Chapter Forty-Seven: The Demon Moon Mirror and the Azure Blade

Thousand Thorn Mountain was a name bestowed by the Azure-Faced King; to the people of the Yangping clan, it was merely one among the many peaks of Yangping Mountain. Soon, the Azure-Faced King led Nanluo deep into Thousand Thorn Mountain, where a cave had been carved into a sheer cliff halfway up the slope. Beside the entrance, a line of golden characters gleamed: "Thousand Thorn Azure-Faced Cave-Heaven."

Before they even entered, laughter and the sounds of drinking echoed from within. The Azure-Faced King stole a glance at Nanluo’s expression, noting his calm and impassive demeanor, as if he heard nothing at all. Though the king felt a twinge of unease, uncertain of what schemes Nanluo might be hiding, he reassured himself, “Once you step inside, even with powers that reach the heavens, you won’t escape…”

The cave was dry, its walls smooth and bathed in firelight.

Four figures sat drinking and reveling together. Like the Azure-Faced King, they each bore the body of a man but the head of a beast. Draped in animal pelts, they conversed loudly, and beside every one sat two alluring demon women, pouring wine and slicing meat in attentive service. It was a scene of unbridled enjoyment.

When they saw the Azure-Faced King enter with Nanluo, they paused, and one asked, “Azure-Face, why have you brought a stranger here unannounced?”

The Azure-Faced King merely laughed, ignoring the question, and silently conveyed the whole tale to them through his spiritual thoughts. He then strode to the seat of honor, called for more wine and food, and said, “Brother, why not introduce yourself so we may know what divine abilities you possess?”

Nanluo smiled and took a seat. With his celestial sight, he could discern the true forms of all five present—including the Azure-Faced King—yet even so, he could not identify precisely what kind of beings they were.

“My name is Nanluo, of the Yangping clan, trained on Kunlun Mountain. Greetings to you all, noble kings,” Nanluo said with a courteous smile.

“Kunlun Mountain? Is that not the so-called ancestor of all mountains?” a monster asked in surprise.

“Indeed!” Nanluo sat upright and nodded.

“Ah, what a distinguished background, brother! No wonder you possess such treasures. Why not show us your mirror today, so we might witness the marvels of Kunlun Mountain’s artifacts?” The Azure-Faced King spoke boldly from his seat.

The other four chimed in loudly as well, as if Nanluo were an old friend returning from years of training.

Nanluo gave a faint smile, and with a flick of his wrist, a flash of azure light revealed a small blue mirror. Its surface shone clear as water, edged with mysterious patterns. The little blue mirror spun lightly on his fingertips. “This mirror is called Demon Moon…”

“Excellent! What a fine name!” The Azure-Faced King’s gaze grew fiery, fixed upon the Demon Moon Mirror in Nanluo’s hand.

The other four seemed equally enraptured, their eyes burning with longing. “What powers does this Demon Moon Mirror possess?”

Nanluo smiled, gazing at the mirror in his hand, and explained, “This mirror can illuminate the vast world, reveal one’s true form, and seize souls. Yet its greatest feature is its innate origin…”

Nanluo looked down at the mirror, speaking slowly, unaware that the others had even stopped breathing at his words. Upon hearing it was an innate treasure, the Azure-Faced King cried out in excitement, “An innate treasure! Brother, may I have a closer look?”

“Why not?” Nanluo replied cheerfully, and with two fingers, passed the Demon Moon Mirror to the Azure-Faced King, who leapt up and hurried over, cupping the mirror as if it were a rare priceless jewel. He stroked it gently, murmuring, “What a marvelous treasure! A pity it lacks a true master.”

Nanluo sat quietly as if he heard nothing. Two demon women refilled his cup with clear wine; he raised it and drank it down in one motion. The Azure-Faced King’s boisterous voice rang out, “Brother, would you part with this precious mirror for me? I promise peace for your Yangping clan for generations.”

Nanluo did not raise his head, but lifted the freshly filled cup and replied, “What do you mean, King? As the priest of the Yangping clan, protecting its peace is my duty—how could I trouble you? I have come simply to tell you that henceforth, the Yangping clan is under my protection…” With that, he drained the cup once more.

“Haha... ha...” The Azure-Faced King threw his head back in laughter, and the others joined in. Gripping the Demon Moon Mirror tightly, the king growled, “From today, this Demon Moon Mirror belongs to me, Azure-Face! Ha ha… Brothers, they say humans are born ignorant of the Great Way, unable to cultivate, but every one is clever by nature. Yet today, I see we are far superior to them! Ha ha…”

The monsters roared with laughter.

The two demon women beside Nanluo sensed the shifting atmosphere and quickly withdrew to the side. Nanluo paid no mind, still smiling as he poured himself another cup of wine. “Noble kings, I have another treasure here, no less wondrous than the Demon Moon Mirror.” He unbuckled the blue-sheathed sword at his waist and laid it across the table, saying softly, “This sword is called Azure Grace, from the Undying Palace of Phoenix Mountain—another innate treasure. If you desire it, take it as well.” With that, he raised his cup and drank again.

Nanluo’s voice was gentle and calm, but the monsters’ laughter ceased abruptly. They felt a murderous aura emanate from him. In their eyes, Nanluo and the sword on the table seemed fused into one.

They squinted at Nanluo, and for a moment the cave fell into profound silence—no one dared to make a move. Only Nanluo sat unmoving, quietly savoring the mysterious taste of his wine. The Azure-Faced King’s expression darkened, his eyes glimmering red, long fangs exposed and flashing coldly in the firelight.

“Brothers, are we five afraid of him? Judging by his age, his power cannot match ours. Even with an innate sword in hand, he likely cannot wield its full might… It is said innate treasures contain the essence of the Great Way. Once we obtain them, each of us can take turns to comprehend them, and when we master their secrets, we need not hide in this little mountain any longer.”

There was hardly need for the Azure-Faced King to rally them. To claim a king’s seat among the monsters was no easy feat. Yet now Nanluo sat quietly in his blue robe, back straight, giving them the sense of a blade poised at their throats.

The five exchanged glances, communicating silently.

Suddenly, the Azure-Faced King shouted, opening his massive jaws and spewing a thick cloud of black, murderous mist. It engulfed Nanluo in an instant, and the king laughed triumphantly, even as he saw Nanluo calmly raising his cup to his lips as the black cloud enveloped him.

The other four monsters hurled themselves into the darkness, eager to snatch the Azure Grace sword from the table. The black murderous mist filled the cave, leaving only the king’s gleeful laughter.

A ringing sword cry resounded in the darkness. Four flashes of white sword-light flickered.

The Azure-Faced King was stunned. He could see everything within the black mist: as his four companions, each brandishing a weapon, rushed the table, Nanluo’s sword came out. The king had not even caught how Nanluo drew it—only that four sword-lights flashed, and his four friends, along with their weapons, were severed cleanly in two.

Before the king could react, the Demon Moon Mirror he clutched suddenly shone with a pale blue light. Startled, he looked into the mirror and saw his own face ashen as death. At once, his consciousness plunged into darkness, and he collapsed stiffly to the ground. The Demon Moon Mirror vanished in a flicker.

Nanluo sat upright and inhaled—the black mist was instantly drawn into his mouth. When the murderous haze faded from the cave, Nanluo raised his cup and murmured to himself, “If this counts as swallowing clouds and spitting mist, then I suppose I’ve mastered it.”