The Mirror Legacy

Chapter 1187: Inquiring (I)

Floating South territory.

The formations atop the various peaks were already being repaired. The land that had once been choked with black smoke now looked far more orderly. The Golden Tang Gate had only come this time out of necessity and held no intent to burn or plunder. The common folk below had suffered little and were now gathered at the foot of the mountains, rebuilding the villages that had been razed to the ground.

A streak of golden radiance flew across the sky and transformed into a young man in the robes of a scholar. His face held deep worry. He rode the light swiftly and soon stopped at the edge of the Floating South territory.

Cui Jueyin had been searching for more than half a year. He had ridden his Radiant Light across the entire territory ever since Ding Weizeng disappeared. Yet the jade pendant at his waist showed no reaction at all. He searched westward to the great desert, then eastward all the way to the Eastern Sea, and even secretly passed through Golden Tang Gate and the Capital Immortal Dao to the north, yet found no trace whatsoever.

He had no choice but to ride the light back, half his heart already cold.

Cui Jueyin knew Ding Weizeng well. He was a truly fine person, and more importantly, both men had been personally promoted by Li Ximing. They had been trusted by the Daoist Master and stood on the same side. Ding Weizeng was a pillar level Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, and Cui Jueyin naturally refused to slack off in saving him. This time, he had done everything he could.

He returned to the Floating South territory in low spirits. He felt uncomfortable returning to the lake for the moment, so he instead landed on the main Floating South peak. The cultivators below did not know him personally, but they recognized his appearance and came forward to say, “Lord Cui, the lake has sent Lord Qu to handle matters. He has been sorting out the spirit fields these days and happens to be free. He is in the hall now.”

Cui Jueyin then made his way to the hall. He found the old man seated inside, draped in rather ornate robes, holding a box of soil in his hands and examining it closely.

Cui Jueyin greeted him, “Senior Qu.”

Qu Buzhi immediately rose and hurried forward. The old man sighed and said, “Lord Cui, I have been waiting for you. There is quite a bit of work on the lake… were you able to bring Weizeng back?”

Qu Buzhi had been very close to Ding Weizeng. He always addressed him as Weizeng with the attitude of an elder speaking to a junior, so he was extremely anxious about this matter. The first thing he asked was for news.

When he saw Cui Jueyin shake his head, his expression darkened, and he spoke softly, “He should be unharmed. The life jade on the lake has grown dim, but it has not changed. As long as he was not harmed by someone from the Purple Mansion Realm, Weizeng should simply be in seclusion somewhere.”

Cui Jueyin thought for a moment and said, “There is still another method. The North Brocade River King… is there any news of him now? Demonic creatures fill the three rivers. Perhaps we can ask him to inquire.”

The old man could not help sighing at the mention of that demonic creature before answering, “I had already thought of him. That old demon is either crafty or simply careless. Two years ago he went to offer birthday wishes to the Xu Water Demon King, and vanished after that. Those who tried to contact him… their messages have piled up in the river palace with no reply.”

“The Xu Water Demon King?” Cui Jueyin had been born in the outer-sea, and the moment he heard this, he grasped the implication and frowned. He said, “I know this Xu Water Demon King. He supposedly once accompanied the Dragon King to Chongzhou Island. I have never heard of him being extravagant. Even if the feast lasted a year or so, it should be long finished. I will go ask.”

He had formed a rough idea. After receiving the message token from Qu Buzhi, he immediately rushed toward White River Stream. After travelling more than half the way, he dove into the riverbed and thought, For someone as important as the Xu Water Demon King to cooperate by using a birthday banquet as an excuse to lead him away… it must be to avoid dragging the North Brocade River King into this. Ultimately, the Dragon Clan refuses to act upon matters in the mainland.

Cui Jueyin saw the situation clearly. Although the Dragon Clan had shown signs of retreat, it did not mean the rumored connections were baseless. It was precisely because the ties were real that a Purple Mansion Realm demonic creature like the Xu Water Demon King had moved to assist.

If those rumors were entirely groundless, the North Brocade River King could have simply remained here openly. Even if someone came to seek aid, he could refuse to meet them. Why bother going so far? If I am to learn any news about the Daoist Master and the family head, I must depend on this flood dragon.

With everything already clear in his mind, he acted more boldly. When he arrived before the palace, a fish demon emerged. Cui Jueyin had some experience dealing with such beings, and after a few quick words, the demonic creature said, “Our great king returned only this morning and was about to send a reply. My lord, please enter.”

Cui Jueyin walked in without hesitation. The palace was truly splendid, and gilded in every direction. The demonic creatures here had no sense of restraint. The grand stairway beneath the main hall was lavishly crafted from gold and spirit items, leading all the way up into the hall.

There he saw a tall, dignified man wearing a stone-blue embroidered brocade coat, with a white-fur cloak painted with the blue sea. If not for the faintly glowing azure scales on his neck, he would have looked just like a sect master.

He lowered his gaze and gave his name. “I, the minor cultivator Cui Jueyin, pay respects to the North Brocade River King.”

The man flicked his robe, descended the steps, and said with a smile, “From Chongzhou Island?”

“Exactly.”

One was of the demonic creature clans, a servant of the Dragon Clan. The other came from an esteemed family of the outer-sea, a descendant of Chongzhou. Both had high insight, knew many secrets, and were both subordinate to the Dragon Clan. When man and demon faced each other, much was exchanged without a word.

The North Brocade River King, Ying Hebai, guided him to a seat and said softly, “Chongzhou is also under the White Dragon’s lineage. Back then, the Dragon King agreed to this matter together with my king, forming a karmic bond. Our Xu Water line is close to yours. We are all one family.”

Cui Jueyin replied with a warm smile. “Of course.”

He realized that Ying Hebai knew quite a lot and nodded inwardly. Ying Hebai then spoke in a low voice, “I only learned of Brother Chenghui’s fall after returning to the mainland. Even had I been here then, I could have done nothing. On this matter, I must ask Lord Cui to speak a few kind words on my behalf.

“I am only a marginal figure. I can lend some support and pass messages, but I cannot help more than that. I have been waiting for you. From now on, anything further must rely on the personal ties between you and me.”

Cui Jueyin naturally nodded and replied, “Everyone on the lake saw this coming. In the past, even Situ Tang of the Purple Mansion Realm suffered the peril of being besieged. Xiao Chuting achieved divine abilities yet remained trapped in the Eastern Sea. Moongaze Lake would not be an exception. For the Daoist Master to escape to the outer-sea already counts as the best possible outcome.”

Seeing Ying Hebai nod, he then asked quietly, “We have also faced targeted attacks in recent years. The matter of the White Qilin entering the sea has weighed heavily on my mind. I wonder if the great king has heard any news?”

Ying Hebai shook his head. “There is no need to worry. Since he used Sword Gate’s rigid morality to preserve his life, cut down Situ Mo, and then fled toward the Eastern Sea, it will be hard for trouble to reach him again. The awkward one now is Chengyan. According to our Demon King, that fellow has terrible relations with others. Everyone dislikes him. With Changxiao gone, he will not dare approach the Eastern Sea.”

Cui Jueyin understood immediately. Much of his anxiety eased, and he asked, “What about the Daoist Master?”

Ying Hebai answered at once, “I was in the Unison Sea at the time and do not know the details.”

Whether Ying Hebai truly knew or not, he had surely heard something. His clear reluctance showed it. Realizing this, Cui Jueyin wisely stopped asking and instead cupped his hands, saying, “We must still trouble the Demon King to check for us and help locate a certain fellow cultivator.”

Ying Hebai finally smiled and replied, “I have good news for you. Fellow Daoist Ding is currently cultivating and healing here in my palace.”