Chapter 1137: Schemes |
From then on, Qin Sang remained in Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea and cultivated in Wandering Man’s former cave dwelling. Affairs within Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea were handled entirely by the willow tree spirit. Qin Sang had no intention of interfering and almost never showed himself.
Later, the willow tree spirit brought the old macaque to meet Qin Sang and told him the truth.
When Qin Sang saw the aged old macaque weeping bitterly, his heart also ached.
For the time being, only the willow tree spirit, the old macaque, and the white cat knew of his presence in the entire Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea.
Before he realized it, more than a year had passed since his arrival.
The investigation into Demon King Qianji and the stone tablet was personally arranged by the willow tree spirit. Clearly, this was not something that could be accomplished overnight. Qin Sang was patient and quietly awaited the news.
***
The cave dwelling of the Nine-Cavern Demon King was located within Nine-Cavern Mountain.
The Nine-Cavern Demon King had transformed from a bat, and many of his subordinates were also bat demons. Among all the demon kings, his cave dwelling was the closest to Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea.
Inside the cave dwelling of Nine-Cavern Mountain, the Nine-Cavern Demon King was personally receiving a man dressed in feathered robes.
The feather-robed man was no ordinary figure. He was also a demon king, the Swan Goose Demon King. He served under the Feathered Demon King and enjoyed considerable trust.
"Daoist Nine-Cavern, you are surely aware of the purpose of my visit. The Feathered Demon King has issued an order. Once word arrives from the front lines, you must dispatch troops according to these numbers and send them to the battlefield." The Swan Goose Demon King produced a jade slip and handed it to the Nine-Cavern Demon King.
The Nine-Cavern Demon King was unimpressive in appearance, with a sharp mouth and narrow cheeks. A pair of strange fleshy wings extended from his back.
He reached out with thin, pointed fingers, seized the jade slip, and after reading it, cried out in complaint. "Was it not enough to send one batch? Why so many more? Last time, I sent out my most trusted soldiers. Hardly any returned alive. If I send out this many again, Nine-Cavern Mountain will be emptied out!"
The Swan Goose Demon King’s expression did not change. "You must have already heard that this situation is different from the past. Sin Abyss has been unusually active. There are signs of a massive offensive and a decisive battle to the death. On this journey, I have visited each of our fellow Daoists in turn. All are required to dispatch similar forces, not just you. Furthermore, if the situation becomes critical, the Feathered Demon King will personally go to the front lines and select some among you to accompany him—"
"The demon kings will join the battle?" The Nine-Cavern Demon King interrupted, even more displeased. "It is merely those insects fighting among themselves. As last time, sending some of our people already showed utmost goodwill. Why rush to die for them? Let them slaughter one another so we may reap the benefit. At worst, we abandon Heavenly Demon Hill and roam freely in Icy Sea!"
"And you no longer wish to enter Ziwei Palace?" The Swan Goose Demon King dismissed his words lightly. "Icy Sea is barren and desolate, nothing but water and icebergs. Even finding a place to settle is difficult. If Icy Sea were suitable for cultivation, why would our ancestors have fought the humans to seize Heavenly Demon Hill? If we leave now, it will not be easy to return.
"Our ancestors formed an alliance with Small Cold Domain, a pact of mutual offense and defense, and thus halted warfare. The human race’s foundation cannot be exhausted so easily. Forcibly tearing up the alliance would not benefit us. Of course, we will not truly rush to our deaths either. The Feathered Demon King has his own arrangements."
The Nine-Cavern Demon King had no rebuttal. Sighing, he put away the jade slip.
"Please make preparations soon, Daoist. Do not delay the greater plan. I shall take my leave." The Swan Goose Demon King rose to depart.
"Wait!" The Nine-Cavern Demon King suddenly stopped him. "Are you heading next to Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea?"
"Indeed." The Swan Goose Demon King nodded.
"Do not be in such a hurry. This is a spiritual wine I have treasured for many years. Have another cup." The Nine-Cavern Demon King pulled him back down, smiling broadly.
His sudden enthusiasm confused the Swan Goose Demon King. "If you have something to say, speak plainly."
The Nine-Cavern Demon King filled his cup and let out a strange chuckle. "May I ask how the Feathered Demon King and you view the master of Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea?"
"What do you mean?" The Swan Goose Demon King’s eyes flickered, though his tone remained calm.
The Nine-Cavern Demon King gestured toward the direction of Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea and said mysteriously, "Have you calculated how many years that bamboo demon has not shown himself?"
The Swan Goose Demon King drank the wine and leaned back against his stone chair, teasing, "If I recall correctly, you once obeyed Senior Bamboo without question. Now you call him ‘that bamboo demon’?"
After a pause, he mused, "Now that you mention it, it has likely been three hundred years since I last saw him. But plant spirits possess long lifespans, and heavenly tribulations descend upon them far more slowly than upon us. Moreover, ‘Senior Bamboo’ is merely a title. No one knows his true origins. He may not even be a bamboo demon of Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea who attained the Dao. Secluding himself for several centuries is hardly unusual. The last time I went to Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea, I spoke with him."
"Three hundred years without appearing, and you call that normal? Think about it carefully, did you see his true form the last time you went to Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea" The Nine-Cavern Demon King sneered. "Even plant spirits, long-lived as they are, cannot escape the pattern. Each heavenly tribulation grows stronger than the last! How many years has that fellow lived?"
The Swan Goose Demon King shook his head. "I only know that when the previous Feathered Demon King was alive, Senior Bamboo already ruled Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea. Are you suggesting…"
"I do suspect it!" The Nine-Cavern Demon King no longer concealed his thoughts. "Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea may be remote, but it is a rare and fertile land. That bamboo demon has occupied it for so many years. Most plant spirits of the demonic domain reside there under that old fellow’s protection. If we send those plant spirits out, regardless of their strength, as long as their numbers satisfy the alliance, the humans cannot blame Heavenly Demon Hill. It would also allow us to preserve some of our own strength."
The Swan Goose Demon King was startled by his ambition. "You intend to scheme for Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea? Senior Bamboo was never soft-hearted. Countless souls perished at his hands. It was said that even the previous Feathered Demon King treated him with courtesy. The fact that he held Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea for so long proves his strength…"
"Of course I know how formidable he was. Otherwise, why would I have endured humiliation all these years?" The Nine-Cavern Demon King gave a dry laugh. "I am not urging you to oppose him directly. I only wish to test the waters. If he is still alive, we say nothing further. But if he was truly struck dead by heavenly tribulation, what do we have to fear?"
The more he spoke, the more feasible it seemed to him. His tone grew increasingly agitated, filled with temptation.
"Think carefully. That bamboo demon’s lifespan rivaled that of Xuanwu. Over the years, who knows how many treasures he gathered? Plant spirits cultivate even more slowly than we do. Within Thousand-Mountain Bamboo Sea, only a handful amount to anything. Should all those treasures remain in their hands?"
The Swan Goose Demon King froze and fell silent.
Seeing this, the Nine-Cavern Demon King understood. He pressed on while the iron was hot. "Do you think I am the only one harboring such thoughts? It is merely fear of that old fellow’s lingering prestige that keeps others from acting rashly. You are backed by the Feathered Demon King. You do not need to fear him. If we probe slightly and uncover the truth, the two of us can seize the opportunity first. I am willing to let you take the larger share…"