278 Wang Zai

There were thunderous noises in the background, as audible as thousands and thousands of soldiers on their horses galloping to war, or erratic as booming thunders rumbling across the sky to no end. Wen Leyang was awakened by those terrifying loud noises. A faint stretch of blue appeared by his side; ghastly yet somber, as thick and heavy vapor enshrouded him. There were a few skeletons that were piled up in a mess close by, ones with pitch-black, ice-cold and dull eye sockets in their skulls. As the skeletons were looking at him, they seemed to crack a smile.

Wen Leyang could not help but shiver with fright as the scene that took place before he fainted was still vividly in his mind. His first thought was how that secret battle of life and death with the true soul in the Wen family village was such a wasted effort, as he still perished in the end, and the netherworld did not seem as bright as he thought it would be.

As he was still lost in his thoughts, he felt something tightening his waist. Wen Leyang, who was still on the ground, felt as if he was guided outside by an unbelievable force as he glided there. He turned his head to the side and saw a rope tied to his waist with the other end of the rope tightening from a depth he failed to see. He was struggling to loosen its grip.

Wen Leyang did not know where he was, neither did he understand what was behind that hemp rope on his waist, but as he tugged hard onto the rope, the feeling of actually having a body became apparent to him!

Wen Leyang could not bring himself to stand up, so he allowed the rope to forcefully pull him outside. His face was then filled with surprise as he savored the sensation of his body gliding and rubbing against the ground. Not only did he regain full control of his body once again, but he could also finally feel the Poison of Life and Death circulating inaudibly. Not an ounce of strength in his entire body had been depleted! Soon after, Wen Leyang finally realized that his surroundings felt familiar and that the thundering loud noises exploding from all directions were certainly neither from thunder nor an earthquake. It was the buoyant sound of water flowing...

It was at this moment when he caught a whiff of a familiar scent, one that made the thirty-six thousand pores on Wen Leyang's entire body open with joy. Zhui Zi was pulling onto the rope, like a fairy maiden, who dragged Wen Leyang out from the 'netherworld'.

When Zhui Zi realized that Wen Leyang had awakened, her pitch black-colored pupils suddenly bloomed with the radiance of extreme joy. Her cheerful voice filled seemed to be partially mixed with disbelief, "You are awake!"

Wen Leyang leaped up. Not only was he completely awake now, but he had also remembered his cave with the thundering water sounds. Where this was exactly, was the crystal ore cave underneath the Jianggendiru Glacier. He was lying in the ore cave's soul-killing prohibition spell, 'Thirteen Shall Not Pass' earlier.

In the Wen family village, Wen Leyang was muttering the words 'Magic fight protect lives' in a subconscious state. By the time he had awakened again, the other few demon immortals, albeit knowing the true soul was perhaps not as useless as Wen Leyang was, dared not confirm who was hiding in this body.

Finally, the few demon immortals had a discussion and assigned Zhui Zi to seize the opportunity when he was still unconscious. She traveled a great distance, as she brought him along and rush to the highland's snow peak, regardless of who was occupying the body. The body should be tossed into the 'Thirteen Shall Not Pass' to lie for a while, as that was still the safest option at the time.

The top master cultivators in the Wen family village were all severely injured. The little supreme leader, Liu Zheng, did not recognize the route. The trip may have seemed simple, but it was an important mission that was in fact, extremely dangerous. Zhui Zi's sense of honor made it impossible for her to reject this opportunity.

When Zhui Zi realized that Wen Leyang had awakened, she was so happy that she was likened to a slightly mad snow sparrow. She bounded about ecstatically and circled Wen Leyang several times. After some time, she suddenly stopped moving and asked, "You… are not the true soul right?"

Wen Leyang was not in a hurry to answer her. He first moved every joint and every fiber of muscle on his body, from top to bottom. Then, he guided the Poison of Life and Death to cautiously probe at the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue that was already suppressed again. He made sure that everything was normal before laughing loudly. He then spoke to Zhui Zi with determination, "The true soul is already dead!"

As he spoke, Wen Leyang paused for a moment and explained the sequence of events when he was seizing the body with the true soul. However, he slightly altered the end to the story, as he only told her that the Poison of Aqua Blue and the true soul was locked in a stalemate. In the end, both the true soul and him had fainted and only depended on the 'Thirteen Shall Not Pass' prohibition spell, which completely killed Xiang Liu's true soul. He gave the greatest honor to Zhui Zi.

Zhui Zi's eyes gleamed brighter, losing the pitiful and lonely look of a young girl she had before. Her hands were on her hips as she laughed out loud. If it was not for Wen Leyang knowing that the true soul was killed by the Strong Poison of Aqua Blue, he would truly think that the true soul had possessed her body.

Hanba and Chang Li were severely injured. Red Pot still looked the same, the golden monkey had captured Qin Zhui and disappeared without a trace, while the rest of his relatives were safe and sound. His two brides were still covered by their red bridal veils as they sat in the bridal chamber… Zhui Zi walked outside, by Wen Leyang's side. She was chuckling continuously as they walked, while she filled him in about the general situation in the family.

Wen Leyang's laughter echoed repeatedly in the ore cave; never ceasing. When Xiang Liu's true soul was still alive, Wen Leyang was afraid that all of his relatives and friends would be killed by it. However, when it was finally executed, not only did he manage to avenge the three enlightened people of the Tian generation name on the Black and White Island, a heavy burden in Wen Leyang's heart had finally disappeared. The joy he felt now could only be expressed through his bellowing laughter.

Whether that immortal master teacher was a kind of evil person, what sort of relationship did he have with the island-guarding disciples on the Black and White Island? Perhaps, it was just on the issue on the three enlightened persons of the Tian generation name that guarded the unique land by themselves for millennia. They did not wish to ascend to heaven, neither did they wish to achieve immortality. They did not even seek to be admired by the people in the world, as they were only trying to guard heaven in solitary and suppress the evil, vanquishing the demon. Their immortal-like grace and unyielding character had convinced Wen Leyang to genuinely attempt to avenge them.

Zhui Zi seemed to be particularly excited after she had finished conveying all about the matters at home. She went on a spiel about how she was acquainted with Wen Leyang and all sorts of encounters that happened when Tuo Xie rowed his boat out to sea to her rescue. Wen Leyang had learned of all these matters from her before. In the beginning, he was still laughing as he stroked her ego, but he started growing uneasy as time passed. This time, when Zhui Zi was sharing the stories of her past again, many details did not add up. For example, how the flying sword that belonged to Luo Wanggen's zombie turned into the dharmamudra seal in the Gold-consuming Lair, how four of the great demon immortals framed each other in the Miao stockade village, how Chang Li's sleeve was torn by Wen Leyang and turned into her shoes, and more.

In the end, Wen Leyang realized that he could no longer take it. He burst out laughing as he shook his head towards Zhui Zi, "You are annoying me to death. Do not test me anymore, I am indeed Wen Leyang!"

Despite the outburst, she pulled him out of the 'Thirteen Shall Not Pass'. Zhui Zi was still not at ease, as she started to probe him again while making small talk.

Zhui Zi's trick had exposed Wen Leyang. She blinked her eyes as she sized him up and down for a long time. Her laughter was cunning yet relaxed, "Wen Leyang is not as smart as you!"

Wen Leyang felt annoyed and amused at the same time, "He is also not as ugly as I am!" Both of them chatted away and laughed, all while walking. It took them only a while before they made their way out of the ore cave.

The moment they had exited, shadows loomed around them, and dozens of human figures bored out from the ice sheet. They looked at them with a smile, as the Hua family disciples had since been waiting for them at the ore cave entrance.

The leader of the Hua family was supported by Hua Xiaoyao. He first nodded and greeted Wen Leyang, before striding quickly in front of Zhui Zi. He saluted with the utmost respect, "As per your grand old woman's instruction, we have already settled it properly." He then stretched out to pass them an antique-style jade box. It was fully engraved with twisted and grisly scripts. Every single person in the Hua family's voices sounded as unpleasant as the sound of a steel file grinding against a rock.

Wen Leyang peered at Zhui Zi, puzzled. Zhui Zi stretched out her hand to receive the box. She did not even open it before placing it into her backpack. Only then did she softly explain to Wen Leyang, "I've regained my memory… so many things from the past…"

Before Zhui Zi was condensed into the demon-suppressing Heaven's Cone Nail, the immortal's cave of her sect was specifically located on the Geladaindong Peak. After her entire sect's people were massacred, her immortal's cave gradually turned desolate. More than a thousand years ago, when the Hua family followed the 'firecrackers' and moved their entire sect here, they discovered the immortal's cave that belonged to Zhui Zi in the past. Naturally, they moved into it with excitement, as they thought that it was left behind by the senior generation's sword immortals.

"Before I was framed by that traitor back then, I had an important item that was sealed and hidden inside the immortal's cave. That's why this trip to the Geladaindong Peak was just right for me to ask for the Hua family's help to retrieve it." Zhui Zi's voice sounded light each time she mentioned her past.

The moment Zhui Zi entered the Geladaindong Peak, she used her supernatural power to transmit her voice, so that the Hua family disciples would rush over to meet her. Soon after she brought Wen Leyang into the ore cave, she passed down the method for them to remove the deal and retrieve the hidden box. By the time they came out, the Hua family disciples had already settled the task properly.

Wen Leyang nodded; he could not refrain himself from probing further, "What's in the box?"

A peculiar expression was plastered on Zhui Zi's face as she shook her head and spoke, "Once we have met the others upon our return, we shall discuss this further…" She paused mid-sentence, before sniggering maniacally as she continued, "Upon our return, we shall discuss this after you have made up for the wedding night you missed!"

At the mention of the wedding night, Wen Leyang could only feel as if there were a hundred 'You've Got Me' crawling everywhere on his body. The tingling sensation made his entire body feel so uneasy; he could only manage a foolish laugh in response. Before Wen Leyang could laugh out loud, a series of bashful sniggers echoed from the sides of his ears. He lowered his head and glanced over. It was the little fat boy with a huge bald head, Hua Xiaoba, from the Hua family, rubbing his palms. He looked at Wen Leyang with pity as he said, "That drop of heavenly water spirit you gave us before had been snatched away by the big dog… the big bird…"

Hua Xiaoba was about seven or eight years old; the youngest amongst the Hua family's personages. As the rest of the clan were too shy to ask for Wen Leyang's help to retrieve the precious item again, they decided to send a youngling to do it on their behalf.

Wen Leyang burst out laughing; he did not waste time talking nonsense. He asked for the 'small bowl' from Zhui Zi, and fled back into the depth of the ore cave, disappearing like vapor. It did not take long before he returned with a drop of a heavenly water spirit. Hua Xiaoba's head was almost bursting with joy as he stood on tiptoes, as he received the heavenly water spirit with his hands, albeit cautiously.

Zhui Zi widened her eyes as she reminded the Hua family disciples, "Do not lose that small bowl!"

The people from the Hua family expressed their gratitude and insisted on inviting Wen Leyang and Zhui Zi to the immortal's cave as guests. Wen Leyang's heart was akin to a capering monkey and his mind was like a galloping horse – restless. Zhui Zi too refused to visit her old place due to the burden of distress in her heart; she immediately shook her head, bid farewell and left. Before she could take two steps forward, Wen Leyang suddenly stopped in his tracks and spoke, "Please give me a moment!"

As he spoke, he leaped out towards the direction of the mountain peak. It took only a while for an unusual, black human figure to appear in direct contrast to the snow-white point between the sky and the ground. With the squalling of 'Yang, Yang', the figure dashed towards Wen Leyang, as it skipped and bounded from the direction of the mountain peak.

Wen Leyang's face was filled with kindness too. He jumped up and down before he met the black man, pressing his hands onto the latter's thin and bony shoulders. He exclaimed with laughter, "Batis. Tutatunte!"

With quick strides, Hua Xiaoyao hastily caught up with them. He rushed in front of Wen Leyang as he laughed, "This person's cultivation method is useless, but he is inherently close to the firecrackers. That is why in a few months… in a few weeks…" Hua Xiaoyao's face was filled with awkwardness as he spoke. They were obscure cultivators; never counting days nor the time. In the end, he shook his head, "It did not take him long before he became the embodiment of true water from the firecrackers. In terms of speed, he was the fastest amongst that group of cultivators!"

Tutatunte was initially an evil cult follower who worshipped the nine-headed snake, but his heart was innocent and pure. He was especially close to Wen Leyang. Now that they had met once again, he was gesturing delightfully. Wen Leyang watched for a long time and understood that the matter here was done and that his black brother was about to return to Africa.

Both of them gestured for a long while, but could not understand each other's intentions. They burst out laughing as they hugged each other, and parted ways. Wen Leyang and Zhui Zi too did not stay long. They walked side by side swiftly while chatting and laughing all the way. In moments, they had left the snow peak.

Four whole days had passed from the night of the wedding. By the time they rushed to Lhasa, Old Gu had already taken the time to help them book flight tickets. When they rushed back to the Wen family village, it was already the sixth night.

Wen Leyang returned safe and sound. The whole family rejoiced! Every wrinkle from the First Grandfather had diminished, while the other three grandfathers were still as cold and glum as before, but in their gazes contained unsuppressed excitement. In the end, Fourth Elder Wen could not refrain himself anymore and turned away to snigger. When he turned back, he managed to suppress his elation to form a neutral expression.

Father Wen was laughing in a sonorous and forceful manner, while Mother Wen's tears did not cease flowing. Chang Li pulled Wen Leyang's hand in radiant laughter, but after witnessing Mother Wen shedding tears continuously, Chang Li's eyes wallowed with redness.

The rest of the people gathered towards them; the three families' disciples did not disperse. The cultivators who were close to the Wen family, such as the Temple of Great Mercy and the little supreme leader, Liu Zheng, too stayed on the mountain. Likewise, the few leaders of One Word Palace and Nineteen too stayed put.

It was unbeknownst to all where Hanba Fifth Brother found himself a wheelchair. He was pushed by Little Five and sat in the far corner. He stared coldly at the crowd that was laughing joyously while pouting unnoticeably. A contemptuous look could then be seen plastered on his face.

Everyone there was chortling aloud in celebration. Only the little supreme leader, Liu Zheng, had a solemn look on his face as he walked in front of Wen Leyang, "Is the true soul already dead?"

Wen Leyang nodded. Liu Zheng's tense expression scattered all at once, as he used all his strength to take a deep breath. He looked to the left before looking to the right. Then, he suddenly moved and had already dived head-first into the depth of the great mountain in just one leap. Soon after, a series of violent yet indistinct lamentations echoed.

Wen Leyang too heaved a sigh. He raised his head and peered at Zhui Zi. Zhui Zi smiled and spoke, "Leave him alone for a little while." She then plastered a maniacal smile on her face, "Run along with your tasks; he's fine!"

Chang Li too waved an arm and laughed, "Everyone is dismissed. Today shall be the day Wen Leyang makes up for the wedding night he missed! He wasn't previously able to stop raising this matter over and over again."

Despite feeling anxious, Wen Leyang could not help but be taken aback upon hearing Chang Li's words, "Previously?"

The ones at the scene when he was rendered unconscious including Chang Li, Zhui Zi, Little Five, Guo Huan, and even the toad Red Pot too, burst into gales of laughter. They shouted in unison, "Magic fight! Protect lives!"

How could Wen Leyang know of this proverb? He was confused as he looked at the few demon immortals. He hesitated as he asked, "Who do I engage in a magic fight with? Whose lives am I protecting?"

Everyone roared with laughter while Hanba sniggered from afar, also engaged in laughter...

Even as the joyous moment was over, the beautiful scene still lingered. Both Mumu and Xiaoyi were shy and took some time to muster their courage, but were still too shy to run out and welcome Wen Leyang along with the crowd. At the same time, the two new wives were sitting together, bursting with happiness. They were in the bridal chamber, awaiting the return of their lover

Ah, Dan was in the bridal chamber too; sitting on a chair at the side. He raised his head and looked at Mumu for a while, turned to look at Xiaoyi for an equally brief moment, before picking up a slice of dessert, stuffing it into his mouth.

Xiaoyi probed Mumu, "Shall we… still drape ourselves with the bridal veils?"

Mumu laughed until she turned red, "Isn't that a little too corny?"

Xiaoyi pouted and nodded. She seemed to have recalled something, as she hurried to Mumu's ears and whispered, "Wen Leyang's going to stay the night with you today!"

Mumu did not expect Xiaoyi to talk about matters like this; her cheeks blushed a crimson red. She was lost for words and hastily shook her head. She then held her breath for a long while before she managed to speak, "I do not want that!"

Xiaoyi's smile faded away and she was blushing too. She had a good relationship with Mumu, but there was only one of Wen Leyang. No one would believe that she would act so selflessly, without planning to hide her intention at all.

On the night of the wedding, Xiaoyi was truly feeling a little uncertain. She had been waiting nervously for Wen Leyang to make his choice, but today wasn't the right day. Moreover, she had already 'took advantage' of him in Shanghai previously, so she truly wanted to leave Wen Leyang to Mumu today.

Since her childhood days, Mumu had an unreasonable temperament, but there was always one thing that would influence behaviors. She could not act unreasonably when she was with this good man, especially Wen Leyang. Sometimes, she wanted to show off her family's power, lest she embarrassed Crow Ridge's domineering influence for the past two thousand years. Instead, when she remembered what happened in the Miao stockade village, of how Wen Leyang jumped out of the earth-splitting toad's mouth, stark naked, her heart and entire being melted.

Mumu could not even bring herself to even slightly lose her temper when she was with Wen Leyang. Likewise, when she was with Xiaoyi, her heart was soft too. Judging by their abilities, Xiaoyi was just an ordinary person, but judging by their family's lineage, Xiaoyi was just an abandoned child. There was no way Xiaoyi could compare to her in any sense. Even before Mumu was acquainted with Wen Leyang, Xiaoyi had already helped Wen Leyang with his laundry. She cooked for him, practiced writing ancient recordings with him, played with each other in the great mountain, and even saved Wen Leyang's life. She had also built Wen Leyang's foundation establishment of the Poison of Life and Death. These encounters during their youth, made Mumu felt that she was all but inferior to Xiaoyi somehow.

Xiaoyi pondered over it for a moment but broke into a giggle. She went close to Mumu's ears and whispered again.

Mumu seemed to have heard something amusing from Xiaoyi, as she blushed and laughed in response. She nodded at Xiaoyi.

Xiaoyi chuckled as she finished her speech. She then procured a wax-sealed little ball from her chest pocket in a precarious manner, squeezed and broke it. Mumu's was puzzled; she looked at the white pill that appeared round and pure, as it rolled out after the wax seal was broken, "What is that?" She then joked, "It looks like a Wang Zai Mantou Snack."

Before she could finish her sentence, Xiaoyi hastily gestured to Mumu, signaling her to lower her voice, "His hearing is extremely good! Don't let him hear us!"

Mumu hastily quieted down and looked at Xiaoyi curiously. The two new wives could not make up their minds. Ah Dan who was about to stretch out to pick up a dessert, noticed the small steamed bun snack in Xiaoyi's hand. He jumped off the chair with delight.

The precious item in Xiaoyi's hand was that 'Wang Zai Mantou Snack' that tricked the First Uncle in the final test back then. After Wen Leyang arrived in Red Leaves Forest, Xiaoyi had pestered him for one. He was planning to compare it to the ancient recipe back in the day, to see if he could improve the medicinal effect any further. The pill was then kept safely by Xiaoyi.

Xiaoyi's charming face turned scarlet, "Whoever Wen Leyang chooses to stay with shall receive this pill… Secretly feed it to him…" She stuttered for a long while as she spoke, and finally clenched her teeth ferociously, "At least we'll not need to endure hardship today!"

Xiaoyi was genuinely kindhearted. Now that she had recalled the hardship from her previous experience in 'taking advantage' of him, the little girl still could not help but grimace as she held back her tears.

The blushing was contagious. Mumu was perplexed, as she followed suit and blushed as well. She feigned laughter and chided, "Actually, what's this about…?"

Before her voice faded away, a gale swept past them. Like a fierce tiger on the prowl, Ah Dan swept past Xiaoyi's side while laughing with a furtive look on his face. He tossed the Wang Zai Mantou Snack into his mouth.

Mumu gasped an 'oh no'. She could not comprehend what happened. She giggled as she stretched out her hand to pinch Ah Dan's cheek, "You have eaten the little steamed bun snack… that makes you the prosperous child now!"

Xiaoyi exhaled; she was feeling more steady now…

Wen Leyang still did not realize that he had just managed a narrow escape tonight. Following the sound of the crowd's roaring laughter, he sniggered.

Chang Li dismissed the crowd's uproar. She pushed Wen Leyang in the direction of the bridal chamber. Wen Leyang sniggered as he took a few quick strides. It was only then he realized that in the open space where he fought ferociously with Xiang Liu recently, there was a newly built little brick house.

The brick house was newly built, but its four walls were pitch-black, as though burnt by a recent fire. Wen Leyang's heart skipped a beat; he stopped walking, turned around as he asked Chang Li, "Is that 'You've Got Me'?"

He had a tacit understanding with 'You've Got Me', especially when he was approaching the house. He could sense that the bug was in the brick house right now, yet it did not ululate nor come out to welcome him. He found that particularly strange.

Chang Li was even more anxious than the groom. She stomped her foot and shouted, "Stop wasting time talking nonsense! The bug is safe, and you ought to scram, quick."

Wen Leyang shook his head as 'You've Got Me' was more than just a pet to him - This bug was exceedingly intimate to him. Ever since the stormy night in the Red Leaves Forest, no one else knew the number of times the bug had saved his life. Their hearts and minds were connected; they were so close that nothing could come between them. Words could not even do justice to their relationship - companions, comrades, father, and son, or brothers? They could only be described in four words - 'alike in life and death'. It was only those words that could articulate the relationship between the Buddha's Light Bug and Wen Leyang.

Wen Leyang could now sense that 'You've Got Me' was different than it usually is. How could he show no concern towards his bug? His body shook as he had already arrived in front of the little house. He then pushed the door and made his entrance.

The moment he entered, a gush of a hot wave immediately swept into the house. Even with Wen Leyang's cultivation base, he still found it slightly difficult to breathe. There was neither lighting nor a candle in the entire house, yet the room was brightly lit and reddened. It was as if the Wen family secretly stole and hid the red setting sun that was waiting to rise again, in this house.

The little house was empty; there was nothing in it. On the ground was a fiery red cocoon, enshrouded in layers of a scorching hot and red glow, but he could not see through the cocoon. Not only was his eyesight impaired, but he also failed to even use his telegnosis ability to see through it.

'You've Got Me' had cocooned itself! Wen Leyang's face was filled with astonishment, but there was no sense of joy on his face. He only managed a muffled 'hmph' from the depth of his throat.

The First Uncle once said that the Buddha's Light bug was just a larva with an ordinary level of toxicity, but when it broke out of its cocoon and became a butterfly, only then it would become the god-level King of fire element – the Buddha's Light Guide. However, of reasons unbeknownst to any, a majority of them would die in the cocooning process. There was almost no chance of it transforming into a butterfly.

It was fine for Wen Leyang even without the Molten Metal Fire Bell. He would rather 'You've Got Me' be a larva that ululated, scurrying everywhere with rustling sounds, and jumping everywhere with popping sounds. It aimed straight when Wen Leyang opened his mouth but turned limp when he saw Grand Master Chang Li and lived for a hundred years.

Wen Leyang would rather have 'You've Got Me' be incompetent and stop transforming into a butterfly, instead of risking its life to survive this danger that could separate them in life and death!