Mountain Market Part 1

Reacting even more strongly than Wu Xingxue were Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu.

Just as they lifted the felt curtain to get off the carriage, they heard Xiao Fuxuan's words, "Tribulation Period," and were instantly filled with questions, missing a step—

With two dull thuds, the two little demons nearly fell flat on their faces right at the entrance of their own Demon's Den.

Ning Huaishan grabbed the carriage door to stop his stumble. A moment later, he pushed aside the felt curtain and stuck his head in. "…How do you know?!"

His eyes were already large, but now they were so wide they looked like they would pop out, staring at Xiao Fuxuan, unblinking and incredulous.

A short while later, Fang Chu's head also appeared, his brows furrowed in the same confusion. "How would Immortal Lord Tianxiu know the term 'Tribulation Period'?!"

Yi Wusheng, who was beside them, asked doubtfully, "Tribulation Period? What does Tribulation Period mean? This is the first time I've ever heard of it."

Ning Huaishan immediately snapped at him, "Isn't that obvious! How could this be something people from the Immortal Sects are allowed to hear about so easily?"

Yi Wusheng: "?"

An Evil Demon undergoing their Tribulation Period could have their weakness exploited and be taken advantage of at the slightest lapse in attention. Thus, the evil demons and heretics within Zhaoye City all understood this implicitly, and would do everything to conceal it once they left the city. No Evil Demon would let an outsider, especially someone from the Immortal Sects, know about this; it was tantamount to exposing their own weakness.

What's more, the term "Tribulation Period" was something only the demons themselves used. They considered the devouring of their bodies by Resentful Souls a tribulation, hence the name. If people from the Immortal Sects were to find out, they would likely clap their hands in glee and call it "retribution."

They babbled on with their questions, and if nothing else, Wu Xingxue at least understood one thing—the term "Tribulation Period" should never have come from Xiao Fuxuan's mouth.

As for why he knew…

That was a very good question indeed.

Wu Xingxue clutched the felt blanket, recalling the vague fragments from his dream, especially Sang Yu's ambiguous tone when mentioning "High Immortal Tianxiu"...

In short, he was afraid this carriage could no longer contain him.

But those two blockheads were still chattering away, "It shouldn't be possible, Tianxiu, you... Just how did you find out? Did someone leak it?"

Xiao Fuxuan didn't answer them immediately. Instead, he lifted the felt door curtain with his sword, turned his head to Wu Xingxue, and said, "Get out of the carriage."

Wu Xingxue glanced at him, lifted the thick blanket, and walked toward the carriage door.

He ducked his head to pass under the sword Xiao Fuxuan was using to hold up the curtain, just as he was about to exit.

In his peripheral vision, Xiao Fuxuan glanced at him and suddenly answered the question Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu had been pestering him about.

His deep voice was right beside him as he said, "I just happened to know."

Wu Xingxue's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Then that voice sounded again. "Put on the cloak."

Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu: "?"

He had suddenly blurted out this line without addressing anyone, leaving everyone stunned. After a moment, the two realized he was speaking to their City Lord.

Hmm......

Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu had originally wanted to say something more, but now they were suddenly at a loss for words.

They saw their City Lord pause, glance at Xiao Fuxuan with an unreadable expression, and finally turn back into the carriage.

Yi Wusheng took out the cloak that had been prepared in the carriage and handed it over, saying, "I don't understand what a Tribulation Period is, but since the cold is unbearable for your body, it's best to wear more. Perhaps… if Young Master doesn't mind, you could describe what a Tribulation Period feels like, and what methods can be used to suppress it. I may not have much else, but I brought plenty of various medicinal pills that might be of use."

"..."

After he said this, the carriage instantly fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Yi Wusheng paused, his face showing confusion. "What is it?"

Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu silently turned their faces away, not daring to interject at a time like this. They tacitly avoided the topic for a moment, then suddenly realized a problem—

High Immortal Tianxiu, Xiao Fuxuan, was actually as silent as they were.

Of course, Tianxiu had always been a man of few words, reluctant to speak. But in that instant, they had a subtle feeling that High Immortal Tianxiu's reaction wasn't his usual silence, but was similar to their own, carrying a hint of something unspeakable.

It was as if he not only knew what a Tribulation Period was, but even knew what kind of reaction it would cause, and how to suppress it.

Hmm????

Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu exchanged a glance.

However, before they could think too deeply, they heard their City Lord say, "To be honest, I don't remember a single thing about what the Tribulation Period is like. There's no need for the pills, I don't like to eat them. I appreciate your kind intentions, sir."

After speaking, Wu Xingxue draped the cloak over his shoulders and got out of the carriage, almost in a hurry.

Ning Huaishan and Fang Chu quickly sidled up to him and whispered, "City Lord, it's too strange. That High Immortal Tianxiu seems to know everything, even how to suppress a Tribulation Period—"

Before they could finish, they heard the City Lord say in an extremely soft and placid voice, "Shut up, you two."

The two of them feared this tone the most. Their scalps tingled, and they clamped their mouths shut.

Wu Xingxue finally got a moment of peace.

The biting night wind, carrying the dampness of rain, swept against his face, cooling his ears. Only then did Wu Xingxue realize that just a moment ago in the carriage, the back of his ears and the side of his neck had felt somewhat hot.

The light sound of a sword came from behind him; Xiao Fuxuan had also gotten out of the carriage.

As Wu Xingxue surveyed his surroundings, a glance from his peripheral vision caught Xiao Fuxuan standing a few steps behind by the carriage. He looked this way but showed no intention of approaching.

"Hiss... Where did all these people by the post station come from?" Ning Huaishan suddenly asked, puzzled.

"Hmm?" Wu Xingxue turned his head to look.

Their carriage was parked by a row of roofed hitching posts. Not far behind them should be the entrance to Zhaoye City.

There, a high wall stood imposingly, flanked by two pointed towers. Bells seemed to hang from the eaves of the towers, swaying in the cold wind, their chimes carrying through the misty rain.

In the middle of the high wall was a massive black iron gate, with dozens of azure lanterns on either side, arranged at varying heights.

At first, Wu Xingxue thought they were lanterns hanging on the wall. Only after looking closely for a while did he realize they were will-o'-wisps suspended in the misty rain.

Between the will-o'-wisps, shadowy figures moved about.

Wu Xingxue asked, "Who are those people? Guards?"

He thought to himself, 'Isn't Zhaoye City a Demon's Den? What does a Demon's Den need guards for?'

Sure enough, he heard Ning Huaishan say, "Our Zhaoye City didn't use to have guards. Those Qingming Lanterns were all placed by the City Lord, as were the Profound Bells hanging on the towers. The moment someone from the Immortal Capital tries to enter Zhaoye City, the Profound Bells will ring, and the Qingming Lanterns will flare into a wall of fire stretching for a hundred li."

"But we got some later on," Ning Huaishan added.

"Why?" Wu Xingxue asked.

Ning Huaishan stammered, "Er, because the City Lord is in that godforsaken place, the Canglang Northern Domain, and no one knows when he'll be back. Many people were worried that the Qingming Lanterns and Profound Bells wouldn't last for many years, so..."

That was already a euphemistic way of putting it.

Wu Xingxue knew perfectly well. The evil demons in Zhaoye City must have thought he was as good as dead and no longer trusted these things.

Moreover, the fact that guards could be arranged meant there was someone in Zhaoye City whose words carried weight.

Wu Xingxue waved Ning Huaishan over and asked, "Come, let me ask you, who is the current City Lord of Zhaoye City?"

Ning Huaishan pouted, unconvinced, and subconsciously said, "Xueli."

After saying that, he was nudged hard by Fang Chu.

Only then did Ning Huaishan react, saying, "City Lord..."

Wu Xingxue wasn't surprised at all. Since he had entered the Canglang Northern Domain, the world thought he was certain to die. The position of City Lord in the Demon's Den of Zhaoye City couldn't remain empty forever. With so many evil demons and heretics, someone was bound to fight to take the seat. Having a new City Lord was perfectly normal.

He also recalled how Ning Huaishan had been so eager to drag him back to Zhaoye City right after he left the Canglang Northern Domain, which was probably because of this.