Chapter Forty-Six: The Banquet of the Azure-Faced King

It was precisely noon, the sun blazing high in the sky. Yet above, a cluster of dark clouds shifted and twisted, refusing to depart. The ominous scene of moments before—when dark clouds blotted out the sun, as if the sky were collapsing in apocalypse—had now faded away.

In these times, the world teemed with countless beings who had attained the Dao and cultivated their arts. Yangping Mountain was no exception, home to many reclusive spirits. Among them was the Azure-Faced Beast, known as the Great King of the Mountain, who was in truth an azure-faced porcupine spirit. This day, he had hosted a banquet in the mountains for his friends when, quite suddenly, he sensed a tremendous surge in spiritual energy, as if all the vital energies of heaven and earth were flooding toward a single spot.

Though his guests were all local mountain lords themselves, since it was the Azure-Faced King who was hosting, such an event naturally required the host to step forth and investigate. After all, they had ruled these mountains for many years and understood everything that transpired below. The Yangping clan’s people lived and died in turn, but nothing ever truly changed. For the mountain lords, nothing in this place could threaten their existence.

Even when they sensed fluctuations of magical power, they thought it was simply some ignorant traveler casting spells where he shouldn’t. If the Azure-Faced King went to confront the culprit, he could easily capture them and perhaps even amuse his friends at the banquet with the event.

These were the thoughts of the Azure-Faced King, a veteran of countless battles. He left the mountain, concealed himself in the void, and sped toward the source of the disturbance. Upon reaching the foot of the mountain, he saw a new Daoist temple and was instantly enraged. "You come to my domain and build a temple, take disciples and spread teachings—no great matter in itself. But to do so without first informing me? How am I to save face before my friends?"

He followed the flow of spiritual energy to the sky above the Yangping clan and saw the clansfolk gathered together, one figure standing at the altar, waving a horsetail whisk and chanting incantations. Sensing that this man’s power was somewhat inferior to his own, the Azure-Faced King’s anger flared even higher. He spat out a cloud of baleful mist, refined from the darkest spots in his mountain abode, and in an instant the sky was shrouded, the sun blotted out.

This baleful mist served not only as a shield but also corroded other magical treasures and polluted the spirits of those caught within. Anyone of equal power caught in the mist—unless they possessed some exceptional art—would perish in agony, with no other fate possible.

When Daoist Yuanji had only just escaped from his mist, the Azure-Faced King was merely surprised. But now, being suppressed by Nan Luo and that peculiar mirror, he was furious. No matter how he melted into the baleful mist or tried to split and flee across the sky, the mirror’s light found him instantly.

Each time the mirror’s beam struck him, it seared straight to his soul—a burning pain so intense he could not help but cry out. Fortunately, though the mirror was strange, only the first flash felt truly perilous; after that, it seemed not so deadly. Its power was not overwhelming, which was why he could always dodge away just in time.

Within the expanse of his baleful cloud, he could appear anywhere at will, vanishing and reappearing without the need for incantations.

Yet, in the eyes of the Yangping clan, the once-terrifying Azure-Faced Demon was now being driven hither and thither by Nan Luo and his mirror. Clearly, this was a magical mirror, they all thought.

Suddenly, the azure light of the mirror in Nan Luo’s hand withdrew, startling the crowd. Had the mirror’s power run out? Were they now doomed?

But at that moment, Nan Luo’s calm, unhurried voice drifted to their ears: "Great King, do you think I can protect the lives of my Yangping clan?"

The Azure-Faced King, while darting through his baleful cloud to evade the mirror, was also pondering how to break through to the ground and seize this man. But then, just as suddenly, the ever-pursuing mirror light vanished, and Nan Luo’s words reached his ears.

He mused, "If that mirror were a bit stronger, and its light a touch broader, I might truly be powerless. As it stands, though, it’s just not enough. Best to probe his depths before making any rash decisions." With that, he revealed himself, drawing in the baleful cloud until it condensed beneath his feet. "Where did you learn your arts, stranger? Speak now, lest you harm your own kind. Know this—I have yet to use my true powers. If this is the extent of your abilities, you cannot protect all these people."

Nan Luo, hands clasped behind his back, stepped forward to the altar’s edge and smiled. "Where I studied the Dao lies ten thousand miles from here, Great King; you need not trouble yourself. As for your unused powers, I too have only used a fraction of my Mirror of the Demon Moon. For years, the Yangping clan has thrived under your shelter. On their behalf, I offer thanks. I hope that from this day forth, you and the Yangping clan might live in harmony. What say you, Great King?"

Standing atop his cloud, the Azure-Faced King was a being neither quite man nor beast, his hide thick and dark as old armor. His eyes flickered as he let out a hearty laugh. "Ha! Brother Nan Luo, you are truly magnanimous. I’ve watched the Yangping clan grow, and now that it has produced a talent such as yourself, it’s an honor for my Thousand-Spine Mountain. Why not let me host a feast in your honor in my mountain—welcome you properly!"

Nan Luo’s words had been gentle yet firm, and the Azure-Faced King, quick to adapt, now addressed him as a brother, his booming voice brimming with good cheer. The Yangping clansfolk, seeing that Nan Luo could not only withstand the demon but even form a bond with him, were delighted. But when the Azure-Faced King invited Nan Luo to his mountain, worry crept into every heart—if the demon meant harm, would Nan Luo not be in grave peril?

Hongguo, Nan Luo’s younger sister, hurried to his side, shaking her head anxiously but daring not to speak, lest she offend the powerful figure in the sky.

Nan Luo chuckled, "Since the Great King has invited me, it would be rude not to accept. Ha ha..."

His words sent a shock through the Yangping clan. Hongguo, panicked, grabbed his hand. "Brother, you mustn’t go..."

Chief Huangyuan also hurried over. "He’s right, you mustn’t go. If you enter his mountain and he turns treacherous, you’d be all alone!"

Nan Luo smiled, "Uncles and elders, do not worry. The Great King is clearly a man of honor—he would not harm me. Rest assured and wait in peace; I’ll return within the day." With that, he stepped back, turned, and with a stride into the void, appeared atop the Azure-Faced King’s black cloud.

The Azure-Faced King was startled—he hadn’t sensed Nan Luo’s approach at all. This unsettled him, and he couldn’t help glancing at the long sword hanging at Nan Luo’s waist, a faint unease prickling his heart. Outwardly, he laughed. "Brother Nan Luo, you are truly bold. When we reach my mountain, allow me to introduce you to our beauties—you may never wish to return!"

Nan Luo replied with a smile, "Is that so? I’ve yet to see what beauties outside the human realm look like. Are they all as you are, Great King?"

The Azure-Faced King roared with laughter. "You jest, brother. I promise my mountain’s beauties will suit your taste."

"Then I must thank you in advance, Great King..."

...

On the white-stone altar, Hongguo called out loudly, but Nan Luo, high upon the cloud, was laughing and chatting with the Azure-Faced King, seemingly oblivious to her pleas. As she watched his figure disappear into the distant mountains with the demon, she nearly burst into tears. Last time, when Nan Luo was suddenly taken, she hadn’t been there, and the pain had pierced her heart. Now, watching him leave again, she was seized by the dread that her brother would never return. She tried to banish this thought, but it only grew stronger.

"Alas," sighed Chief Huangyuan, "Nan Luo has always been wiser than others since he was a child—how could he be so reckless now? That mountain demon cannot have good intentions." He gazed after Nan Luo, his face etched with worry.

"Mother, Chief," piped up Luoshui, her eyes wide and clear, "there’s no need to worry. Uncle said he’d return in a day—he’ll be back!"

"Oh, child, what do you know? That demon clearly has evil designs. He couldn’t defeat your uncle, so he’s tricking him—who knew your brother would believe him?" wailed Hongguo.

"But if you all know the demon is up to no good, surely uncle does too?" Luoshui’s voice was crisp, her eyes pure as water. Hongguo was stunned. "That’s true. If we can see it, so can he. He’s so clever—why would he go if he suspected danger?" Yet before she could reason it out, Luoshui continued, "There must be lots of little demons in the great demon’s mountain, and they’re all planning to gang up on uncle. Hmph, so mean."

Hongguo’s worry deepened. "What if they do? How can brother fight them all alone..."

"Uncle will win! He just stood there and used a mirror to make that big demon flee in panic—even a hundred little demons are nothing to fear!"

Nan Luo could not know that this little niece, in such a short time, had developed such fierce faith in him. At that moment, he stood with hands clasped behind his back upon the black mist cloud, laughing and chatting with the Azure-Faced King—a creature whose eloquence was at odds with his beastly appearance. But Nan Luo was no stranger to the world; he had traversed a thousand mountains, entered the Phoenix Palace of Undying, and visited the Celestial Lake Dragon Court—his experience was unmatched.

Along the way, they spoke of strange tales and hidden secrets from across the land, their conversation seemingly harmonious. Yet, ever since Nan Luo set foot upon his baleful cloud, the Azure-Faced King had been weighing his chances. At first, when he saw the sword at Nan Luo’s waist, a chill ran through him, and he dared not act. The more he considered it, the less inclined he was to attempt anything. But as his own mountain loomed ahead—a place where four trusted friends awaited and Nan Luo would be alone—he finally relaxed. "With my allies at hand, can he truly turn the world upside down?"