1. Greetings. It's been a while, Shā Wú Shēng.Copy !req
2. I happened to be in the area, and
thought I would give you my regards.Copy !req
3. Though I must say,Copy !req
4. a man like you being laid to rest in
such a quiet, pristine location...Copy !req
5. It's hard to think of a poorer match.Copy !req
6. There's been such a shortage of
decent villains these days.Copy !req
7. It makes me miss the time when
you were out for my blood.Copy !req
8. Knowing how impatient you are,Copy !req
9. I'm sure you're upset that our
promised reunion is taking so long.Copy !req
10. I'll have you know,
it's not that I'm avoiding you.Copy !req
11. But I'll have to beg your
patience for a bit longer.Copy !req
12. Now, there might be a bit of
a commotion in the area soon.Copy !req
13. My apologies if that disturbs you, but...Copy !req
14. You may also find it quite
an enjoyable spectacle.Copy !req
15. Until we meet again.Copy !req
16. Hey! Where the hell were you?Copy !req
17. Oh, nothing to worry about.
Just indulging my superstitious side.Copy !req
18. If you're here to help,
then take it seriously!Copy !req
19. If you're here to screw around,
then I'll run you off!Copy !req
20. Oh, come now, is searching for a
corpse really such a dire situation?Copy !req
21. The corpse ain't the problem,
it's the sword that went down in its grip!Copy !req
22. The... Seven Blasphemous Deaths, right?Copy !req
23. It definitely doesn't sound like the
kinda thing you wanna leave lying around.Copy !req
24. Though I doubt anyone's crazy enough
to come looking for it down here.Copy !req
25. Something's weird about these mountains.Copy !req
26. Usually, the further down you go,
the more narrow terrain tends to get.Copy !req
27. This place is as complex as it is huge!Copy !req
28. Even if we split up and search,
it's gonna be a huge pain!Copy !req
29. They don't call 'em the
Demon Spine Mountains for nothing.Copy !req
30. Even the lay of the land is twisted.Copy !req
31. I'd recommend we proceed carefully.Copy !req
32. This place already has a reputation for
being home to assorted heretic sorcerers.Copy !req
33. I can scarcely imagine what
kind of trouble might await us.Copy !req
34. Whoa, whoa... is that what I think it is?Copy !req
35. A cave, eh?Copy !req
36. And one that seems to go fairly deep, too.Copy !req
37. Are we seriously gonna go in there?Copy !req
38. It's not like the corpse
got up and waltzed inside.Copy !req
39. Except none of us know for sure that
it's a corpse that landed down here.Copy !req
40. Still, after a fall like that...
who could survive?Copy !req
41. As far as I know, Lóu Zhèn Jiè
is the only person toCopy !req
42. so fiercely harmonize with
Seven Blasphemous Deaths.Copy !req
43. It wouldn't be smart to expect
anything normal with him.Copy !req
44. Plus, if he was nice enough
to bite it like we hoped,Copy !req
45. it's weird that we still can't
find his body after all this time.Copy !req
46. Now, what manner of danger lies in wait?Copy !req
47. Granted, with such a strapping company,
I doubt we have anything to fear.Copy !req
48. We're gonna need light.
I'd appreciate it if you took point.Copy !req
49. Oh, by all means.Copy !req
50. Okay, does this bother anyone else?Copy !req
51. Whoever heard of a cave that's
got fog coming out of it?Copy !req
52. It'd be possible if there
was an underground lake.Copy !req
53. But that said...Copy !req
54. Strange. There's no echo.Copy !req
55. Oh, that is impressive.Copy !req
56. You were mapping out the cave
with your sense of hearing?Copy !req
57. Even bats must envy you.Copy !req
58. Save the flattery for a
less screwed-up situation.Copy !req
59. This cave is bad news.Copy !req
60. If Wū Yáo's ears can't
get the lay of the land,Copy !req
61. that means something freaky is going on.Copy !req
62. How much trouble can one mountain cause?Copy !req
63. Do you remember when I explained the
features of the Demon Spine Mountains?Copy !req
64. Specifically, the three obstacles
guarding Seven Sins Tower.Copy !req
65. The Valley of the Dead,
the Valley of the Doll, and...Copy !req
66. Precisely. The Labyrinth of Darkness,
which we never actually traversed.Copy !req
67. An underground maze, one that has
never been mapped in its entirety.Copy !req
68. It'd be no surprise if there are other,Copy !req
69. undiscovered entrances to it
throughout the mountains.Copy !req
70. You think that's where the
cave we went into led us?Copy !req
71. Whoa, hang on, I actually did pass
through the Labyrinth of Darkness.Copy !req
72. I even marked my path, so I wouldn't
get lost on the way back.Copy !req
73. Don't get me wrong, it was creepy, but...Copy !req
74. It wasn't this bad.Copy !req
75. What now, Shāng?Copy !req
76. Do you know which way will take us back?Copy !req
77. The path we came down is still clear.Copy !req
78. The echo problem is coming
from further into the cave.Copy !req
79. Keep checking our path back every 20 paces.Copy !req
80. I wanna go a bit further.Copy !req
81. We need to know what the deal is with this
cave before we figure out how to proceed.Copy !req
82. Whoa, what the hell is this?Copy !req
83. This place... Unbelievable...Copy !req
84. Do you remember anything like this from your
trek through the Labyrinth of Darkness?Copy !req
85. No! I've never seen anything like it!Copy !req
86. What is this place?Copy !req
87. I believe those are...Copy !req
88. Some kind of plant?Copy !req
89. No... it seems like it
could be a crystal, too.Copy !req
90. I'd advise not touching these things.Copy !req
91. Well, I think it's safe to say this
is not a regular cave anymore!Copy !req
92. You figure we might've slipped inside
a sorcerer's protective field?Copy !req
93. Guys! Let's head back!Copy !req
94. This seems like seriously bad news!Copy !req
95. Uh-oh! That look familiar to the rest of you?Copy !req
96. Now we know that Lóu Zhèn Jiè
made his way through here.Copy !req
97. Though the question remainsCopy !req
98. if he was alive, or it was merely
his body being transported.Copy !req
99. We won't know either way
unless we go further in.Copy !req
100. I see... Quite fascinating.Copy !req
101. Then each one of these mirrors
is a gateway to another place?Copy !req
102. Vines that grow magical mirrors...Copy !req
103. This is the kind of forbidden
magic the Demon Realm wields?Copy !req
104. The Labyrinth of Darkness,
inside the Demon Spine Mountains,Copy !req
105. was already linked to the edge of
reality via a powerful sorcerous field.Copy !req
106. When the mountain's previous master was
disposed of, I occupied this place,Copy !req
107. and modified it with cursed
demonic power to suit my needs...Copy !req
108. Giving rise to the Void Junction.Copy !req
109. If it's reflected in the
surface of a scrying portal...Copy !req
110. Then your destination, from Dōng Li
to Xī Yōu, is only steps away.Copy !req
111. The harrowing trek across the Wasteland
of Spirits is no longer of any concern.Copy !req
112. We just need to watch the mirror for
the location we want, and then touch it?Copy !req
113. To miss out on something so convenient...Copy !req
114. It seems Xiē Yīngluò's
eagerness did her a disservice.Copy !req
115. Being able to find that wretched
Shāng Bú Huàn with the portals is one thing,Copy !req
116. but I lacked the necessary
force to take his life before.Copy !req
117. The Order of the Divine Swarm's
help is much appreciated.Copy !req
118. I'm sure this will be
equally advantageous to us...Copy !req
119. A benefit that justifies joining
an alliance with the demon race.Copy !req
120. But is there a way to know when the
mirrors will reflect a certain location?Copy !req
121. Or control it?Copy !req
122. That remains the last piece of the puzzle.Copy !req
123. The Void Junction does not technically
belong in any time or place.Copy !req
124. Its very existence is unstable.Copy !req
125. The slightest mistake could result in
being sent to a world beyond imagination.Copy !req
126. I'd exercise extreme caution in dealing
with the Scrying Mirrors, if I were you.Copy !req
127. Tunnels that can connect to any location...Copy !req
128. And with time, as this place grows,
the idea is to provideCopy !req
129. a junction between any locations imaginable?Copy !req
130. Precisely.Copy !req
131. I believe this will speed along Huò Shì
Míng Huáng's ambitions by a decade.Copy !req
132. Possibly.Copy !req
133. But it's easy enough to see the
kind of threat it poses, too!Copy !req
134. Sir Jūn Pò, what are you getting at?Copy !req
135. Mirrors that allow travel to
all manner of distant worlds...Copy !req
136. If they were brought under complete control,Copy !req
137. it would be just as easy to open
the gate to the Demon Realm!Copy !req
138. A shrewd observation.Copy !req
139. And if this world were to be linked
to that of the demons again...Copy !req
140. It'd be a new dawn for
the War of Fading Dusk.Copy !req
141. And that's something I can't abide.Copy !req
142. The Order of the Divine Swarm has long
dreamed of seizing control of the land.Copy !req
143. But risking the entire mortal
realm for it would be idiocy.Copy !req
144. You're right, but...Copy !req
145. Xíng Hài, I ask you this knowing
full well the insult it carries.Copy !req
146. Are you just manipulating us to
further some sort of demonic scheme?Copy !req
147. I can hardly fault you for being cautious.Copy !req
148. Should the Void Junction ever
come fully under my control,Copy !req
149. I'd be able to deliver glory two centuries
in the making unto my homeland.Copy !req
150. If that's the case—Copy !req
151. But it's no simple matter.Copy !req
152. The Shén Huì Mó Xiè make invading this realmCopy !req
153. with force more trouble than its worth.Copy !req
154. Which is why...Copy !req
155. Should the Demon Realm ever set its
sights on the Human Realm again,Copy !req
156. it will involve negotiating with,
and offering concessions to,Copy !req
157. the owner of the Shén Huì Mó Xiè.Copy !req
158. A political matter, as much as anything else.Copy !req
159. I see.Copy !req
160. You believe diplomacy would be
more fruitful than open warfare?Copy !req
161. Which is why that troublesome Sorcerous
Sword Index must be deliveredCopy !req
162. into the hands of a statesman
with the proper authority,Copy !req
163. who can understand what we can offer.Copy !req
164. And that's why you won't abide it being
in Shāng Bú Huàn's possession.Copy !req
165. Exactly.Copy !req
166. The idea of an arsenal of mystic weaponsCopy !req
167. in the hands of an oaf who has no intention
of using them for personal gain...Copy !req
168. It makes me sick to my stomach.Copy !req
169. I can't help but interpret this as youCopy !req
170. thinking you'd be better able to
manipulate our lord, Míng Huáng.Copy !req
171. But if Lord Míng Huáng has endorsed
this alliance, in spite of that...Copy !req
172. Then it would be treasonous of us to
doubt his confidence, Sir Jūn Pò.Copy !req
173. Well, this is a surprise.Copy !req
174. I believe if we continue
this pointless debate,Copy !req
175. we risk missing a delightful opportunity.Copy !req
176. What do you mean?Copy !req
177. Shāng Bú Huàn himself, against all odds,
has wandered into the Void Junction!Copy !req
178. Drawn to the flame like the pest he is!Copy !req
179. He came here willingly? From the outside?Copy !req
180. Is that even possible?Copy !req
181. It is.Copy !req
182. Entrances to the Labyrinth of Darkness
still dot these Demon Spine Mountains.Copy !req
183. I'm not sure what madness
would lead him here.Copy !req
184. Perhaps he heard whispers of
demonic activity on the wind?Copy !req
185. But he has no idea that our
order will also be waiting for him.Copy !req
186. I believe this is an opportunity!Copy !req
187. Indeed it is.Copy !req
188. Within this labyrinth, we have
an unquestionable advantage.Copy !req
189. Do we strike now?Copy !req
190. I'd ask you to remain here, Sir Jūn Pò.Copy !req
191. I will lead our forces.Copy !req
192. Don't be so hasty.Copy !req
193. Underestimate Shāng Bú Huàn, and you'll
meet the same fate as Xiē Yīngluò.Copy !req
194. Sir Jūn Pò...Copy !req
195. If we're to be wary of our demonic allies,
then it'd be unwise to operate together.Copy !req
196. One of us should always be in a position toCopy !req
197. notify Lord Míng Huáng
of what might happen.Copy !req
198. I see... a fair point.Copy !req
199. Still...Copy !req
200. You needn't worry.Copy !req
201. I am a monk from the Order of the Divine Swarm
who has earned his "Mantis" title.Copy !req
202. Hey, hey, hey, is it just me,
or are we going in circles?Copy !req
203. It's not an illusion.
Rather, space itself is warped...Copy !req
204. Which is very high-level sorcery.Copy !req
205. My wife knows a thing or two about
cracking heretical magic, but...Copy !req
206. I only have the bare basics
down so far. This is beyond me.Copy !req
207. Something bothering you, Bú Huàn?Copy !req
208. Nah.Copy !req
209. Hopefully, I'm just overthinking it...
but this place reminds me of...Copy !req
210. This makes the third time you've
trespassed into my territory.Copy !req
211. I assume you're finally prepared
to forfeit your head...Copy !req
212. Enigmatic Gale!Copy !req
213. Xíng Hài? I can't
believe she's still alive!Copy !req
214. Oh, that explains everything.Copy !req
215. I assume you're the one who's
altered the Labyrinth of Darkness?Copy !req
216. Precisely. You are within
the bounds of my new lair...Copy !req
217. The Void Junction!Copy !req
218. Wh-What?Copy !req
219. I feel quite at home here,Copy !req
220. thanks to the flow of spiritual power
being so similar to the Demon Realm.Copy !req
221. How lucky to have found a location even
more suitable than Night Devil Forest.Copy !req
222. I'm almost inclined to thank you for casting
Miè Tiān Hái out of Seven Sins Tower.Copy !req
223. "How did you escape the Seal Guardians?"Copy !req
224. "Why have you created this place?"Copy !req
225. I've no shortage of questions for you,Copy !req
226. but I'm afraid there's one above
all others that takes priority.Copy !req
227. "Would a coward like you really
face us all by yourself?"Copy !req
228. Who the hell are these guys?Copy !req
229. These are Huò Shì Míng Huáng's goons!Copy !req
230. What are they doing here?Copy !req
231. Xíng Hài...Copy !req
232. You're working with the
Order of the Divine Swarm?Copy !req
233. Indeed she is.Copy !req
234. It's an honor to meet you.Copy !req
235. I am Yì Piāomiǎo, a disciple
of the Order of the Divine Swarm.Copy !req
236. Your reputation proceeds you,
Sword-Plundering Nemesis.Copy !req
237. I guess you really are famous
in Xī Yōu, huh, Shāng?Copy !req
238. You're pretty cocky considering you
just failed to spring an ambush on us,Copy !req
239. you drowsy-looking bastard!Copy !req
240. True.Copy !req
241. I would've been disappointed if such
a childlike trick had done you all in.Copy !req
242. If nothing else, you've managed
to avoid disappointing me.Copy !req
243. And proven yourselves worthy prey!Copy !req
244. I will slay Shāng Bú Huàn.Copy !req
245. The rest of you, attend to the musician.Copy !req
246. Sir!Copy !req
247. The sound's dull...Copy !req
248. It's this freaky space she's cooked up!Copy !req
249. The acoustics don't work
the way they ought to!Copy !req
250. I had heard you wielded
blades of sonic force,Copy !req
251. but in the Void Junction,
they won't help you!Copy !req
252. You're gonna be fighting me!Copy !req
253. In that case...Copy !req
254. Damn straight!Copy !req
255. Líng Yá, transform!Copy !req
256. Some kinda mix of magic and martial arts?Copy !req
257. I'm guessing you're not one for tradition!Copy !req
258. Precisely!Copy !req
259. There is no need to adhere to
ideology in pursuit of power!Copy !req
260. My combat skills reach ever higher
under Lord Míng Huáng's tutelage!Copy !req
261. It's always the guys who don't wanna put
in the work that chase shortcuts like that,Copy !req
262. and end up losing their way!Copy !req
263. Oh, my path is quite clear.Copy !req
264. I strike down the Sword-Plundering Nemesis,
and achieve the height of Xī Yōu martial glory!Copy !req
265. I thought I recognized you.
You're the boy from before.Copy !req
266. You're doing a poor job of
playing dress-up, I must say.Copy !req
267. I'm a legit part of the Hù Yìn Shī now!Copy !req
268. So if you're up to some demonic scheme,
then it's my business!Copy !req
269. Oh, you little cur!Copy !req
270. Do you think improvised sword skills make
you worthy of that kind of prestige?Copy !req
271. How fitting for a dog like yourself
to be strung up at the end of my whip.Copy !req
272. Just like Shòu Yún Xiāo!Copy !req
273. What?Copy !req
274. You're the one who killed him?Copy !req
275. Indeed I did! Just as I'm about to kill you.Copy !req
276. What?Copy !req
277. Damn you, Enigmatic Gale! When will it end?Copy !req
278. Ah, well, hearing you cackle like a maniac againCopy !req
279. after all this time just warmed my heart...
And I couldn't help myself.Copy !req
280. Thanks for that!
Just this once, I owe you one!Copy !req
281. Showing actual gratitude in the
face of his own shortcomings?Copy !req
282. Unbelievable.Copy !req
283. He's no fun at all.Copy !req
284. Deep beneath the fell ground lies
a strange and terrible place,Copy !req
285. overseen by a demonic proprietress.Copy !req
286. Lost in that house of mirrors, doom and
survival are both left to pure chance.Copy !req