Legend of The Young Master

Chapter 141: Dramatic But Truth

As they proceeded, Jin perceived every shadow as a potential threat, concealing a demon—until they passed it. Wuyi was faring better; rejuvenated by the statue of light, yet he was still hungry and even hesitant to brew tea.

Their horses were limping, likely due to the cold and the lack of proper care during the chilly spring night. To reduce the burden on the horses, they had no choice but to keep changing which horse pulled the head of the demonic being. Fortunately, they didn't have to travel far, likely sparing the horses' lives.

After a few miles, they were intercepted by Yun Ming, who brought the group's Qi warriors, including Baijian.

Yun Ming was visibly upset that these two had left the camp in a dangerous forest without any care, yet his voice remained calm. "What on earth were you two doing?" he demanded.

"Reconnaissance," Wuyi confessed, managing to shrug nonchalantly. He felt quite proud of that shrug.

Yun Ming frowned and gave him a stern look, the kind reserved for wayward children, before his eyes fell on the severed head being dragged through the mud. He examined it closely, and his troubled expression pleased Wuyi. With a harsh pull on the reins, Yun Ming turned his horse around.

"I'll inform the camp. Baijian, lend your horse to the Young Master. We must notify the lady of the fortress," Yun Ming said, his tone shifting from one of respect to one of sheer professionalism.

Wuyi shook his head. "I'll take Yuei's horse. Baijian, stay close behind me."

Yuei dismounted, grumbling under his breath about how he always seemed to get the short end of the stick.

Wuyi paid no mind to Yuei's grumbling, effortlessly swung his leg over the archer's horse, and spurred it into a brisk trot. Yuei ran alongside. Soon, they accelerated into a full gallop for the final stretch, Yuei seemingly keeping pace as if wearing some treasure boots.

As they approached the camp gate, they were met by a dozen archers and three warriors, all fully armed and ready for combat. For the first time since he had killed the demonic, Wuyi relaxed a bit.

The severed head, trailing in the dirt behind Jin's horse, drew stares and whispers. Wuyi halted in front of his tent and dismounted.

Yun Ming, who had been conversing with the warrior assigned to keep watch, rode up, looking formidable atop his horse. Two archers, Liangyu Xu and Xianyu Ma, busied themselves impaling the severed head onto a stake.

"Place it outside the main gate, where every commoner can see it. They need to understand the dangers that lurk in the forest," Wuyi instructed.

Yun Ming stared at the head for an uncomfortably long time.

"Double the guard, keep a quarter of the warriors in armor at all times, and draft a plan to secure the surrounding villages," Wuyi ordered. "The forest is teeming with demonics. They've gathered an army. We could be under attack at any moment." He quickly scribbled a note on his camp table and signed it with bold, legible letters: Young Master Black, Outer Faction of the Black Brotherhood.

"Prepare two archers with provisions and good horses. Send them to the king in Leidian," Wuyi added.

"By the Heavens, an army?" Yun Ming muttered.

"We'll discuss further after I've consulted with Lady Xueyan," Wuyi said.

Dong brought him his mount, Haruki. With a nod to Baijian, Wuyi rode up the steep path toward the fortress.

The gate was open. But that was about to change.

Wuyi quickly dismounted from Haruki and handed the reins to Baijian, who dismounted more slowly. Rushing up the steps to the hall, Wuyi knocked forcefully on the door. The monk of the pavilion observed him from the doorway of his chapel, as he often did.

An older woman opened the door and bowed.

"I must speak with Lady Xueyan immediately," Wuyi stated. The woman, Lotus Pavilion Elder, visibly recoiled, averted her eyes, and shut the door.

Wuyi fought the impulse to knock on the door again. His employer, to put it bluntly, was exceptionally difficult to deal with.

"Did you and Jin defeat that creature?" Baijian inquired, a hint of envy in his voice.

"We'll talk about it later," Wuyi replied.

Baijian shrugged. "Must've been quite a sight," he mused.

"Look, let's not discuss it now, okay?" Wuyi found himself distracted by the dormitory windows and unintentionally looking for Liwei.

"I would've joined you, Young Master," Baijian added. "Just keep me in mind next time."

"You were drunk and out of your mind, just like the Damned Heavens you lot worship, Baijian!" Wuyi exclaimed, letting slip his irreverent dislike against the heavens while chiding Baijian.

Just then, the door creaked open again, and the Elder appeared, her expression suggesting she'd heard her share of curses with regards to heaven but did not appreciate it. She gestured for him to follow.

Wuyi ascended the steps and crossed the hall, following the Elder down a corridor lined with doors. They climbed a narrow, spiral staircase with an intricately carved stone pillar at its center, finally arriving at an elegant blue door. The Elder knocked, opened the door, and bowed. Wuyi reciprocated the bow as he entered.

Lady Xueyan was seated on a low chair, working on an embroidery frame. The afternoon sun streamed through her west-facing window, illuminating her embroidery—a stag encircled by hounds, a spear already lodged in its side, and bright threads depicting the blood flowing from its wound.

"I saw you arrive. You looked weary," she said. "You reek of demonic Infernal Qi. You've faced grave danger?"

Wuyi said earnestly, "I know it sounds dramatic, but it's the truth. This isn't just a few stray creatures. I think a demonic force in the wilderness aims to seize this fortress and the river crossing. If they can't do it quietly, they'll launch a full-scale attack. And it could happen at any time. They've gathered in large numbers in your forests.

From what I saw, there is an entire army of them. Not just a few demonics."