Chapter 174 His Name Is Xi Jing, He’s a Fifth Realm…

Chapter 174: His Name Is Xi Jing, a Fifth Realm Fox Spirit...

The Zhou family gradually realized that although the flames continued to scorch their flesh, bringing unbearable agony, their consciousness remained unnervingly clear.

They could smell the sickly scent of their charring flesh and hear the crackling of the flames consuming them—a torment more excruciating than death by a thousand cuts.

At first, they still had the strength to scream, but soon, they could only crumple helplessly to the ground, begging for the mercy of death.

Zhou Ying struggled to crawl forward, lifting her head to gaze at the enormous dragon’s head, her voice raw with anguish: "Ning Ning, why are you doing this? I always treated you as my own sister!"

"Because you loved me so much, you drank my blood and even fed it to your betrothed? Is this how humans treat their own sisters?"

"No, it’s not like that, it wasn’t like that!" Zhou Ying babbled denials, unable to understand why Zhou Ning, who had once obeyed her every word, had suddenly become like this.

The pain was unbearable, driving her to the edge of sanity. She kept apologizing: "It’s my fault, I was blinded by greed—please, end this!"

"Ning Ning, we’ll never dare to do it again!"

"Ning Ning—"

The Zhou family’s pleas rose and fell in waves. The baby dragon floated higher, looking down at the people in the courtyard with cold detachment: "I accept your apologies."

The Zhou family’s hearts surged with desperate hope. Zhou Ying spoke urgently: "Then put out the fire, quickly!"

The baby dragon shook her head, her tone tinged with false pity: "The moment you drank my blood, this fire could never be extinguished. Only when the dragon blood inside you burns away will the flames die. Just bear it until the end."

As the baby dragon ascended, growing farther and farther away, the Zhou family’s screams echoed beyond the courtyard: "Zhou Ning, you vile creature! I should have skinned you alive, ripped out your tendons—we should have killed you! Ah—"

Their curses carried on the wind to the baby dragon’s ears. Though harsh, their hateful words rang truer than their previous false affection.

Revenge brought her no joy, but it did bring satisfaction.

She didn’t want to hear their remorse or understand their excuses. She only wanted those responsible to pay for what they had done.

The fire burned on, turning the villagers of White Dragon Village into human torches—until their flesh was consumed, and even their bones turned to ash.

The baby dragon circled in the sky for a long time. Only when the last flicker of firelight was swallowed by darkness did she stretch her body and fly into the distance.

Rain began to fall over the village once more. Her scarred body faded into the storm clouds before vanishing into the horizon.

Two days later, new pilgrims came to White Dragon Village, hoping to obtain offerings—only to find the once-bustling village deathly still.

They reported the incident to the county authorities, who sent officials to investigate. But the heavy rain had erased all evidence. In the end, they concluded that the villagers of White Dragon Village had disappeared without trace for unknown reasons.

The case involved an entire village, both sinister and inexplicable. The magistrate had no choice but to order further investigations while reporting to higher authorities, waiting for the Bright Mirror Bureau to intervene.

White Dragon Village had once known brief prosperity, but from then on, it would be forgotten by history along with its vanished villagers, until no one spoke of it again.

While the Great Xia officials exhausted their wits searching for the missing villagers, the trade caravan had already entered the wilderness.

As the name suggested, the land stretched endlessly before them—vast plains of grass in shifting colors, merging seamlessly in the distance, rolling and undulating without end.

Far away, where the sky met the earth, a foreboding dark woods loomed. Beyond it stood towering snow-capped mountains. When the clouds parted, sunlight set the peaks aflame with gold.

A broad silver river snaked down from the foot of the mountains, splitting into branches that flowed toward distant lands.

Countless birds and strange creatures thrived in this fertile land. A Chan opened the carriage window, as the wild breeze slipped through her fingers, leaving only warmth behind.

Long, long ago, she had been born here. Her parents’ home was here too. But sadly, she had lost the path home.

At the head of the caravan, Lie Xian held a white bone instrument, playing a mournful, ancient tune. The horses pulling the carts quickened their pace, as if sensing their master’s eagerness to return home.

The caravan crossed the grasslands, traversed a simple wooden bridge, and finally stopped outside a village nestled near the forest.

The village had no high walls—only a loose fence of wooden stakes, overgrown with green vines. A few brightly colored birds perched atop it, pecking at something unseen.

The moment the carriages halted, a crowd rushed out from the village. Some greeted the caravan members, others helped unload goods, while a group of children—each of different races and appearances—swarmed around Lie Xian.

They pelted him with questions—where he had gone this time, whether he had brought back anything fun. One particularly persistent young beastkin even tried climbing onto him.

Lie Xian patiently answered each question before bending down to scoop up the unruly black furball and perch it on his shoulder.

Only after the children’s curiosity was satisfied did they notice A Chan and Bai Xiuming stepping out from the carriage behind.

"Brother Xian, are they humans?" one whispered. Here, humans were a rare sight.

"Yes, they’re your sister Hui Xue’s guests. Go fetch her, quick." Lie Xian gave the boy beside him a light pat on the shoulder.

"On it!" The boy dashed toward the village with astonishing speed, disappearing in a blur.

When the boy found her, Shen Huixue was crouched in the yard, frowning at a row of dead exotic beasts laid out before her, clearly uncertain.

"Sister Hui Xue!" the boy called from the gate, peeking in and gasping at the sight of the prey. "You’re amazing! You hunted so much!"

Shen Huixue turned and smiled at him. "I went farther out this time. It’s my first time participating in the ritual—I need to bring worthy sacrifices. Which one do you think is best? I’ll take it to the High Priest later."

The boy pointed at a two-headed ape. "This one! Its fur is nice—the ancestors will love it."

"Good, this one it is." Shen Huixue nodded in agreement before suddenly remembering. "Oh, what did you need me for?"

The boy slapped his brow. "Almost forgot! Brother Xian’s back, and he brought humans with him—said they’re your guests."

Shen Huixue’s eyes lit up, and in an instant, she was gone before he blinked.

"What guests got her so excited?" The boy closed the gate and raced back toward the village entrance.

"A Chan!" Before A Chan could react, she was suddenly embraced. Only when the familiar voice rang in her ears did she register who held her.

"Hui Xue." A Chan’s eyes crinkled with joy. The woman before her showed none of her former sorrow—her expression was now bold and unburdened, clearly thriving in this life.

Shen Huixue took A Chan’s hand, bursting to tell her recent adventures, when she suddenly noticed the man beside her.

Seeing Lord Bai again, her smile became guarded. Her body tensed, though her tone remained polite: "Lord Bai, it’s been a long time."

Bai Xiuming’s gaze swept over Shen Huixue’s face. He remembered—she was a half-blood. Yet now, she appeared no different from an ordinary human, and A Chan showed no surprise whatsoever by the change.

Bai Xiuming withdrew his gaze and inclined his head slightly. "My apologies for the intrusion."

Just then, Lie Xian spotted Shen Huixue and waved her over. "Hui Xue, I’ve brought Miss A Chan safely for you."

"Thank you, Brother Lie."

"Don’t mention it. Oh, escort Miss A Chan and Lord Bai to see the tribal High Priestess first."

Shen Huixue nodded, then explained quietly to A Chan: "Any guests staying in the village are expected to pay respects to the High Priestess first. But don’t worry—she welcomes all."

"Shall we go now?" A Chan was curious about the tribal High Priestess.

"Alright, let's go."

After greeting Lie Xian, Shen Huixue led the two into the village, heading toward the High Priest's residence.

The High Priest lived at the far end of the village, in a large courtyard piled with materials both familiar and unfamiliar to A Chan, along with numerous game.

Some of the prey seemed already processed, their fur glossy and smooth, looking lifelike, while others appeared untouched.

In the courtyard stood a single wooden building—the High Priest's home.

At the door, Shen Huixue called inside, "High Priest, are you home? I've brought guests."

"Huixue, come in," a calm, elderly voice responded from within.

Shen Huixue led A Chan and Bai Xiuming inside. The space was vast, with no dividing walls, allowing a clear view from one end to the other.

The room held no furniture, only a slightly elevated platform covered with a black animal hide, beside which were stacks of bamboo scrolls, bone inscriptions, and silk manuscripts.

A white-haired elderly woman sat cross-legged on the hide, an open bone script inscribed with characters spread before her, as if calculating something.

Only when all three had entered did the High Priest lift her gaze. Her eyes were deep and profound, seemingly capable of seeing into one's heart.

Her gaze passed over each of them before settling on A Chan.

A Chan, equally curious, was studying the High Priest and returned a bright smile when the woman smiled at her.

The High Priest's expression softened further. Without pretension, she introduced herself first: "I am Wu Ying, the High Priest of the Wu Clan."

In the past, a Wu Clan tribe could have multiple priests, but only one High Priest.

Later, the Wu Clan met with misfortune, leaving only their branch, and she now served as the sole High Priest of the clan.

"Bai Xiuming."

"My name is Ji Chan, but you can call me A Chan," A Chan said brightly.

The High Priest chuckled. "A Chan—what a lovely name."

A Chan was already taking a liking to the High Priest. She had such a pleasant way of speaking.

"A Chan, what brings you to these wilds?" the High Priest inquired.

A Chan shot a sidelong glance at Bai Xiuming, hesitating slightly before shaking her head. "Nothing in particular. Huixue and I are good friends—I came specifically to visit her."

"I see," the High Priest nodded. "In that case, let Huixue take you to Lie Xian first so he can arrange accommodations for you. If you have time another day, A Chan, do come visit me again."

"Of course," A Chan agreed, who had wanted to speak with the High Priest privately. She hadn’t expected the invitation.

Shen Huixue led A Chan away first. If it had just been A Chan, she could have let her stay at her own home, but with Bai Xiuming present, that wouldn't do.

Fortunately, the village had empty houses they could stay in.

The High Priest watched A Chan leave, and only after she was gone did she speak to Bai Xiuming. "I hear our esteemed guest has come from distant Great Xia. Is there anything I might assist you with?"

Once A Chan departed, Bai Xiuming sensed the High Priest's distant demeanor. He stated his purpose directly: "I’ve come only to offer memorial rites for my father to an old friend. If the High Priest could provide any information, I would be deeply grateful."

"May I ask the name of your father’s friend?"

"His name was Xi Jing—a Fifth Realm fox spirit."

"And your father is…?"

"Bai Yu," Bai Xiuming answered, using King Ming’s true name, not expecting her to know it.

To his surprise, the High Priest’s face showed a flicker of recognition. "The King Ming of Great Xia, who once fought alongside Lord Xi Jing in defeating the Demon Emperor?"

"...Indeed."

The High Priest’s expression softened, her tone softening. "So it is King Ming. Given his ties with Lord Xi Jing, no wonder you've come on this journey."

Bai Xiuming pressed further, "Does the High Priest know where my father’s friend rests?"

"I do," the High Priest sighed softly. "Lord Xi Jing left us many years ago. His remains lay hidden only because they were suppressed by an array. Recently, that array weakened, allowing his aura to leak."

Before Bai Xiuming could speak, she glanced at the sky outside and said, "It’s getting late. Rest well tonight, esteemed guest. Tomorrow, I will take you to where the array is."

Bai Xiuming had expected more persuasion, but she agreed so readily.

He clasped his hands in gratitude. "My thanks."

Meanwhile, Shen Huixue was leading A Chan to find Lie Xian, telling her what she'd learned along the way.

"The person you asked me to inquire about—with no name to go on, I could only get a general idea. If there were a specific name, we might get clearer answers."

A Chan hesitated before replying, "The fox spirit’s name was Xi Jing."

It was her father’s name.

"Xi Jing," Shen Huixue murmured twice, committing the name to memory. "The elder priestess I asked often lives outside the village, not too far from here. If we have time tomorrow, I’ll take you to her. She might recognize the name."

"Alright," A Chan agreed, her heart full of hope.