Chapter 179 Shadows in the Dark (1/2)
”Demon Lord?”
It was a tale that Xiao Chen had heard of since entering the Violet Manor; legend has it that the battle between Immortals and Devils thousands of years ago had seen the Demon Lord released a terrible surge of power so vast that the entire domain of Demons collapsed. Was this the same Demon Lord that the old man was referring to?
”Yes! The invincible Demon Lord who stormed and wreaked havoc in the Heavens and the Underworld. What an impressive feat! It took the combined strength of the Lord Buddha and both Emperors of the Heavens and Nether to subdue and seal him.”
Xiao Chen made no response. He was not interested in old fairy tales and legends. He tugged at Murong Xian'er's hand to leave, but she was deeply fascinated with the story and urged the old man to tell her more.
Another young man came over. Xiao Chen eyed him warily, wondering if he was equally enthralled by the old man's story or Xian'er's beauty. ”The Demon Lord had attained Buddhahood then. But the news of the massacre of his subjects in his domain by the Heavenly Hosts infuriated him so greatly that he returned to his domain and waged war against the Heavenly Emperor...”
”Wow! Is he really so strong?!” Murong Xian'er uttered with amazement, captivated by the tale.
Xiao Chen groaned. Why was Xian'er so interested in these stories? ”All right, Xian'er,” he said to her, ”That's enough. We should not be keeping the good old man away from his business.”
Xiao Chen dragged her off with him and they continued sightseeing until the hour grew late. Murong Xian'er was still filled with fiery vim as she raved and ranted for them to go on. They passed by a street hawker selling dumplings. Being a practitioner of arcane magic, Xiao Chen no longer needed regular sustenance of food daily. But Murong Xian'er had been having so much fun; she had not eaten the whole day. ”Xian'er, are you hungry?” Xiao Chen asked.
”Nope!” Murong Xian'er replied, giggling brightly, ”I don't need food actually.”
Xian Chen had long understood that Xian'er was not ordinary. But what was she actually and where did she come from? They continued strolling until Xian'er suddenly exclaimed, ”My legs are sore, Big Brother! Carry me on your back!”
Xiao Chen emitted another groaning smile and lifted her on his back. They returned to their room in the inn. But Xiao Chen's senses alerted him that someone had entered their room during their absence. ”Xian'er?” He called her gently, but there was no answer. She must already have been tired, he mused. He placed her gently on her bed. He projected his spiritual senses and immediately found something stirring in the corner of the room. It was a mark that could only be left with the magic of a Cultivator.
Someone has found us, he thought quietly. All of a sudden, Murong Xian'er called to him, ”What is wrong, Big Brother?”
Xiao Chen immediately turned and walked to her, smiling tenderly to her. ”Everything's fine, dear sister,” he cooed gently to her, ”You're tired. Have some rest.” And he put on a blanket for her.
”All right, good night, Big Brother.”
The room was furnished with two beds. Xiao Chen moved to his bed. He resisted the urge to erase the magical mark, opting to wait and observe if their pursuers have any more tricks up their sleeves.
For the entire night, he waited until the wee hours of the morning, where he heard furtive whispers coming from the roof. He projected his Divine Sense again and found two strangers, both clad in black garb, watching them. One of them muttered softly, ”Is this the place?” They were hardly powerful foes, Xiao Chen realized, possessing only powers of the Foundation Building Realm.
”The spotter has left his mark here. There is no mistaking it,” said another as he slowly pried open one of the tiles from the roof.
”Heh heh heh! Look! He's sleeping like log! It's good! I'll go down now and end him!”
”Wait! Don't be brash! It's better to first wait for the Elders and take him down together.”