Huang Jiu accompanied me back to the tomb. Along the way, he tried to comfort me. "Don't overthink it. That's just how the world works. The one with the bigger fist is the father."
"And those creatures from the depths of Mount Ten Thousand, some things can't be achieved just by effort."
I didn't respond.
Huang Jiu shrugged. "I know people from the Western Mountain Fox Clan, all full of fox charms. I'll introduce you to one. I guarantee you'll live a shameless life every day."
Still, I remained silent.
Back at the tomb, as I looked at the female corpse lying on the wooden bed, my emotions became even more complicated.
Huang Jiu saw my expression and coughed. "I'll wait outside. You say whatever you need to. Just don't take too long; my wife is still outside!"
Liu Changxuan couldn't last ten minutes in front of Huang Xian'er, yet Huang Xian'er couldn't even raise her head in front of those strange people.
That was the difference in power.
I didn't say anything, not because I didn't want to, but because I didn't know what to say.
If even she couldn't protect herself, what use was there in saying anything more?
After a few seconds, I exhaled deeply, quickly packed the bag my mother had given me, placed it on the corpse's shoulder, and carried her.
When I reached the door, Huang Jiu let out a long sigh upon seeing me holding the corpse.
Outside, the dozen or so black-clad figures saw the corpse in my arms, and with a swoosh, they all knelt on the ground, chanting loudly, "We welcome the Mountain Lord."
Mountain Lord?
Was that the name of the female corpse, or the legendary Mountain Lord?
If it was the legendary Mountain Lord, then she would be a being of the god-like level, revered in folk legends as highly as immortals.
As the saying goes, "A mountain is not considered high, but it becomes divine with the presence of immortals."
The "immortal" in this context refers to the lord of the mountain.
After kneeling, the group stood up.
They seemed afraid to touch the corpse. The leader of the black-clad figures asked, "Where is the Mountain Lord's coffin?"
I felt a deep emptiness inside, the kind you get after a huge blow, when you don't want to think or do anything. I just wanted it all to end quickly.
Hearing his question, I casually replied, "It was used for burying my grandfather!"
"What?" The black-clad leader was shocked, then instantly furious.
A tremendous pressure crashed down on me, causing veins to bulge on my face.
But just at that moment, the corpse's tightly shut eyes suddenly snapped open.
The black-clad leader gasped, quickly retracting his aura.
This scene made me frown, and a thought crossed my mind.
They were afraid of her, so maybe I could use that to keep them here?
After all, if they took action, it would be like offending the corpse.
However, before I could speak, Huang Jiu quivered and said, "My lords, I still have a spare coffin at home. You can use it for the Mountain Lord."
I was infuriated. Could this sycophant not keep quiet for once?
But in front of the dozen black-clad figures, I didn't dare show my anger.
Just as I was about to tell them that the corpse didn't want to leave, the black-clad leader spoke again, "Kid, don't have any unrealistic thoughts. Let the past be the past. As for the future, you're not on the same path. You'll never have any more interactions with us. Forcing things together won't be good for either of you."
If he hadn't said that, I could still suppress my anger.
But hearing his words, I couldn't help but retort, "Who the hell do you think you are? Are you a worm in her belly? You can just say we're not on the same path?"
Huang Jiu was terrified when I started arguing with them. It shook with fear, clutching my pants and pleading, "Brother Li, no, ancestor, you don't fear death, but don't drag me down with you! I have elderly parents and young children. Please spare my family!"
At that moment, Huang Jiu was truly humbled.
But his words didn't make me feel sorry for him. At least he could lower his head to protect his family.
As for me?
It seemed like, because the corpse's eyes had opened, the black-clad figures didn't take their anger out on me. The leader flipped his hand, took out a wooden token, and threw it on the ground. "In half a year, if you're capable of entering Mount Ten Thousand, perhaps we'll meet again."
His words were meant to placate me, for his tone conveyed that he didn't believe I would have the ability to do so.
At this moment, Huang Xian'er used her sorcery to bring a coffin, opening it and looking at me with pleading eyes.
I didn't move, several thoughts flashing through my mind.
I wanted her and her husband to jump onto the corpse, using its intimidation to help me escape with them. As for Liu Changxuan and his disciple, as long as the corpse was safe, the black-clad figures could kill them and frame me—I wouldn't mind taking the blame.
But just as I was about to make my move, the voice I'd heard earlier in the cave echoed in my ear again, "Give me to them, or you won't be able to protect me for the next three days."
It was her.
I looked down at the corpse. Her eyes closed again, as though she were sleeping.
At that moment, I wanted to tell her, like a man, that I could protect her.
But I knew it wasn't as simple as saying it.
Even if I managed to drive away Liu Changxuan and scare off the black-clad figures, there would still be Zhang Changxuan, the Yellow-robed Men, and the White-robed Men waiting for me in the future.
And after today, Huang Xian'er might not help me again.
The corpse seemed to signal that these people wouldn't harm her.
As I hesitated, her voice came again: "Don't worry, I'll come find you soon."
Come find me again?
I frowned. I thought, as long as you're safe and make it through the danger, don't come looking for me.
But deep down, I felt reluctant.
After all, we had been through so much together.
In the end, I decided that even if she was a burden, if she came, then so be it.
The black-clad figures grew impatient. The cold black mist gradually spread, deepening the already dark forest, making it even more foreboding.
The corpse then spoke. I had no choice but to compromise. Holding the corpse, I walked to the coffin and gently placed her inside.
Finally speaking for the first time, I whispered, "These clothes were bought by my mother for you. Please wear them and change."
The corpse didn't respond, but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.
Before I could look again, Huang Xian'er quickly closed the coffin lid.
As soon as the lid shut, the black mist instantly enveloped us.
In that moment, I felt as though every cell in my body was being suppressed by that power.
When the mist finally retreated, it disappeared into the vast mountains like a receding tide.
Huang Jiu and Huang Xian'er collapsed onto the ground, panting heavily.
I staggered a couple of steps but could not maintain my balance and sat down.
The pressure she brought was immense. Looking at the depths of the mountains, I felt nothing but both fear and curiosity.
What was hidden there?
But for me right now, all I could do was look up at the towering mountains in awe.
"Not on the same path?"
I sneered, picked up the wooden token from the ground, and put it in my pocket without a second glance.
After what had just happened, none of us spoke for a while.
Eventually, Huang Jiu broke the silence, sighing deeply. "Li Xiao, what's your next plan?"
A plan?
Right now, my mind felt empty.
It was the emptiness of suddenly losing a beloved toy.
As for a plan…