The Imperial Preceptor gently set General Bian's severed head aside and went to inspect the bones on the ground, feeling a jolt in his heart. He saw that General Bian had carefully arranged the remains of the Qingmen Pass soldiers—despite the unending rain of the past ten days, this old general must have braved the downpour to gather his fallen men together.
He also noticed that beside each set of bones was a wooden plaque, each inscribed with the name of a fallen soldier.
The Imperial Preceptor walked forward, flanked on both sides by the bones of Qingmen Pass soldiers. Every skeleton bore a wooden plaque, every plaque bore a name.
General Bian knew every single soldier under his command—he could call each one by name.
"You were a true general."
The Imperial Preceptor halted, not moving further. He turned around, and with a sweep of his robe, countless bones rose into the air, following him toward Everpeace.
Far away in Everpeace, families awaited their return. Some were young sons, some aged fathers, some husbands gone to war, others beloved daughters, wives, or mothers.
He would bring them home.
"Loulan Golden Palace."
The Imperial Preceptor looked west, then turned and walked toward Everpeace.
The old Daoist ignored him and started calling for his dog. A big yellow dog waddled out of the latrine, wagging its tail. The old Daoist shouted, "A dog can't change its habit of eating shit!"
Crippled Joe fumed inwardly: "This old Daoist is cursing me in roundabout ways!" Though he was angry, his face was still all smiles, making people feel as if bathed in spring breeze.
Quinn felt a chill in his heart and secretly offered a prayer for the old Daoist.
He carried Village Chief and led Dragon-Qilin up the mountain. Suddenly, Crippled Joe flickered like a ghost and vanished, laughing, "You say I can't climb the mountain, but can you really stop me?"
The old Daoist hurried after him, and the two disappeared into Jade-Void Mountain.
A moment later, Quinn saw the old Daoist halfway up the mountain, stripped naked and squatting on a cliff. When the old Daoist saw him riding Dragon-Qilin up the mountain, he quickly hugged his arms to cover himself.
Quinn pretended not to see anything and walked past.
The old Daoist let out a sigh of relief, but Quinn suddenly turned back and asked, "How can I meet the Dao Lord?"
The old Daoist, both embarrassed and angry, replied, "Dao Lord Lin is at the Jade-Void Temple on the mountain top!"
Quinn thanked him, pulled out a robe and tossed it over. The old Daoist hurriedly caught it, wanting to express his gratitude, but Quinn had already left the cliff.
Quinn Shepherd dismounted from Dragon-Qilin and saluted the old Daoist, saying, "The Heavenly Demon Cult Master requests an audience with the Dao Lord. Would Senior Brother please announce us?"
The old Daoist was surprised, glanced at him, then at the medicine basket and the smiling cripple behind him. "So it's the Heavenly Demon Cult Master. In the capital, you killed quite a few of my senior brothers." He then scrutinized the cripple, looking puzzled.
Quinn smiled, "Daoists fear outsiders disturbing their peace, yet they disturb the peace of the world. They deserve death."
The old Daoist shook his head. "For the sake of the world, Daoists must take action. Heavenly Demon Cult Master, I won't argue with you. You may ascend the mountain yourselves, just don't disturb my cultivation."
Crippled Joe smiled, "Dao Gate has always been easygoing. They don't forbid others from climbing the mountain and aren't bound by so many rules."
The old Daoist looked at the cripple again, his expression suddenly changing. He shouted, "You may go up, but this old man cannot! He must stay!"
Quinn was puzzled.
The old Daoist said angrily, "I didn't recognize him at first! Only when I heard his voice did I remember. Years ago, the God Thief came to Jade-Void Mountain and caused chaos—almost emptied my mountain!"
Crippled Joe muttered, "How many years ago was that? I've long since turned over a new leaf and reformed."
"Bah, bah, bah!"