The next day.
Great Xia, Northeast.
A village closest to Changbai Mountain.
In the eyes of outsiders, this was a well-off rural village. The villagers no longer suffered from hunger as they did in the 1980s and 1990s. Every household had built two- or three-story houses, and the roads were paved with cement.
But outside the mundane circle—
This place was more than just a rural village. It was also home to Bureau 749's Changbai Mountain sub-bureau.
At this moment, it was early in the morning.
The elderly villagers were practicing Tai Chi in the open space of the village, or playing chess under the trees.
A black extended business vehicle drove into the village. The elderly villagers only glanced at it and did not pay much attention. Although the car was clearly expensive, they were used to such sights. In the past, vehicles frequently visited the large estate of Old Man Liu.
Before long, the business vehicle entered the largest courtyard in the village and came to a stop.
The car door opened. Elder Zhang and two senior priests of the Maoshan Sect stepped out of the vehicle.
"Elder Zhang." Old Man Liu, who had been waiting early, greeted Elder Zhang respectfully. After noticing the five middle-aged men standing beside Elder Zhang, he introduced them.
"Let me introduce them to you. These five are the current Chuma Xian (Spirit Medium Immortals) collaborating with our Bureau 749. They each represent one of the Five Immortal Clans: Fox, Yellow Weasel, Hedgehog, Snake, and Gray Weasel."
As he introduced the five Chuma Xian, Old Man Liu also introduced Elder Zhang to them. "There's no need for formalities. Let's talk about the situation in Changbai Mountain."
Elder Zhang was calmly rolling a walnut between his palms, smiling as if he were at ease.
But the five Chuma Xian present could see clearly, Elder Zhang frequently cast glances in the direction of Changbai Mountain. It was evident, his attention had never left Changbai Mountain. This was his true reason for coming.
"Alright, let's talk inside." Old Man Liu quickly led everyone into the house.
Although he was the head of the Changbai Mountain sub-bureau of Bureau 749, the management structure here was different from other places. The bureau's main role was to assist the Five Immortal Clans rather than directly oversee the area.
As a result, the sub-bureau had very few personnel, with only Old Man Liu managing it alone.
But recently, things had changed. Ever since the news of Grandfather Hu San's death spread, the situation in Changbai Mountain had visibly worsened. The previously quietest sub-bureau of Bureau 749 had suddenly become the most dangerous.
Before long, Old Man Liu led the group to an underground level, the actual headquarters of the Changbai Mountain sub-bureau.
The leader of the five Chuma Xian, the spirit medium representing the Fox Clan, sat down and spoke. "Since Grandfather Hu San passed away, the Five Immortal Clans have immediately dispatched their younger members to closely monitor the situation in Changbai Mountain. Based on their findings—"
"The mountain spirits, wild demons, and great demons of Changbai Mountain are all aware of the situation. The mountain god is confirmed to be missing, whereabouts unknown."
"Additionally—" The Fox Clan's Chuma Xian wore a grave expression.
"The news of Grandfather Hu San's passing has spread. Just last night, a great demon already made a move to test the waters."
Elder Zhang and the two Maoshan priests exchanged looks. As expected. "Testing the waters?" Elder Zhang rolled the walnut in his palm, narrowing his eyes.
"Yes, a test. A tiger demon that has cultivated for fifty years attacked a car traveling on the mountain road, intending to eat humans."
"How bold! A mere fifty-year-old tiger demon dares to prey on humans?" It was the gruff, bearded Maoshan priest to Elder Zhang's left who spoke up. His temper seemed fiery—he was instantly outraged upon hearing about the demon eating humans.
At that moment, the kindly Maoshan priest to Elder Zhang's right furrowed his brows. "A tiger demon of only fifty years dares to act so brazenly?"
He turned to Elder Zhang. "Senior Brother, I fear this tiger demon is just an appetizer. Grandfather Hu San only recently passed away. No matter how restless the demons may be, it's unlikely that a mere fifty-year-old tiger demon would be the first to act."
Elder Zhang nodded while rolling his walnut, looking toward the Fox Clan's Chuma Xian. "A demon that has cultivated for decades is considered a great demon, but there are different levels of great demons. Fifty years is nothing. Even the patriarchs of the Five Immortal Clans wouldn't need to take action for a demon of that level—it wouldn't be enough to stir up major trouble."
"Exactly." The Fox Clan's Chuma Xian did not refute it.
"That's why we say it was just a test. The tiger demon not only tried to eat humans but also deliberately lured other tigers from the mountains into human-populated areas to create confusion."
"We left the situation with the police to handle, but as for this particular tiger demon, we had already arranged for a younger member of the Five Immortal Clans stationed in Changbai Mountain to intervene."
"They not only stopped the demon from eating humans but also captured it for interrogation."
"The information extracted so far is..." He paused, his face turning darker than ever.
"The mastermind behind this is likely an ancient great demon that has been dormant in Changbai Mountain—a tiger demon that has cultivated for two thousand years."
'Two thousand years?' Even Elder Zhang raised his eyebrows.
Such a demon was on an entirely different level from a fifty-year-old tiger. With two thousand years of cultivation, even a pig could become incredibly powerful—let alone a tiger.
It was well known that tigers were the kings of the mountains. With two thousand years of cultivation, one could easily imagine the extent of its power. Such a demon would be enough to alarm the patriarchs of the Five Immortal Clans and even draw the attention of Bureau 749's highest-ranking figures.
"What do the patriarchs of the Five Immortal Clans say?" For the first time since arriving, Elder Zhang actively inquired.
The Fox Clan's Chuma Xian did not hide anything and answered directly. "As soon as we received the information, we immediately reported it to the patriarchs. Their response was—if this truly is the work of the two-thousand-year-old tiger demon, then the situation is highly problematic."
"Because that tiger demon belongs to the lineage that once competed for the position of the Five Immortal Clans of the Northeast."
Hearing this, Elder Zhang stopped rolling his walnut. Even without further explanation, he already understood the gravity of the situation.
Changbai Mountain was one of the key dragon veins of Great Xia, rich in spiritual energy. In ancient times, it was home to many great demons. The Five Immortal Clans were not the only powerful faction—other demon clans also thrived, including the tiger demon lineage.
Back then, when the Heavenly Court officially recognized the Five Immortal Clans, many demon factions in Changbai Mountain competed for the title. The tiger demon lineage was among them. If not for the unity of the Fox, Yellow Weasel, Hedgehog, Snake, and Gray Weasel Clans, the tiger demons, though individually powerful, would have outnumbered them.
In the end, the tiger demons were outmatched and failed to secure the title. Since then, they had remained hidden deep in Changbai Mountain.
Because of this, one thing was certain. Among all the factions that harbored hatred toward the Five Immortal Clans, the tiger demon lineage resented them the most.
At this moment, the kind Maoshan priest couldn't help but ask, "Senior Brother, if it really is the tiger demon lineage, can the three of us handle it alone?"
"We can." Elder Zhang calmly uttered one word.
Before he could finish speaking, suddenly, an elderly voice echoed softly. "The intelligence-gathering abilities of the current Five Immortal Clans are rather lacking."
In an instant, Elder Zhang and the others' expressions changed. They all turned sharply toward the entrance of the underground chamber.
The next second, Elder Zhang's usually composed face lit up with excitement. He stood up abruptly.
"Old Ancestor, why are you here?"
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