The news of the villains' appearance quickly reached Black Mountain, but for Lin'er, it was a good thing.
Inside the Black Mountain Grand Hall, Lin'er was discussing the matter with me.
"Ghost King, I heard that in the northwest desert, the Hell of Villains was breached, and all the villains within escaped.
They are now causing trouble at the border, which is actually a good thing for us."
"How so?"
I was somewhat puzzled.
"Before, when we were besieged by the Four Cities, our soldiers and generals suffered heavy losses. If the Four Cities were to raise an army again, they could very well defeat Black Mountain.
However, this current unrest caused by the villains gives us a chance to breathe.
And the Four Cities will definitely not stand idly by; they will surely send troops to suppress the villains.
This way, they will have no time to deal with us, which is a perfect opportunity for us to build up our strength."
I thought about it carefully, and it was indeed true. If we could make good use of this opportunity.
In a daze, a bold idea suddenly flashed through my mind.
What if we seize this chance to attack the Four Cities and become the overlord of the world...
For a moment, I felt an overwhelming excitement, my joy evident.
It was as if I had already conquered the Four Cities and stood at the pinnacle of worldly power. Yet, my mind drifted back to the promise I made to Yue Jiuceng.
"After Black Mountain's crisis is resolved, I will go to see the Drought Demon Ghost Maiden."
It seemed it was time to settle that matter.
"Elder, do you remember? I promised Yue Jiuceng that I would go to see the Drought Demon Ghost Maiden. I must now fulfill that promise."
"I will go with the Ghost King for this matter."
"It shouldn't be a difficult task. I'll go alone and finish it quickly."
He saw that I had already made up my mind and no longer tried to stop me, merely saying.
"Ghost King, go early and return early."
"Alright, I'll leave Black Mountain in your care for these few days."
"Yes."
With that, I eagerly got up and walked towards the door. As I reached the front of the Bright Moon Palace and was about to descend the mountain, I was suddenly called out.
"Where are you going?"
Turning around, I saw Liu Shinian, leaning against the palace gate behind him, holding the 'Willow Sword'.
I said.
"I have something to attend to."
He saw through it at a glance.
"It's about Yue Jiuceng, isn't it?"
"I promised him, and now I must go."
"Then I'll go with you."
I smiled slightly and waved my hand.
"No need."
He, however, walked ahead of me, without looking back, saying as he walked.
"I originally wanted to find you for a drink, but it seems I'll have to wait.
It's so boring on the mountain, so how can I let you have all the fun of going down?"
I knew he was a restless person, so I didn't say anything more, only catching up and calling out.
"Wait for me."
At this moment, at the foot of Black Mountain, someone had been waiting for a long time. He stood there, holding a sword in one hand and adjusting his hat with the other, pacing restlessly before the mountain gate.
He looked up the steps towards the mountain and saw two figures walking down towards the foot of the mountain, so he waved and shouted.
"Muye!"
"Brother Yue, you've come to pick me up."
Hearing my words, his face couldn't help but blush. When we reached him, he finally stated the purpose of his visit.
"I didn't come for you to go to your death, but for you to help me."
I was a little confused and asked him.
"How can I help?"
"You go with me to see the Drought Demon Ghost Maiden, and then we will join forces to drive her away. If she refuses to leave, we'll kill her."
This was the first time I had heard Yue Jiuceng speak so ruthlessly, but it was understandable.
His idea also helped me out of a difficult situation, so I readily agreed.
"Alright, we'll do as Brother Yue says."
"No need for force. I have a way with women, let me handle it."
Liu Shinian patted Yue Jiuceng's shoulder, full of confidence.
We both looked at him in confusion. Liu Shinian touched his head and smiled sheepishly.
"Hahaha, I'm also a seasoned warrior, I'm sure I can do it."
Although Yue Jiuceng had heard of Liu Shinian's pursuit of Xue Ji, the famous courtesan of South Sea City, he had never heard any news of them being together.
He only knew that Liu Shinian often faced rejection but persisted, which made him a little worried.
Seeing that neither of us spoke, Liu Shinian knew we still doubted his charm, so he said.
"Leave this matter to me. If I can't do it, then the three of us will go together."
Yue Jiuceng reluctantly agreed.
"Okay."
"Then you lead the way."
"Follow me."
Yue Jiuceng walked ahead, and we followed behind him. It wasn't until the sun set behind the mountains that we arrived at the Hui River, ten miles outside Dongyue Town.
By the Hui River, there was a slender pink figure, and beside her, a black figure.
In the setting sun, the figures of these two were like two blooming, beautiful pink and black roses.
Before we could speak, the person spoke first.
"You kept your word. As long as you kill her, I will save your Willow Sister."
She spoke these words with her back to us.
Liu Shinian walked forward on his own, approaching her. He tilted his head slightly and suddenly chuckled, teasingly.
"Indeed a beauty. Compared to Xue Ji, you have a bit more allure."
"What kind of dissolute fellow are you!"
She raised her hand to strike Liu Shinian. Liu Shinian dodged sideways, grinning playfully.
"Hey, a beautiful woman who resorts to violence is not beautiful. I'm not here to fight you, but to save you."
It sounded like the swagger of a Casanova.
Yu Jiao was a little confused, not understanding what he was saying, yet she felt that this person was somewhat interesting.
So she softened her demeanor, coquettishly caressing her cheek, and asked with a charming smile.
"Oh, tell me, how do you intend to save me?"
"I've heard the story of you and your old lover. Legend has it that you and your old lover were a loving couple, but in reality, you were devoted to him, and he was indifferent to you."
"Nonsense."
She suddenly became angry, throwing peach blossoms with her bare hands, which struck Liu Shinian's sword. Liu Shinian looked down, his interest seemingly piqued.
"I guess you've seen him recently, haven't you? Otherwise, why would you be so distracted?"
As he spoke, he picked up the peach blossom that had fallen to the ground and returned it to Yu Jiao's hand.
Then, with a smile, he said softly.
"I have a way to make him fall hopelessly in love with you."
These words struck her heart directly, hitting the very core of her long-held desires.
She carefully suppressed her slightly racing heart, turned around with feigned composure, and said to Yue Jiuceng.
"Kill the Ten Thousand Ghost King, and I will save your Willow Sister."
Yue Jiuceng, helpless, pretended to make a move, but Liu Shinian flashed to his side, pushed his sword back, and asked her again.
"If you miss that person again, it will be for eternity. With that in mind, are you still willing to waste your time here?"
Yu Jiao then covered her face and laughed, asking him.
"Your analysis is accurate. If you can truly make Xing Ye fall in love with me, I will release this young girl."
"Let's make a deal."
"What deal?"
"You heal her face, and I will teach you how to capture a man's heart."
Liu Shinian's maneuver completely stunned us. We never expected him to possess such skills.
Yu Jiao still had some reservations.
"No, if you heal her, she'll run away."
"You are, after all, a villain of this region. Are you afraid she'll run away?
How about this: you heal her face, and you can still keep her as a hostage, while I impart the secrets of love to you."
Yu Jiao narrowed her eyes and asked.
"All the secrets?"
"That depends on whether you heal her first."
As the two haggled, Yue Jiuceng, Liu Mei, and I unconsciously moved aside, chatting as if watching a play.
"I knew I should have let Liu Shinian come alone. I came here for nothing."
I regretted coming.
"Who knew he actually had this ability? If I had known he was so capable, I wouldn't have taken so many detours."
Yue Jiuceng also said helplessly.
"I feel like we're superfluous."
Liu Mei interjected unexpectedly.
After half an hour of back-and-forth between them, a more viable outcome was finally reached.
"It's as you said. I'll save her, and she'll be under my care temporarily, until you teach me how to make Xing Ye fall in love with me."
"Deal."
The two struck an agreement and burst into hearty laughter. The issue was finally resolved.
At night, a bonfire was lit by the Hui River.
The intense flames, like golden powder, dusted the faces of the five people, clearly illuminating each of their expressions.
Yu Jiao placed her hands in front of her, forming a flower hand gesture, and pushed forward.
Suddenly, peach blossoms fell from mid-air, and before they landed, they swirled into a peach blossom tornado.
Then, as the peach blossoms dispersed, a colorful bead was revealed, the "Hundred Flower Bead" spoken of by the world.
She pushed the bead towards Liu Mei's face, blew a cold breath at her, and the black veil covering her face was blown away, revealing a face horribly burned.
Then, she raised her hand, waving peach blossoms, enveloping her entire head.
Finally, she waved the bead, spinning it around her head.
In a short while, the bead flew back into Yu Jiao's hand, and the peach blossoms fell away, revealing a delicate, beautiful, and captivating face.
Liu Mei curiously asked Yue Jiuceng.
"Brother Jiu, my face, how is my face?"
Yue Jiuceng looked at her dotingly and said.
"It's beautiful, as beautiful as newly bloomed peach blossoms."
Hearing this, she was overjoyed and unconsciously touched her face. The smooth texture made her suddenly excited.
"It's better, I'm better."
After a moment of excitement, she still thanked Yu Jiao politely.
"Thank you."
"What for? You still have to be my hostage."
Liu Shinian chimed in.
"Don't worry, I will do as I promised you. I guarantee that your wish will come true."
"I hope what you say is true."
"It's a must."
The few people exchanged smiles, and in an instant, their stiff relationship softened into tenderness amidst the laughter.
Looking at it this way, Yu Jiao wasn't all bad. Perhaps it was because she had carried the title of villain for too long that she acted in ways befitting that title.
After dawn, we had to rush back to Black Mountain. Before parting, Yu Jiao asked Liu Shinian.
"Where can I find you?"
"Come to Black Mountain."
"How do I get up there?"
I said.
"Use my hair. Seeing my hair is like seeing me."
"Hahaha, that's a good idea too."
Liu Shinian suddenly stepped forward and pulled her aside, whispering something secretively.
Yu Jiao covered her mouth and giggled, while Liu Shinian wore a smug expression. Finally, Liu Shinian said.
"My method is particularly effective, you can try it."
Yu Jiao looked at him with some admiration and replied.
"Okay, I'll try."
Then she walked back.
I asked Yue Jiuceng.
"Brother Yue, are you coming back to Black Mountain with us?"
Yue Jiuceng shook his head, looking at Liu Mei with a gentle expression.
"No, I'm going with Liu Mei. I can't rest assured if she's not by my side."
"That's fine too. Farewell then."
"Okay."
"Everyone, we're leaving."
"Let's go."
On the way back to Black Mountain, I remembered what Liu Shinian had secretly told Yu Jiao earlier, so I curiously asked.
"What did you say to Yu Jiao?"
"It's a secret, of course."
"You can't even tell me?"
"It's nothing much, just imparting some of my secrets to her."
Hearing him say that, I suddenly felt like I didn't want to hear it anymore.
As we walked back, we passed through the Black Wood Forest of Black Mountain.
Suddenly, a chill seemed to emanate from the gentle breeze. The normally bright forest suddenly turned dim.
Liu Shinian suddenly stopped, looking ahead cautiously.
Leaves were falling all around, and a cold wind inexplicably blew through the forest.
At this moment, a poetic chant could be heard from not far away.
"A carefree traveler returning on his sword, gods and demons know me."
Then, a figure emerged from the depths of the forest, carrying a treasure sword on his shoulder, a defiant smile on his face.
Following that, another rough, booming voice chanted.
"With strength to move mountains, a single breath breaks through, pointing my sword at the rivers and mountains, the blue sea is empty."
A robust man emerged with the voice, carrying a large saber, his face fierce.
Suddenly, the sound of the wind ceased, and the falling leaves stopped.
Only a cold, poetic chant seemed to descend from the sky.
"The wind and snow howl, calling the heavens to answer, the dark waters are silent, the sounds of the departed."
A figure flew down from the treetops, his expression cold and merciless.
Judging by their faces, it seemed they were targeting us. He subtly placed his hand on his sword, ready to draw it at any moment.
After the three gathered, a cheerful, youthful laugh was heard, followed by a chant.
"Two or three flowers bloom in the secluded night, moon shadows in the deep forest, still water arrives."
Then, a smiling youth walked out from the shadows of the forest, holding a rare white Lycoris radiata.
With a sweet smile, he was clearly an outgoing youth.
Before we could speak, the one carrying the treasure sword asked first.
"Which one of you is the Ten Thousand Ghost King?"
I was somewhat puzzled, but I understood they were after me. Before I could speak, Liu Shinian preemptively said.
"I am the Ten Thousand Ghost King."
I looked at him in surprise. He signaled me to remain calm and then asked.
"May I ask what brings you here?"
"Since we've found you, let us introduce ourselves. We are... the Four Great Villains."
"The Four Great Villains?"
"That's right, the same Four Great Villains who fought against the great masters a thousand years ago."
Liu Shinian's pupils trembled, his grip on his sword tightening.
The Four Great Villains:
Ye Changfeng:
"A carefree traveler returning on his sword, gods and demons know me."
A wandering swordsman from the northwest desert, his true form is the ancient divine beast Meng Ji. Due to his love for martial combat, he fell into the demonic path.
Zhu Yan:
"With strength to move mountains, a single breath breaks through, pointing my sword at the rivers and mountains, the blue sea is empty."
A fallen general from the Northern Divine Capital, he had no prior connection with Ye Changfeng.
He simply saw Ye Changfeng challenging numerous masters in the Northern Divine Capital and decided to follow him. His true form is the ancient beast Zhu Yan.
Gui Ye:
"The wind and snow howl, calling the heavens to answer, the dark waters are silent, the sounds of the departed."
A wandering swordsman from the Northern Divine Capital, he had no prior connection with Ye Changfeng but inexplicably received a challenge invitation from him. He was eventually defeated by his sword.
He then followed Ye Changfeng until the present. His true form is the ancient divine beast Ming Snake.
Fu Zimo:
"Two or three flowers bloom in the secluded night, moon shadows in the deep forest, still water arrives."
From a family of knights in the Western Purple Kingdom, he was asked by his family to travel abroad simply because he discovered a white Lycoris radiata on the bank of the Si River.
Being inexperienced in the world, he was tricked by Ye Changfeng into joining the group of four.