Chapter 119: Jackals

Jiao Na, a woman wielding a sharp blade, single-handedly slew more than a dozen mountain bandits without flinching, blood splattered yet her expression remained unchanged. Lu Xiyue found nothing unacceptable about this; she had previously encountered extraordinary figures and martial experts in the Bird Parlor, well aware that the world harbored hidden talents.

Having met many people, Lu Xiyue could tell at a glance that Mr. Huangfu was no ordinary commoner or wealthy man. With such a father, having a daughter with extraordinary skills was only natural. What truly surprised her was Jiao Na’s ruthless efficiency in killing bandits—striking them down as easily as one would kill chickens—a stark contrast to her charming and alluring appearance.

Yet, driven by her hatred for bandits, Lu Xiyue felt that Jiao Na’s actions were justified. After all, she herself had once wounded someone—a righteous act against evil cannot be boasted about. To eliminate harm for the people, even killing can be virtuous!

Lu Xiyue’s difficult upbringing had long shaped her distinct and unwavering sense of justice.

Though she accepted Jiao Na’s concealed talents, seeing her now quarreling back and forth with a bird unsettled Lu Xiyue. Her eyes fixed on the bird, she found it utterly astonishing.

It was normal for parrots to mimic speech; the Bird Parlor housed several cages of parrots and mynas, all carefully trained to imitate human words. Due to their environment, they would occasionally utter humorous and crude phrases that brought laughter:

“Young master, you’re so naughty, touching me there…”

“Sir, don’t tease me, please… mm-hmm…”

Such expressions never failed to bring a smile.

However, even the smartest parrots in the world could only mimic words—they struggled to engage in complex conversational contexts, especially with such fluent and natural human-like interaction. Could such a bird still be called just a bird?

Seeing Lu Xiyue’s astonished expression, Jiao Na smiled and introduced, “Sister Lu, this is Song Niang, a very clever and extraordinary bird. We only learned you had been captured here thanks to her.”

The single word “extraordinary” explained many unimaginable things.

Lu Xiyue examined Song Niang with delight. She had often seen this bird in Hu Village and once praised it. She never expected Song Niang not only spoke but was remarkably perceptive. Indeed, escaping this predicament owed much to Song Niang’s help.

“Song Niang, thank you.”

Song Niang fluttered her wings and perched on Lu Xiyue’s fragrant shoulder, opening her beak to say, “Sister Lu, no need to thank me. Song Niang likes you very much and wouldn’t let bad people bully you.”

Jiao Na chuckled, “Song Niang, don’t get the wrong idea. Sister Lu already has someone special.”

Song Niang immediately flicked her tail and said with a haughty tone, “I know, but I will definitely defeat him!”

Lu Xiyue nearly spat out her food, luckily not eating at the moment.

Jiao Na pursed her lips, “You think you can beat my master? Dream on! One stroke from his pen and your white eyebrows will turn black.”

“Caw! I’m so scared!” Song Niang flapped her wings and flew off again—she had to monitor the mountain men’s movements.

Seeing Lu Xiyue’s flushed face, Jiao Na said, “Sister Lu, Song Niang is powerful just with her mouth…”

Lu Xiyue suddenly whispered, “By the way, is she male or female?”

Hearing this, Jiao Na burst into laughter, tears streaming down her face, “Sister Lu, with a name like Song Niang, she’s obviously female!”

Hmm, Lu Xiyue’s question could become a secret weapon to tease Song Niang someday, Jiao Na thought.

Flutter flutter.

Song Niang returned, her expression somewhat serious—though judging a bird’s expression was something only Jiao Na could discern.

“What’s wrong?”

Perching on Jiao Na’s shoulder, Song Niang said, “Five people have arrived, one of them a Taoist priest.”

“A Taoist priest?”

Jiao Na raised her delicate brows, “Could it be that Zhang the Celestial Master?”

The story of Zhang the Celestial Master, an attendant of Magistrate Li who set up a ritual altar, conjured wind and rain, and slew a giant serpent with a flying sword, had long spread through Suzhou. Though no serpent corpse was found, the extensive signs of battle made the situation clear. Zhang had explained that he miscalculated the serpent’s century-old cultivation; the sword only wounded it. Still, the serpent was severely injured and would never emerge to harm again.

He spoke with great sorrow, but in truth, he was under tight orders from Magistrate Li and worried that his lie might be exposed.

Zhang naturally knew nothing of the events in the southern hills. His real name was Zhang Ziran, who had once apprenticed at Dragon and Tiger Mountain’s outer sect but lacked the resolve and patience to follow the Taoist path. After six months, he abandoned the austere life.

Before leaving, he obtained a “Ghost Messenger Summoning Token” through special connections. With this token, able to summon a ghost messenger through minor magic, Zhang thrived in Jiangzhou, proclaiming himself a Celestial Master and heading the Chaotian Temple. However, after being persuaded by Wu Wencai to attempt framing Chen Jianchen, he encountered Chen’s righteous literary aura, which destroyed the token and ended his shameless tricks.

Zhang harbored deep hatred for the unknown Chen Jianchen, blaming him for cutting off his income—a grudge he could not forgive.

Yet, he could do nothing against Chen. He only knew Chen’s residence in Jiangzhou, never having seen the man himself.

Zhang wasted his ill-gotten gains on lavish living to evade Wu Wencai’s pursuit, moving from place to place until his funds dried up after several nights along the Suzhou River.

Seeing his empty purse deepened his hatred for Chen Jianchen. He decided to hire an assassin to infiltrate Jiangzhou and kill Chen, to vent his grudge.

Before that, Zhang needed to solve his immediate problems, and hearing Magistrate Li was generous and fond of befriending extraordinary people, he sought him out.

After hearing Zhang’s self-promotion, Li Yifeng immediately tasked him with posting the official notice ordering the government to kill the serpent. Caught in a dilemma, Zhang agreed to set up the ritual, hoping to escape Suzhou soon.

But Li Yifeng was not to be fooled, keeping a close watch on Zhang and sending men to the southern hills to search for the serpent’s corpse.

Zhang was miserable, thinking his deception would be exposed. Yet, he never expected the searchers’ report would far exceed his expectations.

Consequently, he earned Magistrate Li’s great trust, became a genuine honored guest, and received a handsome reward.

The whole process felt like a dream.

But Zhang knew his own affairs. Before uncovering the serpent’s fate, he decided to leave Li’s mansion, lay low for a while, and if the serpent didn’t reappear, he could return boldly and establish a second Chaotian Temple in Suzhou.

Thus, Zhang told Li Yifeng he needed to visit Dragon and Tiger Mountain.

Li Yifeng did not object but requested Zhang accompany him on a nighttime mountain trip before leaving.

Zhang didn’t know why Li would go to the mountain at dusk but was smart enough not to ask. After all, by the next day, he would abscond with a fortune.

Besides Zhang, Li Yifeng brought three burly trusted guards, two of whom carried his small, soft sedan chair.

The winding mountain path resembled an endless giant serpent stretching upward. It was winter, and the silence was deep—no insects chirping in the cold air.

Li Yifeng closed his eyes, resting inside the sedan chair, thoughts of Lu Xiyue’s pitiable yet lovely face quickening his heartbeat.

As a seasoned man of pleasure with status, Li Yifeng had high standards for women. In recent years, few had stirred his heart.

Without doubt, Lu Xiyue was one of them. Her noble Lu family blood added an extra thrill.

Thinking so, Li Yifeng felt a certain restlessness within.

Having already investigated the relationship between Lu Xiyue and Mr. Huangfu, he learned there was no deep connection; Huangfu might not stand up for Lu Xiyue. Even if he did intervene, his influence over both legitimate and illicit channels would not yield results quickly.

Human effort has limits, but time was on Li’s side.

After tonight, Lu Xiyue would be gone without a trace. Neither the authorities nor Huangfu could find any clues. Besides, she was just a lonely courtesan without relatives to seek justice—who would persist in pursuing her case?

Suddenly, the sedan chair halted.

Had they arrived at Chicken Crest Cave?

Li Yifeng was about to ask when a guard’s voice called out, “Master, there’s a wolf!”

A wolf?

Li Yifeng raised the curtain and saw a gray-brown wolf squatting in the middle of the mountain path, its triangular eyes coldly fixed on them.

In this desolate wilderness at dusk, a wolf on the path was not unusual, but Li Yifeng was annoyed.

He shouted at the guard, “If there’s a wolf blocking the way, why haven’t you acted? Must I fight it myself?”

The guard nervously drew his waist sword and strode forward.

Unexpectedly, the wolf did not flee but stood on its hind legs, baring sharp fangs, and spoke in a voice that was both eerie and girlish:

“I built this mountain, I planted this tree:
If you pass this way, leave your life and wealth!”

Clang!

Suddenly, the guard’s sword slipped from his grasp and fell to the ground.