Chapter Twenty-Three: Deliberation

Early the next morning, Li Yang sat cross-legged atop the great stone outside the gate of the mortuary, perched on the head of the golden toad. The six-winged golden centipede and the Furious Sun Chicken crouched quietly on either side. As the four breathed in unison, their rhythms synchronized, as if they were a single entity.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Li Yang opened his eyes, feeling the surge of blood and energy within his body, a trace of joy appearing on his face. Indeed, human strength has its limits; the speed at which one absorbs the energy of heaven and earth is exceedingly finite. Moreover, it is not pure spiritual essence—rather than benefiting, it may even prove harmful. Yet, for these ancient beasts, things are different. As long as the energy aligns with their attributes, they welcome it as a whale swallows the sea.

Though Li Yang could only absorb a small portion of the pure spiritual energy, it was more than sufficient for his needs. The results of a single day’s cultivation equaled a month’s progress for an ordinary person. Were it not for the principle that cultivation must proceed gradually, too rapid absorption would be difficult to refine; the speed could be even higher.

Of course, this was due to the extraordinary talents of these three ancient beasts. Had they been ordinary demons, such remarkable results would be impossible. Among them, the six-winged golden centipede was the most astonishing in its absorption of energy; its cultivation had matured its bloodline, making it most resistant to the corrosive forces of heaven and earth. Next was the golden toad, whose innate nature was to accept any form of energy, never refusing. The pickiest was the Furious Sun Chicken. A creature of the sun’s essence, despite its phoenix bloodline, it remained fundamentally a chicken, interested only in the purest, most vigorous yang energy. Moreover, wounded as it was, its absorption was minimal yet the most refined.

Li Yang noticed the Furious Sun Chicken’s comb gradually recovering. Moved, he took out a pigeon-egg-sized corpse pill from his robe.

The moment the Furious Sun Chicken saw the pill, it grew restless with impatience, eyes brimming with longing.

“Don’t worry, this is yours,” Li Yang said, chuckling softly as he tossed the pill to the bird.

Throwing its head back, the Furious Sun Chicken swallowed the pill whole, let out a cry of delight, and promptly fell into a deep sleep.

The golden toad, seeing the pill consumed, croaked in protest.

“Don’t be troublesome. That corpse pill would be nothing more than a luxury for you, not much use. Next time something good comes along, you won’t be forgotten,” Li Yang reassured the restless toad beneath him.

“Brother Li, you seem in great spirits, choosing such a quiet spot to bask in the morning sun,” came a cheerful voice as Zhigu Shao and Chen Yulou approached, both smiling.

“Have you finished dividing the gold and treasures?” Li Yang greeted them jokingly.

“Don’t mention it. Old Luo is stingy to the extreme, as if he fell into a pit of money,” Chen Yulou grumbled, clearly frustrated.

Li Yang laughed, “Why worry, Chief? All that gold and silver eventually ends up with Old Luo. Military campaigns are costly; a bit of stinginess is understandable.” Before dawn, Li Yang had seen Chen Yulou and Old Luo in the courtyard, splitting the spoils, nearly coming to blows over disagreements. He’d wisely stayed out of it.

“But even brothers keep accounts clear. Supporting him doesn’t mean he can snatch things. I’ve got men to feed too!” Chen Yulou grew more animated as he spoke.

“By the way, Brother Li, your share is among them. Aren’t you worried? Old Luo isn’t exactly trustworthy.” The campaign at Bottle Mountain had yielded great rewards, and with minimal losses, Chen Yulou could proudly report to his father, his mood much improved.

“Who’s talking behind my back? Chief, we’re brothers—no need to criticize me for such trivial matters,” Old Luo’s voice called from afar.

“Oh, Old Luo, one eye blind but your ears work just fine,” Chen Yulou rolled his eyes at Old Luo’s plaintive expression.

“Brother Li, your share has been tallied. Care to see it? I swear, I’ve never seen so much gold and silver in my life!” Old Luo gesticulated excitedly as he spoke of the spoils.

“No need to check. I trust you and Chief Chen. I’ll keep some gold and silver for self-defense; the rest, please take back and exchange for equivalent medicinal herbs and precious minerals for me.” Li Yang pulled out a thick stack of paper from his robe. “This is the list I prepared last night. Purchase according to it. If the money isn’t enough, send word and I’ll supply more.”

“There’s so much here, and some items I’ve never heard of—many are rumored extinct,” Chen Yulou frowned as he examined Li Yang’s list.

“No need to worry, Chief. Collect what you can; the rest is fine. I wrote the list because you and Old Luo have wide connections. Some of these treasures were rare even in ancient times, let alone now—their value far exceeds mere gold and silver.”

Hearing this, Chen Yulou relaxed, his brow gradually smoothing.

“These three bottles of energy and blood-replenishing pills are my parting gift,” Li Yang said, handing over three porcelain bottles.

“Brother Li, you’re too kind. What effects do these pills have?” Old Luo, long coveting Li Yang’s medicines, politely asked, though his hands grabbed the bottles eagerly.

“They’re ordinary pills for strengthening tendons and bones, replenishing blood and energy—not anything special. If you need other pills, as long as you gather the materials, I can help. The formulas are included in the list; just write to me with your needs.”

“Let me see!” Energized, Old Luo snatched the list from Chen Yulou and began reading intently.

“Careful! If you tear Brother Li’s list, don’t expect to get any elixirs,” Chen Yulou scolded, then turned to Li Yang with a respectful gesture. “Brother Li, we won’t disturb you further. Our men are waiting for us.”

With Li Yang’s nod, the two returned to the mortuary.

“My goodness! There’s even an elixir for longevity, and pills for replenishing vital energy and maintaining youth. With these, what kind of beauty couldn’t you win…” Old Luo’s lewd laughter echoed as the two walked away, leaving Li Yang shaking his head with a smile.

“Do you still remember our agreement, Fellow Daoist Li?” Zhigu Shao asked once Chen Yulou and Old Luo were out of earshot.

“Of course. To be honest, the King Xian’s tomb lies in the ancient land of Yunnan’s Dian Kingdom. As for its exact location, I’m afraid I do not know,” Li Yang replied after a brief pause, deciding to speak frankly.

“Thank you for pointing the way, Fellow Daoist Li. My Zaglama tribe will forever remember your great kindness,” Zhigu Shao said, face alight with excitement and gratitude.

“But don’t be too hasty, Fellow Daoist. The King Xian’s tomb is no ordinary place—if you rush in, you’ll likely perish. Think of your disciples as well. Frankly, I’m interested in the tomb’s treasures myself. Perhaps, once I’m ready, we can invite Chief Chen and explore the tomb together. What do you think?”

Zhigu Shao pondered a long while before nodding, “Then I’ll join Chief Chen at Changsheng Mountain to prepare, awaiting your good news, Fellow Daoist Li.”