Volume One: The King's Mandate Chapter Seventy-Eight: Entrusting the Treasure in Howling Wind Valley

The Heaven Tablet suppresses evil energies—this, Shi Yuan knew well. Within the Mountain-moving Sect, only the Grandmaster of each generation is privy to the full truth of this matter; other disciples are not entitled to such knowledge, though they all possessed some inkling of the secret.

The sinister aura, present since ancient times, is the very source the Heaven Tablet must restrain. No one knows what malignant spirits it seals away, but the fact that cultivators use the Ninefold True Words to ward against it speaks to its formidable power.

Shi Yuan’s expression darkened. Had he anticipated this, he would never have summoned so many Mountain-moving disciples back for the discourse. His small schemes had, in the end, brought ruin upon the sect.

“Shi Yuan, Grand Monk—what exactly is sealed inside this Heaven Tablet? It reeks so terribly!” Xiao Qingshu, realizing she had caused trouble, quickly hid behind Liu Xiaoyi, poking her head out to ask.

“I had hoped to borrow Fellow Daoist Liu’s insight to comprehend the final step of our sect’s practice. We were on the verge of success, but your punch has thrown us into misery!” Shi Yuan struck forward without flourish, a jade-hued spectral hand pressing against the gaping hole where the tablet had shattered, attempting to hold back the evil aura.

“You dare speak! You tricked us into coming, intending for Liu Xiaoyi to serve as sacrifice. You’re lucky we spared your life. We’re leaving!” With that, Xiao Qingshu tried to drag Liu Xiaoyi away, but he did not budge.

Liu Xiaoyi’s smile was wan, his frail frame now even more emaciated—though only fifteen or sixteen, he looked closer to forty.

“If we leave now, others will only suffer more. Let’s help.” Liu Xiaoyi formed hand seals and recited a spell aloud, his power surging forth; instantly, the evil aura’s movement slowed and halted.

Seizing the moment, Shi Yuan directed his disciples to suppress the evil energy. But soon after, Shi Yuan cried out in pain—his palm turned black, the corruption spreading rapidly up his arm.

The evil energy had entered his body! Shi Yuan knew calamity was at hand. He hastily channeled his powers to expel the corruption, but it proved stubborn—driven about his body, yet refusing to depart, swiftly overtaking him.

“If you sever your arm, you’ll be safe!” Suddenly, with a whistling sound, Shi Yuan’s corrupted left arm was sliced off at the root. The escaping evil energy was caught and sealed in a fish basket—silence quickly fell.

The force that could slice through Shi Yuan’s jade bones was a fishing line. Following its path, one saw a wild-haired young woman standing atop a slope, wielding a fishing rod.

With every cast, the hook snared a thread of evil energy, reeling it into the basket as if angling for fish—but what she caught was corruption, not fin.

Shi Yuan, disregarding the pain, sealed his acupoints with power and turned, exclaiming, “Granny Yin! How are you here?”

At the sight of Granny Yin, his bravado vanished. The woman opened her mouth, her voice raspy: “Little bald head, if I hadn’t come, your whole estate would be lost. Step aside now, all of you—watch how I seal it!”

Though called granny, her youthful face glimpsed through her long hair belied her age.

The disciples obeyed, clearing a path. Granny Yin leapt before the Heaven Tablet, cast her rod overhead, and swiftly gathered all the evil energies into her basket.

Then, gripping the basket’s rim with both hands, she stuffed it into the hole releasing the corruption—just the right size—and stomped it firm.

“There, the seal should hold for three to five years. Little bald head, hurry and fetch reinforcements—I won’t be staying here forever.”

Granny Yin had dwelt for decades in the nearby Wind-Howl Valley, keeping a respectful distance from the Mountain-moving Sect; few dared provoke her.

She possessed the Celestial Shade Pearl and had cultivated here for many years—her power unfathomable. Shi Yuan repeatedly warned his disciples: avoid Wind-Howl Valley when venturing out.

If not for Granny Yin’s intervention today, disaster would have struck. Once the basket was secure, she stowed her rod, slung it over her shoulder, and walked over to Xiao Qingshu.

“How curious—the little saintess from Primordial Palace, what brings you here?” Granny Yin recognized Xiao Qingshu, and at the mention of Primordial Palace, Shi Yuan’s face turned even greener.

Xiao Qingshu watched her warily. “You know Primordial Palace? Why are you hiding here? It’s unsettling.”

“Little brother, this saintess isn’t of age yet. Primordial Palace punishes runaway saintesses severely—best be prepared, lest you suffer.” Granny Yin teased Liu Xiaoyi.

Not of age? Liu Xiaoyi blinked. “She told me she’s ten thousand and fifteen years old…”

“You actually believe a little girl’s words? You look like a wandering hero, yet you’re so naïve. Last time I saw her at Primordial Palace, she was crying in her master’s arms!”

Feeling Liu Xiaoyi’s angry gaze, Xiao Qingshu lowered her head, trying to slip away, but was caught.

“I didn’t mean to deceive you—I didn’t, it’s my fault, please don’t hit me!”

“Then tell me—how long were you trapped in the stone coffin?”

“Three days.”

“What else have you lied about? You’d better confess, or I’ll leave!”

Xiao Qingshu, nearly in tears, looked pleadingly at Granny Yin.

Though she had never met Granny Yin in person, anyone her master befriended in childhood was someone special; due to her unique status, Primordial Palace had always sheltered her closely.

For this reason, she often snuck out to explore the world, causing endless trouble for Primordial Palace. Had the palace not been so feared, she might not have survived.

“All right, little brother, I don’t think she meant any harm—she’s still a child. Let it go this time.” Granny Yin grinned, seizing the moment to persuade.

Liu Xiaoyi was frustrated—he’d been careful every step, yet deceived by a young girl. From then on, he resolved to always reserve a measure of skepticism.

“I promised to be your fiancée, so forgive me, okay?” Xiao Qingshu’s words nearly made Granny Yin faint.

“If your master learns you have a man outside, she’ll break your legs!”

The group laughed, as if forgetting the evil spirits that had just emerged. Among the disciples, one on the edge slipped away unnoticed; not even Granny Yin or Shi Yuan saw him. A trail of black energy flowed from his brow as he fled beyond the town, vanishing.

With Granny Yin mediating, Liu Xiaoyi finally understood the full story. Having been tricked several times, he sat silent among the broken stones, lost in thought.

“Since we’ve met, you two should come with me to Wind-Howl Valley—Shi Yuan’s place is unsafe, little bald head’s motives aren’t pure.”

Shi Yuan hastily apologized, “Senior, had I known she was the saintess from Primordial Palace, I’d never have dared—our whole sect isn’t worth a mouthful compared to yours.”

Granny Yin beckoned, and an ox-drawn cart appeared from over the slope. She and the two youths climbed aboard, bidding Shi Yuan farewell.

Wind-Howl Valley lay nearby—after crossing a few low hills, the mouth of the valley appeared, where peacocks danced and leapt. Seeing Granny Yin’s cart, they perched on treetops, bowing respectfully.

Granny Yin returned the gesture, tossing pills from her pocket into the air. The peacocks flapped forward to snatch them, vying for the treats.

Contrary to expectation, Wind-Howl Valley was warm and springlike, a paradise of birdsong and flowers, exuding a celestial atmosphere. Various animals lived here, and as the cart stopped, they gathered around Granny Yin.

Whether rabbit or swallow, all were spirit beasts. The little tiger, sensing kinship, leapt from Liu Xiaoyi’s arms to frolic on the grass with them.

The spirit beasts were gentle; seeing the charming little tiger, they welcomed him, soon playing together.

Granny Yin glanced over, praising, “Little brother, your spirit beast is exceptional. Fortune truly is unpredictable.”

She then eyed Xiao Qingshu, who, once exposed, revealed her mischievous side—condensing threads of magic to tease the spirit beasts.

Sensitive to the taste of magic, the beasts followed the threads, always missing them as Xiao Qingshu drew them away at the last moment.

Granny Yin noticed all, and as they reached the manor gates, she waved her sleeve, sending the spirit beasts off.

“Now that I’ve revealed myself here, I cannot remain. I brought you two for another reason—there’s a task I need your help with.” Inside Granny Yin’s manor in Wind-Howl Valley, she explained, “In a few days someone will come seeking my aid, but I cannot go. I must ask you both to go in my stead.”

She drew from her bosom a gray-blue pearl; though no power was used, its chilling aura was palpable.

The Celestial Shade Pearl, a treasure of primordial yin, condensed at the dawn of creation, capable of releasing the purest cold. Carrying it for years had altered Granny Yin’s appearance, her skin ghostly pale.

“What is the task, Senior? If we can help, we will not refuse.” Liu Xiaoyi had barely finished when Granny Yin tapped his head.

“Little brother, trusting so easily will only bring misfortune in the world! I leave this pearl in your care—yet I worry whether you’re up to the task.”