The solidified black mist allowed me to recognize the opponent immediately.
It was the Crow Daoist.
Just as I'd seen him last.
Although his body was solidified this time, it still appeared illusory.
Black smoke continued to emanate from his body...
This was merely a smoke spirit medium, not the Crow Daoist's true form.
However, the breaking of the soul-capturing curse on me had caused this Crow Daoist to reveal himself.
"Demon Daoist!"
I couldn't help but exclaim.
The Crow Daoist turned to look at us. He showed no significant reaction upon seeing me.
However, when he saw Qingdai beside me, a look of shock appeared on his face.
His eyes clearly flickered.
He then spoke in surprise:
"Are you, Princess Jiusheng?"
"Indeed!"
Qingdai answered directly without reservation.
Upon hearing this, the Crow Daoist seemed to become somewhat excited. He spoke in a hoarse voice:
"Hahaha, I never expected.
That it was you, Princess, behind this young man.
This humble Daoist offers his apologies."
Having said that, the demon Daoist respectfully cupped his hands towards Qingdai.
Qingdai looked down at him and said coldly:
"Who is your master?"
When Qingdai inquired, the Crow Daoist merely chuckled twice:
"My master is Commander Feihu, Liang Lin."
Upon hearing this name, I recalled hearing about it from storytellers in my childhood.
"Romance of the Eastern Han, The Stratagem to Eliminate General Feihu."
The General Feihu mentioned there was indeed called Liang Lin.
Storytellers said that Liang Lin was a general during the Xin Dynasty in the early Eastern Han period.
He was skilled in wielding a large silver hammer.
He could fight a hundred men single-handedly, appearing unstoppable.
He was a formidable general under Wang Mang of the Xin Dynasty.
Hearing this name, Qingdai's eyes filled with murderous intent:
"Hmph! A treacherous wretch.
Go back and tell him he will not meet a good end."
The Crow Daoist still cupped his fists:
"Princess Jiusheng, I will surely deliver your message.
But I also have a word for the Princess.
Our sect is destined to rise in this era, to reshape Yin and Yang.
And to re-establish the Xin Dynasty.
We hope the Princess will not attempt to hold back the tide, and will not oppose me and the Youming Sect."
Qingdai looked at him and gave a cold laugh:
"You will not succeed!"
A twisted, eerie smile spread across the Crow Daoist's face:
"Princess, let us wait and see!
This humble Daoist takes his leave!"
With that, the Crow Daoist brought his hands together.
He formed a sword finger seal.
And muttered:
"Disperse!"
The next second, his already illusory black mist body instantly exploded and dissipated.
Vanishing from all our sights.
From the Crow Daoist's appearance until now.
Aside from a glance at me upon his arrival.
His attention was focused on Qingdai the entire time.
Perhaps in his eyes, I was just a petty nobody.
However, from today's conversation and encounter, I had learned too many secret histories.
The hidden forces behind the Youming Sect, and their actual controller.
What also surprised me was the immense ambition of the Youming Sect.
A group of ghosts actually wished to re-establish a kingdom in the mortal realm.
Seeing the Crow Daoist disappear, I spoke to Qingdai:
"Qingdai, is this Liang Lin the mastermind behind the Youming Sect?"
Qingdai shook her head upon my inquiry:
"No, he is merely a general under the rebel.
The Youming Sect's influence is far greater than we imagine."
"Then how will you deal with them?"
I asked with concern.
But Qingdai smiled:
"They have their forces, and I have mine.
Enough of this.
You should focus on your cultivation and mind your own business.
With me here, I will not let the remnants of the Xin Dynasty harm you."
Hearing this, my heart felt incredibly warm.
I also gained a new understanding of Qingdai.
It felt as if Qingdai was not as simple as she appeared on the surface.
But none of that mattered.
After all, Qingdai had protected me for twenty years; she had been kind to me.
Furthermore, her enemy was the Youming Sect, which had harmed my master.
We were already irreconcilable with the Youming Sect.
I really wanted to say: I will help you deal with them.
But then I thought about how weak my cultivation was.
I could barely protect myself now, how could I help Qingdai?
The words on my lips were swallowed back down.
I simply nodded at Qingdai.
Seeing that Qingdai did not wish to discuss these matters further.
I shifted the topic to Mo Ting.
Because Old Mo, like me, had also been afflicted by the soul-capturing curse.
If the soul-capturing curse took hold, Old Mo would also lose his life.
I wanted to ask Qingdai to help Old Mo one more time.
When Qingdai heard me, she directly handed me the Yin Gathering Pearl:
"Take this back. Your master can also break that soul-capturing curse upon seeing this item."
I was very grateful for Qingdai's generosity.
I thanked her.
Qingdai, however, shook her head and said it was nothing.
She also added that we were friends and I didn't need to thank her.
I paused for a moment, then nodded.
Afterward, Qingdai gestured for me to drink more tea, lest it go to waste.
I took the Yin Gathering Pearl, saying I would return it after using it.
Then I sat in the Jiusheng Pavilion and drank a few more sips of tea.
The more I drank, the better the tea tasted.
And after drinking it, I felt a warmth spread through my body.
I drank several bowls in succession.
Somehow, I drifted off into a hazy sleep...
When I awoke again.
I found myself lying on a large bluestone in a gully.
Weeds grew all around, and rows of paper figures lay toppled haphazardly.
The grand residences, pavilions, and towers I had seen last night had long since vanished without a trace...