T/N: I edited chapters 68, 69, and 70. I think I found a mistake regarding the introduction of Prince Cangshan, or maybe I’m just unsure – sorry, I’m terrible with names, even in real life haha. If you notice any inconsistencies from now on or in previous chapters (I think there are), please let me know in the comments of the chapter. (I’m too lazy to re-read all 79 chapters haha) .
In the word “Guishi” shi means stone
Chapter 79
Cui Xiao Xiao had long noticed it, her face grave.
She hadn’t followed them out of mere curiosity. In the teahouse, she overheard two men discussing the recent fire that had disfigured Prince Changshan. Such a coincidence! Shortly before this accident, Prince Can had gifted the crucial Guishi Cliff Manor to Princess Yongning, whose father now conveniently wore a mask, hiding his true face.
Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but recall her conversation with the Crown Prince. Perhaps Prince Can had already, unnoticed, assumed another identity, that of a royal! And the disfigured Prince Changshan… could he be the perfect stand-in?
Now, seeing Prince Changshan’s temporary residence in Luoyi City, which happened to be Prince Can’s former mansion, Xiao Xiao’s suspicions grew stronger.
As they watched a group of people enter the mansion, Yu Ling’er swallowed a mouthful of her pastry and asked, “So? Are we going in too?”
Xiao Xiao shook her head. The enemy was lurking in the shadows. If the mansion was a trap, they would be walking right into it.
Moreover, the princess possessed strange abilities, and who knew what was going on with Prince Changshan. It was best to observe for now.
But as she was about to leap onto the familiar tree she used to observe the mansion, she found it already occupied.
Tang Youshu, dressed in black, stood on the branch, his bamboo basket on his back.
Seeing Cui Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er, he jumped down, frowning slightly. “Why are you here again?”
Cui Xiao Xiao, upon seeing her teacher, simply turned her head away without a word. Yu Ling’er, however, asked curiously, “Why are you here too?”
Tang Youshu lowered his voice. “You are merely here for sightseeing. If there’s nothing else, you should leave Luoyi City as soon as possible.”
He paused, then addressed Cui Xiao Xiao. “After Master returned yesterday… he’s been restless and unable to meditate. What did you say to him?”
Cui Xiao Xiao almost laughed. Was Wei Jie’s inability to meditate also her fault now?
Besides, she hadn’t done anything! At most, she had told him not to casually enter a girl’s room and that she wanted nothing to do with the Lingshan Talisman Sect.
The old Wei Jie wouldn’t have taken these words to heart.
She had said harsher things to him before, and he would always just scoff, rolling his eyes before flashing his canine teeth and resuming his pestering…
Xiao Xiao didn’t dare to think further. Just imagining the old Wei Jie brought a wave of indescribable longing and heartache…
What to do? She was starting to miss Jie’er again…
Seeing Xiao Xiao’s silence, Tang Youshu guessed that they had met privately last night and that Xiao Xiao had said something to upset his master.
He had to explain the gravity of the situation. “Xiao Xiao, if you resent or hate me, it’s understandable. I failed as a teacher and didn’t treat you well. But I know you care for Master Wei. He’s had a difficult time in both lives. Now that he has regained his divine power, he must not be swayed by emotions. Otherwise, his mortal body won’t be able to withstand the surge of energy, disrupting his meridians and leading to unimaginable consequences…”
This time, Xiao Xiao finally turned to him, her gaze cold. “Rest assured, I won’t disturb your master’s ascension. But I’ve been dragged back to this time, over two hundred years ago, by you all for no reason. I can’t just be someone’s pawn. I need to find a way back. So let’s stay out of each other’s way.”
Yu Ling’er, completely lost, whispered to Tang Youshu, “Xiao Xiao is still angry. Don’t provoke her… By the way, we are running out of silver, so could you…”
Before Yu Ling’er could finish, Cui Xiao Xiao grabbed her hand and dashed towards a nearby market street.
While Tang Youshu was talking to Xiao Xiao, she had noticed the steward of the Marquis of Zhongyong’s mansion emerge, his face beaming with joy. He announced to his subordinates, “Hurry! Have the convoy continue delivering the betrothal gifts. The prince said it’s a small matter if the gifts were mistaken, they can be replaced later. Missing the auspicious time is what truly matters!”
It seemed the father wasn’t as picky as the daughter. Faced with such a perfunctory in-law, he didn’t seem to care at all.
And this was obviously Prince Changshan’s decision alone.
A short while later, Princess Yongning stormed out from a side door, mounted on her horse, fuming.
Xiao Xiao pulled Yu Ling’er along, following the princess to see what would happen.
As for Tang Youshu, he frowned at the mansion that had changed hands, rushing back to report to his master.
He and Wei Jie had also learned about Prince Changshan’s disfigurement and were naturally suspicious. However, the prince rarely showed his face. The only time he did, he was covered in a heavy cloak, concealing even his physique.
Thinking of this, Tang Youshu glanced in the direction Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er had disappeared, deciding to report to his master first.
It was better not to mention his encounter with them, lest it stir up Wei Jie’s emotions again…
A person originally not destined for romantic love suddenly found himself entangled in this ill-fated relationship. What kind of ripple effect would it have? Even Tang Youshu couldn’t say.
Right now, they could only take it one step at a time. First, eliminate Prince Can, that venomous tumor, and clear the obstacles in the way of his master’s ascension.
Meanwhile, Cui Xiao Xiao’s lightness technique had improved by leaps and bounds. Even without Yu Ling’er’s help, she could move swiftly.
Princess Yongning rode fast, leaving her attendants struggling to keep up.
Soon, they arrived at a secluded pool outside the city.
After dismounting, the princess, without allowing anyone to follow, walked to the water’s edge, sat on a rock, and began whipping a nearby branch with her horsewhip.
After a few lashes, her eyes reddened, and she choked back a sob, her voice filled with the heart-wrenching grief of a wronged child. “Mother, why did you leave me so soon? If you were here, you would definitely stand up for me, not let me marry into such a wretched family!”
Her cries were filled with sorrow.
Cui Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er were eavesdropping from a distance. It wouldn’t have been a problem, except Xiao Xiao forgot she had brought a sentimental little fox with her.
Any other reason for the princess’s tears might have been bearable. But hearing her cry for her mother, Yu Ling’er couldn’t help but think of her deceased father, the Fox King.
When her mother was alive, she didn’t have to worry about anything. She was just a carefree Fox Princess.
But after her mother’s passing, the burden of the entire Fox Tribe fell upon her shoulders. She still hadn’t settled her people, still leading them in their wanderings… And she was so incompetent that she was abandoned by a gentle scholar like Tang Youshu.
She couldn’t even charm a scholar! It was a humiliation for a fox demon!
Mother, Ling’er is useless, so useless!
Overcome with grief, Yu Ling’er couldn’t help but lift her head and let out a mournful fox cry.
This cry completely exposed their location, silencing Princess Yongning’s sobs.
“Who’s there?!” The princess’s angry shout accompanied the snap of her whip, which landed on the bushes concealing Cui Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er.
Yu Ling’er yelped and dodged, while Cui Xiao Xiao sighed in resignation. With an apologetic smile, they emerged from their hiding place.
“It’s you?” Princess Yongning immediately recognized Sect Master Cui of the Lingshan Talisman Sect and her little companion.
Normally, she would have greeted them warmly. But now, she eyed them with vigilance, especially their clothes. “Sect Master Cui? What are you doing here?” she asked hesitantly.
The situation was awkward. Afraid that Yu Ling’er might blurt out the truth, Xiao Xiao quickly interjected, “This place is brimming with spiritual energy. I brought my disciple here to cultivate and meditate. We didn’t expect to encounter Princess Yongning… Why are you here alone?”
Logically, Princess Yongning should have offered a casual excuse, and they would part ways.
However, to Xiao Xiao’s surprise, the princess didn’t seem to mind airing her family’s dirty laundry. Looking at their somewhat familiar clothes, she said coldly, “You were at the teahouse in the city, weren’t you? You saw everything. Why bother asking?”
Xiao Xiao hadn’t expected the princess to be so sharp, recognizing them from a mere glance in the teahouse.
She decided to stop pretending. “We saw you galloping through the city and were worried something had happened, so we followed. Please forgive our intrusion, Princess.”
Princess Yongning sighed and spoke to Cui Xiao Xiao without reservation. “Immortal Master, you must have heard everything back there. Don’t you think it’s pathetic? As a princess, I have to marry into that filthy family to repay my father’s debt of gratitude! I just found out that the eldest son of the Marquis of Zhongyong is a good-for-nothing gambler and womanizer, a widower, no less. Yet my father insists on marrying me off to him…”
Yu Ling’er didn’t see the problem. “The young master saved your father’s life. Marrying him is repaying his kindness and fulfilling your filial duty, isn’t it?” she said earnestly.
Princess Yongning scoffed. “There are many ways to show gratitude. How is marrying him considered repayment? I have no feelings for him. Am I supposed to stare at him all day, exchanging awkward silences? That’s just an excuse used by those who can’t find a husband!”
Yu Ling’er felt personally attacked. She had always firmly believed in repaying kindness with her hand in marriage.
But now, thinking back, she wondered if the Fox Tribe’s tradition of offering oneself in marriage was just taking advantage of humans.
Fortunately, Xiao Xiao changed the subject. “Princess, I noticed your extraordinary skills at the teahouse. You even commanded the wind! You are truly a heroine!”
The princess was pleased by the compliment. Forgetting her marriage woes for a moment, she asked with wide, teary eyes, “Truly extraordinary? You think my skills are good, even Sect Master Cui?”
Three years ago, she had learned some basic techniques from a cultivator. Although it was nothing compared to those true immortals, her teacher had said it was enough to protect herself in times of need.
She hadn’t expected to receive praise from the Sect Master of the Lingshan Talisman Sect for the skills she had displayed today in her haste to expose the Marquis of Zhongyong’s family. This excited her greatly.
Xiao Xiao had previously thought this princess, who had eagerly visited Guishi Cliff to see the phoenix, might be hiding her true abilities.
But now, she realized Princess Yongning was a straightforward and valiant woman who also possessed some skill. Xiao Xiao couldn’t help but feel a sense of fondness for her.
However, this fondness was quickly suppressed.
She couldn’t help it. Her own teacher, who treated her like his daughter, had just given her a vivid lesson: appearances could be deceiving, and trust should not be given easily. Otherwise, one might end up counting money for the person who sold them out.
Remembering her purpose, Xiao Xiao probed, “Princess, if you are not happy with this marriage, why not discuss it with your father? What father wouldn’t care for his daughter’s happiness?”
The flicker of excitement in Princess Yongning’s eyes vanished. She turned to gaze at the pool, her voice filled with dejection. “Before my father was injured, I was certain he wouldn’t force me into a marriage. He has always doted on me, which is why he never arranged a marriage for me. But… ever since he was injured, he’s changed. He’s become withdrawn and doesn’t like seeing anyone. It’s like… like…”
She seemed to have something she couldn’t bring herself to say, but Xiao Xiao finished her sentence. “Like he’s a different person?”
Princess Yongning jolted, her eyes widening. “What do you mean by that?” she asked urgently.
Xiao Xiao feigned ignorance, forcing a smile. “I was just rambling, following your train of thought, Princess. But in my hometown, there were indeed people who returned from the battlefield claiming to be disfigured and then went to the families of their wealthy fallen comrades, pretending to be them to claim their assets. Such despicable people deserve to be struck by lightning!”
Although Xiao Xiao apologized, Princess Yongning’s expression didn’t ease. She stared at Xiao Xiao, muttering, “Preposterous! Such things happen in the countryside. How could it happen within the royal palace…”
Xiao Xiao looked at her and said with a smile, “I’m just a country bumpkin, Princess. Please don’t take my words to heart. To be able to master wind techniques in just a few years, you must be gifted. However, I advise you to always think before you act. It often yields better results. Otherwise, like today on the street, although you overturned the betrothal gifts in your anger, you didn’t hit where it mattered. You only ended up with a stomach full of frustration, which is pointless.”
Princess Yongning stared at Xiao Xiao, convinced that she was implying something.
Cui Xiao Xiao felt a pang of sympathy for the princess, which was why she had offered her unsolicited advice. But seeing the princess’s stare, she realized she might have overstepped.
However, Cui Xiao Xiao didn’t really care. Her words were both a test and a way to warn the unseen Prince Changshan through the princess.
The disfigured prince was too suspicious! After all, it was Prince Changshan who had instructed his daughter to give up the Guishi Cliff Manor to the Lingshan Talisman Sect.
According to his reputation, Prince Changshan was a hedonistic idler who avoided serious matters.
Why, at a time when the Emperor was cracking down on the cultivation world and suppressing the Four Great Sects, would he have his daughter offer up the manor, going against the current and supporting a cultivation sect?
Unless… Prince Changshan knew about the tribulation that awaited Wei Jie in the back mountains of Guishi Cliff. He had offered the manor to make it easier for her and Wei Jie to face it.
After all, Prince Can, the one who had stolen the Immortal Fruit in her past life, was like a hunter waiting patiently for his prey to grow plump and ripe.
Whether it was her or Wei Jie, as long as one of them could overcome the tribulation and ascend, that lurking villain would have a way to seize the throne!
Returning to this time, over two hundred years in the past, was like stepping into a pit of vipers. She didn’t dare to hope for a way back. But if death was inevitable, she wanted to be a ghost who knew the truth.
Moreover… she didn’t want Wei Jie to repeat the tragic fate of their past life.
So, Xiao Xiao used the princess to shake the tiger’s cage, hoping to uncover more clues through her.
The princess remained silent after hearing Xiao Xiao’s words. But after a while, she smiled at Xiao Xiao.
“My mother passed away early, but she was just like you. She always said I was too impulsive. You’re right. Crying and smashing a few cups won’t solve the situation. I need to plan carefully…”
The princess was about to return to the city. As they were parting ways, she asked, “Sect Master Cui, if I need to find you, how can I reach you quickly?”
Xiao Xiao thought for a moment, took out a piece of yellow paper, and tore off a small, crooked figure. She drew a few runes on it and handed it to the princess. “If you have an emergency, put this paper figure in water, and I will know.”
This was a technique she had recently learned, based on a spell from the Demonic Ghost Sect’s Wan Lianshi’s unorthodox formations.
However, Wan Lianshi used paper figures for malicious purposes, to harm others. Xiao Xiao, on the other hand, used it for communication.
Princess Yongning accepted the paper figure with surprise and admiration. “Sect Master Cui, you possess great abilities. It’s a pity I’m preoccupied with matters at the moment. When I have the opportunity, I would like to become your disciple and learn from you at the Lingshan Talisman Sect.”
Yu Ling’er was now accustomed to the constant stream of people wanting to become Xiao Xiao’s disciple. However, she still reminded the princess, “Xiao Xiao was driven out by her rebellious disciple. She’s currently establishing her own sect, called… the Carefree… Harmony Sect. I’m afraid it might not be suitable for you, Princess.”
She thought that upon hearing “Harmony Sect,” this refined lady would be scared witless.
However, to her surprise, Princess Yongning’s eyes lit up with admiration. “You cultivators truly live a life of freedom, doing as you please. But if you ask me, the name could be improved to attract more disciples. Keeping the ‘carefree’ part is good, but ‘harmony’ is not quite right. Doesn’t it imply the need for a partner to cultivate with? Can’t one find joy on their own? How about… the Carefree Joy Sect!”
It seemed this princess had a penchant for renaming things. Not only had she changed Guishi Cliff to “Lingshan Mountain,” but now she was bestowing a name upon Xiao Xiao’s new sect.
However, Cui Xiao Xiao thought the princess’s suggestion made sense and nodded repeatedly. “You are indeed well-read, Princess. Just changing two words makes it so much more brilliant… By right, I should offer you a red envelope as thanks for the name, but I’m a bit short on silver at the moment. Another day…”
Xiao Xiao was just being polite, but when the princess heard about her financial situation, she took out two silver notes from her pouch and handed them to her. “Sect Master Cui, I have no other congratulatory gifts for the establishment of your new sect, and I am unable to attend the ceremony due to family matters. Please accept these silver notes as a token of my congratulations.”
The princess was as straightforward and generous as ever. After giving Xiao Xiao the silver, she said, “Fate has brought us together. Until we meet again!”
With that, Princess Yongning bid farewell with a heroic fist salute, just like a wandering cultivator.
It was said that the princess was skilled in martial arts. Spoiled by her father’s love, she had studied under many martial arts masters since childhood.
No wonder she took to the wind techniques taught by the cultivator with such enthusiasm. It seemed she didn’t enjoy being a pampered princess and envied Cui Xiao Xiao’s freedom.
For such a girl to be married off to a good-for-nothing by her father… it was a tragedy waiting to happen!
After watching Princess Yongning disappear into the distance, leaving the two members of the Carefree Joy Sect by the pool, Yu Ling’er asked, “Xiao Xiao, where should we go now?”
Xiao Xiao didn’t know either. She had been neglecting her cultivation lately and needed to find a place to meditate and recover.
She didn’t want to risk entering Luoyi City with Prince Changshan’s true nature still a mystery.
So, she chose a scenic mountain forest outside the city, found a large rock, and settled down to meditate.
As she sat there, the consequences of her recent neglect became apparent.
Xiao Xiao realized that a surge of energy was stuck between her Lianquan and Shanglian acupoints, unable to move.
Moreover, as her energy flowed, the area on her arm with the scales began to itch and ache. When she opened her eyes to look, she found that the scales seemed to be spreading towards her neck.
Worst of all, as the scales spread, she felt a wave of heat wash over her.
Unable to bear it any longer, Xiao Xiao glanced at the little fox sleeping soundly on a nearby rock. Deciding not to wake her, she found a secluded pool. She removed her outer robe, remaining in her inner garment, and jumped in.
The cool water soothed her burning skin. Xiao Xiao swam to a small waterfall, letting the cascading water pound against her body.
But just as she began to relax, the heat returned, stronger than before. It felt like she was back in the Phoenix Sanctuary, engulfed in flames.
Xiao Xiao thrashed in the water, like a dying fish.
Just then, a strong arm reached out and pulled her from the water.
Xiao Xiao opened her eyes to see Wei Jie, his face as cold as ice, standing in the pool. He had entered the water without her noticing.
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