It was clear.
Da Xing the Mad Monk had not been entirely truthful with Gu Qingfeng earlier. He had said he did not know the black-clothed person invited by Water Moon Bodhisattva, nor did he know who the Witch was.
Now it seemed he not only knew of the Witch, but was also quite familiar with her. From his words, it was not difficult to see that he knew the Witch, and had known her for a very, very long time—so long it could be traced back to the Desolate Ancient Era.
However.
Not everything that came out of Da Xing the Mad Monk's mouth was a lie. Out of ten sentences, at least two or three were true. For instance, when he said the Witch hailed from the Desolate Ancient Era, that was true.
And indeed, that was the case.
To speak of it, not only did the Witch belong to the Desolate Ancient Era, but even Da Xing the Mad Monk himself could be considered half a person of that era.
The reason he was called half a person of the Desolate Ancient Era was because he had already reincarnated before the end of that era. Therefore, he had not personally experienced the terrifying Calamity that led to its demise. It wasn't that he had foresight, but rather their Zen Sect's Patriarch did. To ensure the Zen Sect's legacy could continue, the Patriarch sacrificed himself to help Da Xing the Mad Monk reincarnate, allowing him to escape the dreadful Desolate Ancient Calamity.
"Truly, time flies like a shuttle," Da Xing the Mad Monk couldn't help but sigh, perhaps reminded of the years of the Desolate Ancient Era. Whenever he recalled matters from that time, his heart was filled with melancholy. Gazing at the Witch, he asked, "Witch Empress, when did Your Excellency awaken?
Why didn't you give a heads-up? This humble monk could have prepared a welcoming feast or something to wash away the dust of your journey."
To be honest.
Although Da Xing the Mad Monk knew the Witch and was aware she was one of the Ancient Clansfolk, that was about the extent of it. Beyond that, he wasn't too clear in his heart about what kind of existence the Witch truly was.
The only thing he knew was that the Witch, like Genggu Wuming, was an extremely mysterious and bizarre existence, full of unknowns. And of course, she was also exceptionally terrifying and dreadful. At the very least, Da Xing the Mad Monk was extremely wary of the Witch. For him, avoidance was the best policy. She was someone he didn't even dare to gossip about behind her back. This was also why, upon first seeing the Witch, he had pretended not to know her. When Gu Qingfeng inquired, he had feigned ignorance. It wasn't purely an act of playing dumb; he genuinely wanted nothing to do with the Witch.
One must know that when the Calamity struck during the Desolate Ancient Era, the Human Dao, the Buddhist Dao, the Great Nature, and even the Heavenly Dao fell one after another. Many great Dao progenitors, the Three Purities and Four Sovereigns of the Immortal Dao, the Five Wisdom Kings of the Buddhist Dao—all perished. Yet, the Witch survived the Desolate Ancient Calamity.
As for what exactly that Calamity was, or how the Witch managed to survive it,
Da Xing the Mad Monk might not know.
But that wasn't important.
What was important was that the Witch's survival of the Desolate Ancient Calamity was enough to indicate her existence was beyond imagination.
Over the years, Da Xing the Mad Monk had been secretly investigating the truth behind the Desolate Ancient Calamity, but to this day, he hadn't gotten to the bottom of it. However, based on various signs, he inferred that the Calamity of the Desolate Ancient Era must be related to the Ancient Clansfolk. And both Genggu Wuming and the Witch belonged to these Ancient Clansfolk.
Opposite him.
The Witch was clad entirely in black, a hooded robe covering her head, her whole body wrapped tightly. She appeared ethereal and indistinct, like flames flickering or water rippling, giving a very unreal feeling. Her hands were clasped behind her back as she stood upon a sphere of light, a faint radiance shimmering around her. She simply watched Da Xing the Mad Monk without saying a word.
Da Xing the Mad Monk felt a chill under her gaze and asked, "May I ask, Witch Empress, where are my junior sister and the Five Freaks of Black Mountain?"
"Beneath my feet."
The Witch's voice came. Da Xing the Mad Monk glanced at the sphere of light beneath her feet. In truth, even if she hadn't said it, he knew Water Moon Bodhisattva and the Five Freaks of Black Mountain were inside that sphere. It was just that the Witch's silent stare made him unbearably uncomfortable, forcing him to make conversation. He asked again, "This...
Witch Empress, how did you and my junior sister...
come to know each other?"
"Water Moon shares a karmic bond with me."
"Oh, I see. That's good."
Da Xing the Mad Monk couldn't gauge the Witch's intentions and didn't dare say much more. If possible, he would rather not have met her at all. After waiting a while with no further words from the Witch, he finally couldn't hold back. "Witch Empress, please take good care of my junior sister. If there's nothing else, this old monk will take his leave now..."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the Witch finally spoke. "I ask you, why did you bring him to this Desolate Ancient Black Hole?"
"Bring him?"
Da Xing the Mad Monk scratched his bald head, puzzled. "Who?"
"Who do you think?"
"Are you talking about the Gu kid or the Mo kid?"
"Both are people of Original Sin, manifestations of delusion, and variables of the Present Era. On the path of Original Sin, each has walked further than the last, especially the one surnamed Gu."
"That's right, that's the case. So what?"
"Do you intend to lend them a hand, to help them achieve the status of True Lord of Original Sin?"
"Witch Empress!
You mustn't speak carelessly! This old monk has never harbored such thoughts! I called them here only to help this old monk guard the relics of our Zen Sect. I never expected to run into this Desolate Ancient Black Hole..." Da Xing the Mad Monk explained earnestly. Across from him, the Witch did not speak, merely listening, merely watching.
Perhaps knowing he couldn't deceive the Witch, after explaining for a long while, Da Xing the Mad Monk simply stopped. He might as well go all the way. He admitted directly, "Fine. Since Witch Empress has already seen through it, this old monk won't hide it from you. Yes, it's true. This old monk does want to help them, to lend them a hand, and ideally, to see them ascend to become the True Lord of Original Sin. Let's not talk about the Mo kid for now; I have other reasons for bringing him. But as for the Gu kid, this old monk has high hopes for him. I do hope he can become the True Lord of Original Sin!"
"Why?"
"The reason is simple. In the Present Era, there are far too many existences vying for the position of True Lord of Original Sin—countless, innumerable. Not only the various great powers of the wilderness, the major blessed lands and cave heavens, the Three Thousand Great Daos, the Nine Heavens and Nine Nethers, the paradises and hells, the Ruins of Return and the Desolate Ruins, the holy lands and forbidden grounds—all are competing. Everyone wants to ascend to the seat of True Lord of Original Sin. Everyone knows that only the True Lord of Original Sin can unlock the secrets of the Daoless Age. Everyone knows the significance the True Lord of Original Sin represents."
Da Xing the Mad Monk declared righteously, "If Original Sin is truly destined to select a True Lord in the Present Era, then this old monk hopes that person is the Gu kid!"
"And why is that?"
"If you wish to know the reason, this old monk might as well tell you. Among all the variables, delusions, and anomalies of Original Sin, the Gu kid is the most Human. He is also the one among all the variables, delusions, and anomalies of Original Sin who least wishes to become the True Lord of Original Sin."