101 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 101: San Niang The Nine Heavens Xuan Fire. Yan Jue had long heard that Yun Zhen possessed a fire spirit root, but she hadn't anticipated the formidable might of Yun Zhen's flames. Whenever any malevolent force descended onto the rooftop, Yun Zhen could detect it in an instant. Such was the dreadfulness of an eighth-realm power; even while engaged in other activities, her divine consciousness was fully unfurled. Yan Jue flew over on her sword, leaping onto the rooftop to bow towards Yun Zhen, recounting what she had witnessed inside the room. Yun Zhen sighed, "Unfortunately, I used too much force. Who knew the little demon was so weak?" Yan Jue was taken aback, "Master, do you mean that was just…" She suddenly glanced at Yun Zhen's attire and immediately averted her gaze. Yun Zhen's clothes were disheveled, and she wasn't wearing shoes; her bare feet lightly stood on the dilapidated roof beam, the skin pale and white, with faintly visible blue veins, and her toenails rounded with a pinkish hue. Yan Jue: "..." This scene was quite a shock for her. Yun Zhen explained, "It was a Gu demon." Although Yun Zhen's Nine Heavens Xuan Fire had long dissipated, the surroundings remained scorching, with a subtle scent of flame lingering in the air. As Yan Jue was about to speak, her peripheral vision suddenly caught sight of someone below. It was a strikingly beautiful woman, with slightly disheveled robes, her long black hair cascading over her shoulders, her cheeks flushed with a faint pink similar to Yun Zhen's. Her slanted phoenix eyes brimmed with moisture. She looked up, expression filled with displeasure, her gaze meeting Yan Jue's. Yan Jue paused slightly. Is this Yun Zhen's friend? Why does she seem so familiar, as if I've seen her before? The woman held the gaze for a moment, her expression displaying surprise, astonishment, and a mix of disbelief, before she turned and left. A gust of wind suddenly swept by. Qi Xian Qing arrived, scanning the surroundings with narrowed eyes, and crouched to pick up a partially scorched token left by the divine fire. The token, with a faint bronze hue, though half-burned, still faintly displayed the characters for "Zhansha." Qi Xian Qing presented the half-token to Yun Zhen. "Master, earlier at Jade Void Sea, I was chased by demons from Zhansha Cliff, and this token is from Zhansha Cliff too," Qi Xian Qing said. Yun Zhen glanced at it and replied calmly, "I don't know about the rest, but I do know you're under someone's scrutiny." Qi Xian Qing looked at Yun Zhen, slightly stunned. Her master, being an eighth-realm powerhouse, always exuded a domineering and formidable aura. Yet, she got the feeling, perhaps mistakenly, that Yun Zhen's usual oppressive aura seemed lighter. What's happening here? Yun Zhen's aura seemed to carry a strong demon aura, leaving Qi Xian Qing with much to ponder. Yun Zhen slowly approached, patting her shoulder, "I've borrowed the Soul Gathering Banner, come with me to the inn to investigate." "I had to pay a significant price to borrow it from my friend," Yun Zhen said with a slight smile, emphasizing the words "significant price." There was a sudden crash from below. Qi Xian Qing struggled to avoid looking down, "Understood." Though the roof had been blown apart, for someone like Yun Zhen, a mere incantation could restore it. Together, Yun Zhen and Qi Xian Qing walked out of Chunman Tower. Yun Zhen assumed that the issue concerning the sect master was merely Qi Xian Qing's speculation. To protect her, she didn't allow Yan Jue to join in. The current situation was turbulent. It wasn't surprising that high-ranking members within the Five Dragons Sect might not be who they appeared to be; Yun Zhen had seen similar things before. Still, suspecting the sect master's true identity required caution. The relationships among the high-ranking members of the Five Dragons Sect were delicate and not as harmonious as they appeared. Starting a conflict between sect masters of the eighth realm could destroy the entire Five Dragons Sect if she guessed wrong. If merely imagining things wrongly, that would be worse. If you were in charge and suddenly accused of being fake, it would be immensely awkward. Qi Xian Qing looked back at Yan Jue with a softened expression, "Do you want to come back to the inn with us?" Yan Jue replied, "I'd like to roam around a bit more outside." Yan Jue only knew Yun Zhen came to Wanwu Fortress to borrow something from an old friend; she wasn't informed of what exactly. She merely sensed that Qi Xian Qing was embroiled in something significant with Yun Zhen. Yan Jue suspected it might be related to the current Five Dragons Sect Master, the Demon Lord. If that's the case, it would be excellent. Qi Xian Qing must still be heeding her advice to keep an eye on the sect master. Yan Jue wanted to stay outside a bit longer because the time had come for an appointment mentioned in a secret letter she received earlier. That day in a bookstore, she received a secret letter instructing her to be at Nianyun Pavilion by Xu time today. Only an incense stick's worth of time remained until Xu time, and Yan Jue needed to locate this Nianyun Pavilion. - Chunman Tower was still bustling, the hall filled with clinking cups and joyful laughter. With a furrowed brow, Yan Jue walked slowly outside. Suddenly, three indistinct words flashed through her mind. Earlier on the rooftop, Yun Zhen had emerged from below. She seemed to vaguely see that the place Yun Zhen exited was called Nianyun Pavilion... Could there be a fox demon in the brothel? Yan Jue frowned tighter. If the person who sent the letter was indeed from the fox clan, why would Yun Zhen be mingling with them? Suddenly, someone tapped her shoulder. Yan Jue spun around abruptly and found a bewildered little fox demon, Shi Yun, accompanied by Zhu He. Shi Yun held something in her hands, "Sister Yan, I found this on the ground earlier." "It seems to have fallen from that big-winged creature." Yan Jue was taken aback, seeing Shi Yun holding a jade seal of an emerald lion in her hands. Taking the seal from Shi Yun, Yan Jue noticed it appeared to be a type of storage artifact. Her eyes sparkled, "Thank you." Not expecting to uncover such a find, Yan Jue couldn't help but suppress a wildly upward-curving smile. "By the way," Yan Jue suddenly grabbed Shi Yun, "Could you help me with something else?" After Shi Yun left, Yan Jue found a spot outside Chunman Tower to sit and started fiddling with the storage artifact. Thanks to rigorous training, Yan Jue had become quite adept at breaking formations. She pulled out the "Seven Light Stone" from her pocket, tapped several points on the storage seal, and with a "crack," the formation was unlocked. With a serious expression, Yan Jue began inventorying the contents. Because the artifact was dropped by an assassin from Zhansha Cliff, it might contain invaluable information. Yan Jue might find some clues inside. The first item she retrieved was a gourd. Opening the stopper, Yan Jue found several bright, blood-red pills inside. Uncertain of their type. Yan Jue frowned, recalling the day by Jade Void Sea when she and Qi Xian Qing had slain a black-clad figure and found similar items on them. In this world, cultivators carrying pills wasn't unusual. She hadn't gotten around to identifying them due to being too busy after returning to the mountain. Upon her next return, it might be best to authenticate them. Yan Jue infused a wisp of her consciousness into the storage seal, retrieving yet another item. An alchemy furnace. Under the lights, the furnace shone a bright purplish-red, adorned with gold-threaded engravings. Yan Jue hesitated slightly. Could the Zhansha Cliff creature have an interest in alchemy? Alas, Yan Jue wasn't an alchemist and wasn't versed in alchemy. She directly placed the furnace and pills into her own storage bag. Continuing her search. She pulled out a crumpled item from the storage artifact, effortlessly hooking her fingers around it. It turned out to be a tattered scroll, a relic of some age, thumbed through numerous times, its paper curling and yellowing slightly. Uncertain of its contents, Yan Jue spread open the scroll. "Dragon Shadow Sword Art." Yan Jue pondered deeply when suddenly the little fox demon Shi Yun ran over, "Sister Yan." Yan Jue looked up, "How did it go?" Shi Yun: "I went to the entrance of Nianyun Pavilion and... and was discovered." Yan Jue: "Huh?" Discovered already. Should have lent her the Concealment Cloak. If the inhabitants of Nianyun Pavilion were nefarious, Shi Yun could end up in trouble. Yan Jue frowned, "Are you okay?" Shi Yun blinked in confusion, shaking her head vigorously, "That lady... She told me to summon you quickly..." Yan Jue: "Hmm?" Shi Yun: "She revealed her aura to me. She truly is a fox demon. She even claimed to be your relative." - Thanking Shi Yun, Yan Jue took a detour outside Chunman Tower. Opening her Cloud Concealment Umbrella, she gracefully ascended to the rooftop of Chunman Tower. The umbrella twirled in the wind, Yan Jue's silhouette elegantly leaping through the air, soon locating the position of Nianyun Pavilion. Nianyun Pavilion was a two-story pavilion; upon ascending the stairs, a right turn led to its entrance. Yan Jue lightly tapped the ground with her toes and leaped onto the second-floor windowsill. The room was dimly lit, enveloped in a lingering cool fragrance. Standing by the window with her Cloud Concealment Umbrella, Yan Jue was startled to see a woman in a red gauze dress lying on the bed. Her eyes were alluringly half-closed as she slowly fanned herself with a round fan, sweat glistening on her skin, her cheeks tinged with a blush. Yan Jue was momentarily taken aback. There was a familiarity in her aura. Lu Yan Shuang lay on the bed, but she wasn't as calm as she appeared. Her breath still uneven, she was struggling to compose herself. Earlier, Yun Zhen had proposed a trade using her Yang energy, and Lu Yan Shuang had been poised to absorb it openly. But when she approached and took a breath, Yun Zhen's soft and enticing moans were enough to cause her ears to bleed. She initially wanted to ignore that deceitful woman's sounds and continue absorbing energy. Yet, a few breaths later, and she was flushed with embarrassment! Moreover, she still had a rendezvous with the little princess. And truly, she couldn't handle this woman any longer. Left unfinished naturally. Lu Yan Shuang asked, "Isn't she here yet?" From the shadows emerged a girl's silhouette: "That person just left not long ago, she should be here soon." Instinctively, Yan Jue stepped forward to get a better look at the woman on the bed. She was now more convinced that she had seen this person at the Ten Thousand Demons Pavilion. She was indeed San Niang, whom Yan Jue had encountered there. Yet, while she'd worn fiery and flamboyant attire back then, now she exuded a softer charm. Yan Jue found herself lowering her guard around her. Placing a teacup back onto the table with a soft clink for sound. The woman had exceptionally keen hearing; hearing the noise, she sat up and looked towards the window: "Jue Jue, since you're here, why hide?" A girl standing beside Lu Yan Shuang paused briefly, turning swiftly. The girl had snow-white skin, distinct fox-like slanted phoenix eyes unique to her clan, and a lotus-shaped green embellishment on her forehead that cast a gentle lake-blue glimmer beneath the dim candlelight. She wore a traditional divided skirt. Around her waist was a coiled sword, akin to a supple belt. Yan Jue anticipated she might draw her sword, but instead, the girl knelt, whispering, "Your servant Han Yue, greets the princess." Yan Jue slowly closed her Cloud Concealment Umbrella, meeting Lu Yan Shuang's amber-colored eyes. Lu Yan Shuang stood up, her gaze dark and cold as she slammed her hand on the table: "Jue Jue, are you now that person's disciple?" Yan Jue felt a tingle at her scalp. Estimating that she and San Niang were relatives of some sort, she could only gamble. Hesitantly, Yan Jue nodded, "Yes." "That wretched woman… That person! Always deceiving foxes. Even you didn't escape her clutches!" Lu Yan Shuang spat bitterly, approaching to pinch Yan Jue’s cheek: "Long time no see, you've grown quite a bit. You must've suffered under that woman all these years." The woman had an impeccable figure, with long legs subtly revealed beneath her dress, their balance of flesh and bone impeccable. Behind her unfurled six plush, lengthy tails, leaving Yan Jue momentarily startled. Frowning, she tentatively called out, "San Niang?" Lu Yan Shuang responded, "You heartless thing, after staying away so long, you've forgotten me? You used to call me Aunt, so why the distance?" Though Lu Yan Shuang seemed angry, she clearly still had a fondness for her, her tone a mix of concealed affection. Yan Jue chuckled awkwardly, suddenly noticing the girl still kneeling nearby. She dared not pry further, lest the fox clan suspect her spirit had been usurped, inviting trouble aplenty. Lu Yan Shuang instructed, "Han Yue, step outside. The princess won't be pleased to see you." Han Yue tensed, softly replying, "Yes," and promptly left. Lu Yan Shuang then gracefully led Yan Jue to sit on a chaise: "My little princess, it's been too long. San Niang missed you terribly." "You're having enough fun outside; when are you coming home?" Blinking, Yan Jue's mind raced. The original character had been quite spoiled in the Ghost Manor, likely a rebellious sort; otherwise, she wouldn't have eloped with Chu Fu. Having left the Ghost Manor Mountain almost four years ago, any change in her character was plausible. Hence, she acted as consistent with the original character as possible; slight deviations would pose no issue. Yan Jue stepped aside to avoid San Niang's touch, smiling: "I'm enjoying myself out there; I don't plan on returning yet." San Niang rolled her eyes: "What's so good in those stinking immortal sects? Did that woman try and fill your head with righteousness?" A spark of realization struck Yan Jue. Could something have happened between San Niang and Yun Zhen Shifu? Wasn't Yun Zhen Shifu here to borrow something earlier? ... Lounging comfortably, San Niang continued, "Recently, the Demon Sect has been regaining power. Many demon clans have already rebelled. The Human Sect flails wildly, unjustly accusing the entire demon clan of treason." "The demon clan's existence has become precarious." "The cultivators dispatched forces against the snake clan. Their territory neighbors my Ghost Manor Mountain. If the snake clan falls, where can we foxes find refuge?" Yan Jue was slightly taken aback, frowning as she spoke, "Then why not have Father lead an army to aid them?" At this, a faint anger crossed San Niang's face, "The demon clan hasn't seen war for a millennium. Besides, the fox clan is divided, even if the great king wishes to act, there's no power to rally for united resistance." After she finished, a brief, heavy silence settled in the room. Yan Jue frowned slightly. San Niang continued, "Those cultivators, do they genuinely want to eradicate the Demon Clan? If they were truly targeting the Demon Clan, why don't they pursue the whereabouts of the demon lords at Endless Soul Mountain and Fatal Valley? Their initial strike against the demon clan is telling enough." San Niang added, "It's evident they covet our demon cores and bones." Her anger grew as she spoke. Yan Jue listened, her spine tingling. The situation was proving far more complex than she had envisioned. "Aside from that, there's something that truly surprised me," San Niang observed her for a moment, her words suddenly shifting: "It's been four years since we last met, Jue Jue, and you've matured considerably." Taken aback by her swift change in topic, Yan Jue murmured, "Hmm?" San Niang quipped, "When I talked about such matters in the past, you never had the patience to listen. Yet now, you're paying such close attention." "Are you humoring me, or do you genuinely care about the fox clan?" San Niang let her gaze playfully linger, perfectly embodying what it meant to tease with charming eyes. Yan Jue was momentarily at a loss for words. San Niang chuckled warmly, exuding the concern of an elder, "The mating season has arrived, hasn't it?"