Chapter Eight: Seeking Monsters in the Heavenly Sea

The scholar was still muttering under his breath when the village chief stepped forward and gently knocked him on the head, scolding, “You foolish bookworm—of all times to go mad, you choose now? Quickly answer the immortals’ questions so they can deal with the demon.” Hearing the chief’s words, the scholar hurried to stand before Ye Sansi, slapped himself across the cheek to regain composure, and said, “Immortal, I was reckless, I deserve punishment. Please do not blame me, and I hope you will rid Tianhai Village of this evil.”

He knelt and kowtowed three times in succession. Ye Sansi quickly helped him up, scratching his head and saying, “I’ve told you, there’s no need to kowtow to me. If you really think I’m skilled, treat me to a meal like Taiyi does, haha—preferably the kind that doesn’t cost money.” The scholar bowed and replied, “Naturally. Once you’ve vanquished the demon, I shall prepare fine food and good wine. Whenever you come to Tianhai Village, all lodging and meals will be at my expense.”

The village chief followed up, “You bookworm, look at yourself—what business would ever fall to you? Still thinking about how to entertain the immortals. I am the village chief here, and I intended to grant the immortals a tenth of the village’s trade—”

“Wait,” Liu Lingshuang interrupted, “I’ve said it before—this young lady lacks nothing, least of all your money. Don’t listen to Ye Sansi; he just loves to eat, haha.” Ye Sansi laughed, “Lingshuang is right, I do just love food, haha.”

Liu Lingshuang waved her hand and said to the scholar, “Enough. We’ll discuss everything else when we return. For now, tell us about the demon so we can plan accordingly.” The scholar recalled, “That day I wanted to broaden my horizons in Qingyang City and seek a master to teach me scholarship, so I went alone to the mountain behind the village. Near the summit I saw a huge boulder and, feeling weary, decided to rest before continuing. As I sat down against the rock, I heard footsteps. Thinking it was a hunter, I turned—only to see a young woman, petite and beautiful. Before I could speak, she said, ‘Will you take me home?’”

“What did you say?” they asked.

“I thought she was lost, so I asked where her home was. She said it was on the mountain. I figured she must be a hunter’s daughter playing a trick, and since I needed to reach the city before nightfall, I politely refused her. But—”

“But what?”

“I got up to continue my journey, but hadn’t gone more than a few dozen steps before seeing her again. She repeated the same question. I waved her off once more and walked another hundred paces, only to find her crouched beneath a tree, crying. I felt pity and thought I could spend the night at the hunter’s home and depart in the morning without delay. So I approached her and agreed to take her home.”

“What happened then?”

“She stood up, and everything went black. When I awoke, I was bound in the demon’s lair.” The scholar, recalling his terror, shrank back, took a deep breath, and gestured, “When I looked up, all I saw were bones—so many bones. One of them—I recognized. It was Little Tiger, my childhood friend. He once fell and split his head open, and I cared for him while he healed. Four years ago, Little Tiger and his father went to Qingyang City and never returned. The skull had the same scar as Little Tiger’s. It must be his…”

The scholar collapsed to the ground. Ye Sansi reached out to help him, but the scholar, trembling, blocked him and continued, “Immortal, no need—I’ll go on. The demon was the same young woman. I was terrified and cried out. The demon came over, sneering, ‘You could have lived, so why choose death?’ I didn’t understand and shouted for help. The demon seemed annoyed, shook her head, and went deeper into the cave. She never came out again.”

Liu Lingshuang asked, “What was the cave like?”

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“The cave was lit with red candles that burned for the two days I was trapped but never went out. Despite the mass of corpses, there was a faint, strange fragrance. Oh, and flowers grew inside the cave—no sunlight came in, yet the flowers bloomed extraordinarily well.”

Ye Sansi clenched his fists and asked, “Such a wicked demon! Tell me where its lair is so I can destroy it.” Tian Nu was circling overhead, eager to join his master in slaying evil. The scholar answered, “Immortal, don’t be hasty. I managed to escape by luck. Though I was terrified, I knew leaving the demon alive would be disastrous, so I marked my path as I fled. After leaving the cave and running several hundred steps, I saw the giant stone again. When other immortals came asking about the demon, I showed them my marks. Some never returned; those who did said they saw neither demon nor marks. Perhaps the demon erased them with magic. That’s all I know; I hope it helps you defeat the demon.”

Ye Sansi scratched his head, “So the demon’s lair can’t be found? Perhaps we should climb the mountain and rest against the boulder as the scholar did; maybe the demon will come to us. That’s called ‘skinny pig waiting for a rabbit,’ haha.” Liu Lingshuang covered her mouth, laughing softly, “It’s ‘guarding a tree to wait for a rabbit.’ Didn’t expect you, a wild man, to have such ideas. Good, let’s give the demon a taste of ‘guarding the tree for the rabbit.’”

Li Taiyi nodded, “Good idea. No time to waste, let’s set out.” After saying farewell to the scholar, the four pushed open the wooden door and stepped outside, where the setting sun was nearly behind the mountains—the sky was especially beautiful tonight. The village chief said, “It’s getting late. Why not rest tonight at Tianhai Inn and set out in the morning?” Ye Sansi agreed, “That’s wise; the night’s not safe. A night’s rest would be good. Lingshuang, Taiyi, what do you think?”

“Agreed.”

The chief escorted them to Tianhai Inn, greeted the innkeeper, and left. On hearing they were immortals here to slay demons, the innkeeper hastened to welcome them and ordered the attendant, “Three upper rooms, prepare wine and food—no charge, as the chief instructed.” The attendant whispered, “Innkeeper, there’s only one room left.”

“What? In my big inn, only one room? These are immortals! Don’t treat them carelessly. Go get rooms ready for them.” The attendant bowed and replied, “I’m really not lying—there’s only one room left. Since Lingjian Creek Ferry shut down, our Tianhai Village ferry has brought in many guests. We’ve been at capacity every day, and only today is there a vacancy.”

Ye Sansi waved his hand, “One room is fine, we can all sleep together, nothing wrong with that.” Li Taiyi said, “We’re fine, but Lingshuang is a young woman—wouldn’t it be inconvenient for her?”

“A girl? Like mothers, who can have children with fathers? Wow, Lingshuang, you’re amazing.”

Liu Lingshuang wiped the cold sweat from her brow, waved her hand, and smiled awkwardly, “It’s just one night, I don’t mind at all.”

The attendant led the way, “Please, honored guests, upstairs.” The three entered the room, closed the door—slap, slap, slap. “Ow, that hurts!” Ye Sansi rubbed his head, “Lingshuang, why did you hit me?” Liu Lingshuang stomped her foot and pointed at Ye Sansi, “You know why! What nonsense you said just now, calling me amazing and making me so embarrassed!” Ye Sansi still rubbed his head, “But it’s true! You’re a girl, you can have lots and lots of children—I can’t, so you’re amazing.” Liu Lingshuang’s face turned red as she stomped, “I’m not speaking to you anymore, hmph!” She ran to the bed and lay down.

Ye Sansi was puzzled by Lingshuang’s anger and asked Li Taiyi, who hesitated to explain. “To have children with girls, you must marry them first—otherwise, they’ll be upset. Understand?” Ye Sansi replied, “Alright. Lingshuang looks so scary when she’s angry, face all red, like she wants to kill someone.”

Li Taiyi chuckled, “Brother Sansi, love and local customs—let me teach you properly in the future, so you don’t embarrass yourself.” “Alright, Taiyi, thank you.”

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After a while, Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi were chatting when the attendant knocked softly at the door, “Honored guests, your meal is ready. Should I bring it to your room or to the front courtyard?” Ye Sansi glanced toward Lingshuang, who was still resting and didn’t wish to disturb her, so he said to Li Taiyi, “Lingshuang is still resting, let’s not wake her.” Li Taiyi nodded, opened the door, and told the attendant, “We’ll go to the courtyard. Please prepare a meal for our friend, and reheat it when she’s hungry.”

The attendant nodded quietly, and soon the food was served. It was dinner time, and the inn was lively, full of guests. Liu Lingshuang sulked in the room: “It’s dinner time, how could I sleep? Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi left me behind—that’s too much! Hmph, I won’t go out, it’d be too embarrassing.”

As Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi ate, the attendant went around introducing them, “These are two immortals who will rid Tianhai Village of the demon in the mountain tomorrow.” Guest A: “I’ve long heard there’s a demon on the mountain—if the immortals can defeat it, that’s wonderful.” Guest B: “Then our goods can be shipped to Qingyang City, much more convenient.” Guest C: “I’ve always heard how bustling Qingyang City is. I’ve lived in Tianhai Village all my life, never been to the city—if the immortals succeed, maybe we can see its prosperity, haha.”

Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi were embarrassed by the praise. At one table sat two people who were clearly not ordinary villagers. One spoke, “Young heroes, be careful on your quest. The mountain demon is no gentle creature. Our master has set a return date, so we can’t tarry. If you linger, we’ll join you.”

Li Taiyi looked closely: green robes, white hat, jade at the waist, holding a Tianluo Sword—clearly disciples of Tianluo Mountain. Taiyi quickly shielded Tian Nu, worried they might notice it. The other disciple said, “No need to hide—it’s not as if we’d steal your belongings. We’re from Tianluo Mountain; we’ve seen all sorts of treasures. That sword of yours is odd, not really a sword at all—whoever made it must be a fool.”

“Junior brother, don’t be rude.”

Ye Sansi jumped up at the insult, shouting, “Tian Nu was left to me by my father—I won’t let you insult it!” He tried to confront them, but Li Taiyi stopped him, whispering, “Tian Nu is an immortal artifact. If they can’t recognize it, it means their cultivation is insufficient. Calm down, let’s not argue with them.”

The first disciple stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Young heroes, my apologies—my junior speaks bluntly and may have offended you. We’re pressed for time and must leave. Be cautious tomorrow. Farewell.” With that, they departed.

Ye Sansi and Li Taiyi finished their meal and returned to their room, laying their heads on the table to sleep.