Previously, he had thought the wound on the child’s leg and the blood flowing out were due to contact with yellow soil, and had not thought much of it. Later, the child’s unharmed movements and reactions made him realise something was wrong, making him stare at the child’s wound again to observe, leading to this discovery.
How could there be golden blood in this world? He did not quite understand. From the child’s skin colour and eyes, he had not discovered any abnormality.
He rubbed the golden bloodstain with his fingertip, looked carefully, then placed it before his nostrils to sniff. It also had a normal bloody smell. It seemed merely the colour was different.
Had it been anywhere else, he would certainly have found no direction for speculation. Yet in this place, the words “Golden Valley” and “Golden Ruins” flashed through his mind from time to time. Coupled with the single-bladed halberd tattoo on the child’s chest, he had reason to suspect whether it was related to the Golden Ruins, and reason to suspect whether it was because the Wu clan members were the halberd bearers.
Yet at this moment he could not slowly ponder here. Unclear when Wu An and the others would return to that spot, he walked to one side, crouched by the stream to wash the golden bloodstain from his hands, extinguished the fire starter, and quickly left.
Not long after, he returned to the original spot, walked another circle around the pool, observed the surroundings, swept away the surface dust with his sleeve, sat on the hardened yellow earth, and slowly waited, still pondering what had just happened in his mind.
The child just now had also provided some inspiration. In this place, wanting to probe something from adults’ mouths would likely not be easy. It might be better to start with the children…
He did not wait long. After a moment, Wu An returned with Nan Zhu and the others.
Seeing Yu Qing sitting cross-legged in meditation, Wu An felt relieved and called for them to leave together.
Nan Zhu and the others subconsciously looked around, especially the two fellow disciples. The two could be certain that this fellow Old Fifteen had absolutely done something just now.
The problem was, they also did not know what Old Fifteen could do, or what could be done in the present situation.
And this was precisely what the two admired about Yu Qing. Often when the two were completely without clues, this fellow Old Fifteen had already perceived the opportunity ahead and made a response.
The group did not leave by the original route. Wu An led them out through the nearest pit opening with earthen steps, and they were once again amidst the ocean of grape vines in the outside world.
Looking around, Wu An asked them again, “Gentlemen, anywhere else you wish to see?”
The group also looked around. Yu Qing finally pointed at that canyon he had coveted for so long. “That canyon looks rather fine. Shall we all go and see?”
Nan Zhu immediately echoed, “Splendid.”
Mu Aotie also gave an affirmative sound.
Qiao Qie’er, her face covered by a veil, flashed through her mind the scenes of the group searching back and forth at the Golden Valley in the Jin Kingdom. Now there was another great canyon. Even if she did not know the situation, she guessed they had come all this way for that canyon.
Wu An did not refuse. He directly led them across the grape fields, rushing toward the great canyon.
The group walked for nearly half a shichen before arriving. Standing at the canyon entrance, wind blew past with a whooshing sound, making their clothes flutter.
Glancing at Qiao Qie’er with her skirt hems fluttering, Yu Qing did not think much at all before stepping forward to stand before her, shielding her from the wind.
A small gesture made the corners of Qiao Qie’er’s mouth smile beneath her veil. Her gaze at Yu Qing also grew tender and affectionate. She subconsciously pressed close to Yu Qing’s back, breathing in his scent.
Wu An, playing the host, stood at the wind gap and introduced to everyone. “Great Rift Valley. Nearly ten zhang wide, approximately five li long, highest point roughly two hundred zhang.”
Nan Zhu asked, “Is this place’s name simply Great Rift Valley?”
Wu An smiled. “A mountain pass in a remote place, what name would it have? It is called whatever it resembles. Guests who come to Rift Valley Villa, many will also come here to walk and see. This seemingly split mountain body does look rather strange after all.”
Yu Qing: “Just such a rift valley, and people often come to visit?”
Wu An: “Often would be an overstatement. A few groups a year is quite normal.” He extended his hand to invite everyone to follow him inside.
Yu Qing gave an acknowledging sound. His footsteps moved with the crowd, his mind pondering. If it was truly as the other party said, and outsiders could freely visit, then it meant this canyon was not a forbidden area.
The ground within the canyon was rugged and uneven, with no signs of roads having been built. Yu Qing walked while observing, trying to find traces of rolling or crushing, since the large amount of gold that appeared in Little Cloud Interval might have come from here.
The mountain walls on both sides also showed no traces of artificial excavation. The wind passing through the mountain stopped and blew intermittently. On every stone there were only traces of time, nothing else.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie were also observing along the way, carefully examining whether there were any abnormal places.
After the group traversed the entire canyon, ahead lay another vast and boundless desert of gravel, an even more desolate place.
There was nothing worth seeing. The group turned back. On the return journey, the three fellow disciples were still observing.
Qiao Qie’er was secretly paying attention to them.
Wu An occasionally pointed out more prominent scenery in the canyon to introduce. The three fellow disciples also did not detect any abnormality from him.
Exiting the Great Rift Valley, before them again lay that village with houses scattered in disorder.
Yu Qing looked at the sky. Seeing it would not grow dark for a while, he then said, “Brother Wu, this village is rather interesting. Why not go for a stroll?” He cast a meaningful glance at his two senior brothers.
Wu An hesitated. “It is nearly mealtime. They have likely already prepared a banquet to entertain us.”
Nan Zhu laughed heartily. “The sky is not even dark, what sort of banquet is that? We are not ordinary people. We do not get hungry so easily. This village does look rather interesting. Brother Wu, show us the local customs and conditions.”
Wu An smiled bitterly. “They are all a group of country folk. I fear they may be unsightly.”
Yu Qing: “Are they not all your clansmen?”
Wu An nodded. He had also guessed Yu Qing’s meaning. “They are clansmen. I have no intention of belittling them, but the reality is that there cannot possibly be so many cultivation resources for all clansmen. Most people can only be ordinary folk. It is useless for me to beautify it. You have already seen. They are just a group of country folk.”
He sighed, did not say much more, and extended his hand to indicate. Since they wished to see, he would lead them to look.
The group walked down the slope on foot and merged into the village.
This place was still empty and silent. Apart from some children playing, no adults could be seen. They were basically still busy in the vineyards.
As for those children, they had been playing quite happily. Upon seeing strange outsiders, they immediately hid inside houses one after another. With Yu Qing and the others’ perception abilities, they saw pairs of peeping eyes behind door cracks.
Nan Zhu questioned, “Brother Wu, do we look like bad people? Why hide behind doors to watch us?”
Wu An laughed heartily. “The children here are all shy of strangers. Of course, they have also been influenced by those demons. Meeting strangers, they feel hiding is safer. They are children. Please do not take offence at any slights, gentlemen.”
As they strolled, they nearly reached the village entrance again. The group once more encountered the youth who had guided them when they first arrived, still building his home’s courtyard wall with yellow mud.
Hearing the movement, the youth turned his head to look. Seeing it was them, he grinned.
Nan Zhu was also amused. “At last we meet someone not shy of strangers.”
Wu An explained the reason the youth was not shy of strangers. “He previously guided you here. He knows you came to eliminate demons. He knows you are not bad people.”
Nan Zhu gave an acknowledging sound. So that was how it was. He waved at the youth, and the youth also happily waved back.
Yu Qing observed the surroundings. His gaze fell upon the youth again. Afterwards, he casually walked to Nan Zhu’s side, trying to bump Nan Zhu’s foot with his own. Nan Zhu looked back, and Yu Qing gave him a meaningful look.
Thereafter, Yu Qing separated from the group and walked toward a simple grey wooden pavilion built from planks. As he walked, he waved his back to them and said, “You all continue strolling. Looking here and there, it is all much the same. I am not walking anymore. I will sit here to rest my feet and wait for you.”
Nan Zhu quickly sized up the surroundings, then pointed at a building in the village and said, “Do not be like that. Come together. Look at that large courtyard house built from stones over there. Come, let us all go and see.”
Yu Qing had already walked into the pavilion. He turned around and sat on a horizontal wooden beam serving as a stool, waving his hand. “I am not going, I am not going. I will wait for you here.”
Nan Zhu: “It was you who wanted to stroll, and you who are being lazy. Let us ignore him. Since we are here, sister-in-law, let us go together to see that stone house.” He waved his hand to indicate.
Mu Aotie also said, “The only stone house among the earthen houses. Let us go see.”
Qiao Qie’er did not speak. She could more or less tell that these three were definitely secretly coordinating something again.
Wu An explained, “Gentlemen, that stone house is merely where the villagers do their laundry. Underground water runs beneath it.”
“Oh, washing clothes in this arid place. That is something worth seeing.” Nan Zhu gave a laugh, clasped his hands over his large belly, and walked ahead first.
Mu Aotie followed. Qiao Qie’er, who had been looking at Yu Qing, had no choice but to follow helplessly.
Wu An was quite speechless. He cupped his hands toward Yu Qing, asking him to wait a moment, then himself quickly caught up to Nan Zhu and the others.
After watching these people’s figures disappear behind one earthen house after another, Yu Qing looked around, got up again, and went straight to the youth who was plastering the wall with mud. He smiled and greeted, “Need my help?”
The youth turned his head to look, smiled, turned and waved his hand. “No need…”
Before he finished speaking, Yu Qing’s foot suddenly tripped on a stone. He lurched forward, seemingly subconsciously grabbing the youth’s lapel, and in one pull tore open the front of his clothes.
The youth quickly supported him to prevent him from falling.
Yu Qing had already steadied himself. He said cheerfully, “Rest assured, how could I fall from this?” His gaze moved away from the youth’s bare chest. It was indeed bare. Although he had clearly not bathed in a long time, there was nothing abnormal on the chest skin. He did not see what he had wanted to see.
His hands casually helped the youth rearrange the torn clothes at his chest.
The youth, however, abruptly let go, looking extremely apologetic. “I did not mean to.”
Yu Qing looked down. It was nothing much. It was just that when the other party had urgently supported him just now, the mud on his hands had stained Yu Qing’s clothes. He immediately smiled. “It is nothing, it is nothing.”
Seeing he did not blame him, the youth was relieved and continued plastering the wall.
Yu Qing looked around, rolled up his sleeves, bent down to grab some mixed mud in his hands, slapped it onto the wall with a splat, and helped plaster the wall together.
The youth was startled upon seeing this and hurriedly said there was no need. As the four hands pulled and pushed about, the youth felt a stinging pain in his hand. He gave a soft cry and then withdrew his hand. Scraping away the mud on his painful finger, he saw crimson blood seeping out. It seemed he had been pricked by a thorn in the mud.
Fortunately it was nothing serious. The pricked opening was almost invisible.
Yu Qing stared at the crimson blood on his hand, his brows furrowing slightly.
The youth shook his hand and did not take it seriously, continuing to scoop mud and plaster the wall.
The two of them worked together like this, chatting and laughing together.
“What is your name?”
“Stone. Wu Dashi.”
“Where are your parents?”
“Working in the vineyard.”
“When do they finish work?”
“They return when it is nearly dark.”
As they were talking, a waft of smoke suddenly drifted over. Yu Qing and the youth both turned to look and saw that dirty old man with the dry pipe in his mouth had appeared again, puffing away.
The old man leaned against the courtyard wall of the neighbouring house, puffing on his pipe, his turbid gaze watching this side.
The youth lowered his head somewhat and immediately stopped talking, burying his head in his work.
Yu Qing also looked at that old man, somewhat puzzled. He did not know whether he had been distracted and not heard, but he actually did not know when the old man had appeared nearby.
The old man pushed away from the wall, walked over somewhat hunchbacked, came before Yu Qing, puffed on his pipe, then sighed. “How can you let an honoured guest do dirty work?”
The youth’s head hung even lower.
Yu Qing hurriedly explained, “It is not his fault. I have never plastered a wall like this. It looked fun. I insisted on playing.”
The old man puffed on his pipe, his turbid gaze silently staring at him.
Just then, footsteps sounded. Nan Zhu’s group returned.
Seeing Yu Qing here, they all immediately walked over. Wu An, seeing the mud on Yu Qing’s hands, immediately rebuked, “Stone, how could you let an honoured guest do this kind of work?”
Yu Qing was helpless and hurriedly repeated his explanation.
Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie’s gazes met. Qiao Qie’er was staring at the mud on Yu Qing’s hands, pondering, clearly somewhat puzzled.
Once the matter was explained clearly, the group left. Before leaving, Wu An respectfully bowed to the dirty old man.
After walking some distance, Yu Qing could not help asking, “Who is that old man?”
Wu An simply said, “Currently the person with the highest seniority in the clan.”
Yu Qing gave an acknowledging sound, still looking back from time to time. He discovered that the old man had also been watching this side with the dry pipe in his mouth.
The group wandered about until they returned outside the room where they were staying. Only then did Wu An bid farewell, saying he would arrange the banquet for them and asking them to wait a moment.
Watching him leave, Nan Zhu gave Yu Qing a meaningful look, then returned to his own room with Mu Aotie.
Yu Qing also accompanied Qiao Qie’er back to the room, finding that all daily necessities had been prepared.
With no outsiders present, Qiao Qie’er had just removed her veil when Yu Qing hugged her waist from behind, whispering in her ear, “You check the room first. I am going to Old Seventh’s side.”
Qiao Qie’er gave an affirmative sound. She understood his meaning, worrying there might be something fishy in the room.
Yu Qing released her, turned and left, going straight to his two senior brothers’ room.
When he pushed open that door and entered their room, he immediately smelled the fragrance of wine. He saw Mu Aotie was searching and inspecting the room, occasionally tapping walls and floors to listen for sounds. Nan Zhu was pouring a cup of grape wine and enjoying it leisurely.
Seeing him arrive, Nan Zhu indicated the taste was not bad and gestured for him to have a cup too. Yu Qing shook his head and declined.
After Mu Aotie had thoroughly searched the room and confirmed there was no problem, Yu Qing then lowered his voice and questioned Nan Zhu, “Are you not afraid the wine is poisoned?”
Nan Zhu laughed. “We have only just arrived. They know nothing about us, nor our depth. They would not directly poison us. Rather, tell us what you are up to. Did you discover something?” This was precisely the reason he had called the other over.
Yu Qing also did not hide it from them. Lowering his voice, he informed them of the child he had discovered in the hidden channel of the vineyard.
Nan and Mu both found it hard to believe upon hearing this. Nan Zhu, holding his wine cup, even exclaimed in a low voice, “Golden blood?”
Mu Aotie: “What is the situation?”
Yu Qing: “I also do not clearly understand what is going on.”
Nan Zhu: “Could the Wu clan’s bloodline be so extraordinary?”
Yu Qing shook his head. “At first I thought the same as you. Now I feel it may not be as simple as we thought. Just now, that youth plastering the wall, I saw his chest. There was no single-bladed halberd tattoo, not even any tattoo at all. And the blood was of a normal colour.”
Nan Zhu was suspicious. “You mean, that child who was caught in the trap is not a Wu clan member?”
Yu Qing: “I do have that suspicion. Thinking back again, the thing in that trap was not an ordinary animal trap. That biting force, ordinary people could not endure it at all. Yet for dealing with cultivators it was somewhat weak.”
Nan Zhu was startled. Mu Aotie also had a feeling, and spoke out, “It was a trap specifically designed for that child?”
Yu Qing nodded. “If that child truly is a Wu clan member, why would Rift Valley Villa set such a trap on their own territory to deal with their own child? Now thinking back on that child’s behaviour, it was indeed very abnormal, completely different from the feeling of those children seen previously in the manor.”
Nan Zhu was puzzled. “But you also said the child’s chest had the Rift Valley Villa clan emblem. If he is not a Wu clan member, why use the Wu clan emblem?”
Yu Qing shook his head. “This is also what I cannot figure out.”
In the parlour, the same parlour that had entertained Yu Qing and the others, Wu Heyun stood with hands behind his back on the terrace, looking at the villagers constantly appearing in the vineyard outside. The villagers were finishing work and returning home one after another.
Outside the hall, Wu An hurriedly arrived, quickly stepping behind him to salute. “Third Villa Master.”
Wu Heyun turned his head to look and asked, “How is the situation?”
Wu An: “After selecting the guest room, I accompanied them to the wine cellar, the vineyard, the Great Rift Valley, and also wandered around the village residences before returning. At present, it seems they have no intention of leaving yet.”
Wu Heyun: “They do not look like people who came to subdue demons and vanquish monsters at all. They should be a group of people touring mountains and playing with water. Continue accompanying them. Part on good terms. In a place like this, they are merely seeking novelty. They cannot stay for many days. They will naturally leave when the time comes.”
“Yes.” Wu An acknowledged.
Wu Heyun turned and waved his hand. “Come, let us go together to entertain the guests.”
Thereafter, on a large terrace on the cliff face, the Third Villa Master personally hosted a banquet to entertain the honoured guests who had come to Rift Valley Villa to eliminate demons. He rolled up his sleeves and personally roasted meat for the honoured guests, and also served fine wine.
The hospitality standards could not be called anything but grand. Only when the sky had completely darkened did the hosts and guests disperse in good spirits…
The night grew deep. Bright and clear moonlight spilled down.
On the room balcony, Qiao Qie’er, who had washed away the dust of travel, had her long hair draped over her shoulders. She looked gentle and soft, leaning back against Yu Qing’s embrace, looking at the bright moon. Melancholy was hard to dispel from her eyes, and she occasionally murmured in response to a couple of sentences from behind.
Actually she had many things she wanted to ask Yu Qing, such as what exactly had happened during the day, but in the end she still asked nothing at all.
Yu Qing hugged her, sniffing at her hairline, gradually becoming aroused, rubbing cheeks and temples with her.
Had it not been night with no one around, such embracing outside would already have been unacceptable to Qiao Qie’er, let alone anything else. Sensing something was wrong, Qiao Qie’er immediately twisted free, pushed him away, and ran off, quickly returning inside.
Yu Qing immediately turned and followed her in, conveniently closing the door, catching up to her, then pressing her down onto the couch.
One above, one below, facing each other in an embrace.
In the darkness, four bright eyes faced each other for a while.
Later, Qiao Qie’er stretched out her arms, encircling his neck, and actively, gently, kissed his lips. Her gaze and lips were so tender.
Then, Yu Qing was ignited, tearing at each other’s clothes.
Suddenly, a strange sound seemed to come from the balcony outside. The two people, whose clothes had not yet been undone, immediately stiffened, looking toward the balcony direction in unison.
They thought they had heard wrongly, yet the gurgling sound of pouring water was quite obvious.
Yu Qing quickly flipped off the couch, conveniently drawing his sword in hand at the side, and rapidly approached the balcony doorway.
Qiao Qie’er hurriedly arranged the clothes at her chest that had been torn open to reveal half her springtime charms.
The door leading to the balcony was suddenly opened by Yu Qing. Outside by the tables and chairs stood a robust man in black clothes, his long hair drifting in the wind and draped over his shoulders, his back turned to this side. In his hand he held the wine pot placed on the table, slowly pouring wine into a wine cup.
Yu Qing pointed his sword and spoke in a deep voice, “Who are you?”
The man in black slowly turned his head. Just at that moment a gust of wind came, and his long hair spread out. Under the moonlight, his face was full of spirit and energy, with distinct edges and corners. His eyes were as spirited as a wild beast’s, giving off a different kind of masculine charm.
Yu Qing immediately felt this face seemed somewhat familiar.
The man in black sized him up and spoke out, “Little moustache, ponytail, and the age is also similar. It should not be wrong. Today, thank you for saving my son.”
“…”
Yu Qing, who had just been furious, was instantly stunned. He finally knew why the other’s face seemed familiar, because they looked alike. He immediately said in shock and suspicion, “That child who was caught in the trap is your son?”
The man in black gave a slight nod, glanced at Qiao Qie’er who had appeared at the doorway, and returned his gaze to Yu Qing’s face. “There are no demons here for you to eliminate, nor is this a place you should have come to. Leave here as soon as possible. If you stay too long, no one can leave alive. Leave quickly!”
Seeing the other party seemed to mean well, Yu Qing slowly lowered the sword in his hand and questioned, “Who are you?”
“The demon they speak of!”
After speaking, the man in black leaped up, then slid down along the stone wall.
Yu Qing immediately rushed to the balcony edge to look down. He saw the black shadow on the ground rapidly moving along the mountain foot like a phantom, quickly flashing into the vineyard like a wisp of green smoke and disappearing without a trace.
Qiao Qie’er also ran to the balcony edge to look out.
Immediately after, several figures flashed past from above, landing in the vineyard to pursue.
At the same time, several people flashed and landed on this balcony. The one leading was precisely Third Villa Master Wu Heyun.