Chapter 428: Mountain Lord, Seeking

Chapter 428: Mountain Lord, Seeking

A cultivator in brown darted ahead, chasing after a glimmering seven-colored rabbit. As he ran, a man in black atop a duck swooped past. The rabbit broke left, vanishing into the brush.Follow current novels at novelhall.com)

Frustrated, the cultivator fired a single glowing-red arrow after the man in black. The arrow accurately struck the breast of the duck the man flew on, and the cultivator held his breath, suddenly concerned. He has no defenses? He didnt dodge? Did I just murder his spirit beast? Me and my temper Ah, whatever. If I face another blood feud, then Ill take it! Come at me! My arrows will pierce you through from miles away, long before you can strike me!

The red arrow faded to black, then crumbled away, falling as ash into the forest. The duck flapped on, unaware of the arrow strike.

The cultivator swallowed. Shit. His spirit beast wasnt even tickled by my arrow. Thank goodness he didnt notice! Crouching dragons are hidden everywhere in this trial. Hiding his bow away, he skulked off into the forest, forgetting all about the seven-colored rabbit.

Under Hui, the death duck shook itself off. Hui held on tight until it settled again. He glanced down, confused. What was that?

The duck quacked, bending its head down to adjust its belly feathers.

Huh, Hui said. Too bad I dont speak duck. Luckily, the duck doesnt seem too bothered about it.

Zhubi hissed at him a few times, then nodded. He looked up at Hui expectantly.

Er I dont speak snake either. Hui carefully patted his head around the hairdo Bai Xue had done for him. Yes, yes. Thats right.

Zhubi frowned at him, then shook his head. He hissed at the death duck.

The death duck shook its head and quacked back in commiseration.

What? Dont blame me for not speaking animal! You dont speak human, dammit!

Shaking his head, Rogue pressed on. As he climbed the mountain, the trees grew thinner and smaller, more reedy and slender, the leaves small to shiver in the stiff mountain wind. Evergreens took over, and the underbrush grew sparser and weedy, composed of grasses instead of bushes.

He peered ahead, frowning. I can pretty much see through the forest here, but I dont see anything, let alone a massive wolf like Senior Wolf. Is the Mountain Lord actually waiting for us? Or did the pangolin just send us up here for laughs?

Eh, its not like I understand where to go with this trial anyways. Cant hurt to climb the peak. If nothing else, Ill get a good view of the overall trial, and I might be able to spot where to go from here.

As they approached the peak, Hui dismissed the duck and dropped to the ground. He lifted Zhubi off his shoulders and led the snake up the rocky slope. No one waited atop it, not a wolf nor anything else.

Rogue sighed. I suppose you cant go around trolling without also getting trolled. He turned to Zhubi. Shall we head back down and figure out this trial?

Young man.

Hui whirled, startled. A woman with wild grey hair stood atop the peak, dressed in ragged gray and white robes. A wolf pelt hung over her shoulder, the head clasped to her chest.

No, no, no. Senior, listen. They only have an idea of where your husband is. I not only know exactly where he is, but I know him. I know how to get in to where he is, and he trusts me. I can draw him out of hiding, Rogue argued.

The Mountain Lord paused. She narrowed her eyes at him. How?

Rogue bit his lip. Senior, I cant reveal all my secrets

I am rather hungry, the Mountain Lord murmured.

Beside Rogue, Zhubi stood on his tiptoes and hissed at her.

She snorted. Little snake, do you want to fight me? Do you think you can become Mountain Lord?

He hissed more fiercely, baring his fangs at her.

Hui put his hand out, barring Zhubi from lunging forward. Zhubi, you tiny fifth-realm snake, dont tell me you cant recognize your betters? Right now, youre being a tiny pomeranian barking wildly at a huge slavering husky! If she wanted to, she could eat you up in one big gulp! Restraint, Zhubi, restraint!

The Mountain Lord faked a lunge at him. Zhubi instantly stiffened and fell over backward, playing dead.

Ah yes, thats more what Id expect. Hui bent and picked up Zhubi. Zhubi rolled over in his arms to most dramatically flop over his arms backward, fully revealing his belly in a dead pose. Shaking his head at Zhubi, Hui turned back to the Mountain Lord. I cant prove anything right now, Senior, but if you give me time, I can absolutely lead you to that husband of yours. Or you can eat me and this precocious snake right now, and lose your only hint forever. Senior I leave it in your hands. Small cultivator appreciates that he has no chance against a great and glorious Mountain Lord such as yourself.

She hummed thoughtfully.

Come on. You barely want to kill us, but youve been searching for your husband for for no more than a hundred or so years, given how long Master was a Peak Lord butbut that could still be a very long time! Dont give up on finding your husband for a moments meal! Surely Mountain Lord has that much patience?

At last, the Mountain Lord nodded. You must tell me soon. But I am willing to put off your devouring until you tell me.

Hmm. It isnt the most solid foundation on which to form a great relationship wherein Mountain Lord agrees to overthrow the sect alongside me but its a start. Hui bowed. Thank you, Mountain Lord.

Come back tomorrow. I wont allow you to escape me like that husband of mine did. She paused, then grabbed Hui and rubbed him against her neck.

Eheh? Senior? Hui asked, startled.

Now youre marked. I can find you anywhere, so dont you dare run away, she declared.

Like your husband? Rogue muttered under his breath.

The Mountain Lord whirled around.

Rogue ducked away, whipping Zhubi away from her vengeful claws. Senior, please forgive me! Senior, my tongue slipped! I admit my fault, I admit it!