Chapter Twelve: The House of Winds

Staring at the ancient structure that flickered in and out of sight at the center of the lake, I said, “Could this be the legendary mirage?”

Old Jiang shot me a venomous glare, as if I owed him two acres of land, and snapped, “Nonsense. Does a mirage ever appear late at night in your family’s stories? If you ask me, it’s more likely a demon’s illusion.”

“Another demon? What kind of cursed place is this?” I couldn’t help but ask, my curiosity piqued.

Lin Weiyan walked up beside me, patted my shoulder, and with a half-smile, half-sigh, replied, “This is the Forest of Ten Thousand Demons, the passage to Immortal Valley. They say if it’s not ten thousand demons here, then it’s at least a thousand.”

“Forest of Ten Thousand Demons? Are you kidding me? If there really were so many demons, humanity would have gone extinct long ago. Don’t try to scare me with that,” I retorted.

Lin Weiyan looked at me as if I were hopeless. “Believe it or not, these demons are trapped here and can’t leave. That’s the only reason your kind is safe.”

I glanced at Old Jiang. “Is she telling the truth?”

Old Jiang never seemed fond of me, and his reply was as cold as ever: “That’s right!”

Hearing Old Jiang echo her words, I still found it hard to believe, but as the saying goes: better safe than sorry. So I said to the two of them, “I think we should go around. This place is far too dangerous.”

No sooner had I spoken than Old Jiang gave me a look of utter contempt. “What do you know? This is the only path to Immortal Valley. If you really don’t want to go, fine, we can part ways here.”

I hurried to say, “No, no… I think we’d better stick together.”

Old Jiang’s tactic was ruthless; he knew perfectly well I wouldn’t dare to separate from them now, and was saying it on purpose. I understood, but could only swallow my frustration and plot quietly, vowing that when the tables turned, I’d find a way to pay him back.

Just as I was imagining all sorts of ways to get back at the old man, the ancient structure in the lake began to solidify. From its center, a wooden bridge, two meters wide, stretched out toward us.

It seemed the lake’s owner was inviting us in person, but under these circumstances, I had no desire to risk it.

Yet Old Jiang and Lin Weiyan seemed utterly unfazed, stepping onto the bridge without hesitation.

I looked back over my shoulder. If I stayed behind alone, what would I do if some monster appeared? After thinking it over, I decided to follow—after all, I’d witnessed Lin Weiyan’s skills firsthand; it was safer sticking with them.

The wooden bridge led straight to the heart of the lake. As we drew near the ancient building, lanterns flared to life, illuminating our path.

Before us stood a grand residence. Two large red lanterns hung at the entrance, and above the black doors was a plaque that read, “Wind Residence.”

As we approached, the doors swung open in unison. Out stepped a young woman, whose attire made it clear she was a maid of the house.

She greeted us politely, then said, “My master invites the three of you inside. Please, follow me.”

With that, she led us into the residence. I leaned over and whispered to Lin Weiyan, “Where is this place? Do you know who her master is?”

Lin Weiyan shook her head. “Who cares? Since we’ve been invited, we may as well see what’s inside. Besides, with me here, what’s there to fear?”

I cleared my throat. “That’s not what I meant. I’m not afraid—just saying we should be cautious. You said yourself there are lots of demons here.”

Lin Weiyan ignored me, and Old Jiang shot me another glare. “Why do you talk so much?”

The maid led us in silence to a grand hall and stopped. At its center stood a striking young man, dressed in a pale, crescent-colored robe embroidered with intricate patterns in blue silk.

Judging by his appearance, he was perhaps twenty-seven or twenty-eight, with a square jaw, bright eyes, and brows like drawn swords—altogether a handsome and imposing figure, one who exuded the air of a leader.

He greeted us with a gentle smile. “It is a great honor to welcome you to my humble home. Forgive me if my hospitality is lacking.”

Old Jiang replied, “You’re too kind, sir. May I ask who you are?”

The young man said, “I am Feng Zimo. I have long heard of your esteemed name, Old Jiang, and it is truly a rare privilege to meet you today.”

Old Jiang paused, searching his memory for any mention of such a person but found none. He replied, “You flatter me, sir. Might I ask why you have invited us here?”

Feng Zimo responded, “It’s nothing in particular. I was simply wondering how your master has been lately?”

At this, Old Jiang’s expression changed. Judging by the man’s tone, it seemed he knew Old Jiang’s master—yet Old Jiang had never heard his master mention such a person.

“My master is well. To be honest, we are on our way to visit him now,” Old Jiang replied.

Feng Zimo said, “What a coincidence. I, too, was just planning to pay him a visit. Would you mind if we traveled together?”

Old Jiang thought for a moment, then said, “Since you know my master, it would be our pleasure.”

Feng Zimo nodded politely. “In that case, allow me to thank you in advance.”

Just then, his gaze fell on Lin Weiyan, and he couldn’t help but praise, “What a beautiful fox spirit.”

Lin Weiyan didn’t appear the least bit embarrassed under his gaze—perhaps she was long accustomed to such attention.

At length, Feng Zimo’s eyes shifted to me. When our eyes met, he exclaimed in surprise, “Crimson-eyed demon gaze!”

Old Jiang nodded slightly, signaling Feng Zimo to say no more.

Feng Zimo seemed to understand and swallowed his words.

I wasn’t stupid; I could read the cues between them. Still, I knew pressing further wouldn’t get me any answers.

Feng Zimo had intended to let us rest there for the night and set out for Immortal Valley at dawn. But when Old Jiang mentioned that his master was soon to enter seclusion—and if we were late, we’d have to wait another three years—we decided to set off immediately.

Leaving Feng Zimo’s residence, the four of us journeyed toward Immortal Valley together.

Curiously, since Feng Zimo had joined our group, not a single demon appeared. Everywhere we went was eerily quiet.

Could it be that Feng Zimo’s presence had scared all the nearby demons away? If so, then this man was truly formidable.

But as it turned out, my guess was wrong. The silence was not due to Feng Zimo, but rather the calm before the storm.

Not far ahead, an even more fearsome creature awaited us. It was because of this monster that all the demons and beasts for dozens of miles around had fled for their lives.