Chapter 26: The Legend of the Demon Emperor

"Ah!" Nangong Ba and Huangfu Meng both cried out softly, their faces suddenly looking extremely grim. The entire White Emperor City would face impending disaster—what kind of terrifying demon was this? They could not even imagine.

"Senior Hua, what exactly is going on?" Nangong Ba hurriedly asked. He was still at his wit's end over the matter of Tuoba Ye, and now a demon who threatened the whole White Emperor City had appeared! It was simply too much!

Old Hua continued, "Legend has it that White Emperor City is the burial place of the Demon Emperor from countless ages ago. The name itself comes from this tale. Though I am quite skeptical—how could a place like White Emperor City possibly be the resting ground of the Demon Emperor? Still, since the legend persists, we naturally had to come and see for ourselves."

A sharp intake of breath escaped from Nangong Ba and Huangfu Meng. So, the appearance of that great demon was also connected to the Demon Emperor's tomb.

The legend of the Demon Emperor's tomb was known throughout the Southern Domain. Yet, from ancient times to the present, no one truly knew its location. Who would dare explore the burial site of such a legendary figure?

"Of course, there is another possibility," Old Hua sighed, "that the demon appearing in the celestial signs is the Demon Emperor himself, transformed by some unforeseen event. If so, that would be the worst possible scenario."

"What are we supposed to do then?" Nangong Ba's heart trembled violently. As the lord of White Emperor City, if the legend were true, disaster would surely befall his city—with him at the very forefront.

"Things are serious," Old Hua said, "but City Lord, you need not worry too much. I do not believe the legend myself."

Bing Muer added, "Even if it is true, the Southern Domain's County City will do everything to assist White Emperor City. I imagine all the major sects would come to help as well."

"Yes, yes!" Nangong Ba nodded urgently, though his heart still quaked with fear. With the prospect of the Demon Emperor's emergence, how could he not be afraid?

Huangfu Meng, meanwhile, seemed far more composed, her thoughts turning to Chen Changsheng. Qingshui Town was under the administration of White Emperor City. If disaster truly struck, she believed Chen Changsheng would not stand idly by.

"City Lord, I truly think there is no need for excessive worry. White Emperor City will be safe," she said confidently, lifting her chest and wearing a look of assurance.

"Strange," Bing Muer raised her brows with curiosity, "even the County City of the Southern Domain lacks certainty about the Demon Emperor, yet you are so confident. Why?"

"Because there is a reclusive master living in Qingshui Town," Huangfu Meng replied. "If anything happens to White Emperor City, I believe he would not ignore it."

The sound of his guqin is the music of the Great Dao; the wooden sword he crafted is a peerless divine blade; even the spinning top he made contains the principles of Yin and Yang. Such a formidable presence, she believed, could handle the Demon Emperor of legend.

"Huangfu Meng, how dare you spout nonsense before the Little Princess?" Nangong Ba scoffed, not believing her tale of a hidden master.

"Do not be agitated, City Lord," Bing Muer waved her hand, "let her finish."

"When I led my troops to pursue Tuoba Ye to Qingshui Town..." Huangfu Meng recounted the events of that day.

After hearing her, Bing Muer and Old Hua both looked astonished. Nangong Ba, however, was furious; if not for the presence of the Little Princess, he would have slapped Huangfu Meng for making up such wild stories.

"Old Hua, what do you think?" Bing Muer asked.

"This tale is incredible—a girl of eight or nine years old able to obliterate Tuoba Ye in an instant. I do not believe it," Old Hua said solemnly. "But then, where did Tuoba Ye go?"

"It is indeed unbelievable," Bing Muer mused. "Why don't we go to Qingshui Town now and visit this master? Come, you two, board our flying vessel and we'll go together."

"Ah, but..." Huangfu Meng exclaimed softly. The master had already returned to simplicity, living as a recluse on the mountain, regarding himself as just a mortal. Now, even the Little Princess was coming to visit him. If he took offense, what would they do?

Uneasy, Huangfu Meng boarded the flying vessel. Its speed was swift; within half a day, they arrived at Qingshui Town.

"The master lives up on this mountain," Huangfu Meng said. "We should disembark and walk up in order to show proper respect."

"Huangfu Meng, are you mad? The Little Princess of the County City is here, and you expect us to walk?" Nangong Ba was nearly beside himself with anger.

"It is no matter. Let us disembark," Bing Muer said, waving her hand.

They left the flying vessel. Old Hua glanced at Qingshui Town and suddenly froze.

"Old Hua, what is it?" Bing Muer asked curiously.

"This little town is extraordinary," Old Hua said in awe. "I see many things infused with deep principles. Even the couplets pasted at one family's door contain such powerful Dao that I can barely withstand it."

"Are you saying that everyone in Qingshui Town is a hidden master?" Bing Muer's body trembled.

"No," Old Hua shook his head. "They are simply ordinary people, with no cultivation at all."

"I understand now," Huangfu Meng said excitedly. "Those couplets, infused with such profound Dao, must have been written by the master."

Nangong Ba felt dizzy—was everything remarkable in this place somehow linked to that so-called master?

Bing Muer looked up toward the mountain, her eyes narrowing with keen interest. "Let us go," she said, motioning with her hand.

"Are you also here to visit the master?" As they reached halfway up the mountain, they encountered Mu Wanqing and Baili Song. Mu Wanqing was stunned. "The master regards himself as a mortal, living in seclusion to avoid worldly affairs. With so many people visiting at once, I fear he will not be pleased."

"How dare you! This is the Little Princess of the County City. To be visited by her is the greatest honor your so-called master could ever receive," Nangong Ba retorted coldly.

County City's Little Princess? Mu Wanqing and Baili Song were startled, quickly stepping forward to bow. "Greetings, Little Princess."

Mu Wanqing added, "Even so, it is unwise to visit the master so abruptly, even for the Little Princess."

"Outrageous! The Little Princess's status is so noble, and you dare utter such rebellious words?" Nangong Ba was furious.

"It is no matter," Bing Muer intervened, pulling Nangong Ba aside and shaking her head. "You all worship this master so devoutly—I am becoming more and more curious about him."