Chapter 45
The rebellious demons had retreated from the battlefield between gods and demons. They had no intention of starting a full-scale war, so naturally, they wouldn’t cross the river separating the two realms and attack the Demon Abyss. As the group returned to Asura City, some breathed a sigh of relief, their faces filled with relaxed smiles, while others hung their heads, their eyes darting nervously, fearing punishment. This fear intensified upon reaching the central command center, where Chu Yi instructed the stationed official to activate the restrictions. The wandering immortals were terrified. Before Chu Yi could even speak, they collapsed to their knees.
Chu Yi ignored the wandering immortals. She spoke kindly to the officials who had worked hard, inquiring about the situation on the battlefield, then sent them to rest. As for Ming Jian Su, she didn’t even bother looking up. The fruits in Asura City couldn’t compare to those from Dong’e Mountain. Thankfully, she had brought plenty with her this time. They weren’t as fresh, but they were still better than nothing. Her junior sister had to endure these few days of hardship. Feng Chiyue sat beside Ming Jian Su, practically draped over her, her gaze lowered as she accepted the fruit being fed to her, completely ignoring the plight of the others.
Chu Yi, who had initially vented her frustration through battle, glanced at Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue several times, her irritation resurfacing. She could only glare at the terrified wandering immortals. Her anger had no effect on Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue. She wished they would simply vanish from the hall, but unfortunately, she still needed to get to the bottom of this matter. She knew that the Heavenly Court was rife with corruption, and she could tolerate minor transgressions, but “treason” was unforgivable.
“It was Peng Ning from Pengyuan Mountain who contacted us,” one of the wandering immortals insisted, still trying to resist. “He invited us to the battlefield to slay demons.”
Chu Yi didn’t reply. She tapped her fingers on the table, the sound crisp and clear. She rested her chin on her hand, her gaze lowered, her black eyes as dark as ink.
“It was Peng Ning and the Daoist in yellow robes who wanted to deal with the East Abode Master,” another wandering immortal confessed, his voice trembling, changing his story as he desperately tried to exonerate himself. “But they felt their cultivation wasn’t strong enough, so they invited us to help.” He added, “The East Abode Master is a great hero, guarding the battlefield for the Immortal Realm. We would never do anything to harm her. We came here to stop those two Daoists at a crucial moment, to prevent them from making a grave mistake.”
Ming Jian Su finally spoke, her voice calm. “I don’t know Peng Ning well. We have no grudge.” She paused, then added, “Neither does my junior sister.”
Chu Yi scoffed. She looked at the cowering wandering immortals, her expression cold and haughty. Finally, she spoke. “Who was behind it?” Seeing the immortals hesitating, beating around the bush, she said impatiently, “Yuan Yao and Peng Ning have already confessed. There’s no point in resisting.” The crimes listed in the jade slip were already imprinted with Yuan Yao’s name seal. There was no denying it. She was simply looking for witnesses now, to prevent the Celestial Pivot Department from trying to smooth things over. Those from Danxue Mountain were getting bolder with each transgression, relying on her father’s trust. Were they determined to disrupt the peace of the Immortal Realm?
“They have their reasons,” Feng Chiyue suddenly interjected. She looked at the wandering immortals with a sympathetic smile. “I have a way to make them tell us everything.”
“Oh?” Chu Yi looked at Feng Chiyue skeptically. If those words had come from Ming Jian Su, she might have believed them. But Feng Chiyue… her smile didn’t bode well.
Feng Chiyue said casually, “Let’s search their souls.” If their mouths were useless, there were other ways to extract their memories.
The wandering immortals exchanged horrified glances. Was this something a decent immortal would say?
Chu Yi knew that Feng Chiyue never had any good ideas, but there were only a few of them here. Who would know if they used such a forbidden method? They could simply have the Celestial Pivot Department find a scapegoat to take the blame, and the matter would be swept under the rug. The idea appealed to her. She looked at the wandering immortals, her gaze cold and sharp, like a gleaming blade.
Whether they confessed or not, their fate seemed grim. But what if the Emperor’s daughter decided to protect them? After a moment of deliberation, they made their choice. They confessed everything, detailing the collusion between Danxue Mountain and Peng Ning, their plot to kill Ming Jian Su.
Chu Yi’s brows twitched. “Foolish,” she said coldly.
The wandering immortals’ faces fell. Indeed, how foolish they had been! They had been so confident of success, but now their accomplices were dead, their souls obliterated. And not only had they died, but they had also dragged them down with them. Consumed by fear, they had completely forgotten their greed upon hearing about the reward.
This incident at the battlefield was a major event that Chu Yi had to report. However, she knew her father’s attitude towards Danxue Mountain. He valued peace and stability above all else and preferred to avoid any conflict. If he received the news first, he might try to suppress everything. But her mother, now in charge of the Celestial Feather Ministry, had sufficient reason to intervene.
Having obtained evidence from the wandering immortals, Chu Yi asked Ming Jian Su a few more questions, then sent everything to her mother through the Chaos Mirror. Fearing that this wouldn’t be enough, she also contacted a few trusted immortals and spread rumors on the Chaos Mirror about Danxue Mountain colluding with the demons. The other immortals needed to be prepared.
In the Demon Abyss Palace.
Tushan Liusu listened to the report of her demon soldier, her brow furrowed. She interrupted his lengthy explanation and asked, “None of them returned?”
The soldier nodded nervously, not daring to look up.
Tushan Liusu’s expression shifted, then she burst out laughing. “It seems my old friend’s cultivation has improved considerably,” she said. After a pause, she added, “How useless. They perished so quickly. Make sure their spirit tablets are placed in the Hall of Heroes to honor our ancestors. Don’t let anyone know they were my subordinates. I wouldn’t want to be associated with such incompetence.” Silence descended upon the hall. No one dared to speak. After all, the last person who had suggested that Tushan Liusu shouldn’t insult their ancestors was already six feet under.
Tushan Liusu didn’t care what her subordinates thought. Her narrow fox eyes narrowed, a cunning smile playing on her lips. “Send another message to the Immortal Realm,” she instructed. “A thousand years of recuperation isn’t enough? The scars from the last war haven’t even healed yet. We’re all peace-loving people. How could we possibly start another conflict?” She knew about Danxue Mountain’s plan, but so what? As long as the Heavenly Emperor didn’t want to fight, her words would hold sway.
“Did Ming Jian Su cross into the Demon Abyss?” she suddenly asked, remembering something.
The soldier shook his head. If the East Abode Master had crossed into the Demon Abyss, he wouldn’t be the one delivering this report today.
Tushan Liusu waved her hand, dismissing her subordinates. Since Ming Jian Su hadn’t come yet, it wasn’t a good time to return her belongings. Oh well, she would eventually step into the Demon Abyss one day.
***
Back in Asura City, with Chu Yi taking charge of dealing with Danxue Mountain, Ming Jian Su was free to relax. Initially, she had wanted to go to the Demon Abyss herself to investigate any clues related to the Phoenix Sovereign, but seeing Feng Chiyue’s clear aversion to Asura City and the entire battlefield, she abandoned the idea. There was no need to rush things. The truth would eventually come to light. Her junior sister, sitting before her, was more important.
“Shall we return to Dong’e Mountain?” she asked softly. The Heavenly Emperor hadn’t responded yet, but if they left now, the worst he could do was accuse her of dereliction of duty.
Feng Chiyue shook her head. She blinked and said something that surprised Ming Jian Su. “Pengyuan Mountain.” Seeing Ming Jian Su’s stunned expression, she tapped her shoulder. “We’ll go to Pengyuan Mountain first, then to the Realm Beyond Heaven.” Those immortals might have carried Qiankun bags, but that wasn’t all their wealth. If they didn’t act quickly, the Heavenly Court would confiscate everything and distribute it among other officials!
Ming Jian Su’s eyes narrowed slightly. Feng Chiyue would never have had such thoughts before. She had never cared about the aftermath. During her month-long absence, her junior sister had truly grown, albeit in a direction she hadn’t anticipated.
Seeing Ming Jian Su lost in thought, Feng Chiyue straddled her lap, placed her hands on her shoulders, and said with a smile, “Aren’t you supposed to be supporting me, Elder Sister? But after resigning from all those part-time positions, is your meager salary even enough? Don’t tell me you’re planning to cut back on my expenses.” Absolutely not. She wouldn’t lower her standard of living!
Ming Jian Su kissed the corner of Feng Chiyue’s lips and said gently, “We’ll go after informing Chu Yi.” Since Peng Ning had been involved in colluding with the demons, it was perfectly reasonable for her, as the one in charge of conflicts with the demons, to go to Pengyuan Mountain to investigate. Even the Heavenly Emperor couldn’t object.
Upon hearing that Ming Jian Su was going to Pengyuan Mountain, Chu Yi didn’t suspect their motives. “Don’t worry about Asura City,” she said before letting them leave. She didn’t want to see these two lovebirds anymore. She couldn’t tell who had bewitched whom.
During a break from reviewing documents, Chu Yi took out the Chaos Mirror. Ying Cunxin’s name seal was completely silent. She scrolled through her past messages. She had once complained about Ying Cunxin being boring, but now, even that “boredom” was gone. Was Ying Cunxin busy? Or had she found another distraction and forgotten about her? Had she been played by Ying Cunxin again? She should never have agreed to add her back! The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. She slammed her hand on the table, making the copper vase holding the flowers tremble. An official quickly stabilized the vase with a spell, not daring to speak. Seeing the Emperor’s daughter so angry, the situation must be dire. Was Danxue Mountain… doomed?
***
Pengyuan Mountain.
A solitary peak rose sharply into the sky, piercing the clouds. Emerald vines clung to its cliffs, swaying gently in the wind. A waterfall, four or five zhang wide, cascaded down the rocks, its mist swirling like clouds, resembling a majestic white dragon from afar, its roar like thunder.
Ming Jian Su glanced at it and said with a sigh, “Peng Ning really knew how to choose a cave.” With the owner gone, the restrictions were as fragile as paper, easily shattered by her sword wind. The attendants in the mountain didn’t dare to flee. They knelt obediently on the ground, awaiting their fate. Ming Jian Su had no interest in them. Even if they were guilty of crimes, someone else would investigate them eventually. Sword light, as bright as a starry river, swirled around her. A quick-witted attendant scrambled to his feet and asked cautiously, “Would you like to see the treasury?” Hearing a cold “Yes,” he breathed a sigh of relief and hurriedly led the way.
“My master used to have a vast fortune, but after offending Suxin Jianzhu, most of the treasury was destroyed. Now, only about a tenth of it remains,” the attendant explained as they walked. It was because of the destroyed treasury that his master had accepted the job from Danxue Mountain after emerging from seclusion. Who would have thought that he would end up losing both his wealth and his life?
Hearing the name “Suxin Jianzhu,” Ming Jian Su was surprised. She raised an eyebrow but didn’t comment. As they approached the treasury, she suddenly sensed a faint sword intent. She stopped in her tracks, her gaze sharp and cold.
“It’s a good sword, Elder Sister,” Feng Chiyue said, also sensing it. She turned to look at Ming Jian Su, a smile playing on her lips.
The attendant, catching the word “sword,” quickly explained, “That’s the ruins of the old treasury. After Suxin Jianzhu left, her sword remained there. Even my master wouldn’t dare approach it.”
“Really?” Ming Jian Su said, her tone neutral. There was a sword belonging to Suxin Jianzhu on the battlefield, and another in Chongxuan Mountain and Pengyuan Mountain. Had she left a sword behind everywhere she went? Both Eternal and Zhenyu were excellent swords. It seemed she, the latecomer, was the one benefiting from this.
Although she was very interested in swords, Ming Jian Su didn’t follow the sword intent. After all, a sword wasn’t as important as the “assets” her junior sister desired. She followed the attendant for a few more steps, then felt the pressure on her wrist ease. She turned to look at Feng Chiyue, her expression questioning. Feng Chiyue smiled gently. “Go look at your sword first, Elder Sister.”
The attendant: “…” He wouldn’t dare approach those ruins. Even with multiple layers of restrictions in place, the sword intent still pierced through, chilling him to the bone. If he went near it, wouldn’t he be torn to shreds? His face paled, and his legs trembled like leaves. He pointed in the direction of the ruins, not daring to take another step.
Ming Jian Su ignored him. She could find the sword as long as she could sense its energy.
After walking about fifty steps, the vegetation on both sides of the path gradually thinned out, and an invisible barrier appeared before them. Ming Jian Su touched the barrier with her hand, her magic power rippling outwards. A clear, crisp sound, like shattering glass, rang out. The faint sword intent instantly surged forward, violent and overwhelming. Ming Jian Su’s expression remained unchanged. She channeled her power into Undefeated, and a pale blue light shot out, transforming into a dazzling sword beam that clashed with the raging wind and sword intent. A series of explosions, like rolling thunder, echoed through the air. After a few moments, silence returned.
Ming Jian Su held Undefeated, her gaze fixed on the sword lying amidst the ruins, a hint of surprise flickering in her eyes.
It was about six feet long and five fingers wide, its blade ancient and simple, forged from an unknown material, radiating a dark glow.
Undefeated hummed softly, protesting Ming Jian Su’s “infidelity.” Ming Jian Su ignored it. She handed Undefeated to Feng Chiyue and strode towards the sword.
As her fingers touched the hilt, golden inscription seals appeared on the blade. Upon closer inspection, she recognized the characters: “Three Feet Above.”
After the initial surge of sword intent, the sword became remarkably docile. Ming Jian Su didn’t bother with a proper ritual. She simply imprinted her mark on it, put it away, and walked back to Feng Chiyue with a smile. “Let’s go to the treasury, Junior Sister!”
It would probably take some time to fully subdue Suxin Jianzhu’s sword. Shouldn’t they seize the opportunity to leave while they could? The attendant was still struggling with his fear when, in the blink of an eye, Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue reappeared before him. Masking his surprise, he resigned himself to his fate and led them to Peng Ning’s treasury.
Even though it was only “a tenth” of its former glory, it was still more than what most immortals possessed. It was certainly far wealthier than Zhenyuan, filled with elixirs, artifacts, Daoist scriptures, and a vast quantity of Cinnabar Jade—enough to pay Que Chenyi’s salary for a hundred years. Ming Jian Su wasted no time. She placed Undefeated and a Qiankun bag on the ground and instructed the sword to get to work.
Undefeated, which had been sulking due to the arrival of the new sword, instantly perked up. It was familiar with this task. Back in the mortal realm, it could even plunder treasures while fighting! Its position in its master’s heart was irreplaceable. Like a raging storm, it swept through the treasury, leaving nothing behind in its wake. The attendant couldn’t help but glance at Ming Jian Su, feeling his understanding of the world being challenged once again. However, the moment his gaze lingered, he felt a chilling sensation, as if needles were pricking his back. He saw a pair of shadowed eyes filled with malice, but when he blinked again, all he saw was a bright, unrestrained smile. What was going on? The attendant rubbed his eyes, but before he could take a closer look, several sharp sword beams shot towards him. He cried out in terror and scrambled to a corner.
Feng Chiyue frowned, annoyed by the noise.
Ming Jian Su understood her expression and silenced the attendant with a spell.
The attendant: “…” His master was the one who had committed an unforgivable crime. Why did it feel like Pengyuan Mountain was the one being robbed?
***
On the Chaos Mirror.
Discussions about Pengyuan Mountain began to appear.
Although those wandering immortals had no connection to Peng Ning, they lived nearby and had been startled by the commotion.
— Does anyone know what happened in Pengyuan Mountain?
— Has Old Man Peng Ning emerged from seclusion? Is he making a comeback?
— Fellow Daoists, check the Celestial Pivot Department’s announcement! Something big has happened!
After receiving the news from Chu Yi, the Celestial Mother sent a decree to the Celestial Pivot Department. If, as before, Yunze Young Lord had been in charge, he would have avoided getting involved. He would have simply acknowledged the Celestial Mother’s decree, then sought instructions from the Heavenly Emperor. Only after those two supreme beings reached a consensus would he proceed. However, Dao Ling Star Monarch, who usually didn’t interfere in such matters, had officially emerged from seclusion. Not only would she personally apprehend those involved from Danxue Mountain, but she would also announce everything on the Chaos Mirror. Although there had been a principle of transparency in the Celestial Pivot Department’s proceedings and judgments, it had been ignored for so long that everyone had forgotten about it.
Yunze Young Lord sighed. “Is this really appropriate, Star Monarch?” Working as an official in the Celestial Pivot Department was already thankless enough.
Dao Ling Star Monarch glanced at him and said calmly, “It’s an announcement, not a request for your opinion.” She ignored his troubled expression and continued, “Issue Arrest Warrants and bring all those involved to the Grand Court of Justice for questioning!”
One thunderbolt after another. Even the onlookers were shaken to their core.
In the new Danxue Mountain, many members of the feathered lineages were also terrified. After all, the crime being accused was “treason.”
“Did the Elder really collude with the demons to deal with Feng Chiyue?”
“What’s going on? I saw Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s name mentioned in the Celestial Pivot Department’s announcement.”
In the mountain, the Vermilion Bird, Bifang, and others gathered, discussing the matter anxiously.
Only a few elders were aware of the truth.
“We failed,” the Vermilion Bird Elder said, his voice heavy with despair. Wandering immortals, demon generals, a Star Monarch… so many people working together, yet they couldn’t defeat Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue? How was that possible? Had Ming Jian Su truly become invincible?
“Is there still no news from Chang Li?” the Swan Goose Elder asked, equally anxious.
“Why did the Emperor’s daughter get involved in the battlefield? Didn’t the Heavenly Emperor forbid her from acting on her own?”
“If the Celestial Pivot Department handles the trial, we can’t let the entire Danxue Mountain be implicated,” the Vermilion Bird Elder said, his heart filled with dread. He gritted his teeth. “The Star Monarch has probably perished. I’ll take full responsibility! Before we hear back from Chang Li, we must not make any more reckless moves.” They had learned their lesson, but it was too late.
In the East Sea Dragon Palace.
Ying Cunxin also received the news from the Chaos Mirror.
Chu Yi had gone to the battlefield? No wonder she hadn’t heard from her lately.
The battlefield was a terrible place. Besides the fighting between gods and demons, there were also schemes and betrayals among the immortals themselves. Judging from the conflict between Danxue Mountain and Dong’e Mountain, things had reached a point of no return. Had Chu Yi been inadvertently dragged into this mess? Was she alright? Should she send a message to check on her? After much hesitation, she finally opened Chu Yi’s name seal and sent a message, expressing her concern and explaining that she had been busy lately.
Chu Yi didn’t reply.
In the Dharma Hall in Asura City, the atmosphere was gloomy. The officials were all afraid of encountering the Emperor’s daughter in her current state of anger.
Chu Yi was furious. She had received a message from the Heavenly Emperor, first reprimanding her for defying his orders, then reminding her that she was the Emperor’s daughter, the future ruler of the Heavenly Court, and shouldn’t be putting herself in danger on the battlefield. Finally, he urged her to return immediately and leave the matters of the battlefield to Yu Gao. Chu Yi almost laughed in anger. Did he think she didn’t know who Yu Gao was? The future was uncertain and unpredictable. There was no way she would hand over power to that bastard son.
Ignoring the Heavenly Emperor’s urging, she focused her consciousness on the “Cunxin” name seal.
She didn’t believe Ying Cunxin’s lies. Was there anyone who was so busy that they couldn’t even spare a moment to send a message on the Chaos Mirror? Ying Cunxin had deliberately disappeared. Now she was suddenly expressing “concern.” What was she plotting? She had far too many things to deal with and no time for the Dragon Princess’s games. Chu Yi fumed inwardly. But by the time she realized what she was doing, Ying Cunxin’s face, as fair as snow, as pure as the moon and as clear as water, appeared before her.
Chu Yi: “…”
Ying Cunxin sat up on her bed of seashells, calmly observing Chu Yi’s darkened expression, realizing that she wasn’t in a good mood. She shouldn’t have expressed “concern” at this time. She was trying to think of a way to appease Chu Yi when Chu Yi’s consciousness suddenly withdrew.
Ying Cunxin breathed a sigh of relief, but a hint of melancholy lingered in her heart.
Chu Yi must have suffered a great deal, right? Otherwise, why would she be so angry? Perhaps she should postpone breaking off contact with her? As a friend, shouldn’t she offer a bit of emotional support? Then Chu Yi wouldn’t hold such a grudge.
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