Tu Hu said, “If you wish to draw out the Heavenly Dao by trying to stop the conflict between the two races, I’m afraid it might be too difficult.”
“I am aware of that,” Chen Changsheng replied.
Tu Hu thought for a mont and said, “Based on what you said earlier, the Heavenly Dao intends to keep the war between humans and demons going. If that’s the case, why not simply end it outright?”
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “No matter who wins or loses in the conflict between the two races, the victorious side will claim all the territory, leading to more suffering and chaos.”
“So what if there’s suffering and chaos?”
Halfway through speaking, Tu Hu paused. He seed to have realized sothing. “You an the Heaven and Earth intentionally maintain this slaughter, hoping for more and more deaths?”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “If we wish to draw out the Heavenly Dao, ending the conflict might be much harder than diating peace.”
Tu Hu paused again. “What if we sealed off the Demon Realm?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “Tearing a hole open here is easy enough, but that would just be borrowing from Peter to pay Paul.”
Tu Hu clicked his tongue. He suddenly looked at Chen Changsheng. “Don’t tell you really plan to broker peace?”
“Neither option is good,” Chen Changsheng said. “So we must choose the simpler one.”
Tu Hu opened his mouth. “Don’t tell you want to go talk peace with the Demon Kings of the Thirty-Six Caves?” He quickly shook his head. “Impossible. Don’t even think about it. There’s bitter hatred between the two races. Although so demons don’t want to fight, they can’t erase that bloody history.” He added thoughtfully, “However, if a Cultivator powerful enough to awe the Demon Kings of the Thirty-Six Caves appeared among the humans, peace might be possible.”
Chen Changsheng said, “That wouldn’t last long. It wouldn’t be enough to force his hand.”
Tu Hu frowned. “Weren’t you confident earlier? Why is this no good, that no good?”
Chen Changsheng replied, “If we can’t lure him out, everything ends in failure.”
He thought deeply before continuing, “Perhaps we still need outside help.”
“What kind of help?” Tu Hu asked.
Chen Changsheng shook his head. “We must wait.” Sotis, those who change the rules appear insignificant at first.
Tu Hu glanced at Chen Changsheng, silently considering. Wait? Wait for how long?
Chen Changsheng t his gaze. “You might face so small troubles soon. Be careful.”
“Where are you going?” Tu Hu asked.
“I will return when the ti cos,” Chen Changsheng said. “Staying here now serves little purpose.”
Tu Hu started to say sothing but then stopped. After another mont’s hesitation, he decided to let it go.
Chen Changsheng raised his hand and plucked out three strands of his hair. “These three strands can protect you three tis. Only use them when absolutely necessary. Don’t waste them.”
Tu Hu took the hair strands and said, “Thank you.”
Chen Changsheng said, “In addition, you must hand over those three outsiders to .”
Tu Hu had no objections to Chen Changsheng’s request.
After Tu Hu relinquished the souls of the three outsiders, Chen Changsheng departed.
Alone, Tu Hu stood on the Great Demon Peak, gazing at the distant horizon before narrowing his eyes to look up at the sky.
…
Chen Changsheng flew upon his sword, leaving the Thirty-Six Caves. Not a single demon dared to block his path.
He eventually landed in a desolate, empty place. Only then did he release the souls of the three strangers.
“We thank you, Senior, for saving our lives!”
“Rise.”
From their explanations, he learned they were fellow disciples, all hailing from Lingyue Immortal Isle.
“Lingyue Immortal Isle… that does ring a bell…” Chen Changsheng murmured.
One of them explained, “If you’ve been moving within the Cultivation World, Senior, you would likely travel aboard the Sky Skiffs of the Lingyue Immortal Isle.”
Chen Changsheng recalled. “That explains why it’s familiar. I did et a Cultivator from your island once.”
The three exchanged glances and then recounted how they ended up trapped here. It happened long ago when they were being pursued by Water Demons. In their frantic escape, they reached the foot of the Great Wall. Thinking they might find a sliver of survival inside the Spirit Cage, they entered this world.
“Later, we encountered the conflict between the two races. The three of us helped the humans of this world quell the great chaos, and the Demon Race created the Demon Realm.” “However, soon after, the Spiritual Energy from Heaven and Earth suddenly began to fade sharply. Weakened by the passing years, we three also lost power and fell from our previous heights. Later, an opening was torn in the Demon Realm. We were overwheld in the battle to seal it and ultimately fell, becoming Zhang Ghosts (Specters of the Devoured) under that tiger demon’s control.”
Chen Changsheng was surprised. “How long ago did you arrive here?” Long ago, Song Gudao had ntioned that three mighty figures had driven back the demons. Could it be these three?
“We rarely erged after becoming Zhang Ghosts, so we don’t clearly recall how long it’s been.” One of them spoke. “From when we entered this world to when we beca specters… probably around one hundred and thirty years.”
Chen Changsheng gave a small smile. “Are you aware that what you three did back then is still told about even today?”
The three exchanged glances. The one in the center spoke, “We simply acted because we couldn’t stand to watch.”
Chen Changsheng nodded. “And what are your plans now?” The three were montarily stunned.
Indeed, what could they do next? They couldn’t leave this place, and now, as wandering souls, they were powerless to act.
Chen Changsheng considered. “As you are not in control of yourselves now, reside temporarily within my Wine Gourd. If the chance arises, I might be able to take you out of here. What do you think?”
“We will do as you suggest, Senior.”
One by one, the three entered Chen Changsheng’s Wine Gourd.
Chen Changsheng then went looking for Bai Ziqiu. Finding him nowhere near the Thirty-Six Caves, he proceeded to the mountain valley.
Bai Ziqiu was startled to see Chen Changsheng standing there unhard. “You’re still alive!?”
Chen Changsheng blinked. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
Bai Ziqiu’s lips parted. “That tiger demon… he’s formidable. How did you…”
“Dumb luck,” Chen Changsheng replied with a faint smile, offering no further explanation.
Bai Ziqiu looked him over. “It seems this avatar of yours is also anything but ordinary.”
Chen Changsheng sat down. “That wild tea you served earlier… its taste was rather nice.”
“Are you just going to freeload off forever?”
“I simply feel this place is quite peaceful.”
Bai Ziqiu huffed, practically making his beard flutter. “This is nothing less than robbery! Bullying this old man with his white beard?”
Chen Changsheng looked at him calmly. “Since I am a friend to your master, that technically makes your elder.”
Bai Ziqiu paused. “No wonder you know my master…”
Chen Changsheng gave a slight, helpless smile. “Believe , I just have nowhere else to go right now.”
Bai Ziqiu clearly disregarded the excuse. He turned away and went to boil water to make tea.
Finding himself with unexpected peace, Chen Changsheng closed his eyes and settled into a light doze in the tranquil valley.
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