Volume Five: Amethyst Turns to Smoke Chapter Seven: The Miao Village in the Black Mountains

It was as if the heavens themselves had decreed the annihilation of evil; sunlight spilled across the land. Yao Guang awoke, stretched lazily, and stepped out of the bamboo house, but did not find Jinlin. Puzzled, she soon saw a massive figure gliding towards her in the distance.

"I was just wondering where you’d gone so early," Yao Guang said with a cheerful smile as Jinlin drew near.

"Went out to hunt for food. A full belly is good for a fight," Jinlin replied.

Yao Guang burst out laughing. Before long, everyone had gathered. After breakfast, they set out according to their plan. Led by the Grand Shaman Li Xing, Grand Shaman Li Cheng, Granny Liying, and other gu masters from the village, they marched toward the Black Mountain Miao Village on the other side of the mountain. Only a single mountain separated Black Mountain from Qingcheng Miao Village, and after about an hour’s walk, they reached the foot of it.

The special forces and Sky Sword officers divided into two groups: the special forces guarded the only route down the mountain, blocking any escape, while the Sky Sword police climbed toward the mountainside, aiming to cut off the exits from Black Mountain Miao Village. At the vanguard were Grand Shamans Li Xing and Li Cheng, Yao Guang, Xuan Chen, Huo Mingkun, and Jiang Yun. The four immortals of Phoenix Spirit Mountain followed, with Granny Liying and her gu masters bringing up the rear. Meanwhile, Yitian and Chu Tianyou led Yao Guang’s fifty immortal attendants, encircling the area from the outside. Together, their ranks surged mightily toward the gates of Black Mountain Miao Village.

"Who are you people, daring to invade Black Mountain Miao Village?" The villagers at the gate scowled at the approaching throng. But on seeing Grand Shamans Li Xing and Li Cheng, their expressions shifted to surprise, and they bowed respectfully. "We did not know the two Grand Shamans would come with so many people. What brings you here today?"

"I’m not here to waste words with you—have Li Shang come out. I have something to say to him," Grand Shaman Li Cheng stepped forward and spoke first.

"If you have instructions for Li Shang, I will convey them," the sentry replied.

"Come here," Yao Guang called, pulling two people from the crowd. She looked at the sentry and said, "Go tell Li Shang: if he wants his son back, he must come and see me."

"Young master!" The sentry, recognizing the two as Li Hun, Li Shang’s son, and Li Lie, the Black Mountain Grand Shaman’s trusted aide, dared not delay and rushed into the village.

"Divine Lady, you promised to spare my father and our clansmen," Li Hun whispered to Yao Guang.

"I remember, as long as you don’t forget: if the chieftain surrenders, I guarantee your safety. My only aim is to eradicate the evil god, not to slaughter the innocent," Yao Guang replied.

"Thank you, Divine Lady," Li Hun said.

Their conversation had just ended when a man in his fifties, accompanied by a group of followers, hurried toward the gate.

"Who wishes to see me?" the man called, then spotted Li Hun. "Weren’t you sent down the mountain to carry out the Grand Shaman’s mission? Why are you back? Who are these strangers?" After questioning his son, Li Shang looked to the two Grand Shamans and said, "It’s been a long time, Grand Shaman Li Xing, Grand Shaman Li Cheng. To what do I owe the honor of your visit with so many people?"

"Li Shang, do you know what mission your son was sent to perform this time?" Grand Shaman Li Cheng asked, stepping forward.

"Of course, it was assigned by Grand Shaman Hei Tian—meant to temper my son," Li Shang replied.

"To temper him? Are lives meant to be used for such a purpose? The mission assigned by Grand Shaman Hei Tian was to kidnap nine Han girls under the age of twenty-five. Seven have already been secretly delivered to Black Mountain by Li Lie," Grand Shaman Li Cheng declared.

"Kidnap Han girls?" Li Shang was stunned, then turned to Li Hun.

"Yes, Father. Grand Shaman Hei Tian ordered me to kidnap nine living Han girls under twenty-five. I was responsible for finding and subduing them, Li Lie was to bring them back. But when I searched for the eighth, the police caught me," Li Hun sighed.

"Hei Tian gave you this mission and you didn’t tell me? How many times have I told you never to touch Han girls? Why won’t you listen?" Li Shang scolded angrily.

"Li Shang, do you know what Hei Tian plans to do with these girls?" Grand Shaman Li Cheng pressed.

"I have some idea, but not the details. Hei Tian has also ordered Miao girls brought back, but I’m not sure what exactly he’s doing," Li Shang shook his head.

"Really?" Yao Guang stepped forward, her eyes sharp. "People in your village mysteriously become young and immortal, your shrine reeks of blood—don’t tell me you haven’t noticed. If you say you know and couldn’t stop it, I might believe you. But if you claim ignorance, I truly find it hard to believe." She sneered at Li Shang.

"You look familiar. How do you know about all this?" Li Shang asked, surprised as he got a good look at her.

"You have a short memory. Wasn’t it your Grand Shaman Hei Tian who poisoned me with the Golden Silkworm Gu and tried to make me a living vessel? You ask how I know? Hmph. If you don’t wish others to know, don’t do such things yourself. How can you not know what Hei Tian has done?" Yao Guang said coldly.

"It’s you! I thought you were dead. How are you still alive, let alone able to return? No one survives the Golden Silkworm Gu poison," Li Shang said, unease rising within him.

"Hmph. Li Shang, for the sake of the past and because you’re not the main culprit, I’ll spare you. But Hei Tian—I will not let him go. I have nothing more to say to you. Bring Hei Tian out to see me," Yao Guang said icily.

"And who are you, to demand an audience with our Grand Shaman Hei Tian?" a young man behind Li Shang shouted.

Yao Guang fixed her gaze on him and smiled coldly. With a wave of her hand, the young man was sent flying. Lowering her arm, she said lightly, "Didn’t your elders ever teach you that children should not interrupt when adults are speaking?"

"You—" Several men behind the youth bristled, about to charge, but Li Shang stopped them. "Don’t move. You’re no match for her. Go fetch Grand Shaman Hei Tian."

"Who dares behave so insolently in my Black Mountain Miao Village?" A sonorous voice thundered. The crowd parted as a man in black robes, leaning on a skull-topped staff, approached, followed by many similarly dressed figures.

"Divine Lady, the ones in black robes are all from the Undying Sect. Please show mercy to our faction," Li Hun murmured.

Yao Guang nodded, then looked at Grand Shaman Hei Tian. He stood about 170 centimeters tall, slim, with smooth skin, but his face was stiff and unnatural. "Grand Shaman Hei Tian, it has been many years. Not only do you harm Miao women, you now kidnap Han girls. Didn’t your Black Miao people always scorn the Han? Why reach your claws into our Han people now? Oh, I see—bloodlines may matter, but your undying life matters more," Yao Guang said bluntly.

"So, it’s you. You’re still alive," Hei Tian said, stunned.

"Your memory serves you well. Thanks to you, not only am I alive, but thriving," Yao Guang smiled.

"You insolent child!" Hei Tian fumed.

"Heh, you old coffin-dweller, remember your words—don’t regret them later." Yao Guang’s smile grew brighter. "Hei Tian, under the pretense of training, you sent the chieftain’s son down the mountain to kidnap girls—did you ever tell the chieftain your real purpose? Did you tell your people you were making the girls into living cauldrons to refine the Undying Gu, sacrificing them to your so-called gods? Did you tell your close followers that the immortality you gave them is actually Gu larvae? Did you tell them you colluded with the Ghost Sect to refine the Five-Poison Evil God in the shrine? Do you really think you can control the Evil God and Little Hei Tian? Your ambition knows no bounds—immortality isn’t enough, you want to rule all of Miaojiang. Do you really believe the Ghost Sect will keep its promises? What a fool you are! Your mind must be addled beyond cure—no medicine can help you!"

"You’re insolent! For your words alone, I won’t let you leave here alive," Hei Tian spat.

"Just you? Frankly, you’re not worthy. Today, the Phoenix comes to expose your filth, to let your villagers see what a vile creature you truly are," Yao Guang declared, forming hand seals as spiritual energy surged around her.

"Form the array!" Hei Tian ordered. The black-robed followers appeared at his command, chanting incantations. From all directions, poisonous insects, spiders, scorpions, and centipedes swarmed in. The gu masters of Qingcheng Miao Village chanted in response, unleashing their own gu. In an instant, the two sides’ gu clashed, signaling the start of battle.

With a flip of her hand, Yao Guang summoned the Golden Silkworm Gu King. "Xue’er, go. It’s time to settle old scores."

The Gu King buzzed its wings, its beady eyes filled with murderous intent, and darted into the enemy’s ranks, devouring their poisonous gu while sparing those from Qingshan Miao Village.

"The Golden Silkworm Gu King! How do you have that—could it be…?" Grand Shaman Hei Tian realized the truth.

"Exactly as you think. This is the very one you set upon me all those years ago. You wanted it to kill me, but instead, it became my life-bound gu. Xue’er, seize their leader—when you’re full, get to work," Yao Guang commanded.

The Gu King shot out like an arrow. Soon, several black-robed gu masters vomited blood and collapsed in agony. One by one, five fell, writhing on the ground as blood poured from their mouths.

Xue’er returned, looking smugly at Yao Guang.

"You naughty thing! Knocking them out is enough—why treat their life-bound gu like snacks?" Yao Guang poked the plump Gu King.

"You—how dare you!" Hei Tian glared furiously at the fallen gu masters. Every gu master has only one life-bound gu, tied to their flesh, blood, and soul. Losing it is like having their lifeblood cut—they were completely ruined, even if they survived. The uncontrolled poisonous gu now became easy prey for their enemies.

"Send in the next wave!" Hei Tian commanded. More followers stepped forward, playing bamboo flutes. A rustling sound came from all sides—it was the snake gu. The people of Qingcheng Miao Village froze; everyone knew Black Mountain’s snake gu were the most formidable in Miaojiang. No one expected Hei Tian to release them so soon.

"Divine Lady, be careful! Black Mountain’s snake gu are unmatched," Grand Shaman Li Cheng warned.

"No fear. Today, legend ends—Jinlin!" Yao Guang called out.

"Ah yes, we have Jinlin! How could I forget? The earth dragon is king of all snakes. No wonder Black Mountain’s snake gu never dared attack us in Qingcheng all these years—it was because of Jinlin!" Grand Shaman Li Cheng exclaimed.

As he spoke, Jinlin’s massive body slithered forward. Addressing the two Grand Shamans, she said, "Don’t be afraid." Then she plunged into the swarm of snakes.

"What is that—a dragon?" Panic swept through Black Mountain Miao Village at the sight of the giant serpent.

Jinlin’s tail swept outward, flinging countless snakes aside. Opening her massive jaws, she swallowed dozens of snake gu at once. Clearing a path, she charged at the flute players, her tail sending them flying. The Golden Silkworm Gu King darted out, and soon the black-clad snake tamers were vomiting black snakes, which the Gu King devoured.

"That’s the snake tamers’ life-bound gu—the black-headed snake. Without them, they’re finished. Truly, they brought this on themselves," Grand Shaman Li Xing sighed.

"Those who collude with the Ghost Sect face death without mercy," Yao Guang declared coldly. Leaping into the air, she formed a series of seals, and a burst of golden light shot forth, shattering the massive gates of Black Mountain Miao Village.

"You woman, what are you doing?" Hei Tian roared, pointing his staff at Yao Guang.

Suspended in midair, Yao Guang looked down at Hei Tian, ethereal as a goddess descended from above. Her voice was clear and cold: "Hei Tian, you have created evil gods, killed without regret, committed unforgivable sins, and allied with the Ghost Sect. Death is your only sentence. People of Black Mountain Miao Village, hear me: Hei Tian is overflowing with evil—heaven will not tolerate him. Surrender, and I will spare your lives. Resist, and there will be no mercy." As she spoke, golden light surged around her. The golden Phoenix Nine-Rank Divine Crown and the Divine Lady’s golden armor appeared on her, a golden cloak billowing behind.

"Who are you?" Hei Tian demanded.

"Master of Phoenix Spirit Mountain, the Phoenix Divine Lady Yao Guang," she replied coldly.

"Form the array!" Hei Tian shouted. "Five Directions Evil Spirit Formation!" At this, Li Shang quickly led his people away. He understood: disaster had truly come to Black Mountain Miao Village.

As Hei Tian’s command rang out, black-robed sorcerers stepped forward, forming seals and performing footwork. Suddenly, a chilling wind rose.

"All fall back! Four immortals, heed my command—All Laws Return to One!" Yao Guang ordered. The four immortals of Phoenix Spirit Mountain advanced, forming seals and stepping the sacred steps.

At first glance, both sides’ movements seemed similar, but on closer inspection, the Black Mountain sorcerers’ steps were twisted, while the four white-robed immortals moved with elegant freedom.

In an instant, phoenixes surged from the ground on one side, while the black-robed sorcerers’ formation summoned shadows of evil spirits behind them. On the immortals’ side, a golden Five Elements Eight Trigrams diagram appeared.

"Attack!" The black-robed men pointed at the immortals, sending the evil spirits lunging forward. The four immortals stood unmoved, chanting as the golden Eight Trigrams formation spun. The evil spirits crashed into it but could advance no further. The chanting of the black-robed sorcerers grew louder, intensifying the evil spirits’ assault as they clawed desperately at the formation.

"Break!" The four immortals shouted in unison. The Five Elements Eight Trigrams formation exploded in midair, obliterating the evil spirits in a burst of golden light.

The black-robed sorcerers did not panic but continued their steps. From their dark array, a black gate began to rise, slowly opening as their incantations echoed. From within emerged a massive, hideous figure wielding a butcher’s blade.

"Ghost King of the Evil Sect," Xuan Chen’s voice called from behind.

"Hei Tian, do you still deny it? Summoning the Ghost King is the Ghost Sect’s specialty. Today, I’ll let you die with clear understanding," Yao Guang’s furious voice echoed from the sky. With a flick of her wrist, the Orchid Sword appeared in her hand, glowing with a ghostly blue light. She raised her sword, gathering power as the Ghost King strode forward. The four immortals kept up their sacred steps, and a golden gate slowly opened within their formation. Out strode a heavenly general. The Ghost King and the heavenly general clashed fiercely, winds howling as they battled. The Ghost King’s evil force was overwhelming; after a dozen rounds, the golden figure began to fade, and the immortals grew weary—they had not expected such formidable opposition.

Seeing her chance, Yao Guang shouted, "All Laws Return to One!" Her Orchid Sword slashed down on the Ghost King, the blue glow cleaving through his body.

The Ghost King roared, his massive form shattering but not vanishing—he split into countless lesser ghosts. The four immortals immediately sat cross-legged and began chanting; a golden formation rose, forming a light wall that trapped all the vengeful spirits. Driven by the black-robed sorcerers’ chants, the little ghosts grew more frenzied, battering the golden barrier.

Yao Guang sat cross-legged in midair, scriptures flowing from the sky, weaving streams of golden light into the barrier. The standoff continued, her chanting growing ever faster, the golden light surging. Suddenly, a fresh breeze swept through, dispelling the chill. The gentle breeze brought relief to all.

"Namo Myoho Renge Kyo," Yao Guang intoned, hands pressed together. The golden light rippled and the little ghosts dissolved into it.

One after another, the black-robed sorcerers spat blood and collapsed. With a decisive wave, Yao Guang sent golden streams striking their chests. They vomited blood again and lay senseless, utterly defeated.

"You’ve destroyed their cultivation!" Hei Tian shouted in fury and despair.

"I’ve already shown mercy by not grinding their bones to dust. Hei Tian, have you any tricks left? Why not call out your evil god?" Yao Guang advanced steadily through the air.

Hei Tian shot her a venomous glare then turned and fled.

Yao Guang landed and approached Li Shang, her expression softening. "Chieftain Li Shang, I know things have gone beyond your control. Hei Tian’s collusion with the Ghost Sect is not something you could have prevented. We are all children of China. Listen to my advice: surrender. I promise, as long as you yield, there will be no further reckoning. You may live here in peace. Black Miao and White Miao alike share this land—why harm each other? As for Li Hun and Li Lie, I guarantee their safety. They are not the main culprits, and were forced into this. They confessed and will receive leniency."

Her words offered Li Shang a dignified way out.

"I understand. My thanks, Divine Lady." Li Shang bowed to Yao Guang, then turned to his people. "Those who wish to live, come with me to the great bamboo hall." Then, kneeling to Yao Guang, he pleaded, "Divine Lady, I beg you—our true Grand Shaman, Li Tian, has been imprisoned in the shrine by Hei Tian. Please rescue him. Hei Tian usurped the position by holding Li Tian captive. Any who resisted were killed. Please, help us—save Black Mountain Miao Village!"

"Rise, quickly. So that’s how it is. I will do my utmost," Yao Guang said, helping him up.

"Thank you, Divine Lady." Li Shang bowed and led his people to the great bamboo hall, closing the doors behind them.

Yao Guang turned to her followers, her voice commanding, "Attack the village!" At her order, the group surged forward, storming the village toward the shrine. The black-robed men who had fallen were bound and taken away by the Sky Sword police.

Under Yao Guang’s leadership, they charged toward the shrine, justice and retribution at their heels.