The mountain stream wound through the hills, its waters babbling. The night was deep, the stars brilliant, and a late breeze stirred the woods, sending bursts of fragrance drifting through the air.
Amid such tranquil mountain scenery and a wondrous starry night, someone had slipped out in a light robe, carrying a sleeveful of starlight, to kill.
Using the night as cover, he crossed more than a dozen mountain peaks and reached the residence where Tu Wuming was staying.
As a Fourth Realm expert, Tu Wuming was a prominent figure in the Golden Roc Demon King's Mansion. Naturally, he enjoyed better accommodations than Chu Suiyi and the others. Rather than living in a cave dwelling, he had an entire palace on the mountaintop to himself.
By the time Xu Yi arrived, the whole palace was sealed shut. He sent in a thought, and after a long while, the two golden doors, each several zhang tall, slowly swung open.
Xu Yi leaped inside. Tu Wuming sat cross-legged on a meditation cushion in the main hall, eyes closed as he regulated his breathing. Xu Yi stood quietly in the hall without speaking. After three streams of white Qi puffed from Tu Wuming's nostrils, he said, "What brings you here in the dead of night?"
Xu Yi said, "Ever since the banquet ended, I've been turning over my offense against you in my mind. I realize now how terribly wrong I was. I've tossed and turned, unable to sleep. If I don't earn your forgiveness, I'm afraid I'll develop a heart demon. I beg you to pardon my disrespect."
Tu Wuming gave a dry laugh. "How were you disrespectful? Old Demon Kongxu—what a fearsome name. You're used to throwing your weight around. You only talked back to me a few times. What's the