Chapter 65
Moonlight flowed like water, gentle and serene.
Lotus blossoms bloomed on the surface, pristine and pure.
As they approached the palace, Chu Yi whispered to Ying Cunxin, who was coiled around her wrist, “I’m going to see my mother.”
Ying Cunxin felt utterly humiliated. Chu Yi was so unreasonable! If she had known that the West Sea would teach her that spell, she would have been prepared. How had she ended up in this situation?! She could have transformed back into her human form upon returning to the Azure Sovereign Hall, but imagining the countless stares, she had preferred to remain in her dragon form. And now, Chu Yi had brought her to the Celestial Mother’s palace!
The Celestial Mother’s Dao was profound. Unwilling to embarrass herself further, Ying Cunxin remained silent, plotting her revenge against Chu Yi.
Chu Yi had visited the palace many times. She crossed the moonlit river, her figure bathed in silvery light, and entered the palace, bowing to the Great Yin Celestial Mother seated on the platform. “Mother,” she said.
The Celestial Mother looked down at her. “You have doubts?” she asked.
Chu Yi nodded. The decree she had received instructed her to obtain the Merit Mirror. It was a Dao artifact created by the Heavenly Dao itself, currently in the Heavenly Emperor’s possession. The mirrors hanging above the various Heavenly Gates were mere reflections. With her current cultivation, she couldn’t control the Merit Mirror. Moreover, she didn’t understand why her mother wanted it.
The Celestial Mother knew her thoughts. She smiled faintly. “Look up,” she said. A lunar image hung in the vast, starry expanse above the Great Yin Palace, surrounded by twinkling stars. This was a star chart similar to the one in the Purple Empyrean Palace. Amidst the chaotic starlight, Chu Yi easily spotted the Star of Destiny, its light dim.
“The Mandate of Heaven,” the Celestial Mother said, “is to carry out Heaven’s will and uphold its laws. But now, everything is in disarray, and the Mandate is wavering. Both the Heavenly Emperor and I are manifestations of the Mandate. I entered seclusion to cultivate the Taiji Dao Body, the fusion of yin and yang. He has disrupted the Mandate. You and I are the closest to it. Go and retrieve the Merit Mirror. It won’t harm you.”
Chu Yi pondered for a moment, then nodded. “I understand.”
Ying Cunxin, listening from within her sleeve, was alarmed. She knew that the Heavenly Emperor and the Celestial Mother had conflicting Daoist beliefs, but she hadn’t realized it had reached this point. It seemed that the Heavenly Court would soon be plunged into chaos. What choice should the Four Seas make? The reformed Four Seas Department was now distant from the Heavenly Court. Their only connection was the Heavenly Princess sent to supervise them. But in this conflict between the Emperor and the Celestial Mother, Chu Yi clearly sided with her mother.
“You seem to have a good relationship with the East Sea Dragon Princess,” the Celestial Mother said suddenly, her gaze subtly sweeping over Chu Yi’s right hand, as if she could see everything.
Chu Yi’s expression stiffened, and Ying Cunxin froze. She had overheard a “big secret.” The Celestial Mother had discovered her. Would she ever be able to return to the East Sea? She cursed Chu Yi inwardly. They had already distanced themselves. She had even deleted her name seal. She shouldn’t have reconnected out of fear of Chu Yi’s anger and revenge.
After a moment, Chu Yi said, “We hit it off at first sight.”
The Celestial Mother chuckled but didn’t say anything more. She closed her eyes and resumed her meditation, moonlight draping her in an ethereal veil, blurring her features.
Chu Yi bowed and retreated from the palace.
Relieved, Ying Cunxin rubbed her sharp teeth against Chu Yi’s wrist but, restrained by reason, didn’t bite down.
Upon returning to the Azure Sovereign Hall, she peeked out from Chu Yi’s sleeve. As she hesitated, Chu Yi’s voice rang out.
“We’re alone.”
She sighed in relief, and with a flash of white light, she transformed back into her human form. However, a blush stained her usually pale cheeks, melting the coldness of her features.
Chu Yi stared at her, momentarily stunned. “You should return to the East Sea,” she finally said.
Ying Cunxin avoided her gaze and rolled her eyes. She had already lost all dignity in front of Chu Yi. She no longer bothered pretending. “After learning such a major secret, do you think you can just let me go?” Chu Yi had seen the decree. She knew what they had discussed in the Celestial Mother’s palace. Bringing her along in such a hurry… she clearly had other motives. Those immortals in the Heavenly Court were truly treacherous and cunning.
Chu Yi pretended not to understand her sarcasm. She raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Are you saying you want to stay in my hall?”
Ying Cunxin: “…” She knew that Chu Yi had never intended to let her go.
The dimming of the Star of Destiny naturally alarmed the Heavenly Emperor the most.
He hadn’t received the good news of Ming Jian Su’s death. Instead, he had been met with a devastating blow.
With his Mandate of Heaven waning, he could no longer fully command the power of the Heavenly Dao. His Heavenly Constitution Seal might not be enough to control the immortals anymore.
Was the shifting of the Mandate due to the Celestial Mother’s machinations? Or the movements of the Demon Abyss? Or perhaps the changes within the Celestial Feather Ministry and the Four Seas Department?
He swept a glazed lamp off his desk in a fit of rage, its shattering echoing through the hall.
With a flick of his wrist, the Heavenly Constitution Seal appeared before him, its Dao flowing, its light blinding.
He wouldn’t wait any longer. He wrote a decree, affixed his seal, and ordered it to be delivered to the Celestial Pivot Department.
He had to punish Ming Jian Su before the Mandate shifted completely!
In the Celestial Pivot Department.
Yunze Young Lord, adjusting his robes, accepted the decree from the Purple Empyrean Palace, his expression grave.
“Young Lord?” The official beside him was also filled with anxiety.
Dao Ling Star Monarch had emerged from seclusion but was equally uninvolved in the Department’s affairs. They still followed Yunze Young Lord’s lead, but they could sense that things were different now. They could no longer use the Arrest Warrant recklessly.
“The Heavenly Emperor has decreed,” he said through gritted teeth, “bearing the Heavenly Constitution Seal, that we must convict Ming Jian Su of colluding with the demons. We are to release those criminals imprisoned in the Senluo Prison and send them to capture her, allowing them to atone for their sins.” His mind was in turmoil, his head spinning. He should have submitted his resignation along with that report. Why had he clung to that foolish hope?
“Should we retrieve those criminals from the Senluo Prison?” the official asked.
She had been cleared of suspicion, and yet the Emperor insisted on convicting her on false charges. How could they defy him?
“The Heavenly Constitution Seal is on this decree. How can we resist?” He forced a smile, his voice suddenly turning sharp. “To the Senluo Prison!”
The officials in the hall, seeing his pale face, gasped. They looked at the decree, their hearts heavy. They had no choice but to obey the Emperor’s orders.
The Senluo Prison held the most vicious criminals, those who acted without restraint. They were a sharp blade if wielded correctly.
Yunze Young Lord didn’t send any officials. He decided to go himself. The Senluo Prison was filled with a heavy, oppressive aura of death and bloodshed. Ordinary officials couldn’t withstand it.
Thunder rumbled, and black dragons roared.
Although he had already made his decision, he delayed until midnight before finally setting out.
Faint lamplight illuminated the two imposing stone mythical beasts guarding the Senluo Prison, their shadows large and menacing.
He looked up at the massive bronze gate, and just as he was about to step forward, he heard a heavy thud.
The gate creaked open, revealing a blinding light and slow, heavy footsteps that echoed like thunder.
The moment he saw the figure emerging from the light, his expression changed dramatically. A sharp sound, like a plucked string, echoed in his mind, followed by a jarring silence as the string snapped.
Dao Ling Star Monarch had already crossed the threshold. Her Daoist robes were as white as snow, her aura pure and untainted by the evil and malice of the Senluo Prison. She glanced at him briefly. “Why are you here, Young Lord?” she asked calmly.
A sense of foreboding washed over him. He bowed. “I’m here under the Emperor’s decree to retrieve the criminals imprisoned in the Senluo Prison,” he said.
She made a noncommittal sound, not objecting. She flicked her sleeve, ignoring him, and turned to leave.
The officials who had accompanied him sighed in relief. “She’s finally gone,” one of them said. They had been afraid that the two lords would clash, leaving them caught in the crossfire.
Yunze Young Lord felt no relief. His face was grim, his legs heavy as lead. He stepped into the open gate, as if entering a dragon’s lair or a tiger’s den. The officials behind him hurriedly followed, their lamps illuminating the path.
The faint light dispelled the darkness of the Senluo Prison, revealing chains extending from the walls, piercing the prisoners’ bodies, suppressing their magic power. The silence was eerie. In the past, whenever someone entered, the chains would rattle, and roars, like those of wild beasts, would echo through the prison. But now, there was nothing.
He signaled to the officials, stopping before a cell, peering inside through the lamplight.
The prisoner, clad in rags, was sitting cross-legged on the ground, his usually proud head hanging low, his body devoid of any sign of life.
His eyes widened in horror.
The criminal was dead.
It wasn’t uncommon for prisoners to die in the Grand Court of Justice, unable to bear the endless torture, but at this juncture, he couldn’t help but overthink it.
His footsteps echoed through the silent prison. The deeper he went, the greater his fear, and by the time he reached the end, his face was contorted with terror.
The officials behind him didn’t even dare to breathe.
The Heavenly Emperor had ordered them to retrieve the criminals, but they were all dead, every single one!
Remembering Dao Ling Star Monarch’s departing figure, he suddenly understood.
She had done it! She had killed all the prisoners in the Senluo Prison! How dare she?!
No, this couldn’t be her own decision.
An image of the moon flashed in his mind, and terror gripped his heart.
He took out the Emperor’s decree, his hand trembling as if he were holding a hot potato.
“What should we do?” an official asked, his face pale with fear.
His mind raced. He thought about Feng Chiyue, his destroyed abode, and the seemingly insignificant yet eternal moon in the sky. He threw the decree to the ground.
“All my disciples,” he said through gritted teeth, “resign from your positions in the Celestial Pivot Department!”
During Dao Ling Star Monarch’s seclusion, he had been in charge of the Department. He had countless disciples and followers. If they all resigned, the Department would be half empty.
The Heavenly Mechanism Department was usually responsible for personnel matters. Si Li Star Monarch wouldn’t normally interfere with others’ decisions, but hearing about the commotion in the Celestial Pivot Department, he frowned and sought out Yunze Young Lord, who was rebuilding his abode on Cloud Marsh Mountain.
“What are you doing, Fellow Daoist?” he asked. The Heavenly Prosperity Department was already in chaos. If the Celestial Pivot Department also fell apart, people would think the Heavenly Court was crumbling.
“The Emperor’s decree,” Yunze Young Lord said calmly. “I’m unable to fulfill it. I hold a high position, but I’ve failed in my duty. I’m deeply troubled.”
Si Li Star Monarch didn’t believe him. “Is that the only reason?” He glanced at the ruined Cloud Marsh Mountain, his eyes flashing coldly. “Are you being threatened?”
Yunze Young Lord’s eye twitched imperceptibly. The threat wasn’t just from Ming Jian Su. It was also a deep-seated fear of the impending collapse. He concealed his emotions and shook his head. “No,” he said, then, seeing that Si Li Star Monarch was about to argue, he added, “The Celestial Pivot Department has its Star Monarch. Her disciples are capable of taking over. You don’t have to worry about it falling apart.”
“But Dao Ling Star Monarch…” He trailed off. It wasn’t about whether there were enough people in the Department. It was about whether there were enough people loyal to the Emperor! With Yunze’s resignation, his disciples and followers would also leave. Wouldn’t this embarrass the Emperor? He tried to persuade him, but Yunze Young Lord remained unmoved. Finally, he lost his patience. He glared at him and said coldly, “You’re on your own, Fellow Daoist!” Then, he transformed into a beam of light and vanished.
Yunze Young Lord smiled bitterly.
He had craved fame, power, and wealth, but now he understood the appeal of being a carefree wandering immortal.
“Losing such an impartial and just official is truly a great loss for the Celestial Pivot Department,” a mocking voice said. He snapped out of his thoughts, startled. He turned and saw Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue standing nearby. He had no idea when they had arrived. If he had agreed to Si Li Star Monarch’s request and returned to the Celestial Pivot Department, what would have awaited him? Would he have been torn to pieces like his abode?
He quickly composed himself and forced a smile. “My humble abode is in ruins. I have nothing to offer you, Fellow Daoists. Please forgive me,” he said, bowing.
Ming Jian Su looked at him and smiled faintly. “We were colleagues once,” she said. “Hearing that you’ve resigned, we came to check on you.”
Who was her colleague? Who needed her concern?! He was furious but didn’t dare to show it. He simply repeated the excuses he had given to Si Li Star Monarch.
“Is that all?” Ming Jian Su asked.
“I thought you resigned because you couldn’t bear to be associated with those villains,” Feng Chiyue said coldly.
Yunze Young Lord: “…” They were openly calling the Heavenly Emperor a villain, but although they dared to say it, he didn’t have the courage or the power to agree. His smile became even more strained. “This humble Yun has made many wrong judgments, failed to uphold justice, and has been negligent in his duties, betraying the trust placed in him. Now, I’ve finally seen the error of my ways and no longer wish to perpetuate these wrongs.”
“What wrongs have you committed, Fellow Daoist?” Ming Jian Su asked. “Isn’t it those who forced you to act unjustly who are truly at fault?”
He couldn’t even force a smile now. Her words weren’t praise but a blade at his throat, urging him towards the Yellow Springs. He gave up struggling. “Why have you come to Cloud Marsh Mountain?” he asked.
Ming Jian Su raised an eyebrow and smiled. “Seeing that you’re as steadfast as a pine tree, unyielding to the wind and frost, choosing to abandon your position rather than tarnish your reputation… such righteousness shouldn’t be buried,” she said. “Of course, our fellow Daoists on the Chaos Mirror will know the truth.”
He was horrified.
He had known that their appearance wouldn’t be a simple social call.
They wanted him to expose the Heavenly Emperor’s intentions on the Chaos Mirror? How could he possibly do that? Did he have a death wish?
“You overestimate me, Fellow Daoist.”
Feng Chiyue was impatient with his excuses. Ignoring his fear, she turned to Ming Jian Su. “Elder Sister, stop wasting your breath,” she said. “We can achieve our goal even if we force him.”
Ming Jian Su sighed. They hadn’t come to Cloud Marsh Mountain to negotiate. They were here to get what they wanted. She bowed to him. “Forgive me, Fellow Daoist,” she said, then, with a flash of sword light, several beams shot towards his face.
He was no match for her, especially with Feng Chiyue beside her. If they wanted to kill him, he wouldn’t even have a chance to dodge. He frantically dodged the chilling sword beams. “Wait!” he cried. “I’ll do it!” If he didn’t obey them now, he would instantly perish. And if he exposed the Heavenly Emperor on the Chaos Mirror, he would still have time to escape before the Emperor could react.
Ming Jian Su stopped pretending. She didn’t sheathe her sword. “Claim that the feathered lineages in Danxue Mountain colluded with the Heavenly Emperor to frame us for colluding with the demons,” she said, looking at him.
He glanced at her and pursed his lips.
There was no evidence of Danxue Mountain’s involvement. After the deaths of their elders, they had been surprisingly obedient. They had been hoping for Chang Li’s return to seek revenge, but now she was a prisoner of the demons.
He didn’t dare to object and, following her instructions, posted the story on the Chaos Mirror, reluctantly attaching his name seal.
The Chaos Mirror was already abuzz with discussions about Ming Jian Su and Chang Li. Yunze Young Lord’s message was like a bombshell, causing an uproar. The immortals, both officials and wandering, were skeptical but still bombarded him with questions, demanding confirmation. He didn’t respond. Soon, the Celestial Pivot Department posted an announcement: Yunze Young Lord and his disciples had resigned from their positions. This convinced most of the doubters.
“Why would the Heavenly Emperor frame Ming Jian Su? Isn’t he sabotaging himself and giving the demons an advantage?”
“Don’t forget the disaster a thousand years ago,” a bold immortal wrote.
The Heavenly Emperor did have a history. It wasn’t impossible for him to have collaborated with Danxue Mountain to suppress Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue.
In the new Danxue Mountain, the Vermilion Birds, Bifang, and Swan Goose lineages were furious upon seeing this unexpected accusation.
They defended themselves on the Chaos Mirror. They had antagonized Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue many times, and with the previous incident of the Vermilion Bird Elder colluding with the demons, their denials only fueled suspicion. People began to wonder if they were the true culprits.
Zhu Wan, who had been monitoring the Chaos Mirror, seized the opportunity and had someone spread a rumor: Chang Li had actually become a general under the Demon Sovereign.
The Chaos Mirror descended into chaos.
The feathered immortals in Danxue Mountain were enraged, cursing those who spread such lies.
Zhu Wan’s shamelessness was legendary. Why should she play fair against enemies? She had spent a considerable amount of Cinnabar Jade on this. It was a valid tactic.
While the younger generation in the Vermilion Bird and Bifang lineages were busy arguing on the Chaos Mirror, the elders who had witnessed the disaster a thousand years ago were deeply troubled.
If it were just a war of words on the Chaos Mirror, it wouldn’t be a big deal, but they feared this was just a prelude to a more serious conflict.
“We can’t rely on those from the Realm Beyond Heaven.”
“Many of our elites have perished. If Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue seek revenge, what can we do?”
“This is the Heavenly Court. Yunze’s words aren’t a decree. Surely they wouldn’t dare to attack us directly.”
“Yes, if they do, the Heavenly Soldiers will stop them.”
…
Their feeble words did little to ease their anxiety.
A day later, with a deafening boom, Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue proved that they indeed dared to attack.
Those from Danxue Mountain, along with the Heavenly Emperor, had falsely accused them of colluding with the demons, pushing them to their limit. What better justification for rebellion? Who would dare to stop them?
The wind howled, and clouds swirled around Ming Jian Su and Feng Chiyue’s robes.
Looking at the feathered immortals scrambling out of the mountain, Ming Jian Su remembered the battle she had witnessed in Feng Chiyue’s memories, her former comrades turning against her, urging her to sacrifice herself. But on what grounds? Because they were stronger? She lowered her gaze and raised her hand.
Undefeated, sensing her intent, shot out from the sword case, its intertwined branches glowing with a soft light, emitting a faint blue radiance.
“What do you mean by this, Fellow Daoist?” the leading Vermilion Bird asked, frowning, bowing to her. “We haven’t left the mountain recently, and we’re unaware of the rumors on the Chaos Mirror. It was someone else who slandered you.” He had no idea why Yunze had implicated them.
Ming Jian Su didn’t even bother with formalities. She looked at the stone monument bearing the inscription “Danxue Mountain” and, with a downward press of her hand, a deafening explosion echoed through the air. The monument shattered into pieces.
Amidst their gasps, she looked up, a chilling smile spreading across her face. “Ming Jian Su, Dao companion of Feng Chiyue, Lord of the feathered lineages in Danxue Mountain,” she declared. “For a thousand years of hatred, I’ve come to claim your heads!” Her sword blazed with light, its aura menacing, as if concealing a powerful storm. Amidst the commotion, her sword intent, like a clear chime, gradually drowned out all other sounds.
Feng Chiyue glanced at her, not objecting.
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