Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Unexpected

“What do you mean by that?” Black Moon had heard that Water Feather’s death had caused a great uproar among the ancient water apes, but the affair had been forcibly suppressed. He had thought it a trivial matter at first, but now it seemed far more complicated. No wonder, after the incident was quashed, the elders of Water Feather’s lineage were still intent on uncovering the truth.

“Take it as you will.” Yuan Wujie looked at Black Moon with a mocking smile.

“Aren’t you afraid that—”

“Afraid?” Yuan Wujie cut him off coldly. “If they dare make a move against me, I’ll simply wipe out their entire line.” Even if he could not win in a direct confrontation, he could return to Doumu Palace; with the temperament of the Golden Spirit Empress, even if she slaughtered the whole Water Feather line, would the patriarch of the ancient water apes dare voice an objection?

“You’d best wait until Lord Yurong emerges from seclusion and see what he’s gained before you speak further,” Black Moon said, still wishing to probe Yuan Wujie, though the latter seemed unwilling to explain himself to outsiders, especially to those with whom he was unfamiliar.

Black Moon hesitated, uncertain how to continue, finding Yuan Wujie increasingly inscrutable.

Ignoring Black Moon, Yuan Wujie strolled from the cave. After more than a decade in seclusion, he now emerged as the lord of Five Camphor Caverns. As king, he needed to familiarize himself with the powers surrounding his domain.

He walked straight out of the cave, and every demon who caught sight of him respectfully greeted him as king.

“I wonder if these spirits were groomed by Black Moon, or if Lord Yurong subdued them through his own strength?”

“But now that I am king, all must heed my command.”

Five Camphor Caverns sat at the very heart of Five Camphor Mountain, surrounded on all sides by rugged peaks—easily defended, difficult to attack. This was Yuan Wujie’s first impression of his new domain.

“Greetings, Your Majesty!”

As he stepped outside, those on patrol and those preparing to depart for patrol all saluted him in unison.

Pointing to a dog demon ready to set out, Yuan Wujie called, “You, come here. I have questions for you.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. Ask whatever you wish, and I will answer as best I can,” the dog demon replied, trotting obediently over.

“Then tell me everything you know about Five Camphor Mountain.”

“If Your Majesty will not disdain my humble knowledge, I shall do my best. Five Camphor Mountain centers on our caverns. Besides us, there are two other demon territories and a human kingdom. Each of the three territories is ruled by a formidable demon, but thanks to our Five Camphor Caverns, whenever two join forces against the third, we dispatch troops to aid the one under siege. Thus, the three territories keep each other in check, yet every year they must all pay tribute to us.”

“To think that those outside our power dwell on the same mountain—sleeping beside tigers and scorpions! Didn’t the Second Lord ever consider subduing them all?”

“The Second Lord did have such ambitions, but whenever he attacked one, the other two would come to its aid. Moreover, in recent years, the three domains seem to have reached some agreement—none have paid tribute for some time.” The ‘Second Lord’ in the dog demon’s words was, of course, Lord Yurong. Now that Yuan Wujie was the king, calling Yurong king would be an act of insubordination.

“Hm. You wish to resume your patrol, don’t you?” Yuan Wujie, having learned enough, let the dog demon return to his duties.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Yuan Wujie returned to the depths of the caverns, contemplating his next move. As lord of the mountain, how could he tolerate other powers on his land? They must either submit, or be eradicated.

Meanwhile, waves of water element power surged from the place where Lord Yurong was secluded—he would not emerge anytime soon.

“Go and summon the steward,” Yuan Wujie ordered a guard outside the hall. Black Moon was the sole steward of Five Camphor Caverns, known to all within its bounds.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

Soon, the guard returned with Black Moon.

“Your Majesty, what is it you require?” Black Moon inquired, gazing at Yuan Wujie seated above.

“Black Moon, you must know about the various powers on Five Camphor Mountain.”

“My master only tasked me with protecting the Second Lord’s safety. All other decisions were left to the Second Lord—I am not to interfere,” Black Moon replied, careful not to call Lord Yurong king, lest he draw the ire of the other demons.

“Very well, you may go.” Satisfied, Yuan Wujie gestured for Black Moon to withdraw.

He had not summoned Black Moon to seek his counsel; both were clever enough to understand each other’s intentions. What Yuan Wujie truly wished to know was the attitude of Lord Yurong’s backers toward Five Camphor Mountain. Now that he understood, there was no need for further hesitation.

With Lord Yurong in seclusion and Black Moon refusing to act, this matter would have to be handled by Yuan Wujie himself.

Most of the inhabitants of Five Camphor Caverns were lesser spirits; only three or four had cultivated demon cores, let alone achieved higher levels of power. Those who had formed cores were all made vanguard generals by Lord Yurong, making them easy to summon.

“Send word—summon all vanguard generals to me.”

“Your Majesty, we pay our respects!”

Four demons, each with beast heads and human bodies, presented themselves before Yuan Wujie: the Dog Vanguard, Eagle Vanguard, Wolf Vanguard, and Ram Vanguard—their forms left no doubt as to their origins. Lord Yurong had always addressed them simply, adding ‘Vanguard’ to their beast type.

“Dog Vanguard, Eagle Vanguard, Wolf Vanguard, Ram Vanguard—I have called you here for one reason,” Yuan Wujie began, laying his intentions bare. “Dog Vanguard, take a squad to the southwestern territory—the Giant Python King’s domain. Deliver him a message: in three days’ time, he must submit to Five Camphor Caverns. Say no more than that. Wolf Vanguard, head east to the human kingdom; Ram Vanguard, north to the Bear King’s lands—deliver the same message, and say nothing else. Eagle Vanguard, lead a flying squad to patrol the skies; if trouble arises, provide immediate support.”

Yuan Wujie’s orders were so blunt that the four newly-ascended vanguards were momentarily stunned.

“This—”

“No more words. Go at once,” Yuan Wujie commanded, leaving no room for hesitation.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Though they knew the task was perilous, Yuan Wujie was now their king. This was his first command since ascending the throne—they had no grounds to refuse.

“Do you think, if we truly carry out the king’s orders, we’ll survive? Those are all mighty demons—we are no match for them,” Dog Vanguard fretted as they left the caverns, dreading his journey to the Giant Python King’s domain, having witnessed the python’s ferocity firsthand.

“Of the three territories, the Python King is the most ill-tempered. I’ll go with you and watch from above,” Eagle Vanguard offered. Having spent over a century on Five Camphor Mountain, they all knew the Python King’s disposition. At this, Wolf Vanguard and Ram Vanguard both voiced their agreement.