Chapter 27: The Little White Ape, Hou Junji

The night was deep, and the lunar halo appeared dim and obscure.

In the woods, the campfire cast a flickering glow on Ye Ziyan, who was sleeping soundly. Ling Xuan quickly took out a garment to cover her, then glanced at Sun Tianxin, who was sitting in meditation nearby. He grew increasingly puzzled; why was this fellow as stiff as a wooden statue?

"Clip-clop..."

The sound of horse hooves rang out. Along the winding official road, station after station was packed to capacity, leaving no room to rest. Only then did Ling Xuan realize just how immense the Divine Emperor’s influence truly was. Throughout the journey, soldiers carrying armor on their shoulders and laborers pushing carts of grain could be seen everywhere. Though these men did not belong to the elite Demon-Hunting Camps, they were regional conscripts responding to the Divine Emperor’s call to gather at Zhuo County. Their humble carriage blended in perfectly among the masses, appearing entirely unremarkable.

This left Ling Xuan wondering: was Sun Tianxin genuinely stoic, or was he a man of profound hidden depths?

Using his Qi-Observing Technique, Ling Xuan saw that Sun Tianxin’s Shikigami—a Spirit Snake Coiling the Moon with a single, vertical, slit-pupil eye—reflected only a hazy mist. Sensing its aura, which was slightly stronger than Ye Ziyan’s, it was clear that Sun had opened his Qi Sea long ago. Yet, throughout their journey, Sun had never once looked down on Ling Xuan for his lowly minor-cycle cultivation, treating him instead with great respect.

Ling Xuan brushed his hand over his head; his hair had grown out quite a bit. He plucked a blade of grass and chewed on it, mocking himself, "This damn charm of mine—even I am beginning to be impressed."

He channeled his Taiji Wuji, sensing the flow of Yin and Yang within him. Although he had entered the minor-cycle stage, he was still some distance away from clearing all the meridians in his body. The second image of the Taiji Wuji had emerged, showing a more complex and subtle movement of Yin and Yang than the first. Ling Xuan grew even more confused. It had taken two starlight points on his Spirit Snake to manifest the second image, but the Taiji Wuji consisted of nine images in total. Did that mean his Spirit Snake would eventually develop nine starlight points?

According to what Qiu Rui, Physician-in-Chief Chao, and Yang Xuangan had said, Shikigami—whether common or Great Shikigami—only possessed seven stars. The Bearded Guest had told him that the Spirit Snake Coiling the Moon needed to absorb lunar energy, yet Ling Xuan had yet to discover how to do so. He only knew that under the moonlight, his Taiji Wuji circulated faster than during the day.

While his movement techniques differed between day and night, he had observed his little white snake repeatedly and still found no trace of any martial arts. The battle against the Bone Demon at the Luo River had highlighted his shortcomings; without a foundation in martial arts, even his close-quarters combat was no different from a common brawl. Although he had realized the "Spirit Snake Spitting Venom"—his needle-throwing technique—it had proven ineffective against the Bone Demon. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been tossed around so miserably, unable to even cut through the water weeds.

Yet, the Bearded Guest had told him that not practicing other martial arts would be of great benefit to mastering the techniques of the Spirit Snake. Because of this, his uncle Qiu Rui had not taught him any martial combat, and even when instructing Ye Ziyan, he forbade Ling Xuan from watching, fearing it would influence him. But left in the dark, Ling Xuan found himself at a loss. "Could it be that I am only capable of throwing needles?"

He took out the Purple-Gold Medical Edict. Yang Xuangan had told him that within the capital of Luoyang, he could borrow the power of the Dragon of National Destiny, but he hadn't provided a method, telling him to study it himself instead. Ling Xuan traced his fingertips over the dragon relief, but there was still no reaction. He shook his head with a bitter smile. Was this not a bit of a tease?

"Shennong tasted a hundred herbs—am I meant to identify medicine?"

Ling Xuan muttered to himself, his finger involuntarily brushing the relief of Shennong’s hand holding the herbs. The moment he touched it, the Spirit Snake Coiling the Moon mark radiated a searing heat, and the single vertical eye flashed with red and orange starlight. From the red and orange needles, two small phantom serpents emerged, surging toward his ears.

"This..."

Ling Xuan was stunned. Was this how he would master the Art of Listening to Breath? When he had mastered the Qi-Observing Technique, he had relied on the Spirit Snake's eye, but it was still limited by the star level of his Shikigami; when facing Spirit-rank Shikigami, he could only see a blur. Furthermore, that technique didn't work through his own eyes, but required him to use the Shikigami's vision. Now, the Art of Listening to Breath was manifesting on its own, with snake phantoms drilling into his ears.

"Hiss..."

The little white snake sensed it, raising its triangular head and letting out a happy hiss. The red and orange serpent phantoms seemed to respond, and his ears were suddenly filled with whispers. Startled, Ling Xuan jumped up. "Am I being demonized? Am I growing snake patterns?"

He quickly checked his arms, only to sigh in relief—there was no sign of any change.

"What are you doing, jumping around like that?" Ye Ziyan opened her eyes, looking annoyed. "Can’t you let a person rest?"

Her voice hit his ears like a thunderclap. Ling Xuan was overjoyed; he knew this was the Art of Listening to Breath. He had truly mastered it—he could even hear the sound of Zi Huang’s breathing.

"Ling Xuan, why aren't you resting? We have to travel tomorrow morning," Sun Tianxin asked, puzzled.

His voice was also much louder, but Ling Xuan could not hear the sounds of his inner Shikigami. Ling Xuan was slightly taken aback, realizing this was the effect of their soul-bond. Even with the Art of Listening to Breath, it was limited by the rank of the Shikigami, just like the Qi-Observing Technique; he still couldn't hear those above the Spirit rank.

Understanding this, he grinned and tested the waters: "Brother Sun, could you reveal your true strength, so I might have a better idea of where we stand?"

"Prying into others' secrets is not very polite," Sun Tianxin replied, his expression as stoic as ever. "If you cannot sleep, you might as well study the 'Treatise on the Origin of Demon Souls'."

Just as he finished, a commotion arose on the official road: "Medical officer! Is there a medical officer with the army?"

Sun Tianxin leaped up. "I will go and see. You two continue to rest."

"My lady, since you are awake, let's go take a look together," Ling Xuan said, picking up his Zixiao Divine Flute and biting on a blade of grass again, returning to his usual devil-may-care demeanor.

"Why did you jump up just now?" Ye Ziyan asked, still suspicious.

"I dreamt that my lady was going to divorce her husband, so I was startled into jumping," Ling Xuan teased.

"Get lost!" Ye Ziyan retorted, swatting at him. Her hand brushed his ear, and she pulled back quickly, her face turning strange. "Wait, why do your ears feel different?"

"Different how?" Ling Xuan asked, knowing full well why.

"I can't say. They just feel different," Ye Ziyan shook her head, secretly shocked. Was he beginning to undergo demonization? But looking at his grinning face, he seemed completely fine.

By the side of the road, a dozen soldiers were surrounding a gaunt, short young man. Sun Tianxin was rhythmically driving silver needles into his body. Ling Xuan activated his Qi-Observing Technique; the Spirit Snake’s eye revealed three starlight points. He immediately understood that this gaunt young man’s Shikigami had reached the three-star level.

With the Art of Listening to Breath active, the red and orange snake phantoms flickered, and amidst the whispers, he clearly heard the cry of an ape.

"His Shikigami is an ape?"

Ling Xuan was dazed. Was this truly the Art of Listening to Breath he had mastered? He remembered Physician-in-Chief Chao saying that the technique could help one locate injuries and distinguish between different pathogens in the body, but it never mentioned being able to hear the voice of a Shikigami to identify its type.

Was his version unique? Or was it due to the Purple-Gold Medical Edict?

He glanced at Sun Tianxin, who was moving his needles like the wind, striking acupoints without even needing to look. Ling Xuan felt a surge of secret admiration; if his own needlework was like flowing water, then Sun Tianxin’s was pure, masterful perfection.

As the silver needle was pulled out, the gaunt youth spat out a mouthful of foul blood, color returning to his pale face. He struggled to climb to his feet. "I am Hou Junji. I thank you for saving my life, Master Sun."

Hou Junji? The Little White Ape, Hou Junji?

In his memories, Hou Junji was renowned for his peerless agility and had never participated in the campaign against Goguryeo. At this time, he should have been in the greenwoods with his sworn brothers after the gathering at Jia Lou. How could he have ended up here?

Could this Hou Junji be someone else? But his Art of Listening to Breath had clearly picked up the cry of an ape.

Ling Xuan was stunned and hurriedly asked, "Do you happen to have a nickname, 'Little White Ape'?"

"Young master, don't talk nonsense!" Hou Junji’s face changed instantly. He leaped up, and despite his weakness, his movements were light and agile. He tried to flee.

The nearby soldiers swarmed forward: "Beat this guy to death..."

It really was that Hou Junji!

A buzzing sound filled Ling Xuan’s brain. He felt dazed. "Is my memory wrong, or has someone changed the course of history?"