Chapter 44: The Hidden Demon King

San Mountain City, a remote corner nestled in the southeastern reaches of Qinghe County, owes its name to the three prominent peaks that encircle its domain: Shubi, Yuheng, and Feilai. The inhabitants of this land are often dismissed as "mountain barbarians," their poverty and isolation leading to a life where shoes are a luxury, yet they traverse mountain and ridge with the ease of walking on level ground.

The arrival of San Mountain City's contingent signals the imminent commencement of this year's Three Cities Dao Discussion, for Wangjiang City's participants had already arrived a day prior. Geographically, while San Mountain City lies a touch further in direct distance, the waterway connecting Wangjiang City to Maple Forest City is a boon. Following the Qing River downstream, then veering into the Green Willow tributary, a favorable wind could see one arrive by evening after a morning departure. In stark contrast, the journey from San Mountain City to Maple Forest City, even along official routes, takes afoot the better part of three or four days.

The students not participating in the Dao Discussion are granted no respite. Throughout the duration of the discourse, their duty lies in assisting the authorities with maintaining order. Junior disciples like Ling He and Zhao Rucheng find themselves with no opportunity for idleness. The city guard, their numbers divided to police the city, likewise have no cause for complaint.

Anticipating the arrival of the San Mountain City delegation from the south gate, the welcoming party gathered early at the entrance upon receiving notification.

"How much longer must we wait?" Zhao Rucheng stifled a yawn. "Had I known I wouldn't escape duty, I would have vied for a spot myself. Why did I yield to Third Brother?"

At this juncture, Jiang Zheng had claimed leave under the guise of preparing for the competition. Meanwhile, those not participating had been patrolling for three long days. Such is the stark disparity in treatment.

"Alas," Huang Azhan shook his head as well. "I also felt pity for Senior Brother Zhang, considering his age. Otherwise, the mantle of leadership should have fallen to me. Why waste my time amongst you youngsters!"

As a student within his first three years, regardless of his boasts, the responsibility should have fallen to Li Jianqiu. Yet, Huang Azhan had leapfrogged to the five-year term, directly setting his sights on the leader's position. One can only lament the boundless nature of boastfulness.

Zhao Rucheng and Ling He both turned towards him, their gazes filled with admiration.

"Truly?"

Huang Azhan was basking in the attention when a soft voice drifted from behind him: "Am I old?"

Huang Azhan nearly leaped in fright. "What I meant was... Senior Brother Zhang commands immense respect!"

Zhang Linchuan stood directly behind him, a mere two paces distant, a faint smile playing upon his lips. "For the sake of Maple Forest City's overall standing, how can you be so faint-hearted? Perhaps you should not yield; claim the leader's position yourself..."

"Ai! Ya!" Huang Azhan's voice rose and fell dramatically. "My stomach pains me so!"

"Fellow senior brothers and junior brothers, pray bear with me, I shall return momentarily." Clutching his abdomen with a pained expression, he hunched over and fled like a wisp of smoke.

Returning was, naturally, not on the agenda. Better to face the Academy's reprimand, better to have Dao Xun deducted.

Zhao Rucheng pursed his lips. He had merely indulged in a fleeting moment of verbal amusement; Huang Azhan had brought this upon himself. It seemed Old Du's absence had left a void, and he had consumed too little alcohol.

"Senior Brother Zhang." Ling He, ever the proper one, first offered a respectful salute to the senior brother before inquiring, "Why are you here?"

Zhang Linchuan nodded and returned the salute. "The Dao Discussion is nigh; I must observe the enemy's situation."

It seemed Instructor Dong had indeed exerted significant pressure, driving even him, so meticulously clean and composed, to brave the crowds to observe the 'enemy situation'. Indeed, a considerable number of ordinary folk had also thronged the south gate. Compared to the affluent residents of Wangjiang City, their interest lay more with the so-called mountain barbarians.

"They're here!"

The commotion erupted from the front; the students from the San Mountain City Dao Academy had finally arrived. Unlike the cultivators from Wangjiang City, who arrived with a retinue of servants as if embarking on a leisurely excursion, only six individuals comprised the San Mountain City contingent. The quota for participation in the Dao Discussion for each city was precisely six. They entered through the south gate in a formation of one, three, and two.

Eyes immediately fell to their feet, for tales spoke of the mountain barbarians possessing but a single pair of shoes per household, reserved solely for those undertaking distant journeys. And they did not disappoint; the girl leading the San Mountain City group was indeed barefoot.

This scrutinizing gaze, laced with a hint of discrimination, would undoubtedly breed discontent. Thus, Ling He immediately stepped forward to greet them.

"Friends from San Mountain City! Ling He of the Maple Forest City Dao Academy has long awaited your arrival. Pray follow me; let us proceed to the Dao Academy for rest and refreshment. Later, I shall guide you to familiarize yourselves with the Dao Discussion venue."

According to established protocol, Huang Azhan, being in his third year, should have been tasked with welcoming the guests from San Mountain City. However, the instructors of the scheduling had designated Ling He, deeming Huang Azhan's image unsuitable, while Ling He's sincere demeanor made him perfectly suited for the role.

The San Mountain City contingent, before they could even harbor any displeasure, were already following Ling He. To Zhao Rucheng's surprise, the ordinary folk clustered near the city gate focused their attention more on the figure in the middle of the San Mountain City group, a presence both round and robust. Unlike the simple and neat attire of the others, this individual was clad in a hooded black robe, their entire face concealed within the cowl, which ironically made them appear particularly strange and drew the eye.

Zhao Rucheng could even overhear fragments of conversation.

"Is that their strongest?"

"Naturally! Standing amidst such a formation, look at that bearing!"

"Looks fearsome."

"We in Maple Forest City must be vigilant!"

"What is there to fear? Zhang Linchuan of the Zhang family is no pushover!"

"He seems to be a vegetarian... The last time he visited our restaurant, he didn't even sample the bear paws; he merely ate a few chopsticks of vegetables. And I had laid out such dishes for them!"

The conversation gradually veered off course... As for the young girl leading the San Mountain City group, she was simply too innocuous. Though undeniably beautiful, petite, and charming, the world of cultivation was a harsh one, and only the truly strong commanded respect.

As part of the welcoming party, Zhao Rucheng also engaged in conversation with the San Mountain City cultivators, but they were taciturn, meticulously maintaining their formation, firmly shielding the black-robed figure at the center, as if fearing someone might scrutinize their secret magical weapon. Young Master Zhao feigned an attempt to squeeze in a few times but found no opening, so he relented. He merely noted that as the ordinary folk on the roadside discussed, the expressions of these San Mountain City cultivators... were somewhat peculiar.

Zhang Linchuan did not linger with them; he merely squeezed into the crowd for a fleeting glance before departing. With Ling He's enthusiastic introductions and the barefoot girl's concise responses, the group turned right and proceeded towards the Dao Academy.

The barefoot girl suddenly halted, her gaze drawn towards a restaurant on the street. On the second floor of the establishment, a young man of refined appearance stood by the window, one hand clasped behind his back, the other holding a cup. He offered a distant acknowledgment to the barefoot girl, a flawless smile gracing his lips.

The barefoot girl looked straight ahead and continued her journey. And Ling He recognized him. That was the leader of the Wangjiang City delegation for this Dao Discussion, and the top-ranked individual on the Wangjiang City Dao Academy's Dao Xun list – Lin Zhengren!