Chapter Seventy-Two: Return to the Mountain

After the righteous army captured Black Cliff Pass, Murong Yan assigned two thousand soldiers to guard it while the rest returned to the main camp.

They spent that day resting.

On the following morning, as the army was preparing to march, a young soldier came rushing in with news: “Marshal, outside the camp gates, crowds of local villagers have gathered. They’ve brought wine, pastries, vegetables, and fruits, hoping to offer them to both marshals. I’m afraid we may not be able to depart for the time being!”

Murong Yan nodded. “I understand. You may go.”

Once the messenger had left, Murong Yan smiled and said, “Vice Marshal Ye, let us go together and meet the locals.”

The generals accompanied Murong Yan out of the camp, where they saw many villagers already kneeling outside the gates.

Murong Yan quickly strode forward, helping the villagers to their feet with both hands and saying with heartfelt emotion, “Dear elders and friends, please rise! Please rise! I dare not accept such a grand gesture.”

An elderly man with snow-white hair but a youthful face stepped forward. “Are you Marshal Murong? I am the old clan chief here, chosen by the people to express our thoughts.”

Murong Yan bowed respectfully. “Elder, please speak. I am all ears.”

The old man spoke, “For generations, we have lived here. A hundred years ago, the Nine-Headed Vulture occupied Black Cliff Pass. Since then, our lives have been in turmoil. That old fiend would frequently lead his demon soldiers to burn, kill, and plunder, demanding tributes from us, committing every evil imaginable.”

At this point, tears streamed down the old man’s cheeks, and the villagers, too, lowered their heads in sorrow.

“But now, you have driven away the demon soldiers and rescued our womenfolk. How could we not be grateful? We’ve brought you homemade wine and the fruits and vegetables we’ve grown as a token of thanks. Please, do not disdain our humble offerings,” the old man said, bowing deeply.

“Elder, you mustn’t! Truly, you mustn’t!” Murong Yan waved her hands, politely refusing. Then she addressed the crowd, “You have suffered enough. Please keep these for yourselves. We have provisions coming from the rear; there’s no need to worry about us.”

The old man stopped Murong Yan, gently insisting, “Marshal, please don’t refuse us! We know well what you’ve been eating these days. Out of righteousness and virtue, you must have run out of supplies, even foraging wild vegetables without ever demanding anything from us. I, an old man over ninety, have finally lived to see our own army here—my life is complete! But you mustn’t starve while fighting for us. How could we bear such a thing?”

The villagers echoed, “That’s right! Please, accept it!”

Murong Yan realized she could not refuse. Deeply moved, tears welled in her eyes. She cupped her hands in gratitude and said, “Thank you, my friends. I accept your kindness with deep humility.”

As she watched her soldiers receive the gifts, she added, “For your generosity, I have nothing to give in return. Therefore, I shall present you with some of the weapons seized in yesterday’s battle, and assign a few officers to train your able-bodied youths. If demon soldiers return, you will have the means to defend your homes!”

The villagers cheered with joy, bowing in gratitude.

Afterward, the old chief spoke again, “Marshal Murong, we have long heard the name Ye Feng, but do not know which among you defeated the Nine-Headed Vulture. May we see for ourselves?”

The villagers eagerly echoed, “Which one is it?”

Ye Feng quickly stepped forward, cupping his hands. “I am Ye Feng. Greetings, everyone!”

The old man circled Ye Feng, looking him up and down, nodding with approval. “What a fine young man—worthy indeed to be called the God of War of Great Xia, invincible and undying! It is as the tales say!”

At this, all the villagers knelt at once, bowing their heads to the ground. One villager tugged at the elder’s sleeve, urging, “Chief, kneel quickly! He’s truly a living god who protects us!”

Startled, the old man came to his senses and immediately knelt, kowtowing fervently. “Great Immortal, forgive my ignorance and my offense! I meant no disrespect!”

Ye Feng hurriedly helped the old man up. “There are no gods here, only an ordinary man. I am but flesh and blood. Tales of invincibility are just rumors stirred up by the soldiers. I have lost battles before. Our victory was due to your support, Marshal Murong’s wise command, and the unity of our officers. You all are the true heroes. What am I in comparison?”

Still trembling, the old man stammered, “Great Immortal, you mustn’t say that. We villagers have little power and can only rely on you for protection!”

Ye Feng humbly replied, “Elder, I am just one man. Even if I were made of iron, how many nails could I hammer in? The one you should thank most is not me, but General Li Yiqing!”

He then pulled Li Yiqing forward. “Look, here he is—nicknamed ‘Little Monkey of the Thousand Cliffs’! He led two thousand warriors over the cliffs in a night assault on Black Cliff Pass, rescuing the captives and driving out the Nine-Headed Vulture!”

The villagers looked at the short, skinny Li Yiqing, finding it hard to believe.

The old man scrutinized Li Yiqing, full of doubt. “You? Well, it’s true you returned our girls, but must you exaggerate so? Rescuing captives, driving out the Nine-Headed Vulture?”

Li Yiqing grew anxious. “Look… look… look…”

He wanted to say, “Are you looking down on me?” but in his agitation, he could hardly get the words out.

In frustration, he unhooked his Thunderbolt Drill from his waist and shouted, “Watch this!”

He leapt three fathoms away in a single bound, then sprang up another yard or more.

With the drill in his left hand and a hammer in his right, he focused his will upon a giant boulder three fathoms distant and struck the iron drill with all his strength.

A sizzling sound split the air; a dazzling arc of light shot forth, straight as an arrow, and struck the boulder.

With a thunderous explosion, the great stone shattered, reduced to dust.

The villagers were stunned speechless by this display.

The old man’s tongue hung out in shock, and after a long moment, he rubbed his head and thought, “If that blow had landed on me, not a trace of my brains would remain!”

He prostrated himself. “General, you truly are a divine being!”

The villagers knelt and kowtowed as well.

Startled, Li Yiqing backed away. “Don’t… don’t… don’t bow! That will only shorten my lifespan!”

Murong Yan hurried forward to help the villagers up. “Friends, you need not bow. These are skills we trained to vanquish demons and defeat the Myriad Demon Kingdom. Nothing miraculous. In the future, we’ll still rely on your support.”

The old chief, now fully convinced, said, “Marshal Murong, with such celestial warriors under your command, we can rest easy. Our good days are surely ahead. May you soon return victorious to the capital!”

Murong Yan thanked them all and saw the villagers off.

The army then reassembled and resumed their march.

Let us leave Murong Yan for the moment and speak of Tuo Li Bao, who, after his defeat, went to Rooster Cry Mountain to seek his master.

On his way, Tuo Li Bao found the scenery unchanged but the people gone—familiar things, now unfamiliar.

He recalled how, in his youth, he had followed his master, practiced demon arts, and dreamed of conquering Great Xia for glory and wealth. Who could have foreseen such a crushing defeat and loss of face?

He was lost in these thoughts when suddenly, a mountain wind whistled by, chilling him to the bone.

Then came a fierce, earth-shaking roar.

His mount, startled by the sound, neighed shrilly and collapsed under him with a thud, pinning him beneath its weight. With his armor on, Tuo Li Bao could not move.

Utterly terrified, he looked back to see a huge, striped tiger with wings burst from the forest—golden-bodied, jaws agape, four steel-like fangs gleaming coldly.

The tiger, delighted at the sight of Tuo Li Bao, flapped its wings, sending a foul stench his way, making him retch.

With a few strokes of its wings, the tiger rose into the air, poised to strike.

Its four claws lashed out, ready to pounce.

Tuo Li Bao was scared out of his wits. Though armed with eight talismans, he could not summon a single one in time to save himself.

As he despaired, a shout rang out: “Wretched beast, where do you think you’re going?!”

A man descended from the sky, landing astride the tiger’s neck.

He gripped the tiger’s scruff with both hands, squeezing hard, and forced the beast to the ground. With a twist of strength, he pressed the massive tiger’s head so firmly that it could not lift it again, no matter how it struggled—its claws gouged four great pits in the earth, but it remained pinned.

Tuo Li Bao’s heart finally settled. Looking closely, he was overjoyed.

The newcomer stood more than ten feet tall, his face ruddy, with two sword-like brows slanting upward and a pair of wide, glaring leopard eyes that seemed ready to pop from their sockets. His nose, upturned, bore a curved rhinoceros horn. His sharp lips were downturned at the corners, giving him a fierce appearance.

His body was massive, shoulders broad, waist thick, every muscle bulging and twitching as if about to leap from his skin.

It was his younger brother, Lang Muxi.

“Brother, how have you been?” Tuo Li Bao struggled to his feet, cupped his hands, and greeted him.

“Wait a moment!” Lang Muxi replied, raising his fist and bringing it down hard on the tiger’s head.

With a loud crack, the tiger howled in pain, its right eye a bloody mess.

“Still want to resist? Not convinced yet?” Lang Muxi roared and struck again, this time on the beast’s forehead, leaving it dizzy and cowed.

“Boss, I surrender! I won’t dare again!” the tiger whimpered.

Lang Muxi sneered, “So you give in? From now on, you’ll obey me—understood?”

The tiger quickly agreed, “Boss, from now on, I’ll do as you say.”

Lang Muxi nodded. “Good. From now on, you’ll be my steed.”

The tiger protested, “Boss, isn’t that improper? I’m the king of beasts, not a horse!”

Lang Muxi raised his fist, cursing, “Nonsense! You may not be swift as a horse, but you can fly! Have you forgotten already? Want another beating?”

Frightened, the tiger submitted. “Boss, whatever you say. I’ll obey.”

At last, Lang Muxi released his grip, letting the tiger stand.

Tuo Li Bao congratulated him, “Brother, what skill! With this divine beast, your power is unmatched—I’ll have to rely on your strength from now on!”

Lang Muxi laughed heartily. “Brother, you grow sweeter with words each year—it’s no wonder Master favors you so!”

Suddenly recalling that Tuo Li Bao’s return must have purpose, he said, “Brother, Master is cultivating in the mountains. Since you’ve come back, you must have important matters. Let’s not reminisce here—let’s go find him.”

With that, he led Tuo Li Bao up the mountain.

And so, the time had come to seek out the Old Fiend in the Purple Robes.