Chapter 49
Leaving the Great Yin Palace, Ming Jian Su felt a sense of relief. Although she had known that the Celestial Mother’s emergence from seclusion wasn’t a simple matter, only after receiving confirmation did she feel truly reassured. Both the Heavenly Emperor and the Celestial Mother were bearers of the Mandate of Heaven. While the Emperor possessed the Heavenly Constitution Seal, the Celestial Mother held the Heavenly Law Seal. Both their decrees carried the power of the Heavenly Dao. The Vermilion Bird Elder was dead, but the Bifang, Swan Goose, and other elders remained. Chang Li was also still at large. And then there was the Heavenly Emperor and those in the Realm Beyond Heaven… The road ahead was long and arduous! But at least she had glimpsed a glimmer of hope.
The cold moonlight flowed like a tide, draping her in a soft, ethereal veil.
Upon returning to Dong’e Mountain, Ming Jian Su had just emerged from a burst of sword light when she sensed a familiar aura. She looked up and saw a red figure, accompanied by the tinkling of bells, rushing towards her. She reached out and caught Feng Chiyue, a gentle smile spreading across her face. “Why are you out here, Junior Sister?” she asked softly. Shouldn’t she be asleep in the hall at this hour?
Feng Chiyue snorted and pushed her away slightly. She studied Ming Jian Su for a moment, then said, “I came out to wait for you.” She paused, then added, “Why were you gone so long?” Her tone was laced with complaint, her lips slightly pursed, her displeasure evident.
“It’s my fault,” Ming Jian Su said quickly. In the past, even if she returned late at night, Feng Chiyue wouldn’t have cared. Now, she was waiting for her, her eyes full of anticipation. Did this mean that her position in her junior sister’s heart had improved somewhat? Lost in thought, she didn’t snap out of it until a gentle flick on her forehead brought her back to reality. She met Feng Chiyue’s clear gaze. “Let’s go back,” she said.
Feng Chiyue obediently followed her, her questions continuing.
“Which colleague did you visit? Did you drink tea or play Go?”
“Why did she keep you for so long?”
“Didn’t you notice it was getting dark? Don’t tell me you were planning to spend the night outside.”
“I waited in the hall for a long time.”
“You were lost in thought just now. What were you thinking about?”
…
One question after another. Ming Jian Su answered them all patiently, her tone gentle. As they entered the Dharma Hall, she turned to Feng Chiyue and said softly, “I was thinking about you.”
Feng Chiyue raised an eyebrow, a triumphant smile spreading across her face. She didn’t notice the tenderness in Ming Jian Su’s voice. “You should be thinking about me,” she said. Meeting Ming Jian Su’s smiling gaze, she added possessively, “Don’t think about anyone else.” She had little interest in the Heavenly Court or the Celestial Feather Ministry. She pulled Ming Jian Su onto the bed and started recounting the events surrounding Ying Cunxin and Chu Yi, her demeanor cheerful and lively, as if she had found a new toy.
Chu Yi’s political views differed from the Heavenly Emperor’s. She leaned towards the Celestial Mother. If their relationship progressed, the Four Seas wouldn’t side with the Emperor. They might even support the Celestial Mother, pushing for even more drastic reforms within the Four Seas Department. It made sense for them to be together, both emotionally and politically. A flicker of understanding crossed Ming Jian Su’s eyes. “They are indeed a good match,” she agreed.
Feng Chiyue leaned against Ming Jian Su’s shoulder, the Chaos Mirror floating before them. Ying Cunxin’s name seal was glowing faintly. She clicked on it and saw a message from Ying Cunxin: “Why is the Heavenly Princess’s cultivation technique so full of flaws?” Feng Chiyue didn’t reply. She frowned in distress. “Ying Cunxin seems to be losing interest in Chu Yi,” she said. At first, she had described Chu Yi as having “self-awareness.” Now, she was a sieve full of holes, and Ying Cunxin was starting to look down on her. Had she pushed things too far?
“Is Chu Yi still in Asura City?” Ming Jian Su asked.
Feng Chiyue hesitated. “I think so?” She hadn’t accepted Chu Yi’s friend request.
Ming Jian Su thought for a moment. “The Four Seas Dragon Lords are the ones pushing for the reforms,” she said. “Their internal relationships will hinder their efforts. They need an outsider to intervene.”
She knew that Chu Yi was in Asura City investigating the collusion between officials and demons, but the Heavenly Emperor and those officials didn’t want her stirring up trouble. They were eager to get her out of there. The Emperor certainly wouldn’t want her meddling in the Four Seas Department, but the human officials might feel differently. After all, it was better for her to be causing chaos in the seas than digging up their past, right? Chu Yi sided with the Celestial Mother, but that wasn’t enough. She needed to completely sever any remaining father-daughter bond between her and the Emperor.
Feng Chiyue’s eyes sparkled mischievously. “What are you scheming?” she asked suspiciously.
“Nothing,” Ming Jian Su denied immediately. She waved her hand, dismissing the Chaos Mirror. “Ying Cunxin admires strength, Junior Sister. You should limit your interactions with her.” What if Ying Cunxin took a liking to her junior sister? What if she started visiting Dong’e Mountain all the time? If that happened, Ming Jian Su was afraid she might lose control and do something drastic to that little white dragon. They had enough enemies already. As long as the Four Seas remained peaceful, there was no need to provoke them.
Feng Chiyue didn’t find her request unreasonable. She yawned, covering her mouth with her hand. “Alright,” she agreed.
“Are you tired?” Ming Jian Su asked softly.
Feng Chiyue didn’t answer but opened her sleepy eyes, gazing at Ming Jian Su, her eyes like pools of moonlight.
Ming Jian Su chuckled and leaned down, kissing the corner of Feng Chiyue’s lips. Hearing her satisfied hum, she smiled.
In the Heavenly Prosperity Department.
The Minister of Fortune had issued his “ultimatum” to Ming Jian Su. He waited patiently for several days, but the Celestial Feather Ministry still hadn’t delivered the confiscated assets to their treasury. They had their own selection process for officials and no longer received their salaries from the Heavenly Prosperity Department. They were practically independent. Their only remaining connection to the Heavenly Court was that newly ascended feathered immortals still had to pass through the Heavenly Gate first. But given the Heavenly Mechanism Department’s laziness, even this last link might soon be severed. Feathered immortals would probably be assigned to guard the Heavenly Gate soon.
The Minister of Fortune worried about the future Heavenly Gate guardians for a moment, then dismissed the matter. His own problems were far more pressing. He had no time to concern himself with others.
“Are you sure you’ve informed the West Sea Lord? Has she agreed to come?” He asked his disciples again, sighing in relief when they confirmed. He took out the Heavenly Emperor’s decree and examined it repeatedly. The imprint of the Heavenly Constitution Seal was truly dazzling. The Heavenly Emperor was the ruler of the Immortal Realm, and all immortals obeyed his decrees. Thus, in the past, there was no need to affix a seal to decrees. The appearance of the seal usually signified punishment for disobedience. The Emperor’s unparalleled Sword Immortal had fallen out of favor. He truly couldn’t understand what was so special about Feng Chiyue that the East Abode Master would abandon her promising future for her.
Adjusting his robes, he let out a breath. If he waited any longer, the Emperor would be displeased. He ordered his attendants to prepare the chariot and, after sending a message to Bai Guchan, the West Sea Lord, calmly boarded the luxurious vehicle. The chariot resembled a three-story pagoda, adorned with ninety-nine bells that tinkled melodiously as it moved. It was usually pulled by nine black dragons, but on a whim, he had decided to use nine Azure Dragons instead. These creatures weren’t borrowed from the Bureau. They were raised by his own department. As the Star Monarch of the Heavenly Prosperity Department, he could draw their salaries from the Ministry’s funds without needing approval from the Bureau.
His departure was a grand spectacle. Starting from Kunlun Mountain, he drove straight towards the Celestial Feather Ministry. Those who witnessed his procession were awestruck and immediately took out their Chaos Mirrors, inviting friends and family to watch the drama unfold. The most talked-about topic recently was the Heavenly Emperor’s unreasonable decree. The Minister of Fortune’s visit was likely intended to transfer all the assets from the Celestial Feather Ministry’s treasury to his own. This was the Emperor’s first show of force. Would the Celestial Feather Ministry yield?
As they approached the Celestial Feather Ministry, the nine Azure Dragons pulling the chariot became restless, hesitating to move forward, defying the Minister of Fortune’s commands. His eyes narrowed, and he growled, “Beasts!” A whip formed from magic energy lashed out, striking the Azure Dragons. Painful cries filled the air, and blood-stained feathers fell from the sky like snowflakes. The Azure Dragons still refused to move, and the invisible chains binding them suddenly materialized. Waves of magic power rippled outwards, clearly demonstrating their resistance.
The Minister of Fortune hadn’t expected trouble on his own chariot. He sensed several auras nearby. Some of his fellow Daoists were probably hiding, waiting to see him make a fool of himself. His expression hardened, and he stepped out of the pagoda, his robes billowing in the wind, his bearing dignified and imposing. However, this composure lasted only a moment. A piercing bird cry, like a demonic chant, pierced his ears. The nine Azure Dragons struggled violently, somehow summoning immense strength, breaking free from their chains and, with wings folded, flew towards the Celestial Feather Ministry’s complex. The Minister of Fortune instinctively gave chase, but the Ministry was protected by a barrier. As his magic power collided with it, the barrier retaliated with equal force. A deafening explosion reverberated through the air, and waves of energy surged outwards. The golden chariot, suspended in mid-air, shattered, its fragments scattering like golden rain.
The Minister of Fortune landed on the ground, his face as dark as ink.
He flicked his sleeve, brushing away the debris, and glared at the Celestial Feather Ministry.
He hadn’t even seen anyone yet, and he had already been humiliated. The East Abode Master was truly impressive!
“Who dares trespass in the Celestial Feather Ministry?” A clear voice rang out. Qing Xun emerged, her sword in her arms, her dark eyes fixed on the Minister of Fortune, unwavering.
He suppressed his anger, not wanting to lose his temper with a junior. Clasping his hands behind his back, he said in a deep voice, “This humble Daoist is Si Lu, and I’m here to visit the Ministry Head.”
Qing Xun made a noncommittal sound. She didn’t offer to announce his arrival but simply pointed behind him.
The Minister of Fortune frowned and snapped at her, “Are you going to lead the way or not?”
Qing Xun sighed. She shouldn’t have come out to check. She should have just taken those Azure Dragons away. The barrier would prevent any outsiders from entering. She rolled her eyes and, with a disdainful glance at the Minister of Fortune, turned and walked away. Infuriated by her attitude, he channeled his magic power and struck the Celestial Feather Ministry’s barrier with his palm. He had merely intended to vent his frustration, but a sword beam shot towards him, intercepting his attack. Before he could react, a gash appeared on his palm, blood gushing out.
“What are you doing, Fellow Daoist Si Lu?” A familiar voice came from behind him. His eyelids twitched, and he turned abruptly, meeting Ming Jian Su’s gaze. Her eyes held a hint of amusement.
“The path is over there,” she said, her tone dripping with sarcasm. “If you wish to enter the Celestial Feather Ministry, simply register your name. There’s no need to force your way in.”
Fury burned within him. Seeing Ming Jian Su, he decided not to enter. He took out the Heavenly Emperor’s decree and read it aloud.
The Emperor was using this opportunity to suppress the Celestial Feather Ministry, while he simply couldn’t stand the thought of all those benefits falling into someone else’s hands. He didn’t care about the feathered lineages’ fate. He brandished the decree and declared, “This is the Emperor’s decree, bearing the Heavenly Constitution Seal. It is the will of the Heavenly Dao. Ministry Head Feng, East Abode Master, are you going to defy Heaven?”
Ming Jian Su glanced at the decree and smiled faintly. “All the newly registered treasures in the Celestial Feather Ministry’s treasury are to be transferred to the Heavenly Prosperity Department, and from now on, our officials’ salaries will no longer be drawn from your funds. Pray tell, Fellow Daoist Si Lu, how are our feathered officials supposed to survive?”
“That’s your problem,” he said dismissively. He only cared about the benefits he could gain.
***
On the Chaos Mirror
Some immortals had quietly uploaded this scene. It wasn’t just the feathered officials—even the human immortals were incensed. Just look at Minister Si Lu, they fumed. Are those even the words of a decent person? He’s demanding the feathered officials work for nothing!
“This is the Heavenly Emperor’s doing,” one commenter wrote. “Is His Majesty planning to abolish stipends altogether? Starting with the unruly feathered clan, of course.”
An inconspicuous wandering immortal’s comment stirred the pot even further. Then, she contacted Zhu Wan directly. “Things are getting heated,” she messaged. “Don’t forget to pay me my Cinnabar Jade.”
“Not enough impact,” Zhu Wan replied. She was wealthy now and no longer worried about starving. Being an immortal had its perks.
Minister Si Lu, oblivious to the uproar on the Chaos Mirror, remained adamant, especially after seeing over a dozen familiar and unfamiliar figures descending towards the Celestial Feather Ministry. The furrow in his brow eased slightly.
Ming Jian Su raised an eyebrow, a smile playing on her lips. “If I’m not mistaken,” she said, “the Celestial Mother now oversees the Celestial Feather Ministry.”
Minister Si Lu choked, then, after a moment, declared self-righteously, “The Heavenly Emperor and the Celestial Mother are one and the same.”
Feng Chiyue, who had been standing silently beside Ming Jian Su, suddenly spoke. “So you forged the Heavenly Emperor’s decree,” she said, her voice cold.
Minister Si Lu’s face darkened. “The decree bears the Heavenly Constitution Seal!” he said sharply. “It cannot be forged!”
“Is that so?” Feng Chiyue asked casually. Ming Jian Su was about to retrieve the Celestial Mother’s decree when a streak of light flashed past. She turned and saw that her junior sister had snatched the Emperor’s decree and was now toying with it.
Minister Si Lu’s gaze, filled with mockery, fell on Feng Chiyue. “Has the Ministry Head determined its authenticity?” he asked.
“Fake,” Feng Chiyue said simply. A faint flame flickered on her fingertip, instantly burning away the characters on the decree. A pale purple light emanated from the Heavenly Constitution Seal, but before it could fully manifest, it was swallowed by the dancing flames. A crisp sound, like shattering glass, echoed through the air, and the seal vanished. The decree, reduced to ashes, scattered in the wind.
“The Heavenly Constitution Seal, so easily destroyed?” Feng Chiyue said with a sweet smile. “You underestimate the Heavenly Emperor, Minister Si Lu. Forging his decree for personal gain… how immoral.”
Minister Si Lu stared at her, his mind reeling, his face draining of color. He stumbled back, his voice trembling. “You… you…” The decree had been given to him by the Heavenly Emperor himself. He had seen the seal with his own eyes. How could it be fake?!
The reinforcements from the Heavenly Prosperity Department and the Western River had arrived, but now, not just the West Sea Lord, even his own disciples were looking at him suspiciously.
“Fellod Daoist “West Sea Lord”,” Ming Jian Su said, also surprised that her junior sister could erase the Heavenly Dao’s power from the seal. She studied Feng Chiyue carefully, but seeing nothing unusual, she simply gave her an encouraging look, suppressing a smile, then turned to Bai Guchan, who had appeared silently nearby, and bowed in greeting.
Bai Guchan returned the gesture. She was a white tiger cultivator, and although her features had softened over the years, due to her practice of tranquility, her gaze, when focused, was still sharp and intimidating. She looked at Minister Si Lu. “Did you forge the Heavenly Emperor’s decree, Fellow Daoist?” she asked.
“No!” he insisted, shaking his head vehemently, his voice filled with indignation. But his denial lacked conviction.
Ming Jian Su turned to him, her gaze cold. She took out the Celestial Mother’s decree, further solidifying the separation between the Celestial Feather Ministry and the Heavenly Prosperity Department. “The Celestial Mother and the Heavenly Emperor are one,” she said, smiling faintly. “This is the true decree of the Heavenly Court. Your heart is restless, Minister Si Lu, driven by greed.”
Seeing the Celestial Mother’s seal, Minister Si Lu felt his world turning dark. He was speechless, his frustration mounting. He wanted to attack, but his disciples hesitated, their eyes filled with fear, and the West Sea Lord’s cold, questioning gaze held him back. If he acted rashly, he would be the next Bai Yang Star Monarch! His face flushed, then paled. He flicked his sleeve. “The truth will come out eventually!” he declared.
“But until then,” Ming Jian Su said, her smile unwavering, “you’ll have to be a guest of the Celestial Pivot Department.”
He stared at her incredulously.
“Aren’t you seeking justice, Minister Si Lu?” she asked. “Who else but the Celestial Pivot Department can deliver justice? You don’t have to thank me. Informing them is the least I can do.”
His frustration intensified, her smile a mocking glare. Overwhelmed by emotions, he coughed up blood.
***
On the Chaos Mirror.
This scene was being recorded and broadcast.
— Is the Minister of Fortune losing his mind?
— The West Sea Lord actually appeared! Fellow Daoist, don’t leave yet. Let me have a good look.
— So that’s how it is. I was wondering why the Heavenly Emperor would suddenly try to cut off the feathered lineages’ funding. It turns out that the Minister of Fortune, in his audacity, forged the Emperor’s decree!
— I’m curious now. Just how much wealth did the Vermilion Bird Elder leave behind that even the Minister of Fortune is so desperate?
— Someone from Danxue Mountain, please enlighten us!
…
The Heavenly Emperor’s tarnished image was being “whitewashed” on the Chaos Mirror, but he wasn’t amused.
It had been his decision to cut off the Celestial Feather Ministry’s funding, and it had been his decision to have the Minister of Fortune handle it… but now that it had failed, he couldn’t take responsibility. Those immortals were cursing the Minister of Fortune’s greed and audacity, but their words were clearly aimed at him! He felt utterly humiliated. Moreover, there was something else that bothered him deeply. How had Feng Chiyue erased the imprint of the Heavenly Constitution Seal?
***
Ming Jian Su was also deeply concerned about this question.
The officials might have believed that the decree was fake, but she knew that it hadn’t been the Minister of Fortune acting boldly but rather the Heavenly Emperor’s true intention.
Feng Chiyue hadn’t shown any signs of distress while erasing the seal. However, upon returning to Dong’e Mountain, she had collapsed on the bed, her eyes closed, and had fallen asleep, ignoring even Ming Jian Su’s attempts to engage her.
Something was wrong!
Panic surged within Ming Jian Su.
Feng Chiyue opened her eyes slightly and, taking out a handful of elixirs, popped them into her mouth like candy. She hummed in response to Ming Jian Su’s questions, her tone dismissive. Ming Jian Su didn’t give up. She entered Feng Chiyue’s Sea of Consciousness. The little phoenix ignored her, curled up in her manifested nest, fast asleep. Ming Jian Su watched her anxiously. Only at noon the next day did the little phoenix wake up, transforming into a crimson light that enveloped Ming Jian Su’s consciousness, playfully entwining with her.
***
Withdrawing from Feng Chiyue’s Sea of Consciousness, Ming Jian Su took a moment to compose herself, wiping the tears from her eyes. She turned to Feng Chiyue.
“Are you alright, Junior Sister?” Her voice was hoarse with worry.
Feng Chiyue’s unfocused gaze slowly returned, settling on Ming Jian Su. She rolled over, pinning Ming Jian Su beneath her, and smiled. “My cultivation has increased a bit,” she said. She nuzzled Ming Jian Su’s cheek, then added curiously, “Elder Sister, is this what they call reaping without sowing?”
Ming Jian Su: “…” She had been worried sick! And her junior sister was still thinking about such things. She didn’t want to avoid the topic. She forced a serious expression and, after listing all the suspicious points, finally accused, her eyes red, “What are the consequences of you erasing the Heavenly Constitution Seal’s power?”
“I depleted my magic power and had no energy left to entertain you, Elder Sister,” Feng Chiyue said sincerely.
“Really?” Ming Jian Su asked, her voice laced with doubt.
Feng Chiyue glared at her, her cheeks puffed out in anger. “Why would I lie to you? I’m not like you, always lying! You even faked your death!” She thought for a moment, then added, “If I were stronger, there wouldn’t be any problems.”
“You need to cultivate harder, Elder Sister.”
Ming Jian Su: “…” Wasn’t her junior sister strong enough already? She had considered herself a prodigy in the lower realm, but upon meeting Feng Chiyue, she had been humbled. There were many things her junior sister could do, but she simply chose not to. That month had proven that Feng Chiyue could survive just fine without her. She wasn’t as indispensable as she had thought.
“Junior Sister,” she said softly, a hint of melancholy in her voice.
“I’m here. What’s wrong?” Feng Chiyue replied.
Ming Jian Su didn’t answer but repeated her name several times, her voice growing sweeter and more seductive.
Feng Chiyue, known for her quick temper, didn’t get angry but patiently responded each time.
After a long moment, Ming Jian Su finally spoke. “What if I had taken the wrong path and not found you in the Abyss of the Milky Way? What if it had been someone else there? Would you have followed them?”
“No,” Feng Chiyue said, shaking her head.
Hope flickered in Ming Jian Su’s eyes. “Why not?” she asked.
“They’re ugly,” Feng Chiyue replied without hesitation.
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