Chapter Sixty-six: Foreign Lands, Nemesis Stinky Buckwheat

What a formidable insect, to be able to incite such ferocity in the hearts of men. What could its name be? Yet, at present, even the most skilled physicians across the eight counties would struggle to identify it; even the ordinary folk of Yunzhou City could not possibly recognize this creature.

Han Chong pondered deeply.

Of course—the Pavilion of Omniscience and Stratagems. Surely its master would know the origins of this insect.

Moreover, ever since Han Chong heard from Captain Ning that the Prince Ying had three sons and two daughters, suspicion grew in his heart—could the heavily scarred master of the pavilion be the sister of that masked woman?

But since he was making a trip to Mount Ji Dang, he resolved to investigate the lair of the Mother of the Xiu—a being most enigmatic among the Four Wraith Marshals, its true nature neither demon nor ghost.

He placed the black beetle into a jade vial for safekeeping and set off to explore Ji Dang Mountain.

A wild and desolate aura permeated these mountains, where monsters gathered in numbers tenfold that of Black Tiger Mountain, and yet, for the most part, all appeared normal.

It was not until Han Chong, concealed from sight, reached the mountain’s heart and beheld a towering peak of black rock—riddled with holes and shaped like an old crone—that he heard an unceasing, wailing moan emanating from within, sending chills down his spine.

Could it be that the Mother of the Xiu dwelled in these caverns?

He soon saw a band of little demons dragging wild boars and deer, casting them into the holes. From these openings, black mist billowed forth, enveloping the animals and drawing them back in.

Cries of agony filled the air. Only then did Han Chong realize the Mother of the Xiu was neither demon nor ghost, but a terrifying mountain spirit.

Yet, this being was able to leave its body and venture into Yunzhou City, a feat that spoke to power both profound and inscrutable.

Still, this had its advantages for Han Chong: with the creature’s true form rooted here, it could not simply vanish without trace.

He turned and returned to the city by night, heading straight for the Silver Fortune Gambling House. Upon seeing Han Chong arrive, Black Six wasted no time and led him to the rear courtyard.

Han Chong wondered if Black Six acted on the orders of the pavilion master.

As before, the veiled woman sat with her back to him by the garden pond, two sword-bearing maids standing before her. Black Six withdrew discreetly.

“So, you have returned alive from Black Cloud Mountain—or did you never enter at all?” the veiled woman asked in mild surprise.

Han Chong smiled. “Your sources are most efficient, Pavilion Master. Naturally, I have returned from Black Cloud Mountain—and have destroyed it.”

“What? Alone? Surely you jest. All who enter Black Cloud Mountain meet their end. My pavilion sent several spies, none returned. For certain reasons, I could not go myself, so I cannot judge the truth of your claim.”

“Why should I deceive you? To be frank, the six Bronze Guards and the mother of the black blood mosquitoes are dead by my hand. The swarms of bloodthirsty mosquitoes have been reduced to ash.”

“Well then, since you mention the mosquito mother, it seems you speak the truth,” she said, exhaling in relief.

Han Chong thought to himself—she truly is privy to the inner workings.

“If you had told me sooner, I might have spared myself some hardship.”

“It is not that I was unwilling; I never imagined you could penetrate the depths of Black Cloud Mountain. I underestimated you. Forgive me.”

Han Chong chuckled. “I have come to inquire about something, and hope you will enlighten me.” He tossed the jade vial to her; the woman reached out with deceptive swiftness and caught it.

“Heavenly Lan Beetle!” she exclaimed softly, startling her two sword-bearing attendants, who turned to look. The veiled woman quickly capped the black beetle with the vial.

“So you do know its origin. My trip was not in vain,” Han Chong said with a faint smile, his mind at ease.

“Your trip? Where did you go, to have come by this creature?”

“Dangshan Commandery. I encountered the so-called Black Scarf Army, likely formed from the Black Lotus Sect by the Bronze Guards. They boil these beetles into a black brew and force it upon young men. Afterward, their natures change; they become fierce and combative.”

“I should have guessed. I always wondered how she could control hundreds of thousands of troops, and why she was so desperate to gather gold and silver. It was all for these insects.”

“Oh? So they are purchased?” Han Chong raised an eyebrow.

“Indeed. These beetles come from the land of Tianlan overseas, a realm of myriad strange insects and venomous creatures. Many among its royal family are insect-masters and traders of such creatures. This beetle bears the name of their country because it is rare and expensive—its effects so potent that those who ingest it become aggressive and warlike. Even high-ranking cultivators are not immune if the dose is sufficient. When diluted, it merely affects ordinary folk.”

“I see. Then how can those Black Scarf soldiers be saved?”

“Where there is poison, there is antidote, and within ten steps of this insect’s lair grows its bane. Where these beetles dwell, a shrub known as foul buckwheat is always found. It grows in the southwest of our Great Feng realm. Boil the plant and drink its essence, and the poison of the Heavenly Lan Beetle will be purged.”

“In that case, I beseech you, Pavilion Master, to help procure this herb and save the hundreds of thousands in Yunzhou. Name your price—whatever gold or silver required, I will provide.”

She laughed. “Foul buckwheat burns with a stench; it is used locally as fertilizer, and costs little. But why do you assume I will help you?”

“Because you are the daughter of Prince Ying—your name is Ling Yingruo.”

“You! How do you know this?”

“My investigations show that Prince Ying has three sons and two daughters. The leader of the Bronze Guards is named Ling Yingzhuang. That makes you, Pavilion Master, Ling Yingruo. Otherwise, why would you care so deeply and know so much about Black Cloud Mountain?”

“If I am the sister of Yingzhuang, I have even less reason to help you.”

“Ah, perhaps I was mistaken. Are the scars on your face not the work of Ling Yingzhuang?”

“What—you—how did you know?” The veiled woman turned in anger, her eyes blazing with shock and fury.

“Deduction. You wear a white veil, yet sit with your back to all. Is that not unnecessary?”

Her chest heaved with indignation, but there was a hint of shame as well, and she said no more.

“It is true—I am Ling Yingzhuang’s elder sister, Ling Yingruo. That wretched woman is unworthy of being my sister, let alone a princess of the realm. From youth, she was consumed by ambition and resented her inability, as a woman, to inherit the title or control her fate. Somehow, she allied herself with a fiend known as the Evil Spirit and learned a sinister sorcery. Our three brothers died mysterious deaths—likely at her hands. I tried to reason with her, but one morning, I awoke to find my face scarred beyond recognition. Ashamed, I left the palace and wandered the world, finding refuge at the Pavilion of Omniscience and Stratagems.”

Her tone was mournful, tinged more with sorrow than with hatred.