Chapter 39
The immortals of Danxue Mountain were furious.
Yun Ze, Assistant Monarch of the Celestial Pivot Department, was equally frustrated. He had been watching the drama unfold on the Chaos Mirror, clueless that it would involve the Celestial Pivot Department. But with the situation escalating, he had no choice but to come in person. Glancing ahead, he saw the elders of the Vermilion Birds, Bifangs, and other factions, their expressions fierce and hostile, their forces assembled. Some Feather Clan members were attempting to extinguish the fire engulfing Danxue Mountain, but the flames only raged higher, showing no signs of weakening.
It seemed the immortals of Danxue Mountain would have to relocate, Yun Ze concluded.
“What are you two doing here?” he asked politely, forcing a smile despite the angry glares of the Feather Clan, even though he already knew the answer.
Ming Jian Su was about to speak when Feng Chiyue squeezed her finger, silencing her. Feng Chiyue raised an eyebrow and looked ahead with a playful smile. “We’re here to collect the Zhenyu Sword. My Elder Sister spent a fortune to win it at auction.”
A fortune, meaning one Cinnabar Jade? Yun Ze’s eyelids twitched. Glancing at the enraged Feather Clan, he sighed inwardly at Feng Chiyue’s knack for adding fuel to the fire. “Is that so?” he asked the Vermilion Bird Elder.
“Nonsense!” the Vermilion Bird Elder roared, unable to contain his fury. “She destroyed our formation and set fire to Danxue Mountain!”
“I already told you, my Elder Sister is a sword cultivator. She can’t control fire,” Feng Chiyue said with a sigh, her expression pained. “Even when making false accusations, you should at least be somewhat believable. Why not just say I was the one who burned down Danxue Mountain?”
Ming Jian Su smiled faintly, thinking her junior sister’s ability to lie through her teeth had improved. She flicked her hand, and three swords materialized before them, their sharp sword intent devoid of any fiery aura.
Yun Ze also doubted that Ming Jian Su was responsible. Based on her past behavior, if she had been truly displeased with Danxue Mountain, she would have simply cleaved the mountain in two. Why bother setting it on fire? Besides, those raging crimson flames were clearly the same type of fire used by the Feather Clan. He rubbed his forehead, pondering how to smooth things over.
The Vermilion Bird Elder’s gaze fell on Ming Jian Su’s Eternal Sword, its three phoenix feathers shimmering with a beautiful and mysterious light.
Noticing his gaze, Feng Chiyue chuckled. “If you think your sword looks too plain, you can pluck your own feathers to decorate it. Why are you staring at my Elder Sister’s sword? Are you jealous that she has such a generous junior sister?”
Her words immediately connected the phoenix feathers to Feng Chiyue in Yun Ze’s mind. He examined the feathers, but they didn’t seem unusual. He looked at the Vermilion Bird Elder suspiciously. Weren’t they supposed to be investigating the fire in Danxue Mountain? Why were they focused on the East Abode Master’s sword? He cleared his throat. “The flames in Danxue Mountain seem to be caused by a shift in the earth’s energy, an eruption of earth fire, wouldn’t you agree?”
“It’s a curse from our ancestors,” Feng Chiyue interjected, fabricating a convenient lie. “We all know what’s really going on in Danxue Mountain. By denying their past, the Vermilion Birds and Bifangs are essentially denying their own ancestors. This fire is clearly a manifestation of their ancestors’ anger.”
Yun Ze was startled by her words, a flicker of guilt surfacing within him. He had also silently supported that decision back then. After all, the war with the demons had been exhausting and perilous. Exchanging the Phoenix Sovereign for peace between the two realms had seemed like the best solution. Sacrificing one for the sake of everyone’s peace and quiet was a good deal. What was there to hesitate about?
The Vermilion Bird Elder glared at Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue, his voice cold. “Why did you disrupt the earth’s energy in Danxue Mountain, East Abode Master?”
“You overestimate my abilities, Fellow Daoist,” Ming Jian Su replied calmly.
“The Danxue Mountain formation is connected to the earth’s energy. It’s not made of paper,” Feng Chiyue said in support of Ming Jian Su. Seeing the Vermilion Bird Elder’s darkening expression, she added with a sly smile, “If I wanted to enter your Danxue Mountain, why would I need to damage the formation?”
The Vermilion Bird Elder: “…” Not long ago, Feng Chiyue had secretly infiltrated Danxue Mountain and abducted a Vermilion Bird. They had subsequently modified the formation, but it was still based on Danxue Mountain’s natural energy flow. They couldn’t completely rebuild it. Everything they possessed was built upon the foundation of the past.
Feng Chiyue flicked the bell hanging from her waist, its sound clear and melodious. “You claim my Elder Sister damaged the Danxue Mountain formation,” she said, a mysterious smile on her lips. “Do you have any evidence?”
The Vermilion Bird Elder hadn’t witnessed the moment the formation collapsed. He turned to the Swan Goose Elder, whose face was pale, and asked in a low voice, “Fellow Daoist?”
The Swan Goose Elder winced, his eyes bloodshot. He hadn’t seen Ming Jian Su or Feng Chiyue. All he remembered was Eternal Sword hovering in the air. He couldn’t recall what happened next. When he regained his senses, he was already prostrated on the ground, pinned down by an invisible force.
“My Elder Sister knew that the Feather Clan in Danxue Mountain resented the Celestial Feather Ministry, so she thoughtfully avoided them and sent Eternal Sword to retrieve the Zhenyu Sword. But Eternal Sword never returned. Worried that Eternal Sword might also end up at an auction on the Chaos Mirror, my Elder Sister had no choice but to come herself. Who knew that Danxue Mountain…” She paused, replacing her initial accusation with a sigh of lament. “Alas.”
Yun Ze’s ears perked up. Was she implying that the Zhenyu Sword had been stolen? Knowing the Danxue Mountain lineage’s methods, it was highly possible. “It seems this matter is indeed unrelated to Dong’e Mountain,” he declared. Even if Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue were responsible, they had no evidence. What could they do? Ignoring the furious glares of the Vermilion Birds, he continued, “Perhaps you should focus on extinguishing the fire, fellow Daoists?” He glanced at the sky, where numerous magical treasures were flying about, their brilliant lights illuminating the chaotic scene. They were expending a tremendous amount of effort, but it was all for naught.
“Aren’t you afraid of retribution, East Abode Master?” the Vermilion Bird Elder said darkly. He knew he couldn’t count on the Celestial Pivot Department’s support, but with Yun Ze present, he couldn’t confront Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue directly.
If there was such a thing as retribution, why were the Heavenly Emperor and the Danxue Mountain lineage still alive? Ming Jian Su laughed softly. “Those who tried to seek revenge against me are all dead,” she said calmly. She had fought her way through the mortal realm. Did they really think she was a pushover? Her seemingly casual words were laced with a chilling killing intent. Even Yun Ze, standing a few steps away, felt a shiver run down his spine. He discreetly moved closer to his chariot.
“Very well! Very well! Very well!” the Vermilion Bird Elder spat out, then turned and flew towards Danxue Mountain. After erasing all traces of the Phoenix, they had controlled Danxue Mountain for a thousand years. Their treasury and their scriptures were all there. Now that the entire mountain was ablaze, who knew how much would be left? First the humiliation of the single Cinnabar Jade, then this blatant display of force, it seemed Ming Jian Su was determined to make an enemy of them.
“Did you see the Phoenix Sovereign?” he asked the Swan Goose Elder.
The Swan Goose Elder shook his head. “I don’t know,” he said slowly, a look of confusion in his eyes. “I think I heard the cry of a Phoenix.” Could it be that the Phoenix Sovereign had truly returned for revenge?
The Vermilion Bird Elder scoffed. “It must have been Ming Jian Su playing tricks. Don’t forget, she has a Phoenix by her side!”
“Even Phoenix Mountain can’t explain Feng Chiyue’s origins. Could it be that—” The Swan Goose Elder stopped mid-sentence, shaking his head. “No, that’s impossible. She valued our ancestral land deeply.”
The Vermilion Bird Elder ignored him, his brow furrowed. “We can’t coexist with Dong’e Mountain. What should we do next? How can we eliminate them?” Killing in the Immortal Realm was too risky. They needed another method. Perhaps they could make that “death” rumor a reality. A dark glint flashed in his eyes.
—
On their way back, Feng Chiyue was still grumbling about the Cinnabar Jade. “One Cinnabar Jade! Such a waste.” Giving it to the Danxue Mountain lineage would have been a waste, and they hadn’t even accepted it. That poor Cinnabar Jade had been crushed into dust in front of everyone. She leaned against Ming Jian Su as they walked, her posture less than graceful. Ming Jian Su sighed and scooped her up into her arms. “I’ll give you a Cinnabar Jade later,” she said soothingly.
Feng Chiyue wrapped her arms around Ming Jian Su’s neck, looked into her warm, bright eyes, and pouted. “No.” After a moment, she added, “What’s yours is mine. There’s no need to transfer it from one hand to the other.”
Ming Jian Su thought about it and agreed. “Then I’ll have Zhu Wan give it to you.”
Feng Chiyue nodded in satisfaction, burying her face in Ming Jian Su’s embrace. “I’m exhausted from moving that spirit stone,” she said dramatically.
“It’s all their fault for being so unreasonable,” Ming Jian Su said, agreeing with her. Couldn’t they just behave themselves? After a moment, something occurred to her. “Oh,” she said, looking at Feng Chiyue, who looked up at her curiously. “Chang Li didn’t show up.”
Danxue Mountain wasn’t far from South Li Mountain. Chang Li might not have cared about the Zhenyu Sword auction, but with Danxue Mountain in ruins, surely she couldn’t remain indifferent? Hadn’t she betrayed the Phoenix Sovereign to gain control of Danxue Mountain and become the ruler of the Feather Clan? Was she deliberately avoiding them, or was she simply not in South Li Mountain? “She’s closest to the Heavenly Emperor,” Ming Jian Su said thoughtfully, a theory forming in her mind.
“Who cares about her?” Feng Chiyue said lazily. She raised her right hand and trailed her fingers down Ming Jian Su’s chin, gently tapping her throat. Ming Jian Su’s thoughts scattered, her eyes darkening. After a moment, she smiled. “You’re right. She doesn’t matter.” Any obstacle would be removed.
Feng Chiyue didn’t pay much attention to her words. She only felt the arm around her waist tighten. She gazed at Ming Jian Su’s delicate neck, mischief sparkling in her eyes. Caressing it with her fingers wasn’t enough. She leaned forward and kissed it lightly. Ming Jian Su shuddered, a blush creeping up her cheeks, a flicker of desire in her eyes. “Junior Sister!” she exclaimed playfully.
Feng Chiyue’s smile deepened. She snuggled against Ming Jian Su’s shoulder. “Be careful, don’t drop me.”
The Cinnabar Jade was temporarily forgotten, but the discussion on the Chaos Mirror continued.
After all, a post titled “Fire Engulfs Danxue Mountain, Legendary Sword Acquired by Dong’e Mountain” had appeared, and every immortal who saw it couldn’t help but click on it, wanting to know if the two events were related. If they were… they would have to carefully review their memories and make sure they hadn’t offended Dong’e Mountain in any way.
— A legendary sword worth only one Cinnabar Jade? Alas…
This sigh echoed the sentiments of many, even Ying Cunxin. But then she corrected herself. It wasn’t just one Cinnabar Jade. It was the East Abode Master herself. She had initially wanted to buy the Zhenyu Sword for Chu Yi, but seeing Ming Jian Su’s bid, she knew it was a situation she couldn’t afford to get involved in and immediately abandoned the idea. However, she didn’t exit the Chaos Mirror to chat with Chu Yi. Instead, she continued to follow the events unfolding in Danxue Mountain and Dong’e Mountain, until the news of the fire broke out.
The Celestial Pivot Department had left a message, stating that the incident was unrelated to Dong’e Mountain and the cause was unknown.
Ying Cunxin didn’t believe it.
Although she had only met them a few times, she was certain that Ming Jian Su, for Feng Chiyue’s sake, was capable of anything.
Facing the entire Danxue Mountain lineage alone… how powerful was she? How much stronger was she than Chu Yi? With these thoughts in mind, she finally opened a chat with Chu Yi. However, she chose not to reveal her face, communicating through text instead.
— If you were to fight the East Abode Master, Your Highness, what are your chances of winning?
Chu Yi, who had been waiting a long time for Ying Cunxin’s reply, fell silent.
Ming Jian Su didn’t bother interacting with her, but that didn’t mean she was afraid or anything. She wasn’t that arrogant. Perhaps an 80/20 split? The thought materialized in her mind, but she didn’t send it. She erased it carefully. Why was Ying Cunxin asking such a question? Could it be that she was no longer interested in fighting her and was looking for a new opponent?
The more Chu Yi thought about it, the more her brow furrowed. She stood up abruptly. “I can’t let this happen,” she muttered to herself. She had seen some rumors about the Dragon Princess recently, claiming that she was drawn to strength and never looked back at the weak. Had she been deemed “weak”? Was that why she was no longer actively seeking her out? The thought infuriated her. She bit her lip, her eyes welling up. Suppressing her rising anger, she pretended not to see Ying Cunxin’s question and replied, “I’ll handle this matter of your father forcing you to marry someone from the West Sea.”
Without waiting for a reply, she put away the Chaos Mirror. Surely this showed her sincerity, right?
Ying Cunxin: “?” How was she planning to handle it?
—
In Phoenix Mountain.
Bright lamps illuminated the hall, casting long shadows on the Phoenix Elder. Seated before her were the elders of the Chongming, Azure Dragon, and other factions, their expressions solemn, their brows furrowed with worry.
They naturally celebrated the misfortune of those traitors.
But that was Danxue Mountain. Their ancestral land, lost for a thousand years, but still holding the accumulated legacy of the Feather Clan, spanning thousands, even tens of thousands of years.
Others might not know, but they had seen it. The flames raging there resembled a catastrophic fire, one that even the Vermilion Birds, with all their power, couldn’t extinguish. Danxue Mountain had become an inferno, destined to burn to ashes. They had hoped countless times that those traitors would vacate Danxue Mountain, but they had never imagined it would end like this, in such a decisive and destructive manner.
Phoenix Mountain was just a temporary residence. Their true home was Danxue Mountain, and now it was gone.
“Did the East Abode Master and Feng Chiyue do this?” a voice asked, filled with a mixture of gratitude for their blood being avenged, as well as a strange resentment and confusion.
“Could it be that our Sovereign has returned?” the Phoenix Elder murmured. She thought of Nirvana, the Phoenix’s Virtuous Sound, the Celestial Feather Career Book… everything pointed towards an unbelievable possibility. Their Sovereign had already returned, but the world had changed. Everything was different now.
“Our Sovereign took revenge on Danxue Mountain? But would she destroy our ancestral land?” The speaker was a young elder from the Mandarin Duck Clan. She hadn’t experienced the Fall of the Phoenix and didn’t know about the events that had been erased from history.
Before the Phoenix Elder could respond, the Azure Dragon Elder chuckled bitterly. “Do you remember Feng Xiu?” The mention of this name darkened the expressions of those who knew, while those who didn’t stared at them with confusion and curiosity. At this point, the Phoenix Elder decided to reveal the hidden truth.
Driven by the Heavenly Emperor’s selfish desires, the war between the immortals and demons had dragged on for fifty years. Although it was but a fleeting moment in the grand scheme of time, the immortals, accustomed to a life of comfort and luxury, had grown weary of the constant battles. When Ming Ji offered to exchange the Phoenix Sovereign for peace, many had agreed. But what had truly shaken the Feather Clan was the dissent within their own ranks.
“The Vermilion Birds, Golden Pheasants, Swan Gooses, and Bifangs agreed with the Heavenly Emperor’s plan. And within our Phoenix Mountain…” The Phoenix Elder’s voice trembled, and she paused for a long moment. “There was also disagreement. Not everyone supported the Phoenix Sovereign. They called it ‘righteousness.’ Hesitant and uncertain, we chose a successor, Feng Xiu. We claimed it was just a precaution, in case the worst happened, but in our hearts…”
This was also a betrayal, a painful memory that those who knew tried to bury deep within their hearts. The Phoenix Elder’s voice choked with emotion, and the Azure Dragon Elder continued the story. “Feng Xiu was killed by our Sovereign. Not just Feng Xiu, but many others from the Feather Clan perished by her sword. It was our internal strife that gave the Heavenly Emperor an opportunity. Most of the factions that participated in the war joined forces to suppress our Sovereign, forcing her into the Demon Realm.”
“We weren’t as resolute as the Vermilion Birds. For two hundred years, we lived in a daze, consumed by guilt. When the Suxin Sword Master stormed into the Demon Realm and returned with Ming Ji’s head, our guilt reached its peak. The Demon Realm wasn’t impenetrable. All that talk of ‘righteousness’ was just a facade, a way for the weak and cowardly to justify their pursuit of comfort and pleasure, deceiving themselves and others.”
“The one who committed the greatest sin is still sitting on that throne, enjoying everything bestowed upon him by the Mandate of Heaven. If our Sovereign returns, she might hate us too.”
The betrayal of loved ones was the cruelest and most painful wound.
Silence descended upon the hall, the air heavy.
After a long while, the Phoenix Elder finally spoke. “With the major reforms in the Celestial Feather Ministry, we finally have a path to establish ourselves in the Heavenly Court. How are the younger generations’ studies coming along?”
“Some are complaining. When the Vermilion Birds controlled the Ministry, those factions could easily obtain official positions with a simple request. But now, there’s an impartial examination.”
The Phoenix Elder sighed. The Vermilion Birds, Bifangs, and others were silently falling into depravity. Could Phoenix Mountain avoid the same fate? Envy and resentment were breeding within their ranks. Once they lost their balance, it would damage their cultivation. “Let them stew for a while,” she said.
—
The next day, a Phoenix gracefully descended upon Dong’e Mountain, transforming into a human and landing gracefully. It was Feng Yao, who had received news of the fire in Danxue Mountain. Like the Vermilion Birds, she believed Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue were responsible, and her heart was filled with anger. Feng Chiyue had already burned Danxue Mountain once. Wasn’t that enough? Did she need to do it again?
Zhu Wan had woken up early to practice her swordsmanship. She had developed a casual relationship with Feng Yao through the Chaos Mirror and allowed her into the mountain. However, she was stunned by Feng Yao’s barrage of accusations. It took her a while to recover. “The Celestial Pivot Department already said it! The fire in Danxue Mountain has nothing to do with our Dong’e Mountain!”
Feng Yao scoffed. “Do you even believe that yourself?”
Zhu Wan: “…” Alright, she didn’t, but she had to pretend she did in front of outsiders. Just as she was about to respond, a clear voice interrupted them. She hurriedly turned and bowed. “Greetings, Master.”
Ming Jian Su nodded. “Give me a Cinnabar Jade,” she said.
Zhu Wan blinked in confusion, but she obediently produced one and handed it to Ming Jian Su. Ming Jian Su carefully put it away, then said gently, “Go practice your swordsmanship.” After Zhu Wan left, she turned to Feng Yao, whose face was cold. “What brings you to Dong’e Mountain, Fellow Daoist?” she asked calmly.
Feng Yao sensed a coldness and detachment in her words. Ignoring it for now, she frowned. “Where’s Feng Chiyue?”
A flicker of anger and mockery flashed in Ming Jian Su’s eyes. “When I wasn’t here, Phoenix Mountain showed my junior sister much kindness, and I’m eternally grateful. But I’ve returned now. There’s no need for my junior sister to have any further connections with Phoenix Mountain. Please don’t come looking for her again.”
Feng Yao: “…” How could the East Abode Master change her tune so quickly? Was there any real gratitude in those cold words? She suppressed her frustration and met Ming Jian Su’s icy gaze. “I have to ask about the incident in Danxue Mountain.”
The Phoenixes were understandably upset about the destruction of their ancestral land. But what did it have to do with her? Why should she sympathize with them? Ming Jian Su stared at Feng Yao’s accusatory gaze. “Why don’t you ask your own elders?”
Feng Yao’s heart sank. Had the elders been involved as well? What role had they played? Why hadn’t they mentioned a single word about it?
Having delivered her message, Ming Jian Su ignored Feng Yao, who was lost in thought. She returned to the Dharma Hall and, with a flick of her sleeve, closed the doors. As she sat down beside the bed, Feng Chiyue, drowsy, snuggled closer to her. “Who was that?” she murmured.
“Feng Yao,” Ming Jian Su said. “I told her not to come again.” Seeing that Feng Chiyue hadn’t even opened her eyes, she gently brushed a strand of hair from her forehead and chuckled. “Do I seem like a villain who’s keeping you captive and forbidding you from interacting with your friends and family?” If her junior sister’s memories from before her Nirvana returned, would she blame her?
Feng Chiyue, still sleepy, spoke softly, her voice barely audible.
Ming Jian Su leaned closer to hear her.
“Only you.”
Ming Jian Su’s heart melted at those three simple words. She smiled, her gaze gentle and loving.
In that moment, all her efforts felt worthwhile.
Leave a Reply