Mistaken Era 92

Chapter 92

In Wei Jie’s past life, the Dongyuan Emperor had remained in the celestial realm, observing events from afar.

But the unexpected had happened. Someone had traveled back in time, altering the fate of countless individuals.

Prince Can, who had successfully stolen Wei Jie’s divine power core in their past life, was now a fugitive, his plans in ruins.

And Wei Jie, having left behind a safeguard, had regained his sealed divine power core.

Ironically, Prince Can, in his attempt to restore Wei Jie’s original fate, had unwittingly returned Guishi Cliff to the Lingshan Talisman Sect through Princess Yongning.

Sensing Wei Jie’s growing power, Prince Can had constructed an altar, crafting a statue of the Dongyuan Emperor from ancient wood, offering sacrifices of Xia blood, finally breaking the deity’s seal, summoning his soul to the mortal realm.

This aligned perfectly with the Dongyuan Emperor’s own desires. In their past life, he had focused on opening the gates of the underworld.

But just as he was about to succeed, Wei Jie, with the help of the Wei family, had used their remaining divine power to summon the five phoenixes, unleashing a firestorm that sealed the gates.

His hopes dashed, he had thought his chance was gone. But Wei Jie, who should have been obliterated, had somehow reversed time, bringing back the red moon.

The Dongyuan Emperor saw it as a sign from heaven, a second chance to enter the underworld and find what he sought.

But this time, he wouldn’t rely solely on brute force. As a deity, he abhorred using forbidden techniques.

But this opportunity was too precious to waste. He resorted to soul marrying, an ancient, forbidden art, and found Princess Yongning, a suitable vessel.

However, he preferred to remain behind the scenes, entrusting Prince Can and the disciples of Wan Lianshi with the execution of his plan.

He would orchestrate everything, ensuring his success, his determination to find the one he sought unwavering.

Even Wei Jie, now a mortal, had found a way to defy fate. He, a deity, wouldn’t be bound by destiny.

He wouldn’t accept defeat!

But despite his meticulous planning, Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie had repeatedly escaped his traps.

Prince Can, impatient, had initiated the soul-marrying ritual before he was ready.

He had been forced to intervene, only to be outmaneuvered by Xiao Xiao, his plan falling apart.

Prince Can, although unaware of the details, could tell from the blood staining Ye Yi’s forehead that he had suffered a defeat.

He had known those two were troublesome, but for a deity to be bested by them… it was unexpected. Were they truly that formidable?

But a god was a god. They recovered quickly. Ye Yi, or rather, the Dongyuan Emperor, casually touched his wounded forehead.

When possessing a mortal body, a deity couldn’t afford to lose their temper. But he had been caught off guard, tricked by that cunning Cui Xiao Xiao.

His divine power core, although not completely shattered, was damaged. He was trapped in this dissolute young man’s body, unable to escape.

Even after healing, he would be stranded in the mortal realm for too long, missing his chance to return to the celestial palace. He would have to wait for another mortal’s ascension, hitching a ride back to the heavens.

He had finally descended to the mortal realm, only to lose his chance to retrieve what he desired from the underworld.

He gritted his teeth, remembering that slender girl with the captivating mole, her infuriating cleverness.

“My lord, is it… is it over? You promised me… the two hundred years stolen from the Xia family… you would compensate me with immortality…”

The Dongyuan Emperor, wiping the blood from his forehead, reassured Prince Can. “Don’t worry. I will keep my promise. Wei Jie has embraced his demonic nature. He will eventually form his Nascent Soul and face his final tribulation. In the original timeline, his celestial position was yours. This time… there might be some delays, but the outcome will be the same… After all, I owe the Xia family a debt.”

Prince Can, his eyes narrowed, studied the man before him, his smile gentle and reassuring.

He was a god, his words imbued with a soothing power.

Anyone else would have groveled at his feet, basking in his divine aura.

But Prince Can didn’t trust him! He was a descendant of the Xia family, and the imperial fortune of the Xia dynasty… it had been stolen by this man for two hundred years!

The Dongyuan Emperor, his battle with the ruler of the underworld nearly causing the collapse of the underworld, both of them severely wounded, had broken celestial laws. He should have endured a mortal tribulation, but instead, he had stolen the fortune of a mortal emperor, replenishing his own power.

His actions… they were more wicked than any demon’s!

But Prince Can couldn’t show his anger. This deity was the son of the Heavenly Emperor, born a god, a true child of privilege.

Even the Xia Emperor was insignificant compared to him, a mere ant. They had been deceived, but they had no choice but to accept it.

Prince Can recalled his youthful rage upon discovering the truth about the Xia family’s stolen fortune.

He had been the Emperor then, and he had ordered the destruction of all statues of the Dongyuan Emperor, using the excuse of purging evil spirits.

But his rash actions had angered the heavens. The Great Qi had been plagued by floods, the people suffering, blaming him, their Emperor.

He had been forced to rebuild the statues, offering apologies and prayers, begging for forgiveness.

It was during his self-imposed seclusion that he had sensed the Dongyuan Emperor, establishing a connection with him.

The deity, appearing benevolent and compassionate, had offered him a chance to escape mortality, to achieve immortality, as compensation for the Xia family’s loss.

Immortality… the ultimate temptation for a mortal emperor. To rule forever, to enjoy power and privilege eternally…

Under the deity’s guidance, he had learned to use the lifespans of Xia descendants to fuel his forbidden techniques. He had even orchestrated the rescue of Wei Di, the traitor of the Wei family, obtaining a page from the Book of Life and Death, allowing him to steal Wei Jie’s fate.

But he knew this deity wasn’t acting out of guilt or compassion. He was using him to open the gates of the underworld, to retrieve something he desired.

Whether he had succeeded in their past life… Prince Can didn’t know. He had no memories of his past life, only the knowledge gleaned from the stolen page, secrets mortals weren’t meant to know.

But he knew that in their past life, the Dongyuan Emperor hadn’t risked possessing a mortal body.

This time, everything was different.

Even a powerful deity like him was now trapped in the mortal realm, his future uncertain.

“That Cui Xiao Xiao,” the Dongyuan Emperor said, his voice low. “Her time reversal… it might have only affected the mortal realm, but it will eventually reach the heavens. I might retain my memories, but trapped in this mortal shell, I’m bound by the flow of time… But perhaps it’s not a bad thing. At least I have another chance to find what I seek…”

In their past life, he had defeated Wei Jie, obliterating the former ruler of the underworld. He had even managed to eradicate the Wei family with Prince Can’s help, opening the gates of the underworld.

But Wei Jie, in his final moments, had somehow summoned the five phoenixes, unleashing a firestorm that destroyed Qilao Mountain, sealing the gates. His efforts had been in vain.

This time, although time had been reversed, giving Wei Jie a second chance, it was also an opportunity for him.

He wouldn’t be a distant observer. He would personally intervene, shaping events from within.

He would use this reset to his advantage, to finally obtain what he desired…

“I’m currently trapped in this useless body,” he said. “This mortal shell… it’s inadequate.”

“I’ve already considered that,” Prince Can said quickly. “The Young Pavilion Master of the Soaring Cloud Pavilion, Qin Lingxiao, he’s quite talented. He’s already formed his Golden Core. He will be ready soon. But for now, please, bear with this current vessel.”

The Dongyuan Emperor smiled, but didn’t respond, turning to leave.

Prince Can watched him go, his smile fading.

He might be a descendant of the Xia family, a former Emperor, but before this son of a god, he was nothing but a pawn.

He took a deep breath. He was a master of manipulating people, but not gods.

He knew he was being used.

But whether mortal or divine, they were all bound to this realm now, breathing the same air, walking the same earth.

Who was using whom? It was a game of strategy, and only one could emerge victorious.

As Prince Can and the Dongyuan Emperor plotted their next moves, the Lingshan Talisman Sect group, having tended to the injured guards, escorted Prince Changshan back to the city.

The prince, shaken by his near-death experience, clung to his daughter, his sobs echoing through the night.

Father and daughter, reunited after a harrowing ordeal, shared a moment of unspoken understanding.

The Lingshan Talisman Sect members were treated as honored guests, showered with food and wine.

But Prince Can and Ye Yi had vanished. Prince Changshan, enraged upon learning about the imposter, the ridiculous marriage arrangement, ordered the annulment of the engagement, accusing the Ye family of colluding with villains, attempting to harm a member of the imperial family.

Although they knew Ye Yi was just a vessel, Princess Yongning, fueled by her anger towards the Ye family, their role in raising such a despicable son, embellished her account, painting them as villains who deserved to be punished.

A few days later, with the Crown Prince’s support, Prince Changshan’s report reached the Emperor.

The Emperor, furious upon hearing about the imposter, ordered a thorough investigation. The Ye family was stripped of their titles and possessions, and Ye Yi became a wanted fugitive.

Tang Youshu mentioned that with his divine mark damaged, Ye Yi wouldn’t recover anytime soon. The deity possessing him was trapped. He had descended to the mortal realm, only to become a fugitive. He hoped he enjoyed his new life as a hunted criminal.

Meanwhile, Wei Jie’s new disciples, upon hearing about their master’s heroic rescue of Prince Changshan and his daughter, flocked to the former Prince Can’s mansion, eager to see him.

Xiao Xiao, standing on a balcony, observed the crowd gathered outside.

Wei Jie refused to see them. Tang Youshu, accompanied by Yu Ling’er, armed with a bag of silver, prepared to dismiss them.

Wei Jie, consumed by jealousy when Xiao Xiao had announced her intention to establish the Joy Sect, had impulsively accepted these opportunistic individuals as his disciples.

Unfortunately, he had inadvertently accepted a female disciple, a decision he now regretted, a constant source of teasing from Xiao Xiao.

He had instructed Tang Youshu to take the blame, claiming he wouldn’t have accepted them if it weren’t for that divine power core.

So, Tang Youshu was left to clean up the mess.

But as the founder of the Lingshan Talisman Sect, he couldn’t tarnish their reputation. Accepting disciples, then abandoning them… it wouldn’t reflect well on them.

He sighed, dividing the silver into smaller pouches, offering them to the dismissed disciples. He had done his duty as their senior brother. It was time to part ways.

But the disciples protested, demanding to see Wei Jie, wanting to know why they had been expelled.

Yu Ling’er, seeing Tang Youshu struggling, stepped forward, her voice ringing out. “Wei Jie has succumbed to demonic energy! He’s dangerous! He dismissed you for your own safety! Do you truly want to join a demonic sect, become disciples of a demon?”

The rumors of Cui Xiao Xiao’s demonic nature were widespread.

But the young Sect Master was usually cheerful and approachable, showing no signs of being a demon. She was charming and beautiful. Even if she had turned into a demon, her tragic fate evoked sympathy.

She refused to acknowledge her demonic nature, and the others were happy to ignore it. Whether she was a demon or an immortal… all they cared about was learning from her!

And of course, having a master like Wei Jie, who hadn’t succumbed to demonic energy, who possessed divine power… that was even better!

Although his bloodline was impure, he was still a descendant of the demon-hunting Wei family. Having him as their master would bring them prestige.

But now, with Yu Ling’er’s revelation, their self-deception shattered.

They exchanged uneasy glances, their previous claims of loyalty, their willingness to follow even a demonic master, now sounding hollow.

Most of them accepted the silver, muttering about their opposition to demonic ways, and left.

But Ling Zhishan refused to leave. “Once a master, always a master,” she declared. “Even if he’s become a demon, I won’t abandon him!”

Xiao Xiao, listening from the balcony, couldn’t help but be moved by her words. “If she hadn’t conspired with Qin Lingxiao to kill you in our past life,” she said, “her loyalty would be admirable.”

Wei Jie, his expression cold and distant, his words few these days, placed a slice of melon in her mouth. “Cui Xiao Xiao, don’t provoke me.”

Xiao Xiao, chewing on the melon, pointed at the grapes in the bowl, then said, “She clearly admires you. What are you going to do if she refuses to leave?”

Wei Jie, avoiding the topic, popped a grape into her mouth, then said, “I received a reply from the Crown Prince. He’s granted us access to the imperial library.”

To uncover Ye Yi’s true nature, they needed to investigate the Xia family’s history, their connection to that deity.

The Crown Prince had been researching in the library, but as a non-cultivator, he struggled to decipher the ancient texts.

He believed it was best to let Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao handle it.

They bid farewell to Princess Yongning and left the mansion.

Wei Jie, walking ahead of them, his black robes billowing, his broad shoulders and narrow waist accentuated by his attire, drew many stares.

Although his divine power core was shattered, his divine soul had awakened. Like Ye Yi, he exuded an aura of power.

But unlike Ye Yi’s gentle elegance, Wei Jie’s presence was cold and menacing, a dangerous aura that commanded attention.

Xiao Xiao recognized it – the aura of a demon.

Compared to her, he was more susceptible to demonic energy. He was the former ruler of the underworld, a deity who walked a path that blurred the lines between good and evil. His aura was different from that of other celestial beings.

The underworld… it was a place shunned by deities, a celestial prison.

Besides the perpetual darkness, its very nature could taint a divine soul.

The ancient Flame Emperor’s cold, ruthless personality… it was a consequence of his prolonged exposure to the underworld. Even a righteous deity could be corrupted.

Now, with his divine power core shattered, Wei Jie’s demonic nature was flourishing, his menacing aura growing stronger.

Ling Zhishan, who had been following them, wanting to speak with Wei Jie, flinched under his gaze, stumbling back.

He was still the same man, but somehow… he seemed different, a chilling presence that made her avert her eyes…

Wei Jie, grabbing Xiao Xiao’s hand, walked away.

This cold, intimidating man, his usual playful smile gone… his gaze softened only when he looked at her, his expression filled with a possessive tenderness.

It seemed they had reconciled. He held her hand openly, unconcerned about their master-disciple relationship…

They were more than master and disciple. They were a couple.

Ling Zhishan, watching them, his hand firmly clasped around hers, felt a pang of despair. He had never seen her, his eyes fixed on someone else…

She chuckled bitterly, giving up, ignoring her fellow disciples who tried to engage her in conversation, and walked away, disappearing into the bustling crowd.

Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao, traveling swiftly, soon arrived at the imperial palace in the capital.

The capital was even more dazzling than Luoyi City.

But their culinary adventures would have to wait.

Upon arriving at the palace, they were escorted by a senior eunuch, acting on the Crown Prince’s orders, deep into the palace grounds. It seemed the Crown Prince was even more eager than they were to uncover the Xia family’s secrets.

After all, a hidden, immortal former Emperor, manipulating events from the shadows… it was a threat to both the Emperor and the Crown Prince.

And the Great Qi, its five-hundred-year fortune stolen for two hundred years… it was a bitter pill to swallow.

Although the dynasty had only been established for a little over a hundred years, how could they accept its demise two hundred years later?

The Crown Prince focused on governing the empire. Matters of the supernatural were best left to experts.

As it was a restricted area, only Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao were allowed to enter. Guided by the eunuch, they passed through numerous gates, heading towards the library.

Passing by the imperial temple, Wei Jie paused, his gaze drawn to one of the many statues housed within.

The statue, depicting a deity wielding a sword, was both imposing and handsome, its expression serene. The divine mark on its forehead, a lightning-shaped symbol, was identical to the one Ye Yi possessed.

“Who is that?” Wei Jie asked the eunuch.

“That is the Dongyuan Emperor,” the eunuch replied respectfully. “He was brought here by the former Emperor. At the time, the former Emperor spared no expense, searching for ancient wood to craft this statue. And it seems the deity answered our prayers. Ever since the statue arrived, the floods that plagued our land receded, and peace was restored…”

Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao exchanged glances.

The former Emperor’s efforts to obtain that ancient wood… it wasn’t just for simple prayers, was it?

The Dongyuan Emperor’s divine mark, identical to Ye Yi’s… there had to be a connection!

This unexpected discovery narrowed down their search.