Chapter 16
As Feng Chiyue left the Heavenly Mechanism Department, she looked up at the Purple Empyrean Palace, located at the heart of the Heavenly Court. The magnificent golden palaces stood tall, connected by rainbows of seven-colored light. Immortal clouds swirled around them, flowing like jade ribbons.
A strange sense of unease settled in Feng Chiyue’s heart. Her gaze was dark and distant, until a buzzing sword hum reached her ears. She looked down and grasped Undefeated’s hilt. “Why is it you who returned?” she asked softly. Her voice was gentle, and a sweet smile graced her lips. However, the sentient sword could sense the subtle hint of disdain hidden beneath the surface.
Why was it this sword? It didn’t understand either!
In Asura City, Ming Jian Su gazed out the window. The water was vast and misty, with a few small boats sailing across its surface.
She reached out and caressed her wine cup, her body radiating a cold, sharp aura that repelled anyone who tried to approach.
Ming Jian Su was troubled, far from the carefree revelry she had imagined. She was squandering her wealth and indulging in drunken stupor in this city, but what about her junior sister? Was she scared? The Heavenly Mechanism Department was a complex place with constant power struggles. Could she handle it?
Ming Jian Su took out the Chaos Mirror and scrolled through the latest news from the Heavenly Court, searching for any information about Feng Chiyue. Suddenly, her eyes caught a small line of text: “The Morning Sun Assembly ambushes Feng Chiyue.” Those few words sent a jolt of fear through her. She shot to her feet, slamming her wine cup down on the table. A moment later, cracks appeared, spreading from the cup and across the entire table. Apart from the initial thud, the table and chairs crumbled silently into dust, scattered by the wind blowing in from the window.
The rules in Asura City weren’t as strict as those in the Heavenly Court. It was a melting pot of different beings, and even demons occasionally slipped in. Fights were common in the inns, so to minimize damage, the innkeeper had spent a fortune collecting precious materials from all corners of the world to craft the furniture, even embedding several formations within them. But now… a single touch had destroyed the table. For a moment, the innkeeper wasn’t sure whether to mourn the loss of his table or fear for his own life.
Ming Jian Su didn’t enjoy senseless violence. She tossed a bag of Cinnabar Jade at the innkeeper and hurried out. She knew of the Morning Sun Assembly’s notoriety. They were like bandits, acting without restraint. The Heavenly Emperor, indecisive, insecure, and eager to please everyone, had never taken action against them. He turned a blind eye, as if ignoring them would make them disappear. If they were targeting her junior sister, they wouldn’t hold back.
Below that small line of text, several immortals who knew more had added their comments.
— The Emperor’s daughter went to help.
— Phoenix Mountain also sent people.
— How interesting. Feng Chiyue slipped away, leaving the Emperor’s daughter and the Phoenixes to fight the Morning Sun Assembly.
— Her ability to make enemies is even greater than before. Who said Feng Chiyue would have to live like a dog after the East Abode Master’s death?
Ming Jian Su scanned the comments and sighed in relief upon seeing that Feng Chiyue was safe. However, the anger and frustration in her heart remained.
She wanted Feng Chiyue to learn from life’s hardships and change her ways, but she didn’t want anyone to actually hurt her! The Morning Sun Assembly deserved to die! Immortal officials had their scruples and wouldn’t fight to the death, but the Morning Sun Assembly was different. She couldn’t let such a “tumor” continue to exist.
On Morning Sun Island above the East Sea.
This place was once a secluded retreat for a wandering immortal. However, the Morning Sun Assembly had taken a liking to its lush vegetation and driven him out, claiming it as their own. Normally, the Morning Sun Assembly would gather here, feasting and making merry. But today, the atmosphere was unusually heavy.
First, Jiang Zi Hua had been captured, and they hadn’t been able to rescue him from Dong’e Mountain. Second, they had fought the Emperor’s daughter and the Phoenixes and hadn’t gained much ground. Their advantage seemed to have vanished without a trace.
“We can’t let this go. Tomorrow, we’ll all go to Dong’e Mountain! Rest up tonight,” the Daoist priest with the highest authority in the Morning Sun Assembly shouted.
However, as his words faded, a clear voice rang out.
“I’m afraid you won’t see tomorrow.”
A full moon hung in the sky, like a silver disc. A dark figure emerged from its silvery light, as if descending from the moon itself.
—
In Qingjun Palace, the more Chu Yi thought about it, the more she felt something was wrong. The Morning Sun Assembly had a notorious reputation, but they didn’t seem to have the power to match it. Her father often complained about the headache they caused him, unsure how to deal with them. He would bring up many past incidents—but those were all in the past. Was the current Morning Sun Assembly still the same as before? If the gate emissaries were deliberately being lenient, could the ascending Human Immortals truly be considered skilled cultivators?
After much deliberation, Chu Yi sought out Ying Cunxin. As they were both in the East Sea, perhaps Ying Cunxin knew more about the Morning Sun Assembly. Although Ying Cunxin hadn’t contacted her since their encounter in the Ethereal Spirit Realm, surely she would answer her questions, considering she wanted her as a Dao companion? Besides, this wasn’t a personal matter. It concerned the safety of the Heavenly Court and the East Sea.
In the Crystal Palace of the East Sea.
Ying Cunxin noticed Chu Yi’s name seal flashing on the Chaos Mirror. A flicker of joy crossed her face. Although she admired strong immortals, she didn’t want to be beaten up. Considering Chu Yi’s impressive magical powers and her extraordinary beauty, she could forgive the previous incident as long as Chu Yi apologized. However, as she channeled her consciousness into the name seal, she found that the message was just a single, cold line of text: “How much do you know about the Morning Sun Assembly?”
Ying Cunxin had heard a lot about the Morning Sun Assembly and Feng Chiyue recently. Although annoyed, she still replied, “They haven’t done anything outrageous in recent years. They just spend their days feasting and drinking, living a carefree life.”
Chu Yi asked, “What about their cultivation?”
Ying Cunxin replied, “If you spent centuries eating and drinking, would you have the nerve to mention your cultivation?”
Chu Yi: “…” This East Sea Dragon Princess was quite aggressive, not at all matching her image of aloof beauty. Remembering her purpose, Chu Yi swallowed her annoyance and asked, “Why haven’t you reported this?”
Ying Cunxin: “.” Her Dragon Palace wasn’t a surveillance outpost for the Heavenly Court. She wasn’t responsible for monitoring the Morning Sun Assembly.
Chu Yi realized her question was inappropriate. “Thank you,” she said before withdrawing her consciousness from the name seal.
Ying Cunxin frowned at the Chaos Mirror. She tapped it a few times, but the name seal remained unresponsive. Chu Yi had already left.
Was she just a tool to be used? Did Chu Yi have any conscience at all?
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