72 Returning to the mis (1/2)

”Allow me,” Huo Tang took in a deep breath and spat out a ball of fire. The divine flame, unlike the little glowing spirit light, devoured the fog around it and lit enough a small space ahead. It still wasn't enough to make out the manor cradled within the cave but at least they were able to see the rocky path beneath their feet as they walked.

”Do you think this is the same? As Zu Village?” Yuan Xuelan clicked his tongue in annoyance. They never did get the chance to uncover the origin of some of the mysteries encountered there.

”Yes.” Liu Sumeng was dead certain. This had to be related. It had to be the same demon that set up the fog back then. And perhaps the man with the butterfly mask as well. There was still a detail he found strange though.

The masked man was undoubtedly human, and the fog was most definitely a demon technique. What was their relationship? Perhaps the masked man was a person from the Seven Moons sect. Somehow, that didn't seem right either…

As they approached the manor, growls were made louder and louder. A gray hand reached out from the mist and Liu Sumeng barely flinched as he drew Mingshui. The corpse fell at his feet, arm severed.

Nan Chang squeaked and clutched Yuan Xuelan harder, ”W-what was that!”

”A corpse,” Yuan Xuelan answered with a trembling voice. Dread weighed down on him. The Hidden Mist Manor had been one of his childhood sanctuaries. It was a place he called home even when it wasn't. And the realization that this sacred place had been violated and destroyed was slowly dawning on him. The feeling of urgency had him quicken his pace, dragging a reluctant Nan Chang along. ”Quick, let's hurry!”

Liu Sumeng nodded and followed after. However Huo Tang was only able to spew out a few more of those fireballs before she was too exhausted to do more, ”It seems this divine one has done her duty. Now, if you'll excuse me, I shall have my beauty sleep!”

”You did well,” The Ivory Sword Saint stroked her little head before she chirped pleasantly and ducked back down under his robes.

Yuan Xuelan would have rolled his eyes if he wasn't so busy knocking at the gate, ”If anyone's in there, open up! Open up, dammit!”

He knocked and knocked and there was the sound of groaning and shuffling on the other side. The gates didn't budge.

Yuan Xuelan reached for Silei's hilt. But it was at that moment, the gates creaked open, letting out more ominous energy from within. Yuan Xuelan marched forth. But it took only three steps before rotting fingers were scratching and groping for him. Cursing, he drew Silei and brandished its power, cleaving the corpse in half with roaring thunder. Surrounding fiends fell as well even though Yuan Xuelan had not specifically aimed at them. They fell victim to Silei's brute strength.

But his booming attack and only attracted more corpses their way. Yuan Xuelan could hear the ground rumbling with marching feet and he shouted at the ghouls to bring it on.

Nan Chang cowered behind the two men, too scared to make a move. Her cultivation might have been low, but truly, she wasn't an invalid! However, her ability was one best used at a distance, and with the dense fog around them she had no way of pinpointing her targets! Even sounds were heard distorted, making their origins difficult to determine.

Liu Sumeng wore an expression of calm. He was unconcerned by these lowly corpses and could cut through them with his eyes closed, sound-distorting fog or not. He was, however, concerned about their visibility and also what had transpired down here at the Hidden Mist Manor. ”We need to find the flags,” he urged.

”Yeah!” Yuan Xuelan agreed, ”But how the heck are we supposed to find them!?” He cursed under his breath. He had many tools and treasures that could pinpoint demonic energy but the fog itself was conjured with such! It'd be impossible to find the flags.

But a voice cut through the mist and startled them, ”I know how!”

Yuan Xuelan thought he heard wrong. ”Peng-ge!?” He shouted. But more corpses were grappling for his attention so he was forced to focus on them instead.

Liu Sumeng did not allow himself to be distracted by the curious development and said to Yuan Xuelan, ”Don't make too much noise. Let's finish off this area.”

”Got it!” Yuan Xuelan replied with a shout but he was obediently quieter with his movements afterward. Their blades danced until there were no more groaning nor more corpses coming their way.

They waited in silence, not moving an inch just to be sure that there were no more fiends coming from the shadows. Nan Chang's voice was trembling, ”I-Is it over?”

”Peng-ge!” Yuan Xuelan called, ”Are you there? Dammit, did I imagine his voice?”

No, Liu Sumeng definitely heard it too. And unlike Yuan Xuelan who called out eagerly, he couldn't help but be full of suspicion.

”I'm here!” Peng Jipei's soft voice replied. A set of footsteps came closer until they slowed, ”Uh, please don't cleave me in two!”

Yuan Xuelan lowered his sword, ”Yeah, don't worry.”

A thin hand reached out to grab his and Peng Jipei's face became clearer up close. There was a bright spirit light above him, but the light was unable to travel far. ”I know where to go. Let's hurry!”

Even in the heavy fog and darkness, Yuan Xuelan could see that his cousin was a lot more energetic and lively than when he last saw him. He had a lot of questions but he was also just happy to see that Peng Jipei was doing much better than before.