Seeing the girls rushing into action, we too leaped forward and followed their lead into the cave. We were welcomed by the crackling of the flames on the torches that hung on the walls of the bowels of the cave at intervals, illuminating the path deeper inside like beacons in the darkness. I released my spirit wolves, and much to their surprise, the girls yelped and screamed with shock. It was the first time they had actually seen my wolves as their enormous opaque girths shimmered into visibility. This was only because the wolves were unleashed under the brightness of sunlight where they could not see them. I held up a hand to signal for silence and assured everyone that my wolves only act on my bidding. With a nod to my orders, my familiar spirits dipped their heads and sped off into the darkness. I looked at Lin Feng, who returned a knowing glance to me. With a swing of his arm and a steely swish, he brandished his whip, giving off with a glistening sleekness in the

The two dark and cadaverous figures drifted towards me and stopped. "Who summons us?" One of them spoke before they recognized me. With a quick change, they began to speak more amicably, "Oh! It's you, sir! So fate has brought us together once again! What is your purpose today?" Much to my amazement, it was the same pair of Hell Guards whom we had encountered after our adventures at the haunted hospital! I immediately released the souls of the fox demons from my gourd and told the two keepers of the Underworld about our fight. They were gleeful at the prospect for more rewards, bowing respectfully while wearing cheerful smiles as they muttered words of thanks before they left. The pair of Hell Guards had barely disappeared and Yuan Chongxi grumbled, "You should've asked the two Guards about the whereabouts of Aunt Ulan's soul while you're at it! They are the keepers of the Underworld. Surely they know a thing or two!" But before I could answ

The dawning of Godmother's statement surprised me. I squashed the stubble of my cigarette. "That's it," I said, looking at Godmother, "What I felt, was like being gripped at the throat by an invisible hand. The dense aura of malice and evil was so strong and powerful that we could barely move an inch. This could be why we were still unhurt despite being in such dangers." Godmother nodded. "Despite my magic and being able to turn into human form, I am a still beast. My senses are more acute than you. That is why I felt the stupefying presence even when the gust of thrashing wind began. I too was petrified by the terrifying presence that I could not move." Indeed, I mused, even Godmother, with all her magical powers notwithstanding, was still a demon nonetheless. This made her susceptible to any magic affecting foul and evil entities. "Mother," I said brusquely, "You know who took Aunt Ulan's soul, do you not? Please just tell us now! I'm afraid that whoeve

We decided to take up lodgings at the old man's burrow that evening. For the first time in many nights, I finally had a proper rest. Edelweiss shook me awake the next morning after she had brought me water to wash up. As I sat up groggily, I could not help feeling touched at being able to enjoy the bliss of having a young woman like Edelweiss taking care of me. We had meat again for breakfast. It was the only food available since winter began ravaging across the wilderness. In contrast to Yuan Chongxi who wolfed down his food with tremendous vigor, I merely took a few disinterested bites. I was fortunate somehow that our host hardly has an eye for detail. He did not notice my reluctance for our breakfast and I kept from troubling him any further. I was already grateful enough for his hospitality thus far. The old man urged that we should set out as soon as possible, for 'the other old man' waiting at the other side of the canyon must be anxious to see us.

Old Shang began laughing loudly. "Hahahahah! That squat shorty is the Fifth of the Six Terrors! A friend as close as a brother of mine!" He gulped down his liquor and went on, "We enjoyed quite a reputation out here away from the borders. Hence, people began calling us the Six Terrors of the Frontier! All six of us served during the relief of the great earthquake long ago and we met your father then. It was during our battles together that we came to respect and admire him. He is not one of the Six, but he remains a brother to us. I'm the Third of the Six, so you can call me Third Uncle. The shorty is the Fifth, so you can just call him Fifth Uncle too." So these are the Six Terrors, I thought to myself. The name of the Six Terrors traveled far and wide; their exploits were known to all practitioners of magic and arcane skills across the land. Each of the Six was rumored to possess extraordinary powers or skills, but they rarely ventured away into China proper, preferr