Nearby, there was a youth building a wall with yellow mud. Hearing the words, he dropped his work and ran over. His body was also dirty, covered in quite a bit of yellow mud. He wiped the mud on his hands against his back again and again. He was rather handsome, looking curiously at the several visitors. The pretty older sister naturally attracted more attention.
Even though Qiao Qie’er wore a veil, coming to this kind of place made her quite conspicuous. With half her face covered, one could still tell she was a flower.
The dirty old man gestured with his tobacco pipe in hand. “Just follow him.”
The youth gave an affirmative sound, also looking quite happy. He immediately turned around to lead the way. The messy mud handprints on his back were quite obvious.
Yu Qing and the others dismounted, leading their horses, and followed behind.
Walking through this village with scattered residents, after going for a while, everyone gradually felt this village gave off an indescribable feeling. In broad daylight, there was a kind of eeriness.
Nan Zhu suddenly shouted toward the guide. “Young man, does no one in your place raise livestock?”
Hearing him say this, the others immediately looked around in all directions. Only then did they discover a very strange thing. Throughout the entire village, there seemed to be not a single domestic animal. This did not quite match this village-like place.
Only then did the group react, understanding where their sense of wrongness lay. Because of the absence of those things, this village also seemed excessively quiet.
The youth turned his head and looked curiously for a while. Perhaps he felt Nan Zhu was too fat. He then scratched his head and asked. “Livestock? What is that?”
The group saw him again get the mud he had not wiped clean into his hair.
Nan Zhu was speechless. Then he explained. “Livestock are things like chickens, dogs, cattle, and sheep. You have never seen them?”
The youth thought for a bit, then shook his head. “I know of them, but we cannot raise them. They would run into the fields and damage the grapes. If the grapes are not good, the wine produced is also not good. The manor master says our grapes cannot have flaws.”
So that was it. No wonder. The group suddenly understood. It seemed this Rift Valley Manor was quite strict in controlling the quality of goods for sale.
Nan Zhu looked again at the village with few people in sight. “Have the people all gone to work in the fields?”
“Yes.” The youth nodded. Then he turned his head again to glance at the group, and asked. “Can you kill demons?”
Nan Zhu laughed heartily. “It seems this demon has truly tormented you all quite badly.”
The youth lowered his head, dejected. “My elder brother was eaten by the demon.”
The group exchanged glances. Nan Zhu gave the reins to Mu Aotie, asking him to help lead the horses, and walked to the youth’s side. “Have you seen that demon?”
The youth shook his head.
Nan Zhu. “What does that demon look like?”
This was also something they were rather puzzled about. Before coming, they had inquired about Rift Valley Manor’s situation along the way. They wanted to know what kind of demon cultivator they were up against. Yet it seemed no one could clearly say what kind of demon it was. It seemed there were all sorts of claims.
But the youth would not speak.
After waiting a while, Nan Zhu asked. “You do not know?”
The youth shook his head again. “Those who spoke of the demon’s appearance, the demon would come at night while you slept and eat you.”
The group understood. This was something one dared not say. They all knew this was similar to the kind of talk used to frighten children in various places. But they did not press him.
However, Nan Zhu’s mouth did not stop. He chattered on and on. The youth was occasionally amused into giggling.
Qiao Qie’er listened, from time to time slightly shaking her head. After interacting these days, she had more or less come to understand this Seventh Brother. If he did not open his mouth, that was that. Once he opened his mouth, he became a chatterbox.
When the group reached the foot of the mountain, they immediately saw another kind of grandeur. Flying eaves were carved on the cliff face. Painted beams and carved pillars were deeply chiselled into the mountain body. There were also many terraces on the cliff face.
By the time they walked here, they could already smell the faint fragrance of grape wine.
The youth asked them to wait a moment. He ran inside.
Before long, three people came out from within the house. The youth followed behind them. The one in the lead was a middle-aged man in plain clothing. But his temperament and bearing compared to those Wu clan members outside was already a world apart. His face carried a smile that gave people a feeling of being made welcome.
The leader sized up the four people, then cupped his hands in greeting. “I am Wu Heyun, Third Master of Rift Valley Manor. May I ask the honourable names of the four honoured guests?”
Hearing that this was the Third Master, the four hurriedly returned the greeting.
They had inquired about relevant circumstances outside as well. Rift Valley Manor had three masters.
The Great Master was named Wu Dao. He oversaw the entire manor, and was also the leader of Rift Valley Manor. The Second Master was Wu Xieshan. He managed internal affairs, responsible for the manor’s internal matters. The Third Master was this Wu Heyun before them. He managed external affairs, responsible for the manor’s external matters.
The three masters were of different generations. Rift Valley Manor also did not select talent by seniority. It only looked at ability.
The framework clearly showed differences from ordinary sects. The traces of a family clan were more obvious.
Yu Qing. “Lin Erqing.”
Nan Zhu. “Zhu Zainan.”
Mu Aotie. “Tie Rushan.”
Qiao Qie’er. “Wang Shaojun.”
After the four reported their names, Wu Heyun gave an affirmative sound. He again cupped his hands and said. “Have the four come specifically to exterminate demons for my Rift Valley Manor?”
Yu Qing smiled. “I would not say specifically. Rift Valley Manor is filled with talented people. How could it be our turn to show off?”
“Eh.” Wu Heyun waved his hand, modestly saying. “You cannot say it like that. Rift Valley Manor is located in a remote, lonely place. We dare not look down upon the world’s eminent persons. Our abilities are also limited. Otherwise, why would we need to widely recruit heroes from all paths to exterminate demons? Speaking of which, are you not here to exterminate demons?”
Yu Qing. “We are wandering loose cultivators who travel the world. We heard there were large vineyards here, and came to broaden our horizons. That is true. Of course, we also heard the demon rumours. We heard of your manor’s bounty. Since we have come, we naturally want to try our hand. We only fear we may not be able to satisfy your manor’s wishes.”
“Ha ha. Those willing to come to this desolate place are honoured guests. This is not a place for talking. Please come inside.”
Confirming they had indeed come to exterminate demons, Wu Heyun smilingly invited the four inside.
The two people who had come out with him helped lead the horses away.
The hollowed-out stone cave was also quite refined. The lower level was clearly laid out according to courtyard-like designs. However, one could not see the sky above. Many places used mirrors to refract natural light. Some places were illuminated with glowing fluorite stones, appearing rather dim.
As the group followed Wu Heyun up the stone steps on one side, Mu Aotie, who was walking behind, turned his head to look. He saw a man place his hand on the youth’s shoulder and lead him away.
First, they went up wide stone steps. Then, there was an ancient stone corridor full of heavy, weighty atmosphere. Finally, it was a semi-open parlour combined with a terrace. From beginning to end, it was all seamlessly hollowed out and chiselled. Moreover, it was exquisitely carved and quite beautiful, causing the visitors to marvel.
After sitting down, someone brought tea. Only when the fragrance of wine drifted out did Yu Qing and the other three realise that the so-called tea was actually wine.
What was poured from the pot was dark red grape wine. The vessels for the wine were horn cups.
Seeing the guests’ surprise, Wu Heyun laughed heartily. “Our local specialty is grape wine. So it is different from other places. We use local specialties to entertain guests. If it truly will not do, we can also find some tea.”
Yu Qing waved his hand. “Forget it. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Wu Heyun smiled and looked at him, raising his cup in invitation. Host and guest toasted each other.
He had more or less already seen that among these four people, this young man was likely the one of highest standing.
After putting down his wine cup, Yu Qing asked. “What kind of demon is actually causing trouble here? Earlier, we asked the youth who guided us in the manor. He did not even dare to speak of it. He said that if one spoke of the demon’s appearance, the demon would eat you while you slept at night. I wonder if what that youth said is true?”
Wu Heyun laughed heartily. “How could Brother Lin believe such absurd talk? I will not hide it from you all. It is all talk to frighten children. This place is different from other places. In order to irrigate the vineyards, successive generations of ancestors dug the water channels and underground canals below into an interlacing, maze-like network. Some underground reservoirs are quite deep. Occasionally, there are accidents where children fall into the water and drown. Thus, they use demons to frighten them, lest the children run about and drill into places everywhere.”
Yu Qing gave an affirmative sound. Nan Zhu then asked again. “What demon is causing trouble, that it could entangle for so many years like a blood feud?”
Wu Heyun smiled bitterly. “At first, it was wolf demons. After that, it became unclear. All sorts of demons have appeared. To speak honestly, we even suspect the demon world is making moves behind this matter.”
Nan Zhu was surprised. “If it really is the demon world dealing with your Rift Valley Manor, to speak disrespectfully, how could your mere Rift Valley Manor have resisted for so many years?”
Wu Heyun waved his hand. “How could the demon world openly destroy my Rift Valley Manor? The human world’s guardians of morality would not agree either. If they dared to act forcefully, they would certainly suffer backlash. That you all could come here, you should have heard of the matter of the Fifty Li Agreement back then. It has never been sorted out clearly. And in this western desolate land, there are too many territories similar to this one.”
Nan Zhu gave an affirmative sound, looking as if he suddenly understood.
The group more or less understood the meaning in those words. The demon world was warning others through its occasional battering of Rift Valley Manor not to attempt to demarcate territory in this manner.
Wu Heyun. “This is also why we cannot clearly say what specific demon it is. Because any demon might appear. Also, over so many years, people who came here upon hearing the news to exterminate demons, like you all, have almost none met a good end. Could this be something ordinary people could accomplish?”
The four visitors were all struck speechless. Nan Zhu’s Adam’s apple moved. He tried asking. “Over so many years, of those who came to help exterminate demons, not a single one left alive?”
Wu Heyun. “I cannot say none left alive. Some died here. Some left, but perished along the way. As for whether any were unharmed afterward, we do not know. One cannot speak recklessly of such things.”
The four were again speechless.
Wu Heyun looked at the four people’s reactions. “Your four’s good intentions, my Rift Valley Manor is naturally extremely grateful. But the situation must still be made clear to you four. Whether you four go or stay, Rift Valley Manor will not have any complaints whatsoever.”
The four were still at a loss for words.
Were it ordinary people, they would certainly have been frightened into running. Behind this, the demon world might be secretly making moves. How could one still play this game?
However, the three martial brothers’ purpose in coming was not ordinary. Exterminating demons was only an excuse. They had no desire to come exterminate any demons, nor did they wish to come into conflict with the demon world. There was no need to do such risky business. Their true desire was to investigate this place’s situation. As long as they had an excuse to stay, that was enough.
So, Yu Qing smiled. “I have truly never seen such large vineyards. Since we have come, we are not in a hurry to leave. We will stay and walk around to see first. If we can do our part, that would naturally be best. If we cannot, I hope your manor will not take offence.”
Nan Zhu also slightly nodded to show approval. Mu Aotie had no reaction at all.
Qiao Qie’er quietly gave the three martial brothers an extra glance. She did not know what these three fellows were actually trying to do. The other party had already spoken to this extent. The danger was imaginable. Yet they actually still wanted to stay.
Wu Heyun was somewhat stunned for a moment. Then his face again showed brilliant smiling intent. “Indeed. Since you have come, you might as well walk around and see. Although it is a poor, remote place, to outsiders it can be considered to have a unique charm.” He turned back to the young man pouring wine behind him. “Wu An, from today onward, these four honoured guests will be entrusted to your care.”
“Yes.” The young man called Wu An acknowledged. He also bowed slightly to the group.
Wu Heyun turned back again and said to the group. “From today onward, if you have any needs, just tell him. As long as it does not exceed what is outside the rules, he will do his utmost to make arrangements for you all.”
Yu Qing. “Very well. Many thanks. Right, Third Master, we saw that your clan emblem is a ‘ji’ halberd. It is quite rare for someone to use a ‘ji’ as a clan emblem. I wonder if there is some story behind it?”
Wu Heyun smiled. “Legend says that an ancestor once encountered a wolf pack’s attack in the wasteland. He picked up a long halberd in the wasteland to defend himself, and thus escaped disaster. Only then did he have the opportunity to set foot upon the path of cultivation later. Moved by this, the ancestor took the ‘ji’ as the clan emblem.”
The three martial brothers exchanged glances without showing anything on their faces. Yu Qing nodded. “So that is how it is.”
Just at this moment, a gust of wind suddenly swept in. Wu An, the young man standing nearby, suddenly quickly walked to the outside of the terrace. He looked into the distance at something. Then he turned back toward those inside and said. “Third Master, the sandstorm is coming.”
Wu Heyun immediately went over to look. The people inside also followed him out.
They saw a patch of dark yellow on the distant horizon, pressing over with a sky-covering, sun-blotting momentum. Sand and dust rolled. It was clearly a sandstorm. Yu Qing and the others had long heard of it, but this was the first time seeing it.
Wu Heyun called for the group to retreat into the house. Wu An jumped onto the terrace above. He untied the ropes there and lowered the roller blinds. Then he went inside and pulled taut one strip of rope after another, tying them securely to prevent the wind and sand from blowing them open from outside.
The light inside the house immediately darkened. People outside had already brought in lamps for illumination.
Before long, outside there was already a sound like a violent storm. The flames inside the house also swayed.
Yu Qing suddenly said. “In the grape fields outside, there seem to be still many people. Some are quite far. They cannot run back in time. What about them?”
Hearing this, Qiao Qie’er looked toward him. Tenderness showed in her eyes.
Wu Heyun smiled. “Do not worry. In the grape fields, there are all water-drawing underground holes. When this weather comes, they can drill into the underground canals at any time to take shelter. Nothing will happen.”
Yu Qing gave an affirmative sound. “I was overly worried.”
The sandstorm outside came quickly and went quickly. Very soon, it stopped.
Wu Heyun, who had been accompanying them for a while, also rose. “Four, there are still matters in the manor to attend to. I will not accompany you further. Wu An will take you to the guest rooms. If you have matters, just instruct Wu An.”
“No matter, no matter. We have already imposed.”
Yu Qing rose politely. The group all stood up to see him off.
Wu Heyun took his leave and departed.
The group also did not linger here long. Wu An led them away.
Going out the door, they went straight along the path. Going down steps and then up steps, they walked nearly a li inside the building before he brought them to a row of guest rooms.
Wu An swept his gaze over the number of people and asked. “Four rooms?”
Yu Qing. “Two rooms are enough.”
Crowding together was inconvenient. Being too scattered was also no good. In a place where the land was unfamiliar and the people were unknown, having some mutual care would be somewhat more secure.
Thus Wu An arranged two guest rooms for them that were as close together as possible. The guest rooms both had terraces. Lifting the coverings and walking out onto the terrace to look, the heavens and earth still had somewhat of a grey, hazy feeling.
After confirming the guest rooms, Wu An informed them that people would come shortly to clean and prepare.
Waiting until the sandstorm’s influence had more or less dissipated and the weather had cleared again, Yu Qing actively requested to walk around and see.
Wu An asked them what places they wished to see. Yu Qing wanted to go inspect “Golden Valley,” but still held back. He feared going to that place straight away would easily arouse suspicion. He said anywhere was fine.
Wu An had no choice but to make the decision himself. He first took them to the wine cellar where wine was stored, to broaden their horizons.
The wine cellar was underground. Rows of wine barrels stretched like dragons, piled up so far that the end could not be seen. It was a magnificent sight. Wu An explained that basically every person who came to Rift Valley Manor would come here to broaden their horizons. Yu Qing orally expressed agreement. In reality, none of the group were interested.
They were interested in Golden Valley. They were interested in whether this family were the halberd-bearers. However, these things they were interested in could not be easily spoken of.
After bringing the group to stroll around the underground wine cellar, Wu An led them out from another end. The place they came out was already quite far from the guest rooms where they were staying. Wu An directly brought them to stroll in the vineyards.
The grapes in the vineyards had not yet grown large. The time for harvesting was still far off. Wu clan members were busy amidst the ridges.
Arriving at the vineyards, there was one thing that could not be avoided for broadening horizons. That was the underground canals. This was also something every person who came to Rift Valley Manor could not avoid coming to see.
Finding an earthen pit with steps, Wu An led them down. They immediately saw a stream about three chi wide gurgling and flowing ceaselessly. The water quality was cool and clear.
On both sides of the stream, along the walls, there were walkways. They were all dirt paths that could only accommodate one person walking alone.
The group walked toward the light columns of the earthen pit ahead.
Nan Zhu had to walk slightly sideways. He muttered, “After entering underground, the temperature has clearly dropped quite a lot.”
Wu An explained from the front. “The water in the canals is all melted snow water that flows directly from the snow mountain. The water is very cold.”
After walking that distance, crossroads appeared from time to time. Suddenly Wu An raised his hand to signal everyone to pause.
Nan Zhu did not understand. He asked. “What is it?”
Wu An pointed toward the light columns ahead and behind. The group saw that it should be windy outside. Quite a bit of dust had been blown down.
Waiting until the dust had somewhat settled, the group continued forward.
The centre of the next crossroad was a pool of water. Above the opening, there were still a windlass and well ropes installed. Arriving here, one had to go around.
But Yu Qing stopped. He looked at the dust still gently floating in the light column shining down from the opening above. He was somewhat lost in thought, and slightly squinted.
“This way.” Wu An, who was leading the group around, called out.
Only then did Yu Qing come back to his senses. He followed them around half a circle and continued forward.
After not walking two more steps, he suddenly slipped underfoot. One foot actually stepped into the water canal.
Everyone turned back to look. They were all somewhat surprised. Nan Zhu gave a hey. “Old Fifteenth, what are you spacing out thinking about?”
Everyone was a cultivator. They all understood. If he had not been distracted, he would not have made such a low-level mistake as losing his footing.
Yu Qing pulled up his foot. With one hand supporting himself on the earthen wall, while attracting Wu An’s attention by taking off his shoe, he quickly gave Nan Zhu and Mu Aotie a meaningful look. Then he shook the shoe he had taken off and smiled bitterly. “Forget it. I will not walk anymore. I will wait here for you all.”
Qiao Qie’er also had no interest in this earthy, crude underground canal. She was about to say she would stay to accompany him. Who would have thought Yu Qing would immediately follow up by saying. “Shaojun, go with them. No need to accompany me.”
Nan Zhu, who had already caught his meaning, said. “Come, sister-in-law. His mind is elsewhere. Who knows what he is thinking about. No need to mind him. Let us go see the underground water wheel that Brother Wu spoke of.”
Qiao Qie’er also immediately realised something. After all, there was a distinction between men and women. Under normal circumstances, this Seventh Brother would not let his own woman leave him to walk with these men. She again looked at Yu Qing’s shoe that had accidentally gotten wet from losing his footing. She gave an affirmative sound and turned around.
On the contrary, Wu An was somewhat hesitant. But seeing the guests still had interest in going to see, he could not easily refuse. He could only instruct Yu Qing. “Brother Lin, then wait here. Do not run about randomly. We will come back to find you shortly. It will not take long.”
Yu Qing waved the wet shoe in his hand. “Go, go. I will wait for you.”
Afterward, he watched the group depart. Waiting until the group had vaguely turned at the crossroad ahead, he immediately put the wet shoe back on his foot. He looked around in all directions. He circulated his power to shake off the moisture from his wet foot. Then he darted back to that pool at the crossroad. He directly went around to another passage, rushing in the downstream direction of the underground canal.
After rapidly darting for roughly a li, the area ahead became pitch black. Nothing could be seen. Looking at the distant points of light, they were light-transmitting holes spaced far apart.
This was not important. He stopped right here. He pulled out a fire starter. He blew it alight.
As soon as the firelight brightened, the sound of clattering iron chains immediately rang out.
Yu Qing raised the fire starter high to look. He discovered this place was a rather open underground space. There were also long benches installed. The bench surfaces had already been polished smooth. Clearly, this was caused by people frequently sitting. He estimated it was a resting place for Wu clan members who worked.
Yet this resting place at this time had clearly been set with a trap by someone. Right before that long bench, a patch of ground had been stepped on by a small youth. In the pit in the ground, there was actually a ferocious animal trap. Its huge saw-toothed jaws bit fiercely into the small youth’s lower leg.
The small youth looked quite sturdy. He wore no clothes. He was barefoot. Only his crotch area was crudely wrapped.
The small youth had a head of jet-black shoulder-length long hair. Each strand was distinct. His hair quality was very good. Under the firelight, it could reflect an ebony lustre.
The small youth had a pair of large, dark, glistening eyes full of spirit. At this moment, they were clearly filled with fear. Yet he bared his teeth at Yu Qing, making “heh heh” sounds, like a wild beast intimidating Yu Qing. In his hand, he still gripped the iron chain connected to the animal trap. He pulled forcefully, but could not pull it open.
Yu Qing moved the firelight in his hand. His gaze fixed upon the small youth’s chest. He discovered there was a tattoo on his chest. It was actually a pattern of a “ji” halberd.
Yu Qing realised this should be a playful child from the Wu clan who had run down here, mistakenly stepping on the animal trap.
There was one thing he did not quite understand. Why would Rift Valley Manor set such a vicious device in this place?
Yu Qing immediately approached, about to help the child open the animal trap to treat him.
Yet the small youth immediately waved his hands frantically, scratching at him, not letting him approach. His mouth kept making “heh heh” sounds. The meaning of intimidation and deterrence was very obvious.
Yu Qing immediately explained. “Little fellow, I will help you open it. Only by opening it can you escape danger. Rest assured, I am a guest of Rift Valley Manor. I will not harm you. I will help you open it. Save you. Understand?”
The small youth understood. Only, his expression clearly showed a look of half-believing, half-doubting. But his impatient, restless, bared-teeth appearance slowly subsided. However, his guard was still up. His two claws assumed a posture ready to counterattack at any moment.
Yu Qing found it amusing. He ignored him. He directly went over and squatted down. He stuck the fire starter into the ground nearby. With both hands, he gripped the biting opening of the animal trap. With one exertion of force, he was immediately shocked. He discovered this thing was no ordinary animal trap. Its biting force was astonishing. Without circulating his power, he actually could not pry it open. Bitten like this, would this child’s leg not be crippled?
He immediately circulated his power and forcibly pried open the animal trap. After restoring it to an open state, he wanted to support the child’s foot to help him examine it.
What shocked him was that the child actually directly jumped and leaped away. He slowly retreated backward. Seeing that Yu Qing truly did not chase him, he also seemed somewhat strange. Then he turned around and ran into the darkness. The sound of footsteps grew distant. Just like that, he disappeared.
Bitten so fiercely by such a vicious animal trap, yet he ran away as if nothing had happened?
Yu Qing found it hard for a long time to come back to his senses from the wound on the child’s foot. What had he just seen?
He did not know if he had seen wrongly. He suddenly took the fire starter on the ground to illuminate. He reached out to the saw-toothed opening of the animal trap and touched it. He touched out a bit of slippery, wet blood. He placed it before his eyes to look. The result was that it was indeed not red. It was golden!