Chapter Six: Dayong Market in the Small Town of the Eastern Wasteland

Eastern Wastes, Great Yong Market.

This was a remote little marketplace situated within the kingdom of Siyou. Its population could hardly be called thriving, and its origins had long been lost to time. All that was known was that this town was famed throughout the wilds for its miles of peach groves and the meandering, clear stream that wound through it. Each year, as spring faded into summer, travelers and poets would gather here, composing verses and seeking a touch of refinement.

It was said that the scenery here was enchanting—the Tamur River flowed gently like a jade ribbon before the town, while behind it loomed the mighty Mang Mountain, a natural fortress both grand and formidable, coveted by many tribes of the wilderness for its defensibility.

For generations, the people of Great Yong had lived peacefully in this idyllic haven. Though distant from the centers of power, their lives were rich and content.

On this night, when all was silent and the crescent moon hung like a silver hook in the sky, the moonlight poured cold and tranquil over every black-tiled roof, rendering the little town, already darkened by the extinguished lanterns, even more serene.

A guttural, beastly cry broke the stillness from the northern edge of the market. At that moment, a shadow, as large as a wild dog, streaked swiftly past the mud walls and tiled houses, racing toward the chieftain’s mansion at the heart of the town. Its brown fur shone with an oily sheen in the moonlight, and its emerald-glowing eyes seemed to draw in the soul.

About ten minutes later, the silence of the chieftain’s residence was shattered by a chilling scream, piercing the night like an owl’s cry.

With the scream, that wild-dog-sized creature leapt from the eaves and, with an uncanny swiftness, fled the mansion. It dashed across the uneven rooftops and vanished into the dense forests of Mang Mountain behind the market.

By now, the chieftain’s house was ablaze with light, echoing with weeping and wailing.

Counting carefully, this might already be the fifth life lost in the town.

Meanwhile, after Bai Mu and Ling Yan left Deer Terrace Mountain, they conferred briefly and decided first to visit the City Without Borders for a taste of the world.

It was said that on the fifteenth of this month, Siyou’s capital would host a Lantern and Flower Festival in the City Without Borders, drawing many distinguished guests from the wilds to admire the lanterns and blossoms.

It was Bai Mu and Ling Yan’s first time among mortals, and for such a grand event, they could not let the opportunity slip by.

Guided by the Bai Ze Bestiary, they traveled southwest for a day, reaching the northern slopes of Mang Mountain before nightfall.

“Ling Yan, rest here for a while. I’ll go pick some wild fruits for you to try.”

“I’ll go with you!” Ling Yan replied with a gentle smile, cautiously reminding him, “This mountain seems rich with spiritual energy, its ancient trees and tangled undergrowth an ideal hiding place for spirits and monsters. You’re barely recovered from your wounds—it’s best not to venture into the forest alone.”

“Very well.”

Bai Mu turned with a carefree smile, and the two walked side by side into the mountain.

Because so few ever set foot here, there were virtually no paths, and they could only make their way with great effort, relying on Ling Yan’s jade flute to cut through the thick undergrowth.

Bai Mu, noticing the flute’s remarkable power—formidable in battle, yet equally adept at clearing a trail—could not help but ask, “Ling Yan, your flute is truly extraordinary. So fearsome in combat, yet so leisurely when opening a path.”

“Of course,” Ling Yan replied. “This jade flute once belonged to my divine father…”

At the words “divine father,” she suddenly stopped, her face flushed with embarrassment—this was already the third time she’d let it slip.

“What’s a divine father?” Bai Mu asked, turning toward her in confusion.

Ling Yan only offered a mysterious smile, hastily covering, “It just means ‘father’!”

She quickly changed the subject, “This flute was my father’s weapon when he roamed the wilds long ago. It’s crafted from black jade from the Iceflame Cavern of the Eastern Wastes—the same material as the Demon-Taming Bottle.”

“That is truly a rare treasure,” Bai Mu exclaimed, though a flicker of doubt passed through his heart.

Sharp as he was, he knew well what the term “divine father” implied. But since Ling Yan was unwilling to reveal her origins, he did not press further.

“It’s not bad,” Ling Yan replied, glancing thoughtfully at Bai Mu, who looked on with envy. “Your master, Bai Ze, is also an ancient divine beast. Long ago, he carried the bestiary from Kunlun Mountain to offer counsel to the Celestial Emperor, and with it, he helped shatter the Demon Emperor’s icy wall at Pimu Hill. He was a renowned ancient deity. As his disciple, you must have acquired many treasures yourself.”

“What treasures?” Bai Mu shrugged helplessly, grumbling, “I lived on Mount Dongwang for over ten years and never saw so much as a scrap of treasure. The only thing worth mentioning is this map—the Bai Ze Bestiary.”

Ling Yan laughed, “You’re truly blessed and don’t know it. The Bai Ze Bestiary is so powerful it’s said to rival the Demon-Taming Bottle. You simply haven’t reached the cultivation level needed to wield it yet.”

“And besides, you’re also the master of the ancient artifact, the Azure Dragon Sword. If you can find someone to teach you the sword arts, your future achievements may not fall short of Bai Ze himself.”

“But…”

Ling Yan hesitated, glancing at Bai Mu with a trace of uncertainty and confusion in her eyes.

“But what?”

“Speak freely,” Bai Mu urged.

After a brief pause, Ling Yan steeled herself and said, “Bai Mu, the Azure Dragon Sword and the Demon-Taming Bottle are the two supreme artifacts of the wilds, each possessing earth-shattering power. The Celestial Emperor forged the Azure Dragon Sword with great magic to safeguard the world’s righteousness.”

“Now that the sword has chosen you as its master, I hope you can uphold the cause of justice and use your actions to preserve peace among the wild realms. Can you do that?”

“Absolutely!” Bai Mu’s handsome brows lifted with resolve. “On the mountain, my master often told tales of battles between gods and demons. I’ve always hoped I could one day serve the cause of peace, just as he did. Rest assured, the Azure Dragon Sword will not be wasted!”

“And I…”

Shh!

Before Bai Mu could finish, Ling Yan signaled him to be silent, glancing at the woods behind them and whispering, “Something seems to be watching us.”

“What is it?” Bai Mu asked, heart pounding.

Given all his years cultivating with Bai Ze, to sense nothing meant the hidden presence was at least as powerful as he.

“I’m not sure yet,” Ling Yan replied quietly. “Most likely a spirit or monster from the mountain, watching us from the shadows. Let’s act natural, and when it lets its guard down, we’ll take it by surprise.”

“Excellent!”

Bai Mu nodded, and the two of them, pretending nothing was amiss, strolled casually toward a wild fruit tree ahead.