Chapter Twenty-Five: The Forsaken Valley of the Sword Demon

For the next hour, under the mutual accusations of the villagers, every mountain bandit of notorious evil was dispatched by the brothers Bear One and Bear Two, each with a single punch.

At first, several vicious bandits attempted to incite the crowd to attack together, charging toward Yuanye in an effort to capture the leader and end the threat. Yet, when Yuanye killed more than a dozen men with a single strike from afar, the remaining brigands were terrified out of their wits, giving up resistance and exposing each other’s misdeeds, desperate only to survive.

After dealing with the bandits and arranging for those who had been kidnapped, as well as some coerced villagers to descend the mountain, Yuanye set the stronghold ablaze. He then led the Bear brothers and Skinny Monkey once more into the depths of the valley.

Having subdued the Bear brothers, Yuanye pondered the origins of the martial arts manuals possessed by the stronghold chief. At first, he too believed they were the legacy of Ouyang Feng, obtained by chance. But upon further reflection, Yuanye realized this was impossible.

Ouyang Feng, after practicing the Nine Yin Manual in reverse, had indeed gained immense power, nearly unrivaled in the world, but had become deranged, losing even the memory of his own identity. How could he have left behind martial arts manuals? Moreover, if the manuals had come from Ouyang Feng, they would not lack the crucial inner cultivation methods.

Then, thinking of Xiangyang, a sudden flash of insight struck Yuanye’s mind. “Aside from Ouyang Ke, the ill-fated Ouyang Feng's martial arts were also known by another person!” Yang Guo!

Yuanye recalled that Yang Guo, as a child, had been treated as a son by Ouyang Feng and taught a portion of his Toad Technique. As a mere boy, Yang Guo had created a stir at Chongyang Palace and escaped to the Ancient Tomb, where the Toad Technique proved invaluable.

Later, atop Mount Hua, Ouyang Feng and Hong Qigong fought for four days, both exhausted, with Yang Guo at their side. The two began to discuss martial arts, explaining their skills to Yang Guo, who practiced and demonstrated them in turn, continuing their contest.

Thus, Yang Guo must have mastered much of Ouyang Feng’s martial arts. And since this place lay in the mountains near Xiangyang, not far from the Sword Demon’s valley, the source of the stronghold chief’s martial arts became clear: several supreme techniques, yet all incomplete, missing key elements.

It seemed likely that Yang Guo, at the time not deeply skilled and only learning from Ouyang Feng’s spoken instructions, could only retain part of the teachings. Later, perhaps unwilling to let these arts be lost but also reluctant to teach others, he left the manuals in the Sword Demon’s valley.

This was the only explanation Yuanye could conceive. He called Skinny Monkey and the Bear brothers into the room for questioning and finally learned a crucial detail.

Five years earlier, the stronghold had only a few dozen men, and the chief had a most trusted subordinate named Zhao Kang. Once, while others were out raiding, Zhao Kang stayed behind. Upon their return, everyone in the stronghold was dead, Zhao Kang vanished without a trace.

Hearing this familiar scenario, Yuanye’s eyes lit up. He directed the others to search the chief’s quarters carefully.

It was Skinny Monkey, sharp-eyed, who found a tunnel near the latrine. They lit torches and entered.

After several dozen steps, the ground leveled out. Another half hour of walking saw the terrain rise once more, and after a few dozen steps, the four emerged from the tunnel into a mountain valley.

The valley was lush and shadowy, its entrance sealed by dense brambles. On either side, sheer cliffs rose, enclosing the secluded gorge.

If not for the tunnel, even the most skilled hunter would never discover such a tranquil valley.

Before them lay a narrow, hidden path, barely wide enough for one person to walk alone, leading deeper into the valley. Judging by the trampled vegetation, the stronghold chief had often come here.

Yuanye’s conviction grew; he surmised this must be the legendary Sword Demon’s valley. Yet, with matters in the stronghold unresolved, he led the three back through the tunnel and returned.

Standing atop a roof, watching the villagers winding away from the stronghold, Yuanye leapt down.

“Let’s begin,” he said quietly.

At his command, the Bear brothers and Skinny Monkey seized their torches and ran throughout the stronghold, setting fires everywhere.

Soon, thick smoke billowed and flames erupted from every corner.

“Master, it’s done,” the three returned, panting.

“Good. Take your things, we’re leaving.”

Following Yuanye’s instructions, they entered the chief’s room, each carrying a bundle. The Bear brothers wielded cleavers.

The bundles contained gold and jewels amassed over years of plunder—Yuanye estimated them to be worth at least a hundred thousand taels of silver. With so many eyes in the stronghold, Yuanye had no intention of flaunting such wealth.

Now, they carried only what they could not leave behind.

“Master, what should we do with these?” Skinny Monkey asked eagerly, his eyes full of hope. Never had he seen so much treasure; he dreamed that if the master granted him even a hundredth, his life would be one of luxury.

“Move it all into the tunnel,” Yuanye commanded.

The Bear brothers had no desire for the riches, shouldering their bundles without hesitation, while Skinny Monkey, though reluctant, shuddered at Yuanye’s cold, icy gaze and recalled the dozens of charred corpses in the stronghold. He dared not object, quickly shouldering his bundle and following the Bear brothers into the tunnel.

Under Yuanye’s supervision, they made four or five trips, finally transferring all the treasure into the tunnel.

Yuanye checked the rooms one last time, then slung the bundle containing several martial arts manuals over his shoulder, took up his sword, and stepped outside.

“Burn it. Let’s go,” Yuanye ordered with a wave.

“Yes, master,” the three replied, bowing.

They seized the torches planted in the ground and hurled them inside. In an instant, the room crackled and flared.

Watching the stronghold consumed by flames, Yuanye led Skinny Monkey and the Bear brothers back into the tunnel.

Half an hour later, they emerged into the valley once more, a faint smile on Yuanye’s lips.

“Let’s hope this venture proves fruitful,” he thought.

“Master, where shall we go next?” Skinny Monkey asked.

Yuanye did not answer. Gathering his inner energy in his legs, he stepped firmly on the ground.

A rumbling echoed beneath them—the tunnel they had just traversed had collapsed.

“Master, how—how will we return? What of the treasure?” Skinny Monkey cried anxiously at the sound below.

The Bear brothers, too, were baffled, unable to fathom why Yuanye had destroyed the tunnel.

“This place is of great importance and must not be revealed. You must keep silent, or you’ll have only yourselves to blame,” Yuanye said as he strode toward the narrow path, his words chilling.

The three exchanged glances, their throats tight with fear. After the previous day’s slaughter, none dared treat Yuanye’s words as mere threat.

“Master, let us clear the way,” Bear One called out, seeing Yuanye already ahead. He and Bear Two moved forward, hacking aside the brambles with their cleavers to allow Yuanye to pass.

Skinny Monkey, meanwhile, could only mourn the lost fortune buried beneath their feet, his spirit despondent.

Yuanye ignored him; the Bear brothers had proven themselves reliable. If Skinny Monkey proved useless, he would be dealt with when they left the valley.

They walked for half an hour, descending ever deeper into the gorge, until at last they reached a great cave.

Seeing the cave, joy brightened Yuanye’s eyes. The terrain matched ever more closely the descriptions in the books; his guess was nearly confirmed.

“This must be the cave where the giant eagle buried the Sword Demon, Dugu Qiubai! Yet, something seems amiss,” thought Yuanye. Though delighted, he scrutinized the cave entrance with unease.

The cave, abandoned for decades, should have been overgrown. Yet, standing at the mouth, the ground was remarkably clean, with only a few limp tufts of grass, as if something regularly passed through.

Nearer the entrance, a pungent, fishy odor wafted—sharp and unpleasant.

Yuanye’s brows furrowed. The moment was upon him; he could not turn back. Resolute, he stepped into the cave.

Though wary, the thought of finding the martial arts left behind by the Divine Eagle Hero, Yang Guo, quickened Yuanye’s pace.