618: Nightmist Parade

Nightmist Parade

The pair were in shock, they looked at each other before turning their attention towards the red tokens. Both of them went to check each one, making sure that they were real. 

"This is from the Redknife Hunter!"

"The leader of the Burrow Gang!"

"Ghost Master Cang Bai!"

"Night Charmer..."

They muttered to each other, listing off the identities of every evil cultivator that met their end by Ming Yue. And the young woman stood there, waiting and listening. Her eyes widened just a tad as they continued to go through the tokens. 

"To think that each one had a bounty on them", she thought to herself.

Considering how easy it was for her to deal with them, Ming Yue didn't think that they were worth much. Then again, she was an expert at the Sky Realm, and all her kills were at the Earth Realm. To her, they were nothing.

After a few minutes, the receptionists finished validating and recording everything before looking up at her. 

One of them left while the other spoke with her. 

"We have verified your identity as well as the tokens. As per our regulations, we will have to ask you to let us re-evaluate your strength so that we can give you a new rank." 

But Ming Yue just shook her head.

"If it's possible, I'd like to stay at Jade Fox, I'd rather keep my details in secret. But please, send a message to an Elder named Meng Zhao. Let him know that I am well and that I will be taking care of Redmist Sanctuary", she replied. 

"But... you're one of the heroes from the war, how can we not report this? How will the news not spread?" said the receptionist.

"If you know that then you must know that I am supposedly dead, I'd like to keep that guise going for as long as possible. I hope that you will not reveal this to anyone but Meng Zhao." 

As she said this, her killing intent leaked out and the receptionists paled under the pressure. 

"We... understand..."

One of them spoke out weakly, supporting themselves on the counter. 

Hearing this, Ming Yue released the pressure before turning to leave, getting back her badge. As she did, she stopped by the walls, scanning through some of the pinned requests.

"Mm, many of them are just bounties..." she muttered, reading some of the names as well as the crimes they committed. 

Her eyes narrowed just a bit before looking forward and leaving the Jade Dragon Pavilion. 

The two receptionists watched her go before sharing a look. On one end, it was their responsibility to report all of this but with the risk of their lives, they were hesitant. 

"We should notify Elder Meng."

They agreed on that and got to work though they were still shaken by what happened. 

On the other side, Ming Yue returned to the tea shop where Elder Fei and Cui Fen waited, sitting at a table by the doors. Cui Fen stood up as she saw the young woman return, looking at her with relief. 

"You're back! Are you okay? Is everything fine?" she asked. 

Ming Yue nodded. 

"I'm fine, nothing's wrong", she answered. 

Elder Fei stood up after, walking beside his wife. 

"If you're here, then that means that the Three Fiends-"

"-Are dead. I just came back after delivering their remains to the Jade Dragon Pavilion."

She looked at him while confirming the news before looking around the shop, seeing no sign of Hongyu or the others.

"Rou'er took her to see the city and those two pets of yours followed along. It's getting dark so they should be back soon."

Seeing her gaze, Cui Fen told her where they went. 

"I see." 

"Come on, take a seat."

Together, everyone took a seat at the table, sharing a moment of silence before Cui Fen spoke. 

"So, about her... Hongyu, I mean. How did you meet her?" she asked. 

She hesitated to ask, feeling that it might be inappropriate but she couldn't ignore the fact that Ming Yue had a child with her. 

"She was alone when I found her, I took her in because she was alone. That was almost a year ago", Ming Yue explained. 

"But if you're going to attack Redmist Sanctuary, surely, you can't be bringing her along." 

The young woman shook her head. 

"That's why I came here. I wanted to see if you'd like to watch over her for a bit, at least until I've dealt with this situation. After that, I plan on taking her to Heaven's Gate. Though I found her by herself, she isn't an ordinary child but I don't know what it is that makes her special. I'm hoping that there will be answers when I get there."

"Oh, in that case, I'm happy to take her in for a bit. Rou'er was actually excited to be with Hongyu, it's like having a younger sister."

Cui Fen revealed a warm smile as she said this. 

On the other side, Elder Fei had a serious look on his face as he looked at her. 

"In that case, do you need any information on this particular branch? The Eternal Blade Sect should have what you need to know regarding its members", he offered. 

"Yes, I don't need too much, just a list of those who plan on gathering later this month. I came across some members earlier and found out about this", said Ming Yue. 

Elder Fei sighed and he looked down. 

"I'm well aware of it, the annual gathering or better known as the Nightmist Parade. It started only a few years ago but it grew just as the influence of Redmist Sanctuary grew. In fact, the Jade Dragon Pavilion as well as the surrounding sects are tightening their security for this. And I'm sure that the other kingdoms are doing the same", he explained. 

"Is that what it's called?" 

Ming Yue repeated the name in her mind a few times, thinking back to what she had read when she was in the Dark Water Kingdom. 

"The Nightmist Parade, a gathering for evil cultivators and criminals to congregate. Furthermore, such an event is supported and encouraged by the wicked sects. It is the most dangerous time of year where the continent is terrorized for several days. Kidnapping, murder, and other forms of depravity are at their worst. Although righteous sects have formed alliances with one another and work with the governments, they do not have enough strength to keep the Nightmist Parade restrained."

Recalling this information, a grim feeling welled up within her. 

"Not just the city but the whole continent would be thrown into chaos during this time", she thought."

She then looked to Elder Fei. 

"Will it still be in the same place? Mist Valley?" she asked him. 

He nodded. 

"Yes, it has never changed though the guardians of the original Redmist Sanctuary are no longer there. They've gone to other branches. If you give me a day or two, I can get you the information you need." he told her. 

"Alright then."

Cui Fen put her hands together excitedly.  0

"Yes! You should stay for the night, we can have dinner together! And I'm sure that Rou'er would want you to stay around", she said. 

It was then that the very people they were talking about entered the shop. Rou'er came in while holding Hongyu's hand while Hei Yue and Liang Wei followed behind. From the looks of it, they must have bought quite a bit, it was mostly food but there were a few trinkets and charms. 

"Ming Yue, you're back! Does that mean you beat up the Three Fiends?!" Rou'er said excitedly. 

The young woman nodded.

"Yes, I did."

Although "beating up" was more than an understatement, she didn't want to say that they were easy kills. 

pqdm.com