Chapter Twelve: So Everyone Here Is an Immortal

"Qing is nothing but a Daoist," Li Qing stared at Bai Chengxue, his face twisted in pain, and asked loudly, "Those people at the very beginning—were they killed by you without reason?"

Bai Chengxue merely smiled lightly at this. She pulled a handkerchief from her sleeve and wiped away the blood at the corner of her mouth. "The dress of Bitterheart Mountain, the ways of the Grand Buddha Temple. How interesting," she said, and then, with remarkable composure, bowed to the assembled crowd. "It was my Clouded Mountain stronghold that was in the wrong. For the villagers who died without cause, Clouded Mountain is willing to provide for their families. As long as I, Bai, draw breath, they will be cared for and want for nothing." She turned back to Li Qing. "Master, is this acceptable?"

"Blood for blood! That is the law of heaven and earth!" Xue Xiaoyu shouted, his voice sharp. But he realized, as his words faded, that no one echoed him as he had expected.

The crowd was silent. They weighed the greater good, their wisdom always present. They neither rejected nor agreed.

Li Qing sighed. "Before I came here, I swore I would not take a single life in this place. One man's actions can destroy the world; the diligence of many can save it. Take care of yourself."

"Bai boss, this monk's cultivation might be strange, but I reckon I can handle him. Why say so much to them anyway?" the tall man blurted out carelessly, unconcerned that everyone could hear.

Bai Chengxue shook her head. "My master always revered the Buddha. As his disciple, I must follow his example."

"But you—"

"Hmm?" Bai Chengxue's cold gaze fell upon the tall man. "My master may disown me, but in my heart, he will always be my master. Do you understand?"

"I understand, I understand," the tall man replied, sweat pouring down his face.

"Now, let's get back to that matter. Young master, you will come with us," Bai Chengxue said with a gentle smile, elegant and refined.

"I don't know what you're talking about! But I can assure you, my cultivation has nothing to do with whatever it is," Xue Xiaoyu replied, his eyes flicking nervously to his finger, where a ring glinted.

"Oh? In that case... Starved Dog, take this young lady and bring her brother here. Take them all back to Clouded Mountain. We'll search at our leisure."

"Understood. Young lady, come with me," the tall man called Starved Dog said, breathing a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Bai was not holding a grudge against him—otherwise... thinking of Bai's wrath made him shudder involuntarily.

Starved Dog stepped forward, and the crowd instinctively retreated, clearing a path. Xie Huanling looked stunned—after all, she was just an ordinary woman. As Starved Dog drew closer, she steeled herself—she could not let them find her brother!

She backed toward the wall and shrieked, "Don't come any closer! If anyone does, I'll bash my head against the wall! My brother's just a fool, let him go... I really don't know what you're talking about. We're just ordinary people..." Tears streamed down her face—not so much a threat as a plea.

"Ordinary people? Ha!" Starved Dog scoffed at her words. "Don't you know your parents' true identities?" He glanced furtively at Bai Chengxue, who was still smiling. He continued, "Your parents' cultivation may not be impressive, but they come from a famous sect—they are disciples of the Divine Dao Sect. Unfortunately, twenty-five years ago, during a mission away from the sect, they met Clouded Mountain's traitor, Huyan Guan."

"Huyan Guan lived a lonely life, befriending only your parents in the end. So, the thing he stole is most likely with your parents," Bai Chengxue continued. "But sadly, your parents, that immortal couple, chose death rather than reveal its whereabouts."

"So you killed them!" Xie Huanling cried.

"Blood Ghost, that fellow, always believed it was better to kill the innocent than let someone escape. His actions back then were reckless, but at least he left you siblings alive—giving us hope to find the item," Bai Chengxue said.

"Is that all? Do our lives mean nothing to you—just clues to be used at will..." Xie Huanling muttered. "Better to kill wrongly than miss a clue... We were only left alive as a thread..."

"In this world, who is not a mere ant in the eyes of the strong?" Bai Chengxue replied, her voice layered with complexity. "You have two choices. First, hand over the item. Second, come with us, bringing your brother."

"But I truly don't know what it is!"

"Then come with us," Starved Dog said, stepping forward and appearing before Xie Huanling. "I'll take your choice as the second! Ha! Dying in front of me is not so easy."

Li Qing took a step forward quietly. Bai Chengxue seemed to sense it and said softly, "Master, your actions are rather low-class."

Li Qing was silent. He felt a powerful aura lock onto him—the slightest move would unleash a storm of attacks! He did not fear death, but there were so many ordinary people around. If a fight broke out, he could not guarantee everyone's safety.

"Then take us to your brother," Starved Dog said, his hand less guiding than seizing.

"I won't go!" Xie Huanling protested, struggling.

"You'd best go, don't waste time. Someone here is bound to know," Starved Dog said.

"Shuwa! Shuwa! Run, quickly..." Xie Huanling shouted.

Starved Dog's eyes flashed coldly. He jabbed her abdomen, pain coursing through her, robbing her of the strength to cry out.

"Follow me. Take me to his house," Starved Dog said, pointing at someone—none other than Old Xue, Xue Xiaoyu's father.

"Me?" Old Xue felt his luck was rotten this year; everything seemed to land on him. What he'd done before had already brought gossip, and now this—his back was sure to be broken by all the finger-pointing.

"You've gone too far!" A sudden burst of blue light erupted. Xue Xiaoyu formed seals with both hands, sending streaks of azure light at Starved Dog.

"Good!" Starved Dog shouted, not dodging but punching the incoming lights.

Azure Dragon's Bind!

The blue light surged, and a dragon's roar echoed. Starved Dog was now shrouded in crimson light—he slammed his fists together and roared, "Giant Ox Heaven's Charge!"

Crimson and blue lights collided with a thunderous explosion, colors scattering everywhere. Li Qing hastily shielded the crowd from the blast, sparing them from needless death.

When the light faded, Starved Dog stood in place, his body drenched in blood. Xue Xiaoyu was pale, unscathed physically but utterly drained—unable to fight any longer.

Starved Dog saw this but did not pursue. He wiped blood from his face, glanced at Old Xue, and said, "Let's go. No one will stop us now."

Old Xue sighed, resigned, and prepared to lead the way. Xie Huanling opened her mouth several times, wanting to speak, but found no words. All she could do was lean weakly against the wall, easing the pain in her abdomen.

"No need, I'm here."

Everyone turned toward the voice—it was a young man, none other than Xie Hanshu. He appeared suddenly, ghostlike. No one dared utter the name "Mute Doll," nor even think it.

"Sigh. Even women are struck?" Wu Yue shook his head, took a step forward, and stood before Starved Dog.

Seeing Starved Dog's astonished face, Wu Yue said softly, "I'm not an encyclopedia; I have no habit of answering questions for others." His palm fell gently on Starved Dog's forehead.

The tall man collapsed with a crash, blood flowing from every orifice.

So they were all immortals?

The villagers wanted to weep, and yet to laugh.