Chapter 30
What was so good about Chu Yi? Why should she praise her? If she had known that so much could happen in just one month, she would never have left the Immortal Realm. There had been no carefree revelry, only constant anxiety.
Ming Jian Su’s sudden outburst stunned Feng Chiyue. In the past, if Ming Jian Su had slammed the table like this, she would have thrown a tantrum. But she was in a good mood today, so she wouldn’t hold it against her.
She leaned closer to Ming Jian Su and said, “It won’t hurt to praise her a few times. After all, we know the truth.”
Seeing that Ming Jian Su remained silent, her face still cold, Feng Chiyue continued, “If you don’t want to, then I can only–”
“You’re not allowed to praise Chu Yi either!”
“Find an opportunity to kill her.”
Their voices rang out simultaneously.
Ming Jian Su: “…” She stared at Feng Chiyue, bewildered. “Kill? What kill?” she asked. Had she been too busy and was hallucinating?
“Who would praise her?” Feng Chiyue said, glancing at Ming Jian Su. She had no intention of hiding her plans. “Chu Yi keeps coming to see you. Don’t you find it annoying? I was thinking of a peaceful solution, but since you don’t agree, forget it. We can only find a way to eliminate her. After all, dead people are the quietest.”
Ming Jian Su hadn’t expected her junior sister to have such thoughts. She massaged her forehead, confused. “Was praising her the peaceful solution?”
“Yes, praise her in front of the East Sea Dragon Princess. The more extravagant the praise, the better,” Feng Chiyue said. Ming Jian Su was stunned. Feng Chiyue grew impatient. “You’re so stupid,” she muttered, then explained patiently, “Ying Cunxin admires strength. If she becomes infatuated with Chu Yi, then Chu Yi won’t have time to bother us. It’s killing two birds with one stone, preventing future trouble.”
“Killing two birds with one stone?” Ming Jian Su asked, her brow furrowed.
Feng Chiyue frowned and stood up, crossing her arms as she studied Ming Jian Su. “Is the feng shui on the battlefield between the Immortal and Demon Realms that bad?” she asked.
Ming Jian Su pursed her lips, pondering the words “admires strength.” Then, realization dawned on her. The East Sea Dragon Princess admired strength, and she was widely recognized as the strongest immortal. Her junior sister was afraid that Ying Cunxin would fall for her and refuse to leave Dong’e Mountain. One Phoenix was enough for Dong’e Mountain. They couldn’t accommodate a troublesome dragon.
Understanding Feng Chiyue’s good intentions, Ming Jian Su’s annoyance vanished, replaced by amusement. Looking at the pile of troublesome documents on the table, she felt a surge of energy. She was about to say something when the faint fragrance that always surrounded Feng Chiyue faded. She looked up and saw that Feng Chiyue had already returned to the couch, playing with the Chaos Mirror, her face carefree and radiant.
Ming Jian Su: “…” She was truly destined to be a workhorse.
Well, as long as her junior sister was happy.
—
A few days later.
Ying Cunxin arrived at Dong’e Mountain.
As she approached, she caught a glimpse of a familiar sword light. A name had just formed in her mind when Chu Yi, looking confident and radiant, emerged from the light. Her gaze was fixed ahead, as if nothing else existed besides Dong’e Mountain.
“Your Highness,” Ying Cunxin called out, not wanting to be ignored. She smiled faintly and approached gracefully, her steps as light as if she were walking on lotuses. Chu Yi turned and nodded coldly, wondering why Ying Cunxin was here. Was she going to be another spectator?
Chu Yi wasn’t interested in talking to Ying Cunxin. She had two goals in coming to Dong’e Mountain. The first, and most important, was to spar with Ming Jian Su. The second was to inquire about the Morning Sun Assembly incident. The Chaos Mirror was filled with rumors about her single-handedly annihilating them, but she knew it had nothing to do with her. However, no matter how she explained it, no one believed her.
The Heavenly Court even intended to use this incident as an example to intimidate wandering immortals. She had initially thought it was the work of some wandering immortal, but after learning of Ming Jian Su’s survival, she had discarded her previous theory.
The Morning Sun Assembly had tried to ambush Feng Chiyue, making them Ming Jian Su’s enemies. Countless immortals held grudges against the Morning Sun Assembly, but they all had their own considerations. Ming Jian Su, however, was different. Her sword intent was unwavering. She never hesitated.
There were no attendants in Dong’e Mountain. Apart from Zhu Wan, who rushed out to greet them, there was no one else. However, neither Chu Yi nor Ying Cunxin cared about formalities. They nodded to Zhu Wan and followed her to the main hall.
Peach blossoms danced in the wind. A few birds chirped on the swing set, undisturbed. As they passed by, Zhu Wan even instinctively took out a few spiritual fruits to feed them. She didn’t think much of it, but both Chu Yi and Ying Cunxin were surprised.
Those were “Heavenly Phoenix” fruits. They had once been abundant in Danxue Mountain, but after a great calamity, almost all of them had withered, becoming rare and precious. Dong’e Mountain was actually using them to feed Feng Chiyue’s pet birds? Chu Yi’s respect for Ming Jian Su reached new heights.
Inside the hall, two identical-looking attendants were arranging fruit platters. Chu Yi initially thought they were twins, but upon closer inspection, she didn’t sense any spiritual energy fluctuations from them. A question formed in her mind, but before she could ask, Ying Cunxin spoke. “Are they puppet humans?”
Zhu Wan clasped her hands and replied, “Yes.” When she had received the puppet humans from Chang Huai, she had thought Feng Chiyue was wasting Cinnabar Jade and treasures, believing they were useless.
But she soon realized that Chang Huai’s skills exceeded her understanding. Her hands now free, she had abandoned her previous shallow views and wholeheartedly embraced the convenience. “They’re amazing,” she said. Although activating the puppet humans required Cinnabar Jade, it was much more cost-effective than hiring attendants, and they never slacked off.
Zhu Wan had exchanged name seals with Chang Huai on the Chaos Mirror and knew that she was looking for ways to earn Cinnabar Jade. She was about to recommend some clients to her when the clear sound of bells approached. There was no need to guess. It was Feng Chiyue and her Elder Sister. As expected, a moment later, two figures, one red and one blue, appeared outside the hall.
They were walking side by side. Feng Chiyue wasn’t in her Elder Sister’s arms or on her back.
This realization relieved Zhu Wan. She had been afraid that their blatant intimacy would ruin Dong’e Mountain’s reputation in front of their rare guests.
Wait, why was Feng Chiyue here? She usually avoided guests. Could it be that something uncontrollable was about to happen?
Zhu Wan’s expression shifted rapidly. The three words “Feng Chiyue” were synonymous with “alarm” to her. She wasn’t a good-for-nothing. She was a disaster. Her Master was truly suffering.
As a storm brewed in Zhu Wan’s mind, Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue reached the bronze table and sat down, facing Chu Yi and Ying Cunxin.
Feng Chiyue rested her chin on one hand, her other hand hidden under the table, playing with Ming Jian Su’s fingers. She traced her fingers from tip to base, sometimes intertwining them, sometimes letting them slip through her fingers like fish.
Ming Jian Su glanced at her, but instead of stopping her, she only encouraged her.
Even without speaking, the atmosphere between them was inexplicably intimate and sensual, making Chu Yi, as an observer, feel a chill run down her spine. She remembered her purpose and asked Ming Jian Su, “East Abode Master, have you heard about the Morning Sun Assembly incident?”
Feng Chiyue gently pinched the webbing between Ming Jian Su’s thumb and index finger, her soft fingertips brushing against her skin like feathers, causing a slight itch. Ming Jian Su controlled her emotions and remembered Feng Chiyue’s instructions.
She nodded. “Yes, I have. The story of the Emperor’s Daughter single-handedly annihilating the Morning Sun Assembly has spread throughout the Immortal Realm,” she said. Before Chu Yi could speak, she smiled brightly and added sincerely, “Your Highness is wise and powerful, capable of turning the world upside down. You punished evil and upheld justice, ridding the world of the Morning Sun Assembly’s scourge. You’ve vented our anger for us.”
Chu Yi’s mind went blank upon hearing those words. Ming Jian Su’s “enthusiasm” filled her with a sense of foreboding. Before she could speak, Ying Cunxin, swirling her wine cup, added, “The Emperor’s Daughter is cautious, courteous, and humble. Why are you unwilling to acknowledge your own achievements?”
Chu Yi: “…” She had never imagined words like “courteous” and “humble” would be used to describe her. The deaths of the Morning Sun Assembly had nothing to do with her. Taking credit for it would be against her conscience. She stood for justice and righteousness and would never steal someone else’s achievements.
Ming Jian Su also echoed Ying Cunxin’s words. Their voices overlapped, drowning out Chu Yi’s, leaving her no chance to speak. Ying Cunxin’s smile widened as she listened to Ming Jian Su’s praise. Her gaze, lingering on Chu Yi, became increasingly heated.
It was Feng Chiyue’s idea, but after listening to Ming Jian Su praise Chu Yi for a full quarter of an hour, she felt a strange sense of displeasure. She released Ming Jian Su’s hand, snatched her wine cup, and took a sip, her face dark.
Ming Jian Su instantly sensed her resentment and stopped talking. She picked up a piece of fruit, peeled it carefully, and offered it to Feng Chiyue. She glanced at Ying Cunxin and asked, “Did your invitation mention the Four Seas Ministry, Fellow Daoist Ying?”
“Yes,” Ying Cunxin replied with a sweet smile. She also imitated Ming Jian Su, peeling a piece of fruit. However, her relationship with Chu Yi wasn’t close enough for her to feed it to her directly, so she placed the white fruit flesh on a porcelain plate and pushed it towards Chu Yi.
She didn’t pay attention to Chu Yi’s reaction and continued answering Ming Jian Su’s question. “The Celestial Feather Ministry has implemented an assessment system, and the Four Seas Ministry thinks it’s a good idea. We would like to consult with Minister Feng.”
Feng Chiyue’s frown deepened. She shouldn’t have come. What did assessments have to do with her?
Ming Jian Su tried to appease her with a look, then said, “The Four Seas Ministry? Or the East Sea? Or all four seas?” If she remembered correctly, the West Sea had offended her junior sister deeply. Didn’t they hold a grudge?
“It was the Four Seas Dragon Kings’ idea,” Ying Cunxin said. Although the plan to form a Four Seas Alliance through marriage had fallen through, their relationship hadn’t deteriorated too much. That fool Ao Chaofeng had called Feng Chiyue “vicious,” but the West Sea Dragon King had thrown him into the Cold Prison to cool his head. Now it seemed that Ao Chaofeng was truly useless.
Chu Yi ignored the plate of fruit that was slowly filling up and also spoke about the assessment system. “In the Purple Empyrean Palace, the Vermilion Birds, Swan Geese, and others also brought up the matter. They believe that the assessment is beneficial to the Immortal Realm, ensuring a fair and impartial selection process that truly reflects the abilities of immortals from all races. They suggest implementing it throughout the Immortal Realm.”
Not long ago, Danxue Mountain had vehemently opposed it, as the Celestial Feather Ministry had dismissed half of its officials and even publicly displayed the assessment questions on the Chaos Mirror, humiliating the feathered race.
Now they had suddenly changed their minds. Had they realized the benefits of the assessment? She doubted it. It was most likely a deliberate ploy, as they knew that the Heavenly Emperor and the Star Monarchs wouldn’t agree to it. If the assessment system was implemented throughout the Immortal Realm, it would become much harder for them to promote their descendants.
They wouldn’t target the Vermilion Birds who had made the suggestion in the Purple Empyrean Palace. Instead, they would use the Heavenly Emperor to pressure the original source – Feng Chiyue, the Celestial Feather Minister.
“There must be a lot of opposition,” Ming Jian Su said, understanding Chu Yi’s thoughts. Her dislike for Danxue Mountain intensified, and her face darkened.
“Yes,” Chu Yi replied, her face tense. She wanted to push for change in the Immortal Realm, but her words carried little weight. However, it didn’t mean it was impossible. “My mother agrees,” she said.
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