As a result of all these anomalies, Bai Yanâs perspective of this mountain only grew stranger by the minute.
But then just as her eyes were wander around for clues as to why, a sudden sharp call of a bird from the air had knocked her back from her senses. It was far away still in the sky, however, its more than enough to send her alarms into high alert. âLittle Rice, come back!â
Stunned by the loud order, Little Rice didnât know how to react and only peered upwards at the strange noise.
âWho is this? Who dares to trespass on the forbidden grounds of the Demon Mountain?â Though itâs a beautiful female who spoke based on the sound signature they are hearing, the voice was nevertheless painful in how its seemingly able to penetrate oneâs soul.
And as if on cue, the owner of that voice gradually materializes from the void and into reality.
Long red hair that flutters with the wind, this was a glamorous female that looks to be in the middle-age group gap. However, that red dot on that forehead seems to be able to rewind that appearance by over a decade, making her with the looks of a young maiden while keeping the mature air of a woman that could only be gained with age and experience.
Bai Yan was honestly stunned by this person who materialized out of the blue, and likewise, the newcomer was also stunned by the intruder of the mountain after she took her first glance at Bai Yan.
Hurrying to pull her son behind her back and picking up the baby tiger: âIâm sorry for trespassing on this forbidden ground, we didnât mean to disturb your rest. We will leave nowâ¦.â
Thereâs good reason for Bai Yan to be so alarmed and defensive before this glamorous woman of flaming red, sheâs strong, second only to Di Cang based on her judgement.
âHold on.â
Seeing that Bai Yan was about to turn away, the glamorous woman hurried to break free from the last bit of the void, her eyes showing urgency. âYou canât go.ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Startled by the outcry from the back, she turns back and asked: âIs there something else?â
âIâ¦â Biting that rosy lip, the glamorous woman had on a look of strong expectations: âI am Suzaku (Vermillion Bird).â
âSuzaku?â
Bai Yanâs hand actually trembled at the name: âYou are Suzaku?â
âYes, I am Suzaku,â that glimmer of hope now burns like a sparkling flame, âdo you remember me?â
Calmly shaking her head, Bai Yan answers truthfully and denies it: âI heard Xiao Wan (princess) mentioning you before, and then⦠I had that dream of a white tiger. Iâm just wondering, do you know or have anything to do with the white tiger?â When she said this, her eyes were also sneaking a peek at the dumb looking Little Rice in her arms.
When the baby white tiger claimed that the Demon Mountain seemed oddly familiar before, Bai Yanâs instinct already knew it couldnât be a coincidence. It must be related to the four sacred beastsâ¦.
That answer definitely caused a pang of disappointment in Suzakuâs face. First giving a look at Bai Yan, then back at Little Rice, she sighed helplessly: âState Teacher didnât lie, you and the King have forgotten everythingâ¦â
She forgot meâ¦.
Forgot the me who waited a thousand years here for her.
Bai Yan didnât know the pain thatâs currently coursing through this Vermillion Birdâs heart, but she did have a lot of questions to ask now that sheâs found a lead. Taking two steps forward: âDo you know about the dream I had? And⦠did me and Di Cang have a past before?â
âThe State Teacher said I shouldnât tell you so I canât say anything more.â Pursing that lip, Suzaku makes a bittersweet smile: âCan you stay here?â
Can you⦠stay in the Demon Mountain?
Lowering that gaze like sheâs contemplating something, âIf you answer my question then I will stayâ¦â
However, by the time Bai Yan looked up again, what she saw had completely taken her aback. The glamorous woman was tearing up with total disregard for her own appearance like someone being ripped away from their closest kin.