Chapter 36 p1
Money was truly a matter that could strain relationships. After much haggling with Chang Huai, Que Chen Yi finally managed to get her to reluctantly shave off a small fraction of the price. Chang Huai then inquired about the reason for needing so many new puppets. Since Bai Zi Feng was already hanging on the pillar for all of the Immortal Realm to see, there was no point in hiding it. Que Chen Yi recounted everything that had happened.
Chang Huai was stunned for a moment, then said, “Won’t Baiyang Immortal Abode have to pay for damages? They’re paying for new puppets. Why are you still being so stingy?”
Que Chen Yi: “…” Was Chang Huai’s focus a bit strange? “Be content,” she said. “If the Ministry Head were negotiating with you, would you dare to ask for such a high price?”
Chang Huai fell silent, conceding the point. The Immortal Realm was truly an unfortunate place. Back in the mortal realm, the artifacts she crafted were highly sought after and fetched a high price. How was it that ascending to a higher realm hadn’t improved her life but instead made it more difficult and miserable?
On the Chaos Mirror, the image of Bai Zi Feng hanging on the pillar spread like wildfire. There were no lengthy explanations, just a few lines emphasizing Bai Zi Feng’s arrogance, his disrespectful words towards the Celestial Feather Ministry, and his wanton destruction of the Ministry’s valuable property.
— That Swan Goose is in a truly pitiful state.
— If I remember correctly, he’s the direct disciple of the White Phase Star Monarch*, right? And the White Phase Star Monarch is very protective of his own…
— Oh, this is going to be good.
At that moment, the White Phase Star Monarch* was playing chess with a fellow Daoist, discussing profound concepts and enjoying himself immensely. However, when an attendant hurried over and whispered a few words in his ear, his face immediately changed. With a sharp click, his chess piece landed on the board. He stood up abruptly and said to Zhen Yuan Zhenren(True person)*, the immortal he was playing with, “Apologies, fellow Daoist, but I have urgent matters to attend to.” Ignoring Zhen Yuan True Person’s reaction, he transformed into a streak of light and vanished.
Zhen Yuan True Person frowned and turned to the immortal sitting beside him, a beautiful woman with narrow, fox-like eyes, who was sipping tea with a faint smile. “Fellow Daoist Xiu Rong, do you know what’s happening with Fellow Daoist Baiyang?” he asked, puzzled. Although they were wandering immortals, they occasionally socialized with the White Phase Star Monarch. This was the first time they had seen him lose his composure like this.
“I don’t know,” Tushan Xiu Rong replied, taking out the Chaos Mirror. She glanced at it and her eyes widened in surprise. She pushed the mirror towards Zhen Yuan True Person. On the screen, a disheveled Swan Goose, covered in blood, was hanging from a pillar. Every now and then, bolts of lightning and sword intent struck his body, his appearance truly pitiful. Zhen Yuan True Person initially thought it was an execution by the Celestial Pivot Department, but upon closer inspection, he saw the words “Celestial Feather Ministry” and “Bai Zi Feng.” “Isn’t this Fellow Daoist Baiyang’s direct disciple?” he exclaimed. He stood up abruptly and paced back and forth. “So Fellow Daoist Baiyang is going to seek justice for his disciple? Is he heading to Dong’e Mountain?”
“Probably,” Tushan Xiu Rong said casually.
Seeing her nonchalant attitude, Zhen Yuan True Person grew anxious. He snatched her teacup away. “We need to stop Fellow Daoist Baiyang! We can’t let him cause any trouble.” Fellow Daoist Baiyang had achieved enlightenment a thousand years ago and looked down on those who had ascended hundreds of years after him, even powerful figures like Ming Jian Su and Ming Yu Heng, who had become generals in the Heavenly Emperor’s army. Knowing his indulgent nature towards his disciple, he would definitely retaliate. And the Celestial Feather Ministry, even if they had a reason, couldn’t they have resolved this matter privately? Why did they have to broadcast it on the Chaos Mirror, humiliating everyone involved?
Tushan Xiu Rong stood up leisurely. She had a good relationship with Zhen Yuan True Person and owed him a great debt of gratitude. As for the White Phase Star Monarch, he was just someone she occasionally discussed the Dao with. As a fox immortal from Qingqiu, she had avoided the Heavenly Court for many years. While she was still hesitating, Zhen Yuan True Person grabbed her sleeve and summoned a cloud, heading towards Kunlun Mountain.
The White Phase Star Monarch was three thousand years old, a Heavenly Immortal by birth. His position as a Star Monarch had been bestowed upon him by the previous Heavenly Emperor. After the war between the immortals and demons, many had perished. As time passed, he had risen from an insignificant immortal to become one of the “elders” of the Heavenly Court. Even the current Heavenly Emperor treated him with courtesy. He had always enjoyed a smooth and easy life. How could he tolerate such an insult? The Celestial Feather Ministry’s attack on Bai Zi Feng was a slap in his face, a blatant sign of disrespect! How could he not be enraged?
He summoned his sword. A faint, rainbow-colored aura enveloped him. As he activated his movement technique, the air around him crackled and tore, leaving behind a long trail of energy. His destination was the Celestial Feather Ministry, but upon reaching the outskirts of Kunlun Mountain, he realized he couldn’t enter. They had clearly activated their defensive formations. Rage burned within him, but he retained a sliver of rationality, choosing not to unleash his full power within Kunlun Mountain. Instead, he redirected his sword towards Dong’e Mountain!
He knew about the major reforms within the Celestial Feather Ministry, but it was none of his business. Yet they had chosen to provoke him.
In Dong’e Mountain.
Ming Jian Su had just finished weaving a hammock from green vines.
She looked up towards the sky outside the mountain and said softly, “He’s here.”
Feng Chiyue nodded absentmindedly, then jumped into the hammock. She crossed her arms, two birds perched on her shoulders, a carefree smile on her face. The hammock swayed gently, the breeze tinkling the golden bells hanging from its edges, their sound clear and melodious.
Ming Jian Su gazed at Feng Chiyue, watching as sunlight streamed through the leaves and dappled her body like scattered gold. After a moment, she reached out and pointed above the hammock. A small, translucent lotus leaf, shimmering with a jade-like green, appeared, shielding Feng Chiyue’s face from the sun. “Wait for me,” she said. Seeing that Feng Chiyue was still playing with the small birds, she felt a pang of displeasure. She snorted and rested her hand on the hammock, her gaze fixed on Feng Chiyue. “Junior Sister, why are you ignoring me?”
Feng Chiyue sat up slightly and kissed the corner of Ming Jian Su’s lips. “Alright, come back soon,” she said with a smile.
Ming Jian Su’s eyes lit up, and she nodded vigorously. Although her junior sister spent her days playing with flowers, birds, and other small creatures, she still cared about her the most! She couldn’t keep her waiting. As she turned to leave, she glanced back at Feng Chiyue in the hammock. Of course, her attempt to exchange a meaningful look was met with indifference. Her longing gaze was completely ignored.
Outside the mountain, the White Phase Star Monarch had arrived.
His face was contorted with rage, and the sword in his hand radiated a murderous aura. Before he could attack Dong’e Mountain, a flying message shot towards him like a shooting star. He reached out and caught it. The message contained two words: “Death Duel.” Once a name seal was placed on a Death Duel invitation, it meant that the Heavenly Court and the Celestial Pivot Department wouldn’t intervene, regardless of the outcome.
The White Phase Star Monarch didn’t place his seal. He stared at Ming Jian Su, who was walking towards him, his voice cold. “You’ve gone too far, East Abode Master.”
“You can still turn back, Star Monarch,” Ming Jian Su said, her expression as cold and frosty as snow. “Your disciple failed to register on time, that’s one mistake. As a wandering immortal, he attacked the Finance Hall after failing to obtain his resources, that’s another mistake. Do you still intend to seek justice for him?”
“Wandering immortal?” The White Phase Star Monarch hissed through gritted teeth. His disciple, whose status was equivalent to a Ministry Head, second only to Star Monarchs and Assistant Monarchs, was considered a wandering immortal? “Who are you to determine my disciple’s status?”
“Then let him be reborn into a different clan next time.” The White Phase Star Monarch’s reaction was within Ming Jian Su’s expectations. She released two beams of sword light, then asked casually, her gaze fixed on him, “Why haven’t you placed your seal? If you’re too cowardly, then leave my Dong’e Mountain.”
Enraged by Ming Jian Su’s provocation, the White Phase Star Monarch roared, flicked his finger, and slammed his name seal onto the Death Duel invitation. “You arrogant child, I’ll teach you what true power—” Before he could finish his sentence, the sound of a sword cry cut him off. A torrent of sword energy surged towards him, accompanied by a violent tremor, like thunder and lightning sweeping across the sky. The White Phase Star Monarch’s expression turned serious. Abandoning his arrogant posturing, he channeled his magical power. His robe shimmered with a divine light, and his sword, imbued with the power of wind and thunder, clashed against the incoming sword energy.
By the time Zhen Yuan True Person and Tushan Xiu Rong arrived at Dong’e Mountain, the two were already engaged in a fierce battle. A defensive formation enveloped Dong’e Mountain, but the ground outside was shattered, crisscrossed with deep fissures. A powerful storm raged, its energy sweeping outwards like a raging tide. The scene was simultaneously broadcast on the Chaos Mirror, as there were other immortals residing nearby. They scrambled to contain the shockwaves that threatened their abodes while watching the deadly duel unfold.
— Fellow Daoist, don’t stop recording! I’m heading to Dong’e Mountain right now!
— I knew the White Phase Star Monarch wouldn’t back down.
— Who do you think will win, fellow Daoists?
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T/N:
1. Zhen Yuan True Person | 镇元真人
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镇元 (Zhen Yuan): This is likely a Daoist title referencing “镇元大仙 (Zhèn Yuán Dà Xiān),” a prominent figure in the classic Chinese novel Journey to the West. He is known as the “Earth Immortal Patriarch” and is immensely powerful, responsible for guarding the mystical ginseng fruit tree.
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真人 (Zhen Ren): Literally means “True Person” is a Daoist term for an accomplished cultivator who has achieved a high level of spiritual realization. (Daoist spiritual master)
2. White Phase Star Monarch | 白相星君 could be also translated as Baixiang Star Monarch
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白 (Bai): White
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相 (Xiang): Phase or Aspect
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星君 (Xing Jun): Star Monarch or Star Lord.
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