I Have a Golden Crow

After the battle ended, Heaven Returning Wood and Rose General Spirit each absorbed the enemy general’s Demon Crystal, and Du Yu also stored the Demon Beast’s remains into the Mountain Realm, planning to give the Desert Lynx clan a meat treat.

As master and disciple sped through the mountains and forests, Du Yu didn’t waste a second to return to the Mountain Realm.

Yang Qingqing stayed alone in the dense forest, quietly waiting for her disciple to bring back news.

This time, Du Yu returned far faster than she’d imagined!

In just three minutes, his figure reappeared, and he even sounded a bit excited: ”Just as we thought, Master Qing!”

”What’s up.” Yang Qingqing leaned against a tree, asking softly.

Du Yu instinctively lowered his voice: ”The Yue Mountain Lion utterly despises its former master.

It only became a Demon Pet because that One-Eyed Dragon crushed it with power.”

”Mm.” Yang Qingqing nodded thoughtfully.

Du Yu: ”Shadow Gu Tower got answers too. That One-Eyed Dragon was influenced by his country’s culture since childhood and especially admired Yue Mountain Lions.

But his disposition and style were totally different from the Yue Mountain Lion clan. With no other way, he forcibly contracted a Spirit Level Yue Mountain Lion.”

”Actually, a lot of Yue Mountain Lions dislike the Purple Lion Corps. There are quite a few of those ’forced melons’.”

Yang Qingqing: ”Let’s put the lion business aside for now. Did Shadow Gu Tower interrogate anything about Moon Lion Mountain?”

”Yes, Master Qing.” Du Yu whispered, ”This is the forbidden land of the Purple Lion Corps and the lair of the chief.

Below the northern cliff of Moon Lion Mountain, there really is a deep valley, with a grove of purple bamboo inside!”

Yang Qingqing’s beautiful eyes lit up!

Finally found it—Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo really is here!

She pressed on: ”How many people are in the mountain?”

Du Yu: ”Ten.”

”Hm?” Hearing this, Yang Qingqing was briefly stunned.

Such a vast Moon Lion Mountain, such a huge bamboo grove, and only ten people guarding it?

Du Yu: ”The Purple Lion Corps’ chief, Bu Gu, is obsessed with secrecy and has always monopolized the Purple Bamboo Grove.

Bu Gu’s chief seat, and the ownership of this grove, were both seized through a coup he started.”

Yang Qingqing nodded. With an organization made up of ruthless villains, turmoil isn’t surprising.

But then Du Yu added, ”Snatched from his own father.”

”Heh.” Yang Qingqing gave a cold laugh, but wasn’t all that surprised.

Since ancient times, power-hungry people have never been in short supply.

Du Yu continued, ”Bu Gu and his wife basically killed everyone from the previous generation who knew about the Purple Bamboo Grove. The ones now in the mountain are all Bu Gu’s closest subordinates.”

”Mm.” Yang Qingqing started to walk forward.

Du Yu quickly caught up, explaining, ”Out of these ten, eight are guards.

At the outer perimeter of Moon Lion Mountain there are four guards, called the Forbidden City Four Generals.

Around the Purple Bamboo Grove, there are four guards, known as the Forbidden City Four Lions.

The remaining two are Bu Gu and his wife. The two of them live deep in the bamboo, enjoying the nourishment of the Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo.”

Yang Qingqing: ”Go on.”

Du Yu continued, ”The so-called Forbidden City Four Generals are all Great Demon Tamer·Peak Stage.

They’re highly talented and could break through to General Level at any moment. That One-Eyed Dragon we just met is one such outlier.

When Bu Gu took Moon Lion Mountain, these four were just Great Demon Tamer·Initial Stage. Even then, Bu Gu gave them the ’Four Generals’ title—probably in hopes for their future.”

Yang Qingqing: ”Just a few Great Demon Tamers, nothing worth mentioning. Tell me about the Four Lions.”

Du Yu: ”...”

Noticing her disciple’s resentful stare, Yang Qingqing couldn’t help but laugh: ”Heh~”

She pressed her index and middle fingers together, placing them on Du Yu’s forehead.

Du Yu reflexively closed his eyes, waiting for Master Immortal’s forehead flick, but...

He waited a while and didn’t feel the woman’s finger at all.

He carefully opened his eyes to peek, and just then, her finger flicked lightly: ”Thunk.”

”Ugh.” Du Yu clutched his forehead, looking at Master Qing with even more pitiful eyes.

Yang Qingqing shot a mock-annoyed look at Du Yu: ”Go on.”

Du Yu: ”...”

No justice at all!

You’re the one who misspoke and you still blame me... ugh, all right.

Master Qing isn’t wrong, really, Great Demon Tamers aren’t worth worrying about.

She could probably swat them dead strolling past, right?

”The Four Lions’ strength ranges from Demon Taming General·Initial Stage to Great Success Stage.” Du Yu pursed his lips. ”Among them is a veteran named Eudena—the only former minister from Bu Gu’s father he kept around.

This was the guy who helped Bu Gu seize the throne with plots and schemes.

According to One-Eyed Dragon, he’s quite strong—even stronger than the others. Should be at the Peak.”

”Mm.” Yang Qingqing’s face turned a bit more serious. Such a strong enemy won’t be easy to handle.

If the Bell Bracelet can’t control them, this is sure to be a bloody fight!

Should they still follow the vision given by Bamboo Shadow Thunder Pool?

Or temporarily change the plan and find some backup?

No.

A drawn bow cannot be pulled back. If the mission is paused now, it’ll just give the Purple Lion Corps more time to prepare.

Once that happens, climbing the mountain again won’t be so easy.

Or maybe escalate it to the country’s level and have Great Xia step in and reclaim the Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo?

If the issue comes out in the open, things will definitely get messier...

And once the news leaks, there’s no guarantee the Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo will still even be here.

Such a treasure could drive anyone insane.

”Master Qing.” Du Yu suddenly grabbed her wrist, Demon Soul glowing in his palm, and called out mentally.

This sudden move made Yang Qingqing instantly tense and quickly scan the surroundings.

Du Yu: ”Straight ahead—see him? The man with the purple scarf.”

Yang Qingqing narrowed her eyes, carefully scanning the way ahead.

The pair were deep in mountain forest—terrain extra complex, rocks and trees everywhere.

The woman looked for a whole two seconds but still didn’t glimpse a trace of anyone.

Du Yu shifted a step to stand behind Master Qing. The illusory Demon Soul hand pointed, slowly passing through her skull.

The phantom fingertip poked out at her brow, pointing forward: ”Maybe he was drawn here by the noise?”

The battle the two had just fought made plenty of racket!

Even if there’s lots of ground and few guards, they could’ve been noticed.

Yang Qingqing’s gaze sharpened. At last, her sight swept past the side of a boulder, through dense leaves, and faintly picked out a figure.

Slowly, she raised her left hand.

After waiting a bit, her wrist flicked softly: ”Jingle-jingle~jingle~”

In an instant, the man’s body stiffened and he shot this way at high speed.

”Crack!”

”Crash...” The purple-clothed man burst through branches, smashing twigs on his way, shot through the thick leaves, and flew south—straight to the woman’s palm.

Yang Qingqing flicked her right hand. Waves of Fire Demon Breath surged forth, and a Flaming Saber rapidly took shape!

Rare sight—Du Yu saw Master Qing Coalesce Elemental Demon Soldiers and couldn’t help but look in curiosity.

The purple-clothed man, though, was pale as death!

His pupils shrank to pinpoints!

”Pa!” Yang Qingqing seized the man’s throat and drove the Flaming Saber viciously into his chest.

Her movements were fluid and decisive—absolutely ruthless!

The purple-clothed man’s Demon Breath Battle Robe burst apart, blade biting into flesh and piercing his heart.

No words, no struggle, barely any pain.

”Control him.” Du Yu spoke up immediately, secretly clicking his tongue in awe.

Forbidden City Four Generals?

Great Demon Tamer·Peak Stage?

Just another soul for the blade. Worthless, really.

He thought this as his palm flipped and the Mountain and Sea Bell flashed.

Master and disciple instantly appeared under dark clouds.

”Master Qing, toss him toward the Jia Rong Grass.” Du Yu put a hand on Yang Qingqing’s shoulder, used Demon Soul communication, and shouted aloud, ”Jia Rong, apart from the Yue Mountain Lions, slaughter everything else!”

”Boom rumble!”

Thunder rumbled as the Jia Rong Grass leaves stretched sky-high.

Yang Qingqing flung the enemy general’s corpse, and next, the Mountain and Sea Bell appeared again!

Suspended in midair, the pair vanished instantly.

”Pfft~”

Just as Yang Qingqing left, the Bell Bracelet effect faded, and from the purple-clothed man’s body, five Demon Pets burst out.

But the endless Jia Rong Grass leaves snatched them up, sending them soaring skyward.

If it was just thirty, fifty meters—fine.

But letting them go up forever...

”Moo!!!” Above the clouds, Ancient Niuniu was not amused!

Who told you lot you could come up here?

Looking to die?!

”Crack!” A massive bolt of lightning lashed down viciously.

In the Jia Rong Grass thicket, one Yue Mountain Lion gazed at the sky.

Another was tugged into the grass by Jia Rong Grass, which even sweetly stuffed a Jia Rong Grass Fruit in its mouth on the way.

”Roo?” The new-arrived Yue Mountain Lion looked utterly confused.

Where is this?

What happened?

Why is my contract gone?

Huh? Isn’t that my pitiful, oppressed clansman over there? Why is it here too...

”Roo?”

”Roo!”

...

Deep in the forested wilds, the master and disciple’s figures appeared again.

”Heh.” Du Yu steadied his emotions, his eyes full of excitement.

It’s working~

Sneak attacks really are the best!

With my Eye of Burning Sun and Master Qing’s Bell Bracelet, we can kill enemies without a trace!

Nothing more to say—we’re the perfect team~

Du Yu glanced at Yang Qingqing: ”This routine is enough to handle tough foes. Master Qing, let’s wipe out this scum in one sweep?”

Yang Qingqing pondered for a moment, then nodded silently.

If that’s the case, then follow the vision to the letter.

Every sign and sight along this road is fated—nothing amiss.

Maybe Heaven protects us.

This day, the two of us shall safeguard the Tai Sui Thunder Bamboo!

Seeing the Immortal Master’s nod, Du Yu was set at heart: ”Good!”

Yang Qingqing felt emotional as well—she’d fought countless battles, big and small, but never had one been this relaxed.

Du Yu’s tactics really are... mm, efficient.

”Too bad Qingci isn’t here.” Du Yu muttered as they walked, ”Otherwise, with a single Cloud Water Song, no enemy would have anywhere to hide.”

Yang Qingqing: ”There’s never been a water droplet in your vision.”

”Nope, never.”

Yang Qingqing said softly, ”Enough, let’s search carefully, there are two more outside.”

”One left.” Du Yu suddenly cut in.

”Hm?” Yang Qingqing was slightly surprised.

Du Yu tilted his head toward the opposite Moon Lion Mountain, signaling that the Thundercloud Roc—which had disappeared earlier—had returned.

This time, it wasn’t circling atop the mountain, but actually flying toward this peak.

This Demon Beast most likely is coming with orders—probably someone’s pet.

Du Yu pondered a second: ”Master Qing, you go back to the Sea Realm and wait by the reef.

The Thundercloud Roc has sharp eyes and patrols from the sky, so we’re likely to be spotted.

Once I’m close to the enemy, I’ll call you out.”

Yang Qingqing gave it some thought and approved Du Yu’s plan, just quietly warning: ”Be careful. If anything goes wrong, just jump into the Mountain and Sea Bell.”

”Yes.” Du Yu summoned the Mountain and Sea Bell and took Master Immortal inside once more.

Then his figure abruptly dove down.

Human-Pet Combined Skill · Mountain Earth Concealment!

Du Yu’s whole body practically vanished underground, leaving only his face on the surface...

The sight was especially eerie, pretty frightening!

He pursed his lips, stealthily pressing ahead.

Indeed, it takes a villain to deal with villains~

Purple Lion Corps?

I’ll show you robbers and thieves what true sneakiness really means!