Chapter Eighty-Seven: Golden Radiance and the Unfurling of the Scroll

The radiance from the stone pearl in the dragon-like creature’s mouth lit the others, and the pearls they held within their mouths began to blaze in turn. Before long, the room was gilded with light, utterly banishing the darkness from moments before. There was nothing now but brilliance so intense that no one could keep their eyes open. With such an auspicious omen descending, it seemed the legendary family scroll was about to make its appearance.

What was strange about the light was this: although everyone’s eyes struggled to bear such brilliance, once it fell upon their bodies, it brought an almost indescribable comfort and joy. It seemed to pass through their skin and merge into their blood. Even Yu Shang’s skin, hard as black iron, could not resist that plain-looking golden glow.

Yet when that light fused with their blood, none of them felt the slightest discomfort. On the contrary, they felt as though their bodies were brimming with strength. Looking again at Xiao Yin’s face, which had been slightly pale from too much blood loss, they saw that it had regained its usual healthy color and luster, appearing spirited and bright. It seemed the golden radiance of the stone pearl possessed a power not unlike the purple glow of the precious gem.

While everyone was still basking in the comfort brought by the light, the remaining stone pearls suddenly aimed their brilliance inward and shot everything back into the stone pearl in the dragon-like mouth. The pearl grew ever brighter, the light clinging to its surface more and more dazzling, until at last it transformed into a genuine golden dragon pearl.

But just as everyone was astonished by this sudden change, an invisible scroll drifted out from within the golden dragon pearl. They could see words upon it, yet could not truly touch it. It was as though it were merely a beam of light reflected in the air, possessing form yet no substance, like clouds floating in the sky.

The one flaw in the scroll was that its characters were far too tiny and densely packed, making it impossible to tell which lines concerned the Night-Bane family. Just as everyone was at a loss, the scroll seemed to sense their thoughts and magnified the relevant text by many times, projecting it into the air.

Thus the whole room became filled with words—words about this mysterious family. According to the family scroll, the Night-Bane family originated at the very end of antiquity and was founded by one of the attendants under a great ancient deity. Because of that person’s improper conduct, he angered the god and was cast down from another realm into this world. After enduring countless hardships, the Night-Bane family came to be what it is today.

Yet this person remained elusive, and to this day no one knows his origins or what he looked like. Since the war between the immortal and underworld realms, his whereabouts have been unknown; some even suspected he had perished in that conflict. Others believed he had been secretly brought back to the other realm by the ancient deity, though no one dared guess at the reason.

In short, this nameless and faceless stranger from another realm vanished without a trace, as though he had never existed at all. But the Night-Bane family he founded remained behind, tempered by the trials of time and the refinement of the ages, until it finally became the foremost family in the mortal world, a name no one dared slight.

To return to the matter at hand: after the family’s founder disappeared, the position of patriarch was taken up by the most outstanding cultivator within the clan. Unfortunately, this man was excessively merciful and listened to the slanderous words of petty people, nearly bringing the Night-Bane family to ruin in his hands. Later, when matters settled, he stepped down and relinquished the seat to one more worthy, wandering through mountains and rivers. No one knows where he is now.

After a thousand years of inheritance, the legacy finally passed into the hands of the current patriarch, Night Dream-Word. Since he took power, the Night-Bane family has flourished with renewed vigor, and within a few years became the undisputed first family under heaven. His leadership ability must never be underestimated; the mere fact that he could gather that scattered heap of sand back into one is proof enough of his skill.

It is a pity that this man is so devoted to power that he pays no heed to love and family ties. Thus far he has no children, not even an adopted son. Of course, there are many rumors outside that he secretly took in a child and taught him everything he knew, even intending to pass the patriarch’s seat to him.

Some even say that the child is his own illegitimate son, only hidden away for certain reasons, until matters outside have fully settled and he may return home. But whether these rumors are true or false, only posterity can judge. In any case, this man’s abilities cannot be underestimated, or one is sure to die miserably at his hands.

As for the secret arts of the Night-Bane family, they truly came from another realm. If mastered, they would surely make one king among men, but very few could truly comprehend the profound mysteries within. Outsiders only knew that this method was exceedingly bloodthirsty, and that to cultivate it would require the ruin of countless living beings. Fortunately, no one has yet succeeded in mastering it, or the world would already be thrown into chaos and war.

Still, some experts once pointed out that the style of this secret art bore some relation to the scorpion, though its cruelty, ruthlessness, and cold-bloodedness surpass that creature a hundredfold. Moreover, the technique seems flawless; once cultivated to even a modest degree, very few can defeat it. This is one reason the Night-Bane family has stood unshaken to this day.

Though no one has yet uncovered the secret within it, one thing is certain: whoever cultivates this secret art must cast off emotion and be reborn, thereafter having no sentiment at all, or else their cultivation will surely be destroyed. Since the cold-blooded fear affection above all else, this may well be their weakness. Perhaps if one wishes to overcome them, one must begin here. Remember: sentiment will bring ruin.

“Why do I feel as though we’ve gone through all this for nothing? Although the scroll gives a very detailed account of the Night-Bane family, it only gives a passing mention of their secret art, which is practically the same as saying nothing at all,” Dreaming Far Away sighed in disappointment after finishing the family scroll.

They had finally broken through layer after layer of obstacles, enduring all manner of hardships along the way, and had nearly lost their lives more than once. She had never imagined that what awaited them in the end would be such a helpless outcome. If she had known, why had they wasted so much time taking this risk?

“We haven’t gained nothing. Didn’t it say right here that sentiment is the weakness of those who cultivate this secret art? If we can find where Night Forgotten Dust’s feelings lie, we can easily defeat him in one strike!” said Frosted Spring Silk softly as she looked at the family scroll. Her thoughtful expression suggested she had seen something of importance.

“If he had any feeling, he would not have destroyed the family of those who once saved his life and raised him. If he had any feeling, he would not have tormented the woman betrothed to him until she was no longer human. If he had any feeling, he would not have stooped to such shameless and despicable depths!” Raging Mist said viciously, as though the one she hated with a deep, irreconcilable grudge were standing before her.

“Yes. If he had any feeling, none of this would have happened. I would still be the beloved jewel of my parents’ hearts, living happily with my family. I would not have suffered such a great upheaval, left with nowhere to return, nor even know whether my family is alive or dead.” Smoke Snow Sorrow said bitterly, her heart so wounded now that “hurt” alone could no longer describe it.

Her heart had long been shattered to dust. Why was there no way to deal with that monster? Why did heaven favor Night Forgotten Dust so much, denying him the punishment he deserved and letting him live in such wanton ease? Was it truly destined that she could not avenge herself? Was it truly destined that her entire clan had perished in vain?

“Foolish girl, everything will be all right. No matter what, you still have me. Even if I have to pay a terrible price, I will help you cut down your enemy with my own hands and repay this blood debt, so you can find happiness again!” Yu Xiao Ran drew the despairing Smoke Snow Sorrow into his arms and whispered these words in her ear with unwavering resolve.

“Don’t worry. Even without this family scroll, it doesn’t mean I will lose. I will do everything in my power to kill that enemy for you,” Yu Shang comforted Smoke Snow Sorrow. In truth, coming for the family scroll had only been for the sake of certainty; even without it, Yu Shang intended to defeat that man. Not only for his friend’s blood feud, but also for the sake of his own renown in the world.

“This family scroll is a treasure fought over by the great powers at the cost of blood. It cannot possibly record only such things as could be learned with a casual inquiry. Could it be that we have only seen the surface information and never truly understood its meaning?” Lan Bing Xian said, his voice still unwilling as he gazed at the floating scroll.

He simply could not believe that such a legendary treasure was merely a name without substance. Yet if it were truly so useless, then why had his master hidden it here? Was the family scroll never as formidable as the legends claimed, or was there a hidden mechanism within it that none of them could unravel?

“What is the natural enemy of a scorpion?” Xiao Yin, who had been silent for a long time, suddenly asked an abrupt question. Everyone looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant.

“Birds of prey, and your snake kind,” Yin Bo Xuan answered obediently, though he had no idea what the boy was getting at.

“Then why do you think those two can restrain it?” Xiao Yin asked again, a strange smile curling at his lips.

“I get it. Only by being more venomous, sharper, faster, and more unexpected than the scorpion itself can one hope to defeat it!” Yu Shang said with sudden enlightenment, then nodded toward Xiao Yin to show he understood. So Xiao Yin was not so foolish after all; at critical moments, he could still be useful. To think he had even come up with this.

“Why are you all speaking in riddles again? Just say it plainly!” Raging Mist said, still bewildered. They had been talking about the Night-Bane family just fine, so how had they suddenly gone off to the scorpion? What connection could there possibly be between the two?

“Do you mean that since the scroll says this secret art is related to the scorpion, we should simply compare the art to the scorpion, and use the same method one would use against that poisonous creature to deal with the person who practices it?” Dreaming Far Away finally understood partway through. It seemed that if she spent more time with these people, her mind would grow quicker too.

“Exactly. That is what we mean,” Xiao Yin said with a nod. It seemed this little girl had grown cleverer from spending time with them.

“Birds of prey can restrain the scorpion because they do not fight it at close range. So Brother Yu, if you wish to protect yourself, you must never get too close to him!” Leng Huai Yi said gravely. Although Yu Shang’s cultivation was quite formidable and he had divine weapons to aid him, the man called Night Forgotten Dust was no weakling either. It was better to be cautious.

“And snakes can restrain the scorpion because they have sharp fangs, lethal venom, and that sudden burst of speed. If I combine these points, dealing with Night Forgotten Dust should not be too difficult,” Yu Shang said thoughtfully. Though these points sounded easy enough, carrying them out would be far harder.

“How can one possibly cultivate to such a level in such a short time? To me, that seems even harder than cutting the heavens apart!” Even Frosted Spring Silk, clever as she was, could not help furrowing her brow. It seemed this matter was not nearly as simple as it sounded.