Chapter 37
When Feng Chiyue was angry, anything you said could be misinterpreted. But staying silent was even worse, as it would be taken as tacit agreement and added to the already lengthy list of offenses. Ming Jian Su sighed inwardly, pulled Feng Chiyue into her embrace, and said softly, “Junior Sister, I rely on you for my livelihood.” She quickly reviewed the events that had transpired, searching for a possible misstep. “I was the one who was ignorant and ungrateful, failing to appreciate your kindness.”
“Exactly,” Feng Chiyue said, nodding vigorously. She pushed against Ming Jian Su, her hand pressing against her chest. After a moment of hesitation, her grip loosened. As Ming Jian Su tightened her hold on her wrist, they drew closer. Feng Chiyue’s eyes were red-rimmed, her gaze hazy and unfocused. She looked up at Ming Jian Su. “Why did you stop?”
“I was wrong, Junior Sister. Punish me—” Ming Jian Su thought for a moment. “Punish me by forbidding me from being intimate with you.”
This was a severe punishment, even worse than lack of sleep, insufficient Cinnabar Jade, or endless work.
Feng Chiyue was displeased.
“Is that really a punishment for you?”
She knew it. Ming Jian Su was cunning and deceitful, a truly wicked woman! Her hand trailed down from Ming Jian Su’s chest to her waist, pinching her lightly. But gradually, her movements softened, the pinching turning into gentle caresses.
Ming Jian Su moaned softly, unable to bear it any longer. She grabbed Feng Chiyue’s hand, stopping her from going any further.
Feng Chiyue, who had already calmed down, was now fueled by a renewed wave of frustration sparked by Ming Jian Su’s attempt to restrain her. She bit her lip, her brow furrowed. The more Ming Jian Su tried to stop her, the more determined she became.
She leaned forward and bit Ming Jian Su’s red lips, a gesture of both retaliation and seduction. She didn’t pull away, pressing her advantage as Ming Jian Su yielded. After a long while, she finally released Ming Jian Su, adjusted her disheveled robes, and said magnanimously, “I forgive you.”
Ming Jian Su: “…” Her body was ablaze with desire, the flames reaching their peak, and then her junior sister suddenly stopped. “Junior Sister,” she whispered, her lips brushing against Feng Chiyue’s ear.
She held her tightly, her voice losing its usual clarity, replaced by a seductive huskiness. Feng Chiyue responded with a lazy hum, her hand trailing across Ming Jian Su’s waist.
Ming Jian Su sighed softly and recited the Serenity Sutra to suppress the turbulent emotions within her. Once she had calmed down, she said, “The phoenix feather that Tushan Xiu Rong gave me is from the same source as the one on my sword tassel. I suspect it’s related to the Phoenix Sovereign.”
Feng Chiyue, her anger subsided, no longer felt any resentment towards the mention of “phoenix feather”.
She found a comfortable position in Ming Jian Su’s embrace and said lazily, “Why, has Phoenix Mountain asked you to search for the Phoenix Sovereign?” Seeing Ming Jian Su’s surprised expression, she added, “I know you secretly contacted Feng Yao.”
“It wasn’t secret. It was perfectly open and aboveboard,” Ming Jian Su retorted, but under Feng Chiyue’s cold glare, she quickly changed the subject. “Don’t you want to know what happened to you before your Nirvana?” She made her intentions clear, but Feng Chiyue simply shook her head. “No.”
“What if your enemies from before your Nirvana are still around?”
Feng Chiyue looked up at her and tapped her finger against Ming Jian Su’s heart, a lazy smile on her lips. “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” If there were any obstacles, Ming Jian Su would eliminate them for her. Why should she bother thinking about it?
Ming Jian Su caught her finger and said firmly, “I’ll remove all obstacles for you.” Of course, she would also eliminate those who weren’t “obstacles.” She wouldn’t allow anyone else to covet her junior sister.
After appeasing Feng Chiyue, Ming Jian Su lingered with her for a while before finally inquiring about Zhen Yuan True Person and Tushan Xiu Rong.
Zhu Wan entered the hall, her gaze lingering on Feng Chiyue, nestled in Ming Jian Su’s arms, for only a fleeting moment before she quickly averted it. Ever since her Master’s return, their “reunion after a long separation” had become increasingly unrestrained and oblivious to others. Someone should take pity on her! She complained inwardly, but her expression remained respectful. “They were taken away by the Emperor’s daughter,” she reported.
Ming Jian Su nodded and dismissed Zhu Wan. She took out the Chaos Mirror and saw a new request. It was from Tushan Xiu Rong, asking to exchange name seals. She glanced at Feng Chiyue, who was playing with her hair, and decided to be completely transparent. “Junior Sister, Tushan Xiu Rong wants to exchange name seals with me.”
Feng Chiyue glanced at her sideways. “Go ahead.”
“Alright,” Ming Jian Su said, then contacted Tushan Xiu Rong. She kept Feng Chiyue in her embrace, the Chaos Mirror clearly visible to her.
“The origin of that feather is quite unusual,” Tushan Xiu Rong said. “I’d like to discuss it with you in person.”
Ming Jian Su frowned, pondering her words. Feng Chiyue, impatient with her hesitation, replied on her behalf, “Come to Dong’e Mountain.” Then she went back to browsing other messages.
The commotion caused by the fight in Dong’e Mountain had spread. Some idle immortals had broadcast the scene on the Chaos Mirror, and even wandering immortals thousands of miles away knew that the White Phase Star Monarch had signed a Death Duel invitation with the East Abode Master and had been utterly defeated. This wasn’t just an ordinary immortal, but a Star Monarch! How powerful was the East Abode Master? Wasn’t she afraid of making enemies? The White Phase Star Monarch had traveled extensively and had many connections, didn’t he?
— Rumor has it that Zhen Yuan True Person was also on the Death Duel invitation, but thanks to the Emperor’s daughter’s intervention, he barely escaped with his life.
— Is the East Abode Master really that fierce?
— I told you not to provoke Feng Chiyue, but you wouldn’t listen.
— To the Daoist friend above, I remember your name. You were the loudest one mocking Feng Chiyue before.
…
“What happens when a Star Monarch dies?” Feng Chiyue asked casually, her chin resting on her hand.
“Many Star Monarchs perished in the war between the immortals and demons, and the Heavenly Court didn’t collapse. Nothing will happen,” Ming Jian Su said calmly. The White Phase Star Monarch had signed the Death Duel invitation himself. She hadn’t forced him.
“The Celestial Feather Ministry will be busy,” Feng Chiyue said. Many Feather Clan immortals had been watching Bai Zi Feng and the White Phase Star Monarch closely. Now that their hopes had been dashed, they would either have to resign themselves to being wandering immortals or obediently register with the Ministry and wait for the upcoming examination. “Those old geezers in Danxue Mountain must be furious.”
“I wish they would just die of anger,” Ming Jian Su said regretfully. Eliminating the Danxue Mountain lineage was part of her future plans, and saving herself some effort would be ideal.
The Danxue Mountain lineage was indeed furious, their anger followed by a deep sense of apprehension. They were starting to regret provoking Feng Chiyue. After all, she was a solitary Phoenix. They could have simply ignored her. If they hadn’t targeted her, they wouldn’t have made a powerful enemy of Dong’e Mountain.
“Many Feather Clans have sent messages saying they can’t withstand the pressure from the Celestial Feather Ministry,” the Vermilion Bird Elder said, his face grim. Those smaller factions were being polite, but their message was clear: either Danxue Mountain stepped in to fight, or they would concede. After all, they weren’t the ones who would suffer the most.
“He was a Star Monarch! Won’t the Heavenly Emperor intervene?” the Swan Goose Elder lamented.
“The White Phase Star Monarch signed the Death Duel invitation himself. Even if the Heavenly Court wanted to intervene, they couldn’t,” the Vermilion Bird Elder said coldly. He no longer cared about that idiotic White Phase Star Monarch. “Has anyone suspicious approached Danxue Mountain?” he asked.
The elder guarding the Zhenyu Sword shook his head. “No.” He was now leaning towards the first theory: the Suxin Sword Master had secretly placed the sword in the Red Jade Cave hundreds of years ago, and it had never had a second owner. In that case, they had no one to seek revenge from. So what if the Zhenyu Sword fetched a high price at auction? Could it possibly compensate for the loss of the Red Agate vein?
“What about South Li Mountain?” the Swan Goose Elder asked.
The Vermilion Bird Elder sighed. “Ever since she moved to South Li Mountain, she has rarely interfered in our affairs.”
“Do you think she’s avoiding Danxue Mountain because she regrets it?” the Bifang Elder muttered softly. Before embarking on the path of betrayal, Chang Li had been one of the Phoenix Sovereign’s closest confidantes.
“Watch your words!” the Vermilion Bird Elder snapped at the Bifang Elder. Regardless of whether Chang Li regretted it or not, there was no turning back for her. She could only continue to suppress Phoenix Mountain, ensuring that the flames of hatred never reignited. He was silent for a moment, then said, “Proceed with the auction of the Zhenyu Sword. Don’t worry about anything else for now.”
At that moment, Chang Li was in the Purple Empyrean Palace, seeking an audience with the Heavenly Emperor.
When Chu Yi reported back, she said that by the time she arrived, it was already too late. The White Phase Star Monarch was dead.
The Heavenly Emperor, however, was still furious. He felt that Ming Jian Su had shown him no respect as the Heavenly Emperor.
Even without an official position, the White Phase Star Monarch was a Star Monarch, one of the pillars of the Heavenly Court. She had killed him like a chicken. Did she have any regard for the authority of the Heavenly Court and the Star Monarchs? If she could kill the White Phase Star Monarch today, what about tomorrow? How powerful had she become? Was there no one in the Heavenly Court who could control her? The thought filled him with dread.
The uneasiness he had felt under the Phoenix Sovereign’s oppressive presence resurfaced, taking root and growing in his heart. He possessed the Mandate of Heaven, but why couldn’t it make him the most powerful being in the Immortal Realm? If he didn’t have the Mandate of Heaven, who could he possibly defeat?
Chang Li had always known what troubled the Heavenly Emperor. Had he agreed to Ming Ji’s terms so readily for the sake of peace between the two realms? No, they all had their own selfish motives. Without mentioning the White Phase Star Monarch, she said calmly, “The Celestial Feather Ministry is compiling a complete registry of the Feather Clan, just like in the old days. Has the Celestial Mother given them some powerful artifact?”
The Heavenly Emperor’s brow furrowed. What artifact could the Celestial Mother possibly possess that could compile a Feather Clan registry? The only thing in existence capable of such a feat was the Career Book, which was equal in power to the Merit Mirror. In the past, the Career Book had belonged to the Phoenix Sovereign. After her fall into the Demon Abyss, its whereabouts had remained unknown. But now… A chill ran down his spine. “The Celestial Feather Career Book,” he murmured.
“Perhaps the Phoenixes have been keeping the Phoenix Sovereign’s belongings all along?” Chang Li said with a faint smile.
“Impossible,” the Heavenly Emperor said, shaking his head. He was silent for a moment. “Two hundred years after the Phoenix Sovereign fell into the Demon Abyss, Ming Ji was slain by the Suxin Sword Master. But before we could question her, news of her death arrived. Since then, no one has mentioned the Phoenix Sovereign.” The Demon Abyss claimed to know nothing, but the Heavenly Emperor knew better. He had made an enemy of Tushan Liusu. She wouldn’t tell him the truth. “We assumed that Ming Ji hated the Phoenix Sovereign and would have killed her. But what if he didn’t?”
“What are you planning to do, Your Majesty?” Chang Li asked.
“The Phoenix Sovereign cared deeply about the Feather Clan. If she’s still alive, she would definitely intervene if we targeted Phoenix Mountain,” the Heavenly Emperor said. However, he immediately dismissed this malicious thought, not because the Phoenixes were innocent, but because the Celestial Mother had emerged from seclusion. He couldn’t afford to act recklessly. After a moment of deliberation, he said to Chang Li, “Go to the Demon Abyss and investigate the Phoenix Sovereign’s whereabouts. Remember, don’t alert the demons until you have a definitive answer.”
This was precisely what Chang Li had been waiting for. Ever since the incident at the Celestial Feather Ministry, her unease had been growing stronger. She needed to go to the Demon Abyss herself and uncover the truth that had been haunting her for so long. After bowing to the Heavenly Emperor, she left the Purple Empyrean Palace. However, as soon as she disappeared, a clear, silvery moonlight filled the cloud-wreathed hall. A graceful immortal emerged from the moonlight.
Seeing the Celestial Mother, the Heavenly Emperor’s expression darkened.
“Going to the Demon Realm to eliminate the Phoenix Sovereign once you find her?” the Celestial Mother said, her gaze sweeping over him.
The Heavenly Emperor, having argued with the Celestial Mother countless times, didn’t bother debating the past. “It’s already been done. There’s no changing it. Should we wait for her to return to the Immortal Realm and unleash a war of vengeance with Phoenix Mountain?”
The Celestial Mother looked at him sarcastically.
He was irritated by her expression. “Chang Yi,” he said in a low voice, “we are one. Yin and Yang, united as the Supreme.”
“Supreme?” The Celestial Mother chuckled softly but didn’t respond. Why couldn’t the Mandate of Heaven be hers alone? Once she cultivated the Taiji Dao Body, encompassing both Yin and Yang, she would become the only true Supreme. Concealing the glint of ambition in her eyes, she gave the Heavenly Emperor a meaningful look, then vanished from the Purple Empyrean Palace.
The Heavenly Emperor stood there for a long time, then looked up at the ceiling of the palace. There, shining brightly, was the Mandate of Heaven Star, but it flickered occasionally, a sign of turbulent destiny. Unlike his father, even after over a thousand years, his Mandate of Heaven Star had never truly stabilized. He attributed it to the Phoenix Sovereign’s powerful aura and the Celestial Mother’s rebellious nature… But was that truly the case?
—
Night fell.
The Dharma Hall was brightly lit.
Feng Chiyue sat beside Ming Jian Su, waiting to be fed. Tushan Xiu Rong sat at a bronze table nearby, looking anxious and uneasy. She hadn’t touched the food on the table. Instead, she took out a Qiankun bag and said hesitantly, “This is all of Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuan’s possessions.” She hadn’t forgotten her mission to “buy his life.”
“What about yours?” Feng Chiyue asked casually.
Tushan Xiu Rong’s expression flickered, and she pursed her lips. “My name wasn’t on the Death Duel invitation.”
“You’re his fellow Daoist,” Feng Chiyue said. “Shouldn’t you help him out and pay off his debts?”
Tushan Xiu Rong replied without hesitation, “I’ve already repaid my past debts. After this, we go our separate ways.” She wouldn’t pay a single Cinnabar Jade.
Before Feng Chiyue could lament the complexities of friendship, Ming Jian Su placed a piece of silverfish on her lips. After tasting it, Feng Chiyue said, “This silverfish is tender and boneless. Can we raise them in our mountain?”
“Deep-sea fish,” Ming Jian Su replied simply.
Feng Chiyue immediately abandoned the idea of raising seafood in Dong’e Mountain. “Deep-sea fish” was synonymous with “ugly” in her mind.
Ming Jian Su glanced at Tushan Xiu Rong and subtly blocked her view, preventing her from staring at her junior sister. “Didn’t you want to talk about the feather?” she asked.
Tushan Xiu Rong snapped out of her thoughts, remembering the second reason for her visit to Dong’e Mountain, the excuse she had used to plead for Zhen Yuan True Person’s life. She let out a sigh. “My Elder Sister gave me that phoenix feather.”
Most Elder Sisters of Qingqiu fox immortals were also foxes, and there were countless fox immortals in the Qingqiu Kingdom. Who knew which one she was talking about? Whether in the mortal realm or the Immortal Realm, people always spoke in such vague terms. “What’s your Elder Sister’s name?” Ming Jian Su asked.
Tushan Xiu Rong looked around furtively, then lowered her voice, confused. “Tushan Liusu.”
Feng Chiyue glared at her. “You colluded with the Demon Lord.” And she had the audacity to come here.
Tushan Xiu Rong had heard these accusations countless times. They no longer bothered her.
Ming Jian Su used food to silence Feng Chiyue, then looked at Tushan Xiu Rong, her gaze suddenly turning cold and sharp. This fox had come to Dong’e Mountain and given her the phoenix feather.
Could it be that she knew about her junior sister’s situation before her Nirvana? Was she here to threaten her? Should she just kill her and silence her? A murderous intent flickered in her eyes. The open doors of the hall slowly creaked shut. A surge of energy swept through the hall, the candles flickering wildly, their shadows dancing menacingly on the walls. “Do you know the whereabouts of the Phoenix Sovereign?”
Tushan Xiu Rong’s scalp tingled. Ming Jian Su’s gaze was piercing, sending chills down her spine. She felt as if she were standing in a biting wind.
She swallowed nervously, and her shadow involuntarily transformed into a nine-tailed fox. “I don’t know,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. A faint sword cry rang out, and her pupils contracted sharply. “I don’t know!” she repeated, her voice rising in panic.
“Why did you give me the phoenix feather?” Ming Jian Su asked calmly.
Tushan Xiu Rong was filled with regret. Dong’e Mountain was a dragon’s den, a tiger’s lair! Why had she been so foolish as to walk right into it? She should have just discussed this on the Chaos Mirror. That way, she wouldn’t have to face Ming Jian Su’s terrifying presence. “M-My Elder Sister told me to,” she stammered. After falling into the demonic path, Tushan Liusu hadn’t severed ties with Qingqiu. She didn’t understand why her Elder Sister had said that giving the feather to Ming Jian Su would be of great use. She didn’t even know how her Elder Sister, now the Demon Lord, had formed a connection with the East Abode Master, one of the guardians of the Immortal Realm. If this got out, who knew what kind of chaos it would cause in the Heavenly Court?
Ming Jian Su: “…” Tushan Xiu Rong had said a lot, but aside from learning that the feather belonged to the Phoenix Sovereign, she had gained nothing useful. The killing intent in her eyes receded. Ignoring Tushan Xiu Rong, who was so terrified that her fox tail had materialized, she turned to Feng Chiyue, who had finished eating, and wiped her lips.
“Even the Demon Realm knows about your fondness for phoenix feathers,” Feng Chiyue said. “Do you have anything to say for yourself?”
Ming Jian Su sighed. Her junior sister truly had a knack for focusing on the most important points. “The demons hate me. This is clearly a slanderous accusation,” she said seriously. Then, softening her voice, she added, “Don’t you know me, Junior Sister? Aside from the feather on Eternal Sword, I haven’t touched any other feathers.”
Feng Chiyue considered her words for a moment, then grudgingly accepted her explanation. She glanced at Tushan Xiu Rong. “Birds of a feather flock together. She’s in cahoots with Baiyang and Zhen Yuan. She deserves to die!”
Tushan Xiu Rong: “…” I don’t.
Ming Jian Su, taking Feng Chiyue’s opinion into consideration, flicked her hand, sending a beam of sword intent towards Tushan Xiu Rong. “She can contact Tushan Liusu,” she explained to Feng Chiyue. “She might not know the Phoenix Sovereign’s situation, but Tushan Liusu might. We’ll spare her life and have her inquire about it.” She couldn’t ignore the matter of the Phoenix Sovereign, but she didn’t want to investigate the Demon Abyss herself. In this situation, she needed a pawn.
The sword intent flared and vanished. By the time Tushan Xiu Rong reacted, it had already embedded itself in her forehead. She was filled with regret. If she had known she would be so unlucky, she wouldn’t have gone to Zhen Yuan True Person’s place for tea, and she wouldn’t have gotten involved in this mess. She wondered if the elders back in Qingqiu could remove this sword intent from her body.
“She’s too stupid,” Feng Chiyue said, looking at Tushan Xiu Rong with disdain.
“We’ll find someone more intelligent next time,” Ming Jian Su said soothingly. Although everyone knew about the connection between Qingqiu and the Demon Realm, openly accusing them wasn’t exactly appropriate. Such boldness and disregard for consequences… something felt off. After reviewing the conversation, Ming Jian Su frowned and looked at Tushan Xiu Rong. “Do you believe I have a connection with that person from Qingqiu?”
Tushan Xiu Rong blinked, confused. “Don’t you?”
Ming Jian Su scoffed. “Countless demons have perished by my sword. This attempt to sow discord is laughable.”
“Perhaps it’s a scheme to use someone else’s hand to get rid of an enemy,” Feng Chiyue said casually. “The Qingqiu foxes are only superficially friendly. Tushan Liusu deliberately used this feather to push Tushan Xiu Rong towards us, hoping we would execute her under the pretense of upholding the Heavenly Court’s laws.” Many plays followed a similar plot.
Being stared at as if she were an idiot annoyed Tushan Xiu Rong. But she didn’t want to end up like the White Phase Star Monarch, so she suppressed her anger. “Don’t slander my Elder Sister,” she said, frowning.
“Your Elder Sister slandered my Elder Sister first!” Feng Chiyue retorted, her voice louder. How could Ming Jian Su possibly have any connection with that fallen fox? Tushan Liusu was truly shameless. She would burn all the fur off those Qingqiu foxes one day!
Ming Jian Su wrapped her arms around Feng Chiyue, worried she might flip the table in a fit of anger, wasting precious time. She looked at Tushan Xiu Rong coldly. “Please investigate the matter of the phoenix feather thoroughly, Fellow Daoist,” she said.
Tushan Xiu Rong hung her head, her voice weak. “Yes.” As soon as she left the Dharma Hall, she fled Dong’e Mountain at the fastest speed she could muster. The oppressive pressure gradually lifted, and the sword intent embedded in her body became bearable. She took out the Chaos Mirror, found a name seal, and asked coldly, “Didn’t you swear an oath that you had a deep connection with the East Abode Master?”
The reply came quickly, ink-black characters forming before her eyes: “A connection from a past life is still a connection, isn’t it?”