After passing through Nanhaicheng, our group finally returned to Black Mountain before dawn. Someone was already waiting for us at the foot of the mountain.
Upon closer inspection, it was Lin'er and Heifeng.
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Seeing us return, Lin'er hurried forward, happily taking the reins of our horses.
"Ghost King, you're back."
Seeing only the two of them, I couldn't help but feel worried.
Moreover, when I left, my clansmen had just arrived. I didn't know the current situation, so I asked Lin'er.
"Elder, why are there only the two of you? Where are the others?"
Heifeng explained.
"It's like this, Elder guessed you would return today, so he only brought me to the foot of the mountain to meet you. Everyone else is on the mountain."
"It seems Elder is still the most insightful."
I turned back to introduce them.
"Let me introduce you. This is Daolang, this is Feixiong, and the one lying behind Brother Xue is named Liu Shinian. They are all good friends I made in Nanhaicheng, and they have now joined our big family."
Heifeng cupped his hands respectfully.
"I have heard of your reputations, but I have never had the pleasure of meeting you in person. It is truly a joy to have you all come to Black Mountain."
Lin'er said respectfully and courteously.
"We've long heard of two peculiar individuals in the world, known as the Jiangyang Twin Thieves. It must be you two, right?"
Feixiong's old face flushed, and he chuckled sheepishly.
"Hahaha, that's us. We'll have to trouble you both more in the future."
"Not at all, not at all."
Heifeng, seeing that I had only introduced two people and two others were missing, felt puzzled. He had only seen Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang wearing masks, never without them.
So he couldn't help but ask.
"Ghost King, who are these two?"
He looked at Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang.
I turned back and couldn't help but laugh.
"Hahaha..."
He became even more confused, not knowing why I was laughing.
Xue Gucheng and Yan Wushuang also couldn't help but chuckle.
"Hahaha, Heifeng, you don't recognize us?"
Hearing the voices and looking closely at their attire, he was instantly surprised, and then overjoyed after a moment.
"It's you! You didn't leave?"
Xue Gucheng replied.
"There's nowhere better than here, so we're not leaving."
"That's wonderful! Now I'll have someone to drink with."
Lin'er also said with great joy, slowly stepping forward.
"That's wonderful! Everyone has been waiting for you. Let's go back quickly."
"Alright."
Feixiong looked up at the mountain. He saw a long staircase stretching endlessly like an earth dragon, reaching straight to the peak. Looking at it for too long made him dizzy.
He immediately frowned, looking troubled.
"This... this is too high."
Heifeng smiled slightly and explained.
"This is the characteristic of Black Mountain, commanding a high position and being difficult to attack."
Feixiong swallowed hard, worrying.
"With my physique, I don't know if I can even make it halfway."
Heifeng encouraged him.
"Don't worry, we're here. Just walk."
I dismounted from my horse and called out to them.
"Come, let's go up."
Daolang also dismounted and asked.
"What about these horses?"
Heifeng replied.
"Leave them here. Someone will come to take them elsewhere later."
"That's quite convenient."
Daolang helped Liu Shinian down. Feixiong voluntarily bent over to carry Liu Shinian and followed us up the stone steps.
One step after another, Feixiong and Daolang, who were visiting for the first time, were exhausted. They panted and took turns carrying Liu Shinian.
Seeing them sweating profusely, Xue Gucheng stepped forward.
"Let me carry him for a while."
The two wiped their sweat and didn't refuse. Xue Gucheng carried Liu Shinian and dashed forward, disappearing from sight in no time.
Daolang took a deep breath, looking at the figure disappearing on the endless stairs, and couldn't help but praise.
"Hey, as expected of someone who has trained. His stamina is much better than ours."
Yan Wushuang laughed.
"Hahaha, Brother Xue relies on the 'Wind Floatation' technique. You guys use pure physical strength, so you'll naturally get tired."
"That's true, that's true."
The group chatted and walked for a long time before finally reaching the summit, arriving in front of the "Bright Moon Palace."
The palace walls were as red as winter plum blossoms, and the vastness covered the entire mountaintop. Even Daolang and Feixiong, who had seen countless luxurious palaces, couldn't help but marvel.
Daolang even asked.
"Such a magnificent place, who built it? Truly a genius."
I turned to look at Heifeng and smiled faintly.
"You should ask him. This was originally his territory."
Heifeng smiled shyly and said.
"I'm not entirely sure. This Bright Moon Palace has existed for thousands of years. I wasn't even born then, and my uncle never told me about it."
"Is that so? It's truly a remarkable place."
As they chatted, the group entered the Bright Moon Palace. As soon as they stepped through the palace gate, four elders stood waiting in the courtyard.
Behind them were the eight warriors from before.
I had never seen the four elders before, so I didn't know who was who.
Before I could speak, the elders suddenly knelt down and cupped their hands.
"Hei Yi, Mo Xuefu, Wangu, Zhu Liuyun pay their respects to the Ghost King."
I felt awkward. I was only twenty years old, and these elders, who were older than my grandfather, were kneeling to me. I truly felt unworthy.
I quickly stepped forward to help them up.
"You elders have traveled a great distance to be here, and you are already tired. There is no need for such formalities."
"And who are these individuals?"
Elder Wangu looked at the people behind me. They didn't know them yet, so I had to introduce them.
"Oh, these are my friends. This is Xue Gucheng."
"Greetings, elders."
Xue Gucheng cupped his hands in greeting.
"This is Yan Wushuang."
Yan Wushuang also cupped his hands in greeting.
"Greetings, elders."
"This is Daolang, and this is Feixiong."
The two bowed in unison.
"Greetings, elders."
Elder Wangu smiled slightly and turned to Elder Hei Yi.
"Elder Hei Yi, look, they are all heroes who emerged from youth."
"Indeed, they possess the spirit of our youth."
I then asked about the situation after their arrival.
"Elders, have you made arrangements for your accommodation?"
Elder Zhu Liuyun said.
"The Elder has made all the necessary arrangements for us."
"And what about the clansmen?"
Lin'er asked.
"Ghost King, I have arranged for them at the foot of the mountain. Everything is mostly settled, but there are still a few minor matters that I dare not decide on my own and need to discuss with the Ghost King."
"Very well, Elder. Please arrange accommodation for these friends of mine. I have many unknown matters to discuss with the elders."
"Certainly."
He turned around and said to the group.
"Please follow me."
Xue Gucheng and Daolang followed the elder away.
After they left, I invited the elders to take a stroll in the garden.
"Elders, what are your plans for coming here this time?"
Elder Wangu said.
"When the former Elder was alive, he instructed us that from now on, everything would be subordinate to the Ghost King. Therefore, we dare not act on our own and will follow the Ghost King's lead."
Hearing this, I was at a loss for what to do. I hadn't really thought about the next steps regarding the arrival of my clansmen.
So I said.
"There have been many affairs these past few days. I have also given it some thought. Since the clansmen have gathered here, we will stay for now. As for the Four Cities, if they make no moves, we will not bother them for the time being. Consolidating the clansmen is the priority."
Elder Hei Yi nodded thoughtfully and then offered his opinion.
"The Four Cities will not make any moves for the time being, but our clan is still a major threat to them, and a battle is inevitable sooner or later. I believe we should strengthen our military training and enhance our defenses."
I had also considered this and said.
"Elder's words are wise. However, I am not sure who to entrust this task to."
At this moment, Elder Zhu Liuyun took the initiative to recommend someone.
"Ghost King, I have someone to recommend."
"Who?"
"Xue Ruyi."
"Him?"
I wondered if he would be suitable for training the soldiers.
"Precisely. Before Xue Ruyi traveled extensively, he was a great general in the army of the Western Purple Kingdom. However, he was naturally free-spirited and unrestrained, so he voluntarily resigned, which led to his current situation. However, I don't know if he will agree."
Unexpectedly, Xue Ruyi was a great general of the Western Purple Kingdom. I wondered how many centuries ago that was.
"Please rest assured, Ghost King, I will speak with him about it."
"Then I shall trouble you, Elder."
"It is our duty to share your burdens, Ghost King."
I had also heard about Elder Zhu Liuyun's deeds and couldn't help but sigh.
"I heard that you, Elder, single-handedly guarded the northwestern clansmen while facing surveillance from the Four Cities. Yet, you managed to lead the clansmen out of the encirclement. It is truly not easy and is truly admirable."
"Not at all, not at all. It was mostly due to the help of noble individuals. I see that you, Ghost King, have been traveling tirelessly and are exhausted. Perhaps we should stop here for today and let you rest well."
I nodded slightly and turned back, cupping my hands.
"Elders, please return and rest as well."
"Yes."
After the elders left, I returned to my courtyard.
From afar, I saw Lin'er walking towards me. He also saw me and called out.
"Ghost King!"
"Elder, what is it?"
Lin'er walked closer and said.
"Ghost King, I have arranged for young Master Liu to stay next door to you."
"That's good. How is he?"
"He is still unconscious, but he should wake up tomorrow."
"That's wonderful."
"You are also tired today, go back and rest."
"Yes, Ghost King. You should also rest early."
"Alright."
After Lin'er left, I went up to the small building alone and slowly walked to the door. I gently pushed it open and looked inside.
I saw Liu Shinian lying peacefully on the bed.
I slowly walked in and came to his side. Looking at his serene face, I couldn't help but resent Liu Xiang.
"That person is too cruel. Liu Shinian was once his brother. It seems he has completely disregarded their past brotherhood. If Liu Shinian asks, I will have to tell him."
Although I harbored some resentment towards Liu Xiang, everything was in the past. It seemed that only confrontation awaited us.
After checking on Liu Shinian, I returned to my room alone.
At night, a gentle breeze blew. I lay in bed with my eyes open, suddenly curious about the Ten Thousand Ghost King. I wondered why he never spoke to me. Was he truly gone?
That seemed unlikely.
Even if I didn't think of him, I was still worried about the future of the Ghost Clan. With my own strength alone, I feared I could not contend with the Four Cities.
Even with Xue Gucheng, Yan Wushuang, Daolang, and Feixiong, there was still a lack of talent. If we wanted to survive for a long time, it was far from enough.
Thinking so much, I couldn't sleep. I had to get up and go to the corridor.
There was no moon tonight, only the candlelight in the courtyard dispelling the darkness. With worries in my heart and no moon, I could only walk down to the courtyard. Just then, a voice called out to me.
"Ghost King, you're not asleep yet?"
I turned to see Lin'er. He was also awake. He seemed to sense my melancholy and asked.
"Ghost King, do you have something on your mind?"
"Yes."
"Is it about the Four Cities?"
"Sort of."
"Did Ghost King encounter an old friend?"
I was stunned, wondering how he knew. I asked curiously.
"How did you know?"
"I guessed that person was your friend before, but now you are on different paths with different thoughts."
"Indeed."
"Can Ghost King tell me who that person is?"
I hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to tell him.
Seeing my difficulty, he said.
"If Ghost King doesn't tell me, I will worry about Ghost King even more. That person will be known eventually. Perhaps if you tell me, I might have a solution."
I bit my lower lip, thinking.
"At this point, there's nothing that can't be said. As Elder said, Liu Xiang will be known to people sooner or later. Since that's the case, it's better for me to tell him sooner."
So I said.
"Elder, have you heard of someone?"
"Someone?"
I calmly spoke his name.
"Liu Xiang."
Lin'er was instantly startled. How many people in this world were named Liu Xiang? Only the legendary God of Zhongshan.
He had guessed many possibilities but never this one. However, he was still unsure and asked.
"I have heard of Liu Xiang. Legend has it that he is the God of Zhongshan living in the extreme cold of the Arctic. Is that the person Ghost King is referring to?"
"Precisely."
This made him somewhat puzzled. In a thousand years, no one had ever heard of anyone meeting Liu Xiang. And Liu Xiang resided in the remote, icy polar regions, so how could he appear in the Four Cities?
He was still confused.
"If that is true, then why did Liu Xiang come to the Four Cities?"
I shook my head slightly.
"I don't know. Perhaps he has a hidden agenda."
"Indeed. However, whoever can make Ghost King so troubled must have been the best of friends."
I sighed, my heart numb from pain, and said.
"Life is unpredictable. Perhaps this is our fate."
Lin'er gently patted my shoulder. Although he was filled with questions, they no longer seemed important. He comforted me.
"That's true. Time changes many things, but there are always some beautiful memories that were experienced together. So, it's not all bad. After all, there are no feasts that don't end."
I turned my head to look at him and smiled slightly. Yes, all along, the only person I knew was Ali, not Liu Xiang. Therefore, I shouldn't be troubled by Liu Xiang anymore.
Looking at him, I felt a little better. The lingering hatred in my heart had also dissipated significantly with his comfort. My heart suddenly calmed, and I smiled with relief, looking at the empty sky, feeling happy for the first time.
He said.
"It's getting late, Ghost King. You should go back and rest. Tomorrow will likely be another day filled with work."
"Alright, you go back too."
"Okay."
After parting ways with him, I returned to the small building. This time, without overthinking, I fell asleep early.