"Water really does seep through every crack."
He brushed the water silently seeping from the cave wall, dampening his fingertips, then held them before his eyes for a close look.
There was surprisingly little panic in Li Fuchan's voice. "So the stories in plays are all lies. A real enemy won't give me a chance to catch my breath. A dozen breaths at most—once this water takes shape and undergoes Transformation into rain, I won't be able to hide my tracks."
Three Nothing's voice rang out again. "'Shi Water' gives life when clear and kills when turbid. The sheer filth of the rain in this cave shows just how fiercely Quan Yong wants you dead. One Great True Person of Inner Vision, two True Persons of Outer Scenery approaching Inner Vision, and one of them a sword cultivator. Well? At this point, do you think your scheme has succeeded?"
Li Fuchan smiled faintly and asked, "What about you? Has your scheme succeeded? Don't tell me you can pluck me out alive while three True Persons surround me and try to kill me... If you really have that kind of power," he broke off with a laugh, "then I won't struggle anymore. I'll gladly serve at your command, senior."
"Why couldn't I? Use the means I left in A Plea for Thirty-Six Years of Romantic Tales. Break through the Unseen Heavens and go overseas," Three Nothing said mildly.
But Li Fuchan shook his head. "First, you prodded me into coming to the Northern Lands to hunt the Ming Beast. Then you secretly unraveled the Knowledge-and-Vision Obstruction Fengci left on me, letting me comprehend the mysteries of the five thieves, and told me the true meaning of 'You, Beast, Ghost, Demon, and Monster—those who hunt them shall flourish.'"
"Back then, just as