Trying to intercept the iron tower meant coming face to face with Mo Xiao Ran, and the dangers were bound to be immense.
Ren Fei Ying was still injured, so they sent him to Wei Li Ming to recuperate. Although the two were predecessor and successor, people of the jianghu didn’t fuss over such niceties. Besides, the matter of Ren Fei Ying’s unauthorized departure from his post had yet to be settled. He was unlikely to continue serving in Haojing, so there was no immediate conflict between them, and they got along peaceably enough.
Just before they set out, Ren Fei Ying asked Fu Xi Yan to look for Song Lei Ming. Ren Fei Ying was good at reading expressions, and had worked out that between the Young Master and Young Madam, it was Young Madam who made the decisions.
Fu Xi Yan asked, “Do you two have any secret signal for contacting one another? If I meet him, how do I get him to trust me? Or might he leave some kind of mark somewhere?”
Ren Fei Ying paused. He had already told Jing Luo about Song Lei Ming, and Jing Luo had immediately sent men to investigate. But he hadn’t asked such detailed questions. Warmth spread through Ren Fei Ying’s chest. “I once gave him a Bagua mirror. It can absorb and release spiritual artifacts, and is a treasure formation masters use when setting up formations. Its name is the Primordial-Spirit Return-and-Release Mirror, but privately we call it Little Mirror.”
Fu Xi Yan: “…” A thing called the Primordial-Spirit Return-and-Release Mirror was obviously a mirror. Wasn’t calling it Little Mirror perfectly normal? That seemed a rather weak secret signal.
Ren Fei Ying continued, “He loves Little Mirror. Sometimes he even embroiders the Bagua mirror design on his clothes. Mm, and his personal seal carries the same design.”
Fu Xi Yan nodded in understanding. If he found a scrap of clothing embroidered with a Bagua mirror along the road, it would probably have been left by Song Lei Ming. He also knew the possibility was almost zero. Song Lei Ming had disappeared ages ago, and Ren Fei Ying himself had been missing for a very long time. Even if Song Lei Ming had wrapped himself in layer upon layer of clothes like a bear, years later there couldn’t possibly be so much as a thread left.
Still, Fu Xi Yan had one question before leaving. “Does Madam Song have nothing to say about her husband having the gift you gave him embroidered on his clothes?”
Ren Fei Ying replied, “Perhaps because he doesn’t have a wife?”
Fu Xi Yan: “…Fair enough.”
They wanted this mission over as quickly as possible, so everyone chose to ride. They left Haojing directly and headed southeast, following a route that might bring them face to face with the convoy before long.
Disciples of Immortal Treasury Palace sent reports along the way. Thus, soon after setting out, the group learned that Qi Zhong had attacked the iron tower convoy the previous day.
One day later, they learned that Qi Zhong had vanished. By then, Fu Xi Yan and the others had reached the area where Qi Zhong’s group had disappeared.
Jing Luo and Fu Xi Yan considered their situation.
Fu Xi Yan said, “Tie Rong Rong, Tong Fang Yu, and Yin Fei Yu are all dead. Jin Yuan Xiu isn’t on good terms with Mo Xiao Ran. He can’t have anyone useful left by his side, can he? Is he planning to take all of us on by himself?”
He wasn’t bragging, but look at their lineup. Yan Xie’s combat ability was still an unknown, yet Jing Luo and Pei Yuan Jin were both Martial Kings who could fight a Martial God, and he and Mei Xia Ying were Martial Kings too. Even four fighters of the same class would be enough to steamroll one Mo Xiao Ran, let alone a team with different specialties.
Jing Luo said, “If Ren Fei Ying’s account is correct, Mo Xiao Ran also has Song Lei Ming.”
Fu Xi Yan fell into thought, and his mouth moved before his brain caught up. “Does my idol mean…”
Jing Luo was startled. “Qi Zhong’s disappearance might be connected to a formation.” He then shook his head with a smile. “Young Madam, I’m hardly worthy of such an address.”
Fu Xi Yan realized what he’d blurted out and coughed awkwardly. “Who hasn’t had an idol or two in their youth?”
“An idol?” Jing Luo tried to understand. He wasn’t sure what an object of worship had to do with him, but he recognized it as a compliment. “I thought Young Madam’s idol would be the Young Master.”
Pei Yuan Jin had already been listening closely, ears pricked. At the mention of himself, he stopped pretending and looked over openly.
That gaze was very noticeably intense.
Fu Xi Yan immediately said, “Of course he is.” Once, he’d dreamed of being Immortal Treasury Palace’s Young Master for a day. Being its Young Madam wasn’t bad either. Since their marriage, he’d practically usurped the Young Master’s authority.
If Qi Zhong’s disappearance was linked to a formation, Mo Xiao Ran must have anticipated that someone would try to seize the iron tower here. Or perhaps this very place was the trap he’d prepared.
The place was called Little North Gully. Dense forests covered the mountains, and a valley cut through them. A narrow path ran along its floor, just wide enough for three people to walk abreast. Anyone hauling an iron tower through it would have nowhere to retreat if ambushed from either side.
Fu Xi Yan and Jing Luo agreed that if Mo Xiao Ran intended to transport the tower through here, he would eliminate any threat before attempting to pass. The trap ought to be at the far end of the valley.
They followed the valley. Before they had gone far, a rustling came from the mountain beside them. A moment later, an Immortal Treasury Palace disciple darted down and regarded them warily.
The disciple had plainly been lying in ambush on the mountain for a long time, and looked worn and haggard. Once Fu Xi Yan and the others identified themselves, he immediately poured out his worries. “Manager Qi has been missing for two days and nights. We’ve guarded every approach to the forest, but we haven’t seen anyone come out.”
Fu Xi Yan asked, “No news at all in two days?”
“Deputy Manager Yang told us to guard the perimeter. He’s taken some people to look for formation masters.”
Deputy Manager Yang obviously knew there was a trap in the valley. His response made Fu Xi Yan look at him with fresh respect.
But Fu Xi Yan knew that Mo Xiao Ran had taken away the greatest formation master beneath Heaven, while Wang Yu had recruited nearly every other formation master of any renown in Northern Zhou. Even if a few had escaped notice, they were unlikely to be found openly offering their services.
Perhaps because Jing Luo’s image as an all-capable administrator was so firmly established, Fu Xi Yan asked, “Chief Steward Jing, do you know much about formations?”
Jing Luo shook his head with a rueful smile. “If I’d known this day would come, I’d have learned a little.”
Pei Yuan Jin said calmly, “Formations are ultimately meant to be broken.”
Formation masters weren’t particularly sought after partly because arranging formations was so troublesome, and partly because martial force could eventually break them. Once the spiritual qi sustaining a formation was dispersed, flaws would appear and the formation would collapse on its own.
“Let’s go.”
The Immortal Treasury Palace disciple led the way. Watching his back, Fu Xi Yan vaguely thought it had been rather risky to send a mere branch chief manager against an enemy as dangerous as Mo Xiao Ran. Yet when he remembered Jing Luo had issued the order, he began to question his own judgment. Jing Luo always had his reasons. Perhaps Qi Zhong had only been sent ahead to test the waters. Just as when they first met in Pei Jie Town, he had spiritual artifacts and treasures that ought to be enough to protect himself.
As he was thinking, Pei Yuan Jin asked, “Chief Steward Jing, do you believe Qi Zhong can break this trap?”
Jing Luo said, “During the Palace’s earlier reorganization, I wanted to transfer him back to the headquarters’ Inspection Group. Unfortunately, after Lu Rui Chun, we couldn’t find a suitable replacement for chief manager of the Shaanxi Thunder Division. Qi Zhong was holding two positions at once, and we couldn’t spare him. In the end we had no choice but to keep him at the branch. Among all the Lightning Divisions across the country, he’s one of the few candidates I seriously considered as my successor.”
Fu Xi Yan stared. “Your successor?”
Jing Luo smiled. “Every generation produces its own talented people. The Young Master is the Palace Master’s successor. Naturally, I also need someone to succeed me.”
Fu Xi Yan fell silent, almost as though he were protesting without words. The arrival of a successor meant the previous holder would be leaving. Most people loved reunions more than partings, and he was no exception.
“Actually, if Zhao Tong Qu hadn’t been so hopelessly beyond redemption… he would have been an excellent candidate.” Jing Luo had tolerated Zhao Tong Qu for so long partly because he had valued his competence. Unfortunately, the man had never found his way back.
Fu Xi Yan disagreed. A leopard couldn’t change its spots. Judging by Zhao Tong Qu’s character, even if you gave him another five hundred years, he’d never accompany the Tang Monk on his pilgrimage to the West.
They were still talking when the disciple leading the way abruptly disappeared. Pei Yuan Jin reached for the man’s clothes, but managed only to tear off a scrap of fabric.
Fu Xi Yan muttered, “We’d better find him quickly. Not only has he vanished, he’s also out there in ripped clothes. He could catch a cold.”
Pei Yuan Jin: “…”
“We should stick closer together now. Don’t get separated.” Fu Xi Yan linked arms with Pei Yuan Jin, then reached toward Jing Luo.
Jing Luo glanced at Pei Yuan Jin and stepped back in front of Yan Xie.
Yan Xie tilted his head toward Jing Luo. “Do you want me to take your arm, or will you take mine?”
Jing Luo was about to answer when Fu Xi Yan said, “Mei Xia Ying’s gone.”
Sure enough, the space behind Yan Xie was empty.
Watching people vanish one after another beside him reminded Fu Xi Yan of horror films. In a world fundamentally built around cultivation, ghosts really ought to exist. Even though he knew a formation was responsible, he couldn’t stop himself from trembling.
Pei Yuan Jin held his hand, felt how cold it was becoming, and couldn’t resist sending true qi into him.
Fu Xi Yan practically tried to crawl into his arms. “Hold me. Don’t let the ghosts take me away.”
Pei Yuan Jin said, “…There aren’t any ghosts.”
Fu Xi Yan replied, “There are in my heart.”
Jing Luo suddenly summoned the Myriad Buddha Seal.
“Nang! Mo! San! Man! Duo!”
Shimmering golden characters flew out of the Myriad Buddha Seal, striking the surrounding air one by one.
Fu Xi Yan activated the Spirit-Sight Art and saw the spiritual qi in the air ripple like water, sending out tiny sparkling waves before rapidly gathering together again.
Then, immediately afterward…
“Mu! Tuo! Nan!”
As those three syllables emerged, the scenery around them suddenly spun and twisted.
Fu Xi Yan hurriedly reached out and hugged Pei Yuan Jin.
Pei Yuan Jin had already drawn the Crimson Dragon King. Dozens of streaks of red light burst forth in an instant, their crossing sword auras weaving a beautiful, enormous net that swept across the surrounding space.
The distorted scenery seemed to pause for an instant. The sword auras carved it into hundreds of pieces, but were gradually absorbed. The landscape returned to its original appearance, except that Jing Luo and Yan Xie, who had been standing beside them, had disappeared as well.
Fu Xi Yan turned and placed Pei Yuan Jin’s hands on his shoulders, patting him. “Climb on. I’ll carry you.” After thinking it through, he decided this position would keep them in close contact without interfering with Pei Yuan Jin’s sword strikes.
Pei Yuan Jin rested his hands on his shoulders and exerted a little force. Suddenly, Fu Xi Yan found himself flung onto Pei Yuan Jin’s back instead.
…
Well, that worked too.
Fu Xi Yan, never one to be fussy, raised his legs and gripped Pei Yuan Jin around the waist, then wrapped both arms around his neck. “What do we do now?”
Pei Yuan Jin slowly raised his sword. “Break the formation.”