Chapter 54: The Forbidden Mountain

There was a lonely mountain between the land of no-man and the Imperial City, which seemed to move on its own throughout the years. Sometimes, it seemed to move closer towards the Imperial City, sometimes further away. Travellers could never truly estimate how far the mountain was, or how close it could be.

Many gave up halfway towards the looming giant, others reach the foot of the mountain but felt unease settle deep in their hearts and soul, warning them of the looming doom and death. Most wilfully turned their backs and left without stepping up the steep slope. Those with enough will to climb it never returned.

The mountain went with no name, and when asked people referred to it only as 'forbidden from man and creatures alike'. But sacred it was not, as it struck fear and hatred in anyone who had witnessed its presence. Maps included the giant, but only to show how to avoid it rather than finding it.

It was nightfall when PingZe arrived before the mountain, winded but filled with determination. He wasn't the type to grovel at other's feet. Asking wasn't a word that existed in his vocabulary, and yet, here he was now. Ready and willing to beg Fan ZhiHao to help him. The things he was willing to do for his brothers.

PingZe rubbed his face and sighed. He was really going to do it. Stepping into the woods, as if a spell was broken, instead of climbing uphill, like one climbed the mountains, PingZe stepped on level ground, through the curtains of mirage, and halted. The mountain disappeared from his way. Instead, he had stepped into the NiuJiao sect grounds.

Each tree in the area was carved up with intricate magical symbols, arrays to ward off uninvited guests, humans and animals alike. The trees were scarce and far between, and further ahead, he could see dark blue flames lick the sky. Sounds of metal bending and breaking echoed through the area. The comforting smell of burning wood wafted over his way in thick clouds.

PingZe had a clear view of the forest, but he didn't dare to move. The ground was littered with traps. He knew of most and ways to avoid them. He used to be Fan ZhiHao's apprentice, after all. During his short time here, while others studied weaponry, he had wandered around the premises and learned about every trap Fan ZhiHao had laid down on his sect grounds.

But that was centuries ago, and Fan ZhiHao had added more traps, specifically designed to blow PingZe's legs off by his kneecaps. He wasn't the most loved student of the old man. Not after he blew up half of the sect grounds and slept with all the female students in his youth.

Not that demons had to fear Fan ZhiHao's traps, it was just one had to go through the main entrance if one wanted to be safe. PingZe had entered the perimeters without notice or permission. A rustle and the weak wheezing of metal grinding against metal came from in front of him.

"Brother PingZe, it has been a while." A warm, melancholy tone sounded as a man stepped out from behind the trees, limping across the field of traps without a worry in the world. In the darkness, it was at first difficult to see the man, but as he stepped closer, deep gashes marred his face, scarred over into rugged lines. Only his left eye was bright and working. He smiled with the right side of his lips that still had the muscle to guide them. One could see he used to be very handsome, almost god-like in appearance.

PingZe grinned as the man stopped before him. His hands were scarred over; his left leg was supported by metal poles which kept part of his knee attached to his ankle.

"Xu Guanting, long time no see. You look good."

"You too, brother. But why must you always break our rules and seek death? Our main entrance always welcomes you." Guanting clapped him over the shoulder and guided him through the maze of invisible death.

"I wouldn't bet on that," PingZe said drily, his eyes fixated on the ground they walked on. Thick ship crop covered any indications of danger. But they were there, waiting for some poor soul to step over them.

Xu Guanting gave a raspy chuckle. "Well, you stole from him recently. You even set off a trap. Master Fan almost shed his skin when he heard you survived."

"Yes, that is why I returned. I want to give him his ink back."

Xu Guanting looked surprised under the blue flames that now had come closer. "You? Returning something you stole? Tell me brother, what has overcome you to make you act civilised?"

"I need some things."

"And now you want to ask for those things? You scare me, brother PingZe, too polite." Xu Guanting mused as they passed the trees and now walked on a clearing, with towers of brick used for melting metal, wood was added to the opening at the bottom, feeding the blue flames. Men and women busied about, shooting glances and offering polite smiles their way before hurrying back to work.

"I don't want to be on Fan ZhiHao's bad side all the time, or he might kill me for real someday," PingZe said, looking around without really seeing anything. There was nothing new to him. Fan ZhiHao's sect looked exactly the same as before, outdated and on the brink of collapsing.

"But that is impossible, I think he quite enjoys your existence." Xu Guanting pondered aloud. PingZe grimaced.

"That is only because he got you as his apprentice, his favourite student."

"That is true, I wouldn't have Xu Guanting on my side without you, PingZe. I'm ever so grateful. Now, tell me, why are you still breathing?"

The two stopped in their tracks as an old man, in his fifties with a long black beard and keen, gentle eyes, stepped forward among the flames that melted metal into streams of silver and gold. His robes were black as night. A golden ox graced the back of his coat. This was the NiuJiao sect leader, Fan ZhiHao.

PingZe grin turned sour. His pride was now put on a line. He had travelled this far to return a stolen item and to apologize. Maybe he could just skip the politeness. Rummaging through his robes, he brought out a small black bottle of ink and held it up in the air.

"Old fox, I brought you your ink back."

Fan ZhiHao's corner of a lip twitched ever so slightly. He hadn't expected PingZe to return the stolen item. He flicked his finger, and the bottle flew off PingZe's hand and hovered over to him.

"You used it up." Fan ZhiHao said without touching the bottle.

"Well, I mean, there is still a drop or two left, I'd never use it all up." PingZe shrugged as he rubbed his neck and avoided looking at the old man. He missed the murderous glare that flashed over the man's features.

Xu Guanting hurried to open his mouth to save the situation, when Fan ZhiHao broke into a chuckle, surprising the two men.

"I hope you used it for a good cause, PingZe. Wouldn't want you to regret it later."

PingZe unwillingly shivered at his words, but didn't understand why. It was just ink... right?

Fan ZhiHao caught the bottle from the air and tugged it in his sash. "Now, come inside. It is too noisy out here."

The NiuJiao sect house situated underground. Mines, that were emptied of all raw material used for weaponry over the years, were turned into living quarters for the sect members. On the surface, there was a small wooden farmhouse behind the brick towers. While the house looked modest from the outside, inside, the path led downwards. It spiralled beneath the sect grounds, twisting and turning like a serpent.

Walls made of dirt and stone were upheld with thick paddings of dark wood. With a first glance, one wouldn't have realised they were underground, if not for the lack of sunlight and windows. The air was damp, but not suffocating. A sweet, tangy scent wafted throughout the corridors. Someone had used incense to clear out the stuffy scent of earth. Small, round lanterns hung from the ceiling, casting a warm light over the pathways.

At the end of this maze, was Fan ZhiHao's study.

"Try not to break anything." Fan ZhiHao said as he pushed the doors open and lit candles up across the room with just a flick of his wrist.

PingZe's grin, that had slowly returned over his face as they reached the room, froze when he saw the mess waiting for them inside. PingZe had to admit to himself, at that moment, that he was exceptional. He had found the ink bottle from this chaos.