Chapter Thirty-Four: Once More at the Hall of White Bones (Please Keep Reading!)

“Brother Su, have a taste of this Moon Dew Brew. I crafted it myself, distilling the essence of the moon,” Qu Zhang said, gently lifting his cup and giving Su Ye a nod before drinking. Qu Zhang was hosting a banquet for Su Ye, but the fare was exceedingly simple: just a single flask of Moon Dew Brew and two plates of fruit. Yet, none of these were ordinary.

The Moon Dew Brew was made with moon essence and various rare spiritual ingredients. Its fragrance was enchanting, and for a cultivator of the ninth rank, it offered a chance to advance one’s cultivation. The fruits, too, were precious spirit fruits brimming with pure spiritual energy—less potent than the brew, but still treasures in their own right.

Su Ye, being a man of discernment, immediately recognized the extraordinary value of what was set before him. After sharing a cup of Moon Dew Brew with Qu Zhang, they conversed about recent happenings until Qu Zhang at last turned to the matter at hand.

“Brother Su, have you ever heard of the Temple of White Bones?” Qu Zhang asked in a grave tone.

Su Ye was just about to feed a fruit to the little marten in his arms when Qu Zhang mentioned the Temple of White Bones. The name made his expression shift subtly. He tightened his grip, inadvertently shoving the fruit into the little marten’s mouth so suddenly that the creature clung to Su Ye’s arm in fright, as if fearing he might be killed.

Realizing his actions, Su Ye stroked the little marten’s belly to soothe it before turning to Qu Zhang. “I’ve heard of the Temple of White Bones. That Zhao Huaisheng was planning to join them, but I know little else. Why bring them up now, Brother Qu? Are they planning some harm against the people of Jinhua County?”

Zhao Huaisheng was a first-rank cultivator, and even among his peers, he was far from weak. For him to take pride in joining the Temple of White Bones, Su Ye had suspected there must be an adept of the ninth rank among them. Now, hearing Qu Zhang mention them again, he thought perhaps this group was even more formidable than he had imagined.

“It’s not that they are planning to harm the people of Jinhua County—they always have been,” Qu Zhang said with a heavy sigh. “There are two ninth-rank evil cultivators in the Temple, Lian Sheng and Qiao Ning. Now, they have learned that a ninth-rank demonic flood dragon is sealed beneath Mount Huoyang. They wish to break the seal, slay the creature, and refine its flesh and blood in hopes of ascending to the eighth rank.”

“I’ve read in the autobiography of Cloudspring Wanderer about that very flood dragon,” Su Ye replied, frowning. “At the time, it took the combined might of five ninth-rank cultivators and still they failed to slay it. Are those two from the Temple truly so powerful?”

He was already shocked to learn there were two ninth-rank evil cultivators in the Temple of White Bones, and now, to hear they were plotting to seize the dragon’s flesh—clearly, they had great confidence in their own strength.

“They aren’t its match. But they do have the means to break the seal. If the flood dragon is freed, all of Jinhua County will be in peril,” Qu Zhang said, his face deeply grave. He looked at Su Ye and said, “To prevent such disaster, I wish to strike first and kill those two evil cultivators before they act.”

“But with just the two of us, we’re hardly a match for them, are we? Did you invite anyone else to join us?” Su Ye asked.

He had only just reached the ninth rank, and the spiritual power in his dantian was not yet abundant. Qu Zhang, though recovered somewhat, was still weak among ninth-rank cultivators. As for the two from the Temple—if they dared plot against the flood dragon, surely they were not lacking in confidence.

Qu Zhang’s expression turned a bit awkward. The only ninth-rank ally he could muster was Su Ye. Jinhua County had been weak for years; cultivators like Cloudspring Wanderer had either died or left, unable to change the county’s fate. Qu Zhang, as the city god of Jinhua, was bound to the place and could not leave.

“At present, you are the only ninth-rank cultivator I can call upon,” Qu Zhang admitted. “Ning Caichen and his wife atop Lanyin Mountain are also ninth rank, but we have become estranged, so I cannot ask for their help.”

Su Ye immediately understood Qu Zhang’s intentions as he felt the man’s gaze linger on him. It was clear: not only did Qu Zhang hope to enlist him against the evil cultivators, he wanted him to go to Lanyin Mountain and persuade Ning Caichen and his wife to join the cause.

No sooner had this thought crossed Su Ye’s mind than Qu Zhang spoke again.

“You’ve spent some time cultivating on Cloudspring Mountain, and no doubt Ning Caichen and his wife have met you. They are gentle and kind at heart—if you explain the gravity of the situation, surely they will lend their aid,” Qu Zhang said with a smile.

“Brother Qu, how many years has it been since Lanruo Temple was destroyed? There were surely monks of ninth rank there at the time. Ning Caichen and his wife have been in seclusion on Lanyin Mountain for years; they may well have reached the eighth rank by now. And who can say how their temperaments may have changed after all this time? For me to go there alone is far too great a risk,” Su Ye replied, shaking his head.

In truth, Jinhua County’s fate had little to do with him. Even if the county fell, he would feel some regret, lose some possessions perhaps, but nothing more. For Qu Zhang, though, the stakes were far higher. As the city god, he was duty-bound to protect Jinhua. Should the county fall, at best he would lose his divine post and become an ordinary ghost; at worst, he might perish with the county itself.

Either way, it would be disastrous for Qu Zhang. Yet now, with nothing more than a plea, he wanted Su Ye to risk everything climbing Lanyin Mountain to persuade Ning Caichen and his wife—did he take him for a fool?

“Brother Su, I know I’m asking you to take a risk, but I have no other choice. For the sake of the people of Jinhua, please consider it,” Qu Zhang sighed softly.

With things at this point, there was little left to say. Su Ye took his leave, saying he would think on the matter.

Before he departed, Qu Zhang gave him several items. These were the spoils left behind by the late Bai Song—some mundane gold and silver, but also treasures useful to cultivators. As they were rightfully his, Su Ye accepted them without protest.