Volume One, Chapter Twenty-Five: The Valley of Yin and Yang

“Damn it! What kind of monster are you?” Out of nowhere, a turtle appeared, making the Jade-faced Gentleman anxious. He swung his staff twice, but his hands went numb from the impact, while the turtle’s shell remained unscathed. At the same time, Hong Kun and his companions attacked from behind. Sensing danger, the Jade-faced Gentleman summoned a sudden gust of black wind and fled the cave. The remaining demons were thrown into chaos, and within moments they were either captured or scattered in panic.

Where just a moment before the entrance to the Twin Fish Cave had been bustling with activity, now a heavy silence reigned. For reasons unknown, everyone’s gaze remained fixed upon the turtle shell, even the captured little demons staring in curiosity, wondering just what it was.

“Turtle Brother, are you alright?” Bing was the first to rush over. Those two blows had been merciless—even a divine turtle might not have survived!

The giant turtle shell suddenly trembled, transforming in an instant into a small tortoise that landed on the ground, legs flailing helplessly in the air. Only after Bing flipped him over did a loud curse burst forth: “Damn it! My head’s spinning!” The crowd, both people and demons alike, let out a collective sigh of relief.

“Are you really alright?” Fatty Girl’s face was full of worry—the turtle brother had come to help her, after all.

“I’m fine! I’m fine! Do you know who I am?” The tortoise stretched his neck proudly.

“Tch, getting cocky now!” Han Yu couldn’t help but sneer, earning herself a sideways glance from the tortoise.

Everyone was astonished to see the tortoise speak. Hong Kun quickly stepped forward and cupped his hands in gratitude. “Thank you... for your assistance!” This turtle was neither quite a celestial nor a demon, so he avoided any title to be safe. But the turtle brother pretended not to hear, crawling straight toward Bing. Seeing such rudeness, Bi Yi behind them stepped forward. “Hey, you—” Hong Kun, though embarrassed, quickly pulled her back.

“As long as you’re alright, that’s what matters!” Bing scooped up the divine turtle and tucked him into his arms, to the further amazement of the crowd.

“Oh no... I forgot about that fox spirit!” Han Yu suddenly remembered Mei Niang and rushed back into the cave. The Twin Fish Cave was already deserted, but as she neared the main hall, she saw Mei Niang slumped motionless against the wall. Heart pounding, Han Yu reached out to check her breathing, only to have her hand bitten the moment it neared Mei Niang’s lips.

“Hey! You shameless hussy, don’t you know a good person when you see one?” Han Yu scolded, smacking her on the head. Mei Niang let go and snapped back, “Little minx, you’re only showing up now—who else should I bite?!”

By then, Bing and Fatty Girl had also rushed in. Seeing Mei Niang unharmed, Fatty Girl quickly helped her up with a smile. “Thank you for saving my senior sister!” Mei Niang was momentarily taken aback.

“Yes, we owe it all to you...” He Lingchi, arriving just behind, was moved to tears.

“No need... cough, cough...” Mei Niang couldn’t suppress her coughs. Her injuries had yet to heal, and after taking a heavy blow from the Jade-faced Gentleman, she could barely stand. Han Yu hurriedly supported her by the waist.

Just as Mei Niang stepped out of the cave, she ran into Jin Guishan and his group. Despite having lost face earlier by the river, seeing Mei Niang save his junior sister made Jin Guishan hasten forward to thank her. Hong Kun and his brother Hong Peng’s noses nearly twisted out of shape from frustration. They had been prepared for the rabbit spirit, but the sudden appearance of a fox spirit and a turtle spirit left them completely taken aback by this chubby youth’s unexpected allies!

“Senior brother, this is Mei Niang—if not for her, we’d have been finished!” Bing quickly introduced her to Hong Kun.

“Senior brother!” Mei Niang greeted him with a smile and a nod. Hong Kun, however, only frowned and remained silent.

“Senior brother? You shameless fox, you want to act like brothers with others?” Han Yu said as she helped Mei Niang out of the cave.

Seeing Bing’s embarrassment, Fatty Girl quickly jumped in. “But where are the disciples of the Jade Immortal Sect?” Now that she mentioned it, everyone realized that only half those at the gathering had been rescued.

“That’s right! Have any of you seen disciples from the Jade Immortal Sect?” Jin Guishan distinctly remembered they had been captured together, but none of the familiar faces were present. Everyone looked at each other and shook their heads.

Mei Niang’s brow furrowed. Suddenly, she grabbed a little demon by the head. “Hey, where did the others go? If you don’t tell me, I’ll drain your energy for myself!” Coincidentally, it was the very demon Mei Niang had teased at the prison door earlier. Terrified, he nodded and shook his head at once. “I’ll tell you... I’ll tell you... Daoist Bao Pu took most of them away!”

“Daoist Bao Pu? Celestial or demon?” Mei Niang had never heard the name. Hong Kun was also taken aback—how could a celestial be involved?

“I don’t know! She rarely comes, but she only took the men!”

“The men?” Fatty Girl turned to look—indeed, all the women were present.

“She’s a female... demon?” Mei Niang sneered.

“Yes, yes... and she’s beautiful...” The little demon’s eyes grew dreamy.

Before Mei Niang could act, a little she-demon beside her headbutted him, knocking him sideways. Mei Niang cackled, “Your sweetheart can’t wait to protect you, eh?” But halfway through, she caught herself and changed the subject. “Where’s her lair?”

“Seems to be Clear Sound Cave on Yin-Yang Mountain... but I’ve never been...” the little demon stammered in terror.

“I know where Yin-Yang Mountain is!” Mei Niang said, looking at Jin Guishan. Overjoyed, Jin Guishan turned to the group. “Everyone, let’s hurry and rescue our fellow cultivators!” But the others merely exchanged awkward glances and kept their heads down.

“You—” Qi Yuanxiao stepped forward, but Jin Guishan pulled him back.

“Daoist friend!” Hong Peng suddenly smiled at Jin Guishan. “How should we handle these little demons?” Jin Guishan hadn’t considered this and was caught off guard.

“I think we should escort these demons to the Immortal Welcome Palace and hand them over to the Zhengjia Sect. Once we’ve confirmed all our comrades are safe, we’ll gather reinforcements and head to Yin-Yang Mountain. Meanwhile, we can scout ahead and learn their strengths and weaknesses. What do you think?” Hong Peng quickly suggested.

“Excellent idea! If we bring the Zhengjia Sect, we’ll surely be able to capture them all!” The other sects immediately grew lively.

“You’ve thought it through, Daoist friend. Let’s do it that way,” Jin Guishan agreed.

Soon, only Bing’s group and Jin Guishan’s party remained before the vast Twin Fish Cave.

“Senior brother, I fear...” Qi Yuanxiao glanced at Jin Guishan. Everyone understood—those others were unlikely to return to help.

Jin Guishan frowned, then laughed aloud. “No matter, even if it’s just us, we must investigate that Clear Sound Cave!”

“Well said, true spirit!” Hong Peng praised.

“Thank you for smoothing things over!” Jin Guishan clasped his hands in gratitude.

“Not at all. With their attitude, forcing them would be pointless, and even if they came, they’d be of little help. Why bother?” Hong Peng responded courteously.

“Exactly! Senior brother is right!” Fatty Girl bounced over, startling Hong Kun and Hong Peng. Ever since meeting Bing, the two of them grew nervous at the sight of anyone plump!

“Junior sister, mind your manners!” Jin Guishan quickly admonished.

“No matter, no matter—just call me senior brother! Which sect are you from?” Hong Peng had noticed Fatty Girl always looked out for Bing.

“Oh, I forgot to introduce myself! I’m Jin Guishan of the Misty Cloud Sect!” he declared.

“Ah! A disciple of Master Supreme Tai Miao! I’ve long admired your teacher’s reputation. I am Hong Kun, disciple of Daoist Meng Hong. This is my junior brother Hong Peng, and this is—well, no need for introductions there!” Hong Kun said awkwardly, gesturing at Bing, then turned to Bi Yi. “And this is Bi Yi, disciple of Daoist Xi Feng!” Bi Yi nodded in greeting. Jin Guishan couldn't help but be startled—this woman was truly breathtaking, though she carried an inexplicable air of aloofness.

“And this is my junior brother Qi Yuanxiao, and this is...” Jin Guishan began introducing his own companions in turn.

“Senior brother, it’s getting late. Let’s set out quickly!” After the introductions, Fatty Girl urged Jin Guishan.

He nodded, glancing at Hong Kun and Mei Niang, hesitating to speak. Only Mei Niang knew the location of Yin-Yang Mountain, but she was so gravely wounded.

“I’m fine! Let’s head out now!” Sensing Jin Guishan’s concern, Mei Niang straightened with a smile, but after a few steps her legs buckled. If not for Han Yu catching her arm, she would have collapsed.

“Maybe Senior Brother Mu should—” Fatty Girl began, but Mei Niang quickly covered her mouth. This girl was kind-hearted, but sometimes clueless—those two senior brothers were staring daggers; this was no time for jokes!

“No way you’ll walk—let me carry you!” Han Yu pouted but relented at Mei Niang’s hopeful look.

According to Mei Niang, Yin-Yang Mountain was only a few dozen miles west. Though cultivators all, they kept a measured pace for Han Yu’s sake and arrived only at dusk. Looking up, they saw two peaks—one black, one white—mingling in and out of view, just as the theory of yin and yang would suggest.

“I don’t see any cave mansion,” He Lingchi said, looking around in confusion. They had searched the area for miles, not even finding a rabbit hole.

“Let’s go a bit further in...” Hong Kun gazed at the mist-shrouded valley, an ominous feeling rising in his heart. Even Mei Niang, a demon herself, frowned—surely that little demon hadn’t dared to lie, but now...

As they hesitated, they spotted a woodcutter far off, carrying firewood down the slope.

“Hey!” Qi Yuanxiao called out. But the woodcutter, upon seeing them, tossed his bundle aside and fled.

“Quick, after him—” Hong Kun began, but before he could finish, two plump figures shot off like cannonballs. Two? Hong Kun blinked in disbelief.

The woodcutter was running for his life when two gusts of wind swept past him. Before he could react, he bounced off something soft—a chubby boy! He darted to the side, only to find another obstacle blocking his way—a chubby girl!

“Mercy, sirs! Spare me!” The woodcutter collapsed to the ground in terror.

“Uncle, we’re not bandits—what would we want your life for?” Bing helped him up.

“You’re not... then... who are you...” The woodcutter eyed Jin Guishan’s party warily.

“We’re just travelers looking for a place to rest,” Jin Guishan reassured him.

“Oh... I thought you were robbers!” The woodcutter sighed in relief.

“Are there many bandits here?” Han Yu asked, frowning.

“Bandits? Oh... yes, lots...” the woodcutter stammered, trying to brush it off.

“So late, and you’re still out chopping wood?” Han Yu eyed him suspiciously.

“I twisted my ankle up on the slope; otherwise, I’d have gone home long ago!” The woodcutter looked helpless.

“Uncle, I heard there are demons about here,” Han Yu said, blinking.

“Demons? Not at all! I live in the village at the valley’s mouth—come here for wood every day and never heard of any demons!” The woodcutter shook his head vigorously.

“We’d heard rumors too, scared us half to death on the way,” Han Yu said, pretending to relax.

“Don’t listen to such nonsense. Our Yin-Yang Mountain is a sacred place; there are no demons here!” The woodcutter grew indignant. “Oh, by the way, there’s a Sun and Moon Monastery near the valley entrance. You can stay there for the night.”

“Sun and Moon Monastery?” Bi Yi had been worrying about sleeping outdoors. Han Yu frowned in thought.

“Yes, a few young priestesses live there. They often treat the villagers’ illnesses and help out with any trouble—so they’ll surely take you in.”

“Brother Hong, since that’s the case, why don’t we stay there for the night and rest before continuing?” Jin Guishan looked at Hong Kun, who nodded. “We’ll do as you say.”