Chapter 273 - 135: The Arrival of Black Mountain

Chapter 273: Chapter 135: The Arrival of Black Mountain

The golden light of dusk spilled over the green bricks and gray tiles, adding a touch of warmth.

Inside, Yan Fenghuo, Xu Fu, and the others were huddled around a spread-out map, discussing something.

"Old Jiang, you’re finally back!"

Xu Fu’s sharp eyes were the first to spot Jiang Mu, and his face lit up.

Yan Fenghuo turned around as well, a slight smile on his face.

"I heard from Xu Fu that you saved the day again and took care of a huge mess. Nice work, Old Jiang! Next time there’s a tough fight like this, let me come with you. I guarantee I won’t just hold you back like some people."

"Hey, what kind of talk is that, Yan the Madman?"

Xu Fu immediately bristled, pointing a finger at Yan Fenghuo’s nose. "Who held anyone back?" he cursed. "That was me providing strategic support from the perimeter."

Jiang Mu ignored their squabbling. He walked to the table, picked up the saber he had left there earlier, and asked:

"Where’s Elder Tian?"

"He returned to Yan City."

Yan Fenghuo stopped arguing with Xu Fu and said seriously, "Apparently, there was an urgent military matter. He was needed back for a consultation."

Jiang Mu felt a pang of disappointment.

’He had wanted to discuss his findings with Elder Tian in detail, especially his theories about Black Mountain and the Buddha Lamp Fire.’

After a moment of contemplation, he suddenly asked:

"How much do you all know about the Garrison Envoy of Yan City?"

"The Garrison Envoy?"

Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu exchanged a look of surprise.

Yan Fenghuo frowned in thought for a moment before speaking.

"The Garrison Envoy of Yan City is named Yuan Qianfan. He’s a true master of the Eleventh Realm.

During the rebellion in Yan City, he was in the city, but you know the Court’s iron-clad rule: a Garrison Envoy is only responsible for suppressing Demon Fiends. When it comes to mortal rebels, he has neither the right nor the obligation to interfere, so long as no Great Demons are involved.

However, I heard that about a year ago, Yan City was sneak-attacked by a Great Demon. Apparently, Yuan Qianfan was injured, but it didn’t seem too serious. He’s been in seclusion healing ever since."

At this, he looked at Jiang Mu quizzically.

"Old Jiang, why the sudden questions about him? Surely you’re not thinking of asking the Garrison Envoy to intervene?

Forget it. Unless a Great Demon capable of razing cities and toppling nations actually appears, those bigwigs won’t lift a finger."

Jiang Mu didn’t explain. Instead, he pressed,

"Then do you know what sixty-year cycle Life Chart divine object Yuan Qianfan used to forge his Dao Foundation?"

Yan Fenghuo and Xu Fu both just shook their heads, looking completely blank.

Jiang Mu nodded and didn’t press the matter further.

’In truth, he had an extremely bold—even crazy—theory.’

’The mysterious figure, Black Mountain—the one pulling the strings, using Demons to harm commoners and feed on the world’s Incense and Candle Power—was very likely none other than Yan City’s Garrison Envoy, Yuan Qianfan.’

’But the theory felt too absurd.’

’A dignified Garrison Envoy, a high minister of the Court governing his own territory, revered by the masses and blessed by the nation’s fortune—he should be a pillar of the righteous path.’

’How could such a man engage in the wicked business of raising demons to prey on mortals?’

’It defied all logic.’

’And yet, besides someone of the Garrison Envoy’s stature, Jiang Mu couldn’t think of anyone else in the territory of Yan City who would have the right—and the power—to legitimately absorb the people’s Incense and Candle Power.’

’I’ll just wait for Elder Tian to return and ask him then.’

Jiang Mu pushed his doubts aside.

He turned to Yan Fenghuo. "Have the Demons in your assigned sectors all been cleared out?"

"All clear."

Yan Fenghuo nodded, a hint of regret in his voice.

"I was planning to wait for you. I figured we brothers could go tackle those last few spots together.

But after hearing Xu Fu’s report that you’d handled the big problem, Elder Tian sent Wen He and his men to do the cleanup.

Elder Tian wanted me to go too, but I can’t stand working with that coward Wen He. Just the sight of him pisses me off, so I decided to come back first.

Besides, all that’s left are a few small-fry Demons, hardly a threat. Might as well let them get some practice in."

Jiang Mu nodded and waved a hand.

"Alright. I’m going to grab a nap in the room next door. Wake me when Elder Tian gets back."

With that, he turned and entered a vacant room next door, where he collapsed and was instantly asleep.

He’d been running around for a full day and night; he was truly exhausted.

...

He fell into a deep, heavy sleep.

In a daze, Jiang Mu felt as if he’d been drifting in darkness for an eternity, until a sudden, inexplicable chill jolted him awake.

He opened his eyes. The room was pitch-black.

Outside, the moonlight was as cold and pale as frost. It cast the shadow of the window lattice onto the floor, stretching it into a series of twisted bars.

Jiang Mu sat up and rubbed his temples. He got out of bed and splashed his face with cold water.

When he pushed the door open, he found the courtyard eerily silent.

The lamps in the main hall were all extinguished. The side room where Yan Fenghuo, Xu Fu, and the others had been was also pitch-black, without a single soul in sight.

"Lao Xu? Yan the Madman?"

Jiang Mu called out twice, but there was no reply.

The entire courtyard was deserted.

Even the guards normally on night watch were nowhere to be found.

’Did they all go out on a mission?’

Jiang Mu felt a prickle of unease. Something was wrong. He subconsciously tightened his grip on the hilt of his saber.

Just then, he noticed a figure standing at the courtyard gate, though he couldn’t say when they had appeared.

The person’s face was blurry and indistinct.

But there was something strangely familiar about their silhouette.

Jiang Mu held his breath and walked slowly toward the figure.

As he drew closer and saw the person’s face, his pupils constricted and every hair on his body stood on end!

That face...

It was identical to his own.

Even more terrifying, there was a massive, bloody hole gaping in the chest of this other ’Jiang Mu’.

His heart had been gouged out.

All that remained was an empty chest cavity, a horrifying sight in the moonlight.

And this other ’Jiang Mu’ was tilting its head, a bizarre smile playing on its lips as it stared intently at him.