Chapter 112: It Is I
Wang Shao and the others were startled. These people wore ethnic minority clothing, their faces painted with strange totems, and held bamboo swords, their eyes fixed intently on them.
“What’s going on? Is this some kind of show at the scenic area?” Wang Shao asked in surprise.
Lele clapped her hands and said, “Great! I’m so tired and hungry. It’s a rare chance to see people. Let’s eat first and then enjoy the show, how about that?”
Zhao Bing immediately relaxed and returned to Wang Shao’s side, quietly scrutinizing the group.
Lu Ming silently shook his head at Wang Shao and Lele’s words. They were truly naive and ignorant—the world seemed utterly harmless through their eyes.
At that moment, a thin old man, as slender as a bamboo pole and wearing a plain gray robe, appeared before them. Unlike the others, his face bore no totemic marks.
He said, “Everyone, there will be a performance here tonight. You all may enjoy it.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Shao’s face instantly brightened. After walking through the forest for hours, unused to hardship, he was exhausted and starving, barely holding on.
Now, hearing there would be food, his spirits lifted immediately. He said to Zhao Bing, “Keep an eye on that brat for me. After I’ve eaten my fill, I’ll settle accounts with him slowly.”
With that, Wang Shao led the way forward.
As long as there were people, it was manageable. Where there were people, money would be spent—and Wang Shao had plenty. Soon, he would feast and drink, enjoy the show, and then thoroughly torment that brat. What a pleasure that would be.
The group walked ahead, with the old man and the strangely dressed people following behind. Lu Ming remained silent, quietly trailing Wang Shao and the others.
After more than half an hour’s walk, the landscape suddenly opened up before them—they arrived at the mouth of a mountain valley.
Within the valley, several campfires blazed, and over a dozen people, dressed in ethnic costumes, were singing and dancing around the fires.
Wang Shao, Lele, and the others immediately cheered and ran toward the valley, with Zhao Bing following cautiously behind.
Lu Ming followed at a measured pace. In his spiritual imprint, Ula was here in this valley—this was precisely the place he sought.
Upon entering the valley, the tall, thin man arranged for them to sit by one of the campfires, then prepared to leave.
Wang Shao called out, “Hey, hurry up and get us some food and drinks. We’re starving.”
The old man smiled and said, “It will come shortly. Please wait.”
The old man departed, while the totem-painted men nearby watched Lu Ming and the others closely.
Lu Ming smiled, sitting cross-legged not far from Wang Shao and the rest.
Wang Shao sneered, “You’ve got some nerve, huh? Just wait and see how I deal with you later.”
“If you can manage yourself a little longer, I’ll be grateful,” Lu Ming replied with a smile.
“You’re damn right you’re asking for death! Zhao Bing, kill him for me!” Wang Shao snapped.
Originally, Wang Shao had planned to wait until he was full before dealing with Lu Ming, but with such insolence, he no longer wished to hold back.
Repeatedly being defied in front of a beauty, he’d reached his limit.
Zhao Bing frowned. “Wang Shao, there are too many people here; this is not the place to start a fight. Let’s eat first, then we’ll take him away.”
Wang Shao nodded reluctantly. “Fine, I’ll hold my temper a little longer with this bastard. Damn it.”
He also knew that fighting here could attract the scenic area’s police. With his status, he might get away with it, but still, better to endure for now. Besides, this bastard wasn’t going anywhere.
Wang Shao glared fiercely at Lu Ming, then eagerly awaited the meal.
Soon, two roasted deer legs and a bucket of sour tea were brought over and placed beside them.
Wang Shao and the others were displeased. “Is this all you’re giving us? Bring out the good stuff! I’ve got plenty of money.”
Yet no one paid them any heed. Wang Shao and the others cursed the scenic area bitterly, vowing to complain once they returned. Reluctantly, they began to eat the roasted deer legs.
They were too hungry to be picky.
While they devoured their food, Lu Ming observed the valley’s surroundings.
At that moment, two figures descended from a stilted building several dozen feet high at the center of the valley.
One wore an ancient gray robe and had a beard; the other dressed in ethnic attire, his face gaunt like a ghost.
As they descended, two lines of strong men in ethnic dress emerged, standing on either side as if the two were the stars surrounded by attendants. Among them was Ula’s figure.
Everyone else knelt on the ground, uttering words the newcomers couldn’t understand.
Wang Shao and the others chuckled, “Look, the show’s starting! Wonder what kind of fun this will be.”
Lu Ming watched the two silently, frowning deeply.
The gaunt old man waved his hand, and the crowd fell silent.
“Today is the annual day of our Gu Gu Sect’s sacrifice to the Gu Gu God. We pray for the Gu Gu God’s blessing, that our sect may prosper forever.”
“The Gu Gu God blesses the Gu Gu Sect forever!”
Everyone repeated the chant in unison, their voices echoing through the valley in waves.
After a moment, the gaunt old man pressed down his hand, and the crowd quieted.
He said, “Today is also the auspicious day when our Gu Gu Sect allies with Master Yao Gang, the martial arts grandmaster of the Miao region. We thank Master Yao for bringing offerings.”
“Thank you, Master Yao!”
Cheers erupted from the crowd.
“That really looks convincing,” Wang Shao and the others said, watching intently.
Lu Ming’s frown deepened.
The gaunt old man waved again. “Everyone, follow me.”
He turned and began walking toward the back of the stilted building, with the crowd closely following.
The slender bamboo-pole man who had guided Lu Ming and others reappeared before them and said, “The performance officially begins. Come with me.”
“Finally something worth watching! Zhao Bing, keep an eye on that bastard. Don’t let him escape,” Wang Shao said.
Lu Ming shook his head, stood, and followed the group toward the rear.
“You sure know your place. You know you can’t run,” Wang Shao sneered.
Lu Ming only shook his head.
After a short walk, they arrived behind the stilted building.
There was a pool of water about thirty feet across, glowing faintly blue under the campfire light, mysteriously bottomless.
By the pool stood dozens from the Gu Gu Sect, and seven or eight youths, aged eighteen or nineteen, tightly bound and kneeling at the water’s edge, faces pale with terror.
Wang Shao and the others stared.
“Damn, this show is really real and intense. What the hell are they going to do?” they exclaimed.
The slender man waved his hand. “Bring them over.”
Several Gu Gu Sect members grabbed the youths by the arms and dragged them toward the pool.
“Hey, be careful! We’re guests here. Can you show some courtesy?” Wang Shao and the others grumbled as they approached the pool.
Zhao Bing was sweating profusely but dared not act rashly.
When the gaunt old man mentioned Yao Gang, he knew this was no ordinary affair.
Yao Gang was one of the two great masters of the Miao region—he knew that.
If the gaunt old man could stand shoulder to shoulder with such a grandmaster, he must be formidable.
Despite the strange situation, Zhao Bing dared not reveal his worry. Instead, he racked his brain on how to safely lead Wang Shao and the others away.
Meanwhile, Wang Shao and the others approached the pool with cheerful faces, peering inside.
“Guess what might suddenly jump out of the water?” Wang Shao joked.
Lele laughed, “Maybe a monster will appear and swallow you whole.”
Everyone burst into laughter.
Then a man approached them, sneering.
“How dare you behave so recklessly before the Gu Gu God? The first to be sacrificed to the Gu Gu God will be you.”
“Hah, this show’s really something. Hurry up—I’m eager to watch,” Wang Shao said cheerfully.
The man’s gaze shifted and suddenly landed on Lu Ming. His face twisted in shock.
“You?”
“Exactly me,” Lu Ming snarled and kicked Ula into the pool.