Chapter 35
The Zhenyu Sword was of no use to the Danxue Mountain lineage. It was an unruly sword, having destroyed the Red Jade Cave in Chongxuan Mountain and potentially revealing the secret of the Red Agate if it had a second owner. After numerous discussions, they finally made a decision: to announce the auction of the Zhenyu Sword in three days.
To ensure widespread awareness of the auction, they hired several immortal officials to promote the connection between the Zhenyu Sword and the Suxin Sword Master on the Chaos Mirror, even emphasizing the sword’s contribution to the Suxin Sword Master’s victory over the Demon Lord.
This news sparked widespread discussion on the Chaos Mirror. Although the Heavenly Court forbade anyone from mentioning the Fall of the Phoenix, the Heavenly Emperor was pleased to see them praising the Suxin Sword Master’s heroic deed in slaying the Demon Lord, a victory for the entire Immortal Realm. He even gave the Danxue Mountain lineage a considerable show of support by attaching his name seal and leaving a comment: “A fine sword indeed.”
Under these circumstances, the immortals of the Immortal Realm were eager to participate in the auction. Even if they had no use for the sword themselves, they could pass it on to their descendants, or resell it for a profit. How could they not be tempted?
“Elder Sister, so many people are coveting our Zhenyu Sword,” Feng Chiyue said, frowning at the messages on the Chaos Mirror. She knelt on the bed, tossed the Chaos Mirror aside, and looked around for Ming Jian Su.
“We have plenty of Cinnabar Jade now. There’s no need to worry,” Ming Jian Su said. With her mountain’s treasury overflowing, she felt confident and secure.
“But why should we spend Cinnabar Jade on something that’s already ours?” Feng Chiyue retorted, stating matter-of-factly. She had already decided that the Zhenyu Sword belonged to them. When Ming Jian Su approached, she reached out and grabbed her, her gaze fixed on her. “One less sword means one less tool at our disposal. I haven’t even settled the score with them yet! How dare they ask us for Cinnabar Jade?”
“Should we go to Danxue Mountain and retrieve the Zhenyu Sword right now?” The more Feng Chiyue thought about it, the more she regretted not taking the sword from Chongxuan Mountain directly. She released Ming Jian Su and made a move to stand up, as if ready to storm Danxue Mountain. “Wait!” Ming Jian Su exclaimed, quickly wrapping her arms around Feng Chiyue’s waist and pulling her back into her embrace. The Danxue Mountain lineage was using the Zhenyu Sword as bait to find the culprit responsible for destroying the Red Agate. Going there now would be walking right into their trap. Unless she could silently eliminate all the immortals in Danxue Mountain, this plan wouldn’t work.
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister, I have a plan,” Ming Jian Su said, fabricating a reassuring lie to calm Feng Chiyue down.
“Really?” Feng Chiyue looked at her skeptically. She had realized by now that Ming Jian Su wasn’t omniscient. For instance, her brain seemed to short-circuit when faced with slightly complex formations. She wriggled against Ming Jian Su’s grip, which was as strong as iron clamps, and mumbled, “Let go of me.”
Ming Jian Su loosened her grip slightly but didn’t release Feng Chiyue from her embrace. She nuzzled against Feng Chiyue’s neck, inhaling her familiar scent, and sighed contentedly. In recent days, due to the Celestial Feather Ministry matters, they had been either busy comparing documents or traveling. They hadn’t had a proper moment to just hold each other. A tinge of regret mixed with Ming Jian Su’s satisfaction. But soon, that regret morphed into confusion. Her junior sister used to cling to her constantly, but now she wasn’t initiating any contact and was even pushing her away! The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she felt. Before Feng Chiyue could slip away, she turned her around so they were facing each other. “Junior Sister,” she said, frowning, “you—”
Feng Chiyue lowered her eyelids lazily. “What about me?”
Ming Jian Su: “…” How could she possibly say it out loud? She couldn’t bring herself to utter those words! After pondering for a moment, she cleared her throat. “Junior Sister, didn’t you want to cultivate with me?”
Feng Chiyue’s tone remained indifferent. “Mm.”
Ming Jian Su’s frown deepened. She reached out and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind Feng Chiyue’s ear. After a moment of hesitation, she decided to just ask directly, “Why don’t you let me hug you anymore?”
Feng Chiyue: “?” Hadn’t they hugged enough during the day? When had she refused?
“You pushed me away just now.” Ming Jian Su raised her arm and rolled up her sleeve, revealing her snow-white skin. The faint marks from Feng Chiyue’s fingers had already vanished, leaving no “evidence.” She grabbed Feng Chiyue’s hand and pressed it against her arm, watching as a red mark appeared. “Like this,” she accused.
Feng Chiyue was speechless. She was exhausted from moving the Red Agate vein and had no energy to deal with Ming Jian Su’s inexplicable mood swings. After a few noncommittal grunts, she transformed into a round, fluffy bird and sent a mental message. “Hug me now.”
Ming Jian Su: “…” She took back what she had said earlier. While the bird form was adorable, it wasn’t as good as the human form.
Although immortals didn’t require sleep and could meditate endlessly, Ming Jian Su had adopted Feng Chiyue’s habits since ascending to the Immortal Realm, choosing sleep over long nights of cultivation. When she woke up, the sky was already bright. The fluffy ball of feathers had transformed back into her human form at some point, half-lying on Ming Jian Su’s arm, sound asleep.
Ming Jian Su gazed at Feng Chiyue. With her red lips and black hair, she was breathtakingly beautiful, even in her sleep. Ming Jian Su leaned in closer, but just as the distance between them was about to vanish, Feng Chiyue suddenly opened her eyes. Her eyes were a brilliant gold, shimmering with a divine light, but they quickly returned to their usual black, now tinged with a sleepy laziness.
“Elder Sister,” Feng Chiyue murmured, her voice softer than usual, sounding like a seductive whisper to Ming Jian Su’s ears. Caught trying to steal a kiss, Ming Jian Su felt a brief pang of embarrassment, but it was quickly swept away by Feng Chiyue’s smile. After pulling back slightly, she leaned in again, her lips seeking Feng Chiyue’s. When she had fled to Asura City, she had found the constant nights of passion tiring. But it wasn’t just her junior sister who was indulging. She herself had developed a taste for it.
Sunlight streamed through the window, casting dancing shadows on their bodies, like ripples on water.
Ming Jian Su’s lips brushed against Feng Chiyue’s brow, her eyelids, her cheeks, and finally settled on her warm lips.
Feng Chiyue closed her eyes, her long eyelashes casting delicate shadows on her cheeks.
After a long while, Ming Jian Su’s breathing calmed. She gently adjusted Feng Chiyue’s disheveled robes.
Feng Chiyue opened her eyes and looked at her. “Should we become wandering immortals?” she asked after a moment. That way, they could enjoy boundless freedom every day, without the constraints of “time flying by too quickly during passionate nights.”
Ming Jian Su sighed. “But immortals have eternal lifespans, and Cinnabar Jade is finite.” She didn’t mind a simple life, but her junior sister was a Phoenix. She deserved to live in a magnificent palace, adorned with jade and precious stones, and feast on delicacies and celestial nectar. She couldn’t let her suffer! Oh, and she also had to eliminate those troublesome birds from Danxue Mountain. Becoming a wandering immortal would make things more difficult.
Feng Chiyue nibbled on Ming Jian Su’s neck, feeling both frustrated and determined to find a way to obtain endless Cinnabar Jade.
After cuddling with Feng Chiyue for a while, Ming Jian Su finally got up. She retrieved the Chaos Mirror that Feng Chiyue had discarded and checked the messages from Que Chen Yi. Following the Barbarian and Great Wind Clan incidents, many Feather Clans had resubmitted their clan information, but the deadline had already passed. When the Celestial Feather Ministry updated the registry, they stripped those who had missed the deadline of their official positions and candidacy statuses. They wanted freedom from rules and regulations? Fine, let them be carefree wandering immortals. They wouldn’t receive a single Cinnabar Jade from the Ministry in the future.
“The numbers still don’t add up, right? Should we visit other Feather Clans?” Feng Chiyue asked, sitting in a chair opposite Ming Jian Su, idly fiddling with the melodious bell hanging from her waist.
“Do you want to go out?” Ming Jian Su asked.
Feng Chiyue slumped back in her chair. “No.”
Ming Jian Su, respecting Feng Chiyue’s decision, nodded. “Then let’s issue them an ultimatum.” With the Celestial Feather Career Book in hand, no Feather Clan could hide anything from her. Instead of sending Undefeated or Eternal Sword to intimidate them, she simply compiled a list of all the missing names from each clan and gave them three days to report. Those who failed to comply would be considered “deceased.” This meant that anyone seeking revenge wouldn’t have to worry about the Celestial Pivot Department’s intervention. After all, if someone was “dead,” who cared about what happened to them afterwards?
The various Feather Clan factions were cunning and had initially planned to deny everything, but upon seeing the complete list, they were speechless. Some were even unaware of certain members. How did the Celestial Feather Ministry know everything? Had the previous Ministry officials left behind a secret registry? Or was there another method?
It wasn’t just those ordinary Feather Clans. Even the Vermilion Birds, Swan Gooses, and other powerful factions in Danxue Mountain were stunned by the announcement. They initially suspected that the Celestial Mother had bestowed some powerful artifact, but then they realized that the Heavenly Court didn’t possess any artifacts capable of such feats. Since its establishment, the population records of the Feather Clan had always been a mess. Rectifying them would be a monumental task, one that might take a century to complete, yet Feng Chiyue had accomplished it.
They had been struggling to deal with the Red Agate incident, and now, faced with the Celestial Feather Ministry’s actions, a dark cloud descended upon Danxue Mountain.
Chang Li, the South Vermilion Lord, usually didn’t interfere in the affairs of the Danxue Mountain lineage. As long as the clan elders didn’t seek her out, she wouldn’t intervene. However, this time, witnessing the Ministry’s movements, she sent a message through one of her attendants.
The Celestial Feather Career Book!
This supreme treasure, forgotten by many after the Phoenix Sovereign’s fall, had suddenly crashed into their lives like a meteor.
They had been striving to become the rulers of the Feather Clan.
But if the one who possessed the Celestial Feather Career Book appeared, what did that make them?
“Could it be that the Phoenixes hid the Career Book and gave it to Feng Chiyue?” the Swan Goose Elder speculated. The Phoenixes weren’t so much suppressed by them as by the Heavenly Emperor. After all, the Heavenly Emperor was among those who feared the Phoenixes’ revenge. When the Phoenixes were at their weakest, the Career Book in their possession would have been a liability. But now that Feng Chiyue was in charge of the Celestial Feather Ministry, she could put the treasure to good use. Rectifying the Feather Clan registry would have a massive impact on Danxue Mountain, signifying the end of their control over the “unregistered laborers.”
“It’s possible,” the Vermilion Bird Elder sneered, his voice cold. “Phoenix Mountain pushed Feng Chiyue forward, using Ming Jian Su’s influence to reap the benefits.”
“One of our promising young talents is also on the list published by the Ministry,” the Swan Goose Elder said, stroking his beard, a glint in his eyes. There were many Star Monarchs in the Heavenly Court whose status was equivalent to the heads of the three major departments, but they typically secluded themselves in their immortal abodes and rarely dealt with worldly affairs. One of their Swan Goose clan members, Bai Zi Feng, had been favored by the reclusive White Phase Star Monarch and taken as a direct disciple. His status was considered equal to that of a Ministry Head. When the Celestial Feather Ministry announced the registry rectification, Bai Zi Feng hadn’t paid any attention to it, not even bothering to send an attendant to inquire. Now, seeing his name on the Ministry’s public announcement, he was probably feeling quite indignant.
Bai Zi Feng was indeed indignant, but not because his name had been made public. It was because when he sent his attendant to the Finance Hall of the Celestial Feather Ministry to collect his resources, the attendant was turned away and told that, as a wandering immortal, he wasn’t eligible to receive Cinnabar Jade, elixirs, or other benefits. Without a document issued by the Ministry and without a close relationship with the person in charge, the Heavenly Prosperity Department wouldn’t allocate any cultivation resources to him.
“This is outrageous! My master is a Star Monarch, and my status is equivalent to a Ministry Head. How am I considered a wandering immortal?” Bai Zi Feng was furious. He sent his attendant back with a personal letter, but the result was the same. His attendant returned empty-handed, his face etched with despair.
How could Bai Zi Feng tolerate such an insult? With a cold laugh, he transformed into a streak of light and flew towards the Celestial Feather Ministry.
In the Dharma Hall.
After a busy period, Que Chen Yi finally had a moment to relax. She brewed herself a cup of spiritual tea and, with a happy sigh, took out the Chaos Mirror, intending to watch a play. But before she could choose one, the entire hall shook violently, tea splashing from her cup. Que Chen Yi frowned, cursed under her breath, and strode out. Following the commotion, she arrived at the Finance Hall.
The timid officials huddled together in a corner, while the puppets that had been serving in the Finance Hall were scattered across the floor in pieces. Que Chen Yi’s eyes narrowed. She saw a cultivator, dressed in a gray-white Daoist robe and wearing a tall hat, standing in the center of the hall, looking down at them with contempt and murderous intent.
Knowing she was no match for this person, she discreetly sent a message to Ming Jian Su. Then, adjusting her sleeves and adopting the demeanor of the Assistant Ministry Head, she asked sternly, “Why are you causing trouble in the Celestial Feather Ministry, Master?”
“Trouble?” Bai Zi Feng scoffed. “The Finance Hall of the Celestial Feather Ministry has withheld my cultivation resources. How dare you accuse me of ‘causing trouble’?”
He was probably one of those who had been stripped of their official status for failing to register on time. There were many like him, but the others hadn’t come knocking. The fact that he was here meant that he had a powerful backer, at least a Star Monarch. Que Chen Yi, calculating her options, forced a smile. “May I ask your name, Master?”
Bai Zi Feng replied arrogantly, “Bai Zi Feng, direct disciple of the White Phase Star Monarch of Baiyang Immortal Abode.”
Que Chen Yi remembered the name. Estimating that Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue would arrive soon, she dispensed with the pleasantries. “Our Ministry Head has stated that the deadline for registration has passed. If you wish to obtain an official position, you’ll have to wait for the upcoming examination.”
“Ministry Head?” Bai Zi Feng said dismissively. “Who does Feng Chiyue think she is? What right does she have to determine the status and fate of the Feather Clan?” He had heard all about Feng Chiyue, but with a Star Monarch as his backer, he had no qualms about speaking his mind, his arrogance on full display.
Que Chen Yi was initially angered, then a flicker of pity appeared in her eyes. This young man had clearly never learned the meaning of “disaster emanating from the mouth.” It seemed this generation of the Feather Clan was truly lacking in education. Well, that was probably why she had been chosen to be the Assistant Ministry Head. While Bai Zi Feng continued to rant, she discreetly took a few steps back. The already terrified officials were now shaking like leaves.
The sword, radiating a brilliant light, descended in a flash.
By the time Bai Zi Feng sensed the danger, the sword had pierced through his chest, pinning him to the stone steps. Blood streamed from the gaping wound, staining the steps crimson. While the injury wouldn’t be fatal, as he struggled to get up, a foot pressed down on his back, heavy as a mountain, forcing him back down. His head slammed against the stone steps with a sickening thud.
Bai Zi Feng’s ears rang, and his vision blurred. He struggled to regain his senses, channeling his magic power to break free from the restraint. But his magic was instantly suppressed, surging chaotically through his meridians, forcing him to vomit blood. “Y-You…” He choked out a few broken words, which were swept away by the wind and drowned out by the sound of his head repeatedly hitting the stone. Ming Jian Su, standing on his back, had grabbed his hair and was smashing his head against the ground. The hard stone steps started to crack. Bai Zi Feng’s nose broke, his teeth scattered, and his face became a bloody mess.
“Why don’t you continue? Don’t you like talking?” Ming Jian Su asked calmly, her voice laced with a chilling killing intent. The entire Celestial Feather Ministry fell silent. No one dared to intervene. After receiving Que Chen Yi’s message, a wave of anger had surged through Ming Jian Su. Even when she was present, someone had dared to be so insolent, causing trouble in the Celestial Feather Ministry. How had they treated her junior sister when she wasn’t around? Couldn’t they just behave themselves? Why did they have to constantly create problems? She was already exhausted! Couldn’t these immortals be a bit more sensible?
Feng Chiyue had arrived with Ming Jian Su. She stood nearby, her arms crossed, watching Bai Zi Feng get beaten with amusement.
Although Bai Zi Feng couldn’t fight back, he could still scream. However, his cries gradually weakened, becoming as thin and fragile as a thread in the wind.
“M-Ministry Head?” Que Chen Yi, her legs trembling, approached Feng Chiyue. She had never seen Ming Jian Su fight before. Her impression of her was mostly pieced together from descriptions on the Chaos Mirror. No wonder no one had dared to bully Feng Chiyue. Ming Jian Su might appear ethereal and otherworldly, but her temper was a hundred times more explosive than Feng Chiyue’s. “He’s the direct disciple of the White Phase Star Monarch,” she reminded her cautiously.
“My Elder Sister is just disciplining a dog. Is there a problem with that?” Feng Chiyue retorted. She had beaten Jing De Immortal Monarch, and the Minister of Heavenly Salaries hadn’t said a word.
Que Chen Yi: “…” These two would probably cheer each other on regardless of what they did.
Feng Chiyue turned to Ming Jian Su. “Elder Sister, he broke our puppets. He needs to be kept alive to pay for them.” Glancing at the bloodstains on the ground with disgust, she cast a cleaning spell, brushing it over Ming Jian Su. Still not satisfied, she took out a handkerchief and carefully wiped Ming Jian Su’s hands, which were stained with Bai Zi Feng’s blood.
“Let’s be a bit more civilized next time,” she muttered. The sight of blood was rather distasteful.
Que Chen Yi looked at Feng Chiyue in surprise, thinking she was finally considering the consequences of their actions. But before a relieved smile could form on her face, Ming Jian Su’s reply stunned her.
“Alright, I’ll listen to you. Next time, I’ll just kill them outright.”
Que Chen Yi: “…” Did they really consider that “civilized”?
After cleaning Ming Jian Su’s hands, Feng Chiyue’s disgust towards Bai Zi Feng intensified. With a flick of her sleeve, a one-foot-tall pillar appeared on the ground. Channeling her magic power into it, she made it grow to ten feet tall. The pillar, forged from unknown materials, radiated a fierce and ominous aura, with sword intent and lightning crackling around its surface. Feng Chiyue pointed at Bai Zi Feng and instructed Que Chen Yi, “Hang this Swan Goose on the pillar. Make an example of him to deter others.”
“Then upload the scene onto the Chaos Mirror, so those dimwitted fools can learn their lesson.”
Que Chen Yi remained silent. Ming Jian Su’s sharp gaze swept over her, sending a shiver down her spine. “Yes, Ministry Head,” she said immediately. There might have been a chance to resolve this matter privately, but now that they were hanging Bai Zi Feng and broadcasting it for everyone to see, they were essentially spitting in the White Phase Star Monarch’s face. There was no room for reconciliation.
Ming Jian Su, holding Feng Chiyue’s hand, spoke casually, as if no one else was present. “The White Phase Star Monarch cares about his reputation. He’ll definitely come seeking revenge for his disciple. He’s also one of the bidders for the Zhenyu Sword. I’ll beat him half to death and casually mention the sword. When the auction starts, I’ll open with one Cinnabar Jade. Any other Star Monarch who wants to compete with me better think twice.”
Feng Chiyue smiled brightly. “Thank you for your hard work, Elder Sister.”
Que Chen Yi, with trembling hands, hung Bai Zi Feng on the pillar. Distracted for a moment, she was struck by a bolt of lightning, several strands of her hair standing on end. When she looked back, she only saw Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue walking away, their figures receding into the distance. A wave of resentment washed over her. Who was actually doing the hard work here? With these two together, it was double the disregard for others’ lives! Then, thinking of the massive amount of Cinnabar Jade, her resentment faded. She instructed the timid officials to clean up the mess, then took out the Chaos Mirror and contacted Chang Huai.
Several puppets had been destroyed, and she needed replacements.
“Fellow Daoist Chang Huai, did you cut corners when making these puppets? Why did they break so easily?” Que Chen Yi sent a picture of the broken puppet parts to Chang Huai, hoping to bargain for a lower price.
Chang Huai: “…” She made puppets for chores, not for combat. If they wanted sturdier puppets, sure, but that would cost extra.
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