Chapter 27

Before he could finish speaking, Wanqiu and Lanxuan, the two maids, swiftly shielded Tang Hua, retreating step by step until they reached the main entrance and stopped. It was clear these two maids were rigorously trained; though they were ordinary humans, their movements were exceedingly nimble.

Yuan Zhong’s face was pale, obviously struggling to keep himself from being overwhelmed by the effects of the drug.

Tang Hua watched him with a calm expression for a long while before speaking slowly, “You are too willful. Despite holding the most precious treasure of our clan, you refuse to follow orders. Ding Xu was kind enough to let you go, but I couldn’t tolerate it. Since childhood, you’ve been well-protected by priest Xin Mao and elder Ding Xu. Even when facing our clan, you never showed your true face or revealed your name. Humph, Ding Xu also knows that you have offended many people. Is he afraid that you will be cursed? However, Yuan Zhong, I have looked through all the confidential records and finally know your name.”

Yuan Zhong tried to prop himself up but fell back down, panting heavily, seemingly battling the drug’s effects, his voice trembling slightly, “I never thought my own clan would harm me. Do you hate me that much?”

Tang Hua and Yuan Zhong were both raised by Elder Ding Xu.

Ding Xu, known for his harsh and suspicious nature, produced clansmen with similar traits. Tang Hua, however, was an exception. He had a good temperament, so much so that the many maids around him were spoiled beyond reason. When they committed any mistake, he could only smile wryly without uttering a harsh word. He was the only one in Fangwai Mountain who could maintain any relationship with Yuan Zhong, despite his odd temper. Although Yuan Zhong often exasperated him, he never held a grudge.

Even if Tang Hua told everyone in Fangwai Mountain about drugging Yuan Zhong today, no one would believe it, not even Yuan Zhong himself.

Tang Hua shook his head, clearly unwilling to say more. He gave Wanqiu a meaningful look, which she immediately understood.

Wanqiu, the most favored maid beside Tang Hua in recent years, is usually gentle and graceful, like a noble lady, even in her maid attire. She often wore wide-sleeved long dresses. At this moment, she took two steps forward, slowly drawing a short dagger from her wide sleeve. The blade was as clear as autumn water and as cold as shattered ice.

She walked towards Tan Yin step by step; her target was not Yuan Zhong.

Yuan Zhong suddenly spoke, “What, your target isn’t me?”

Tang Hua’s face was somber as he whispered, “Kill the woman! She is a calamity if she stays by his side!”

Tanyin watched Wanqiu approach her. Her consciousness was not affected, but her body was completely out of control, and she could not release her divine power. The suffocating feeling in her chest was somewhat familiar, but in the panic of the moment, she couldn’t recall what it was.

In the blink of an eye, Wanqiu stood before her, her expressionless face aiming the dagger at Tanyin’s back with swift, ruthless precision.

With a “ding,” the dagger collided with a thin golden barrier, almost flying out of Wanqiu’s hand. A golden light flashed by, forcefully seizing the dagger from Wanqiu. Her expression changed slightly, and she quickly retreated several feet, staying alert.

The golden light revealed Yuan Zhong’s figure. He moved his arms and legs as if nothing had happened; his previous exhausted look vanished. Under Tang Hua’s surprised gaze, he smiled faintly, his eyes turning cold. “Your Bitter Cold Incense and Soul-Soothing Tea are quite novel. Thank you, Tang Hua. But don’t forget, I’ve been a high priest for three decades. If I weren’t vigilant, how could I have survived until now?”

Yuan Zhong never used incense not made by himself nor drank tea not brewed by his own hand. The moment Tang Hua arrived in the cave, he broke these two rules. Inviting them as guests, he had already been cautious and wouldn’t be easily tricked. Unexpectedly, the combined effect of the incense and tea was so potent that even Tanyin was incapacitated.

Tang Hua said coldly, “I knew you wouldn’t be easy to deal with…”

Yuan Zhong raised his hand to stop him, staring directly at Tang Hua, and asked softly, “Tang Hua, we’ve known each other for several years. Why today?”

The Fox clan was not like war ghost who loved fighting. They were not a warring tribe, preferring making incense and brewing wine and living a refined and carefree life. Tang Hua’s disapproval of him keeping Ji Tanyin by his side, considering his left hand’s treasure, was understandable. But to genuinely harm someone was another matter, especially since Tang Hua should know that in a real fight, even ten of him wouldn’t match Yuan Zhong.

Tang Hua didn’t respond. He raised his hand, pointing at the immobile Ji Tanyin on the ground.

Suddenly, Lanxuan, standing before him, moved. From her sleeve, she drew two short daggers, seemingly some long lost divine artifacts. The moment they emerged, even sheathed, they emitted a near-maddening sound of slaughter.

Upon hearing this sound, Yuan Zhong’s expression finally changed slightly.

It was rumored that the master of Xiang Mountain loved collecting various rare treasures. Yuan Zhong had seen these daggers at the Immortal Flower and Wine Festival on Xiang Mountain. They were said to be weapons capable of killing gods, supposedly lost by the demon during the ancient god-demon war. He had no idea how Tang Hua obtained them.

Lanxuan struck swiftly. One dagger shot out, hitting the barrier with almost no sound, shattering it like a bubble. The second dagger followed, aiming directly at the immobile Tanyin’s back.

Yet again, the dagger hit another barrier. As the barrier shattered, the dagger was deflected to the ground. Yuan Zhong transformed into a golden light, swiftly lifting Tanyin and carrying her on his shoulder. In another flash, he appeared behind Lanxuan. No matter how agile she was, she was still human and couldn’t react in time. Yuan Zhong struck her neck, and she fainted.

As Tang Hua moved, he felt a chilling cold before him.The black silk glove on Yuan Zhong’s left hand had been taken off at some point. His dark red left hand, which was favored by the gods and had a faint red glow on its palm, was pressed three inches in front of his throat.

“I never imagined I would one day have to show my left hand to my own clansmen,” Yuan Zhong frowned, a look of disgust on his face.

“Your target is Ji Tanyin? Give me a reason.”

Tang Hua remained calm, his voice indifferent, “She has a mysterious background and unclear intentions, like a hidden knife in the sand. Such a threat must be eliminated. If you don’t kill me, one day I will kill her.”

Yuan Zhong gave a strange smile, “You can’t defeat me… No, you can’t even fight, Tang Hua. Don’t make bold statements.”

Tang Hua smiled back, “I know you won’t kill your own clansmen. You couldn’t even bear to see Zifei die, let alone kill me yourself. Yuan Zhong, you’re more kind-hearted than I thought.”

Suddenly, he grabbed Yuan Zhong’s left arm and shouted, “Wanqiu!”

Wanqiu had already moved. She had somehow retrieved the two daggers from the ground, and with ghost-like swiftness, she lunged at Tanyin. But the daggers hit the barrier again, and again, the barrier blocked them.

Yuan Zhong said coldly, “As long as I’m here, no one can touch her.”

Tang Hua nodded, “If we can’t touch her, then we’ll touch you.”

Wanqiu’s daggers abruptly turned, viciously slashing at Yuan Zhong’s captured left arm. Their target was indeed his left arm, just like the war ghosts. Yuan Zhong kicked Tang Hua away and transformed into a golden light, instantly landing outside the small building, looking bewildered.

“You’re insane,” he said, looking at Tang Hua in shock. His left arm throbbed with pain.

Although Wanqiu’s daggers hadn’t made direct contact, they were still demonic weapons capable of killing gods and had left a deep gash on his arm.

Tang Hua slowly emerged from the building, staring at him. Suddenly, he clasped his hands together and bowed. When he looked up, tears glistened in his eyes.

“Bind!” he commanded in a low voice.

Suddenly, countless thick, green-black vines burst from the snow, binding Yuan Zhong and Tanyin tightly. Wanqiu swung her demonic weapons, forcing Yuan Zhong to raise a barrier to defend. His expression grew increasingly strange as he turned to stare at Tang Hua, who remained silent, sitting cross-legged in the snow with his eyes closed, tears streaming down his jade-like face.

“Heavenly gods above, my clan has exhausted every effort…” Tang Hua’s mouth slowly uttered an ancient and obscure prayer. Yuan Zhong didn’t know whether to laugh or cry—Tang Hua was trying to kill him, to cut off his left hand, and yet he was reciting a prayer to the heavens with tears in his eyes!

Wanqiu seemed tireless, slashing again and again. Yuan Zhong, bound by the spell, couldn’t move, growing increasingly frustrated. Suddenly, he shouted, “Break!”

The vines binding him instantly scattered. He transformed into a golden light, quickly knocking Wanqiu unconscious. Just as he was about to do the same to Tang Hua, a thunderous noise echoed from the entrance to his cave. His face changed drastically—someone was trying to forcibly break into his cave!

“It seems I can’t complete the order,” Tang Hua said, standing up and brushing snow off his clothes. He looked up, his face still streaked with tears, but his expression was indifferent again.

“I’m leaving. The war ghosts will soon break in. Though we share the same mission, I don’t want to see them, nor do I want to see you die at their hands.”

“You actually led the war ghosts here?” Yuan Zhong laughed angrily, “I never thought you’d collude with the war ghost clan!”

Tang Hua remained expressionless, his long sleeves fluttering as his body became semi-transparent—his unique wind escape technique.

“May the gods be with you,” he muttered, a tear falling before he disappeared.

Today’s events, though he had been vigilant, were beyond what Yuan Zhong could have anticipated. Who was Tang Hua really? The esteemed young master of the Fox clan! And yet he had colluded with the war ghosts, coveting Yuan Zhong’s left hand?

Yuan Zhong was both furious and puzzled. His body ached from several wounds. Though his barrier had protected him from most harm, Wanqiu’s demonic weapons had still injured him, albeit not severely.

The sounds at the entrance grew louder. Holding Tanyin, Yuan Zhong quickly entered the house, checking her condition. Seeing her breathing and complexion normal, with alert eyes but unable to move, he gently touched her forehead and said, “It’s alright. Close your eyes and just sleep.”

He extinguished the incense in the bronze cauldron. Suddenly, Little Yuan Zhong ran downstairs, his face full of panic, “What’s happening with all this noise?”

Yuan Zhong coldly handed Tanyin to him and said, “Protect her. Even if you die, protect her!”

Little Yuan Zhong, bewildered, protested, “I’m a mechanical man. I can’t die, just get broken.”

Yuan Zhong, unwilling to argue, glared at him. Little Yuan Zhong immediately took Tanyin upstairs, smiling obsequiously, “Don’t worry! Even if I’m smashed to pieces, I’ll protect my master!”

Yuan Zhong exhaled slowly, walking out of the building. He saw dark clouds gathering over the distant mountains, a sign that the entrance was about to be breached. Once the entrance was broken, the war ghosts would invade the cave in no time.

He sat cross-legged in the snow, chanting a spell. A massive golden barrier emanated from him, enveloping the entire building. It seemed today would see another bloody battle.