Chapter 31: Witness

So, it’s the longevity elixir after all.

In the bedroom, Red Cloud watched Chai Xiaoyue eat with gusto. He himself didn’t touch his chopsticks, instead gazing at the tea in his bowl and pondering the intricacies of the matter.

He had wondered why such a change had occurred; it turned out that the most powerful elder of the Moonlight Mansion—the old master who governed the surrounding two prefectures and eighteen cities, and who led the Yinshade Moon Rabbit clan—was nearing the end of his life.

Cultivators at the Condensing Shade stage could live up to one hundred and fifty years; at the Treasure Body stage, three hundred; and at Nirvana, five hundred. The old mansion master was approaching four hundred and eighty years of age. Due to the checks and balances among the demon kings, the Yinshade Moon Rabbit clan had no cultivators at the Transformation stage, only this old master at the peak of Nirvana.

Once he passed, the clan would lose its deterrence, leaving only three Nirvana demon cultivators behind. The Yinshade Moon Rabbit clan would surely be unable to hold the two prefectures and eighteen cities, and would likely have to relinquish much of their territory.

Rather than letting it come to that, it would be better for the old master to accumulate a bit more, prolong his life, and make one last gamble.

As for the demon vault, Red Cloud thought it was not much different from the secret realm he had formed in the wilderness with a single thought. It was essentially a small cave-heaven, only accessible with a corresponding key, offering both opportunity and danger.

Moreover, the mansion master had declared: any cultivator at the Treasure Body stage who could bring back the longevity elixir would not have their spoils in the demon vault taken; even those who failed to find the elixir could take half of what they acquired.

This news had circulated for nearly two years. In that time, Treasure Body demon cultivators from nearby prefectures had gathered, waiting for the vault to open and for their chance to share the bounty.

Red Cloud, upon hearing this, still wished to try his luck. Yet he was a human cultivator of the Shade path; if the hordes of demons discovered him, he would instantly become their target. Even if he could fight ten at once, facing so many Treasure Body demon cultivators, it would hardly be enough.

Unless... he broke through to Nirvana.

In this light, if he went, he could not use the strange phenomena of the Surging Moon Sect or other methods. Even if he could silence someone once, who could guarantee there wasn’t someone monitoring the demon vault at all times?

Furthermore, he knew of a sinister art called “Condensing Shade and Devouring Soul,” which refined one’s own soul to seize another’s body—a substitution, a deception. And such methods were not rare.

If the old master’s true aim was not the longevity elixir, but a new body, then Red Cloud truly had to be cautious and not draw undue attention.

Given that...

After thoughtful consideration, Red Cloud devised a plan. Watching Chai Xiaoyue eat merrily, he took a sip of tea.

“Xiaoyue, how would you like me to teach you a musical instrument?”

A musical instrument?

Chai Xiaoyue was momentarily stunned, her hollow eyes turning toward him, her voice full of delight: “Uncle Yun, you mustn’t tease me—I’ll take you at your word!”

Demons are indeed extraordinary. Barely seven days had passed, yet the little one’s mastery of music already matched that of someone immersed for two or three years.

Red Cloud marveled at her progress even as he refined the circulation of Shade energy in his own musical cultivation method.

Cultivation paths are interconnected, and progress comes naturally. He combined his own musical experience with his cultivation method, easily devising a musical Shade technique for use before the Condensing Shade stage.

Had he seen a method in the Bottle Realm’s cultivation system that led to the final stage, with his vision and realm, Red Cloud could have composed several treatises on Shade cultivation to the ultimate level without difficulty.

Red Cloud continued to refine the musical Shade technique. Two months later, he had perfected it to his current state. Moreover, Chai Xiaoyue, aided by the musical Shade method, had reached the peak of the early Innate stage.

Knowing she would only hinder him, he sent her to the Moonlight Mansion’s demon academy, and set off alone for the City Lord’s manor.

Upon arrival, he revealed a hint of his cultivation, and the guards at the gate eagerly welcomed him in.

Previously, the guards at the mansion gate might have held some authority, but now, their standing depended entirely on their own strength.

“Here we are, sir,” said the half-demon servant, leading Red Cloud to a side hall. As soon as he entered, he sensed several gazes upon him.

Red Cloud’s appearance had changed. He stood a foot taller, clad in a thick black robe that concealed him entirely. His eyes were covered, and he wore a half-face mask of gilded patterns. The crescent moon blade was strapped to his arm, a black bamboo jade flute hung at his waist, and he leaned on a slender iron staff. Among the Treasure Body demon cultivators, he looked rather peculiar.

He paid no heed to the others, tapping out the spot for a chair and sitting quietly.

But just as he sat down, a voice scoffed nearby, followed by a cold snort: “Another one hiding his head and tail.”

Clearly, someone found him disagreeable.

Red Cloud ignored it, feeling for the teacup beside him. After a couple of sips, he tapped his iron staff against the floor, the sound echoing in the spacious side hall.

“The old blind man can’t see. Which friend spoke just now?”

Bang!

A loud sound rang out as the demon cultivator slammed the table. “I never disguise my name or seat. I am Niu Kai, Lord of South Temple Town.”

A town lord, then. Likely no better than the Howling Moon Wolf he’d slain, perhaps not even as strong.

Red Cloud made a mental note to add Niu Kai to his blacklist.

“Does the Niu Kai clan have any elders at the Nirvana stage?”

Niu Kai hadn’t expected a response and was momentarily stunned, replying instinctively: “No, what of it?”

“That’s good, that’s good.”

Red Cloud lowered his voice, repeating himself twice, then drank another sip of tea and tapped the iron staff again.

“This is precisely the time the mansion master needs demons. The old blind man will remember. I ask you all to bear witness.”

After his words, several demon cultivators glanced at him. Satisfied his point was made, Red Cloud smiled grimly.

“The old blind man knows he’s no gentle soul, else he wouldn’t look like this. But anyone provoking me without cause cannot expect to get away with it. When this is over, if Niu Kai, the town lord, walks out alive—the old blind man will beat him to death!”