Chapter 110: Demons Quarreling

Chapter 110: Demons Quarreling

Shangxing rushed out of the Duke's residence in one breath. The young man's feet seemed to be on fire as he raced towards Tai Ling Palace. Standing before its grand gates, his handsome face finally lost all its flush.

Beyond the palace gates, the youthful emperor still radiated an unwavering majesty.

Zhengde Hall, Ren'an Palace, Chengyou Palace, and countless once-bustling inner palaces were now eerily quiet. He strolled leisurely towards Fangyin Palace, catching sight of a slender, graceful figure in the distance.

As he drew closer, he realized that the person was not alone. Countless venomous bees swarmed around him. Their buzzing filled the air, sending shivers down one's spine just by listening.

"Master Diviner!" the youth called out as he ran over.

Ye Ling turned around, his eyes free from the dust of the world. "You've taken excellent care of these creatures. I just observed them, and whether it's those venomous spiders and snakes or these little ones, they don't seem to have any intention of harming others despite their toxicity."

A dimple appeared on the young man's cheek, a hint of bashfulness visible on his face.

Ye Ling had taught him the art of taming beasts and reptiles but had not taken him as a disciple. It hadn't been long since he started learning, and both of them were still young. If not for his extraordinary talent, how could he have domesticated these venomous creatures?

The ancient, ethereal sound of a xun, a traditional Chinese musical instrument, echoed through the silent palace. The venomous bees obediently flew away, filing into their hives in unison.

As the sound of the xun faded, Ye Ling continued, "All creatures possess a spirit, including humans. Even the most wicked person, if guided with a kind heart, may turn from evil to good. Conversely, an inherently good person, once led astray, may eventually align with darkness."

Staring into his pure, jet-black eyes, the youth seemed to grasp the profound meaning behind the words. "I will keep Master Diviner's teachings close to my heart."

"Remember them not out of obligation, for goodness naturally breeds virtue. With your nature, you will surely become a wise and just ruler one day."

Feeling a sense of humility, Shangxing's eyes shimmered with countless sparks of hope. "Does Master Diviner mean that I can stay here, with my parents, for a long, long time?"

Gazing at him distantly, Ye Ling replied, "When the mountains and rivers last forever, that day will surely come."

He seemed to grasp something yet was also thoroughly confused. The only certainty was that, according to Master Diviner's prediction, there would come a day when their family would be reunited for a long time.

Since childhood, he had heard tales of his parents' deep affection and how his father doted solely on his mother. Recalling recent events, a surge of youthful passion flared within him.

At sixteen years old, even though his obsession was solely with his parents, it didn't mean he was ignorant of the world's ways. Many boys his age were already betrothed or even married. Matters of love and marriage were universal, and he couldn't help but be aware of them.

The thought of his father and mother... Recalling Liu Ze's words and the voices he had overheard through the door, he suddenly found it difficult to face them at that moment.

The mere thought of his mother caused his previously bright mood to darken once more.

"Master Diviner, my mother... How exactly did she pass away?"

"Fate revolves in cycles, destiny is predetermined by the heavens."

Is it fate?

The young man was perplexed. "You mentioned that it's neither poison nor a hex. Is there a way to counteract it?"

Ye Ling gazed upon him, fixating on those clear, limpid eyes. The youth's obsidian-like orbs were devoid of any impurity, as translucent as the finest black jade. It was astonishing that one of imperial lineage could possess such untainted virtue; no wonder Master had always spoken of the sage and virtuous ruler, willing to defy heaven itself in stubborn pursuit of righteousness.

"Her well-being equates to yours."

"I?" The youth pointed at himself. "What must I do for my mother to be safe?"

Master Diviner Ye chose not to respond, instead gazing silently at the horizon.

The sky had turned ashen, with the impending darkness looming heavily. Soon, the gray gave way to black. A brilliant star shone brightly in the north, harmoniously complemented by the cold glow of a waning crescent moon.

In the dimly lit chamber, a candle flickered to life.

Pei Yuanxi instinctively covered her eyes, waiting for her vision to adjust before peeking through her fingers at the man lighting the lamp. Dressed in a casual purple robe, his slender frame appeared even more elegant and precious.

The man slightly turned his face, his loose hair softening his striking features, adding a hint of wicked charm to his handsome appearance. As his enigmatic gaze fell upon her, her heart rate quickened.

The memory of their entangled whispers earlier resurfaced, accompanied by a subtle ache in her body. With her fingers widening, her slightly swollen lips whispered a reproach, "Male enchantress."

Gongye Chu turned towards her, revealing his long legs beneath the loosely draped robe and a glimpse of his muscular chest through the open collar. Her heartbeat accelerated, and she recalled how people often said that beauty could lead one astray, but they underestimated the allure of male beauty.

Such captivating allure, what else could it be but enchantment?

He casually settled onto the bed, exposing his endless charisma. She gasped, pulling the blanket over her head, blushing profusely as she repeatedly called him a male enchantress. Amidst the fluttering of her heart, a hand ventured under the covers, touching an unknown spot that provoked more of her delicate cries.

A subtle fragrance filled the air, reminiscent of peach blossoms.

"A peach blossom spirit," he said.

The blanket was slowly pulled down, revealing a delicate, porcelain-like face akin to a blooming peach blossom in March. Her rosy cheeks paired with shimmering eyes held an irresistible allure.

"So just now, were we spirits battling it out?"

Amidst her laughter, she trembled like a blossoming flower branch.

Familiar scents enveloped her as the man's handsome features loomed large in her eyes. She hastily reached out to block him, her breaths turning soft and tender.

"Don't... Is Chong'er still outside?"

The thought of their son anxiously waiting outside while they were entangled in passion made her face flush with embarrassment and irritation.

"I'll check on him." He rose to dress, his movements exuding irresistible charm. "You tidy up."

The word 'tidy up' held a subtle, deeper meaning, causing her body to ache even more.

After he left, Chunyue led the maidservants in with hot water, her head lowered. She prepared fresh clothes and helped her mistress get out of bed, careful not to let her gaze wander. Her round face was redder than a ripe apple, even more so than Pei Yuanxi's.

Neither mistress nor servant spoke, the former attempting to remain composed while the latter felt too embarrassed to lift her head.

Following her initial bashfulness, Chunyue's heart overflowed with joy. The young lady had yet to consummate her marriage with the Grand Commander in the past few days, leaving Chunyue with an uneasy feeling. Now that they had finally done so, she was genuinely delighted for her mistress.

A prescription was placed before her, and she froze. "Madam, what's this?"

"Fetch the medicine yourself, prepare it personally, and bring it to me without anyone else knowing," Pei Yuanxi instructed with a serious expression.

Spring Month's face shifted. "Madam, this is... this is..."

Pei Yuanxi looked at her. "I'm still young, and my body hasn't fully matured. If I were to become pregnant now, it might not be good for either me or the child. It's not too late to have one after a few more years when I've recovered."

She took the prescription in confusion and hastily tucked it into her sleeve. The girl had a point – her health was more important than an heir. Besides, the girl was still young, so another two years of nurturing wouldn't hurt.

Indeed, this matter had to be kept secret. Under no circumstances could the grand admiral find out.

Unaware of her maid's thoughts, Pei Yuanxi's mind was filled with memories from her past life. She knew that prescription by heart; every character of each medicinal ingredient seemed etched into her soul.

Boiled medicine was much more troublesome, so it would be more convenient to make it into pills, just as she had done in her previous life. In her last life, she had always taken precautions against pregnancy—how did she end up conceiving a child?

The prescription was sound – not only did it serve as contraception, but it also had some benefits for a woman's health.

Her child...

Shangxing stood outside Ren'an Palace, lost in thought as he gazed at the lofty plaque. Footsteps echoed behind him; he knew without turning who was approaching.

"Dad, do you think our family will always stay together?" Despite his persistent inquiries, Master Diviner refused to disclose what needed to be done. He understood that his father was also unable to provide an answer. "Dad, do you remember the corner where a peach tree sprouted later on? No one knew when it grew, and suddenly one day, it bloomed beautifully."

Gongye Chu looked towards the empty corner of the palace wall, where indeed, a peach tree had later emerged. The blossoms were exceptionally stunning, each branch resembling the one she had once given him. Even the fragrance of the flowers was akin to the subtle, elegant scent that lingered on her.

"I remember. You even acknowledged it as your foster mother."

"Turns out Dad knew about this." The youth blushed, believing it had been a secret between him and Master Diviner, something even Uncle Liu Ze was unaware of. To his surprise, his father had known all along. "Why has Dad never mentioned this before?"

Gongye Chu continued to gaze at the empty corner, "Your mother... might indeed be a peach blossom spirit."

The young man was puzzled. How did his mother become a peach blossom spirit?

"Are you and my mother... alright?"

"What could there be between your mother and me?" Gongye Chu looked at him indifferently.

He quickly turned away, his handsome face now serious. "I saw how angry you were earlier and thought something had happened. As long as you two are fine, I can rest assured."

Gongye Chu's aloof expression remained unchanged, though the tips of his ears were tinged with red.

After an hour, he sat opposite Ye Ling.

Between them lay a low table, atop which the aroma of tea permeated the air. The tea ceremony was a leisurely affair, and under Ye Ling's skilled hands, each movement flowed as gracefully as a cloud in the sky.

"I've heard that your lady comes from another world. Does she have any connection with the Mystic Sect?"

Ye Ling paused in her act of brewing the tea. "Yes."

A steaming cup of tea was placed before Gongye Chu. Within the liquid, needle-like green tea leaves floated serenely, resembling a solitary boat adrift on tranquil waters.

Amid the lingering aroma of tea, Ye Ling spoke softly, "My sect is versed in both esoteric and witchcraft arts, traditionally dwelling in seclusion from the world. Many years ago, my master discerned celestial secrets within the astral patterns—a foreboding omen where the Purple Star births malevolence, portending a tyrant's sole domination over the realm."

Gongye Chu wore an unperturbed expression, clearly indicating that the ruthless ruler being referred to was none other than himself. He had slaughtered the Imperial House of Shang and then eradicated all who stood in his way. On the path to the throne paved with blood and bones, only infamy would be left for future generations to remember.

When tyrants rise, the people suffer. Those of us in the Mystic Gate traditionally abstain from worldly affairs, yet my master could not bear to witness the land scarred and its people in agony. After much pondering and anguish, he resorted to an act that defied the natural order, summoning a soul from another world to temper the vicious aura of the Purple Star.

Upon hearing Ye Ling's words, the unflappable expression of Gongye Chu, even in the face of a catastrophic event like a mountain collapsing before him, finally shifted.

"You say my wife... she was brought into your master's life by fate?"

"Indeed," replied Ye Ling, her dark eyes shimmering like a celestial map. "My master's actions went against the natural order, thus he was punished. He spent the latter half of his life blind and crippled, unable to control the chaos that ensued when the divination board was activated. On his deathbed, he revealed this truth to me, compelling me to leave the mountain."

"Was Master Diviner's blindness in his previous life related to this matter?"

"What is past, what is future? Who can truly distinguish between them? Past and future are but two sides of the same coin. All things in the world are bound within the cycle of destiny. The divination board revolves, creating illusions of past and future. What you perceive as the past might actually be the future, and what you believe to be the future could very well be the past." Ye Ling's voice echoed with an ethereal quality, as if she saw through the inevitability of fate with a touch of resignation.

Gongye Chu clenched his hands on his knees, realizing that all these fated events were a result of his own existence. Carrying the malevolent energy of the Purple Mansion, he was a harbinger of disaster for the world. His wife and son had suffered due to his destiny, their lives intertwined with his karma.

"Is there any foolproof way to ensure my wife and son remain forever by my side?"

He never cared about the slander of the world nor worried about his legacy. He would never regret his actions. If his existence was the cause of the current karma, he was willing to bear it alone rather than inflict it upon his family. As a long-reigning emperor and now a powerful regent, he had honed his composure. Yet, his guilt and longing were evident in his furrowed brows.

Ye Ling responded, "The mother of virtue, transforming malevolence to save the masses – that's what my master once said. Our mystic sect has always been skilled in reading destinies. Though you possess a ruthless streak, you are not overwhelmed by malevolent energy. The workings of fate are intricate, and I dare not speculate. But I believe if my master had seen you with his own eyes, he might not have resorted to such risky, heaven-defying methods."

Gongye Chu rose, performing an unusually peculiar salute. "Without my wife, I may not be who I am today. Causality exists not because the cause becomes the effect, or the effect verifies the cause, but because without the cause, there would be no effect. I will eternally be grateful for Master Diviner's efforts. If there is a way to alleviate the plight of my family, I am willing to do anything."

A king's promise was worth more than gold.

Ye Ling rose to her feet, returning the gesture with equal grace, "By accumulating virtue and benefiting mankind, one might attempt to seek such fortune."

"By Master Diviner's wise words, I shall abide. Our two lives intertwined, yet ignorant of your esteemed lineage, would you grace me with the knowledge of your master's school?"

"Matters of the world were originally unrelated to my master's sect, but due to a moment of benevolence from my great-grandmaster, we were unintentionally drawn into the intrigue. Our sect chooses to live in seclusion and has no desire for outsiders to be aware of our existence."

With the wind rising, people parting, the man in purple robes and golden sash vanished into the night as coldly as the breeze itself.

The man in white robes stood tall, gazing up at the starry sky. Amidst the sprawl of twinkling stars, constellations were clearly discernible. The Purple Emperor, bathed in a holy glow, hinted at the vague outline of a hundred-year golden age.

He had never disclosed the lineage of his mentor or mentioned the name of his sect. His sect, for generations, had strictly adhered to the tradition of a single disciple per lineage. The ancestor-master, out of a rare appreciation for talent, broke this rule by taking on an additional disciple, only to find that this decision brought shame upon the sect. Filled with regret, the ancestor-master passed away, lamenting that he was a sinner against the ages and that the fate of the sect was nearing its end. He declared that henceforth, no more disciples should be taken into the fold.

On his deathbed, his master entrusted him with the task of restoring order from chaos and safeguarding the virtuous emperor. He had no disciples to carry on the lineage after him; thus, their tradition would inevitably wither away upon his own passing. Why bother to tell the world of a fate that was already sealed?

For the sake of the world, there would be no regrets.