Chapter Eighty-Seven: Taking a Master

Murong Yan was worrying over how to repel the enemy when her master, Xu Yaozu, said that he had a clever plan. She hurriedly pressed him for details.

Without haste, Xu Yaozu said, “Since Tuolibao was able to invite his master, the Purple-Robed Demon Venerable, why should we not be able to invite our own founding patriarch?”

Murong Yan understood at once. “You mean our Raging Fire Sect’s ancestor, the old master Xuanhuo Immortal Lord?”

Xu Yaozu nodded. “Exactly.”

Murong Yan nodded as well. “That would be wonderful, only he cultivates in the Immortal Spirit Grotto on Ninefold Heaven Mountain. I’ve heard that since Father’s death, he has long since withdrawn from worldly affairs. I’m afraid it won’t be so easy to invite him down the mountain.”

Xu Yaozu laughed heartily, thrust out his ample belly, slapped his chest, and said, “Yan’er, do you still not know your master? There is nothing in this world your old Xu cannot manage. You can rest easy. I guarantee I’ll bring him back to the army.”

Murong Yan hurriedly cupped her hands and bowed. “Then I’ll trouble Master to make the trip.”

Xu Yaozu nodded repeatedly. “Very well. Your master is leaving now; I’ll take my leave from you first.”

Under Murong Yan’s farewell, he left the camp.

Finding an open stretch of ground by himself, he summoned his Zaoyang Mace and leaped onto it. Driven by the power of his mind, the mace rose into the air, carrying his whole body, and shot away like lightning toward the morning sun.

Cloud after cloud drifted beneath Xu Yaozu’s feet. The wind whistled in his ears. He felt the fierce gusts lashing his face and tearing at his clothes, and his heart burned with urgency; he wished he could stride in a single step to the Immortal Spirit Grotto on Ninefold Heaven Mountain.

Only two or three hours passed before he saw, in the distance, a mountain peak emerging from the clouds and mist.

Colorful phoenixes circled above it, and white cranes flew to and fro.

Now and then they cried out in clear voices, filling the heart with longing.

Xu Yaozu was delighted. He had arrived.

He hurriedly urged his speed, and in an instant came to the foot of the great mountain.

Before his eyes, peach blossoms vied in brilliance, flowers bloomed in profusion, butterflies danced through the air, and sweet grass spread across the ground.

Within it stood a grotto, its stone door tightly shut, with three large characters above it: Immortal Spirit Grotto.

He quickly lowered his magical treasure and landed.

Straightening his clothes, brushing off the dust, and joining his hands respectfully, he walked forward in reverence.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap.

He knocked lightly on the stone door.

With a creak, the stone door swung open.

“Old sir, what brings you here? Whom do you seek?” asked a young attendant, palms together.

“I am Xu Yaozu, a disciple of the Raging Fire Sect. Please inform the patriarch on my behalf,” Xu Yaozu said with utmost respect and sincerity.

“Oh!”

The boy looked him over from head to toe and did not dare be negligent. “Please wait here, old sir. I’ll go in and report.”

He then shut the stone door again.

Before long, the door creaked open once more.

“The master says you may enter,” the boy said warmly, inviting Xu Yaozu inside.

Guided by the boy, Xu Yaozu stepped deeper into the grotto.

Inside, he found another world entirely. In the stone chambers, every necessity was present: stone beds, stone tables, and stone chairs, all carved from mountain granite.

Illuminated by several red candles, the grotto was simple yet spacious, bright, dry, fresh, and spotless.

Within it, one felt a gentle breeze: neither cold nor hot, only refreshing comfort.

After walking a short while, Xu Yaozu entered a large room. Opposite him, seated cross-legged, was an old man in a white robe, tall and imposing, with hair, eyebrows, and beard as white as silkworm cocoons, gleaming with silvery light.

His left hand formed a spell mudra, and in his right he held a fly whisk, eyes closed in meditation.

His face was bright and stern, with eyes like stars, a straight nose and square mouth, the whole countenance filled with ruddy vitality and benevolence.

“Patriarch, your disciple Xu Yaozu pays respects!”

Xu Yaozu prostrated himself.

Bang.

Bang.

Bang.

He knocked his head three times in succession.

“Oh, so it is Xu Yaozu? I have already heard that you are Murong Yun’s nominal disciple. Sit over there,” said the old immortal, slowly opening his eyes to glance at him before closing them again and speaking with measured calm.

“Yes! Thank you, Patriarch.”

Xu Yaozu answered at once, got to his feet, and without ceremony sat down on a stone stool nearby.

“Patriarch, your disciple Xu Yaozu has come to invite you! Our righteous army has now marched into the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons. Your own great-granddisciple, Murong Yan, whom this disciple mentored, is now the army’s marshal. The whole force is roused and eager. The time has come to subdue demons, exterminate evil, and wash away humiliation with vengeance...”

Xu Yaozu spoke at length, while secretly watching the old immortal. The elder kept his eyes half closed and sat motionless, showing no reaction.

Xu Yaozu quickly changed course. “Patriarch, you must come and see for yourself. Your descendants have made you proud indeed!”

Only then did Xuanhuo Immortal Lord slowly open his eyes.

“Xu Yaozu, what calamity have you encountered on the road of exorcising demons, that you have specially come to invite this immortal? Do you not know that this immortal has long since departed from the mortal world and ceased to concern himself with affairs below?”

Hearing this, Xu Yaozu grew anxious.

“Patriarch, this matter truly cannot be ignored! You must know that Tuolibao, the left chancellor of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons, has already invited down his master, the Purple-Robed Demon Venerable. We younger disciples are truly at a loss, which is why we have come to seek you.”

At this point he knew he could no longer hide anything, so he laid out the battle beneath Wild Goose-Fall Ridge in complete detail.

“Oh? Such a thing?”

When the old immortal heard that the Purple-Robed Demon Venerable had descended the mountain, he sprang to his feet with a sharp exclamation, his brow furrowing as he paced back and forth.

Hearing the heavy tread of those steps, Xu Yaozu felt secretly delighted. Ah, there is hope yet of inviting the immortal down the mountain!

Who would have thought that after only a few turns, the old immortal would stop, set his body, and say with decisive resolve, “Xu Yaozu, you may go. Ever since my disciple Murong Yun died tragically, my heart has turned to ash. I have no desire to interfere in worldly affairs any longer. You had best seek someone else.”

Xu Yaozu sighed inwardly. Alas, a false joy. It seems the fire is not hot enough yet; I’ll have to add more fuel.

He hurried forward, knelt once more, and cupped his hands. “Patriarch, this matter truly cannot be ignored! Do you know who the righteous army’s marshal, Murong Yan, is?”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord asked, “Oh? Since you say she is surnamed Murong, could she have some connection to Yun’er?”

Xu Yaozu cupped his hands again. “Exactly! She is the posthumous daughter of our old marshal. Her younger brother, Murong Bao, has already died a cruel death, leaving only her as the lone remaining branch of the family. How could we allow even the slightest harm to befall her?”

As he spoke, tears fell; he was almost pleading.

“Murong Yun showed me kindness as weighty as a mountain, leading me onto the road of resisting demons, taking me in as a nominal disciple, and teaching me the art of slaying monsters. After his death, I rescued his daughter and raised her from childhood to repay his grace. Now that Yan’er is in danger, I would willingly walk through fire and tread upon blades, so long as I can protect her, sweep away demons, and bring her back whole!”

Having said this, he kept kowtowing, unwilling to rise again.

These words moved Xuanhuo Immortal Lord to tears. He hurried forward and helped him up with both hands.

“Xu Yaozu, you truly are a good disciple. Your words have made even this immortal feel ashamed. Rise. This matter I will take upon myself. I shall certainly help you defeat the Purple-Robed Demon Venerable and restore the Great Xia Kingdom to its magnificent lands and rivers!”

At these words, Xu Yaozu broke into tears of joy and stood.

“Patriarch, let us go! When aid is as urgent as fire, we can delay no longer!”

Under Xu Yaozu’s repeated urging, the two of them immediately left the Immortal Spirit Grotto and headed straight for Wild Goose-Fall Ridge.

Murong Yan soon received a report from a soldier: Xuanhuo Immortal Lord has arrived!

She quickly led the generals out to greet him. From afar, she saw a white-bearded elder entering the camp under Xu Yaozu’s guidance, and all of them hurriedly knelt at once.

“This junior Murong Yan, together with the generals, respectfully welcomes the immortal lord!”

As she spoke, she began to bow.

The generals also hurriedly kowtowed, each one louder than the last, making quite a scene.

“Rise. Hurry and rise. It is you who labor hard in subduing demons and shielding the Great Xia Kingdom. This old immortal is here to salute you!”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord helped them up one by one, then raised a single palm and returned their courtesy.

Murong Yan and the others were stunned and quickly cupped their hands in return. “Immortal Lord, we do not dare receive such honor.”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord walked slowly toward Murong Yan and looked at her with affectionate eyes. “Little girl, is your father Murong Yun?”

Murong Yan nodded repeatedly. “A son should not speak his father’s name. My father was indeed Murong Yun. Please enlighten me, Patriarch!”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord immediately broke into a broad smile. “Just like him, just like him! Truly, the waves behind drive on the waves before, and a new generation surpasses the old. With a daughter like you, Yun’er may at last rest in peace.”

As he spoke, he suddenly gave a soft exclamation.

He had come to stand before Ye Feng.

“Young man, how old are you this year?”

“Immortal Lord, this disciple is twenty-two and has already been with the righteous army for six years,” Ye Feng said quickly, bowing.

The old immortal was even more surprised and examined Ye Feng closely from head to toe.

Then, suddenly, he thrust out his right palm and firmly clasped Ye Feng’s right palm.

Ye Feng felt a surge of fierce mental power rushing toward him and immediately activated the mental force within his body to contend with it.

Yet the other man’s force was like raging wind and towering waves, relentless and ceaseless. Seeing that he could not hold out, Ye Feng swiftly drew his power back, bent it into a curve, and led the opponent’s mental force toward his left arm.

At the same time, he summoned another stream of mental force, pushing it to the fingertips of his left hand, and used it to channel the other man’s force outward through his fingers.

“Hm!”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord was startled. He thought to himself, Where did this boy learn such skill, to the point that he can even divert this immortal’s mental force outward, leaving me to labor in vain? At such a young age, he may truly be a peerless talent!

Secretly admiring him, Xuanhuo Immortal Lord grew even less restrained. He intensified his mental force, and at the same time drew back the force Ye Feng had diverted away.

This time, it formed a pincer attack from front and rear, leaving Ye Feng with no way to defend and no path to evade.

Just as Ye Feng was drenched in sweat, his face flushed red, and he was about to be overwhelmed, he suddenly felt the emptiness in his palm: the fierce mental force vanished without a trace.

Before he could collect himself, his steps faltered and he stumbled forward.

“Well done, boy! You have spirit!”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord laughed heartily and caught Ye Feng in his arms, preventing him from falling on the spot.

To an outsider, the two of them looked as though they were embracing warmly.

Only Ye Feng himself knew just how far his strength was from that of the old immortal, and that he had been reduced to such embarrassment for that very reason.

He hurriedly said again and again, “I am ashamed! I am ashamed!”

From the side, Murong Yan saw Ye Feng drenched in sweat and flushed red, and understood that the old immortal was testing his foundations.

Fearing that he might suffer, she hurried forward and spoke familiarly. “Patriarch, his name is Ye Feng. He is the deputy marshal of our army, and one of our Raging Fire Sect disciples as well.”

“Oh?”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord once again studied Ye Feng from head to toe and asked, “How many years have you been in my sect?”

“Reporting to Patriarch, this disciple has practiced the Raging Fire Sect’s demon-slaying art for six years, introduced to the sect by Marshal Murong,” Ye Feng said at once, bowing with clasped hands.

“A promising youth indeed. A promising youth indeed!” Xuanhuo Immortal Lord praised him repeatedly, nodding.

“Patriarch, when I taught him the demon-slaying art, I made things clear: he was not allowed to acknowledge me as his master. Now he has surpassed me, and even revealed my name. He is not leaving me any dignity at all. What do you think his punishment should be?”

Murong Yan giggled, her tone teasing.

In truth, she had two purposes in saying this. First, she was not acknowledging Ye Feng as her own disciple. Second, she wanted to push Ye Feng toward Xuanhuo Immortal Lord and have the old immortal take him as a disciple, so that Ye Feng would have a broader future.

One must know that those of high skill all hope their arts will have a successor.

How could Murong Yan not be clever? She had long since seen that Xuanhuo Immortal Lord was terribly fond of Ye Feng. At this moment, what reason could there be for the old immortal not to take him in?

“Hahaha...”

The old immortal stroked his flowing white beard and laughed up at the sky. “You mischievous little girl, with that quick wit of yours, you truly surpass Yun’er by far. You want me to take him as my disciple, do you not? Very well, this immortal agrees!”

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord had long since seen that this pair of young people was extraordinary: one clever and sprightly, the other gifted and brilliant. They were truly a handsome youth and a beautiful maiden, a couple made by heaven itself.

Ye Feng was still standing there in a daze.

Murong Yan had already pushed him forward. “What are you waiting for? Kneel and pay respects to your master!”

Only then did Ye Feng come to himself. He turned to Murong Yan, bewildered, and stammered, “Marshal Murong, th-this... th-this doesn’t seem proper, does it? If I, Ye Feng, were to worship Xuanhuo Immortal Lord as my master, that would indeed be a dream come true, but then what would our generation and seniority be?”

When Xuanhuo Immortal Lord heard this, he laughed and cursed with amusement, “Boy, you truly are a man of loyalty and feeling! Very well, this immortal grants you permission to address others according to their own seniority!”

Murong Yan was even happier, and urged Ye Feng on. “Silly brother! Such a great kindness from Xuanhuo Immortal Lord, and you still hesitate? Hurry and pay respects to your master!”

Ye Feng immediately lifted his robe, knelt down, and addressed him as “Master,” then banged his head three times.

Xuanhuo Immortal Lord hurriedly helped him up with both hands.

Afterward, stroking his flowing beard like strands of silver silk, he laughed uproariously. “Who would have thought that when this immortal came down the mountain, I would actually gain such a prized disciple? My journey was not in vain!”

While everyone was still rejoicing, they suddenly heard the sounds of enemy-challenging insults and battle cries from outside the camp.

A soldier rushed in and reported, “Report! Something terrible has happened! The Purple-Robed Demon Venerable has come again before the camp to challenge us. Although our army has raised the no-battle placard, he still refuses to leave and says that if no one comes out to fight, he will trample our camp defenses, capture the marshal, and avenge his dead disciple!”

Upon hearing this, Xuanhuo Immortal Lord was thunderously enraged. He cursed, “You little demon in purple robes, you bully others too far! Wait here while this immortal goes out to meet you!”

Thus was the old immortal about to engage the ancient demon sovereign in battle. How much blood and storm would yet be stirred by their clash, no one could say.