Missing

The study of the Hundred Sword Arts went smoothly. As Chu Liang bid farewell to Jiang Xiaobai, they agreed that he could return the next day to learn a new divine technique.

Yet, upon his return to Silver Sword Peak, he discovered a letter had arrived, bearing news that was less than favorable.

The letter was sent from Ming, a wealthy man in Xingzhou City. In it, he wrote that his wife had disappeared.

Yes—she was the cat demon for whom Chu Liang had recently sought an official blessing from the sect.

“Sigh…” Chu Liang exhaled softly.

It seemed his plans to learn new divine arts would have to be postponed. He immediately messaged Jiang Xiaobai, then went to inform his master of the situation.

Such was the inevitable trouble that followed when one sought blessings for a demon.

Though it was done out of kindness, any mishap involving the demon meant responsibility fell squarely upon the petitioner.

By the rules, Lady Ming could not leave her city for extended periods and was required to return to Shushan every few months.

Now, with her unexplained disappearance, if she had been harmed, it would be a direct challenge to Shushan’s authority, as she was a demon officially blessed by the sect. Thus, Shushan disciples were obliged to seek justice for her.

If she herself had grown restless or rebellious, it was also up to the disciples to handle it and minimize any impact. Should she cause any trouble, the blame would ultimately rest with Chu Liang.

In youth, everyone is eager and responsible, full of good intentions. Perhaps, after enough troublesome incidents, such attitudes begin to shift.

Chu Liang, however, was unfazed. He only regretted missing an opportunity to learn new divine arts. As for the inevitable trouble—he had been mentally prepared when he took on the task.

When he arrived at the small pavilion, Empress Phoenix was, as expected, engrossed in her picture book.

Ever since Chu Liang became her disciple, not once had he seen her cultivating, not even for a quarter of an hour. He had no idea how she possessed such formidable prowess.

True, the seventh realm was called “Seeking the Dao,” focused on enlightenment and insight, and arduous cultivation was no longer the primary path to advancement.

Yet, what insight could one possibly glean from a comic book? The Way of the comic strip?

Chu Liang could not fathom it.

“Master…” he approached Empress Phoenix. “There’s been an issue with the Ming family in Xingzhou City, the one for whom I sought a blessing.”

“Hmm?” Empress Phoenix sat up.

Chu Liang recounted the contents of the letter from Ming.

“I’ve met that little cat demon before. She didn’t seem malicious, so I doubt there’s any real trouble. If she’s gone missing, odds are she’s encountered some misfortune.” Empress Phoenix stroked her chin thoughtfully.

“I feel the same,” Chu Liang nodded.

“Here, take this.” Empress Phoenix raised her hand and tossed him an object.

Chu Liang caught it and found it was a jade talisman inscribed with the Tracking Spell.

“The cat demon left behind a Tracking Spell. With this talisman, you can find her,” said Empress Phoenix.

This was precisely why demons were required to leave a Tracking Spell when granted a blessing. If something unusual occurred, there would be no need to expend excessive effort to locate them.

“Also, keep this talisman with you. If you encounter danger, simply smash it and I’ll sense it, coming to rescue you at once.” Empress Phoenix smiled. “Earlier you mentioned the lack of divine artifacts. I realized you were right. Let this make up for it—a divine life-saving device.”

Remarkable.

A divine life-saving device… This was the Grand Summoning Spell.

Chu Liang felt the talisman grow much heavier in his hand.

To summon a seventh realm master at any moment was far more valuable than most artifacts.

Few masters in the cultivation world would give such a thing to their disciples.

One reason was that most masters had their own duties and could not guarantee timely assistance, thus negating its life-saving purpose. For example, if a disciple faced mortal danger while the master was engaged in a duel, the talisman would be useless. Or if the master was eating, drinking, or otherwise indisposed, always needing to be ready to respond immediately was a tiresome prospect.

Another reason was that if seniors could always solve problems, disciples would inevitably become dependent, undermining their own growth through experience. A master could protect you for a moment, but not for a lifetime.

But such rules meant little to the great educator, Empress Phoenix.

“Master, can you truly come at any time?” Chu Liang asked, still somewhat uneasy.

“I’ll definitely arrive at once…unless I happen to be drunk at the time,” Empress Phoenix added.

“…” Chu Liang fell silent.

As expected.

One could hardly rely on a habitual drunkard to always be dependable.

…

With the Tracking Spell talisman secured, Chu Liang hurried to Xingzhou City as fast as he could. By the time he arrived, dusk had fallen.

Ming once again brought his entire family out to greet him.

“Greetings, Young Hero Chu.”

“Greetings, Master Ming.”

“You’ve worked hard, Young Hero Chu!”

“At a time like this, let’s skip the formalities. Please tell me the details,” said Chu Liang.

“Yes, yes.” Ming forced a bitter smile, already leading Chu Liang to the main hall, where he began to explain.

“Thanks to Young Hero Chu’s help in seeking a blessing for my wife, we thought our lives would henceforth be peaceful. These days were indeed full of joy. Then, two nights ago, my wife suddenly wept in the night. I asked her why…”

“She said she dreamed of her parents, and remembered that for ten years she had not dared return to the mountain to see her family, for fear of revealing her identity. Now that life was stable, she wished to reunite with them, even if only briefly…”

“Humans have kinship, and so do demons. I agreed to let her go home, even offered to accompany her, but she feared I would be frightened and refused.”

“Little did I know, she would go and not return…”

Ming pleaded earnestly, “Young Hero Chu, my wife would never abandon me. She must have met with some misfortune. You must save her!”

“Rest assured, Master Ming. I will do everything in my power,” Chu Liang nodded, then asked, “Where did Lady Ming go to visit her family?”

“Just to East Mountain outside Xingzhou City. Her family of mountain cats used to live and cultivate there. I searched the mountain yesterday, but found nothing unusual. Alas, as a mere mortal, I am truly powerless.” Ming sighed repeatedly.

Seeing Ming’s deep sighs, Chu Liang felt a pang of sympathy. Ming and his wife truly were model spouses, devoted and inseparable.

Yet fate was unkind. It could only be said that good things come after many trials.

He rose and said, “No need to worry, Master Ming. I shall go to East Mountain and search for Lady Ming’s whereabouts. With the Tracking Spell she left at Shushan, I should be able to find her quickly.”

“Young Hero Chu…won’t you rest for the night before leaving?” Ming asked.

At a time like this, there’s no need for polite pretenses. If I truly rested here for the night, I doubt you’d sleep at all.

Chu Liang thought inwardly, then smiled, “The situation is urgent, so I must forgo such comforts. We are already acquainted, Master Ming, so there’s no need for formalities. I’ll depart at once!”