Liaozhai: Immortality Begins with Becoming Yan Chixia's Apprentice

Chapter 53 Border Town

He took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Zhou Ning.

Zhou Ning took the jade talisman and put it away.

"Lord Han, how much do you know about the Black Mountain Demon?"

Han Wei was silent for a moment, then said:

"The Black Mountain Demon is said to have cultivated for over a thousand years and possesses immense magical power. No one knows what his true form is."

Some say it's a black tiger, some say it's a black dragon, and some say it's an old tree that has become a spirit.

"But one thing is certain: his influence has indeed spread throughout the North."

Immediately afterward, Han Wei lowered his voice and whispered closer:

"Recently, our Demon Suppression Division received news that the Black Mountain Demon is in seclusion cultivating a wicked art. Rumor has it that once he succeeds, his strength will increase dramatically, and at that time, probably no one in the entire human cultivation world will be able to stop him."

Zhou Ning felt a sudden chill run down his spine.

"What kind of evil technique?"

Han Wei shook his head in disappointment:

"I don't know. All I know is that this evil technique requires a large amount of the essence of living people and the souls of people with special destinies. That's why he's capturing special people everywhere."

Zhou Ning recalled Lu Pan's words.

The Black Mountain Demon wants to devour the soul of Zhu Erdan, who is the reincarnation of the God of Literature.

It seems this is not just a rumor.

"Lord Han, what are your Demon Suppression Division's plans to do?"

Han Wei said with a serious expression, "We plan to set up defenses on the northern border to stop the 100,000 demon soldiers from Black Mountain from advancing south. At the same time, we will send people to infiltrate Black Mountain to find the Black Mountain Demon's weakness."

But soon, he sighed again.

"But infiltrating Black Mountain is extremely dangerous, with a near-certain death rate. We sent out several groups of people, but none of them returned."

Zhou Ning remained silent for a moment, then said solemnly:

"Lord Han, if you have a map of the interior of Black Mountain, I am willing to give it a try."

Han Wei was taken aback.

"You're going to infiltrate Black Mountain?"

Zhou Ning nodded.

"Nothing ventured, nothing gained."

Han Wei hesitated for a moment, then took out a sheepskin map from his pocket and handed it to Zhou Ning.

"This is a map of the outskirts of Black Mountain, drawn based on intelligence collected by our Demon Suppression Division over many years."

"We don't have an internal map either. Young Master Zhou, if you really want to go, please be very careful."

Zhou Ning took the map, examined it carefully, and then put it into his pocket.

"Thank you, Lord Han."

Han Wei looked somewhat worried and said, "Young Master Zhou, it's too dangerous for you to go alone. Should I send a few people with you?"

Zhou Ning shook his head: "No need. Too many people would only make us more exposed. It's easier for me to move around alone."

Seeing his resolute attitude, Han Wei stopped trying to persuade him.

The two chatted for a while longer before Zhou Ning got up to say goodbye.

He walked to the ferry crossing, found a ferry, and crossed the river.

Across the river stretched an endless wasteland.

The vegetation was sparse, the land was cracked, and a desolate atmosphere permeated the air.

Zhou Ning took a deep breath, quickened his pace, and headed deeper into the northern lands.

After walking for about two hours, it gradually got dark.

He found a sheltered mountain hollow, lit a campfire, and prepared to spend the night there.

The campfire was lit, dispelling the surrounding chill.

Zhou Ning sat cross-legged by the fire, closing his eyes and regulating his breathing.

Suddenly, he heard a series of hurried footsteps in the distance.

He opened his eyes and gripped the Qingfeng sword tightly.

A young Taoist priest, dressed in a tattered robe, ran out of the darkness, panting and pale.

"Help! Help!"

He stumbled to the campfire and collapsed to the ground.

Zhou Ning helped him up, looking puzzled.

"Master, what has happened?"

The young Taoist priest, panting, said intermittently:

"There's...there's a monster chasing me."

Zhou Ning looked behind him and could vaguely see a pair of eerie green eyes rapidly approaching in the darkness.

"Step back." Zhou Ning stood up and drew his Qingfeng sword.

The eyes drew closer and closer, soon coming into the range of the campfire's light.

It was a huge black wolf, as big as a calf, covered in black fur, with ghostly green flames burning in its eyes.

Saliva dripped from its mouth as it let out a low growl.

"It's a demon wolf from Black Mountain!" the young Taoist priest exclaimed in terror.

Zhou Ning gripped the Qingfeng Sword tightly, channeling his inner energy into it, causing the sword to glow with a blue light.

The demon wolf opened its blood-red maw and pounced on him.

Zhou Ning dodged the wolf's attack with a swift movement, and at the same time slashed out with his sword.

The cyan sword energy struck the demon wolf's back, sending sparks flying.

The demon wolf let out a miserable howl, but did not fall down. Instead, it became even more ferocious and turned to pounce on Zhou Ning again.

Zhou Ning pulled out an "evil-repelling talisman" from his waist and threw it at the demon wolf.

"disease!"

The talisman transformed into a golden light and struck the demon wolf on the forehead.

The demon wolf let out a miserable howl, its whole body bursting into golden flames. It rolled on the ground a few times and then fell silent.

The young Taoist priest was dumbfounded.

"This...that's it?"

Zhou Ning sheathed his sword: "It's over. Daoist Master, how come you're all alone in this desolate wilderness?"

The young Taoist priest smiled bitterly: "I am a Taoist priest from Qingfeng Temple. I was ordered to go to the north to investigate the Black Mountain. I never expected to encounter this demonic wolf on the way and almost lose my life."

It's Qingfeng Temple again.

Zhou Ning asked, "What's your name?"

"My surname is Zhang, and my given name is Yi." The young Taoist priest stood up and bowed deeply to Zhou Ning.

"Thank you so much for saving my life."

Zhou Ning helped him up: "No need to thank me. Master Zhang, what are your plans now?"

Zhang Yi said, "I...I want to go back. The North is too dangerous; going there alone would be suicide."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "Master Zhang, if you don't mind, you can come with me. I'm also going to the North, and having company on the road will help us look after each other."

Zhang Yi was overjoyed: "Really? That's wonderful!"

The two sat down by the campfire and started chatting.

Although Zhang Yi was young, he knew quite a bit about the situation in the north.

He told Zhou Ning that the Black Mountain Demon's influence was not only in the north, but had also infiltrated local governments and cultivation sects.

"My master said that the Black Mountain Demon's people are everywhere. Someone next to you might be one of Black Mountain's informants."

Immediately afterward, Zhang Yi lowered his voice.

"Therefore, you must be careful when you are out and about."

Zhou Ning nodded: "Thank you for the reminder."

The two chatted until late at night before going to rest.

The next morning, Zhou Ning and Zhang Yi set off together, continuing their journey north.

After traveling for two days, they arrived at a strategically important border town called "Iron Wall Pass".

Iron Wall Pass is the first line of defense against demons in the north. It is a high city with thick walls, and is guarded by thousands of soldiers and a group of cultivators from the Demon Suppression Division.

As soon as Zhou Ning and Zhang Yi entered the city, they saw that there were few pedestrians on the streets and the atmosphere was tense.

On the city wall, the soldiers stood ready, their eyes warily fixed on the north.

"It seems the situation is more serious than we thought," Zhou Ning said.

Zhang Yi nodded: "I heard that a few days ago, monsters attacked the city, and many people died."

The two found an inn to stay in.

I had just put down my luggage when someone knocked on the door.

Zhou Ning opened the door, and a middle-aged man dressed in the uniform of the Demon Suppression Division stood outside.

"Excuse me, are you Mr. Zhou Ning?"

Zhou Ning nodded: "Exactly."

The middle-aged man cupped his hands in greeting: "I am Zhao Tieshan, Deputy Envoy of the Northern Garrison of the Demon Suppression Division. Lord Han Wei sent word that you might come to Iron Wall Pass. He specifically ordered me to wait here."

Zhou Ning asked, "Where is Lord Han?"

Zhao Tieshan said, "Lord Han has already infiltrated Black Mountain. He left a message for Young Master Zhou before he left."

"What did you say?"

"He said that the Black Mountain Demon's weakness might lie in his very essence. If we find his essence, we can defeat him."

Zhou Ning nodded: "I understand."

Zhao Tieshan added, "Young Master Zhou, Iron Wall Pass is very dangerous right now. Demons could attack at any time. If you insist on heading north, it's best to wait a few days until reinforcements arrive."

Zhou Ning thought for a moment and said, "I can't wait that long. I'll set off first thing tomorrow morning."

Zhao Tieshan sighed: "Then please be very careful."

He took his leave.

Zhou Ning closed the door, sat on the edge of the bed, and pondered for a long time.

The origin of the Black Mountain Demon...

What exactly is it?

He took out the sheepskin map and began to study it carefully.

The map marks several outposts on the outskirts of Montenegro, as well as some possible passages.

But the core area is a blank space.

"We can only take it one step at a time."

Zhou Ning put the map away and closed his eyes to regulate his breathing.

The next morning, before dawn, Zhou Ning left Tiebi Pass and headed north alone.

Zhang Yi wanted to go with them, but Zhou Ning refused.

"Your cultivation level is too low; going there would only be suicide. Wait for me at Iron Wall Pass. If I return, we can go together."

Zhang Yi had no choice but to nod.

Zhou Ning walked alone on the desolate plain, the cold wind howling and making his robes flutter.