Chapter 24
Several incense sticks earlier-
The demon beast whose face was hidden beneath a veiled hat was stroking the creature in his arms. The panda’s eyes narrowed in bliss as it exposed its belly and purred.
This was the scene Jiang Yibai encountered when he arrived.
He did not know that Yu Tai had gone to help the others. He had merely found several sweet-smelling fruits along the way and selected the finest ones to give her.
Since Yu Tai was not there, he should have turned and left.
Yet, as though possessed, he walked over anyway, his gaze fixed on the demon beast that made him so uncomfortable.
Sensing his approach, both demon beasts raised their heads at once.
The black-and-white one extended a paw toward him and bared its teeth in warning, as though telling him not to come any closer.
Jiang Yibai ignored it. He stopped a short distance away. “You can speak, can’t you?”
After spending the past several days together, he could clearly tell that this demon beast was highly intelligent. It had even roasted meat for Yu Tai once. If it truly could not speak, that would be far too suspicious.
At Jiang Yibai’s question, Shu Li unhurriedly lifted Xia Mo from his body, set it down, and walked toward him.
It was strange. Jiang Yibai could sense no killing intent from this demon beast. Its footsteps were even as heavy as a mortal’s. But as it approached-
Every step seemed to land directly on Jiang Yibai’s heart, stirring inexplicable panic and fear. Something deep within his body even began to throb faintly.
Jiang Yibai, the Qingshan Sword Sect’s newly risen genius, stood frozen as though nailed to the spot.
Only when the other man stopped before him did Jiang Yibai realize that this seemingly slender demon beast was actually several inches taller. He had to tilt his head back to meet its gaze.
The crushing sense of oppression reminded him, in a daze, of Senior Brother Shu Li-the true peerless genius and darling of the heavens who had colluded with a demonic cultivator and fallen into the demonic path.
At some point, one long, jade-like hand had settled on the area below his chest, directly over the center of his Dao foundation.
Whatever came to Jiang Yibai’s mind drained his face corpse-white. His pupils lost focus, and sweat beaded on his forehead.
The person before him suddenly gave a quiet laugh.
It was only a brief sound, yet Jiang Yibai heard unmistakable mockery in it. He snapped back to his senses in a fury, seized the hand against his chest, and flung it aside.
He never expected the person before him to be so frail. Jiang Yibai had used only ordinary force, yet a clear crack sounded, and the man collapsed to the ground.
While Jiang Yibai stood stunned, a young woman’s voice rang out behind him, full of concern and anger.
The memory ended there.
Jiang Yibai found Wen Shu and asked him a question.
“Are demon beasts in human form as fragile as mortals?”
Wen Shu did not understand why he would suddenly ask such a question, but seeing the terrible state of Jiang Yibai’s face, he refrained from asking. He simply answered, “Impossible. Even the lowest rat demon, once it can take human form, is physically beyond any human. Or rather-”
“There is no comparison at all.”
…
Thunder boomed across the sky. Dark clouds packed the heavens, blocking almost every trace of light.
Yu Tai knew the downpour was about to begin.
There was no telling how many people or other living beings this natural disaster would claim.
She brought Shu Li up into the shelter they had built.
A few days earlier, there would not have been nearly enough space inside. But after several days of hell, the Qingshan Sword Sect disciples had lost almost half their number.
There was more than enough room now.
Yu Tai prepared herself to remain here for several days. She sat cross-legged and listened to the commotion outside grow louder.
Xia Mo, which had rested quietly between Yu Tai and Shu Li ever since entering, suddenly let out a pained whimper.
Yu Tai looked over, her heart tightening.
The panda that had been perfectly healthy moments ago now lay listlessly on the floor. A trace of blackened blood spilled from its mouth, and its four limbs twitched faintly.
Shu Li noticed its condition as well and was about to speak when Yu Tai suddenly called, “Senior Sister Li, something seems to be wrong with my demon beast. Could you take a look?”
Senior Sister Li was a disciple of Medicine Peak and the only real healer in the group. At Yu Tai’s request, she walked over.
But after a single glance, she recoiled several steps and cried in horror, “Black Plague poison! It’s contagious!”
Her words immediately caused an uproar.
“Junior Sister! Get away from that demon beast! Its poison is contagious. Even cultivators have died after becoming infected!”
“Black Plague poison hides inside Black Plague Fruit. The fruit smells and tastes no different from any ordinary fruit, but its toxicity only activates after consumption. Once symptoms appear, the poison begins spreading rapidly within the time it takes an incense stick to burn! It vanished completely after an outbreak a century ago. I never expected it to appear in this tiny secret realm!”
Only after Senior Sister Li finished did Yu Tai understand the severity of the situation.
Nothing like this had ever happened in the original novel.
The cultivators who had been meditating and resting inside the shelter had all risen. They stood warily at a distance and looked at Xia Mo in fear.
The suffering Xia Mo seemed to have heard them. It struggled to crawl aside, apparently wanting to distance itself from Yu Tai and Shu Li. But it was too weak. After moving only once, it collapsed helplessly and could no longer budge.
Watching its efforts, Shu Li leaned down and gathered it into his arms.
Jiang Yibai spoke. “Junior Sister, throw it outside.”
“This demon beast may be extraordinarily powerful, but unfortunately, Black Plague poison cannot be cured. Infection means certain death. Once we leave, I’ll find you a better one as compensation.”
Yu Tai rose, took the convulsing Xia Mo from Shu Li’s arms, and stroked its head.
Shu Li stood as well.
“I’m sorry for frightening everyone. We’ll leave immediately.”
Every step she took forward made the others shift away. Jiang Yibai could not help stepping toward her. “Junior Sister! No! I won’t allow it! The downpour is about to begin outside! The rain here is nothing like rain in the outside world. It will kill you! How can you sacrifice yourself for a single demon beast?”
Yu Tai answered expressionlessly, “We can’t remain here and put all of you at risk. And I’m not sacrificing myself for a demon beast. I merely intend to find somewhere else and treat its illness.”
“When someone falls ill, you treat them. What’s wrong with that?”
At her words, the suffering Xia Mo’s eyes grew wet. It called softly, as though telling Yu Tai to leave it behind.
Yu Tai stroked its head and whispered, “Don’t be afraid.”
Jiang Yibai was nearly frantic. “Junior Sister, did you understand what Junior Sister Li said? The poison is not only contagious; it is practically incurable!”
“You said it yourself, Senior Brother Jiang. *Practically*.” Yu Tai sighed.
Then she tilted her head for Shu Li to follow and walked toward the howling winds outside.
Jiang Yibai could not stand by and watch her go to her death. He immediately moved to follow.
But in his urgency, he forgot to watch his back.
Wen Shu caught Jiang Yibai’s limp body and sighed.
The Qingshan Sword Sect’s public face and eldest Senior Brother, or their ornamental-vase Junior Sister.
They knew which one they had to choose.
The only question was how badly he would lose control when he woke.