Chapter 94
With that, Tang Youshu produced a tortoise shell and three bronze coins.
Yu Ling’er, assuming it was a lighthearted diversion, placed the coins in the shell, shook them, and poured them onto the Bagua diagram for him to interpret.
Tang Youshu’s brow furrowed as he studied the arrangement, a hint of sadness in his eyes. Under Yu Ling’er’s persistent prodding, he finally spoke. “Look, both coins landed on Earth Palace, suppressing Fire Luck. Earth conquers Fire. This means your path of love will be filled with trials. Whenever your love burns bright, it will be extinguished by a handful of dust… Yu Ling’er, if you heed my advice, abandon these thoughts of love. Don’t waste your time on it… Your path is destined to be fruitless. Focus on cultivation, on achieving enlightenment.”
Yu Ling’er, who had been smiling, was now speechless.
What was he saying? She was destined for a loveless life? Was he subtly telling her that he, Tang Youshu, wasn’t interested in a fox demon as a wife?
How cruel! Tears welled in her eyes.
Cui Xiao Xiao, who had been listening nearby, was appalled by his harsh words.
Even a heartless fortune teller, trying to scam people, wouldn’t be so cruel to a young woman!
He didn’t like Yu Ling’er, fine. But to completely deny her any chance of love?
Foxes valued love and loyalty. Forcing them to embrace a path of detachment… it was against their very nature!
Did Tang Youshu think he and Wei Jie were the only good men in the world?
Just because Yu Ling’er no longer loved Wei Jie, did that mean she had to settle for him? Was she limited to choosing between them?
Perhaps one day, she would broaden her horizons, venturing beyond their circle, and find someone truly compatible.
Before Yu Ling’er’s tears could fall, Cui Xiao Xiao intervened, snatching the tortoise shell and coins, shaking them with a laugh. “Let’s see how accurate you are! I’ll try it!”
She shook the shell, flipped it over, then opened it, scattering the coins onto the diagram.
Coincidentally, the two coins landed in the exact same positions as Yu Ling’er’s, Earth Palace suppressing Fire Luck.
Xiao Xiao, stunned, chuckled, her voice laced with self-deprecation. “Of course. My disastrous fate… it’s always accurate. It seems my path of love is also destined to be fruitless, ending in dust…”
Yu Ling’er, hugging her tightly, her voice choked with emotion, asked, “Do you… do you believe him? Is he trying to tell you to leave his master alone, to stop hindering Wei Jie’s ascension?”
Xiao Xiao thought about it. It made sense. Why else would their fortunes be identical? Had Tang Youshu rigged the diagram with magnets?
It was a common trick among street performers, manipulating the outcome for dramatic effect.
Both girls glared at Tang Youshu, ready to expose his deception.
But before they could react, the Heaven-Punishing Sword, crackling with energy, descended from the sky, shattering the tortoise shell.
“Tang Youshu, put away your charlatan’s tools, or I’ll make sure you never see another sunrise!” Wei Jie, his sword flashing, warned him against scaring the girls!
Teasing Yu Ling’er was one thing. She was persistent.
But Xiao Xiao? A devoted disciple would create a harmonious, prosperous future for his master’s beloved, not burden her with negativity!
He was testing his patience, pushing him towards fratricide!
Tang Youshu, always obedient before his master, quickly apologized, gathering his divination tools, claiming it was just a harmless trick.
But as he turned away, his face stiffened.
He was skilled in divination. He had even imbued the tortoise shell with his spiritual energy, ensuring its accuracy.
But for both girls to receive the same fortune… it was unexpected.
Looking at Xiao Xiao, sitting beside his master, her smile radiant, a sense of foreboding washed over him.
His master was destined to face seven tribulations in this mortal life. Xiao Xiao had accompanied him through six, their journey filled with danger, yet they had survived.
But the seventh… even he didn’t know what it would be. After all, in their past life, Wei Jie had been felled by his treacherous disciple before reaching that final trial.
He could only hope… hope his divination was wrong…
Meanwhile, Wei Jie, having learned that Ye Yi was likely the Dongyuan Emperor, a powerful deity, decided to head to Zhangwei Mountain.
The reason was simple – the red moon wouldn’t appear over the underworld again.
Considering Ye Yi’s determination to open the gates of the underworld, his willingness to possess a mortal body… he wouldn’t give up after this setback.
And now that he knew about Cui Xiao Xiao’s time travel, he would surely target Zhangwei Mountain, seeking the Zhulong statue, hoping to reset time once again.
They had to obtain the statue before him.
Having settled on a destination, they set off.
According to the Classic of Mountains and Seas, Zhangwei Mountain was located beyond the Northwest Sea, north of the Chishui River, an ethereal mountain that existed outside the realms of earth, sea, and sky.
Even if they reached the location, without the right conditions, they wouldn’t be able to see it.
As they traveled, they encountered numerous temples, throngs of devotees offering incense and prayers.
Tang Youshu, inquiring, learned that the statues of the Dongyuan Emperor across the land were bleeding from their foreheads.
This phenomenon had terrified the devout, who saw it as an apocalyptic sign, a warning from the heavens.
Incense sales skyrocketed, and temples were filled with people praying day and night.
In regions plagued by droughts or floods, even officials joined the masses, seeking divine intervention.
Xiao Xiao, observing the widespread panic, couldn’t help but laugh.
If she told them that the bleeding statues were a result of her actions, her defiance of a deity… would they attack her with their farming tools?
It was a reminder that those worshipped as gods weren’t always benevolent. They could be deceitful, their hearts filled with darkness.
They enjoyed the adoration of mortals, their existence beyond the constraints of life and death, yet their actions weren’t always altruistic.
But this widespread panic had a silver lining – they didn’t have to worry about food. They simply visited temples at night, helping themselves to the offerings.
As she took steamed buns and fruits from an altar, Xiao Xiao waved at the statue of the Dongyuan Emperor, its forehead cracked and bleeding. “Sorry about taking your food. But you’re too busy scheming to eat, right? Don’t thank me. I’m happy to help!”
Her eyes, narrowed playfully, her smile mischievous and captivating… it was infuriating.
Miles away, Ye Yi, meditating in a quiet room, suddenly smiled. That Cui Xiao Xiao… she was truly audacious, visiting his temple, mocking him before his own statue!
Prince Can entered, accompanied by several Demonic Ghost Sect disciples. “Divine Lord,” he said, “our spies report that Cui Xiao Xiao and Wei Jie are heading northwest.”
He didn’t need to tell him. The Dongyuan Emperor, possessing Ye Yi, was aware of their movements. Northwest… they were likely heading for the Zhulong statue.
Wei Jie and Cui Xiao Xiao weren’t even trying to hide, their confidence bordering on arrogance.
After all, with someone who had traveled back from the future among them, they believed they had the advantage!
The Dongyuan Emperor, his lips curving into a smile, wasn’t concerned about them. “Where is this Qin Lingxiao you mentioned?” he asked.
“His father is clinging to life,” Prince Can replied. “Without my blood, he’s fading fast. Only the demonic bead can save him. He needs to obtain it from either Cui Xiao Xiao or Tang Youshu. He and his son are currently following them.”
The Dongyuan Emperor chuckled. He opened his eyes, his voice soft. “It seems Zhangwei Mountain will be quite lively.”
He closed his eyes again, and Prince Can, seeing this, excused himself, leaving him to meditate.
Alone, the Dongyuan Emperor opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the magnolia tree outside the window.
It wasn’t the season for magnolias, but he had conjured a blooming tree upon arriving at this temple.
He had told Cui Xiao Xiao that he had planted those trees in memory of his deceased wife. It was a half-truth.
The longing was real. But the object of his affection wasn’t his wife.
As petals drifted in the wind, he extended his hand, conjuring a shimmering image, a figure that hovered in the air, bathed in a soft glow.
It was a woman, clad in golden armor, her long hair cascading down her back, her limbs slender, her helmet gleaming. Her features were delicate, yet her expression was cold and determined. As she drew back a golden bow, her arm, slender yet strong, tensed, her profile, as handsome as any god’s, captivating.
With a gust of wind, the image floated towards the magnolia tree. Her armor transformed into a flowing white dress, her hair loose, her waist slender, her eyes bright and playful. She gathered the fragrant blossoms, her demeanor now soft and alluring…
The Dongyuan Emperor rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the image.
The Wei Feng Divine Lady, the only female among the eight Divine Lords. It felt like yesterday they had fought side by side. But he would never hear her voice again.
As a favored son of heaven, he had easily won the hearts of countless women, even goddesses. She might not have been a suitable match, her background less prestigious than his, but she was impossible to ignore.
He had taken her for granted, believing she would always be there, even while pursuing other goddesses.
For a deity, life was eternal, and even the most exciting things could become mundane after millennia.
He had never considered choosing a partner, sharing his power and cultivation.
He had been arrogant, blinded by his own brilliance, surrounded by admirers, failing to notice her growing distance.
When she had finally confessed that she no longer loved him, he had simply chuckled, unconcerned.
But when he realized she was serious, that her gaze no longer lingered on him… for the first time in his existence, he felt a pang of fear, a pain that gripped his heart…
He couldn’t accept it. Her eyes, once filled with warmth, now held nothing but indifference.
He had devised a plan, a trap, leading her to massacre that demon city, then watched as she fell, waiting for her to apologize, to beg for his forgiveness.
It was then that he realized how ruthless she could be, even towards herself…
She had known the Heavenly Emperor would blame her for the massacre, yet she had remained silent during her trial, never revealing that he had given the order.
He had offered to tell the Heavenly Emperor the truth, to clear her name.
But she had simply said, “It’s unnecessary. Even a deity shouldn’t be indebted to others. I owed you and the Saint a great debt. It’s only right that I repay it. Besides, the tribulation… it will only weaken my divine power for a few centuries. It’s nothing serious. You’re at the peak of your power, newly appointed as an Emperor. Revealing the truth would only cause trouble for the Saint and the Heavenly Emperor.”
She had been so calm, accepting her fate. But he hadn’t yielded, hadn’t admitted his mistake. He had wanted her to suffer, to realize his worth, to return to him.
He had thought that losing her power might be a good thing. Humility often led to contentment, to accepting a simple life…
The image stirred, turning away from him, as she had done that day when she left for the Western Sea to subdue the evil spirit.
And then the tribulation had struck, her soul falling into the River of Forgetfulness, refusing to rise…
The image before him, a constant reminder of their last encounter, fueled his regret. If he had held her hand, if he had accompanied her to the Western Sea… would things have been different?
Since her death, despite being surrounded by countless goddesses, none could compare to her. He had realized, in the monotonous eternity of his existence, that he wanted nothing but her!
He reached out, desperate to stop her, but the image, like grains of sand, slipped through his fingers, vanishing.
He grimaced, his brow furrowed. Trapped in this mortal body, his longing, his regret, intensified.
“Wei Feng… where are you?” His voice echoed through the room, unanswered.
His emotional turmoil caused the wound on his forehead to bleed again. He struggled to regain control, to calm his racing heart.
Although the red moon wouldn’t appear again, he wasn’t without options.
Wei Feng had been in the mortal realm when the tribulation struck. He could reverse time, return to that moment.
If he obtained the Zhulong statue, he could, like Cui Xiao Xiao, manipulate time, traveling to the past. He wouldn’t need to bother with Wei Jie and his ilk. He would simply go back and save her.
He closed his eyes, a newfound determination settling over him. He would obtain the Zhulong statue… and this time, he wouldn’t fail.
Meanwhile, Xiao Xiao and her group, traveling swiftly, finally reached the shores of the Northwest Sea.
Zhangwei Mountain, located beyond the sea, its location uncertain… traveling by air was too risky. They could easily end up lost at sea.
They needed a seaworthy vessel.
Unfortunately, Tang Youshu, having distributed their funds among the dismissed disciples, had left them penniless.
“Do you have any silver notes left?” Xiao Xiao asked Wei Jie.
“I burned them all,” he replied. “When my divine power was awakened, I realized material possessions were a distraction, hindering cultivation.”
Xiao Xiao stared at him, speechless, then turned to Tang Youshu, who nodded, his face filled with admiration. “Master’s resolve in burning those silver notes… it was truly inspiring! If I had possessed such determination, I wouldn’t have been hindered by worldly concerns, and my cultivation would have reached greater heights!”
Tang Youshu might not be a powerful cultivator, but he was a master of flattery.
Xiao Xiao and Yu Ling’er, both firmly rooted in the material world, clutched their chests, a pang of regret shooting through them. So much money… imagine the roast ducks, the sweet dumplings, the braised pork they could have bought!
“Xiao Xiao, you were right to separate from those spendthrifts!” Yu Ling’er exclaimed. “They would have emptied our coffers!”
Xiao Xiao agreed. The first rule of her Joy Sect – anyone who wasted money would be expelled!
But they needed silver to hire a ship. Tang Youshu, his eyes filled with hope, turned to Yu Ling’er. “I gave you so much silver when you went down the mountain with Xiao Xiao. You couldn’t have spent it all, right?”
Yu Ling’er chuckled awkwardly. She had followed Xiao Xiao’s advice, spending lavishly, creating an excuse to return to him for more money. She had indulged in every culinary delight, tipped generously, traveling like a princess. She was broke.
Both sects, once wealthy, had managed to squander their fortunes. They might as well declare bankruptcy.
Even borrowing money from Grandmother Wei wouldn’t be enough.
Suddenly, Yu Ling’er’s eyes lit up. She pointed at a notice seeking crew members. “Look! That ship is heading to Lingxi Island in the Northwest Sea! If we join them, we can travel for free! We might even earn some money!”
They approached the ship. It was much larger than the other fishing boats, its sturdy hull suggesting it could withstand rough seas.
But with its size came a need for more crew members. The captain, eager to set sail, was recruiting anyone willing to work, even women and the elderly, ignoring traditional superstitions.
But despite the generous offer, no one seemed interested.
Seeing Xiao Xiao and her group, including the foxes, the recruiter’s eyes lit up. “Looking for work?” he asked eagerly. “We provide food and lodging, and you’ll earn a string of coins every day! What do you say?”
Xiao Xiao, studying him and his companions, said, “You don’t look like sailors. Why are you going to sea?”
Their fair skin and soft hands suggested a life far from the harsh realities of the sea.
The recruiter, his gaze lingering on Xiao Xiao’s beauty, chuckled, revealing yellowed teeth. “You have a keen eye, young lady. My master is searching for a family heirloom on Lingxi Island. That’s why we’re setting sail. If you have sailing experience, I’ll double your pay.”
The Lingshan Talisman Sect group retreated to discuss the offer.
“I spoke with a fishmonger at the docks,” Tang Youshu said, his voice low. “This ship has already sailed twice, offering high wages each time. But the crew members who joined them… they never returned. When their families inquired, they were told they stayed on Lingxi Island to pan for gold, that they wouldn’t be back until the new year. A few, refusing to believe it, threatened to report them to the authorities. Those families… they died on their way home, their necks broken… Everyone knows this is a cursed ship. Only greedy outsiders would be fooled!”
Wei Jie and Xiao Xiao, initially unsure, now spoke in unison. “Perfect! We’ll join them!”
They exchanged glances, their smiles mirroring each other.
Yu Ling’er, observing their sinister smiles, shuddered, feeling a pang of sympathy for the unsuspecting crew.
Xiao Xiao’s reasoning was simple. Their journey was fraught with danger. If they boarded a decent ship, they might bring misfortune upon the crew.
But if this was a ship of criminals… then they wouldn’t hesitate to fight back, to turn the tables, to uncover the truth about the missing crew members, and perhaps even find the elusive Zhangwei Mountain. It was a win-win situation.
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