Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Sevenfold Kara Seal

When Chong Nan received word that Hu Xihe had taken many people and left, he fell silent for a long while. After a while, he saw the others off and returned alone to the Garden of Sorrow.

Hu Xihe’s motives could not be called entirely right, but he had indeed bought the Poison Sect a breath of respite.

So he called for a page and said, "Send people to keep close watch on Hu Xihe. Don’t let him do anything too far out of line."

The page understood what Chong Nan meant. The Poison Sect might have strife, but it could not be destroyed because of one man.

Lowering his head, he asked, "Shall we send men to investigate those two mysterious figures?"

"No need. I will speak with them myself." If things were truly as he suspected, then the matter was no small one.

When the time came, facing catastrophe would not be the Poison Sect alone. I’m afraid the whole Sea of Desire Heaven would be hard pressed to escape this calamity.

Perhaps the people now did not know, but how could the master of a sect fail to understand?

As the page was about to leave, Chong Nan stopped him again and repeated his instructions several times before finally letting him go.

After sending the page away, he paced back and forth in his room. The more he thought, the more he felt it was still not enough. So he left the Garden of Sorrow and headed for Ping Qiu’s Reed Nest.

First, to see how Lan Yu was faring; second, to discuss matters with Ping Qiu. Such a vast affair, if there were no one to share his concern, he could not remain at ease.

At the same time, there is an old saying: good news travels no farther than the gate, while bad news spreads for a thousand leagues.

But now, news of Poison Thousand Hands’ death was spreading far beyond a thousand or ten thousand leagues. It was not because Poison Thousand Hands had any great renown, nor because he had been especially deserving of death.

What shocked everyone was the emergence of the Worm and Chang Chai Zi. The younger generation might not know, but great powers such as the One Palace, Three Houses, and Seven Sects all had their own hidden secrets unknown to others.

When the Immortal Life Gate received the news, Bu Feng, who had always been indifferent, grew deeply furrow-browed. He did not answer when others questioned him, only instructed his disciples to remain in the sect and not go out of the Heavenly Wind Ravine these next days unless necessary.

He also ordered Blood Young Lord and White Egret Child to keep a close watch on Wu Lei, while he himself gathered Bu Shuo and Bu Wen and the others to the Wind and Thunder Hall for discussion.

Spring and Autumn Ink and Brush were no less active. On the Hall of Cultured Virtue, heroes gathered in assembly; Zhi Wu Yi, Poetry Broken Heart, and many unfamiliar faces were all assembled in one place.

As for the remaining factions, aside from the Double Fiend Sect and the Idle Sect, which showed little movement, the others—such as the Medical Sect and the Soul-Subduing Gate—all summoned their disciples to deliberate.

The Medical Sect was still somewhat better off, anxious but not in chaos. After all, if the heavens truly changed one day, whoever sat in power would still have times when healing and saving lives were needed.

The Soul-Subduing Gate, however, was not so easily handled. Just as Xing Yanzong had issued orders to summon the Four Guards to discuss the matter of the Three Evil Ones’ return, Ji Yuntian came to report that Yin had run off again and taken Xue Chanzi with him.

No need to ask; it was clear why that fellow had left.

So men were sent in pursuit at once. Unfortunately, Yin had been prepared. After chasing through several peaks, they lost him completely, unable to find even the faintest trace of his aura. In the end, they had no choice but to return to the sect and report to Xing Yanzong.

Ji Yuntian said, "Master, what should be done? Ever since his defeat at the hands of Baili Suhe last time, Yin’s conduct has grown ever more stubborn.

Where do you think he is headed?"

Xing Yanzong looked through the gauze window. In the courtyard, fallen leaves had gathered beneath the trees. Though deep autumn had not yet arrived, a sudden chill seemed to have crept in all at once.

"If he is going to find Baili Suhe, there may still be a path to life. But if he goes looking for trouble with Hua Zhongying now, then it will be either a wrong turn or a road of no return.

Have Mo Lin and Lu Fei sent word yet?"

"Yes. They said that once they have dealt with matters at hand, they will come over to the Hall of the Zither."

"So. Then you go first to the Nine-Turn Peak of my old friend and tell him I have urgent business and need to see him."

"Yes."

After Ji Yuntian left, even Xing Yanzong could no longer sit still. He touched the black and white stones on the board, silent for a long while.

Judging from the received reports, the ones who rescued Hua Zhongying must indeed have been the Worm and Chang Chai Zi. Only, for some reason, Red Widow had not been seen.

These three had always been inseparable. If they escaped from the Eight Wind Island, there should not have been only two of them. Or had Red Widow already appeared, merely hiding in the shadows without showing herself?

But whatever the case, this was not good news for the Soul-Subduing Gate, much less for the Sea of Desire Heaven.

It had taken tremendous effort to seal these fiends away on Eight Wind Island. Now that two were known to have escaped, what of the others whose whereabouts remained unknown?

Thinking of this, he hurried to open a water mirror, first seeking Bu Feng and then Qiu Shui Wuhen. "Two sect masters, I believe you already know why I have come this time.

Eight Wind Island was sealed through the combined efforts of us all. Yet now, while the seals of our respective sects remain intact, people have come out from the island. On this matter, may I ask what views the two of you hold?"

Bu Feng said, "Back then, the fiends ran rampant, causing the destruction of many sects, and everyone had no choice but to join forces and destroy them. Yet their strength far exceeded expectation.

In the end, there was no option but to seal them away.

However, in that battle, the Zen Sect, which had once stood at the head of the Sea of Desire Heaven, was removed from the stage; South Wanderer Cloud Sea withdrew from the world; and only the Spring and Autumn lineage of the Cultured Mirror and Depths remained to carry on the principles of ritual and law. Although we survived, we were grievously weakened.

Now that the fiends have emerged again, their abilities are certainly far greater than before. It will likely be no easy task to force them back in."

Xing Yanzong sighed. "I think so too. But if the seal has not been damaged, then it is impossible for people to come out.

Back then, when the seal was laid upon Eight Wind Island, it was not only the three of our sects involved. Even if the Zen Sect and South Wanderer are gone, there are still the Demon Realm, the Monster Domain, and others.

Why not the three of us go to Eight Wind Island and investigate? Perhaps we can find the clue."

Qiu Shui Wuhen was silent for a moment, then said, "This is feasible. Still, matters have not reached the point where they cannot be salvaged, so the two of you need not be overly worried.

At present, the only ones known to have appeared are the Worm and Chang Chai Zi. Count Red Widow as well, and there are only three.

They have recuperated in secret for many years, but we have not been idle either. Before the end is reached, how can victory or defeat be spoken of so lightly?

As for everything else, we may as well wait until Eight Wind Island has been revisited before making further plans."

"Then what more is there to say? I will go ahead first and await the two of you at Eight Wind Island."

"Brother Bu, wait a moment. Qiu Shui will go with you."

Xing Yanzong had just been about to speak of going himself when Mo Lin and Lu Fei requested an audience outside, so he could only let the two of them go first and follow shortly after.

He dismissed the water mirror and let the two men in. "I still have urgent matters at the moment. Wait here for my return."

Mo Lin and Lu Fei did not understand what was happening and asked, "Master, what has occurred?"

"It is a long story. While I am gone, the two of you must keep the sect in order. If my old friend arrives, see that you welcome him properly and do not be negligent."

"Yes."

After seeing Xing Yanzong off, the two still could not guess what had happened, so they sat in the Hall of the Zither and quietly waited for Feng Shen to arrive.

Outside Eight Wind Island, three streaks of light arrived one after another.

All three were among the foremost masters of the Sea of Desire Heaven, so their speed need not be mentioned.

Standing above the waves, all three wore grave expressions.

The island’s seal was unchanged from what they knew. The seals of the Immortal Life Gate, Spring and Autumn Ink and Brush, Soul-Subduing Gate, and even those of the Zen Sect, the Monster Domain, and the royal seals led by the One Palace and Three Houses had not loosened in the slightest. Even the Demon Realm’s seal appeared sound and intact.

Back then, the Demon Realm had even lost a realm lord over this matter. It was said that not long after the sealing, that lord had passed away in fragrance and bloom.

Only after several changes of reign did the current realm lord arise, the third after that one. There had been another in between; it was said the former realm lord and the present one were lovers.

As for how he came to power, the intricacies were not something outsiders could know.

Still, since the Demon Realm had lost a realm lord over the sealing, there was no way it would cut corners or meddle in such a matter.

But if the seal was truly intact, then how had the Three Evil Ones gotten out?

Bu Feng was silent. Qiu Shui Wuhen said nothing as well. Even Xing Yanzong was heavy with thought.

And the Sevenfold Garuda Seal, forged from the labor of countless people of the Sea of Desire Heaven long ago, still shimmered with precious light, its aura surging into the heavens.

Suddenly, the heavenly wind whipped up towering waves, and seawater surged back against the treasure seal.

At once, all three men fixed their eyes on one corner. After glancing at one another, their hearts sank to the bottom of the sea. What they feared had truly come to pass...

After a long while, Bu Feng let out a filthy breath and said, "What do the two of you think?"

Qiu Shui Wuhen swept aside the huge waves and stepped closer to examine it. "After all our prayers and entreaties, I never expected the problem to still lie in this one link.

Could it be that the world of universal harmony is truly beyond our reach?"

Must we return once more to a time when people are judged not by good and evil, but by their birth?

Why the Demon Realm, of all places? Why must it be the Demon Realm?

Xing Yanzong also stepped forward, reaching out to touch that faint, shallow crack. If he had not come in person to investigate, who could have imagined that such a change would occur in the Sevenfold Garuda Seal?

He said, "And yet the Demon Realm already sacrificed a realm lord for this. Why would they turn around and release the fiends? Would that not be contradictory?

If one speaks of private ties, the rumor is that the two successive realm lords were always on good terms.

It truly should not be so."

Bu Feng mused, "What use is there in saying all this now? The deed is done. In the Sevenfold Garuda Seal, the portion belonging to the Demon Realm has already cracked.

The only fortunate thing is that the fissure is not large; the number of fiends who escaped should not be many.

I think it would be best to write to the Royal City and inform them of the seal’s situation. Then write again to the Demon Realm’s realm lord and ask them to come in person and strengthen the seal.

In this way, there should be no trouble for the time being."

Qiu Shui Wuhen nodded. "I still have some acquaintance with Xian Buyue. I will handle the Royal City side.

As for the Demon Realm, I must trouble Brother Bu and Brother Yanzong."

"Very well. Time is pressing. Let us act separately."

"Farewell."

"Take care."

In an instant, Qiu Shui Wuhen departed in a streak of light.

Bu Feng said, "Let’s go. There is no use looking further. You and I still have important matters to attend to."

"Sigh..."

Xing Yanzong gave a long sigh, then flew away from Eight Wind Island after Bu Feng.

Because a letter had to be sent to the Demon Realm, Xing Yanzong first made a trip to the Immortal Life Gate. Only after settling that matter did he return to the Soul-Subduing Gate.

When he arrived at the Hall of the Zither, Ji Yuntian and Daoist Feng Shen still had not come.

Mo Lin and Lu Fei led him to the main seat and refilled his tea. "Master?"

"Hm? Oh... At once, send my orders throughout the sect: all disciples going out from now on must be extra cautious. If they encounter those three, remember this well—avoid them if you can, and do not entangle yourselves with them."

As he spoke, he took out a scroll from his sleeve.

Painted upon it were the very figures of the Worm and the others.

Lu Fei stared in astonishment, unrolled the scroll to look, then handed it to Mo Lin. "May I ask, Master, who are these three?"

Xing Yanzong lifted his teacup to his lips for a long moment, then lowered it. "They are the fiends of Eight Wind Island, all of them scourges to the world.

If you encounter them, you will by no means be their match.

So avoid them if you can. And if you do meet them, report at once to the sect. Give orders all around and remain on guard."

Mo Lin rolled up the scroll, his eyes puzzled. "Eight Wind Island? What place is that?"

"Eight Wind Island... That was once the nightmare of everyone in the Sea of Desire Heaven. Back then, no one paid attention to a lone island in the overseas sea.

Only after it rampaged across the eight directions did people see its sinister face. At the first clash, we were repeatedly defeated and utterly routed."

Lu Fei asked, "Why? There are so many capable people in the Sea of Desire Heaven. It should not have come to that, should it?"

"By rights, no. But at the time everyone served themselves, each sweeping the snow from his own doorstep. Moreover, those who followed orthodox cultivation looked down on the wild and unconventional paths, and the righteous path looked down on those born of the Demon Realm and Monster Domain.

Those of noble birth looked down on the common.

In that instant, hearts were divided, and that became our fatal weakness."

He paused, then Xing Yanzong smiled bitterly. "For that reason, in order to drive out the fiends, the hereditary barriers of status were broken down.

Thus came the present world of universal harmony, where people are not judged by birth, only by good and evil."

It was just a pity that the great currents of the world, long divided, must eventually unite, and long united, must eventually divide. In the end, one still cannot escape the cycle.

After hearing this, Mo Lin and Lu Fei looked at one another, but neither spoke.

This...