“Not good, we’ve been discovered.”
Wu Yun’s words left everyone present bewildered. They were deep in the mountains, and the chirping of insects and birds was normal. It wasn’t impossible for a few bees to appear occasionally.
“Senior, are you perhaps too nervous? There’s nothing here. Where do you hear that buzzing sound?” a subordinate accompanying Gui Jianchou asked, placing his hand to his ear as if it were a loudspeaker, a look of doubt on his face.
Wu Yun ignored him, casting a cold glance at the speaker. He said to Gui Jianchou, “You should choose smarter people to accompany you in the future. Don’t let such an idiot embarrass you.”
“I…” The man was about to retort when Gui Jianchou slapped him hard, warning him not to question the senior’s words, lest he regret it if he died.
Wu Yun rose and quickly moved to the cave entrance. In front of the medicinal line Yue’er had laid, there were two bees the size of infant fists. Unlike ordinary bees, they were entirely black with glowing red eyes. Their wings fluttered with a metallic clanging sound. The stingers at their tails were long, thick, and a vibrant green, undoubtedly carrying potent venom.
Facing the sudden appearance of the two large bees, the subordinate Gui Jianchou had just reprimanded sneered, “Aren’t they just two wild bees? Why so nervous? Watch me deal with them.” He then drew a military shovel from his waist and leaped over the medicinal line Yue’er had set. Before he could even act, two black streaks flashed before him. Immediately, he flailed his hands in mid-air, as if trying to grab something, but it was all in vain. His legs twitched twice, and then he was no more.
“Such potent venomous bees!”
Everyone inhaled sharply. Although Gui Jianchou felt grieved by his subordinate’s death, he said nothing more. The man had courted his own demise, giving no chance for others to react. His death could only be attributed to his own misfortune.
Seeing their comrade fall, Gui Jianchou’s subordinates naturally reached for their firearms, but Wu Yun waved his hand, knocking them all down. Just as Gui Jianchou was about to speak, Wu Yun spoke first.
“If you don’t want to get everyone killed, shut your mouth. Otherwise, I’ll kill you too.” Wu Yun’s words were not only chilling but also carried an irresistible pressure, forcing Gui Jianchou to lower his head in silent frustration. He couldn’t help but curse inwardly for bringing these idiots along.
Zhang Dabiao and I instinctively hid behind Wu Yun, exchanged glances, and chuckled. Whenever there was a hint of trouble, the best strategy was to retreat. The appearance of the giant black bees made Yue’er frown. She muttered something under her breath, but her voice was too soft to be heard.
Just as I thought Wu Yun would step forward to eliminate the two giant black bees, a strange voice suddenly emanated from one of them.
“Saintess of the contemporary Wu Gu clan, are you sure you want to contend with me?” The voice from the venomous bee was genderless, but its venomous and sinister tone was vividly conveyed.
“I have no intention of fighting. I merely promised some youngsters to guide them into the mountains to find their elders. I ask that you clear a path and grant us passage.” Wu Yun said earnestly, looking at the poisonous bee before him.
“Elders? You mean those Daoists? They were long ago reduced to withered bones by my venomous bees. You should take them back. Seeing as we are both from the Wu Gu lineage, I won’t make things difficult for you.”
“This…” Wu Yun suddenly became conflicted. Duels between Wu Gu masters were extremely perilous, and once engaged, one party was destined to perish. Therefore, unless their lives were threatened, no Gu master would engage in a death match, as no one knew the other’s trump card.
Seeing her conflicted expression, I immediately felt a sense of foreboding. She was about to retreat. While the Gu King’s corpse powder offered many benefits, even immense advantages were not worth one’s life. This was human nature.
When it came to disputes between Gu masters, my understanding was completely lacking. I had no idea how to help. Zhang Dabiao and Gui Jianchou were even less capable. Knowing about Gu masters was already an achievement; their understanding of duels was likely less than mine.
Just then, Yue’er, who had been silent, suddenly spoke, “If you want to fight, then reveal your true intentions. We are determined to enter Qingfeng Mountain.”
Yue’er’s sudden interjection startled everyone. Wu Yun’s face turned pale, followed by an expression of anger. It was a strict tenet of the Wu Gu maidens to control their own destinies, how could she entrust it to others?
“Very well! I’ve been waiting for those words. Don’t think that just because you’ve broken a few corpse-controlling Gu, you’re invincible. I shall let you witness what a true Gu master is.” As soon as the words fell, the two controlled venomous bees circled and flew outwards.
“Don’t let them leave. They’re going back to report!”
Before Yue’er’s words even finished, I had already formed the Tian Tui Seal with my hand and picked up a stone from the ground, throwing it. The stone transformed into a streak of light, like a bolt of lightning, hitting one of the venomous bees.
I expected the stone to pulverize the venomous bee, but the gruesome scene I envisioned did not materialize. The venomous bee was not pierced by the stone; instead, the stone shattered into pieces, while the bee remained unharmed.
“Youngster, my Iron Corpse Venomous Bees are not ordinary. If you wish to harm them, you’d best go back and train for a few more years. Wait for me, I’ll be there personally soon.” As the voice faded, the two Iron Corpse Venomous Bees vanished before our eyes. The barrier blocking the cave entrance was like mere paper before the two venomous bees; they instantly pierced through, leaving behind black holes the thickness of a thigh. The area around the holes was blackened, and the green vines had withered as if corroded by sulfuric acid. With a gust of wind, the large opening was revealed.
Standing inside the cave, we could see that many mountain demons had appeared outside at some unknown time. Their eyes were blood red, and white saliva dripped from their mouths, making them appear disgusting, much like the zombies depicted in American films.
“What… weren’t the mountain demons dealt with along the way? How are there still so many? Where did they crawl out from? Do you owe me a reasonable explanation?” Gui Jianchou roared, his voice laced with anger, almost pointing at Wu Yun’s nose. Ever since he had witnessed the ferocity of the mountain demons, Gui Jianchou harbored a fear of them, hence his hysterical outburst.
In response to Gui Jianchou’s roar, Wu Yun merely cast him a cold glance, which immediately silenced him. Wu Yun then walked past him and approached Yue’er.
“You understand Gu duels?” Wu Yun’s question was stiff, but her voice was beyond doubt, firm and certain.
Just as I thought Yue’er wouldn’t answer, she suddenly spoke, “I understand a little.”
“Just a little? Then why did you agree to a duel with him?”
“Because you are bound to win. Why wouldn’t I agree?”
Wu Yun revealed a cold smile. “I myself dare not guarantee victory. What makes you so sure? Just with your words?”
“With this…”