The Four Evils, having just escaped the void, found themselves in a desert filled with yellow sand.
Ye Changfeng raised his hand, forming a visor to shield his eyes, and squinted ahead. In the swirling sands, a hint of red flickered intermittently.
Gui Ye, one of the Four Evils, also spotted the red. He spoke softly.
"Big brother, there's someone there."
Ye Changfeng nodded slightly and gestured.
"Let's go see."
He then led his brothers forward. As they drew closer, the figure became clearer.
"It's him," said Fu Zimo, another of the Four Evils.
When the group approached, they saw only his elegant silhouette. Ye Changfeng sneered, slinging his sword over his shoulder, and asked,
"Hey! Why are you still here?"
Liu Xiang did not turn around, but replied unhurriedly,
"Waiting for someone."
"Waiting for someone?"
A hint of amusement flickered in Ye Changfeng's eyes as he guessed.
"You're not waiting for us, are you?"
Liu Xiang caressed his bone fan, turned around, and smiled faintly.
"It seems you're not entirely foolish."
Ye Changfeng remained dismissive, his arrogance unchanged.
"Why are you waiting for us? I won't thank you."
Liu Xiang chuckled, finding the man before him rather endearing. However, he did not hasten to express his thoughts, instead gazing into the distance and asking casually,
"Beyond this desert lies a vast world. Where do you intend to go?"
"Anywhere, as long as I can find an opponent to fight."
Liu Xiang said.
"In this world, besides myself, there is the Myriad Ghost King in the east, and Jin Yulan of South Sea City. They are both top-tier experts. You may challenge them."
Perhaps in his heart, only two people in the world caught his eye: Jin Yulan and the Myriad Ghost King. One was a trusted subordinate, the other an adversary. Liu Muye and the Myriad Ghost King.
Though the four were considered villains, they were not fools. They possessed intellect.
Zhu Yan, the second of the Four Evils, sensed something amiss. He recalled that before they entered this cursed place, it had been decades since the Myriad Ghost King's demise.
If that were the case, the Myriad Ghost King had perished a thousand years ago. How could he still be alive? Thinking this, Liu Xiang also seemed to have many questions surrounding him.
Driven by curiosity, he asked,
"Esteemed sir, wasn't the Myriad Ghost King you mentioned supposed to have perished a thousand years ago? How can there be another Myriad Ghost King?"
Liu Xiang calmly explained.
"The current Myriad Ghost King is the same one from a thousand years ago, merely reborn in a new body.
Now, he has established himself in a certain location, recruiting soldiers and amassing forces to stage a comeback. He has already recruited many experts.
I fear it will be difficult for even you to approach him."
Upon hearing that the Myriad Ghost King was still alive, Ye Changfeng's interest was piqued. He lowered his head, lost in thought. After a while, he said,
"This is worth a try. It was a regret not being able to spar with the Myriad Ghost King a thousand years ago. Now that he has returned to the world, an opportunity has arisen."
Fu Zimo, the fourth, curiously inquired about the other person.
"But who is this Jin Yulan? I heard a thousand years ago that he was the proprietor of South Sea City, but I never heard of him practicing martial arts. How did he become a top expert?"
Liu Xiang naturally had to explain Jin Yulan thoroughly.
"He was originally from a noble family in the Northern Divine Capital, but due to his family's decline, he took up a less respectable profession.
However, he is an unparalleled master. If you are fortunate enough to defeat him, it would not be unworthy of the title of the Four Evils."
This presented Ye Changfeng with a dilemma; he suddenly didn't know how to choose.
"So, this Jin Yulan is also a master of hidden strength. I'd like to meet him, but should I see the Myriad Ghost King first, or this Jin Yulan?"
The others also fell into contemplation.
Fu Zimo, the fourth, suggested,
"Why don't we meet Jin Yulan first? If he truly has skill, it wouldn't be a wasted trip for us."
Gui Ye, the third, disagreed.
"In terms of strength, the Myriad Ghost King would be a more satisfying opponent. If we can defeat the Myriad Ghost King, our names will be etched in history."
Zhu Yan, the second, shared the same sentiment.
"Compared to Jin Yulan, I believe the Myriad Ghost King is the more significant challenge."
Seeing them actively deliberating, Liu Xiang decided not to linger. He simply said,
"Since you all have made your decisions, I shall not stay any longer. I bid you farewell."
With that, he turned and walked into the yellow sand, gradually disappearing into the vast expanse.
Zhu Yan watched Liu Xiang's receding back, his suspicions resurfacing. He advised his elder brother,
"Big brother, I don't think this Liu Xiang has good intentions. He might have some ulterior motive in telling us this."
However, Ye Changfeng paid no mind to any conspiracies. In his heart, there was only martial arts and combat.
Liu Xiang's words had clearly ignited his fighting spirit, and his arrogant face broke into a smile.
Turning back, he addressed his brothers,
"I didn't expect so many experts to emerge during our thousand-year absence. This is truly exciting. It seems we must go and see them. Let's depart!"
"Alright!"
The second and fourth echoed in agreement. Although the second harbored some concerns, he understood his elder brother's nature and said no more.
Only the third smiled slightly, appearing somewhat aloof, but Ye Changfeng paid it no mind, seemingly accustomed to it.
The four stepped into the boundless wilderness of swirling yellow sand, allowing the dust to obscure their departing figures.
Liu Xiang watched them leave from a distance, a faint smile on his lips. In a trance, he heard a proud poetic chant carried by the wind and sand.
"The sun and moon do not travel with me; I travel with the sun and moon."
Accompanying the poem was a man clad in purple-black attire, wielding a black leather sword. He was as steady and powerful as his verse, emerging from the sandstorm unaffected by it.
He walked directly to Liu Xiang and suddenly knelt, cupping his hands.
"Li Xingye pays his respects, my lord."
Liu Xiang smiled with satisfaction. It was time to deploy his long-hidden secret weapon.
"Rise."
The man then stood. His left eyelid bore a glittering five-pointed star imprint, and a small braid was tied at the back of his head.
Though his face was somewhat tanned, his brows were sharp, and his eyes were handsome and piercing.
His proud, cold eyes held a mystery akin to his name.
Liu Xiang said,
"Let us go. This place no longer requires our presence."
"Yes."
Liu Xiang waved his fan, parting the sand to reveal a clear path. The two entered the pathway and exited the desert.
Meanwhile, our group was rushing towards Black Mountain.
It took them two days and a night to reach the vicinity of South Sea City.
In my heart, I continued to ponder Liu Xiang's motives. Did he go to such lengths to lure me to the Northern Divine Capital merely for a meeting?
Or did he already have other plans? I suspected he had other plans.
I wondered if he would target anyone else besides me.
Unexpectedly, he arrived sooner than I anticipated.
A luxurious carriage suddenly appeared on the wide road, blocking the way. At that moment, a long, drawn-out laugh echoed from above.
"Hahaha~~~"
We reined in our horses, looking up at the sky in curiosity. A streak of green descended from above, landing on the carriage. Upon closer inspection, it was Jin Yulan.
As elegant and noble as ever, he held a folding fan, smiled slightly, and greeted them.
"Greetings, everyone. You must be tired after traveling for two days."
He then pursed his lips and chuckled softly.
Dao Lang, seeing his former employer, maintained his politeness and asked,
"It's Boss Jin. Boss Jin, why are you here?"
Jin Yulan smiled slightly and retorted,
"Dao Lang, Fei Xiong, you two are also famous bandits.
While you may not care for fine silks and delicacies, you wouldn't stoop so low as to rely on others for shelter."
Fei Xiong, being straightforward, didn't quite understand his words and stated plainly,
"Boss Jin, I don't quite understand what you're saying, but you're blocking our way. We need to hurry."
Jin Yulan was both annoyed and amused. He didn't engage further with Fei Xiong, but instead glanced at Xue Gucheng.
As they were old acquaintances, Xue Gucheng naturally exchanged a few words and asked,
"Gucheng, where are you headed?"
Xue Gucheng, likely guessing Jin Yulan's purpose, feigned ignorance and replied with cupped hands,
"Brother Jin, we have urgent matters and must be on our way."
Seeing that Xue Gucheng was playing dumb, Jin Yulan lightly stepped onto the ground and took two white masks from the coachman, tossing them to Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang.
The two caught them and were slightly startled upon looking down. Weren't these the white masks they had discarded in the Sikou River that night?
How did they end up in Jin Yulan's hands? It seemed he had been there that night as well, and likely knew everything.
I felt a sense of unease, unsure of his purpose for being here. His connection with Liu Xiang was also a cause for my apprehension. Had Liu Xiang sent him?
He certainly wouldn't tell me directly. I would have to be the one to ask.
"Young Master Jin, I presume you have something important to say today. If so, please speak plainly."
Seeing that I still treated him with the same respect as before, and recalling how he had harmed me yet I still treated him with courtesy, a hint of guilt arose in his heart.
But it was unavoidable; their positions were different.
Jin Yulan, seeing that I had asked, stopped playing coy and stated directly,
"Since Muye has said so, I will be direct. I have come to take the Snow Saber Twin Killers and the Two Bandits of Jiangyang back with me."
Xue Gucheng's eyes held a flicker of confusion, not understanding his reasons. He then guessed, perhaps it was because of the Myriad Ghost King's identity.
It seemed he truly knew everything.
Xue Gucheng glanced at me, then at the white mask in his hand, a sense of difficulty dawning upon him.
I saw his hesitation and said,
"You don't need to worry about me. Act according to your own thoughts. Whether you stay or go, I will respect your decision."
Xue Gucheng, hearing my words, seemed reassured.
He suddenly dismounted, cupped his hands in a bow to Jin Yulan, then tossed the white mask into the air and cleaved it in two with his Snow Saber.
Jin Yulan's eyes widened in surprise. He hadn't expected Xue Gucheng to do such a thing.
We were equally astonished that Xue Gucheng would act this way.
Yan Wushuang, seeing this, understood Xue Gucheng's intentions. He then dismounted, bowed to Jin Yulan, tossed his mask into the air, and split it in two with a flying knife.
What Xue Gucheng had left unsaid, Yan Wushuang voiced for him.
"Brother Xue and I know of Brother Jin's sincerity, but we have taken off these masks, and we no longer need them.
Brother Jin's coming to persuade us is a sign of his compassion for us, and we remember this kindness.
However, we have already promised Muye and cannot abandon her. Brother Jin need not persuade us further."
Jin Yulan coughed awkwardly. He had anticipated their decision and knew that further persuasion would be futile.
He could only place his hopes on Dao Lang and Fei Xiong, hoping to lead them away from hardship.
With a sigh, he turned to Dao Lang and Fei Xiong and asked them,
"Are you leaving or not?"
Fei Xiong and Dao Lang exchanged a smile, understanding their destination. Dao Lang replied with cupped hands,
"Boss Jin, we appreciate your intentions, and you know us well.
We two have always slept under the sky and the earth, going wherever we please. Since Muye is willing to take us in this time, we will follow her."
Jin Yulan sighed deeply, his eyes filled with reluctance. If he didn't make things clear today, how could he face them in the future?
He said,
"Do you know that once you embark on this path, there is no turning back?
Muye has no choice, but you still do. I don't want to see you step by step into the abyss."
Fei Xiong also bowed respectfully.
"Boss Jin, we understand what you're saying. Though we may not distinguish between good and evil, as long as we feel it's right in our hearts, that's enough.
Boss Jin, you are a good person. Why don't you join us? I heard Muye's place has a lot of delicious food."
Jin Yulan's attempt to reason with them failed, and Fei Xiong's words only added to his frustration. He was both angry and helpless.
He lamented that this fellow only cared about food and was unaware of the seriousness of the situation.
Looking at each of them with bright eyes and firm resolve, he knew that no matter what he said, they wouldn't listen. Finally, he turned to me and said,
"Since they are willing to follow you, I would like to ask you to take good care of them. They are all rare good people."
He abandoned his previous domineering demeanor and entrusted them to me. Seeing his acknowledgment of me, I was overjoyed, realizing he was not a bad person.
I promised with cupped hands,
"Yes, I will take good care of them. Thank you, Brother Jin."
The simple words "Brother Jin" warmed his heart, and he smiled sweetly.
He hadn't been this happy in a long time. Realizing he was smiling too much, he quickly assumed a cold demeanor and beckoned to the coachman.
"Make way for them."
The coachman then drove the carriage aside. Seeing this, I thanked him,
"Thank you, Brother Jin. We shall meet again."
He waved his hand and slowly turned his back, likely feeling a pang of sadness.
As for me, I couldn't offer him any comfort and could only leave quickly.
"Giddy up!"
With the command, I rode away, and everyone else bid him farewell.
"Boss Jin, take care of yourself. We shall meet again."
"Brother Jin, we shall meet again."
He watched their receding figures, his heart filled with emotion. A terrifying thought even arose.
"If I hadn't met Lord Liu, perhaps I would have followed Muye like them.
She is truly a captivating leader. With her guidance, the Ghost Clan should fare better."
Looking back, his visit was not to persuade them to turn back, but because Liu Xiang had left on business, leaving him idle.
Coincidentally, he received two white masks recovered by scouts, guessing they were heading to Black Mountain.
He knew that after this, they would never meet again, and their next encounter would be as enemies. For the sake of their past camaraderie, he had come to bid them a final farewell, fulfilling his brotherly duty.
Li Xingye:
"The sun and moon do not travel with me; I travel with the sun and moon."
Li Xingye, a wandering swordsman from the Northern Divine Capital, was in truth Wu Luo from the ancient era.
He had followed Liu Xiang since a thousand years ago, until he entered secluded cultivation. He had only recently emerged.