Chapter 116
Jiang Nanmu, recovering from her shock, had to admit, Qin Lingxiao was a good catch. Handsome, powerful, a respected leader… he was a rare find.
But she was certain that a month ago, Xiao Xiao hadn’t even known him. So, whose child was it?
Was Xiao Xiao deceiving him, hiding her pregnancy? Or was he willingly accepting this unexpected responsibility?
She cautiously broached the subject as they walked along a corridor, Xiao Xiao, her hand on her lower back, her belly slightly swollen, her voice bright and cheerful, said, “He knows. He said he’ll treat the child as his own. After all, it will grow up with him. It will see him as its father. And besides, he seems vigorous, we’ll surely have more children! Don’t you agree, Second Senior Sister?”
Her logic was sound, but her tone, her excitement… it was as if she was speaking for someone else’s benefit.
But they were alone. Who was she trying to convince?
Jiang Nanmu, suspicious, interrogated her fellow disciples, demanding to know if they had compromised their Sect Master.
Ayi, bewildered, denied it, but Ji Wuqi, outraged, nearly spat blood, pointing at their dog, Jixiang, who was preparing to devour a rabbit he had caught. “Do I look like someone who would… force myself upon her? I’d rather… mate with this dog!”
Even a dog’s chastity was sacred!
Jixiang, as if understanding their conversation, suddenly turned towards Ji Wuqi, his mouth opening wide, revealing rows of sharp teeth, his jaw unhinging, his growl a menacing rumble.
Ji Wuqi, terrified, stumbled back, nearly tripping over the railing.
Jiang Nanmu and Ayi, confused, asked what was wrong.
“Monster…” he stammered, pointing at the dog, his voice trembling.
They turned, but Jixiang was calmly pinning the rabbit down, licking its fur, his movements gentle, almost affectionate.
Jiang Nanmu chuckled, shaking her head. “Don’t say that about Jixiang, Senior Brother. You know how much Junior Sister loves him. He’s protected her countless times. He even chased away those bullies who tried to take advantage of her.”
Ayi nodded, remembering those incidents.
But Ji Wuqi, his gaze fixed on the dog, saw its mouth unhinging again, swallowing the rabbit whole.
He paled, claiming he wasn’t feeling well, that he was seeing things, and fled.
But as the Lingshan Talisman Sect, decorated with red lanterns and banners, prepared for the wedding, the mysterious meals stopped appearing.
Their elusive benefactor, the “snail girl” who had been feeding them for over a month had seemingly grown tired, her efforts ceasing.
However, Xiao Xiao’s appetite had returned. She ate everything, even Jiang Nanmu’s poorly seasoned dishes, her enjoyment evident.
Qin Lingxiao sent several lavish gifts, his generosity a testament to his wealth and status, the procession of carriages impressive.
Xiao Xiao frowned. She had told him to keep it simple. She summoned his disciples, instructing them to tell him to stop. But they simply bowed, their voices apologetic. “Sect Master Qin is busy preparing the invitations, Sect Master. He’s inviting everyone… And besides, it’s considered bad luck for the bride and groom to meet before the wedding. They should wait until the ceremony…”
She didn’t argue.
On the day of the wedding, she donned the exquisite red wedding dress he had sent – the most beautiful garment she had ever worn, its fabric soft and smooth, its long, flowing skirt adorned with intricate embroidery, its sleeves and collar embellished with pearls and gemstones.
Jiang Nanmu, helping her dress, her movements careful, afraid of damaging the delicate fabric, marveled at its beauty.
Three makeup artists, sent by Qin Lingxiao, fussed over her, styling her hair in an elaborate updo, adorning it with jade hairpins, her face painted with rouge and powder, transforming her into a vision of beauty, even unrecognizable to her own senior sister.
“Junior Sister, you’re so beautiful!” Jiang Nanmu exclaimed, her voice filled with delight, as she fastened a jade bracelet onto Xiao Xiao’s wrist. “Qin Lingxiao will be captivated!”
But Xiao Xiao, who had been cheerful in the days leading up to the wedding, her mood now somber, her face pale, remained silent.
She had opened the windows several times, her gaze searching, as if waiting for someone.
But no one came.
She sat in the sedan chair, surrounded by red silk, her heart heavy.
He… he was truly heartless. Was he just going to let her marry Qin Lingxiao?
As the procession neared the Soaring Cloud Pavilion, halfway through the journey, she decided to end this charade.
“Stop!” she shouted.
But the sedan chair, its golden surface gleaming, continued moving. She looked out and realized they were flying, the four bearers, their feet barely touching the ground, their swords carrying them swiftly through the air.
Their speed was incredible. She called out to them, and they turned, their faces… blank, devoid of features, their forms inhuman.
They reached the Soaring Cloud Pavilion’s main hall.
Qin Lingxiao, preferring solitude, had instructed his guests to gather in a temporary hall constructed at the foot of the mountain.
The main hall, although decorated with red lanterns and candles, was empty, its atmosphere cold and unsettling, more like a funeral hall than a wedding venue.
A tall figure, clad in red robes, his back towards her, stood in the flickering candlelight, seemingly waiting for her.
Xiao Xiao, sensing a strange, unsettling energy, her heart pounding, stopped at the entrance, refusing to enter.
“Qin Lingxiao,” she said, her voice clear and steady, “I apologize for deceiving you. You have a bright future. You’re a respected leader. To marry a woman carrying another man’s child… it would ruin your reputation. Let’s forget about this. Tell your guests that I ran away. And then we’ll be even.”
She turned, her long sleeves swirling, her skirt trailing behind her, ready to leave.
But a force, gentle yet irresistible, lifted her into the air, her body spinning, her red dress a blur of motion, then she landed in his arms, his embrace cold and firm.
He was wearing a mask, his face hidden, but his voice, familiar, its low, magnetic tone sending a shiver down her spine, said, “I’ve been waiting for this. And you want to cancel it? Cui Xiao Xiao, how dare you?”
She froze, his voice… it couldn’t be… She reached out, her hand trembling, wanting to remove his mask, but he caught her hand, turning her face away, preventing her from seeing him.
“Wei Jie! You… you idiot! Let go!” she shouted, her voice filled with a mixture of anger and relief. She had searched for him, her heart aching, and he… he had been hiding?
And now… he was here, but he wouldn’t even let her see his face? Was he ashamed of her?
He sighed, his voice a low murmur above her head. “Why couldn’t you wait a little longer… I would have… scared you…”
“What could possibly scare me more than losing you?” she whispered, her voice breaking, tears welling in her eyes.
Her tears, warm, fell onto his cold hand, his grip on her chin tightening.
He sighed again, pulling her close, his arms around her, inhaling her scent, his voice husky. “Do you remember that night… when I used the Feng Shui mirror?”
She did. He had claimed it was nothing.
“I spent the entire night looking into it,” he said, his voice low. “I saw thirty different futures two hundred years later and in none of them did you exist. I realized that your journey to the future saved my life, but it erased yours. There’s always a price. But I would rather die than lose you.”
She trembled, his body was still cold. What had happened to him?
He held her close, his voice a strained whisper. “That’s when I understood… my final tribulation. The old monk said I had to learn to let go, to sacrifice. And so, I decided to sacrifice myself for you, for the world. When the Dongyuan Emperor’s axe struck my body, it was destroyed, but my divine power core shattered, fragmented, and was restored by the two demonic beads. Only a god can kill a god. And so, I killed him to protect the world. And for the past two hundred years, I’ve been in the underworld, fulfilling my duty…”
She looked up at him, her hand reaching out, tearing off his mask.
His left side was still handsome, his features familiar. But his right side was a horrifying mess of exposed muscle, bone, and sinew, a grotesque, demonic visage.
He was right. His body was gone. He was the ruler of the underworld, but he was also a ghost.
He turned away, his voice a low murmur. “I know that you like handsome men. That’s why I didn’t want to appear before you. I was waiting…”
But she grabbed his face, turning it towards her, her tears flowing freely, her gaze fixed on his, her voice a fierce whisper. “You planned this! You sacrificed yourself! And you didn’t even tell me?! Do you think I want your noble sacrifice?! I don’t need it! You made your choice! Stay in the underworld! I’m getting married! Did you bring a gift?”
He was the ruler of the underworld, a powerful being, and yet this woman… she infuriated him! “You dare?!” he roared, his voice laced with a ghostly echo. “To marry another man while carrying my child?! That Qin Lingxiao. I’ve already taken care of him. You’re marrying me!”
She sobbed, ignoring his monstrous appearance, her lips capturing his, her kiss a desperate, overwhelming expression of her love, her relief, her joy at finding him.
His body might be cold, but he was the only warmth she had ever known.
She didn’t care about his appearance, his ghostly form. She just wanted him here, in her arms, their bodies pressed together, their souls intertwined.
She had only been separated from him for a few months. But for him… he had endured two hundred years in the cold, desolate underworld, waiting for this moment, for her return.
He had watched over her ancestors, protecting them, ensuring her birth.
He knew that to change their fate, to alter the timeline… it could have unforeseen consequences. If he interfered too much, she might vanish, like in those visions, her existence erased.
He had waited so long for this embrace… it wasn’t enough.
But his ghostly form, its aura cold, she was pregnant, her body vulnerable.
He forced himself to pull away, breaking the kiss, his voice a strained whisper. “I’m not a ghost. Don’t cry… Look, I’m recovering. In a few years… I’ll be whole again. But you’re so stubborn… threatening to marry someone else and forcing me to reveal myself…”
She had always been so appreciative of beauty, her desire for handsome men, her creation of the Joy Sect.
He had always hated his appearance, but he knew that without it… she might not have loved him.
Losing his body, becoming the monstrous ruler of the underworld… it had been a torment. He had thought that even if she was born, he wouldn’t be able to face her.
But he was a gifted cultivator, and the underworld was his domain. To rebuild his body… it just required time, and a willingness to sacrifice his power.
He hadn’t focused on his cultivation, his energy, his efforts, directed towards restoring his flesh and blood.
Others sought immortality. He sought humanity.
But two hundred years wasn’t enough. He hadn’t fully recovered when she forced him to reveal himself!
The candles in the hall had long burned out, but they remained there, their bodies entwined, their whispers filling the darkness. He told her about his time in the underworld, his efforts to protect her, his loneliness, his despair… and then, words became unnecessary, her embrace, her warmth, enough.
“But Qin Lingxiao, Ling Zhishan… their fates have changed,” she said, her voice a soft murmur. “How did they still become the leaders of their sects?”
“They were essential to your existence,” he said. “I altered their memories, ensuring they followed their destined paths. But the others… I kept them away. The demons, they’re content now, their hatred subdued. And the Wei family, they’re free. They can live wherever they want.”
She understood. He had manipulated them, ensuring her future. No wonder Qin Lingxiao had been confused about their engagement.
It was a classic Wei Jie move – a subtle, yet effective, manipulation.
He looked up at the sky, then turned to her, his voice a low murmur. “This date… for the ceremony… I chose it carefully. If you’re willing to marry me, will you honor my parents and yours with a proper ceremony?”
She blinked, her eyes widening. “Your mother… Madam Si, she’s here?”
“Not just her,” he said, his voice soft. “Your parents… they’re here too.”
She stared at him, bewildered. “You… you summoned their souls from the underworld?”
He chuckled, then said, his voice serious, “You’re pregnant. You can’t afford to be… overwhelmed by emotions. You’ve already cried enough. Take this. It will calm your heart.”
She swallowed the pill, its effect immediate, a soothing coolness spreading through her body, her mind calming, allowing her to listen as he explained his actions, the subtle manipulations he had orchestrated to protect her future.
He had saved her father from a fatal accident, instructing him to stay away from his family, to ensure her birth.
And after her mother, heartbroken, had sold her, he had sent Tang Youshu, disguised as a skilled physician, to heal her.
Her parents, reunited in the Demon City, their joy tinged with a bittersweet sorrow, had waited patiently for the day they could see their daughter again.
Without those trials, those hardships, she wouldn’t be the strong, resilient woman she was now.
He had done his best to fill the void in her life, to ease her pain.
And her dog, Jixiang… he had been replaced by the Corpse Eater, bound to him, forced to adopt a mortal disguise, a fearsome beast transformed into a loyal companion.
And her scars… they had faded, thanks to the Corpse Eater’s protection. Those bullies, those who had dared to harm her… they had learned to fear the dog with the unhinging jaw, the sharp teeth.
And Tang Youshu, although his future self had died, his soul, inhabiting a young body, was still alive, his lifespan limited, his potential finite.
But he had followed his master’s instructions, meticulously recreating history, waiting for the day he would meet her again, a stubborn, defiant street urchin…
The wedding ceremony took place at midnight.
Unlike traditional weddings, their celebration was unconventional, the air filled with a ghostly chill, the guests’ voices a chorus of mournful cries.
Madam Si, her voice gentle, consoled Xiao Xiao’s parents, reminding them that this was a joyous occasion, that they were about to become grandparents.
Xiao Xiao, thanks to the calming pill, her emotions subdued, smiled, her joy genuine, her reunion with her parents a bittersweet moment, her tears held back.
But she couldn’t help but think – if Wei Jie hadn’t sprung this surprise on her, her wedding wouldn’t be such a spectacle. He could have at least prepared her.
But Wei Jie believed he had made the right decision. He had his reasons. His appearance was unsettling. Her initial reaction was understandable. But by introducing her to her parents, distracting her with their reunion, she wouldn’t focus on his deformity. She would marry him, her mind clouded by joy.
And then, once the ceremony was over, there would be no need for a replacement. He would avoid her, waiting for his body to fully recover, before resuming their relationship.
But he hadn’t anticipated her acceptance, her willingness to kiss him, to hold him, despite his monstrous appearance.
They were in the bridal chamber, her body nestled against his, listening to his explanation, his carefully calculated plan, and she laughed, her laughter turning to tears.
The calming pill effect had worn off.
She touched his face, her fingers tracing the lines of his scars, her voice a soft whisper. “Two hundred years… how did you endure it? Do you regret it?”
Her own separation, those few months… they had felt like an eternity. How had he survived?
After all, he had been alone.
He pressed his cheek, the side that had healed, against her slightly swollen belly, the child within her a reminder of their time together, their love.
“Was it worth it?” he asked, his voice a low murmur.
She smiled. Of course it was. Even if she had to return to that other timeline, to relive those experiences, she wouldn’t change a thing.
Until his body fully recovered, their encounters were limited to the night. As the ruler of the underworld, his schedule was flexible. He spent most of his time with her.
She asked about Tang Youshu, and he told her that he, like him, had dedicated his life to the woman he loved.
To help Yu Ling’er, her core damaged, to regain her power… it had been a monumental task, far more challenging than teaching a hundred Ji Wuqis. He had exhausted his cultivation, his knowledge, his resources, to save her.
He had aged faster than he should have.
But before his death, she had finally formed a new core. She hadn’t regained her human form, but she was safe, recovering in the Fox Tribe’s sanctuary, its location hidden by a powerful barrier. That was why Xiao Xiao hadn’t been able to find it.
He had died before seeing her again.
Once Yu Ling’er was safe, Wei Jie had absorbed the Valley of Eternity, transferring a portion of its power to her.
And one night, as they were eating grapes under the moonlight, a nine-tailed fox appeared, and Xiao Xiao, recognizing her instantly, exclaimed, “Ling’er! Is that you?”
The fox, bathed in moonlight, transformed into a woman, her appearance more mature than Xiao Xiao remembered.
She looked at Xiao Xiao’s belly, her eyes widening. “Xiao Xiao, you’re going to be a mother!”
Wei Jie, sensing their need for a private conversation, kicked Jixiang, the dog, who had been growling at the fox, and left with him.
Xiao Xiao, holding Yu Ling’er’s hand, her touch gentle, her voice filled with warmth, said, “I heard about… Master… I…”
But Yu Ling’er’s sadness, if she felt it, was hidden. Her smile, despite her mature appearance, was still bright, her voice filled with hope. “Did you know?” she whispered, leaning closer to Xiao Xiao. “When he crossed the River of Forgetfulness… the ancient Flame Emperor made him drink less of the water.”
“So?” Xiao Xiao asked, her brow furrowed.
Yu Ling’er’s eyes shone. “So he’ll remember me! No matter who he is, he’ll remember! I just have to find him, wait for him to grow up, to cultivate. And then… we’ll be together, like you and Wei Jie… forever!”
Tears welled in her eyes.
She had watched him die, his heart slowing, his breath ceasing, her fox form curled up in his arms, helpless.
But they had made a promise – she would find him, in their next life, their bond unbreakable.
Xiao Xiao, thinking of her master, her own tears threatening to spill, squeezed Yu Ling’er’s hand, her voice firm. “I’ll help you find him.”
The following spring, Xiao Xiao gave birth to a healthy baby girl.
Wei Jie, afraid his cold touch would harm the child, hesitated to hold her.
But the baby, seemingly unaffected by his ghostly aura, giggled when she saw him, her tiny hands reaching out. He cautiously picked her up, and she snuggled against him, her face pressed against his cheek, even his scarred side, her contentment evident, her eyes closing as she drifted off to sleep.
Xiao Xiao, taking the baby from him, her smile soft, asked, “What should we name her?”
He thought about it. “How about Tiandou?”
“No!” she exclaimed, her rejection immediate.
His naming sense… whether it was for swords or for children… it was terrible! She wouldn’t name her precious daughter after the Heaven-Punishing Sword!
She decided to name her Sitian – “thinking of sweetness.”
Life was a journey, filled with hardships, but to focus on the sweetness, on the joy… it was a path towards happiness.
Wei Jie’s recovery was progressing faster than he had anticipated. It seemed that being around living beings accelerated the process. No wonder those Bone Demons in the legends were so eager to seduce mortals!
By the time Sitian was four years old, he could hold an umbrella, accompanying her and Xiao Xiao as they chased dragonflies by the pond, his presence a comforting warmth.
But the heavens, sensing his progress, had sent messengers, urging him to return, reminding him of his duty. The Heavenly Emperor, his throne vacant, his need for capable deities growing, had inquired about his return.
It seemed he had finally emerged from his seclusion. And upon hearing about Rong Yao’s punishment, her descent to the mortal realm, and Dongyuan’s death, he had simply sighed, his voice filled with a weary acceptance, attributing it to fate.
He had then dismissed the matter, his attention focused on the countless celestial affairs that had accumulated during his absence.
Some deities, sensing a deeper meaning, approached Wise Ancestor, whispering their suspicions. The Heavenly Emperor, before his ascension, had been a mortal, with a wife, with children… And there were rumors, whispers, that the ancient Flame Emperor… he was the Heavenly Emperor’s son, his mortal child, who had achieved immortality.
It was a source of tension, a thorn in Rong Yao’s side. It was said that she had been the one who had banished him to the underworld.
Perhaps the Heavenly Emperor still cared for his mortal family. Some even suspected that his seclusion had been a deliberate act, a way to avoid confronting Rong Yao, her actions, her punishment.
After all, two sons, one celestial, one from the mortal realm, even a Heavenly Emperor had to make difficult choices.
Wise Ancestor, however, playing a game of Go, simply smiled, his voice a calm murmur. “To appreciate something, one must first lose it. It’s true for both mortals and deities. Just like you, your gossip, your curiosity… it’s a distraction, a dangerous attachment to the mortal realm. You know the Queen Mother… she’s now a farmer. Do you envy her?”
His words silenced them. After all, the secrets of the heavens, like the desires of men… they were best left unexplored.
But Xiao Xiao, hearing about the heavens’ desire for the ancient Flame Emperor’s return, her worry growing, asked Wei Jie, “If you go, will we be separated?”
He shook his head, his voice firm. “I’m the ruler of the underworld. I have duties. I’m not going anywhere. Besides, in a few days… a child will be born in the Northern Yan Kingdom.”
Her eyes widened. “You mean… Master…”
He nodded, his gaze meeting hers. He possessed the Book of Life and Death now. He could see their past, their present, their future. He knew where Tang Youshu would be reborn.
She wanted to leave immediately, to find him with Yu Ling’er.
But he shook his head. “His destiny… he has to earn it. A childhood too easy might weaken his resolve. You and Yu Ling’er can visit him when he’s fourteen.”
She didn’t understand, but she trusted him.
She would wait, patiently, for the day she could see her master again. And then Lingshan Mountain would truly be complete.
The Great Qi dynasty prospered, its reign extending for another two hundred years, its lands blessed with talented cultivators.
The Lingshan Talisman Sect, once obscure, flourished under Cui Xiao Xiao’s leadership, its disciples numerous, its influence growing.
And her most prized disciple… the one she discovered in the Northern Yan Kingdom, when she was middle-aged…
His original name was lost to history, but she had given him a new one – Tang Tiandou. It was said that the name had been chosen by the handsome, enigmatic man who was always by her side.
Although she hadn’t been pleased with the choice, her partner had insisted, claiming it was a strong name, a name that would defy mortality.
And Tang Tiandou, living up to their expectations, had achieved his Golden Core at a young age, although rumors spread that he had been distracted by a nine-tailed fox, lured into the pleasures of the Harmony Sect.
But their story, their ascension, their love became a legend, passed down through generations.
And there were many more stories about the Lingshan Talisman Sect, about their immortal couple.
Don’t believe it? Visit the back mountains of Lingshan. You might find the truth.