Mistaken Era 93

Chapter 93

The imperial library housed a vast collection of ancient texts, mostly from the previous dynasty. Besides books, there were also numerous bamboo scrolls and parchment manuscripts stored in large chests.

The librarian, a meticulous individual, had organized everything meticulously. Texts related to the supernatural were all grouped together on shelves at the back of the library.

Xiao Xiao, entering the library, looked around, wondering where to begin.

Wei Jie, however, gathered cushions and created a comfortable nest for her beside a table, allowing her to read in comfort.

Wei Jie’s personality had undergone several transformations. He had briefly returned to his usual self after his divine power core shattered, but as his demonic nature strengthened, he had become increasingly cold and withdrawn.

However, his attentiveness towards Xiao Xiao remained unchanged, perhaps a remnant of his devoted disciple persona.

Xiao Xiao thought about the vivid dreams that had been plaguing her lately, dreams that surfaced whenever she entered a meditative state.

Dreams of a black-scaled man and a little black phoenix.

The man in her dreams, despite his coldness, was surprisingly gentle with the bird. He would even prepare a small basin for it to bathe in, then let it perch on his shoulder, preening its feathers as they dried…

Often, he would take it with him to the back mountains of Guishi Cliff for cultivation. Man and bird, perched on a towering tree atop a desolate peak, meditating together, watching the sunrise.

He rarely spoke to his disciples, but with the little black phoenix, he would talk, sharing his thoughts.

And the bird, as if understanding, would ignore the peanuts he offered, burying its head in his robes, as if listening to his heartbeat, a testament to his humanity, proof that he wasn’t the heartless demon everyone claimed him to be.

The man before her, except for the lack of scales, was identical to the one in her dreams.

He might not have a pet now, but Xiao Xiao suddenly felt like she had taken the little black phoenix’s place, cherished and cared for.

Ever since accepting her as his disciple, he had taken care of her every need, accompanying her during meditation, ensuring she was well-fed. He had even offered to help her bathe, but she had slapped him, putting an end to that idea…

He was attentive, a quality she, deprived of parental love, couldn’t resist.

Even knowing he was a former Demon Lord, that he had conspired with his disciple to deceive her… whenever he gently brushed her hair, his gaze soft and indulgent, she would melt under his touch.

She even considered staying in this time, renouncing immortality, living a simple life with him.

But such thoughts were foolish.

Tang Youshu had said that Wei Jie’s demonic nature was deeply rooted, difficult to eradicate. Only restoring his divine power core could save him from succumbing to darkness.

But now, this Ye Yi, a deity with a deep-seated hatred for Wei Jie, had emerged.

A simple life was no longer an option. They were in danger.

And since their confrontation with Ye Yi, Wei Jie had become even more withdrawn.

His usual playfulness, his carefree demeanor… it was gone. He spent most of his time cultivating, his dedication unwavering, a stark contrast to his previous indifference towards cultivation.

It was as if the cold, distant ancient Flame Emperor had returned.

Like now, standing by the bookshelf, his back to her, his figure seeming taller, more imposing.

It wasn’t her imagination. Since his divine power core shattered, he had been rapidly transforming.

But unlike his past life, his appearance hadn’t changed. He had grown taller, his features sharper, his gaze colder, his presence more intimidating.

According to Tang Youshu, although his divine power core was shattered, preventing his swift ascension, his demonic potential had been awakened, altering his very being.

This unfamiliarity, this sense of distance… it filled Xiao Xiao with unease. It was as if she could lose him at any moment…

She rose to her feet, walked over to him, and gently wrapped her arms around his waist.

The warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart beneath her touch… he was still human.

But as his demonic nature grew stronger, what if he turned on her, as he had done when his divine power was awakened, becoming a stranger?

She had to prepare herself, steel her heart, avoid repeating the heartbreak she had experienced on Qilao Mountain.

She realized she had startled him, interrupting his reading. She quickly released him, intending to return to her comfortable nest and continue her research.

But before she could step away, he pulled her into his arms.

His eyes, dark and intense, blazed with an unknown anger. He stared at her, then, before she could speak, lifted her effortlessly and captured her lips in a searing kiss.

This man, so silent and withdrawn lately, was still a passionate lover, his kiss melting her resistance, engulfing her in his warmth.

As the kiss ended, his voice, strained and cold, asked, “Were you… thinking about leaving me?”

His demonic nature, amplified, strengthened his connection to the demonic bead within her.

Although he couldn’t read her thoughts, he could sense her emotions.

Moments ago, as she had embraced him, her desire to distance herself, her fear… it had triggered a primal response, a possessive urge to bind her to him, prevent her escape.

Xiao Xiao, surprised by his ability to sense her emotions, couldn’t help but laugh.

As a con artist, she was a skilled actress, but before him, her facade crumbled.

There was no point in lying. “I wasn’t thinking about leaving you,” she admitted. “I was afraid that one day… you wouldn’t need me anymore. And I didn’t want to be… a burden… You’ve been so quiet lately…”

His transformation was undeniable.

“You’re afraid because I’m changing?” he asked, his voice low and husky, his forehead resting against hers, his gaze fixed on her trembling eyelashes.

He was aware of his own transformation. Every time he looked in the mirror, he was startled by the coldness in his eyes, the unfamiliar aura surrounding him.

Tang Youshu had said that in his past life, after succumbing to his demonic nature, he had become a dedicated cultivator, his power growing exponentially.

He had initially dismissed it. He had never been a diligent cultivator, preferring a more relaxed approach.

He had been naturally gifted, unlike those who had to rely on hard work to compensate for their lack of talent.

But after embracing his demonic nature, he realized that only by constantly cultivating, by strengthening his spirit, could he resist its influence.

It was like a sword hanging over his head, forcing him to be vigilant, to seek strength through meditation. There was no other way. He had abandoned his laziness, constantly battling his inner demons.

But it seemed that as his power grew, so did his demonic nature.

Even Ling Zhishan, that persistent nuisance, had been terrified of him that day, unable to meet his gaze. It was a clear indication of his growing darkness.

If Xiao Xiao was afraid of him now… he understood…

But the thought of her avoiding him, like Ling Zhishan… it triggered a wave of rage within him, his expression hardening, an urge to destroy everything around him rising…

Suddenly, slender arms wrapped around his neck. Xiao Xiao pinched his nose, her voice playful, yet firm. “So, now that we’re not master and disciple anymore, you can scare me whenever you want? Who are you trying to intimidate with that grumpy face?”

He looked ridiculous, this tall, imposing man, his nose pinched by the tiny woman in his arms.

But her playful scolding, her feisty spirit… it calmed the storm within him.

Unlike the demonic energy born from injustice and oppression in his past life, his current demonic nature stemmed from her, from Cui Xiao Xiao.

It was a heart demon, a powerful force that had even shattered his divine power core, more difficult to control than the demon unleashed by the Soul-Breaking Serpent’s venom.

Whenever she showed signs of retreating, of pulling away, his demonic nature surged, threatening to consume him.

But seeing her now, her eyes bright and clear, her gaze fixed on him, filled with concern… it calmed him, replacing the rage with an insatiable longing…

The world spun as he pushed her down onto the cushions, his movements swift and sure. He cushioned her head gently, but his body pinned her, his weight pressing her down.

His touch, his kisses… they had become more urgent, more demanding lately.

Even her reminders about his weakened state, his need to recover… they were ineffective.

He was already a captivating man, his features sharp and alluring. But now, with his demonic nature intensifying, his charm was almost overwhelming.

What mortal could resist such a man?

But even as his lips devoured hers, a flicker of awareness remained. The high ceiling, the partially open door, the eunuch waiting outside… were they planning to add a new chapter to the annals of palace scandals?

She gasped, her voice muffled by his kiss, tears welling in her eyes, pleading with him to stop.

“Jie’er, be good… we can do this later…”

What was she saying? Even her attempts to reason with him sounded scandalous!

But Wei Jie, realizing the library wasn’t the ideal place for such activities, finally relented, releasing her, his lips lingering on hers, his fingers tracing the curve of her neck.

Xiao Xiao, still dazed, her gaze fixed on the ceiling, pointed. “Look, that pattern… doesn’t it resemble your divine mark?”

Wei Jie looked up – and it did! In the center of the high ceiling, an intricate carving, identical to the mark on his forehead!

It was surrounded by other carvings, easily overlooked if not for Xiao Xiao’s sharp eyes.

He leaped onto a beam, examining it closely. Beneath the carving, he found a wooden panel with gaps around it, signs that it had been moved before.

He explored the gaps with his fingers, discovering a hidden mechanism. He pressed it, and the panel, covered in dust, fell away, revealing a wooden box. Xiao Xiao caught it before it hit the ground.

They opened it and found a rolled-up parchment scroll.

Unfurling it on the table, they realized it seemed to be a journal written by the first emperor of the Great Qi dynasty.

The journal entries were filled with the emperor’s regret at having his fortune stolen.

But it had been a fair exchange, a contract with a deity. There was no recourse.

However, the emperor had recorded these secrets, hiding the scroll within the ceiling.

Xiao Xiao recalled reading the library’s records. Prince Can, during his reign, had renovated the library.

Had he discovered this scroll, learning about the Xia family’s secret? But as it was a family secret, he must have returned it, preserving it, preventing its loss.

The first part of the scroll contained nothing new, echoing Grandmother Wei’s account. But the ending mentioned the reason for the battle between the two deities.

During the ancient wars, when the Heavenly Emperor battled demons, redefining the boundaries of the three realms, three deities had distinguished themselves.

At the time, they were still Divine Lords, not yet Emperors.

Besides the ancient Flame Divine Lord and the Dongyuan Divine Lord, there was also a powerful female deity, the Wei Feng Divine Lady.

She was the only female among the eight Divine Lords of the celestial court, a fierce warrior who, following the Heavenly Emperor’s orders, had assisted the Dongyuan Divine Lord in conquering various realms, her achievements renowned.

But during one campaign, she had defied his orders, slaughtering an entire demon city, men, women, and children, her bloodlust overwhelming. She had been sentenced to face nine heavenly tribulations to cleanse her soul.

For a deity, heavenly tribulations, although painful, were usually a formality, easily overcome with preparation or the support of a fellow cultivator.

But the Wei Feng Divine Lady’s tribulation had arrived unexpectedly early.

She had just subdued a powerful evil spirit in the Western Sea, her divine power weakened, her injuries severe. She was alone when the tribulation struck.

Unable to withstand the onslaught of lightning, her soul had fallen to the underworld, sentenced to cleanse her sins in the River of Forgetfulness before being reborn.

But for some reason, her soul, seemingly weary of conflict, had refused to board the ferry of the dead, sinking to the bottom of the river, her reincarnation delayed.

The other two deities had ascended, the ancient Flame Emperor banished to the underworld, the favored Dongyuan Emperor appointed to a prestigious position in the celestial court.

It was said that the Dongyuan Emperor had been in love with the Wei Feng Divine Lady. There were even rumors of them becoming celestial partners.

But her death had shattered his hopes. He had waited patiently for her reincarnation, her return to the celestial realm.

But she never reappeared. Upon investigating, he discovered she had chosen to remain in the River of Forgetfulness!

Desperate, he had confronted the ancient Flame Emperor, demanding her release.

The two Emperors, already at odds, clashed, their battle nearly destroying the underworld.

The Heavenly Emperor, enraged, had stripped them of their powers, sentencing them to mortal tribulations.

The Dongyuan Emperor, encountering the first Xia Emperor during a time of misfortune, had tricked him, stealing his fortune to replenish his own power.

The Xia Emperor, on his deathbed, had discovered the truth, the cruel deception.

“Do you think that’s who Ye Yi is trying to retrieve from the underworld?” Wei Jie asked Xiao Xiao. “The Wei Feng Divine Lady?”

Xiao Xiao believed it was likely. His use of the soul-marrying technique suggested he was searching for a soul trapped in the underworld.

And according to the scroll, the Wei Feng Divine Lady had refused reincarnation, choosing to remain in the River of Forgetfulness.

They left the library as dusk settled. As cultivators, they couldn’t stay in the palace overnight. They met up with Yu Ling’er and Tang Youshu outside the city.

They didn’t linger in the bustling capital. Finding a quiet spot by a river, Xiao Xiao recounted their findings.

Yu Ling’er sighed. “So the Dongyuan Emperor is a romantic?”

Xiao Xiao, however, shook her head, chuckling. Yu Ling’er, washing wild fruits in the river, looked up at her. “What? Did I say something wrong?”

“Perhaps it’s because I grew up on the streets,” Xiao Xiao said, swirling the water with her hand. “I’m not as optimistic as you. When I read that scroll, all I saw… were schemes and manipulations…”

“What do you mean?”

“Three deities,” Xiao Xiao said, her voice thoughtful. “They fought for the Heavenly Emperor, their hands stained with blood. But only the Dongyuan Emperor enjoyed a privileged existence in the celestial realm. The other two… they met tragic ends. I thought the ancient Flame Emperor, banished to the underworld, then forced to endure a mortal tribulation, was unfortunate enough. But the Wei Feng Divine Lady… her soul trapped, unable to reincarnate… choosing to remain in the River of Forgetfulness… where’s the romance in that? It’s a cautionary tale, a reminder of the dangers of love!”

Yu Ling’er shuddered.

It was true! Heavenly tribulations didn’t arrive early without a reason. A mere formality for deities… it had become a death sentence for her. It was terrifying.

And it made one wonder… was the Dongyuan Emperor somehow involved in her downfall?

His supposed devotion seemed less admirable now.

Yu Ling’er, her perspective shifted by Xiao Xiao’s words, looked up at the sky, her previous longing for immortality gone.

As a fox demon, she had yearned to ascend, to become an immortal.

But now… it seemed the celestial realm wasn’t a sanctuary. If one wasn’t careful, they could be tricked, manipulated, cast down to the mortal realm, or even worse, trapped in the underworld, their chances of reincarnation gone…

The mortal realm wasn’t so bad. Food, drink, entertainment… and… she glanced at Tang Youshu, who was preparing medicine for his master. She offered him a washed fruit, asking softly, “Tang Youshu, if you couldn’t achieve immortality, how would you live your life?”

He had thought about this before. He looked at her, a world-weary smile touching his lips. “Perhaps I would find a mountain, take on a few disciples, cultivate, heal the sick, and when my time came, return to the earth.”

Yu Ling’er, attuned to human emotions, sensed a profound sadness beneath his words, a hint of acceptance, as if… he had already experienced death.

Her heart ached for him. “Your grand-master has embraced the Joy Sect,” she said softly. “Why are you still so clueless? Cultivating together… it’s better than being alone. Even the most devoted disciple… can they lie beside you at night, sharing their thoughts?”

That idiot! Where was she in his vision of the future? She was perfect for late-night conversations! And if he wasn’t in the mood for talking… they could do other things…

Her cheeks flushed, but her gaze, fixed on him, remained bold and unwavering.

Tang Youshu was used to her frankness, her untamed spirit. After all, they had known each other in his past life.

But back then, her passion had been directed at Wei Jie. He had watched from the sidelines, a silent observer, as she poured her heart into a hopeless infatuation, offering him everything, eventually dying to save him…

This girl… she shouldn’t be burdened by love…

His heart ached for her. He looked at her, his gaze filled with concern, deciding to guide her.

“I’ve been studying fate lately,” he said. “I have some free time. Perhaps… I could read your fortune?”