic remnants were routed and fled, and the place fell into ruin."

Shui Jing Dashi spoke coldly: "Then why does the Sect Leader raise it again now?"