114 - Confession (Ying Cheng)

Chapter 114: Tears Fall Song Mi Yun hadn't truly left; instead, she delved deep into the renowned Yao Hua Mountain in search of rare medicinal herbs. Yao Hua Mountain, being one of the famous mountains in the land, was bound to harbor treasures and precious artifacts. With her usual bold approach to medicine and the use of Yan Jue's nine-tailed spirit fox blood, Song Mi Yun visited the princess daily, trying various remedies, which gradually improved the princess's condition. In the dead of night, Feng Ru slowly raised her heavy eyelids, awakening in her bed. "Oh my, Your Highness is awake." "The princess has awakened, quickly, someone come!" The maid beside her exclaimed with joy, and soon a group of maids rushed in. As Feng Ru's consciousness returned, she immediately got up, pushing past the maids, intending to head outside. At the doorway, a guard stopped her: "Princess, the king has ordered that you cannot leave freely." With a furrowed brow, Feng Ru retorted, "I just want to take a walk. Is that not allowed?" The guard replied hesitantly, "Really, it's not allowed." Frustrated, Feng Ru returned to her bedside, but as she sat down, she noticed something was hidden under her pillow—a letter. Though the Phoenix King had confined her, he still doted on his daughter and showered her with gifts through the door. Not suspecting anything amiss, Feng Ru glanced outside, then sat down to open the letter. The handwriting was neat and familiar, causing her pupils to contract slightly. It was... a letter from her beloved! Though she didn’t know how it had reached her room, she recognized the handwriting from countless previous letters. It was unmistakably from her beloved. Under the candlelight, Feng Ru's gaze slowly scanned the letter, wishing she could pierce through it. The entire letter expressed the reluctance of her sudden departure and gentle reproach. As she read, her hand trembled slightly. Outside the princess's chamber, a bellow sounded, and Feng Ru forcefully pushed a guard aside. Her body, weakened from damaged phoenix blood, had little strength, making her effort futile. Feng Ru declared, "I want to go out!" The guard braced himself in front of her: "Your Highness, truly you cannot. It's the king's command." Feng Ru seethed, "He just wants me to marry Nan Ming! I do not wish to, what, will he kill me if I refuse?" The once quiet entrance buzzed with activity. Just as Feng Ru was causing a scene, the crowd opened a path. "Ah Ru!" Feng Ru shivered slightly. A man clad in a dark robe with cloud motifs approached, exuding a dignified aura without anger. Just his slow approach brought an overwhelming sense of pressure. This was the king of the Phoenix tribe, Feng Zhao Yang. With rage in her eyes, Feng Ru glared at Feng Zhao Yang: "I only want to go out for a walk, why must Father interfere in even this? Are you afraid I will run away?" The atmosphere tensed immediately. "You taking the cleansing elixir is something I will overlook for now," Feng Zhao Yang frowned at Feng Ru, "You are truly blessed but unaware. You possess the purest royal blood, a gift many dream of. Yet you take a cleansing elixir to remove it... you... you!" Feng Zhao Yang grew increasingly angered. "I've told you before, the past is gone, don't dwell on it. I've arranged with the Nan family to advance the wedding date. Three days from now, you will wed him." Feng Zhao Yang turned, his tone cold, "Do not think about anything else. Prepare yourself well." With that, Phoenix King Feng Zhao Yang left, leaving Feng Ru alone. Tears slid down Feng Ru's cheeks, and the letter in her hand crumpled, her nails digging into her flesh. - In the grand hall, Feng Zhao Yang commanded, "Bring those two Immortals from the Five Dragon Gate." Yan Jue, who had come to deliver the letter, was only helping and unaware of the letter's contents or the events in the princess’s chamber. Soon, they arrived, and Feng Zhao Yang greeted them with gratitude: "Thank you for saving my daughter, Immortals." Yan Jue didn't claim credit, smiling, "The true savior, the healer, already left yesterday." "Lotus Island has always been indifferent to worldly affairs, but without your introduction, we couldn't have found such a divine healer." Feng Zhao Yang nodded. "Still, what reward do the Immortals desire?" Understanding the value of reciprocity, Feng Zhao Yang knew nothing came free, especially given the historical disinterest between Five Dragon Gate and his kingdom. Yan Jue, politely sidestepping the letter's delivery, stated their actual purpose: "I seek the Phoenix embryo from your tribe." Her words cast a deathly silence over the hall. Feng Zhao Yang frowned faintly. The Phoenix tribe’s bloodline was treasured, and the embryo could bestow it upon non-tribespeople. Over the years, many sects sought the Phoenix embryo, all turned away by Feng Zhao Yang. Unexpectedly, these two disciples sought the same treasure. Feng Zhao Yang offered, "Though I am grateful for saving my daughter, I can offer spirit stones, gold, and silver, but the Phoenix embryo—I cannot give." - At a bustling inn beneath Yao Hua Mountain, tables brimmed with tempting dishes, untouched by anyone. Yan Jue retrieved a pristine needle from her bag, designed by Dan Lu Xi to detect poison, using the fang of a Ferocious Sea Serpent from the Jade Void Depths. The needle would turn black upon contact with poison. Yan Jue meticulously tested each dish before storing the needle back. Qi Xian Qing gazed at the vegetable cakes nearest her, holding her chopsticks pensively. Yan Jue frowned, "He said no, we can't just steal it, can we?" Tasked by their master to find ingredients for the elixir of immortality, they still needed the Phoenix embryo, local essence grass, and a nine-tailed fox’s heart. Their assistance in delivering Liang Ting Mian's letter was due to the opportunity to obtain the embryo, located at the Luan Platform. However, nothing had gone as planned. Qi Xian Qing reassured her, "The Phoenix embryo, with its blood-giving ability, is indeed invaluable to them." Yan Jue couldn’t help but inwardly complain, "Do we even stand a chance of getting it?" "There will be a way," Qi Xian Qing paused, narrowing her eyes, "If needed, we can involve the princess." Having traveled extensively, Qi Xian Qing knew more than Yan Jue about resources. Although the Phoenix tribe revered the embryo as a supreme treasure, only one person might assist—the princess with a lover outside the tribe, Feng Ru. Despite the ethical dilemma, they had to consider this path. While they ate, someone walked by, causing Yan Jue's Snow Frost dagger to shiver subtly. Yan Jue’s head snapped up. A person, clad in a gray jacket with short limbs, sat at a nearby table. Snow Frost thrummed violently as if on the verge of shattering. Yan Jue was overwhelmed momentarily. Her dagger always reacted to those tainted with murderous aura. Who was that person... Qi Xian Qing noticed Yan Jue's action, alertly asking, "What happened?" Suddenly, Qi Xian Qing's expression turned icy, spinning around to grasp something. Under the bright lamplight, three gleaming golden beads lay in her palm. Having reached the mid Heart-Mind realm, her senses were sharply attuned. She distinctly heard the repeated conversation from the adjacent table, repeating thrice. Swinging her gaze to Yan Jue, who remained frozen, her instincts told her they’d been ensnared in a high-level illusion. A faint noise arose from behind. In an instant, Qi Xian Qing dodged a golden bead launched at her back and leapt through the window. Dark silhouettes of wispy greenish currents appeared at her feet in the night. With focus, Qi Xian Qing's spirit locked onto a figure atop a nearby tree. Again. The whereabouts of the immortal form were no secret to the demon race, and wherever Qi Xian Qing ventured, demonic entities from the Demon Slayer Cliff pursued her. Her face as cold as frost, Qi Xian Qing raised her right hand, and a beam of light shot forth, slicing through the air toward the shadow on the distant tree like an arrow released from a bow. Go. Simultaneously, countless golden bullets shot toward Qi Xian Qing, but she calmly sliced through them with two fingers in the air. "Whoosh..." A strange sound arose as a sharp arrow launched from the bushes behind, heading straight for Qi Xian Qing. This time, Qi Xian Qing was prepared. She leaped backward, gracefully flipping in the air, all the while catching the arrow single-handedly. Though her protective heart mirror wasn't a secret, the demons had aimed their hidden weapons at her legs instead. Qi Xian Qing frowned slightly, quickly following the shadowy figure into the forest. The shadow leapt forward, merging into the endless darkness. Having been targeted for assassination several times, Qi Xian Qing remained incredibly alert to her surroundings. But the demons from Zhan Sha Cliff ran as fast as she chased. As she stepped quickly into the undergrowth, a noise sounded from behind, something advancing toward her rapidly. There were more than just one demon following her. Qi Xian Qing, without looking back, hurled the arrow from behind her. The arrow, carrying immense force, pierced through the chest of the pursuer. "Thud—" A heavy sound hit the grass. Even at the point of death, the demon likely never realized how it had met its end. Qi Xian Qing turned to find a snake's corpse lying in the grass. Around its waist hung a gleaming bronze token inscribed with "Zhan Sha Cliff." Her eyes filled with coldness; Zhan Sha Cliff's tactics were getting tedious. Standing, Qi Xian Qing’s steps on the grass made soft noises which suddenly seemed off. Quickly turning, a faint red formation suddenly lit up behind her. A crimson python descended from the trees, jaws aimed at Qi Xian Qing's neck. Brandishing her sword, Qi Xian Qing sliced through the snake's head, though more sounds arose behind her. She found herself surrounded by multicolored serpents, their slender forms rising from the grass, staring silently with forked tongues flicking. She had walked into a trap. It turned out that the fleeing demon was a mere decoy. These serpents were the true ambush. Calmly assessing the situation, Qi Xian Qing recalled a demonic technique named the Serpent Trap. A target within would face venomous attacks if not swiftly escaping. Yet, she had already been in an illusion since leaving the inn. Likely, she was still within its hold. Such realistic illusions left Qi Xian Qing unaware of its boundaries. Usually, overwhelming force was required to shatter the illusion: employing a powerful enchantment to outstrip its limits, causing the false reality to crumble. Meanwhile, the serpents began their assault. The closest green snake struck first, spewing luminous venom. Qi Xian Qing wielded her sword, summoning a mighty electric storm extending outward in every direction. Alongside the thunder, flames erupted—the Red Lotus Inferno she'd acquired from Su Yang Immortal Mansion. Thunder and Flame Ascension! In her hands, Candle Shadow soared to great heights. Sword Art: Earth Shaker. With a swift motion, she swung Candle Shadow, mowing through the serpentine ranks. Blood spattered, as a dozen aggressive snakes were decapitated in an instant. Remaining cool, her cloak whipped fiercely in the wind: "Rise." Candle Shadow continued to extend skyward. Boom— Its cyan sword light streaked across the sky, rippling through the void. Qi Xian Qing channeled all her energy into Candle Shadow. With a mighty push, Candle Shadow shivered violently, piercing the dimensional rift. And just like that, the illusionary world dissolved. Qi Xian Qing's lashes fluttered as she opened her eyes to see Yan Jue's clear, elegant face and the bustling inn. Yan Jue waved a hand in front of Qi Xian Qing, frowning, "Senior sister, what happened?" Although Qi Xian Qing had spent a while in the illusion, only a fleeting moment had actually passed. "I was caught in an illusion," Qi Xian Qing replied, pressing her temple. Yan Jue stiffened, her expression turning harsh: "Zhan Sha Cliff again?" "Yes." Qi Xian Qing calmly answered, picking a few vegetables to place in Yan Jue's bowl. "Let's eat first." These demon antics weren't enough to trouble Qi Xian Qing, and she didn't take them seriously. Yet her gaze fell into deep thought. Yan Jue noticed the momentary distance in Qi Xian Qing's eyes. In illusions, if one died, it equated to real death. Without Qi Xian Qing's swift reactions, she might have perished. Just as Qi Xian Qing began to speak, a sharp sting ran through her back. Yan Jue turned to find a dark bloodstain spreading across Qi Xian Qing's back. Despite her caution, Qi Xian Qing hadn't completely escaped harm in the illusion. … Back in the room, Yan Jue drew out a high-level defensive array disk. Being the top disciple and possessing a celestial spiritual body, Qi Xian Qing enjoyed abundant resources from Five Dragon Gate. The array disk Yan Jue now handled was crafted by a sixth-realm expert—if bought at Five Dragon Market, it would cost a fortune. Cradling the array disk, Yan Jue murmured the incantation, and a pale golden aura unfurled above. "Crackle—" A noise erupted from behind Yan Jue, compelling her to glance back. Qi Xian Qing was alone on the bed, removing bandages under the faint candlelight. Though she loved teasing, Qi Xian Qing often preferred bearing burdens alone. Hidden wounds, secret pains she endured silently. Seeing this, Yan Jue felt a pang in her heart. As Qi Xian Qing sat, her back scorching with pain, Yan Jue gently clasped her hand. Yan Jue's hands were warm, resting softly upon hers. Qi Xian Qing paused, looking up at her. "Let me help," Yan Jue offered gently. "It's hard to reach your back." In the dim lighting, Yan Jue’s almond eyes shimmered, pupils clear as water. After a slight hesitation, she added shyly, "Don't forget, we're cultivational partners now." Qi Xian Qing, always independent, was used to facing everything alone. But now, she clearly wasn't alone. Qi Xian Qing gazed at Yan Jue, a rare tenderness in her eyes, her left hand unconsciously tensing slightly. This was unfamiliar for her. With soft eyes on Yan Jue, Qi Xian Qing offered, "Thank you, Ah Jue." Yan Jue's heart raced, and she settled behind Qi Xian Qing, carefully undoing her shirt.