Plucking the stars requires the hand of Kui Xing, and Mountain Movers do not move the Ever-Victorious Mountain. We burn the dragon and phoenix wish-fulfilling candles, and we drink the waters of the five lakes and four seas.
I am Hua Ling of the Mountain Movers. Many thanks to the Daoist for stepping in to help. May I ask which immortal sect the Daoist hails from?
While Old Foreigner and Partridge Whistle were still dazed, the young girl Hua Ling quickly walked up to Zhong Bai and cupped her fists in a salute. There was not a trace of the earlier pallor on her face; instead, she beamed with a smile as warm as spring.
Zhong Bai, however, frowned slightly. What the other party had said was clearly underworld jargon, but he had indeed heard of the Mountain Movers before.
Hmph, tomb raiders, right? Just a gimmick they came up with to distinguish themselves from ordinary grave robbers.
Mountain Movers and removing ridges, pinch-hill and touch-gold—I have heard of them. Maiden, my humble self is Zhong Bai, Daoist name Taoist Qianhe, and I come from Mount Mao!
Compared to Hua Ling, Zhong Bai's introduction was extremely simple, needing none of those gimmicks. The mere two words "Mount Mao" were enough!
Upon hearing Mount Mao, Hua Ling's body involuntarily trembled a little. Although she had guessed it long ago, hearing with her own ears that the other party came from a prestigious sect still left her unable to stop the shock rippling through her.
Mount Mao was one of the three talisman sects, which together with Longhu Mountain, Wudang Mountain, and Zhongnan Mountain upheld the pinnacle powers of the Daoist sects.
As for them, the Mountain Movers...
Hehe, to put it bluntly, even an outer sect disciple of Mount Mao would never deign to look at low-class characters like them.
Seeing the other party grow somewhat dazed and dejected after hearing his words, Zhong Bai was also baffled. He hadn't said anything harsh, had he?
Ahem... Maiden, I trust my previous words contained no discourtesy?
It was not until Zhong Bai offered a reminder that Hua Ling finally snapped back to her senses, a look of apology flashing across her face.
Apologies, Taoist Zhong Bai. Hua Ling lost her composure just now. Many thanks to Taoist Zhong Bai for stepping in to save us earlier, otherwise my senior brother and I would truly have perished in the wolves' jaws.
Speaking of this, Hua Ling still felt a lingering fear. In the face of life and death, no one could remain truly unruffled.
It is nothing. This wolf demon was driven here by me in the first place, and saving the two of you was only right.
There is no need for thanks.
I am Partridge Whistle of the Mountain Movers!
I am Old Foreigner of the Mountain Movers!
Taoist Zhong Bai hails from a prestigious sect. Although you say there is no need for thanks, my senior brother and junior sister and I still cannot simply forget your saving grace.
At this moment, Partridge Whistle walked up and cupped his fists. Seeing that the other party was determined to do so, Zhong Bai pressed the matter no further.
If they wanted to thank him, let them. In the future, as he slayed demons and exorcised evil, thanks from others would be indispensable. Hmph, after a few more times, Zhong Bai would surely become immune to it.
Yet...
With Partridge Whistle and Old Foreigner, plus the so-called Hua Ling, Zhong Bai's mind began to ponder slightly.
Connecting this to the fact that they were currently in the depths of the so-called Bottle Mountain Range, Zhong Bai understood.
This really is... quite good luck!
Sighing inwardly, Zhong Bai remembered that there was a six-winged centipede living within this Bottle Mountain.
Spitting toxic mist, it had clearly already stepped into the ranks of a demon soldier.
Add to that the white ape and the Yuan Dynasty poisonous corpse, well, well, well—every last one of them was full of exorcism points!
I thought I would have to wander about searching for the tracks of fiends and evils after descending the mountain, but now it seems I was simply worrying for nothing.
Partridge Whistle was unaware of the schemes currently brewing in Zhong Bai's heart. However, seeing that Zhong Bai was not as icy as other Daoist sect disciples, Partridge Whistle also breathed a sigh of relief.
Actually, I am quite curious. Since you fellow apprentices have come to this Bottle Mountain, could it be that a great tomb lies within it?
Although Zhong Bai knew the general situation inside Bottle Mountain, the mountain range was vast, and he had not studied Feng Shui Qimen Dunjia Techniques the way Lin Fengjiao had. Finding the tomb's entrance on his own would likely take a great deal of time.
So... well, the three people before him were qualified tools.
Upon hearing Zhong Bai's question, Partridge Whistle grew somewhat awkward, finding it difficult to reply.
To say there was no great tomb? Hehe, the other party was merely speaking in a calm tone, which did not mean he was a fool. Once he realized he had been deceived, he and his junior siblings would certainly come to no good end.
Besides, the other party had just saved the lives of his junior brother and junior sister.
Yet to admit that there was one... Daoist sects traditionally held no affection for grave-robbing tomb raiders like them. Should he anger the other party, it would likewise bring trouble.
The moment Zhong Bai saw Partridge Whistle's hesitant expression, he understood the concerns in the man's other's heart.
Hahaha, Brother Partridge need not worry. I shall not look down upon you all simply because you came to Bottle Mountain to rob tombs.
Mountain Movers, after all—entering tombs not for wealth, but solely for elixirs and spellcraft. The times are harsh, and merely staying alive requires exhausting all one's efforts. I will not look down upon you for that.
Therefore, Brother Partridge need not feel so conflicted and on guard.
So that was it. It turns out I was merely measuring the heart of a gentleman with the yardstick of a petty person. Taoist Qianhe, to tell the truth, our Mountain Mover lineage has suffered under a curse for generations, and only the Muchen Pearl can lift it.
Coming to Bottle Mountain this time was also because we learned that traces of the Muchen Pearl might exist within this Bottle Mountain ancient tomb.
Zhong Bai made no comment regarding the so-called curse. It was merely the curse of the Ghost Cave Tribe. Placed upon Partridge Whistle and his companions, they could rely solely on the Muchen Pearl, but for Mount Mao, while curse sorcery was dark and malevolent, they still had ways to counter it.
Of course, the present Zhong Bai lacked such strength; at the very least, he would need to step into the Foundation Establishment True Person stage.
Coming for the Muchen Pearl, and the curse of the Ghost Cave Tribe... To be frank, I am likewise interested in this Bottle Mountain ancient tomb.
I have heard that poisonous corpses frequently harm people within the tomb, along with a beastly centipede. Since I am passing through this place, I naturally cannot leave them to roam unchecked.
I wonder...
Would the three of you be willing to let me accompany you?
Since Zhong Bai had already spoken, did Partridge Whistle and the others have the right to refuse?
Ahem, Taoist Qianhe, you are welcome!
Before Partridge Whistle could speak, Hua Ling beamed with joy and readily agreed.
Seeing this, Partridge Whistle could only nod helplessly and agree, though the outcome was the same either way...
Maiden Hua Ling is certainly straightforward, but aren't you afraid that if we encounter the Muchen Pearl, I might snatch it from you?
Pfft, Taoist Qianhe, you are not that kind of person. I trust you!
Looking at the innocent and carefree Hua Ling, Zhong Bai felt only that he had wasted his breath. Hmph, she couldn't be teased in the slightest; sincerity truly was the ultimate killer move...
Right then, in these barren wildernesses, the Bottle Mountain ancient tomb has no legs and cannot run away.
The hour is late now. If you few do not mind, you may return with me to the village to rest for the night, and tomorrow, after making full preparations, we can head up the mountain to explore the great tomb. What do you say?
That would be wonderful! Taoist Qianhe, we junior siblings were just having trouble finding a place to rest!
To this, Partridge Whistle and Old Foreigner merely exchanged a deep look, neither raising any objection.
Zhong Bai did not mind either. Primarily, he needed to bring the wolf demon's corpse back to the village so the old village chief, the two elders of the Zhong family, and the remaining restless wandering souls of the villagers could finally rest in peace.
Zhong Bai hoisted the wolf demon's corpse with one hand. Weighing several hundred catties, it felt as light as nothing to him—he lifted heavy things as if they were light, his speed completely unhindered.
For two consecutive hours they traveled, and by the time they returned to Zhong Family Village, it was already dark.
At the old village chief's house, the old man who had waited for a full day now had a face as pale as paper, the effects of his final surge of vitality having already faded.
At this very moment, he found that even breathing had become extraordinarily difficult...
Old Village Chief, Zhong Bai has returned!
Just as the old village chief was enduring his bitter suffering, Zhong Bai slowly walked up with Partridge Whistle and the three others.
Seeing the corpse of the black wolf demon that Zhong Bai held in his hand, the old village chief instantly burst into tears.
Zhong family lad, you actually succeeded?
Heavens, open your eyes and look! The hundred wronged souls of Zhong Family Village can finally rest in peace!
Son, daughter-in-law, grandson, old partner—our deep enmity is avenged, and I can finally come find you all!
Amidst his agitation, the old village chief could no longer control his body and fell straight backward, a look of release resting upon his face.
Partridge Whistle's eyes were sharp and his hands quick; he caught the old village chief just as he was about to fall. After a brief examination, he only sighed and shook his head.
The old man's lamp oil was long spent. Being able to hold on until now was already a miracle...
Zhong Bai knew this clearly in his heart.
After laying the wolf demon's corpse down, Zhong Bai, along with Partridge Whistle and his junior sister and brother, buried the old village chief.
Before you continue