As they witnessed the increasingly benevolent smile on Danxia Mother's face, Jin Guan and Xie Jiang's hearts grew more uneasy.
The rumors they had heard about this venerable mother of the Tingchang Mountain resurfaced in their minds, feeling a chill creeping down their spines.
Being able to suppress the urge to shiver already showcased the strength of their determination.
However, when faced with Danxia Mother's inquiry, Jin Guan stuttered for a long time, unable to articulate anything.
In truth, there was nothing much to it.
Jin Guan understood this well.
It was merely an escaped demonic slave from the Demon-Sealing Cave who had learned the "Springtime Sword" technique.
Regardless of the details, it was not a significant matter for the mother who presided over the Tingchang Mountain.
But for some reason, in that instant, Jin Guan's mind was enveloped by an unprecedented coldness, rendering him speechless, as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat.
When he came back to his senses, the amiable smile on Danxia Mother's face had slowly faded away.
The old woman's expression turned cold as she looked at Jin Guan.
"What's this? Looking down on granny?"
With just a sentence, Jin Guan almost shed tears and sweat together.
"I... I..."
This time, there was no oppressive chill suppressing his mind.
Clearly, Jin Guan was completely flustered.
Seeing his junior brother faltering, Xie Jiang forced a smile.
"Granny Danxia, you personally appearing here, is there something you want to teach us juniors? Don't blame my junior brother; he's just a child who has recently left the sect. Without any elders present, it's inevitable for us juniors to be a bit lacking in manners. Please forgive him."
After these words, Danxia Mother turned her head to look at Xie Jiang, gradually revealing a meaningful smile.
"Good child, you are quite eloquent. With your words, granny won't kill this foolish child today. But both of you must accompany granny to Tingchang Mountain."
As her words fell, both Jin Guan and Xie Jiang were shocked.
Although the Tingchang Mountain Daoist temple was located north of the Yushui River, the orthodox cultivators were well aware of the formidable reputation of this wandering mother.
She had carved a path for herself in the sea of corpses and mountains of corpses, not relying on compassion.
Even today, the mention of Tingchang Mountain in the northern mountains of Jiangnan had the effect of stopping a child's night cries.
Being taken to the mother's Daoist temple, they feared it would not end well.
Thinking back to the earlier reasons, they felt even more troubled.
It was Xie Jiang who first realized the situation.
She quickly knelt down and bowed, then calmly spoke.
"Please forgive us, Granny Danxia. We were sent out by our sect on a mission, and it is urgent. We truly do not have the time to visit Danxia Mountain. Moreover, Granny, there was a slight misunderstanding between our families earlier. You see, the ruins of the Demon-Sealing Cave are still visible to the north. If you take us away now, our sect's elders might not take it lightly. There is no need for such unnecessary conflicts between our families, making us a laughingstock for others, right?"
Hearing Xie Jiang's words, Danxia Mother's smile became even more amiable.
"Good child, your words are reasonable. However, when did granny say she wanted to reason with you? I have personally come with a talisman, and I cannot take away two children who have just left the sect. If I do, what will happen to my reputation that I have built over half a lifetime?"
"So, there is no point in saying more. Granny has made up her mind!"
Upon hearing Danxia Mother mention her reputation, even Xie Jiang's face turned pale, unable to say a word.
Although she was called senior sister, there was no absolute distinction between her and Jin Guan; they were both young children.
But it was at this moment that Jin Guan, who had been silent, spoke up, his voice already tinged with a sob.
"Danxia Mother, if Elder Ding is summoned here, causing further discord between our families, it is all my fault. I will go to Tingchang Mountain with you alone! Just spare my senior sister!"
As he finished speaking, perhaps feeling extremely desolate, Jin Guan almost roared out his words.
But the more he did so, the less angry Danxia Mother became.
"Good, good, you are both good children. No wonder the Sword Sect has prospered for so many years. If my Tingchang Mountain is filled with such good children, I can rest assured even with my eyes closed."
"Stop arguing, both of you must come with me."
"Don't act like it's a life-and-death separation."
"I have told you, you must stay at Tingchang Mountain, and your lives will not be in danger."
"The matter of the Jieyun lineage's tribulation has been passed down for many years, and most likely, it will fall on both of you."
"If I ruin this matter, all the old folks in your sect will go mad!"
"But unfortunately, my grandson Chunyu has already been entangled in karma. Your senior uncle had a greedy nature even when he was young, wanting to scrape off three layers of soil even on flat ground. With Chunyu's karma, your senior uncle is bound to stir up trouble, and I will only relent after extracting more compensation."
"God bless, my desolate mountains and wild ridges are not a sect or a school, how can they withstand the devouring of Qinghai Daoist?"
"Thus, I have to resort to this plan first, to take you to Tingchang Mountain."
"Not seeking wealth, not harming lives."
"Just waiting for Qinghai Daoist to come in person!"
"Without this encounter, without some oath and pledge, granny cannot trust Qinghai Daoist's character!"
"As for making you needlessly worried, some benefits and treasures will surely be indispensable to you. As for the demonic cultivator who escaped from the Demon-Sealing Cave... I have sent people from Tingchang Mountain to search in the wilderness south of the Yushui River."
"Have you ever thought that such a ghostly place is not somewhere you orthodox disciples can easily tread?"
"Granny is saving your lives!"
"When the head of that demonic cultivator is brought back, it will be a feast for you, fulfilling the task assigned by your sect. Isn't that wonderful?"
"Alright! Whether it's good or bad, granny has said it all today, and there should be no more disputes."
"Let's go!"
-
Suddenly, a gust of wind surged through the forest like a storm.
In the jungle, Chu Weiyang held the "Clear Micro Thunder Cloud Seal Script" in his hand, silently memorizing the thunder seals and cloud scripts using his unique method.
At this moment, Chu Weiyang's footsteps abruptly halted.
With a flip of his hand, the Daoist book was tucked into his belt, and with the other hand gripping the sword hilt, a hint of cold light was already revealed.
The invisible sword qi cut through the swirling wind.
The whistling sound seemed like a mournful roar.
Just as the aura of the Spring Awakening Sword Intent on Chu Weiyang began to rise, a young man of about the same age appeared from behind a tree not far away.
Meeting at the crossroads, the man smiled and clasped his fists.
"Daoist friend, Tingchang Mountain, under the tutelage of Danxia Mother, Yan Jianming is here, waiting for Daoist friend for a long time. There is a business matter I wish to discuss with Daoist friend."
Many books are now hard to find, so cherish what you have.