Chapter 52
Ming Jian Su watched coldly as the Vermilion Birds and Bifang lineages caused a commotion on the Chaos Mirror, thinking, “If it’s not enough, I’ll add more fuel to the fire.” The deeper their hatred towards her, the more likely they were to resort to extreme measures. There weren’t many capable fighters left in Danxue Mountain. Perhaps they would turn their attention to the Realm Beyond Heaven.
“Why bother with such complications?” Feng Chiyue sat up, also watching the arguments unfold, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “Just take your sword and kill those old fools in Danxue Mountain.”
Where had she learned to curse like that? Ming Jian Su glanced at Feng Chiyue, seeing her excitement and delight, and decided not to comment. “If we openly provoke them,” she said, “the Heavenly Emperor will have a reason to intervene.” She wasn’t worried about losing Cinnabar Jade anymore. They were wealthy enough. But she had no intention of antagonizing the entire Immortal Realm. Even with two fists, it was hard to fight off a swarm of enemies.
Feng Chiyue clicked her tongue, rolled her eyes, and turned away, ignoring Ming Jian Su. She scanned the new messages on the Chaos Mirror, then put it away, got off the bed, and walked towards Ming Jian Su, who was sitting at the desk. She settled onto her lap with ease and, looking down at the map of the feathered lineages’ settlements drawn by Que Chenyi, asked, “What are you planning?”
Ming Jian Su wrapped her arms around Feng Chiyue’s waist. “I’m considering whether to host a banquet for the elders of various lineages to foster good relations.” There were no past ties, but that didn’t matter. There would be after this. Her finger tapped on the map. “Shusi, Shengyu, Feiyi… these lineages are all affiliated with the Vermilion Birds, but they’ve been showing signs of wavering recently. We don’t need them to do much, just follow the Celestial Feather Ministry’s rules.”
Feng Chiyue chuckled coldly. “Fair-weather friends.” Seeing the Vermilion Birds and Bifang lineages weaken, they were switching sides. If the balance of power shifted again, wouldn’t they simply change their allegiance once more?
Ming Jian Su was more understanding. “Small lineages prioritize survival, both in the upper and lower realms,” she said gently. They needed both a carrot and a stick to deal with such lineages – wealth to tempt them and force to intimidate them.
Feng Chiyue knew she was right, but the thought still filled her with anger. She leaned back against Ming Jian Su, lowering her gaze, hiding her rage. After a moment, she smiled, turned around, and, resting her hand on Ming Jian Su’s shoulder, asked curiously, “Which is more carefree, the Immortal Realm or the mortal world?”
Ming Jian Su considered this for a moment. “The mortal world,” she replied. When she had first embarked on the path of cultivation, she had no sect and acted freely. Those who had caused her trouble had all died by her sword. She had joined the Dao Sect by chance and, thanks to her exceptional talent, had been nurtured by the sect, her life smooth sailing. Later, she had reached the pinnacle of power. Although she occasionally had to clean up messes created by her juniors, there was no “Heavenly Emperor” above her. People respected and feared her, and no one, like those from Danxue Mountain, dared to cause her trouble.
Feng Chiyue narrowed her eyes. “Do you want to go back?” she asked. She unbuttoned Ming Jian Su’s robe, then carefully buttoned it back up, smoothing out the wrinkles with her fingers, her movements seemingly casual. Sensing a hint of anger from Feng Chiyue, Ming Jian Su’s heart skipped a beat. “No,” she said quickly.
Feng Chiyue smiled, raising an eyebrow. “Don’t you have relatives in the mortal world?” she asked. “Don’t you want to see them?”
What relatives? They were nothing but a source of frustration. Ming Jian Su smiled and said sincerely, “Junior Sister isn’t in the mortal world.” She had complained many times that the Immortal Realm was troublesome and not as carefree as the mortal world, but she had never truly considered returning. That blind, deaf, and dumb Heaven had finally done something right. Her junior sister was the best gift it had ever given her.
Feng Chiyue was easily appeased. Hearing those words, her anger dissipated, and she leaned against Ming Jian Su’s ear, asking, “What was your life like in the mortal world, Elder Sister?”
Knowing that Feng Chiyue wouldn’t have the patience to listen to her entire story, Ming Jian Su teased, “You didn’t want to hear it last time.”
Feng Chiyue remembered. Her eyes darted around, and she snorted. “That was last time. That was the past me.” She glared at Ming Jian Su, her eyes lacking any real threat, and accused, “If you don’t want to tell me, then don’t. Do you think I care? Go tell Ming Yuheng. After all, you both ascended from the mortal realm. You must have a lot in common, right? I’m just someone you entertain when you’re bored…”
Seeing her rambling, Ming Jian Su quickly covered her mouth with her hand. She stifled a laugh and coaxed her, “It’s not that I don’t want to tell you.”
Feng Chiyue glared at her. Only when Ming Jian Su removed her hand did she speak again, her tone imperious. “Then tell me.”
Her past in the mortal world wasn’t particularly exciting. There was little poetic romance amidst the blood and violence, only an endless sea of blood on the path to the Yellow Springs. Ming Jian Su chose a relatively tame scene to start with, expecting her junior sister to fall asleep listening, but to her surprise, Feng Chiyue listened intently, her eyes wide. Ming Jian Su’s heart softened, her voice growing even gentler.
In the Celestial Feather Ministry.
Que Chenyi, the Assistant Ministry Head, was busy as usual. Those two weren’t doing their jobs, and she didn’t dare to urge them. Thankfully, the variety of spiritual fruits sent from Dong’e Mountain was increasing, offering her some solace. For a moment, she considered inviting her sisters from her lineage to work in the Ministry, but then she remembered that there weren’t many vacancies left after the last selection process.
As she sighed, Qing Xun entered the hall, her steps quick and light.
Having been knocked over by Qing Xun several times, Que Chenyi quickly moved behind the desk. She cleared her throat and, feigning authority, frowned at her. “Why are you so reckless?”
Qing Xun wasn’t afraid of her. She leaned on the desk, her eyes wide. “We received news from the Celestial Feather Hall,” she said. “Over ten officials have resigned.” She looked around and lowered her voice. “They were all from Danxue Mountain.” She was an Azure Dragon and had a deep-seated hatred for those from Danxue Mountain. Although they hadn’t interacted much or clashed directly, she remembered them all.
Que Chenyi didn’t need to think twice to know that this was Danxue Mountain’s doing. The Changliu Mountain incident had filled the Golden Pheasant Elder with resentment towards the Celestial Feather Ministry, but she had kindly warned him. It was his own fault for falling into the trap.
“Some candidates have also withdrawn their applications and become wandering immortals,” Qing Xun added. She was puzzled. In the past, those from Danxue Mountain had been eager to become officials in the Heavenly Court, aiming to suppress Phoenix Mountain from all angles, preventing them from ever rising again. Now, they were actively retreating. Were they afraid?
Que Chenyi didn’t believe they were afraid. After a moment of thought, she said, “Wandering immortals have more freedom. Unless it’s an emergency, the Celestial Pivot Department won’t interfere in their affairs. I think they’re shedding their shackles to prepare for a desperate attack.”
Qing Xun was startled. “Then I won’t go back to Phoenix Mountain for now,” she said. “I’ll stay in the Celestial Feather Ministry.” She was afraid of being assassinated by those villains from Danxue Mountain on her way back.
“Alright,” Que Chenyi replied. Apart from the puppets, she and Qing Xun were the only ones working in the entire Ministry. They would likely be targeted by Danxue Mountain, perhaps even taken hostage. If they fell into their hands, would the East Abode Master and the Ministry Head come to their rescue? As soon as this thought crossed her mind, she knew the answer. No. Knowing their personalities, they would simply send them away. After a moment of pondering, she said, “I’ll inform the Ministry Head.”
In Dong’e Mountain.
After finishing her tale of cultivation and bloodshed, Ming Jian Su received Que Chenyi’s message.
She glanced at it and immediately understood. Danxue Mountain’s retaliation was about to begin. They wanted to abandon their official positions. She had no reason to stop them. After all, she was a kind person, willing to grant everyone their wishes. She didn’t even confiscate their Cinnabar Jade. After removing their names, she promptly posted a recruitment notice on the Chaos Mirror. There were so many feathered immortals. How many were eager to become officials? Would they really miss those few?
Just a few days after those from Danxue Mountain resigned from their positions and abandoned their candidacy, a plea for help arrived from the Manman tribe. The Nine-Headed Bird had attacked their settlement! They had initially contacted the Celestial Pivot Department, but the Department claimed they wouldn’t interfere in private disputes between wandering immortals. Left with no other choice, the Manman tribe turned to the Celestial Feather Ministry.
The Nine-Headed Bird was a vicious creature, known for its ferocity, aggression, and cruelty. Thousands of years ago, the entire Nine-Headed Bird lineage had been eradicated by the Phoenix Sovereign and other feathered lineages for causing chaos. Only one had survived, vowing to abandon its evil ways, and had fled to an island in the sea.
Feng Chiyue frowned. The Manman tribe had given her gifts before. She had a good impression of them. “Why has the Nine-Headed Bird emerged?” she asked with concern.
“It has something to do with those from Danxue Mountain,” Ming Jian Su said coldly. In the past, whenever the feathered lineages requested assistance from the Celestial Feather Ministry, the Ministry would gather Feather Guards from various lineages to provide aid. However, after the reforms, many idle officials had been dismissed, and the Feather Guards practically ceased to exist. “I’ll go myself.” This was most likely a trap set by Danxue Mountain, but it was also an opportunity for her to send those from Danxue Mountain to where they belonged.
Feng Chiyue grabbed her sleeve. “I’m coming with you,” she said without hesitation.
Ming Jian Su wasn’t keen on bringing her along. She didn’t know how many allies those from Danxue Mountain had called upon. This mission was somewhat dangerous. She looked at Feng Chiyue and blinked. “The Celestial Feather Ministry needs you in charge, Junior Sister,” she said.
“When have I ever been in charge?” Feng Chiyue retorted. The burden had long since shifted to Ming Jian Su and Que Chenyi. She was merely a figurehead. “You want to eliminate those villains from Danxue Mountain.” Her tone was firm. She stared at Ming Jian Su, her gaze unwavering.
Ming Jian Su softened. “It’s dangerous,” she sighed.
“Wasn’t it dangerous when we went to the battlefield?” Feng Chiyue said dismissively. “It’s precisely because it’s dangerous that I need to go with you.”
“Or I can just go to Danxue Mountain now and kill them all.” Her voice held a chilling indifference towards life, a quiet ruthlessness. Ming Jian Su studied her expression and realized she wasn’t joking. Her junior sister was capable of such a thing, but she simply preferred not to resort to violence.
Ming Jian Su took her hand. “Junior Sister,” she said, her voice muffled, “don’t you hate seeing blood?”
Feng Chiyue, having achieved her goal, withdrew her coldness and smiled sweetly. “Yes, I do,” she said, nodding. Before Ming Jian Su could respond, she added cheerfully, “But I want to be with you even more.” That way, her Elder Sister wouldn’t get hurt and wouldn’t have a chance to “fake her death” again.
In the Manman Tribe’s territory.
The Manman tribe wasn’t large. They were peaceful creatures, averse to fighting and killing.
The moment they were attacked by the Nine-Headed Bird, they had retreated to their settlement and activated their protective barrier. However, even with this protection, eight of their members had died. Five had been killed by the Nine-Headed Bird, while the remaining three, their partners dead, had chosen to follow them in death. Manman birds had one eye and one wing and never flew alone.
“Has the Celestial Feather Ministry responded yet?” the Manman Chief asked anxiously.
“The Assistant Ministry Head agreed and asked us to wait,” the Manman bird in charge of contacting the Ministry said, tears welling in her eyes. She was afraid, but she was also relieved. The Nine-Headed Bird outside was incredibly powerful. They couldn’t hold out for long.
“How long can our barrier last?” the Chief asked.
No one answered. The Manman birds’ faces were pale. They had lived relatively peaceful lives. How could they have constantly maintained their barrier? Compared to its original strength, it had weakened considerably. The Chief frowned, sensing the earth-shattering tremors outside their settlement. “Use Cinnabar Jade to power the barrier if you don’t have enough magic power!” he cried.
Outside the barrier.
A disheveled wandering immortal in red stood on a boulder, a monstrous nine-headed bird, its body crimson and its shape resembling a duck, manifested behind him. He had once had ten heads, but one had been severed by the Phoenix Sovereign during the Nine-Headed Bird lineage’s downfall. He had cultivated for a long time, his power increasing, but that lost tenth head never regrew. Recently, someone had contacted him, claiming to have a method to restore it, on the condition that he attacked the Manman tribe. Dealing with those weak Manman birds? It was child’s play.
A sinister smile played on his lips. He channeled his magic power casually and struck the barrier with his palm. A deafening explosion, like a thousand thunderclaps, reverberated through the air. Light shimmered within the mountain, but it wasn’t a good omen. It was the barrier’s death throes. The Manman birds huddled together in their settlement, their swords in their hands, gazing at him with fear and hatred.
His smile widened, and a cruel glint flashed in his eyes. Those dark, sinister eyes weren’t bright but resembled a deep abyss, filled with a chilling darkness. A few more attacks, and the barrier protecting the Manman tribe would collapse. He was about to strike again when a clear phoenix cry suddenly pierced the air. His smile vanished, and he looked up abruptly – he saw a beautiful five-colored phoenix. Memories flooded back, and a wave of hatred surged within him. He forgot about the Manman tribe and, transforming into a crimson blur, charged towards the phoenix, his magic power swirling around him, forming countless sharp blades.
It was Feng Yao.
She channeled her power into her sword, its light weaving through the red glow like a spark dancing amidst smoke. She retreated, putting distance between herself and the Nine-Headed Bird, and frowned. “Didn’t you vow to abandon your evil ways, Realized One?” Her words only fueled his rage. He had been forced to live on a remote island, unable to leave. How could he not hate them?
Sunlight streamed through the forest, sharp and bright. Feng Yao wasn’t alone, but she had been the fastest, arriving at the Manman settlement first. As she questioned the Nine-Headed Bird, several figures descended from the sky, their gazes fixed on him coldly. Seeing reinforcements, the Manman birds peeked out from behind their barrier, cheering for the phoenix.
The Nine-Headed Bird looked at Feng Yao with disdain. “A mere junior dares to obstruct me?”
Feng Yao’s expression was solemn. She had only read about the Nine-Headed Bird in ancient texts. She knew that this last surviving member was incredibly powerful. But she couldn’t back down. “It’s not too late to retreat, Realized One,” she said in a deep voice.
“Retreat?” He laughed as if she had told a joke. He threw back his head, and the nine heads of his manifested form let out a strange, discordant screech.
The sound pierced her ears like needles. Her face paled, and her heart pounded like a drum.
He didn’t say anything more. The blazing sun above suddenly dimmed as if splashed with ink. Thunder rumbled, the ground shook, and a low, buzzing sound, like a heart-wrenching wail, came from the distant horizon. The mountain crumbled, and amidst the dust and debris, an ominous red light appeared, hurling rocks like meteors towards Feng Yao and her allies.
A fierce wind erupted, its deafening roar threatening to tear everything apart. The Nine-Headed Bird laughed maniacally, his powerful magic power surging like a tidal wave, clashing with the sword energy in a thunderous explosion. If it had only been him, Feng Yao and the other immortals could have handled it, but from the swirling dust, over ten figures in various robes emerged. Feng Yao could hardly believe her eyes. These were all feathered immortals from Danxue Mountain! They had joined forces with the Nine-Headed Bird? How dare they attack so brazenly?
“The phoenixes have delivered themselves to us? Excellent,” one of the immortals said, a sinister smile twisting his lips.
The sky was dark, swirling with red light, an air of malice hanging heavy in the air.
“The Chaos Mirror’s connection has been severed,” a Manman bird said, her teeth chattering.
Feng Yao’s heart sank. She couldn’t understand what the Manman tribe possessed that would warrant such a massive attack. Were these all the enemies? A wave of power swept outwards, and blood splattered in an instant.
The Nine-Headed Bird’s eyes turned crimson. “Leave the phoenix to me,” he rasped, his voice like gravel grinding against stone.
But just as he charged towards Feng Yao and the others, a sword beam, capable of cleaving through anything, descended from the sky, splitting the dark heavens in two. That golden light was so fast that the arrogant Nine-Headed Bird couldn’t even react before being pierced by a six-foot long, five-inch wide sword. He was flung towards the cliff face, the sword embedded in his body. After a thunderous crash, the sword remained, impaling him, as if oblivious to everything else.
An agonizing scream ripped through the air. He couldn’t maintain his human form and reverted to his true form. Seeing him attacked, the Swan Goose Elder from Danxue Mountain instinctively tried to pull out the sword. But as soon as he reached out, his hand was shredded by a storm of sword intent before even getting close. He quickly withdrew his hand, only to see a bloody stump where his wrist had been. Sword energy surged through his flesh, and after a few breaths, he finally let out a scream of pain.
“There are gods watching from above, Fellow Daoist. Didn’t you know?” A chuckle echoed through the air. Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue emerged from a burst of sword light. She retrieved the sword and, glancing down at the dying Nine-Headed Bird, turned her gaze to the Swan Goose Elder. “This ‘World in a Pot’ conceals everything from the Heavenly Court,” she said calmly. “Why don’t you call out your allies? Don’t tell me you thought you could kill me with this Nine-Headed Bird? If that’s the case, I’ll have to send you to the Yellow Springs first.”
“World in a Pot?” These words added fuel to the fire, inflaming his anger.
But Ming Jian Su wasn’t done yet. She smiled faintly. “First, there were those dozens of feathered juniors, then Yuan Yao,” she said. “You’ve crafted a fine artifact. It should be renamed ‘Coffin in the Sky.’”
The Celestial Pivot Department had hastily closed those previous cases, but those from Danxue Mountain had long suspected Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue’s involvement. Hearing her confession now, their rage intensified. “Indeed, it should be renamed,” the Swan Goose Elder said, his voice filled with hatred. They would bury Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue here today! He flicked his sleeve, summoning three incense sticks. As smoke curled upwards, he bowed and called out, “Ancestors, lend me your aid!” As soon as he finished speaking, three shadowy figures emerged from the smoke, transforming into three youthful Daoist priests with solemn expressions.
Ming Jian Su glanced at them and almost laughed. “Manifestations from the Realm Beyond Heaven?”
Feng Chiyue looked at them with disappointment. “Empty vessels,” she said.
“Don’t worry, Junior Sister,” Ming Jian Su said reassuringly. “We’ll settle the score later.”
The Swan Goose Elder’s face paled, his initial confidence replaced by terror and anger. They had spent a fortune summoning these beings from the Realm Beyond Heaven, only to receive three mere manifestations?! Why hadn’t their ancestors warned them? Yuan Yao Star Monarch had descended in his true form and hadn’t been a match for Ming Jian Su. Could they really expect these three manifestations to be equivalent to three Yuan Yaos?!
The three Daoist priests ignored his resentment.
Seeing Yuan Yao Star Monarch’s fate, how could they not be cautious? These two had even ventured into the Realm Beyond Heaven and defeated the arrogant Ming He Star Monarch. They certainly wouldn’t risk descending in their true forms. It would be best if they won this battle, but if they lost… well, they lost. “We’re all members of the feathered lineages,” one of the youthful Daoist priests said, sighing. “Why must we fight amongst ourselves?” His gaze settled on Feng Chiyue.
Feng Chiyue smiled sweetly. “We don’t have to fight.”
He raised an eyebrow, a flicker of hope in his eyes. He had reached the Realm Beyond Heaven and, although he hadn’t completely severed his ties with the world, it would be wonderful if this conflict could be resolved peacefully.
But before he could speak, Feng Chiyue added casually, “Just kill yourselves.”
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