Chapter Ten: Captured

The night was deep and the camp lay in utter silence, yet within Bai Li Shuyi’s tent, sleep had not come. All others had settled for the night, leaving only Bai Li Shuyi with Qi Jian, Gongyang Cuo joined by Yi Bao, together with the foreign monks Ku Yu, the Chan Master, and Mi Qing.

It was clear that something needed to be discussed, so Gongyang Cuo and Yi Bao kept their silence, content to sip their tea.

Tea was poured and savored in silence, passing through three rounds, before Bai Li Shuyi finally spoke, having fulfilled all the courtesies of a host: “Do the two gentlemen have questions to ask?”

“We have no questions,” Gongyang Cuo replied with frankness, his tone open and direct. “We are simply waiting for the leader to explain. Hiring the Chan Master and his retinue to enter the mountains—surely the price for this is at least as much as what the Marquis of Yan offers, if not more? If you refuse to clarify the reason behind this, I fear I, Gongyang, won’t sleep well tonight.”

“Losing sleep is a small matter. What I fear most is that you two may not wish to stay at all,” Bai Li Shuyi laughed heartily. This was something he had pondered countless times, and he was fully prepared. He glanced at Mi Qing and said, “Since that's the case, let the master speak.”

The Chan Master Ku Yu sat with eyes half-closed, gently stroking the bowl atop his head, smiling wordlessly. Mi Qing cleared his throat and took up the explanation: “In truth, the fault lies with us for not consulting you two beforehand. However, it’s also because the leader did not inform you earlier. If there is any grievance, the fault lies with the leader…”

Bai Li Shuyi inclined his head slightly in apology, as he and Mi Qing had already agreed it best to reveal the reason for entering the mountains only when the time came. Thus, he smoothly took responsibility.

“Actually, our party’s journey into the mountains is not solely at the leader’s request; it is a mutual cooperation for each side’s benefit,” Mi Qing glossed over the blame and turned to the main point. “We monks will assist the leader in capturing the beasts to fulfill the lord’s command, while the Tian Si Trading Company will dispatch their scouts and elite men to accompany us into the mountains to hunt the monsters…”

“What? Into the mountains?” Before Gongyang Cuo could reply, Yi Bao’s expression changed dramatically. He turned to Bai Li Shuyi, demanding, “Leader, that’s not what you said just now.”

Bai Li Shuyi looked around awkwardly, then replied, “What I said earlier was that we, with our current strength, would not venture in vain. But now, with the addition of the master’s party, the foundation for entering the inner mountains is laid. How can the two situations be compared?”

Yi Bao could not hide his anger. Rising from his kneel, he declared sternly, “Though the Chan Master’s powers are profound, far beyond ours, to say we should enter the inner mountains to capture monsters… Hmph! Forgive my bluntness, but even so, there’s no guarantee we will all return unharmed!”

He stared directly at Mi Qing, his eyes full of challenge. If Bai Li Shuyi and the others insisted on entering the mountains, he had only two choices: return the reward and leave, or follow them in, leaving his fate to chance—neither option he desired. When it was only Bai Li Shuyi, he and Gongyang Cuo could join forces and negotiate, but with these foreign monks present, he was left with no say.

His anger, therefore, was all directed at the monks, and his face turned grim. Though outmatched, the pride of a cultivator from the Eastern Divine Shengzhou would not let him back down, even if it meant open confrontation.

Gongyang Cuo, too, was deeply vexed, but out of respect for Bai Li Shuyi, he did not speak further, instead pondering how to find an excuse to withdraw. At that moment, the Chan Master Ku Yu suddenly reached into his robe and placed an object on the table.

The item was translucent and crystalline, resembling a western glass cup about the size of a small pot, filled with vermilion sand. Through the glass, one could see flashes of silver amidst the red grains, interspersed with tiny wisps of black smoke, resembling lightning within clouds.

For a moment, neither could tell what it was. Looking to Yi Bao, he too appeared perplexed.

“This is a relic from the Red Sand Formation,” Mi Qing explained calmly. “Though it is not the legendary Threefold Red Sand left by Zhang Shaoxian, it was taken from the ruins of that ancient array. Ten or so bushels of the remaining sand were refined into these two portions. Though not as potent as the true Red Sand, it is still enough to pulverize ordinary monsters to dust, leaving nothing behind.”

(In ancient times, measurement units varied greatly. For reference in this story: 1 bushel = 10 sheng = 100 ge = 1000 cuo, and 1 cuo equals 4 gui. In modern units, 1 bushel equals 20 liters, 1 sheng is 2 liters, 1 ge is 200 milliliters, and 1 cuo is 20 milliliters. A standard bottle of baijiu is about 500 milliliters. This is for reader clarity; please do not debate the historical accuracy of these conversions.)

The Red Sand Formation, legend has it, was one of the Ten Destructive Arrays set up by the Qi Refining Immortals of Golden Turtle Isle during the ancient War of the Gods, controlled by Zhang Shao. The core of the array was the Threefold Red Sand, which even the Southern Extremity Elder could not breach until King Wu, Nezha, and Lei Zhenzi entered first, using their celestial fates to quell its power. The might of the Threefold Red Sand was thus evident.

Hearing mention of the Ten Destructive Arrays, Gongyang Cuo and Yi Bao’s hearts grew solemn. If true, the red sand within the glass was at least a spiritual artifact—a rare treasure indeed.

Their own flying swords and elemental stones, though painstakingly crafted, were merely spiritual weapons, meaning they were refined personally by cultivators. Only items bestowed by immortals, inherited from sects, or forged from the world’s rarest materials could be called spiritual artifacts or, at the highest level, spiritual treasures.

Only those who achieved immortality could wield true magical treasures, with power incomparable to mortal artifacts—thus the distinction between mortals and immortals.

Seeing the shock in their eyes, Mi Qing added, “You needn’t speculate. This is but a spiritual artifact, though its power rivals a spiritual treasure. If you doubt it, you may examine it yourselves.”

Yi Bao’s eyes burned with desire; he almost reached for it, but restrained himself, calming his heart. After a moment, he asked, “What is your intention in presenting this, friend? Surely you don’t mean to rely solely on it?”

“Not at all. This is a gift for you both, should you agree to accompany us into the mountains. It is for your protection, to ensure your safety. What do you say?”

At the word “gift,” Yi Bao and Gongyang Cuo immediately composed themselves, their earlier shock replaced by solemnity. Though the Threefold Red Sand was a depleted spiritual treasure, its quantity was enough for over twenty uses—perfect for defense. To offer it as payment was no small cost.

They exchanged glances before Gongyang Cuo spoke: “With the Chan Master’s great power and the support of the Tian Si Trading Company, I truly see no reason why you would need us at such cost. I am greatly puzzled.”

“Indeed, please speak plainly,” Yi Bao added.

Mi Qing rose and opened a bundle he had brought into the tent, producing a set of bronze and iron restraints—dark, composed of blades, chains, clasps, and plates, forming a fearsome device. Though it began as a simple box, when spread out it occupied a great space.

Gongyang Cuo and Yi Bao recognized it at once: “The Six-Tendon Shackle?”

This device was used to bind monsters, its sharp points piercing through the scapula and side muscles, chains linked to the limbs, drawing tight and anchoring the monster’s tendons. Any attempt to struggle would tear flesh, muscle, and bone, crippling the creature without intervention—a most formidable tool.

“Indeed. If you are willing, the Six-Tendon Shackle shall be entrusted to you. We also ask that you help escort the captured beast to Haojing,” Mi Qing said with a warm smile. “After all, we are foreigners, and the journey would be most inconvenient for us.”

Mi Qing’s reasoning was sound. Though the Six-Tendon Shackle could restrain monsters, it still required cultivators to guard them. Furthermore, every checkpoint on the road to Haojing had strict regulations. The journey was long, and with the added trip to Meishan, the spiritual treasure was a heavy reward but not unreasonable.

“And where is the final destination?”

“Only to Haojing; any farther, and we would not trouble you.”

Gongyang Cuo and Yi Bao exchanged glances and nodded slowly. Though escorting to Haojing would take time, the reward of a spiritual treasure made it worthwhile.

The next day, as Bai Li Shuyi had predicted, the Tian Si Trading Company’s hunt for the bee monsters was a great success. Of thirty-seven beasts, fourteen were captured alive—far more than the proportion of hounds and all caught in combat, with not a single juvenile.

Juveniles, due to their lesser strength, were not required as war pets by the Marquis of Yan, but they were included in the trading company’s plan. Compared to adults, mature monsters were naturally preferred—an unassailable approach.

With the monks’ help, Bai Li Shuyi and the others were content to remain in camp, sending only Kan Gan and Qi Jian to lead the elite hunters as instructed. The Chan Master, of his seniority, did not participate either, remaining at the camp and inviting the others daily to tea and philosophical discourse, their days passing pleasantly enough.

He treated the two with utmost courtesy, speaking highly of their sects and humbling himself.

Many times, Gongyang Cuo and Yi Bao found themselves developing a certain liking for the monks, even doubting the unfavorable things their old friends had said about them. Perhaps the monks were not so bad after all—they at least understood propriety and conduct.

Three days passed, and the number of captured beasts exceeded fifty, with nearly thirty juveniles, and two fully formed young monsters. By any reasonable reckoning, the quota was nearly met. Thus, before the next hunt, Mi Qing approached Bai Li Shuyi to request that they enter the mountains the following day.

According to the original plan, the elite hunters of the Tian Si Trading Company would divide into two groups: half would stay behind to tend the wounded and hunt lone monsters without concern for quality, while the other half would join the monks in the mountains for the main hunt. If, upon their return, the number was insufficient, the monks would make up the difference.

Thus, Bai Li Shuyi could not object. Moreover, no one knew how the day’s hunt would go, so he agreed readily, organizing the teams. He himself would lead, with Qi Jian and forty men into the mountains, while Kan Gan would remain with thirty others for security.

What no one expected was that today’s hunt would leave Bai Li Shuyi utterly astonished.

For the entire Trading Company returned empty-handed—nothing at all. The scouts, who had seen dozens of monkeys in the caves the day before, now found the caverns completely deserted!

The only catch was a single monkey—small, thin, ugly, with mismatched eyes.

According to Mi Qing, this creature was most peculiar. It had been captured in the very cave the monkeys had inhabited, squatting quietly in a pool of blood, the air reeking of gore, yet not a single corpse lay nearby.

Mi Qing subdued it immediately with a spiritual artifact.

Judging by its aura, the monkey was only at the peak of the “Speaking” stage. It might have been able to kill all the others, but to have devoured them entirely—no one could believe that.

Monsters are not yet demons; only a few gain their innate demon arts at the “Transformation” stage. Most evolve only upon becoming true demons. A beast at the “Core Formation” stage would never have such enormous appetite; even the Chan Master had never heard of such a thing, so there must be another explanation.

Upon hearing this, the Chan Master suggested Mi Qing attempt to communicate with the creature. Mi Qing shook his head, “Master, I have already tried, but this wretch will not speak. I do not know if it is mute.”

“Have you tried scourging it? Or else, branding it with fire?” Yi Bao offered.

Mi Qing shook his head again, his expression kind. “Such cruelty is not the way of those who have left the world behind. Friend, you jest…”

“In that case, let me,” Yi Bao said with interest, standing up before anyone could protest. “A monster is a monster—if you do not use a firm hand, how will it behave?”

“…Ah, wait a moment, friend!” Mi Qing stopped him, his face a little awkward, adding, “Commander Qi has already tried it—scourging, arrows, dragging, all of it. I could not stop him. Yet the monster was stubborn to the end—nearly dead and still did not speak. It must truly be mute.”

Yi Bao paused, then nodded, “If that’s the case, then perhaps it is.”

“In that case, there is no need to concern yourselves with this beast. Let us sell it for a little coin,” Bai Li Shuyi interjected, worried Yi Bao might kill it in a fit of interest. “It grows late—let us all rest in preparation for tomorrow.”

The company dispersed. As Mi Qing left with the Chan Master, he whispered, “Master, something is wrong with this creature. I think we should kill it.”

“Kill it? That’s a tidy sum to throw away. Would Bai Li Shuyi allow it?” The Chan Master’s eyes half-closed, he replied, “Do not meddle. We depart tomorrow—why seek trouble?”

Seeing his master’s displeasure, Mi Qing dared not insist and forced a smile, “Since you say so, then so be it. I shall go prepare with the others…”

“Enough. Since you see the problem, do as you must. If you truly feel uneasy, have it locked in the Transformation-stage beast cage—will that not suffice?”

Noticing his master change his mind, Mi Qing’s face lit up—his master did care for him after all. He smiled, “That is perfect. Your disciple is grateful and will see to it at once.”

“Remember, at such a critical time, do not handle it yourself—let others do it.”

With that, the night passed on.