The cicadas chirped in late May.
Xuan Xiao delivered a letter, announcing that the Wan Ku Lou feast was imminent. If one intended to make a move against Wan Ku Lou, this was the optimal time.
Nan Shi Ying did not reply, instead burning the letter.
The Shadow Pavilion received an invitation from Wan Ku Lou. Lü Wan handed the invitation to Nan Shi Ying, "Your Highness, an invitation to the Wan Ku Lou feast!"
The banquet was set for mid-June, which meant setting off now was just right.
The male members of the Shen family remained imprisoned in the heavenly jail, while the women were confined to their estate. Shen Man did not know how things were progressing and had not yet returned.
Nan Shi Ying paid no mind to the schemes of Ji Jin Mo and Ji Hong. She crouched by the bedside, feeding the crippled elder medicine mixed with the dog's blood.
As May set in, the elder's health rapidly declined. He aged visibly. She supported his shoulder, and his protruding bones painfully dug into her arm. He had become skin and bones.
"You let his blood?"
Swallowing the medicine, the elder frowned slightly. His voice was weak, each word requiring a pause, making the listener's chest feel heavy.
Nan Shi Ying clicked her tongue and explained, "No, he offered it willingly!"
"You know he..."
"I don't want to know!" Nan Shi Ying interrupted, her tone somewhat displeased.
"Then you should know that I..."
"I know, so what?" Nan Shi Ying interrupted again.
She didn't know if she truly didn't want to hear, or if she was afraid of something, constantly interrupting and evading. But in truth, it had been a long time since she'd gradually learned who the elder was, what he intended, what he was involved in, and what he had planned. But what good would knowing do?
The elder sighed, "There's no need to go this time."
"I'm going!"
"Unfilial disciple, do you want to anger me to death?"
"Do I still need to anger you?"
"You... cough cough cough cough!"
His emotions surged violently, and the elder coughed uncontrollably.
Nan Shi Ying brought him tea and water, saying repeatedly, "Alright, alright, I won't say anything more, but this matter is not up for discussion. Old man, wait for me to return alive. There are some things, some words, that I want you to tell me personally!"
He had lived his whole life, suffered his whole life. His heart was unwilling, his chest filled with resentment. But now, he felt that his life had been worthwhile, even if it turned out this way.
"Good!"
"I'll wait for you!"
...
June seventeenth.
It was the birthday of the Old Master of Wan Ku Lou, and also the day to formally recommend a new master.
Thus, it was a rare feast.
Wan Ku Lou widely invited heroes from all over the martial world to witness the birth of the new master.
On July fourteenth, Nan Shi Ying arrived at Wan Ku Lou.
Wan Ku Lou was located amidst mountain ranges, its cave entrances connected to form a cavernous underground dwelling akin to a karst cave. The terrain was rugged and winding. Light refracted inwards, appearing illusory and dreamlike.
The carriage stopped outside the cave entrance.
Upon entering the underground dwelling and passing through a narrow, cramped passage, the scene suddenly opened up.
It was a vast space, boundless to the eye. Stone carvings adorned the surroundings. Sunlight poured down from scattered holes chiseled in the ceiling, illuminating the area. At night, the phosphorescent stones embedded in the rock walls and decorative carvings would emit a faint glow.
If the Ghost Sha Sect was characterized by its towering height, then Wan Ku Lou was defined by its complex terrain.
The caves were interconnected.
One had no idea where they led.
Such an environment gave Nan Shi Ying a faint sense of foreboding.
The martial arts heroes bowed respectfully upon seeing her.
"Alliance Leader!"
Several months had passed since their parting at Feng Yu City, yet the scenes of that day's fierce battle were etched into everyone's hearts as if carved by knives.
Nan Shi Ying nodded slightly, returning a smile.
"Sister Feng~"
A familiar voice came from behind her. Nan Shi Ying turned and saw an impetuous figure.
Lü Yi Yi threw her arms around her. Nan Shi Ying's gaze passed over Lü Yi Yi and fell upon the few people following behind her: Wei Ru Yun, Huang Yu Yao, and Dai Zhi Qi.
Recalling Mu Xiao Xiao's words, Nan Shi Ying’s gaze lingered on Huang Yu Yao and the other for a few moments longer.
Wei Ru Yun cupped his fist in greeting, "Alliance Leader!"
Huang Yu Yao wrinkled her nose. She didn't want to bow but feared disrespecting the decorum of Yun Yi Hall, so she followed her senior sister's example with a slight bow, reluctantly calling out, "Alliance Leader!"
Nan Shi Ying grabbed Lü Yi Yi by the back of her collar, pulling her off her. She then asked Dai Zhi Qi, "Why did you all come together?"
Dai Zhi Qi replied, "We met along the way."
Nan Shi Ying nodded.
Lü Yi Yi still wanted to hook her arm around Nan Shi Ying's, but Nan Shi Ying pressed her forehead. Lü Yi Yi looked up, her eyes sparkling, and began recounting their itinerary since leaving and what had happened on the road, pouring it all out like beans from a sieve.
"This Wan Ku Lou is truly something. Holding a banquet in mid-June and not notifying us in advance! If Xuan Xiao had widely distributed invitations at the martial arts大会, why would we have had to make this round trip!"
Lü Yi Yi was full of complaints. As soon as they returned home, they received Wan Ku Lou's invitation and had to set out again immediately, which had tired her so much that her bones felt like they were falling apart.
This was traveling by carriage. If they had ridden horses, she would have surely collapsed from exhaustion on the way.
Huang Yu Yao nodded in agreement and whispered her complaint, "These caves appear bright, but for some reason, they make one feel oppressed. Why do the people of Wan Ku Lou insist on staying here and building their halls within them?
This area was considered the outer perimeter of Wan Ku Lou. Further inside, one could see various buildings, pavilions, and towers built within the underground caves. Nan Shi Ying had seen and visited such places before, and had even been blocked by Serpent Shadow at a stone gate.
Huang Yu Yao and the others had never seen such a sight and found it novel.
Streams flowed through the caves, sculpted into ponds. Rock gardens were built beside them, and lotuses grew in the water. Due to the lack of sunlight in the caves, the lotuses did not grow well.
Upon hearing from a guard that the Alliance Leader had arrived, Xuan Xiao personally came out to greet them and invited them in.
After passing through some smaller buildings, the towering structures before them caused Huang Yu Yao and the others to widen their mouths slightly. The buildings were twenty meters high, comprising five floors.
Of course, this height would be nothing on the ground, but this was underground.
Xuan Xiao led them inside, "Alliance Leader, everyone, the banquet will be held on the seventeenth on the top floor. For the next few days, please bear with us and stay in the guest rooms on the second floor. Of course, if you wish to tour, you may visit any place except the library at the end of the corridor on the fourth floor."
Xuan Xiao reserved the best guest rooms for Feng Ying. After arranging everything, he politely inquired, "So, does anyone have any questions or wishes to know at this moment?"
Lü Yi Yi raised her hand, "Deputy Sect Master Xuan, will you be the next Sect Master?"
Wei Ru Yun quickly covered Lü Yi Yi's mouth and gave Xuan Xiao an apologetic smile.
Xuan Xiao's expression showed no significant change, and he was not as wickedly capricious as he was in Feng Yu City. He did not seem to mind Lü Yi Yi's blunt question and calmly replied, "I don't know!"
Not only Lü Yi Yi, but even Huang Yu Yao's eyes widened.
Was this Wan Ku Lou a joke? The decision on the next master had not yet been finalized even at this stage???