Chapter 111: Victoria Peak, Earth-Shattering News, Impending Storm

"Brother, it is time for us to go."

Looking at Bai Lang, who had suddenly fallen into deep thought, Bai Yunxiao spoke up.

"I have kept you waiting, brother," Lu Wufei immediately turned his head and smiled. "Let us go."

Bai Yunxiao nodded, a dark cloud spontaneously forming beneath his feet, and he took off from the mountain peak. Lu Wufei summoned a few white clouds and followed closely behind.

"I will take you to familiarize yourself with a few places in the Great Desolate Mountain first," Bai Yunxiao said while flying, introducing the area. "These are all places you will have to deal with in the future."

"Then I thank you, brother."

"It is nothing. Between brothers, saying thank you is too distant."

Bai Yunxiao led Lu Wufei through the towering mountains. The two clouds, one black and one white, beneath their feet attracted the attention of quite a few passing demons. Lu Wufei followed behind Bai Yunxiao, and after flying for quite some time, he finally gained a rough understanding of the appearance of the Great Desolate Mountain—no, the territory of the Great Desolate Mountain controlled by the Third King.

It can be said that if it were not for the pervasive demonic energy and the demons scattered across the mountains, the scenery of the Great Desolate Mountain would be impeccable. Because it is far from human habitation, it is naturally not as terrifying or frightening as the Lion Camel Ridge or the Lion Camel Kingdom that Lu Wufei had passed through.

Of course, this is relative to humans. Lu Wufei’s soul came from humanity, and within the scope of his abilities, he was naturally willing to do what he could, just like when he judged the bandits of the Axe Gang he encountered on his way back to the mountain. However, the humans around Lion Camel Ridge had been eaten to extinction, and the entire population of the Lion Camel Kingdom had been slaughtered. This was related to the overwhelming strength of the demons in Lion Camel Ridge and the Lion Camel Kingdom, as well as the surrounding sects and factions. Fortunately, the Great Desolate Mountain was far from such things; otherwise, Lu Wufei would have fled long ago.

Half an hour later, Bai Yunxiao landed with Lu Wufei on a hillside. As they walked into a cave guarded by minor demons, Lu Wufei saw a demon with a black eagle head and a human body walking toward them.

"Manager Li," Bai Yunxiao said, stepping forward to introduce them, "I have brought the newly promoted General Bai to take over his territory."

After some pleasantries, Lu Wufei realized that this black eagle was the very one that had come to Langlang Mountain to deliver the message over a decade ago, before the previous Black General had passed and before the last great war broke out. Lu Wufei vaguely remembered that it had been a very snowy day.

"General Bai, when other generals take over their territories, they usually change the name of the land. I wonder if you intend to do the same?" The black eagle asked, pointing to a patch of territory on a map clearly drawn on a piece of yellow, nameless hide that depicted the rough lines of mountains and rivers.

"Of course," Lu Wufei, having already learned the procedure from Bai Yunxiao, immediately nodded.

"I wonder what name you would like to change it to, General Bai?" Manager Black Eagle asked.

After a moment of contemplation, Lu Wufei said, "Mount Taiping! Change it to Mount Taiping."

An hour later, when Lu Wufei and Bai Yunxiao left the Great Desolate Mountain, goose-feather snowflakes began to drift from the sky once more.

"Whoosh." The sound of wind and snow filled his ears. High in the sky, after a moment of hesitation, Bai Yunxiao finally spoke: "Brother, you and Lady Hua... you don't intend to be serious, do you?"

Hearing his elder brother finally ask, Lu Wufei smiled. He had sensed that the other was holding something back, and now that it was out, he laughed: "What do you mean by 'serious', brother?"

Bai Yunxiao said directly, "Are you trying to pursue Lady Hua?"

Lu Wufei replied, "Is there anything wrong with that?"

Bai Yunxiao pressed, "Do you know the relationship between Lady Hua and the Third King?"

Lu Wufei asked, "What do you mean? Is Lady Hua a concubine of the Third King?"

Bai Yunxiao answered, "As far as I know, that is not the case, but the King certainly covets her."

Lu Wufei countered, "It has been more than a decade; has the King not succeeded yet?"

Bai Yunxiao replied, "Uh... I suppose that is true."

Lu Wufei said, "That means the King has no intention to force her, or else how could she have escaped?"

Bai Yunxiao said, "You are not wrong, but why have you set your sights on Lady Hua? There are many beautiful female demons under the King, and even a few human maids. If you want one, I believe the King would give her to you."

Lu Wufei asked, "Brother, why are you so opposed to me pursuing Lady Hua?"

Bai Yunxiao replied, "I am merely afraid that you might be falling into her trap. If you don't like me saying this, I will stop."

Lu Wufei felt a warmth in his heart and immediately smiled. "Hehe, I know you are looking out for me, brother. But rest assured, I am as cunning as a ghost; she cannot deceive me."

Lu Wufei then asked, "Brother, since the King has no intent, have none of the other generals shown interest in her?"

Bai Yunxiao replied, "That is not the case. I once heard Lady Hua mention that General Dilong seemed to have designs on her, but I do not know the details."

Lu Wufei nodded. "Then there you have it. If General Dilong dares, why shouldn't I? But I know your heart, brother, and I will not be deceived."

Bai Yunxiao knew that Bai Lang’s mind was made up and stopped trying to persuade him. "As long as you are vigilant, brother."

Two hours later, Lu Wufei and Bai Yunxiao arrived above Langlang Mountain. As they prepared to part ways, Bai Yunxiao asked again, "Brother, when do you plan to head to Mount Taiping?"

Lu Wufei replied, "In the next few days, once this snow stops."

Bai Yunxiao nodded. "I will give the orders then."

Lu Wufei said, "Thank you, brother."

Bai Yunxiao waved his hand. "Between brothers, no need for thanks."

Lu Wufei laughed, "Haha, I was just saying." He added, "Big brother, would you like to come to my residence for a drink?"

"Next time. Next time I will go to Mount Taiping to drink."

"That works."

After some lighthearted banter, the two demons flew toward their respective mountain peaks. When Lu Wufei landed in front of his stone cave amidst the falling snow, there was not a single snowflake on his body, all blocked by his sleek, flowing black magic robe. Hearing the faint firelight, laughter, and the scent of wine and meat coming from within, Lu Wufei strode inside. On a snowy day, there is nothing more comfortable than a hot pot while chatting and drinking with brothers.

"Big brother!"

"Big brother."

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!"

Seeing Lu Wufei appear, the Crow Demon, Hongpi, Huang Gui, and Wandashan, who were gathered around the hot pot, all stood up. Little White was the fastest, slithering over and jumping into his father’s arms.

"Sit down, all of you," Lu Wufei said, carrying Little White to the main seat, which had been left vacant. His daughter, Wandashan, immediately got up to fetch a bowl and pour wine for him.

"Big brother, you’re finally back."

"Drink a bowl to warm yourself up."

As soon as Lu Wufei sat down and saw the Crow Demon eagerly handing him meat soup, he asked, "You have something on your mind, don't you?" He took the bowl and said casually, "Speak."

"Hehe." The Crow Demon chuckled and immediately said, "I knew I couldn't hide it from you, big brother. So, you mentioned the General would give us a hundred minor demons. If there are female demons among them, could... could you give me one?"

Watching the Crow Demon’s shy and fidgety demeanor, Lu Wufei, Hongpi, and the others burst into laughter.

Lu Wufei then said, "That is a small matter. As it happens, I just returned from the King today, and our territory has been assigned."

"Ah, we have our own territory now!" The Crow Demon was overjoyed, jumping to his feet and immediately forgetting about the female demon.

"Sit down! Stop making such a racket!" Lu Wufei reprimanded him with feigned annoyance, then continued, "I have decided to leave as soon as possible. Tomorrow, Hongpi, you and Black Hair go find the Long-Bearded [Commander Sheep] to handle the transfer of the one hundred minor demons."

Turning his head, Lu Wufei added, "Huang Gui, Wandashan, you two follow them as well. Learn from Hongpi and Black Hair; I am counting on you to help me manage the territory in the future. Do you understand?"

"Yes, big brother!"

Even Hongpi, who usually considered himself calm and steady, felt his heart racing at these words. Having a territory of his own—they had been dreaming of this since the three brothers were at the bottom of the hierarchy in the original Langlang Mountain, huddling together for warmth. He never expected it to actually come true.

"Yes, big brother!"

"Yes, father," Huang Gui and Wandashan answered immediately.

Ever since being guided by his big brother, Huang Gui’s personality had obviously changed; he was more outgoing and confident. If his big brother didn't care about his low cultivation, he would only disappoint him by remaining trapped in his own insecurities. As for Wandashan, her father was the goal of her growth and the object of her worship. This was why she, a female demon, looked down upon other suitors. Recently, because her father had become a General, even some demon-level minor leaders had tried to court her, but she had rejected them all. With her father’s heroic rise to General in just over a decade before her eyes, how could she be impressed by ordinary demons? She thought to herself that she must cultivate harder and learn from her uncles so she could better help manage the territory and assist her father.

"Big brother, I will definitely work hard on my cultivation!"

The Crow Demon also spoke up immediately, but Lu Wufei had not forgotten that this guy had just been asking for a female demon, and he knew that this fellow was already keeping a female demon in his own cave—a hedgehog demon, or something like that. So he said, "You should worry less about finding female demons."

"Haha."

"Hehe."

Lu Wufei’s words immediately made Hongpi and Huang Gui laugh.

"Squeak, squeak, squeak!" Little White, tucked in Lu Wufei’s arms, stretched out its head, squeaking along in agreement. The warm stone cave was filled with joy.

Two days later, the wind and snow ceased. In the eastern sky, the morning sun hung high, casting golden light over the mountains, which glistened in their silver blanket.

On the hillside of the main Langlang Mountain, a large crowd of demons with various heads gathered on the widened plaza. Unlike the idle demons watching from the sidelines, this group of demons had brought all sorts of belongings—leather bedding, wooden bowls and chopsticks, and items woven from vines.

"Hey, have you seen our General?"

"The one who just returned? I heard he is also called General Bai?"

"Heh, you asked the right demon. I haven't just seen our new General Bai, I even know his name!"

"Then what is his name?"

"Our General is named Bai Lang. I knew General Bai back when he hadn't even left the mountain."

"I don't believe you; you're just bragging."

"Bragging? Go to hell."

"If you aren't bragging, why is General Bai a General while you aren't even a squad leader?"

"..."

"The new territory must have plenty of spiritual herbs."

"Hehe, we are so lucky."

"I haven't seen our new General Bai yet. Have you?"

"I haven't either."

"Quiet, the General is coming."

The demons chattered incessantly. To many of them, moving to a new territory was exciting. They had no resistance to it because, most practically, a new territory meant fewer demons and untouched resources—there would certainly be plenty of spiritual herbs.

Just as the demons were expressing their excitement, Lu Wufei, in his black robes, and Bai Yunxiao, in his white armor, appeared in the air. Seeing the massive crowd of minor demons and their belongings on the plaza, Bai Yunxiao frowned and asked, "Brother, didn't you tell them to bring less?" Without a treasure capable of holding living creatures, transporting so many minor demons by air would be time-consuming and drain spiritual energy.

Lu Wufei saw this too and smiled. "No matter, I have my own way."

Knowing his brother was not one to boast, Bai Yunxiao nodded. Soon, as the two flew above the gathered demons, Lu Wufei stepped forward. Under the gaze of the many idle demons, he turned to his brother and said, "Watch closely."

With a wave of his sleeve, the world seemed to darken, a fierce wind rose, and sand and stones flew. At this moment, the demons watching from the mountainside were blown off balance and panicked, unable to see a thing. Even Bai Yunxiao, standing in mid-air, was forced to retreat by the sheer force of the energy. Only then did he recall his brother’s words and fly to a higher altitude, where he remained unaffected.

Then, he watched as the massive crowd of demons on the plaza were swept up by the wind, shrunk down, and rapidly pulled into the wide sleeves of his sworn brother, Bai Lang. At that moment, watching Bai Lang stand proudly in the void, his black robes fluttering, with the power to seemingly sweep up the world with a single gesture, Bai Yunxiao suddenly realized he had sworn an oath with a truly extraordinary brother.

The question he had when they first met—who was stronger between them—was now self-evident. Just from this one technique and the terrifying pressure it exerted, he knew that even without being in the center of the storm, he would find it incredibly difficult to deal with.

"Brother, what kind of immortal sect did you join after leaving the mountain?" This was the only thought in the mind of Bai Yunxiao, who had just caught a glimpse of Lu Wufei’s great divine power.

Lu Wufei was unaware of the psychological impact his "Universe in the Sleeve" technique had on his brother. As he withdrew his power, the world instantly cleared, the sun became warm, and the breeze gentle. Everything returned to normal.

"Brother," Lu Wufei flew up and said with a smile, "I shall take my leave now."

Recovering from his shock, Bai Yunxiao nodded. "Since you have already been there, I will not see you off."

"Mm." Lu Wufei nodded and smiled. "Once I have things settled, I will invite you over for a drink."

Bai Yunxiao nodded with a smile. "I will wait for that. I hope it won't be too long."

"It won't be long."

Lu Wufei turned and flew rapidly toward the distant sky.

"Squeak." A small head poked out from his collar, looking left and right. Lu Wufei patted Little White’s head and smiled. "Let's go, dad is taking you to your new home."

An hour later, the demon and the beast appeared above a range of towering mountains. Having scouted the area before, Lu Wufei did not need to choose again; he headed straight for the highest peak, a mountain so tall that one could reach out and touch the clouds from its hillside.

Although the territory assigned to Lu Wufei was smaller than Bai Yunxiao's, the environment was significantly better. Even the lowest peak of the main range was about the same height as Bai Yunxiao’s main mountain. As for the highest peak he had chosen as his headquarters, it went without saying. Lu Wufei had never seen such a mountain even when passing by Serpent Coil Mountain. He didn't know why the Third King was so generous, but he guessed it had to do with him joining an immortal sect. He couldn't be bothered to ponder the reason—if the Third King dared to give it, he dared to take it.

Passing through clouds and flying over peaks, Lu Wufei soon arrived at the highest mountain and landed on the hillside he had selected. With a wave of his hand, the surrounding trees were uprooted and sand and gravel flew. In the blink of an eye, a spacious, relatively flat area was cleared with brutal efficiency.

With another wave, the minor demons fell from the sky like dumplings, accompanied by their various packages, bedding, and bowls, which crashed onto them.

"Ouch..."

"I’m so dizzy, where is this?"

"My butt, my butt! What poked my butt?"

"It hurts, my head is split open!"

"My leg! You stupid ox, move! You're crushing my leg!"

"Where is this?"

"Have we arrived at the new territory?"

"It must be. Look around."

"The General, the General is over there."

For a time, all sorts of sounds arose, with groans making up a significant portion. Lu Wufei stood in the air and saw it clearly, but there was nothing he could do. After all, "Universe in the Sleeve" was meant for binding and suppressing enemies; using it to transport demons was bound to be a bit rough. However, the minor demons were thick-skinned and it didn't matter much.

Seeing that the demons had recovered, Lu Wufei spoke, his voice not loud but clearly reaching everyone: "Listen up." All the minor demons immediately fell silent and looked up.

"This is Mount Taiping, our new territory and your new home." Lu Wufei began to call out: "Hongpi."

A tall pig demon in black armor stepped out from the crowd and stood before them.

"Black Hair." A tall, sturdy crow demon with shiny black feathers and iron armor followed.

"Black Tooth." A shorter but fully armored, terrifying-looking ant demon stepped out.

"Lanzhou." A spider demon with a colorful, menacing head walked out.

"Jincheng." Finally, a lean, agile, and fierce-looking lynx demon stepped out.

The five demon generals stood side by side in front of the crowd. These were the five generals among Lu Wufei’s nearly two hundred minor demons, and his core team for developing the new territory.

"You five, with Hongpi as your leader. According to the previous distribution, each of you is responsible for your own minor demons. From now on, I leave Mount Taiping to you. Do not let me down."

As Lu Wufei finished, the five generals bowed respectfully: "Yes, General! We will not fail you!"

Three days later, a huge cave was excavated into the cliff at the summit.

Seven days later, on the hillside, the formerly rough clearing was now wider and smoother. Two clear paths extended from the hillside—one leading down the mountain and the other winding up to the top.

Fifteen days later, several more spacious caves were excavated around the hillside, and plumes of smoke continuously drifted out.

Thirty days later, at night, a tremor came from the distant horizon, shaking the entire Mount Taiping range.

Thirty-first day. At the summit of Mount Taiping, in a spacious stone cave, a group of demons sat around a bonfire. A large pot hung above the fire, filled with wild vegetables, mushrooms, and chunks of bright meat. The aroma was intoxicating. Lu Wufei, in his black robes, sat in the main seat. Around him sat Hongpi, the Crow Demon, Huang Gui, and Wandashan, all in iron armor, with Little White gnawing on a bone at his feet.

"Come," Lu Wufei raised his bowl. The three brothers and Wandashan immediately raised theirs.

Just then, the bowl Lu Wufei was lifting to his lips stopped in mid-air. He turned his head and looked outside the cave. Immediately after, a loud eagle cry resounded throughout the valley. Lu Wufei drained his bowl and strode toward the exit. As soon as he stepped out, he saw a magnificent black eagle appearing in the distant sky, flying rapidly toward the peak where he stood.

"Manager Li," Lu Wufei stood at the edge of the summit, narrowing his eyes as he watched the black eagle approach.

"General Bai, the situation at the main mountain is urgent. The King has ordered you to head to the main mountain as quickly as possible! I must notify the other generals; I am off!"

Watching the black eagle manager leave in such a hurry after saying only a few words, Lu Wufei recalled the tremor that had shaken the entire Mount Taiping range last night. Seeing the manager’s urgency, there was no doubt that something major had happened at the Great Desolate Mountain.

After careful consideration, Lu Wufei turned and walked back into the stone cave.

"Big brother..."

"Big brother..."

"Did something happen?"

"Should I gather the little ones now?"

The Crow Demon and Hongpi, who had heard the manager’s voice, immediately asked.

"No need to rush," Lu Wufei said, reaching out to reassure them. "The manager didn't tell me to bring you, so he likely only wants me. I am going to the Great Desolate Mountain now. Hongpi, I leave the affairs of the mountain to you. Just continue as we planned."

"Yes, big brother!"

"Black Hair, you assist the third brother."

"Yes."

After giving his orders, Lu Wufei walked out of the cave to the edge of the summit.

"Big brother, be careful!" Hongpi called out. He had experienced the time a decade ago when the black eagle came with news, which led to a great war between the Great Desolate Mountain and Windcloud Ridge, resulting in the death of the Black General. Seeing the black eagle again made him more worried than the others.

"Nothing major will happen. Keep the home safe!" Lu Wufei smiled to reassure the demons and jumped off the cliff. A white cloud quickly materialized to support him, carrying him into the sky. He transformed into a streak of golden light and shot off toward the direction of Langlang Mountain.

By afternoon, when Lu Wufei and Bai Yunxiao arrived at the pavilion where the Third King resided, the sky was overcast with thick, dark clouds, as if it were about to collapse.

"Come in."

As soon as the two brothers landed, the Third King’s voice echoed in their ears. Lu Wufei and Bai Yunxiao exchanged a serious look. Not daring to delay, they immediately entered the pavilion. When they reached the pavilion where they had gathered last time, Lu Wufei found that General Dilong and General Longtail were already there. The Third King was still fishing in the pond with his back to them. Not long after, Broken Foot, Red Eye, and Lady Hua arrived one after another.

Seeing that everyone had gathered, the Third King returned to his seat, looked at his seven generals, and said, "Do you know that above me and my two elder brothers, there was an ancestor? The ancestor was above, protecting the safety of our Great Desolate Mountain, Firelight Cave, and Windcloud Ridge. Now, I tell you, the ancestor is gone. It happened last night."

In an instant, all seven generals present were stunned by the news.