Chapter Ten: A Brilliant Escape Plan (Part Two)

Seeing Shi Jun and the other nod, Zisheng continued, "Although the Emerald Vortex is a maze of passages with many exit portals that are difficult to control, precisely because of this, the defensive forces are scattered and the protective barriers are relatively weak. That is why you chose this passage when you first arrived. Jiamu Pass, on the other hand, is the most convenient route for entry and exit, but its protective barrier is formidable and heavily guarded, making it difficult to pass. As for the Magpie Bridge, although it has been sealed for over eight hundred years, some guards remain on duty, and the diverging paths are treacherous and fraught with danger."

Hearing the words "Magpie Bridge," Shi Jun's heart skipped a beat. He recalled the widely circulated legend in the mortal realm concerning the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, and could not help asking, "Could this Magpie Bridge have something to do with the Cowherd and the Weaver Girl?"

Zisheng smiled and replied, "Well, indeed it does! That Weaver Girl was originally one of our own people in the Demon Realm, but later, because she fell in love with a mortal, she destroyed her own cultivation and secretly left her native tribe to flee into the mortal world. Unfortunately, until the very end, they could not spend their lives together; instead, they were separated by the vastness of the heavens and passed away in sorrow... It was precisely because of this event that the Magpie Bridge passage between the mortal realm and the Demon Realm was sealed over eight hundred years ago. However, that is a long story. If you are interested in hearing it, I will tell you all about it later."

That was true—this was hardly the time for telling stories. Shi Jun looked a little embarrassed and said, "Brother Zisheng, please continue."

"I have already investigated these three locations in detail. All the entrances to the Emerald Vortex and Jiamu Pass are heavily surrounded, yet it has been done with great subtlety—relaxed on the outside but tightly guarded within—as if they had long since sensed that outsiders had entered. The guards at the Magpie Bridge, however, are relatively much weaker, seeing that this ancient road has been abandoned for many years."

"Do you mean we should leave via the Magpie Bridge?" Fuyao asked.

Zisheng shook his head. "Not at all. We can think of it, but others are not fools either. Although the Magpie Bridge is sealed, the passage still exists. As long as one's cultivation is profound and the right moment is seized, passing through it is not entirely impossible. I am certain that others have calculated this as well, and are utterly convinced that we have a very high probability of choosing the Magpie Bridge to escape. I can guarantee that among the three routes, the Magpie Bridge is currently the most dangerous."

Shi Jun suddenly understood. "Brother Zisheng, do you mean we should leave through Jiamu Pass?"

Zisheng looked at Shi Jun approvingly. "Oh? Why does my younger brother ask this?"

Shi Jun replied, "It is nothing. It is just that I suddenly recalled how it was when we first entered through the Emerald Vortex—originally the six of us entered together, but Yaksha and Houtu mysteriously disappeared, presumably getting lost in the passage and being transported elsewhere. Judging by this, if we attempt to leave through the Emerald Vortex, we risk being separated in the tunnels. On the other hand, since the Jiamu Pass passage is heavily guarded and protected by powerful barriers, I believe our pursuers will assume we dare not choose this route, making their minds prone to laxity. Spoken thus, leaving through Jiamu Pass turns out to be the best choice."

At this point, Shi Jun became slightly puzzled. "But I have heard that the Demon Realm has always closed its doors to the outside world. Not to mention outsiders, even its own people are not allowed to enter or leave at will. Even if we wish to leave through Jiamu Pass, firstly our target would be too large, and secondly we would lack a legitimate reason. What shall we do if the guards question us?"

"What my brother says is entirely correct." Zisheng raised his emerald-green eyes and smiled faintly. "However, although the Demon Realm strictly prohibits arbitrary entry and exit, there are exceptions."

Fuyao's eyes lit up as she exclaimed, "The guiding emissaries!"

"Precisely!" Zisheng nodded. "Those who attain demonhood in the mortal realm do not know the path to the Demon Realm and require guidance. Therefore, the Demon Realm must frequently send emissaries into the mortal world to discover them and persuade them to join. This is a rule tacitly permitted by the four realms, much like the ferrymen of the Underworld."

"Why persuade them?" Shi Jun asked, puzzled.

"To some extent, the mortal realm is the hometown of most beings across the four realms. Without special reasons, who would willingly leave their homeland to settle in a strange place? Of course, those born and raised in the Demon Realm are exceptions, just like myself," Fuyao explained.

"In a moment, when we leave Luojin's body, we will set up a defensive barrier and head for the Chaotic Stone Mountains. For now, our hiding place has been exposed, so there is no need to conceal ourselves any longer, and a series of fierce battles will be inevitable. After figuring out the situation, we will slip into Tianmiao Lake—Tianmiao Lake is the habitat of carnivorous aquatic tribes. Although it is somewhat dangerous, I believe we can handle it. Moreover, this will allow us to shake off most of our pursuers. Passing through the lakebed into the Yuyu River Corridor, there is a secret passage where we can transform ourselves. Then we can swim from the secret passage into the adjacent Manju Marsh. At that point, we can merge and transform, and in the guise of Butterfly-Bone Dragon Envoys, leave Jiamu Pass in a grand and proper manner." As he spoke, Zisheng flipped his right hand, revealing a light gray, oval-shaped token made of bone resting in his palm. "As for the token of credence, I have already prepared it."

Upon seeing the token, Fuyao and A'li cried out simultaneously, "A brilliant plan!"

***

"Wait... does this mean we are never coming back? What about my grandfather?" Fuyao suddenly asked. Zisheng was momentarily stunned, then said gently, "After being ambushed and poisoned by Chunniang and Letu, Elder Tianmu escaped while severely wounded, and his life or death remains unknown. But he is no ordinary person; as long as his injuries are not fatal, he will find a place to go into secluded cultivation. With public attention so tense right now, I believe he will not show his face for the time being... Why don't you leave this matter to me? No matter what, I will find your grandfather. Rest assured."

Fuyao listened in a daze, her eyes slowly turning red again. She murmured a soft "okay" and lowered her head.

***

Chiyang gently patted Fuyao's shoulder to comfort her, saying, "Don't grieve. None of this is your fault. If you want to see your grandfather again, you must preserve your life and not give him cause to worry."

Shi Jun knew nothing at all about the geography of the Demon Realm. Having listened to Zisheng for a long time, he still had no idea whether the plan was truly viable. He asked, "Brother Zisheng, what is this about merging and transforming?"

Zisheng explained slowly, "Merging and transforming requires us to cast spells together to transform into a single entity. After the transformation, everyone's spiritual power can be temporarily pooled, greatly enhancing both our offensive and defensive capabilities. This technique was originally comprehended by Nisu upon the request of the four great demon shamans, with the purpose of resisting formidable external invaders. In the Demon Realm, very few people master this technique, so not many know of it. Later on, I will teach you the incantations. Given your abilities, executing it should not present too much difficulty. For our group of several people, traveling together is far too conspicuous. Once we have merged and transformed, no matter how clever the guards at Jiamu Pass are, they will only focus on interrogating larger groups. As for a solitary entity that routinely acts with authority in the Demon Realm—a Butterfly-Bone Dragon Envoy—I believe they neither can nor dare to deliberately make things difficult."

Just as he finished speaking, a violent tremor shook the ground beneath everyone's feet, and a shrill whistle suddenly rang in their ears. Zisheng focused his hearing, a look of alertness flashing in his eyes, though his expression remained unperturbed. He said calmly, "Biyuan has made her move." Glancing at A'li, he suddenly said, "A'li, you should stay behind. After all, you are merely a household retainer of Elder Tianmu. Once we leave, others will not make things too difficult for you. But if you keep following us, I'm afraid you will never be able to return to the Demon Realm."

Fuyao was startled, her eyes filled with reluctance to part, but after a moment of hesitation, she also whispered, "A'li, Brother Zisheng is right. I cannot implicate you. You should stay."

This A'li was originally a servant of her household, having accompanied and cared for her attentively and meticulously since her birth. Although Fuyao was headstrong and usually not particularly polite to A'li, she actually depended on him greatly, especially during these thrilling days of flight when trees fell and monkeys scattered, and all the household servants had long since flown away like birds and beasts—some even rushing out as "turning state's evidence" to curry favor with Chunniang and her cohorts by fabricating charges and listing Fuyao's various faults one by one. Only A'li had remained steadfastly loyal to her, willing to risk his life to follow her to the death. Unconsciously, Fuyao had long regarded him as her own kin. At this moment, though she urged him to leave, her heart ached with sorrow, and tears fell uncontrollably from her eyes.

A'li shook his head, reached out with a tentacle to help wipe away Fuyao's tears, and stared intently at her with his round little eyes, revealing a paternal and affectionate expression as he said, "A'li will not leave you, Young Miss. Do not be sad."

"Since that is the case, let us not delay. Let us all go together," Chiyang said decisively.

Zisheng nodded, slowly raised his right hand, and extended his index finger.

A light-green spherical orb rapidly materialized at his fingertip, grew larger, and drifted gently down to the ground, vibrating slightly and emitting a soft, beautiful green glow.

Zisheng pulled a scroll from his tunic, gently shook it, and breathed upon it.

The scroll instantly floated up, drifted toward the orb of light, and rapidly merged into it. Countless silver-white threads flickered in and out of view across the surface of the orb, winding and connecting with one another.

"Done," Zisheng looked around and said to Chiyang, "This 'Three Thousand Worries Thread' is the most powerful defensive artifact among those I cultivate. I believe its power should keep us safe for the time being. However, just to be safe, General Chi might as well set up an additional defensive barrier over it. That way, our safety coefficient will be even higher."

Chiyang smiled bitterly. She was well aware of her own injuries; in her current state, though she could manage it by force, the effect would not be optimal, and the subsequent journey would be difficult, with successive fierce battles practically inevitable. She had originally wanted to avoid exerting her spiritual power arbitrarily, but to refuse now would only make the others worry. Therefore, she took a deep breath, forced her spiritual power to circulate, and erected a layer of "Torrent" around the outer perimeter of the barrier Zisheng had already established.

Shi Jun had initially been eager to try—although he had been told he was poisoned, apart from fainting twice, he felt no other discomfort. However, having promised Chiyang not to act rashly, he swallowed back the words volunteering himself.

***

Then the group entered the barrier one by one. Zisheng entered last, shouted a few loud commands, seemingly instructing Luojin, and beneath their feet, there was a slight jolt as the barrier slowly rose and began to glide on its own through the pitch-black tunnel.

The gliding speed of the barrier grew faster and faster. Before long, Shi Jun vaguely saw a pinprick of light appear ahead. Luojin opened its jaws and gave a mighty exhale, propelling the spherical barrier outward with a fierce surge as it leaped high into mid-air.

Following that, Luojin's body spun rapidly, and a chorus of painful cries echoed from behind it as its massive tail accurately swept into the pursuing enemies.

Having successfully beaten back the aggressors, Luojin let out a long whistle, its body rapidly shrinking while its twin fins fluttered like fish as it swam swiftly into the distance.

***

Inside the barrier, Chiyang, Fuyao, and Zisheng sat cross-legged on the ground. A'li accompanied Fuyao, while Shi Jun stood rigidly, his gaze sweeping around to assess the immediate situation—

In just this brief moment, hundreds of sprites and demons had already gathered in the air, the vast majority appearing in human form, clearly possessing considerable cultivation. These individuals had deployed their formations in upper, middle, and lower tiers centered around the barrier, the cold light of lethal weapons flashing in their hands as they stared fixedly at the barrier. Moments ago, when Luojin's giant tail swept across, dozens of demons were thrown off balance and fell tumbling through the air, struggling pitifully to climb back up. The once-seamless formation had been torn open by Luojin's disruption, leaving a gap neither too large nor too small.

Biyuan stood with her arms crossed just outside the perimeter of the encirclement, her long hair streaming in the wind as she let out a cackling laugh: "How is it? You came out after all, didn't you? Oh? Little mortal handsome guy, why are you hiding inside such a pathetic barrier? Are you trying to play hide-and-seek with this lady?"

Shi Jun rolled his eyes and ignored her.

"Look! Fuyao that little traitor is indeed inside!"

"Capture her!"

"Lord Zisheng!"

Someone recognized Zisheng sitting quietly inside the barrier and cried out in shock.

Biyuan was startled, peered closely at the barrier for a few moments, and then shouted at the top of her lungs, "Zisheng, you thousand-times-damned wretch, get your ass out here right now!"

Zisheng sighed, silently urged the barrier forward, and charged straight through the gap in the demons' formation before they had time to close it.

This time, what Shi Jun and the others faced were no longer ordinary spirit beasts and minor demons, but rather true sprites and major demons. Biyuan's previous transmission had been to summon them; these individuals were the most loyal subordinates of Demon Spirit Julan, and upon hearing Julan's only younger sister Biyuan ask for assistance, they had rushed to reinforce without the slightest hesitation. Seeing the barrier trying to slip away, they howled, converged from all directions, and brandished their weapons, unanimously launching an assault upon the barrier.